ane cto tee tm Nena Pe en An lytea enn tart hon ttn Hote Porinn Ser ih >» ae ie dn inbntotaltnlr Reins pm rb asin nt th Mik-Piat Donte Benoa ngitem faate ms obec moe pth-danieh-atareantieteie eae tee + tet aren ean oe Nett vate: ®, paehoier’ arenes ere nat seme oe heen! tan Sting ion eee See git Retna Hn % S Comet laren: Gp oS annuity S$ fl pametaee yj | ii a a l : 2 | | : | ! fh i | HH : Pe Pe ‘lat i -, | i | ' ) | ) 1H ! i Mh Y, aii ty be Bet ey + 2 ete eae. iv = ruth, ig ae cs ox eT ira é | c= SEK I S a XS 3 \ Sey Cae por sr cy ay y | | Be HN ia ie a i} | | ih \ Ss Sue lH ores Poesy q - Pe Se ee ys ES Ang? | ly i i ; il af i y ios ah Le al Bee A a ieee we 4, LenS eres eno a 2 z OS AON i ue ke P30" va " sa ee bn ie seu THEM Dy og) < i te Ge ep, ay RGR DO GE wh pel.> ime OOLOGIST FOR THE MEODENT OF BIRDS: THEIR NESTS AND EGGS VOLUME XXXII Albion, N. N. and Lacon, Ill. R. MAGOON BARNES, Publisher QMS e ZAATS! J INDEX TO VOLUME XXXII CONTRIBUTORS ANNO, Cereal sogocooacuee 129, 130, 149, 150, 151, 152, 157 Arthur, Stanley Clisbey ...121, 125,.. Fees 128, 138, 182, 184, 185 PAGS Ele oWisn lamteG ain aera eeons's 137 TBE USA od bs Deegan crea ec ener 54, 55, 169, 170, 171, 177, 179 Bailey, Bernard ............. 131, 132 BarloweeGaR, ac: b.ekdeeed aes 27, 29 IBaArnesh Reiss. oe ce: 1, 19, 39, 40, 55, 57, 64, 90, 91, 105, 107, 108, 109, 112, 113, 119, 120, 132, 1384, 135, 138, 139, 145, 147, 153, 160, 161, 165, 176, 177, 185, 187, 188, 192, 193, 195, 199, 203, 209, 210, 212, 213 Biology Dept. N. Platte, Nebr., City SCHOOISR pe ce ceria 185, 186 JEWS ANOYO, IDG 1B, Gaccoccadacueas 98, 99 SOMME eH) Mines cele Hi ealeeuaeca es a 166 Burleigh, Thos. D. ...29, 119, 162, 163 SUNT INS MYey ise Bieta secs oe a o.9 dee rel drole 33 AS Wnt eh eh Sele oe hs, aie 140, 167 Cantera Jamesmbesssoee ie 81, 82, 102 CaseniC@lifiondeMe yg asc cere ere 103 Cookman Altredee senses 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 104, 131 COMIN; 10h: diay release tines cee-cn porate 114 Darlington, H. J........ 14, 64, 66, 135 1D), Wiis NSE eres tene ie Neareeee 112, 119, 133 De Groot, Dudley ....... 112, 119, 133 DWickeyce She Sees se Gass ette es 21, 22, 48, 49, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 106, 107 Dixon, Dea -seecee es eet 26, 30, 32, 63, 65, 115, 1178, 181, 183; 194 Donahwer Ralph 45. ole eee 188 Hastman AUB 6 a tie casa e ccc cee eee 95 RIS adi UB Se Sea e ood eee, es lero ae 207, 209 Fitzpatrick, Fred L. ...... 91, 168, 169 MODE Ls) Dis 1825 Nek cnet chai a, Sidecar erdtonad oc 156, 157 Forrest, Earle R. ....... 83, 84, 85, 86 MUN ers ORAS ee ine rayaene maeeankel sins 103 Gerald, Geo. E.....66, 67, 207, 211, 212 Goelitz, Walter A............... 138, 134, 147, 148, 149, 152, 182 Giles, Roscoe T.............. 38, 39, 109, 110, 111, 112, 117 Graham, Ramon .......... 102, 1038, 104, 118, 153, 182, 191, 192, 211 Green, H. O...23, 24, 25, 87, 88, 113, 116 Greenwood, Of Mew ste eet e 98 Fall Josepha siieee « bucencratraniee 160 Harlow, Richard C....... 25, 295 31; 33 Harrington, Paul..... 99, 158, 161, 164 Henderson, A. D..... 2, 3, 5, 7, 117, 118 Hess, Isaac E...... 82, 89, 188, 189, 190 Hofman, Milton J............. 101, 102 Howes, Paull Giak. ose sane se 50, 51, 52, 538, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208 daeixerom, IMAGE, 1b G6o6nen00000 iy, ya Kets SESSA igrsctsraouss eirakeh ose RET 168, 209 Kenwiorthiya is Ma ass saece aie 146, 147 Kirn, Albert J........... 9, 72, 100, 101 Kohlers Wows Ss ose see 34, 35, 36, Bile Bite5 (ly (sy cul, Bal, alas, wale) anesdales Bro saiee ee ceescletomenenei ori 124 Maltby, Fred ......... 40, 122, 123, 124 Wigan wll, IENAROIN coconscvcondnbna0c 66 Miantin, (Rais rae aac neuen 33, 164 Martin, Charles H. ........... 136, 195 IV THE OOLOGIST Maynard) Hramle Jee e cic 19 Maxon; Gee clan avs amiscmesesaeereus 118 McConnell, Thomas L. ......... 35, 40 Miller, Richard F. .......... 53, 54, 96, 98, 172, 185, 199, 201, 203 Milonic, DEVEL Goocc0ccodc 64, 95, 96, 141 INiaiclnee iT e Wise susie. encbere atl onenacuoey eememeteee 160 IN@mmMAM, ID, Sooooocccvcc00000 6, 78, 79, 80, 81, 126, 127 Osterhout Ceo wh eee ee Osi IPeoroNe NO, Co IM cocooovavdacee 198, 199 Proctor, .ChiasiecAw 4 hele sicrsrstacieasner 175 Reinecke, Ottomar ...57, 58, 59, 61, 211 Reinecke, Edward ............... 212 RossignolyGaks Ii ssaecs. sas ae 34, 35 Schanker@hashehae see maceencn: 60, 62, 64 Sechnrist Ha Harsco: 18, 91, 93 Shadensacki lise se ace sec 211 Sharples, Robert P. .......... 132, 147 Shepardson, D. I............. 49, 50, 58, 60, 144, 145, 158, 159, 160 179, 180, 203, 105, 207 Simmons, Finlay ............ 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47 Simpson, R. B......... 9, 10, 11, 13, 29 StiérlesJe Wasa es ie ee TS Ib, ILS) Stomen wih NeAn a2 2) aac: Fa 5, 6, “0 Strong, W. A....109, 112, 145, 164, 165 Suttard, George M................. 14 Mayd OG BOY.Gie se sevens, sacle esie ees eeess 55 Mayon Waynes cee sescevee 86, 141 ADINO Mp SOM Ss Lae hesus se aie ate veesuaeses 38 MDT eb Bade} D1) UDA eteyt es I ereuenennemes cugpnndemerinesa tric gy 153 MINUS eee Wis leer cece eters 196, 197, 198 U. S. Dept. of Agriculture....156, 187 Van Kammen, Lieut, I. T...... 166, 168 Vickers, EH. W.....44, 46, 48, 92, 94, 97 Vos Burgh, Geo. W. H...18, 127, 134, 138, 139, 171, 172, 207, 210, 211 Wadsworth, George M............. 101 Wallies AV Gxciia ks aces mics 66, 1382, 135, 142, 143, 154, 177 Wwlogwerewran, SS Wo soggcco00c 99, 100, 134 WOOO), ‘Uo CUAIKE gsc odocccc0s 12S a3; ILLUSTRATIONS Adult Birds Owl, California Screech GreatiGraiyic. sesees ee eee 3 Quail Mie eee eae ee sare 200 Skimmers, Black ................. 128 Swan, Trumpeter ............ 136, 195 Woodpecker, Pileated ............ 59 Young Birds Goshawks, Western ............... 85 Hawks, Red-shouldered ............ 47 Kingbird, Arkansas Owls, Long Hared Eggs and Nest of Birds Buntin eas indisopaee eee eee reee 163 Chickadee, Black-capped .......... 174 Crow, Amenicanw. 2 eels Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray ......... 68, 70 Goshawk, Western ............... 83 Da leeTai evan DDG) eye icrcentet a BRE re -aTy 5 181, 183 Florida Red-shouldered. .41, 43, 45 Red-bellied...... 26, 28, 30, 32, 194 Red-shouldered .............. 173 TPexais INiShtde tec cee ee 167 Owl; “Barred: 230556. 252 eee 11 Great: @ray- cis: ae 5 Great. Horned 5.3. %seo oon 13 OSPRCY sjcciein cae clea see 171 FROPTIC Ob es. sia egcotus 5 eee Se 20 Egret, American ................. 176 Pied-billed .......... 104, 133, 177 Haleon, Aplomado ...---..5...-...- 18 Westerners aaies eee demic 104, 133 PMT C Linas eae ye Wie noe, ai oie pea sy altace ented: 909) Gulls sees 138, 158, 184, 186, 188 IFTOUS Cialis ki deuoranes 133, 160, 179 Bona parters: vise sc.temn cucueesrorensvene 104 Mickereaas ene eeee 20, 55, 124, 134, 191 Calitorniae ne eee 104, 186, 187 IN@RUNGEN 5 5cn0ccccncnccce 148, 186 Glaucous-winged ...... 19, 104, 187 INonehwesternen ae eee 19 HIGermann si 2)56:4 0 as eee eee 104 Red shaktedmannneecenoece oes 186 JEIG@UNS 5 oo0qe000c00000000 19, 187 ElycatChere eet acesc sec. eee 144 IRONIC, Gsooccsco0ac0n, 104, 188 PN CRVOMEN A Sletnenionancon Gras ohonorey le Tr Oks 199 SADINC 8 cach ae whole oeneseeetonee 104 INOUE ON et tec eee Rane a CAPER as oNaerENC op IR AERTS 50 W OSB vaca sonauand cscs aeaiene soos eee 132 ISIN G) cisnueer arate a mer ere ranmiG mana nate 144 Western............. 104, 133, 187 @nesteden) stucs sbscanes 20 1ST VO Sawike, 25. eo issn Seve Dy Al, BAL, BS, Be, Green-crested .............04. 199 29, 31, 55, 118, 171, 176, 196 ICAIS TUE ak aces suceaieas an ee 20, 157 Broad-winged....22, 25, 27, 29, 55 Olive-sided ...... 196, 197, 198, 209 Blue- tailed avis... ew seen ee 21 Scissor-tailledieaa is ancereneeeien: 191 Cooper’s........ 25, 27, 31, 55, 141, 176 Gra lewiallll ea ees ae na es cece ai een riers 132 TO WC ke ee ee esis eee ee 16, 180, 183 (GHEXSISTS\ tepeeceree ete ARR REESE OR SE ce 1638, 171 Florida Red-shouldered...... 41, Canadianees mato 82, 176 42, 43, 45, 47 Chinese Horned .............. 176 PG 52; ediciones Sa eienseeen acer 124 Gallenule, Florida ................ 201 FRATTISUS. 2a Ste oct ore eee 171, 191 Godwit, Black-tailed ...\......... 149 IGBidlenis ; Gcn.ccntociee none 118, 191 Marbledh ian 2) ethics ccm een 150 IMDAT SIMA sass eae eters 92, 94, 97 Golden-6ye ii. oie ee ee eee 132 ING SES Saeko cee i eae TA 2: IBATTOWESi ss aussie crauconeesemean ts 164 Red-bellied...... 26, 28, 29, 32, 192 Goldfinch ....4--- 55, 1495 157, 72.086) we Red-shouldered) see aa ite JNTMETIONO coocoocovcced 20, 99, 160 22, 24, 25, 31, 33. Dosa INS TEMISEISN 9 oa hc bub obo doo ano 133 109, 116, 117, 141, 173, 191 CSalifonmiae ya ce cca igeaceten: 133 Red-tailed.......... 6, 9, 22, 25, ILER WENO) Socsuemooegedsoo000 58 33, 49, 55, 189, 191 Gomi cates coe sowed oop 12, 29, 55 Sharp-shinned........... 21, 24, WEIGAND cococodnscogoac 83, 84, 85 25, 27, 38, 55, 176 GraCkKIer yi wae cet ioars serene 82, 171 STOIERONY accasocase 22, 25, 31, 36, Boat-tailed) ciecic com seme ers Seu ol 211 81, 109, 116, 117, 134, 141, 186 Bronzed....... 20, 99, 156, 157, 186 SKWMIMNSONNS Soocosccnddavecccce 55 TRU) oleh aaiean Siig) een iatlek Sa. ayia 6 ose 146, 191 Western Red-tail .............. il) Gnateatcher, Blue-gray .......... 20, Hen} Prairie ince a Oe 109 Br, OS, GO, MO, Wak, Wass, ZVE) ISIGROIN cococcoonnsboosadusononooee 171 Grosbeak, Newfoundland ......... 157 Black-crowned Night ...... 53, 5D Rose-breasted. .20, 50, 158, 201, 209 BUC eis cas contdee se oeeaantatne ce ae eee 171 GROUSS Mra rem ue Slee ene 164 BROW hes eo ee 171 IDES Crt aie Ao ee a eas V7i Buffle-backed ................ 171 Ramis. scala en eto 19, 84 Great Blue....19, 38, 104, 133, 212 Ruffed...... 19, 33, 34, 91, 117, 118 Yellow-crowned Night......... 72 SOObye ke eivaw eres they womens 19:4. HOODOCG Ss aascosecs ee eee eee 171 THE OOLOGIST islupimmabae oyiRth Gooooanoour 133, 157, 209 (WAMMMOP Sy sex cevoisaceitieMes cca weenie, ciltovs 19 TRIM OMAWAINOAKE! Gooconcococcoce 141 UU OU Stee every chews tereaetecaiei a ecereiere cee 19 HID ISMN foie cre ceric Gagrera SoG cael eral abouts 171 PUCK OAWSieko a aee cies ociem agit aaa cele 172 MAN AMEE Co sites cine cima ee ewes ies 141 iBlack=headeds 2a. .o-eeer occas: 19 IBIS. Soto Saemee caso 54, 55, 75, 86, 168, 169, 172, 186, 191 SieslerPsys ssiok Gao ockenn ans eee 19 RUD U Hy archon S esselareroneaee ei iaueiien eres Parneie. 6 172 JUNG) 55° ols Eee aoe 34, 209 (OVREERONOU Genie seek G Crete ra aeons Dineen 19 Slate-colored ......... 20, 188, 209 Whmite-winged ............... 72 NRSS ERC ary serreterctalicre rd iecenei encueayieie ‘sistas 171 IRTHMNGI@GIE GBs oe oes 16, 20, 34, 55, 99, 100, 104, 126, 127, 151, 156, 157, 186, 191, 209 Kingfisher ....... 55, 146, 156, 172, 182 Belted: 222.0. 195205 US6s LOn 20 Gi ING eee sissies saree 50, 156, 186 Arkansas..... 19, 142, 148, 177, 186 IVViGS ECR senses ar ciiote cic cu se pspedeess We Kinglet, Golden-crowned ....... 19, 34 IRM OMAORO WANE! Goaaccaccedca5000 19 TAGHEGY .. 5 6 Sites CROCE ORO ee ieee 171 Swallow-tailed ................ 42 Knight, Ruby-crowned ............ 20 LAD WAINE, coegequne sso ues oso owed Albyil HBAs Kamera metre ene eice ot halle ae sa soeges Wiese athe 172 EN OTEING Cate erent ennai a eaecbemtaet oueeueee 186 IPM IBIOWNEC! Goaosconccgooe 156 WOONe see rechocisenee ae TG), als I, ab IPHIGIUTG 5 5-o ono naar oO cn 104 IMF Va OK ia ec eoncleesio ac chonear ac 38, 81, 82, 186 IIE NREIN. e.oteraohounere co-meo arora moomoto 40 Punplewes sc 19, 141, 188, 191, 207 Meadowilatjkemmcecimrriaccr 20, 72, 82, 93, 99, 119, 152, 191 BlackavViestern) so 4.e ee. ae BeL38 \WW/GERECION olga Goo Gaeoe ace 19, 91, 186 WIGPEDISE socococccv0ugqobovasadud 164- ANTAMEWPHCAIN. cocacco00006 66. 132, 166 TEWOGIEG! ceccdeoovcnapacodecnde 132 Wio@elkmaysiornel soocccanugcdococ Be, Gs 86, 102, 141, 144, 169, 176, 191 Nighthawk, Texas Vil WESTERN ens atusse cs tkewsyevere sibs. herrs a 19 Nutcracker, Clarke’s ......... 120, 157 INUGH ACES. ate wise cit sictereiels seein 172 iBrown-headedesanaaeernee see 95 Red=preasted'es. cman esses 34 White-breasted........ 20, 156, 212 (OWei (0) (2) 5 rae pia enact ents parent cera ar rckc 209 Baltimore. 20, 72, 141, 156, 168, 186 Orchards. os saodnooe: 186, 191, 201 Osprey...... 18, 114, 124, 146, 171, 182 OSEEICHW tics aise eee ee eee 172 Ovenibind? or ewer ae ok eueroloe 20, 98, 130 (Oy yal tence es concpatce ur nenene ae eee a1, 93, 195 ANON EIIOANN IBA 5 oooacuoncecce 191 American Long-eared ......... 191 ANINSACAIN IEE ooocooaoodcsue 6 BaT ies: acces 5 cea ee Taltss, 113383. IG ks} BaEne deca tone nee Byala), aLal Burrowing. ..160, 191, 203, 205, 207 IDESETE yrcctrrnslater eyecare setae enter 171 Florida Screech .......... 137, 140 Grea eck acmistsca eeen 171 GreatiGray sonc.c8 eae 2,3, 455 Great Horned...9, 10, 13, 21, 42, 49 Ground. ici eno eee 205, 207 ETOTME GM 1555 soeeadaane heen ees 118 DUET Fl eit aoe etry ees eee SS irhapea 171 Long-eared .......... Ae ali2el 17 Rocky-mountainy sen eee 64 Sereechw aera aes 20, 42, 64, 118, 119, 157, 171 MeEXASWBATTO Cis sci ait sep tere al IVES RNS, SORA Goasasecosocces 191 Ar ETA Starrs hk cores che ney hoe Sire IZA ROCK gata Grae ce aoe ase IZA PCA CO Chere as cicaavs SMR ERG Se 172 Pedee’s Golden-winged ........... 118 Relicanutinas rence Ga eee lea Calitonniay rower see 104 Paroquet) Canrolinaysn. .a4 seer 109, 160 RE WiCCm ner alee ee Gere 99, 141 IWiOOd ence tut tga tiociete iene 156 IPINGEISEVONE, IMEI 5 oo000500G0e0000 29 Moneobianye ircamnrcersontnces Ween 211 Phalarope, Northern ..... 149, 180, 181 1210 arse nen ae ears ee ore) comers eee se aie 149 WHT SOMES lars staretaie crenata earner eats 149 hoebe...... 20, 118, 147, 152, 191, 209 AVES MEN rau ehoee teen sna asin a sea 13% VIII Pigeon, Passenger........ 16, 109, 160 UO Cia tec scot da ena Gh coalineecomenetione 171 BV Vall Cliisecn natin ctor cct ced eure romania 189 AVW@O Gil ar ewaars ccc crea Poievaenene 171, 190 IP OVCT a cence oa neie calcein onnmenicna heceeuens 171 American Golden ............ 151 Black-breasted ............... 109 European Golden ............. 149 Wittle Rinksede ja senna. sage ee 151 WI@UINIEWTD Goo00000500000500000 151 Pipimes sae ee 5 uoceneie weenie 151 Red-breasted ...............-- 109 PUM BSG eat pas eos annie st eoseenes on caus 149 Semipalmated ............ 99, 151 SNOWY ke cra eget eacnctoe 18, 151 Sea a 5 cose aresans abe gatedieie Sas hanes 151 (QV Ree ein ctevotere ote ocReMer rec 108, 164, 171 176, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208 CalifOnrmiad. 252 ete sere eee seeceouens = 19 Wit eyes ossusis cig we auesauay et aus eaaraneuer 144 Raila Blaeke awcins sevice aeies 43, 209, 210 Clapper Sassi seis ecoeeaerses oe 93 Marallone sraarecnanstiee. araaceiees ees 93 GT esate bse erates meer ncetn perce deere 72, 148 Light-footed Clapper .......... 93 Sorayacewe cee 122, 123, 139, 185 Nioheahaht teem saeeerorcictac aoncie tte 122-139 WiatOR cis cn ole eimists sesorta toni eer 171 NEGO; emiaraenionn crate ernie a 122, 123, 124 VA VIGMY solirs crak io cs eestenmene aeacreteaneereua 107 INOEth ernie. hosnder eens 16, 106 WiCStOEN® Sinaia ciacid aed eee 106 eM bir disssuscioncewsestoe neces 72, 86 1eeeiehavets i Waemsmeatoescis marc ornn.o oe 132, 164 VEC poll wai kos e tia eee ore 19 Riedstarleissc esc cee 35, 36, 38, 152, 157, 172, 201, 207 AMenricaneses ene 20, 52, 1380 INGO Gh correc sake yesine tone eu eee 130 RVEAWAN Gees os eco ee 134, 135 Northwestern ................. 66 WieSternis. 255 sienrdna eect 19 Roadrunners 115, 144, 158, 159, 160, 181, 191 VOTE et ees yy arered ear eae 9, 54, 55, 76, 82, 91, 141, 144, 172, 186, 189 PNIl] OV YO ye tates eae AM en pense saci 38, 119 FAIMIELICAN wihec eerie wees e ene 20 ROOK eee Nias chemise ieee ; ; qa dbz THE OOLOGIST RAMGE © shies eaeenis Pen Ree 151 Sanderling 2420s ccc aoe 104 Sandpiper) <2 4 saga hoes 109, 171 Buff-breasted ................ 151 Green: oc.ridc thesia casespenctee senor 150 THCASIb se eo Miawetacee tennis 19, 150, 186 Pectoral: ciin8 Geiss leo 150 Purple 225 Sasa aoe Coe 150 Red-backed 2... sc.ccc she vee 150 Semipalmated ............... 150 SUMMA s 600000000 20, 50, 150, 186 Spoon-billed2-. 3. sso cneoee 132 Spotted....... 20, 50, 127, 134, 151 WieStern sn eck ncn em eee 104, 150 WiOOd needs arcs os ee 150 Yellow-bellied ................- 20 Scoter, White-winged ............ 104 Showelllere 55 cece 132, 135,164 Shrike ce fae ais sa ceacee cee 103, 172 Loggerhead ............----5- 209 Milena: 2. vas acces cceac stone ee 99 Snipe, Huropean ................. 149 Grass... «285025 aac sane nee eee 150 Wilson’s.......... 50, 54, 104, 149 Sparrow..... 35, 101, 134, 172, 192, 209 Alamedias i. 0s censors 133 Bachman’siesac -aceio ctor 16 Belding’s Marsh ............... 93 Cassin yo uskiAs enka oe 191 Chipping. .20, 38, 134, 156, 169, 186 DOSORO Voruiscsnwe ss Sh ate eee 160 IDIav=AVISTeiy oo Gelato we cloo 19, 22, 38, 135, 156, 177, 179, 188, 201, 210 Dare) Uo rata een Stone ietee cia 9, 20, 72, 81, 102, 131, 147, 153, 157, 191 IM OR “iszece acevo ahem sc 19 Gam'belisteastn.. & case oe eee 19 Grasshopper...... 72, 103, 148, 191 Take iiss ate nase 102, 157, 191 Mialc GilllivaraiyaSiswes cia eee 34, 35 Nuttall s:-in ic cedincacmmaeeae eee 19 NelSON'S! aiden tee ce eee 130 Pine WOOGS™ nc tkes sala 209 RUStY (SOMLe ces chs creo 133 SECASI Me takes cticie ace coe ete 34 Song....... 19, 20, 34, 81, 152, 157 SSW 5.0) icc ss eroeacnecsae ee eee 34 TOWDSENCIS) isos Se has eee 19 WBN OG: scare ayesar stecaceataie MeL 34 THE OOLOGIST IX \WGSIDETE ota eres crnecicem ronan 20, 157 RUSSeCtDackedmeemmnniaecieiecle 19 Western Chipping ............ 19 WAU CR tart heave tases ar SiS sree auc 20, 138 Western \WeSper 2.5 sjc.0. sce 19 WOOGls coos 20, 55, 141, 152, 157, 189 White-throated ........... 20, 186 WalSOnis 7 Spee. dso ayo) sereunicurverets 211 SINAN "GS pero oi oiceotee NS Sell 8 5p ea UM SECON Gimeatertarte sactsnere overs oie 151 Blacker e ace. 125, 128, 182, 184, 185 Bal key a enereter Cae es aes 152 SIRUWIB), 6 a/o'6 GREE SREHR Ee onc nce ORR eon rotore 186 RUDY” psecccyapeccarn ecu ae es 152 SkalanrkeShieliliv Sie Asc. j : Nesting of the Western Horned Ow! In Central Alberta. (Bubo Virginianus Pallescens.) The Western Horned Owl is an old- timer in Manitoba. It was here, with the moose and elk, long before a white man ever arrived here with his gun and rattling machinery, to put discord into the great harmony of Mother Na- ture. Even now, in this northern part of the province, one feels as if the night were not perfect without the familiar “who, hoo” of this giant rap- tor. And as rabbits here are so plen- tiful, that they are almost a pest to’ the homesteader, the chances of com- fortable living for this owl are good for many years to come. While tramping through the poplar woods late in the fall of 1913, I lo- cated several old hawk’s nests, that looked to be a “pretty good thing.” “If we don’t get some Horned Owl’s eggs from some of these nests next March,” I said to my mate and neigh- bor, Mr. John Puspanen, “I am awfully much mistaken.” ihe largest one of these nests was abcut two miles west from my home. I decided to visit this one first. Harly ene morning (16th of March, 1914), I started on my skis across the lake and meadows to this bulky structure, which was at the top of a thick, but short, white poplar. The nest was only about 30 feet up. What a cinch, when compared with some of the trees that one had to climb in Ontario, when hunting for the eggs of the Great Hastern Horned Owl! The tree was about 100 yards from the edge of a large slough. The thermometer reg- istered several degrees below zero and there was fully two feet of snow in the bush. When I got to the edge of the leafless winter woods and headed my skis direct towards the nest, I was certainly very much surprised to see the old owl in the nest, its ears standing on their ends. Half a min- ute more and she was standing in the nest, looking at the intruder who was coming to disturb her peace. Off she flew, befere I was within a gunshot and she kept at a respectable distance all the while I was up at the nest. tier mate ¢con put in an appearance and more than once they were asking each other in plain English “who” the impertinent intruder could be. When I looked in the nest, I nearly had a fit, so surprised I was, for in place of the commen set of two, there laid before me a beautiful set of four white eggs. The incubation had just be- gun. The average size of the eggs in this set is 2.24x1.85. Just six weeks later I visited this nest again and took from it a beauti- ful set of three of the Red-tailed Hawk. ‘this goes to show that the Red-tail was the original owner and builder THE OOLOGIST uosJepueH ‘qd ‘Vv Aq oJoYg— SLEL ‘ZZ YURI “UeD ‘eWEqQIY ‘IMO pousOY Us9}S9 A 94} Jo SHHQ pue ysan 8 THB of the nest, and that the Horned Owl was making a winter home of it, while the hawks were spending their winter in the States. I knew another old hawk’s nest in a northeasterly direction from my home, and I was sure of the owls be- ing in possession there also, as I had heard their hooting from that di- rection every night. So one cold but pleasant morning, Mrs. Norman, Mr. Puspanen and myself headed three pair of skis to a northerly direction from my home. Following an old moose trail through the bush and tak- ing a bee-line across Stony Lake we. were soon at our destination. The owls were there of course. The nest was 54 feet up on a dead black poplar. It contained three eggs, incubation started. Average size of the eggs: 2.13x1.81. Date, March 29, 1914. There was still another nest about a mile away from the last named one. We visited it but found it unoccupied. That night we did not hear the owls hooting; evidently they were mourn- ing their loss. But the following even- ing the hooting started again, but this time from a new direction, exactly from the direction where the old un- occupied nest was. From that minute I was sure that the owls had moved and that they were getting ready to present me another set of eggs. I left them entirely to themselves, and every night they were giving me some hair-raising hoots, as to assure me of the fact that they were there. On the 19th of April, or just three weeks after we visited their first nest, we took a trip to the new habitat of these. owls, and sure enough, there we found — them both, the female in the nest and the male sitting at the top of a tall, dead spruce. The eggs were only two this time; rather smaller than those in the first set of these same birds, averaging 2.16 OOLOGIST x1.80. Nest, 45 feet up in a dead, black poplar. Incubation fresh. The female was rather bold this time, thinking perhaps that we were awfully cheeky to come and rob her of her treasures a second time, she flew about us and came so hear that John could not resist the temptation, but had to send a bullet through her wing. Her belly was like that of an old brocdy hen, entirely without feathers. Yet she is mounted and a beautiful specimen she is; after giving us five eggs, ske give us her life in the bar- ein, But now I am coming to what ap- pears to me to be the most important point in this episode. When this bird was opened and the intestines exam- ined, the reader may guess my sur- prise, when I found five more yolks in the oviduct. Two of these were about — the size of Sparrow Hawk’s eggs and three still smaller ones, like small marbles in size. This discovery leads to this question: How many eggs would the Horned Owl lay in one season, if made to do her best? I am of the opinion that, if this particular bird had not been killed, she would have laid a third set of two eggs in another three weeks’ time, as the two largest yolks in the oviduct were al- most as large as the yolks in a perfect egg, they were simply minus the white and the shell. Whether she still would have laid a fourth set of three, or whether she would have considered it too late in the season, I will not venture to say. Now I am asking myself another ques- tion: What will become of these im- “mature yolks when the bird’s first in- cubation is not disturbed? Would be pleased to have someone else, with more knowledge in anatomy, give his views on this rather unsettled ques- tion. In conclusion, I may say that the THE OOLOGISU 9 first nest of this particular pair of owls was also a Red-tail Hawk’s nest, as on a later visit to that nest I saw the Red-tails having possession of same. The second nest of the owl’s has not been used since. E. 8. Norman. SSE ee ee After Owls’ Eggs, 1913 and 1914 in Oklahoma. (Washington Co., Little Ganey River.) This spring, 1914, or rather winter, I was determined to get a set of Barred Owl eggs from a pair of owls that made me hunt a strip of woods for two miles up and down the Little Caney River without result last year, except a suspicion of a snaggy old elm with an impossible looking hole near the top, an Indian said he saw them fly from the tree while cutting wood near it. While looking for them, I located a Great Horned Owl’s nest on the decayed top of a giant elm; how to climb it was a problem, but I did it only to find three young ones look- ing me in the face. Well there would be another year and I would come in time. There only protection was some bark which extended above the nest level on one side of the tree. In the nest with them was the hind parts of three full grown rabbits. I watched the woods all summer and this season, February 22nd found me making my way to the old owl tree, but someone had burned it down. So after waiting all year, I had to make a new hunt. I thought of every likely tree, but failed to find them. The next day I looked through the woods on the other side of the river and climbed and rapped every tree that looked owly, but to no avail. One old leaning elm had a likely hole away up, but it looked impossible; so after looking the tree over closely, what did I see but the tail of an Owl sticking over the top of a lower limb near the trunk of the tree. A few sticks thrown at her brought Mrs. Owl off. I was in hopes it was a Barred one, but it was a Great Horned. With rope and climbers, I finally reached the nest. On the lower side of the tree fresh eges were in it. They were laid on the decayed wood in a cavity on top of the limb. I then went up the river to the Barred Owl tree and with much laber made the ascent, but I was too early. Two subsequent trips had a like ending; one on a cold rainy day. But the next time Mrs. Owl failed to rouse with my hammerings, so up I went, feeling my time had come, when about half way up, she flew out, and on my reaching the hole, three eggs greeted my sight. The hole was on the lower side of a dead limb and I had to put a rope around a limb above and with one foot in the rope hanging to the tree, with one hand I proceeded to dip the eggs out. The first one fell out of my dipper back into the nest, about three feet. Gloom filled the air about that time, but it did not hit the others. With extra care, I fished them all out. One was pretty well cracked, but it looked good to me and | felt well repaid for my trouble; so ended a successful search. Albert J. Kirn. pasa re ne eee Rare Finds J. D. Ball of Waterford, Pennsyl- vania, reports a set of seven Field Sparrows, taken June 38, 1909, at For- restale, Philadelphia, six of which were fresh and one addled. Also a set of four Speckled Robin’s eggs, collected at Frankford, Philadel- phia in 1880. Bs i ta The Barred Owl. (Syrnium Varium.) This large round-headed fellow with big black staring eyes is the most common owl found in this region. 10 THE OOLOGIST It is a resident the year round. Not often seen in winter when the trees are bare of leaves and the ground covered with snow, as it then keeps well hidden in dense hemlocks, but during the summer time I often come upon them. They have a. liking for cool moun- tain streams in deep shady woods and often flushed from along the water in such places. Usually the Barred Owl is not very shy and will allow a person to ap- proach within shotgun range. A good many are shot each fall dur- ing the gunning season, but still there seems to be about as many now as fifteen years ago. From my experience with this owl when hunting black squirrels, I be lieve it is a good squirrel hunter, too, and that it is out very often during midday looking for a meal. In the March OOLOGIST I related a little adventure with one while squir- rel hunting last fall and several years ago a similar incident happened. A black squirrel was barking, and sneak- ing up I saw him on a big chestnut stub and had just got nicely in range, when a big gray object dashed into the tree. Blacky ducked into a hole none too soon, and the gray thing alighted on a limb and turned out to be a Barred Owl. My strangest ex- perience with this owl happened a few years since on a warm lazy October day. I had crawled out of bed at three- thirty and walked six or eight miles so as to be in the woods at daylight. Along about noon it was so quiet and warm that I got sleepy, so coming to a little sink where I would be out of sight of any fool hunters, I laid down and was soon dozing. Beside me lay my string of squirrels, black and gray, ten in all. T don’t know how long I slept, but suddenly awakening I saw, not ten feet over my head, a Barred Owl flut- tering in the air, no doubt attracted by the squirrels. When first I opened my eyes he was so close that he seemed to fill the whole atmosphere and for an instant I thought the old boy himself was after me. I started up and he flew away to a limb, faced about and after rubbing hard he hurried away through the woods. I didn’t shoot and I often smile to myself when [I think what a scare he gave me when I first open- ed my eyes. The Barred Owl hoots very fre- quently during the daytime if it is cloudy or rainy. The hoots are not deep in tone like the Horned and are about eight in number, given in rapid succession and the last one rather long drawn out. At a distance it sounds a great deal like a dog bark ing. They prey usually on squirrels and small rodents, with an occasional rabbit. Never knew of one of them robbing a hen roost like the Horned Owls, although they sometimes do so. They nest in natural cavities in large trees. Usually not over thirty or forty feet up, and in hollows cr openings that do not go in very deep. Sometimes they nest in the tops of broken off stubs and are exposed to the weather. Here they lay two or three eggs, and about March 25th is the right time to look for fresh eggs. R. B. Simpson. saa ee Se The Great Horned Owl. (Bubo Virginianus.) Early on the morning of March 38rd, my friend Spencer and I started to walk armed with climbers, rope and camera, our object being to visit eight or ten old hawk’s nests in hopes of finding Mrs. Bubo at home. As I left the house the thermometer THE OOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of the Barred Owl —Photo by R. B. Simpson 11 12 THE OOLOGIST stood at zero, but it was clear and turned into a fine day. In the woods ‘we found a heavy deep snow, but it was crusted hard and held up so that walking was fine. We visited the basin in the big tim- ber where the Goshawks nested and looked over the old nests but without results, although there is a pair of Bubos in that vicinity. We did not see or hear the Gashawk either. We then went to another place where I knew a pair of Owls was located and looked after the old hawk and crow hests. We found the old lady at home in a nest that has been used for several seasons, by a pair of Red Shouldered Hawks. When I bumped the tree she flopped off and quickly dissappeared into a lot of large pines. The nest was sixty-five feet from the ground in a chestnut and was not a difficult one to reach. After a lot of fussing we got a good photo of the outfit and secured a nice fresh set of two eggs. I had several more pairs in view, but the deep snow and_e stormy weather prevented looking them up. The Horned Owl is a resident the year round. They seem to stay in the same vicinity year after year and each pair ranges over a considerable terri- tory. They seem to hold their own in numbers here as they have good shelt- er in the hemlocks and are wary and difficult to get close enough to shoot; in fact, I don’t believe we have a bird here that is as difficult to secure as Mr. Bubo. Crows often mob them and at such times they can sometimes be ap- proached. They are great destroyers of game, especially rabbits, and during the long winter they kill a great many. They must tackle skunks very often as most of them that I have handled smelled very skunky and several nests that I have climbed smelled very rich. They are great fellows to raid chicken coops and roosts and once started they keep it up until shot or trapped. They nest in beth hollow trees and stubs and old hawks’ nests and don’t seem to have any particular choice. They don’t use the same nest each season here, but have a different one each time. The first week in March is the time for fresh eggs here, regardless of the weather, and the young hatch out about the 20th to 25th of March. The old ones are good providers and al- ways have a supply of food ready for the little fellows when hatched. Last season I climbed to a nest in which the young had just hatched and found a grouse and the best part of a rabbit in the nest. At a nest that I climbed to several years ago I found young just hatched and in the nest was a large rat, minus its head, also the hind quarters of a rabbit. R. B. Simpson, Warren, Pa. °—~—_e_—___ —__—_- Black and White Warblers. One hot dusty day in June I found myself cultivating corn with my team cf favorites. Along towards noon I became thirsty, so I tied up to the fence near where the field cornered against some heavy timber; I climb- ed_over the fence, (may the devil get the person who invented barbed wire), just as I landed, a bird got out, right by my feet and fluttered away among the grass and bushes. |] instantly marked the place where she got up and followed her until I made out it THB OOLOGIST 19 was a Black and White Warbler. I returned to the bushes where she got up and easily found the nest which contained four eggs, far advanced in incubation. I could not save them, although I very much wanted them for my collection; they being the only ones I had ever found. The nest was composed of dead leaves, grass, bark, strips from the inner bark, rootlets, and lined with hair, nicely made, arch- ed over, snugly placed among the stems of a small bunch of hazel bush- es. The eggs were white or creamy white, thickly marked with chestnut and lavender in varying shades. I think they hatched without mishap. George W. H. Vos Burgh. Columbus, Wis. 6

