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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION SMITHSONIAN NVINOSHLIWS SMITHSONIAN » * . 1ES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLIWS S31YVugi7. a ul z is 7 oc. th dy = ox “* oe : <3; a < pe: < | « GO = 2 x — ? = 3 ro 3 » | Pa | a ad =z We ISNI_NVINOSHLINS (S31YVUaIT LIBRAR| ES_ SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION ° yi wo Kon = = | 24 | ae w =< S31yvugit saiuvual INSTITUTION Sa1uvu ia : : 1ES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI_NVINOSHLINS SAIuVuatt * AITHSONIAN ANOSHLING |THSONIAN VINOSHLIWS “Ge {INOSHLIWS aN aan: AY a ai 4 « * aa ~ ~~ a ) Aan y ; At at . : : ia j t as Ry Le Wy) ite ay I ia 4 af b ia i 3 pales (ut 4 % By ‘ ‘« de . ‘ a at ae ae i | j i a wy aa hhied. aang eae ihe y's THE OOLOGIST V RGASG eAac cess Sets sere 5-15-42-116-126 SOI SC AGU lice «, cress ate Beier ae 18 Blackbird ........5-96-102-134-140-145 ESCO WGN Siar testi steve siete steharstarils 18-45-140 PM VIB pes tee tceis ack e ee pc meine vs 77 Redwing ....... 7-118-121-127-134-144 MeO WING Ade «2 noc50 us ey 2 te cicero 45 Blvebind! \.si-r.d.s «6 23-100-119-121-127 DAVOS STERN wits sate e's es ig nls ate Neto 13 1Sy0 ote] SWOUOet Etese Oye meee 45-118-121-127 BVI DONE hee ae oe Oe OES aa ene 123 BES bE GATITORM A) vsiesie.s 2's sje 45 ES aul iteape eect Rabel ra ctie s ie'sye'e @:doensroteren: 9 24-30 SeMMa DINE Viste che teat cits cre ailafelt coswe paisa 143 BIA eCK-PHTORtCG. beanie cs &.04,2 wueete tae 42 LONCCLGTESIS (2) Cache ays & Bapee er eeeee eepeaee 45-118 MAT RO eect esta Pevarain sss 118-121-126-127 [ET Rs Se Oe a eae Pee Meee 46 LES O) AS. | Sepeaepty eee ae aera er 120-143 Buzzard—See Vulture. CRP G Te re ee, eee 141-152 SPEEDWAY sacks cc Sai. enheie ve Sur er tebe 2 122 QE Ro LST Ee Sea oan ere ae 15-45-99 110-118-119-120-121-127 Chat—See Warblers. SRY ENN A ae SR ae Ai See ei AE 99-110 PINCHES orb iere o's SOEs sts He 99-121-127 CATON AY tocts civ a 2 hile metal aie, 119-152 FAUT GS OMS G. Varasht te aa ea, acapeieiace Se oe 86 Valdez Chestnut-sided .......... 47 ADECCO Nis ots serait) «ics wie eal aba teuer sls, ders Boies 94 Chuck-Will’s Widow—See Nightjars. Condor—See Vulture. Coot—American ....... 117-120-127-133 REGIME GA wicis's. vis sts wit o's wera 34-45-1438 Double-crested! (ness sc how ex eee 45 NORV DLEC, an ca des eae 7-47-61-64-96-108 118-121-127-128-139-152 MOAN: tLe ncetsehcrcraloveos: shane taerstar ee hs 24-29-123 KORECDEI-BrOWIl ass. .:. nals aoc. s noners 45-120 RUTOSS DULY ra seteshoeue, co Shatenevserel etaieteeni ce 100 WW hite-winiwed? sy.% “unere cemctos he 131 LOWES boes' SF Sik OAS Sel aS 3-45-98-114- 115-118-121-127-147 CLOW’ S. WISH Meisiakcc yviciataeneeererercters 118 UGKOON v caweetcnce cle Dee eee 19-108 Blagk-billed 2f.2..0.4..5 42-98-117-121 Yellow-billed ..... 42-117-120-121-127 Mei AMOND) OS Gh iris whe ere eBlog eee foe 84 Cunleme es Sac aheer . bhece totes 143 Dickcissel—See Bunting Dove CubansGround: t.,..k<. a. a: ets eee. Cuban Ground W.I. .........5-42-84 MOUTMINGE Soe ak Leone 45-51-63-74-117- 121-126-142-147-152 White-wineed! acim chee 142-152 Ruddy; -Quailee. nae ee 48-152 Dowitcher. ett Scene eee 152 Duck American Merganser ...100-126--152 Baldpate. oso<. 6 hasan ee eee oe Deon Bilaeke (Dusky) 2s 28-29-126-130 Black-Red-legged ............... 87 Blushilbee 0.4: oes eee eee 27 Bullehead As. sso. ee 29-127 Canvassback.. {5..4¢2..i0 6. 27-29-45-1296 Crestedivc2 Sy aa eee eee eee 24-29 BlOnida* << ;).eee aes Sele eee 29 Galdwrallt < 35 ce AS 6 Seen eee 27 Golden-eye-American ........ 29-100 Golden-eye-Barrow’s ............ 29 Gray: \Callivcenccurdn a tseec eer 28-29-30-31 Harlequins ots, foo wae 29-152 Hooded Merganser ............. 42 Indian Runners. 2.3 vn nee 24-29 Mallard!) sie tee 24-27-29-97-120-126 Mandarin -.:...2.: 24-27-29-97-120-126 Masked) coe! kee ae 28-29 Mottled? “Ses6ec4- S35. 63 one 29 Olds Squaw. ce. ; yee eee 29 PitiGallehert. exe uw eolee 28-29-30-31-126 Redtead, 27 Facts. coe 27-28-29-30-31-45 Redlegeedh jon a1..+.2 see oe ee 86 Ringmeckedus-: ..ct tea ca eee 29 Rudd yateecicct... =. prin wen a eee 29 Scaup-Greater 22... ad eas eee 29 GSB CIR. 5 slot colete ae ee 29 OWS Mester... '. iuve crete wee sie 29-30-31 Spoonbitieas.: 2.5 acer 143 T Gali awe eb oh evcrure te meee 27-29-30-31 Tealz Cinnamon: 4). 4's... se! ese 29 Wihttem@alll 2)... tae 28-29-30-31 VI THE OOLOGIST WAU ECOM, ssc she sie renee eetee ene 27 WYOGGl = = oe aoe eter aaron 28-29-30-31-36- 42-72-116-126-130 [DEAE es eee ceee Ree Re ec cern ee 100-123 Sal lear cae icra eeeece 43-45-97-117-127 BAGH TElovenoeh So eseioo eos ooo osc oo: A5 Golden Eagle ...... . . 1-2-48-55-57 BbhyeatCMern ek ceciirc coe ste Siete ere) atone 140 JNU GIGI A Se eee eo ae a Cn he PeLened Sat 118 Blackeé, Wihite: . 25 ics eee 142 IDIOh 6 ty ee Rea ee ceca rensts cigs 142 Great-crested ..... 42-118-120-121-127 Mlnine=sudled wdc occ sees se 13-100 SNe Oper wei Melos aye Chae hada Sonuonerenats 5 Pewee, Wood ........... 118-121-127 Pewee, Cuban-wood ........... 5-84 Phoebe ......... 45-46-98-118-121-127 CUS ON Edie Hi cvass weit sues ee sas ecyenemee 42 Hare enti Sze eee Ait icvcas's ote citar Meas tne mucheae henge 42 \Wsiciaait | Koran eenneeenc SSE a Geesra a oo 142 Yellow-bellied ................. 13 Falcon—See Hawks. Finch CGhiaineh sy.2k cco eee 1-19 GHAR Sise RR Sere ate ee ioie occ 143 (GHEE Sen eRe oe) ciovero. a. 77-79 IDEALS Sh Ree ea PRES Ne ie oC 42 NTN Pears ners ak ta cecae! yas eae eee 100 12 bhe let se eRe EMIS hd Gc. 98-127 Flicker—See Woodpecker. Gallinule TRIO Iey asa O aes OrN RPE oie toner 90-117 Gnatcatcher TMD COUS Waves «axes k weer 86 (Coeliac ave) aS ei ee eer oes 118-121-127 Green-packedins sas «ac. ccs seereie 140 GOOSCiie ie. Fok wale eines did daye eee 133 SGM Mets 2c, « oilers aueedenoe 140 IVICTEIG Ie haan cements. Crees eadiocor ard c.a'6 152 Rail ASA eens sack scene «a aust eo 107 @Warolinma sac avak eens selec 126-1380 (OIE 9) 0Xe) 2 eee Seen See ECn IPSs, 61-08 46 ARGUE Vavayos sg iso oer ae a gt 5 NVIRTITE-CHTOALCE! © Hove see code ee 49-111 DMI T ers ak et sinc ties cchlenbue soa a ewietevare 143 PS EACUMETEHOSS ooeccsecs o's sco nave.e Sie 2 48 SC ETC RE ree 42-99-118-121-127 PaTUVUETTENT os Soler e, diac vvesele ovale sare, pte'd edie o 127 “UNETELEU ud RoR 120 IEPNO ANS ieicievencto zx 0's) ares baie Siw. Ae 152 SUEMTRREIDEATI OMI cies eihatdic oe, cieretssvere canes 97 TENS 1g IR A oe Br ee rae ner 120 MIASICT tis ivicie wavie ee asin woe cease 110 Brown ...23-83-99-119-121-127-129-134 Thrush CULE te ISR aot aea eon eens ae ir 17 MPP EUB CN eo ccs uy alate laretol ovase 8 stea’ oon 14 elevate eee ee Cee 100-120-138-139 ERGO CO! occ sicisjew viele vs oce's 5-42-84 SVAN HUM et eave, aise se tiatenerelte a areaia, w, oles 5 BUWCTEN CL Si si cusses © 55-100-108-119-120-127 Titmouse PNA CKECADDECM — vsx/ ciacte a's 42-99-121-127 SIME oS Toiaid 2) a Seater sake ais) ejabacayatand 82 Cn ohint wl Sa eee eririeee 55-119-152 MOTE pIRape StS, Rete) ora ov oke) clay ons w. «guy aust ees 81 AU TOSUCOL | ick o aioe s scaPteleme, alecs, siclerecs 82 WETGULEN rovctateverckcieis(t's srainteve’s Caccreue aye 81 Mee en. siteatre ey cons. 0 eoths teenie er Uviaatts 128 UT COU Wrote cre ales sl vis site Sieleratwlerete 86 BETTRGCU tone, Hereuet ayer eyo se label ators 119-120-127 Tody MO TIPE NS Mebane emacs here nels a shteoretehe = ekks 62 AMOV ECS GREG Gucio ner ceo pO. 5-118-121-127 Abigater hie ere SOR TOR eR ErC eae 42-147 Cuan srenxy ater cco eae cere ete 47 TSVEAOPMPIM CS i totctteletcatarelere aaeloiete 5 AUTISO Y= VWWillahee c aiagene's lore Sieccres ates 46-120-126 ULN SOME cis cd eave.c Mette ercraee 120 Vireo Black Wihiskered) (Bhackpoll igor. ose oe rere 100 Bite: Wifey sem eis hoes crease 119-121 Canadians < of eis ee. ete b oteter arsenals 99 (CATS MER ic eerie cakes oaiawe aretesd 13-120 Cervileantens cme. stacks kote eee 65 Chestnutcsimeds:. 2... sxc: sities 99-122 Di Sksyise caress + wake » Oatetaieh eee 6 KWentichiye ss see sos. vectrere 62-73-74-119 Kairtlamtl’ soars «site ersrs vate cisteqaiavaped 108 Mae noliainitre ners, «ree 3 crstoaie ci Ons eve 152 Maryland Yellowthroat ....5-15-42- 46-55-99-119-127 Mourne teen.) 0. cer ere te oxerani ee = 46 Myrtle eaves ss ere tasters 15-67-99-120 Ovenbird . .15-32-46-99-110-119-120-121 x THH OOLOGIST Orange-crowned ................ 32-67 Pas Geeceierae c.5 csetane oheneeblstoraveanes 5-15-84 Palm Viellowse- 7 foe s enatneas cto: 15 aU he Aeies. 2s = ona 5-15-45-99-100 Ie Oag ee Oke See aE eee 15-100 Redstart, Am. ......... 5-15-42-45-77- 99-119-120-121-122-127-128 Redstart, Painted .............. 45 SM AIMSONES sy ayisie see cieteeene 46-54-55 MRENMESSEE) oy kG ee 15-46 WAS OTAS od lary ciherstenrneeee eae eee 46 PVC TOW fects viene sree 42-45-69-96-119- 120-121-127-147 wMellows br Chat 83,2. 18-42-119-127 Yellow-throated ............ 5-15-121 Yellow-throated Florida ........ 84 Waterthrush .......... 5-14-15-99-120 Waterthrush, Louisiana ....5-15-119 Wormeating ........... 119-120-152 Waxwing, Cedar 83-99-119-121-127-136 VANCES 5) Cage Choe ieee 120 WeOdcOCk 5.55... c.2 9-10-11-12-38-42- 45-46-117-121-126-131 MVoodpecker ~...... 5. 0eleece 96-140-146 PATCH Cs Oo LOCK. cn. 2 tenuate ee 13 Cubany Green) 2). eee 5 DOW DY 02 Mas oe ec: 42-117-120-121-152 Wowaniy. Valdez, ~..) 9... ue nee 47 UI CKET-\/. CGus 6. sicc Se 98-106-117-121-127 Pireker,,. Northern... 2.2.008% 117 Gardiler’s) inc 2.06 oe ee eee 42 FLAITY Ospaeee hee 98-117-121 Pileatéed: “. Greens ee 32-45-150-152 Pileated, Northern ............. 147 Red. cockaded?.:.....<). ose 120 Rédbellied 2534 buco eee 42-84 Red-bellied Cuban ......:....... 84 Redheaded ....17-42-117-121-127-152 Yellow-bellied ........... 42-120-127 Waterauzel 9)... 2058. oe 45 WHEN assess beads coe eee 42 Bewick's' -<. 22s. +. 2. eee 47 Carolina see 34-55-119-122-127 Catalina Sisland|.e-)40 0. eee 47 IOUSE lei eee 119-120-121-127 House, Western... 235s 13 Marsh, Long billed ...45-119-121-127 Marsh, Short billed ......... 119-121 Parkman’s, 4% 2s). «28s eee 45 . Winter aici ccs ode eee Se 98 ANIMALS. FOX. accaszaalt ang ses Se ele ehe oe Eee 32 Wildcat 2.6.55, toi. tee 32 Snakes 222.1 6G snes cate ne eee 75 THE OGLOCIST. ad BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY Vor VIL. No. 1. ALBION, N. Y,, JAN. 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 270 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Etc., words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your subscription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 269 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 251 your subscription expires with December issue 1910. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1903, at the post office, at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Con- gress of March 3, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘‘THE OOLOGIST,”’ and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. BIRDS THE CELEBRATED HUNGARIAN AND ENGLISH PARTRIDGES AND PHEAS- ANTS, capercailzies, black game, wild turkeys, quails, rabbits, deer, etc. for stock purposes. Fancy pheasants, peafowl, swans, cranes, storks, ornamental geese and ducks, foxes, squirrels, ferrets, and all kinds of birds and animals. WENZ & MACKENSEN, He H, Pheasantry & Game Park, Yardley, a. ; FOR SALE:—A collection of Mexican bird- skins, containing several hundreds of spe- cies; perfect skins with careful data. This collection includes a variety of Raptores and Gamebirds. Will dispose of same, individ- ually, or as a whole. Noexchange. AUS- TIN” PAUL SMITH, Box 141, Brownsville, Texas. WANTED.—Specimens of Black-capped Petrel, Rodger Fulmar, Dark-bodied Shear- water, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Black- vented Shearwater, Townsend’s Shearwater Keadings Petrel, Guadaloupe Petrel, Black Petrel, Blue faced Booby, Blue-footed Booby, Brewster’s Booby, Trompeter Swan, White- cheeked Goose, Elegant and Trudeau’s Tern, Surf Rird, Krider’s" Hawk, Harlan’s Hawk, Peale’s Falcon, Black Merlin, Mottled Owl, Masked Bob-white, Attwater’s Prairie Hen. We will pay good prices or exchange for any first class specimens of above material. Address, Box 524, New Haven, Conn. WANTED.—To buy first class skins of the Hawks and Owls. or will give good exchange ook: WriteS. V. WHARR AM, Geneva, io. WANTED.—To exchange bird skins of Northern Illinois with somebody for birds from his locality, including Werver a. Varieties of our common birds if possible. CHAS. K. CARPENTER, 183 Fox St., Aurora, Illinois. WANTED.—Skins of all the quails, par- tridges, grouse and pheasants of Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia (all over the world), cash or exchange. Write what you haveand ees you want. J. F. FRAZIER, Audubon, owa. WANTED.—First class skins of Murrelets, Gulls, Shearwaters, Rails, Shore Birds, Grouse, Hawks, Owls, particularly Snowy and Great Gray, and certain small aa birds. Offer representative Southern California species, also fine sets of personally taken Heermann’s Gulls and Blue-footed Boobies. All reliable collectors send lists. PINGREY I. OSBURN., Pasadena, Calif. Thirty European birds’ skins, good quality and capable of being mounted. Perhaps of twenty species; such as European Dipper. Hoopoe, Wryneck, Kingfisher, etc. $10 for the lot. AUSTIN PAUL SMITH, Box 141, Brownsville, Texas. WANTED.—Skins of Masked Bob-white, Eskimo Curlew, San Pedro, Partridge, Spotted Owl, Flammulated Screech Owl, Pribilof Sand Piper, Bristle- cee Curlew, and any other rare skins. J. F. FRAZIER, Audubon, Iowa. COSTA RICA SKINS.— Write me your wants. Bird and Mammel skins collected from this locality for cash. HENRY F, RAVEN, Box 73. Limon, Costa Rica. Any collectors haying a few good labeled specimens of foreign birds, send list. I will give A 1skinsof Illinois and California birds. Also offer skins of common specimens from Illinois for nests and sets of small species. HENRY K. COALE, Highland Park, Lake 10 A 1 mounted birds of rare eggs_i N.J JAN 151910 Nope Oe tee OTS II THE OOLOGIST BIRDS—Continued WANTED.—A few good skins of the Aleu- tian Tern (Sterna aleutica) Thayer Museum, Lancaster. Mass. WANTED.—The following first class skins: one pair Tree Sparrow, one pair Western Tree Sparrow, one pair Chipping Sparrow, one female Clay Colored Sparrow, one pair Western Chippiug Sparrow, one pair Brewer’s Sparrow. one pair Field Sparrow, and one pair Western Field Sparrow, all extra A. 1. suitable for mounting. M BARNES, Lacon, Ills. WANTED.—All mounted specimens of Woodcock. Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, all Quails and Grouse, forcash. L. MILLER, 1129 E, Market St.. Indianapolis, Ind. a aaa ie ee WANTED.—Male and female of Wood Duck. Great Horned Owl. Screech Owl, Spar- row Hawk. Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Blue Jay and Searlet Tanager. The first five with nests in section of hollow tree and the latter three with nests and eggs in section of original branches. For further particulars address J. FRIESSER, 5620 Lake Ave., Chicago, II. EGGS EGGS IN FINE SETS—I can supply fol- lowing species: 121, 207, 293a. 29 . 295, 301, 302, 313, 318, 319, 321, 327, 328, 353, 354. 354a, 359. 360c, 370a, 376, 417, 419, 421, 4205, 459, 475, 487. 490.2, 490.2, 513a, 518, 533. 534.536, 554, 567b, 5817, 586 5930, 607, 641, 637, 654a, 683a, 697, 702, 708, 706, 730, 7356, 736a. 738, 749, 754, 763. Exchange lists in- vited. THOMAS H. JACKSON, West Ches- ter, Pa., 304 N. Franklin St. WANTED.—Sets of eggs not in my collec- tion, including many ordinary varieties, and especially western and northerly species. Send list to B. W. ARNOLD, Albany, N. Y. FOR EXCHANGE—F ine sets of Least Tern, Black Skimmer; Louisiana Heron, Wayne’s Clapper Rail, Florida Burrowing Owl, and others. For parliculars address W. W. WORTHINGTON, Shelter Island Heights, New York. TO EXCHANGE—Sets with data, North American and Foreign. Can use many com- mon kinds of both. Dr.T. W. RICHARDS Bone Navy, 1911 N. St., N. W., Washington EXCHANGE.—A tine series of ten of the Pallas Murre from Cape Hope, Alaska. I want 188, 332, 343, 348. 362, 364 and many others, . E. BROWN, 6044 Ist Ave.. No. W, Sta. F. Seattle, Wash. FOR EXCHANGE — First Glass Eggs in sets. C.S. RUTHERFORD: Revere, Mo. FOR S\ALE.—Some rare single eggs from Iceland, Loons, Sjua. Glaucous Gull, Old- squaw, Northern Eider, Bean Goose, Whoup- ing Swan, Golden Plover. Dunlin, Godwit, Ruff, Snowflake, Iceland Falcon, and others. Send for full listto H. WARREN, Room 215 St. James Chambers, Adelaide St., E., Toronto, Ont. FOR EXCHANGE. — Eggs in_fine sets. beautiful minerals, butterflies and moths in dust and insect proof cases, and other natural history specimens. Want all the above. Send lists and receive mine. LEWIS C. SNYDER, Lacona, New York. o TAN —Sets of 351, 352, 352a. 206, and 5 AN sets; have to offer choice sets 679 1-4. 417 1-2. 419 1-2. 337, 339. 375, 263, 261, 273 and many other choice sets: send list and re- ceive mine. R4Y DINSMORE, Perry, Ohio “‘T have perfect sets of Mourning, Cerulean Black throated, blue and Slack throated Green Warbler, American Woodcock, Bar- tramian Sandpiper, Kiug Rail, Canadian Spruce, Grouse and Sharp shinned Hawk for exchange. Il desire sets of American Flam- ingo, Long-billed Curlew, Semipalmated Plover, Hranklin’s Grouse, Bonaparte’s Gull, Williamson’s Sapsucker, White-headed and Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Pink-sided Juneo, Hutton’s and Black Capped Vireo, Sennett’s Orange-crowned and Connecticut Warbler aud Canada Jay. GERARD ALAN ABBOTT, 945 Marquette Bldg., Chicago. FOR EXCHANGH.— First-class sets; have a series of Bartramian Sandpiper, American Bittern, Chestiuut-collared Longspur, Amer- ican Herring, and Riny-billed Gulls. Also some good singles and slightly imperfect sets. personally collected in North Dakota. I waut Cones “Key” last edition; taxidermist instruments, calipers, sets of Whip-poor-will and others. KRED MALTBY, 1667 Jefferson St., Kansas City, Mu. Volumes and odd numbers of ornithologi- cal publicativus. If you want the lot at your own price send for list and make offer. B.S BOW DIsH, 141 Broadway, New York City. T offer 1-3, 2-4 Fish Crow, 1-5 201, 1-5 194; all for a set of Bartman’s Sandpiper 4 or 5 eggs. W.B.CRISPIN, Salem, N. J. FOR EXCHANGE.—Eggs 6 1-7, 37 1-1: 49 1-3, 58 20-2 2-3, 62 1-3, 64 1-4, 65 9-1 1-2, 80 7-2 1-4 7-3, 114-1 1-2, 122 1-4, 123b 1-4, 141 1 10, 127 1-3, 187 1-4 190 1-3, 191 1-4, 194 4-3, 199 4-3, 201 3-4, 211 1-4. 211-2 1-9, 219 1-3, 221 1-4 1-11, 226 1-4, 269 1-4, 280 1-3, $21 19-2. 326 8-2, 333 15, 337b 1-2 2-3, 339 2-4, 339b 2-2, 345 1-1, 346 3u-2 ($10 set)’ 349 1-2, 3551-4, 359 1-2, 1-4, 365 1-3, 368a 1-3 (one bruken), 373¢ 1-3, 374 4-4, 378 1-7, 380 1-3 one missing), 384 1-4 2-6, 385 4-5, 487 2-4, 389 3-41-45, (one gone), 3917-5, 410 1-4 3-5 2-6, 413 1-6, 419 21-2, 420a 1-1, 453 1-4 1-6, 456 2-4, 471 1-3, 475 1-5, 483 1-3, 496 2-2, 500 1-4, 577 1-4, 593a 1-3 19-4, 594a 3-4, 652 1-5, 713 2-4, 3-5 7-6, 719 1-5. 746 1-4, 766 1-5, Gray-tailed Hawk, 1-2 2-3 1-4 $1.25, per egg; White-throated Falcon 1-2, $4.40 per egez; Green Woodpecker 1-4, 7ic. per egy; Brown Jay 1-4 1-5 7éc. per egg; Mexi-. can Crow 1-41-5 75c. per egg; Lesson’s Oriole 1-5 50c per egg; skins for exchange, 51 5, 54-4, 60-4: 64-1. 65-5, 137-8, 142 5, 143-7. 146-11, 149-2, 258a-7, 289b 4, 264-2. Many eggs in broken sets, full data, 1-3 off. Would buy or ex- change for, if at a bargain, any kind of museum specimens, such as relics, fossils, shells, minerals, corals, etc., etc. CARROLL, Sun Marcos, Texas. BOOKS FOR EXCHANGE.—Nicely bound vols. of Bird Lore, a partially complete file of Oologist from No. 1 to date, many vols. and odd numbers of bird magazines, also a few nice sets to exchange. I want especially No. 6 Nol. V the Ovologist_ and No. 6 Vol. I the Nidologist. H. J. KOFAHL, 911 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas. WANTED.—Back numbers of The Auk. Nuttal’s Bulletin and other bird magazines, also on insects. Have numbers to exchange. G. W. HUMPHREY, Dedham, Mass. THE QOLOGIST III BOOKS—Continued ogy, two volumes, The Auk, Vols. 16, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Allin excellent condition. Will sellcheap, F.C. HUBEL, Clarkston, Mich. WANTED.—A copy of Goss “Birds of Kansas.’ Will give good exchange in sets orcash. DR. W.I. MITCHELL, 321 Barnes Bldg., Wichita, Kan. WANTED.—Northern and southern raw furs. Highest market price paid. All goods held subject to approval of valuation. Price list free. GEORGE J. TILLS, Albion, N. Y.% Will sell for best offer: Ridgway’s “Manuel,” 4th edition; Raine’s ‘Bird Nesting in Northwest Canada, and Vols. I, IV. V, VI. Vite Vale Lx. XXL, XT. XII, XIV, Of “Oologist.”” Clean and in good condition. Also Davie’s ‘Nests and Eggs,” cloth bound, 5th edition. in fair condition, and several good books on chess. FRED MALTBY, 1667 Jefferson, St., Kansas City, Mo. FOR SALE.—In perfect condition, “ North American Birds” by Henry Nebhrling, German text, cloth bound, gilt edge, 668 pages and 36 plates, showing 137 species in natural color. Original price $15. Sells for $7. ERICH DIETRICH, Canby, Oregon. WANTED.—The Auk, Vol. II, Nos. 2, 3, 4, Vol. IV, Nos. 2,4, Vol. V. Nos. 2, 3, 4, Vol. VI, Nos. 1,3. For cash or exchange. LOUIS A. FUERTES, Ithaca, N. Y. BIRD LORE.—Will pay cash for Bird-Lore, Vol. II, No. 2, Vol. 3. No. 1, Vol. VII, No.1. If you can furnish any or all, write stating . FRANK H. LATTIN, M. D. Albion, MISCELLANEOUS EXCHANGE.— Send stamp for list of articles to exchange orsell. DAVID PRATT, Box 538 Freefort, Maine. High grade cameras, lenses, field glasses, etc. for natural history work. Iimport them and can save you money. Correspondence ae C. E. WEBSTER, No. Yakima, ash. and eggs of ee Valley Migrants i ne: arblers, Sparrows, ERRY, Chicago, Ill., Care of Field Museum of Natural History. FOR SALE.—Basket work, of ali shapes and patterns, mats, bows, pappoose baskets and other works of art of the “Northern Cali- fornia Indian.” Price list free and your money back, if goods bought are not as represented. Address C. IRVIN CLAY, Box 353, Eureka. Cal. FOR SALE.—1 large black bear skin with skull, claws and leg bones, well salted. Also 1 bull moose with nice pair of Antlers. These skins are first class with full measurements. WM. SIMPSON, Box 484 Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. FOR EXCHANGE.— Scientific shells and books, fossils and stone relics. I want good United States and foreign stamps. HILL, Moodys, Okla. FOR SALE.—2 black bear cubs, tame and healthy, about 6 months old, $40.00. 23 live Canada Geese, 1 gandor, a fine breeding pen, $20.00. WM. SIMPSON, Box 484, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. —-. Leon L. Pray. Specialist in small bird and small mammal taxidermy. Specimens from smallest size to size of Raccoon and Horned Owl mounted. First class work only. Ad- dress correspondence to 5630 Ingleside Ave., Chicago, Il. If you wish to purchase books on Natural History. Science, Travels, etc., write to The Bulletin. If not in stock, they may be ob- tained for you as the proprietors haye ex- ceptional opportunities of buying scarce works. “THE BULLETIN,” 4 Duke St., Adelphi, London, England. FOR EXCHANGE.—A representative col- lection of Ohio Indian relics, consisting of over 400 arrow heads, 29 celts, 14 grooved axes, spear heads, drills, hammer stones, plummets, chisels, gorget, pipe, stone beads, pestles, flint knives, etc. Want first class eggs in complete sets with full and complete data, Send lists and receive tracings of specimens. B.R. BALES, Circleville, Ohio. WANTED.— Mounting coudition, otter fisher, marten, wolverine,grey timber wolf, white blazed face, badger, all skulls. Address E. W. CAMPBELL. Taxidermist, 323 Wyoming Ave, Pottston, Pa. EXCHANGE.—200 mounted Microscopical specimens of animal tissues, (Pathological, Histological and Bacteriological) to exchange for stamps, coins or Indian relics, etc. Also specimens of Fossil Coral (Lithortrotion canadense) to exchange. J. M. BROOKS, M. D., Golden City, Mo. FOR SALE.—Large Flint Lock Pistol, 16 inches in length, $6.00; Puritan foot stove tin, with wood frame, $1.50; pair of iron spectacles 75c. JAMES O. JOHNSON, Southington, Conn. FOR EXCHANGE.—Four by five Premo Film-plate Camera outfit, stevens’ Offhand pistol, 32 calibre Colts repeating rifle; fo nature and sporting goods and _ books. OWEN M. GATES, Box 54 Mansfield, Ohio. He has achieved a large measure oi success as a citizen and man who hag heen thoughtful and considerate in his own home and a kind neighbor. Dairy Pslicy. It’s one thing to find the poor cows and mistakes in your dairy policy, but it's another thing to correct these. What would you think of a doctor who was good at diagnosis and a fail- ure at curing? THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXVII. No. 1. ALBION, N. Y. JANUARY 10, 1910. WHOLE No. 270 Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. PERSONAL The well known bird student, P. G. Howes, of Stamford, Connecticut, is now in Hurope, our last communica- tion from him being from Paris. He expects to remain abroad until some- time in April and has promised us a number of interesting notes on EHuro- pean birds, and particularly of Ameri- can birds which have been transplant- ed to that territory. We are sure they will be appreciated by our readers. We have just received a letter from our cld friend, S. B. Ladd, now of Reading, Pennsylvania. In years past Mr. Ladd was well known as a leading Oolegist and an active collector, and exchanged much with collectors throughout the country. Of late Mr. Ladd has done little in oology and our letter was the first communication we have had from him for more than fif- teen years. As usual with the older boys, he accompanies the letter with a request for a Sample copy ef THE OOLOGIST. We attended a meeting of the South- ern Division of this flourishing California Bird organization at Los Angeles, December 30th 1909, and there had the the pleasure of meeting seventeen or eighteen mem- bers of the club, which was truly a gratification to us. The live interest evidenced by the attendance, by the splendid papers and discussions was indeed a_ revelaticn to one who lives where there is no person with whom to exchange similar ideas. Weuld that a Cooper Club, a Wilson Club cr some other bird club existed in every state in the Union in as flourishing a condition as our Califor- nia friends maintain their splendid or- ganizaticn. While in California we had the plea- sure of meeting A. M. Ingersoll, a well known bird student of San Diego, who with his wife was stopping at one of the leading Los Angeles hotels for the winter, Mr. Ingersoll is the second person with whom the editor of this publication ever arranged an exchange cl eggs. That was in the long, long age. Until this meeting in California, we had never seen Mr. Ingersoll, though had kept up a correspondence acquaintance with him for many years. It is a pleasure now to know that he is not only one of the leading oolo- gists cf the coast, and that he has per- haps the most complete collection of North American eggs existing on the coast, but also that he has by strict attention to business and legitimate means, accumulated a competence. He has now retired to enjoy the fruits of his industry and declining years. No doubt he will spend a large portion of his time in his favorite pursuit, the study of birds. THE OOLOGIST ‘raurey Aq 00Ud ‘epeueg ‘opuouoy JO SUIeY ‘MA JO UOl}O9;;00 Ul SHH s,e|bey uspjoy jo soluesg a, L 2 THE OOLOGIST TRAPPING A GOLDEN EAGLE. A few vears ago I spent the fall months in Kansas on an uncle’s ranch. The country was rough rolling prairie. Nearby was a large creek and along this stream was considerable timber. Squirrels (gray and fox) were abun- dant. Quail very plentiful. Rabbits (both common and jack) were plenty. On the creek several varieties of ducks ‘were found. I was out about every day and game dinners were of regular oceurrence. Immense flocks of larks, longspurs and blackbirds were about, but about all the summer residents and small land migrants had gone. Raptcres were abundant and I shot quite a number. Along early in November the Golden Hagles appeared. Some days four or five were about. Of course I wanted ‘one but they didn’t stay about the tim- ber much, but kept to the prairie where it was impossible to stalk them. Near the house was quite a hill about which eagles as well as other raptores circled. At one place near the base of this hill a gully started and eventually found its way to the big creek, Close to the head of this gully near the base of the hill there had been an old stack of hay or alf- alfa and several small stakes were still sticking in the ground. I found that I could slip up the gully to with- in one hundred feet of this spot so I went over on the prairie, kicked out a big jack rabbit, handed him a charge of sixes and took him over and tied him te one of the little stakes. Noth- ing happened until the second morn- ing, when I found the whole bait gone. I went after another jack rabbit and tied him to the stake. I watched quite sharp that dav, but nothing appeared near the bait. Next morning I again found my bait gone. I now concluded I had a ecyote to deal with, so I went to a nearby ranch and borrowed a heavy steel trap. A goed many pieces and chunks of flint rocks lay areund about the hills and within two feet of the bait, lay a chunk that weighed about fifteen pounds. To avoid too much tramping about, I took along a little board on whieh I stecod. I dug out a place for the trav and carefully set and covered it. ! wired the chain to the end of the rock and buried that end. All dirt I put in a basket and what was left, I carried away, It was a good job and the brisk wind that blew all day helped to carry off any scent; also to smooth things over. After quartering about over the pra- irie, I shot another jack which I tied to the usual stake. Next morning I found trap, stone and all gone. ._I soon located it in a nearby cornfield and in it was a big coyote with the handcuffs on a front foot. He had eaten at the bait a little and mutilated it, and I ecneluded to leave it as it was and re- set the trav. Before night I had taken two crows out. Next morning returning from the creek with a bunch of nice fat mall- ards I saw an excited flock of crows flying about over my trap. Pretty soon I saw a big black bird at the bait. I hadn’t seen a buzzard for some time, so I concluded I had old goldie fast. I noticed however that it ap- peared to be eating and did not flop about as a trapped bird should. So I got into the gully and sneaked up. Crawling carefully up I peered over and there not one hundred feet away was a big golden eagle sitting broad- Side on. I had only one shell of BB and this I sent into his shoulders ex- pecting him to roll over, To my sur- prise he sprang into the air instead. In my second barrel I had a shell of good old reliable sixes with which size I have had most success killing things THE OOLOGIST 3 both big and little. Before he was fairly started, I sent the sixes at his big head and he was mine without a kick, It was a nice specimen and in fine plumage and measured six feet eleven inches in expanse. The BB’s I found on skinning had probably fatally hurt the bird, but it would probably have escaped me entirely if the sixes had not done the work. The strange part of it was that a crow had got caught and the eagle going to the bait had killed the crow and when I shot was eating it, The body was about half eaten and quite warm. Next day I saw a large bird flopping about in the trap so I went over and found a_ big black hawk that proved to be a Harlan’s. The next day I had to take up my trap as I was getting ready to leave for home, Before tak- ing it up a big Red-tail got in. This red-tail was an adult; quite light-col- ored underneath with hardly any markings. Its mate I flushed and shot from a bend in the gully, This one had killed a rabbit on which it was feasting when shot. From this experience I concluded that if I could have staid a little long- er and put out six or eight baits, more than one eagle would have come back with me. While there the last week in Sep- tember there was a flight of Swain- son’s Hawks. I saw as many as fifty three in one flock. They were not very shy and I shot a number in dif- ferent plumage. They fed entirely on grasshoppers. I never saw such num- bers of hawks as during the week they were about. R. B. SIMPSON. 2 The Migrant Shrike? The reading of Mr. Leach’s letter in the December Oologist set me to “On May 5, thinking about the old puzzle “Which shirke is it?” For several vears past I have seen and collected the eggs of our com- mon shirke, calling it Lanius ludovlcla- nus excubitorides; sets of six being almost always found here in first sets. On looking over back files of the Oolo- gist I have found that there is some confusion on the shrike question. In the December, 1904, Oologist, Mr. C, P. Alexander writes a rather long and interesting article on the White- rumped Shrike, telling of finding sev- eral nests near Gloversville, N. Y. All the notes he makes tally with my experience of the common shrike. He closes thanking ‘Mr. Benjamin Hoag for identifying properly these birds from descriptions I sent him.” In the Oologist for December, 1906, Editor Short says, in answer to R. F. M. who asks whether it is the White- rumped Shrike or the Loggerhead in Hennepin County, Minnesota: “The two forms unquestionably intergrade in Southern New York, Northern Penn- sylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.’ Short further says, “We draw a line (to divide the species) from Connecticut westerly through Southern New York, Northern Penn- sylvania and Northern Ohio straight to the Rockies.” In the December, 1907, Oologist, I find this from Mr. Alexander again: near Gloversville, I found a rest of Migrant Shrike in a thorn apple tree, ten feet up, containing six eggs.” In parenthesis Editor Short asks, ‘“‘Was this bird not Excubitor- ides?” (White-rumped Shrike.) Now Editor Barnes briefly tells Mr. Leach that his birds are Migrant Shrikes, thereby endorsing what L, A. Fuertes had previously told Leach. Is there not someone who can speak as one having authority about these birds, this newly-made variety? I think many would like to have this’ question settled for good. R. T. FULLER, Lacona, New York. uley ‘M Aq OJ0Ud “epeurg ‘oJU0UOY JO OUIEY UOI}EAA JO UO0!}99]/09 ul shbe swedidpueg Auezijog JO saliag ‘gL Sa ) — 1) ie) = 2) e) al an isa) THE OOLOGIST A Paddle Down The Nuevas River, November 20, 1909. The Nuevas river is a small but winding river which flows through Mc- Kinley, Isle of Pines, Cuba. One Sat- urday, three of us decided to take the boat and paddle down the river a Ways to see what birds we could. So we put some extra rope, a small hatch- et, and a heavy hunting knife togeth- er with something to eat and the shot gun. We finally got started about 9.00 a. m., rather late for the best observa- tion. Every turn in the river disclos- ed some new beauties. The river is lined on both sides with heayy jungles and royal palms. Sev- eral small rapids and log jams fur- nished excitement as well as novelty to the triv. We paddled down the ‘river for about five miles, rested a half hour and started back about twelve. We had to pole most of the way back because of the swift current. Southern, Green Herons, Cuban Ori- oles, Red-legged Thurshes, Cuban Wood Pewees, Anis, and Blackbirds (Ptiloxena atrovolacea 3-4) were com- mon, Cuban Ground Doves, Southern Turkey Buzards, Water-thrushes, and Cuban Grackles were abundant. Three or four Least Bittern, West Indian Mourning Doves, Palm Warblers and Cuban Kingbirds, West Indian Mourn- ing Doves, Palm Warblers and Cuban Kingbirds were also seen. Several Cuban Green Woodpeckers, Louisiana Water-thrushes, together with Cuban (Great) White Heron (1), Little Blue Heron (1), Belted Kingfishers (2), Pigeon “(Columba inornata_ 8-10), White head Pigeon (2), Cuban Mea- dowlark (2), Cuban Pigmy Owl (2), Simpkin (1), Parula Warbler (2-3), American Redstart (1), Cuban Parrot (2), Maryland Yellow-throat (1), Isle of Pines Trogon (1), and Palm Swift (2). An alligator was also shot. We re- string, . gett), “\o 5 turned home tired, but more than 1v- paid for our work for we had seen thirty species which was not so bad for the late start. A. Ge READ: <> —____ —_—--— The Towhee in New York, On July 4th last I found a Towhee’s nest in a rather unusual position. It was placed about eighteen inches from the ground on, rather than in a low thick sloping bush, I was going through a thick piece of undergrowth and came out into an old abandoned vineyard which was then overgrown with sumac, weeds and scrubby bush- es. I saw a nest ahead of me and a bird on it, which at first glance I took to be a Wilson’s Thrush, as the nest was placed up from the ground as this Thrush sometimes places hers. But I saw at once that it was a female Towhee, I tried to get a picture of the bird on the nest, but she slipped away before I could get my camera ready, and began to scold me. I did two nice views of the nest, one show- ing just the nest and eggs taken from the side, and the other showing more of the bush, was taken from above. The nest was on a steep side hill about 125 feet elevation above the lake in the valley below. Verdi Burtch, Branchport, N. Y. ——— ——_-— > — Bird Accidents. I have noticed with interest the ac- counts of bird accidents in the last two issues cf the The Oologist. I too have noticed two bird accidents the past year. One accident is_ iden- tical with the one described by Mr. DuBois in the December issue. A robin endeavoring to take a that was wound = around a limb, to her nest had hopelessly en- tangled its feet. In this instance, how- Ga THE OOLOGIST 27(\) )1\A\? ever, the bird was released before it was too late. The other accident is a more peculi- ar one, Harly one morning during March, 1909, one of my friends was awakened by a thumping on the roof outside. The noise continued some time and finally he arose to investi- gate and found that an English Spar- row was fast in the eve trough. A ladder was procured and the bird was taken down but not before the bird had succombed. It was found that the birds feet were frozen fast in the ice in the trough and the bird was un- able to extricate itself. The water which remained in the trough was suf- ficient to cover the bird’s feet and this having frozen during the night held the bird fast to its roost. It hardly seems possibly that a bird could sleep with water freezing about its feet but such was apparently the case. H. E. BISHOP. Sad Result. While reading the December OOLO- GIST, 1909, I noticed an accident which befel some birds which reminds Me of one incident familiar to me which happened at my former resi- dence in Boulder, Colorado, Where a mountain stream threads its way through the city and along its bank there is a grove which contains a great many kinds of small birds such at Nuthatches, Robbins, etc. ; Among the numbers, my _ sister found a Western Kingbird swinging from a string and on examining it, the bird was found with the string which formerly hung in a_ loop, twisted around the bird’s neck, which evident- ly choked it, and death resulted. This happened during the nesting season and it is very reasonable how it happened to meet the unusual death. PERRY L, JUDD, Rathdrum, Idaho. Unusual Eggs. In THE OOLOGIST for May, I see that in the article “The Red Tail Hawks,” the author refers to an egg of the Hastern Redtail, measuring 2.23 x1.66 inches as being unusually small. This egg is the smallest in width of any of which I have heard, but there is an egg of this species in my collec- tion which is much shorter. It is one of a set of three from Michigan, and the eggs measure 2.16x1.90, 2.18x1.88, and 2.20x1.84. This is .20 of an inch shorter than the average given by Mr. Davie. I also have a set of Western Mocking- bird’s eggs, collected by myself near Pasadena, California, the largest egg of which is 18 of an inch above the average length. They measure re- spectively 1.12x.75, 1.09x.76 and 1.09x Wd, Later, I collected a second set from this pair, and it is interesting to note that these were still above average size, measuring 1.01x.74, .99x.74, and NIECE. A. B. HOWELL. <>. —____—__-_-_ Special Notice. All subscribers whose numbers are below No. 257 are dropped from our mailing lists with this issue. We can- not send our publication to trose who do not pay. R. M, BARNES. —~?*—+e— The Dusky Warbler. Through an oversight of the printer, the article appearing on page 188 of Volume 26, (November, 1909,) of THE OOLOGIST relating to the Dusky WARBLER was not credited to Mr, A. K. Snyder who is the author thereof. This is due Mr, Snyder as the article was not only readable, but related to a species concerning which there is but little ornithological literature. THE OOLOGIST 7; The Poor Cowbird. In attendance upon a meeting of the Cooper Club at Los Angeles, a few days ago, the Editor listened to a very readable paper on the alleged discovery of a new sub-species of the Cowbird inhabiting the arid lands of Utah and Nevada; substantially all the lands lying be- presumably also tween Sierra Nevada and Rocky Moun- tains. The January issue of the Auk con- tains another article upon the alleged discovery of another sub-species of Cowbird inhabiting Northwest Canada, We extend our sympathy to the Cow- bird. species will now be discovered inhabit- We presume many alleged sub- ing various portions of the United States. now be torn, rent, cut chopped and The unfortunate Cowbird will split into infinitismal fragments of sub-species with which proceeding we have absolutely no sympathy what- ever, as it is now carried on in Ameri- Witness the fate of the Song Sparrow, Redwing Blackbird, can ornithology. Horned Lark, etc., most of which have been sub-divided and refined and re- refined until even the great bird doc- tors often are unable to tell which is which, nor from whence the specimen came; and frequently wind up as an excuse for their lack of knowledge of the alleged knowledge necessary to differentiate the various sub-species with this statement —‘intermediate between” so and so. a See to it that your name is on our subscription list for 1910. Collections. We have just recently examined and estimated the value of the collection of eggs of Mr. Thomas H, Jackson of Westchester, Pennsylvania, and learn it to be among the most complete in the country, containing as it does, 737 species and sub-species, mostly in sin- gle sets; though in many of the rarer varieties, and in some of the exceed- ingly rare species, goodly series are represented. It is remarkable for a number of unusually rare specimens in proportion to the size of the collec- tion. Our old friend Professor W. Otto Emerson of Hayards, California, kind- ly forwarded us a list of his collection of nests and eggs. It was a pleasure to peruse the same and to learn that it represented 469 species and _ sub- species of North American birds, most- ly in single sets, through a consider- able proportion are represented by series. Professor Emerson’s’ well known accuracy and care is reflected in this accumulation, and he is‘ to be congratulated upon the splendid rep- resentation that his collection con- tains. Fred Truesdale of Shandon, Califor- nia forwarded us the datas accompany- ing the eggs in his collection for our inspection. Though a comparatively beginner in oology, ,Mr. Truesdale has accumulated 158 varieties, some of them exceedingly rare specimens, and in the course of years to come, we have no doubt it will become one of the leading collections on the coast. ee Qur Make Up. With this issue we make a slight change in the make-up of THE OOLO GIST. Hereafter the advertising mat ter will be paged with Roman letters, and the reading matter numerically. 8 THE OOLOGIST Just about as much can be expected of boys and girls as from a newly set orchard if both are started and then allowed to shift for themselves. The old Harry in the shape of weeds and ill manners, borers and bad habits is sure to get them. No slipshod or ab- sentee oversight will give satisfactory results. ; It pays an owner in dullars to give his buildings a good coat of paint and make the premises shipshape if he is contemplating selling. It will give just as large a return in chunks of solid satisfaction for himself and fam: ily if he isn’t thinking of selling. Es. pecially is such improvement of thé place to be commended from _ thé Standpoint of the passerby. In most states the law as to fences requires a railroad to provide its right of way with a fence of the kind whick the farmer has or may want to erect adjacent thereto. To illustrate, if 4 fandowner wishes to fence hog tight a tract of land bordering on the right of way, the railroad would have ta erect a fence of this description on the line bordering such tract. Following one line means success in a majority of cases, but did not with the Illinois farmer who got fine homestead land at $1.25 per acre sixty years ago, has grown nothing but wheat and corn on it since and today gets but two bushels of wheat and ten of corn per acre. and even to get this paltry return has to let his land rest part of the time at that to get its breath. He was one of your practical fellows who followed in the agricul- tural ruts of his forefathers and had no time for lead pencil farmers or ex- periment station bulletins. The pasture should be one of the best assets on a well managed farm and if properly handled should give as large a return with as little outlay of work as any other acres on the place. One way in which its efficiency may be increased is to give it a light top dressing of fertilizer with the spreader, paying special attention to the spots where the soil seems to be the thinnest. In this way an effective disposal can be made of much of the manure which accumulates about the stables during the summer months, which if not carried out would lose about half of its fertilizing value from exposure to rain and weather. A discerning contributor to a well known dairy paper in accounting for the financially strapped condition of so many dairymen in sections of New York which he visited finds the chief reasons for their unenviable condition to be poor cows, the buying of much feed that ought to be raised on the farm, failure to utilize to their full value the crops that are produced, es- pecially corn, and waste of money in extravagant personal habits when it ought to be spent for supplies for the home and feed for the dairy cows. The causes cited by this investigator would seem to be sufficient to account for a good deal of low ebb dairying and farming. It is a fact conceded by all dairymen and feeders that pasture grass is as nearly a perfect feed as it is possible to have. There are several reasons for this One is that it is juicy and succu- lent and, entirely apart from its nutri- tive properties, is eaten with keen rel- ish by all domestic animals. Added to this is the fsct that it contains in nice- ly balanced proportions the several nutritive elements required for meat and milk producticn. Another point is that it is not eaten in stuffy. ill venti- lated and poorly lighted barns, but in the open, where with every mouthful of grass taken ‘into the stomach a breath of sweet fresh air is taken into the lungs, purifying the blood, aiding the heart action and increasing to 1 maximum the animal’s power of as- similation, which in turn makes possi- ble the consumption of stil larger quantities of feod and an increased production of milk and meat THE OOLOGIST V By way of showing that tne west does not have a monopoly in the op portunities it offers for home seekers may be cited the case of a colony of Italians who a short time ago settled in Chautauqua county, N. Y. There were 400 men in the colony, which numbered 2.000 with women and cbil- dren. They bought up 1,758 acres of land at $85 an acre and put it into vineyards, and the same land is todar valued at $150 an acre, an increase in value of more than 400 per cent The same thing on a smaller scale is being done by other foreigners in this and other New England states, the land being used for the production of a great variety of early vegetables and other stapie food crops. Bred to an almost painful thrift in the old coun- tries, they have come to the new and by applying the same methods in the sections mentioned are becoming well to do. where the less thrifty American is scarcely able to eke out a living. The Awakening. Two weeks after he bad faced the parsou with the only gir: ip the world he chanced upon Jones, one of bis old bachelor friends. “Well, old man,” remarked the lat- ter, grinning, “] can’t say you look the part of a happy benedict. What's the trouble? Have you suffered a disap- pointment?"’ “IT have.’ answered the other grimly. “My wife can't sing!” “Can't sing’ echoed Jones cheerily. “But in that case | should have said you were to be congratulated.” “That’s not the trouble.’ responded the young husband. ‘The trouble is she thinks she can!” His Authority. Browring—I hear you are engaged to that young widow who is visiting relatives here. Is it true? Greening— Yes. Browning—How did you discov- er that she was the one woinan in the world for an old bachelor like you? Greening--Why,. she—er—told me so — Chicago News. Prices for Back Numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST AND THE OOLOGIST will, during 1910, remain as below: After which the prices of many num- bers will be advanced and possibly not obtainable at any price. Should you desire back numbers to complete you file, NOW is the time to purchase. You can never obtain them for less money and possibly not at any price, as our stock ranges from only 1 to 25 copies of an issue. Prices for 1909 Are as Follows: Nos. 1,14, 18, 31, 34-35, 42, 53, 86, 89, 111,130 ,132 137. 139, 140, 153, 158, are 50 cents each; Nos. 9, 66-67, 76, 77, 78, 79, 88, 90, 100. 113, 138, 146, are 25 cents each. Nos. 1. 13, 1452155 G64, “‘bo,aioG,0 10; 87, 123; 127, 128, 129, 144, 149, are 15 cents each. Nos, 195.20; 22,27, 28; 38, 39.405 46, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 133, 135, are 10 cents each. §8F-All other numbers 5c. per copy. For $12 will send prepaid a copy of every issue ever published, No. 1 to 145.—30 far as now on hand. This offer in- cludes your subscription through 1910. My prices for back numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST and OOLOGIST in volumes, are as follows: Vol: I, 1884-5, Nos. 1 to 12... .02... $ .90 Voll Li, S85) Nose 1S stops omens .50 Viol ). W. CAMPBELL, Taxidermist, 323 Wyoming Ave., Pittston, Pa. }1) WANTED. Pair of long thin spurs; old U. S. coins and postage stamps; confederate bills and stamps; perfect copper or stone implements; first volumes of O. &O. GEO. W. H. VOS BURGH, 284 Riverside St,, Janesville,!Wis. 4 (1) Arickara Indian collection for sale, Per- sonally collected. Bone implements, arrow heads, stone hammers, etc. Send stamp for photo and price. H. E. Lee, Pierre, 8. D. [1] Haveten pairs Buffalo Horns, five polished, five in rough; 2 large Snake Skins, 12 feet and 18 feet with heads. 2 Mamosett Monkeys, mounted, no stands. Any reasonable offers; Gash preferred. B. HARTLEY, 97 Smith St.. New Haven, Conn, {2] TO EXCHANGE.—Collection of over 200 scientific cabinet shells (40 species Cyprae) for Warblers in sets with nests or Indian relics, arrowpoints, spearpoints and cere- monial axes preferred. First fair offer takes the list. List sent if stamp is enclosed. L. B. HOWSLEY, Mullan, Idaho. {1) FOR SALE,—1 black bear skin showing following measurements: Length, 6 feet, 63 inches; height at shoulder, 343 in.; at hip, 36 in. Girth center of body, 4 feet 6:in, Large and perfect teeth and claws with skull] and leg bones, Prepaid, $25,00. One unmounted moosehead; spreads 543 in., length of palm 27 in., width 94 in. 24 points; Al scalp. Pre- paid $35.00. One elk head, spread 42 in., beam 51. 6and7 points; very fineeven head. A scalp. Prepaid $35.00. WILLIAM SIMPSON, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Box 484. {1} EXCHANGE.—200 mounted Microscopical specimens of animal tissues, (Pathological, Histological and Bacteriological) toexchange for stamps, coins or Indian relics, etc. Also specimens of Fossil Coral (Lithortrotion canadense) to exchange. J. M. BROOKS, M. D., Golden City, Mo, (1) _ IV THE Calgary, Alta. EXCHANGE.—Send stamp for list of articles to exchange orsell. DAVID PRATT, Box 538 Freefort, Maine. (1) WANTED.—Good photographs of nests ississippi Valley Migrants breeding in northi e., Warblers, Sparrows, etc. J. F. FERRY, Chicago, I1l., Care of Field Museum of Natural History. \1) FOR SALE.—Basket work, of ali shapes and patterns, mats, bows, pappoose baskets and other works of art of the “Northern Cali- fornia Indian.” Price list free and your money back, if goods bought are not as represented. Address C. IRVIN CLAY, Box 353, Eureka. Cal. (1) 1 bull moose with nice pair of Antlers. These skins are first class with full measurements. WM. SIMPSON, Box 484 Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. {1} FOR EXCHANGE — Scientific shells and books, fossils and stone relics. I want good United States and foreign stamps. Soh HILL, Moodys, Okla. [1] FOR SALE.—2 black bear cubs, tame and healthy, about 6 months old, $40.00. 23 live Canada Geese. 1 gandor, a fine breeding pen, $20.00. WM. SIMPSON, Box 484, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. : (1) = f HE BULLETIN,” 4 Duke St., Adelphi, London, England. [1] FOR EXCHANGE.—A representative col- lection of Ohio Indian relics, consisting of axes, plummets, chisels, gorget, pipe, stone beads, pestles, flint knives, etc. Want first class eggs in complete sets with full and complete data. Send lists and receive tracings of specimens. B. R. BALES, Circleville, Ohio. {1 WANTED.— Mounting coudition, otter fisher, marten, wolverine, grey timber wolf, white blazed face, badger, all skulls. Address E - CAMPBELL. i i _ FOR SALE.—Large Flint Lock Pistol, 16 inches in length, $6.00; Puritan foot stove tin, with wood frame, $1.50; pair of iron spectacles oe JAMES O. JOHNSON, eg sith onn. FOR EXCHANGE.—Four by five Premo Film-plate Camera outfit, Stevens’ Offhand pistol. 32 calibre Colts repeating rifle; for nature and sporting goods and _ books. OWEN M. GATES, Box 54 Mansfield, Ohio.|1 Is your Subscription paid up ? OOLOGIST The Migrant Shrike. J. Claire Wood. In THE OOLOGIST for January, 1910, Mr. R. T. Fuller of Lacona, New York, desires to know which variety of Lanius ludovicianus inhabits his state. Beyond a doubt, migrans is the only breeding form and if either ex- cubitorides or true ludoricianus should occur at all it could be only as a very rare straggler. Probably the latest and generally accepted authority on geographical distribution is Prof. Ridgway’s “Birds of North and Mid- dle America,” and according to this great work, excubitorides is not found East of the Great Plains while the’ range of migrans is given as the great- er part of United States Hast of the Great Plains; breeding North to New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Northern New York, Quebec, Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota and Southward to midland Virginia and western Carolina, Ken- tucky and eastern Kasas; in winter, southward to Mississippi, Louisana and Texas. The range of true ludov- icianus is given as “Coast district of South Carolina and Georgia to south- ern Florida, and westward over the coastal plain of the Gulf States to Louisiana.” Excepting borealis, all the shrikes I have collected here are typical mi- grans. My first were taken August 10, 1890, and last April, 25, 1909. I have found them in every month of the year except January. SUBSCRIBERS! READ NOTICE ON PAGE 11 ‘‘Notice No, 259.” THE QOLOGIST. VoL. XXVIII. No.2. Apion, N. Y. Fepruary 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 271 Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Illinois. Plate 3. Female Woodcock brooding eggs, Cook County, Illinois. Photo by George A. Abbott. 