607 Western Tanager ........... 2 Chi SeurplesMantinws cesta sees 4 GigE Barns Swallows soe. 50 615 Violet Green Swallow ....... 75 652a Western Yellow Warbler..... 3 656 Audibon Warbler ........... iL 680 McGillivray’s Warbler ....... 6 721a Parkman’s Wren ............ i (22a Western Winter Wren ...... 2 735b Oregon Chickadee .......... 35 741 Chestnut backed Chickadee.. 30 748 Golden-crowned Kinglet..... 50 749 Ruby-crowned Kinglet ....... 35 758 Russet backed Thrush ....... 30 76la Western Robin ............. 30 HS ee Mnslhisht Sparrows ce scree. 3 Frank H. Maynard. Victoria, B. C. Notes on the Foregoing. We deem it proper to make the fol. lowing notations on the foregoing list, viz: Glaucous winged Gull, Herring Gull, California . Quail, Franklin Grouse, Golden Hagle, Western Nighthawk, Caliope Hummer, Arkansas Kingbird, Blackheaded Jay, Redpoll, McGilli- vray’s Warbler, Oregon Chickadee, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet were not observed by the expedition whose or- nithological activities were reviewed in “A Report on a collection of Birds and Mammals from Vancouver Island” by Harry S. Swarth, U. of C. Pub. in Zool. Vol. 10, No. 1. The Great Blue Heron referred to in the foregoing list is without doubt A. 20 THE OOLOGIST h. fannini, Northwest coast Heron. The Belted Kingfisher being referred to in the foregoing report of Harry S. Swarth as the Northwestern Belted Kingfisher (Grinnell). The Western Nighthawk is without doubt the Pacific form, C. v. hesperis, and the Crow is Corvus caurinus, the Northwest Crow. The Song Sparrow is, we believe, N. m. rufina, Rusty Song Sparrow, and the Fox Sparrow is either P. i. Fuli- gevosa, or insulais. The Purple Martin is P. s. hesperia, the Western Purple Martin. The Barn Swallow being referred to in the foregoing report of Harry S. Swarth as the Western Barn Swallow (Grinnell). The Violet Green Swallow is T t. lepida, the northern form, and the Western Yellow Warbler, the D. a. rubiginosa, the Alaskan form. The Golden Crowned Kinglet is R. s. olivaceous, the western form, and the Western Robin being referred to in the foregoing report of Swarth as the “Northwest Robin” (Grinnell). Editor. SRL SS ete Birds Seen on a Day’s Tramp in Allegheny County, Pa. Horned Grebe, 4. Scaup Duck, 5. Solitary Sandpiper, 1. Spotted Sandpiper, 5. Killdeer, 2. Mourning Dove, 5. Screech Owl, 1. Belted Kingfisher, 5. Hairy Woodpecker, 1. 10. Downy Woodpecker, 1. 11. Yellow-bellied Sandpiper, 2. 12. Red-headed Woodpecker, 2. 13. Flicker, 15. 14. Chimney Swift, 10. 15. Crested Flycatcher, 1. 16. Phoebe, 3. 17. Least Flycatcher, 1. 18. American Crow, 6. COGS CNG Bo Rs o 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. él. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. Lad 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44, 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54, 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. Bobolink, 6. Cowbird, 3. Red-winged Blackbird, 10. Meadowlark, 8. Baltimore Oriole, 2. Branzed Grackle, 5. American Goldfinch, 3. Vesper Sparrow, 1. White-throated Sparrow, 15. Chipping Sparrow, 3. Field Sparrow, 10. Slate colored Junco, 3. Song Sparrow, 15. Towhee, 10. Cardinal, 3. Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 8. Barn Swallow, 10. Rough-winged Swallow, 2. Red-eyed Vireo, 1. Yellow-throated Vireo, 4. Black-and-White Warbler, 5. Worm-eating Warbler, 2. Golden-winged Warbler, 3. Nashville Warbler, 3. Yellow Warbler, 8. Myrtle Warbler, 4. Cerulean Warbler, 20. Blackburnian Warbler, 1. Black-throated Green Warbler, 1. Yellow Palm Warbler, 1. Oven-bird, 10. Water Thrush, 1. Louisiana Water Thrush, 1. Maryland Yellowthroat, 1. American Redstart, 8. Catbird, 5. Brown Thrasher, 2. Carolina Wren, 1. House Wren, 3. Brown Creeper, 3. White-breasted Nuthatch, 2. Tufted Titmouse, 1. Chickadee, 1. Ruby-crowned Knight, 1. Blue-gray gnatcatcher, 4. Viery, 2. Wood Thrush, 8. American Robin, 15. Thos. D. Burleigh. May 2, 1914. THE OOLOGIST V Back Numbers of Magazines for Sale I have the following back numbers of various Natural History and Orni- thological magazines for sale which will be sold cheap. If any of these are wanted for filling files, write me for prices, as I am sure some of them will not last long. THE AGASSIZ COMPANION, Vol. 3 No. 10-12. ASA GRAY BULLETIN, Vol. No. 1. ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, Vol. 1, No. 3. AMERICAN NATURALIST, Vol. 9, No. 5. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, Vol. 1 No. 1; Vol. 2 No. 1-4-6; Vol. 4, No. 1; Vol. 5, No. 4; Vol. 7, No. 1. ANIMAL LIF'E. Vol. 1, No. 9. AUDUBON MAGAZINH, Vol. 1 No. 9. AVIFAUNA, Vol. 1 No. 2. BIRD LORH, Vol. 1 No. 1; Vol. 6 No .6. BIRD NEWS, Vol. 1 No. 2. THE BITTERN (Cedar Rapids, Ia.) Vol. 1 No. 1. THE BITTERN (Damariscotta, Me.) Vol. 1 No. 6. BOSTON ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY JOURNAL, Vol. 1 No. 3; Vol. 2 No. 2. 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VIIl Egg Collectors I have the largest and most ex- tensive exchange list in existence in North America today. I want many common varieties of eggs to to complete some of my series. Send me your list of duplicates before all of the best of my material is gone. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILL. THE ~-OOLOGIST é THE CONDOR A Magazine of Western Ornithology Published Bi-monthly by the Cooper Ornithological Club of California Edited by J. Grinnell and Harry S. Swarth ““The Condor’’ is strictly scientific but edited in such a way that a be- ginner of ‘‘Bird Study” can easily un- derstand it. The articles in ‘‘The Condor’’ are written by the leading Ornithologists of the United States and are illustrated by the highest quality of half tones. Our subscription rates are $1.50 per year in the United States and $1.75 in a Foreign coun- try. Sample Copy 30c. Address W. LEE CHAMBERS, Bus. Manager, Eagle Rock, Los Angele Cal. The Oologist tor 1915 Will be better than ever on NIKO 2-0. O80 No. 2. ALBION, N. Y., Pes. 15, 1915. WHOLE NO. 381 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, Etce., inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. No notice in- serted for less than 25 cents. TAKE NOTICE. Entered as second-class matter De- 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 call arrearages must be paid. 332 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 317 your subscription expired with December issue 1913. Other expirations can be computed by ‘intermediate numbers at the rate of one nMumber per month. cember 21, 1903, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress 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. We will not advertise the skins, nests, North American Birds for sale. eggs, or mounted specimens of These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such Specimens for scientific collecting purpo- TOR. BIRDS WANTED—Live American Wild Trumpet- er Swan. R. M. Barnes. Lacon, I] WANTED—Skins of N. A. Snipe, Plover, etc. in first class shape for mounting. Must be Al. ARTHUR G. RUECKERT. 2252 N. Kostner Ave., Chicago, Ill. i1-p) I have a few finely mounted birds on hand to exchange. Who wants them? First class taxidermy work done at lowest prices. LES- THERSPEER, Taxidermist, Ee Oe oe p FOR EXCHANGE.— Fine skins of 273, 28Ya -820, 477a, 501, Slla, 513, 549, 550, 575a, 703, 729, and others, for skins or eggs not in my collection. Send lists. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lin- -coln St., Boston, Mass. (3-14) TRADE.—18 A. farm. Will take #175 cash and $150 in bird skins or eggs or both. If in- terested write me. W.G.SAVAGEH, Delight, Ark. (1-p) W ANTED.—Skins or mounted specimen of Trumpeter Swan, Olor buccinator or notes and records of this species, or the location of specimens in museums or collections. pea K. COALE, Highland Park, Lake (0) W ANTFD—Fine skins only of most Sand- pipers. Offer fine sets of eggs, 300a, 412a, 466a, 529, 542a, 567, 584. H. MOUSLEY HALEN, Ra@e -p FOR EXCHANGE—Two nicely mounted Western Horned Owls. and many first class sets for eggs of Birds of Prey. ERNEST. S. NORMAN, Malvihbill, Manitoba. (1-p) SKINS FOR EXCHANGE-—5Sl, 70. 77, a 151, 154, 190, 246, 248. 283a, 367. 478e, 5llb. C. PHILLIPS. 5 W. Weir St..Taunton, ese 1-p Birds, mostly mounted; some skins. Will exchange for desired specimens, if first class. Send stamp and exchange lists promptly. A. RUSSELL SMITH, Edge Hill, Pa. BAS pres ae ee ad epee a See ES “WANTED. —Bird skins, American or For- eign. Offer in exchange mounted bird skins and eggs in sets. Send lists. JESSE T. CRAVEN, 811 Roosevelt Ave., ero 9) ies EXCHANGE.—Beautifully mounted R. T Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, and 50 varieties, for others or skins. What have you? ‘Also skins, nests and eggs to trade. DR. J. BALL, 5001 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. -p THE OOLOGIST WANTED -—I want male skins of 666-652b- 68le, and sub-species of 550. I have eggs of 364. R. P. SHARPLES, West Chester Be Dp Anybody wishing Dareatis in first class skins, write at once. . O. U. 375, 360, 373, 367, 368, 365, 378a, 373a, 380, 39, 379a, 373b, 373-2, 373¢, 312, 301, 377, 373e, 352) 381, 20. Many duplicates, also mounted Museum specimens, Baby Tur- tles, Alligators, American Crocodiles, cheap. Also specimens of above in alcohol. Baby Logger-head, Sea ores ready for mount- ing, 30c each. H. AITKEN, 43S. 19th St., Philadelphia, Pa. SKINS.-—-646b, 652b, 633, 654a, 663a, 676, 68la. 681c, 68le, 682, 682.1. Write C. 'L. PHILLIPS, 5 West Weir St., Taunton, Mass. (1- p) FOR EXCHANGEH.—Skins 881, 371, 372, 373.2, 379. Willtake a few baby turtles, also snake and lizard parts, 400 Paves Ditnas Reptile book, $2.50. Closing out extra skins. H. W. AITKEN, 2020 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pe -p Over 400 mounted birds, mammals and rep- tiles. Eggs in sets. Foreign and United States coins. Columbia stamps, a few sets of St. Louis Exposition unused. Book on raising skunks, 50c. Tanning process, Guinea Pigs. Oologist from about 1888. What can you offer? ALMON KIBBH, Mayville, ane 1-p Have annmber of very fine mounted Am. Wood Cock. Willexchange for A 1 skins of hawks. Want skins of mounted Spoon-bill Sandpiper. kK. W. KAHMANN, 2457 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Ill. Anyone wishing to exchange bird skins please send list and I will send my list of. duplicates per return mail. J. A. WEBER, Palisades Park, N ih (1-p) WANTED—A 1 Bird Skins also eggs in sets. Send list of what you have to exchange. EDW. E. ARMSTRONG, 207 N. Michigan Av., Chicago, Ill. (1-p) WHO WANTS SOME CHOICE SKINS OF LOWER CALIFORNIA WATER AND GAME BIRDS? Skins of the best class. Very moderate prices. GHO. PRIESTLY, Garden Grove, Calit. (2- D) “EXCH ANGH— Live Wild Canada, Hutchins, White-fronted, and Snow Geese, Wild Ducks, and Pheasants for Hgyptian Geese, Black, Brant, Mandarin and Wood Ducks, Qauil and Hungarian Partridges. H. J. "AGER, Owatomia, Minn. (-p) _ "BELGIUM RELIEF FUND—I have for sale a set of Peale’s Falcon, skin identified and in collection of Mr. Allen Brooks. These egesareunique. What offer. C.U. GREEN, Care W. KF. BURTON, St. Charles St., Vic- toria, 13. Ol -WANTED-—Living healthy birds of the following species for aviary: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern and Western Evening Grosbeaks, Eastern and California Pine Grosbeaks, Eastern and Western Blue Gros- beaks, and Pyrrhuloxias. Expenses attend- ant upon capture of these birds. and fair remuneration will be paid. Write in ad- vance in regard to state permits. Corres- pond with: F. W. HENSHAW, Redwood City, San Mateo County, California. FOR EXCHANGE — Bird Skins. Want Hummingbirds only, mounted or skins nest and eggs of same. EARL HAMILTON 400 Walnut St., Versailles, Pa. WANTED—To hear from reliable collect- ors who have A-1 sets of Whooping Crane. Sandhill Crane, Pacific and Black-throated Loon to dispose of. JAMES B. CARTER, Waynesburg, Pa. EGGS. In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would ap- preeiate it if you would arrange the numerals im 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. TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets. Com- plete course of lessons in Taxidermy (Stand- ard works), Game Chickens, Cocks and Pul= eS E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph. FOR EXCHANGE—Sets from this locality, for sets from the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARD 8. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St.. Boston, Mass. TO EXCHANGE-—For eggs in sets; one 22 cal. rifle, good condition. Compiete course: in Taxidermy (N. W.School), one E Flat Alto: Horn. Can use many common sets. EK. A. WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. : FOR EXCHANGE-— European and Asiatic bird eggs in sets with data for eggs of North American species needed for my collection C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Bos- ton, Mass FOR EXCHANGE—7 eggs, also sets 1-2-1-1 Mississippi Kite, personally collected com- plete data. All eggs first class. H. 8. SOW- ERS, Brownell, Kansas. FOR EXCHANGE-— Will collect specimens of wood or natural history work in general, for sets of eggs. Write to RALPH W.JACK- SON. R. D. No. 1, Cambridge, Maryland. WANTED.—Collecting gun and kodak. Offer Rapteres in sets, including 329, a 345,. 347a, 359. D. I: SHEPARDSON, 209 EK. 37th: St., Los Angeles, Cal. d- D) FOR EXCHANGH.—Farallone eggs with small holes; also 749, 726d and many others. Send your list. H. W. CARRIGER, 5185 Trask St., Fruitvale Sta., Oakland, Calil. ) (10) FOR EXCHANGE.— Sets from the locality for sets trom the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. HDWARDS. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston Mass: =D EXCHA NGE-— A few sets of Red-shouldered and Cooper Hawks. Wanted, sets of 132, 136, 140, 141, 143, 146, 160; also 30, 30a, 32. C. G HART. East Berlin, Conn. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—207 14 1-5 1-6; 343 2-2 2-4; 348 2-3 4-4: 349 1-1; 352 2-1; 355 3-4 3-5; 364 1-3 1-3. 416 1-2; 419 1-2; 533 1-4; 539a 1-4; 715 1-6. E. J: DARLINGTON, Wilmington, Del. FOR EXCHANGE.— Medical Battery, two dry cells, good as new. Plate camera 4 x 5; some books. Thirty species of common birds eggs, first class sets for like sets. C, B. VANDERCOOK, Odin, Ill. 3 THH OOLOGIST — IIt EGGS, Continued. EGGS. Bulwer’s Petrel, Iceland Gull, Cur- lew, Plovers, exchange for Osprey, Bartram Sandpiper, etc. Send lists. Also have some good sets of foreign for sale cheap. H. T. BOOTH,8 Cranbury Road, Fulham, England. Will purchase large hardwood drawer egg cabinet, also complete egg blowing outfit, used bird books, all in good condition. H. W.BRANDT, 7625 Lexington Ave., Cleveland Ohio. (1-p) Will exchange for desirables of similar rarity, sets of A. O. U. 95. 114.1, 81, 134, 295, 301, 302. 310, 327, 330, 354, 356, 389, 416, 417, 419, 639, 641, 654, 666, 677. THOMAS H. JACKSON, 304 N. Franklin St., West Chester, Pa. WANTED.—A good set of Bald Eagle, Swallow-tailed Kite, Everglade Kite, Sharp- shinned Hawk, Gray Sea Eagle, Duck Hawk, Chuck-will’s Widow, and Mexican Jacana. DREM. 2 CLECKELEY, 457 Greene St., Augusta, Ga. (3) FOR EXCHANGE.—White Pelican, Cal. Gull, Baird’s Cormorant, Avocat, Stiit, and many others, all first class with data. Send lists. J. LABARTHE, Thompson, NEV AGA. aD) I should like to hear from collectors who will exchange bird skins for first class sets ofeggs such as 273, 329, 343, 393. 394c, 423, 461, 587, 598, 608, 617, 627, 659, 674, 676, oe 725, pe I want mostly Coron veo Cs (22 By Osada Le 13. 30, 32, 40, 51, 58. 69, 70, 74, 104. 106, 129, 131, 132, 133, 139, 214, 263, bs. ‘316, 355, 337, 360, 375, 388, 390, 423, 428, 456, 465, 495, 506, 511b, 546, 598, and many others. SS. 8S. DICKEY, Waynes- burg, Pa. (1-p) FOR EXCH ANGE. —Complete ‘sets, origi- nal datas and first class, of A. O. U. No. HANGS 11, 13, 16, 35, 49, 53, 54, 77, 80, 120, 194, 201, 202. 912. 219, 221, 264*, 269, 971, 329 (at 1 per egg), 333, 337, 3376, 339 and 348. Want original sets with complete data, and many of the very com- mon ones can be used. Send list of anything you have and will try to do business with you. Absolutely guaaantee every specimen 8 suit you. R. L. MORE, Box 608, Vernon, exas. I have for exchange many fine sets, per- sonally taken, finely prepared, among which are: 6 1-8, 194b 1-5 1-6, 199 1-4, 218 1-8. 219 1-9. 228 1-4, 289) 1-14, 293 1-12, 295 1-13, 300b 1-14, 307 1-9, 310 1-14, 310c 1-15, 331 1-5, 333 1-4, 334a 1-3, 335 1-4, 1-5, 337a 1-3, Texas Red-shoulder 1-3, 1-4, 339 1-3, 340 1-2, 341 1-2, 1-3, 342 1 3, 345 1-2, 347a 1-3, 368b 1-2, 373b 1-4, Send your lists and ee my full list. K. KF. POPE, Colmesneil, exas. FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets Common Tern, Showy North and South American Butterflys in insect proof cases. Atlantic coast shells and curios. Wantedeggs in sets. Lists exchanged. KARL SQUIRES, 70 Moor- land Ave., Edgewood, R. I. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Personally Collected; 1, 8-4; 53 5-3; 54 3-3; 132 1-9; 135 1-7; 139 1-6; 141 1-8; 142 1-7; 167 1-6; 187 3-4; 194c 3-5; 197 3-4; 225 6-4, 226 3-4; 2658a 1-4; 432 n-2; 486 n-2: 478c 2-5; 480 2-5. 492 2-5; 554 n-4; 560a n-3; 562 n-4; 583 n-4; 748a n-d; 749 n-6; 759a n-4. A. O. TREGANZA, 610 U. 3. &T. Bidg., Salt Lake City, Utah. ¢1-p) EGGS — A collection to highest bidder. W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich.! WANTED THE FOLLOWING SETS— Pur- ple Sandpipes 2-4, American Bittern N-4 Amerlean Golden Plover N-4, Bonapartes Gull N-3, Greater Yellow-legs 1-4. Will give in exchange Sets Mounted birds and skins. Liye Northern Birds supplied. PORTAGE WILD ANIMAL CO., Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Can. Box 223 MISCELLANEOUS. To exchange for stone relics several copies of Harpers Illustrated Weekly from 1860 to 1673. L. A. PARRE,. Batavia, II1. WANTED-—Indian Relics for cash or ex- ea Also'finely mounted specimen birds. DR. A. E. PAYNE, Riverhead, N. Y. (1-p) WANTED.—Type and printer’s supplies. Haye Natural his‘ory, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- mens, fishing tackle, shells, minerals, bat- tery, massage machine. J. J. WIRZ, Taxi- dermist. Augusta, Ga. (1-p) FOR SALE.—Cocoons of the Promethea and Cecropia Moths in lots as desired. Price five cents Eee postpaid. L. 8. KOHLER, Bloomfield, N. J. (i-p) EXCHANGE.—Auto Strop Safety Razor (new) for the following sets: 1-27-37-54-104-106. eas RMAN BROS., 1011 Fourth St., La Forte. nd. (1-p. FOR EXCHANGE.—Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a copy of “The Butterflies of the West Coast.’ JOHN GRAVES, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. (1-p) FOR SALE.—A fine fresh skin with skul! o Bader for mounting. O. S. BIGGS, San ose. ; FOR EXCHNANGE.—Beautiful cut gems for mounting to exchange for natural Beech mens. Correspondence solicited. (1-p) WANTED AT ONCE.—A specimen of the Red Fox in fine winter fur. Also skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare or Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A pair of Bald Headed Eagles in the down is also desired, Address. ‘stating price. RECTOR, THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Ill. (1) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Collection of Sea and Fresh water Shells, 2000 species; collection of Minerals, 275 specimens; collec- tion of Fossils, 250 specimens. 6 ft. mounted Alligator, 70 glass mounts, 216 specimens Moth and Buttertlies! 2000 specimens Coleop- tera, a large list of Curios; collection of old French letters and parchments. dated 1427 to 1800, Any or all ofabovre for sale or exchange for eggs, Skins, mounted birds, Indian relics, magazines or books. H. F. DUP BE ere Cal. -p For Collectors, a fine collection of speci- mens, all large anal very fine, one Chnstolite Tourquoix Matrix, Toursonite Tourmaline, Californite, Kuzite, Semi Opal, Amazon Stone, Opal Wulfernite. Opals are very fine, will sell for #5.00 cash with order. EK. W KELLY. Box 186, Seneca, I11. (1-p) Perfect, and well mounted specimens of North American moths and _ butterflies offered in exchange for North American bird skins. PHILIP LAURENT. 31 East Mt. Airy Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. | < MISCELLANEOUS. Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ, TAXIDERMIST, 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high grade Ithaca hammerless gun, any gaugue, new from factory; or part cash. E. F. POPE, Colmesneil, Texas. EXCHANGE -A nicely mounted specimen of a Ringtail Lemur, male, in good condition. Will exchange for Ornithological magazines and books, or good color plates, amounting to equal value. For description write, M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway. Brooklyn, ons Xe -p) FOR SALEK—One pair live Black Foxes No. 1 Grade Breeders, $2000.00, Delivered. Martin $75.00 and Fishers $125.00 a pair. PORTAGE WILD ANIMATI CO., Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Box 223. Bird Skins, animal skins and cleaned skulls eggs in sets and named Coleoptera to ex- change for stamps not in my collection. W. HN DBE: 309 De Clark St., Beayer, Dam is. from selene, An- Live cocoons of Caligula, cachara, India, and Moths such A ctias, theraea pernyi in exchange for cocoons of Samia. Glovers, also orders taken for fertile eggs of Citheronia, regalis, 50 for $1.00 and many other native and foreign eggs. Jr POTTER, East Killingly, Conn. Bird Books WANTED.—No., 9 of Vol. Oologist. Any of first volume of Bird Lore, complete or single numbers. Have Vol. IX of The Oologist to sell. GEO. W. H. VOS BURGH, ( olumbus, Wis. lle pj FOR EXCHANGE.— For cash, to best offer: Newman’s British Moths and Newman’s British Butterflies. Condition good. In- quiries answered. CHRIS FIRTH. Durham, Ont.. Canada. {1-p] WSN TE DS Orinthologiss and Oologist Vol. 1-5; Osprey Vol. 1, 2, 4; Bulletin Cooper Club. Vol. 1, 3. Address with price. C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St.. Boston. ass “We had eleven replies to the advertise- ment for the magazines in The Oologist, and I disposed of my magazines, aJl going in a ute less than a month’. LILLIAN L RS. WANTED—Volume II of The Auk, either bound or unbound for which I offer cash or otner ornithological works in exchange. W. OTTO EMERSON, Palm Cottage, Be, 1910), Haywards, Calif. WANTED FOR CASH Life Histories of North American Birds by Bendire, State price. J.C. HALL, 1420 Marlowe Ave., Lake- wood, Ohio. WANTED—Bull, Cooper Orn. Club (Con- dor) Vol. I No.3. Will pay $4.00 in original eovers. DR. W.M. TYLER, Lexington, Mass. (1-p) XX VI, of The THE OOLOGIST _ Fine specimens of the beautiful Abert’s Squirrel. and other mammals, for mounting Will exchange for books on natural History if in good COTO J. STOCKLY LIGON. Chloride. N. Mex. (J-p) a WANTED—An Ornithology Vol. VI; Oolo- gist. Vols. 26, 27, 28; Osprey, Vols. Tand III (All eomplete). State iowest cash price. Have many odd numbers of Bird magazines for exchange; also several books by Wm. J. Long. List for astamp. ROBT. W. GLENN, Rm. 107, Penna, Sta., Pittsburg, Pa. WANTED FOR CAS d1.—Condor Vol. 8 os ey 6; Vol. 10, Ne. De Bird Lore, Vol, No. : Vol. 3, Nos. 1, veh . 2, NOS 2) 33 ‘Vol. ib "except No. 1. me SLOANARER, Palisades, Colo. iat FOR EXCHANGE.—National Geographic magazines for good sets of any birds of prey. Write, stating what you have. S8S.V. WHAR- RAM, Austinburg, 0. (1-p) TO EXCHANGE.—L[ have 1000 duplicates of Scientific periodicals [mostly Ornithologicall to offer for Ornithological RU OTe bird skins, eggs or cash. FRANK L . BURNS, Berwyn. Pa. .2-p] FOR EXCHANGE.—Back numbers Oolo- gist, Osprey, American Ornithology, Mu- seum, etc. Also first class sets to exchange for desirable postage stamps. GHORGE D. FRENCH, Ivoryton, Conn. {1-p] WANTED.—O. & O. of Mass., Vol. X and XI; The Muse7m, Vol. IV, Nos. 8,9, 10,5 11, 12; Vol, V Nos. 1,7, 11; Vol. VI, Nos. 1, 2, 3; Bird Lore, Vol. Xl, Nos, 1, 5. The Taxidermist of Medina, Ohio, Vol. 1, Nos. 1, 2. CHAS. W. TINDALL, Tudepen cence: Mo. {1-p] we NTED.- —National Geogr aphic Maga- zine, Vols 1 to 14 inc.; Guide to Nature, Vol. II; odd numbers of American Museum Jour- nal; also Zovlogical Society Bulletins, origi- nal cover; good condition; state price. CHAS- ve TROW BRIDGE, Station A, Kramingham, ass. WANTED.—Numbers 1 and 2 of Vol. 15; Bird Lore. State price. For cash or exchange. J. THOMPSON, Cold Brook, N. Y. My ad in the October Vologist brought 11 reuters to my wants for eggs and magazines. .M. CASE. WANTED.—Coues Key N. Am. Birds, fifth edition; back numbers of Condor, Auk and Bird Lore, A. O. U. Check List. ALBERT LANO, Fayetteville, Ark. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.--First class sets with data for back numbers of the Auk, Bird Lore or Condor. E.K.JOHNSON, Hebron, Maine, Teg dy tle WANTED. — Ornithologist and Oologist Vol, 1-5, Osprey Vol. No. 2 and 4 Bull, Cooper C list Vol. 1 No. 3. Address with price. C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Bose Mass. FOR EXCHANGE.—Three sets of “THE BIRDS OF WASHINGTON” (two vol., 1030 pages, 375 illustrations), Original Edition, full Morocco binding, at $20 each. Will take choice eggs in sets at full rates. Send list W. LEON DAWSON, Santa Barbara, Cal. THE OOLOGIST. WOlin 2O-O<€NIG INOS 2s ALBION, N. Y. FEB. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 3881 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. The Value of Hawks and Owls BY S. S. DICKEY Instructor in Ornithology in Waynes- burg College. Published in Washington Observer It is generally believed that all hawks and most owls are nuisances to the farmers because of destructive habits and that therefore, they should be killed. This belief has doubtless been encouraged by the laws of many states offering bounties for the heads of the species of this order of birds. The truth is, as shown by scientific investigation, that most of them are far more useful than harmful and should be protected. Farmers should learn to discriminate and stop killing the useful kinds. Already great damage has resulted from a lack of knowledge on this sub- ject. The writer has known of boun- ties being paid for scalps of hawks which are protected by law and for the killing of which fines should have been imposed. The subject is especially timely now for the reason that these birds remain with us during the winter and, be- cause of the absence of leaves from the trees they are more easily seen and more liable to destruction than during the summer season. The sharp-shinned hawk, the blue- tailed hawk, and the great horned owl are the varieties found in Southwest- ern Pennsylvania which are condemn- ed by the game commission and per- mitted to be killed because they are detrimental to man. The following is a brief description of them: The first species, the sharp- shinned hawk, is about the size of a common pigeon. Its tail is compara- tively long and the general color of | its plumage is slaty-blue above and white beneath. The food of this small hawk consists almost entirely of use- ful birds and young poultry. The second species, the blue-tailed hawk, is similar to the preceding species in its general color but is much larger and has a comparatively longer tail. This is the common chicken hawk, so well known among the farmers that a detailed descrip- tion of it is unnecessary. Its food is mainly composed of insectivorous birds, game birds, and poultry. The third species, the great horned owl, is commonly known as hoot or booby owl. On account of its con- spicuous ear feathers it appears some- what like a cat, hence it is sometimes known by the name cat owl. This bird is large and powerful and when numerous proves a great pest. It will attack and slay poultry the size of geese or turkeys and has been known to kill several in a single night, eat- ing nothing but the brains and leav- ing the carcass to rot. At present these large owls are not abundant in this region and of course are not liable to do much damage. The esthetic value of these birds should be con- sidered, however, so that the species will not become entirely extinct as it has in some regions. There are four’ species of useful hawks found in Southwestern Penn- sylvania. Some of them at times will 992 THB take poultry and game birds, but their usefulness is so great that the good work they do far overbalances the harm. The following species are more or less plentiful in this region: Red- tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, broad-winged hawk, and sparrow hawk. Two of these, the red-shoulder- ed and broad-winged hawks are less common than the others and will not here be described. The red-tail is the largest and best known species. It may often be seen sailing gracefully over the fields and woods in search of its favorite prey. Its food consists to a great extent of harmful animals, particularly field mice and groundmoles. Every farm- er knows the work of these mammals, and a bird which destroys them should surely receive his protection. The little slender-winged, long-tail- ed sparrow hawk is also abundant and is doubtless well known to most farm- ers. It does no harm and is particular- ly valuable in destroying mice, moles; harmful insects and great numbers of that pest the English sparrow. 2+ Pf e— We regret confusion in the number- ing of the issues of this volume of THE OOLOGIST, and for the benefit of those who desire to bind their file erally, present the following. The is- of this magazine and bibiologists gen- sues and numbers appearing in the magazine as published and those that should have appeared are set forth in the following table, siz: January 15, 1915, is numbered Vol- ume XXXI, No. 1, Whole No. 318, and is correct. February 15, 1914, is numbered Vol- ume XXXI, No. 2, Whole No. 319, and is correct. March 15, 1914, is numbered Volume XXXI, No. 3, Whole No. 320, and is correct. OOLOGIST April 15, 1914, is numbered Volume XXXI No. 4, Whole No. 321, and is correct. May 15, 1914, is numbered Volume: XXXI, No. 5, Whole No. 322, and is correct. June 15, 1914, is numbered Volume XXXI, No. 323, and is correct. July 15, 1914, is numbered Volume XXXII, No. 7, Whole No. 324, and should be Volume XXXI, No. 7, Whole No. 324. August 15, 1914, is numbered Vol- ume XXX, No. 5, Whole No. 328, and should be Volume XXXI, No. 8, Whole: No. 325. September 15, 1914, is numbered Volume XXXII, No. 9, Whole No. 329,. and should be Volume XXXI, No. 9, Whole No. 326. October 15, 1914, is numbered Vol- ume XXXI, No. 10, Whole No. 330, and should be Volume XXXI, No. 10, Whole: No. 327. November 15, 1914, is numbered Vol- ume XXXI, No. 11, Whole No. 331, and should be volume XXXI, No. 11, Whole No. 328. December 15, 1914, is numbered Vol- ume XXXI, No. 12, Whole No. 329, and is correct. —2—~e O. C. C. Nicolls, Capt. R. G. A. at St. Georges, Bermuda, wishes his corres- pondents to note the fact that the postage on a letter to Bermuda is five’ cents instead of two. That he is under orders to leave there, and unless cor- respondents see that the proper amount of postage is attached, there will be delay and annoyance in hav- ing the mail forwarded. —_o9~<}P>-e A Correction. “Nesting of the Western Horned Owl in Central Alberta” is the heading given to my article in the January is- sue of THE OOLOGIST. This is wrong as anyone will see by reading few lines of the episode. The heading ought to be “Nesting of the Western Horned Owl in Northern Manitoba.” Ernest S. Norman. Mulvihill, Manitoba. THE OOLOGIST 23 24 THE OOLOGIST Hawks’ Eggs. Having had no opportunity to do any collecting for nearly six months, I welcomed the chance to go out in the woods a few Saturday afternoons as the time drew near for the Red-should- ered Hawks to return here in the early spring. On April 4, 1914, I found that the Red-shoulders had arrived for I saw three on this date. Two pairs soon settled for the season in a couple of wood-lots, perhaps a mile apart. After watching one pair carefully for five weeks, on May 9, I collected a full set of three eggs, partly incu- bated, from their nest in a white pine tree. The nest was about fifty feet from the ground in a fork of the upper branches, and was composed of twigs and bark, lined with soft cedar bark, a few downy feathers, and a few green sprays of red cedar and pitch pine. The eggs were heavily marked with dark brown, much darker than is usual with eggs of this species found near here. They measured 2.25 x 1.78, 2.26 x 1.838, 2.18 x 1.79. The other pair of hawks gave me a lot of trouble be- fore I finally got their eggs. I first saw them April 4, in a wood- lot near a thickly settled part of the town, just in the rear of a private san- itorium belonging to Dr. F. E. Park, one of our leading physicians. Fortu- nately for me the doctor himself hap- pens to be a well known nature stu- dent, and he willingly gave me per- Mission to go over the Sanitarium grounds and take both the eggs and the hawks themselves if I wished to. April 11 I saw one of the hawks there but could find no nest. April 18 I heard a Red-shoulder yel- ling so I approached the pines; and I found a typical egg of this species measuring 2.13x167 lying on the ground among some dry oak leaves. It is not unusual to find an egg of some common small bird which has been prematurely dropped near a favorite feeding ground, but this is the first time that I ever found the egg of any hawk under such circumstances. It was slightly cracked, but it makes a good looking specimen nevertheless. A careful search in the scattering pines soon revealed a new nest in a white pine tree about fifty yards from Where [I found the egg. This nest closely resembled a Red-shoulder’s ex- cept that the lining lacked the green twigs of evergreen which for some rea- son the hawks generally use. April 25, I visited the nest but no eggs had been laid. However I saw one of the hawks near it so I went back again on May 2, but found it still empty. This time I saw one of the hawks fly out of the grove so I care- fully searched the trees around there, and climbed up to two other nests which proved to be old ones of previ- ous years. But on the way home, I collected a fine adult male Sharp-shin- ned Hawk, so I] felt repaid for my trouble. May 9, I visited the nest and found that the owners had evidently desert- ed it, for another new nest had been built in a pitch pine within ten feet of the nest which I had been watching. Neither nest contained any eggs but the pair of Red-shoulders were still around there. May 16, I went there again and I saw the black tail feathers of a crow protruding from the nest in the pitch pine. Thoroughly disgusted I drove the crow off and climbed up and found three eggs. I understood then that I had been fooled from the start by the similarity of the crow’s nest to the one of the Red-shoulders which I had found May 9. But I had no time to spare so I returned home, mentally vowing to try again some other time. THE OOLOGIST 25 May 20, I took a day off and went after the Red-shoulder’s nest in ear- nest, determined to put in a whole day if necessary in order to find it, for I had wasted so much time hunting for it that I hated to give up defeated. As i once more approached the pines a Red-shoulder began to yell and circle around overhead and [ felt sure there must be a nest there somewhere. I stopped long enough to climb up to the crow’s nest in the pitch pine, and as no more eggs had been laid, I took the set of three. Then I started to look over each separate tree in that wood-lot once more and finally under a small white pine scarcely 25 feet tall I found a wing feather of a Red- shoulder and a few excrements from the birds. The branches in the ex- treme top of the tree were thickly clus- tered and at first I could see nothing Which looked like a nest. But after changing my position several times, I could see the ends of a few dry twigs lying horizontally among the green pine needles and [ felt that I had the right tree at last. Climbing up I found the nest with two eggs of old Buteo lineatus. The nest was similar to the one which the crows had built. It was about the same size and was made of twigs, lined with soft cedar bark. But the lining of this hawk’s nest also had dry leaves, grass, a few soft feathers and green branches of both red cedar and pitch pine. I believe it is a com- mon habit of the Red:-shoulder to place one or two green branches of some evergreen tree in the nest lin- ing and I often wonder why the bird does so. The nest was so well hidden that I had passed under it several times without seeing it, and probably I would not have found it at all if I had not noticed the droppings of the birds underneath it. Both the eggs Were so badly incubated that the shells Were very weak and they cracked open while I was trying to remove the embryo. H. O. Green. Stoneham, Mass. pee eS ee see The Cooper’s Hawk in Pike County, Pennsylvania. The crop of Hawks in Pike County is rather limited. True, it is that the wooded hills can boast their quota of the Red-shouldered but right here we must stop so far as abundance goes. The little Sparrow Hawk, so common over the larger portion of the state, is practically unknown here, while only at favored places does an oc¢a- sional pair of Broad Wings or Red Tails make their home. At long in- tervals we may see the little Sharp- shinned, but rather than any of the above in this region is the much de- spised Cooper’s. In six years of field trips into Pike County and through the Poconos I have never seen it but twice. Imagine my surprise then, when on May 17, 1913, while working through a heavy patch of primeval timber near La Anna in search of a pair of Pileat- ed Woodpeckers, I was suddenly halt- ed by the peculiar cackle of a Cooper’s Hawk. At first I could scarcely be lieve my ears and fervently hoped for a Sharp-shin but as I turned about there was the long, rounded tail of a Cooper’s projecting over the edge of the nest fully seventy feet up in the double forks of an enormous Yellow Birch. After a struggle with the rough, flaky bark I looked over the edge and saw four bluish eggs. And glad I was that I had reached the nest for not only was it a record for Pike County, but three of the eggs were distinct- ly flecked and spotted with reddish- brown and I had secured another set of “Spotted Cooper’s.” As usual the eggs lay upon a hard bed of rectangu- lar bark strips, the cavity being very slight. Richard C. Harlow. 