10 THE OOLOGIST Where the Woodcock Lurks. “Meet me at six to-morrow morning near Crow Creek. When you reach a clump of Sumach follow up the ridge to some heavy undergrowth, known as Hazel Top. This drizzle has practi- cally taken the frcst out of the ground, and the Woodcock will be probing the mellow soil along the brook bottom. Last year while scouting among this undergrowth, I chanced up on an old hen with four little Bog-suckers. They were the prettiest creatures I ever saw; probably out of the shell about three days, and covered with mark ings of hazel brown and chestnut. Many of our birds emerge from the shell naked and blind. Often they are awkward and ungainly after leaving the nest. I held these chicks in my hand and studied them carefully for half an hour, much to the discomforture of the parent. She circled about drop- ping into the leaves, strutting like a Turkey Cock, wings drooped and bill slightly open. I’m sure this pair have taken up their abode in the same tract this Spring, because I heard the male “Circling.” ‘Up the Creek where the stream broadens into a slough IJ shot several Mallard. At dusk when I reached Hazel Top, the moon was rising and I listened for that nasal note so sug- gestive of the Night-hawk’s call. Pres- ently I heard the old cock who was quite a ventriloquist. After locating the bush under which I heard him “queeking,”’ a rustle of wings predict- ed an aerial flight. I walked around in the soft ooze, tempted to look for the mate, feeling positive she was cov- ering four yellow-brown eggs on some one of the many knolls. If we go there tomorrow I hope to show you what appears to be a ball of animated leaves, Do not be surprised if I stop or pause abruptly, as I’m apt to walk within two feet of the nest before her black beads lend to that somber bed of leaves a most vital appearance.” Ralph appeared at the appointed time next morning, and with a stron; west wind blowing against our faces, we headed up the rivulet. The first brush we entered, near the foot of Hazel Top, had been burned since the shedding of the leaves last Fall and betore the Catkins had burst forth this month. Three or tour chalky patches on the leaves announced the presence of a Woodcock, and closer scrutinizing revealed honey-combed patches in the earth, showing where the birds had been probing within the last twenty-four hours, “Did you hear that whistle? Sounded like the notes of a Cow Bird? That was the Woodcock, his. short, broad wings with their outer primaries turn- ed, produces that quivering whistle wheu rising perpendicular to a height ot ten 1eet before taking a horizontal course and dropping zig-zag into an- other cover. The hen is sitting turth- er westward in the unburned portion® the bushes here are too exposed around the base.” I crawled through the fence to ex- amine a clump of poplars and saw the female, her back toward me, with nead and bill turned at right angles to her body. She was five feet from the fence post and sitting with a south exposure. Never before had I “caught” one on the nest, sitting at “right an- gles.””’ If this madam had turned her head to look, it was before I saw her, and she remained in what appeared to be a very cramped position for fif- teen minutes. Ralph stooped to stroke that velvet like back before she vacat- ed her nest. I never saw such an ir- regularly marked clutch. If I were to send them to some correspondent he might accuse me of “making up a THE OOLOGIST 11 set.’ There are three distinct types in that set of four. “There is another place just over the shore line of Lake Michigan where the Philohela Minor lurks from mid- dle March to early August. We will go out there to-morrow. The place is grown up with pucker bush, roses and alders. An ideal place and harboring at least three pair of Owl Snipe. Old hunters tell me, prior to 1900, no less than fifteen pairs arrived there in ear- ly Spring and on July 4th, when the season opened for Woodcock shooting, some hunters secured fifteen birds in a day. Only two fellows had access to the place, and they kept it “under their hat,’ realizing the possible de- struction of the entire Woodcock tribe if the place we frequented by indis- ecreet hunters. These two men were true sportsmen and they never visit- ed the place but once a year.” Ralph, interested in taking migra- tion notes, did not meet me as agreed, so I hoofed it alone. Making a bee- line for one of the choicest spots in the brush, I stopped to survey the black soil. The two handsome males were sitting side by side under a little popular; one jerked up his tail and strutted over the ridge, the other took flight in the same direction. Beating back and forth in the copse, I detected an egg under the leaves at the base of a grape vine. had cunningly covered her product and only a tenth of the shell was vis- ible through the dead leaves. Five days later I returned with my camera friend, and we made four successful expcsures, three of parent on nest, and one of the eggs. Thinking she would lay a second set the place was revisited and two weeks later I found her squatting in the midst of a few briers near a wocded path fifty yards from the first nest. She jumped from her domain revealing a most unique The bird. clutch of three eggs, two normal in size and the third decidedly a runt, not larger than a Tow-hee’s egg. I went to Poplar Lake on May Ist, 1909, It was a typical March day. A heavy, wet snow had been falling and the wind was blowing forty miles an hour. A ridge extends along the shore of the Lake and this is sheltered by elms and hazel _ sprouts. Peabody Birds and Juncos were dodging in and out among the brush piles and _ oc- casionally a little Winter Wren dart- ed out almost beneath my feet, Un- der a fallen limb and surrounded by snow flakes, (not Snow Buntings) was a large Woodcock covering a_ well formed, deeply cupped nest in a soft bed of leaves and grass. She winked occasionally and I was sure this was not in keeping with an incubating bird. Undoubtedly she was covering an in- complete set, only to protect them from the inclement weather. To dis- turb a Woodcock while laying, or cov- ering an incomplete set, often causes her to abandon the nest entirely, so I withdrew without intruding further. A few days'‘later after a warm thaw, she was visited by myself and camera friend. The madam had settled down very complacently and permitted us to make several exposures with the leas only one and one-half feet from her. The rest held four very richly marked eggs, evenly spotted with chestnut brcwn, one of the prevailing shades in a Wocdcock’s plumage. GERALD ALAN ABBOTT. eae ee) St SN eee Notice No. 259. With this issue of The OOLOGIST we drcp all subscribers from our bcoks whose numbers are below 259. This we hate to do but the post office regulaticns are imperative, Better renew at once and keep in the game as we will give you a better magazine fcr the price than any other in Amer- ica. We hope each one of our sub- scribers will send us a new subscrip- tion before April 1st. Try and see what yeu can do for The OOLOGIST. al THE OOLOGIST Plate 4. Nest and eggs of American Woodcock, Cook County, Illinois. Photo by George A. Abbott. THE OOLOGIST 13 Some Fulton County, (N. Y.) Birds. During the past two years a few interesting birds have been added to the Avi-fauna of Fulton County, New York, These are as follows: Uria lomvia, Linn. Brunnich’s Mur- re. A single specimen was shot Decem- ber 20, 1908, at Red Bunch, near Mun- sonville. It was sitting on a snow bank, and as the hunters approached, flew directly toward them, when they shot it. Larus philadelphia, Ord. Gull. A young mounted specimen of this gull is in the Fulton House at Canada Lake. It was shot on West Lake, in the fall of 1900. Totanus melanoleucus, Gmel. er Yellow-legs. A mounted specimen is in the Ful- ton House at Canada Lake. It was shot in front of the hotel, in October, 1897, Bartramia longicauda, Bechst. mian Sandpiper. On May 6, 1909, and June 23, 1909, single specimens were observed. On June 27, 1909, I noted four specimens in a grassy field, one mile East of Johnston. Three were noted in the air at one time. On June 28, 1909. I went over and secured a specimen. There is scarcely a doubt but that the bird was breeding, but careful search Bonaparte’s Great- Bartra- toed Woodpecker. A male was secured in Cold Spring Woods, Southeast of Gloversville, New Ycrk, on October 30,1907, by Carver Pruyn. Nuttalornis borealis, Swains. Olive sided Flycatcher. A specimen was taken in the Johns- town Cemetery, May 30, 1909. This specimen and the next are in the Cor- nell University collection. Empidonax flaviventris, Baird. Yel- low-bellied Flycatcher. A beautiful specimen was secured May 22, 1909, in Mosher’s Woods, Northeast of Johnstown. It was sitt- ing low down on a brush-pile, in com- pany with male Indigo Buntings. The only other record for the county that I have is September 26, 1903, in the chestnut woods, three miles west of Gloversville, New York. Dendroica tigrina, Gmelix. Warbler. Two males in Johnstown on May 18, 1909. The first record for the county. CHARLES P. ALEXANDER. 2 Cape May Increase. The year 1908 there was a pair of Western House Wrens which built be- hind a board so placed.as to form a miniature tunnel between the logs of a log house, near Rathdrum, Idaho. They raised two flocks and. the next year I placed three bird boxes up and they were occupied during the summer of 1909 and one pair still nested be- hind the board, The results from the three boxes were twenty-one offspring who lived principally on plant lice and small bugs, which is certainly a great item to the orchardists, In all, four pairs produced twenty- eight young, which required a great many plant parasites, A Western Blue Bird nested in one of the boxes after the Wrens left it to tend their young. PERCY Jz JUDD: > What do you think of the OOLO- GIST this month? We are now hook in the harness and will give you the best OOLOGIST ever published dur- ing 1910. Just see if we do not. 14 The American Robin in England. P. G. Howes. In the early part of 1908, at just ' what time I cannot say, a dozen Ameri- can Robins were taken to England and kept in a large aviary in a country garden. When breeding time came, the birds nested readily in the aviary but as as congregation is not congen- ial with the family Turdidae, many of the clutches were broken and none were likely to be hatched. When this was discovered, the remaining eggs were carefully removed and deposited in the nests of various English birds of the Thrush family. The experiment worked wonderfully, and at the end of the summer, the dozen American birds were greatly increased in numbers. So far, so good. The English sum- mer as breathed in the shade of a beautiful garden proved thoroughly sympathetic with the robins. They fed and bred and flourished without disturbance from their neighbors or surroundings. If they remain, the rob- ins will be a real addition to England and the British will look upon them with even more pleasure than ‘they mark the coming of the first gentle green of their alien tree, the larch. The pleasing fact is now to be chronicled that up to December 10th, 1908, they have remained. One mi- grating period is over. Many Black- birds (Tundus merula) and thrushes have migrated to France and flocks of other birds have launched them- Selvs from the shores of Kent south- wards and eastwards. With almost all birds, congregation precedes mi- gration. The safety of numbers arms them against the peril of the long journey. “The storm of wings”. The ‘American birds however have not con- gregated, and they still remain in the garden in twos and threes as if wait- ing for another summer in this new THE OOLOGIST nesting haunt, a place of quiet and beauty. There is a certain English thrush “called the Field-fare (Turdus pilaris), and it is thought by English orni- thologists that the robins may migrate with their cousins in the Spring. I do not believe this, for the strongest instincts drive the birds at nesting time to the nesting home of their parents. The rigour of the English winter is another danger but having seen these birds pass through all kinds of weather in America I am confident that the English winters will not af- fect the success of the experiment. It is a strong likelihood that the Ameri- can robin has now been naturalized into England. It was published in an English news- paper not long ago, that as a return experiment, a number of Wood Pig- eons (Columba palumbus), a very com- mon bird in France and England, would soon be sent to America. The Wood Pigeons are shot by the thous- ands in England around Christmas time. It is a favorite sport of the farm- ers to shoot the birds from “caches” within reach of the ground, well baited during the previous week. By the latter part of December, as a rule, a great horde of the Pigeons have migrated from Scandinavia to the midland counties, and in some years, three or four farmers will kill as many as three hundred in a day. It is truly like the old days of the Passenger Pigeon in America. Such slaughter is an outrage and dis- gusting to all the better nature of mankind.—Hditor. a gt From Isle of Pines. Some Fall Migration Notes made on the Isle of Pines, Cuba, 1909. Aug. 20, First Water-thrushes of the season (3-4). THE OOLOGIST. 27(A4) ,\&(0 15 Aug. 22, Water-thrushes fairly com- mon. Aug. 23, Black and White Warbler Oy Aus 30, “@). Aug. 24, Louisana Water-thrush (1). Sept. 18, Yellow-throated Warbler (1), Oct. 8, (1). Greater Yellow-legs (4). Sept. 21, Spotted Sandpiper (1). Sept. 25; Palm Warbler (1), Sept. 29, common, Oct. 4, abundant. Oct. 3, Maryland Yellow-throat (1). Oct. 4, Least Bittern (1), Oct. 9, (3). Oct. 6, Parula Warbler (4-6), Oct. 24, common. Prairie Warbler, (2) Oct. 24, Common for them. Yellow Palm _ Warbler (1) very rare. Oct. 16, American Redstart (4-6), Oct. 20, common, Catbird (1). Oct. 12, Marsh Hawk (1), also on Oct. 13, 14, 15, 18, 19. White-crown- ed Pigeon (1) last seen, also on Oct. 11 (1), and Sept, 24 (2). Oct. 21, Black-throated Green Warb- ler (1), Oct. 26, (1), Wilson’s Snipe (1). Oct. 24, Oven-bird (1). Oct, 28, Black-throated Green Warb- ler (1 shot.) Oct. 26, Myrtle Warbler (2), Nov. 262 (2). Oct. 27, Solitary Sandpiper (2). Nov. 16, Catbird (2), Nov. 19, com- mon, Noy. 4, Tennessee Warbler, (1). Dec. 25, Least Grebe (2). For some unknown reason no Black- throated Blue Warblers have been seen this winter although in December, 1908, it was the most common warb- ler here. A. C. READ. ——_— —_ — + A Correction. Mr, A, C, Read of the Isle of Pines writes us as follows: “I wish to make a correction in the scientific name of the Isle of Pines Tanager published in the Nov., OOLOGIST. The name_ should be Spindalis pretrei pinus, In the July 1909 OOLOGIST, I had some notes on the Florida Grackle, Quiscalus quis- cula aglaeus, which was a case of mis- taken identity. It should have been Cuban Grackle, Holoquiscalus gundl- achi., 1909, Oi Keep Up the Campaign Mr. Herron. No more English Sparrows frequent San Bernardino County, R. B. Her- ron, county bird man has just return- ed from a thorough investigation, af- ter pursuing a most strenuous cam- paign against the foreign pest, and brings news that the birds have eith- er all been killed or have given this county the farewell. During the early spring there was much complaint, it being declared that the aliens were nipping off fruit buds, also that they were driving native song birds from the state, or slaugh- tering them, and Mr. Herron commenc- ed a campaign, which has resulted in entirely exterminating the pest.—San Bernardino Sun, BRS 6 BE es The Great Blue Heron. (Ardea herodias). The group of. this splendid bird illustrated on the opposite page has been presented to the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences by me. It took several years of hard work, aided by my son, Edward, to get the material for the same, The Heronry is about fifty miles north of Buffalo, located near the Tonawanda Swamp and only a fearless climber could get to the nests, which are located on elms from one hundred to one hundred twenty feet up; a hard task when higher than the nests to haul up the kodak and take the pictures of the nests contain- ing eggs in sets from four to six, and 16 THE OOLOGIST lence. y of Natural Sci et Nest of Heron Groups in Buffalo Soc Plate 5. THE OOLOGIST 27(4-.Wivo 17 two months later of the young. The Herons arrive here from the South in the first days of April and start at once to look over their previous nests, repairing and strengthening them for their occupancy. In the middle of April they start laying eggs. About a month later, the young appear and now the work of getting nourishment for them is no easy matter. They have to fly as far as fifty miles, and can be seen near Grand Island and Navy Island standing in Niagara River, watching for fish, with which they re- turn to the young to satisfy their rav- enous appetites. The long flight is necessary because it is impossible for them to get down to the ground in the heronry on account of the dense shrub- bery. A continuous croaking of the old birds is heard. It takes fully from two to two and a half months until the young can take care of themselves, and to bring them down out cf their nests is no easy problem, The bark of these elms is from one to one and a quarter inches thick, making it necessary to plant the spurs very deep to sustain the weight of the body. During the time we were up to the nests, the Herons circled above us with loud croaking, alight- ing occasionally on some high point to watch our maneuvers. Great care is necessary for approaching the nest from below, as the slightest distur- bance of the nest brings down a show- er of the dry white droppings of the birds, which is extremely irritating in case it reaches an eye. AS we ap- proach home, the female leaves the nest and fliles in wide circles over our heads, croaking defiance to the intrud- er. To get the young Herons out of the nest is extremely difficult, as they are large and awkard birds, and cling tea- aciously to every branch within reach. Nearly all the Zoos in the United States have in the past been provided with birds from this Heronry, and when properly treated their existence’ can be maintained in captivity for a number of years. The Herons of this section only raise one brood a year, It is hoped that every reader of this articles will use every effort to pre- serve this nesting site of these stately birds. OTTOMAR REINECKE. -_—_—_—_—__—_—_e<— Books Received. Birds of the Leeward Islands, by Prof. Charles B. Corey, 1909. This is a pamphlet review of the work of Mr. John F. Ferry upon these islands and contains lists relating to the various islands visited aggregating 161 species. It is issued by-the.Field Museum of Natural History. It is gotten up with the usual evidence of eare-taking accuracy which character- izes all of Professor Corey’s work, and will be a reference manual relat- ing to the ornithology of these islands fer years to come. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, by John Macown and James M. Macown; Government Printing Office, Ottawa. Canada, 1909—issued by the Depart- ment of Mines, Geological Survey Branch. This splendid work is a re-issuance of the catalogue of Canadian Birds originally issued in parts as follows: Part. 1, -1900; Part 2, 1903) Part 3, 1904, by Prof. John Macown. Though much of it is re-written and all of it is brought down to date, containing as it does 761 pages, is a monumental work upon the subject of Canadian Birds, by far the most complete now in éxistence. It is a splendid produc- tion and indeed a highly valuable ad- dition to the literature of that subject: 18 THE OOLOGIST and will remain for years a standard work of reference relating to the orni- thology of the Dominion. The me- chanical make up of the work is a credit to the public printing of Can- ada. The Warbler, Vol. V., 1909. Bulle- tin of the Childs Museum of North American Ornithology. This number of the Warbler consist- ing of thirty-one pages and three half tones,-is at hand, containing the fol- lowing entitled articles. Breeding of the Sharp-shinned Hawk on Long Island. Last record of the Breeding of the Bartramian Sandpiper in Maine. The Bleating and Breeding of the Snipe. Long Island Bird Notes. The Chat. Authentic eggs of Corey’s Least Bit- tern. Brewer’s Blackbird. The Starling. Collecting in Northeastern Siberia. And a Supplementary catalogue of the Natural History Books of Childs Museum and Library. It is well gotten up and full of inter- esting bird matter. Would that Brother Childs would again resume the publication of the Warbler as of yore. We have always regretted its discontinuance as a bi- monthly magazines. —_——___—____—e— Oo Our Need For Greater Care. Recently in an exchange I received a specimen of Rose-breasted Gros- beak and one of Black-billed Cuckoo; they were both tagged but the tags were exchanged; i. e., the one for the Grosbeak being on the Cuckoo and that for the Cuckoo on the Grosbeak, so it would seem that they were not tagged until the person was getting my wants together, which he listed as having on hand. How do I know that the sex of the Cuckoo was as he has it on the tag? He could have easily made a mistake on that the same as he did on the tags. Another instance was one where two sets of one egg each of Cassin’s Auk- let were sent to me. When I tried to find which data belonged to which egg I found it impossible to tell as they both had the same set mark, Also both datas read ‘Nest at end of bur- row from three to five feet long.” It looks as if he had collected quite a number and made one wording of data do for all. Let us use the greatest care in all our work! - H. P. WALKER. The triteness of the foregoing obser- vation is deeply impressed upon the 90 THE OOLOGIST editorial mind at this time. Many weary hours have we spent recently in trying to unravel the arrangement of large collection of eggs that recently came into our possession, all because of the lack of proper care in original- ly marking the specimens. To make the markings on the eggs gibe with the datas is something of a chore when several sets of “a-5” or “1-4” ap- pear in the same series. Also a la- mentable lack of fullness of details is noticeable in many instances in the datas, all of which is both mystifying and annoying. — -—__—_ _ —~ <2 __ —__ “March--ing.” Howard W. McMillen. One Saturday last March, I was in- dulging in one of my frequent tramps through the woods, then bare and covy- ered with snow, when. my attention was arrested by a group of blue jays holding a noisy consultation over a knot hole about twenty feet from the ground in an ash tree. At my ap- proach they hastily adjourned to an- other locality (1 had net presumed it was a private affair, judging from the racket), while I solved the problem which had been the topic of their dis- cussion. It was a few minutes work to climb to the hole which was large enough to admit my arm. By stretch- ing this member (which, in my case, is more useful than ornamental), I suc- ceeded in reaching and bringing to light the object of the blue jays’ con- cern and my curiosity, a fine gray sereech owl. But he presented himself rather in the light of a dilemma, for two able arms were required for the descent, and at least a hand to handle the bird. Little things like this, how- ever, never trouble an ornithologist. I took off a glove, and into it invert- ed the bird; if he resented it at all, his stoicism did not suffer him to dis- play his resentment. glove in my teeth, the decent was easy. I carried the solemn bird home, . exhibited him to the family then put him in a cage for a little observation and experiment. None of these things disturbed the profundity of his medi- tations, or melted the iciness of his frigid reserve, As soon as it was dark, I went out to the straw stack and caught a passer domesticus, a few of which we suffer to remain about the place, and put it in the cage with the owl. For the first time was his serene majesty disturbed. It was hard to distinguish whether owl or Sparrow was more frightened. After a while the violent agitation of each began to subside, the owl began to re- sume his hereditary semblance of dig- nity, and the sparrow his hereditary reality of impudence, which it mani- fested by pecking megascops in the face. From this front view it seemed to recognize an old enemy, and sought safety, not in one of the opposite cor- ners of the cage, but on the owl’s head, where he could not be easily reached. This perch soon began to manifest its instability, and the spar- row took up another quarter of the cage. When I left them, the owl wore an expression of offended dig- nity, and the sparrow was vigilantly watching his bunkmate, least he should undertake some violence. In the morning the sparrow was dead. It might have died through fear, but, considering its proximity to a healthy megascops asio, a more patural explanation presents itself. I was compelled to be away during the day, but at night I found that the body, of the passer domesticus had been decapitated. Where the head goes, so generally goes the body, and I pre- sume that it would have been thus here; but my purposes had been satis- fied, and each were disposed of as they merited, I gave the sparrow to the cat and the owl to the darkness. By holding the THE OOLOGIST ¥ | WANT THE FOLLOWING. Please look this list over careful- ly and if you have any of them write me. North American Fauna, No, 23. The Wilson Billitin, Nos. 5, 6, 7 The Curlew, Published by O. P. Hau ger of Orleans, Ind., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, BiG. Z The Ornithologist and Oologist Semi- Annual, Published in 1889-90-91 by Wm. H. Foote of Pittsfield, Mass., and by C, C. Maxfield of Danbury, Conn, in 1891. Wo. Vol. 1. Vol. 3 The Wilson Journal, Vol 1, Jany., 1893 and Vol, 2, June, 1893. The Wilson Quarterly, Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology, Published by Reginald Heber Howe, Jr., 1890. The Oologtst, of Utica, N. Y., Vols. 1-5 inclusive, for 1875 to 1881, any numbers. Journal of the rae Sats Club. Vol. 2, Vol. 3, No, 1, 3, VOL. 4,-No./1;.2,. 3. Volts: ne, ae 1 Vol. 6, No;, 3, 4: The Audubon Magazine. file, any numbers. A complete Birds of California, In relation to the fruit industry—Beal, Part II. The Oologist—This magazine—Vol. III, No. 4; Vol. IV, Nos. 1, 3, 4; Vol. V, No. 6; Vol. VII, Nos. 3 and 10. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, by Prof. McCoun, Part I, Ist Ed. I will pay the very highest market price for all or any part of the above in case R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Ills. Prices for Back Numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST AND THE OOLOGIST will, during 1910, remain as below: After which the prices of many num- bers will be advanced and possibly not obtainable at any price. Should you desire back numbers to complete you file, NOW is the time to purchase. You can never obtain them for less money and possibly not at any price, as our stock ranges from only 1 to 25 copies of an issue. Prices for 1910 Are as Followe: Nos. 1,14, 18, 31, 34-35, 42, 53, 86, ne on? 130 ,132 137, 139, 140, 153, 158, are 50 cents e Nos. 9, 66- 67, 76, Vag oe 79, Be, 90, 100, 113, 138, 146, are 25 cents each. Nos. 11, 23, 14, 15,. 16; ‘54,66; 66, 75, 8%, 1238, 127, 128, 129, 244. 149;: are 15 cents each. Nos. 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 38, 39; 40, 465, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 133, 135, are 10 cents each. SH-All other numbers 5c. per copy. For $12 will send prepaid a copy of every issue ever published, No. 1 to 145.—30 far as nowon hand. This offer in- cludes your subscription through 1910. My prices for back numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST and OOLOGIST in volumes, are as follows: Vol. I, 1884-6, Nos: Lto as... . $ .90 Vol. Il, 1885;; Nesi 23 te-t4o a2... .50 Vol. IIT, 1886; Noss v16 ta 720.2)... 2. .90 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26.... 1.00 Vol. V, 1888) Nos. :27 t6nseescs2c 1.50 Vol. Vi, 1889; Nas. 39) te BOERS. i Ui. -76 Vols Vil, PS9Q SUNOS Gt Bethy Get. aerators -75 Vol: VITL 1891; Nos. .68 to 742.270: .7d Vol. EX, 1892, Nos: 7b. to: $6... 25: 53. -90 Vol: ss, 1896, (Nos: S7Gtangses ec. 1.00 Vol. XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 110...... .50 Vol. XII, 1895, Nos, 111) to 122%... 1.06 Vol. XIII, 1896, Nos. 123 to 127.... .50 Vol XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.... 1.60 Vol. XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149.... .60 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 160 to 161..-- .75 Vol. XVIi, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171. .50 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. -50 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. .50 Vol. XX, 1903, "Nos. UG: totTtede sn 3 .10 Vol. XXI, 1904, No. 198 to 209.... .50 Vol. XXII, 1905, Nos. 210 to ae. econ Oe WOl, XACT, 1906, 222 toZ3gs 37 ee 50 Wolk, XXIV, 1907. 284. COPA ne Bee Seems | Vol. XXV, 08. DASy EQier teeta: teat eskee ote 50 For $5.25 I will send areas a copy of every issue publishe Nos to 209, inclusive, except the twenty-nine, (25), 25c., 0c.and 75c.copies. For $2.50 I will send prepaid every copy published, Nos. 1 to 209, inclusive, except the sixty copies priced above at 10c or over. — BOUND VOLUMES — Can be furnished, strongly bound in cloth and boards, as follows: Vol. I and II YOUNG OOLOGIST bound in ORE AVOLUME; vo yrs, ss Se eae ee eke ee $1.00 Vol. IX. The OOLOGIST for '92, 298 pages of valuable and instructive Ovlogical and Ornithological matter with may full page illustrations, . . $1.00 Or, if you order the two volumes at one time, we will send them by return mail for only $1.75. Every student of birds, their nests and eggs, should have these two volumes in their library. The valuable information they contain, is worth many times the price. Address plainly. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. THE OOLOGIST “The Condor” A Magazine of Western Ornithology Edited by J. Grinnell. Associate Editors: Wm. L. Finley, Robert B. Rockwell “Official Organ of the Cooper Orni- thological Club.”’ Vol. XI, 1909 will contain the usual interesting articles by live active ornithologists and will be illustrated by the high- est class of half tones. You can- not afford to miss a number. Published bi-monthly at Holly- wood, California. Subscription: $1.50 per year net in advance. Single copies: 30c each. Foreign subscription. $1.75. J. Eugene Law, Business Mer. Hollywood, California. W. Lee Chambers, Asst. Mer. Santa Monica, California. Birds Eggs > I have for exchange for species desired by me to compiete series of many very common kinds; a very large list of duplicates. Send me your exchange list. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. BOOKS and MAGAZINES Especially pertaining to Ornithology and nature study. Oologist and Taxidermists Tools Write me just what you want. I can save you money. BENJAMIN HOAG, Stephentown, New York. HELP BOOST Send in not only your own renewal subscription, but one for a friend—it will help some. In continuation of its series of plates of the — Sparrows of North America IN COLOR Bird-Lore for January-Feb- ruary (Vol. XII, No. 1) con- tains colored figures of the Grasshopper, Henslow’s Baird’s and LeConte’s Spar- rOWS. The series was begun in Bird-Lore for November-De- cember, where the Chipping, Field, Tree, Clay-colored and Brewer’s Sparrows were fig- ured. As long as the supply lasts we will give a copy of this 100-page number, containing the first plate of the Sparrow Series, to all subscribers to Bird—Lore for 1910. Single numbers 20 cents. Annual subscription $1.00 BIRD-LORE, Harrisburg, Pa. THE OOLOGIST McCALL PATTERNS Celebrated for style, perfect fit, simplicity and reliability nearly 40 years. Sold in nearly every city and town in the United States and Canada, or by mail direct. More sold than any other make. Send for free catalogue. McCALL’S MAGAZINE More subscribers than any other magazine—million a month, Invaluable. Lat- est styles, patterns, dressmaking, millinery, plain sewing, fancy needlework, hairdressing, etiquette, good stories, etc. Only 50 cents a year (worth double), including a free pattern, Subscribe today, or send for sample copy. WONDERFUL INDUCEMENTS to Agents. Postal brings premium catalogue and new cash prize offers. Address THE McCALL CO., 238 to 248 W. 37th St., NEW YORK fashion BACK NUMBERS OF THE OOLOGIST WANTED A, ° _ Vol. “ - - eé u 2 3 eé 4 5 6 7 8 wv ~ ~ wa ~~ # é - n ~ 2 He OY He bo o ce ~ 6“ " 6s 4, ae ¥ “é - ‘é rf 3, 4, ce ‘ “ec ite IS 16 5, “ 14, “ 3°5,10, 11, 12. ag eas al de pe ate SF 4g: “96 6 OQ) _I will buy a large number of each of the above back numbers for cash at the rate they are listed at, as being for sale in this number of THE OOLO- GIST. Address, R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill, Vor ALL SENT PREPAID. Cut the Lining Egg Drills 25c each.. 4 selected sizes......... $1.00 If not the best you ever used, return and get your money. Blow pipes. Best Nickel, 20c, 30c, ENTERS tah ck Patras a eget « tale sons .40 Regular Egg Drills, 20c, 25c, 35c, MOST ACE Rie es cares «cen preter 1.00 Best Steel Climbers, without straps, $2.00; with straps..... ¢ (3.00 Davie’s Nests and Eggs, 5th Ed. and New subscription to Oolo- GISEv ide valde ee tele adie s shales 1.60 Write me your wants. Lists for the asking. Benjamin Hoag, Stephentown, New York. OOLOGIST ADVERTISING RESULTS | have disposed of 47 volumes of Books, the Typewriter, 16 sets of eggs (in exchange) and numerous articles that would fill a page. | have received as a result of insert- ing a want add in THE OOLOGIST, 32 sets of eggs, innumerable Ornitholog- ical and Oological Books and Pamph- lets, 155 arrow and spear points and 25 miscellaneous Indian relics, Now if this isn’t worth the price paid for the insertion, kindly tell’ me what is? ' received letters from Mexico to England and for awhile, | was “sorry that | spoke.” Such good luck accompanied my other add that | am sending you an- other to run one issue and if there is anything left of them I will notify you in time to extend it.. | don’t want an- other such rain of inquiries if | can help it. This isn’t gush.. Everything | have written above can be verified.” L. B. HOWSLEY... The Oologist for 1910 Will be Better Than Ever Splendid bird articles will be printed, writ- ten by the best: bird observers in America, detailing original field observations. First-class illustrations will be used, portray- ing original field subjects never before pub- lished. ae Advertisers will receive greater returns than ever by using our columns. Help us extend our influence and subscrip- tion list. | 3 THE OOLOGIST Albion, N. Y., — or Lacon, Illinois THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY Vou. XXVII. No. 3. ALBION, N. Y., MARCH 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 272 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Etc., inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your subscription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 272 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 281 your subscription expires with December issue 1910. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1903, at the post office, at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Con- gress of March 3, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘‘THE OOLOGIST,’’ and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. BIRDS THE CELEBRATED HUNGARIAN AND ENGLISH PARTRIDGES AND PHEAS- ANTS, capercailzies, black game, wild turkeys, quails, rabbits, deer, etc. for stock purposes. Fancy pheasants, peafowl, swans, cranes, storks, ornamental geese and ducks, foxes, squirrels, ferrets, and all kinds of birds and animals. WENZ & MACKENSEN, ee H, Pheasantry & Game Park, Yardley, a. BIRDS OF PREY: The skins of theforms of this order. that I can offer from time to time. cannot be excelled in point of quality, and data. AUSTIN PAUL SMITH, Box 141 Brownsville, Texas. [1) WANTED.—A few good skins of the Aleu- tian Tern (Sterna aleutica) Thayer Museum, Lancaster. Mass. WANTED.—To buy first class skins of the Hawks and Owls. or will give good exchange inhooke. Write 5S. V. WHARRAM, Geneva, io. QUALITY BIRD SKINS.—If you are in need of material from the Lower Rio Grande, sOuthward in Mexico; let me hear from you. My work is gauged by quality, not quantity of output; afact worthy of your serious con- sideration, when adding to your collection. Series representing the species from the egg to the adult can be arranged for. AUSTIN PAUL SMITH, Box 141, Brownsville, Texas. WANTED.—Male and female of Wood Duck, Great Horned Owl, Screech Owl, Spar- row Hawk. Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Blue Jay and Scarlet Tanager. The first five with nests in section of hollow tree and the latter three with nests and eggs in section of original branches. For further particulars address J. FRIESSER, 5620 Lake Ave., Chicago, Il. WANTED.—Skins of all the quails, par- tridges, grouse and pheasants of Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia (all over the world), cash or exchange. Write what you haveand what you want. J. F. FRAZIER, Audubon, Iowa. WANTED.—First class skins of Murrelets, Gulls, Shearwaters, Rails, Shore Birds, Grouse, Hawks, Owls, particularly Snowy and Great Gray, and certain small land birds. Offer representative Southern California species, also fine sets of personally taken Heermann’s Gulls and Blue-footed Boobies. All reliable collectors send lists. PINGREY I. OSBURN, Pasadena, Calif. WANTED.—Skins of Masked Bob-white, Eskimo Curlew, San Pedro, Partridge, Spotted Owl. Flammulated Screech Owl, Pribilof Sand Piper, Bristle-thighed Curlew, and any other rare skins. J. F. FRAZIER, Audubon, Iowa. COSTA RICA SKINS.— Write me your wants. Bird and Mammel! skins collected from this locality for cash. HENRY F, RAVEN, Box 73. Limon, Costa Rica. Any collectors having a few good labeled specimens of foreign birds, send list. I will give A 1 skins of Illinois and California birds. Also offer skins of common specimens from Illinois for nests and sets of small species. bey kK. COALE, Higiland Park, Lake o., Ill. TO EXCHANGE.—Finely mounted birds and deer heads, several hundred Natural History and Sportsman’s magazines, for bird and mammal skins. GEO. F. GUELF, Taxidermist. Brockport. N. Y. — WANTED.—AIl_ mounted Ss 1m 4} fj Hs Woodcock, Wood Duck, Greaf/B Keron HS “ ILLER, isvan all Quails and Grouse, for cas¥. 1129 E, Market St., Indianap / — Stignal Niu NLAAIS wa i II THE OOLOGIST EGGS EXCHANGE.—Several sets of Black Tern for what you have. DR. E. 8S. SCHMIDT, Green Bay, Wis. WANTED.—For cash only. One good egg cabinet. Address, EUGENE KREITHLEY, St. Michaels, Md., Box 124. (1) Send exchange lists of first class sets for mine.—J. * PRESTON, ‘1411 13th Ave., Spokane, Wash. 3 FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets of Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Louisiana Heron, Wayne’s Clapper Rail,. Florida Burrowing Owl. and others. For parliculars address W. W. WORTHINGTON, Shelter Island Heights, New York. TO EXCHANGE —Sets with data, North American and Foreign. Can use many com- mon kinds of both. Dr. T. W. RICHARDS Ws Navy, 1911 N. St., N. W., Washington EXCHANGE.—A tine series of ten of the Pallas Murre from Cape Hope, Alaska. I want 188, 332, 343, 348, 362, 364 and many others, D. E. BROWN, 6044 Ist Ave.. No. W, Sta. F. Seattle, Wash. : FOR SALE.—Some rare single eggs from Iceland, Loons, Sjua, Glaucous Gull, Old- squaw, Northern Hider, Bean Goose, Whoop- ing Swan, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Godwit, Ruff, Snowflake, Iceland Falcon, and others. Send for full list to H. WARREN, Room 215 St. James Chambers, Adelaide St., E., Toronto, Ont. FOR EXCHANGE. — Eggs in fine sets, beautiful minerals, butterflies and moths in dust and insect proof cases, and other natural history specimens. Want all the above. Send lists and receive mine. LEWIS C. SNYDER, Lacona, New York. FOR EXCHANGE — First class Eggs in sets. C.S. RUTHERFORD, Revere, Mo. WANTED.—Sets of 351, 352, 352a. 206, and many common sets; have to offer choice sets 679 1-4, 417 1-2. 419 1-2, 337, 339. 375, 263, 261, 273 and many other choice sets; send list and re- ceive mine. RAY DINSMORE, Perry, Ohio ingo, Long-billed Curlew, Semipalmated Ployer, Franklin’s Grouse, Bonaparte’s Gull, Williamson’s Sapsucker, White-headed and Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Pink-sided Juneco, Hutton’s and Black Capped Vireo, Sennett’s Orange-crowned and Connecticut Warbler and Canada Jay. GERARD ALAN ABBOTT, 945 Marquette Bldg., Chicago. I offer 1-3, 2-4 Fish Crow, 1-5 201, 1-5 194; all for a set of Bartman’s Sandpiper 4 or 5 eggs. W.8B.CRISPIN, Salem, N. J. WANTED.—Sets with or without nests. Particularly-Sharp-tail and Seaside Sparrow. R. J. P. BALL, Frankford, Pa. (2] Is your Subscription paid up ? FOR EXCHANGE.—A collection of eggs with data including Whip-poor-will, Oven- bird, etc. for Botanical Works. especially ones on Ferns and Mosses. W. CLUTH, 13 Allen St., Gloversville, N. Y. [1] WANTED.—In good sets: 340, 357, 451, 485, 548, 554a, 566, 568, 570a, 610a, 646, 647, 660, 672, 672a, 690, 700, 71942. Can offer 89, 95, 101, 207, 293a, 294, 295, 309, 332, 339a, 351, 359, 384, 416, 417, 419, 420b, 460, 479, 533, 534, 536, 569, 575, 575a, 594a, 602, 607, 637, 639, 641, 730, 763 and 315 (1871). THOMAS H. JACKSON, 304 N. Franklin St., West Chester, Pa. [3] FOR EXCHANGE.—2ggs 6 1-7, 37 1-1: 49 1-3, 58 20-2 2-3, 62 1-3, 64 1-4, 65 9-11-2, 80 7-2 1-4 7-3, 114-1 1-2, 122 1-4, 123b 1-4, 141 1-10, 127 1-3, 187 1-4 190 1-3, 191 1-4, 194 4-3, 199 4-3, 201 3-4, 2111-4. 211-2 1-9, 219 1-3, 221 1-4 1-11, 226 1-4, 269 1-4, 280 1-3, 321 19-2. 326 8-2, 333 1 5, 337b 1-2 2-3, 339 2-4, 339b 2-2, 345 1-1, 346 30-2 ($10 set)’ 3491-2, 3551-4, 359 1-2, 1-4, 365 1-3, 368a 1-3 (one broken), 373¢c 1-3, 374 4-4, 378 1-7, 380 1-3 one missing), 384 1-4 2-6, 385 4-5, 387 2-4, 389 3-41-38, (one gone), 3917-5, 410 1-4 3-5 2-6, 413 1-6, 419 21-2, 420a 1-1, 453 1-4 1-6, 456 2-4, 471 1-3, 475 1-5, 483 1-3, 496 2-2, 500 1-4, 577 1-4, 593a 1-3 19-4, 594a 3-4, 652 1-5, 713 2-4, 3-5 7-6, 719 1-5. 746 1-4, 766 1-5, Gray-tailed Hawk, 1-2 2-3 1-4 $1.25, per egg; White-throated Falcon 1-2, $4.50 per egg; Green Woodpecker 1-4, 7oc. per egg; Brown Jay 1-4 1-5 7ic. per egg; Mexi- can Crow 1-4 1-5 75c. per egg; Lesson’s Oriole 1-5 50c per egg; skins for exchange, 51-5, 54-4, 60-4: 64-1. 65-5, 137-8, 142-5, 143-7. 146-11, 149-2, 258a-7, 289b 4, 264-2. Many eggs in broken sets, full data, 1-3 off. Would buy or ex- change for, if at a bargain, any kind of museum specimens, such as relics, fossils, shells, minerals, corals, etc., etc. CARROLL, San Marcos, Texas. Ornithology and Oology. Specimens and Books. See the Bulletin, post free for 3 cent unused stamp. THE BULLETIN, 4 Duke St., Adelphi, London, W. C. England. Birds Eggs I have for exchange for species desired by me to compiete series of many very common kinds; a very large list of duplicates. Send me your exchange list. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. THE QOOLOGIST Ill BOOKS ORNITHOLOGY, — Specimens and Books. See “The Bulletin.’ Post free for 3 cent stamp. THE BULLETIN, 4 DukeSt, (2) Adelphi, London, England. WANTED.—Back numbers of The Auk. Nuttal’s Bulletin and other bird magazines, also on insects. Have numbers to exchange. G. W. HUMPHREY, Dedham, Mass. WANTED.—Books on birds. Will pay a reasonable cash price for those that I desire. State title aud author, conaition. etc. CHAS. F. CARR, (Personal), New London, Wis. Have your Oologists or other magazines, bound by a careful, painstaking hand pro- cess. Write what you have and get styles. Prices reasonable. Exchange considered. HOWARD W. McMILLEN, Ada, Ohio. c FOR SALE.—Complete file, The Condor, $18.00; ten volumes The Auk, $15.00; eight volumes The American Naturalist, $12.00. Other bargains in ornithological publica- tions, complete volumes and odd numbers. DR. F. P. DROWNE, Chilesburg, Virginia.[3 WANTED.—A copy of Goss “Birds of Kansas.’ Will give good exchange in sets orcash. DR. W.I. MITCHELL, 321 Barnes Bldg., Wichita, Kan. FOR SALE.—In perfect condition, “The North American Birds” by Henry Nebhrling, German text, cloth bound, gilt edge, 668 pages and 36 plates, showing 137 species in natural color. Original price $15. Sells for $7. ERICH DIETRICH, Canby, Oregon. WANTED.—The Auk, Vol. II, Nos. 2, 3, 4, Vol. LV, Nos. 2, 4, Vol. V. Nos. 2, 3, 4. Vol. VI, Nos. 1,3. For cash orexchange. LOUIS A. FUERTES, Ithaca, N. Y. BIRD LORE,— Will pay cash for Bird-Lore, VWOieLL. NOv2,.VOl.o: NOjl, Vol. VILNO. 1 If you can furnish any or all, write stating ee FRANK H.LATTIN, M. D. Albion, aN. WANTED.—Bird Books; will pay a reason- able price for those I wish. State what you have, and on what condition, price. etc. CHAS. F. CARR, New London, Wis. [2] WANTED—Old Bird booksand magazines. Will pay cash. Quote what you have. Also wish sets of Golden and Bald Eagle. Good exchange. BENJAMIN HOAG, Stephen- town, N.Y. (1) SALE AND FOR EXCHANGE.—By W. Otto Emerson, Haywards, Palm Cottage. Calif. Auk, Vol’s, (new) 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, (unbound); Osprey, Vol. I, No. 1-9, Nid. Vol. 1-3-7, Vol. III, 1-3; Oregon Naturalist, Vol. III, Vol. 4-1; Zoe, Vol. I, 1-2-9, Vol, IT, 1-4, Vol. III, 2, Vol. IV, 4; Oologist, Utica, N. Y. Vol, 4-5, latter bound, Latter Volume; Coopers Club Bull. Vol. I, 1 and index, others also; Report af Ornithology by C. Hart Merriam 1886-87-88; Birds of Wyoming, 1902; Ridgways Hummingbirds; Birds of Mexico, Bryant; Calif. Water Birds, No. III, Loomis; Birds of Mexico. Lawrence, Bull. No. 4, U.S. Museum 1876; Oology New England, Samules, Land Birds, 1864; Birds of Santa Cruxe Co. Calif. McGregor, BOOKS—Continued I offer cash for odd numbers or complete volumes of The Auk for the years 1884 to_ 1889 inclusive. R.C. MCGREGOR, Manila, P.I.[1 WANTED,— “Birds of Manitoba,” by Ernest Seaton Thompson. HARRIET H. W RIGHT, 1637 Gratiot Ave., Saginaw, W.S.. Mich. [Ex] WANTED.—Bird Lore. Will pay 50c. each for vol. 2, No. 2, vol. 3, No. 1,2, vol. 7, No. 1. Also want first three volumes of Condor. LAUREN TREMPER, 136 Dewey St., Phila- delphia, Pa. (1) SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Capen’s Oology, Nidiologist, Vol. 1, Nos.land2. Want cash or Bendire’s Vol. II. A. C. DYKE, Bridge- water, Mass. [1] FOR SALE—A|lden’s Cyclopedia of Science. 3 vols.; 20th Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology; The Shore Fishes of the Hawaiian Islands, by Jordon and Ever- man, 73 colored plates; Bulletin of U.S. Fish Commission, Vol. XXIV, Sub-tropical Rambles, Pike; Tent Life in Siberia, Kennon; and A Trip _\round the World, Moerlin, with 110 colored illustrations, full page.. Or will exchange for books on birds or eggs in sets. Will sell cheap, VERDI BURTCH, 3ranchport, N. Y. {1] FOR SALE.—The following books: _ Birds of North and Middle America by Ridgway, Parts I, II, 1II,andIV. Birds of Wyoming 1902, by Knight, Our Northern and Eastern Birds, by E. A. Samuels, Nuttall’s Ornithol- ogy. two volumes, The Auk, Vols. 16, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Allin excellent condition. Will sell cheap, F.C. HUBEL, Clarkston, Mich. WANTED.—Northern and southern raw furs. Highest market price paid. All goods held subject to approval of valuation. Price list free. GEORGE J. TILLS. Albion, N. Y. 60 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE ATENTS TRADE MARKS DESIGNS CopPYRIGHTS &c. Anyone sending a sketch and sbi EL may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBQOK on Patents sent free. Oldest Scenes, for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific Americatt. A handsomely illustrated weekly. Largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $32 year; four months, $L. Sold byall newsdealers. MUNN & Co,26t2rso». New York Branch Office, 625 F St.. Washington, D. C. THE MISCELLANEOUS WANTED.—Mounting condition, otter, - fisher, marten, wolverine, grey timber wolf. white blazed face, badger, all skulls, Address E. W. CAMPBELL, Taxidermist, 323 Wyoming Ave., Pittston, Pa. 1] Arickara Indian collection for sale, Per- sonally collected. Bone implements, arrow heads, stone hammers, etc. Send stamp for photo and price. H. E. Lee, Pierre, S. D. [1] Have ten pairs Buffalo Horns, five polished, five in rough; 2 large Snake Skins, 12 feet and 18 feet with heads. 2 Mamosett Monkeys, mounted, no stands. Any reasonable offers; cash preferred. B. HARTLEY, 97 Smith St.. New Haven, Conn, [2] pe ES of lee tiers ne SU Ge Se veenmerene Cus) UCR) TO EXCHANGE.—Collection of over 200 scientific cabinet shells (40 species Cyprae) for Warblers in sets with nests or Indian relics, arrowpoints, spearpoints and cere- monial axes preferred. First fair offer takes the list. List sent if stamp is enclosed. L. B. HOWSLEY; Mullan, Idaho. [1). EXCHANGE.—200 mounted Microscopical specimens of animal tissues, (Pathological, Histological and Bacteriological) to exchange for stamps, coins or Indian relics, ete. Also specimens of Fossil Coral (Lithortrotion eanadense) to exchange. J. M. BROOKS, M. D., Golden City, Mo. {1) If you wish to purchase books on Natural History. Science, Travels, etc., write to The Bulletin. If not in stock, they may be ob- tained for you as the proprietors haye ex- eeptional opportunities of buying scarce works. “THE BULLETIN,” 4 Duke St., Adelphi, London, England. [1] FOR EXCHANGE.—A representative col- lection of Ohio Indian relics, consisting of over 400 arrow heads, 29 celts, 14 grooved axes, spear heads, drills, hammer stones, plummets, chisels, gorget, pipe, stone beads, pestles, flint knives, etc. Want first class eggs in complete sets with full and complete data. Send lists and receive tracings of specimens. B. R. BALES, Circleville, Ohio. {1 WANTED.— Mounting coudition, fisher, marten, wolverine, grey timber wolf, white blazed face, badger, all skulls. Address EK. W. CAMPBELL. Taxidermist, 323 Wyoming Ave, Pottston, Pa. (1) _FOR SALE.—Large Flint Lock Pistol, 16 inches in length, $6.00; Puritan foot stove tin, with wood frame, $1.50; pair of iron spectacles Ee JAMES O. JOHNSON, See onn. FOR EXCHANGE.—Four by five Premo Film-plate Camera outfit, stevens’ Offhand pistol, 32 calibre Colts repeating rifle: for nature and sporting goods and books. OWEN M. GATES, Box 54 Mansfield, Ohio.[1 FOR EXCHANGE.—32 Steven’s smooth bore rifle fcr a 22 or 32 caliber pistol, long barrel, also ‘Oregon Naturalist, 1896’ com- plete at $1.00 per volume. STANLEY G. JEWRHTT, 582 Bidwell Ave., Portland, Ore. (1) WANTED.—Some first class pieces of clean stretched birch bark, in strips of not less than 12 inches x 18 inches. Suitable for mounting photos. Send me your prices at ence. L. V. MEDICUS, 3002 Chestnut St., Kansas City, Mo. otter OOLOGIST | WANT THE FOLLOWING: Please look this list over careful- ly and if you have any of them write me. The Wilson Billitin, Nos 6 The Curlew, Published by O. P. Hau ger of Orleans, Ind., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, @, 0, The Ornithologist and Oologist Semi- Annual, Published in 1889-90-91 by Wm. H. Foote of Pittsfield, Mass., and by C. C. Maxfield of Danbury, Conta in! sone Nosmviolenls The Wilson Quarterly, Vol. 3. The Wilson Journal, Vol 1, Jany., 1893 - and Vol, 2, June, 1893. Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology, Published by Reginald Heber Howe, Jr., 1890. The Oologist, of Utica, N. Y., Vols. 1-5 inclusive, for 1875 to 1881, any numbers, Journal of the Maine Ornithological Club. Vol. 2, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2, 3, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2, 3. Vol. 5, No. 3, 4, Vol. 6, No. 38, 4. Birds of California, In relation to the fruit industry—Beal, Part II. The Oologist—This magazine—Vol. III, No. 4; Vol. IV, Nos. 1, 8, 4; Vol. V, No. 6; Vol. VII, Nos. 3 and 10. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, by Prof. McCoun, Part I, Ist Hd. I will pay the very highest market price for all or any part of the above in case R. M. Barnes, Albion, N. Y. and Lacon, Ills. THE OOLOGIST. Wor? Xx VIL. eNO. .3. ALBION, N. Y. MARcH 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 272 Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, Illinois. JOHN FARWELL FERRY Born October 12th, 1877—Died February 11th, 1910. THE OOLOGIST * John Farwell Ferry. “Good afternoon; are you connect- ed with this Institution?” “Yes sir; is there anything I can do for you?” A number of years ago in August, the writer was leaning over the dis- ply case of North American birds eggs in the Field Museum of Natural His- tory in Chicago, when a tall athletic appearing young man of studious mein passed. Addressing the above words to him, a kind voice replied as above. That was the commencement of the friendship long existing between Mr. Ferry and the present editcr of THE OOLOGIST. Mr. Ferry died in Chicago at St. Luke’s Hospital on the 11th day of February, 1910, of acute pneumonia, af- ter but a few days illness. He was born October 12, 1877 and graduated from Yale in 1901, ranking well to- ward the top of his class. At different p-zicds of his life, he was connected with the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, the Field Museum of Natural History at Chi- cago, and the United States Biologi- eal Survey at Washington; doing field work for these institutions as a matter of choice. This he chose in lieu of a life of trade. He sought the green fields and bubbling brooks, for every day associates, rather than. the huge ledgers and bustle of the office of a great commercial institution. He was a grandson of the late John V. Farwell, one of the merchant prin- ces of Chicago, and in nhizn flowed the same sturdy Scotch blood that made for success in his grandfather, in ev- ery undertaking in which he engaged. Mr. Ferry was religious by instinct, and always championed the side of right regardless of popular opinion, or present policy. During his exper- ience in the field, ke visited the moun- 19098 tains of California, the deserts of Ari- zona, the Island of Porto Rica, the Isthmus of Panama, the Saskatche- wan Country of Canada, and the is- lands of the Carribean Sea, lying off the Northeast coast of South America. In the latter islands visiting places never before visited by white man, and discovering birds never before scienti- fically described by man, and thereby added to the known list of birds of that vicinity and materially. The writer was with Mr. Ferry for thirty days in the Saskatchewan country in Canada in the Spring of The close association of camp life revealed to me the many lovable characteristics with which he was en- dowed. A more ardent scientist could not be found. A more careful or ac- curate collector and observer is sel- dom seen. A more energetic person would indeed be a novelty. Many times while resting myself, after a hard days work in Canada and noting that my friend Ferry was still busy at someth- ing, perhaps way into the night—and sometimes he worked until two o’clock —I would chide him for attempting to do too much, or working too long. Another thing that impressed me much was the great regard that Mr. Ferry had for his mother, and the great amount of credit he gave his mother for his scientific success. Many, many times he told me of the interest his mother took in his work, and of the assistance she had been to him therein; more than once announc- ing with almost boyish pride, “Moth- er can make as good a bird skin as I can.” The family has lost, American Orni- thology has lost, and we have all lost one who deserved the highest respect and sincere admiration as a citizen, a scientist and a friend. Editor. THE OOLOGIST . 