26 -THE- OOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of Red-bellied Hawk in California —Photo by J. B. Dixon THE OOLOGIST 27 Eastern Connecticut Broad-wing Notes It was a lovely morning, on May 24, 1911, the sun was shining bright: ly and I could hear the notes of birds in all directions. [ left home about eight a. m., equipped with a collecting box, climbers and lunch, for a day’s hunt for nests of the Broad-wing Hawk. My first stcp was in a small clump of white pines about one-half mile from home, at a nest I had seen un- der construction the week before and which I thought was a Cooper’s Hawk, but as I thumped on the tree trunk I was very much surprised to see a female Sharp-shinned» leave the nest and in a few minutes returned with the male, uttering their cries. As I did not need any climbers I was soon looking into a nest which contained two pretty eggs which I left to get a full set my next trip which was the next week. I left this locality and after walking about. a mile I passed by a nest in a Chestnut tree 45 feet up, from which I had taken a fine set of two Red-tail eggs April Ist and a set of three Red- shoulder April 20th. I was surprised to see the tail of a Hawk projecting from the nest. I banged on the tree trunk and the female Broad-wing left the nest and after flying about 25 yards perched on a limb and watched me as I was going up to the nest. The nest contained three nicely marked, fresh eggs covered with some fresh green leaves. This nest [. will long remember as it produced some nice sets of eggs every year, but now gone with lets of others, the tree being cut for lumber this winter. After crossing a small valley to the Hast about one-half mile in to one of my favorite spots I flushed a female Broad-wing from a nest in a chestnut tree only 12 feet from the ground, the same nest from which I collected my irst and cnly egg set of Broad-wing. This nest also contained three well marked ezgs incubated about one week. It was now lunch time, so after eat- ing my lunch, having a good drink of spring water and a few minutes with my corn cob, I was ready to renew my search. After following along the bank of Snake Meadow Brook for about a mile I came to a patch of oakes. I had never found a nest of any kind of Hawk in these woods, and after Passing through some good ground I never thought of finding a nest in these small oaks. As I approached the patch I saw a male Broad-wing perched on a dead limb but he was soon out of sight in the oaks. After looking some time I flushed the fe- male from a nest that did not look half large enough for a Hawk’s nest. It was the poorest constructed nest I have ever seen, just a few sticks, a few pieces of coarse bark placed in the top of an old Squirrel’s nest. The nest contained three very nicely marked fresh eggs. After tramping some time without - finding anything, I became tired and started om the shortest cut for home, which led me down an old logging road through a swamp. I had not gone very far when I saw a male Broad- wing perched up high on the limb of an Elm by the side of the road. I stop- ped to think of a place that would be suitable for a Hawk to nest in and decided upon a clump of Chestnuts some 200 yards to the north. [I was about to start for this clump when the male left his perch and almost the same instant the female followed him, having flushed from her nest which was placed in the same tree and was almost invisible from where I stood, it being placed in the forks of four limbs, up 18 feet from the ground. The nest contained two large well- 28 THE OOLOGIST Red-bellied Hawk’s Nest in an Unusual Situation, Swinging Vines three feet from the Tree trunk; taken in California. —Photo by J. B. Dixon in THE OOLOGIST 29 incubated about one week. These eggs were covered with fresh green leaves as were all the other sets collected that day. I arrived home about 5 p. m., tired and hungry, but well pleased with my success. G. R. Barlow. Danielson, Conn. JS ee Goshawk Notes. Goshawks still hang about my stamping grounds but the pair from which I took eggs and young for two seasons have deserted their old nest- ing ground for good I am afraid, since a lot of timber was cut off close by. Several times this past summer I have seen a Goshawk about some of the large timber tracts while prowling about or trouting in the mountains. Early in December a fine adult Goshawk met his doom in a peculiar manner. A party living on a farm near here raises Hnglish Pheasants. He has quite a large enclosure covered on top and sides with wire netting such as is usually used about chicken coops. A Goshawk passing over saw the Pheasants but not the wire, and no doubt smacking his chops over the prospect of such easy picking he drop- ped like a shot and smashed right through the netting severing his head completely on the way through. The party who owned the place had just stepped out doors when the hawk made his dash and was just in time to see the performance. He brought the bird to me and outside of the head which was cut off, the bird didn’t seem to be cut or broken up any way. Later in. December while hunting white rabbits or hares along a large tract of virgin timber, my friend and I found the tracks of a weasel chasing a gray rabbit up and down an old road. We went up the old road slowly toward the edge of the timber, keeping a sharp lookout for bunny, intending marked eggs to let him pass and then hand it to the weasel as he came along. Right at the edge of the timber an adult Goshawk got up off the snow ahead of us and soon disappeared among the hemlock. Arriving at the place we found where the hawk had killed the rabbit in the road and dragging it off a few feet had it half eaten up. So in this case the weasel didn’t get his rabbit nor did we get the weasel. R. B. Simpson. Warren, Penna. = <>< A Broad Wing’s Nest. On May 7, 1910, I struck back over the mountains for a two days’ trip in the woods. It is a wild, rugged coun- try, lumbered some years ago but with a good covering of a second growth and exceedingly hard to work, on ac- count of the dense undergrowth of Rhoddendron in the low lands. Be- yong a vain chase of a pair of Pileat- ed Woodpeckers, a new nest of the Black and White Warbler and a beau- tiful set of seven Chickadees eggs the day was devoid of anything extraordin- ary, though the constant lookout for birds above and snakes below kept one very busy. i Several times that day I noticed a medium sized Hawk flying over one of the thickest Swamps so the next day I decided to see what it was doing in that locality. The undergrowth was so thick that I decided to walk up to the trout stream and watch the banks for posisble Louisiana Water Thrush nests. Half way up the wooded sec- tion I heard a shrill “clee-e-e” and in- stantly stopped, recognizing it as the ery of the Broad Winged Hawk. The stream was lined with beautiful Hem- lock at this place and I soon saw a suspicious looking dark mass about 40 feet up in a Hemlock on the very edge of the stream. As [ started to ascend both Hawks soared about and finally 30 THE OOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of Red bellied Hawk swinzina in vines, Escondido, California —-Phiovo by, Jn 3 Wixon THE OOLOGIST dL perched in the top of a tree across the stream, uttering their plaintiff cries. As I looked over the edge of the nest I shall never forget the pic- ture—there lay two of the most hand- some Hawk’s eggs I have ever seen on a bed of green Hemlock sprays, while below the mountain stream roared on its way through a mass of Rhododen- dron and Hemlocks. The nest was ap- parently built up on an old crow’s nest and was built of sticks, chips of bark, twigs and as has’ been said, lined with green Hemlock. The eggs were incubated about three days. In 1913 I found another nest con- taining two eggs in the same woods, on May 26th, but the nest was about fifty feet up in a hard wood, though near the stream. ‘Another nest I found with a single young Hawk was very peculiarly placed, being built in a dead Yellow Birch along a mountain stream near my Raven’s nest. Though a regular breeder in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, it’s nests are hard to find owing to the amount of territory a pair will range over and the fact that the character of the country is not conducive to the easiest methods of hunting. I have also taken its nests in Delaware and Bucks Counties and have found it breeding in Warren County along with R. B. Simpson, but its center of abundance seems to be in Chester County where Messrs. Jack- son, Sharpless and Burns have found numbers of nests. Richard C. Harlow. _——____—__©—~<> Nesting of the Red Shouldered Hawk. Years ago [ read eagerly in the colums of THE OOLOGIST of the numbers of the nests of this species found by Ornithologists in Michigan, New York, and New England. At that time in my home in~-Philadelphia, my hopes ran mainly toward Hawks and each year I tramped the hills in the vicinity in hopes of nests but save a few of the Cooper’s and Sparrow Hawk, I was doomed to disappoint- ment. Later at State College, Cen- ter County, I found a total absence of all large Hawks but still clung to the idea that I would find them. In the northern and several of the western counties the Red Shouldered Hawk is a common bird but in the eastern sec- tion of the state it is very scarce as a breeder. Several times on June trips to the Pocono Mountains I have found the fully grown young in the big tim- ber of the swamps and mentally vowed to investigate at the proper time. On April 19, 1910, I flushed a large Hawk from a nest in this locality and on climbing hurriedly up found one large, handsomely blotched egg which I left as I was compelled to leave the next day. The nest was placed in the triple forks of a large Sugar Maple half way up a hill, bord- ering a swamp and was built of large sticks and lined as usual, with green Hemlock sprays. On April 8, 1912, I happened to be in the locality again and about fifty yards off from the above nest I found a pair building far up in a big Beech tree. As I stood watching them I saw the male place several sticks in the nest and then fly to the female who was perched nearby and stand on her for several minutes, all the while ut- tering his caressing calls. April 20th» found me back at La Anna again, prepared to make a syste- matic search for the nests of several pairs I had seen on my previous trip. As I neared the nest I had located, the tail of the sitting bird could be seen over the edge and [ felt that throb through my veins that only comes with success. Strapping on my climb- ers I labored up the heavy trunk as the Hawk flew with a scream of defi- THE OOLOGIST 32 woxId HIEO ‘ad “£ Aq oJoFd— ‘opipuossy ueou 4MeH peal||eq =| poy jo sh6b4 pue json THE OOLOGIST 92a) 33 ance from her home above. It was fully forty feet to the first limb and then a good thirty-five feet more to the nest, but my reward was there, three large eggs—splotched and dot- ted with reddish brown. The nest was in a triple crotch and made en- tirely of sticks, small branches and leaves, with a lining of green Hem- lock sprays, while the tell tale downy feathers clung to the sticks (just as I had read in the accounts of J. Claire Wood, J. M. Ward, C. F. Stone.) On down the valley I went until I came to another large woods on the side of a steep hill. Here I soon saw an immense nest half way up the hill- side and a tap on the tree sent a large Hawk screaming out over the valley. It was an easy climb to the nest—only forty feet up in the triple crotch of a tall straight Sugar Maple and as I neared the nest I could see the fresh sears of a charge of shot which had been fired into it. This was much larger than the first nest, almost as large as nests of the Red-tail I have seen in Greene County, but was built of Hemlock sprays. It held two slight- ly incubated eggs. Later in the day we were working up another ridge back toward La Anna when I saw another large nest in a Beech tree well up toward the top of the ridge. A quick tap sent the Hawk screaming off above and hurried me as I strapped on the climbers. It was only forty feet up in the forks of a Medium sized Beech (a very small nest) and there in the slight, Hem- lock-lined cavity lay three beautifully marked eggs—all fresh and blotched heavily with sienna and brown. Several other nests were found in like situations with the Hawks about them, but the birds had not laid as yet.. On April 15, 1913, I took an- other set of three eggs from this same nest but found myself too early for the other pairs, though several were seen building. I must confess a partiality toward the Red Shouldered Hawks—I have taken rarer nests, seen more hand- some eggs, but never have I felt a greater throb of ectasy than when peering over the edge of the nest— those heavily splotched -eggs were seen, lying in their bed of green. Richard C. Harlow. pele es Se cane tn Re The Downey. On November 25th-27th, during an exceptionally mild spell, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers chiseled out a typical nesting cavity in a dead cher- ry stub in front of my shop and the birds protested loudly and seemed very much disturbed whenever any one approached. Doubtless their nest building at this time may be attribut- ed to returning sexual activity, due to the milld, spring-like weather, rather than deliberate forethought in prepa- ration of a snug shelter against fu- ture wintry blasts; yet the species was not seen on the place again until the eve of December 6th, in the midst of a severe sleet and snow storm, when one bird, I think occupied the hole for the night or at least until the ice covered branches fell with a crash. - FE. L. Burns. ———__ > o_—____——__ Unusual. R. C. Martin, Junior,® reports a Mockingbird nesting and raising a brood of four young in a Martin box at his home at Albemarle, Louisiana. Likewise of the finding of a set of seven eggs of this songster. BS OR EN See SS Two Albinos. While on a hunting expedition in the hills of upper Passaic County, N. J., this past season I came upon a partly albino Bobwhite and a perfect albino Ruffed Grouse. 34 THE OOLOGIST The Bobwhite was shot by a farmer at Stonetown on the morning of Nov- ember 15th in a copse of conifers near the village and he had brought the specimen to a local roadhouse for ex- hibition. This bird was an adult male in perfect plumage except that the whole back from the neck to the rump was a glistening white and extended laterally to the wings. In addition to the white on the back there were sev- eral inconspicuous patches on the lower breast. On the same morning I. flushed the Grouse near the West Brook, also in a copse of conifers and after firing twice at it, missed both times. I followed this specimen for perhaps a quarter of a mile, flushing it three times before a shot could be made. On the fifth shot I brought him to the ground and on picking him up found the bird to be a perfect albino. The plumage of this bird was a dull white except for a few normal feathers appearing on the back and underparts. The eyes, how- ever, were quite normal, as were also the feet and legs. My last shot had so riddled the specimen as to render it unfit for mounting and, aside from its unusual appearance, was a particular- ly tempting dish at a following meal. Louis S. Kohler. — ee ae _ --- Unusual December Birds in Northern Jersey. During the past month of December four unusual birds have .been located on ornithological excursions in North- ern New Jersey in the form of the Hermit Thrush, Swamp Sparrow, Kill- deer and Red-breasted Nuthatch. The Hermit Thrush was observed on Christmas day at Pequannock, Mor- ris County, along the Canal Feeder and in an open field adjacent to the railroad station. These birds were seen feeding on the berries in both places in company with the Juneco and Song Sparrow and appeared quite con- tented in spite of the bitter cold which prevailed on this day hereabouts. The Swamp Sparrow was found in company with the Tree Sparrow and Junco near the Pompton River at Pe- quannock on Christmas day and was feeding on the seeds of the weeds in the vicinity. The Killdeer was observed at Sin- gac, Passaic County, on December 3th, in the open fields adjacent to the railroad and were flying about and uttering their plaintive ‘“Kill-dee”’ con- tinually for perhaps ten minutes when they flew off in a southerly direction. The Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen on Federal Hill, Pompton Township, Passaic County, on the 13th, among 2 growth of cedars, in company with several Chickadees and Golden-crown- ed Kinglets. A single bird was again observed on the 27th near Mud Pond, Passaic County, on the western shore, in the conifers. ae Louis S. Kohler. S—- : Rossignol on Sub-Species. As to sub-species and sub-divisions, the Editor of this magazine in the November issue has most admirably conveyed his thoughts. These are ti- tles which we can well retain, in lieu of anything better, all said to the con- trary notwithstanding, and on this Ornithological subject I will endeavor to establish certain facts that have come under my observation anent in- finitesimal microscopical sub-divisions. It is well that we take cognizance of the fact that in the identification of sub-species even in transcendental hands we find in the majority of in- stances gross inconsistencies. Taking the case of Seaside Spar- rows, that breed in this County (Chatham, Georgia), we find the or- nithological writers in general clas- sing them as Macgillicray’s, their geo- a THE OOLOGIST 32¢4 30 graphical range of course being con- sidered. I have shot probably fifteen of these Sparrows that were nesting, and have taken many sets of their eggs, and have submitted specimens for identifi- cation to the most learned ornithclo- gists in this country. Their opinions vary as to what the birds really are. Some favor the sub-species theory, others holding that this is the true form; which of course leaves the Whole matter still in the realms of the unidentified. A particular specimen that I sent to the Biological Survey was identi- fied by Dr. Richmond of the Divisions of Birds as the straight Seaside Spar- row. Several years passed before I again submitted this bird to the Bureau for another inspection, and this time it was identified as Macgillivray’s Sparrow. The identification being by Mr. Oberholser. Immediately I sent the bird to Mr. Arthur T. Wayne, and requested him to send it to Mr. Wil- liam Brewster. Wayne wrote me a few days after, a letter to the effect that they were without doubt a sample of the true species. In due time Mr. Brewster’s letter reached me in which he wrote that they agree with the breeding birds from St. Mary’s, Ga.—‘that as the Macgillvray’s are known to breed at St. Marys, they must in conse- quence be referred to the sub-species.” He also states that they show more gray than a series of birds from Mas- sachusetts and Connecticut. It is very plain somebody is wrong. The truth will probably never be known; but one way will satisfy all concerned and that is to cut out all sub-species and restore them to their proper place, and then let the “spy glass” ornitholo- gist rest content until the coming of another sun. Sub-species have been, and always will be, a curse to American Ornitholo- gists. It is a blot on the nomencla- ture of North American birds. I have tried to write this article with ‘the utmost restraint and where it is not free from bias, it is not my desire to offend any one. But cne more suggestion, if any of you should happen this way, stop over, and then I can tell you more about sub-species, but until then let harmony prevail. G. R. Rossignol, Jr. Savannah, Ga. 2 <> Notes from McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Last year, we are well aware, was one of the greatest for chickadees. Thousands of them invaded the hill- side near our home and made them- selves conspicuous in many ways. A well known ornithologist from West Chester, Pa., referring to bird life during the fall of 1913, wrote me, “Chickadees were here last fall by the millions.” Then to, Bird Lore’s Chickadee Christmas bird census showed a southern invasion of the acadian chickadee—a very unusual feature. This year we note a general scarcity of black-capped titmice and have yet to find a single chickadee on our near- by hillside. Thos. L. McConnell. ee ee ee eee Cowbirds’ Eggs. Since the year 1903 I have been keeping a daily diary of bird-life ob- servations in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania accord- ing to the periods of time spent in each state above mentioned, New Jer- sey being the basis of all observations and therefore the most prolific in nests in which Cowbirds’ eggs have been located. During the period since 1903 to the present season 1914, twelve breeding 36 THE OOLOGIST seasons have been canvassed and my ebservations have brought forth fifty- four individual cases, forty having been found in New Jersey, five in New York, seven in Pennsylvania, and two in Connecticut, where the least time was spent. In 1903 five sets were located con- taining these eggs, viz.: Blonmfield, N. J., May 26th. Yellow Warbler, set of four and one. All young were reared successfully. Bloomfield, N. J., June 8th. Red- start, set of four and two. This set Was destroyed by several small boys on the morning of June 12th. Pompton, N. J., June 4th. Red-eyed Vireo, two sets of four and one. First brood reared successfully. Second brood destroyed by a Sparrow Hawk on June 18th. Both of these sets were well incubated when discovered. Middletown, N. Y. Yellow-throated Vireo, set with four and one, May 28th. In 1904 seven sets were observed: Bloomfield, N. J., June ist. Yellow Warbler, two sets with four and one. In first case two Warblers and the Cowbird were reared. In second case the parents rebuilt nest covering up their own and parasitic egg and finally laid set which they refred successful- Ye Warbling Vireo, June 7th, set of three and one. On June 20th found two Vireos and Cowbird in nest. Other ones’ body underneath on ground. Red-eyed Vireo, June 6th. Set with three and one. All young reared suc- cessfully. Red-eyed Vireo. June 5th and 8th. Two sets of three and one. First reared successfully. Second destroy- ed by several Blue Jays on 10th. Great Notch, N. J. Yellow Warbler, set of four and two. On June 2d. On June 8th found to contain two Warblers and one Cowbird about a day old. No trace of other three eggs. Midvale, N. J. June 3d. Redstart, one set of four and one. On June 15th this nest contained full quota of young in healthy condition. Haskell, N. J. Yellow-throated Vireo, June 8d. Deserted nest of this spe- cies with two Vireo and one Cowbird all of which were cracked and contents spilled. Suffern, N. Y., Indigo Bird, May 30th, with three and one. North Water Gap, Pa., June 12th. Yellow Warbler. Set of four and one. Female Cowbird on nest when discov- ered. Both parent Warblers endeavy- oring to drive off intruder. In 1907 only three sets were located: Montclair Heights, N. J. Maryland Yellowthroat. Set of three and one. On June 2d. On June 11th found this nest to contain only the young Cow- bird which both Yellowthroat parents Were supplying with a ready supply of food. Midvale, N. J. Yellow Warbler, May 30th. Set of four and one. On June 10th nest contained full quota of young in healthy condition. South Orange, N. J. Redstart, May 28th. Set of three and two. Did not visit this nest again. In 1908 six nests were located: Bloomfield, N. J., June 4th. Yellow Warbler. Set of three and two. This set was destroyed on the morning of the 6th by a black snake. Red-eyed Vireo, June 8th. Set of three and one. This brood was reared successfully. Pompton Lakes, N. J. Indigo Bird, June 34. Set of four and one. On June 15th parent Indigo Birds were feeding the Cowbird, all remained of the brood in the nest. Mountain View, N. J. Yellow-throat- ed Vireo, June 7th. Set of four and one. Did not re-visit this nest. Nyack, N. Y., June 2d. Set of four and two of Yellow Warbler. On June 12th this nest contained two Warblers and Cowbird about two days old. THE OOLOGIST 37 Pearl River, N. Y., June 5th. Red- eyed Vireo. Set of three and one. In 1909, five nests were located: Hanover Neck, N. J., June 2d. Red- eyed Vireo. Set of four and one On June 8th this nest contained only the Vireo eggs, the parents having de- stroyed the egg of the Cowbird and it Was laying on the ground underneath nest. South Orange, N. J. Yellow Warb- ler, June 5th. Set of four and one. On June 17th adult Warblers were feed- ing the Cowbird, their own offspring having disappeared. Caldwell, N. J., June 1st. Maryland Yellowthroat. Set of three and one. Did not revisit. North Water Gap, Pa. Brood of three Yellow Warblers and one Cow- bird found in nest at this place on June 18th, about five days old. Bushkill, Pa., June 19th. A pair of Red-eyed Vireos were feeding a nest- ling Cowbird along with their own pro- geny along the Creek here. In 1910 four nests were found: Bloomfield, N. J., June 6th. Red- eyed Vireo, set of four and one. This brood was reared successfully. Indi- go Bird, June 9th. Set of three and two. Two of the Buntings and one Cowbird were reared from this brood. Butler, N. J. Yellow Warbler, May 30th. Nest containing two and one ap- parently deserted as all eggs were broken. Midvale, N. J. Yellow-throated Vireo. June 7th. Set of four and one. On June 20th parents were feeding one of their own and the Cowbird. In 1911 seven sets were located, four in New Jersey, two in Pennsylvania and one in Connecticut. Bloomfield, N. J., May 30th. Red- eyed Vireo. Set of three and two. These were destroyed by some boys on 4th of June. Newfoundland, N. J. Yellow Warb- ler, June 4th. Set of four and one. Reared successfully. Were observed on July 4th in vicinity of nest with adult Warblers. Oakland, N. J, May 29th. Red-eyed Vireo. Set of three and one. Did not revisit this nest. Pequannock, N. J., June 6th. Yel- low-throated Vireo. Set of two and one. Ten minutes after discovery a Blue Jay destroyed nest. Milford, Pa., June 11th. Warbling Vireo. Set of three and one. Did not re-visit. Bushkill, Pa., June 14th. Red-eyed Vireo. Adults were feeding two Vireos and a Cowbird in nest. Young about a day old. Mianus, Conn., June 7th. Yellow Warbler. Set of three and one. Did not revisit. In 1912 five sets were located: Bloomfield, N. J. Red-eyed Vireo, June 4th. Set of three and one. This brood reared successfully. Montclair, N. J. Yellow Warbler, June 6th. Set of four and one. On June 9th nest was found to have been rifled of its contents. Greenwood Lake, N. Y., June 17th. A pair of Chestnut-sided Warblers were feeding a young Cowbird and two of their own offspring in nest. Young about four days old. Water Gap, Pa. On June 12th a pair of Yellow Warblers feeding four of their young and a nestling Cow- bird about four days old. Coscob, Conn., June 10th. Red-eyed Vireo. Nest with two and one. This was found near creek near Greenwich city line along Boston Post Road. Did not re-visit. In 1913 one nest was found: Sparta, N. J., Yellow Warbler, June 8th. Set cf four and one. Did not re-visit. 1914 held forth two nests, one in New Jersey and one in Pennsylvania. Bloomfield, N. J. Red-eyed Vireo. 38 THE OOLOGIST Set of three and one on June 4th. On June 20th parents were feeding all of the youngsters which at this time were about ten days old. Water Gap, Pa. Yellow Warbler. Set of three and one along Broadhead Creek on June 12th well incubated. Did not re-visit. In this tabulation appears nineteen cases of infringements against the Yellow Warbler, three against the Redstart, seventeen against the Red- eyed Vireo, six against the Yellow- throated Vireo, two against the Warbling Vireo, one against the Chest- nut-sided Warbler, one against the Chipping Sparrow, two against the In- digo Bunting and three against the Maryland Yellowthroat, making a total of fifty-four for the twelve years. Louis S. Kohler. Bloomfield, N. J., Jan. 1, 1915. —_——_e-—-o—__ Sub-Species. Your opinion as given in the review columns of THE OOLOGIST for Nov- ember on the subject of “Geographical races of American Birds” are shared by many interested in the wild life of our country. I remember some ten years ago read- ing in a guide to the Xoological Gar- dens in the Bronx that a huge brown bear from Alaska could not be as- signed to his proper sub-species. until after his death when his skull uncloth- ed of flesh would reveal his proper identity. I thought after reading this that we had come to the limit. Your subscribers have a good opportunity to acquire more liberal views as to the variations in a species. I remember when a boy, peeping in a Magpie’s nest being surprised at the sight of seven or eight eggs varying from light col- ored to dark, and all unlike each other. Do you think that the English Spar- row will develop changes from their over-sea form? It seems to be proba- ble that they will. One of your correspondence in a re- cent number tells of finding a tree in the town of Webb in this country with a number of nests of the Great-blue Heron in it. [I suspect that the Herons I saw in the ponds on the farm where I now reside, come from there for food. It must be a great many miles away. J. Thompson. Ccld Brook, N. Y. <2 Albino Robins. Thomas L. McConnell of McKees- port, Pa., calls our attention to the fact that prior to the date of the pub- lication of the photograph of the AI- bino Robin in the December issue of THE OOLOGIST, two photographs of an Albino Robin were published in Bird Lore, Volume 12, pages 8 and 9, the photographs having been taken by R. W. Hegner. As Mr. McConnell says, “This is one on us.” Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter Velox. In the past fifteen or twenty years, in this part of Massachusetts, this rare little hawk has neither increased nor decreased. It arrives here about the first week in April but does not think of nest building until about May 5th to 25th. All nests I have found have been sit- uated in pine trees at an average - height of thirty feet, rare cases at seventeen feet and up to forty feet. Also a new nest is made, never a patched up old nest of any kind of bird. The following description of the last set taken is typical and will answer for all sets I have had anything to do with. Some weeks previous I had been through this locality after larger and earlier nesting hawks and had noted a pair in a group of medium sized pines, so determined to come back THE OOLOGIST 39 again in 332 time. On the morning of May 25th started out and locality was one that plain hiking was the order. ‘he weather here is variable, hot and cold in May, and this day decided early to be hot. Also about this time all the mosquitoes, brown tails, etc., have hatched so had everything fixed for me by nature. The group of pines was located in a fairly large chestnut woods. I gave all the pines a good looking over for nests with a bird’s tail sticking over the edge, but no luck that way so started the right way. First tree with a nest in, rapped it and then climbed it, an old one, 35 feet up and just as far down. Climb- ere were no good as limbs are num- erous, small and dead. Number two tne same, add seventy feet more. Num- ber three the same. Beginning to get nervous so rapped the next until I had most of the lower bark off, then went up and when my hand could touch the nest, off went Mrs. 332 with a noisy sort of cac, cac, cac. The diameter of the nest was greater than the length of the hawk and from tne ground neither head nor tail could be seen. You can’t see thirty feet up into a pine from as many positions as in a chestnut or similar tree, and when the set is full 332 is a close sitter. One can easily lose if he doesn’t go up to every nest, for while rapping a tree will sometime make her leave, the surest thing is to go up. This nest was thirty feet up, placed close to the trunk made of small sticks, with bits of pine bark for a lin- ing and was quite shallow. It con- tained five eggs, slightly incubated. When sets are fresh when found a sec- ond set of about four can usually be taken from same nest ten days later. EHggs were wreathed nearer the middle than end of egg with a varying amount of blotches and spots over rest of egg. Real lightly marked sets are rare. With five nicely marked eggs packed away and face and hands washed at a nearby brook, pipe refilled and light- ed, I could even laugh at the mosqui- toes that had made life miserable for me the last two hours and beat a happy retreat. Roscoe I. Giles. Marlboro, Mass. iP Tee a Ae Law Married. J. Eugene Law, one of the most prominent of the Coopers’ Club mem- bers, one of its business managers and a well known California banker, has gone and got married as evidenced by the following from a California paper: BANKERS CONSOLIDATE. Miss Laura M. Beatty, who until a week ago was the assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Hollywood, and believed to be the only woman in California holding such a position, was married yesterday morning, to John Hugene Law, former president of the Same bank. The ceremony was per- formed in the Euclid Heights Presby- terian chureh, following which the couple left in an automobile for San Diego, planning to return soon to oc- cupy a home at No. 1834 Hl Cerito ave- nue, Hollywood. é if MAE Gp ce Re At To California. Ue vera With the closing of the forms for this issue of THE OOLOGIST, Febru- ary 2d, the editor leaves for Califor- nia to go to the bedside of the very best mother in all this wide, wide world. Highty-one years of age, white-- haired and bent, but with a heart as. warm and a mind as bright as ever.. In her sickness she awaits our com-- ing, and we count the hours until we can press her dear shrunken hand in our own. We may be gone a month; maybe three of them. In the meantime we 40 THE OOLOGIST 77 beg the consideration of our readers if THE OOLOGIST is not quite up to standard.—R. M. Barnes. es iy ae EN ae Two Remarkable Runt Sets. Bobolink, five eggs, measuring .65 x Al, 47 x 137, .48 x 39, 49 x 40) bi x 40, inches. Red-winged Blackbird, five measuring .55 x .46, .56 x .46, .50 x .49, 1.00 x .66 inches. : Both sets were collected in June 1914, in Benson Co., N. Dakota. The nests were in the same meadow and not more than seventy yards apart. A single runt in a set, is of course a not uncommon occurrence, but if anyone has ever recorded a set to equal these of mine, the record has escaped my notice. The Red-wing nest when found con- tained two of the runts. The other two were the next deposited, the nor- mal egg being the last. None of the runts in this set contained any yolk and three of them show much rough shell surface. All are normal in color. The Bobolink nest when found con- tained three eggs, one of them being the larger egg, which is of course, it- self a runt. Hach egg in this set con- tained some yolk, and all are normal in color and shell texture. Fred Maltby. eggs, 57 x .47, Kansas City, Mo. SASS CRUISES Ge Suggestion for Martin Houses. Martin lovers who have had their flocks of chattering Martins driven away by the Starling have read with interest a noteworthy contribution to Martin house building by Charles H. Townsend, Green Farms, Conn., in the September-October number of Bird Lore. A way has been discovered to keep the Starling out of our Martin boxes. Mr. Townsend writes as follows: “In on this region, the holes of Martin houses must be large enough to let Martins in and keep Starlings out; but the Martins will not enter a one- and-seven-eighths inch hole unless there is a half-inch hole just above it to let in the light. The Martin’s body in the small entrance makes the compartment dark, and the bird seems afraid to enter. After the half-inch windows were bored, they entered freely.” The old question as to proper color for painting Martin boxes bobs up every once in awhile. White is the best color because it is the coolest color, reflecting more of the sun’s heat than any other color. Heat is very fatal to the young fledglings and is largely responsible for the many dead bodies that we remove every fall from the deserted bird houses. Then again, white as we noted in one of our articles on this subject in Bird Lore, seems to harmorize with the nature of these birds. White is the avain anti- thesis of red. A gentleman this sum- mer told us about painting his bird house red and how the Martins shun- ned the place like a house of death. To those about to build something up-to-date in the Martin house line we refer to the excellent article by Ned Deaborn, “Bird Houses and How to Build Them,” U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Bulletin, No. 609. Martin lovers have missed a real treat who have not read the article upon Colonizing the Purple Martin, by. J. P. Reiff, in the National Sportsman, January, 1914. Thos. L. McConnell. << o — Copy. We are out of short newsy notes of two to ten lines each. Send in some even if you write it on a postal card. It is the short pithy items that we want.—Hditor. THE OOLOGIST V Back Numbers of Magazines for Sale I have the following back numbers of various Natural History and Orni- thological magazines for sale which will be sold cheap. If any of these are wanted for filling files, write me for prices, as I am sure some of them will not last long. ASA GRAY BULLETIN, Vol. No. 1. ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, Vol. 1, No. 3. AMERICAN No. 5. NATURALIST, Vol. 9, AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, Vol. 1 No. 1; Vol. 2 No. 1-4-6; Vol. 4, No. 1; Vol. 5, No. 4. ANIMAL LIFE. Vol. 1, No. 9. AUDUBON MAGAZINE, Vol. 1 No. 9. AVIFAUNA, Vol. 1 No. 2. BIRD LORE, Vol..1 No. 1; Vol. 6 No .6. BIRD NEWS, Vol. 1 No. 2. THE BITTERN (Cedar Rapids, Ia.) WolsE Nos 1 THE BITTERN (Damariscotta, Me.) Vol. 1 No. 6. BOSTON ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY JOURNAL, Vol. 1 INOso VOL ZinNOne2- BROOKLYN ENTOMOLOGICAL SO- CIETY, Vol. 1 No. 6, Oct. 1878. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Ill. BULLETIN MICHIGAN ORNITHO- LOGICAL CLUB, Vol. 1 No. 3-4; BULLETIN NUTTALL ORNITHOLOG- ICAL CLUB, Vol. 2 No. 1. CANADA NATURALIST SCIENCE NEWS, Vol. 1 No. 1. COLLECTOR’S MONTHLY, (London, England), Jan. 1894, No. 1. COLLECTOR'S MONTHLY, Vol. 2 No. 4-5. STORMY PETREHL, Vol. 1 No. 5. THE COMMON SENSE, Vol. 2 No. 2. CONCHOLOGIST’S EXCHANGH, Vol. 2 No: 3: EXCHANGE BULLETIN, Vol. 1 No. 2. FOREST & FIELD, Vol. 1 No. 1. HOOSIER NATURALIST, Vol. 2 No. 6. THE HUMMER, Vol. 1 No. 5-6. INTERNATIONAL NATURALIST, Vol. 2 No. 5. JOURNAL OF THE MAINE ORNI- THOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 7 No. 1-4; Vol. 8 No. 3-4; Vol. 9 No. 2. THB OOLOGIST MAINE ORNITHOLOGIST & OOLO- GIST, Vol. 1 No. 1. MINERALS, Vol. 1 No. 1. THE MUSEUM, Vol. 1 No. 2; Vol. 3 No. 3; Vol. 4 No. 1. THE NATURALIST (Austin, Tx). Vol. 1 No. 3-7. THE NATURALIST Ore.) Vol. 1 No. 12. (Oregon City, NATURALIST & COLLECTOR, Vol. 1 No. 3. THE NAUTILUS, Vol. 6 No. 1. THE NIDIOLOGIST, Vol. 2 No. 4-12. THE OBSERVER, Vol. 5 No. 1; Vol. 6 No. 6. THE OOLOGIST (Utica, N. Y.) V. complete. Vol. THE OOLOGIST (Albion, N. Y. Lacon, Ill.) complete files. and THE OOLOGIST’S JOURNAL, 2 No. 2. Vol. THE OOLOGIST’S HXCHANGH, 1 No. 4; Vol. 2 No. 3-7. Vol. THE OREGON NATURALIST, Vol. 1 INO, ale WO, 4 INO, ai, & O° dil, ae Weo 3} INO, Ey A Be ay hy els, Sh, Gy TL), 11;. Vol. 4 No. 2, 7, 9. ORNITHOLOGIST & BOTANIST, Vol. 1 No. 5. ORNITHOLOGIST & OOLOGIST, Vol. 16 No. 7; Vol. 18 No. 3-6. OSPREY, Vol. 3 No. 1. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY, Vol. 1 No. 5-9. SCIENCE, Vol. 1 No. 16; Vol. 2 No. 25; Vol. 5 No. 114; Vol. 7 No. 154; Vol. 2 (new series) No. 49. WEST AMERICAN SCIENTIST, Vol. 4 No. 34. | WESTERN ORNITHOLOGIST, Vol. 5 INO), 1b; Zp Bo WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CHAP- TER PUBLICATIONS:-— THE QUARTERLY, Vol. 4 No. 2. THE HOURNAL, Vols. 1 and 2. THE BULLETIN, Nos. 45, 46, 47, 48, 49. ZOH, Vol. 1 No. 1. o~G> ~ = BENJAMIN HOAG Stephentown, New York. Cut-the-Lining Hgg Drills, 25e each. 4 selected Hizes, $1.00. Regular Hgeg Drills, short handle: No. 1, 20¢; No. 2, 25c; No. 3, 35c; No- 4, 45c; No. 5, 50ce. Nickle Blowpipes, No. 1, 40c; No. 2,. 30¢; No. 3, 20c. Embryo Scissors, 50c; Hmbryo hooks, 25c¢; Forceps, 45c; Calipers, $1; Pencils, 10. Climbers with straps, $2.75; without straps, $1.90. Field Glass, $4.50. Data Blanks with name and address, 40c per 100; 250: for $1.00. Books, Davies “Nests and Eggs,” $1.75; Chapman’s “Handbook,” $3.00; Bailey’s ‘Handbook,’ $3.00; Reed’s: “Hees,” $2.25. Prompt quotations on any book or magazine. Everything PREPAID. Lists on request. THE OOLOGIST FOR SALE.—For the best cash offer Rec- oo Vol. 6 to 23 (18 vol.) in good condition. E. JOHNSON, Hebron, Maine, R. R. 1. NOTICE.—Is your library going to be the only one without a copy of “The Birds of Virginia?” Of the one thousand edition only about one hundred remain, and no more will be printed. Paice $3.00. Address the author, HAROLD H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. BIRD LORES WANTED.—What. shall I pay youfor yours? Vols 1-2-3-10 complete or odd numbers. Also Vol.7 No.1, Vol. 9 Nos. BeAVolen 14) No.2. Vol. 15) No: 2) J. Ne SWIFT, Stockport, Ohio. (1-p) WANTED FOR CASH—The Condor, Vol Ito lV; The Auk. Vols. I to X; The Osprey, Vol. I to II; The National Geographic Maga- zine, Vol. I to XVII; Nature and Culture WOE dls, DAUELA KEAN, Stockport, O. os 2-p WANTED.—Books. Magazines and Pamph- lets about Birds and Natural History Sub- jects. In all cases state what you have and the lowest cash prices. No other prices con- sidered. Address FRANK BENDER, 128 Fourth Ave., New York City. (3-14) FOR SALE.—Large number of magazines, Ornithological and Botanical Scientific and Exploration notes, Purchaser must take the lot. Snap, #15.00 bostpard: Send for list. GUSS CROSSaA, Suite 1, Purvis Block, Ea- monton, Alta. (- -p) WANTED.—The Auk, Volume IV (1887). Will pay cash or exchange one publications for same. HARRY C. OBERHOLSER, 1444 Fairmont St., N. W. Washington, D.C. es -p WANTED.—Oregon Naturlist Vol. I, Nos. 2-12., Vol. II, No. 1, Bulletin of the Cooper Club Vol. I. Nos. 2-3-5. and Nidologist Vol. I. Offer good exchange in skins or magazines. STANLEY G. JEWETT, 582 Bidwell Ave., Portland. Oregon. (1-p) BIRD-LORE—Complete file to date (about 100 numbers) for sale at the highest bid re- ceived before March 10th- First three vol- umes bound in 3-4 morocco, rest in original covers. all in excellent condition. No ‘offer below $40 CONS oleae CHARLES A. HEW- LETT. Woodmere, N. Y. WANTED?--Can any Oologist subscriber in rural Southwest in any manner employ a young literary couple who are out of door people, healthy, resourceful, capable, travelled and well educated. Has never been afraid to work hard with hands or brains. Give us an excuse to SG you! Box 15, Winterton, Sullivan Co., N. Y. (-p). ; EXCHANGE.—January, February, March Bird Lore, 1913, for Nos. 306-307-309-310-311- Se 313-314 of ‘The Oologist or some Bird books. GRANT HALEY, Springford, Cue -p BOOK INFORMATION WANTED—Will every Owner of Complete files of The Auk look at the first six volumes and see if they have the Autograph of my father (H. B. Bai- ley) on the front page? If you know of their whereabouts, communicate with me, and oblige, H. H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. VII Back Numbers of the Oologist Fifteen Cents Numbers 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 40, 45, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 134, 135. Twenty-five Cents Numbers 10, 18, 15, 16, 54, 55, 56, 75, 87, 123, 127, 128, 129, 144, 149. Thirty-five Cents Numbers 9, 66-7, 77; 101, 113, 138, 146. Fifty Cents Numbers 1, a Be 31, 34-5, 42, 53, HO, dll, WO), Te, 187, ax), - 140), "153, 158, 254. One Dollar Number 44. Reprint, 50e. All other numbers will be sold as long as the stock lasts at Ten Cents. Complete volumes of THE OOLO- GIST unbound, as long as the supply lasts, until further notice will be sold at the following rates only: is T), S8y YO; WOE, TSE, INOS. TL WO Wo ooovcc $2.10 Wolk 1H ISS INOS; 1B Wo Wee coo 66 1.00 Vol. III, 1886, Nos. 15, to 20...... 1:25 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26... 1.00 WOlle Wi WBSSS INOS: BU Woy) BSs ob 5606 2.80 Viol: Via 18895 Nose 39 to 5025+... 2.70 Walls Wal 890). INOS, Gil TO) 625565. 2.15 Wolk, WANN IShl INOS, 63 wo. 655 a. WO; IDS WSOZ. INO WH VO SBooscce 2.20 Wolk 3S WSVes INOS, BH tO O8scccaccc 1.99 Vol. XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 110..... 1.45 Wools Xai ai895; SNost delilito m2. G0 WO, SG ASI; INOS, WAR two) WY TL) Vol XxaivE 189% Nose 128ator 139" 3145 Vol. XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149... 1.95 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161.. 2.00 VOL Saville 19005 Nose ilG2etonlijaae seed Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. 1.20 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195... 1.20 Viole XEXE 11903 INOS 196) tor 19a a2 0 Vol. XXI, 1904, Nos. 198 to 209.. 1.20 WO 20200 ADORE INOS PAK) tho) Zea SALA) Vol. XXIII, 1906, Nos. 222 to 233. 1.20 Vol. XXIV, 1907, Nos. 234 to 245. 1.20 Vol. XXV, 1908, Nos. 246 to 257.. 1.20 Vol. XXVI, 1909, Nos. 258 to 269. 1.50 Vol. XXVII, 1910, Nos. 270 to 281. 1.50 Vol. XXVIII, 1911, Nos. 282 to 295 1.50 Vol. XXIX, 1912, Nos. 293 to 305.. 1.50 NiO) Se EXORONCS tens ey an peice Sar a a 1.50 DY Aol, ©, OG Mimea tenn Ges matin rch ee 1.56 R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Jll VIII WANTED.—Oologist, Vol. 4, No. 1; Vol. 6, No. 4; Birds and Nature, index to Vol. 2; Os Osprey, Vol. 3, Nos. 8-9-10; Vol. 5, Nos. 2-5-7-9; N. S. Nos. 2-4-7. Nidiologist, Vol. 1, Nos. 1222 6: O. & O. Vol. VIII. all. “American Orni- ee oey. Vol. 4, Nos. 1-4-9; Vol. 6, Nos. 3-6; O. & O. Semi-annual, Vol. 2 No. 1. Wilson Bulletins oer se nee to Ree inclusive. Bird Lore, \ 1, Nos. 2-3-4; Vol. 13 Nos. 1-2-3; Vol. 15 No. Mf oF KOREN TREMPER, NG 136 Dewey St., Philadelphia, Pa. (1-p) Egg Collectors I have the largest and most ex- tensive exchange list in existence in North America today. I want many common varieties of eggs to to complete some of my series. Send me your list of duplicates before all of the best of my material is gone. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILL. THE OOLOGIST FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE-—Bird Lore’s for sale or exchange for any set of Raptore’s. Most of them do not contain any colored plates. R. LOZIER, Attica, Ohio. THE CONDOR A Magazine of Western Ornithology Published Bi-monthly by the Coop>r Ornithological Club of California Edited by J. Grinnell and Harry S. Swarth ““The Condor’’' is strictly scientific but edited ijn such a way that a be- ginner of ‘‘Bird Study”’ can easily un- derstand it, The articles in ‘“‘The Condor’’ are written by the leading Ornithologists of the United States and are illustrated by the highest quality of half tones. Our subscription rates are $1.50 per year in the United States and $1.75 in a Foreign coun- try. Sample Copy 30c. Address W. LEE CHAMBERS, Fus. Manager, Eagle Rock. Los Angele Cal. About February i5th I will have ready for delivery a corrected edition of the Lattin-Short Standard Catalogue of North American Bird’s eggs, showing additions and changes in Momenclature in conformity with the litest A. A. U. list and embodying many needed changes in Exchange Values. Limited number offered at 35 cents each. Postpaid. No stamps. Advanced orders will be mailed as soon as ready ERNEST H. SHORT, Rochester, N. Y., Box 173 THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS“ TAXIDERMY VWOlihg LO-O20UIGy IN@s B35 ALBION, N. Y., Mar. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 382 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, serted for less than 25 cents. Kte., for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. inserted in this department at 25 cents No notice in- TAKE NOTICE. SUBSCRIPTION, 50 CENTS PER YEAR Examine the number on the wrapper of your Oologist. _it denotes the time your subscription expirgs. Remember we must be notified if you wish it discontinued and all arrearages must be paid. 332 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 317 your subscription expired with December issue 1913. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. North American Birds for sale. We will not advertise the skins, nests, Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1908, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 8, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘‘The Oologist,” and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. eggs, or mounted specimens oO These columns are for the use of those desiring -to make bona fide exchanges of such Specimens for scientific collecting purpo- ses only.—EDITOR. BIRDS WANTED—Live American Wild Trumpet- er Swan. R. M. Barnes. Lacon, I]] WANTED—Skins of N. A. Snipe, Plover, etc. in first class shape for mounting. Must be Al. ARTHUR G. RUECKERT. 2252 N. Kostner Ave., Chicago, Ill. (1-p) I have a few finely mounted birds on hand to exchange. Who wantsthem? First class taxidermy work done at lowest prices. LES- THRRSPEER, Taxidermist, Benoa -p WILL EXCHANGE.—Small collection of Idaho bird skins for long focus 4 x 5 folding plate camera box with case and extra hold- ers. HENRY J. RUST, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, Box 683. (1-p) TRADE.—18 A. farm, Will take #175 cash and #150 in bird skins or eggs or both. If in- terested write me. W.G.SAVAGH, Delight, Ark. (1-p) WANTED.—Skins or mounted specimen of Trumpeter Swan, Olor buccinator or notes and records of this species. or the location of specimens in museums or collections. aoa kK. COALE, Highland Park, Lake o., Il. W ANTFD—Fine skins only of most Sand- pipers. Offer fine sets of eggs, 300a, 412a, 466a, eee 567, 584. H. MOUSLEY EGER o (A)s -p FOR EXCHANGE—Two nicely mounted Western Horned Owls. and many first class sets for eggs of Birds of Prey. ERNEST. 8S. NORMAN, Mulvihill, Manitoba. (1-p) SKINS FOR EXCHANGE-—8Sl, 70. 77, 130, 151, 154, 190, 246,.248, 283a, 367. 478e, 51lb. C. L. PHILLIPS.5 W. Weir St..Taunton, Mass: -p) Birds, mostly mounted; some skins. Will exchange for desired specimens, if first class. send stamp and exchange lists pr)mptly. A. RUSSELL SMITH, Edge Hill, Pa. < ~ WANTED.—Bird skins, American or For- eign. Offer in exchange mounted bird skins and eggs in sets. Send lists. JESSE T. CRAVEN, 811 Roosevelt Ave., Devrou, Mich: =p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Beautifully mounted R. T. Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, and 50 varieties, for others or skins. What have you? Also skins, nests and eggs to trade. DR. J. P. BALL, 5001 Frankford Ave., Pilage Ea: Pa. 4-p Il THE OOLOGIST WANTED—I want male skins of 666-652b- 681le, nue sub-species of 550. I have eggs of 364. . SHARPLES, West Chester. ne i I-p Anybody wishing pareatne in first class skins, write at once. O. U. 375, 360, 373, 367, 368; 365, 378a, 373a, 380, 379, 379a. 373b, 373- py. 373¢, 372, 371, 377, 373e, 352, 381, 30, Many duplicates, also mounted Museum specimens, Baby fur- tles, Alligators, American Crocodiles, cheap. Also specimens of above in alcohol. Baby Logger-head, Sea Turtles, ready for mount- ing, 30c each. H. W. AITKEN, 43S. 19th St., Philadelphia, Pa. SKINS.-—-646b. 652b, 653, 654a, 663a, 676, 68la. 681c, 68le, 682, 682.1. Write C. L. PHILLIPS, 5 West Weir St., Taunton, Mass. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Skins 381, 371, 372, 373.2. 379. Will take a few baby turtles, also snake and lizard parts, 400 Pages Ditnas Reptile book. $2.50. Closing out extra skins. H. W. AITKEN, 2020 Arch St., Philadelphia, ee “Dp Over 400 mounted birds, mammals and rep- tiles. Eggs in sets. Foreign and United States coins. Columbia stamps, a few sets of St. Louis Exposition unused. Book on raising skunks, 50c. Tanning process, Guinea Pigs. Oologist from about 1888. What can you offer? ALMON KIBBE, ee -p Have a nnmber of very fine mounted Am. Wood Cock. Will exchange for A 1 skins of hawks. Want skins of mounted Spoon-bill Sandpiper. K. W. KAHMANN, 2457 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Il. Anyone wishing to exchange bird skins please send list and I will send my list of duplicates per return mail. J. A. WEBER, Palisades Park, N. J. (1-p) WANTED-—A 1 Bird Skins also eggsin sets. Send list of what you have to exchange. EDW. E. ARMSTRONG, 207 N. Michigan Av., Chicago, Ill. (l-p) WHO WANTS SOME CHOICE SKINS OF LOWER CALIFORNIA WATER AND GAME BIRDS? Skins of the best class. Very moderate prices. GEO. PRIESTLY, Garden Grove, Calif. (2- D) EXCHANGE— Live Wild Canada, Hutchins, White-fronted, and Snow Geese, Wild Ducks, and Pheasants for Kgyptian Geese, Black, Brant, Mandarin and Wood packs: Qauil and Hungarian Partridges. 5 a ACIDE: Owatomia, Minn. (5-p) BELGIUM RELIEF FUND— I have for sale a set of Peale’s Falcon, skin identified and in collection of Mr. Allen Brooks. These eggs areunique. What offer. C.U. GREEN, pane ihe & BURTON, St. Charles St., Vic- oria, y W ANTED—Living healthy birds of the following species for aviary: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern and Western Evening Grosbeaks, Eastern and California Pine Grosbeaks, Eastern and Western Blue Gros- beaks, and Pyrrhuloxias. Expenses attend- ant upon capture of these birds, and fair remuneration will be paid. Write in ad- vance in regard to state permits. Corres- pond with: F. W. HENSHAW, Redwood City, San Mateo County, California. FOR EXCHANGE — Bird Skins. Want Hummingbirds only, mounted or_ skins, nest and eggs of same. EARL HAMILTON 400 Walnut St.. Versailles, Pa. WANTED—To hear from reliable collect- ors who have A-1 sets of Whooping Crane. Sandhill Crane, Pacific and Black-throated Loon to dispose of. JAMES B. CARTER, Waynesburg, Pa EGGS. In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would ap- preciate 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.—A few old copper coins for sets of birds of prey. Write what you have. 8. V. beam unsre sa oO. -p TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets. Com- plete course of lessons in Taxidermy (Stand- ard works), Game Chickens, Cocks and Pul- eee E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph. FOR EXCHANGE-—Sets from this locality, for sets from the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARD S. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St.. Boston, Mass. TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets; one 22 cal. rifle, good condition. Complete course in Taxidermy (N. W. School), oneE Flat Alto Horn. Can use many common sets. E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. FOR EXCHANGE—European and Asiatic bird eggs in sets with data for eggs of North American species needed for my collection Weis MBE AEAIN: 36 Lincoln St., Bos- on. Mass FOR EXCHA NGE—7 eggs, also sets 1-2-1-1 Mississippi Kite, personally collected com- plete data. All eggs first class. H.S. SOW- ERS, Brownell, Kansas. FOR EXCHANGE-— Will collect specimens of wood or natural history work in general, for sets of eggs. Write to RALPH W.JACK- SON. R. D. No. 1, Cambridge, Maryland. WANTED.—Collecting gun and kodak. Offer Rapteres in sets, including 329, Se 345, 347a, 359. D. I. SHEPARDSON, 209 E. 37th St., Los Angeles, Cal. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Farallone eggs with small holes; also 749, 726d and many others. Send your list. H. W. CARRIGER, 5185 Trask St., Fruitvale Sta., Oakland, Calli. ) (1-p FOR EXCHANGE.- Sets from the locality for sets trom the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARDS. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston Mass. =D EXCHANGE — A few sets of Red-shouldered and Cooper Hawks. Wanted, sets of 132, 136. 140, 141, 143, 146, 160; also 30, 30a, 32. C. @ HART, East Berlin, Conn. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—207 14 1-5 1-6; 343 2-2 2-4; 348 2-3 4-4; 349 1-1; 352 2-1; 355 3-4 3-5; 364 1-3 1-3. 416 1-2; 419 1-2; 533 1-4; 539a 1-4; 715 1-6. E. J; DARLINGTON, Wilmington, Del. THE OOLOGIST iil EGGS, EGGS. Bulwer’s Petrel, [Iceland Gull, Cur- lew, Plovers, exchange for Osprey, Bartram Sandpiper, etc. Send lists. Also have some good sets of foreign for sale cheap. H. T. BOOTH,8 Cranbury Road, Fulham, England. Will purchase large hardwood drawer egg cabinet, also complete egg blowing outfit, used bird books, all in good condition. H. W. BRANDT, 7625 Lexington Ave., Cleveland Ohio. (1-p) Will exchange for desirables of similar rarity, sets of A. O. U. 95, 114.1, 81, 134, 295, 301, 302. 310, 327, 330, 354, 356, 389, 416, 417, 419, 639, 641, 654, 666, 677. THOMAS H. JACKSON, 304 N. Franklin St., West Chester, Pa. WANTED.—A good set of Bald Eagle, Swallow-tailed Kite, Everglade Kite, Sharp- shinned Hawk, Gray Sea Eagle. Duck Hawk, Chuck-will’’s Widow, and Mexican Jacana. T. CLECKLEY, 457 Greene St., Augusta, Ga. (3) FOR EXCHANGE.—White Pelican, Cal. Gull, Baird’s Cormorant, Avocat, Stiit, and Continued. many others, all first class with data. Send lists. J. LABARTHE, Thompson, Ee (3-p I should like to hear from coilectors who will exchange bird skins for first class sets of eggs such as 273, 329, 343, 393. 394c, 423, 461, 587, 598, 608, 617, 627, 659, 674, 676, 677, 725, 751. I want mostly common species, e. g.. 3, 6, 7, 11. 13. 30, 32, 40, 51, 58. 69, 70, 74, 77. 104. 106, 129, 131, 132, 183, 139, 214, 263, 273, 316, 333, 337, 360, 375, 388, 390, 423, 428, 456, 465, 495, 506, 511b, 546, 598, and many others. S. 8S. DICKEY, Waynes- burg, Pa (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Complete reuse orlet. nal datas and first class, of A. O. U. 6, 11, 13, 16, 35, 49, 53, 54, 77, 80, 120, 194, 201, SO. B19. 219, 991, 264*, 269, 271, 399 (at $1 per egg), 333, 337, 337b, 339 and 348. Want original sets with complete data, and many of the very com- mon ones can be used. Send list of anything you have and will try to do business with you. Absolutely guaaantee every specimen psuit you. R. L. MORE, Box 608, Vernon, exas. I have for exchange many fine sets, per- sonally taken, finely prepared, among which are: 6 1-8, 194b 1-5 1-6, 199 1-4, 218 1-8, 219 1-9. 228 1-4, 289b 1-14, 293 1-12, 295 1-13, 300b 1-14, 307 1-9, 310 1-14, 310c 1-15, 331 1-5, 333 1-4, 334a 1-3, 335 1-4, 1-5, 337a 1-3, Texas Red-shoulder 1-3, 1-4, 339 1-3, 340 1-2, 341 1-2, 1-3, 342 1 3, 345 1-2, 347a 1-3, 368b 1-2, 373b 1-4, Send your lists and get my full list. KE. F. POPE, Colmesneil, exas. FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets Common Tern, Showy North and South American Butterflys in insect proof cases. Atlantic coast shells and curios. Wantedeggs in sets. Listsexchanged. KARL SQUIRES, 70 Moor- land Ave., Edgewood, R. I. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.— Personally Collected; 1, 3-4; 53 5-3; 54 3-3; 132 1-9; 135 1-7; 139 1-6; 141 1-8; 142 1-7; 167 1-6; 187 3-4; 194c 3-5; 197 3-4; 225 6-4. 226 3-4; 258a 1-4; 432 n-2; 436 n-2 478c 2-5; 480 2-5. 492 2-5; 554 n-4; 560a n-3; 562 n-4; 583 n-4; 748a n-5; 749 n-6; 759a n-4. A. O. TREGANZA, 610 U. ~. &T. Bidg., Salt Lake City, Utah. (1-p) EGGS — A collection to highest bidder. W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich. FOR EXCHANGE.—Medical Battery, two dry cells, good as new. Plate camera 4 x 5; some books. Thirty species of common birds eggs, first class sets for like sets. C. B. VANDERCOOK, Odin, 11. WANTED THE FOLLOWING SETS— Pur- ple Sandpipes 2-4, American Bittern N-4 Amerlcan Golden Plover N-4, Bonapartes Gull N-3, Greater Yellow-legs 1-4. Will give in exchange Sets Mounted birds and skins. Liye Northern Birds supplied. PORTAGE WILD ANIMAL CO., Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Can. Box 223. MISCELLANEOUS. To exchange for stone relics several copies of Harpers Illustrated Weekly from 1860 to 1673. L. A. PARRE, Batavia, Il. WANTED—Indian Relics for cash or ex- change. Alsoifinely mounted specimen birds. DR. A. E. PAYNE, Riverhead. N. Y. (1-p) WANTED.—Type and printer’s supplies. Have Natural history, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- mens, fishing tackle, shells, minerals, bat- tery, massage machine. J. J. WIRZ, Taxi- dermist. Augusta, Ga. (1-p) FOR SALE.—Good substantial bird houses for Wren, Blue Birds, etc. Post paid, for 50 cents. R B. KIDDER, Columbus, Wis. WANTED.—A pair of calipers marked in hundredths and any copies of the “Iowa Ornithologist.” Also bave a few common sets to exchange. EMERSON STONER, 482- 38th St., Oakland, Calif. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a copy of “The Butterflies of the West Coast.’ JOHN GRAVES, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. 1-p) FOR SALE.—A fine fresh skin with skul! Ge eee for mounting. O. 8. BIGGS, San ose. : FOR SALE.—I have a fine line of arrows and spears from Grime County, Texas. Send $1.00 for a dozen perfect. arrows. en -D EK. DOERGE, Navasota, Texas, Box 484 WANTED AT ONCE.—A specimen of the Red Fox in fine winter fur. Also skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare or Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A pair of Bald Headed Eagles in the down is also desired, Address. stating price. DI- RECTOR, THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Til. (1) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Collection of Sea and Fresh water Shells, 2000 species; collection of Minerals. 275 specimens; collec- tion of Fossils, 250 specimens. 6 ft. mounted Alligator, 70 glass mounts, 216 specimens Moth and Butterflies. 2000 specimens Coleop- tera, a large list of Curios; collection of old French letters and parchments. dated 1427 to 1800. Any or all ofabore for sale or exchange for eggs, skins, mounted birds, Indian relics, magazines or books. H. F. SO Eaton Cal. -p Perfect, and well mounted specimens of North American moths and_ butterflies offered in exchange for North American bird skins. PHILIP LAURENT. 31 East Mt. Airy Ave., Philadelphia, Pa IV THE OOLOGIST MISCELLANEOUS. For Collectors, a fine collection of speci- Californite, Kuzite, Semi Opal, Stone, Opal Wulfernite. Opals are very fine, will sell for %5.00 cash with order. EK. W. KELLY. Box 186, Seneca, I11. (1-p) Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ, TAXIDERMIST., 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high grade Ithaca hammerless gun, any gaugue, new from factory; or part cash. E. F. POPE Colmesneil, Texas. . For description write, M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway. Brooklyn, *E Y: -—p'! FOR SALE—One pair live Black Foxes No. 1 Grade Breeders, $2000.00, Delivered. Martin $75.00 and Fishers $125.00 a pair. PORTAGE WILD ANIMAL CO., Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Box 223. Bird Skins, animal skins and cleaned skulls omanee for stamps not in my collection. W. Pe. SNYDER, 309 DeClark St., Beayer, Dam is. India, and Moths such A ctias, selene, An- Bird Rooke WANTED.—No, 9 of Vol. XXVI, of The Any of first volume of Bird Lore, complete or single numbers. Have Vol. IX of The Oologist to sell. GEO. W. H. ve BURGH, Columbus, Wis. [1-p] FOR EXCHANGE.—For cash, to best offer; Newman’s British Moths and Newman’s British Butterflies. Condition good. In- quiries answered. CHRIS FIRTH, Durham, Ont.. Canada. {1 p] W ANTE D-—Orinthologist and Oologist Vol. 1-5; Osprey Vol. 1, 2, 4; B ulletin Cooper Club, Vol. 1, 3. Address with price. C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St.. Boston, Mass. Wanted the eae Bird Lores: Vol. III, No. 3; Vol. VII, No. 1; Vol. XI, No. 5. Will pay cash or exchange. LEWIS DEXTER, 1889 Elm St., Manchester, N .H. (1-p) incl Dp) “WANTED—Volume II of The Auk, either bound or ,unbound for which I offer cash or Have you any bird magazines toexchange? Send list of duplicates and receive mine. L. SLOANAKER, Palisades, Col. Box 402. WANTED FOR CASH-—Life Histories of North American Birds by Bendire, State price. J.C. HALL, 1420 Marlowe Ave., Lake- wood, Ohio. WANTED—Bull, Cooper Orn. Club (Con- dor) Vol. I No.3. Will pay $4.00 in original covers. DR. W.M. TYLER, Texmeton, Meee nese eC Se Oa ee) _ Fine specimens of the beautiful Abert’s Squirrel, and other mammals, for mounting Will exchange for books on natural History if in good condition. J. STOCKLY LIGON. Chloride, N. Mex. (1-p) WANTED—An Ornithology Vol. VI; Oolo- gist. Vols, 26, 27, 28; Osprey, Vols. Land III (All complete). State lowest cash price. Have many odd numbers of Bird magazines for exchange; also several books by Wm. J. Long. Listforastamp. ROBT. W. GLENN, Rm. 107, Penna. Sta., Pittsburg, Pa. WANTED FOR CAS1.—Condor Vol. 8 . 9 Nos. 1, 4, 6; Vol. 10, Re De 5 (la INO, NP AWWON, Gt INOS, Il, B Be Vol. 2, Nos. 2, 3; Vol. 1, except No. 1. Ailes SPOANARER, Palisades, Colo. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGEH.—National Geographic magazines for good sets of any birds of prey. Write, statIng what you have. S.V. WHAR- RAM, Austinburg, O. (1-p) TO EXCHANGE.—I have 1000 duplicates of Scientific periodicals [mostly Ornithologicall to offer for Ornithological DUDES bird skins, eggs or cash. FRANK L . BURNS, Berwyn. Pa. :2-p] FOR EXCHANGE.—Back numbers Oolo- gist, Osprey, American Ornithology, Mu- seum, etc. Also first class sets to exchange for desirable postage stamps. GEORGE D. FRENCH, Ivoryton, Conn. {1-p] WANTED.-— -O. & O. of Mass., Vol. X and XI; The Muse1m, Vol. LV, Nos. "8,9, 1O See: Vol, V Nos. 1, 7, 11; Vol. VI, Nos. 1, 2, 3; Bird Lore, Vol. XI, Nos, 1, 5. The Taxidermist of Medina, Ohio, Vol. I, Nos. 1, 2, CHAS. W. TINDALL, Independence, Mo. (ue -p] WANTED.—National Geographic Maga- zine, Vols 1 to 14 inc.; Guide to Nature, Vol. II; odd numbers of American Museum Jour- nal; also Zoological Society Bulletins, origi- nal cover; good condition; state price. CHAS- ve TROWBRIDGE, Station A, Framingham, ass. WANTED.—Numbers 1 and 2 of Vol. 15; Bird Lore. State price. For cash or exchange. J. THOM PSON, Cold Brook, N. Y. WANTED.—Coues Key N. Am. Birds, fifth edition; back numbers of Condor, Auk and Bird Lure, A. O. U. Check List. ALBERT LANO, Fayetteville, Ark. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.--First class sets with data for back numbers of the Auk, Bird Lore or Condor. E. Kk. JOHNSON, Hebron, Maine, R. R.1 WANTED. — Ornithologist and Oologist Vol, 1-5, Osprey Vol. No. 2 and 4 Bull, Cooper ey list Vol. 1 No. 3. Address with price. C.° W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. 10-14 THE OOLOGIST. VO. XCXXdl., No. 3. ALBION, N. Y. Mar. 15, 1915. WHOLE NO. 38382 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. Florida Red-shouldered Hawk’s nest at top of pine tree —Photo by Finlay Simmons 42 THE OOLOGIST A Nest of the Florida Red-shouldered Hawk. The Florida Red-shouldered Hawk is one of our commonest breeders here in Harris County, Texas. Every year three or four pairs nest in a strip of pine woods about 8 or 9 miles up Buf- falo Bayou. This strip is a quarter of a mile wide and three miles long. Be- sides these Hawks, a few other Rap- tores are found in this strip; namely, Black Vultures, Swallow-tailed Kites, Red-tailed Hawks, Screech Owls, and Great Horned Owls. My first day of Spring fever, this year, fell on April 18th. It was a fine, crispy morning, so I arose early, shouldered my traps and hiked up the bayou. I spent all morning searching for the nest of a pair of Red-shoulder- ed Hawks which had attracted by at- tention in one corner of this strip of woods, but I found nothing but a Black Vulture nest. I got a nice set of two out of the nest which was in a hollow sycamore. I decided to postpone the ° search for the Hawk’s nest, until some other day. On the 29th of April, I got my traps together, and tried again. After about an hour’s search J] heard the scream of the hawk to my left. I hurried over there and soon found the nest, which was 45 feet up in a pine. It was well situated, being placed in the only fork of the tree. There were four or five branches in this fork and the nest had been added to, each year, until it was about two feet high. It was a tough climb as the first limb was about 35 feet up; the tree was draped in Span- ish moss, which clogged my climbers and kept getting in my eyes and down my neck; and the bark scaled at every step. Tey Upon reaching the nest I found it contained two young hawks, several days old; one was a little larger than the other, although both were too young to do anything but emit a weak whine. Both were covered with dirty white down, and had yellow feet. They had sky--blue eyes. A fourth of an inch at the tips of both mandibles was black, the remainder of the bill being yellow. The nest was composed of sticks of all sizes and contained a small sup- ply of cord, which was wound in and out among the sticks. It had been used for several seasons as could be told by the different layers of sticks. The nest was 22 inches across, 2 inches deep, and contained a lining of green pine needles. I attempted to get a snap-shot from two positions, but the results were not very satisfactory. A time exposure was out of the question as the tree was swaying in the breeze and my footing was not very secure. The fol- lowing is from my note book: “May 6. Visited the Red-shouldered Hawk’s nest at 2:30 p. m. in company with George Ewing, of this city. The young faced me with snapping beaks and showed a strong desire to claw me. They were considerably larger and the pin-feathers were showing in both birds. The primaries were begin- ning to appear in the wings of the larger bird. The nest contained the remains of a Garter Snake. “May 14. AS we approached the nest, both parents started calling. The young were beginning to take on a mottled look. The primaries were showing in both young. The larger sunk his claws in my hand as I picked him up to see how heavy he was. One of the parents probably the male, did all of his calling from the top of a nearby pine, but the other flew ner- vously about, several times quite close to us, and kept calling all the while. The tree had the appearance of being white-washed in spots from the amount of excrement which had collected on THE OOLOGIST : is : ae Finlay Simmons in Florida Red-shouldered Hawk’s Nest Holding one of the Young —Photo by Finlay Simmons 43 44 THE it. The nest contained the remains of a frog. “May 20. We visited the nest this morning. The primaries were begin- ning to open and both young were do- ing well. Both parents were circling overhead and as we were about to leave another hawk joined them. All three kept up a continuous screaming. We found no food in or about the nest. “May 27. I visited the nest for the last time, in company with George Ewing. The female was the only par- ent in sight, but the male appeared as soon as I started up the tree. We could see both young from the ground. As soon as [ got to the nest I held the largest nestling up and was shot with the camera, in the hands of my friend. The only down on the two nestlings was confined to their heads and under- parts. I drew the camera up and took sev- eral pictures on a level with the nest, and then climbed on above the nest. and took a picture from there. The downy white heads of the two looked like skulls as they braced themselves and peered upward, watching my movements. This time there was the body of a Cardinal as food for the two Although the two young appeared to have plenty to eat, we found only the remains of the three things as named above, viz: Garter Snake, Frog and Cardinal. I was sorry not to have been able to visit the nest again but I was compell- ed to be out of town for two weeks. The young were nearly ready to leave the nest when we visited it on the 27th, and I expect they left by the 2d of June. Finlay Simmons. Houston, Texas. <> : The Rolling Call of the Pileated Woodpecker. By Ernest Waters Vickers. When the January and February OOLOGI8ST thaws come, one of the pleasantest sounds that greets the rustic’s ear is the tapping of the woodpeckers. From the little downy woodpecker up it is a habit of the whole family of Picida. It is variously used to keep in touch with companions, to call to pardners already selected or selecting for the breeding season or as a general ex- pression of exuberant good will toward creation at large. In fact I am not sure but it is regarded as music among the members of the tribe for they are very pleasant xylophones as_ they come from the otherwise silent thaw- ing woods. Hach species has his pecu- liar style of rolling call by which the ornithologist distinguishes him. But above all the rest in power and impressiveness, is the masterly roll of the great Log-cock or Pileated | Woodpecker. Not only is it one of the most notable sounds of spring but once heard it can never be forgotten. This) roll is composed of twelve strokes or blows, forming an ascending and de- scending climax; increasing in rapid- ity and volume to the middle and dying in force and rapidity just as it began, While the bird may not give the com- plete roll, may break off anywhere, it is always, so far as I have heard, a part of the above. It might be pic- tured in dashes, accelerating in time and power and diminishing in exactly the same way. A mellow yet powerful cellular jar to which the whole wooded heart of the forest makes echoing re- sponse—a solemn and ancient sound like the muffled blow of the wood- man’s ax yet older and more antique than that even, for the time was when the Logeock was the only wood cut- ter and his chips alone strewed the forest floor. Thus one March I heard one drum- ming far away on a sounding board of peculiar musical resonance and power to carry, and the sudden desire THE OOLOGIST 46 Photo of Florida Red-shouldered Hawk’s Nest, taken from directly above the nest. The young bracing themselves and watching the photographer above them. —Photo by Finlay Simmons 46 THE OOLOGIST lar tree and catch him in the act. An interesting fact or two awaited me as is generally the case if we investigate things for our selves. In the first place, as developed and it seemed in- credible, I had often heard this roll a full mile and a half away; once or twice I had even heard it in the house with doors and windows closed! One who has never heard this remarkable living mallet will suppose I am yarn- ing; such however, is absolute truth. From this time I heard him for sev- eral years or until a heavy storm up- rooted the great tree where his chosen sounding board was located, when he found another which was more punk by contrast with his former one. To be