271(3),\q\° 23 NEWS ITEMS. Two Snowy Owls were shot January 3, 1910, at Holley, New York. One almost perfect Albino Ruff Grouse was seen by Harry R. Warren early in January, 1910, at Holley, New York. We are in receipt of an invitation to attend an International Ornithological Congress to be held in the City of Ber- lin, Germany from May 30th to June 4th, 1910. Stress of other business will prevent our attendance? The first Bluebird arrived at the home of THE OOLOGIST at Lacon, Illinois, March 5th, 1910. And the first Robin, March 8th. Both species being from one to two weeks late, pos- sibly owing to the extreme winter; though the weather has been unusual- ly mild for ten days before their arri- val for this time of year. During the spring of 1909, near Row- an Station, on the route of the Butler, Harmony and Newcastle car line, I found a nest of the American Robin (Planesticus migratorius) placed on one of the railroad ties on a trestle, the top of the nest being only about three inches from the bottom of the rail! One of those heavy electric cars thundered over that trestle every half- hour, but, strange to say, it didn’t seem to bother the old bird at all, for she never left the nest. The nest con- tained four well incubated eggs. Wm. G. Pitcairn. I have in my collection a set of three eggs of the Brown Thrasher - (Toxostoma rufum) which merits a writing up. To begin with, the eggs are usualy large for the species in this section, measuring as follows: 1.27x .93; 1.26x.94; 1.28x.93 inches. The ground color of the eggs is pale green, and they are very sparsely speckled instead of being heavily peppered as in the case with the normal egg of the species. The nest was on _ the ground under a log, and after the three eggs had been laid, the birds deserted the nest. When collected, all the eggs were out of the nest, one being at least two feet away. Wm. G,. Pitcairn. We have recently had the privilege of inspecting a catalogue of the collec- tion of North American Birds eggs owned by the late Charles K. Worthen of Warsaw, Illinois, at the time of his decease. As Mr. Worthen was a scientist well known to all ornithologists and oolo- gists not only in America, but in Europe, one whose standing for abso- lute integrity was beyond question, it may be of interest to our readers to know that at the time of his death, Mr. Worthen’s private collection of North American Birds consisted of 333 species, comprising 650 sets and 1406 eggs. It may be of interest to some of the readers of THE OOLOGIST to know of the measures taken by the Depart- ment of Commerce and Labor, for the protection of our native birds on the Reservations of the Lighthouse Es- tablishments. No one is allowed to destroy a bird or its nest, or nesting place, and must protect the same as far as possible. This was brought abcut through the doings of the Audu- mon Society. The undersigned spent some time on a Reservation on the North side of the Golden Gate Channel. Every even- ing as soon as the light was started, every gull in the neighborhood would begin flying around the lantern, along up the shore aways, up over the rocks of the coast, out over the bay, and back by way of the channel, around the lantern again. They would keep this up for perhaps an hour or more. Among the most delightful trips I ever had, were the ones in interest of Botany of Oology, taken in the wild rough region, along the Pacific, in California. Geo. W. H. Vos Burgh. Egyptian, Chinese, Toulouse, Emden Geese and Mallard, Crested, Indian Runner and Cranes and Brant, THE OOLOGIST 25 The Domestication of American Wild Fowl, Upon the discovery of America, vast uncounted herds of bison roamed at will over the middle parts of the con- tinent. The Great Auk, the Labra- dor Duck, and the Eskimo Curlew were in multitudes along the East shore of our continent. The Califor- nia Condor soared in majestic cir- cles and in great numbers over the mountains of the Pacific slope and un- numbered millions of Passenger Pig- eons migrated in flocks, darkening the sun for days at a time; and the beau- tiful colors of the Carolina Paraquet were an everyday sight throughout most of the Eastern half of what is now the United States. But they are gone. The Great Auk and the Labrador Duck are known only from a few, very few specimens preserved in Museums; the Eskimo Curlew and the Condor are on the verge of extinction; and a last effort is now being made to discover whether or not the Passenger Pigeon is or is not, and the Carolina Paraquet is not. One of the wonders of the early day was the enormous flocks of wild fowl frequenting all the known waters of North America. Vast countless multi- tudes winged their way from the South to the North and back to the South again annually. Ducks, geese, and swan were a staple source of meat supply. Their nests were everywhere. The din of their vast congregations in the Spring and Fall at places could be heard for miles. The thunder of their wings as they rose from marsh, lake and river was like the roar of a distant train. They too are rapidly going. “The Illinois River, one of the very great migration highways in an early time, was noted for the vast numbers of wild fowl passing along during Spring and Fall migration. In one day long years ago the writer counted flocks of wild fowl flying along the Easterly side of the Illinois valley more than two miles from the river, which were estimated to contain $15,- 000 birds passing a given point in ten hours. Today, these flocks are nearly gone. Where formerly there were a thousand ducks, today there are not over a hundred. Where formerly there were a thousand swan, today there is perhaps one, Where formerly there was a flock of geese, now there is oc- ecasionally a pair. The ultimate result is not far to see. Unless something is done to preserve the wild fowl of North American continent, they too will soon be a thing of the past. What is to he done? Protection will not do it; it willhelp; it will pcstpone the inevitable, but the inevitable will come; that inevitable when there is no wild fowl, unless scmething is done; something beside protection, Game protection as now practiced is mere cr less GL a farce. To preserve a duck or a goose or any other bird fcr six. months in order that you may kill it at the end of the six months, does not tend to perman- ently increase the supply. Yet it is far petter than nothing. The longer the ultimate destruction of our wild fowl is postponed, the better it will be for us. : Realizing this fact, the writer for many years has been experimenting in the domestication of our native wild fowl, both ducks and geese. It has now got to where it is a fad; particularly in the eastern part of the country where the wild fowl are now all but extinct, for the wealthier to lay out their places with landscape gard- eners, build pools and ponds, minature lakes and brooks, and stock them with North American ducks and geese for SUBEMS Hulj}siyAA UBDUaWW puUe o}nNWJ ‘URadoungy ‘HOR[g ‘URI; eu THE OOLOGIST 27 purely ornimental purposes. Our theory of it is that if we can domesti- cate the various North American wild fowl, they will last forever; they will become a source of national wealth and of added meat supply; they will be ornamental and will be preserved from utter extinction. Thinking perhaps some of our ex- periments along this line would be of interest, we have given over this num- ber of THE OOLOGIST largely to the proposition of North American Wild Fow!] in confinement. In order to keep such birds in con- finement, it is proper and in some places necessary to get the consent of the local game warden. Then pre- pare a place where there is plenty of shade and plenty of room and some water, The small quantity of water with which a duck or goose can get along is surprising, and nearly all species, with proper surroundings will nest in confinement. In the winter it is necessary, when- ever the mercury goes below zero, to keep your birds dry; give them nothing but drinking water, and do not allow them to get wet or even damp, Fur- nish them with a little artificial heat; in fact we turn on heat whenever the mercury reaches ten degrees above zero; though this is not necessary. Supply the pond ducks, mallards, teal, gadwalls, widgeons and the like with a wide grassy slough if possible and shallow water in summer, the deep water ducks, canvas back, red heads, blue bills and allied races with a pool or tank sunk into the ground at least two feet deep. Give the wood ducks if a small running stream- with one or - two pocls in it a couple of feet deep. In summer the geese must all have water at least two feet deep. One of the main reasons why it has been nearly impossible heretofore to raise wild fowl in confinement is that those who have undertaken jt did not un- derstand that cur North American wild ducks and geese with but few ex- ceptions will nct breed unless it is in the water. They must have water deep encugh for this purpose. It is commicn practise to take the eggs from the old birds and set them under a chicken hen. This is all well enough if you keep your birds where they are not secluded; but if they have a place which is secluded, leave them alone; they will hatch their own eggs. But do not forget the more seclusion they have, the longer it. will take you to get rid of their wild nature; this can only be gotten rid of by continuous contact with man, and by kindness and selective breeding; selecting out of each brood annually the quietest and tamest birds, and putting them by themselves : We are presenting herewith a num- ber of half tones showing the general manner of keeping wild fowl in con- finement, and the pleasure to be de- rived therefrom. Certainly they are among the most decorative birds that can be found upon a country place. As to feed, if you have a natural marsh which is large enough, they re- quire but little feed in the summer; otherwise they must have ground feed, mixed grains, some charcoal, and some dried beef scraps cr dried blood in abcut the same proportion, that the same is fed to pheasants, besides plen- ty of green feed clover, grass, cab- bage, etc. 2 ee Ee Notice to Subscribers. With this issue we cease mailing THE OOLOGIST to -our..subscribers whose pumber appears on the wrap- - per in’ which this issue is mailed, be- low .260. THE OOLOGIST will be better than ever; the subscription list is growing all the time, so if you de- sire nct only the best bird magazine but the best advertising medium for everything relating to birds and bird studv, vcu should remain on the books of THE OOLOGIST. In order to do so, you must remit promptly. Better look at your number, and DO IT NOW sy9NqG pee puke IED A14UM ‘11eO AeuH ‘ayedpjeg jlepUlq ‘pesypsy ‘yor! g ‘UluepuR ‘poop, THE OOLOGIST 29 Domestication of North American Wild Fowl Continued. The writer has now in his enclos- ures, seven different varieties of wild geese, and fourteen of wild ducks, con- fined to those represented in the A. O. U. list, and finds the Mallard, the Wood Duck, the Dusky Duck and the Red Head to be the most tractable; and the Baldpate, the Sprig, and Teal to be the wildest. Among the geese the Canada Goose is by far the easiest bird tamed. It is no special trouble to domesticate Can- ada Geese until they remain on your place and rear their young, in practi- cally the same manner that tame geese will. In commencing experiments of this character, it is always best to pinion your birds; that is, tie a string around the outer joint of the wing just outside ‘of the joint proper, but not so as to encircle the thumb joint or bastard wing. Draw this string as tight as you can; then take a pair of very sharp shears or tree pruners and clip off the outer joint of the wing just outside of the string. Hold your bird in your hand until you are certain that the string has compressed the muscles, arteries and veins to such an extent that your bird,is not bleed- ing. If you find this to be the case, place him on the ground, and let him go, From that time on he will take eare of himself. Do not attempt to pinion a freshly trapped or caught bird. Do not pinion him until after he has been in confinement a consid- erable period of time; that is, long enough for him to learn to eat and to be satisfied with the food he gets in confinement. This is imperative; oth- erwise your bird will not eat and will die. Until such times as he is ready to be pinioned, keep him from flying by clipping the feathers closely from one wing, and do not pinion your birds when it is extremely cold nor when it is very warm, nor when they are moulting, or you will lose them. The best way to get along this line is to procure from the hunters of your vicinity, such wounded or wing tip- ped birds as they may come into pos- session of. Messrs. Wenz & Mackensen of Yardley, Pennsylvania have _ kindly loaned to us for the purpose of this issue, six of the plates herewith pre- sented, viz: The plate showing the Australian, Black, European, Mute and American Whistling Swans; the plate showing the Egyptian, Chinese, Toul- ouse, Emden Geese, and the Mallard, Crested, Indian Runner, Ducks, and Cranes, the plate showing the drove of Canada Geese; the plate showing the Wood, ‘Mandarin, Black, Redhead, Pintail,- Baldpate, Gray Call, White Call and Mallard Ducks, as well as the two small plates showing the Chinese Mandarin and the Wood Duck. The half tones herewith numbered Plates 13 and 14 are from views tak- en in our own duck yard at Lacon, [l- linois. We should like very much to see our readers encourage the propogation of North American Wild Fowl, believ- ing that that is the ultimate solution of the question of preventing our vast flocks of wild fowl from ultimately be- coming totally extinct. a al Wanted. One pair each of the following live birds in good condition, (Wing tipped birds would be satisfactory): Florida, Mottled Cinnamon Teal, Shoveller, Canvas Back, Ameri- can Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Ring-neck- ed American Golden Eye, Barrow’s Golden Eye, Bufflehead, Old Squaw, Harlequin, Ruddy, and Masked Ducks. Also Lesser Snow, Blue, Ross’s Snow, American White-frented, Bean, White-cheeked, Cackling, and Emper- cr Geese = For which I will pay~the highest market price. R. M. Barnes, Lacon, III. ‘syong JO 2 puke yUeIg jo | ‘asa05 *g “3d9S “||| ‘uooe 7 Fe UOZJaIUdOUg sS,}SIBO}OO 94} JO PueA YONG UI MaIA isa op Lora! a) (eo) 4 eo) eo) | a ca 31 THE OOLOGIST og 26egq Uo UMOYUS soZ1deds ewog—pueA 49NG UI M2!A 39 THE OOLOGIST Fall Notes from Warren, Pa. This past Fall was dry, but not so bad as last Fall. East of us they had bad fires, but we got a little rain from time to time when most needed and escaped the dense pall of smoke that enveloped us last fall. September and November were un- usually nice months, while October was cold and stormy. At present win- ter seems to be setting in in earnest. The small bird migration was not ex-. tra good. Fox Sparrows were un- usually plentiful but warblers rather scarce. One Sunday I saw what I think was an Orange-crowned, but as I didn’t have my gun I couldn’t make sure. I have taken several here however. There were a few shore birds and I shot specimens of Kildeer and Semi- palmated Plover Least and Semipal- mated Sandpipers. Waterfowl were very scarce. I more than made up for the searcity of interesting birds by taking several good mammals for my collection. The first was an old dog Cross Fox that has eluded the hunters for four or five winters. It is a fine dark one and just what I needed. The other was a very large Wildcat (Bay Lynx) that has ranged over a certain section for seven or eight years, and was too much for hounds and too cute for traps. I had an idea of my own about him so set a heavy trap and made some dope to use instead of bait. It worked, and a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday morning, I found him fast. He climbed forty feet up a hem- lock tree carrying trap and a twenty- five pound clog along up. I didn’t want an encounter up in the tree so went three miles to a camp and bor- rowed arifle. It is one of the largest I ever saw and in fine shape. It is quite red. Legs, sides and head well spotted and mottled with black. Its head is large as a man’s with an un- usualy luxuriant crop of sideburns. R. B. Simpson. > ae A Golden Crowned Kinglet’s Nest. While in New Brunswick, Canada, during the nesting season I secured a nest and eight eggs of the Golden- crowned Kinglet. The spruce tree in which the nest was placed was about one hun- dred yards from a field on the edge of a heavy wood. The chief varieties of trees are spruce, hemlock and cedar. The nest was eight feet from the ground, six feet out on a limb over- hanging a small clear space in the woods. It is cup shaped showing the | following measurements: Depth out- side 4 1-2 inches; depth inside 3 3-4 inches; diameter outside 4 inches; di- ameter inside 3 inches. Composed of green moss externally and lined with feathers of the Oven-bird, Canada Jay and Ruffed Grouse, with the quills pointing downward, almost forming an arch over the eggs with the shafts. The nest contained eight nearly round rich creamy eggs on June 10th, 1909, Other birds nesting in the same lo- cality were Saw-whet, Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Canadian Spruce Grouse, Bay-breasted and Blackburnian Warb- ler and American Woodcock, Stanley G. Jewett. Ome Notice No. 260. With this issue of THE OOLOGIST we drop all subscribers from our books whose numbers are below 260. This we hate to do but the post office regulations are imperative. Better renew at once and keep in the game as we will give you a better magazine for the price than any other in Am- erica. We hope each one of our sub- seribers will send us a néw subscrip- tion before April ist. Try and see what you can do for THE OOLIGIST. ‘9sa05H epeued jo y90|/4 Huipooug 34 THE OOLOGIST The Carolina Wren in Philadelphia. The Great Carolina Wren is assured- ly again on the increase throughout North Philadelphia, where it used to be a common bird. Previous to the year 1900 it was not at all rare, though I could not regard it then as common as my records will attest, but for some reason, it practically disappeared and my note books contain no record of its occurrence from the above year till May 30, 1907, when one was seen at Cheltenham, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just across the Philadel- phia County line. It is such a noisy bird that I could not have overlooked its occurrence if it was here during those seven years. During 1908 and 1909 I have seen enough of these birds as to warrant a belief that they are becoming com- mon again, and as such I so regard them now, and sincerely hope that they will continue to increase. I cannot offer any explanation as to their disappearance during the sev- en years, but am glad that they are here to enliven the winter, for they are one of the few of our winter bird songsters, and whose cheery song and whistle are ever welcome to the weary strolling bird-lover. I have said that I am glad the Car- olina Wren has come back to me, but I wish I could say the same thing for the Winter Wren, whose occurrence here every winter is becoming less and less. It is true as yet they have not entirely disappeared, but they seem likely to, aS only one bird was seen during the winter of 1907-08 after De- cember, But I shall have something to say concerning its disappearance at another time, when I have studied my records and arranged them for annual comparison of its occurrence here now as compared with former years. Richard F. Miller. The Cormorant in Western Pennsyl- vania. Along the lake shore and ‘“Peninsu- la” at Hrie, Pennsylvania, the Cormo- rant is of occasional occurrence, but inland it is very rare. One was shot here on the river in October about twenty years ago and was mounted and is in posession of a party living here. April 30th, 1903, was hot and sultry and the thermometer reaching 80 de- grees right after dinner. Toward even- ing a high northwest wind sprang up and then a rain set in. All night it blew hard and at day light on the morning of May Ist it was 28 degrees, a drop of 52 dgrees in less than twen- ty-four hours. The high wind still continued and there was _ frequent blinding snow-squalls. I took my gun and went down the river to see if the storm had brought anything of interest. The river was very rough and in the big eddy close to the shore I saw as I peered careful- ly down a big dark bird that I took to be a loon. As I had killed three fine adults within a week I concluded not to sneak on it but to let it go. I kept on down and seeing me, the bird swam out into the river. Too late I saw I had made a mistake. It sat and looked altogether different and is bobbed about on the waves I saw it was black all over. I could also plainly see the pouch and knew I was looking at an adult Cormorant. I withdrew from sight but was too late as the alarmed bird arose and flew down. The best part of the day was spent in a vain attempt to again find it. I consider this a very good record especially so, as it is a spring record. It is unknown to old hunters and resi- dents along the river. The same storm brought in a num- ber of long-tailed ducks in full black and brown breeding dress. A free scaup also appeared. I noted thir- teen new arrivals, including Nashville and Cape May Warblers, but have always felt sore over the easy way I lost such a prize. R. B. Simpson. THE A Strange Experience. On November 6th, when some friends and myself were on an outing we noticed from the top of a hill, a pair of birds flying low over a very thick wood of about five acres in ex- tent. After watching them through our field glasses we decided on their being either Red-tailed or Marsh Hawks, as they wer of about the same size, and had onspjcs ously white breasts. ay We decided to ee matters more thoroughly so after stationing one of our party there to watch their movements we advanced upon the thicket. As we approached, we saw that it was impossible to force our way through the thick undergrowth but as there were several paths near by we took the nearest and soon reached the middle of the wood. When suddenly from fifteen feet ahead of us, just where the path turned, there shot across our path, a dark object about as large as a good sized hawk. It flew on the average about four or five feet from the ground and went smashing into low branches and bush- es in a very unhawklike manner, which made us suspect they were owls. Suddenly from all over the wood there was a great commotion, as oth- er birds went crashing into the under- bush. We ran on down the path to try to get a glimpse of them, but the birds dashed off just a fraction of a second too quick for us to identify them. Our friend who had been stationed on the hill said that at least twenty birds rose a little above the trees, and after flying slowly for a short dis- tance settled down again. To us in the center of the wood, it seemed as if there were many times that number. Now all of you wise ones, scratch your heads and get down your old note-books and answer the following questions: What were they? Were they owls? If so, what kind? Have you ever had similar experiences? And let me hear from you in the next issue of THE OOLOGIST. K. H. ROCKEY. OOLOGIST 35 =e Sing Se a Bie « ae “eS The Cuban Pigmy Owl, Y(Glauciduni siju) L. 7.2 in., W. 3.8 ~ in., t. 3.5 in. Upper parts fuscous, finely spotted and streaked with white on the head; bank of light rufous across back of neck; back barred with white; tail barred with white tinged with rufous. Under parts white, heavily barred and streaked with fuscous and rufous; feet and iris yellow; legs feathered to base of toes. This is the smallest and most com- mon of our three owls. It is very tame and most generally permits of close inspection all the time keeping up a nervous twitching of its tail, wren fashion, sometimes holding it erect. It feeds some during the day and flies well in the brightest light. Its food according to my observations, consists largely of grasshoppers and chamel- eons. All the birds seem to dislike this owl very much, and make the fam- iliar fuss when one is near, even though it is so small. ax 4 Sm A, C. Read. Se eee Turkey Vulture in Pennsylvania. I have a very nice adult male vulture in my collection that was taken at Warren, Pennsylvania, and don’t be- lieve I ever recorded it in any bird magazine, Warren County is entirely out of their range and I never saw one here myself. My specimen was captured in late July by a farmer living about nine miles from here. A calf had died and was taken off some distance and left lay a day or so. On going to bury it, the farmer saw four vultures feed- ing on the carcass, He went back, and returning with a steel trap, set it at the body. The next day he found a fine old male buzzard fast. It was taken alive and kept for sev- eral weeks in a large shed where it was viewed by everyone in the vicin- ity and was looked upon as a curiosity. I finally heard of the catch and se- cured it for my collection. R. B. Simpson. 86 THE OOLOGIST The Chinese Mandarin. Duck. . The. common decorative Chinese wild fowl. The nearest rival] to the Wood duck in beauty. The North American Summer or Wood Duck. The most beautiful of all known water fowl. Now supposed to be gradual- ly approaching extinction, and the easiest of all wild ducks excepting the Mallard to rear in confinement. Under preper conditions and treatment, they become very tame. THE OOLOGIST V The Condor” A Magazine of Western Ornithology Edited by J. Grinnell. Associate Editors: Wm. L. Finley, Robert B. Rockwell “Official Organ of the Cooper Orni- thological Club.”’ Vol. XI, 1909 will contain the usual interesting articles by live active ornithologists and will be illustrated by the high- est class of half tones. You can- not afford to miss a number. Published bi-monthly at Holly- wood, California. Subscription: $1.50 per year net in advance- Single copies: 30c each. Foreign subscription. $1.75. J. Eugene Law, Business Mgr. Hollywood, California. W. Lee Chambers, Asst. Mer. Santa Monica, California. McCALL PATTERNS Celebrated for style, perfect fit, simplicity and reliability nearly 40 years. Sold in nearly every city and town in the United States and Canada, or by mail direct. More so!d than any other make. Send for free catalogue. McCALL’S MAGAZINE More subscribers than any other fashion magazine—million a month, Invaluable. Lat- est styles, patterns, dressmaking, millinery, plain sewing, fancy needlework, hairdressing, etiquette, good stories, etc. Only 50 cents a year (worth double), including a free pattern, Subscribe today, or send for sample copy. WONDERFUL INDUCEMENTS to Agents. Postal brings premium catalogue and new cash prize offers, Address THE McCALL CO., 238 to 248 W. 37th St., NEW YORK In continuation of its series of plates of the Sparrows of North America IN COLOR Bird-Lore for January-Feb- ruary (Vol. XII, No. 1) con- tains colored figures of the Grasshopper, Henslow’s Baird’s and LeConte’s Spar- rows. The series was begun in Bird-Lore for November-De- cember, where the Chipping, Field, Tree, Clay-colored and Brewer’s Sparrows were fig- ured. As long as the supply lasts we will give a copy of this 100-page number, containing the first plate of the Sparrow Series, to all subscribers to Bird—Lore for 1910. Single numbers 20 cents. Annual subscription $1.00 BIRD-LORE, Harrisburg, Pa. vI THE OOLOGIST Oologists & Taxidermists Tools Beoks and Magazines of Every Description Write me just what you wish. I can save you money. Specimen prices. All sent prepaid. Cut the Lining Egg Drills; 16 sizes. They are a delight for fine work. If not more than pleased return them. 25c each. 4 select- Cd! SIZES). io Yates Blowpipes; best nickel, 6-7 in. 20c., 8-9 in. 30c, 10-12 in. Regular Egg Drills, best made No? 0) 20, No. £ 25. Noy 24:35 No. 3, 50c.; No. 4, 75¢; No. 5, SHE OO eNOS Oa eee cee meee 1.50 Embryo Scissors, 25c.. 50c., $1.00 ENGL, SRN Cees tee oe be tees ne 1.25 Embryo Hooks, Best, .......... 25 HoLcCepS, Bests Madey. oa ae 45 Best Steel Climbers without straps, $2.00; with 4 straps 3.00 Data Blanks about 3x5 in. per 100 _ .10 Egg Pencils, thick soft lead; three for Oologist yearly subscription and Davie’s Nests and Eggs 5th Hd. 1.60 Chapman’s Handbook, Leather, S260 Clothe ese ih eee 2.25 Reed’s North American Birds Heggs and Oologist one year 2.50 Coues Key, Last ed. Two vol- pe DaBKEYS Ne OAKG TH armen Ate alo ils ea alod aac 10.50 Benjamin Hoag, Stephentown, N. Y. Back Numbers of the Oologist Wanted Vol. 1, No. 1. ~ De Ga Be oo 66 5, 66 5, 6. 6é 6, 6é 4, 6eé ie 6é 8. 6c 8, 66 4, 5,8 «10, “© 23'4 ce 1%, “eé ie cé 18 ce 5, eden He 310 Sie tle aloe eae ie AB. ie oA) 9) 9 (74 26, 6é a I will buy a large number of each of the above back numbers for cash at the rate they are listed at, as being for sale in this number of THE OOLO- GIST. Address, R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. GREAT AUK AND MAMMOTH FOR EXCHANGE Skeleton, loose bones, portions of eges of the Great Auk. Tusks of the Alaskan Mammoth. Rare North American sets. WANTED:— Ornithological books and maga- zines, Mammals, Birds, Turtles,alive. Osteological material. J. D. Sornborger, Rowley, Mass. Whose Are They? We are in receipt of two unsigned advertisements to the publication in our classified book department, one ad- vertising certain volumes of the old O. & O., the other ealling for back numbers of Field & Forest, Random Notes, etc. They became mislaid in sorting our corespondence so that we don’t know what letter they came wita. Please write us.—Hditor. a; OOLOGIST ADVERTISING RESULTS | have disposed of 47 volumes of Books, the Typewriter, 16 sets of eggs (in exchange) and numerous articles that would fill a page. I have received as a result of insert- ing a want add in THE OOLOGIST, 32 sets of eggs, innumerable Ornitholog- ical and Oological Books and Pamph- lets, 155 arrow and spear points and 25 miscellaneous Indian relics. Now if this isn’t worth the price paid for the insertion, kindly tell me what is? ‘ received letters from Mexico to England and for awhile, | was “sorry that | spoke.” Such good luck accompanied my other add that | am sending you an- other to run one issue and if there is anything left of them I will notify you in time to extend it.. | don’t want an- other such rain of inquiries if | can help it. This isn’t gush.. Everything | have written above can be verified.” L, B. HOWSLEY... THE OOLOGIST The Next Issue Of The Oologist Will Contain the Index to Vol- ume 26 Also A Complete Index to All Illustrations Appearing in The Oologist from Vol. | No. | to Vol. 1 No. 26. twenty-five vol- umes. Do Not Fail to Get this Number VII Prices for Back Numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST AND THE OOLOGIST will, during 1910, remain as below: After which the prices of many num- bers will be advanced and possibly not obtainable at any price. Should you desire back numbers to complete you file. NOW is the time to purchase. You can never obtain them for less money and possibly not at any price, as our stock ranges from only 1 to 25 copies of an issue. Prices for 1910 Are as Follows: Nos. 1,14, 18, 31, 34-35, 42, 53, 86, 89, tae 130 ,132 137. 139, 140; 153, 158, are 50 cents eac Nos. 9, 66-67, 76, 77, 78, 79, Se, 90, 100, 113, 138, 146, are 25 cents each. Nos. 41; 13; 14, 15, 16; 64; 65, 66; 76, ST, le, eT, 128) Teo rade eS are: Lb cents each. Nos, 19; 20; 22, 27,28; 38, 39,40, 46, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 133, 1385, are 10 cents each. SF All other numbers 5c. per copy. For $12 will send prepaid a copy of every issue ever published, No. 1 to 145.—30 far as nowon hand. This offer in- cludes your subscription through 1910. My prices for back numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST and OOLOGIST in volumes, are as follows: Maly T-US84-5o Nos Vtto vl ask wccks $ .90 Vol. If, -US85s Nos: ls) tot 14. oe veer -50 Vol ‘1iI- 18386." Nos: - 16) to 2203.05... .90 Vol. IV, 1887) Nos; 21. to 25-26... .- 1.00 Mok .V,- L888. Noshe ate tor asenic. os 1.50 Mol. “Vi, 889.) Nosi-sorto-bOsc occ: -76 Wool, MIT; L890) NoOswolhto*be > vances -76 Vol. Vili 890 ANOS68 tows woclee mya) Vol. TX 1892) Nos: Tbs.to Ge se oe .90 Mol. x, 1893, (Nos. 78T tor 985... 1.00 Mol) XI, -18945-Nos.-99) to’ Pur 5. he .50 Vol. XII, 1895, Nos. Ti) to 122... 1.00 Wol, XIIt,; 1896;(Nos: .123'to 127... = ~:60 Vol XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.. 1.50 Vol. XV, -1898, ‘Nos, 140) to 249)... ».60 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161... -75 Vol. XVIl, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171 .50 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. -50 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. .50 Volk XX, 1903; Nos) 196) to "297.23. .10 Vol. XXI, 1904, No. 198 to 209.... .50 Vol. XXIT, 1905, Nos. 210 to 221.... .50 Vol. XXIII, 1906, 222 to 233....... dete nes 50 VOL SERINE Ie coterO cape nea oe eee 55 Vol. XXV, 1908, 246 to 257. : 50 For $5.25 I will send prepaid a. “copy of every issue published, Nos. to 209, inclusive, except the twenty-nine, (29), 25c., 50c.and 75c.copies. For $2.50 I will send prepaid every copy published, Nos. 1 to 209, inclusive, except the sixty copies priced above at 10¢ or over — BOUND VOLUMES — Can be furnished, strongly bound in cloth and hoards, as follows: Vol. I and II YOUNG OOLOGIST bound in ONC VOIUMG co cana done eeir ns, Nore, cues $1.00 Vol. IX. The OOLOGIST for ’92, 298 pages of valuable and instructive Oological and Ornithological matter with mAny full page illustrations, .. . $1.00 Or, if you order the two volumes at. one time, we will send them by return mail for only $1.75. Every student of birds, their nests and eggs, should have these two volumes in their library. The valuable information they contain, ‘s worth many times the price. Address plainly. R. M. BARNES, Albion, N. Y. Lacon, Ill. The Oologist for 1910 Will be Better Than Ever Splendid bird articles will be printed, writ- ten by the best bird observers in America, detailing original field observations. First-class illustrations will be used, portray- ing original field subjects never before pub- lished. Advertisers will receive greater returns than ever by using our columns. Help us extend our influence and subscrip- tion list. THE OOLOGIST Albion, N. Y., or Lacon, Illinois THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY Vous x VII.) No; 4. ALBION, N. Y., APRIL 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 273 ———= BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Etc., inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your subscription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid, 273 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 251 your subscription expires with December issue 1910. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. ; Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1903, at the post office, at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Con- gress of March 3, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘‘THE OOLOGIST,’’ and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. dition; skins of [vory-billed Pileated Wood- pecker. L. A. PARRE. Batavia, Il). (1) _WANTED.—A few good skins of the Aleu- tian Tern (Sterna aleutica) Thayer Museum, Lancaster, Mass. WANTED .—One first set each of Sandhill and Whooping Crane, one pair of skins of Whooping Crane. Willexchange specimens from Northwest Canada. MACKAY «& DIPPIE. Calgary, Alberta. WANTED.—Skins of birds of the Rocky Mountain and Gulf states, also a few rare Eastern. Can offer material from Baja Cali- fornia (Mexico) and good exchange in well made Western skins. Please send complete fists: PINGREE I. OSBURNE, Pasadena, al. TO EXCHANGE.—Finely mounted birds and deer heads, several hundred Natural History and Sportsman’s magazines, for bird aid mamnial skins. GEO. F. GUELF, Taxidermist. Brockport. N. Y. Any collectors having a few good Jabeled specimens of foreign birds, send list, [ will give A 1 skins of Illinois and California birds. Also offer skins of common specimens from Illinois for nests and sets of small species. aa K. COALE, Higiland Park, Lake O., Lil. WANTED.—Male and female of Wood Duck, Great Horned Owl, Screech Ow], Spar- row Hawk. Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Blue Jay and Scarlet Tanager. The first five with nests in section of hollow tree and the latter three withnests and eggsin section of original branches. ‘For further particulars address J. FRIESSER, 5620 Lake Ave., Chicago, Il]. WANTED.—To buy first class skins of the Hawks and Owls. or will give good exchange a books. Write S. V. WHARKAM, Geneva, Ohio. WANTED.—First class skins of Murrelets, Gulls, Shearwaters, Rails, shore Birds, Grouse, Hawks, Owls, particularly Snowy and Great Gray, and certain small jand birds. Offer representative Southern California species, also fine sets of personally taken Heermann’s Gulls and Blue-footed Boobies. All reliable collectors send lists. PINGREY I. OSBURN, Pasadena, Calif. QUALITY BIKD SKINS.—If you are in need of material from the Lower Rio Grande, sOuthward in Mexico; let me hear from. you. My work is gauged by quality, not quantity of output; a fact worthy of your serious con- sideration, when adding to your collection. Series representing the species from the egg to the adult can be arranged for. AUSTIN PAUL SMITH, Box 141, Brownsville, Texas. THE CELEBRATED HUNGARIAN AND ENGLISH PAKTRIDGES AND PHEAS- ANS, capercailzies, black game, wild turkeys, quails, rabbits, deer, etc. for stock purposes. Fancy pheasants, peafowl, swans, cranes, storks, ornamental geese and ducks, foxes, squirrels, ferrets, and all kinds of birds and animals. WENZ & MACKENSEN, pent. H, Pheasantry & Game Park, Yardley, a. BIRDS EGGS FOR EXCHANGE R. Mv BAR. > LIE NES, cacon ; Instt,.. Knsenian Stit,,, of “Oy ’ Aannrm + Ae v Ath II THE OOLOGIST EGGS FOR EXCHANGE — First class Eggs in sets. C.S. RUTHERFORD, Revere, Mo. Send exchange lists of first class sets for mine.—J. W' PRESTON, :1411 13th Ave., Spokane, Wash. 3 EXCHANGE.—Several sets of Black Tern for what you have. DR. E. S. SCHMIDT, Green Bay, Wis. 5 WANTED.—For cash only. One good egg cabinet. Address, EUGENE KEITHLEY St. Michaels, Md., Box 124. (1) I offer 1-3. 2-4 Fish Crow, 1-5 201, 1-5 194; all for a set of Bartman’s Sandpiper 4or 5 eggs. W.B.CRISPIN, Salem. N. J. WANTED.—Sets with or without nests. Particularly Sharp-tail and Seaside Sparrow. DR. J. P. BALL, Frankford, Pa. (2) FOR EXCHANGE.—2-2 Miss. Kite, 2-2 Gl- Winged gull, 2-3 gl-winged gull. Allcoll.cted by myself. G. W.STEVENS, Alva. Okla. EXCHANGE.—A tine series of ten of the Pallas Murre from Cape Hope, Alaska. I want 188, 332, 343, 348, 362, 364 and many others, E. BROWN, 6044 Ist Ave.. No. W, Sta. F. Seattle, Wash. WANTED.—Sets of 351, 352, 352a. 206, and many common sets; have to offer choice sets 679 1-4, 417 1-2. 419 1-2, 337, 339. 375, 263, 261, 273 and many other choice sets: send list and re- ceive mine. RAY DINSMORE, Perry. Ohio FOR EXCHANGE.—A collection of eggs with data including Whip. -poor-will, Oven- bird, etc. for Botanical Works. especially ones on Ferns and Mosses. HARRY CLUTEH, 13 Allen St., Gloversville. N. Y. (1) FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets of Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Louisiana Heron, Wayne’s Clapper Rail, Florida Burrowing Owl. and others. For parliculars address WwW. W. WORTHINGTON, Shelter Island Heights, New York. FOR EXCHANGE. — Eggs in fine sets. beautiful minerals, butterflies and moths in dust and insect proof cases, and other natural history specimens. Want all the above. Send lists and receive mine. LEWIS C. SNYDER, Lacona, New York. FOR EXCHANGE.—A few choice sets of glaucous-winged gull, black oyster catcher, ring-necked plover, Kodiak fox sparrow, Pacific murre. All collected by myself. G. W.STEVENS, Alva. Okla. o FOR SALE.—Some rare single eggs from Iceland, Loons, Siua, Glaucous Gull, Old- squaw, Northern Eider, Bean Goose, Whoop- ing Swan, Golden Plover. Dunlin, Godwit, Ruff, Snowflake, Iceland Falcon, and others. Send for full list to H. WAR REN, Room 215 St. James Chambers, Adelaide Stige cH. Toronto, Ont. WANTED.—In good sets: 340, 387, 451, 485, a. Can offer 89, 95, 101, 207, 9934, 294, 295, 309, 332, 339a, 351, 359, 384, 416, 417, 419, 420b, 460, 479, 533, O34, 536, 569, 575, 5754. 594a. 602. 607, 637. 639, 641, 730, 763 and 315 (1871). THOMAS H. TACKSON 304 N. Franklin By West Chester, Pa. TO EXCHANGE—‘Sets with data, North American and Foreign. Can Se many com- mon kinds of POE: aoa W. RICHARDS 7 = Navy, 1911 N. St., N. W.. Washington *‘T have perfect sets of Mourning, Cerulean Black throated, Blue and Black throated Green Warbler, American Woodcock, Bar- tramian Sandpiper. King Rail, Canadian Spruce, Grouse and Sharp Shinned Hawk for exchange. I desire sets of American Flam- ingo, Long-billed Curlew. Semipalmated Plover, Franklin’s Grouse, Bonaparte’s Gull, Williamson’s Sapsucker, White-headed and Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Pink-sided Juneo. Hutton’s and Black Capped Vireo, Sennett’s Orange-crowned and Connecticut Warbler and Canada Jay. GERARD ALAN ABBOTT. 45 Marauette Bldg.. Chicago. FOR EXCHANGE.—Eggs 6 1-7, 37 1-1: 49 1-3, 58 20-2 2-3, 62 1-3, 64 1-4, 65 9-1 1-2, 80 7-2 1-4 7-3, 114-1 1-2, 122 1-4, 123b 1-4, 141 1 10, 127 1-3, 187 1-4 190 1-3, 191 1-4, 194 4-3, 199 4-3, 201 3-4, 2111-4. 211-2 1-9, 219 1-3, 221 1-4 1-11, 226 1-4, 269 1-4, 280 1-3, 321 19-2. 3268-2, 333 15, 337b 1-2 2-3, 339 2-4, 339b 2-2, 345 1-1, 346 30-2 ($10 set)’ 3491-2, 3551-4, 359 1-2, 1-4, 365 1-3, 368a 1-3 cone broken), 373¢ 1-3, 374 4-4, 378 1-7, 380 1-3 one missing), 384 1-4 2-6 385 4-5, 387 2- 4, 389 3-4 1-2, (one gone), 3917-5, 410 1-4°3-5 2-6, 413 1-6, 419 21-2, 420a 1-1, 453 1-4 1-6 456 2-4, 471 1-3, 475 1-5, 483 1-3, 496 2-2, 500 1-4, 57 1-4, 593a 1-3 19-4, 594a 3-4, 652 1-5, 713 2-4, 3-5 7-6, ~ aD a a 1-4, 766 1-5, Gray-tailed Hawk, 1-2 2 e , 1 2-3 1-4 $1.25, per egg; White-throated Falcon 1-2, $4.50 per egg; Green Woodpecker 1-4, 75c. per egg; Brown Jay 1-4 1-5 75c. per egg; Mexi- can Crow 1-4 1-5 75c. per egg; Lesson’s Oriole 1-5 50c per egg; skins for exchange. 51-5, 54-4, 60-4: 64-1. 65-5, 137-8, 142-5, 143-7. 146-11, 149-2) 258a-7, 289b 4, 264-2. Many eggs in broken sets, full data, 1-3 off. Would buy or ex- change for, if at a bargain, any kind of museum specimens, such as relics, fossils, shells, minerals, corals, etc., etc. M. CARROLL, San Marcos, Texas. For Particularly Rare Oological and Ornithol- ogical specimens from Iceland, Siberia, India, Polynesia, Africa, South America, see “The Bulle- lin,’ post free, for 3 cent stamp THE BULLETIN, 4 Duke St., Adelphi, London, W. C.. England. THE QOLOGIST III _ BOOKS WANTED.—A copy of Goss “Birds of Kansas.’ Will give good exchange in sets orcash. DR. W.I. MITCHELL, 321 Barnes Bldg., Wichita, Kan. stamp. THE BULLETIN, 4 DukeSt, (2) Adelphi, London, England. WANTED,— “Birds of Manitoba,” by Ernest Seaton Thompson. HARRIET H. WRIGHT, 1637 Gratiot Ave., Saginaw, W,S.. Mich. [Ex] SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Capen’s Oology, Nidiologist, Vol.1, Nos.land2. Want cash or Bendire’s Vol. II. A. C. DYKE, Bridge- water, Mass. {1] WANTED.—The Auk, Vol. II, Nos. 2, 3, 4, Vol. IV, Nos. 2,4, Vol. V. Nos. 2,3, 4, Vol. VI, Nos. 1,3. For cash or exchange. LOUIS A, FUERTES, Ithaca, N. Y. WANTED.—Bird Books; will pay a reason- able price for those I wish. State what you have, and on what condition, price. etc. CHAS. F. CARR, New London, Wis. [2] WANTED.—Back numbers of The Auk. Nuttal’s Bulletin and other bird magazines, also on insects. Have numbers to exchange. G. W. HUMPHREY, Dedham, Mass. WANTED.—Northern and southern raw furs. Highest market price paid. All goods held subject to approval of valuation. Price list free. GEORGE J. TILLS, Albion, N. Y. WANTED.—Books on birds. Will pay a reasonable cash price for those that I desire. State title aud author, conaition. etc. CHAS. F. CARR, (Personal), New London, Wis. WANTED.—Bird Lore. Will pay 50c. each for vol: 2. No. 2, vol. 3, No. 1,2, vol. 7,.No. 1. Also want first three volumes of Condor. LAUREN TREMPER, 136 Dewey St., Phila- delphia, Pa. {1] BIRD LORE,—Will pay cash for Bird-Lore, Vol. II. No. 2, Vol. 3. No. 1, Vol. VII, No.1. If you can furnish any or all, write stating ie FRANK H.LATTIN, M. D. Albion, WANTED—Old Bird booksand magazines. Will pay cash. Quote what youhave. Also wish sets of Golden and Bald Eagle. Good exchange. BENJAMIN HOAG, Stephen- town, N. Y. (Ll) Have your Oologists or other magazines, bound bya careful, painstaking hand pro- cess. Write what you have and get styles. Prices reasonable. Exchange considered. HOWARD W. McMILLEN, Ada, Ohio. ec FOR SALE.—In_ perfect condition, “The North American Birds” by Henry Nebrling, German text, cloth bound, gilt edge, 668 pages and 36 plates, showing 137 species in natural color. Original price $15. Sells for $7. ERICH DIETRICH, Canby, Oregon. FOR SALE.—Complete file, The Condor, $18.00; ten volumes The Auk, $15.00; eight volumes The American Naturalist, $12.00. Other vargains in ornithological publica- tions, complete volumes and odd numbers. DR. F. P. DROWNE, Chilesburg, Virginia. [3 WANTED.—A clean copy of The Oologist, Vol. 5, No.6. Cash. All my old correspond- ents please note change ofaddress. HARRY ic a Hollywood Sta., Los acs al, ( WANTED.—American Ornithology, Sept. 1905, and July-Aug., 1906. State lowest cash price. EARLE R. FORREST, 357 N. Main St., Washington, Penna. (1) WANTED.—Auk. Vol. 2, complete, or parts of same, and any old bird separates of Nat. Hist,, Society’s reports, and books in ex- change or cash. W. OTTO: EMERSON, Palm Cottage, Haywards, California. (1) You must have “The Bulletin” if you want cheap, good and scarce books and pamphlets on Ornithology, Botany, Zoology, Travel, Science. World Wide Circulation. Specimen copy for3cent stamp. THE BULLETIN, 4 Duke St., Adelphi, London, W. C., neta ; BIRD MAGAZINES.—I have about 500 old bird magazines for exchange, including complete volumes of Auk, Condor, Nidiolo- gist, Osprey, Uregon Naturalist, and odd numbers of all of these. W. LEE CHAM- BERS, 1226 11th St., Santa Monica, Cal. For sale or to exchange for books, maga- zines or birdskins .0 & O vols. VI, VU, VILI, XVI, XVII. Nidologist vols. HI. IlI, IV. Trans Wis. Acad. Odd vols.; Auk XI, 3 and 4: XII. 3; XX, 2; Capens Oology; Oologist, vols. VII to XVII ine. bound. Hardwick’s Science Gossip. F. B. McK ECHNIE, Ponk- apog, Mass. WANTED.—Odd numbers and vols. of Field & Forest, Random Notes, Ottawa Naturalist, Quar. Journ., Boston Zoo, Soc. Jour., Me. Orn. Soc., Bull. Mich, Orn. Club, Wilson Bull. The Collectors Monthly, The Zoe, Canadian Sportsman, The Osprey (Ashland, Ky.), The Young Ornithologist (Boston), Proc. Nat. Sci. Asso. Staten Is., Oologists Journal, Hawk-Eye O «& O, etc., etc. F. 8. MCKECHNIE, Ponkapog, Mass. (1) 2S, ee ee ee FOR SALE.—The following books: of North and Middle America by Ridgway, Parts I, II, 11I,and1IV. Birds of Wyoming 1902, by Knight, Our Northern and Eastern Birds, by E. A. Samuels, Nuttall’s Ornithol- ogy, two volumes, The Auk, Vols. 16, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Allin excellent condition. Will sell cheap, F.C. HUBEL, Clarkston, Mich. SALE AND FOR EXCHANGE,.—By W. Otto Emerson, Haywards, Palm Cottage. Calif. Auk, Vol’s, (new) 15.14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, (unbound); Osprey, Vol. I, No. 1-9, Nid. Vol. 1-3-7, Vol. III, 1-3; Oregon Naturalist, Vol. III, Vol. 4-1; Zoe, Vol. I, 1-2-9, Vol, IT, 1-4, Vol. III, 2, Vol. 1V, 4; Oologist, Utica, N. Y. Vol, 4-5, latter bound, Latter Volume; Coopers Club Bull. Vol. I, 1 and index, others also; Report af Ornithology by C. Hart Merriam 1886-87-88; Birds of Wyoming, 1902; Ridgways Hummingbirds; Birds of Mexico, Bryant; Calif. Water Birds, No. III, Loomis; Birds of Mexico. Lawrence, Bull. No. 4, U. 8S. Museum 1876; Oology New England, Samules, Land Birds, 1864; Birds of Santa Cruxe Co. Calif. McGregor. eee Is your Subscription paid up ? ba < MISCELLANEOUS | WANTED.—44 Calibre Collecting gun and shells in exchange and pair young live Gos- hawks. A liberal price for same. ARTHUR W.BROCKWAY, Hadlyme, Conn. (1) EXCHANGE.—New sixteen gauge, double barrelled Lefever gun; automatic ejectors, eost forty-five dollars; for egg cabinet and Bele to value. DR. JAMESON, Eine e: a. Arickara Indian collection for sale, Per- sonally collected. Bone implements, arrow heads, stone hammers, etc. Send stamp for photo and price. E. Lee, Pierre, 8. D. [1] FOR SALE.—Large Flint Lock Pistol, 16 inches in length, $6.00; Puritan foot stove tin, with wood frame, $1.50; pair of iron spectacles 7c. JAMES O. JOHNSON, Southington, Conn. [1] WANTED.—Mounting condition, otter, fisher, marten, wolverine. grey timber wolf. white blazed, face, badger, all skulls, Address E. CAMPBELL, Taxidermist, 323 eerie Ave., Pittston, Pa. }1) Over 100 species of Curios, many rare, in exchange for first class bird skins, native or foreign, single or a collection of skins taken. If interested write at once and make offer. DR. STRODE, Lewistown, Ill. (1) WANTED.— Mounting coudition, otter fisher. marten, wolverine, grey timber wolf, white blazed face, badger, all skulls. Address W. CAMPBELL. Taxidermist, 323 Wyoming Ave, Pottston, Pa. {1} FOR EXCHANGE.—32 Steven’s smooth bore rifle for a 22 or 32 caliber pistol, long ae barrel, also ““Oregon Naturalist, 1896’? com- . plete at $1.00 per volume. STANLEY G. JEW ETT, 582 Bidwell Ave., Portland, Ore. (1) FOR EXCHANGE.—Four by five Premo -Film-plate Camera outfit, stevens’ Offhand pistol. 32 calibre Colts repeating rifle; for nature and sporting goods and books. OWEN M. GATES, Box 54 Mansfield, Ohio.|[1 WANTED.—Some first class pieces of clean stretched birch bark, in strips of not less than 12 inches x 18 inches. Suitable for mounting photos. Send me your prices at ence. L. V. MEDICUS, 3002 Chestnut St., Kansas City, Mo. Have ten pairs Buffalo Horns, five polished, five in rough; 2 large Snake Skins, 12 feet and 18 feet with heads. 2 Mamosett Monkeys, mounted, no stands. Any reasonable offers; cash preferred. B. HARTLEY, 97 Smith St.. New Haven, Conn, [2] EXCHANGE.—200 mounted Microscopical specimens of animal tissues, (Pathological, Histological and Bacteriological) to exchange for stamps, coins or Indian relics, ete. Also specimens of Fossil Coral (Lithortrotion canadense) to exchange. J. M. BROOKS, D., Golden City, Mo. {J TO EXCHANGE.—Collection of over 200 scientific cabinet shells (40 species Cyprae) for Warblers in sets with nests or Indian relics, arrowpoints, spearpoints and cere- monial axes preferred. First fair offer takes the list. List sent if stamp is enclosed. L. B. HOWSLEY. Mullan, Idaho. {1) THE OOLOGIST FOR EXCHANGE.—Bird eggs, young red foxes, raccoons, gray and fox squirrels, or anything found in Central Indiana; golden seal for transplanting, 1 year old, 2 cents; over, 3 cents; ginsing 1 year old, 2 cents; over, 3cents. Write for what you want and what you have. WINFIELD CATLIN, Rode nd. (1b FOR SALE. — Guaranteed Moose, Elk, Caribou and Deer scalps and horns, all cor- rectly handled to mount up satisfactorily. Duty free. Reasonable prices. I can supply any wish in my line; write me. EDWIN DIXON, Ontario’s Leading Taxidermist, Main St., Unionville, Ontario. (1) Cameras, Mandolin, Telegraph outfit, Pyrography outfit, Books, Medical Books, Human Skeleton, Double Wall Maps, Swiss Army Rifle. Minerals, Small Self-inking Press, New Framed and Unframed Pictures, Universal Bread Maker, Fish Berries, etc. Want Skins for mounting, Curios or Cash. J.J. WERZ, 501 Ellis St,, Augusta, Ga. FOR EXCHANGE.—A representative col- lection of Ohio Indian relics, consisting of over 400 arrow heads, 29 celts, 14 grooved axes, spear heads, drills, hammer stones, plummets, chisels, gorget, pipe, stone beads, pestles, flint knives, etc. Want first class eggs in complete sets with full and complete data. Send lists and receive tracings of specimens. B. R. BALES, Circleville, Ohio.{1 Birds Eggs I have for exchange for species desired by me to compiete series of many very common kinds; a very large list of duplicates. Send me your exchange list. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, III. THE OOLOGIST. AOL. XXVII. No. 4. ALBION, N. Y. APRIL 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 2738 Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, Illinois. SOME ADVICE As the result of more than thirty years experience in North American Oology extending through boyhood, youth and middle age, and at the risk of being somewhat criticised therefor, we desire to suggest the following to the oologists on our subscription list for their guidance at least in part during the season of 1910, which is just opening, A collection of eggs should represent not merely an accumulation of speci- mens, but more than all else, it should reflect the methods, habits and character of the collector and the associations connected with its taking as well as tne scientific knowledge acquired in forming it. Too little attention has been paid for many years to the preparation of specimens, and too much-attention to the accumulation of a large amount of material without regard to.its preparation. It is far better to take few speci- mens and prepare them neatly, accompanying them with full notes of the ob- servations made at the time, rather than to gather a large amount of hetero- geneous material in unscientific ways. Too little attention has been paid in the past to the study and observation of our common species, and too much atten- tion to gathering large series of their skins, nests and eggs. It is far better to take a half dozen sets with nests and full data and observations of any one of the more rare species than to accumulate large series of our more common species. And it is much better to take a few well prepared sets of the more common species and splendidly made skins, accompanied with scientifically correct data and information with relation thereto than to collect specimens by the basket full. There is no market for birds eggs; the exchange demand for the common species is long since over-supplied, both for eggs and skins. We would sug- gest particularly to the younger oologists to take no specimens of birds eggs for exchange purposes except those that are rare; for if you do, you will find you have a lot of useless material and have causelessly sacrificed many of the common birds. The Editor. 38 THE OOLOGIST Notes on the American Woodcock. Phiolela Minor. My recollections of the Woodcock, the pride of every true sportsman date way back. In the ’50’s and ’60’s our laws allowed the shooting of the Wood- cock from the 4th of July, and many a good bag was brought to town, It is really a wonder that this game bird has not been entirely exterminated. My first find of those beautiful eggs was accidental. Being out on a tramp having been subjected to the rays of the sun, look as bright as if they had been taken last year. The Woodcock is a fairly common summer resident near Buffalo, arrives from the south the third or fourth week of March, and is next to the Horned Lark, Great Horned Owl and Migrant Shrike, one of the early breeders. The nesting site is frequent- ly chosen among bushes and second growth in pastures or along the edge Woodcock on Nest for beetles, I stumbled, I might say, on a deserted nest of Woodcock with three eggs on the edge of a snowbank in the present Forest Lawn Cemetery. The feathers of the Woodcock were strewn along the ground near the nest, suggesting the idea that the parent bird had been the victim of an Owl. This was the 16th of April 1864. I harbor this end blown set in my col- lection as a treasure. The eggs not of the woods. It is often placed at the root of a bush or beside a log and is a mere depression in the ground, lined with a few dry leaves and grasses. The compliment of eggs is four, I have in my collection a set of five, found the second week in April. The eggs vary greatly in size and coloring. I have them from 1.47 XK D2 to EG hiex “ioe he color ia brownish clay to huff, or more gray- THE OOLOGIST 39 ish, with numberless chocolate brown surface markings and stone-gray shell spets. (Coues). During the breeding soaring flight of the male bird is an interesting sight and one that compar- atively few observers have been priv- iledged to witness. Loitering in their favorite haunts at dusk one’s atten- ticn is first attracted by a rather harsh call note,—a sort of a squawk, uttered by the bird, while. on the wing. By season, the denly drops down in a zigzag course to the spot from which it started. It then struts for a few minutes and is off again on another flight. It requires an experienced eye to detect the brooding bird as its plum- age blends so naturally with the sur- rcundings. Sometimes the weather is very un- favorable for them as in the Spring of 1904, when we found the Woodcock in hard locality luck, In our from Woodcock going cautiously in the direction of the call, making advances only when the bird is in the air, it is possible to apprceach within a few feet of the spot from which it started and to which it will return after each flight. After sweeping along the ground for about forty yards, it ascends spirally into the air, until almost out of sight in the increasing darkness. It continues to soar for a short time and then sud- on Nest the frst to the thirteenth of April is usually the time to look for full sets of their eggs. That year was no ex- ception to the rule, although at the time referred to, we had been visited by a heavy snow storm which covered the ground to the depth of several inches. The snow had been partially melted by the sun, but froze hard during the ensuing night. Two days later another snow storm occurred. 