explicit this old sounding-board was the hollow limb or arm of a big tulip tree or “white wood” flung out at right angle from the trunk 60 or 70 feet from the ground, a mere shell as appeared, with a good big hole—thoroughly sea- soned, accordingly sound and hard anid barkless. The spot where he hammer- ed was white where the weathered gray fibers had been beaten off by con- stant use. When the old tree fell I tried to secure the portion of the limb or more through, which the bird had used, to keep as a souvenir, but by some twist of fate I could not extract it from the debris and finally conclud- ed that it must have been driven deep in the earth when the tree came-down. But that April day I stole cautious- ly through the woods and drew very near so that I could watch the great woodpecker beat his sounding board, through a spyglass. This is how he went about it and I saw him again and again. He sat upright upon the limb grasping it firmly (much as he is fig- ured in Nuttall’s Ornithology page 444) poising himself, making a motion or two as a neat penman about to begin writing, starts with a _ preliminary flourish, struck the limb somewhat lightly at first and deliberately, accel- erating both speed and power, dimin- ishing to stop as he had started. He then paused to listen to the effect at- tend to the echoes, or wait for the re- sponse of his mate perhaps, which oc- casionally rolled back from somewhere away east in the woods. He would hop about a trifle, cock his head ex- amining his neighborhood a little, dress his feathers or search for para- sites;—but not for long did he forget what he was there for; then gather himself up for another reverberation. With such energy did he hammer that his whole body shook and his wings quivered. He fairly hurled himself wildly at it The great loose hair-like scarlet crest flowed in the sun and his scarlet mustache added to his noble and savage appearance. When at last he flew his flight was powerful and_ straightforward, his head and neck carrying his powerful beak. like a spear, were held out to their uttermost. As large as a crow and with a certain short, sturdy, king- fisher-like aspect,—will convey some idea of this superb wild creature—a savage left over from a violent wild- erness lingering in the haunts of his ancestors. I was possessed with the longing to take a photograph of the “kine of the woodpeckers,” so just one week later I appeared early on the scene, climbed to the top of a sturdy young beech where I fixed my camera, dropped a coil of rubber tubing to the ground where I lay in vain, bulb in hand, all morning. It was the “King’s” day off evidently, he never came near and for me, the chance for another trial never came again. I have follow- ed the Logeock often and have long- ed for his skin for my cabinet; but my reverence or worship of him has been too great to allow me to raise my gun. I am not ashamed to own it, and I have been a collector many years, THE OOLOGIST Young Florida Red-shouldered Hawks one month old —Photo by Finlay Simmons 47 48 THE OOLOGIST When I catch a glimpse of his great dusky, vanishing form, the dials of time are reversed and I am in the primeval wilderness ere Columbus dreamed the world was round; ere liberty rocked the babe of a new Nna- tion in her rude pioneer cradle ;ere the simple Concord (Minute Men “‘fired the shot heard round the world”; | am in the forest primeval, savagery is afoot and the moccasin print of the redman is on the leaves. I fancy the Great Northern Wood- pecker must have held a high place in the mythology of aboriginal na- tions. He was perhaps, the big medi- cine who announced the arrival of spring throughout the forests. When “Wa-Wa” the wild goose flew north- ward, imagine the effect as master after master took up the gavel and rapped the great forest house to ord- er, mile after mile, on and on, north- ward and still northward as spring swept from the Gulf away up into the Canadas! cock on and on! 20) ae REE cae Copy. We need copy, and we need it bad- ly; especially do we need short newsy notes. With spring awakening and the birds beginning to sing, surely is the time when our thoughts turn bird- ward and some good newsy notes should be forthcoming. THE OOLO- GIST and its readers will appreciate being remembered with them. ea ala ase EE ey Books Received. From Tasmania. One of the most interesting of the many publications that reach our desk is the annual “Haster Camp Out” num- ber of the Tasmanian Field Natural- ists’ Club. It is a well gotten up re- port, including lists of members, de- scriptive matter and illustrations, giv- ing a history every year of the annual The loud roll of the Log-- outing of the Tasmania Field Natural- ists Club, which in 1914 was held at Wineglass Bay, Tasmania. Not the least interesting part of this publication is the illustrations therein contained, from which may be obtain- ed a good idea of the country visited and of the membership of the»club. This winter the Club, more than one hundred strong chartered the Steam- er “Koomeela,’ a vessel of 200 tons and sailed down the coast of Wine- glass Bay, leaving at midnight (this is noon in that island), April 9th, and returning the following Tuesday night. The report of this expedition is accom- panied by numerous scientific reports of the results obtained, and it most certainly must have been a pleasure to those who participated. FROM. TASMANIA. BIRDS OF LAKE COUNTY, ILLI- NOIS, by Henry K. Coale, 1910. This is a separate, taken from the History of Lake County, and is a well prepared local list of 269 numbers. Be ing prepared by as thorough a scient- ist as Mr Coale, it is needless to say it is absolutely accurate, and a credit- able production. Perhaps but few of our present read- ers know that the editor of this list, Mr. Coale, spent many years gather- ing together one of the most complete collections of North American Bird skins in existence, and later disposed of the same to the British Museum where they are now lodged. Since this transfer he has again started and has prosecuted for a good many years the making of a second and similar collection, and now has a magnificent assemblage. We remember meeting Mr. Coale way back in 1887 and from that day until December, 1914, we had never seem him, though having had frequent correspondence with him, THE OOLOGIST 49 The Great Horned Owl. Not many years ago the Great Horn- ed Owl (Bubo y. virginianus) was a common bird in south-western Penn- sylvania. As the time passed and larg- er timber tracts were devastated these great birds sought shelter and homes in the smaller woodlands. Such places afforded them suitable seclusion then, but since this great owl chose to prey upon the poultry of the neighboring farmers he brought disfavor upon him- self and was eagerly sought by man, to be destroyed as a pest. So, today, when none but the smaller clumps of timber land remain ,Great Horned Owls are comparatively scarce, and their nests are seldom found. During the past spring a friend and I, while searching for nests of the Red- tailed Hawk, were so fortunate as to find a mother owl at home with her young. The occupied nest was a de- serted one of the Buteo b. borealis. We left the owl and her nest undis- turbed, hoping we might find her there when the next nesting season should come. This year when early February ar- rived, the usual ‘‘owl fever’ grasped me with a rugged hand and I made my way to the former nest of our friend, the owl. Upon arriving at the clump of tall oaks that had harbored the home of Bubo yv. virginianus, there re- mained not even the remnant of the past year’s nest. The wintry blasts had perhaps swept it from its resting place,—maybe some wrathy farmer had torn it from the crotch. Sadly dis- appointed [I crossed a_ neighboring ridge of hill and entered a wooded ra- vine which rests between two friendly hills. During the past spring I had seen a Hawk’s nest there, placed in the crotch of a great white oak. A short walk and a climb through the fence brought me to a suitable view of the nest. Two slight, dark protrus- ions surely must be the ear tufts of an owl. Yes, I was right, it was an owl, for she moved slightly as I came near. A few fluffy feathers swayed in the breeze,—a sure sign of owl’s eggs. With a club I rapped loudly on the tree trunk but the bird refused to leave her lofty home. Darkness was now approaching so I tramped happi- ly home, with the intention of climb- ing to the nest when the morrow ar- rived. Upon getting up the next day I found the air quite damp and chilly and a hazy cloudiness that so often precedes a snow storm overcast the sky. I gathered together the climbers, a large repe and a camera and started for the home of the owl. When I reached the wood snow began to fall. The owl saw me approaching and moved so as to watch my actions. [I strapped on the climbers and began to ascend the great oak. When i nad proceeded some ten feet the owl swooped from her nest and sailed silently down the ravine. J] pulled myself over a treach- ercus crotch and climbed to a limb be- low the nest. Pulling myself up high- er I peeped over the rim. There lay three white eggs, beauties they were, resting on the soft fluffy feathers from the owl’s breast. Surely such a sight was worth the hard climb! What can surpass the pleasures of finding a nest and eggs of our Great Horned Owl,— especially when it holds three eggs? S. S. Dickey. Ree NEEL Nuttal Woodpecker. This little black and white wood- pecker is one of the most interesting of the many birds of Los Angeles County, where it is a common resi- dent in the oak regions of the foot- ‘hills. In suitable localities it may be ob- served at any time of the year, and as he lights on the under side of a 50 THE OOLOGIST limb reminds one strongly of a nut- hatch. Its food is mostly of an insectivor- ous nature, consisting mainly of small beetles, weevils, caterpillars, etc., al- though they sometimes eat acorns and a little grain. The breeding season extends from about April 1 to June 1, and nesting sites are usually found in the oaks of the foothills, although I have found nests in the willows of the river bot- toms and in sycamores and alders of the mountain canyons above 3000 feet. The eggs are usually four in num- ber and all the sets I have found have been of this size, although others have found sets of five and six. I have never found this species oc- cupying an old hole or a natural cav- ity, and believe that they excavate a nest each year. D. I. Shepardson. Ics Angeles, Cal. BL SENS ep NE SUE List of Birds of the Eastern U. S. Found in Jamaica, B. W. |., and Colombia, South America, in 1913. By Paul G. Howes. The following list of birds of the eastern U. S., are those recorded by the writer while in the British West Indies and Colombia, S. A., between January 13th and April 29th, 1913. ‘This list sheds considerable light on the migration and winter habitats of many of our common birds and should be of great interest to all thinking or- nitholegists. To the writer there is no question quite as absorbing or fascinating as the migration of wild bird life and I therefore take pleasure in presenting this paper: Wilson Snipe. Two were taken in a marsh at Puerto Berrio, on the Mag- dalena river, January 30, 1913. Solitary Sandpiper. Two taken in the same locality marsh January 30th. Spotted Sandpiper. Quite common all along the Magdalena river as far up as Puerto Berrio. King Bird. On April 14th on the way down the Magdalena after having been over the eastern Andes, a large flock was observed at the above local- ity (Puerto Berrio). This flock was doubtless making ready for their flight to the northern states. Acadian Flycatcher. A single speci- men taken from a group of four indi- viduals at Apon on the Magdalena, January 27th. Alder Flycatcher. Berrio, January 29th. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The first one recorded was a male specimen in changing plumage at Consuelo, about 4000 feet above the river town of Hon- da. This bird was in a more or less open forest which was often covered by clouds and in which every tree and every twig was covered with varied and beautiful mosses and_ lichens. Mosses also grew under foot making a soft carpet and everywhere one noted the drip of perpetual dampness. A second male specimen in full plum- age was taken at Villavicencia on the eastern slope of the eastern Andean range on March 1ilth. This was a much dryer country at an altitude of 2000 ft. Two more were observed and collected at Fusugasuga on March 24th. These were taken at 7500 feet in a beautiful jungle forest. One was in full, and one in changing plumage. Dickcissel. A few were observed at San Marta, Colombia on April 29th. Summer Tanager. January 30th. ‘Male. ly grown dry hillside, February 6th, Honda, Male in changing plumage. March 15th Buenavista, 4400 ft. Sev- eraleral in gigantic jungle forest. March 16th, Monteradondo 4500 ft. Single in changing plumage. March Noted at Puerto Puerto Berrio Shot on thick- THE OOLOGIST d1 27th, Aguadita, 6450 ft. Male in chang- ing plumage. The last three localities named above are in the most beautiful Andean country in Colombia. Here one finds beautiful virgin jungles and heavily timbered hills and roaring mountain streams. In the jungles it is nearly dark and all things, save the birds and animals, are beautified by thick mosses and long slender air roots reaching far into the mammoth and tangled branches of the jungles trees. Sometimes there is no sound of bird voices, only the drip, drip, drip of the mighty jungle and weird com- pelling odors that fascinate, and drive the naturalist farther into its mystery. Then from a distant valley comes the siren-like call of a great Guan, at your right the mournful piping of the Tina- mou and in the trees above the twit- terings of smaller bird life. In a sec- ond the jungle is transformed into ver- itable aviary which lasts for a few mo- ments. Then the flock overhead passes on, the tinamou and grallaria cease their whistling and even the guan’s siren fails to pierce the purple mist of the valley. Sometimes I found it hard to break this silence with my gun and often would let a flock go by in peace. Gran- deur and beauty and the power of this life, grip one’s imagination and aes- thetic sense. Red bugs and biting ants are forgotten ’and one finds him- self seated bare-headed on a moss grown boulder wondering at it all. Black and White Warbler. January 13, Kingston, Jamaica. (Single). This bird and all of the following warblers seen in Kingston, were noted in the botanical gardens. February 6th, Con- suelo, 4000 ft. Quite common. March 14th Buenavista 4400 ft. Several were noted in heavy forest. March 27th “Aguadita, 6450 ft. Two females were taken. Prothonotary Warbler, January 23d at Algodonal on the Magdalena river, a single specimen was taken. Golden-winged Warbler. February 6th at Consuelo a single one was taken in woods at an altitude of 4000 ft. March 24th two taken in the forest above Fusugasuga at 7500 ft. Tennessee Warbler. March 15th at Buena vista one was shot out of a pair in heavy forest at 4400 ft. This specimen was a male. Parula Warbler. January 13th, Kingston, Jamaica. Two specimens. Yellow Warbler. January 21st, at Calama on the Magdalena, a single seen. March 11th, Willavicencio 2000 ft. Abundant. April 13th, Honda on the river one or two were noted and a few more at Santa Marta on the coast on April 29th. Black Poll Warbler. Two were taken on March 11th at Villavicencio at 2000 ft. These birds, both in changing plumage were feeding in the tree tops overhanging a small river. I avoided loosing many specimens in the tangled ground growth at this place by drop- ping the birds into the river and then wading after them. On ‘March 27th a male in full plumage was shot at Aguadita at 6450 ft. Blackburnian Warbler. This species was by far the most common observy- ed on the trip and were found as abundant at 7850 feet as at the lower altitudes. None were seen along the river or at Villavicencio. 4000 ft. claims the only one found at a really low altitude. This one was taken on February 6th. March 13 and 14th this species was abundant at buena vista at an altitude of 4400 ft. On March 22d I found great numbers of them 6000 feet upon the hills above Fusugasuga. These birds were in full plumage and were feeding about the lower growth in open spaces on the hills. It seemed as though I were back in Connecticut during a warbler wave Consuelo at . 52 THE OOLOGIST in May so common were they. March 26th at Aguadita they were again abundant at 6450 feet. April ist I noted many flocks at El Roble at 7850 feet and on April 6th a single one was observed on the paramo near Sibate at S800 ft. Yellow Palm Warbler. January 13th a single specimen seen at Kingston, Jamaica. Prairie Warbler. Several seen at Kingston, January 13th. Louisiana Water Thrush. The first one was noted on the Magdalena at Puerto Berrio on January 30th. On March 11th I found a single individ- ual at Villavincencio. This bird was feeding along the banks of the same little stream where the two Black Poll warblers were shot. Another was seen on March 14th at Buenavista at 4400 ft. and another at Fusugasuga at 7500 ft. on March 24th. Mourning Warbler. January 30th, Puerto Berrio, a single bird was taken. 'l'wo more were shot at Villavicencio, one on March 11th and one on the. 12th. At Fusugasuga two were noted at 6000 ft. on March 22d and 24th. Maryland Yellow-throat. Several seen in the Botanical gardens at Kingston, Jamaica on January 13th. Canadian Warbler. Consuelo Febru- ary 6th, 4000 ft. at Aguadita, 6450 ft a male specimen was taken. This bird was the usual yellow on the breast, but the black wreath was just making its appearance. On March 27th, sev- eral were seen in the same locality, one a male in full spring plumage. All of the Canadians were noted in heavy woods traveling in company with other warblers and especially with the lit- tle Yellow, blue-black and rufus crown- ed “‘Redstarts,’ of Colombia. American Redstart. January 13th, single at Kingston, Jamaica. March 1ith and 12th they were abundant at Villavicencio at 2000 ft. A few were also seen at Santa Marta on April 29th. Grey-Cheeked Thrush. Only one specimen noted. This bird was taken in the forest above Consuelo at about 4 09 ft. Olive-backed Thrush. February 6th, Consuelo, 4000 ft. Single in woods. March 14th, Buenavista, 4400 ft. Two seen in very deep woods. These two birds were feeding about damp places in the forest. March 24th, on the hills above F'usugasuga at an altitude of 7500 ft. a pair were noted. March 26th at Aguadita a single in an open wood at 6450 feet. March 27th, several more were noted in heavy woods in the same locality and altitude. Three were noted late the same day in the same locatieon. These were probably the same birds as they do not move very far in a day. The last one was noted on April 3d at El Roble 7850 feet. The bird was in open cover close to a heavy forest where such birds as Tucans and ecalistes abound. It was a Strange combination and novel ex- perience to see the Olive-backed almost side by side with tynical birds thrush cf the northern states feeding of the tropics. It strikes one as be- ing more like a zoological garden than nature in its natural state, just as it was hundreds of years ago. It is interesting to note these rec- ords of the Olive backed Thrush in connection with my article on the mi- gration of this species in THE OOLO- GIST for September, 1914. Had I possessed the above data at the time of writing that article, the winter range shown on my map might have been ex- tended to Colombia. In order that the location of the places mentioned in this paper may be more thoroughly understood I give an outline of the trip from start to finish, naming each locality in the ord- er visited. THE The expedition left New York on January 8th, 1913. The steamer stop- ped first at Kingston, Jamaica. From here we went direct to Colon and thence to Puerto, Colombia, where the expedition started inland. The Magdalena river was ascended for some four hundred miles, the towns of Calama, Algodonal, Banco, Remolina, Apon, Puerto Berrio and Honda being visited on the trip. From Honda we traveled by pack train to Consuelo, 4000 feet, Guaduas, 3400 feet, Villete 3000 feet ,and finally to Bogota which is 880 feet above sea level. From Bogota we went straight over the east- ern Andes to Villavicencio over the most exciting and dangerous trail any- where in South America. This trail actually hangs upon the sides of these great mountains. On one side there is almost a perpendicular rise for hundreds of feet and on the other a perpendicular drop for two or three thousand more. The trail is often only wide enough for one pack animal and their disheartening habit of walking on the outer edge causes some little anxiety until one becomes accustom- ed to the country and its great heights. From Villavicencio we traveled back over this same trail to Bogota and then set out in a new direction. Mon- teradondo and Buenavista, so often mentioned are on this trail. Fusugas- uga was our next locality, this journey being made on foot by the writer and T. M. Ring a distance of 21 miles over the mountains. Here we collected for a few days and then worked our way slowly back again over the same trail, stopping at Aguadita, 6540 feet, El Roble, 7850 feet, El Pinon 9550 feet, and then to Bogota once more. From here we traveled to the Magdalena again and finally out to the coast, reaching New York on May 9th, 1913, with some three thousand birds and animals, several of which have since proved new to science. OOLOGIST 72.’ 53 Notes on the Black-crowned Night Herons Nest and Eggs. On April 16, 1912, in a small heronry of the Black-crowned Night Herons near Red Bank, Gloucester County, N. J., I found a pair of these birds nest- ing in an old 1909 Corvus brachyrhyn- chos’ nest in the midst of the colony. ‘rhe nest was about 30 feet up in the top of a scarlet oak and was quite flat as the sides had fallen in and the heron had laid a few twigs upon it and deposited her two eggs, which the nest then held, upon the flat structure. A rather small set of Heron’s eggs collected in this herony on April 16, 1912, measured 1.96x1.44, 1.90 x 1.43 inches and are of an oval shape. A set of four long, narrow eggs of this species, collected in this herony measured 2.34x1.23, 2.34x1.32, 2.33 OIL BA. PAsae »-¢ Ileayay nab aX class). We found two sets of three eggs containing runts, one small egg in each clutch, but as they are not in my col- lection I cannot give the size of them. We found full sets of eggs, four and five, in this herony, on April 17, 1909, April 15, 1911, and April 16, 1912, and yet there are some “closet naturalists” who contend that this species does not nest -here until May, and insist that the bird does not arrive in this vicinity until the first or second week in April, but our observation proves otherwise. In this herony clutches of four eggs, fresh in incubation, hatched in 21 days or three weeks, according to my observation, for many nests containing fresh sets on April 17, 1909, had hatch- ed and were hatching on the follow- ing May 9th, and the same thing hap- pened in 1911, when clutches observed on April 15th were hatched and hatch- ing three weeks later on May 7th. Un- fortunately for our 1912 confirmatory observation upon the period of incuba- tion of Nycticorax’s eggs, the herony » the bedside of his dear 54 THE OOLOGIST ~)4\)! was deserted on May 11, when it had been occupied on April 16th ult., by over seventy pairs of birds and at that time most of the nests held full sets. We never really learned the cause of its desertion but believe Italians and Negroes were the cause as they an- nually raided it of the young birds for food. Richard F. Miller. Still in California. THE OOLOGIST for this month is edited by one not so well versed in the business as the Hditor, who is still at mother in California. We trust therefore that the real standard of the magazine will not be judged by this issue. ; Pee irra yeaa Unused Red-headed Woodpecker’s Nest. One day during the spring of 1914 I was walking through a_ certain stretch of ocak woods where many of our nesting birds are found in abund- ance, and having from sighted a Blue Jay’s nest, was ap- proaching to investigate it, when there flew, not a Blue Jay, but a Red-headed Woodpecker. The nest was eight feet up in an oak sapling and was a typi- cal Blue Jay’s but was found to con- tain three pure white and unmistak- ably Woodpecker eggs. It must have been that the holes in the neighborhood were all occupied or possibly the bird was driven from its anticipated home when about ready to deposit, and thereby forced to use whatever receptacle it could find for this purpose. At least it is the only instance in which I have found a Woodpecker nesting in such an open situation. Melanerpes crythrocephalus is very pugnacious and I know of two cases in which the quarrel over a nesting hole ended in fatalities. An old wil- low which stood in the low, wet end a distance. of a hay field and the only suitable nesting site in the near vicinity, was the scene of many Woodpecker wrang- les. There were a half-dozen good nesting cavities in the tree and one of them would be selected and enlarged for use every year. I have often watched the birds as they fought vig- orously for possession of this tree; it was really impossible to tell which pair were on the offensive and which on the defensive as they were both equally obstinate. On one occasion af- ter one of their quarrels I found one of the birds dead underneath the tree and at another time a dead bird was found in one of the holes, both appar- ently victims of their own pugnacity. Aside from this peculiar nesting of the Red-headed Woodpecker I have found twe other unusual sets that have not been reported in THEH OOLOGIST though I have noted similar sets re ported therein. One of these was a set of five robin eggs which I found on May 26th, 1906, and the other a set of three Mourning Dove’s found on May 28th, 1908 One of the eggs in the set of five of the robin was a runt, little more than half the size of the rest in the set. The nest was direct- ly back of our house and placed in a dead red oak twenty-two feet up. The Mourning Dove’s nest was ten feet up and placed on a few twigs which had sprouted out from the side of the trunk of an oak. EH. A. Stoner. Des Moines, Ia. — 7a Notes. On January 7th while in Cedar Is- land, Back Bay, Princess Anne Co., Virginia, I scared up one Sora and two - Wilson Snipe. Owing to the thermom- eter having been down to seventeen de- grees above zero previous to that date, I consider it strange to find such birds with us. THE OOLOGIST 55 On January 5th during a trip to the extreme end of Back Bay,, Princess Anne County, Virginia, I saw quite a large flock of White-bellied Swallows flying around over the marsh. This late date for them seems remarkable Owing to having had several quite hard freezes; and all insect life must have vanished some time previous. On January 27th, 1915, Mrs. J. H. Costairs of Philadelphia, Pa., shooting from the Currituck Shooting Club of N. C., killed in Currituck County, N. C. one Huropean Widgeon. I inspect- ed this bird which was a male. On January 28th, 1915, Mr. Augus- tine Meyer of Norfolk, Va., shooting from the Pocohontas Club, Va., killed in Princess Anne County, Va., one Huropean Widgeon. I inspected this bird which was a male. H. H. Bailey. Newport News, Va. Taking Hawks’ Eggs. The most of the Hawks are admit- tedly beneficial; far more so than is realized by most persons. We trust that our readers interested in making oological collections this spring will be real bird men and not egg hogs. The eggs of the Broad-wing, Coop- er’s, Sharp-shinned and Goshawk may be taken without objection whenever found, and in whatever number procur- able. The eggs of the other hawks should not be taken except for legi- timate collecting purposes, either for the cabinet of the collector or for ex- change purposes, and in most instances there is no exchange demand for the eges of our ordinary hawks, such as the Red-shoulder, Red-tail, Swainson, and the like. There are more of those now in existence than there is demand for. In your spring collecting, be real bird lovers not egg hogs—The Wditor. Egg Notes. Now is the time to arrange the duplicates for future exchanges. There is no use of exchanging unless it can be done in a way that both parties are satisfied, and the only way that will be is when each party to the trade treats the other in exactly the way that he expects and wants the other party to treat him. There has never been a time with- in our recollection that there were so many collections of real value on the market. EHggs seem to be a drug and very rare ones are offered very cheap where the whole or a major part of the collection can be disposed of. EID SAN TE OI ae eae Bird Notes. Turkey Vulture, rare. Black Vulture, common. Kingfisher, few. Killdeer, common. Red-winged Black Bird, few. Veriol, few. Mocking Bird, very common. Blue Jay, very common. Robin, few. Titmouse, few. Flicker, common. Cardinal common. Brown Thrush, common. Wood Thrush, rare. Crow, common. Blue Bird, common. Cat Bird, rare. It was a goldfinch. Boyd Taylor, Cairo, Ga. ee ee ee A Black-crowned Night Heron -re- cently lit amongst the trees in a very thickly settled portion of Galesburg, Ill. Result it stayed all day and the anxious ladies of the neighborhood are wondering if it was not a “Stork” spying out for future visits. THE OOLOGIST Back Numbers of Magazines for Sale I have the following back numbers of various Natural History and Orni- thological magazines for sale which will be sold cheap. If any of these are wanted for filling files, write me for prices, as I am sure some of them will not last long. ASA GRAY BULLETIN, Vol. No. 1. ATLANTIG SLOPE NATURALIST, Vol. 1, No. 3. AMERICAN NATURALIST, Vol. 9, No. 5. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, Vol. 1 No. 1; Vol. 2 No. 1-4-6; Vol. 4, No. 1; Vol. 5, No. 4. ANIMAL LIFE. Vol. 1, No. 9. AUDUBON MAGAZINE, Vol. 1 No. 9. AVIFAUNA, Vol. 1 No. 2. BIRD LORE, Vol. 1 No. 1; Vol. 6 No .6. BIRD NEWS, Vol. 1 No. 2. THE BITTERN (Cedar Rapids, Ia.) Vol. 1 No. 1. THE BITTERN (Damariscotta, Me.) Vol. 1 No. 6. BOSTON ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY JOURNAL, Vol. 1 No. 8; Vol. 2 No. 2. BROOKLYN ENTOMOLOGICAL SO- CIETY, Vol. 1 No. 6, Oct. 1878. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, II. BULLETIN MICHIGAN ORNITHO- LOGICAL CLUB, Vol. 1 No. 3-4; BULLETIN NUTTALL ORNITHOLOG- ICAL CLUB, Vol. 2 No. 1. CANADA NATURALIST SCIENCE NEWS, Vol. 1 No. 1. COLLECTOR’S MONTHLY, (London, England), Jan. 1894, No. 1. COLLECTOR’S MONTHLY, Vol. 2 No. 4-5. STORMY PETREL, Vol. 1 No. 5. THE COMMON SENSH, Vol. 2 No. 2. CONCHOLOGIST’S EXCHANGE, Vol. 2 No. 3: HXCHANGE BULLETIN, Vol. 1 No. 2. FOREST & FIELD, Vol. 1 No. 1. HOOSIER NATURALIST, Vol. 2 No. 6. THE HUMMER, Vol. 1 No. 5-6. INTERNATIONAL NATURALIST, Vol. 2 No. 5. JOURNAL OF THE MAINE ORNI- THOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 7 No. 1-4; Vol. 8 No. 3-4; Vol. 9 No. 2. THE OOLOGIST Vv MAINE ORNITHOLOGIST & OOLO- GIST, Vol. 1 No. 1. MINERALS, Vol. 1 No. 1. THE MUSEUM, Vol. 1 No. 2; Vol. 3 No. 3; Vol. 4 No. 1. THE NATURALIST (Austin, Tx). Vol. 1 No. 3-7. THE NATURALIST Ore.) Vol. 1 No. 12. (Oregon City, NATURALIST & COLLECTOR, Vol. il IN@, 3 THE NAUTILUS, Vol. 6 No. 1. THE NIDIOLOGIST, Vol. 2 No. 4-12. THE OBSERVER, Vol. 5 No. 1; Vol. 6 No. 6. THE OOLOGIST (Utica, N. Y.) Vol. V. complete. THE OOLOGIST (Albion, N. Y. and Lacon, Ill.) complete files. THE OOLOGIST’S JOURNAL, Vol. 2 No. 2. THE OOLOGIST’S EXCHANGH, Vol. 1 No. 4; Vol. 2 No. 3-7. THE OREGON NATURALIST, Vol. 1 IN@> ie WoL 4 IN@, & G, 8, ial, ale WIL 8 INO; 115 2 ah 45 yt 1G eh Bh Bl) ies WOlls 4b INO, 2 U5 8h ORNITHOLOGIST & BOTANIST, Vol. iL INI@s Bs, ORNITHOLOGIST & OOLOGIST, Vol. 16 No. 7; Vol. 18 No. 3-6. OSPREY, Vol. 3 No. 1. RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY, Vol. 1 No. 5-9. SCIENCH, Vol. 1 No. 16; Vol. 2 No. 25; Vol. 5 No. 114; Vol. 7 No. 154; Vol. 2 (mew series) No. 49. WEST AMERICAN SCIENTIST, Vol. 4 No. 34. WESTERN ORNITHOLOGIST, Vol. 5 IN@s 15 75 85 WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CHAP- TER PUBLICATIONS:-— THE QUARTERLY, Vol. 4 No. 2. THE HOURNAL, Vols. 1 and 2. THE BULLETIN, Nos. 45, 46, 47, 48, 49. ZOH, Vol. 1 No. 1. oxo = BENJAMIN HOAG Stephentown, New York. Cut-the-Lining Hgg Drills, 25c each. 4 selected Hizes, $1.00. Regular Hegg Drills, short handle: Non aly 20 cs No: 23256") Not 3,) 353 NO: 4, 45c; No. 5, 50c. Nickle Blowpipes, No. 1, 40c; No. 2, 30¢; No. 3, 20c. Embryo Scissors, 50c; Embryo hooks, 25c; Forceps, 45c; Calipers, $1; Pencils, 10. Climbers with straps, $2.75; without straps, $1.90. Field Glass, $4.50. Data Blanks with name and address, 40c per 100; 250 for $1.00. Books, Davies “Nests and Eggs,” $1.75; Chapman’s “Handbook,” $3.00; Bailey’s “Handbook,” $3.00; Reed’s “Hees,” $2.25. Prompt quotations on any book or magazine. Everything PRHPAID. Lists on request. VI THE OOLOGIST WANTED.—Oologist, Vol. 4, No. 1; Vol. e No. 4; Birds and Nature, index to Vol. 4 Osprey, Vol. 3, Nos. 8-9-10; Vol. 5, Nos. 2-5-7- 5 N.S. Nos. 2-4-7. Nidiologist, Vol. 1, Nos. 1-22 3-5-6; O. e O. Vol. VIII, all. American Orni- thology, Vol.4, Nos. 1-4-9; Vol. 6, Nos. 3-6; O. & O. Semi-annual, Vol. 2 No. 1. Wilson Bulletins for years 1896 to 1899 inclusive. Bird Lore, Vol. 1, Nos. 2-3-4; Vol. 13 Nos. 1-2-3; Vol. 15 No.6. LAUREN PREMPER, No. 136 Dewey St., Philadelphia, Pa. (1-p) Egg Collectors | have the largest and most ex- tensive exchange list in existence in North America today. I want many common varieties of eggs to to complete some of my series. Send me your list of duplicates before all of the best of my material is gone. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILL. FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE-—Bird Lore’s for sale or exchange for any set of Raptore’s. Most of them do not contain any colored plates. R. LOZIER, Attica, Ohio. THE CONDOR A Magazine of Western Ornithology Published Bi-monthly by the Coop2r Ornithological Club of California Edited by J. Grinnell and Harry S. Swarth “The Condor’’ is strictly scientific but edited in such a way that a be- ginner of ‘‘Bird Study”’ can easily un- derstand it. The articles in ‘‘The Condor’’ are written by the leading Ornithologists of the United States and are illustrated by the highest quality of half tones. Our subscription rates are $1.50 per year in the United States and $1.75 in a Foreign coun- try. Sample Copy 30c. Address W. LEE CHAMBERS, Bus. Manager, Eagle Rock. Los Angele Cal. About February 15th I will have ready for delivery a corrected edition of the Lattin-Short Standard Catalogue of North American Bird’s eggs, showing additions and changes in Momenclature in conformity with the latest A. A. U. list and embodying many needed changes in Exchange Values. Limited number offered at 35 cents each. Postpaid. No stamps. Advanced orders will be mailed as soon as ready ERNEST H. SHORT, Rochester, N. Y., Box 173 THH OOLOGIST FOR SALE.—For the best cash offer Rec- oe Vol. 6 to 23 (18 vol.) in good condition. KE. JOHN SON, Hebron, Maine, R. R. 1. NOTICE. —Is your library going to be the only one without a copy of * ‘The Birds of Virginia?” Of the one thousand edition only about one hundred remain, and no more will be printed. Price $3.00. Address the author, HAROLD H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. BIRD LORES WANTED.—What shall I pay you for yours? Vols 1-2-3-10 complete or odd numbers.« Also’. Vol. 7 No.1, Vol. 9 Nos. 3-5-6, Mol. 14 No. 2. Vol. 15 No. 2. J. N. SWIFT, Stockport, Ohio. (1-p) WANTED FOR CASH—The Condor, Vol ITtolV; The Auk. Vols. I to X; The Osprey, Vol. I to II; The National Geographic Maga- to XVII; Nature and Culture zine, Vol. I Vol. I., LAURA KEAN, Stockport, O. om 2-p WANTED.—Books. Magazines and Pamph- lets about Birds and Natural History Sub- jects. In all cases state what you have and the lowest cash prices. No other prices con- sidered. Address FRANK BENDER, 128 Fourth Ave., New York City. (3- 14) FOR SALE.—Large number of magazines, Ornithological and Botanical Scientific and Exploration notes, Purchaser must take the lot. Snap, $15.00 postpaid. Send for list. GUSS CROSSA, Suite 1, Purvis Block, Ed- monton, Alta. (1-p) WANTED.—The Auk, Volume IV: (1887). Will pay cash or exchange other publications for same. HARRY C. OBERHOLSER, 1444 Fairmont St., N. W. Washington, D.C ee -p WANTED.—Oregon Naturlist Vol, I, Nos. 2-12., Vol. II, No. 1, Bulletin of the Cooper Club Vol. I. Nos. 2-3-5, and Nidologist Vol. I. Offer good exchange in skins or magazines. STANLEY G. JEWETT, 582 Bidwell Ave., Portland, Oregon. (1-p) BIRD-LORE - Complete file to date (about 100 numbers) for sale at the highest bid re- ceived before March 10th- First three vol- umes bound in 3-4 morocco, rest in original covers. all in excellent condition. No ‘offer below $40 considered. CHARLES A. TEW- LETT. Woodmere, N. Y. WANTED?