40 THE OOLOGIST The next morning found us on the ground, which is an ideal locality for the nesting of this bird. The ground was then completely covered, with about five incbes of crusted snow. In company with our friends, we immediately began the search for the Woodcock. We soon found the tracks of a pair where they had been feed- ing cr trying to find food around part- ly frezen water holes. We flushed the birds and began looking the snow We were beginning to think that the bird had used this place, in a small clump of bushes as a refuge from the snow storms, when it was suggested that perhaps after all, the nest might be under the hard frozen snow. This was no sooner suggested than we were down on our knees, tak- ing turns at melting the snow with _ our breath. After a few minutes we were rewarded by the sight of one egg, ard ecntinuing our efforts we found Woodcock on Nest covered ground cver carefully for the nest, but found none in that vicinity; but following the back tracks of a single bird, which evidently were made the previous day, we came to the spot almost a quarter of a mile dis- tant, where the bird had started on its walk to the water holes. On exam- ining the place nothing but a slight depression was found appearing some- what dirtier than the otherwise clean snow. a fine set cf four eggs, the first lying directly in the middle and on top of the three cther eggs, and being sep- arated from them by a layer of at least one inch cf snow. From this I take it that when the first snow storm care, the bird had laid three .eggs and had found difficulty in keeping on them for any great length of time. The Woodcock lives on worms from the soft marshy ground, and conse- quently could not remain a long time THE OOLOGIST 41 on the eggs; or possibly the large amount of falling snow made the bird shift her position until by the con- stant moving the eggs were covered with snow; then the next day the other egg was deposited as before ‘mentioned. Then the second snow fall occurred which the bird could not withstand and so finally desert- ed the nest and eggs. We found several more nests in the same way on that day, and in each roundings. Plate No. 3. Then my son Ed. crept up towards the nest and by cutting away some twigs, dry grass and herbage showed the bird more clearly. Plate No. 1. He now crept nearer and with a slender twig three feet long raised the bill up and down as shown on Plate 2, finally getting closer he took ahold of the bill with his fingers when the Woodcock flushed from the nest, ex- posing a fine set of four eggs, Plate No. 4. Woodcock, Nest and Eggs case the eggs were found as describ- ed. In the Spring of 1908 we were for- tuate in securing good photographs of the Wocdcock, for in its breeding time this wary bird loses much-of its shyness, as will be shown by the illus- trations. Having located a bird on the nest, we first took the picture, which shows how its colors blend with the sur- During all this time, the Male bird was close at hand; sometimes within five or six feet, Close by we found to our astonish- ment a pair of Woodcock strutting around us, nct more than five or six feet away. They reminded us of a turkey ccck as they went along with heads erect and bills pointing down- ward close to their breasts. We used every effort to find their nest without 492 THE OOLOGIST success. What a difference in the fall of the year, when the sportsman is after them, Now that the sale of the birds is prohibited, the shooting season re- stricted to October and November, and a bag limit fixed at six birds per gun each day, conditions hereabouts are likely to improve somewhat. Some- thing ought to be done to afford pro- tection to the birds when wintering in the Southern States, and it is to be hoped that success will soon crown the efforts now being made to secure better protection and some wuniform- ity in the provisions of the game laws of the several states. Ottomar Reinecke, = a one A Few Isle of Pines Nesting Records For 1909. Jan. 20. Nest of West Indian Ground Dove, two eggs. Jan. 22. Nest of W. I. Ground Dove, 2 eggs. Jan. 25. Nest of W. I. Ground Dove, 2 eggs. Feb. 3. Nest of W. I. Ground Dove, 2 eggs. Mar. 28. Nest of Red-legged Thrush (Cuban Robin) begun. ‘Mar. 29. Nest of Gray Kingbird be- gun. Apr. 17. Nest of Red-legged Thrush. Apr. 22. Nest of W. I. Ground Dove; : 2 young. Apr. 24. Nest of Black-whiskered Vireo. Apr. 27. Nest of Gray Kingbird. May 6. Nest of Cuban Grackle. May 28. Nest of Cuban Meadowlark: 2 eges. May 30. Nest of Red-legged Thrush. Aug. 30. Nest of Ground Dove, 2 eggs. The records are very incomplete because no time was taken to make records, and these were purely acci- dentally stumbled upon. A. C. REED. Ancient Oology. There has lately come to our hand the correspondence connected with the transaction relating to birds eggs that occurred in 1868, involving the purchase by one person of the eggs named in the following list at the prices therein named. We have deem- ed this of sufficient general interest as showing the wide variation exist- ing between the prices then prevailing and those now asked for similar speci- mens to justify our publishing this list in full. Forty-two years ago is a long time, and we doubt if there are many more authentic lists of similar transactions to be found. How would you like to add a series of the eggs of the Hooded Mergan- ser and of the Wood duck to your col- lection on the basis of 20 and 10- cents apiece respectively? Here follows the list exactly as set forth in the correspondence? Aug. 19th, 1868. LIST OF PECK’S EGGS WITH PRICES. Turkey Buzzard 4 Eggs at $ .50 $ Red Tailed Hawk 50 Swallow Tailed Hawk 5 ie 1.00 Marsh Hawk 4 ia 25 Cooper’s “* 26 * o 20 Gob CIP pope .00 .00 .00 .00 50 SEP EON = 20 st 20 00 Duck a 1 et 50 -50 Gt. Horned Owl 4 ‘ -50 00 Barred Owl - 16 = 50 00 Virginia Rail 9 re 10 -90 Prairie Hen 16 * .03 50 Kill Deer 4 i 05 20 Am. Woodcock i : .20 .20 Green Heron 30 ad 08 2.40 Least Bittern 4 ¥ 15 60. Biack- billed Cuckoo 24 ee 05 1,20 ellow 18 ce GOB 90 Gt. Northern Shrike 10 “ 10 1.00 Red-br’sted Grosebeak 12 iS 10 ~=-1.20 Sky Lark a ae 10 70 Lark Finch 23 oi .05 1.15 Scarlet Tanager 6 % .08 48 Red-headed W. pecker 7 wy 03 21 Yellow-bellied *‘ 12 “* 05 .60 Gardners a 14 07 .98 Downy os 13 $ 05 65 Red- bellied cn 1 be 10 10 Oriole 37 th 06 2.22 Gt. Creasted Tuscauces 6 ats 10 60 Red- paed Flycatcher 9 54 07 27 Trail’ 8 = 08 64 WHiteibel) erellony 6 BS se MOS: cclaats Blk. Throated Bunting 21 se .08 1.68 Red Start 21 ef 05 1.05: Yellow-breasted Chat 18 a 05 90 Yellow Warbler 27 RS .05 1,35 Yellow W. Sparrow Hy oe 05 25 Maryland Yel.throat 4 ee 05 .20 White bel. Nuthatch 8 te 10 4 Black Cap. Titmouse 21 5 10 2.10 Wrens 11 a 05 55 Humming bird 4 r .20 80 Hooded Merganser 44 3 20 ~=—- 8.80 Summer Duck 336 10 33.60 THE OOLOGIST 48 Golden Eagles. In the hot, foot hill valleys, of the southern portion of Santa Clara Coun- ty, California, the Golden Eagles are said to have been numerous a few years ago. This may be true today, though such has not been my exper- ience this season. I did, however, find a single nest of this species, which on March 13th was apparently finished, but as yet unoc- cupied. In passing, it might be men- tioned that though this nest was of the usual type, and in an oak, it was only fifteen feet from the ground, On March 31st, I again visited this region, and about noon entered the little grove of oaks in which the nest tree grew. I noticed that the Califor- nia Jays were making considerable noise, but thought nothing of it until I had climbed to the nest. It contain- ed one perfectly fresh egg, probably just laid. About one-fourth of the shell had been broken away, and the chips, which were about the size of a dime, were scattered about the nest. The shell was nearly emptied of its contents, some spilled and the rest eaten. This was evidently the work of the Jays. This seems very strange to me, where were these supposedly fierce, strong eagles that they let these Jays rob them as soon as their first egg was laid? They certainly kept out of sight while I was around. Of course Jays are unquestionably bold, but what is the explanation of the eagle’s conduct? They certainly were not afraid—was it that they did not care, or was it that the jays were more clever than they, and caught them off guard? Again, is it a usual thing for these ever thieving Jays to select such large birds for their victims? Cer- tainly 2 number of Hawks nests in the vicinity showed no such goings on. Perhaps some one with more exper- ience can answer some of these things. If so, I would like to hear from them. Cc. K. SNYDER. Oro Bald Eagle. The Bald Eagle commences nest building in the middle Atlantic States in the Fall and Winter and deposits its eggs from February 21st to March 5th, and lays from one to three eggs to a set, a blue white in color. The nests I have climbed to have ranged in height from forty feet to one hundred twenty feet, and placed in the largest trees in each vicinity, Chestnut Pin Oak, White Oak, Pine and gum trees are the prevailing trees for sites. Have never known an eagle to attack anyone, but in taking a set on March 6, 1910 from a Chestnut tree seventy feet up, the female made_ several swoops and dives near me, and made the air sing on her upward turn. She also made many acrobatic movements . in the air while I was investigating near and about the tree. I never climb up to an eagle’s nest until I am positive she is sitting. If you climb before the bird has com- pleted the set, she will return and preak the egg or eggs, and if she has not deposited any at all, she will not do so that year. On two occasions I have known them to desert the nest for good. I even knew of one nest be- ing deserted when I climbed a tree near by and peeped into the nest. Those birds never did come back. Once I knew them to come back to a tree after an absence of four years. Once I was completely bewildered when on February 27th or 28th, 1906, I climbed to a nest that contained one egg. I left it for a complete set of course, but I will never leave another. I went back in about five days only to find a broken shell in the nest. The 44 THE OOLOGIST incident was repeated this year, when a collector of a friend of mine went to a nest that contained one egg. But alas, when he returned for the set, the egg was broken. At first I laid it to the crows, but now I am thoroughly convinced that the parent eagles are the guilty ones. My version of the affair is that their scent is very keen and they object to intruders. The nest when the egg was broken in 1906, was never touched by me, Bis nates I never. knew of any bird of prey whatever outside of the Bald Eagle that cared the least bit how you look- ‘ed, felt, or pried around their nests. W. B. CRISPIN. A Virginia Rail Nesting. The Virginia Rail, although not gen- ‘erally distributed throughout eastern Massachusetts, is found plentifully in ‘several localities. _ They arrive from . the south about ‘the first of May, some- times earlier, and seem -to prefer Swamps containing thickets of low ‘bushes overgrown ‘with vines and briars, rather than more open grassy marshes. By May 15th they have nests, and toward the last of the month broods of newly hatched young may be found. aye : On May 27, 1909 while collecting in the Fresh Pond Marshes of Cambridge, I came upon a pair of birds with a brood of young not much over twenty- four hours old. A wandering dog had already located the brood and had driven one of the young into a narrow runway. This runway was about six or seven feet long, was banked up strongly on each side with dense clumps of Cat-tails, and was too nar- row for the dog to enter, I took up my position at one end’ of the runway and waited, The dog would chase the young bird along in my di- rection, and as I reached over to pick it up, it would suddenly vanish. In a few moments it would re-appear, mak- ing its way back towards the dog. This Was repeated a number of times. Fre- quently the bird approached within a few inches of my hand when it would stop and crouch close to the ground, immediately becoming invisible. Had he remained quiet, he might easily have escaped, but at no time did he stay in one place longer than a few seconds. All this time the parents were trav- eling back and forth ‘through the cat- tails, now on one side, now on the other, but keeping well concealed, their constantly uttered “kiu’—a note resembling a similar one of the Flick- er, but less loud—only betraying their constantly changing position. At last the dog withdrew and [ lost sight of the young bird. He soon re- appeared twenty feet away, and I saw that if I was to procure him for a spe- cimen, which I desired to do, I would be obliged to shoot him, so when he next appeared momentarily, between an opening in the cat-tails I fired. A careful search failed to locate the bird, although it did not seem possible I had missed him. After some ten min- utes fruitless search I directed my at- tention to a small black lump about the size of my thumb, which lay half submerged in a puddle and which I had passed in my search, supposing it to be a lump of mud. This was my bird, but in the dim light of the swamp, close to the ground, among roots, mud, water and decaying vege- tation, it appeared as part of its sur- roundings and was easily overlooked. In size the young Rail was about as large aS a mouse, and was covered with soft down as dense as the fur of any aquatic animal; the color black, dull below, but of a glossy greenish on the head and back, Although the bird THE OOLOGIST had been pushing his way through wet vegetation and had several times cross- ed puddles of a depth that have com- pelled him to swim, I found when I picked him up that the down was al- most entirely dry. At no time did the young bird utter a sound, this being in marked contrast to the young of the Ruffed Grouse, which keep up a continual chirping, which often helps to reveal their hid- ing place, F. SEYMOUR HERSEY. ee ON eee The Oologist’s Illustrations. We have recently had bound up a complete file of THE OOLOGIST be- ginning with the: first issue of the YOUNG OOLOGIST and down to date. In running through the same, it filter- ed through our mind that perhaps a classified index to all of the illustra- tions that have appeared in THE OOLOGIST prior to the transfer of the same to the present owner in April, 1909, would be of interest. During its long career, one hundred eighteen illustrations appeared on its pages before we took it over, which we have classified and indexed under the following headings in order that they may be readily found by any of our subscribers who may need them for reference, viz.: Birds Vol Page BIE MTA STAM ts ceed shes as 15 a California, Condor’. s.2. . 20. 22-118 Heron, Great Blue, Young..... 23 184 “ x uy Sit aha ee yee 5) fs * = Slane 25° LSo Red Start, American ......... 20° as “ soe) ABET Twat tere ce sonicee ee 20 3 RORd RUM ie atc cues be 22 8654 Scerecehy O Willteee ee atk vies ons 62 Swan Injuredes h ct... eos. 25 102 Waterauzel, American ........ 3 2 Woodcock, American ......... 21 186 Woodpecker, Pieolated ....... 25 in “ce “cc 25 7 45 Birds’ Eggs Vol Page Calittornia- Murrey 2 feniee ss <2 9 255 North American (Colored)....16 177-8 Western Red-tailed Hawk..... TS) 69 Birds Mounted. Condor; Calitornia, ..oer.. 62. 15 -66 Hawk, DuGkry...e asec mee cke sie 16 181 Hawk, Sharp-shinned ........ 9°. 96 Ow) Snowy (2s cea ers . accuiets occ et iss 7 Warbler “Yellow: <2.) e<. 36 Wael 5 Whiter elleaiatis. a, .1 saebwisrdistsss,s 12 2 Wren Wone billed: {se c22 eyesnie.< Peels Wiens Parkas). scree =:- 12 = 12 e een Ms)... ore meen atanss 21 «150 Nests and Eggs. BODOLIMIR, - Sergres sis wate ceket 23 166 Brewers Blackbird cages «>. 24 54 Cormorants Aart ema. <1 sor wl DOVE MUIMble seasne ube oelempae es oe 24 8 Ducks Red” Higadee «sti. mrss fe SASK PGASt MI VCALCHEN | camsreysicis« shecb 22° (0 Hea wik OLA rsh oiiet rie cnceteue waracaye Te Si Fianwikt GOODers cian ete vcs cos. 2 2 TL Hieron? Great sles icc a. = 0 23 183 See BG TCOT Eas ihtans esere ettave'® ope + 21), 169 s SK Nae ee 22 122 - Ha Ts adh Bn a 23 168 46 THE OOLOGIST Hummingbird, Ruby-throated..22 150 - Kite, Mississippi, ......-.---- 24 118 ibaielie IB eemacoacgonoodo- Te) als) Oyster Catcher, American..... 23 118 MGS SES pee cooncoocsc code 24 121 Ciena IRGWIP ES oasiaa s6acc005 46 22 152 Soraimbtalin: ike clsvastecs ee eens 24 24 Solitary Sandpiper ........... 21 165 Clay colored Sparrow ...... 16.177—8 Grasshopper Sparrow ........ 21 184 ibaielk SWOARONE bbs + boc c co o0 PIS IC Warbler, Bachman’s ......... 22 108 2 Black and White....24 167 Black-throated Blue .21 56 i Maryland Yello-w (HOVHOYN Rat enim aneaonmrct chats co n.6 5 25 6 Warbler, Mourning .......... 25 23 Oven Bind! Serer 22 182 Swainson’s ......... 24 6 = Tennessee .....-.... 22 134 i WAS ORS 7 9. ae pee eee ae 22 184 Woodcock, American ........ 24 104 Landscapes. American Woodcock, Nesting STS) a canes eet te tat: Sab 7 24 102 Black & White Warbler, Nest- TINS ULCy f2-5..85) ease eae 24 166 Jamestown Exposition, Rustic BTR 7 eam etn ene a a 24 91 Maryland Yellowthroat, Nest- UNO MESO < sis beter anmaecs pert 25 7 Niaanra walls sy cea noes erie 25 102 a “Canadian Falls .25 103 ead “Bass Rock Eddy 25 104 Pan American Exposition, For- ES UIGy em ULI) CLIT an ae teen TSE Pan American Exposition, Hor- ticultural Building ....... LOVES Pan American Exposition, U.S. Government Building...... 18 92 Pelican Island, Florida........ 11 80 Wamidenrmist:s ) Campa see see 9 158 Turkey & Black Vulture, Nest- aves (Sah eke etm Sc GU ana 25 56 Wild Turkey, Nesting site..... 25.) - 56 Miscellaneous. Caricature of F. H. Lattin....16 18 English Sparrow hung ....... 12 148 Dramatic Personae .......... 18 148 Lady Slipper or Indian Mocea- sin Whoo and Who _Zootomy of Domestic Pigeon.. 9 32 Portrait of. John James Audubon ........ 12 #60 Chester (Barlow: 2225. «0. -mies We ay) Maj. Charles H. Bendire ..... 14s Rue Harold Ess Dodee eer). sneer 14 75 Williammn misher” 25: 2. sae 12 66 Roy Ge Mitchie nortri. ctivcl et oe 12 158 Morris Gibbs, M.D: :......5.% 2 ates Ele Me SGlltond ss a bee APE Bie" James F. Hanecker .......... Dilly Natio Imechasc laly IWBNGUO cae ene eae 16) 95 George N. Lawrence ......... Tal oe, ““c se Se rere. Sore 12 84 William Me@lair=. 2.2. stte 13 6 Nathan M_ Moran. 5-3) 32e.- 2 ae Mredo Wwe Pankininst semen 12. 28 Rev. Po ByReabodyn =...» ae 12) 2223 Stephen Van Rensaeller, Jr...12 80 A. Mobray Semple ........... A S55 P. ME Suwanee ae eee 12 6 G_ Voorman Smith’ -2 2.5. 5.5.- a5) Elainniy, dria taal @ Passa eee 12 26 L. Whitney Watkins ......... A a5) Norman gar aWioodsn. -aee aaa 2 yas Books Received. Cassinia, the Annual of the Dele- ware Philadelphia Ornithological Club for 1909, containing a review of the work of Thomas B. Wilson, deceased, together with his portrait, an account of the Twentieth Anniversary of the Club, and articles entitled,—Duck Shooting on the coast Marshes of New Jersey; Cruising through the New Jer- sey Pine Barrens; Nesting of the Broad-winged Hawk and the Goshawk in Pennsylvania; Breeding birds of Passaic and Sussex Counties, New Jer- sey; Reporting on the Spring Migra- — tion for 1909; City Ornithology; Ab- stract of the proceedings of the Club for 1909; Bibliography for 1909; a number of short bird notes; a list of the officers and members of the Club. THE OOLOGIST 47 Cassinia is too well known to need any extended reference by us. It is sufficient to say that the present num- ber is fully up to the standard of form- er numbers, and is a credit to the Club. Volume 5, Numbers 11 and 12, Uni- versity of California publication in Zoology. These papers relate to the mammals of 1908, Alexander Exploring Expedi- tion by Edmund Heller, and to the birds of the same expedition by Pro- fessor Joseph Grinnell; the _ latter giving a list of eighty-nine birds dis- covered by the explorers on the is- lands and main land visited between May 27th and September 21st. The territory visited was all in the vicin- ity of Prince William’s Sound and the Archipelago of that region, the party ascending as far North as Valdez, camp being made at the head of Cor- dova Bay and on the following islands: Hawkins, Hinchinbrock, Green, La- touche, Montague, Hoodoo, Port, Nel- juan, Grafton, Night, Chenega, Disk, Eleanor, Naked and Elemar. A very readable description of all the places visited by the expedition prefaces the lists of animals and birds, and there are a number of good half tones accompanying and showing new subspecies of birds there described: — Valdez Spruce Grouse, Montague, Rock Ptarmigan, Northwestern Belted King- fisher, Valdez Downy Woodpecker, Valdez Fox Sparrow, Valdez Chestnut- sided Chicadee, resting upon more or less substantial alleged differences from other known birds. Concluding with a note on the avifaunal relation- ships of Prince William’s Sound Dis- trict where the Hudsonian and Alpine Arctic Zones overlap to a large de- gree. We are in receipt of two parts of ¥ Volume 5 of the University of Califor- nia publications in Zoology; the first describing a new sub-species of the Cow Bird supposed to inhabit the Great Basin between the Rocky Moun- tains and the Sierra Nevada Moun- tains. The second describing two hereto- fore unnamed Wrens, Thryomanes be- wicki marinensis. a new sub-species of the Bewick’s Wren supposed to in- habit the humit coast belt North of the Golden Gate in Marin and Sonoma Counties, California. The second, Thryomanes bewicki catalinae, anoth- er new sub-species of the Bewick Wren inhabiting the Santa Catalina Island and Southern California. Also describing a new sub-species of the Savanna Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis nevadensis, supposed to inhabit the Great Basin country be- tween the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, All descrip- tions being by the well known orni- thologist, Professor Joseph Grinnell. ——— -——_—_ _ -———_ Cuban Trogon. On July 20, 1909, during a very se- vere rainy season I found a nest of the Spindalis petrei referred to by Mr. Read in his notes as the Isle of Pines Trogon, but which I prefer to call the Cuban Trogon in Eastern Cuba, It contained three young about a week old. The nest was twenty-five feet from the ground in a hole in a live tree where a branch had rotted, form- ing a hole two feet deep at the bottom of which and without any soft lining, were the three young. The parent bird (I only saw one upon each of my visits), would fly into the hole and out again everytime carrying food. This action was what first called by attention to the nest. By throwing sticks at the bird I managed to make it drop the food it was carrying, and 48 THE OOLOGIST 27(A) ; \Q\0 was very much surprised to find it was a lizard about six inches long. How the parent bird managed to feed this lizard to the young I do not know, unless she tore it into bits with her strong beak. The Trogon usually feeds on berries and insects, prefer- ring the former which it takes on the wing flying to a perch to eat them; so jit is curious to find it feeding its young on lizards. The parent was fierce while I was at the nest, attacking me with her bill, drawing blood from my hand. I visited the nest ten days later, finding one of the young alive; the other two were eaten by magots. The Trogon is one of the most difficult birds of Cuba, if not the most difficult to procure in perfect condition as its feathers fall out very easily while handling, or touching any branches or limbs while falling upon being shot. In this it is even more delicate than the Quail Dove, which are extremely SO. This Trogon, as well as the bird re- ferred to by Mr. Read as the Isle of Pines Tanager and the Ruddy Quail Dove, are found in Cuba; the latter is known to the natives as “perdiz” pro- nounced. “perdeeth,’ meaning Par- tridge, and is known in our end of Cuba (the east end) as Torito, while in the Western end of the island it is commonly called “Boneys.” The “name Torito meaning a small bull, is given the bird by the natives here be- cause its note which resembles some- what the bellowing of a bull when heard from a distance, but of course much lower. This note is very deceiv- ing as one may be very close to the bird and nevertheless be unable to lo- cate the exact place the sound comes from. The bird we call Perdiz is the Blue- headed Quail dove. CHARLES T. RAMSDEN. ‘ Prairie Horned Lark. The first nest of the Prairie Horned Lark that I ever saw was found March 24, 1907. A friend and I were out for a walk on a high ridge, one mile South- west of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. As we came near to a knob on the ridge I mentioned it as a likely place for a Lark’s nest. I had always seen them in such places. When we were 2 short distance below the top of the knob, I saw a Lark fly up not far away. Hurrying to the place I found a nest containing three eggs. The nest was composed of dry grass and wool, plac- ed in a depression flush with the sur- _ face, and was beside a short tuft of grass. Two days later, March 26th, I found a second nest, on a ridge two miles North of town. It was on a level, be- low a high knob, and on the East side of the hill. It contained four eggs, heavily incubated and larger than the first eggs found. April 1st I found a nest just being built on a high ridge, and as in- the others, a short distance below a knob. I returned April 7th and it contained five fresh eggs. April 4th I found a nest containing three small young, two miles West of town, on a hillside a short distance be- low a knob. It was built beside a short tuft of grass. March 21st, 1908, I found a nest con- taining three eggs on the same ridge as 1-5 was found last year. I left it and on returning two days later found only two eggs in it. They were heavi- ly incubated, On my way home I found another nest containing two heavily incubated eggs, near the top of a high knob and about one-half mile from the first. The bird was flushed. March 30, 1908, while I was walking on a high hillside below a knob I flush- THE OOLOGIST 27(/) )\%\O 49 ed a Lark from a nest containing four slightly incubated eggs. This was about eight miles Northwest of town. This nest was built much like the first nest, being at the base of a short tuft of grass. March 29, 1909 I found a nest near the top of the same ridge as three young were found April 4, 1907. It contained three young birds’ well grown. All of the nests which I have found were in high ridges, and in most cases, were found by watching the birds go to the nests. SAM DICKEY. ————- ~> An English Sparrow Tragedy. It is well known that the Bronzed Grackle occasionally varies his diet by the addition of eggs and nestlings, to the bill of fare, but I had never heard of their attacking larger birds. Therefore the following incident which came under my _ observation last Spring, was somewhat of a surprise. Several of these birds spend the sum- mer in the Boston Public Gardens and may be seen walking about upon the lawn. While passing through the garden May 29th I noticed several English Sparrows on the ground under a tree. Among them was a young bird well grown and practically fully feathered. He was, in fact, as large as any of the adults, but showed his age by his constant crying for food accompanied by a fluttering of the wings. Just at this moment a Grackle flew down be- side this group. He caught the young sparrow roughly by the neck, bit sharply two or three times, then drop- ped it to the ground and hammered it fierceiy on the head. By this time he was besieged by a screaming mob of adult Sparrows. When the young bird was dead, he took it by the neck and flew to a near- by tree, It is against the rules to walk across the lawns and flower beds, so I was obliged to follow the paths to reach the tree where the Grackle had perched—a roundabout way which took sometime. As I drew near the tree, the Grackle flew out and I saw that the young bird had disappeared. I searched carefully on the lawn under the tree, without finding any trace of the sparrow, and as the Grackle was not carrying it when he left the tree, it seems proba- ble that he had eaten it entire. F, SEYMOUR HERSEY. = 5 i etd Finding White Throated Swifts’ Nests. During the latter part of March, 1909, in the cliffs that are a mile East of Shandon, California, I noticed about a dozen of the rare White-throated Swifts, flying around the cliffs. They would dart around a while, and then fly into a crevice or hole in the cliff. These Swifts are very active and fly with extreme rapidity. They fly high; then when coming down, make the air “hum.” Their vocalism is a loud shrill twitter uttered chiefiy while on the wing. I had good luck in watching these graceful birds during March, April and May, and made some study of their habits in the cliffs near my home, but owing to the size of the cliffs, it was almost impossible to get up to some of the crevices and holes they made their nests in. But one crevice could be easily reached by driving in four harrow teeth, which I had done in March in pulling out an old nest. Again in May I went up to the crevice, and to my surprise when I put my hand in the crevice, out came the two Swifts. I made a search then to find the nest, only to find a nest about half done. I then watched the birds and one other flew into a hole about thirty feet above, which could be reached with a 50 “THE OOLOGIST. 27(A} , \A\O rope twenty feet long and ten steps of my ladder. I then went up to the top of the cliff and fixed my outfit and went to look down into the hole, but the hole was very small and went in about six feet, as near as I could tell. In the same cliff remained another place they had made frequent trips to . about thirty feet up and I again fixed my outfit there, and the following day, climbed up to it. It was a small hole also, but luckily, only went in twelve inches, So I reached my hand in. and pulled the nest out. To my surprise I looked into it to find three eggs about one-third incubated. I give data here. Nest made of grass, cemented to- gether with saliva and lined with feathers. Three eggs measure about .87 x .52 inches, eggs white. There still remained one more cliff that was about a mile West of these two cliffs, where I had seen four of the Swifts flying around at different times, and on the 24th of May I start- ed for there with my outfit. I had the good luck to find one nest and secure the four fresh eggs inside of three hours after I reached there. The fe- male called out in the crevice and the male flew in making four trips into the hole inside of twen- ty minutes. This was a much harder nest to reach than I had supposed it to be, it taking one hun- dred and fifty feet of rope. But as I had a hundred foot throw line for my ladder, I had plenty of rope. I set my outfit and let the nest go for a few minutes, thinking I could find the oth- er nest, and I watched about five min- utes and saw a Swift fly in a crevice _ about ten feet to one side of the one I had found before. Then I went down and found the nest in a small crevice, and as the bird came out I could easily have caught her. I looked in and pulled the nest out, which contained four fresh eggs; the nest the same kind as the other nest I described. As far as I am aware there have been but few sets of these Swifts that have found their way into smaller col- lections. The next place I examined for ‘Swifts was a large cliff in June, at which I had seen fourteen Swifts. I located two nests and could hear the young ones call out, so I gave up the Swifts for the season 1909. FRED TRUESDALE. Unusual Red-Tailed Hawk Eggs. Under the head of ‘“‘Unusual Eggs” a writer in the January OOLOGIST speaks of small eggs of Red-tailed Hawk in which I was interested to the extent of carefully going over my Own series and records of measure- ments for comparison. There are four sets of eggs in my series deserving of special notice be- cause they contain specimens repre- senting extreme types in size in one or both measurements. One is a set of two faintly marked specimens, one of which is a decided runt measuring 2.12 x 1.59 inches while its companion, measuring 2.28 x 1.73 inches is unusually small, but’ comes within the limits of normal spe- cimens. : The second set was taken by E. B. Peck, Clifton Springs, New York, May 5, 1891. Size 242 x 1.62 and 2.38 x 1.79 inches. The third was taken by the writer in March 30, 1898. They were globu- lar in shape, the short diameter of the. three eggs being near the average, while the length of one reaches the unusual minintv™ of 2.07 inches, The other two eggs measures 2.13 and 2.22 inches long. The fourth set i; very interesting in- THE OOLOGIST a7(a) 51 asmuch as the eggs greatly exceed the average length, while the width falls far below it. Their shape is much like Cormorants’ eggs. They were col- lected by the writer on March 27, 1898 and are well marked specimens. Size, 2.47 x 1.74 and 2.74 x 1.75 inches; the last being clearly an abnormal spe- cimen. One can barely appreciate the great departure from normal characteristics by merely seeing the size of these eggs in writing, They must be viewed among the normal sets to appreciate the difference. In my series are five specimens measuring over two inches in short axis,—one reaching 2.05 inches, which is nearly as broad as the length of the small eggs. During the past twenty-five years I have measured and kept careful rec- ord of 223 normal eggs (97 sets) of this Buteo. This ought to be a good criterion for average measurement, which is 2.34 x 1.86 inches. Allowing a range of .40 inch for the length of normal specimens would make _ the minimum exhibit 2.14 and the maxi- mum 2.54 inches; and a range of .30 inch for the width, would give a nor- mal average measurement of from 1.71 to 2.01 inches. Beyond these maxi- mum and minimum figures should be considered abnormally large or small as the case may be. Of the 223 eggs measured, only thir- teen were less than 2.18 inches and eleven over 2.50 inches in length. Eleven were less than 1.75 and eight over 1.95 inches in short diameter. Two of the 97 sets contained four eggs each, and thirty-two sets con- tained three eggs each. All others, with two or three exceptions, contain- ed two eggs each, or at the ratio of about two sets of two eggs to one of three or four eggs, the latter number rarely deposited. J. WARREN JACOBS. News Notes. An adult male Baird’s Sandpiper (Actodromas bairdii) was taken Sep- tember 27, 1909 by E, W. Campbell at Pittston, Pennsylvania. The well known scientist, Professor W. Otto Emerson is now engaged in setting up the bird collection in the new Oakland Public Museum. A Brunnich’s Murre (Uria lomvia arra) was shot December 4th by Mr. Art Davis Parsonage at Pittston, Pennsylvania. It is now in the col- lection of Mr. Fred Humphreys, and is a fine adult male bird. We have a number of splendid arti- cles for future issues of THE OOLO- GIST, among others an illustrated one on Europe birds from our friend, P. G. Howes, who is now traveling in Europe. C. B. Vandercook of Odin, Illinois, certainly has the record for an early nest of the Mourning Dove, March 27, 1910, two eggs, about one week ad- vanced in incubation, This is by con- siderable the earliest record we know of for so far North. The Editor enjoyed an over-night visit of the well-known Oologist G. A. Abbott of Chicago, a few days since. It is unnecessary to say that the ‘‘wee small hours’ had arrived be- fore we retired, spending most of the time investigating our accumulation of plunder. Editor Oologist:—On June 22, 1909, while driving along a telephone line near Rathdrum, Id., my father noticed a Jack Snipe lying just beneath the wires and on picking it up, I noticed a deep cut across the breast which prcbably was caused by flying against the wires. I skinned it and it is now in my collection—Perey L. Judd. Our old friend, Ray Dinsmore former- ly a well-known Oologist but who has done little in that line for a number of years, has recently disposed of his business and now purposes taking a 52 THE OOLOGIST little recreation, and is again giving attention to Oology. He has recently come into the possession of the en- tire collection formerly belonging to Mr. HE. A. Doolittle. As May is the great migration month for Warblers and the month in which many of the rarer species nest in the middle and southern parts of the United States, we propose issuing a special Warbler number the coming month of May. No bird lover interest- edzin this interesting family of birds can afford to do without this issue. F, A. W. Dean of Alliance, Ohio, re- ports an Albino Bob-white which he has recently mounted. He likewise re- ports the rumor of an entire covey of these birds near Edna, Ohio. If so, it is truly to be hoped that they will be rigorously protected in the hopes of developing a race of this character of birds. As this issue goes to press, the Edi- tor is on his way to Moose Jaw, in Southern Saskatchewan on a business trip, but will not fail to observe any of the feathered tribe that fall under our vision during our absence, and only regret that we are unable to stay and experience an early Spring’s collecting in Southern Saskatchewan as last sea- son we experienced a late Spring’s col- lecting season in Central Saskatche- wan. ——__—_______+-~—>_e—__ —__ —_ ——_ There Are Few of This Kind. Malcolm W. Rix, 23 Vrant St., Utica, New York, is one of the few, very few who are built upon such a minute scale as to take THE OOLOGIST for a number of years, and then refuse to pay for it or further accept it. It is a pleasure to us and a benefit to oolo- gists in general to be rid of such. Prairie Falconing. By Fred Truesdale. The Prairie Falcon is more or less common in certain parts of California and extends to the Eastern border of the plains. Their length is 16.20, wing 12-14, tail 6-9, culmen 1 inch. They can easily be identified by the cackle, and the blackish patch on the sides of throat. Their food consists chiefly of small mammals, birds and occasionally chickens which they eatch. The flight is very rapid, rap- id enough to catch a pigeon on the wing. oe I have seen this facon fly into a flock of chickens and strike one, and leave it lie on the ground, returning again and get another one in the same man- ner, until they have killed off nine chickens. They are very injurious to the chicken men, They are very shy and therefore, it is very hard to get a shot at one of them. During the winter of 1909 there were a pair of them that stayed in a tree near the town of Shandon, Cali- fornia, but alas! someone killed them in the early spring, or they left in search of a place to nest. One day in March last, I set out to find where these birds made _ their nests. After a three days trip I had located four pair of the birds in San Guis County, and four nests of the Ames Raven. The first being nearly complete; the other three just start- ed. On the 18th of March J made an- other visit to the first nest. It then contained six fresh eggs, but was a very difficult nest to get to, and I had to make a trip home to get a better line of tools, getting more rope and some good pegs to put in the ground to tie to. This nest was on a small shelf and the cliff seventy feet high. The nest twenty feet from the top. The cliff was a little overhanging, the dirt being very soft. I was afraid that, it might tumble into the nest on the _ eggs. I secured the eggs, but at a risk of getting them all smashed up; but two of them were dented up a little. In April I made another trip and found a set of five eggs of Prairie Falcon. The cliff was 120 feet high and sixty feet straight up from the bot- tom was the nest in a sort of cup rounded out by the birds. I fixed my outfit and secured the set; all five of these eggs were of a purplish color, and were nearly fresh. Of all Falcon eggs I have seen, I never saw a set - like it before. I made still another trip in June and secured three more of these eggs, half incubated, of the same type. Most of the eggs I have seen were reddish buff, blotched with brown, or red and brown, being sometimes very heavily marked. THE OOLOGIST V ‘The Condor” A Magazine of Western Ornithology Edited by J. Grinnell. Associate Editors: Wm. L. Finley, Robert B. Rockwell “Official Organ of the Cooper Orni- thological Club.”’ Vol. XI, 1909 will contain the usual interesting artictes by live active ornithologists and will be illustrated by the high- est class of half tones. You can- not afford to miss a number. Published bi-monthly at Holly- wood, California. | Subscription: $1.50 per year net in advance- Single copies: 30c each. Foreign subscription. $1.75. J. Eugene Law, Business Mgr. Hollywood, California. W. Lee Chambers, Asst. Mgr. Santa Monica, California. McCALL PATTERNS Celebrated for style, perfect fit, simplicity and reliability nearly 40 Sold in nearly every city and town in the United States and Canada, or by mail direct. More sold than any other make, Send for free catalogue. McCALL’S MAGAZINE More subscribers than any other fashion magazine—million a month, Invaluable. Let- est styles, patterns, dressmaking, millincry, plain sewing, fancy needlework, hairdressing, etiquette, good stories, etc. Only 50 cents a year (worth double), including a free pattern, Subscribe today, or send for sample copy. WONDERFUL INDUCEMENTS to Agents. Postal brings premium catalogue and new cash prize oflers. Address THE McCALL CO., 228 to 248 W. 37th St., NEW YORK years, In continuation of its series of plates of the Sparrows of North America IN COLOR Bird-Lore for January-Feb- ruary (Vol. XII, No. 1) con- tains colored figures of the Grasshopper, Henslow’s Baird’s and LeComve’s Spar- rows. The series was begun in Bird-Lore for November-De- cember, where the Chipping, Field, Tree, Clay-colored and Brewer’s Sparrows were fig- ured. The demand for December, 1900, Bird-Lore has so exceeded our esti- mate that, in spite of the fact that we printed an unusually large edi- tion, the supply is now exhausted. We will, however, senda copy of the Sparrow plate (the first of the Sparrows of North America in color) which appeared in that num- ber, to all subscribers to Bird-Lore for 1910 (Vol. XII), in order that their series of these plates may be complete. Single numbers 20 cents. Annual subscription $1.00 BIRD-LORE, Harrisburg, Pa. VI THE OOLOGIST Oologists & Taxidermists Tools Beoks and Magazines of Every Description Write me just what you wish. I can Save you money. Specimen prices. All sent prepaid. Cut the Lining Egg Drills; 16 sizes. They are a delight for fine work. Jf not more than pleased return them.. 25c each. 4 select- CUBISTHE Sins Si eee ere are ee $1.00 Blowpipes; best nickel, 6-7 in. 20c., 8-9 in. 30c, 10-12 in. ...... .40 Regular Egg Drills, best made No, 0 206, No. 1 25¢., No, 2... <35 No. 3, 50c.; No, 4, 75¢c; No. 5, SOO} NON 6. Le aah eas ate eae 1.50 Embryo Scissors, 25c.. 50c., $1.00 F200 Liisa ve gen Sitio tag i Ne ant LOR OAL 1745) Embryo Hooks, Best, .......... 25 Forceps, Best made, ........... AB Best Steel Climbers without straps, $2.00; with 4 straps 3.00 Data Blanks about 3x5 in. per 100 .10 HKgg Pencils, thick soft lead; three for Oologist yearly subscription and Davie’s Nests and Hggs 5th Ed. 1.60 Chapman’s Handbook, Leather, SAA OU aH OA KGy el MvencmaRr statment Caesars east 2.25 Reed’s North American Birds Eggs and Oologist one year ... 2.50 Coues Key, Last ed. Two vol- UTNE Sa CLO th oy ee) aa Mae a ue sus 10.50 Benjamin Hoag, Stephentown, N. Y. 60 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE TRADE MARKS DESIGNS . CoPyYRIGHTS &C. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific Americatt, A handsomely iilustrated weekly. Largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3¢ . year; four months, $l. Sold byall newsdealers. MUNN & Co,s6t2roaaway, New York Branch Office, 625 F 8t.. Washington, D. C. GREAT AUK AND MAMMOTH FOR EXCHANGE Skeleton, loose bones, portions of eggs of the Great Auk. ; Tusks of the Alaskan Mammoth. Rare North American sets. WANTED:— Ornithological books and maga- zines, Mammals, Birds, Turtles,alive. Osteological material. J. D. Sornborger, Rowley, Mass. The Next Issue OF The Oologist Will Contain the Fin= est Series of Illus= trated Articles on the Rarer of the North American Warblers Ever Published. Do Not Fail to Get This Number THE OOLOGIST | WANT THE FOLLOWING, Please look this list over careful- ly and if you have any of them write me. The Wilson Billitin, Nos 6°, 8: The Curlew, Published by O. P. Hau ger of Orleans, Ind., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 by 7 The Ornithologist and Oologist Semi- Annual, Published in 1889-90-91 by Wm. H. Foote of Pittsfield, Mass., and by C. C. Maxfield of Danbury, Conn; it 1893.2 No:-1> Voli: The Wilson Quarterly, Vol. 3. The Wilson Journal, Vol 1, Jany., 1893 and Vol. 2, June, 1893. The Oologist, of Utica, N. Y., Vols. ‘1-5 inclusive, for 1875 to 1881, any numbers. Journal of - Maine Sree ses Club. Vol. 2,/Vol. 3, No. 1, 2,3, Vol. 4, No. 1, Z, 3 o. “Vol. 5d, No- 3, 4, Vol. 6, No. 3, 4. Birds of California, In relation to the fruit industry—Beal, Part II. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, by Prof. McCoun, Part I, 1st Ed. Back Numbers of the Oologist Wanted Vol. 1, Nov: 2, sé oy ee 3, ee 4, “eé 4, sé 4, ge? Byte ee 6, 6é 4, se bs sé 3. EN RS ew." 2 ce 12, se i Byrd the Sra eS 8 Eeaiie A110 oul mela Re pe By oS 40m se 26, sé 9, I will buy a large number of each of the above back numbers for cash at the rate they are listed at, as being for sale in this number of THE OOLO- GIST. Address, R M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. VIL Prices for Back Numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST AND THE OOLOGIST will, during 1910, remain as below: After which the prices of many num- bers will be advanced and possibly not obtainable at any price. Should you desire back numbers to complete youn file, NOW is the time to purchase. You can never obtain them for less money and possibly not at any price, as our stock ranges from only 1 to 25 copies of an issue. Prices for 1910 Are as Follows: Nos. 1,14, 18, 31, 34-35, 42, 53, 86, 8, eo 132 137. 139, 140, 153, 158, are 50 cents Nos. 9, 66-67, 76, 77, 78, 79. By, 90, 100, 113, 38. 146, are 25 cents each. Nos. 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 54, 655, 56, 75, 87, 123, 127, 128, 129, 144. 149, are 15 cents each. Nos. 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 38, 39, 40, 46, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 133, 135, are 10 cents each. Se All other jhumbers 5c. per copy. For $12 will send prepaid a_copy of every issue ever published, No. 1 to 145.—30 far as now on hand. This offer in- cludes your subscription through 1910. My prices for back numbers of the YOUNG ,OOLOGIST and OOLOGIST in volumes, are as follows: Wol...1,: 2884-5; Nos; Eote..226 5s. No. 1. The first nest that I ever found (June 1, 1903) was in a small, tall, spindling hemlock in a bunch of rudimentary limbs 30 ft from the ground against the body of the tree. It was in a rather dark place among a lot of large hemlocks and pines about 30 ft. back from the gully bank. I kicked the tree and the fe- male left the nest sailing away to a distant tree but came back bringing the male while I was at the nest. There were four eggs, incubation just begun. Nest No. 2. June 28, 1903. This was in the same gully as No. 1 and was in a medium sized hemlock 10 ft. up and 4 ft. from the body of the tree, in an open place or slanting. The fe- male was on the nest but left it when I began to climb and hopped about near by while I was at the nest, There were four eggs which must have hatched in about four or five days. One of the eggs was abnormal, be- ing very much elongated. 27 (Ss ) Nest No. 3. June 2, 1904. In a rath- er open place on the bank of Belknap Gully where a few tall spindling hem- locks (the large ones had been cut out) and in one of these which was about 3 in. in diameter I found a nest resting on a small bushy limb against the body of the tree about 16 ft. from the ground. While I was at the nest the female came so close that I could almost reach her, The nest was made of small hemlock twigs, lined with fine strips of inner bark, very fine dead grass and some horsehair. There were some bunches of the wooly sub- stance and a strip of birch bark at- tached to the outside of the nest and it contained 5 fresh eggs. Nest No. 4. June 5, 1904. This nest was at least 30 rods back from the gul- ly bank, on level ground and a few rods from the edge of some woods in a small hemlock 15 ft. up and 3 ft. out on a horizontal limb and contained 4 eggs. Nest No. 5, Jume 11, 1904. A de- serted nest was 15 ft. up in a hemlock and 6 ft. out over a wood road. It contained one fresh egg, one egg with a hole in it and the shell of another ege. Nest No. 6, June 19, 1904. This was 7 ft. out on a drooping branch of a good sized hemlock that grew out of the bank 15 ft. from the bottom of Chidsey Gully. It was 35 ft. above the gully bottom and contained 4 fresh eggs. The female remained on the nest until I touched her with a stick then slipped off and remained near and did not make a bit of fuss. The eggs are about the handsomest of any of this species that I have ever seen, having a creamy white ground thickly blotched, spotted and specked around the larger end with dark chest- nut and lavender shell markings, the specks and a few spots extending over the rest of the egg. 60 THE OOLOGIST 27 (©? Nest No. 7, June 28, 1904. Was in a hemlock 15 ft. up and 7 ft. out over a wood road. It was not far from where I found No. 6, and it contained four fresh eggs which were marked almost exactly like those found in Nest 6. The female was on the nest and did not leave until I touched her when she dropped. to the ground and then came back again real close. I am positive that this was the same bird that built nest No. 6 and she had just nine days in which to build the nest and lay four eggs. Nest No. 8, May 29, 1905. Nest 20 ft, up and 12 ft. on a horizontal limb of a large hemlock and contained three fresh eggs and one egg of Cow- bird. The female stuck to the nest until I jarred the Jimb when she drop- ped to the ground but soon came back and settled down on the nest when I reached the ground. June 3, 1905, saw a male Black- throated Green singing H-ze-ze-ze-z as he hunted leizurely from branch to branch and finally went to a nest which I found to contain one egg. He sang regularly all of the time changing his tune to E-z when I was at the nest. No more eggs were ever layed in this nest. Nest No. 9, June 14, 1905. A nest in a small hemlock that grew close beside a very large hemlock was 10 ft. up and 6 ft. out on a horizontal limb and contained four fresh eggs. The female was on the nest and af- ter flushing stayed around close by and chipped. Nest No. 10, June 18, 1905. Saw a female feeding and after a time she began to chip and work from branch to branch all around and then into a certain hemlock finally going onto a nest 40 ft. up on a small limb. There were five eggs which probably hatch- ed in a day or two. While I was at the nest the female kept flying around from branch to branch, sometimes. coming quite close. The male appear- ed, was quiet and kept his distance, lcoking at me in an inquiring way. Af- ter I was on the ground again the fe- male kept chipping and working to- wards the nest but when within a few inches would fly away again, finally went en the nest chipping continually, stayed but a moment and flew away. Soon she came back, went on the nest and was quiet. A pair of Oven- birds came to the tree and were chas- ed away by the male. Nest No. 11, July 2, 1905. Nest 35 ft. up in a hemlock and 10 ft. out on a limb. The female was on the nest and did not leave until I could almost touch her. There were four eggs near- ly ready to hatch. A large feather in the lining of the nest. Nest No. 12, July 2, 1905. Nest was 40 ft. above the gully bottom in a small leaning hemlock growing out of the gully bank and was on a small limb 3 ft. out. The female was on the nets and left just before I reached her level. The nest contained five well incubated eggs. The female moved silently about through the tree seem- ingly ignoring my presence and pick- ed a worm from a branch within 3 ft. of my hand and went on to the nest only five feet from me and in plain sight, cuddled down and did not move until I started to descend, when she started up but settled down again without leaving the nest. She did not utter a sound while I was there and the male did not appear at all. Vis- ited this nest again July 9th, I had been watching it a few minutes when the female came and fed the young, which were now in the nest. She staid but a few seconds and dropped to the bottom of the gully, 15 minutes later the male came and fed them and dropped to the gully bottom. In 10 minutes the female came and stayed THE OOLOGIST A7CS / 61 at the nest one minute then dropped to the ground. Seven minutes later a male which I took to be a stranger, appeared in the lower branches, hunt- ed leisurely up through the tree and when near the nest hopped up close and looked in but dodged back as though he was scared, hesitated a sec- ond then flew away. Eleven minutes later the male came and fed the young staying one minute. Then I left the vicinity. Visited the nest again July 23d and found it empty and saw nothing of the young. There was a nest in the same tree in June, 1906, but it was not used. Nest No. 13, June 7, 1907. Nest in same tree and on same branch as No. 12, making the third nest found in the same tree. The Cowbird’s eggs were imbedded in the lining of this nest being nearly covered with the lining and there were four eggs of the warbler. Another nest found June 7, had one egg of Cowbird in it and the Warb- ler never used it.. Nest No. 14, June 13, 1909, was in a hemlock a little back from a wood road. It was 12 ft. up and 6 ft. from the body of the tree and contained two eggs. Visited it again June 16th, and the female sat close until I reach- ed her, when she dropped to the ground. I had my camera with me and exposed two plates. The first did not show the nest on account of the dense foliage. Before exposing the second one I cut away the leaves from over the nest and got the result here shown. The female was near all of the time that I was at the nest and after I reached the ground again she flew to it, looked in and dodged back then looked in again and flew away but was on the nest again two minutes after I had left the tree. Ten days later I visited this nest again hoping to get a picture of the young, but it was empty and deserted. Nest No. 15, June 23, 1909. Nest 7 ft. from the body of a small hemlock and 15 ft. from the ground. The tree was situated about half way up a gul ly bank. Nest contained four fresh eggs and the female was on the nest and after flushing remained close by and was quiet. Of the fifteen nests, here described, nine contained four eggs each, three had five eggs each, one four and two of Cowbird, one three and one of Cow- bird and one had three eggs partly broken and deserted. The latter prob- ably an incomplete set. Cowbirds eggs found in but three nests. The male bird appeared at but two of the nests. The female seemed to do all the incubating and when flushed from the nest invariably dropped to the ground or sailed nearly to the ground but was soon back in the near- by branches and was usually quiet. We find many empty nests every year that are never used and on the second visit we often find the lining torn out or the nest on the ground. VERDI BURTCH, gas ae PR ene From the Isle of Pines. * Ricord’s Hummer (Riccordia ricor- dii)—1. 