--Can any Oologist subscriber in rural Southwest in any manner employ a young literary couple who are out of door people, healthy, resourceful, capable, travelled and welleducated. Has never been afraid to work hard with hands or brains. Give us an excuse to serve you! Box 15, Winterton, Sullivan Co., N. Y. (1-p) EXCHANGE.—January, February, March, Bird Lore, 1913, for Nos. 306-307-309-310-311-312- 313-314 of The Oologist or some Bird books. GRANT HALEY. Springford, Onanes -p BOOK INFORMATION WANTED—Will every Owner of Complete files of The Auk look at the first six volumes and see if they - have the Autograph of my father H. B. Bai- ley) 04 the front page? If you know of their whereabouts, communicate with me, and oblige, H. 121, BAILEY, Newport News, Va. VIL Back Numbers of the Oologist Fifteen Cents Numbers 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 40, 45, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, Hales as, IAS IBY aR. Twenty-five Cents Numbers 10, 13, 15, 16, 54, 55, 56, 75, 87, 123, 127, 128, 129, 144, 149. Thirty-five Cents Numbers 9, 66-7, 77, 78, 101, 113, 1388, 146. Fifty Cents Numbers 1, 14, 18, 31, 34-5, 42, 53, 05 dlbly wei), alay7, aye IRE TIE), als}, 158, 254. Cne Dollar Number 44. Reprint, 50c. All other numbers will be sold as long as the stock lasts at Ten Cents. Complete volumes of THE OOLO: GIST unbound, as long as the supply lasts, until further notice will be sold at the following rates only: 095 2895..90) Wroll Up IVER INOS, ab 1) 18 e odo. $2.10 Vol WeassbhuNossnls «told ec sen 1.00 Vol. IIT, 1886, Nos. 15, to 20....-.- 1.25 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26... 1.00 WOls We ISS INOS, CWO BBs55 6606 2.80 Vol ViE1889> Nose 39) to 50. +...” 2.70 Vol. VII; 1890, Nos. 51 to 62..... 25 Vols VALE T8915 Noss 63) to W45 45 45 MOL DXenS 92 NOSaai(5) LOLS Oe eee 2.20 Vol, XS 1189385 Nos! "87 to 98.4.5... 1.90 Vol. XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 110..... 1.45 Vol. XII, 1895, Nos. 111 to 122.. 1.60 Vole xa 896s0Nossoll23) tomleiae. 1n00 Vol. Vol. Vol. XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.. 3.45 XGVE SOS NOSs 140 nto 149) eles XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161.. Vole Xavi 1900) Nos 1162 "to divdes 20 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. 1.20 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195... 1.20 Wolk X8xXe 119035 Nos, 196) to. 19te. 1220 Vol. XXI, 1904, Nos. 198 to 209.. 1.20 Vol. XXXII, 1905, Nos: 210 to 221.. 1.20 Vol. XXIII, 1906, Nos. 222 to 233. 1.20 Vol. XXIV, 1907, Nos. 234 to 245. 1.2u Vol. XXV, 1908, Nos. 246 to 257.. 1.20 Vol. XXVI, 1909, Nos. 258 to 269. 1.50 Vol. XXVII, 1910, Nos. 270 to 281. 1.50 Vol. XXVIII, 1911, Nos. 282 to 295 1.50 Vol. XXIX, 1912, Nos. 293 to 305.. 1.50 DEO EXGXRON Gg hn Olas cena ne Oe 1.50 VOU XOOPS ee ee eee 1.50 R. M. BARNHS, Lacon, [J Vit THE OOLOGIST EGG COLLECTORS! ATTENTION!! EXCHANGE OFFER EXTRAORDINARY!!! Having certain series in my collection that I desire to fill out and com- plete at an early day that I may give more attention to others, I have decided to make you the following unprecedented proposition: For all the specimens of which I want One set mentioned below, I will allow you in exchange twice their value as given in Lattin’s 1905 Price List. For ‘those of which I want two sets, I wiil allow one and two-thirds times the Lattin prices. For those of which I want three sets I will allow one and one-half times; and for those of which I want four sets, one and one-third Lattin’s prices. In all cases where you can furnish all of any orfe species desired by me, I will allow the full double value. All specimens on both sides to be first class and subject to return if unsatisfactory. When you remember that very many of the specimens wanted are of com- mon species and that I have without doubt the largest and most varied exchange list in America for you to select from, I am sure you will see that this is an opportunity never before offered for you to enlarge your collection. In your Spring collecting lay aside those listed for me, and send me a list of what you have, and later in the season I am sure an exchange can be arranged to your advantage and satisfaction. I want the following A. O. U. Nos.: One set each: 7, 14, 48, 77, 92, 1038, 1238a, 128, 185%, 186, 141.1, 167, 171a, 174, 252, oe eee 295, 300a, 31 341%, 247, 347a, (851), 356, 357, 373a, 373 375%, 3877, 397, 420, 423, 474b, es 496, 497, 608, 657. Two sets each: 5, 26, 38, 131, 145, 160, 164, 169a, 172a, 180, 206, 222, 289a, 289b, 298a, 310b, oe 342 2-2, 409, 474e, 480, 505, 511 2-6, 511b 2-6, 540, 562, 567b 596 2-2, 611, 612, 677, 687, 736a, 768. Three sets each: 28, 115, 123, 153, 168, 171.1, 177, 192, 204, 228, 286, 300a, 308, 808b, 310a, 324, 339b 2-2, 2838, 887 3-5, 396, 477a, 536, 605, 674, 680, 681, 736, 744, 75la. Four sets each: 8, 31, 40a, 42.1, 52, 89, 112, 218, 272, 312, 319, 328, 348 4-4, 348 4-4, 3877a, 391, 398, 466a, 483, 498ce, 517a, 581d, 58le, 591, 622a, 627a, 637 4-7, 652, 759b. Besides the foregoing I need many other species. Send on your entire list of duplicates. For never before was an opportunity like this offered and many that I have will go very quickly, as of some I have only a few sets. R. MAGOON BARNES, Lacon, Ill. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY \ VoL. XXXII. No. 4. ALBION, N. Y., Apr. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 383 BRIEF SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Wanted, Exchange, For Sale, serted for less than 25 cents. Etc., inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. No notice in- 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. 333 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 317 your subscription expired with December issue 1913. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 19038, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress 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. We wiil not advertise the skins, nests, S_ These columns are for the use of those desiring North American Birds for sale. eggs, or mounted specimens of to make bona fide exchanges of such Specimens for scientific collecting purpo- EDITOR. BIRDS WANTED—Live American Wild Trumpet- er Swan. R. M. Barnes. Lacon, Il WANTED—Skins of N. A. Snipe. Plover, -etc. in first class shape for mounting. Must be Al. ARTHUR G. RUECKERT. 2252 N. Kostner Ave., Chicago, Ill. i‘1-p) ses only. I have a few finely mounted birds on hand to exchange. Who wants them? First class taxidermy work done at lowest prices. LES- TER SPEER, Taxidermist, See ee -p WILL EXCHANGE.—Small collection of Idaho bird skins for long focus 4 x 5 folding plate camera box with case and extra hold- ers. HENRY J. RUST, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, Box 683. (1-p) TRADE.—18 A. farm. Will take #175 cash and $150 in bird skins or eggs or both. If in- terested write me. W.G.SAVAGE, Delight, Ark. (1-p) EXCHANGE.— Five well drawn original sketches of birds and animals in attractive positions. Alsonicely mounted Starling and a Red Squirrel. Want books or magazines on Ornithological or natural history subjects ORM aN: 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn: ox -D. WANTED to exchange skin or specimens of birds mounted of the East for specimens of Western States. WINCHESTER NAT- URAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Winchester, 5 Jal, TROPICAL BIRDS.—Anyone interested in Central American material, communicate with E.0O. EHRHA RT, Box 193, Jann Se une: Pa. (1-p) W ANTED—Fine skins only of most Sand- pipers. Offer fine sets of eggs, 300a, 412a, 466a, 29, 542a, 567, 584. H. MOUSLEY HATLEY. P. Q. (1-p) WANTED.—Bird skins, American or For- eign. Offer in exchange mounted bird skins and eggs in sets. Send lists. JESSE T. CRAVEN, 811 Roosevelt Ave., Detroit Mens -p I want to exchange for bird skins of 218- 26-23 L-232-292-293-294-295 301-521-443-471. D. V. HEMBREE, Roswell, Ga. (l-p)_ ae a a a at Oe FOR EXCHANGE.—Beautifully mounted R. T. Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, and 50 varieties, for others or skins. What have you? Also skins, nests and eggs to trade. DR. J. P. BALL, 5001 Frankford Ave., Paved pula: Pa. -p bo II THE OOLOGIST WANTED—I want male skins of 666-652b- 681e, ange sub-species of 550. I have eggs of 364. R. P. SHARPLES, West Chesley a f -p Birds, mostly mounted; some skins. Will exchange for desired specimens, if first class. Send stamp and exchange lists promptly. A.RUSSELL SMITH, Edge Hill, Pa. WANTED.—A skin of a Cockatoo that is in good condition. Please name price for same. Butterflies and Moths exchanged and bought. Please send list. CASPAR G. BURN, Ox- ford, Pa. Gp) Over 400 mounted birds, mammals and rep- tiles. Eggs in sets. Foreign and United States coins. Columbia stamps, a few sets of St. Louis Exposition unused. Book on raising skunks, 50c. Tanning process, Guinea Pigs. Oologist from about 1888. What can you offer? ALMON KIBBE, Mayville Ny -p Have a nnmber of very fine mounted Am. Wood Cock. Will exchange for A 1 skins of hawks. Want skins of mounted spoon-bill Sandpiper. K. W. KAHMANN, 2457 Lincoln ~ Ave., Chicago, Il. Anyone wishing to exchange bird skins please send list and I will send my list of duplicates per return mail. J. Palisades Park, N .1-p) WANTED—A 1 Bird Skins also eggsin sets. Send list of what you have to exchange. EDW. E. ARMSTRONG, 207 N. Michigan Av., Chicago, [1]. 1-p) WHO WANTS SOME CHOICE SKINS OF LOWER CALIFORNIA WATER AND GAME BIRDS? Skins of the best class. Very moderate prices. GEO. PRIESTLY, Garden Grove, Calif. (2-p) . EXCHANGE—Live Wild Canada, Hutchins, White-fronted, and Snow Geese, Wild Ducks, and Pheasants for EKgyptian Geese, Black, Brant, Mandarin and Wood Ducks, Qauil and Hungarian Partridges. H. J. JAGER, Owatomia, Minn. (5- DP) BELGIUM RELIEF FUND—I have for sale a set of Peale’s Falcon, skin identified and in collection of Mr. Allen Brooks. These eggs areunique. What offer. C.U. GREEN, ane Woe BURTON, St. Charles St., Vic- oria, : W ANTED—Living healthy birds of the following species for aviary: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern and Western Evening Grosbeaks, Hastern and California Pine Grosbeaks, Eastern and Western Blue Gros- beaks, and Pyrrhuloxias. Expenses attend- ant upon capture of these birds. and fair remuneration will be paid. Write in ad- vance in regard to state permits. Corres- ond with: F. W. HENSHAW, Redwood ity, San Mateo County, California. FOR EXCHANGE — Bird Skins. Hummingbirds only, mounted or _ skins, nest and eggs of same. EARL HAMILTON, 400 Walnut St., Versailles, Pa. Want It is a fine little magazine and I would not be without it. A. C. Bent. A. WEBER, EGGS. Im sending in your exchange notices- for nests, skins and eggs, we would ap— preeciate 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. WANTED—To hear from reliable collect- ors who have A-l sets of Whooping Crane. Sandhill Crane, Pacific and plaers throated Loon to dispose of. JAMES B. CARTER,. Waynesburg, Pa. FOR EXCHANGE.—A few old copper coins for sets of birds of prey. Write what- you have. S. V. A eeiicuen ia ramen yeas n° O.. -p TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets. Com- plete course of lessons in Taxidermy (Stand-- ard works), Game Chickens, Cocks and Pul-- nee E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph. HOR EXCHANGE—Sets from this locality,. for sets from the south, middle and west.. Send your list and get mine. EDWARD S. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston, Mass. TO EXCHANGE— For eggs in sets; one 22° cal. rifle. good condition. Complete course in ‘Taxidermy (N. W. School), oneE Flat Alto: Horn. Can use many common sets. EH. A. WHEELHBR, East Randolph, N. Y. FOR EXCHANGE- European and Asiatic bird eggs in sets with data for eggs of North: American species needed for my collection: ce a Speer ey 36 Lincoln St., Bos-- on, Mass FOR EXCHA NGE—75 eggs, also sets 1-2-1-1. Mississippi Kite, personally collected com- plete data. All eggs first class. H.S. SOW- ERS, Brownell, Kansas. WANTED.—Collecting gun and kodak. Offer Raptcres in sets. including 329, 341, 345, 347a. 359. D. I. SHEPARDSON, 209 HE. 37th: St., Los Angeles, Cal. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Farallone eggs with small holes; also 749, 726d and many others. Send your list. H. W. CARRIGER, 5185: Trask St., Fruitvale Sta., Oakland, more ye yeaa ein ate Mey eae Goa ee es UIETD FOR EXCHANGE. Sets from the locality for sets from the south, middle and west.. Send your list and get mine. EDWARD 8. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Bostony Mass (1-p EXCHA NGE-—A few sets of Red-shouldered and Cooper Hawks. Wanted, sets of 132, 1386.. 140, 141, 143, 146, 160; also 30, 30a, 32. C. G HART. East Berlin, Conn. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—The following full sets:. 1-13-16-77-81-86-117-118-141- 188-190- 194-197-201-202- 203-206-208 -211-218-219 -225-226-228-230 -261-263- 264- 300-309-325-326-339-331-333-337-339-339b-348-355-359- 360 362-364-365-366-367-373- 375-375d-385-390- 406-412' 417-420 and Panguin. Please send your list, CCN REINECKE, 400 Elm St., Buffalo. INGRYS -p Wanted.—One nicely mounted adult each O. U. numbers 9-80-141-159-171a-169-199-211- 233-241-250-260-269- 275-277-277 -286-304-311 -312-348 356-377a-419-416-480-482-484-487. W.E. SNY DER Beaver Dam, Wis. (1-p) THE OOLOGIST Ill EGGS, WANTED.—Choice sets of numbers 10-131- 204-215-352a-372-405 and several warblers. Also common kinds 339-360-540b-542a-546a-597a. Also 328 and 332. Satisfactory renumeration. Old correspondents please write. A. E. PRICE Grant Park. [1]. EGGS. Bulwer’s Petrel, Iceland Gull, Cur- lew, Plovers, exchange for Osprey, Bartram Sandpiper, etc. Send lists. Also have some ee sets of foreign for sale cheap. H. T. BOOTH, 8 Cranbury Road, Fulham, aeienGl Will purchase large hardwood drawer egg cabinet, also complete egg blowing outfit, used bird books, all in good condition. H. W.BRANDT, 7625 Lexington Ave., Cleveland Ohio. (1-p) Will exchange for desirables of similar rarity, sets of A. O. U. 95, 114.1, 81, 1384, 295, 301, 302. 310, 327, 330. 354, 356, 389, 416, "417, 419, 639, 641; 654, 666, 677. THOMAS H. JACKSON, 304 N: Franklin St., West Chester, Pa. FOR EXCHANGE.—White Pelican, Cal. Gull, Baird’s Cormorant, Avocat, Stilt, and many others, all first class with data. Send lists. J. LABARTHE, Thompson, Nevada: (3-p I should like to hear from collectors who will exchange bird skins for first class sets of eggs such as 273, 329. 348, 393. 394c, 423, 461, 587, 598, 608, 617, 627, 659, 674, 676, 677, 725, {ere if want mostly common species, e. g..3. (Oh 5 JU 13. 30, 32, 40, 51, 58. 69, 70, 74, 77. 104. 106, 129, 131, 132, 133, 139, 214. 963, 273, 316, 333, 337, 360, 375, 388, 390, 493, 428, 456, 465, 495, 506, 511b, 546, 598. and many others. S. S. DICKEY, Waynes- burg, Pa. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Complete sets, origi- nal datas and first class, of A. O. U. No. 1, 11, 13, 16, 35, 49, 53, 54, 77, 80, 120, 194, 201, 202, 212° 219, 221, 264%, 269, 271, 399 (at 1 per egg), 333, 337, 337b, 339 and 348. Want original sets with complete data, and many of the very com- mon ones can be used. Send list of anything you have and will try to do business with you. Absolutely guaaantee every specimen i suit you. R. L. MORE, Box 608, Vernon, exas. I have for exchange many fine sets, per- sonally taken, finely prepared, among which are: 6 1-8, 194b 1-5 1-6, 199 1-4, 918 1-8, 219 1-9. 998 1-4, 289b 1-14, 293 1-12, 295 1- 13, 300b 1-14, 307 1-9, 310 1-14, 310¢ 1-15, 331 1-5, 333 1-4, 334a 1-3, 335 1-4, 1-5, 337a 1-3, Texas Red-shoulder 1-3, 1-4, 339. 1-3, 340 1-2, 341 1-2, 1-3, 342 1 3, 345 1-2, 347a 1-3, 368b 1-2, 373b 1-4, Send your lists and get my full list. kK. F. POPE, Colmesneil, exas. FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets Common Tern, Showy North and South American Butterflys in insect proof cases. Atlantic coast shells and curios. Wantedeggs in sets. Listsexchanged. KARL SQUIRES, 70 Moor- land Ave., Edgewood, R. I. (1-1) FOR EXCHANGE.— Personally Collected; 1, 3-4; 53 5-3; 54 3-3; 132 1-9; 135 1-7; 139 1-6; 141 1-8; 142 1-7; 167 1-6; 187 3-4; 194¢ 3-5; 197 3-4; 225 6-4. 226 3-4; 258a 1-4; 432 n-2; 486 n-2: 478c 2-5; 480 2-5. 492 2-5; 554 n-4; 560a n-3; ae n-4; 683 n-4; 748a n-5; 749 n-6; 759a n-4. A. O. TREGANZA. 610 U. ~. &T. Bldg., Salt Lake City, Utah. (1-p) EGGS — A collection to highest bidder. W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich. Continued. ON SALE.—Good twelve Gauge, Breech loading shot gun, reloading tools; 32 Gauge Auxiliar Barrel tools, shells, (no Extractor); five dollars cash ten dollars exchange (eggs) net. Buffalo bones (guaranteed) seven cents to sixty; one skull (no horns) $1.60, net. cupine quills, seven cents per dozen. up to forty cents, stamps, over forty cents, postal order. KALE THOMPSON, Box 175, Irving, Kansas. (1-p) WANTED THE FOLLOWING SETS— Pur- ple Sandpipes 2-4, American Bittern N-4 Amerlcan Golden Plover N-4, Bonapartes Gull N-3, Greater Yellow-legs 1-4. Will give in exchange Sets Mounted birds and skins. Live Northern Birds supplied. PORTAGE WILD ANIMAL CO., Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Can. Box 223. MISCELLANEOUS. To exchange for stone relics several copies of Harpers Illustrated Weekly from 1860 to 1573. L. A. PARRE, Batavia, Ill. WANTED—Indian Relics for cash or ex- change. Also'finely HOTELL Ee NRO HO Oe DR. A. E. PAYNE, Riverhead. N. Y. (1-p) WANTED.—Type and printer’s supplies. Have Natural history, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- mens, fishing tackle, shells, minerals, bat- tery, massage machine. J. J. WIRZ, ‘Taxi- dermist. Augusta, Ga. (1-p) FOR SALE.—Good substantial bird houses for Wren, Blue Birds, etc. Post paid, for 50 R B. KIDDER, Columbus, Wis. WANTED.—A pair of calipers marked in hundredths and any copies of the “Iowa Ornithologist.” Also have a few common sets to exchange. EMERSON STONER, 432- 38th St., Oakland, Calif. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a copy of “The Butterflies of the West Coast.”” JOHN GRAVES, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. d-p) WANTED.—To correspond with parties in Arizona ahd New Mexico who would collect Beetles for me for cash or exchange. W. E. SNYDER. Beaver Dam, Wis. (1-p) FOR SALE.—I have a fine line of arrows and spears from Grime County, Texas. Send $1.00 for a dozen perfect arrows. GEORGE E. DOERGE, Navasota, Texas, Box 484. (1-p) WANTED AT ONCE.—A specimen of the Red Fox in fine winter fur. AJso skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare or Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A pair of Bald Headed Eagles in the down is also desired, Address, ‘stating price. DI- RECTOR, THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, Linco!n Park, Chicago, Il. (1) “POR § SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Collection of Sea and Fresh water Shells, 2000 species; collection of Minerals, 275 specimens; collec- tion of Fossils, 250 specimens. 6 ft. mounted Alligator, 70 glass mounts, 216 specimens Moth and Butterflies, 2000 specimens Coleop- tera. a large list of Curios; collection of old French letters and parchments. dated 1427 to 1800, Any or all ofabore for sale or exchange for eggs, skins, mounted birds, Indian relics, magazines or books. H. F. DOPED ee Cal. -p IV THE OOLOGIST MISCELLANEOUS. Perfect, and well mounted specimens of North American moths and _ butterflies offered in exchange for North American bird skins. PHILIP LAURENT. 31 East Mt. Airy ‘Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. Brazilian Beetles and small showy shells wanted. Will give skin of Snowy Owl. eggs, butterflies or cash. GEORGE ROSSITER, 52 Tiverton Ave., Toronto, Canada. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Alligator eggs, Limpkin aud lather back turtle eggs. NAT. P. ERY, Eureka, Marion Co., Florida. (1-p) FOR SALE AND EXCHANGE.—Live Snakes, Lizards, Baby Turtles. also general line of Florida insects. NAT. P. FRY. Eureka, Marion County, Florida. (1-p) For Collectors, a fine collection of speci- mens, all large and very fine, one Chnstolite Tourquoix Matrix, Toursonite Tourmaline, Californite, Kuzite, Semi Opal. Amazon Stone, Opal Wulfernite. Opals are very fine, will sell for #5.00 cash with order. KH. W. KELLY. Box 186, Seneca, I11. (1-p) Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ, TAXIDERMIST, 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high grade Ithaca hammerless gun, any gaugue, new from factory; or part cash. E F. POPE, Colmesneil, Texas. EXCHANGE A nicely mounted specimen of a Ringtail Lemur, male, in good condition. Will exchange for Ornithological magazines also and books, or good color plates, amounting. to equal value. For description write, M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway. Brooklyn, N. AG -p) Bird Sking, animal skins and cleaned skulls eggs in sets and named Coleoptera to ex- change for stamps not in my collection. W. Ne 309 De Clark St., Beayer, Dam is Live cocoons of Caligula, cachara, from India, and Moths such A ctias, selene, An- theraea pernyi in exchange for cocoons of Samia. Glovers, also orders taken for fertile eges of Citheronia, regalis, 50 for $1.00 and many other native and foreign eggs. POTTER, East Killingly, Conn. Bird Books WANTED.—No, 9 of Vol. XXVI, of The Oologist. Any of first volume of Bird Lore, complete or single numbers. Have Vol. IX of The Oologist to sell. GEO. W. H. toes BURGH. (Columbus, Wis. [1- FOR EXCHANGE.— For cash, to ae Newman’s British Moths and Newman’s British Butterflies. Condition good. In- uiries answered. CHRIS FIRTH, Durham, nt.. Canada. {1-p] WANTED.—O. & O. of Mass., Vol. X and XI; The Muse1m, Vol. IV, Nos. 8,9, 10, ll, 12; Vol, V Nos. 1,7, 11; Vol. VI, Nos. eB 33 Bird Lore, Vol. ‘KT, Nos, 1,5. The Taxidermist of Medina, Ohio, Vol. I, Nos. 1, 2. CHAS. W. TINDALL, Independence, Mo. [1-p] Wanted the following Bird Lores: Vol. III, No. 3; Vol. VII. No. 1; Vol. XI, No. 5. Will pay cash or exchange. LEWIS DEXTER, 1889 Elm st., Manchester, N. H. (1-p) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Bird Lore, Volumes 8 and 16inclusive, complete. Perfect condition. W.J. ERICKSEN, 208 W.40th St., Savannah, Ga. (1-p) Have you any bird magazines to exchange? Bend list of duplicates and receive miue. L. SLOANAKER, Palisades, Col. Box 402. WANTED FOR CASH Life Histories of North American Birds by Bendire, State price. J.C. HALL, 1420 Marlowe Ave., Lake- wood, Ohio. WANTED—Bull, Cooper Orn. Club (Con- dor) Vol. I No.3. Will pay $4.00 in original covers. DR. W.M. TYLER, Lexington, Mass: (1-p) _ Fine specimens of the beautiful Abert’s Squirrel. and other mammals, for mounting Wil! exchange for books on natural History if in good condition. J. STOCKLY LIGON. Chloride, N. Mex. (1-p) WANTED—Am. Ornithology Vol VI; Oolo- gist. Vols, 26, 27, 28; Osprey, Vols. land III (All complete). State iowest cash price. Have many odd numbers of Bird magazines for exchange; also several pops by Wm. J. Long. List for astamp. W. GLENN, Rm. 107, Penna, Sta., Wi tewee pr WANTED FOR CASdA.—Condor Vol. 8 complete; Vol. 9 Nos. 1, 4, 6; Vol. 10, ok On Birg pote, Vol. 7, No. 1: Vol. 3, Nos. ee Vol Nos. 2, 3; Vol. 1, except No. 1. aE SPOANARER, Palisades, Colo. fis FOR EXCHANGE.—National Geographic magazines for good sets of any birds of prey. Write, statIng what you have. S.V. WHAR- RAM, Austinburg, O. (1-p) TO EXCHANGE.—I have 1000 duplicates of Scientific periodicals [mostly Ornithologicall to offer for Ornithological publications, bird skins, eggs or cash. FRANK L. BURNS, Berwyn. Pa. 12-p] FOR EXCHANGE.—Back numbers Oolo- gist, Osprey, American Ornithology, Mu- seum, etc. Also first class sets to exchange for desirable postage stamps. GHORGE D. FRENCH, Ivoryton, Conn. [1-p] EO See RO ANT Se RU ne ee ee ag eee Oe ~ WANTED.—National Geoenap ate Maga-— zine, Vols 1 to 14 inc.; Guide to Nature, Vol. TI; odd numbers of American Museum Jour- nal; also Zovlogical Society Bulletins, origi- nal cover; good condition; state price. CHAS- na O. TROWBRIDGE, Station A, Framingham, ass. WANTED.—Coues Key N. Am. Birds, fifth edition; back numbers of Condor, Auk and Bird Lore, A. O. U. Check List. ALBERT LANO, Fayetteville. Ark. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.--First class sets with data for back numbers of the Auk, Bird Lore or Condor: E. E. JOHNSON, Hebron, Maine, Cs WANTED. - Any volumes and numbers of Ornithologist and Oologist, except volume 15 and 16. State price. I have for exchange Turner’s Natural History of Alaska; A. O. U. Check-list, (latest edition; Forbush’s Birds Useful to man. ROBERT W. WILLIAMS, 215 Eastern Ave., Takoma Park, Md. (I-p) THE OGLOGIST 7 Ay “Katlona aah, € i NOD) OXI; NO. 4. ALBION, N. Y. APR. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 3833 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Tl. Awkwardness. March 6th the Editor of THE OOLO- GIST fell about twenty-five feet out of a Live Oak tree, forty miles North and a little west of Los Angeles. He sustained a compound fracture of the Tibia, and a fracture of the Fibula of the left leg, a broken nose and a frac- tured and dislocated left shoulder, be- sides internal injuries of a more or less serious nature. He was at once rushed to a hospital, where at this writing (April Ist) he is resting comfortably and on the road to ultimate recovery it is believed. “The accident was due solely to a proper lack of care on our part, and no one else is to blame; only our neglect to use the ordinary safeguards and rules which have guided our climbing all our life; a carelessness for which we must pay the penalty.’—R. M. Barnes. +p 2 Pileated Woodpecker. (Ceophloens pileatus) Among the Woodpeckers are found certain universal anatomical charac- teristics. The feet are perfectly zygo- dactyle by reversion of the fourth toe; tail feathers stiff and sharp, and the chisel like bill adapted for the pur- pose of chipping away the wood of the trees, looking for food. An arrange- ment of the hyoid bone of long, slend- er, flexible filaments extending over the skull behind, between the skin and the bone, surrounded by highly de- veloped muscles, enables the tongue to be extended several inches beyond the bill. The tongue is slender, pointed and thickly barbed on its extremity. The small neck compared with the size of the skull makes it impossible to invert the skin over the head, gen- erally employed in the skinning of other birds during the process of mounting. The skull is extremely firm and solid, the bone is almost as hard and rigid as ivory. By means of the bill the bird perforates the bark and wood of the trees to reach the larvae of the insects feeding beneath it. The cutting away of the wood is done by powerful strokes of the bird’s head, which can be heard quite a distance away; in the meantime the bird clings to the rough bark of the tree, while the short stiff feathers of the tail are pressed against the bark, thereby sup- porting the heavy weight of the body. The hole being made and the burrow of the grub exposed, the long tongue is then thrust out; the larvae or insect impaled on the barbed extremity and then drawn back to the Woodpecker’s mouth. Where the birds are not molested they return to their favorite breeding grounds for quite a number of years. They lay from three to five glossy white eggs, same as almost all wood- peckers. In their favorite woods some old stumps show their work plainly. The mating season of these birds is in our locality usually in April. They excavate a deep hole in a de- cayed tree; cutting away the wood with such force that the chips are 58 THE OOLOGIST sometimes from four to five inches long and half an inch thick. Our im- mediate wooded districts being very limited it wiill not be long before their departure from our locality. In April 1907, Mr. Savage and Mr. Van Duzee, while strolling through the woods near Buffalo, discovered the trunk of a beach tree about forty feet high which bore the unmistakable evidence of having been the object of attack of this bird. In several places enormous hollows had been cut away extending to the very heart of the tree and at the foot of the tree was heaped a mound of chips which amounted to about two bushels in volume. The hollows were on one side of the tree, the lower one, the largest, about six inches wide extending about three feet up and down the trunk. This penetrated quite to the heart of the tree which was dead and decayed throughout a large part of its extent. Another about a foot by four inches in size and two smaller ones of a more. circular shape were seen just above the whole extent of the excavation be- ing in a surface about six feet long. The wood of the tree is. practically honeycombed with the circular bor- ings of the larvae of the horn-tail (tremex columba) in search of which the Woodpecker had done the exca- vating in question. Realizing the importance of this specimen as showing the power of the bird as well as its occurrence in this locailty, arrangements were made by the Buffalo Society of Nat- ural Sciences to secure this speci- men and preserve it permanently in our Museum. The tree stood on the property of Mr. J. A. Hutchinson, and through the efforts of Mr. Van Duzee it was cut down and brought to our rooms where it can be seen in the de partment of Ornithology. Shortly after the discovery of the tree, Mr. Savage reports that the bird was seen and allowed him to approach sufficiently near so that by the aid of his glass there was no doubt about the identification of the bird. The mate was heard calling in the woods a short distance away and was later seen and identified by him. Certain cther excavations of a less extensive nature showed that they had been busy in the neighborhood for some time. Ottomar Reinecke. Nesting Habits of Lawrences Goldfinch. Astralaginus lawrencei (Cassin), A. O. U. No. 531, is a common spring and summer resident of Los Angeles Coun- ty, occurring in suitable localities from the mesas to 7000 feet in the moun- -tains, and occasionally even higher. A few birds remain throughout the year, but the majority migrate south and east through Mexico and Arizona, and they are rare here from November to April. Nest-building begins usually during the last week of April, and fresh eggs are found mostly in May, although sets have been found from April to July. Evergreens are favorite sites for the location of nests of this species; cypress, pine, and fir trees being most often chosen. They nest at no great height from the ground, generally un- der fifteen feet, most usually eight or ten, although I once found a nest with two eggs near the top of a pine tree fully fifty feet from the ground. The nests are well made, composed of grasess, plant stems, and small dry leaves, well lined with feathers. They are deeply cupped and placed most commonly on a horizontal limb. The eggs, four or five in number, are easily distinguished from those of other spe- cies of the genus, being pure white. Their average size is .60 x .45. THE OOLOGIST Pileated Woodpecker on Tree —Photo by Ottomar Reinecke 59 60 THE A peculiarity of this species that seems to have been overlooked by other writers is that of nesting in colo- nies. This fact is attested by the fol- lowing records from my notebooks: May 7, 1907. A clum} of cypress trees near the ciy limis of Los Ange- les. About eight pairs nesting, four nests examined contained two to four fresh eggs. May 16, 1907. A grove of young pines in a city park. About fifteen pairs nesting, all with small young or eggs advanced in incubation. April 8, 1908. A small clump of ecy- press and pepper trees near the foot- hills. About six pairs nesting here. Three nests examined contained five, three, and five eggs respectively, in- cubation fresh. Two nests not yet finished. April 4, 1908. Nest eighteen inches from ground in a clump of sage brush on side of canyon. Four eggs, incuba- tion commenced. This nest was near the last mentioned colony. May 4, 1908. Three pairs nesting mm two cypress trees. Incubation varied from slight to advanced. May 8, 1909. Six pairs nesting in a small clump of cypress trees. Incuba- tion begun. So far as I have been able to deter- Mine incubation lasts from ten to twelve days, and the young birds re- main in the nest about two weeks. Immature birds of the year are to be seen on the wing by the first week in June. D. I. Shepardson. Los Angeles, Cal. ee ee eee Bare White-throated Swifts. In the latter part of April, 1913, Mr. J. B. Dixon and myself, thinking that the Swifts would surely have laid their full sets of eggs, started for the cliff we had selected for our try at them. We carried 285 ft. of rope, shot OOLOGIST gun, pick and small bar for prying, camera and egg baskets, as well as lunch and water bottles. After a drive of about eight miles from home we arrived at the mouth of the canyon on the south side of which are the cliffs. This canyon is some rough, and made heavy going for me, as I was carrying a short section of ladder in addition to my share of the other equipment. It takes about an hour of good work to arrive at the base of the cliff. In the meantime Mr. Dixon with rope, had ascended by an- ether way to the top, and as I was ly- ing on a rock, looking up watching the Swifts in their diving and swinging around the face, he soon came to the edge of the cliff, and made fast the rope. Over it came, like a long brown snake shooting down, but failed to reach the bottom by some ten or fif- teen feet. After several efforts of scrambling on my part, and heaving on Dixon’s part, we finally worked to Where I succeeded in getting hold of IN During this time we had succeeded in locating several of the little black and white birds, darting into cracks and crevices and one, the nearest to the bottom, only about forty feet up, looked as though maybe, I could see, with the aid of a mirror where the nest was. With some effort I arrived at this crack and upon flashing the light into it saw a nest, also the bird farther back in the crack. The nest was empty and the bird seemed to be dead, head out of sight and wings spread out, so told Dixon that I would get the carcass out as she had gotten caught and was dead, and that there were no eggs for us. I was surprised, to say the least, when upon trying to hook her out with a wire I carried, to have her turn around and start for me. I guess if she had been a little faster she would have knocked me off the 61 THE OOLOGIST Tree Trunk Showing Cavities made by Pileated Woodpecker e < Ottomar Reinecl —Photo by 62 THE OOLOGIST rope, but just before getting to the en- trance of the crevice she turned and went up and stopped in plain sight only about six inches in. As there were no eggs here, I mov- ed on up the cliff to see if I could see into another place but could not; the crack was at least a mile long, from the way it started, and guess the nest was clear at the back end; so moved on to another. Had a little better luck here, and may be able to get a set here sometime. Oh yes, there are lots of Swifts here at this place and also lots of cliffs and cracks and I guess that most of them are deep and also crook- ed. On May 18, 1913, we went again to the cliffs. We started from my ranch at 4 a. m., and 7 a m. found us standing on the brow of the cliff look- ing down and wondering what the next few hours had in store for us in the way of Swifts’ eggs and nests. The rope was placed and I started down with my egg grabber, stiff wire and egg basket, all belted to me. The rope was 285 feet long and they would not reach clear down. Down about fifty feet I came to a horizontal crack about four feet long, and by flashing the light into it with a small mirror, could locate three nests, one quite near; the other two farther back. But the crevice was so narrow that I could not use even my smallest egg grabber, so hooked a wire around the nearest nest and began to tear it loose. It came moving around on its axis only to prove empty. Tried the farthest one the same way and with the hold on the rope, distance, and everything, managed to drive my wire hook too firmly into the nest, and the mischief was done. Over and apart it came exposing three fresh eges; did not save even one; two broke on rolling out of the nest, and the other went right on rolling off the edge, and broke some 150 feet down the cliff. Nest number three contained one egg which I broke with the grabber on account of the wire being too heavy and striking the egg crosswise. I would rathrer handle Hummer’s eggs than Swifts’. On down thirty feet to another hor- izontal crack, where one week before I had seen one fresh egg in a nest, quite close to the edge; this nest con- tained four. After packing nest, eggs and all, tried for nets number two in this crevice. Could not work my grab- ber as the Swifts made three or four turns in getting to the nest; so scratched out accumulated droppings and found the crevice to be about three inches deep. Worked my hand into it but found that I could not reach the nest, so went up to a small foothold and had Dixon tie and lower the short section of ladder opposite the crack; but the overhung swung me cut three or four feet too far, so I had a time to get back where I could just touch the edge of the crack. After some strenuous minutes, succeeded in getting back into the corner so I could reach into the nest. Here I found a Swift, which had crawled back into the crack after Dixon had given her a load of shot. In my efforts to get to the nest I dislodged a small falke of rock which slightly damaged two of the eggs of a set of four, which were very nicely marked. Was down at another crevice when I heard some squeaks and went back up to find the wounded female, still alive but that was all. Packed her with her eggs and left the nest. Looked at several other nests, from which we obtained a set of two eggs, an incomplete set, but one week be- fore this nest had one egg in it so I think it was abandoned. Succeeded THE OOLOGIST Nesting Cliff of White-throated Swift. Chas. F. Schnack Descending. Note nesting hole at X, lower right hand corner. —Photo by J. B. Dixon 63 64 THE OOLOGIST in getting four birds, two males and two females. Made skins of them, and I would say that the males are the best developed of any bird I ever ex- amined. Chas. F. Schanck. Escondido, Calif. Dee ais ea eS The Rocky Mountain Screech Owl. The Rocky Mountain Screech Owl is said to be the handsomest of the geo- graphical races of the Screech Owl. It is a beautiful little owl, much light- er in color than the eastern form, ‘the whole plumage very pale,” a sort of an ashy gray. The white scapular bar is conspicuous, and on the under parts the dark shaft lines with cross bars are noticeable, becoming heavier on each side of the upper breast. In winter I have often noticed one sitting in cotton-wood trees along the street where there is much travel of teams, automobiles, and pedestrians. Unless ene were somewhat accustom- ed to seeing him he would not be no- ticed. He is usually in nearly the same place, sitting on a small project- ing limb and close against a larger limb, and is very near the color of the bark of the tree. If one stares up at him he appears to be staring back. He sits in exactly the same position during all the: bright light of day, never in the least changing in atti tude, but leaves as soon as twilight begins and proceeds to forage for sup- per. ; These owls have two call notes. One is the common screech owl call, best described as a screech; the other is very different, hard to describe but a sort of a rolling sound continued for a few seconds, P-r-r-r-r uttered with a flutter of the tongue, as one might say dhi-r-r-r. This call I have heard only in the early spring, I sup- pose just before the nesting time, be- ginning the latter part of February. I suppose it is made only by the male. Geo. HE. Osterhout. Windsor, Colorado. ———? Se —____~—_— Earl Moffat of Marshall, Tex., Reports. “Last year Robins were plentiful here in this locality but this year I have not seen but three Robins all told, and as for black-birds, just one small drove this year, they were here by the hundreds last year. Cardinals are very abundant this year, have never seen so many.” ———~ ae EN Val WANTED to exchange skin or specimens of birds mounted of the East for specimens of Western States. WINCHESTER NAT- ee HISTORY MUSEUM, Winchester, TROPICAL BIRDS.—Anyone interested in Central American material, communicate with E.O. EHRHART, Box 193, JOOS ae. a. -p W ANTED—Fine skins only of most Sana- pipers. Offer tine sets of eggs, 300a, 412a, 466a, 2s ea 567, 584. H. MOUSLEY Ae aus - Q. “p WANTED.—Bird skins, American or For- eign. Offer in exchange mounted bird skins and eggs in sets. Send lists. JESSKH T. CRAVEN, 811 Roosevelt Ave., Detroit, Agice (1-p) I want to exchange for bird skins of 218- 996-23 |-232-292-293-294-295 301-521-443-471. ID. V. HEMBREE, Roswell, Ga. (1-p) FOR EXCHANG CE. — Beautifully mounted 18% 05 Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, and 50 varieties, for others or skins. What have you? Also skins, nests and eggs to trade. DR. J. P. Bas 5001 Frankford Ave., Siasea 7 eae a. -p Q ‘ine ris II THE OOLOGIST FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Nicely mounted specimens. Yellow-rump Loucon, Ringneck Pheasant, Wood Duck, Barn Owl. Cali Quail, Single Yellow-head Parrot, anda few others. These are all in good condition. I might exchange for guns or ornithological publications or other mounted specimens, Write for description of my specimens. M, HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y, EXCH ANGE.—A number of desirable mounted specimens for Bird Lore, Osprey, Auk, Condor, American Museum Journal or other ornithological magazines. Address MILTON HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway. Brooklyn, N. Y. WANTED—I want male skins of 666-652b- 68le, and sub-species of 550. I have eggs of 364. R. P. SHARPLES. West Cae rena (1-p Birds, mostly mounted; some skins. Will exchange for desired specimens, if first class. Send stamp and exchange lists promptly. A. RUSSELL SMITH, Edge Hill, Pa. WANTED.—A skin of a Cockatoo that is in good condition. Please name price for same. Butterflies and Moths exchanged and bought. Please send list. CASPAR G. BURN, Ox- ford, Pa. (1-p) Over 400 mounted birds, mammals and rep- tiles. Eggs in sets. Foreign and United States coins. Columbia stamps, a few sets of St. Louis Exposition unused. Book on raising skunks, 50c. Tanning process, Guinea Pigs. Oologist from about 1888. What can you offer? ‘ALMON KIBBE, Mayville, i Wis D)_ Have a number of of very fine mounted _ Am. Wood Cock. Willexchange for A 1 skins of hawks. Want eee of mounted Spoon-bill Sandpiper. K. W. KAHMANN, 2457 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Tal, ° Anyone wishing to exchange bird skins please send list and I will send my list of duplicates per return mail. J. A. WEBER Palisades Park, N. J. 1-p) WANTrED—A 1 Bird Skins also eggsin sets. Send list of what you have to exchange. EDW. KE. ARMSTRONG, 207 N. Michigan Av., Chicago, Ill. 1-p) WHO WANTS SOME CHOICE SKINS OF LOWER CALIFORNIA WATER AND GAME BIRDS? Skins of the best class. Very moderate prices. GEHU. PRIESTLY, Garden Grove, Calif. (2-p) EXCHANGE—Live Wild Canada. Hutchins, White-fronted, and Snow Geese, Wild Ducks, and Pheasants for Hgyptian Geese, Black, Brant, Mandarin and Wood Ducks, Qauil and Hungarian Partr:dges. H. J. JAGE R, Owatomia, Minn. (5 AD) BELGIUM RELIEF FUND—TI have for sale a set of Peale’s Falcon, skin identified and in collection of Mr. Allen Brooks. These eggsareunique. \Vhat offer. C.U. GREEN, Care W. F. BURTON, St. Charles St.. Vic- toria, B. C. FOR SALE CHEAP.—AII kinds of Cali- fornia birds, animals, reptiles, insects, fish, etc. Mounted or skins. Also all kinds of eggs. ome me know your wants. R. G. , Anderson, Shasta Co , California. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE — Bird Skins. Want Hummingbirds only, mounted or _ skins, nest and eggs of same. KARL HAMILTON, 400 Walnut St.. Versailles, Pa. WANTED—Living healthy birds of the following species for aviary: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern and Western Evening Grosbeaks, Eastern and California Pine Grosbeaks, Eastern and Western Blue Gros- beaks, and Pyrrhuloxias. Expenses attend- ant upon capture of these birds. and fair remuneration will be paid. Write in ad- vance in regard to state permits. Corres- pond with: F. W. HENSHAW, Redwood City. San Mateo County, California. EGGS. In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would ap- preciate it if you would arrange the numerals im yeur exchange notice in their mumerical order, and not tumble them together hit and miss, as some of our readers are complaining, and we think justiv so. WANTED—To hear from reliable collect- ors who have A-1 sets of Whooping Crane. Sandhill Crane, Pacific and Black-throated Loon to dispose of. JAMES B. CARTER, Waynesburg, Pa. : FOR EXCHANGE.—A few old copper coins for sets of birds of prey. Write what you have. S. V. Le ee ena O. -p TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets. Com- plete course of lessons in Taxidermy (Stand- ard works), Game Chickens, Cocks and Pu)- Kiss E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph. HOR EXCHANGE-—Sets from this locality, for sets from the south, middle and west. Send vour list and get mine. EDWARD S. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston, Mass. TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets; one 22 cal. rifle, good condition. Complete course in Taxidermy (N. W. School), oneEK Flat Alto Horn. Can use many common sets. E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. FOR EXCHANGE—European and Asiatic bird eggs in sets with data for eggs of North American species needed for my collection C. Wee BERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Bos- on. Mass FOR EXCHANGE—4 eggs, also sets 1-2-1-1 Mississippi Kite, personally collected _com- plete data. All eggs first class. H.S. SOW- ERS, Brownell, Kansas. WANTED.—Collecting gun and kodak. Offer SAP LOres in sets. including 329. 341, 345, 347a. 359. D. SHEPARDSON, 209 EK. 37th St., Los eee Cal. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Farallone eggs with small holes; also 749, 726d and many others. Send your list. H. W. CARRIGER, 5185 Trask St., Fruitvale Sta., Oakland. Cali. ; “4-p FOR EXCHANGE.— Sets from the locality for sets from the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARDS. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston Maes: =D EXCHA NGE-—A few sets of Red-shouldered and Cooper Hawks. Wanted, sets of 132, 136. 140, 141, 143, 146, 160; also 30, 30a, 32. CG: HART. East Berlin, Conn, (1-p) THH OOLOGIST Ill EGGS, Continued. WANTED.—Choice sets of numbers 10-131- 204-215-352a-372-405 and several warblers. Also | common kinds 339-360-540 b-5424-546a-597a. Also 328 and 332. Satisfactory renumeration. Old commespondents please write. A. E. PRICE Grant Park, I EGGS. Bulwer’s Petrel, Iceland Gull, Cur- lew, Plovers, exchange for Osprey, Bartram Sandpiper, etc. Send lists. Also have some good sets of foreign for sale cheap. " BOOTH,8 Cranbury Road, Fulham, England. Will purchase large hardwood drawer egg cabinet, also complete eyg blowing outfit, used bird books, all in good condition. H. W. BRANDT, 7625 Lexington Ave., Cleveland Ohio. (1-p) Will exchange for desirables of similar ravity, sets of A. O. U. 95, 114.1, 81, 134, 295, 301, 302. 310, 327. 330, 354, 356, 389, 416, 417, 419, 639, 641, 654, 666, 677. THOMAS H. JACKSON, 304 N. Franklin St., West Chester, Pa. FOR EXCHANGE.—White Pelican, Cal. Gull, Baird’s Cormorant, Avocat, Stilt, and many others, all first class with data. Send lists. J. LABARTHE, Thompson, Neves: 3-p I should like to hear from collectors who will exchange bird skins for first class sets of eggs such as 273, 329, 343, 393. 394c, 423, 461, 587, 598, 608, 617, 627, 659, 674, 676, 677, 725, 751. I want mostly common species, e. g.. 3, 6, 7, 11. 13, 30, 32, 40, 51, 58. 69, 70, 74, 77, 104. 106, 129, 131, 132, 133, 139, 214. 263, 273, 316, 333, 337, 360, 375, 388, 39U, 423, 428, 456, 465, 495, 506, 511b, 546, 598, and many others. 8S. 8S. DICKEY, Waynes- burg, Pa (1-p) WANTED.—Sets new to my _ collection, muny common can beused. Cash if price is low. Setstoexchange. MEARL WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. Whatam I offered for Snowy Owll-7 Amer. Coll.) Swallow-tailed Kite 1-2 Golden Eagle 1-2, 1-3, Duck Hawk 1-4, Black-footed Alba- tross 1-1? lf you don’t need them write for my list. A. kK. PRICE, Grant Park, III. I have for exchaage many fine sets, per- sonally taken, finely prepared, among which are: 61-8, 194b 1-5 1-6, 199 1-4, 218 1-8, 219 1-9, 998 1-4, 289b 1-14, 293 1-12, 295 1-13, 300b 1-14, 307 1-9, 310 1-14, 310c 1-15, 331 1-5, 333 1-4, 334a 1-3, 335 1-4, 1-5, 337a 1-3, Texas Red-shoulder 1-3, 1-4, 339 1-3, 340 1-2, 341 1-2. 1-3, 342 13, 346 1-2, 347a 1-3, 368b 1-2, 373b 1-4, Send your lists and fl my full list. Kk. F. POPE, Colmesneil, exas. FOR EXCHANGE.—Fine sets Common Tern, Showy North and South American Butterflys in insect proof cases. Atlantic coast shells and curios. Wantedeggs in sets. Lists exchanged. KARL SQUIRES, 70 Moor- land Ave., Edgewood, R. I (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Personally Collected; ~ 1, 3-4; 53 5-3; 54 3-3; 132 1-9; 135 1-7; 139 1-6; 141 1-8; 142 1-7; 167 1-6; 187 3-4; 194¢ 3-5; 197 3-4; 225 6-4, 226 3-4; 258a 1-4; 432 n-2; 436 n-2: 478c 2-5; 480 2-5. 492 2-5; 554 n-4; 560a n-3; 562 n-4; 683 n-4; 748a n-5; 749 n-6; 759a n-4. A. O. TREGANZA, 610 U. - &T. Bidg., Salt Lake City, Utah. (1-p) EGGS — A collection to highest bidder. W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich. ‘skins. WHAT DO YOU WANT me to collect for you? Will collect cigar bands. wood, butter- flies and sets, or anything. Vol. 30 of Auk for exchange. EARL MOFFAT, Marshall, Texas. (1l-p WANTED.--Good Taxidermist, close to Texas to exchange Taxidermy work for sets. All corresdondence answered. EARL MOPF- FAT, Marshall, Texas. (1-p) ON SALE.—Good twelve Gauge, Breech loading shot gun, reloading tools; 32 Gauge Auxiliar Barrel tools, shells, (no Extractor); five dollars cash ten dollars exchange (eggs) net. Buffalo bones (guaranteed) seven cents to sixty; one skull no horns) $1.60, net. Por- cupine quills, seyen cents per dozen. Others up to forty cents, stamps, over forty cents, postal order. KALE THOMPSON, Box 175, Irving, Kansas. (1-p) WANTED THE FOLLOWING SETS— Pur- ple Sandpipes 2-4, American Bittern N-4 Amerlcan Golden Plover N-4, Bonapartes Gull N-3, Greater Yellow-legs 1-4. Will give in exchange Sets Mounted birds and skins. Live Northern Birds supplied. PORTAGE WILD ANIMAL CO., Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Can. Box 223 MISCELLANEOUS. To exchange for stone relics several copies of Harpers Illustrated Weekly from 1860 to 1673. L. A. PARRE, Batavia, Il. WANTED—Indian Relics for cash or ex- change. Also'finely mounted specimen birds. DR. A. E. PAYNE, Riverhead. N. Y. (1-p) WANTED.—Type and printer’s supplies. Have Natural history, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- mens, fishing tackle, shells, minerals, bat- tery, massage machine. J. J. WIRZ, Taxi- dermist. Augusta, Ga. (1-p) FOR SALE.—Good substantial bird houses for Wren, Blue Birds, etc. Post paid, for 50 cents. R B. KIDDER, Columbus, Wis. WANTED.—A_ pair of calipers marked in hundredths and any copies of the “Iowa Ornithologist.’”’ Also have a few common sets to exchange. EMERSON STONER, 482- 38th St., Oakland, Calif. (1-p) FOR EXCHAN [GE -Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a copy of “The Butterflies of the West Coast.’ JOHN GRAVES, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. 1-p) WANTED.—To correspond with parties in Arizona ahd New Mexico who would collect Beetles for me for cash or exchange. W. E. SNYDER. Beaver Dam, Wis. (1-p) Perfect, and well mounted specimens of North American moths and _ butterflies offered in exchange for North American bird PHILIP LAURENT, 31 Kast Mt. Airy Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. WANTED AT ONCEH.—A specimen or the Red Fox in fine winter fur. Also skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare of Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A pair of Bald Headed Eagles in the down is also desired, Address. stating price. DI- RECTOR, THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCI ENCES, Lincolin Park, Chicago, Il. (1) IV THE OOLOGIST MISCELLANEOUS. FOR SALE.—I have a fine line of arrows and spears from Grime County, Texas. Send $1.00 for a dozen perfect arrows. GEORGE E. DOERGE. Navasota, Texas, Box 484. (1-p) Brazilian Beetles and smatl showy shells wanted. Will give skin of Snowy Owl, eggs, butterflies or cash. GEORGE ROSSITER, 52 Tiverton Ave., Toronto, Canada. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Alligator eggs, also Limpkin aud lather back turtle eggs. NAT. P. FRY, Eureka, Marion Co., Florida. (1-p) FOR SALE AND EXCHANGE.—Live Snakes, Lizards, Baby Turtles. also general line of Florida insects. NAT. P. FRY. Eureka, Marion County, Florida. (1-p) For Collectors, a fine collection of speci- mens, all large Sel very fine, one Chnstolite Tourquoix Matrix, Toursonite Tourmaline, Californite, Kuzite, Semi Opal, Stone, Opal Wulfernite. Opals are very fine, will sell for %5.00 cash with order. E. W. KELLY. Box 186, Seneca, I). (1-p) Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ. TAXIDERMIST, 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high grade Ithaca hammerless gun, any gaugue, new from factory; or part cash. E F. POPE, Colmesneil, Texas. EXCHANGE A nicely mounted specimen of a Ringtail Lemur, male, in good condition. Will exchange for Ornithological magazines and books, or good color plates, amounting to equal value. For description write, M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway. Brooklyn, N. Y. ! Bird Skins, animal skins and cleaned skulls eggs in sets and named Coleoptera to ex- change for stamps not in my collection. W. de No DUS 309 De Clark St., Beayer, Dam is. Live cocoons of Caligula, cachara, from India, and Moths such A ctias, selene, An- theraea pernyi in exchange for cocoons of Samia Glovers, also orders taken for fertile eggs ot Citheronia, regalis, 50 for $1.00 and many othcr native and foreign eggs. A. J. POTT.. ; East Killingly. Conn. Bird Books WANTED. -~-For cash. Osprey Vol. I Nos. 2and 4; Vol. III Nos. 8-9-10-11-12. Also need many ‘humbers of Bird Lore, Oologist, etc Send list of duplicates and receive mine. . GLENN, Room 107 Penna. Sta.. Pitts- burgh. Pa. (1- ) FOR EXCHA NGE.— For cash, to best offer; Newman’s British Moths and Newman’s British Butterflies. Condition good. In- uiries answered. CHRIS FIRTH, Durham, Ont.. Canada. {1-p] ~ WANTED. —O. & O. of Mass., Vol. X and XI; The Mase ua Vol. IV, Nos. "8.9, 10, 11, 12; Vol, V Nos. 1 11; Vol. VI, Nos. 1 2, 3; Bird Lore, Vol. XI, INGE: 1,5. The Taxidermist of Medina, Ohio, Vol. if, Nos. 1, 2. CHAS. W. TINDALL, Independence, Mo, {1-p] FOR SALE.—The following Bird Lores: Vol. III No.6 (without index); Vol, IV Nos. 3-4-5-6 (with index); Vol. VII Nos. 2-3-4-5-6 (with index) Vol. VITI No. 2. LEWIS DEX- TER, 1889 Elm St., Manchester. N. H. __(1-p) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Bird Lore, Volumes 8 and 16inclusive, complete. Perfect condition. W.J. ERICKSEN, 208 W. 40th St., Savannah, Ga. (-p) Have you any bird magazines toexchange? Send list of duplicates and receive mine. L. SLOANAKER, Palisades, Col. Box 402. WANTED FOR CASH Life Histories of North American Birds by Bendire, State price. J.C. HALL, 1420 Marlowe Ave., Lake- wood, Ohio. WANTED—Bull, Cooper Orn. Club (Con- dor) Vol. I No.3. Will pay $4.00 in original covers. DR. W.M. TYLER, Lexington, Mass. (les ESSE aC i a ae Fine specimens of the beautiful Abert’s Squirrel, and other mammals, for mounting Will exchange for books on natural History if in good condition. J. STOCKLY LIGON. Chloride, N. Mex. (1-p) WANTED—Am. Ornithology Vol VI; Oolo- gist, Vols. 26, 27, 28; Osprey, Vols. Land Jil (All eomplete). State lowest cash price. Have many odd numbers of Bird magazines for exchange; also several books by Wm Long. List for astamp. ROBT. W. GLENN, Rm. 107, Penna, Sta., Pittsburg, Pa. WANTED FOR CAS4H.—Condor Vol. 8 complete; Vol. 9 Nos. 1, 4, 6; Vol. 10, No. 2. Bird Eon Ver: 7, No. 1; Vol. 3, Nos. 1, 2, 3; Vol. Nos. 2, 3; Vol. 1, except No. 1. J. L SPOANARER, Palisades, Colo. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—National Geographic magazines for good sets of any birds of ee Write, statIng what you have. S.V. WHAR- RAM, Austinburg, O. (1-p) TO EXCHANGE.—I have 1000 duplicates of Scientific periodicals [mostly Ornithologicall to offer for Ornithological publications, bird skins, eggs or cash. FRANK L. BURNS, Berwyn. Pa. 2-p] FOR EXCHANGE.—Back numbers Oolo- gist, Osprey, American Ornithology, Mu- seum, etc. Also first class sets to exchange for desirable postage stamps. GEORGE D. FRENCH, Ivoryton, Conn. [1-p] WANTED.—National Geograph ic Maga- zine, Vols 1to 14 inc.; Guide to Nature, Vol. II; odd numbers of American Museum Jour- nal; also Zoological Society Bulletins, origi- nal cover; good condition; state price. CHAS- CP TROWBRIDGE, Station A, Framingham, ass. WANTED.—Coues Key N. Am. Birds, fifth edition; page numbers of Condor, Auk and Bird Lore, é . Check List. ALBERT LANO, Haetewiliel “Ark. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.--First class sets with data for back numbers of the Auk, Bird Lore Os Condor: E. EK. JOHNSON, Hebron, Maine, WANTED.—Any volumes and numbers of Ornithologist and potoriet. except volume 15 and 16. State price have for exchange Turner’s Natural History of Alaska; A.O.U. Check-list, (latest edition; Forbush’s Birds Useful to man. ROBE RT W. WILLIAMS, 215 Eastern Ave., Takoma Park, Md. (l-p) THE OOLOGIST. Vou. XXXII. No. 5. ALBION, N. Y. May. 16, 1915. WHOLE No. 384 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. Alfred Cookman and small.lad, Roy Fuller, in the Willow Bottoms, Dominguez Ranch, Los Angeles Co., Calif. —Photo by Cookman J 74 THE OOLOGIST Home of California Cuckoo Discovered By Alfred Cookman, Fish and Game Warden for Los Angeles County in Southern California. A discovery of more than passing interest was made last month by Prof. L. W. Welch and the writer. For many months the peculiar call of the California Cuckoo (Occyzus america- nus occidentalis) has lured the de- votees of outdoor life, into by and for- gotten paths, across the sloughs, through the fields and into remote sec- tions of this southland, only to meet with baffling defeat. The secretive habits of the rare and interesting spe- cie of the feathered tribe has been an endless source of delight to the writ- er, who is sometimes accompanied by friends of like turn of mind, but still oftener, he goes alone on the trips of investigation. We had been convinced for a long time that the carefully nests were probably located in or around the “Dominguez Rancho” in the willow-bottoms, four miles north on Long Beach in Los Angeles County, Southern California. For several months previous to the discovery of the Cuckoo in the Rancho, we had in- vestigated several prominent Bird Retreats in this section of the coun- try and also made several excursions into Orange County on similar trips of investigation. The itinerary of which was to discover where the California Cuckoo builds its nest. Nigger Sloughs, seventeen miles south of Los Angeles was one of the important localities that we were priv- ileged to visit. We made several trips to this place. In Orange County, Hog Island in the Sunset Beach Gun Club Reservation, Bolsa Chico, Lomita, Ca- mut and other Reservations are some of the fields we have visited. They are not far distant from the “Domin- Deputy concealed : guez Ranch.” Thousands of birds con- gregate here to bathe in the cool water and feed on marsh insects and crusta- cea. No Cuckoos have been observed in these districts. The conditions being favorable on the 28th of July, 1914, the search was continued, and after being skillfully lured here, there and yonder, by the natural instincts of the mother cuckoo, who futilly attempted to beguile the investigators from her realm. After hours of patient following across the marshy fields and the swales of the “Rencho,’ in a most protected and seemingly impossible retreat, a large nest composed of loose sticks, lined with leaves and catkins situated in a cottonwood tree, twenty-three feet up, was discovered. A shout of joy burst from our mouths. We made several -attempts to climb to the nest, but every trial was unsuccessful. The tree would not hold our weight. We could watch the female approach the nest with food in her bills. We heard distinctly the hungry cries of young birds in the nest. A tiny head was observed rising above the leaves. It remained visible for a few seconds and then disappeared. That was about all that was apparent in the gaping bit of fledgings awaiting the bills of their mother. The strange pleading notes of the birds did not deter Prof. Welch and the writer after knowledge from a thorough investigation, because the discovery is one which ornithologists have been seeking, and the nesting habits and the period of migration has been a closed book to lovers of bird life. The writer has made several visits since to the nest, and has been suc- cessful in obtaining some photographs. They breed extensively along the wil- low bottoms of the interior valleys of the state. Mrs. Hckstrom says, “As a nest-builder, the California Cuckoo is THE OOLOGIST 75 Found the California Cuckoo Nesting —Photo by Cookman no genius; or if a genius, he belongs to the impressionist school. The nest is but a raft of sticks flung into the fork of a bough.’ We find that Mrs. Eckstrom’s description is quite right and that the California Cuckoo’s nest is indeed so frail and so loosely put together that one may see the eggs or young from underneath. As we approached the nest, the mother would ruffle her feathers until the usually sleek, slender bird seemed to be bristling with rage, her head ex- tended on a level with her body and her long tail slightly elevated. She would watch us like a hawk, she would not desert her post, nor did we ever force her to do so. The California Cuckoo lays from three to four eggs. They are glossy light bluish green; paler in the incubated than in the fresh. The sound of the male cuckoo could be heard far into the night, if the moon lighted the willow bottom, during the day it floated through the trees like a wandering voice. Mourning Dove Nests. September is a rather late date for nidification with most of our birds. September, 1908, found me in the field, not expecting to find eggs but idly vis- iting some of the old and deserted nests which my bird friends of the preceeding spring had vacated some two or more months ago. One nest, a Blue Jay’s had contained on June 1st, four freshly laid eggs. The young jays had left of course by this time but my arrival at the tree proved the nest still in use. A Mourning Dove was seated thereon and my climb of eigh- teen feet up the white oak disclosed 76 THE her two white eggs. Further inspec- tion showed them to be highly advanc- ed in incubation as one would expect at this season of the year. ~ It is not an uncommon trait for the Mourning Dove to appropriate the nest of another species for its own use. An instance similar to the above I ex- perienced in connection with a Robin’s nest. The Robins had build their nest eleven feet up in an apple tree and by May 4th had deposited the usual four blue eggs. On May 14th the eggs were hatched and the young birds suc- cessfully reared. On the following June ist, I found the same Robin’s nest occupied by a Mourning Dove covering two eggs of her own. Appar- ently the interval between the depar- ture of the last young Robin and the “moving in” of the dove was very short in this case. Other instances of the above If have observed as follows: OOLOGIST May 13, 1909, two Mourning Dove eggs in last year’s Robin’s nest, eight feet, box-elder. May 21, 1909, two Mourning Dove eggs in old Brown Thrasher’s nest. May 6, 1914, two Mourning Dove eggs in old Brown Thrasher’s nest four feet in Hawthorne. May 29, 1914, two Mourning Dove eggs in old Brown Thrasher’s nest, nine feet in vines. Sometimes the Dove will palce a few additional sticks in the bed of the other nest. On several occasions I have found her nest resting on the top of an unused gray squirrel’s nest of dry leaves in the fork of a tree. The usual set is two but I have found one hest containing three eggs (May 28, 1908) as has been previously reported in this magazine. : The nest is small and slightly built of slender weed stalks and rootlets and is usually placed at low eleva- Dominguez Waterway, Los Angeles River, Los Angeles Co., Calif. Home of the California Cuckoo —Photo by Cookman THE OOLOGIST 77 tions. Out of a hundred and fifty nests the highest I have found was twenty- eight feet, in the top of a willow. The bird is also commonly called the Turtle Dove in lowa. H. A. Stoner. ————-e The Editor’s Condition. The Editor of THE OOLOGIST leaves California for his home this evening (May 3d) and will arrive here. on Thursday. He will be glad to be home again after so long an absence, and the readers of THE OOLOGIST are no doubt pleased to hear that he has recovered from his serious acci- dent sufficient to travel. _——__ ——__- <---> An Unusual Nesting Colony. During the Spring of 1914 at Bloom- field, New Jersey, occurred what is probably the most interesting and un- usual association of birdlife that has ever come to my attention. In a small swamp at the southern end of the town where the chestnuts have all been killed within the past four or five years, for several sea- sons past the Flicker and Downy Woodpecker have been excavating nesting cavities in the dead branches and trunks of these trees, and in one dead trunk there are four of these cavities, a large one near the top and three smaller ones below, and all with- in a space of six feet from the lowest to the uppermost. On May 10th a pair of Sparrow Hawks established themselves in the large cavity at the top and began ar- ranging a home and succeeded in rear- ing a very noisy and boisterous fam- ily of three young hawks. In the cavity about two feet below them a family of House Wrens were reared to maturity, and in the two low- er cavities two families of Starlings were reared. The very unusual part of this queer association was the fact that although the hawks above preyed continually on the nests of three pairs of Song Spar- rows, a pair of Bluebird and a pair of Field Sparrows in the near vicinity, not leaving a single young bird of these broods to live, still the young of the wrens and starlings were left undisturbed and careful watching fail- ed to detect any indications of depre- dations of the hawks on their fellow tenants of this stump. L. S. Kohler. tte pe ea eR The Interesting Magpie. The year 1913 I was located in Northern Colorado. To an eastern bird lover the country afforded many interesting studies, the most fascinat- ing of which was the American Mag- pie. This was probably due to the bird’s striking appearance, noisy mis- chevious nature and the many oppor- tunities to study them. In habits he is both a rascal and a clown, inquisi- tive, yet wary and suspicious, hand- some, but ill-bred. They destroy other birds’ eggs and torment cattle by pick- ing any raw sore they may have on them. When talking to ranchmen they had often informed me of this disgust- ing practice of the bird. One fine morning however, I had the interest- ing experience of seeing two adult Magpies which were determined to have fresh beef for breakfast. The victim was a large steer who, with tail 82 THE OOLOGIST curved over his back was making every effort to escape the persecutions of the two rascals in black and white. We all remember the story in the old reader about the Magpie teaching the other birds how to build neests, and indeed she would prove an able instructor; so thoroughly has she mastered the art of nest building. This is from a standpoint of utility however, for beauty of design and workmanship has not entered into her labor. The nest is a large, coarse, baloon-shaped affair; some times much larger than a bushel-basket. It is com- posed of coarse and fine sticks and twigs inter-woven into a compact mass. This is lined with mud, dry leaves, small twigs and rootlets. Nests are used for a number of years, being repaired each spring. An investigation of old Magpie nests often proves profitable to the collector, for it is not unusual to find them occupied by owls and the small- er hawks. In every case noted where Magpie nests have been used by other birds, the top of the nest had fallen in from decay and the nest of the new tenant arranged on top. To give some idea as to the number of nests which may be found ina small area, I with a friend located 71 nests one December day on a two mile walk up the Puder River. Most of these were placed in cottonwood trees and sometimes as many as five nests were found in a single tree. The lowest nest was in a stunted willow and could be easily reached from the ground, the highest was forty odd feet up in a giant cottonwood. Business duties held me close to Greeley, Colo., during the nesting sea- son, but I found time to locate seven nests which looked good. The follow- ing Sunday I returned to them but found I was too early as the nests held from one to five eggs each. The nest is so constructed that the hand must be inserted to ascertain the contents. This proved disastrous, for when [ returned for complete sets, the eggs in every nest had either been broken or removed. Like most birds the Magpie has his gcod points. He is beneficial as a scavenger and eats many insects and seeds which are detrimental to the in- terests of the farmer. Indeed “Sunny Colorado” would be just a little less in- viting if it were not for the ever pres- ent Magpie. James B. Carter. al Early Arrivals for Spring, 1915. In addition to one Meadowlark and three Grackles that have stayed around my home town all. win- ter, I find the early birds more anx- ious than common, to get back to their northern homes. After two warm days February 12- 13, three small flocks of Canada Geese passed honking over the village, north- ern bound. On February 10th our first Robin appeared, carolling in a sort of timid, half-apologetic way. Bluebirds how- ever accepted the challenge and three separate ‘“‘sialis’ have entrained at our 40th parallel station. Still another sign that an obnormal- ly early spring is down on the _ calen- dar or else the birds have lost their intuition. A little party of eight Cedar Wax- wings alighted in my hard maple Sat- urday evening, February 13th, just an evening ahead of the stipulated mat- ing time of Valentine day. They squeaked for half an hour like a job lot of oil-needing wheel barrows—then leaped as one bird and wheeling sharp- ly disappeared northward. Isaac HK. Hess. Philo, Ils., Feb. 15, 1915. 83 THE OOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of Western Goshawk in Lodge Pole Pine, Montana. —Photo by Harle R. Forrest. 84 THE OOLOGIST The Nesting of the Western Goshawk. During the spring and summer of 1913, I was located at a U. S. forest service camp in the Big Hole Basin, Beaverhead County, Montana. We were on the south fork of Thompson Creek in the Continental Divide Range. The mountains were covered with thick forest of Lodgepole Pine. On June ist I found a hawk’s nest in the top of a small lodgepole, about thirty-five feet from the ground. The old bird was on the nest, but when I struck the tree with an ax she flew off, uttering shrill, sharp cries unlike those of any hawk that I had ever heard be- fore. by, making a fearful racket. In vain I tried to identify her, but I had never seen any of her relatives before. I decided to investigate the nest and so started up the tree, paying no fur- ther attention to the hawk. When I was about half way up something struck me a blow on the side of the head, which dazed me for a moment. It felt as if someone had hit me with a club. It was the old hawk. Later, when I reached camp I found that she had cut a deep gash, which extend- ed from just above my left eye across my temple and ear. I was greatly sur- prised for I had never previously en- countered any of the hawks that would actually strike a man while climbing to their nests, although they often make a great fuss. I broke off a dead limb to use as a club if she should try it again. The old bird circled around and came at me once more from be- hind, but this time I was on my guard. She came straight at my head with the speed of an arrow, but when she saw that I was waiting for her she did not strike me, flying to one side when within a few feet of me. She repeated this several times, until I had reached the nest. The nest contained four young about She lit in the top of a tree near-— three or four days old. I did not dis- turb them at that time. Later, I iden- itfied the adult as the Western Gos- hawk. I finally shot her thus making the identification positive. The nest, which was very bulky, was composed of sticks and lined with twigs. It was built in the crotch formed by three limbs at the very top of the tree. The nest was about one-half mile from camp, and I visited it quite fre- quently. Only once did I see both par- ent birds there together, and that was one evening about six o’clock. No mat- ter at what time of the day or how of- ten I went, there was always one bird on guard. She seemed to recognize me and to have a special grievance against me, for on several occasions when I was close to the nesting tree she flew at me and came within a few feet of my head. I believe that she would have struck me had I not been watching her. Several of the boys from camp were near the nest at various times, but she never seemed to mind them. My reference book states that the Goshawk is very destructive to game birds, and as the forests of that local- ity contain great numbers of grouse, among which is the Franklin Grouse, I decided that the bird world would be better off if this family was not al- lowed to live. The Franklin Grouse is known locally as the “Fool Hen” and they would be easy victims for such a dashing bird of prey. On June 21st I shot one of the old birds and took the young. Their growth had been rather slow. Their bodies were still covered with white down, but their wing feathers were well advanced, and their tails had com- menced to sprout. I took them to camp. They were vicious, not making friends, and refusing absolutely to eat. However, I took small chunks of raw beef and forced down their throats. 