4 1-8 in., w. 2.6 in. Male, up- per parts shining green; a white spot or small line behind eye; tail long and bronzy; under parts a metalic green; under tail coverts white. Fe- male, similar but duller, The Hummer is very common in the jungles along the arroyas and rivers and is very fond of feeding from the “Hahogwa” blossoms, It is often seen perching in the thicket just so that a ray of sunshine falls upon it, making a very pretty sight. Often when so occupied it will burst into a song, a very low but quite musical 62 THE OOLOGIST 27 (2); \A\O and entirely different from what one would suspect from such a small bird. Cuban Tody, (Todus multicolor) up- per parts light yellowish green, light- er on cheeks; mustach white ending in a broad blue streak; throat scar- let ;lore yellow; bend of wing blue edged with white; underparts white, sides of breast bluish ending in a pale scarlet streak; bill horn.colored; up- per mandible darker, feet horn color; under tail coverts yellow; outer tail feathers grayish. L. 3.5 in. This little bird is also quite common in the jungles and is heard even more often than seen, although it is very tame. It is quite curious and seems to try to ask you who you are, what you are doing and what you are going to do at the same time. : A, C. READ. pS la SAS Salah le Mi Snakes Often Do This. As I was coming home one after- noon from a tramp, I heard a Song Sparrow making a peculiar noise as if angry or frightened. Upon investiga- tion in the marshy grasses, I found its nest and instead of containing eggs, it held a snake fourteen inches long. The snake had swallowed three eges and was just swallowing the fourth one when I came upon the scene. The egg was so big for the snake that it had to dislocate its jaw to be able to put the egg in its mouth. I wondered how the snake could get any nourishment from the eggs with- out breaking them. R. M. PHREZ. OS Left the Eggs. I had a desire to find a Buzzard’s egg to add to my collection, so one Satur- day morning, I took my lunch and set out. I had noticed two Buzzards soaring over a little island before, so I walk- ed in there. When the old mother flew out, I went in and two little buz- zards were on the ground (Feb. 27, 1909.) Next year in 1910 I went the 4th of February and two eggs were there. On March 11th I found two more with a doll leg and several pieces of china. I decided not to take the other eggs if they nested. Brown Kilpatrick. Oi The Kentucky Warbler, If I were asked to name my favorite among the dozen species of the Warb- ler family that come to spend the summers with us here in Southern Pennsylvania, I would unhesitatingly revert to the Kentucky Warbler. With his brilliant black and yellow coat as he moves alertly among the underbrush uttering his vigorous | alarm note at your intrusion on his domain, he well merits your admira- tion. But when you have once heard his clear musical song, so loud and distinct you instinctively look for a much larger bird. I am wont to class him with the Cardinal, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren and Tufted Titmouse, all birds of strong characteristics, in song and action. Very similar in volume and melody are some of the notes of the Mourning Warbler, which replace the Kentucky in the Northern counties of Pennsyl- vania. The nesting of the Kentucky Warb- ler is not as strictly localized per- haps as with most of the other spe- cies. The Worm-eater here nearly always builds on a more or less steep hillside in the thick woods; the Blue- wing in a thicket or open space near, or in the woods. But the Kentucky Warbler is equal- ly at home in the deep, wooded swamp, the laurel covered hillside, or on the hill tops among the bunches of under- growth that cover the ground. THE OOLOGIST 27.(5 ) In the low swampy woodlands near the running streams that flow from every ravine, you will find the most favored locality. I have found more perhaps at the foot of a clump of Spice- wood bushes than in any other one sit- uation. Here a large mass of dry leaves is placed loosely on the ground, on which the nest, proper, is built; and the inner lining of fine, black root- I did not see the female leave the nest, and at once supposed it to be the property of a Wormeating Warb- ler; until a closer examination re- vealed the lining of black rootlets. Both parents returned while I was getting my camera ready, and made full identification easy. It was placed in the same situation where the Worm- eater often build; on a steep hillside, Plate No, 31—‘“Nest and eggs of the Kentucky Warbler in Pennsylvania,” Photo May 28, 1905 by Thomas H. Jackson. lets, is perhaps as characteristic of the Kentucky Warbler construction as the Worm-eaters favorite and beauti- ful material—the red stems of the Hair Moss, used for the same pur- pose. The nest here illustrated was one of the handsomest I have ever found; both in regard to its construction and its location. under a Laurel bush. It was also well sunken into the dead leaves in the ground and perfectly concealed. The Kentucky Warbler does its full share toward saving the Cowbird from extinction. I recollect one nest some years since, with four Cowbird’s eggs, and two of the owners. It was a poor- ly concealed nest and an easy mark. As consistent members of the “Au- 64 THE OOLOGIST a7(c,) \A\e dobon Society” we felt it our duty to confiscate the entire outfit and allow the owners of the nest to make a fresh start, trusting to their having wetter success the next time. They, as with all our other warblers, are quick to forget their troubles, and I have known a new nest to be started within a week of the time the first was de- spoiled. I think the Cowbird is largely re- sponsible for the restricted increase in numbers of very many of our smal- ler birds:—far beyond all other de- structive agencies combined—not ex- cepting the most enthusiastic oologist. The damages nature quickly and cer- tainly repairs; but those of the Cow- bird—never! While the Audubon Society is trying to assist all our states in framing bene- ficial laws for the protection of the birds. Why do they not recognize the real character. of the Cowbird and, at least remove from him the protection of the law? Instead, however here in Pennsylvania he is classed as a game bird, along with the Bobolink and Purple Grackle and any one who is reckless enough to kill a Cowbird “out of season” or take its eggs is open to trouble. THOMAS H. JACKSON. i The Black-Throated Blue Warbler. This pretty little warbler is a com- mon migrant and arrives early in May. Records that I have kept for over fif- teen years show that it has only var- ied from May 5th to 13th in date of its first arrival during that time. About May ist when the first of the warbler hosts begin to arrive vegeta- tion in this region is not much ad- vanced. In the river valley orchards, maple and thorn trees are just bud- ding into leaf while the mountains are still brown and cold. For this reason the small migrants, especially warblers, at first migrate along the valley and find food about the buds and startling leaves and at the same time some protection. The Black-throated Blue, is at first common in the valley with the other warblers. As the season advances and the mountains begin to take on their garb of green, the Black-throated Blue becomes much in evidence and when the migrations are over with, and summer sets in, the Black-throat- ed is found as a quite common sum- mer resident. During September it is common when the migration south is taking place. By October ist they have nearly all disappeared. I have seen one though as late as October 10th (1900), an un- -usually late date. In summer they are at home in heavy timber; also regions that have been partly lumbered over where are found plenty of timber and under- brush. They are also found in second growth and slashings but seem to pre- fer the deep shady woods. On the fire- swept barren ridges where is found only rocks, huckleberry brush, sweet fern and stunted brush, it is absent. The male spends most of his time well up in the trees and sings inces- santly. They have at least two dif- ferent songs during the breeding sea- son, one of which greatly resembles the ‘zee, zee, zee” of the golden- winged warbler. The female is rather shy and keeps close to the ground in laurel brush. Although a rather common breeder, the nests are hard to find. They are usually more or less concealed by foliage and being light colored, and close to the ground are easily overlook- ed. Almost every season I find a nest or two and in June, 1907, I was so for- tunate as to find seven nests. During the past fifteen years, I have examined quite a number, They are THE OOLOGIST always built close to the ground. Usually from ten to twenty-four inches up, rarely more, and I have seen sevy- eral in brush hemlock that were but four to six inches off the ground. Laurel beds seem to be their fav- orite nesting sites. Fully two-thirds of the nests I have found were in laur- el. Next to laurel thickets and clumps of low hemlock, brush is preferred. Only rarely do I see one in green brush, The nests are compact and cup- shaped and sometimes are beautiful structures. The handsomest warblers nests I have ever seen were of this species. The favorite materials are grape vine bark, fine strips of yellow and white birch bark and rotten wood. Many nests are almost entirely built of fine shreds of white and yellow rot- ten wood and are very pretty. For- lining, fine black rootlets and fine grasses are used. Four is the usual number of eggs, occasionally only three. Have not yet found a set of five. All sets I have found were well wreathed, but they vary greatly in ex- tent of markings. Some are simply wreathed and some sets are heavily marked all over. R. B. SIMPSON. —_—_—_—__—_e <> The Cerulean Warbler. (Dendroica cerulea.) A few years ago I spent several sea- sons in the mountains of Doddridge County, West Virginia in the employ of the Standard Oil Company. The country there is rougher than at my home here. The mountains are steeper and run to peaks and ridges with none of the platteaus of my home hills. The timber was big and tall, but in that region was entirely hardwood. An evergreen was a rare sight. I missed the fern and moss-covered 27 (s ) 65 depths of the cool hemlock forests of Northern Pennsylvania, for here the ground in the woods was dry and along in the Fall, water was a scarce arti- cle. Although I didn’t like the country a little bit, I found a few birds com- mon there, that at home were un- known, or occurred only as rare strag- glers. Of these new ones I was most in- terested in the warblers, and found several quite desirable species, such as the Cerulean, Kentucky, Worm-eat- ing, and Golden-winged to be more or less common in summer. Of these I became much interested in the Ceru- lean. In nearly twenty years. collecting here at Warren, I have never met with it but twice. I found they arrived there April 20th, 1896, April 22, 1897, and May 1, 1898. On the first day of their arriv- al several could be heard in almost any woods and in a few days they were common. I never saw them about orchards or farm houses. They seemed to prefer the woodland alto- gether, and whether open or heavy, the songs of the males could be heard overhead anywhere, as they spent most of their time singing. After about August 1st they were quiet and soon seemed to have all dis- appeared. Although so common, I found it a difficult matter to find nests. Most of my time I spent near the head of a little stream well up a mountain-side. This place was sloping and not very steep. There was also several benches or flats and it was heavily timbered with mostly oak, hickory and poplar. By spending all spare time possible in watching the different female birds, © especially when near the ground in old tree-tops or grape vines, I was en- abled to catch a good many hunting 66 THE OOLOGIST 27 nesting material. It was then up to me to keep them in sight until they reached the nest. By watching one place so much I discovered that a great many more birds nested in a favorable locality than I had any idea of. Roaming about and looking at ran- dom I soon found produced no Ceru- lean nests, and with one exception, all that I found were discovered by watching the females. This one ex- ception was on a limb two inches in diameter of a big oak. The nest was built amongst a couple of little sprigs that grew up and because of the leaves could be seen from only one spot on the ground. I passed this tree so often that once I happen- ed to glance up while in just the right place. The females built their nests alone, in no case did the male help, although often he accompanied her to and fro. The nesting material was always procured on or near the ground. One female Cerulean. that I saw gathering nesting material, I followed up and found to have just started a nest forty feet up and seven feet from the trunk in a big oak, on a limb two inches in diameter. This was on the morning of May 13th. On the 19th she finished the nest, taking seven days to do the work. On the 26th the female began to incubate a set of four. Altogether I found twelve nests, six in one season. Six of these nests I have data for showing height and distance from the” trunk. Of these six one was in a maple forty feet up and twelve feet out on a limb one and one-half inches in diameter. The other five were in oaks which is the tree preferred in that region. These five were as fol- lows: 30 feet up, 5 feet out on a 2 in. limb 40 feet up, 10 feet out on a 2 in. limb Ay ANOS 40 feet up, 7 feet out on a 2 in. limb 45 feet up, 6 feet out on a 3 in, limb 40 feet up, 9 feet out on a 1% in. limb They were always built on top of a horizontal limb at a point where a branch started out or where several sprigs put out to give the female a chance to fasten the nest securely. The nests are small and neat. A typi- cal one measures three and one-fourth in diameter and one and one-half inches deep. The material used is shreds and strips of inner bark, shreds of weeds, fine strips of grape vine bark, and veg- etable material, and in one case a few small pieces of a newspaper that I had thrown away were used. The lining was fine shreds of bark, some- times hair and frequently fine grasses. The eggs greatly resemble the eggs of the Yellow warbler, being of a greenish -ground color, and well spot- ted with browns and purple, principal- ly in the form of a wreath about the larger end. To collect the nest and eggs I cut two long light poles. At the small end of one I left a fork on which I fastened a paper shoe box filled with cotton. On the end of the other I fastened a little forked stick with the tip pointing back. By holding the box cut under the nest and carefully pull- ing the nest over, I landed all safely. Also used the same outfit for Gnatcat- chers and Hummers. Here at home I use the same rigging for warblers and others that are out of reach. R. B. SIMPSON. pon SOE ee We are in erceipt of a communica- tion to the effect that one of our sub- scribers has “indisputable scientific proof enough at my command to down the combined efforts of all the authori- ties and ornithological societies of America.” He must be well equipped with ammunition! THE OOLOGIST The Crange Crowned Warbler. This is one of the rare members of the family, more common during mi- gration in the Mississippi Valley, and one of whose nesting habits and home life but very little is known. It is supposed to breed casually in Wiscon- sin and once in a great while in east- ern Canada, but the chief summer home of this species is from Manitoba northwest to Alaska. It is of a rest- less Kinglet like disposition, moving continually about the upper parts of the larger trees. The song is unusual- ly strong for a bird of this size. The eggs are reported as “white or creamy white, finely checked, chiefly on the larger end with reddish or chestnut brown.” The view of the nest herewith pre- sented on the following page, is taken from a photo given to the editor by an ornithologist, a2 number of years ago in Quebec, who claimed at that time that it was a photo of a nest that he had found the summer previously on the north side of the St. Lawrence river, opposite the City of Quebec. It is to be hoped that the next few years will unfold much of the life history of this little-known species. Our Canadian readers are special- ly adjured to look it up and write us the result of their investigations. Oo The Myrtle Warbler on Strange Ground. The Myrtle Warbler is a true wood warbler, yet how often do we find it, in the migrations, in places very un- woodlike, There is a_ locality at Frankford, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, near the Deleware River, where I have found it at these times and often wondered what inducement led the birds to frequent it as they passed through. It consists of a thick growth 27 (S) 67 of button and black alder bushes sev- eral ecres in area, growing in shal- low water and mud, and surrounded on all sides by marsh and cultivated lands, with not a tree within several hundred yards, and the nearest woods over a mile away and across the river in New Jersey. It is here that the Myrtle Warbler will linger in the Spring until into May, and tarry in the Fall until lat- er in November, seemingly contented in such an environment, which seems to me ill adapted to its habits, and one in which very few ornithologists would expect to find it. In this thicket every day after April 20-25 to May 5-10 in the Spring and during October and till Novem- ber 10th and later in the Fall, I can reasonably expect to find the Yellow- rumped Warbler in it. In fact, it is the only place in this locality at these times where I am absolutely certain to find it, and this I have proven several times when having an “All Day” with the birds. That the birds find an abundance of food in the thicket is easily ascertain- ed by watching them for an hour or two, by observing the host of insects in it, and by shooting a bird and noting its fat and excellent condition, together with its well filled stomach. The majority of the birds shot and seen in the thicket have been imma- ture (in fall) and females, but few adult males in nuptial plumage being seen er taken. I merely mention this as in interesting occurrence, for in woods the majority of the birds ob- served and shot have been males. The thicket being situated along the river, one mile inland, and the only available resting place for birds until they reach the other side of the city (Philadelphia), a distance of about ten miles, migrate on their way South in the fall, following the course of the 68 THE OOLOGIST ‘ Deleware, probably drop in, realizing the necessity of rest by perceiving the weary miles of city wilderness before them. This has been suggested to me ‘by a friend as a probable cause of the birds occurrence in the thicket, but it seems like a poor suggestion, as a short flight would carry the tired wan- derers across the river into Jersey woods. Nevertheless, it is the only ex- impossible to obtain of them in the woods. RICHARD F. MILLER. ~_<—>2—_ Lost, Strayed or Stolen. The long promised new edition of the A. O. U. Check list. Can any of our readers tell us when, where or how Wwe can get a glimpse of this much ad- vertised ignis fatuus? Plate No. 40—“Nest and Eggs of Orange Crowned Warbler in Quebec, Prov- idence, Canada.” planation that I can assign to the bird’s occurrence in such a place. In the Spring they presumably drop in, accepting my friends’ theory as the right cause of their occurrence, after a fatiguing flight across the city. Anyhow, whatever the cause of their appearance here, I am glad of it, for they have afforded me many hours of interesting study that would have been We have recently added to our col- lection of native wild fowl, seven spe- cimens of the extremely rare Ross’s gcose, apparently in perfect condition, showing the warty growth about the base of the bill to perfection. They are but little larger than a Mallard duck, and have a low plaintive note like the subdued lowing of a cow at a distance, and not musical. THE OOLOGIST 69 History of a Double Nest of the Yellow Warbler. While climbing over a fence, one day in May 1899, I noticed in a Wild Rose bush at my feet a nest of the Yellow Warbler. It was placed about three feet from the ground and some ten cr twelve feet from the shore of a small pond and appeared to be com- pleted, but held no eggs. Passing by the spot again at noon on the 17th I glanced into the nest and saw one egg of the Cowbird, but none of the rightful owners. Curious to see how the Warblers would treat this intrusion into their home I return- ed at 1:30, but the egg was nowhere in sight. Closer examination showed that a thin layer of plant fibres had been laid over the egg; in fact the be- ginning of a second nest. The birds must have worked very rapidly to have secured enough material to en- tirely conceal the egg in so short a time, but during the rest of the after- noon I watched them at their nest building and found they worked con- tinuously without resting. Procuring some soft cotton, I fas- tened it to the twigs of a nearby bush and retired to a tangle of Wild Grape- vine to watch. Hardly had I conceal- ed myself when the male appeared and sang from a sappling just over the nest. The female appeared a moment later and flew directly to the cotton, fluttering before it and tearing off lit- tle tufts which were woven, or rather matted into the nest. At no time did the female alight to tear off the cot- ton, but on each trip poised in the air before it, much as a Hummingbird does in front of a flower. Generally three or four strips were carried to the nest each visit. Arriving at the nest with a beakful of cotton the female settled down into the nest, turning around and tucking in little bits here and there, shaping the sides and rim with her breast and bill, and matting the whole into a solid feltlike substance. No time was wasted at the nest however, and in a few minutes she was back after more material. While the female was thus busily employed, the male flitted from bush to bush, caught an insect here and there, sang, now in the trees overhead, now from the bushes near the nest, but only once or twice did he visit the nest. On these visits he did not appear to be carrying any material for the nest. It was probably simply a tour of inspection and as if satisfied with the way the work was progress- ing he finally disappeared and it was nearly an hour before he came back, announcing his return by singing in the trees overhead before descending to his mate in the bushes below. By sunset the second nest was to all appearances completed, but when I visited it again next morning I found that the birds had worked in a quan- tity of buff colored vegetable fibres, not materially increasing the bulk of the nest, but toning down the white- ness cf the cctton and rendering the structure much less conspicuous than it had been the night before. The nest was now complete and a vacation of several days followed before the eggs were laid. Had the birds been com- pelled to procure their nesting ma- terial in the regular way instead of having a supply so conveniently fur- nished them, the building of this sec- ond nest would doubtless have taken much longer. The first egg was laid May 23d and one was deposited each succeeding day until four had been laid. Incu- bation began at once and lasted ten days, the young appearing on the 5th of June. For the first few days their growth was rather slow, but both parents fed them constantly, the fath- 70 THE ooLocst 27(7/ \A/0 er being fully as assiduous in supply- ing their demands as was his mate. On the fifth day their eyes opened and they began to grow and feather rapid- | ly, and when ten days old they left the nest. After the brood had flown I removed the nest. So firmly were the mater- ials matted together that it was with some difficulty that I separated. the two nests without damage to either. On some way the old birds or the young in the nest, had managed to break the Cowbird’s egg, but its size and shape and the position it occupied in the nest were all plainly indicated by the deep mould left in the under- side of the second nest. F. SEYMOUR HERSEY. bet eee Tennessee’s Shame! The following we clipped from a daily last winter. It tells a sickening tale. Do you wonder the birds are decreasing? SLAUGHTER OF ROBINS Thousands of Little Songsters Killed in Tennessée and Sold at Ten Cents Dozen. Louisville, Ky.—Robins are numer- ous at Lofton, Tenn., and are “selling readily on the local market at ten cents a dozen,’ according to a Mur- freesboro special. It should be ex- plained that the robins are not so numerous as they used to be for the fact that they sell for ten cents a dozen has induced many men and boys to engage in the wholesale slaughter of the birds. Thousands of robims, the special says, gather in the cedars to roost, and hunting parties go in the night and capture and kill them in large num- bers. One party caught 2,600 birds in one night. One hunter caught 3877 birds in one tree. It is estimated that 150,000 have been killed within the last three weeks. It is great sport— and the robins sell for ten cents a dozen. That is the way in which wild bird life is being protected in some parts of this great country. The robin is a beautiful and harm- less bird. He is an indefatigable de- stroyer of insect pests. Any one who has ever watched him an a lawn can testify to his industry in searching out bugs and worms and his capacity for putting them where they can do no harm. If there is a cherry tree handy he will visit it occasionally, but he much nrefers to forage after living things. He is a cheerful, happy bird and rather likes to make himself handy around the premises, rearing a family the while in the boughs of the old apple tree. He is not much of a singer so far as the quality of his music goes, but he is always willing to give you a sample of the best he ean do in that line, and the effect is not unpleasant to the human ear. In fact, the robin is an all round good fellow and is always ready to be friendly and serviceable if given half a chance. It is to be regretted that our neigh- bors in Tennessee are not giving the robin even half a chance, but are mur- dering him in cold blood. There real- ly seems to be no reason for it ex- cept that robins are worth ten cents a dozen. That also would seem to be about the proper market quotation for men who engage in such slaughter, either for pleasure or profit. <—+—__—___ The D. V. O. C. It is somewhat different to write fully of an organization such as the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club of Philadelphia. Therefore, I shall confine myself to a short article, con- taining the essentials of its concep- tion and life, for which I am indebted to Mr. Witmer Stone, who is perhaps in closer touch with the personal of our beloved clan than any other mem- ber. Organized February 3, 1890, by Wil- liam L, Bailey, George S. Morris, J. H. Reed, Samuel M. Rhoads, Charles A. Voelker, Dr. Spencer Trotter and Witmer Stone, the first meeting was held at the home of Mr. Bailey at 1624 Arch St. Later they were held at 16 N. 7th St., and finally through the efforts of Mr. Stone the club was granted the use of a room at the Academy of Natural Sciences; and March 3, 1891 is memorable as the first meeting held in the Academy” THE OOLOGIST 71 building which has since been the Club’s home. The object of this Society was, and is the study of birds, in the egg, the field and the cabinet. Any respectable male bird student was eligible to mem- bership, whether—to quote from the club history—‘He handled the subject with a gun, the opera-glass, the slap- jack, the pen, the scalpel, the paint brush, the drill or the camera’,, and naturally the same conditions hold good at the present time. The founders figured largely as col- lectors for the first few years and formed the nucleus of the D. V. O. C. collection ‘“‘of mounted birds, nests and eggs at the Academy of Natural Sciences. This collection is at present a most complete representation of the birds of the Delaware Valley, emprac- ing the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. It contains such local rarities as,—the nests and eggs of the White-throated Sparrow, Gos- hawk, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Florida Gallinule, ete. Introduced to the A. O. U. in 1891 by Messrs. Bailey and Stone the club and its work have been endorsed by ornithologists throuhgout the country and are especially familiar to those of the Atlantic Coast. From a total enrollment of 180, death has’ called. twelve, among, them being Dr. Woodhouse and Edwin Sheppard, both of whom were noted and respected for their endeavors along the line of ornithological know- ledge. Among the noted literature publish- ed by the club are “The Bids of East- ern Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” by Witmer Stone; “Abstracts of the Pro- ceedings of the D. V. O. C.” and ‘‘Cas- sinia,’ the club annual. The meetings are held the first and third Thursday evenings of each month from October to May inclusive. At such times the “adults” and “im- matures” gather and wax enthusiastic about their respective data. These discussions are illustrated by speci- mens of lantern slides, and the spirit of good-fellowship prevails. On the evening of January 6, 1910 was held the 20th Anniversary. It was a time of rejoicing and congratu- lation; of acquaintances renewed among the less active members, Of impromptu speeches there were many, that set forth humorously the trials and tribulations endured by the var- ious members on their field trips. Of course one and all were ready to be “flash-lighted” after which painful op- eration, they retired to the hall to partake of the annual collation, which fittingly brought to a close a memor- able evening, 7S Delos Hatch. Few indeed of the older Oologists of the United States but that know Mr. Hatch. Specimens of eggs taken by him can be found without doubt in every large collection in North Ameri- ca and in most of the larger collec- tions of Eurone. He is one of the old time oologists that helped make North American Oology what it now is. Re- cently a representative of one of the local papers visited his home and we present herewith his description of what he saw. WONDERFUL COLLECTION, A Description of Interesting Museum of Mr. Delos Hatch. On invitation of Mr. Delos Hatch, the well known taxidermist and col- lector of curios, of this place, a rep- resentative of the Eagle visited his museum on White street Tuesday morning and spent a very pleasant hour or two. Mr. Hatch has his museum on the second floor of a building especially built for the purpose. The large room has a number of windows and a couple of skylights and is almost com- pletely filled with interesting curiosi- ties from actually the four quarters of the earth with specimens of the ani- mal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms. Most of the mounted pieces are ar- ranged around the room in glass show cases which show off their attractions to the best advantage. The animal section includes stuffed wolves, foxes, porcupines, deer, squirrels rabbits, coons, wild hogs and almost every small wild animal of the American continent. There also may be found in this rare collection a large number of mounted reptiles, fresh and salt fish and animals of all kinds. One of the principal exhibits is that of birds and eggs, the collection of which has been a life long specialty every size, kind and plumage are here of Mr. Hatch and his wife. Birds of THE OOLOGIST in wonderful array, from the common little English sparrow to the beauti- ful birds of the tropics. It is-also in- teresting to note the large display of eggs and their different sizes; color- ings and shapes. One of the most interesting sights in the museum, at least to the chil- dren, is a series of groups of birds jllustrating “Who Killed Cock Robin?” each set representing some scene of the tragedy so familiar to every boy and girl. A beautiful section of the museum is that devoted to butterflies of which there are hundreds of different varie- ties, no two alike. Mr. Hatch recently received a consignment of butterflies from Rochester, N. Y. valued at near- ly$150 and consisting of specimens from nearly every country of South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, India and Japan. These butterflies are worth from 50c to $7.50 each. The collection of curios includes minerals, fossils, shells and innumer- able articles of interest. Mr. Hatch has a fine collection of stamps, coins and relics of all kinds and complete sets of American, Canadian and Eng- lish coins from a very early date with most of the coins of other countries. A number of these coins were discov- ered in excavating on the sites of an- cient Roman cities and it is thought that they were coined near the begin- ning of the Christian era. Mr. Hatch also has a large quantity of United States and Confederate pap- er money. Two sheepskin parchments signed hy Thos. Jefferson and James Madison are among the rare docu- ments. Mr. Hatch, assisted by his wife, has been collecting curios for the past thirty years and has an extensive ac- quaintance not only among naturalists of the United States but other coun- tries as well. He is constantly ex- changing specimens and receiving new curiosities and rarities to add to his already large and complete _ collec- tion. He values the entire stock at between $4,000 and $5,000 and the value increases with age. It is an in- tellectual treat for anyone to visit Mr. Hatch’s Dime Museum and those who have never seen the exhibits will do well to avail themselves of an early opportunity of seeing the beauties and wonders of nature. - -—o TO? The Harvest. | This month’s OOLOGIST reaches our readers and those of whom are col- lectors are in the midst of the annual Spring harvest. The taking and preparation of bird skins, nests and eggs for the forma- tion of a permanent collection and for scientific studies is perfectly legiti- mate and justified. The destruction of either as the result of a mere tempor- ary fad is to be deprecated, and it is not wrong to take additional speci- mens within reasonable limits for the purpose of exchange; otherwise col- lectors and collections remote from the breeding place of the various species would be unable to add them to their cabinet. We trust that all our read- ers will use reason and discretion with respect to the gathering of speci- mens and that after the close of the — season not only our advertising col- umns, but our reading columns as well will 1eflect a successful year in North American Oology. - ——————_0—~ Noss 15) to 8G. eens soe .90 Vol. X, 1893,;. Nos. 87- to (98s ss 2. 1.00 Vol. XE, 1894, Nos. $9; to*hl0.. 2%... -50 Vok. Salk. -L895; Nonorrl to, 122% 2 1.00 . XIII, 1896, Nos. 123 to 127.... .50 Vol XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.... . XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149.... .60 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161..-- .75 Vol. XVII, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171. -50 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. -50 4) Ea Be 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. .50 Vol. XX, 1903, Nos: 196 to 197. 2:2. .10 Vol. XXI, 1904, No. 198 to 209.... .50 Vol. XXII, 1905, Nos. 210 to 221.... .50 Viol, See Ab 222 tO Zeke seen ee oe 50 Vol a LV : 1907, 234. tone rs 55 Vol. 3X VIS Ab tO Zone eee nee 50 For $5.25 I will send eee a copy of every issue published, to 209, Inclusive, except the twenty- cee (29). 25c., 50c.and 75¢e.copies. For $2.50 will send prepaid every copy published, Nos. 1 to 209, inclusive, except the sixty copies priced above at 10ce or over — BOUND VOLUMES — Can be furnished, strongly bound in cloth and hoards, as follows: Vol. I and If YOUNG OOLOGIST bound in One" Volume...) seas. ce. es $1.00 Vol. IX. The OOLOGIST for ’92, 298 pages of valuable and instructive Oological and Ornithological matter with aes full page illustrations, . $1.00 Or, if you order the two voiuaes at one time, we will send them by return mall for only $1.75. Every student of birds, their nests and eggs, should have these two volumes in their library. The valuable information ‘hey contain, ‘a worth many times the price. Address plainly, R. M. BARNES, Albion, N. Y. Lacon, Ill. VIII THE OOLOGIST EGGS WANTED I want 1 set of each of the following: A. O. U. No. 181, 3:00, 310, 343, (358.1), (859.1) 375a, 725a. I want 2 sets of each of the following: A. O. U. No. 29, 30a, 47, 63, 70, (76), 79, 108, 129, 131, (188), 1389, 141, 142, 143, 160, 167, (172), (179), 180, 208, 311, 332, 341, 360a, 409, 529, 624, 703a. I want 3 sets of each of the following: A. O. U. No. 133, 150, 153, 161, 163, (171.1), 178, 269, 271, 310a, 310¢, 325, 339b, 356, 359, 364, 397a, 410, 420, 454, 458, 464, 466, 467, 489, 493, 542b, 5738, 581m, 617, 633 658, 683a, 684, 718. I want 4 sets of each of the following: A. O. U. No. 7, 10, 27, 30, (56), 86, (185), 192, 195, 210, 211, 217, 264, 267, 280, 285, 302, (336), 348, 355, 367, 376, 457, 482, 486, 490, 498d, Hts, 593c, 610, 641, 659, 713, 746 756. I want 5 sets of each of the following: 5, 48, 52, (90), 108.1, 120a, 120b, 128a, 186, 188, 196, 200, 204, 206, 207, 218, 227, 252, 278, 286, 287, 289a, 289b, 292, 293a, 300c, 301, 334, 339a, 347a, 349, (351), 352, 375¢, 375d, 421, 423, 461, 477, 480, 488a, 499, 513, 529b, 631, 657, 721b, 726, 733, 744,. I want 6 sets of each of the following: 5, 8, 18a, 21, 28, 37, 38, 59, 60, 72, 128, 205, 223, (260), 275, 281, 329, 373a, 373b, 397, 474e, 621, 673, 702, 706, 710, 729, 751a. For these I offer in exchange a very large list of the mere common North American species, in original sets with full data. If you have none of the fore- going on hand now, but expect to take any this season, reserve what you take and write me. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, III. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS © # TAXIDERMY Vou. XXVII. No. 6. ALBION, N. Y., JUNE 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 275 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Etc. ~words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of ‘your Oologist. It denotes the time your ee vtion expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid, 275 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 281 your ‘subscription expires with December issue 1910. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1903, at the post office, at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Con- gress of March 38, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘‘THE OOLOGIST,’’ and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. BIRDS WANTED.—One first set each of Sandhill and Whooping Crane, one pair of skins of Whooping Crane. Will exchange specimens from Northwest Canada. MACKAY «& DIPPIE. Calgary, Alberta. WANTED.—Skins of birds of the Rocky Mountain and Gulf states, also a few rare Eastern. Can offer material from Baja Cali- fornia (Mexico) and good exchange in well made Western skins. Please send complete oe PINGREE I. OSBURNE, Pasadena, Jal. TO EXCHANGE.—Finely mounted birds and deer heads, several hundred Natural History and Sportsman’s magazines, for bird and mammal skins. GEO. F. GUELF, Taxidermist. Brockport. N. Y. Any collectors having a few good labeled specimens of foreign birds, send list. [ will give A 1skinsof Illinois and C alifornia birds. Also offer skins of common specimens from Illinois for nests and sets of small species. ey Kk. COALE, Higiland Park, Lake Co., Ll. WANTED.—Male and female of Wood Duck, Great Horned Owl, Screech Owl, Spar- row Hawk. Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, Blue Jay and Scarlet Tanager. The first five with nests in section of hollow tree and the latter three withnests and eggsin section of original branches. For further particulars address J. FRIESSER. 5620 Lake Ave., Chicago, I11. WANTED.—Alleggs of the English Spar- row in any stage of incubation. Will pay 3c. per egg. No fresh or blown eggs wanted. Send me all you can get. P. G. HOWES, The Maplewood Museum of Natural Science, Stampford, Conn. Nicely mounted birds sold at bargain prices; Canvasback, $3.00; Robins, etc., 75c. at others. Send stamp for complete list. . RUSSELL SMITH, Edge Hill, Pa WANTED.—American and Foreign bird skins. Can offer in exchange mounted birds, bird skins and eggsin sets. Send list with exchange prices. JESSE T. CRAVEN. 81l Roosevelt Ave., Detroit, Mich. I want 1 perfect skin in full breeding plum- age of each of the following species: A. O. U, No, 396, 454, 456, 460, 468, 470a, 471, 477, 483, 495a, 498, 506, 515, 511b, 528, 530b, 534, 542c, 557, 5d8. 581d. 583. 585, 593c, 594, 641, 643, 644, 646, 651, 655, 657, 659, 660, 675, 679, 680, 681, 683, 685, 715, 757. 758a, 761, 725, I have duplicates for exchange of A. O. U. No. 373. 495, 498, 507, 529, 558, 559, 601, 608, 636, 648, 662, 594, 666. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. _WANTED.—First class skins of Murrelets, Gulls, Shearwaters, Rails, Shore Birds, Grouse, Hawks, Owls, particularly Snowy and Great Gray, ‘and certain small land birds. Offer representative Southern California species, also fine sets of personally taken Heermann’s Gulls and Blue-footed Boobies. All reliable collectors send lists. PINGREY I. OSBURN, Pasadena, Calif. THE CELEBRATED HUNGARIAN AND ENGLISH PARTRIDGES AND PHEAS- ANTS, capercailzies, black game, wild turkeys, quails, rabbits, deer, etc. for stock purposes. Fancy pheasants, peafow], swans, eranes, storks, ornamental geese and ducks, foxes, squirrels, ferrets, and all kinds of birds and animals. WENZ & sett a ae BERG H, Pheasantry & Game Park, Yardley, fh: Is your Subscription paid up ? II THE OOLOGIST EGGS FOR EXCHANGE — First class Eggs’ in sets. C.S. RUTHERFORD, Revere, Mo. Send oo lists of first class sets for mine.—_J. W° PRESTON, ‘1411 13th Ave., Spokane, Wash. 3 I offer 1-3. 2-4 Fish Crow, 1-5 201, 1-5 194; all = a set of Bartman’s Sandpiper 4or 5 eggs. B. CRISPIN, Salem, N. J. WANTED. Catocala. curiosities and stamps. R.E Bay sti street, Santa Cruz, Cal. WANTED. —Sets with or without nests. eae ry Sharp-tail and Seaside Sparrow. DR. J. P. BALL, Frankford, Pa. [2] FOR EXCHANGH.—2-2 Miss. Kite, 2-2 Gl- winged gull, 2-3 gl-winged gull. Allcoll-cted by myself. G. W. STEVENS, Alva, Okla. —Good eggs, Indian relics, and I have California puttertlies, sea . DODGE, 552 DC MOOLE, Vernon, Texas. ae EXCHANGE.—A tine series of ten of the Pallas Murre from Cape Hope, Alaska. I want 188, 332, 343, 348. 362, 364 and many others, . E. BROWN, 6044 Ist Ave.. No. W. Sta. F. Seattle. Wash. FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine set cf 2.3.4and 5 Ferruginous ROeoe leg Hawk, on the basis of 75 cents cash value peregg. Only extra fine or rare material wanted. CHILDS MU- SEUM, Floral Park, N. Y. 13] WANTED.—Sets of 351, 352, 3d2a. 206, and many common sets; have to offer choice sets 679 1-4, 417 1-2. 419 1-2, 337, 339. 375, 263, 261, 273 and many other choice sets; send list and re- ceive mine. RAY DINSMORE, Perry, Ohio FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets of Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Louisiana Heron, Wayne’s Clapper Rail, Florida Burrowing Owl, and others. For parliculars address WwW. W. RO Shelter Island Heights, New York. FOR EXCHANGE. — Eggs in fine sets, beautiful minerals, butterflies and moths in dust and insect proof cases, and othernatural history specimens. Want all the above. Send lists and receive mine. LEWIS CGC. SNYDER, Lacona, New York. FOR EXCH o HANGE.—A few choice sets of glaucous-winged gull, black oyster catcher, ring-necked flover, Kodiak fox sparrow, Pacific murre. All collected by myself. G. W.STEVENS, Alva, Okla. FOR SALE.—Some rare single eggs from Iceland, Loons, Sjua, Glaucous Gull, Old- squaw, Northern Eider, Bean Goose, Whoop- ing Swan, Golden Plover. Dunlin, Godwit, Ruff, Snowflake, Iceland Falcon, and others. Send for full list to H. WARREN, Room 215 St. James Chambers, Adelaide Seek Toronto, Ont. WANTED.—In good sets: 340, 357, 451, 485, 648, 554a, 566, 568, 57a, 610a, 646, 647, 660, 672. 672a, 690, 700, 7194. Can offer 89, 95, 101, 207; 293a, 294, 295, 309, 332, 339a, 351. 359, 384, 416, 417, 419, 420b, 460, 479, 533, 534, 536, 569, 575, 075a, 594a, 602, 607, 637, 639, 641, 730, 763 and 315 (1871). THOMAS H. JACKSON, 304 N. Franklin ay West Chester. Pa. TO EXCHANGE—Sets with data, North American and Foreign. Can use many com- mon kinds of both. Dr. T. W. RICHARDS a Re Navy, 1911 N.St., N. W.. Washington “T have perfect sets of Mourning, Cerulean Black throated. Blue and Black throated Green Warbler, American Woodcock, Bar- tramian Sandpiper. King Rail, Canadian Spruce, Grouse and Sharp Shinned Hawk for exchange. I desire sets of American Flam- ingo, Long-billed Curlew, Semipalmated Plover, Franklin’s Gr ouse, Bonaparte’ s Gull, Williamson’s Sapsucker, White-headed and Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Pink-sided Junco. Hutton’s and Black Capped Vireo, Sennett’s Orange-crowned and Connecticut Warbler and Canada Jay. GERARD ALAN ABBOTT, 945 Marquette Bldg., Chicago. In sending in your exchange notices for nests, Skins and eggs, we would appreciate it if you would arrange the numerals in your exchange notice in their numerical order, and not tumble them together hit and miss, as some of our readers are complaining, and we think justly so. I HAVE 2733-4, 360a 2-4, 365 2-5, 375d 2-2. 476 1-6, 7154-4, ete. U WABT2-3-5-12-30-32-63-67-70- (76) -90- 92 -106 -108-120a-120c¢-128-258-318-319-320a- 412-421 with nests; 428-432-433-434-436-439-466- en Se FRED TRUESDALE, Shan- on, Cal. FOR fee GE.—Eggs in sets with full data. A.O.U.No. No. 11-3. 61-5, 13 1-1, 161-1, 97 1-2, 29 1-2. 30a 1-1, 321-1, 401-3, 43 1-1, 49 1-2, 511-3, 531-3, 561-2, 541-3, 581-3, 64 1-3, 67 1-1, 70 1-3. 721-3. 751-1, 771-2. 791-1. 801-4, 86 1-1. 106 1-1, 117 1-1, 120 1-3, 184 1-3, 191 1-5, 194 1-4, 200 1-3, 2011-5, 202 1-4, 226 ie 2711-1, 320a 1-1, 325 1-2, 3261-2, 333 1-4, 337 339 1-3, 348 1-2, 364 1-2, 378 1-1, 431 1-2 with aoe 506 1-2 519b 1- also blow pipe, embryo shears and hook and set of cut the lining egg drills. Willexchange all of the above for best offer of Indian bird spear points and other flint and bead relics. Write me and send outlines. HENRY J. RUST, Box 683. Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. I want sets of So ON ae North American birds’ eggs: U. Nos. 4, 5, 7, 40, 49. 51, 53, 70. 77, 125. 132, 140. 190, 196, 208..224.' 258. 261, 269, 280, 305, 325, 326, 332, 337, 343, 349 352, 360. 362, 364. 368, 373, 375, 393, 394c, 402, 406, 416, 4293, 428. 429, 452, 461, 464, 466, 466a, 477. 490; 494. 497. 506, 507, 517, 540, 546, 549. 550, 554, 558, 595, 604, 608, 611, 622, 627, 628, 631, 637, 648, 681, 702, 727, 735, 736, 746. 751. 758a, 759h. For any of these I will give full even rates in exchange, using the a Short 1905 Catalogue. I can offer A. O. Nos. 30a 6-1, 32 6-1, 79 1-1, 184 2-3 2-4, 187 2-3 2-4, 199 2-5, 313 1-2, 378a 2-5, 4472-4, 4482°4, 505a 1- 3. 513 2-3, 528 1-4, 5311-5. 542c 1-4, 552a 2-4, 578 1-2; 580a 1-2, 593a 1-4, 7101-3, in sets. Also some desirable singles; a large list of Shells, Minerals. Fossils, and curios and a few good books. If you have others to offer than those I mention above write me. I may he able to make youanoffer. ERNEST ae SHORT, Box 173, Rochester, N. Y. WANTED.—A few good skins of the Aleu- tian Tern (Sterna aleutica) Thayer Museum, Lancaster, Mass. THE QOL OGIST lil BOOKS WANTED.—The Auk, Vol. II, ae a seae “i IV, Nos. 2, 4, Vol. V. Nos. 2,3, 4, Vol. VI, Al? 3. For cash or exchange. LOUIS A. FUERTES, Ithaca, N. Y. WANTED.—Back numbers of The Auk. Nuttal’s Bulletin and other bird magazines, also on insects. Have numbers to exchange. . W. HUMPHREY, Dedham, Mass. WANTED.—Northern and southern raw furs. Highest market price paid. All goods held subject to approval of valuation. Price list free. GEORGE J. TILLS., Albion, N. Y. WANTED.—Books on birds. Will pay a reasonable cash price for those that I desire. ne title aud author, conaition. etc. CHAS. ARR, (Personal), New London, Wis. Have your Oologists or other magazines, bound by a careful, painstaking hand pro- Write what you have and get styles. Prices reasonable. Exchange considered. HOWARD W. McMILLEN, Ada, Ohio. c FOR SALE.—In perfect condition, “The North American Birds” by Henry Nehrling, German text, cloth bound, gilt edge, 668 pages and 36 plates, showing 137 species in natural color. Original price~ $15. Sells for $7. ERICH DIETRICH, Canby, Oregon. WANTED,.—A clean copy of The Oologist, Vol. 5, No.6. Cash. All my old correspond- ents please note change ofaddress. HARRY 5 Se Hollywood Sta., Los rapa teh a (1) WANTED.—American Ornithology, Sept. 1905, and July- URS 1906. State lowest cash AS Q ft QOH price. EARLE "FORRE ST, 357 N. Main St., Washington, Nhe (1) WANTED.—Auk. Vol. 2, complete, or parts of same, and any old bird separates of Nat. Hist,, Society’ s reports, and books in ex- change or cash. W. OTTO EMERSON, Palm Cottage, Haywards, California. (1) You must have “The Bulletin” if you want cheap, good and scarce books and pamphlets on Ornithology, Botany, Zoology, Travel, Science. World Wide Circulation. Specimen copy for3cent stamp. THE mar re Pe Duke St., Adelphi, London, W. eee “i BIRD MAGAZINES.—I have about 500 old bird magazines for exchange, including complete volumes of Auk, Condor, Nidiolo- gist, Osprey, Oregon Naturalist, and odd numbers of all of these. W. LEE CHAM- BERS, 1226 11th St., Santa Monica, Cal. For sale or to exchange for books, maga- zines or bird skins .O & O vols. Nal A 6 Bs gtk XVI, XVII. Nidologist vols. rT, III, Trans Wis. at Odd vols.; Auk XI, 3 ans 4: XIT. 3; XX, Capens Oology; Oologist, vols. VII to RVil inc. bound. Hardwick’s Science Gossip. F. B. McKECHNIE, Ponk- apog, Mass. FOR SALE.—The following books: Birds of North and Middle America by Ridgway, Parts I, II, ITI, and Iv. . Samuels, Nuttall’s Ornithol- ogy, two volumes, The Auk, Vols..16;,.215 329. 93 and 24. Allin excellent condition. Will sellcheap, F.C. HUBEL, Clarkston, Mich. SALE AND FOR EXCHANGE.—By W. Otto Emerson, Haywards, Palm Cottage. Calif. Auk, Vol’s, (new) 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, (unbound); Osprey, Vol. I, No. 1-9, Nid. Vol: 1-3-7, Vol. III, 1-3; Oregon Naturalist, Vol. III, Vol. 4-1; Zoe, Vol. I, 1-2-9, Vol, II, 1-4, Vol. IIL. 2, Vol. LV, 4; Oologist, Utica, N.Y.’ Vol, 4-5, latter bound, Latter Volume; Coopers Club Bull. Vol. I, 1 and index, others also; Report af Ornithology by C. Hart Merriam 1886-87-88; Birds of Wyoming, 1902; Ridgways Hummingbirds; Birds of Mexico, Bryant; Calif. Water Birds, No. III, Loomis; Birds of Mexico. Lawrence, Bull. No. 4, U. 8. Museum 1876; Oology. New England, Samules, Land Birds, 1864; Birds of Santa Cruxe Co. Calif. McGregor. I will give $1.00 for No.6 of Vol. 5 of THE OOLOGIST in the original covers and in good condition. R.M. BARNES, Lacon, I[]). FOR EXCHANGE.—Bird Lore, vols. 1-6, complete; Summer Birds of Flathead Lake; $l the copy; Auk, many complete volumes. Oologist complete issue; and many others, W anted. small camera or kodak, good tilms on nature subjects, and lantern slides. P. M. SILLOWAY, Virden Ill. (1) WANTED.—The following back numbers of THE OOLOGIST for the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Vol..2. No. 2: Vol. 3, No. 4; Vol. 5, No. 6; Vol. 6, No. 4; Vol. 13, No. 5; Vol. 14, No.3 and 10, Vol. 15. No. 7. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. MISCELLANEOUS Taxidermic Specimens for sale. A fine litter of young coyotes, about five weeks old; all skinned and cleaned in first class condition, with leg and skull bones, and measurements. The mother of the brood can be supplied also if desired. If interested, write. Price reasonable. Will mount one to show natural pose and expression, if desired. G. y STEVENS, Curator, Okla. Alva, Okla. State Museum, (2) Knickerbocker Book Shop, Beechwoods, Woodcliffe Lake, N. J. WANTS Baird, Brewer & Ridgeway Water Birds, 1st edition with colored plates. Also Baird Cassin in Lawrence. The “Birds of North America” with atlas of 100 colored plates. Holden—“Canary & Cage Birds.” Auk—Vol. 1 & 3. Audubon’s Ornithological phy, Vol. 4. “Bird Lore” January & February of 1205-1202 complete. Coues’ 3d installment Bibliography. Bonaparte’s “American Ornithology —4th Vol. edition Philadelphia 1825- 1828, Bibliogra- CASH OR EXCHANGE. IV THE OOLOGIST th soesenteetente este te aie oatesosie x Sonlweheotonsonge eeoeseesorteetoote °° oe *° “s xO READY JUNE 30, 1910 oy CS eel ee ° \/ & oe, Sad A 04 or oof o-Se 06 °, Kas KA * cocake EMBRYOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS ~ raoatecteateatecteateeieetegorleeteconted 7 So efo-08 o xe Soefonioefontoatoate of Beautifully mounted in the finest ested Crystal Museum Jars. Neatly labeled \/ eo ss and hermetically sealed. Showing the z development of a Praecocial Bird (Gal- de lus Domesticus). Embryos are removed ° from the eggs and mounted on trans- parent glass slips. Order now. Price $8.00 each. Seven stages in each preparation. P. G. HOWES, The Maplewood Biological Laboratory Moeteete’ rSoesoege eoefocgoetodioeipeoels a Cae C \4 ¢ \7 We Cx ¢ 06% oe % , Casa? \/ oo, 0% \/ o"¢ O, @ Ka C4 Stamford, Conn. O,. %, 0%, 04, &, Of. ¢ 242s 400 toate stoctecte tects Sotode So todadkedrdicdrdicdrrd Oooo oo eGo 03> 070-180-080 45 «$o-ofo alo ele «fo elo- efoedo oho ete oie-efe-ofe-afe-afe-ate- ate tgs THE OOLOGIST. Vou. XXVII. No.. Awsion, N. Y. June 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 275 Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, Illinois. No. 31 Nest and Eags of Kentucky Warbler. Photo by T. H. Jackson. 74 THE OOLOGIST F No. 35 Young Black-headed Gull, Winter plumage, Vevey, Switzerland. The Kentucky Warbler. Plate No, 31. Apologies are again due our old friend, Thomas H. Jackson for Plate 31 appearing on page 62 of the May issue of THH OOLOGIST and accom- panying his article on the Kentucky Warbler. Through some process whol- ly unknown to us the wrong plate was substituted for the plate of Mr. Jack- son’s photo, and the one published was a photo of the nest, one egg and a young bird of the Turtle Dove. Photo by P. G. Howes. In this issue we reproduce the plate which should have accompanied Mr. Jackson’s article. : Our apologies are also due H. E. Bishop of Sayre, Pennsylvania, for using the plate from his photo of the Mourning Dove and crediting it to Mr. Jackson. . The photo is an unusually good one and the mistake all round would be laughable were it not for the future use of these volumes, making the entire affair a matter of confusion. THE OOLOGIST "5 Snakes. Mr. Perez (Oologist, No, 274, p. 62), and others may be interested to learn that the apparent dislocating of the jaw noticed when a snake swallows a large object is a perfectly normal ac- tion, many bones of the head being so articulated as to allow of great free- dom of movement, The digestive fluids of the snake’s stomach will easily dis- solve egg shells. The snake suffers no inconvenience whatever, either from the great distention of the mouth, or the difficulty of obtaining nourish- ment from an egg that he may have swallowed whole. J. O. SNYDER. The Black Headed Gull on Leman, Switzerland. (Larus ridisundus) Upper parts pearl-grey; wings with the exception of the primaries, which are white, edged and tipped with black, also pear] grey; head blackish brown: neck, rump and tail white; under parts also white; feet, legs and man- dibles bright red. Winter: the same with the exception of the head which changes to white with a small brown- ish patch on the hind part of the crown. There is also a small circular patch just in back of the auriculars. Young: of a general mottled brown; a black band across the end of the Lake No. 34 Young Black-headed Gull, Mt. Grammont, Vevey, Switzerland. Photo by P. G. Howes. 76 THE OOLOGIST tail: mandibles yellowish-brown; legs and feet light orange. Sixteen inches. Winter resident? The Black-headed gull is by far the commonest bird at Vevey and their screams may be heard at any hour of the day or night. From dawn until sunset they wing their way tirelessly up and down the shores of the lake, ever on the look out for any edible morsel. They are great divers, closely rivaling our American King fishers,, and it is not an uncommon sight to see one suddenly fold its immaculate wings, drop into the water and emerge with a struggling perch or other fish. The other gulls, however, are quick to notice any such movement and have no hesitancy in making their brother’s life a burden until the luckless fish slips down its captor’s throat. Moulting commences very early among the old birds and at this date (February 6th)» many of them are in full summer plumage. The yearlings however have not started to change to the breeding plumage as yet. At sundown hundreds of these birds congregate on the rocks along the edges of the lake and in places one would think that they were plaster rather than rock, so white are they from innumerable coatings of lime. The usual cry is a harsh Kak! Kak! Kak! repeated several times. The birds have another cry which closely resembles that of the Cooper Hawk and still another which sounds like laughter and has earned for the birds their name of Ridibundus. The Black-headed gulls nest in large communities, placing their nests of reeds and decaying vegetation in close proximity to each other among standing reeds or similar cover. The -‘three-or four eggs are greenish-buff, spotted and blotched with dark brown, black and grey, 2.2 x 1.5 in. Out of the breeding season the birds may be found following the plough in search of grubs and worms and in almost any place where there is sufficient water. It is not a particularly easy bird to photograph. Their movements are very fast and they are very hard to approach unless there is a continual stream of bread or other food thrown to them. Twenty-four plates were ex- posed before the two pictures shown herewith were obtained, It was an hour and a quarter’s wait after I set up my camera before a gull was kind enough to rest himself on the pile shown in the picture. At last! I said to myself, as I pushed the button, but imagine my dissappointment a minute later on finding that I had forgotten to draw out the plate-holder slide! We have all been there, and I think it is unnecessary to mention the names which I called that poor innocent pile, gull and camera. After this the birds were more considerate and I had but fifteen minutes to wait before one’ alighted on my pile and allowed me to photograph him. The picture of — the young gull was a lucky snap-shot and although I was trying to photo- graph the bird in fight, I had not ex- pected him to drop his food so con- veniently. At what time the birds leave Vevey and at what place they carry on the duties of reproduction, I am unable to say, but as they start nesting in Hng- land in April, I should imagine that they would leave here sometime dur- ing that month. According to~- Bor- aston, the English Ornithologist, the Black-headed species nests on small islands in lakes or ponds throughout the British Isles. If this be so, the birds may possibly nest somewhere in the vicinity of Lake- Leman, but it seems more probable to me that they fly to some inaccessible spot nearer to the coast rather than to rear THE OOLOGIST 77 their young near such a thickly popu- lated place as the shores of Lake Le- man. There is one place however, where the gulls might nest, and this is at the eastern end of the lake where the river Rhone flows into it. Here the ground is low and swampy and is covered with a thick-growing low bush of some species unknown to the writer. Ground of this nature would make a typical nesting home for the Black-headed gulls and later in the spring, I intend to make an ex- haustive search over this territory in hopes of finding the birds at home. Ti such a trip be made I shall report the results of it in a later number of THE OOLOGIST. P. G. HOWES. bee Bs ee Abie eee LES Mr. A. C, Read, now of the Isle of Pines, reports the taking of an English ‘Blackbird (Merula merula)at Toledo, ‘Ohio on October 30, 1906, as follows: “Saw today a bird that has been puz- ‘zling me all fall. In size and shape it resembles a Robin; also in its walk /or run, but in color it resembles a ‘Blackbird, being jet black. Its notes when alarmed, are much like those of a robin, although a few are somewhat jlike these of a Grackle. Took this ‘bird November 3d, sent it to Norman /A. Wood of the University of Michigan ‘for identification. He pronounced it an English Blackbird (Merula merula) but. sent it to the Smithsonian Insti- tute for further identification. The In- stitution verified his identification. In all probability it was an escaped cage bird, but I could learn of no-one who had one in our town, nor of any bird dealer who had ever seen one.” Sera A See ee The article in the May issue. relat- ing to the Delaware Valley Ornitholo- gical Club should have been credited to W. M. Strong. In the Rhone Valley of Switzerland. On the morning of April 4, 1910, the writer started on a trip to the Valley of the Rhone in search of the nest- ing home of the Black-headed Gull. The Rhone is but fifteen miles from Vevey and is easily reached as many small steamers make daily visits to all parts of the lake. I disembarked at Villeneuve, a small town about three-quarters of a mile from the val- ley proper. Here I hired a row boat and after loading it with my cameras and other collecting materials, I was soon on my way to the supposed nest- ing home of “Ridibundus.” It was a typical April day; the sun was clear and warm and the liquid songs of Black thrushes and Chaffin- ches seemed to pour forth from every bush and tree as I started on my two- mile row to the mouth of the river. This low, swampy valley is perhaps some four miles wide, lying between great snow-capped mountains whose blue-shadowed crevices contrast vivid- ly with their white, snow-covered peaks reaching to Altitudes high above the low hanging clouds. To the north the Tour d’Ai rise almost per- pendicularly from the valley to an ‘al- titude of 7005 feet. To the south are the well known Dents du Midi whose highest peak reaches 9555 feet and di- rectly in front of us, far in the east, . the Dent de Morcles rises like a great blue cone to an altitude of 8814 feet. The extreme end of Mount Gram- mont also rolls up from the southern. side of the valley and one half mile to the north of this the Rhone empties. into Lake Leman, I landed but a few yards from the river’s mouth and at once started to search the swampy country to the north of it. By 2 p. m. 4 strip one mile in Jength by one hundred and fifty feet in width had been carefully 78 THE but without finding the their gone over, slightest sign of the gulls or nests. After eating my lunch I walked back to the boat intending to row up a few hundred feet and try the country to the south of the river, but had no soon- er pushed off than a gull swept by, within a few yards of the boat, and to my great joy I noticed that it was OOLOGIST could be reached, as they were plac- ed in the very center of a soft treach- erous mire, covered with a species of tall growing reed, reaching to a height of six or seven feet. The nests were in all stages of construction, but none of them contained eggs. From here I circled the mire, beach- ing the boat on the opposite side and started to search the dry land in back No. 45 Valley of the River Rhone near Vevey, Switzerland. Photo by Paul G.- Howes. earrying a large bunch of grass in its mandibles. The south, side of the river was soon forgotten as the bird flew directly in the opposite direction, coming down into a swampy, reed-cov- ered portion of the valley about three- quarters of a mile beyond where the morning’s search had ceased. On reaching the spot I found that there were ten nests, but not one of them of the swamp. Half an hour’s work revealed one nest, a large affair of dead reeds and grasses apparently just ready for the reception of the eggs. It was placed on a slight mound separ- ated from the mire by the remains of an old stone wall and within ten feet of a frequently used path to Villen- euve. Knowing that I would not be able to visit the place again as I THE OOLOGIST 79 was leaving for another part of the country on April 6th, I photographed the empty nest which is shown here- with. Having accomplished my end in find- ing the Black-headed gulls in their nesting haunts, I now started rowing back towards Villeneuve and by keep- ing in close to the tall reeds at the lake’s edge many other interesting whole valley was ringing with their liquid songs. Little Brown Grebes (Tachybaptes fluviatilis) would occa- sionally swim into view from among the reeds, diving noiselessly and with- out causing a ripple, at the sight of my boat. When seen for the first time, its small, rounded form, with fluffed up plumage, no proper tail, and the head nestling between the should- No. 44 Nesting territory of Black-headed Gull, Rhone Valley, Apr. 4, 1910. Photo by Paul G. Howes, birds were noted which might have otherwise been overlooked. Pied Wagtails (Motacilla lugubris) were abundant, and many grey wagtails (Motacilla melanope) were’ also seen. Redstarts (Ruticilla phoeni- curus Chaffinches (Fringilla-coelebs) and Green finches (Ligurinus chloris) were equally common and that day the ers, it could easily be mistaken for a duckling. But when upon the barest hint of intrusion upon its privacy, it dives noiselessly without disturbance of the water with the rapidity of a flash of lightning, usually to appear no more within sight, it will be un- derstood that this is an old bird in a special sense of the term- 80 ; - THE OOLOGIST Two nests of the European Magpie (Pica rustica) were noted. One of these was situated sixty feet from the ground in a tall popular, while the other was but seven feet about the water in a small bush on the edge of the lake. The latter nest was com- posed of large sticks placed on a foundation of mud and lined with root- 1 the swung far out into the lake and as an fainter and fainter as steamer ornithologist a feeling of regret came over me, for I had probably seen the last of the Valley of the Rhone and the Black-headed gulls for many years to come. P. G. HOWKS. No. 43 Nest of the Black-headed Gull, Rhone Valley, Switz., Apr. 4, 1910. Photo by Paul G. Howes. lets and fine grasses. It contained an incomplete set of three eggs, pale bluish-green, closely spotted and speckled with olive brown and under- laying blotches of purplish-grey. I was now close to Villeneuve again and ten minutes later I was standing on the ‘back deck of the S. S. “Italic” bound for Vevey. I could hear the voices of the birds back in the valley, growing NEW SUBSCRIBERS:—A number cf our readers answered our request . in the May issue and sent in one or more new subscribers each. This is the kind of support that will keep THE OOLOGIST up to high standard. its present Why cannot each one go and do likewise? WILL. You can if you THE OOLOGIST 81 Notes On Four European Members of The Genus Baeolophus, Parus Major, Great Titmouse. Head and throat black; cheeks and a patch on the naple white; back, rump and tail coverts olive green; scapu- lars dark olive green; primaries and secondaries bluish black, outlined with bluish white; shoulder bright side my window and here they find an abundance of food. The song is sub- ject to great variation, indeed, I do not ever remember watching a flock of this species without hearing some new variation of their usual “Seetira! Seetira! Seetira!’”’ or their inhospi- table ‘‘Git-a-long! Git-a-long! Git!” In summer the Great Tit is to be No. 42 Nest of Black headed Gull in Valley of the Rhone, Apr. 4, 1910. Photo by Paul G. Howes. blue; one white wing bar; tail feathers dusky, the outer ones partly white; un- der parts bright yellow, divided in the center by a black line from chin to vent. Length six inches. Resident. The Great Tit is the largest of the tribe as well as the commonest here at Vevey. Hordes of them make daily visits: to the cypress trees just out- sought in the heavily wooded sections of the country where it builds its nest of moss, fibers and feathers, plac- ing it in cavities in trees or holes in old walls. The six to eight eggs are white, specked and blotched with red- dish-brown. ; Parus britannicus, Head, throat and Coal Titmouse. center of neck 82 a THE OOLOGIST black; ear coverts, sides of neck and nape white; back greyish; wings grey- ish with two white cross bars; tail smoky grey; underparts yellowish white. Length four and one-half inches. Resident. Although the Coal Tit is said to be widely distributed throughout Switzer- land, it does not appear to be at all common. While one may see great numbers of Great Tits in a single day_ here at Vevey, the coal Tit seldom makes his appearance. It also ditf- fers somewhat in its habits from the other species of the same family, of- ten remaining on the ground for long periods at a time as if the thought had never occurred to it that there might be plenty of insect food in the bark crevices of the surrounding trees. In fact, I believe that during the win- ter the Coal Tit eats a great many more seeds than insects. In the spring the majority of these birds retire to the more heavily wood- ed mountainous districts to carry on the duties so important to their vital- ity. The nest is placed in a crevice or a hole in a tree and it is composed al- most entirely of moss and _ plant fibers. The six or seven eggs are al- most exactly like those of our Chica- dee, both in size and dimensions, but the reddish spots are perhaps gener- ally more numerous on the eggs of this little foreigner. As you enter the spruce groves on the numerous mountains which sur- round Vevey, a short, acute, but musi- eal tinkling will occasionally greet the ear and you know that you have found the Coal Tit at home. His two bright eyes are intent upon every movement, but stand motionless for a minute and the owner of these bright eyes will soon consider you a harm- less lunatic; regain lost confidence and go on unconcernedly about his business, shouting his merry tinkling song and seizing every luckless seed or insect which happens in his hun- ery path. Parus coerulens; Blue Titmouse. Crown blue; sides of head white di- vided by a blackish line from the base of the bill, across the eye to the back of the head, and enclosed by a heavier dark band looped from the nape to the chin; back of head and nape bright blue; back olive green; tail and wings bright blue, the latter with an indis- tinct greyish white cross bar. Length four and one-half inches. Resident. To me the Blue or Tom Tit, as it is frequently called is one of the most beautiful of all European birds. His clean cut lines and flashy colors re- mind one more of a jewel than a bird as he flits here and there among the trees, performing all kinds of acro- batic feats and peering into every nook and crevice in a tireless and endless search for food. Everyone puts up little wooden houses or cocoa- nut shells for these little birds and there are few country gardens which do not have their tit families in the spring time. °- They are sociable birds, often roam- ing about during the fall and winter in company with other tits, nuthat- ches or creepers. The Blue Tit’s song is a metallic “Sing! Sing! siiiing!” repeated at very short intervals and often followed by a sharp “Ping! Ping!” The nests are like those of the last species, but they sometimes lay as many as eleven eggs! this be- ing the case of a pair whose nest is in the Museum of Natural History here at Vevey. Parus cristatus; Crested Titmouse. Back, rump and tail coverts reddish brown; lower parts white, tinged with buff, sides of neck and face white; throat and chin black; collar and a semi-circular patch behind the ear THE OOLOGIST 83 also black; scapulars, primary, great- er, middle and lesser coverts reddish brown; tertials, secondaries and pri- Crest bluish-white with eight dark spots on each feather, forming eight distinct rows. The Crested Tit is the rarest of the tribe and is seldom met with outside of the dense spruce forests of the mountains. Although I have tramp- ed over a large part of the country surrounding Vevey, I have yet to find this species occurring below 3600 feet. The species observed at this altitude were seen among the spruces near the summit of Mt. Cubby, in a forest so dense that it was with no little dif- ficulty that the coloring of the birds was correctly determined. Like the Coal Tit,, the crested species seem to find as much food upon the ground as in the crevices of bark and conse- quently they spend a great deal of their time upon the soft floors charac- teristic to the forests which they in- habit. If the crested tit has a regular song, I have yet to hear it, in fact, I have only heard their call note, a weak “Tseep”’, “Tseep”’, or a more drawn out “Tseeeep”, resembling that of a Brown creeper. The nest is composed of almost any soft material such as wool, horse hair, plant fibres or feathers and is placed in situation characteristic to the tit tribe. The eggs vary in number from five to eight, They are white, sprin- kled with reddish brown, the spots forming an indistinct wreath around the larger end. They measure .62x 48. P, G. HOWES. ———____—_—__- > —————_ Who Knows? We Don’t. ‘During July, 1909, I was interested one day in watching a Barn Swallow feeding her young. The young sat on a telegraph wire and the old bird, af- ter procuring food, would fly to them and without stopping, would deposit the food in the open mouth of the young bird as she passed. The per- formance was repeated many times, the old bird always passing under the wire and the young bird opening its mouth to receive the tid-bit at her approach. Is this method of feeding the young customary with Barn Swal- lows or Swallows in general as soon as the young leave the nest? Ben BISHOP.” enc a ere ee A Correction. I find among my early contributions to THE OOLOGIST at page 237, Vol- ume 6, an error that should be cor- rected. This note should read Fe- male Rose-breasted Grosbeak instead of Cedar Waxwing. The Grosbeak at that time was an entirely new bird to this locality and I took it for the fe- male Waxwing. That was in the good old days when I would rather paint and draw the birds than go to the woods, but now I do both and enjoy it. GEO. W. H. VOS BURGH. A aS) Se oe iy! We have recently had the pleasure of examining the check list of the col- lection of the well-known ornitholo- gist, A. E. Price of, Grant Park, IIlli- nois, and find he has the unusual num- ber of 702 species and sub-species rep- resented in his collection of North American birds eggs. That his col- lection is an unusually valuable one as to rarity of specimens represented may be judged by the fact that in checking his list against our own, we find 57 varieties in his collection not represented in ours, eee SR a Oe Sunday, May 30, 1909, the nest of a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufus) was found in the Catholic cemetery at Henry, Illinois, built on the ground at the base of a sweet clover bush. So 84 THE far as our knowledge, experience and reading goes, a very unusual nesting site for this species; indeed the first instanee of the kind coming within our personal knowledge. The nest con- tained four eggs and the mother bird apparently as much at home as she nestled among the grass, as a Red- wing Blackbird or Meadow lark. —_¢<>_o—___—_—___ FROM ISLE OF PINES. A Field Trip to ‘Sas Tres Hermanas” Mountains, April 4, 1910. It was a cloudy Sunday morning when we started from McKinley for Nueva Gerona from where we were to go to the mountains. In our party there were ten, three of us on horse back and the rest in a wagon. After a most enjoyable ride of about twelve miles we arrived at the base of the mountains where we ate lunch. After eating we started to climb and in due time arrived at the top. The view was fine, but because of the mist we could not see quite so far out at sea as we could have on a clearer day, and our photographs were not so good. Very few birds were seen on the mountains, namely: Black-whiskered Vireo, which were in full song; Turkey Buz- zards, and a pair of Broad-winged Hawks. The following birds were seen on the trip to and from Nueva Gerona: Lizard Cuckoo, Cuban Kingbird, Gray Kingbird, Cuban Oriole, Cuban Pewee, Red-legged Thrush, Cuban Sparrow Hawk, Palm Warbler, Pigeon “(Columba inornata), Meadow-lark, West Indian Mourning Dove, Cuban Ground Dove, Cuban Grackle, Florida Yellow-throat, Cuban Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-faced . Grassquit and the best of all the Melodious Grassquit, which is an extremely rare bird. We arrived home about 7:30 p. m., tired, but well pleased with our trip and hope to go again soon. A. C. RHAD. OOLOGIST Books Received. Part 1, pp. 1-8, Volume 7, University of California Publications in Zoology, May 26, 1910. : This publication described two al leged new birds, as follows: Sahuara Screech Owl (otis asio gil- mani)—“Most like Otis asio ciner- aceus—Ridgeway, from which is dif- fers chiefly in slightly smaller size, paler coloration and greater restric- tion of the dark markings.” ; Arizona Spotted Owl (Strix occi- dentalis huachuace)—‘Similar to Strix occidentalis occidentalis — Xanthus, but slightly smaller and conspicuously paler, white markings more extensive and dark areas less deep toned.” Both of these birds are described by Harry S. Swarth, the first being based upon a comparison of a series of eight birds and the latter based ex- clusively upon the type specimen. We are now arriving at the natural and, necessarily to be expected end of the transition stage through which American Ornithology has of late been aimlessly traveling. Praise the Lord! We may now describe a new sub-spe- cies based upon a single bird. This is as it should be. Every ornitholo- gist from now on may without fear, label every bird that he finds as an in- dependent new sub-species and there- by indefinitely enlarge private collec- tion. Throw away all your labels and in lieu of a dozen or fifteen sub-spe- cies of Horned Larks and a couple of dozen different Song Sparrows take each specimen in your collection and re-label each bird, a separate sub- species. You may thereby at some- time in the very distant, misty future, enroll your name in letters bold and bright upon the future pages of Ameri- can Ornithology as the originator or discoverer of a _ sub-species that is SSrhoollene Way but slightly smaller” than some other bird that somebody else secured the day before or the day after. You will certainly thereby, to say the least, encourage the destruction of the birds in the end- less hunt for something that is “sim- ilar to” but “slightly different from.” THE OOLOGIST V The Condor” ‘A Magazine of Western Ornithology Edited by J. Grinnell. Associate Editors: Harry S. Swarth, Robt. B. Rockwell “Official Organ of the Cooper Orni- thological Club.”’ Vol. XII, 1910 will contain the usual interesting articles by live active ornithologists and will be illustrated by the high- est class of half tones. You can- not afford to miss a number. Published bi-monthly at Holly- wood, California. Subscription : $1.50 pér year net in advance- Single copies: 30c each. Foreign subscription. $1.75. J. Eugene Law, Business Mgr. Hollywood, California. W. Lee Chambers, Asst. Mer. Santa Monica, California. McCALL PATTERNS Celebrated for style, perfect fit, simplicity and reliability nearly 40 years. Sold in nearly every city and town in the United States and Canada, or by mail direct. More sold than any other make, Send for free catalogue, McCALL’S MAGAZINE More subscribers than any other fashion magazine—million a month, Invaluable, Lat- est styles, patterns, dressmaking, millinery, plain sewing, fancy needlework, hairdressing, etiquette, good stories, etc. Only 50 cents a year (worth double), including a free pattern, Subscribe today, or send for sample copy. WONDERFUL INDUCEMENTS to Agents, Postal brings premium catalogue and new cash prize offers. Address THE McCALL CO., 238 to 248 W. 37th St., NEW YORE In continuation of its series of plates of the Sparrows of North America IN COLOR Bird-Lore for January-Feb- ruary (Vol. XII, No. 1) con- tains colored figures of the Grasshopper, Henslow’s Baird’s and LeCome’s Spar- rows. The series was begun in Bird-Lore for November-De- cember, where the Chipping, Field, Tree, Clay-colored and Brewer’s Sparrows were fig- ured. The demand for December, 1909, Bird-Lore has so exceeded our esti- mate that, in spite of the fact that we printed an unusually large edi- tion, the supply is now exhausted. We will, however, senda copy of the Sparrow plate (the first of the Sparrows of North America in color) which appeared in that num- ber, to all subscribers to Bird-Lore for 1910 (Vol. XII), in order that their series of these plates may be complete. Single numbers 20 cents. Annual subscription $1.00 BIRD-LORE, Harrisburg, Pa. VI THE OOLOGIST Oologists & Taxidermists Tools Beoks and Magazines of Every Description Write me just what you wish. I can save you money. Specimen prices. All sent prepaid. Cut the Lining Hgg Drills; 16 sizes. They are a delight for fine work. If not more than pleased return them, 25c each. 4 select- COMMSIZE Sea atte cas Blowpipes; best nickel, 6-7 in. Z0C3ee-9- inl, 0G 9 Oa ine eae 0 Regular Hge Drilis, best made Nos0 20 ce. Ee NOMS 25 2 NON ee eee, Nos 3) 50e)3 SNor 452756) Noy 5, CUNO Oleg INO. Oi sabecaiigs a teteaeesta een ie ok 1.50 Embryo Scissors, 25c.. 50c., $1.00 C\TTI(0 [theta ea ote ae ee cen — Son eae et 1.25 bimipryo Looks. (Bests a.m ec 25 HOTCepS=-Sestemladeweeee seein AD Best Steel Climbers without straps, $2.00; with 4 straps .. 3.00 Data Blanks about 3x5 in. per 100 .10 Hee Pencils, thick soft lead; three for Oologist yearly subscription and Davie’s Nests and Hggs 5th Hd. 1.60 Chapman’s Handbook, Leather, SOHN 0) een CHK 0% 6 hese Stee rete eees CoO ck 2.25 Reed’s North American Birds Eggs and Oologist one year 2.50 Coues Key, Last ed. Two vol- TIMES ACO UN ates ce pee eae 10.50 Benjamin Hoag, Stephentown, N. Y. GREAT AUK AND MAMMOTH FOR EXCHANGE Skeleton, loose bones, portions of eges of the Great Auk. Tusks of the Alaskan Mammoth. Rare North American sets. WANTED:— Ornithological books and maga- zines, Mammals, Birds, Turtles,alive. Osteological material. J. D. Sornborger, Rowley, Mass. . The Next Issue OF The Oologist By Well Known Writers Splendid Illustrated Articles upon some American Birds Will Contain Do Not Fail to Get This Number | THE OOLOGIST | WANT THE FOLLOWING, Please look this list over careful- ly and if you have any of them write me. The Wilson Billitin, Nos The Curlew, Published by O. P. Hau ger of Orleans, Ind., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, BGs t The Ornithologist and Oologist Semi- Annual, Published in 1889-90-91 by Wm. H. Foote of Pittsfield, Mass., and by C. C. Maxfield of Danbury, Conn, in 1891. No. 1, Vol. I. The Wilson Quarterly, Vol. 3. The Wilson Journal, Vol 1, Jany., 1893 and Vol. 2, June, 1893. The Oologist, of Utica, N. Y., Vols. 1-5 inclusive, for 1875 to 1881, any numbers. Journal of the Maine Ornithological Club; Vol. 2; No; 1,°2,/3, Vol. Birds of California, In relation to the fruit industry—Beal, Part II. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, by Prof. McCoun, Part I, 1st Ed. Back Numbers of the Oologist Wanted Vol. iP No. 1. ib 2 “eé 3, ee 4. sec 4, “ce 7 fae 5,6. “ce 6, eé 4, se 5 se 3. 66 8, ees 5,8 ig. «93.4 sé sé eB 8 mid §- 3 5. 10 11s 19 6“ (GP a heats mepcteee 4,9, “ce °6 ee 9g I will buy a large number of each of the above back numbers for cash at the rate they are listed at, as being for sale in this number of THE OOLO- GIST. Address, R M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. VIl Prices for Back Numbers of the YOUNG OOLOWIST AND THE OOLOGIST will, during 1910, remain as below: After which the prices of many num- bers will be advanced and possibly not obtainable at any price. Should you desire back numbers to complete you. file, NOW is the time to purchase. You can never obtain them for less money and possibly not at any price, as our stock ranges from only 1 to 25 copies of an issue. Prices for 1910 Are as Follows: Nos. 1,14, 18, 31, 34-35, 42, 53, 86, 89, 111,130 , 132 137. 139, 140, 153, 158, are 50 cents each; Nos. 9, 66-67, 76, 77, 78, 79, 88, 90, 100, 113, 138, 146, are 25 cents each. Nos. 11, 18, 14, 15, 16; 64, 66, 66, 76, 87, 123, 127, 128, 129, 144. 149, are 156 cents each. Nos. 19; 20,.22,-2%, 28, -sas.89. 40; 46, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 133, 135, are 10 cents each. @-All other numbers 5c. per copy. For $12 will send prepaid a copy of every issue ever published, No. 1 to 145.—30 far as nowon hand. This offer in- cludes your subscription through 1910. y prices for back numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST and OOLOGIST in volumes, are as follows: Volt, 188456; Nes.) fasiaees... $ .90 Vol. I1,.1886,. Nos: Water tte cosa. -50 Vel. Ill, 1886; Nos> 1ittow20. 2. .:.: .90 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26..:. 1.00 Vol. V, 1888, NOS.> Bieter sos.s is 1.50 Yor. Vi, 1889, Nos: S97tervs0c.-2. oo. -76 Vol.. VIL, 1890,;. Nos: bistor62: o... 23% .75 VoL VIII, 1891, Noss §&stevite..o.. -78 Vol, TX, 1892; Nos.vbitoeseeenac.; .90 Vol, 1893, Nos) Si tesgse- osc. 1.00 Vol. XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 110...... -50 Vol "X11, 1895, Nos: , 4, ©, \ ¢. corgi 2, oetectee Soehesfooboeioateefoefe eSoefoes O, @, So o, O00 20%, o, ¢ Me ot 0 4£0-480-4%. es % O 2, a Sostectestostesieo haa &adodiodada dada dadeere Ofo-fo-ofe-ofe-ofo-of «feof o-050-08o-20-a2e-she oSo-eleele-cieatecleateelectestecieateste THE OOLOGIST \/ The Maplewood Biological Laboratory OFFERS THE FOLLOWING Botanical Preparations Mounted in the Finest Colorless Museum Jars. Every Preparation Fully Labeled No. 1 B, showing the germination of a monocotyledonous plant, (Corn) in six stages - -- each; $3.00 No. 2 B, showing the germination of a dicotyledonous plant, (Black Bean), six stages - each, $3.00 Either of the above preparations mounted in special jar with polished side and white porcelain background, - - - - - - - each, $6.00 No 3 B, stem sections of eight common plants, each, $3.00 © No. 4 B, Bulb, stem, petiole and fruit sections of* Aris- aema triphyllum, (Jack-in-the-Pulpit) | each, $4.00 [Terms Strictly Cash With Order] P. G. HOWES, The Maplewood Biological Laboratory Stamford, Conn. +. © © © ©. 0, O00, @ D0 © 6.6.0 0d. + 6 6.6 One Be ba Kaa Xe Xa rXarX aKa Xara KaKe Kd X99, 20, 2 Kae rb, Ko 50, Kad KaKesesars ae o-slooleelesses ¢ \A eo ¢ 0.0, 0, .%, 2, 0, .& PK OU PT OU OU,9 0,5 soe, 0 00>, a2 oSfeelee <2 ¢ >, GG a OG. o@, Sea S\a a Kaa dX oe \/ ¢ oe, .@ ?e a Kane € >® OP, 0, GC. OO, OU, OU, 00, %,: ° \/ ¢ \/ Oe, * 9 THE OOLOGIST. Vou. XXVII. No.7. ALBron, N. Y. Jury 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 276 Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, Illinois. No. 37. Portrait of Troup D. Perry 86 THE OOLOGIST TROUPE D. PERRY With this issue we present a half- tone photo of our old friend Troupe D. Perry, of Savannah, Georgia. Few Ornithologists in the United States are better known to the general run of bird students. For a generation Mr. Perry has been a student of the birds of his locality and a collector on a large scale. Rare indeed it is to find any collections of oological specimens within the borders of the United States, of any considerable size, that does not contain numerous specimens with datas in Mr, Perry’s well known handwriting behind them. Many of the larger collections in Hu- rope likewise contain numerous ex- amples of his industry and prepara- tion, He is noted among the oolo- gists of the country for the accuracy of his statements and extreme care with which he prepares everything taken by him. Wonld that there were more of this kind abroad in the land. — ———- - 2 ... .. -75 Vol, IX, 1892; Nos Testo - 86. .0.\.4 ... -90 Vol xX; .1893,, Nos! SToto 98m... 1.00 Vol, XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 110...... .50 Veli “XII, 1895, Noss EL to: 323.2... 108 Vol, XIII, 1896, Nos. 123 to 127.... .50 Vol XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.... 1.50 Vol, XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149.... .60 Vol, XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161..-.- .765 Vol. XVII, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171. .50 Vol, XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. -50 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. -50 Vol. XX, 1903, "Nos. 196 to uh .10 Vol. XXI, 1904, No. 198 to 209. .50 Vol. XXII, 1905, Nos. 210 to sai ge .50 Vol. XXIII, 1906, Sty rest hegee 50 VOW EX XREV , 1907; 234 towan = eee es 55 Vol. XXV, 1908, 246 t0 257 50 For $5.25 I will send prepaid a copy of every issue published, Gs. +1 to 209; inclusive, except the twenty-nine, (29). 25c., 50c.and 75c.copies. For $2.50 will send prepaid every copy published, Nos. 1 to 209, inclusive, except the sixty copies priced above at 10e or over. — BOUND VOLUMES — Can be furnished, strongly bound in cloth and boards, as follows: Vol. I and II YOUNG OOLOGIST bound in one volume, dred feet, from July 14th to August 11, 1909, are-written. Species starred were not given in Farmer’s list. x 1. Bob-white (Colinus virginai- nus). One heard on July 25th and 27th in Temple. 2. Rutfed Grouse, (Bonasa unbel- lus). Three seen, July 17-22. 3. Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzua erythrophthalmus). A single bird seen in Sharon on July 27th, on its nest, which held one just hatched bird, one pipped egg, and one not pipped. x 4. Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus). Two seen together in Sha- TOTS ee HU Oyal ten tele x 5. Flicker, (Colaptes a luteus). About four seen. 6. Whip-poor-will, (Antrostomus vo- ciferus). Some six heard. 7. Chimney Swift, (Chateura pel- agica). Not common. 8. Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus). Saw three or four between Sharon and Petersboro, August 11. 9. Phoebe (Sayorius phoebe). One seen July*28, and one heard in Tem- ple July 27. 10. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). Not common, 11. Crow, chos). Not common. x 12. Purple Finch, (Carpodacus purpureus), A female seen in Sharon July 15, 13. Vesper Sparrow gramineus). Uncommon. 14. White-throated Sparrow (Zon- otrichia albicollis). Not common. First heard singing on July 14. 15. Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina). Uncommon. 16. Field Sparrow (Spizella pusil- (Corvus brachyrhyn- (Pooecetes la). Fairly common, re ILM common; Junco (Junco hyemalis). Not first seen (two) on July 14, in Sharon. THE 18. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melo- dia). Common. A nest with four young found on July 31, and a nest with three eggs in Temple on August 1, the latter being built on the ground. 19. Chewink (Pipilo erythrophthal- mus). Common. 20. Indigo bird (Passerina cyanea). A bird sang constantly near the house where I stopped. 21. Scarlet Tanager, (Piranga ery- thromelas). Two or three heard sing- ing in Sharon, July 14-22, 22. Barn Swallow (Hirundo eryth- rogaster). Not common. x 238. Cedarbird (Bombycilla cedro- rum). Fairly common. 24. Red-eyed Vireo (Vireosylvia olivacea). Common, A nest with three eggs found on July 28th by my brother. x 25. Solitary Vireo (Lanivireo sol- itarius), Two or three singing birds seen, July 15-27. x 26. Black-and-White Warbler, (Mniotilta varia). Fairly common, July 15-27. x 27. Parula lypis a usneae), on July 22. x 28. Black-throated Blue Warbler, (Dendroica coerulescens). Two males seen July 27 and 29th respectively. x 29. Myrtle Warbler, (D. corona- ta). Not common; first seen July 15, a Singing bird. Several young seen. 30. Chestnut-sided Warbler, (D.pen- sylvanica). About five seen. x 31. Black-throated Green Warb- ler (D. virens). Common. I found a nest containing four young in Sharon on July 15th in a situation so far as I know unique—fifteen feet up on a nearly horizontal smal] branch of an apple tree in an abandoned orchard. Warbler, (Comsoth- One seen in Sharon The bird was seen feeding the young. On July 17th after a storm, the nest was empty, though the birds were too OOLOGIST 99 young to have left it naturally. Inter- nally, it is of fine grass stalks, lined with some hair; outwardly, its mater- ials are more miscellaneous, being bark strips, fine twigs, silvery fibre, a few grass stalks, with much bark from the Paper Birch. Another nest found by my brother held four fresh eggs on July 30th. Placed three and one-half feet out on a horizontal Black Spruce limb, it was closely covered above by a branchlet from the same limb, but was very evi- dent from below. x 52. Blackburnian Warbler, (Den- droica fusca). A male seen in Sharon on July 15th. 33. Oven bird, (Seiurus aurocapil- lus). Fairly common. x 34. Water-thrush, (Seiurus nove- boracensis). Saw a single bird in com- pany with Warblers and Chickadees in Sharon on July 23d, noting his white superciliary, entirely spotted wunder- parts and caudel irritability. x 35. Maryland Yellow-throat (Geo- thlypis trichas). Fairly common. x 36. Canadian Warbler, (Wilsonia canadensis). Three or four’ seen, July 15-27, Sharon. x 37. Redstart, (Setophaga ruticil- la). A female seen in Peterboro, July ie 38. Catbird, (Dumetella carolinen- sis). One or two heard and seen. 39. Brown Thrasher (Toxastoma rufum. One or two seen. x 40. Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sit- ta canadensis). Saw one on Mt. Tem- ple, at about 1800 feet, July 27; heard another July 30, in Sharon. x 41. Chickadee, (Penthestes atri- capillus). Common. x 42. Golden-crowned Kinglet, (Reg- ulus satrapa). One seen July 17; on July 27, I saw in Sharon a brood of five or more, accompanied by the male, at least. I noted, from close range 100 THE opera glass examination, that the base of the lower mandible in the young was flesh-colored or perhaps even yel- lowish. x 43. Hermit Thrush, (Hylocichla guttata pallasii). Fairly common. Found a nest with four eggs on July 16th. x 44. Robin (Planesticus migrator- ius). Common. One old nest was on a beam inside an old shed, another, containing an addled eggs, flat on a beam in a well-house. x 45. Blue-bird, (Sialia sialis). Five seen, Sharon, July 15th. Farmer’s list mentioned a Black- poll Warbler as probably seen, and the Prairie Warbler and Wood Thrush as common. The first two are doubt- less erroneous, while the last I take to be merely a slip of the pen for the Hermit. SIDNEY F. BLAKE. a SPRING AND WINTER BIRDS. The past winter was notable for the great amount of snow. By February the snow in the woods was forty to fifty inches deep and lumbermen and oil men were compelled to use snow- shoes. We had a fine warm March, but April and May and even early June were cold months marked by severe frosts and freezes. The mi- grants, especially warblers, were very late in arriving and when they did come, it was in small numbers and spread out. No flights. Several times during the severe win- ter, lumbermen report seeing Ravens in the heavy timber along the Warren- Forest County line. Late in April I saw three Ravens flying near here. The first I have ever seen. WHarly in May a pair were seen nearby. It is not unlikely that they are located in some of the large timber tracts and when the hunting season opens this OOLOGIST fall I may locate them. Not many years ago Ravens were resident here, but for some reason all seemed to leave at once. In spite of the severe weather, northern visitors were scarce. There were only a few flocks of Amer- ican Crossbills and Pine Finches. Much less in number than usual. Snow flakes were about in large flocks and on the open places on the river were a few Goldeneyes and American Mer- gansers. These with an occasional Northern Shrike made up the list of visitors. A pair of Sparrow Hawks stayed about the business part of town and preyed on the English Sparrows. Late in February, one of them was killed by striking a wire while in pur- suit of a sparrow. April 10th I saw a Holbell’s Grebe still in winter plumage. A quite rare bird in this part of the state. During the last week in May I saw several Olive-sided Flycatchers along the river. May 25th I shot an Hagle along the river, It was partly in adult plumage and measured 7 feet 14 inch in expanse. This is the first eagle I have taken that was seven feet in expanse. Others have always fal- len short. R. B. SIMPSIN. ih igs a A CORRECTION. Editor, The Oologist:— I wish to call your attention to two errors in the last issue of THE OOLO- GIST. My picture which you repro- duced in that issue as that of the Swamp Sparrow, is instead the nest of a Meadow Lark as described in the article which I sent you at the time. The other error is of no con- sequence—you stated that Sayre was in the vicinity of Philadelphia, which it is not. Philadelphia is on the south- ern boundry line of the state, while Sayre is on the northern boundry, about 225 miles distant. H. EK. BISHOP. THE OOLOGIST V ‘The Condor” A Magazine of Western Ornithology Edited by J. Grinnell. Associate Editors: Harry S. Swarth, Robt. B. Rockwell “Official Organ of the Cooper Orni- thological Club.’’ Vol. XII, rg10 will contain the usual interesting articles by live active ornithologists and will be illustrated by the high- est class of half tones. You can- not afford to miss a number. Published bi-monthly at Holly- wood, California. Subscription: $1.50 per year net in advance- Single copies: 30c each. Foreign subscription. $1.75. J. Eugene Law, Business Mgr. Hollywood, California. W. Lee Chambers, Asst. Mer. Santa Monica, California. McCALL PATTERNS Celebrated for style, perfect fit, simplicity and reliability nearly 40 years. Sold in nearly every city and town in the United States and Canada, or by mail direct. More sold than any other make. Send for free catalogue, McCALL’S MAGAZINE More subscribers than any other fashion magazine—million a month, Invaluable. Lat- est styles, patterns, dressmaking, millinery, plain sewing, fancy needlework, hairdressing, etiquette, Feed stories, etc. Only 50 cents a year (worth double), including a free pattern, Subscribe today, or send for sample copy. WONDERFUL . INDUCEMENTS to Agents. Postal brings premium catalogue and new cash prize offers. Address THE McCALL CO., 238 to 248 W. 37th St., NEW YORK In continuation of its series of plates of the Sparrows of North America IN COLOR Bird-Lore for January-Feb- ruary (Vol. XII, No. 1) con- tains colored figures of the Grasshopper, Henslow’s Baird’s and LeConte’s Spar- rows. The series was begun in Bird-Lore for November-De- cember, where the Chipping, Field, Tree, Clay-colored and Brewer’s Sparrows were fig- ured. The demand for December, 1909, Bird-Lore has so exceeded our esti- mate that, in spite of the fact that we printed an unusually large edi- tion, the supply is now exhausted. We will, however, senda copy of the Sparrow plate (the first of the Sparrows of North America in color) which appeared in that num- ber, to all subscribers to Bird-Lore for 1910 (Vol. XII), in order that their series of these plates may be complete. Single numbers 20 cents. Annual subscription $1.00 BIRD-LORE, Harrisburg, Pa. VI THE OOLOGIST Oologists & Taxidermists Tools Beoks and Magazines of Every Descréption Write me just what you wish, I can save you money. Specimen prices. All sent prepaid. Cut the Lining Egg Drills; 16 sizes. They are a delight for fine work. If not more than pleased return them. 25c each. 4 select- CONE SITES Meo acu = 5.23.55 Seen Ener $1.00 Blowpipes; best nickel, 6-7 in. AVE, S8) im, BOG, Waly win, . ocak 40 Regular Hgeg Dritis, best made INON0R20Ce a No, tase NOM mary | 3) INOS 38 0c.3 INO} 4. GNOMES) SiO Oe INO: \ AGS ate cuthcdel oc eeeceneememanK 1.50 Embryo Scissors, 25c.. 50c., $1.00 FT 010 Ieee GaP ke PRG rR SRE 5c) 6 ty ae 1.25 Embirnyom Hooks 6Sj sensei 25 Horceps)) Best made, - sears - 45 Best Steel Climbers without straps, $2.00; with 4 straps .. 3.00 Data Blanks about 3x5 in. per 100 .10 Hgg Pencils, thick soft lead; threey LOM ins 2 lee eee 25 Oologist yearly subscription and Davie’s Nests and Hggs 5th Hd. 1.60 Chapman’s Handbcok, Leather, S260s> (Clothes 293.) eee ea: 225 Reed’s North American Birds Hegs and Oologist one year 2.50 Coues Key, Last ed. Two vol- MES Cloth; 2. ...4. sys. 5 eee. 10.50 Benjamin Hoag, Stephentown, N. Y. GREAT AUK AND MAMMOTH FOR EXCHANGE Skeleton, loose bones, portions of eggs of the Great Auk. Tusks of the Alaskan Mammoth. Rare North American sets. WANTED :— Ornithological books and maga- zines, Mammals, Birds, Turtles,alive. Osteological material. J. D. Sornborger, Rowley, Mass. WANTED Taxidermists to send for my large illus- trated catalogue of fine glass eyes, silver- plated fittings for deer feet, tools and other taxidermists’ supplies. JAMES P. BABBITT, Taunton, Mass- FOR SALE I havea new copy Bendires Life Histories of N. Am. Birds, forsalecheap. Ifinterested write me. Also a few choice sets of rare Arctic species. such as Slaty-back and Pt. Barrow Gull, Dowitcher, Am. Golden Plover, Dowitcher, Winter Wren, etc. JAMES P. BABBITT, WANTED A powerful spyglass or a pair field glasses. I.can ofier_in exchange rare Arctic sets or anything I advertise in taxidermists sup- plies, glass eyes, etc. JAMES P- BABBITT, Taunton, Mass. Taunton, Mass, | The Bulletin Books and Pamphlets on Orni- thology, Oology, Botany, Entomology, Concholhgy, Archaeology, Topo- graphy, Voyages, Travels, Ethnology, Languages’ offered at moderate prices. Scarce works sought for. Lists of wants requested from all collectors. Specimen copy of Bulletin for 2 cent stamp. THE BULLETIN, 4 Duke St. Adelphi, London, England Knickerbocker Book Shop, Beechwoods, Woodcliffe Lake, N. J. WANTS Baird, Brewer & Ridgeway Water Birds, 1st edition with colored plates. Also Baird Cassin in Lawrence. The “Birds of North America” with . atlas of 100 colored plates. Holden—“Canary & Cage Birds.” Auk—Vol. 1 & 38. Audubon’s Ornithological Bibliogra- phy, Vol. 4. ; “Bird Lore” January & February of 1205-1°0)? complete. Coues’ 3d installment Bibliograpny. Bonaparte’s “American Ornithology —4th Vol. edition Philadelphia 1825- 1828. ~ CASH OR EXCHANGE. THE OOLOGIST | WANT THE FOLLOWING, Please look this list over careful- ly and if you have any of them write me. The Wilson Billitin, Nos Ben (ets) The Curlew, Published by O. P. Hau ger of Orleans, Ind., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, Say @ The Ornithologist and Oologist Semi- Annual, Published in 1889-90-91 by Wm. H. Foote of Pittsfield, Mass., and by C. C. Maxfield of Danbury, Gonn; in 1891. No. 1; Vol. 1. Volys. The Wilson Journal, Vol 1, Jany., 18938 and Vol, 2, June, 1893. The Oologist, of Utica, N. Y., Vols. 1-5 inclusive, for 1875 to 1881, any numbers. The Wilson Quarterly, Journal of the Maine Ornithological Giub, Vol..2,No;-1,.2;:3;, Vol; Birds of California, In relation to the fruit industry—Beal, Part II. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, by Prof. McCoun, Part I, 1st Ed. Back Numbers of the Oologist Wanted Mole, NO, 1. ec 2, ee oe sé 3, se Nye ee 4, ce 4, aos, | oO, Os ce oe ce 4, “ee Gs ee 8. cae. “* 4, 5,8, meas. °° 2,854 se 1p ee IB Ss We . pana, “*' 3. 5,007 11, 12 2S 1 Sees aay (8 Jy oi iia: SSF “eé 26, ee 9, I will buy a large number of each of the above back numbers for cash at the rate they are listed at, us being for sale in this number of THE OOLO- GIST. Address, R M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. VIl Prices for Back Numbers of the YOUNG OGLO.usST AND THE OOLOGIST will. during 1910, re:nain as below: After which the prices of many num- bers will be advanced and possibly not obtainable at any price. Should you desire back numbers to complete your file. NOW is the time to purchase. You can never obtain them for less money and possibly not at any price, as our stock ranges from only | to 25 copies of an issue. Prices for 1910 Are as Follows: Nos. 1,14, 18, 31, 34-35, 42, 53, 86, 89, 111,130 , 132 137. 139, 140, 153. 158, are 50 cents each; Nos. 9, 66-67, 76, 77, 78, 79, 88, 90, 100 113, 138, 146, are 55 cents each. Nos. 11,13; Uap seG 64,65; 56, 76, ST, (123, 127, 128) tg tas. 149, sre 15 cents each. Nos. 19, 20;°22-23peeacas, 39, 40, 46, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 133, 135, are 10 cents each. 38F-All other numbers 5c. per copy. For $12 will send prepaid a copy of every issue ever published, No. 1 to 145.—30 far as nowon hand. This offer in- cludes your subscription through 1910. My prices for back numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST and OOLOGIST in volumes, are as follows: Vol: I,. 1884-65; Nogmietovl2. c.n5..- $ .90 Vol. II. 1885, Nostelgittoelas = a... .50 Vol. IJ, 1886, Nos. m5, tor20.5<... .90 Vol.\IV, 1887, Nos) 20 to, 3b=26. ...- 1:00 Vol. V, 1888; sos sie tome. 6 s).1.<.0 1.50 Vol. VI, 1889, Nos. 39 to 50......... .75 Vol VII, 1890, NOS OE LONG 255 ssa. 76 Vol. VIII, 1891, INOS 6S to, 74. 2.0%. -75 Vol. IX, 1892, Nos. 75 to Ris Poe: Seah a, .90 Vol. X,° 1893, INGEResaeros en s4). oe 1.00 Vol]. XI, 1894, NosPaentoa 110. ...: . -50 Mol; XII, 1895 Noss shite 22270 ..° 2:00 Vol’ XIII, 1896, Nosmi2e%to. 127... . —<60 Vol XIV,. 1897, NoswZe te 139... . 1.50 Vol. ‘XV, 1898, Nos) £40 to 1249..:. 60 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161.. -75 Vol. XVII, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171. .50 Vol. XV IIT, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. .50 Wot XTX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. .50 Vol. =a 1903, Nosma96:to 197..2.. .10 Viol, XXI, 1904, Neven1gs ‘ta. 209. .50 Vol. XXII. 1905. Nos. 210 to 221. .50 Vol. XXIII. 1906; 220ineueteeeeee oe eee 50 Vol; XXIV. 1907, 2340towabe 25 oso 55 Vol. XXV, 1908, 246 to 257 50 For $5. 25 I will send prepaid a copy of every issue published, Nos. 1 to 209, inclusive. except the twenty-nine, (29), 25c., 0c.and 76c. copies. For $2.50 I will send prepaid: every copy published, Nos. 1 to 209, inclusive, except the sixty copies priced above at 10e or over — BOUND VOLUMES — Can be furnished, strongly bound in cloth and hoards. as follows: Vol. I and I! YOUNG OOLOGIST bound in one volume, . . $1.00 Vol. IX. The OOLOG! ST for 199. 208 pages of valuable and instructive Ovlogical and Ornithological matter with inany full page illustrations, . pete HE Or, if you order the two volumes at one time, we will send them by return mall for only Every student of birds, thetr nests and should have these two volumes in their The valuable information ‘hey contain, many times the price. plainly. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. Pegs, \ibrary. is worth Address Albion. N. Y. VIII THE OOLOGIST EGGS WANTED I want 1 set of each of the following: A. O. WU: No. 181,300; 31098435 (358.1), (85941) 3i ba, taba. I want 2 sets of each of the following: AO. U. No:.29, 30a, 4763; 70, (76), 79, 103,129; 434, (138), 139 ieee 143, 160, 167, (172), (179), 180, 208, 311, 332, 341, 360a, 409, 529, 624, 703a. I want 3 sets of each of the following: A, O. U. No, 133, 150, 1537-461, 163, (171.1), 178, 269, 271, 30a dieses 339b, 356, 359, 364, 397a, 410, 420, 454, 458, 464, 466, 467, 489, 493, 542b, 573, 581m, 617, 633 658, 683a, 684, 718. T want 4 sets of each of the following: A. O. U. No. 7, 10, 27, 30, (56), 86, (185), 192, 195, 210, 211, 217, 264, 267, 280, 285, 302, (336), 348, 355, 367, 376, 457, 482, 486, 490, 498d, Ets, 593c, 610, 641, 659, 713, 746 756. I want 5 sets of each of the following: 5, 48, 52, (90), 108.1, 120a, 120b, 123a, 186, 188, 196, 200, 204, 206, 207, 218, 227, 252, 278, 286, 287, 289a, 289b, 292, 293a, 300c, 301, 334, 339a, 347a, 349, (351), 352, 375c, 375d, 421, 423, 461, 477, 480, 488a, 499, 513, 529b, 631, 657, 721b, 726, 733, 744,. I want 6 sets of each of the following: 5, 8, 13a, 21, 28, 37, 38, 59, 60, 72, 128, 205, 223, (260), 275, 281, 329, 378a, 373b, 397, 474e, 621, 673. 702, 706, 710, 729, 751la. For these I offer in exchange a very large list of the more common North American species, in original sets with full data. If you have none of the fore- going on hand now, but expect to take any this season, reserve what you take and write me. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, III. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY VoL. XXVII. No. 9. ALBION, N. Y., SeEpr. 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 278 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Etc. words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your subscription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 276 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 281 your subscription expires with December issue 1910. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second class matter De- cember 21, 1903, at the post office, at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Con- gress of March 38, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘‘THE OOLOGIST,’’ and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. BIRDS WANTED.—One first set each of Sandhill and Whooping Crane, one pair of skins of Whooping Crane. Will exchange specimens from Northwest Canada. ACKAY & DIPPIE. Calgary, Alberta. WANTED.—Skins of birds of the Rocky Mountain and Gulf states, also a few rare Eastern. Can offer material from Baja Cali- fornia (Mexico) and good exchange in well made Western skins. Please send complete are PINGREE I. OSBURNE, Pasadena, al. TO EXCHANGE.—Finely mounted birds and deer heads, several hundred Natural History and Sportsman’s magazines, for bird and mammal skins. GEO. F. GUELF, Taxidermist. Brockport, N. Y. Any collectors having a few good labeled specimens of foreign birds, send list. I will give A 1 skins of Illinois and California birds. Also offer skins of common specimens from Illinois for nests and sets of small species. as K. COALE, Highland Park, Lake oa OE WANTED.—A few good skins of the Aleu- tian Tern (Sterna aleutica) Thayer Museum, Lancaster, Mass. WANTED. — Prothonotary Warbler 1-5, Parula Warbler 1-5. If you have these send for my list. D. I. SHEPARDSON, 1128 Hobard Blyd., Los Angeles, Cal. FOR EXCHANGE.—Bird skins, Hooker’s Natural History, Davies’ 4th Edition, com- mon tamejPigeons. Desire books on birds, bird skins, or mounted birds. O. M. GREEN- WOOD, Manchester, lowa. (le) I want 1 perfect skin in full breeding plum- age of each of the following species: A.O.U, No, 396, 454, 456, 460, 468, 470a, 471, 477, 483, 495a, 498, 506,515, 511b, 528, 530b, 534, 542c, 657, 558. 581d. 583, 585, 593c, 594, 641, 643, 644, 646, 651, 659, 657, 659, 660, 675, 679, 680, 681, 683, 685, 715, 757. 758a, 761, 725. I have duplicates for exchange of A. O.'U. No. 373, 495, 498, 507, 529, 558, 559, 601, R: M. BARNES, 608, 636, 648, 662, 594, 666 Lacon, Il. WANTED.—First class | Gulls, Shearwaters, : Grouse, Hawks, Owls, particularly (Snow and Great Gray, and certain smalHand birds. Offer representative Soutbern California species, also fine sets of personally taken Heermann’s Gulls and Blue eagblay: All reliable collectors send lists*\PINGREY I. OSBURN, Pasadena, Calif. : THE CELEBRATED HUNGARIAN AND ENGLISH PARTRIDGES AND PHEAS- ANTS, capercailzies, black game, wild turkeys, quails, rabbits, deer, etc. for stock purposes. Fancy pheasants, peafowl, swans, cranes, storks, ornamental geese and ducks, foxes, squirrels, ferrets, and all kinds of birds and animals. WENZ & MACKENSEN, pepe. H, Pheasantry & Game Park, Yardley, a. Is your subscription paid up ? If THE OOLOGIST EGGS Se a ee eee ee FOR EXCHANGE — First class Eges in sets. C.S. RUTHERFORD, Revere, Mo. SAGA JS 0 Seen ei ee Send exchange lists of first class sets for mine.—J. W'> PRESTON, ‘1411 13th Ave., Spokane, Wash. 31 ieee ee I offer 1-3, 2-4 Fish Crow, 1-5 201, 1-5 194; all for a set of Bartman’s Sandpiper 4 or 5 eggs. W.B.CRISPIN, Salem. N. J. Psa are See WANTED.—Good eggs, Indian relics, and Catocala. I have California butterflies, sea curiosities-and stamps. R.E. DODGE, 502 Bay street, Santa Cruz, Cal. epee Ne pais oe ee ei EXCHANGE.—A tine series of ten of the Pallas Murre from Cape Hope, Alaska. I want 188, 332, 343, 348, 362, 364 and many others, D. E. BROWN, 6044 Ist Ave.. No. W. Sta. F. Seattle. Wash. SE OOOO FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine set cf 2.3.4 and 5 Ferruginous Rough-leg Hawk, on the basis of..75 cents cash value peregg. Only extra fine or rare material wanted. CHILDS MU- SEUM. Floral Park, N. Y. 13] WANTED.—Sets of 351, 352, 352a. 206, and many common sets; have to offer choice sets 679 1-4, 417 1-2. 419 1-2, 337, 339. 375, 263, 261, 273 and many other choice sets; send list and re- ceive mine. RAY DINSMORE, Perry. Ohio FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets of _ Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Louisiana Heron, Wayne’s Clapper Rail, Florida Burrowing Owl, and others. For parliculars address . W. WORTHINGTON, Shelter Island Heights, New York. = FOR EXCHANGE. — Eggs in fine sets. beautiful minerals, butterflies and moths in dust and insect proof cases, and other natural history specimens. Want all the above. Send lists and receive mine. LEWIS C. SNYDER, Lacona, New York. FOR EXCHANGE.—A few choice sets of glaucous-winged gull, black oyster catcher, ring-necked plover, Kodiak fox sparrow, Pacific murre. All collected by myself. W. STEVENS, Alva, Okla. FOR SALE.—Some rare single eggs from Iceland, Loons, Sjua, Glaucous Gull, Old- Send for full list to H. WARREN, St. James Chambers, Adelaide St., E., Toronto, Ont. WANTED.—Eggs in sets with original data. Send list of everything you have. GEORGE SETH GUION, Napoleonville, La. Are you interested in North American Water-birds’ eggs? Send for list, 225 species. THOMAS H. JACKSON, West Chest Pa. FOR EXCHANGE.—One set of Eleyen Wood Duck, taken in 1904 by Verdi Burtch in New York for a good set of three of Golden Eagle. This duck is rapidly becoming extinct and these eggs are now rarely offered. R.M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. TO EXCHANGE —Sets with data, North American and Foreign. Can use many com- mon kinds of both. Dr.T. W. RICHARDS - Be Navy, 1911 N. St., N. W.. Washington “‘T have perfect sets of Mourning, Cerulean Black throated, Blue and Black throated Green Warbler, American Woodcock, Bar- tramian Sandpiper. King Rail, Canadian Spruce, Grouse and Sharp Shinned Hawk for exchange. I desire sets of American Flam- ingo, Long-billed Curlew, Semipalmated Plover, Franklin’s Grouse, Bonaparte’s Gull. Williamson’s Sapsucker, White-headed and Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Pink-sided Junco. Hutton’s and Black Capped Vireo, Sennett’s Orange-crowned and Connecticut Warbler and Canada Jay. GERARD ALAN ABBOTT, 945 Marauette Bldg., Chicago. ——— EEE In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would appreciate it if you would arrange the numerals in your exchange notice in their numerical order, and not tumble them together hit and miss, as some of our readers are complaining, and we think justly so. ee al I HAVE 273 3-4, 360a 2-4, 365 2-5, 375d 2-2. 476 1-6, 715 4-4, ete. U WABT2-3-5-12-30-32-63-67-70- (76) -90- 92 -106 -108-120a-120c-128-258-318-319-320a- 412-421 with nests; 428-432-433-434-436-439-466- Bias eens FRED TRUESDALE, Shan- on, Val. é F 1-1 27 1-2, 29 1-2, 30a 1-1, 321-1, 401-3, 43 J 1-2, 511-3, 531-3, 561-2, 541-3, 581-3, 641-3, 67 1-1, 70 1-3, 721-3, 751-1, 771-2, 791-1, 801-4, 86 1-1, 106 1-1, 1171-1, 120 1-3, 184 1-3, 191 1-5, 194 1-4, 200 1-3, 2011-5, 202 1-4, 2261-2, 2711-1, 320a 1-1, 395 1-2, 3261-2, 333 1-4, 337 1-2, 339 1-3, 348 1-2, 364 1-2, 378 1-1, 431 1-2 with nest; 506 1-2 519b 1-1, also blow pipe, embryo shears and hook and set of cut the lining egg drills. Willexchange all of the above for best offer of Indian bird sues points and other flint and bead relics. rite me and send outlines. HENRY J. RUST, Box 683. Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. I want sets of following North American birds’ eggs: A.O.U. Nos. 4, 5, 7, 40, 49. 51. 53, 70, 77, 125. 132, 140, 190, 196, 208, 224. 958, 261, 269. 280, 305, 325, 326, 332, 337, 343, 349 352, 360. 362, 364, 368, 373, 375, 393, 394c, 402, 406, 416, 423, 428, 429, 452, 461, 464, 466, 466a, 477, 490, 494, 497. 506, 507, 517, 540, 546, 549, 550, 554, 558, 595, 604, 608, 611, 622, 627, 628, 631, 637, 648, 681, 702, 727, 735, 736, 746. 751, 758a, 759h. For any of these I» will give full even rates in excnange, using the Lattin- Short 1905 Catalogue. I can offer A. O. U. Nos. 30a 6-1, 32 6-1, 79 1-1, 184 2-3 2-4, 187 2-3 2-4, 199 2-5, 313 1-2, 378a 2-5, 447 2-4, 4482-4, 505a 1-3, 513 2-3, 528 1-4, 5311-5, 542c 1-4, 552a 2-4, 578 1-2, 580a 1-2, 593a 1-4, 7101-3, in sets. Also some desirable singles; a large list of Shells, Minerals. Fossils, and curios and a few good books. If you have others to offer than those IT mention above write me. J may be able to make youanoffer. ERNEST H. SHORT, Box 173, Rochester, N. Y. Is your Subscription paid up ? THE OOLOGIST MII FOR EXCHANGE.—Personally taken re- cently in Lower California. Fine sets of Xanthus Murrelet, Black Petrel. Socorro Petrel; also Heermann’s Gull and Blue- footed Booby. Want only absolutely per- fect sets and skins. wate birds preferred. PINGREE I. OSBURN, Pasadena, Cal. FOR SALE.—Some sets and single eggs of Arctic Sea Birds such as Pacific Loon, Pacific Kittiwake, Pacific Eider, Ancient Murrelet, Parasitic Jaeger, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Winged Gull, Short-billed Gull, Red-faced Cormorant, Harlequin Duck, American Scoter, Willow Ptarmigan. Send for full ue to H. WARREN, Wilton Ave., Toronto, an. BOOKS WANTED.—The Auk, Vol. Il, sco Vol. IV, Nos. 2, 4, Vol. V. Nos. 2.3, 4 Nos. 1,3. For cash or exchange. FUERTES, Ithaca, N. Y. WANTED.—Back numbers of The Auk. Nuttal’s Bulletin and other bird magazines, also on insects. Have numbers to exchange. G. W. HUMPHREY, Dedham, Mass. WANTED.—Books on birds. Will pay a reasonable cash price for those that I desire. State title aud author, conaition. etc. CHAS. F. CARR, (Personal), New London, Wis. Have your Oologists or other magazines, bound by a careful, painstaking hand pro- cess. Write what you have and get styles. Prices reasonable. Exchange considered. HOWARD W. McMILLEN, Ada, Ohio. ec FOR SALE.—In perfect condition, ‘‘The North American Birds” by Henry Nehrling, German text, cloth bound, gilt edge, 668 pages a = plates, showing 137 species in natural Original price $15. Sells for $7. RICH DIETRICH, Canby, Oregon. BIRD MAGAZINES.—I have about 500 old bird magazines for exchange, including complete volumes of Auk, Condor, Nidiolo- gist, Osprey, Uregon Naturalist, and odd numbers of all of these. . LEE CHAM- BERS, 1226 llth St., Santa Monica, Cal. For sale or to exchange for books, maga- zines or bird skins .0 & O vols. VI, VII, VIII, XVI, XVII. Nidologist vols. II. III, IV. Trans Wis. Acad. Odd vols.; Auk XI, 3 and 4; XII. 3; XX, 2; Capens Oology; Oologist, vols. VIL to XVII inc. bound. Hardwick’s Science Gossip. F. B. McKECHNIE, Ponk- apog, Mass. FOR SALE.—The following books: Birds of North and Middle America by Ridgway, Parts I, II, III,andIV. Birds of Wyoming 1902, by ‘Knight, Our Northern and Eastern Birds, by E. A. Samuels, Nuttall’s Ornithol- ogy, two volumes, The Auk, Vols. 16, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Allin excellent condition. Will sellcheap, F.C. HUBEL, Clarkston, Mich. I will give $1.00 for No.6 of Vol. 5 of THE OOLOGIST in the original covers and in good condition. R.M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. WANTED.—The following back numbers of THE OOLOGIST for the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Vol. 2, No. 2: Vol. 3, No. 4; Vol. 5, No. 6; Vol. 6, No. ‘ Vol. 13, No.5: Vol. 14, No. 3 and 10, Vor, 15. No. 7, R: M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. 2, 3, 4, Vol. VI LOUIS A: FOR SALE E—Tayloe s Standard American Egg Catalogue, second edition. Published by if. R. Taylor, Alameda, Cal., 1904. 5c. per copy,3 for 50c., 7 copies for $1.00. All 8 i Every egg collector in America should have a copy. W. LEE emetic ae 1226 11th St., Santa Monica, val. (2) FOR SALE.~—My entire Ornithological Library, either as a whole or by separate volumes. Address 8S. B. LADD, 215 Walnut St., Reading, Pa. WANTED Pa ees? —Bird Lore Vol. I- 2. 6; Vol. II—2; Vol. III—1; VII—1. LOUIS s. KOHLER, Bloomfield, N J. WANTED.—The Bulletin of the Cooper 0. Club Vol. I complete; Wilson Bulletin Nos 4.5,6,7,8 and 24 forcash. LOU oe -_KOHLER, 98 Watsessing Ave., Bloomfield, N. J. OLD MAGAZINES ‘WANTED. — The Oologist by Lattin, Vol, V complete. The Oologist by Willard, Vol. I, complete; Vol. II, Nos 1,2,3. Also some of older Wilson Club publications.iDR. aU YC. RICH, Sioux, City Iowa. (1) WANTED. —Northern and southern raw held subject to approval of valuation. list free. GEORGE J. TILLS, Albion, N. Y. MISCELLANEOUS. FOR SALE.—One Myer System, Cloas Flute, 11 keys, low pitch in case. Used three months. _ Will sell at very reasonable price. Will send on approval. L. V. MEDICUS, 3002 Chestnut St., Kansas City, Mo. Wanted. — Northern and southern raw furs. Highest market price paid. All goods held subject to approval of valuation. ‘Price list free. GEORGE J. TILLS, Albion N. \ FOR SALE.— One Myer System, Cloas Flute, 11 keys, low pitch in case. Used three Will sell at very reasonable price. Will send on approval. L. . MEDICUS 3002 Chestnut St., Kansas City, Mo. Wanted: A buyer for fine camera. Premo first class camera. G. W. Stevens, Alva, Okla. (2) TO EXCHANGE a very fine Premo Su- peme camera, 5x7, fea motoreylein GOOD CONDITION, Write G. W. Stevens, Alva, Okla. (2; EXCHANGE-- Nearly new 24 guage Janssen Sons and Co. double breechloading top snap hammer gun, marked Belgium Laminated Steel, $11 Would exchange for larger bore. (1) A.C. Dyke, Bridgewater Mass. FOR SALE-- One number3, folding camera, Has been used very little Will sell cheap. Write for price. D. Carey Westbrook’ 412 West College St., (le) Griffin, Ga. The Oolog‘st is growing every month. If you are interested in birds send it to some friend as a birthday gift. Help it along. THE OOLOGIST THE MAPLEWOOD Biological Laboratory Offers a New Preparation Showing the Anatomy of an Eighteen Day Old Em- bryo of the Common Chicken in Four Preparations No. 1, Cross sections through the head show- ing the head cavity containing brain, eye, ete. No. 2, The digestive organs entire. No. 3, The tongue. No. 4, The feet and legs. The specimens within the jar are attach- ed toa transparent glass plate, thus a rear as well as a front view is afforded. Mounted in 13 inch glass cylinders with heavy base. Price per jar containing the four preparations as described above $8.50 Delivered P. G. HOWES The Maplewood Biological Labor. tory Stamford, Conn. THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXVII. No.9. | ALBIon, N. Y. Sepr. 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 278 Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, Illinois. No. 76. Black Buzard roosting on Cathedral tower, Vera Cruz, Mexico. —Photo by George E. La Grange. 102 THE OOLOGIST MEXICAN BIRDS. A personal letter from George HE. LaGrange, a nephew of the Editor at present a Senior in Stanford Universi- ty at Palo Alto, California, tells many interesting things of some of the birds of Vera Cruz, Mexico, where he spent most of the past summer. It in part reads as follows: “T think practically all the birds are different, even the Buzzards. I know the Blackbirds are—they have tails, regular fans; while the birds are fully half again as large as our Purple Grackle. They are very plentiful and very tame——as in fact all wild game is in Mexico. Nothing of this sort is molested by the natives. In Vera Cruz the blackbirds seem to come, one, each and every egg-hatched nigger amongst them, to the central plaza of the city to roost in the trees to be found there. Every evening, as sure as the sun approaches the west- ern horizon, they begin to assemble. Singly, in families and tribes, almost in battalions, they flock in to begin their nightly squabble for a piece of green limb two inches long and free from branches and leaves—and other blackbirds—upon Which they may pre-. pare, to begin, to get ready, to com- mwence, to roost for the night. For it is one thing to have and another to held. And although the good little early bird who retires in proper sea- son, may select and stake out his claim for 2 roost, he must be prepared to defend it against every new comer and late comer until long after sun- down. Jumping of claims is well known in the genera of blackbirds, nor is there any rule to the game ex- cept hold as hold can. In fact, and I don’t speak jokingly, so furious and boisterous, numerous and continuous are the squabbles which take place for a comfortable bed that from an heur before sundown, till black dark, it is exceedingly difficult to carry on a conversation anywhere in the plaza. The trees are simply alive with squawking, flapping birds. Indeed the trees seem to have borne a crop of wings amidst their other foliage. Awn- ings are always put up evenings when the band plays to protect the seats. and heads of the listeners. Nor are the blackbirds the only guests, welcome or unwelcome, who make their beds and sleep undisturbed by cops or night watchmen, on the streets of the main thoroughfare of the city. Cotimely with the arrival of the blackbirds there ascend flocks and clouds of graceful, swift darting swal- lows, not chimney skifts, of course, because there are no chimneys in Mexico. They skim the heavens in early dusk in silence, apparently very deeply mortified at the dreadful squab- ble going on beneath them. Gradually as the evening’s dusk descends they too sink lower and lower and pass swifter and closer until the heavens look like an inverted magnified ant hill. Lower and lower they swoop, in gradually lessening circles until their twitterings can be caught mingled with the now somewhat subdued clam- or of the blackbirds. And finally after a few daring sweeps directly over the heads, even amongst the surging of the crowds below, they pass to their roost for the night, where however there has already begun a scramble for a “location” which bids fair to vie with the one described above. Their de- mands however are far less exacting than those of the blackbirds. No soft fresh green branch do they beseech. their only cry, and one which has now raised the total humdrum to its loud- est pitch—is for nothing more than one inch of bare, hard, cold copper wire. Only it must be an inch of a THE OOLOGIST © 108 particular strip of copper wire. And this ideal, aristocratic location con- sists in what—simply a trolley wire. No not “a” trolley wire either, but one very particular one, viz: “the” one passing in front of the two best hotels in the city. And there they fight, their twitterings now become cries, and then reost in the glare of the electric lights from the ‘“portales” where in summer are situated the dining rooms cf the hotels not fifteen feet distant in an air line. And there as the “Vera Cruzano” lights his “cigarro” after his eight o’clock sup- per, if he looks up he can see, even at the tail of the filmy smoke trail which rises from the end of his own cigar- rette, the outlines of hundreds of birds all strung along on the wire at in- variable intervals of about an inch, and looking perhaps Hke so many clothes pins. Neither the busy life in the hotel corridors, “portales’” nor cafes immediately at their tails’ ends, nor the bustle in the street beneath their feet, nor the passing of sharp gonged street cars along the adjacent streets, which causes their wire to bob dizzily up and down, nor even yet the strains of all varying music from the “kiosko” across the street; none of this serves even in the slightest, either to deter them from _ seeking their roost, from squabbling over a bed, or from sleeping serenely when darkness has made further conten- tions difficult and dangerous. But not yet have we noted all. One guest at the Plaza Hotel for Birds has been overlooked. He has been too stately, too lofty and dignified to de- scend into the streets and mix with the other noisy occupants below. Yes, too dignified even to cry out. And so, at first, amidst all the other cry and clamor we have noted him not. However, had we chanced to look, even as early as five o'clock, a few stray lone black buzzards, the early birds of the night, might have been seen perched on the highest pin- nacles of the tiled Cathedral tower, either tired out early after a hard day, or just back after some rousing car- rion feast. At any rate there they are and from all directions come other stragglers. Still they come, each seek- ing out his accustomed lodging place and if found occupied by a “sooner” ejecting him from the spot. In this fashion with noiseless intermittent short scraps, the old Cathedral tower is gradually peopled by these huge dusky spectres, unti] every inch of “standable” standing room has been “stood” for, or on. And there, back to the old they come, every day and every eve, to sit and preen their feathers, or spread their wings to dry, or sit mo- tionless and in silence while they listen to or cooly eye their relatives in the roost, trees below. All just as they have done since the Cathedral was first built, some three hundred and _ fifty years ago. And this is the spectacle which the plaza of Vera Cruz has to present on any old summer’s eve. A lively scene indeed, with the band playing, the birds crying in competition, and a populace come to enjoy the delicious cool of the evening. Everything is out of doors, birds, buzzards and peo- ple. Air, cool sea breeze and land breeze is plentiful. The hotel cafes are in the midst of it all, in view and enjoyment of it all. They are situated on the only sidewalk there is in front of the hotels, some fifteen feet wide and extending around two sides of the plaza. The sidewalk is covered by “Portales” which support a_ ceiling some twelve or fifteen feet high and above this a second story. Under 104 THE OOLOGIST these portales are spread the dining tables where meals and liquors are served. Here the Vers, Cruzano of means brings his family on band nights and takes his meal and his drinks, while newsboys, bootblacks, “vendadors” de flowers, fans, curios, lemonade, and what not pass in and out among the guests and tables and cry their wares or run errands. All are happy con- tented, fat and peaceful in a land of elbow room, fresh air, and ease, and where the days never exceed thirteen hours in length, between sun up and sun down, I suppose—and where though warm, none ever are prostrated or sun struck, perhaps because the people have learned to economize the cool of the day by arising and break- fasting at four in the morning, then taking a nap at mid day. All business stores, etc., close up from twelve un- til two. In Mexico City, it is from one to two-thirty. I enclose a picture of the Cathedral covered with buzzards taken from another tower somewhat higher at about six-thirty p. m. Also some pic- tures of a buzzard taken in Oaxaca. He is perched on top of a cactus at least twenty feet high and spreading his wings towards the rising sun to dry. There had been a night rain. Many are seen thus drying them- selves at almost any and all times. This picture is dark because it was taken against the sun before the sun had risen. He let me walk right up underneath him without flying. They are all very tame. When the shutter snapped however, he dropped his wings to look at me, but did not fly away. I have seen one buzzard with wings spread standing on the ground during a drizzle and apparently trying to shield his mate which stood under one wing. I doubt however if that were his purpose, GENERAL NEWS, Being called some twelve miles south of Lacon, Illinois, the latter part of last month on business, I was © much surprised to find a colony es- timated by parties who live in that vicinity, of all the way from one hun- dred to three hundred, Hnglish Ring- necked Pheasants. They seemed to be scattered over a territory some three miles wide by five miles long, up and down the Illinois river, and adjacent bluffs. People there told me _ that many young had been hatched this year, one brocd containing eighteen. They are rigidly protected by the farmers living in that vicinity, and without doubt, will rapidly increase as they seem to have become a fixture there. I only saw one bird, a male along the edge of an cats stubble field. He seemed in perfect plumage and not the least alarmed, though we drove along within fifty yards of him. —Hditor. ee Wanted—News. Again we must appeal to our readers for short newsy notes. If you have oc- casion to write the editor on any sub- ject, do not fail to include some short bit of information that you may think would be of general interest to our readers, even if it Should occupy but two or three lines. Without doubt, all of us have continually coming under our notice, small matters, which are yet of general interest, and we should be disposed not only to help our- selves but THE OOLOGIST and its readers as well. We are sure such short contributions would be much ap- preciated. 0 Thanks. One of our friends sends us two subscriptions paid up and fails to dis- close his or her identity. Thanks for this kind of support anyway. THE OOLOGIST 105 No. 75. Black Buzzard drying its wings on a cactus in Mexico. —Photo by George E. La Grange. 106 THE OOLOGIST A Buzzard’s Sense of Smell. While paddling around Kale Kilby near the town of Suffork, Virginia, on the 31st of May last year, my compan- ion, Mr. J. H. Gould of Norfolk, and I noticed on a dead stump ahead of us, a Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura) Drawing nearer, he seemed loath to move. and kept leaning over and peer- ing into a hole about eight inches be- low him. We became inquisitive also and on pushing over the dead stump, and breaking open the hole, found two dead Yellow-shafted Flickers (Colaptes auratus). These birds were only partly decomposed and now that Buzzard: at the height he generally sails, could detect them, still remains a mystery to me. H, H. BAILEY. —~2~<>-2 Additional Notes on the Breeding of Catharista urubu. On April 38rd, this year, I was out in a large Cypress Swamp in Florida collecting Black Vulture and Water Turkey sets and taking photos of eggs and young in situ of these species and also the Wards Heron. I was up about ninety feet in a cy- press engaged in the interesting opera- tion of taking the picture of two young Wardi about a month old I should judge, as usual with this bird one of the youngsters was a great deal larger than the other and the largest one seemed greatly worrried at my being so near him, he had vomited up a piece of a mocasin snake about four- teen inches long when I first appeared at the nest and I guess he was afraid that I had designs on his breakfast because every half minute or so he would stretch out his long neck and pick up one end of this -delicate mor- sel and make as if to swallow it, but he would always change his mind. I waited fully half an hour in hopes he would so that I could get a picture of the operation. During this wait I looked about over the swamp to see what was “doing” and happened to see an old Black Vulture up in a Wardi nest of last year from which I had collected a set. I thought at first the Buzzard was making a breakfast from some of the remains of the young Herons. Climbing up higher however in the tree I was in I made out tho that Mrs, Buzzard was evidently cov- ering eggs. I had a free and unob- structed view of her from where I was and being only about twenty yards away could see fine. She was sitting broadside to me and had her head tucked around to the off side so that I could not at first see it and acted as if she were hiding from me. I have never noted this act in this species be- fore as when you approach an inecubat- ing bird she is always nervous, etc. I clapped my hands, and made all kinds of noises but could not wake her up so I called to my companion on the ground to go to the tree and rap on it, upon his doing this she woke up and flew off at once and displayed two of the nicest eggs of this species that I have ever seen. Needless to say that I came down from the tree I was in and collected this set. They are shorter and rounder than any other sets of these I have and heavily mar- ked and very handsome. In all my observations of this bird this is the first time I have ever found her breed- ing so high up, possibly this swamp had every available hollow log in use by her friends and she was compelled to go high. This nest was 85 feet up in a cypress. O, HE, BAYNARD, THE OOLOGIST 27(> 107 No, 63. Charles K. Worthen’s Collections. Some time since, Oologist volume 26, page 126, we advised our readers of the death of Charles K. Worthen, the well-known scientist of Warsaw, Illinois. His going took from us the last of the large dealers in scientifical- ly prepared bird skins and eggs, num- bering as he did, museums throughout the world as his customers, and being in contact with collectors of rarer ma- terial in all parts of the globe. He was a medium through which nearly all public institutions acquired much of their material; and above all, his rank and standing for absolute integ- rity as well as scientific authenticity was without a rival. At the time of his death, he left a stock of something like seven thous- Set Black Vulture’s eggs with runt. —Photo by O. E. Baynard and bird skins, including well rounded series of many of the rarer varieties, such as Swallow-tailed Hawk, Yel- low and Black Rail, Carolina Paraquet, Passenger Pigeon and the like, all of which are practically unobtainable at this time. For some reason unknown to us these were sold to New York par- ties at a ridiculously low price, with- out an opportunity being knowledge brought home to the gen- eral collectors throughout the country of the coming disposition of this rare accumulation. given or Mr. Worthen’s stock of North Amer- ican birds eggs and nests has been on the market since his death, and has but recently become the property of the Editor of THE OOLOGIST. 108 THE OOLOGIST Though not large, it contained many very desirable specimens including, The nest and eggs of the Hmerald throated Hummingbird, and a set of eggs and pair of adult skins of the Cuban Martin from Buenos Ayres, and of the rare Swallow-tailed Gull (Crea- erus furecatus) from the Guadaloupe Is- lands, and of the extremely rare Kirt- land’s Warbler, the latter accompan- ied by the nest. With relation to this deal, a letter from the daughter of Mr, Worthen through whom the negotiations were carried on, in finally closing up the transaction, writes: “Mr. Barnes, I can’t tell you how grateful I am or how surprised as to your final decision as to settlement. I do not know how to thank you for your courtesy, liberality and great kindness to us in this affair.” This collection came to hand with a considerable number of broken spe- cimens and a number lacking entirely any data, and a number of others where the set marks on the eggs fail- ed to prove up with the data accom- panying them. All such specimens have gone into the waste heap. The acquisition of these eggs, some 2500 in number, will materially enlarge the number cf our rarer series, and will be a substantial addition to our cabi- nets. +} a Kill the Cowbird. Physicians say that the way to blot out dangerous diseases is to prevent their growth in infancy. Just as the White Plague is a menace to the hu- man race, so the cowbird is the White Plague to our Bird Life. What do they do? ‘Too shiftless to build nests of their own, they lay their eggs in nests of other birds. Not con- tent with one cradle for their worth- less young, a single cowbird will de- posit one or two eggs in as many as four different nests. It has been es- timated that one cowbird lays a set of from four to six eggs. If she de- posits two eggs in a nest, that means that, after laying a complete set, the female cowbird has disturbed three nests. It is no uncommon occurrence for these “Reprobates of Birdom” to spill out the eggs of the rightful owners of the nests in which they have layed. Such an occurrence was experienced by the writer not long ago. In fact the experience gave the incentive for this “Invective.” On June 18th last, the author found a cuckoo’s nest with two cuckoo’s eges in it and two cowbirds. The lat- ter were promptly removed as they always should be. On June 20th, two days later, the nest was again visited, and the cuckoo’s eggs were found broken, on the ground beneath the nest, while the structure itself held two cowhbirds eggs. Is it necessary to state that the cuckoo deserted? Again—A wood thrush started a nest not far from my home and had got as far as laying two eggs in it when she was disturbed by a cowbird laying also two eggs in it. The thrush immediately stopped laying and as her full set would have been four, it can readily be seen that the cowbird was responsible for the absence of the other two thrushes that ordinarily would have been born. We will now trace the incubation of the two thrushes eggs and the two eggs of the cowbird, as it actually happened. The thrushes eggs hatched in due time and the young promised to become perfect specimens of their tribe. Mother Thrush patiently sat on the two cowbird’s eggs, which did not hatch for three days after the birth of her own young, for the reason that they were laid approximately THE OOLOGIST 109 No. 64. Set Turkey Vuliture’s eggs with runt egg. three days later. Will the reader please bear in mind that during these three days of extra incubation, as far as the writer could observe, the thrush neglected to feed her own young? Thus their growth and vigor was stunted at the start. However, when the young cowbirds were hatched they immediately started to grow with great rapidity. They put on their feathers twice as fast as the young thrushes and here is where the harm comes in. As is the case with man- kind, to give extra attention to the strong and robust, and neglect the weak, so it is with the birds. Mrs. Thrush, her poor, misled heart filled with joy at the wonderous develop- ment of the two orphans, spent all her time, gave all her food to them. When the nest was visited after an interval of three days, the young —Photo by R. M. Barnes, thrushes were the only occupants of it. Their physical condition was piti- ful. Their feathers were not half what they should have been. They seemed thinner and more scrawny than when they were born. They were even too weak to open their mouths and dis- play an appetite as young birds always do. Although the cowbirds were not seen at all, the reader will doubtless agree with me in my surmise that they are now healthy, strong birds, fully prepared and even eager to duplicate the crime under which they were born, The young thrushes disappeared from the nest the next day, but I feel sure that they fell prey to some squirrel or chipmunk, at least they are not now the beautiful matured thrush that should have been. Such cases are doubtless very com- mon. Very few birds are immune from this “Scourge of the Woods.” 110 THE OOLOGIST I have found their ugly eggs in the little Least Flycatcher’s nest, in the well hidden homes of the Oven Bird and Chewink. They have even as- cended to the high, swaying nest of the Baltimore Oriole, to deposit their germs of destruction. The death of one full grown cow- bird means the presence in the world of ten other and useful birds, Thrush- es, Catbirds, and Ground Sparrows es- pecially, for in six catbird’s nests, eight thrushes, and four song spar- rows, cowbird’s eggs were found with- out exception. Hither-to, war has been waged most vehemently on the English Sparrow, but I herein urgently request all naturalists, all lovers of our Feathered Friends, to rouse themselves and make the steadily increasing number of COWBIRDS as steadily decrease. By GLEN V. KRAUS, Marshfield, Wis. SS AMERICAN RAVEN. I think I have made a rare find, and as so little has been said on this sub- ject, I will write it up. On March 26, of this year, while about thirty miles from Shandon in foot hills of Kern County, I made the following discovery. ‘ After hunting over a large canyon covered with trees on one side and very rocky on the other, and finding nothing, I went across to another very rocky canyon. On my arrival there I found a nest with five fresh Prairie Falcon eggs, The rock in which the nest was built was about one hundred feet long and from forty to one hun- dred feet high, The Falcon nest which faced the south, was placed in an old raven’s nest about twenty feet from the ground. On going farther down I found an- other large rock. This one was about one hundred feet high. I could see a nest up in a crevice. I threw up a stone and off flew Madam Raven. I hurried up the rock and soon came to where I could see the edge of the nest. I was at least ten feet from the nest and could plainly see four eggs. I tried to get something to fish the eggs out with, but couldn’t, so I decided to try to get there with rope. The way I swung around there wasn’t slow. When I reached the nest I found there were seven eggs. Was I surprised? I wonder! When I tested them I found the incubation to be started. I was very happy over my rare prize. Having one set, which you know is genuine, is worth a dozen doubtful sets. I give the following data: Nest placed in crevice of rock, ten feet up and one hundred feet down from top of rock. The nest was made of sticks and lined with wool. This is the first set of seven I ever took. Sets of six aren’t so common as those of five. The first set I found this year con- tained six fresh eggs. The eggs var- ied a great deal in size, but carried the same markings. There was one odd egg, that is in all sets I have ever taken or seen. This nest was in a pine tree about sixty-five feet from the ground, It was made of sticks and lined with cow’s hair. This set is in the Oological collection of Mr. A. E. Price. One more set was taken by me in a cliff about sixty feet down and thirty feet up. This set contained four very large, handsome eggs. The nest was of the usual structure. The raven is very bad about other bird’s eggs, and I have known them to eat chicken eggs. I must stop on this species, as I am very proud of my raven sets. FRED TRUESDALE, THE FINDING NESTS OF WHITE THROATED SWIFTS. Part i: In THE OOLOGIST, No. 273, page 49, | quoted a tew remarks about find- ing nests of this Swift. So little has been recorded concerning these rare birds, that I really believe they need another write-up. When they began nesting first this year, I was unable to study their habits further. But on dates of June 14, 15, 16, I found time to go out, and found five nests, which I will describe later. On My arrival, at the top of Cliff No. 1, on the fourteenth, I located three nests, or saw Swifts go into three dif- ferent places in the cliff. The cliff was very large, being about 150 feet of a slope and below this a pitch of about seventy feet. There was a sort of large crack at top that extended down no less than fifteen feet and overhanging at top three feet. To commence with I had to get one hundred and fifty feet of rope and my thirty foot ladder and some iron pegs for safety. After having set my line with ladder, I found it was necessary to use another rope to keep my lad- der in place. I then went down to the first crack, I had seen them fly into. I couldn’t see anything, but could hear young birds. There was a small hole about one foot above the crack. I reached in about two feet and pulled out a nest containing four half-grown birds and one dried up egg. The nest was made of a few straws and grass, lined with feathers, cement- ed together with bird saliva. It meas- ured four inches across the top, and two inches deep. It was then so late, I had to leave. That evening ! hunted all I could find about this bird and read them with much interest. 00° ,.OGIST 111 The next morning my friend, Mr. Brown, and I went out to see about the other nests. Mr. Brown went down to the second nest, which was at least four feet back in the crack. There was no chance to find out any- thing here, We could hear the owner in the nest. He then went to the third nest. He found this one to be in about two feet and contained four young ones. The nest was similar to number one, I wanted a nest to study so fixed up a nest and took one of these. I also secured two birds which I intend to have mounted. The female bird has a large head and white throat. There is a strip of white running full length. The wings are very long and very narrow, with a very little white. The tail is about half as long as wings, and is white on both sides of the root. The back is a sort of bluish or slate color. The male is similar, but is more blackish on the back. Being unable to do any more with this cliff, I left for another one the next morning. I went down about one hundred and ten feet to the first nest. It was about two feet back in small crack. The nest was similar to others and contained four birds nearly ready to fly. I went to the fifth and last nest, but could do nothing, It was in a hole and I could see no end of it. In my three days’ study, I find they fly around most in the mornings and evenings. They feed the young about every half hour, and both birds go in- to the nest. I also found four young birds dead. Evidently they were caught in a nar- row place, as they tried to come out. Where do the various books get data on their laying in June and July? I can’t see for my part, as these must have been laid early in May. I intend 112 THE making further search to see if two broods are reared in a season. I also have letters from a few Oolo- gists having between six and seven hundred species, who have none of this kind. I am sorry I obtained no eges to describe, but as I described them in April, will let it go at that. FRED TRUESDALE. —_—_-~<>e— Turkey Buzzard (Cathartes aura.) This set was taken by me in Nueces County, Texas, May 10, 1898. The eggs were placed on the bare ground ‘at the foot of a large mesquite tree, which was surrounded by a dense thicket of thorny bushes and pear cac- tus. The locality was an infrequented side hill not far distant from Penitos Creek and about one and _ one-half miles from the Nueces river; a hot, dry spot, but one which is often se- lected by this species in South-west Texas. The creek at this point is a mere arroyo or dry creek bed and the hill slopes towards the south-west. The eggs were fresh and the runt egg, as is usually the case in a perfect runt, was infertile, containing no yolk. In such a location as this, the bird usually sits close and will not leave the eggs unless the intruder makes a near approach, and it is often neces- sary to beat up the bushes well to flush her. It was especially true in this case, for there were no trails or paths leading near enough to alarm the sitting bird and the growth of thorny bushes was so dense that it Was necessary to crawl under them to reach the spot. ; D. B. BURROWS. eile an SLT Runt Set of Catharista urubu. This set was collected on February 28th, 1909, in Florida and was on the ground beside a dead palmetto tree that had been blown over. The set OOLOGIST 27 (&) ; \A\O measures 1.75x1.30 and 2.95x1.95. The smaller egg was laid two days be- fore the larger one, The largest egg of this set has a pale bluish ground color spotted with brown and lavender, and the spots are mostly confined to the larger end. The small egg is of a™ darker bluish ground color with de- cided lavender markings that appear to be under the shell. The egg is not spotted with large spots like the larger ege but is blotched over with two shades of brown and dark lavender, and the entire surface of this egg is speckled with fine dots of dark brown which do not show up in the picture. The only other egg I ever saw just like this was one of a set that I sent to Ed. J. Court and another egg of a set taken from the same nest as the one sent him and which I now have in my collection. These two normal sized eggs and the runt are the only three marked in this manner that I have ever seen. This runt egg has many small elevations or warts most- ly around one end that appears to be the smaller end, altho the egg is prac- tically equal ended and it is hard to see much difference. This runt set was found within a few rods of where a runt set was laid the year before and possibly was laid by the same bird. I did not see this other runt set but was told of it by the man who first directed me to the set I collected. The second set collected from the same nest this year was normal. O. HE. BAYNARD. ——-—_ -4 we ee — NEW YORK NOTES, In Grand Island in the Niagara Riv- er, a fine specimen of the White-faced Glossy Ibis was taken this Spring. The only record of one taken in the State of New York dates back to 1844. We also took a fine set of five eggs of the Spotted Sandpiper a few years ago, and this season were lucky enough to find a beautiful set of seven spotted Sandpiper eggs. OTTAMAR REINECKE, THE OOLOGIST V The Condor” A Magazine of Western Ornithology Edited by J. Grinnell. Associate Editors: Harry S. Swarth, Robt. B. Rockwell “Official Organ of the Cooper Orni- thological Club.’’ Vol. XII, 1910 will contain the usual interesting articles by live active ornithologists and will be illustrated by the high- est class of half tones. You can- not afford to miss a number. Published bi-monthly at Holly- wood, California. Subscription: $1.50 per year net in advance- Single copies: 30c each. Foreign subscription. $1.75. J. Eugene Law, Business Mgr. Hollywood, California. W. Lee Chambers, Asst. Mgr. Santa Monica, California. McCALL PATTERNS Celebrated for style, perfect fit, simplicity and reliability nearly 40 years. Sold in nearly every city and town in the United States and Canada, or by mail direct. More sold than any other make. Send for free catalogue. McCALL’S MAGAZINE More subscribers than any other fashion magazine—million a month, Invaluable. Lat- est styles, patterns, dressmaking, millinery, plain sewing, fancy needlework, hairdressing, etiquette, ps stories, etc, Only 50 cents a year (worth double), including a free pattern, Subscribe today, or send for sample copy. WONDERFUL INDUCEMENTS to Agents. Postal brings premium catalogue and new cash prize offers, Address THE McCALL CO., 238 to 248 W. 37th St., NEW YORK In continuation of its series of plates of the Sparrows of North America IN COLOR Bird-Lore for January-Feb- ruary (Vol. XII, No. 1) con- tains colored figures-of the Grasshopper, Henslow’s Baird’s and LeComie’s Spar- rOWsS. The series was begun in Bird-Lore for November-De- cember, where the Chipping, Field, Tree, Clay-colored and Brewer’s Sparrows were fig- ured. The demand for December, 1900, Bird-Lore has so exceeded our esti- mate that, in spite of the fact that we printed an unusually large edi- tion, the supply is now exhausted. We will, however, senda copy of the Sparrow plate (the first of the Sparrows of North America in color) which appeared in that num- ber, to all subscribers to Bird-Lore for 1910 (Vol. XII), in order that their series of these plates may be complete. Single numbers 20 cents. Annual subscription $1.00 BIRD-LORE, Harrisburg, Pa. VI THE OOLOGIST Oologists & Taxidermists Tools Beoks and Magazines of Every Description Write me just what you wish. I can save you money. Specimen prices. All sent prepaid. Cut the Lining Egg Drills; 16 sizes. They area delight for fine work. If not more than pleased return them. 25c each. 4 select- (eVils. SHICAS See ein eemrrcmicicbin csn.o pitts ¢ $1.00 Blowpipes; best nickel, 6-7 in. 20c., 8-9 in. 30c, 10-12 in. ...... 40 Regular Egg Drilis, best made No. 0 20c., No. 1 25¢:, No! 2 22.5 235 No. 3, 50c.; No. 4, 75¢e; No. 5, CILODS « INO Osteo dec o clea bo0.0 aico% 1.50 Embryo Scissors, 25c.. 50c., $1.00 NT a oo ARE einer te Sromeid steiner G. 1.25 Embryo Hooks, Best, ........-- 25 Forceps, Best made, ........... 45 Best Steel Climbers without straps, $2.00; with 4 straps 3.00 Data Blanks about 3x5 in. per 100 .10 Ege Pencils, thick soft lead; three for Oologist yearly subscription and Davie’s Nests and Eggs 5th Ed. 1.60 Chapman’s Handbook, Leather, SRDS COM ssasecncatcccconct 2.25 Reed’s North American Birds Eggs and Oologist one year ... 2.50 Coues Key, Last ed. Two vol- Tene) COMM we aodaodsccosoooo5. 10.50 Benjamin Hoag, Stephentown, N. Y. GREAT AUK AND MAMMOTH FOR EXCHANGE Skeleton, loose bones, portions of eggs of the Great Auk. Tusks of the Alaskan Mammoth. Rare North American sets, WANTED:— Ornithological books and maga- zines, Mammals, Birds, Turtles,alive. Osteological material. J. D. Sornborger, Rowley, Mass. WANTED Taxidermists to send for my large illus- trated catalogue of fine glass eves, silver- plated fittings for deer feet, tools and other taxidermists’ supplies. JAMES P. BABBITT, Taunton, Mass- FOR SALE I havea new copy Bendires Life Histories of N. Am. Birds, for salecheap. ITfinterested write me. Also a few choice sets of rare Arctic species. such as Slaty-back and Pt. Barrow Gull, Dowitcher, Am. Golden Plover, Dowitcher, Winter Wren, etc. JAMES P. BABBITT, WANTED A powerful spyglass or a pair field glasses. I can ofier in exchange rare Arctic sets or anything I advertise in taxidermists sup- plies, glass eyes, etc. JAMES P- BABBITT, Taunton, Mass. Taunton, Mass, The Bulletin Books and Pamphlets on Orni- thology, Oology, Botany, Entomology, Concholhgy, Archaeology, Topo-. graphy, Voyages, Travels, Ethnology, Languages’ offered at moderate prices. Scarce works sought for. Lists of wants requested from all collectors. Specimen copy of Bulletin for 2 cent stamp. THE BULLETIN, 4 Duke St. Adelphi, London, England Knickerbocker Book Shop, Beechwoods, Woodcliffe Lake, N. J. WANTS Baird, Brewer & Ridgeway Water Birds, 1st edition with colored plates. Also Baird Cassin in Lawrence. The “Birds of North America” with atlas of 100 colored plates. Holden—“Canary & Cage Birds.” Auk—Vol. 1 & 3. Audubon’s Ornithological phy, Vol. 4. “Bird Lore” January & February of 1905-1909 complete. Coues’ 3d installment Bibliography. Bonaparte’s “American Ornithology —4th Vol. edition Philadelphia 1825- 1828. Bibliogra- CASH OR EXCHANGE. THE OOLOGIST | WANT THE FOLLOWING. Please look this list over careful- ly and if you have any of them write me. The Wilson Billitin, Nos §:-7,-8: The Curlew, Published by O. P. Hau ger of Orleans, Ind., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, Deno T The Ornithologist and Oologist Semi- Annual, Published in 1889-90-91 by Wm. H. Foote of Pittsfield, Mass., and by C. C. Maxfield of Danbury, Conn, in 1891. No. 1, Vol. I. The Wilson Quarterly, Vol. 3. The Wilson Journal, Vol 1, Jany., 1893 and Vol, 2, June, 18938. The Oologist, of Utica, N. Y., Vols. 1-5 inclusive, for 1875 to 1881, any numbers. Journal of the Maine Ornithological Club. Vol. 2, No. 1, 2, 3, Vol. Birds of California, In relation to the fruit industry—Beal, Part II. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, by Prof. McCoun, Part I, 1st Ed. Back Numbers of the Oologist Wanted Vol. i, No. 1. sé ¢ ee 3, se ee 4 5 se 6, sé 7 8 CO Oe Bn ford sé feme.g, 6 4. jog. sé 10, “eé 2, 3, A sé 2. se I ee Oe “ 44, “ 35,10, 11, 12. 6s 1b, ‘i jaa “16, 4,9, ee 26, ee 9, I will buy a large number of each of the above back numbers for cash at the rate they are listed at, as being for sale in this number of THE OOLO- GIST. Address, R M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. Vil Prices for Back Numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST AND THE OOLOGIST will, during 1910, remain as below: After which the prices of many num- bers will be advanced and possibly not obtainable at any price. Should you desire back numbers to complete you file, NOW is the time to purchase. You can never obtain them for less money and possibly not at any price, as our stock ranges from only 1 to 25 copies of an issue. Prices for 1910 Are as Follows: Nos. 1,14, 18, 31, 34-35, 42, 53, 86, 89, p10, 132 137. 139, 140, 153, 158, are 50 cents eac Nos. 9, 66-67, 76, 77, 78, 79, Se, 90, 100, 113, i38. 146, are 25 cents each. Nos. 11, 13; 14, 15, 16, 54, 56, 66, 765, 87, 123, 127, 128, 129, 144. 149, are 15 cents each. Nos. 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 38, 39, 40, 465, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 133, 135, are 10 cents each. @—-All other numbers Sc. wer copy. For $12 will send prepaid a copy of every issue ever published, No. 1 to 145.—30 far as nowon hand. This offer in- cludes your subscription through 1910. My prices for back numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST and OOLOGIST in volumes, are as follows: Vol. I, 1884-5, Nos, 2to712..3/.... $ .90 Vol. II, 1885, Nos, 13 toel4........ .50 Vol. III, 1886, NosietGote.20...... .90 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26.... 1.00 Vel. V, 1888, Nosiagte tones. ..... 1.50 Vol... Vi, 1889, Nos 39tto100........ -76 Vol. VII, 1890; Nos. BIvto 62....... -75 Vol. VIII, 1891, Nos. 63 to 74...... .7B Vol. IX, 1892, Nos; Th sfouse..s.....« .90 Vol. X, 1893, Nos. 87 to 98..:... 1.00 Vol. XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 1210...... -50 Vol. XII, 1895, Nos. 111 to 122.... 1.00 Vol. XIII, 1896, Nos. 123 to 127.... .50 Vol XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.... 1.50 Vol. XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149.... .60 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 160 to 161... -75 Vol. XVII, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171. .50 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. .50 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. .50 Vol. XX, 1903, "Nos. 196 to 197..... .10 Vol. XXI, 1904, No. 198 to 209. -50 Vol. XXII, 1905, Nos. 210 to 221. .50 Vol XXIi. 1906, LTS. es 50 WOL XXIV. 1900; 234 Coase: ls. cise cus gi Vol. XXV, 1908, 246to 257. 50 For $5.25 I will send el ceny of every issue published, 1 to 209, inclusive, except the twenty-nine, (29), 25c., 0c.and 75c.copies. For $2.50 I will send repaid every copy published, Nos. 1 to 209, inclusive, except the sixty copies priced above at 10c or over. — BOUND VOLUMES — Can be furnished, strongly bound in cloth and boards, as follows: Vol. I and II YOUNG OOLOGIST bound in one volume; 7) eel icnaus. 0 Vol. IX. The OOLOGIST for ’92, 298 pages of valuable and instructive Oological and -Ornithological matter with many full page illustrations, . $1. Or, if you order the two voimaes at. one time, we will send them by return mail for only $1.75. Every student of birds, their nests and eggs, should have these two volumes in their Ubrary. The valuable information ‘hey contain, ‘s worth many times the price. Address plainly, $1.00 R. M. BARNES, Albion. N. Y. Lacon, Ill. VIII THE OOLOGIST 1911 The Oologist for the coming year will be Bigger, Better, | Newsier. © 2 The Oologist is rapidly growing in Size, Popularity, Influence. ©: © €t The Oologist is the only bird magazine in America. © ie © Subscribe Now and receive the September, October and November Numbers Free. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY VoL. XXVIII. No. 10. ALBION, N. Y., Oct. 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 279 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Etc. inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your subscription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid, 279 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 281 your subscription expires with December issue 1910. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1903, at the post office, at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Con- gress of March 3, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘*THE OOLOGIST,’’ and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. BIRDS _WANTED.—A few good skins of the Aleu- tian Tern (Sterna aleutica) Thayer Museum, Lancaster, Mass, WANTED. — Prothonotary Warbler 1-5 Parula Warbler 1-5. If you have these send for my _ list. . I. SHEPARDSON, 1128 Hobard Blvd., Los Angeles, Cal. WANTED.— One first set each of Sandhill and Whooping Crane, one pair of skins of Whooping Crane. Will exchange specimens from Northwest Canada. MACKAY «& DIPPIE, Calgary, Alberta. WANTED.—Skins of birds of the Rocky Mountain and Gulf states, also a_few rare Eastern. Can offer material from Baja Cali- fornia (Mexico) and good exchange in well made Western skins. Please send complete _ PINGREE I. OSBURNE, Pasadena, al. TO EXCHANGE.—Finely mounted birds and deer heads, several hundred Natural History and Sportsman’s magazines, for bird and mammal skins. GEO. F. GUELF, Taxidermist. Brockport, N. Y. Any collectors haying a few good labeled specimens of foreign birds, send list. I will give A 1 skins of Illinois and California birds. Also offer skins of common specimens from Illinois for nests and sets of small species. ae hes K. COALE, Highland Park, Lake o., Til. TO EXCHANGE,.—Bird skins from north- western United States for specimens from other parts of North America. Collectors send their lists inexchange for mine. J. A WEBER, Palisades Park, N. J. I want 1 perfect skin in full breeding plum- age of each of the following species: A. O. U, No, 396, 454, 456. 460, 468, 470a, 471, 477, 483, 495a, 498, 506,515, 511b, 528, 530b, 534, 542c, 657, 558. 581d. 583. 585, 593c, 594, 641, 643, 644, 646, 651, 655, 657, 659, 660, 675. 679, 680, 681, 683, 685, 715, 757. 758a, 761, 725. I have duplicates for exchange of A. O. U. No. 373, 495, 498, 507, 529, 558, 559, 601, 608, 636, 648, 662, 594, 666. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. WANTED.—First class skins of Murrelets, JZulls, Shearwaters, Rails, Shore Birds; Grouse, Hawks, Owls, particularly Snowy and Great Gray, and certain smallJandbirds. Offer representative Soutberay California species, also fine sets of pers@nally taken Heermann’s Gulls and Bl footed Boobies. All reliable collectors send\lists. (PENCE) 19) I. OSBURN, Pasadena, Calif. THE CELEBRATED HU ENGLISH PARTRIDGES A ANTS, capercailzies, black gamé turkeys, quails, rabbits, deer, etc. for stock purposes. Fancy pheasants, peafowl, swans, cranes, storks, ornamental geese and ducks, foxes, squirrels, ferrets, and all kinds of birds andanimals. WENZ & MACKENSEN, oo H, Pheasantry & Game Park, Yardley, a. Is your subscription paid up ? lanl E@Gs FOR EXCHANGE — First class Eggs in sets. C.S. RUTHERFORD, Revere, Mo. Send pe eatEe lists of first class sets for mine.—J. W RESTON, ‘1411 13th Ave., Spokane, Wash. I offer 1-3, 2-4 Fish Crow, 1-5 201, 1-5 194; all for a set of Bartman’s Sandpiper 4or 5 eggs. W.B.CRISPIN, Salem, N. J. WANTED.—Eggsin sets with original data. Send list of everything you have. GEORGE SETH GUION, Napoleonville, La. Are you interested in North American Water-birds’ eggs? Send for list, 225 species. THOMAS H. JACKSON, West Chester. a, WANTED.—Good eggs, Indian relics, and Catocala. I have California butterflies, A curiosities and stamps. E. DODGE, Bay street, Santa Cruz, Cal EXCHANGE.—A tine series of ten of the Pallas Murre from Cape Hope, Alaska. want es 332, 343, 348, 362, 364 and many others, D. E. BROWN, 6044 ist Ave.. No. W. Sta. F: Seattle. Wash. FOR EXCHANGE.—A few choice sets of glaucous-winged gull, black oyster catcher, Tring-necked plover, Kodiak fox sparrow, Pacific murre. All collected by myself. G. W. STEVENS, Alva. Okla. FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine set cf 2.3,4and 5 Ferruginous Rough-leg Hawk, on the basis of 75 cents cash value peregg. Only extra fine or rare material wanted. CHILDS MU- SEUM., Floral Park, N. Y. 13] WANTED.—Sets pt poke 352, 352a. 206, and many common sets; have to offer choice sets 679 1-4, 417 1-2, 419 1-2; Ea 339. 375, 263, 261, 273 and many other choice ‘sets; send list a re- ceive mine. RAY DINSMORE, Perry, Ohio FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets of_ Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Louisiana Heron, Wayne’s Clapper Rail, Florida Burrowing Owl. and others. For: parliculars address W. W. WORTHINGTON, Shelter Island Heights, New York. - FOR EXCHANGE. — Eggs in_fine sets, beautiful minerals, butterflies and moths in history specimens. Send lists and receive mine. LEWIS SNYDER, Lacona, New York. FOR EXCHANGE.—One set of Eleven Wood Duck, taken in 1904 by Verdi Burtch in New Abnormal Chimney Swift Eggs. While on a trip through Passaic Co., at Pompton Lakes, N. J.. on May 26, 1910, I had the pleasure of locating a nest of the Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) in which two abnormal eggs were found. The nest was located in the main chimney of an old farm house quite near the top and contained a clutch of five eggs perfectly normal in color and appearance, Two of these were at least one-half again as large as the other three, which were normal in size. The two big eggs measured .89 x .62 and .85x.59; and the three small Ones x ols Wo x48) wand W4esee5 0: I have neither the eggs or a picture to substantiate the aboye record, as the presence of the nest was already known to the owner of the house and she positively would not listen to any suggestion as their value to oology. She was one of the class of bird lov- ers who will only consider their econ- omic value and companionship. I must say I would have much liked to have taken the set, but out of respect for the good old lady and her great love for our bird friends, could not per- suade myself to attempt to steal a march on her and secure them at any risk. LOUIS S. KOHLER, Bloomfield, N. J. a Walter Raine at the Toronto Exhibi- tion, 1910, The Natural History Exhibit, con- Sisting of Stutfed Birds, Animals, shells, Butterflies and living Fish in tanks, is this year located under the Grand Stand, just east of Nasmith’s Dining Hall. Here is to be seen an attractive ex- hibit of Birds’ Nests and Hegs from the extensive collection owned by W. Raine, of Kew Beach, Toronto. As the space is limited, it is impossible to show Raine’s entire collection (numbering over 50,000 specimens, one of the largest in North America); but enough specimens have been selected from the collection to make a fine dis- play, that will, no doubt, prove inter- esting as well as instructive. The eggs of the Ostrich family are well represented, for, in addition to the eggs of the common Ostrich from Africa, are to be seen eges of Hmu from Australia, Rheas from South America, Darwin’s Rhea from Patago- nia, Cassowary from New Guinea, and eggs of the One-Wattled Cassowary— the only eggs of this specimen in North American collections. There are Albatross eggs, Penguins’, THE OO OGIST 128 Man-c-War Birds’ and Boobies’ eggs from the islands of the South Paci- fic, and all kinds of Sea Birds’ eggs from the Arctic regions, as well as eges of Eagles, Vultures, Hawks, Swans, Geese, Cranes and Pelicans from all parts of the world. One case contains fifteen specimens of nests and eggs of Wild Ducks and Geese, collected by Mr. Raine amongst the lonely lakes of Northern Canada and Hurope. Of special interest is a fine series of one hundred Humming Birds’ Nests, and as specimens of bird architecture a great variety of beautiful and cur- ious nests are shown, the pretty and neatly constructed nests of the Hum- ming Birds, Warblers, Gnatcatchers, Finches, Bush Tits and Wrens making a contrast to the carelessly made nests of the Doves, Marsh Hawks, Plovers and Sandpipers. This exhibit covers a space 30x5 feet, and yet only comprises one-tenth part of the immense collection Mr. Raine has been twenty years in get- ting together, Please note the location, under the Grand Stand, West end, as we feel sure the Natural History Exhibit will prove interesting to all visitors. — ——_*_o_____—__- The New A. O, U, Check List. “All things come to him who waits.” At least strange as it may seem, after many promises, disappointments, ex- planations, delays, ete. this produc- tion has made its appearance, and the students of birds may now (providing he has the price) acquire a complete list of the birds, included in the Ameri- can Ornithologists’ Union Check list. But by so doing, he will acquire in addition thereto the misfortune of own- ing a book, which, if he is to keep it up to date, will require an endless amount of erasures, interlineations, additions and subtractions, if not mul- tiplicaticn and division. It is to be hoped that some day, whenever that day is, if it ever arrives, that we mav have a list of bird names that will be as permanent as that of the Robin, which, though the Latin name has undergone many transforma- tions, is still known as the Robin. Certainty and permanency in names as in all other things is one of the mest highly desirable of conditions; and we trust that the hair-splitting’ closet naturalists will ultimately either arrive at the end of their string or carry their peculiar eccentricities to such an extent as to totally dis- credit themselves along these lines, and that a day will soon arrive when the name of a bird will be as perma- nent and as recognizable as the name of any other one thing. When that day comes, confusion worse than con- founded, will be a thing of the past. One of the most ominous things not- ed in the new check list is the threat- ened assault on the permanency of the common names of our birds. Many of these are changed and if this di- sease spreads as rapidly as it did among the scientific names, we will never be able to recognize many of our’ old friends in a few years, Let us hope it will not be. pas a ee From the National Conservation Con- gress at Minneapolis, Minn. FAVORS BIRD CONSERVATION Naturalist Tells of Good Done by Feathered Tribe. Frank M. Chapman of New York city, curator of birds in the American Museum of Natural History, address- ed the conservation congress last even- ing on ‘Practical Bird Conservation.” Mr. Chapman referred to birds as the conservators of our forests and 124 THE told how they destroyed forest-destroy- ing insects. He said that insects caus- ed an annual loss to the timber and forestry interests of the country of $100,000, and said: “We cannot hope to preserve our timbered areas with- out the exercise of proper methods of conservation, nor can the conserva- tionists hope for success in this direc- tion without the co-operation of the birds. “We can afford to spray those or- chard trees which yield an annual di- vidend in fruit, but, mechanical diffi- culties aside, we cannot afford to spray a tree which yields a crop only once in a lifetime. The forester can assist the birds but he cannot dis- pense with their services. “Let me now present from a wealth of data a few facts in support of this assertion that birds are essential to the continued existence of forests. The extent to which trees are preyed up- on by insects will be more fully rea- lized when I tell you that forty-one different species of insects infest the locust, eighty the elm, 105 the birch, 165 the pine, 170 the hickory, 186 the willow, while the insect foes of the oak number over five hundred. “At no period of its life is the tree exempt from insect depredation, and every part of it is attacked, from the tinest rootlet to the terminal bud, blossom or fruit.” Mr. among Chapman asserted that “chief the He referred to the slaugh- enemies of birds is woman.” ter of birds in the quest for feathers, and spoke particularly of the passing of the white heron of the southern marshes, OOLOGIST White Tailed Ptarmigan. I should be very pleased to hear from any readers of THE OOLOGIST, who may have any authentic eggs of lagopus leucurus and any information as to When and where they were taken will be very much appreciated. I have two sets of this species, one of six eggs, and one of ten, with the latter set I also have both parents. Both sets were taken in the Rocky Moun- tains west of this city, and in each case the female showed remarkable tameness, In the case of the set of six eggs, the female sat while several photos were taken of her, and was then lifted off the eggs by hand (a fact) after which she strutted around making a clucking sound like an an- sry hen. This is the statement my collector gave me and I do not doubt ts : These two sets are the fruits of over fifteen years endeavor to secure the eges of this bird. G. F. DIPPIH, Calgary, Alberta, Can. WGULD SAVE BIRDS The Audubon Society at the Minnesota State Fair. The State Audubon society is mak- ing an appeal to save the harmless birds and its collection at the state ‘fair shows the various songsters of Minnesota and tells their value. The society has been given a corner in the horticultural building, where its work is pictured and told by the at- tendants in charge. The society is aiming to prevent a slaughter of song birds in Minnesota similar to that re- cently in Tennessee where thousands of robins and other harmless birds were slain. THE OOLOGIST V The Condor” A Magazine of Western Ornithology Edited by J. Grinnell. Associate Editors: Harry S. Swarth, Robt. B. Rockwell “Official Organ of the Cooper Orni- thological Club.’’ Vol. XII, 1910 will contain the usual interesting articles by live active ornithologists and will be illustrated by the high- est class of half tones. You can- not afford to miss a number. Published bi-monthly at Holly- wood, California. Subscription: $1.50 per year net in advance- Single copies: 30c each. Foreign subscription. $1.75. J. Eugene Law, Business Mgr. Hollywood, California. W. Lee Chambers, Asst. Mgr. Santa Monica, California. McCALL PATTERNS Celebrated for style, perfect ee ehelty and to) reliability nearly 40 years. in nearly every city and town in the United States and Canada, or by mail direct. More sold than any other make, Send for free catalogue, McCALL’S MAGAZINE More subscribers than any other fashion magazine—million a month, Invaluable, Lat- est styles, patterns, dressmaking, millinery, plain sewing, fancy needlework, hairdressing, etiquette, good stories, etc. Only 50 cents a year (worth double), including a free pattern, Subscribe today, or send for sample copy. WONDERFUL INDUCEMENTS to Agents. Postal brings premium catalogue and new cash prize offers, Address THE McCALL CO., 238 to 248 W. 37th St., NEW YORK In continuation of its series of plates of the Sparrows of North America IN COLOR Bird-Lore for January-Feb- ruary (Vol. XII, No. 1) con- tains colored figures of the Grasshopper, Henslow’s Baird’s and LeConte’s Spar- rows. The series was begun in Bird-Lore for November-De- cember, where the Chipping, Field, Tree, Clay-colored and Brewer’s Sparrows were fig- ured. The demand for December, 1909, Bird-Lore has so exceeded our esti- mate that, in spite of the fact that we printed an unusually large edi- tion, the supply is now exhausted. We will, however, senda copy of the Sparrow plate (the first of the Sparrows of North America in color) which appeared in that num- ber, to all subscribers to Bird-Lore for 1910 (Vol. XII), in order that their series of these plates may be complete. Single numbers 20 cents. Annual subscription $1.00 BIRD-LORE, Harrisburg, Pa. VI THE OOLOGIST -Oologists & Taxidermists Tools Beoks and Magazines of Every Description Write me just what you wish. I can save you money. Specimen prices. All sent prepaid. Cut the Lining Egg Drills; 16 sizes. They are a delight for fine work. If not more than pleased return them. 25c each. 4 select- CORSIZES EH .0. aisesiht eee ee $1.00 Blowpipes; best nickel, 6-7 in. 20e7,) 8-9) in: 30c¢,. 10-12, inv eos 40 Regular Egg Drills, best made No. 0 20c., No. 1 252., No. 2 ... .85 No. 3, 50c.; No. 4, 75c; No. 5, SIROORNOLY 6.0 Se SR eee 1.50 Embryo Scissors, 25c.. 50c., $1.00 GUT Cte ote ais aio Scooter eee 1.25 Embryo Hooks, Best, .......... 25 Forceps, Best made, ........... 45 Best Steel Climbers without straps, $2.00; with 4 straps 3.00 Data Blanks about 3x5 in. per 100 .10 Egg Pencils, thick soft lead; three for Oologist yearly subscription and Davie’s Nests and Eggs 5th Ed. 1.60 Chapman’s Handbook, Leather, $2.60 Cloths, : 20 ee eee Reed’s North American Birds Eggs and Oologist one year . 2.50 Coues Key, Last ed. Two vol- umes, Cloth Benjamin Hoag, Stephentown, N. Y. GREAT AUK AND MAMMOTH FOR EXOHANGE Skeleton, loose bones, portions of eggs of the Great Auk. Tusks of the Alaskan Mammoth. Rare North American sets. WANTED:— Ornithological books and maga- zines, Mammals, Birds, Turtles,alive. Osteological material. J. D. Sornborger, Rowley, Mass. WANTED Taxidermists to send for my large illus- trated catalogue of fine glass eyes, silver- plated fittings for deer feet, tools and other taxidermists’ supplies. JAMES P. BABBITT, Taunton, Mass- FOR SALE I havea new copy Bendires Life Histories of N. Am. Birds, for salecheap. Ifinterested write me. Also a few choice sets of rare Arctic species, such as Slaty-back and Pt. Barrow Gull, Dowitcher, Am. Golden Plover, Dowitcher, Winter Wren, etc. JAMES P. BABBITT, Taunton, Mass. WANTED A powerful spyglass or a pair field glasses. I can ofler in exchange rare Arctic sets or anything I advertise in taxidermists sup- plies, glass eyes, etc. JAMES P- BABBITT, Taunton, Mass, The Bulletin Books and Pamphlets on Orni- thology, Oology, Botany, Entomology, Concholhgy, Archaeology, To po- graphy, Voyages, Travels, Ethnology, Languages’ offered at moderate prices. Scarce works sought for. Lists of wants requested from all collectors. Specimen copy of Bulletin for 2 cent stamp. THE BULLETIN, 4 Duke St. Adelphi, London, England SS Knickerbocker Book Shop, Beechwoods, Woodcliffe Lake, N. J. WANTS Baird, Brewer & Ridgeway Water Birds, 1st edition with colored plates. Also Baird Cassin in Lawrence. The “Birds of North America” with atlas of 100 colored plates. Holden—“Canary & Cage Birds.” Auk—Vol. 1 & 3. Audubon’s Ornithological Bibliogra- phy, Vol. 4. “Bird Lore” January & February of 1905-1809 complete. Coues’ 3d installment Bibliography. Bonaparte’s “American Ornithology —4th Vol. edition Philadelphia 1825- 1828. CASH OR EXCHANGE. THE OOLOGIST | WANT THE FOLLOWING. Please look this list over careful- ly and if you have any of them write me, The Wilson Billitin, Nos 6.1.78: The Curlew, Published by O. P. Hau ger of Orleans, Ind., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, al iay e The Ornithologist and Oologist Semi- Annual, Published in 1889-90-91 by Wm. H,. Foote of Pittsfield, Mass., and by C. C. Maxfield of Danbury, Conn, in 1891. No. 1, Vol. I. The Wilson Quarterly, Vol. 3. The Wilson Journal, Vol 1, Jany., 1893 and Vol. 2, June, 1893. The Oologist, of Utica, N. Y., Vols. 1-5 inclusive, for 1875 to 1881, any numbers. Journal of the Maine Ornithological Club. Vol. 2, No, 1, 2, 3, Vol, Birds of California, In relation to the fruit industry—Beal, Part II. Catalogue of Canadian Birds, by Prof. McCoun, Part I, 1st Ed. Back Numbers of the Oologist Wanted Vol. 1, No.1. sé y} é eo 6 3, ae” Be 6c 4, 6A. 6c b, 66 5, 6. ‘eé 6, ce 4, “e Che é 3. ok. 4,5, 8 SE i se 12; se ite “eé 13, ee Be peeaiae "Sate ae es LCA oS “cc 26, “ec 9, I will buy a large number of each of the above back numbers for cash at the rate they are listed at, as being for sale in this number of THE OOLO- GIST. Address, R M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. Vir Prices for Back Numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST AND THE OOLOGIST will, during 1910, remain as below: After which the prices of many num- bers will be advanced and possibly not obtainable at any price. Should you desire back numbers to complete yom fille, NOW is the time to purchase. You can never obtain them for less money and possibly not at any price, as our stock ranges from only 1 to 25 copier of an issue. Prices for 1910 Are =, Follows: Nos. 1,14, 18, 31, 34-35, 42, 53, 86 a os 130 , 132 137. 139, 140, 153, 158, are 80 cents Nos. 9, 66-67, 76, 77, 78, 79. Se, 96, 100. 113, 138, 146, are % 6 cents each. Nos. 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 54, 65, 66, 765, 87, 123, 127, 128, 129, 144. 149, are 15 cents each. Nos. 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 38, 39, 40, re 60, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 11 116, 126, 133, 135, are 10 cents each. @S-All other numbers 6c. per copy. For $12 will send prepaid a copy of every issue ever published, No. 1 to 145.—30 far as nowon hand. This offer in- cludes your subscription through 1910. My prices for back numbers of the YOUNG OOLOGIST and OOLOGIST in volumes, are as follows: Volk I, 1884-65, Nos#i to 12......... $ .90 Vol) TI, 1885, Nos) isto 14e. ... cs .50 Vol Ill, 1886, INosiitboto 30... ...: .90 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26.... 1.00 Vol, V, 1888, (Nosh 2G sto) 38... 0... 1.56 Vol. VI, 1889, Nos. 39 to 50........ -76 Vol. VII 1890, Nos: (G)3to 63..3...<. -75 Vol. VIII, 1891, Nos. 63 to 74...... j Vol. IX, 1892, Nos. 75 to 86........ -90 Vol. X, 1893, Nowt-87" £0 88. 2..:./ 1.00 Vol. XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 110...... -50 Vol. XII, 1895, Nos. 111 to 122.... 1.00 Vol. XIII, 1896, Nos. 123 to 127.... .50 Vol XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.... 1.50 Vol. XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149.... .60 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 160 to 161..-- .765 Vol. XvIii, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171. .50 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. -50 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. .50 Vol. XX, 1903, "Nos. 196 to 197..... -10 Vol. XXI, 1904, No. 198 to 209. -50 Vol. XXII, 1905, Nos. 210 to ae -50 Vol. XXIII, 1906, 222 to 233...........- +... 50 Vol. XXLEV. 180724 teaeans Sse. en ew 55 Vol. XXV, 1908, 246 to 7. 7 eee For $5.25 I will send prepaid a copy ‘of every issue published, Nos. 1 to 209, Inclusive, except the twenty-nine, (29), 25c., 50c.and 75c.copies. For $2.50 I will send prepaid every copy published, Nos. 1 to 209, inclusive, except the sixty copies priced above at 10c or over. — BOUND VOLUMES — Can be furnished, strongly bound in cloth and hoards, as follows: Vol. I and II YOUNG OOLOGIST bound in one’ VOlUnIG; 7 7 sere ee nes 6 See 1.00 Vol. IX. The OOLOGIST for ’92, 298 pages of valuable and instructive Oological and Ornithological matter with maar full page illustrations, . 3 $1.00 Or, if you order the two volunnes at one time, we will send them by return mail for only $1.75. Every student of birds, their nests and eggs, should have these two volumes in their brary. The valuable information ‘hey contain, ‘8 worth many times the price. Address plainly, R. M. BARNES, Albion, N. Y. Lacon, Ill. VIII THE OOLOGIST 1911 The Oologist for the coming year will be Bigger, Better, Newsier. © ® £& The Oologist is rapidly growing in ~ Size, | Popularity. Influence. © © Ff The Oologist is the only birds eggs magazine in America. Subscribe Now and receive the October and November Numbers Free. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY VoL. XXVII. No. 11. ALBION, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 280 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Etc. inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. It denotes the time your subscription expires. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid, 280 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 251 your subscription expires with December issue 1910. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1903, at the post office, at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Con- gress of March 3, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘‘THE OOLOGIST,’’ and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. BIRDS WANTED.—A few good skins of the Aleu- tian Tern (Sterna aleutica) Thayer Museum, Lancaster, Mass. WANTED,—A few good skins of the Dakota Song Sparrow, (Melospiza melodia juddi) THAYER MUSEUM, Lancaster, Mass. WANTED.—One first set each of Sandhill and Whooping Crane, one pair of skins of Whooping Crane. Will exchange specimens from Northwest Canada. MACKAY «& DIPPIE, Calgary, Alberta. WANTED.—Skins of birds of the Rocky Mountain and Gulf states, also a few rare Eastern. Can offer material from Baja Cali- fornia (Mexico) and good exchange in well made Western skins. Please send complete a PINGREE I. OSBURNE, Pasadena, al. TO EXCHANGE.—Finely mounted birds and deer heads, several hundred Natural History and Sportsman’s magazines, for bird and mammal skins. GEO. F. GUELF, Taxidermist. Brockport, N. Y. Any collectors having a few good labeled specimens of foreign birds, send list. I will give A 1skins of Illinois and California birds. Also offer skins of common specimens from Dilinois for nests and sets of small species. Bene K. COALE, Highland Park, Lake Copp YE TO EXCHANGE.—Bird skins from north- eastern United States for specimens from other parts of North America. Collectors send their lists in exchange for mine. J. A WEBER, Palisades Park, N. J. I want 1 perfect skin in full breeding plum- age of each of the following species: A. O.U, No, 396, 454, 456, 460, 468, 470a, 471, 477, 483, 495a, 498, 506,515, 511b, 528, 530b, 534, 542c, 657, 558. 581d. 583, 585, 593c, 594, 641, 643, 644, 646, 651, 655, 657, 659, 660, 675, 679, 680, 681, 683, 685, 715, 757, 758a, 761, 725. I have duplicates for exchange of A. O. U. No. 373. 495, 498, 507, 529, 558, 559, 601, 608, 636, 648, 662, 594, 666. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. WANTED. First class skins of Murreleta, Gulls, Shearwaters, Rails, Shore | Birds, Grouse, Hawks, Owls, particularly Snowy and Great Gray, and certain smallland birds. _ Offer representative Southern Calor pa | 7 species, also fine sets of personally ‘taken™ @ Heermann’s Gulls and Blue-footed Boobies. All reliable collectors send lists. ‘\PINGREY I. OSBURN, Pasadena, Calif. | THE CELEBRATED HUNGARIAN AND ENGLISH PARTRIDGES AND PHEAS- ANTS, capercailzies, black game, wild turkeys, quails, rabbits, deer, etc. for stock purposes. Fancy pheasants, peafowl, swans, cranes, storks, ornamental geese and ducks, foxes, squirrels, ferrets, and all kinds of birds and animals. WENZ& MACKENSEN, peo H, Pheasantry & Game Park, Yardley, a. eee Is your subscription paid up? II THE OOLOGIST EGGS In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would appreciate it if you would arrange the numerals in your exchange notice in their numerical order, and not tumble them together hit and miss, as some of our readers are complaining, and we think justly so. FOR EXCHANGE— First class ae in sets. C.S. RUTHERFORD, Revere Send exchange lists of first class sets for mine.—J. PRESTON, ‘1411 13th Ave., Spokane, Wash. I offer 1-3, 2-4 Fish Crow, 1-5 201, 1-5 194; all for a set of Bartman’s Sandpiper 4or 5 eggs. W.B.CRISPIN, Salem, N. J. WANTED.—Eggs in sets with original data. Send list of everything you have. GEORGE SETH GUION, Napoleonville, La. Are you interested in North American Water-birds’ eggs ?.. Send for list, 225 species. THOMAS H. JACKSON, West Chester. Pa. WANTED.—Good eggs, Indian relics, and Catocala. I have California butterflies, sea curiosities and stamps. E. DODGE, 552 Bay street, Santa Cruz, Cal. EXCHANGE.—A tine series of ten of the Pallas Murre from Cape Hope, Alaska. I een 188, 332, 343, 348, 362, 364 and many Oe: E. BROWN, 6044 Ist Ave.. No. W., Sta. F. Seattle, Wash. FOR EXCHANGE.—A few choice sets of glaucous-winged gull, black oyster catcher, ring-necked plover, Kodiak fox sparrow, Pacific murre. All collected by myself. W. STEVENS, Alva, Okla. FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine set of 2.3.4 and 5 Ferruginous Rough-leg Hawk, on the basis of 75 cents cash yalue peregg. Only extra fine or rare material wanted. CHILDS MU- SEUM. Floral Park, N. Y. 13] . WANTED.—Sets of 351, 352, 352a. 206, and many common sets; have to offer choice sets 679 1- 2) 417 1-2, 419 1-2, 337, 339. 375, 263, 261, 273 and many other choice ‘sets; send list and re- ceive mine. RAY DINSMORE, Perry, Ohio FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets of Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Louisiana Heron, Wayne’s Clapper Rail, Florida Burrowing Owl, and others. For parliculars address WwW. W. WORTHINGTON, Shelter Island Heights, New York. FOR EXCHANGE. — Eggs in fine sets, beautiful minerals, butterflies and moths in dust and insect proof cases, and other natural history specimens. Want all the above. Send lists and receive mine. LEWIS C. SNYDER, Lacona, New York. FOR _EXCHANGE.—One set of Eleven Wood Duck, taken in 1904 by Verdi Burtch in New York for a good set of three of Golden Eagle. This duck is rapidly becoming extinct and these eggs are now rarely offered. R.M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. TO EXCHANGE — Sets with data, North American and Foreign. Can use many com- mon kinds of both. Dr. T. W. RICHARDS - = Navy, 1911 N. St., N. W., Washington I HAVE 273 3-4, 60a 2-4, 365 2-5, 375d 2-2, 476 1-6, 715 4-4, etc. U WABT2-3-5-12-30-32-63-67-70- (76) -90- 92 -106 -108-120a-120c-128-258-318-319-320a- 412-421 with nests; 428-432-433-434-436-439-466- Sa Ee ae FRED TRUESDALE, Shan- on, Ual. FOR SALE.—Some rare single eggs from Iceland, Loons, Sijua, Glaucous Gull, Old- squaw, Northern Eider, Bean Goose, Whoop- ing Swan, Golden Plover. Dunlin, Godwit, Ruff, Snowflake, Iceland Falcon, and others. Send for full list to H. WARREN, Room 215 St. James Chambers, Adelaide Pitas Jee Toronto, Ont. ““T have perfect sets of Mourning, Cerulean Black throated, Blue and Black throated Green Warbler, American Woodcock, Bar- tramian Sandpiper. King Rail, Canadian Spruce, Grouse and Sharp Shinned Hawk for exchange. I desire sets of American Flam- ingo, Long-billed Curlew, Semipalmated Plover, Franklin’s Grouse, Bonaparte’s Gull, Williamson’s Sapsucker, White-headed and Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Pink-sided Junco, Hutton’s and Black Capped Vireo, Sennett’s Orange-crowned and Connecticut Warbler and Canada Jay. GERARD ALA ABBOTT, 945 Marquette Bldg., Chicage. FOR EXCHANGE.—Eggs in sets with full data. A.O.U.No. No. 11-3, 61-5, 13 1-1, 161-1, 97 1-2, 29 1-2, 30a 1-1, 321-1, 401-3, 431-1, 49 1-2. 51 1- at 53 1-3, 561-2, 541-3, 581-3, 641-3, 67 1-1, 70 1-3, 721-3, 751-1, 771-2, 79 1-1,- 801-4, 86 1-1, 106 1-1, 1171-1, 1201-3, 1841-3, 191 1-5, 194 1-4) 200 1-3, 2011-5, 202 1-4, 2261-2, 2711-1, 320a 1-1, 395 1-2, 3261-2, 333 1-4, 337 1-2, 339 1-3, 348 1-2. 364 1-2, 378 1-1, 431 1-2 with nest; 506 1-2, 519b 1-1, also blow pipe, embryo shears and hook and set of cut thelining egg drills. Willexchange all of the above for best offer of Indian bird Writ points and other flint and bead relics. rite me and send outlines. HENRY J. RUST, Box 683, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. I want sets of LES North American birds’ eggs: = Ui 4,5, 7, 40, 49. 51, 53, 70, 77, 125, 132, 140, 190, 196. 208, "994," 258, 261, 269, 280, 305, 325, 326, 332, 337, 343, 349 352, 360. 362, 364, 368, 373, 375, 393, 394c, 402, 406, 416,423, 428) 429° 452, 461, 464, 466, 466a, 477, 490, 494. 497. 506, 507, 517, 540, 546, 549, 550, 554, 558, 595, 604, 608, 611, 622, 627, 628, 631, 637, 648, 681, 702, 727, 735, 736, 746. 751, 7588, 759h. For any of these i will give full even rates in exchange, using the Lattin- Short 1905 Catalogue. I can offer A. Nos. 30a 6-1, 32 6-1, 791-1, 184 2-3 2-4, 187 2-3 2-4, 199 2-5, 313 1-2, 378a 2-5, 4472-4, 4482-4, 505a 1-3, 513 2-3, 5281-4. 5311-5, 542c 1-4, 552a 2-4, 578 1-2, 580a 1-2, 593a 1-4, 7101-3, in sets. Also some desirable singles; a large list of Shells, Minerals, Fossils, and curios and a few geod books. If you have others to offer than those I mention above write me. I may be able to make youanoffer. ERNEST H. SHORT, Box 173, Rochester, N. Y. Is your Subscription paid up ? THE QOOLOGIST ill BOOKS, WANTED FOR CASH.—Bird Lore Vol. I- 2,6; Vol. II—2; Vol. III—1; VII—1. LOUIS S. KOHLER Bloomfield, N. J. WANTED.—The Auk, Vol. II, Nos. 2, 3, 4, Vol. IV, Nos. 2, 4, Vol. V. Nos. 2, 3,4, Vol. VI. Nos. 1,3. Forcash orexchange. LOUIS A, FUERTES, Ithaca, N. Y. WANTED.—Back numbers of The Auk. Nuttal’s Bulletin and other bird magazines, also on insects. Have numbers to exchange. G. W. HUMPHREY, Dedham, Mass. WANTED.—Books on birds. Will pay a reasonable cash price for those that I desire. State title aud author, conaition. etc. CHAS. F. CARR, (Personal), New London, Wis. Have your Oologists or other magazines, bound by a careful, painstaking hand pro- cess. Write what you have and get styles. Prices reasonable. Exchange considered. HOWARD W.McMILLEN, Ada, Ohio. c FOR SALE.—In perfect condition, * North American Birds” by Henry Nebrling, German text, cloth bound, gilt edge, 668 pages and 36 plates, showing 137 species in natural color. Original price $15. Sells for $7. ERICH DIETRICH, Canby, Oregon. FOR SALE.—The following books: Birds of North and Middle America by Ridgway, Parts I, IJ, III,andIV. Birds of Wyoming 1902, by Knight, Our Northern and Eastern Birds, by E. A. Samuels, Nuttall’s Ornithol- ogy, two volumes, The Auk, Vols. 16, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Allin excellent condition. Will sellcheap, F.C. HUBEL, Clarkston, Mich. BIRD MAGAZINES.—I have about_ 500 old bird magazines for exchange, including complete volumes of Auk, Condor, Nidiolo- gist, Osprey, Oregon Naturalist, and odd numbers of all of these. W. LEE CHAM- BERS, 1226 11th St., Santa Monica, Cal. FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE—For Orni- thological Books: Vols. I, XII, Forest and Stream, bound, with index and summary of all the ornithological matter contained in these volumes. 188lissue, paper cover. Ad- dress, H. H. BAILEY, P. O. Box 154, Newport News, Va. (le) Second-Hand Books and Excerpts Relating to Natural History. BIRD BOOKS FRANKLIN BOOKSHOP S. N. RHOADS, Prop. 920 Walnut St. Philadelphia CATALOGS In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would appreciate it if you would arrange the numerals in your exchange notice in their numerical order, and not tumble them together hit and miss, as some of our readers are complaining, and we think justly so. I will give $1.00 for No.6 of Vol. 5 of THE OOLOGIST in the original covers and in good condition. R.M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. FOR SALE.—My entire Ornithological Library, either as a whole or by separate volumes. Address 8. B. LADD, 215 Walnut St., Reading, Pa. WANTED.—The Bulletin of the Cooper O. Club Vol. I complete; Wilson Bulletin Nos 4.5,6,7,8and 24 forcash. LOUISS. KOHLER, 98 Watsessing Ave., Bloomfield, N. J. WANTED.—Robert Ridgway’s Birds of North and Middle America: Parts 2,3, and 4. Paper cover preferred. OSCAR T. WILL- ARD., Jr., 481 Jefferson Ave., Chicago, Il. FOR EXCHANGE.—Bird skins, Hooker’s Natural History, Davies’ 4th Edition, com- mon tame Pigeons. Desire books on birds, bird skins, or mounted birds. O. M. GREEN- WOOD, Manchester, Iowa. (le) WANTED.—Odd volumes, plates or parts of any octavo edition of Audubon’s Birds of America. Good price given: especially for plates Nos. 40. 73. 118, 283, 284. 346, 359, 375, 488, 490, 491. S. N. RHOADS, 920 Walnut St. Philadelphia. OLD MAGAZINES WANTED. — The Oologist by Lattin. Vol. V complete. The Oologist by Willard, Vol. I, complete: Vol. II. Nos 1.2,3. Also some of older Wilson Club publications.1DR. GUY C. RICH, Sioux City Iowa. (1) WANTED.—The following back numbers of THE OOLOGIST for the Department of Agricultnre, Washington, D. C. Vol. 2, No. 2: Vol. 3, No. 4; Vol. 5, No. 6: Vol. 6, No. 4; Vol. 13, No. 5; Vol. 14, No.3.and 10, Vol. 15. No. 7. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. ee FOR SALE.—Taylor’s Standard American Egg Catalogue, second edition. Published by oH. R. Taylor, Alameda, Cal., 1904. 25c. per copy, 3 for 50c., 7 copies for $1.00. All prepaid for the price. Every egg collector in America should have a copy. W. LEE CHAMBERS, 1226 11th St., Santa Moe Cal. 2 ——————E———E———————————————— For sale or to exchange for books, maga- zines or birdskins .O & O vols. VI, VII, VItl, XVI, XVII. Nidologist vols. II. II, IV. Trans Wis. Acad. Odd vols.; Auk XI, 3 and 4: XII. 3; XX. 2; Capens Oology; Oologist, vols. VI[to XVII inc. bound. Hardwick’s Science Gossip. F. B. McKECHNIE, Ponk- apog, Mass. WANTED.—CosMoPpoLITAN MAGAZINE Teé- quires the services of a representative 10 to look after subscription renewals and to extend circulation by special methods which haye_ proved unusually successful. Salary and commission. Pre- vious experience desirable but not essential. Whole time or spare time. Address, with references, H. C. CAMPBELL, Cosmopolitan Magazine, 1789 Broadway, New York City. THE MISCELLANEOUS. TO EXCHANGE a very fine Premo Su- peme camera, 5 x7, for a motorcoylein GOOD py SUN IOI Write G. W. peevene Alva, a. : y) FOR SALE-- One number 3, folding camera, Has been used very little Will sell cheap. Write for price. D. Carey Westbrook 412 West College St., (le) : Griffin. Ga. Wa ted.— Northern and southern raw furs. Highest market price paid. All goods held subject to approval of valuation. Price listfree. GEORGE J. TILLS, Albion N. Y Wanted: A buyer for fine camera. Premo Supreme, 5x7, practically new; it has all attachments and adjustments found on a Hest class camera. G. W. Steves. trae a. FOR SALE.—One Myer System, Cloas Flute, 11 keys, low pitch in case. Used three months. Will sell at very reasonable price. Will send on approval. L. V. MEDICUS, 3002 Chestnut St., Kansas City, Mo. FOR SALE.— One Myer System, Cloas Flute, 11 keys, low pitch in case. Used three months. Will sell at very_reasonable price. Will send on approval. L. V. MEDICUS 3002 Chestnut St., Kansas City, Mo. FOR EXCHANGE — Sets of Red-‘footed Booby, Black-vented Shearwater, and Ridge- way Noddy, collected by A. W. Anthony: and many others. I want especially. good sets of 328, 339a, 348, 355, 356, ; ALFRED B. HOWHELL, 250 N. Orange Grove Ave., Pasa- dena, Cal. IMPORTED COCOONS.—Atlas, Mylitta, Roylei, Selene. Trifen-estrata and other Indian pupae for Regalis, Versicolora and other desirable native pupae and eggs. JAMES L. MITCHELL, Indiana Trust Build- ing, Indianapolis, Indiana. EXCHANGE-- Nearly new 24 guage Janssen Sons and Co. double breech loading top snap hammer gun, marked Belgium Laminated Steel, $11 Would exchange for larger bore. (1) A.C. Dyke, Bridgewater Mass. SOMEONE—Make me some offers on cases of fine U.S. Fractional Currency. Very desir- able stuff for collectors. All answered. R. T. FULLER, Lacona, N. Y. (1) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Over 775 scientific and showy shells representing 321 species, named, packed ready to ship. List upon request. Price $15.00, or will exchange for ornithological books and sets of birds’ eggs. If you are interested in shells do not fail to inquire into this collection. Also 30 species of birds’ eggs in sets at a bargain. CLARENCE F. STONE, Branchport, N. Y. SS essa Students, Sportsmen, Naturalists. — Let Mullen mount your trophies, standard Museum methods in taxidermy, all branches, Tanning, Lap Robes, Fur Coats. B. F. MUL- LEN, Taxidermist, Tanner, 509 N. 25th St. OOLOGIST Watch This Space In the Future FOR OUR LIST Rare Living Pupae and Cocoons Of North American Lepidoptera We will have some nice rarities such as Papilio Daunus AND Sphinx Kalmiae The Maplewood Biological Laboratory THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXVIII. No. 11. AuBIon, N. Y. Nov. 15, 1910. WHOLE No. 280 Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N. Y., and Lacon, Illinois. No. 67—Walter Raine, of Toronto, Canada, and Wife 126 THE OOLOGIST Z7((I); \ai 0 Walter Raine. With this issue we present to you a likeness of Walter Raine and his wife. Mr. Raine needs no introduction and no enconium. He is one of the best known oologists in all North America and has placed in various collections, perhaps more eggs than any other dealer in North America. The years he has been in the busi- ness he has established a reputation for fairness and integrity that anyone may well envy. Specimens from him are to be found in almost every lead- ing collection in North America. We have done business with Mr. Raine for practically twenty years and have just recently closed up with him the larg- est single exchange of specimens we have ever made, aggregating on both sides about 1000 separate specimens. SSS eee z Elevated Nests of the Indigo Bunting. On September 3, 1903, in Juniata Park, at Frankford, Philadelphia Coun- ty; Pennsylvania, I found an Indigo Bunting’s nest in an unusual situation. It was fourteen feet up in a big white- oak on the edge of the wood, and ten feet out from the trunk, “saddled” to a small crotch at the end of a slender horizontal limb. Of course it was empty at this late date, but on examination, showed that a brood of young had been raised in it. At the identical place, on October 4, 1905, I found another elevated Indi- go Bunting’s nest. This one was in a young sour gum about twenty feet from the oak, and was seventeen feet from the ground, placed in the same kind of a situ as the other, six feet out from the trunk, And like it also, young had been reared in it. It resembled the first nest, but was looser construct- ed. Both were made of the usual com- bination of materials and did not differ appreciably from normal _ situated nests, and there is no doubt as to their having been built by the same pair of birds, : There were plenty of undergrowth in the woods in which the birds could have nested, and why they should have chosen the trees is another one of those birds’ mysteries so puzzling to us. ; Never before or since have I ever found an Indigo Bunting’s nest over five feet high; the average height of their situation in my experience being one and one-half feet, and the lowest nest I ever saw was within six inches of the earth. R. F, MILLER. ~ 9 List of Birds Observed at Petersburg, Virginia, by Charles Lungsford, Jr. 129 American Merganser f 132 Mallard 133 Black Duck, 143 + Pintail 144 Wood Duck 147 Canvas-back Duck 172 Canada Goose, seen flying over. 191 Least Bittern, a few nests found two years ago in the Appomat- tox marshes. 194 Great Blue Heron 200 Little Blue Heron 201 Little Green Heron, found nest- ing 208 King Rail 214 Carolina Raik 228 American Woodcock 230 Wilson Snipe 263 Spotted Sandpiper 273 Killdeer 289 Bob-white, found nesting 310 Wild Turkey; one nest found sey- eral. years ago containing one addled egg 316 Mourning Dove; found nesting: . 325 Turkey Vulture; found nesting 326. Black Vulture 364 Osprey 33 Cooper’s Hawk = 252 368 373 375 387 290 402 406 412 417 420 423 428 608 610 593 517 498 597 598 477 766 507 506 687 529 681 652 619 683 DOL 452 B87 761 456 461 616 627 631 540 560 THE OOLOGIST Bald Eagle; one killed on the Ap- pomattox marshes .on March 12th that measured 6 feet and 6 inches from tip to tip. Barred Owl Screech Owl Great Horned Owl Yellow-billed Cuckoo Belted Kingfisher; found nesting Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-headed Woodpecker Flicker; found nesting Whip-poor-will Night Hawk Chimney Swift; found nesting Ruby-throated Hummingbird; found nesting. Scarlet Tanager; Summer Tanager Cardinal; found nesting Purple Finch Red-winged nesting Blue Grosbeak; found nesting. Indigo Bunting; found nesting Blue Jay; found nesting Bluebird; found nesting Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole; found nesting Redstart; two nests found in June 8, 1910; one with young and one with eggs American Goldfinch Maryland Yellow-throat Yellow-Warbler; found nesting Cedar Waxwing found nesting Blackbird; found Yellow-breasted Chat; found nesting Meadowlark Crested Flycatcher; found nest- ing Towhee; found nesting American Robin; found nesting Phoebe; found nesting Wood Pewee; found nesting Bank Swallow; found nesting Warbling Vireo; found nesting White-eyed Vireo; found nesting Vesper Sparrow Chipping Sparrow; ing found nest- a7), Ayo 127 563 Field Sparrow; found nesting 584 Swamp Sparrow 558 White-throated Sparrow 581 Song Sparrow; found nesting 705 Brown Thrasher; found nesting 755 Wood Thrush; found nesting 718 Carolina Wren; found nesting 721 House Wren; found nesting 725 lLong-billed Marsh Wren 567 Slate-colored Junco 731 Tufted Titmouse 735 Chickadee; found nesting 727 White-breasted Nuthatch 444 Kingbird; found nesting 704 Catbird; found nesting 611 Purple*Martin; found nesting 613 Barn Swallow = 494 Bob-o-link 495 Cowbird 511 Purple Grackle 488 American Crow; found nesting 153 Bufflehead Duck; one killed on Appomattox River. ee The American Coot. (Fulica Americana) No. 221. The American Coot, locally called “Mud Hen” is quite common in favor- able localities, throughout its range in South Dakota. They nest in Colonies from a few pair in the small ponds to large numbers in the lakes and large marshes in company with Grebes and - Rails. They are divers and seldom fly ex- cept for short distances over the water. When ducks are scarce, they are often shot by hunters and left where they are, At daybreak I have seen large num- bers of coots along the shores. When alarmed they would fly with their feet almost touching the water across the few rods of open water to the rushes, This year they arrived about April 1st, and the first full nests were found May 25th. The nests are made of dead 128 THE OOLOGIST rushes and reeds floating on the water, but are very well made when compar- ed with the unsteady structures erect- ed by Grebes. From five to fifteen eggs are laid. One nest found by a friend contain- ed an egg just like the others, but no larger than an English Sparrow’s egg. ALEX. WALKER. LS aaa The American Redstart. The American Redstart in Northern New Jersey is a common summer resi- dent, arriving about May 5th and re maining with us until “October 1st. Shortly after their arrival from the south the pairs mate and commence building homes and it is quite common to find a number of their nests each year. After the breeding and nesting seasons are over and the young are able to care for themselves, this min- ute flycatching warbler may be found at most any time pirouetting among the branches of the lower shrubs and trees or darting in pursuit of a pass- ing insect and returning to its for- mer perch to again take up its ever restless search for subsistence. Their nesting sites, in this locality, it has been my experience to find in the lower growths of the elms, sassa- fras, and alders. At times they will locate in the higher trees, but not very - often as they usually prefer the lower half of the trees. May 20, 1908, one pair of these bright colored little warblers commenced building a nest in an elm sapling along the main thoroughfare of Bloomfield, N. J. This nest when completed three days later, was a beautiful, cup- shaped structure consisting principal- ly of slender twigs and dried grasses overlain with plant down and spider webs and lined with horsehair and plant down, and was cradled near the 27 (NN) \ NANO trunk of the sapling on a horizontal branch. The first egg was laid on the sec- ond day after completion and an egg each day was deposited for four days. thereafter. On the morning of the seventh day, the nest was visited and found to contain but four Redstart and an egg of the parasitic Cowbird. The other egg had apparently been broken and the shell carried off by the parents, aS nothing remained: but some slight yolk stains. The egg of the Cowbird I removed and left the little mother only her own eggs to care for. The male was found on the nest on the eighth and twelfth days and at other times a Short distance off gaily Singing and séarching for food for his patient little mate which he often visited with some dainty morsel. On the fifteenth day the eggs hatch- ed and for a week after, the parents kept the youngsters well supplied with food. At this time the male fell prey to a hause cat and the female was left alone to satisfy the ever increasing hunger cf her offspring. On the twelfth day after hatching, the young left the nest. All of these were but partly feathered at this time, but by the twentieth day after birth began to look out for themselves with their mother. One of the youngsters developed a number of white feathers during its early life, but by the middle of July these had disappeared and its normal plumage had appeared. The brood re-- mained in the vicinity until August second, when they disappeared and were not seen again. This is the only nest I ever located at Bloomfield N. J., but have found numerous families from time to time throughout the northern half of the state in the more rural districts. LOUIS S. KOHLER. Bloomfield, N. J. THH OOLOGIST 129 Brown Thrasher in Southwestern Pennsylvania. On July 3, 1910 I found a nest of the Brown Thrasher, containing two eggs, and on July 10th, a nest of the same number. In both cases incuba- tion had begun. Is this not unusual, as I find of no instances of this kind, the Brown Thrasher laying in April and May, and then from three to four eges. One of these nests was in a small apple tree, composed of weeds and grass, lined with rootlets, three feet from the ground. The other was in a blackberry brier two and one-half feet from the ground, and made of the same material, In the last case the bird remained on the nest after I was within three feet of her. GHALE M,. NUSS. ee eB Baeolophus Inornatus, I found a nest of the Plain Titmouse in a rather novel manner on March 28th of the season just passed. We had been searching through the live oaks that border the foothills along the Los Angeles River for sets of this species, but had met with no success. Leaving the oak belt behind, we fol- lowed the road down through the wil- lows. Wishing to obtain a stick to rap at the base of any willows ex- hibiting symptoms of being the nesting Place of any of the numerous specie of Woodpeckers inhabiting the river bottom, I broke off a limb from a small dead willow near the road. To my surprise, I noticed a quantity of rabbit and squirrel] hair projecting from the cavity left, and further ex- amination revealed a set of four eggs of the Plain Titmouse, covered over by the hair and feathers forming the lin- ing. The foundation of the nest was composed of straw and green moss. I would like to hear of other acci- dental discoveries of this sort, which many of the readers of THE OOLO- GIST have no doubt experienced. D. I, SHEPARDSON. ee eS The Holboell Grebe in Philadelphia County, Pa. In THE OOLOGIST (1906, p. 23) I recorded the capture of a Holboell’s Grebe in Philadelphia County. Ever since then I have been on the lookout for others, but never met with it again until November 11, 1909. On that day I saw three together on the Schuyl- kill River, above the Falls of Schuyl- kill, and in Fairmount Park, Philadel- phia. I watched them for a long time as they dove and swam about, always keeping together, and never coming any nearer than within about two hun- dred yards of the shore. They also kept shy of the few pleasure crafts on the river at the time, mainly canoes. It was impossible to shoot them as they were in the park, so I am still in quest of other specimens’ for my col- lection. It is a singular fact that very few of our gunners have met with this bird; none whom I have interviewed have ever seen it, and they know it not when I described it to them. There is a bare possibility of their confus- ing it with the Red-throated Loon. There is one in the possession of a family in Kensington, Philadelphia, killed about November or December, 1905, on the Delaware River, above Philadelphia; which is probably a fe- male. R. F. MILLER. — _ ---—_—} _o—__ Cc. L. RAWSON’S QUAIL TRAP ITEMS Connecticut Bird Notes From an Old Hand at the Game. The Quail Trap, Sep. 23, 1909—My attention has been called to a list of common birds which appeared at in- 130 THE OOLOGIST tervals in a Putnam newspaper. Such lists are often useful in compiling gen- eral catalogues, government and state reports. They are of value when ac- curate data of spring and fall migra- tions are made, when new arrivals are reported, and fresh economic habits noted. We wish the author had given us more of his experience in the field, and said whether he shoots his types, as we infer from the close measure- ment given of the warblers. No doubt his notebook could tell us what use- ful birds continue to diminish near his house, what kinds hold their own and what species of service to the farmer may show slight gains. colony of martins at Hast Woodstock been driven away by the sparrows? How many communities of cliff swal- lows still remain in or near the vil- lage. With no visible enemy to dis- turb the many pairs, can this observer explain whp there are so many unoc- cupied holes in the sand swallow bank at the park? There are fewer English sparrows at North than at Hast Wood- stock, so that one of the charms of quail trap life is immunity from this pest. Like the Lilibridges, the Mains and the Brands, all true bird lovers, we give passer domesticus a scatter- gun welcome. The waders, swimmers and rapacious birds are not included in the list we refer to, nor is mention made of rare winter and summer residents. All of the eastern herons are to be found at times in Hast Woodstock mill and fac- tory ponds and quiet pools of muddy brooks, except the snowy and least bittern. which are occasionally report ed in the lower part of the county, [ do not know a better place to observe the herons than at Potters’ pond in the neighborhood where a pair of great blues have been feeding for two weeks. Has the last © For ten days two great blues have been seen daily by the trainmen on the. west side of Tadpole near Jewett City Night herons feed nearly all summer at Potters’, bitterns boom at dusk, and green herons are seen there every day in summer. Two pairs of green herons bred in the pines this season at the east side directly over a bed of pur- ple cypripedium. I have eaten both night and green heron squabs on Fishers Island, and can remember when Mohegan Indians brought dress- ed squabs to market while the squaws had hulled wild strawberries for sale in tiny cone-shaped baskets. A brood of dusky duck, raised last spring on the western reedy border, were seen all summer by trout and pickerel fish- ermen. Irving Paine shot a pair from this branch for his table. The wood ducks which used to frequent this se- cluded water hole departed when the hollow forest trees east of the pond were cut off. Many the toothsome woodducks I have eaten shot here, at Gates Pond, Poquetanuck, and at Hallville pond, near Lincoln park. It is not the fowler’s gun that has made wood duck rare; but sweeping the county of all standing timber where alone they can breed will soon exter- minate this beautiful hole-builder, The first wood drake | ever shot was in Damon Chandler’s pond, North Woodstock, and the next one at Fos- ter Child’s pond, Village Corners; but these ponds are dry and the woods around them gone. My first teal was from Sam Allen’s pond, Sandy Hol- low, first hooded sheldrake from Fort Ned, Canterbury, and only eider from Fishers Island sound near Nawyaug point. Quail, hawk and crows, I first winged from the road wagon of the late C. A. Brand. A far ery between these boyhood pastimes and shooting THE OOLOGIST 131 snakebirds from a steamer’s deck on th Ocklawaha river. Once in Acad- emy days, Messrs. Brand, Rockwell, Hale and myself fired a volley from muzzle loaders across Poquetanuck cove at an indistinct quacking bunch and it was not till we had paid a round sum of money to a farmer for four crippled muscovies that we real- ized that we were trying to bag barn- yard fowl. September 6th Cyril Paine brought me a Carolina rail, picked up under telephone wires at the Neighborhood. I also picked up a sora at West Mys- tic with the same deadly wire-mark on its neck. Mrs. Murdock’s cat killed another rail from the ten young hatch- ed in William Brown’s meadow. These are my only English Neighborhood records, though I have heard the sora’s sharp call in July in our own cat- tail reeds, A female was covering from ten to fourteen eggs on Groton Long Point for five years in succession and I saw some of the tiny young taken down by the big Lower Field frogs. Several times half-fledged rail were seen in the marx meadow west of the Wildcat rocks, East Norwich. I could always find two or three pairs breeding at Poquetanuck cove, and from above the road at the cove I took a well-matted nest for the late Capt. Charles Bendire. The captain wished me to get for him a series of nests of the local ra- pacious birds, and at one time I had by heroic efforts secured for him typ- ical nests of red-tailed, red-shoulder- ed, Cooper’s, sharp-shinned, marsh, and broad-winged hawks—the broad- wings being the smallest in the bulky lot. The great horned owl’s nest had been used by redtails, and the barred owl’s built by red-shouldered hawks. With the aid of Capt. Thomas Potter and his lobster boat I made a stren- uous attempt to tie up and transport a fsh hawk’s nest from Sea Flower beacon. It was a monstrous affair, used for a generation, and in its com- position had bushels of cornstalks and lobster warp, yards of cables, dead crows, horeshoe crabs, deer’s feet, and bushels of seaweed and hanging usnea moss. The untimely death of Captain Bendire left these large nests uncalled for, and slowly falling to pieces in the cellar of 193 Broadway, they were finally consigned to the fire magazine of the steam heater. In the East Woodstock list we did not see the white-winged crossbill, which I never failed to find in open winter days in our own hemlock woods. An East Woo’stock man early last spring picked up an_ electro- cuted American crossbill in red nup- tial dress. I have had two woodcock killed by Woodstock wires, and nearly twenty mangled by ’phone and tele- graph wires along the seventeen miles of the Colchester turnpike. These birds when fresh I have had served at my table, thus eating game out of season without breaking the intent or letter of the close game laws. There are some flight woodcock al- ready around the few spring holes not dried up, an occasional bird in the en- Silage patches, but not any in the birches. No young bob whites have been seen here, and we think the early whistling cock quails could find no mates and went into other towns. heasants do not increase locally, and ‘Voodstock hunters agree with Nor- » ich gunners that the young do not ‘urvive the terrors of winter. But the trouse chicks, in moderate numbers, \ith crops gorged with late huckleber- ries, acorns, eyebright and _ white grubs, are large as the old “biddies” 132 THE OOLOGIST and ready for the onslaught of the li- censed mob. I have on the dryblock a fine female great horned owl shot by Mr. George Snow after it was betray- ed by noisy pestering crows. One of the local males among our stuffed owls was shot on a barn by Mr. Wil- liam Gordon. I choloformed the last cannibal bubo in the owlery. I often feel like feeding chloroform to our macow for its unearthly shrieks, but for the fact that it imitates exactly the hoots of all owls, and the calls of bobwhite, whippoorwill, poultry, dogs and the human voice. For eight years there has been no record of eagles at the Quail Trap. Ospreys pass over sometimes, and one was shot by a farmer on Redhead Hill. Who can tell whether it is a blight or the drought that has early in Sep- tember killed the leaves on all the white birches in the four parishes. Maybe it is a new insect plague, for Mr, Murdock, who was cutting birches today on Harold Hibbard’s farm, says that his clothes were covered with strange looking bugs. Who ever saw the woodbine as bright as it is now without the action of frost? Sumac. maple and beech are foils, but the sandfire of the salt marshes alone can rival its glistening cardinal. From the army of warblers beginning to go south a few daily stop on the ash wind-break at the west-windows of the Quail Trap, where I sit with pen- cil and notebook, recording this early movement. Jf the Hast Woodstock bird man is similarly occupied, we can compare notes at the end of October. Bird matters at the west parish con- tinue to be well looked after by the veteran ornithologist, the Rev. Mr. Jones, and there are a score of trained observers between Woodstock and Norwich, But how many of these peo- ple could have the patience of the Preston City lady who writes so fas- ecinatingly for The Bulletin of the feathered wards she charms on her window sill. (Oa bal ae Bird Notes. Publishing as much bird material as we do, we are continually in need of copy. Our readers have little idea of the large amount of copy that one is- sue of THE OOLOGIST eats up. The result is, we are nearly always shy. While we have many splendid bird articles on hand, yet it has been our endeavor for sometime to keep gather- ing these together that we might col- lect them and publish them in such a way as we could devote separate is- sues of THE OOLOGIST largely, if not exclusively to different bird fami- lies; as for instance, one issue to the Raptores, another issue to the Wad- ers; another issue to the Wild Fowl, still another to the Warblers, and so on. In order to do this, we of course, must have a large stock of material anl would appreciate any contributions that our subscribers might see fit to make along these lines. It is not neces- sary that the contributions should be either lengthy or specially scientific. Short, newsy notes are always accept: able with us. 2