85 THE OOLOGIST ‘{SoLI0O “YW often, Aq o1oOYG— PIO SH99M 4No4 ‘symeysoy usazsa~p, Buno,r 86 THE OOLOGIST This progressed for several days and they were growing fat, but disaster was approaching. They continually quarreled among themselves, and one day in a general free-for-all one of them was killed. When I discovered what had happened the departed one was half eaten. This gave me an idea, and I shot several gophers, of which there were large numbers in the vicinity of camp. But I had my trouble for nothing for my pets would not touch them. They had had a taste of fresh blood, and the lust of battle was inherited from many generations of ancestors. They kept fighting among themselves, the stronger killing the weaker, until only one was left. However, the survivor did not stay with me long for in a few days he too died. The alpine Three-toed Woodpecker was very common, in fact was the only woodpecker observed in the Big Hole Basin. The Lodgepole Pine in that vicinity was attacked by a beetle known as Dendrochnas monti- cula. The adult beetles bore through the bark and lay their eggs in perpen- dicular channels. The larvae is a small white grub which cuts channels around the tree and will completely girdle it. They will kill a tree in one season. Hundreds of acres of fine timber have been killed. However, the Forest Service has been hard at work and now has the scourge under con- trol, and I think that another season will see them exterminated. I frequently saw the Alpine Three- toed Woodpecker on an infested tree searching for Dendrochnas larvae. The bark by that time had become dry and dead, and the woodpeckers chisled it off in large pieces. A number of trees were found from which they had entirely stripped the bark without in any way damaging the channels and workings of the insects. One of these trees is shown in the accompanying photograph. This particular tree had been peeled by these woodpeckers from the ground to the top. The tree was about two feet in diameter and about fifty feet high, and very limby. Hashington, Pa. Earle R. Forrest. = -—— 9 <> a —-— Just From Georgia. This is my first time to write, but I love nature and have studied the birds for many years. [ may say near- ly ten years for I am ten years old. My mother used to put me in my cart and roll it out under the trees for me to take my nap, and it seems now that I can recall my lullaby from the tree branches overhead: ‘““Phoe-bee-ee-e, Joree! Jcree!! Horee!!” When I was able to stand alone, 1 had a “pen” to stay in. My mother used to place it under the oaks and my face was always turned upward as I answered them back in glee, “Tweet! weet! weet!” We are still having frosts in Geor- gia, but it seems to me about all our birds have come back. The Brown Thrush and the old Blue Jay spent the winter with us and the Mocking Bird has been here a month; but this morn- ing the grove surrounding our house is fairly alive with songsters, and bright colors. At one time, I could see a yellow hammer, some Robins, Red-birds, Jays, Red-headed Woodpeck- ers and a limb full of wild canaries. I am watching to see how many are going to nest in the houses I have made for them. Flying squirrels have taken posses- sion of one house. They are such cun- ning little creatures, I just let them stay. Chipmunks come to our sleep- ing porch and scamper across the bed and so do the flying squirrels. We live in a pretty wood and as We never harm the wild life about us the little creatures do not fear us. College Park, Georgia. Lynn Taylor. THE OOLOGIST 87 Shore Bird Skins. Why is the demand so much greater for the skins of shore birds than for the skins of other species which are quite as rare or more so? Several letters which I have receiv- ed from different parts of the United States since my article “Cape Cod Notes” appeared in the October num- ber of THE OOLOGIST, have again brought this question to my mind for the shore birds have always interest- ed me. It seems to me that several reasons combine to make these skins so much desired by nearly all collectors. First, their beauty, and the sport which al- ways accompanies the collection of them; second, their scarcity. Now that in many states the big markets are prohibited from selling game it is constantly growing harder to obtain them, for no inconsiderable number of the rarer kinds were sometimes found in the “peep” baskets at the markets. In addition to this the Fed- eral Government is trying to stop the killing of all but six varietiies through- out the United States, and this will take away the collector’s chances of obtaining specimens from the local » hunters; and many a collector has re- lied on the village boys for more or less of his specimens each season. At the present time, in order te get a shore bird, it is almost imperative that one shall go in person to the mar- shes where they are found. The nui- ber of collectors is constantly increas- ing, and most of the new ones soon discover that the shore birds are hard to get, and they call on the older col- lectors for whatever skins they have to spare. The third reason, and I think the greatest reason of all, for this demand for skins is the fact that comparatively few collectors make up really good skins of this family of birds. What is more discouraging than after a lot of correspondence with people in various parts of the country, to send and buy, or exchange for, a few skins, and then when they finally reach you, to discoy- er that grease has oozed out on the feathers of the abdomen, and possibly find a dark line of accumulated dust already showing along the edges of where the opening cut was made in skinning the bird. You realize that even if you clean this off, there is a supply of grease inside which will soon come out and put them in the same condition once more. I think this is caused partly by carelessness on the part of old collectors, but mostly be- cause some of our younger collectors either do not know how to avoid it, or do not realize the importance of it. I believe that in time this fault in skins will be corrected. Twenty-five years ago skins with grease on them may have been acceptable, but at the pres- ent time collectors want really fine skins, as nearly perfect as they can be prepared, and many men will throw out a poorly made skin, preferring to go without it until they can get a good one of the species. For this reason I have ventured to give a few simple directions to help the beginner, and perhaps to impress it on the minds of some others that it is desirable to do these things. After skinning a bird, and scraping and cleaning off all the fat you can, sponge the whole inside of the skin with benzine or gasoline, taking care not to get your cleaning fluid near a lamp or flame because of the danger of explosion. Then, after poisoning the skin and filling the cavities of the skull with cotton, turn the skin right side out once and carefully wash off all blood stains with warm water. Then thoroughly sponge the whole out- side of the skin, including the feath- ers, bill and legs, with the benzine, 88 THE OOLOGIST paying particular attention to the feathers along the opening cut, and af- terwards dry out the benzine by using plenty of plaster paris. Beat out all the plaster by slapping the skin smart- ly between the palms of the hands pre- ferably out of doors where the plaster can blow off to one side. Next brush the feathers carefully with a rabbit’s foct or a piece of cotton batting and proceed as usual in making up the skin. If desirable to have the skins shap- ed, when finished, don’t neglect to tie the wing bones together inside the skin, before putting in your filling material. Wrap a little cotton around the bone of each leg so that the skin will not shrink up to the bone itself and dry all wrinkled there. Be sure to put a small stick, or wire, covered with cotton ,inside the neck with one end pushed firmly into the skull and the other end extending well back in the filling material in the body of the bird. This will brace the neck and head so that they will not shake loose or break. After a skin has been well sponged inside and out with benzine there is no fat left in it to run out on the feath- ers, and the skin itself dries out more quickly than it would under other con- ditions. We frequently see skins with the feathers missing around the throat and abdomen. This is usually caused by keeping the birds too long before skinning them, especially if the weath- -er is hot, as is generally the case in shore bird season. The skin begins to spoil on the abdomen first, and on the throat soon afterward, and the feathers slip off during the process of skinning. To avoid this, don’t kill forty or fifty birds with the expecta- tion of making up most of them into nice skins, for, take my word for it, you will surely get tired before you have taken care of the first dozen of them. It is far better to shoot half a dozen of the best specimens you can find, and then go home and put away the gun and make up the skins while the birds are fresh. You may not. be able to brag about the big bags of game you have made during the sea- son, but you will have a series of skins which in the end will give vou more satisfaction; and which will probably give you a reputation as a hunter which the mere game slaugh- terer can never give, no matter how hard you try. I do not claim this to be an original method of treating bird skins, for many of our collectors have made up their skins in this manner for years past. That is the reason why the skins you receive from some collectors make such a favorable showing in the cabinet when compared with some others which are carelessly prepared. Let us have more shore birds petore - they become so rare that we cannot precure the birds. Horace O. Green, Taxidermist. Stcneham, Mass. Dates Moab Nase CS ra Gt The assistant, who has edited the magazine for the past three months, desires to take this means of thanking our readers for their patience, and the many good words that have been con- veyed to her for her effort to keep the little magazine up to standard during Mr. Barnes’ absence. It has been in- teresting work, and an incentive to take more interest in our little feath- ered friends in the future. <> The Oologist is indeed making ravid strides toward becoming one of the best of bird publications and it will remain, as it has always been, our most beloved. Paul G. Howes. oer a Your magazine is worth more than we are now giving. D. J. Nicholson. THE OOLOGIST V Back Numbers of Magazines for Sale I have the following back numbers of various Natural History and Orni- thological magazines for sale which will be sold cheap. If any of these are wanted for filling files, write me for prices, as I am sure some of them will not last long. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, IIl. ASA GRAY BULLETIN, Vol. No. 1. MAINE ORNITHOLOGIST & OOLO- ATLANTIC SLOPE NATURALIST, GIST, Vol. 1 No. 1. Vol. 1, No. 3. THE MUSEUM, Vol. 1 No. 2; Vol. 3 AMERICAN NATURALIST, Vol. 9, No. 3; Vol. 4 No. 1. No. 5. THE NATURALIST (Austin, Tx). Vol. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, Vol. 1 1 No. 3-7. No. 1; Vol. 2 No. 1-4-6; Vol. 4, No. THE NATURALIST (Oregon City, 1; Vol. 5, No. 4. Ore.) Vol. 1 No. 12. ANIMAL LIFE. Vol. 1, No. 9. NATURALIST & COLLECTOR, Vol. AUDUBON MAGAZINH, Vol. 1 No. 9. IL INOS (Bio AVIFAUNA, Vol. 1 No. 2. THE NAUTILUS, Vol. 6 No. 1. BIRD LORE, Vol. 1 No. 1; Vol. 6 No .6. THE NIDIOLOGIST, Vol. 2 No. 4-12. BIRD NEWS, Vol. 1 No. 2. THE OBSERVER, Vol. 5 No. 1; Vol. THE BITTERN (Cedar Rapids, Ia.) 6 No. 6. Vol. 1 No. 1. THE OOLOGIST (Utica, N. Y.) Vol. THE BITTERN (Damariscotta, Me.) V. complete. _ Vol. 1 No. 6. THE OOLOGIST (Albion, N. Y. and BOSTON ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY Lacon, Ill.) complete files. QUARTERLY JOURNAL, Vol. 1 THE OOLOGIST’S JOURNAL, Vol. No. 3; Vol. 2 No. 2. 2 No. 2. BROOKLYN ENTOMOLOGICAL SO- CIETY, Vol. 1 No. 6, Oct. 1878. BULLETIN MICHIGAN ORNITHO-) LOGICAL CLUB, Vol. 1 No. 3-4;' i} BULLETIN NUTTALL ORNITHOLOG- {8} Vol. 3 No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 9, 10, ICAL CLUB, Vol. 2 No. 1. ia It Vols 4 Now 207, 9) CANADA NATURALIST SCIENCE ORNITHOLOGIST & BOTANIST, Vol. THE OOLOGIST’S EXCHANGE, Vol. 1 No. 4; Vol. 2 No. 3-7. THE OREGON NATURALIST, Vol. 1 INOs= bs WAOIK 2 IND, &, GB G5 dal. 1123s NEWS, Vol. 1 No. 1. ie 1 No. 5. COLLECTOR’S MONTHLY, (London, ‘ORNITHOLOGIST & OOLOGIST, Vol. England), Jan. 1894, No. 1. 16 No. 7; Vol. 18 No. 3-6. COLLECTOR’S MONTHLY, Vol. 2 ‘OSPREY, Vol. 3 No. 1. No. 4-5. , RANDOM NOTES ON NATURAL STORMY PETRHEL, Vol. 1 No. 5. ey HISTORY, Vol. 1 No. 5-9. THE COMMON SENSE, Vol. 2 No, 2. 'SCIENCE, Vol. 1 No. 16; Vol. 2 No. 25; CONCHOLOGIST’S EXCHANGE, Vol. Vol. 5 No. 114; Vol. 7 No. 154; Vol. 2 No. 3. 2 (new series) No. 49. EXCHANGE BULLETIN, Vol. 1 No. 2.. WEST AMERICAN SCIENTIST, Vol. FOREST & FIELD, Vol. 1 No. 1. 4 No. 34. HOOSIER NATURALIST, Vol. 2 No.6. WESTERN ORNITHOLOGIST, Vol. 5 THE HUMMER, Vol. 1 No. 5-6. IN@s 15% oe INTERNATIONAL NATURALIST, WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CHAP- Vol. 2 No. 5. TER PUBLICATIONS:-— JOURNAL OF THE MAINE ORNI- THE QUARTERLY, Vol. 4 No. 2. THOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 7 THE HOURNAL, Vols. 1 and 2. No. 1-4; Vol. 8 No. 3-4; Vol. 9 THE BULLETIN, Nos. 45, 46, 47, No. 2. 48, 49. MINERALS, Vol. 1 No. 1. | ZOE. Vol. 1NOe is VI THE OOLOGIST WANTED—Volume II of The Auk, either bound or unbound for which I offer cash or other ornithological works in exchange. W. OTTO EMERSON, Palm Cottage, R. F. D. Haywards, Calif. FOR SALE.—Chapman’s Handbook East- ern Birds, 1904. Text clean; covers slightly worn. $1.75 prepaid. CHARLES L. PHIL- LIPS, 5 West Weir St., Taunton, Mass. WANTED.—Ornithologist and Oologist Vol]. 1-5, Osprey Vol. 1, No. 2 and 4, Bulletin Cooper Club, Vol. 1 No. 3. Address with price. C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. FOR SALE.—For the best cash offer Rec- reation Vol. 6 to 23 (18 vol.) in good condition. EK. KH. JOHNSON, Hebron, Maine, R. R. 1. THE CONDOR A Magazine of Western Ornithology Published Bi-monthly by the Coopzr Ornithological Club of California Edited by J. Grinnell and Harry S. Swarth “The Condor’’ is strictly scientific but edited in such a way that a be- ginner of ‘‘Bird Study”’ can easily un- derstand it. The articles in ‘‘The Condor’ are written by the leading Ornithologists of the United States and are illustrated by the highest quality of half tones. Our subscription rates are $1.50 per year in the United States and $1.75 in a Foreign coun- try. Sample Copy 30c. Address W. LEE CHAMBERS, Eus. Manager, Eagle Rock, Los Angele Cal. STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION, ETC, REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF AUGUST 24, 1912 of The Oologist published monthly at Albion, New York, for April 1, 1915. Editor, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, I1l.; Managing Editor, R. M, Barnes, Lacon, I1l.; Business Manager, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, Ill.; Pub- lisher, R. M. Barnes, Lacon. Il. Owner, R. M. Barnes, Lacon, II. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders, holding 1 per cent or more of total amouut of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None. : ERNA THIEDOHR, ue Agent for R. M. Barnes. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of April, 1915. (Seal) WALLACE J. BLACK, Notary Public. My commission expires Aug. 22nd, 1917. BOOKS RELATING TO ORINTHOLOGY and ENTOMOLOGY AND OTHER BRANCHES OF Natural History BOUGHT AND SOLD BY JOHN D. SHERMAN, Jr. 403 Seneca Ave., MOUNT VERNON, N. Y. New Price List on Application BENJAMIN HOAG Stephentown, New York. Cut-the-Lining Hgg Drills, 25e each. 4 selected Hizes, $1.00. Regular Hgg Drills, short handle: No. 1, 20e; No. 2, 25c; No. 8, 35e; No. 4, 45c; No. 5, 50c. Nickle Blowpipes, No. 1, 40c; No. 2, 30c; No. 3, 20c. Embryo Scissors, 50c; Embryo hooks, 25c; Forceps, 45c; Calipers, $1; Pencils, 10. ~ Climbers with straps, $2.75; without straps, $1.90. Wield Glass, $4.50. Data Blanks with name and address, 40c per 100; 250 for $1.00. Books, Davies “Nests and Heggs,” $1.75; Chapman’s ‘Handbook,’ $3.00; Bailey’s “Handbook,” $3.00; Reed’s “Hees,” $2.25. Prompt quotations on any book or magazine. Everything PREPAID. Lists on request. THE OOLOGIST FOR EXCHANGE.—National Geographic and other Natural History and Popular magazines for Bird Lore, Auk, and bird’s eggs. A. W. CASTELLANOS, 259 Armstrong Ave., Jersey City, N. J. FOR SALE.—Bird Lore Vols. 1 to 16 in- clusive in original wrappers, also vols. 1-2-3-4 in red cloth gilt tops, wil sell set complete or will sell any volume or any single issue for the best offer. Birds and Nature Vols. 6 to 19 inclusive, except Vol. 9. Osprey Vols. 4 and 5 bound and many oddissues. Bendires Life Histories, Vol. lin orftginal paper covers. Vol. 2 rebound in half morocco. Good as new. J.N. SWIFT, Stockport, Ohio. (1-p) WANTED FOR CASH—The Condor, Vol ItoIV; The Auk. Vols. I to X; The Osprey, Vol. I to II; The National Geographic Maga- zine, Vol. I to XVII; Nature and Culture Vol. I., LAURA KEAN, Stockport, O. Gans 2-p WANTED.—Books. Magazines and Pamph- lets about Birds and Natural History Sub- jects. In all cases state what you have and the lowest cash prices. No other prices con- sidered. Address FRANK BENDER, 128 Fourth Ave., New York City. (B- 14) FOR SALE.—Large number of magazines, Ornithological and Botanical Scientific and Exploration notes, Purchaser must take the lot. Snap, #15.00 postpaid. Send for list. GUSS CROSSA, Suite 1, Purvis Block, Ed- meonton, Alta. (1-p) WANTED.—The Auk, Volume IV (1887). Will pay cash or exchange other publications for same. HARRY C. OBERHOLSER, 1444 Fairmont St., N. W. Washington, D.C. es =] 0) WANTED.—Oregon Naturlist Vol. I 2-12., Vol. II, No. 1, Bulletin of the Cooper Club Vol. I. Nos. 2-3-5. and Nidologist Vol. I. Offer good exchange in skins or magazines. STANLEY G. JE EWETT, 582 Bidwell Ave. Portland. Oregon. (1-p) WANTED.—Oologist, Vol. 4, No. 1; Vol. 6: No. 4; Birds and Nature, index to Vol. 2: 2; Osprey, Vol. 3, Nos. 8-9-10; Vol. 5, Nos. 2-5-7-9’ N.S. Nos. 2-4-7. Nidiologist, Vol. 1, Nos. 1-2- Pas O. & O. Vol. VIII, all. American Orni- thology, Vol.4, Nos. 1-4-9; Vol. 6, Nos. 3-6; O. O. Semi-annual, Vol. 2 No. 1. Wilson Bulletins for years 1896 to 1899 inclusive. Bird Lore, Vol. 1. Nos. 2-3-4; Vol. 14 Nos. 1-2-3; Vol. 15 No.6. LAUREN [TREMPER, No. 136 Dewey St., Philadelphia, Pa. (1-p) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE- Bird Lore’s for sale or exchange for any set of Raptore’s. Most of them do not contain any colored plates. R. LOZIER, Attica, Ohio. EXCHANGE.—January, February, March Bird Lore, 1913, for Nos. 306-307-309-310-311- 2 313-314 of The Oologist or some Bird books. GRANT HALEY, Springford, aaa -p BOOK INFORMATION WANTED—Will every owner of Complete files of The Auk look at the first six volumes and see if they have the Autograph of my father H. B. Bai- ley) 0 ) the front page? If you know of their whereabouts, communicate with me, and H. H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. & VII Back Numbers of the Oologist Fifteen Cents Numbers 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 40, 45, 50, 60, 61, 68, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 134, 135. Twenty-five Cents Numbers 10, 13, 15, 16, 54, 55, 56, 75, 87, 123, 127, 128, 129, 144, 149. Thirty-five Cents Numbers 9, 66-7, 77, 78, 79, 89, 90, 101, 118, 138, 146. Fifty Cents Numbers 1, 14, 18, 31, 34-5, 49, 53, 86, 111, 1380, 132, 187, 189, 140, 153, 158, 254. GCne Dollar Number 44. Reprint, 50c. All other numbers will be sold as long as the stock lasts at Ten Cents. Complete volumes of THE OOLO-: GIST unbound, as long as the supply lasts, until further notice will be sold at the following rates only: Vole erss4-5. INOSs di) to) t2a $2.10 Nols asso NOsth alsmatonl4s see 1.00 Vol. 1 1886) Nos: 15, tol 205.2... 1.25 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26... 1.00 WOls We WBE. INOS AU MO B85 6o006< 2.80 Vol. VI, 1889, Nos. 89 to 50...... 2.70 Vol WA SS90SINOSh bilstonGzeea: 2.15 Vole Wales Sie INOSs 63) tom Aan eb Vol. EX, 1892, Nos. 75 to 86...... 2.20 WOl XS aISOSs INOS ct toro Sn sree 1.90 Vol. XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 110..... 1.45 Vol. XII, 1895, Nos. 111 to 122.. 1.60 Vol. XIII, 1896, Nos. 123 to 127.. 1.00 Vol. XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.. 3.45 Vol. XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149... 1.95 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161.. 2.00 Vol. XVII, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171.. 1.20 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 188. 1.20 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. 1.20 Vol. XX, 1903, Nos. 196 to 197... 1.20 Vol. XXI, 1904, Nos. 198 to 209.. 1.20 Vol. XXII, 1905, Nos. 210 to 221.. 1.20 Vol. XXIII, 1906, Nos. 222 to 233. 1.20 Vol. XXIV, 1907, Nos. 234 to 245. 1.2u Vol. XXV, 1908, Nos. 246 to 257.. 1.20 Vol. XXVI, 1909, Nos. 258 to 269. 1.50 Vol. XXVII, 1910, Nos. 270 to 281. 1.50 Vol. XXVIII, 1911, Nos. 282 to 295 1.50 Vol. XXIX, 1912, Nos. 293 to 305.. 1.50 AVEO TRE XEXONGE tie Seah ice 98S pale Ee a ga 1.50 SViO is SNOXSNGTICP a err recs cee ig en 1.50 R. M. BARNES, Lacon, JI) VU THE OOLOGIST EGG COLLECTORS! ATTENTION!! EXCHANGE OFFER EXTRAORDINARY !!! Having certain series in my collection that I desire to fill out and com- plete at an early day that I may give more attention to others, I have decided to make you the following unprecedented proposition: For all the specimens of which I want One set mentioned below, I will allow you in exchange twice their value as given in Lattin’s 1905 Price List. For those of which I want two sets, I will allow one and two-thirds times the Lattin prices. For those of which I want three sets I will allow one and one-half rimes; and for those of which I want four sets, one and one-third Lattin’s prices. In all cases where you can furnish all of any one species desired by me, I will allow the full double value. All specimens on both sides to be first class and subject to return if unsatisfactory. When you remember that very many of the specimens wanted are of com- mon species and that I have without doubt the largest and most varied exchange list in America for you to select from, I am sure you will see that this is an opportunity never before offered for you to enlarge your collection. In your Spring collecting lay aside those listed for me, and send me a list of what you have, and later in the season [| am sure an exchange can be arranged to your advantage and satisfaction. I want the following A. O. U. Nos.: One set each: 7, 14, 48, 77, 92, 103, 123a, 128, 135 1-12, 136, 141.1, 167, 171a, 174, 252, 258, 264, 295, 300a, 310, 34114, 247, 347a, (851), 356, 357, 373a, 378b, 375%, 377, 397, 420, 4238, 474b, 486, 496, 497, 608, 657. Two sets each: 5, 26, 38, 131, 145, 160, 164, 169a, 172a, 180, 206, 222, 289a, 289b, 298a, 310b, 310c, 342 2-2, 409, 474e, 480, 505, 511 2-6, 511b 2-6, 540, 562, 567b, 596 2-2, 611, 612, 677, 687, 736a, 768. Three sets each: 28, 115, 128, 153, 163, 171.1, 177, 192, 204, 228, 286, 300a, 308, 308b, 310a, 324, 389b 2-2, 288, 387 3-5, 396, 477a, 536, 605, 674, 680, 681, 736, 744, 751a. Four sets each: 8, 31, 40a, 42.1, 52, 89, 112, 218, 272, 312, 319, 328, 343 4-4, 348 4-4, 377a, 391, 398, 466a, 483, 498c, 517a, 581d, 58le, 591, 622a, 627a, 637 4-7, 652, 759b. Besides the foregoing I need many other species. Send on your entire list of duplicates. For never before was an opportunity like this offered and many that I have will go very quickly, as of some I have only a few sets. R. MAGOON BARNES, Lacon, Ill. BIRDS—-NESTS-EGGS* \ TAXIDERMY \¥« \ » llriAl@e Nar tens figes JUIN is Pe VOle exex., INO. 6: ALBION, N. Y., JUNE. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 3385 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. serted for less than 25 cents. No notice in- 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. 334 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 317 your subscription expired with December issue 1913. 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 Congress of March 8, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention “The Oologist,” and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. We will not advertise the Skins, nests, eSS, or mounted specimens of North American Birds for sale. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purpo- ses only.—EDITOR. BIRDS WANTED—Live American Wild Trumpet- er Swan. R. M. Barnes. Lacon, I11. WANTED-—Skins of N. A. Snipe, Plover, etc. in first class shape for mounting. Must be Al. ARTHUR G. RUECKERT. 2252 N. Kostner Ave., Chicago, Ill. (1-p) I have a few finely mounted birds on hand to exchange... Who wants them? First class taxidermy work done at lowest prices. LES- TERSPE He lasidermisy Bentonville. atk -p WILL EXCHANGE.—Small collection of Idaho bird skins for long focus 4 x 5 folding plate camera box with case and extra hold- ers. HENRY J. RUST, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, Box 683. (1-p) TRADE.—18 A. farm, Will take +175 cash and #150 in bird skins or eggs or both. If in- terested write me. W.G.SAVAGE, Deen, rk. - FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Nicely mounted specimens, Ringneck Pheasant, Wood Duck, Barn Owl. California Quail, Single Ye. low-head Parrot, and a few others. Might exchange for books on ornithology. Write for description. M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y. (1-p) > ‘al WANTED to exchange skin or specimens of birds mounted of the East for specimens of Western States. WINCHESTER NAT- Se HISTORY MUSEUM, Winchester, TROPICAL BIRDS.—Anyone interested in Central American material, communicate ween E. 0. EHRHA RT, Box EE a. -D W ANTED—Fine skins only of most Sand- pipers. Offer fine sets of eggs, 300a, 412a, 466a, ieee 567, 584. H. MOUSLEY Sra -Q. -p FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—A number of desirable mounted specimens. Will ex- change for Bird Lore, Auk, Osprey, American Museum Journal or other Ornithological magazines. M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y. I want to exchange for bird skins of 218- 296-23 |-232-299-293-294-205-301-521-443-471. D. V. HEMBREE, Roswell, Ga. (ep) _ 2 Se aN ee FOR EXCHANGE.—Beautifully mounted R. T. Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, and 50 varieties, for others or skins. What have you? Also skins, nests and eggs to trade. DR. J. P. ie 5001 Frankford Ave., Pniladelphia, a. “D II THE OOLOGIST FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Nicely mounted specimens. Yellow-rump Loucon, Ringneck Pheasant, Weod Duck, Barn Owl. Cali Quail, Single Y ellow-head Parrot, anda few others. These are all in good condition. I might exchange for guns or ornithological publications or other mounted specimens, Write for description of my specimens. M, HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y. EXCH ANGE.—A number of desirable mounted specimens for Bird Lore, Osprey, Auk, Condor, American Museum Journal or other ornithological magazines. Address MILTON HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway. Brooklyn, N. Y. WANTED—I want male skins of 666-652b- 68le, and sub-species of 550. I have eggs of 364. R. P. SHARPLES, West ee fe ee Dp Birds, mostly mounted; some skins. Will exchange for desired specimens, if first class. Send stamp and exchange lists promptly. A. RUSSELL SMITH, Edge Hill, Pa. WANTED.—A skin of a Cockatoo that is in good condition. Please name price for same. Butterflies and Moths exchanged and bought. Please send list. CASPAR G. BURN, Ox- ford, Pa. (1-p) Over 400 mounted birds,mammals and rep- tiles. Eggs in sets. Foreign and United States coins. Columbia stamps, a few sets of St. Louis Exposition unused. Book on raising skunks, 50c. Tanning process, Guinea Pigs. Oologist from about 1888. What can you offer? ALMON KIBBE, Mey ete -p Have annmber of very fine mounted Am. Wood Cock. Willexchange for A 1 skins of hawks. Want skins of mounted Spoon-bill Sandpiper. K. W. KAHMANN, 2457 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Il. Anyone wishing to exchange bird skins please send list and I will send my list of duplicates per return mail. J. A. WEBER, Palisades Park, N. J (1-p) WANTED-—A 1 Bird Skins also eggsin sets. Send list of what you have to exchange. EDW. E. ARMSTRONG, 207 N. Michigan Ay., Chicago, I]. 1-p) WHO WANTS SOME CHOICE SKINS OF LOWER CALIFORNIA WATER AND GAME BIRDS? Skins of the best class. Very moderate prices. GEO. PRIESTLY, Garden Grove, Calif. 2 bp) EXCHANGE-—Live Wild Canada, Hutchins, White-fronted, and Snow Geese, Wild Ducks, and Pheasants for Kgyptian Geese, Black, Brant, Mandarin and Wood Ducks, Qauil and Hungarian Partridges. H. J. JAGER, Owatomia, Minn. (5-p) BELGIUM RELIEF FUND—I have for sale a set of Peale’s Falcon, skin identified and in collection of Mr. Allen Brooks. These eggs areunique. What offer. C.U. GREEN, pare ‘igs ie BURTON, St. Charles St., Vic- oria, y FOR SALE CHEAP.—All kinds of Cali- fornia birds, animals, reptiles, insects, fish, ete. Mounted or skins. Also all kinds of eggs. Let me know your wants. R. G. PIER CE, Anderson, Shasta Co , California. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE — Bird Skins. Want Hummingbirds only, mounted or skins, nest and eggs of same. EARL HAMILTON, 400 Walnut St., Versailles, Pa. WANTED—Living healthy birds of the following species for aviary: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern and estern Evening Grosbeaks, Eastern and California Pine Grosbeaks, Eastern and Western Blue Gros- beaks, and Pyrrhuloxias. Expenses attend- ant upon capture of these birds. and fair remuneration will be paid. Write in ad- vance in regard to state permits. Corres- pond with: F. HENSHAW, Redwood City, San Mateo County, California. EGGS. In sending in your exchange notices tor nests, skins and eggs, we would ap- preeciate 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. WANTED—To hear from reliable collect- ors who have A-1 sets of Whooping Crane. Sandhill Crane, Pacific and Eee throated Loon to dispose of. JAMES B. CARTER, Waynesburg, Pa. EGGS. SETS.—A bargain, do not miss it. W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich. as) -p TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets. Com- plete course of lessons in Taxidermy (Stand- ard works), Game Chickens, Cocks and Pu)- lets. E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph. YOR EXCHANGE —Sets from this locality, for sets from the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARD S. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston, Mass. TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets; one 22 cal. rifle, good condition. Complete course in Taxidermy (N. W. School), one E Flat Alto Horn. Can use many common sets. E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. FOR EXCHANGE ~— European and Asiatic bird eggs in sets with data for eggs of North American species needed for my collection C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Bos- ton, Mass FOR EXCHANGE—@ eggs, also sets 1-2-1-1 Mississippi Kite, personally collected com- plete data. All eggs first class. H.S. SOW- ERS, Brownell, Kansas. WANTED.—Collecting gun and kodak. Offer Raptcres in sets. including 329, 341, 345, 347a, 359. D. I. SHEPARDSON, 209 EK. 37th St., Los Angeles, Cal. =(1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Farallone eggs with small holes; also 749, 726d and many others. Send your list. H. W. CARRIGER, 5185 Trask St., Fruitvale Sta., Oakland, Calle ) (i-p FOR “EXCHANGE— Sets from the locality for sets trom the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARDS. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston Mass: SS AE ER eS] O) FOR EXCHANGE,—207 1-4 348 10-4 4-3 349 1-1 355 3-5 364 10-3 416 1-2 417 1-2 486 l-4 and others: Send list of selected full sets, E. J. DARLINGTON, Wilmington, Del. THH OOLOGIST iil EGGS, Continued. WANTED.—Choice sets of numbers 10-131- 204-215-352a-372-405 and several warblers. Also common kinds 339-360-640b-5424-546a-597a. Also 328 and 332. Satisfactory Sa OT Old correspondents please write. A. E. PRICE Grant Park. Ill. EGGS. Bulwer’s Petrel, Iceland Gull, Cur- lew, Plovers, exchange for Osprey, Bartram Sandpiper, etc. Send lists. Also have some good sets of foreign for sale cheap. H. T. BOOTH, 8 Cranbury Road, Fulham, England. FOR EXCHANGE.—Strictly first-class personally collected sets of 332-333-339-343 and a few others, to exchange for desirable post- age Slant GEORGE D. FRENCH, Ivory- on, Conn. Will exchange for desirables of similar rarity, sets of A. O. U. 95, 114.1, 81, 184, 295, 301, 302. 310, 327, 330, 354, 356, on 416, 417, 419, 639, 641, 654, 666, 677. THOMAS H. JACKSON, 204 N: Franklin St., West aR Pa, FOR EXCHANGE.—White Pelican, Cal. Gull, Baird’s Cormorant, Avocat, Stilt, and many others, all first class with data. Send lists. J. LABARTHE, Thompson, Nea se: -p I should like to hear from collectors who will exchange bird skins for first class sets of eggs such as 273, 329, 343, 393. 394c, 423, 461, 587, 598, 608, 617, 627, 659, 674, 676, 677, 725, 751. 1 want mostly common species, e. (Say BY 6, 7,1 13, 30, 32, 40, 51, 58. 69, 70, 74, 77, 104, 106, 129, BE 132, 133, 139, 214. 263, 973, 316; 333, 337, 360, 375, 388, 390, 423, 428, 456, 465, 495, 506, 511b, 546, 598, and many others. S. 8S. DICKEY, Waynes- burg, Pa. (1-p) WANTED.—Sets new to my _ collection, many common can be used. Cashif price is low. Sets toexchange. MEARL WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. Whatam Lotfered for Snowy Owll-7 Amer. Coll.) Swallow-tailed Kite 1-2 Golden Eagle 1-2, 1-3, Duck Hawk 1-4, Black-footed Alba- tross 1-1? lt you don’t need them write for my list. A. E. PRICE, Grant Park, Ill. I have for exchaage many fine sets, per- sonally taken, finely prepared, among which are: 6 1-8, 194b 1-5 1-6, 199 1-4, 218 1-8, 219 1-9. 228 1-4, 289b 1-14, 293 1-12, 295 1-13, 300b 1-14, 307 1-9, 310 1-14, 310c 1-15, 331 1-5, 333 1-4, 334a 1-3, 335 1-4, 1-5, 337a 1-3, Texas Red-shoulder 1-3, 1-4, 339 1-3. 340 1-2, 341 1-2, 1-3, 342 1 3, 345 1-2, 347a 1- Bh 368b 1-2 »373b J 1- = Send your lists and ae my full list. Kk. F. POPE, Colmesneil, hexas. For Nova Scotia Biids Eggs and Skins, waite to R. W. TUFTS, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. TO EXCHANGE.—Two sets of 5 of Sharp- shinned Hawks, No.1 Eggs. Sets of 12 and 13 of Nothopsocta Perdicaria (Kitt]) the won- derful polished eggs of South America. You can see your image in the surface of them. Taken by the Superintendent of the Chilean Agricultural College. Series of American Herring Gull and Caspian Tern. Brand new 16 Shot Winchester rifle (22 caliber). What have you? Would consider good postal size camera. DR. W. A. HART, ‘Lapeer, Mich. EGGS — A collection to highest bidder. W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich. WHAT DO YOU WANT me to collect for you? Will collect cigar bands, wood, butter- flies and sets, or anything. Vol. 30 of Auk for exchange. EARL MOFFAT, Marshall, Texas. (1-p) WANTED.--Good Taxidermist, close to Texas to exchange Taxidermy work for sets. All corresdondence answered. KARL MOF- FAT, Marshall, Texas. (1-p) ON SALE.—Good twelve Gauge, Breech loading shot gun, reloading tools;-32 Gauge Auxiliar Barrel tools, shells, ‘no Extractor); five dollars cash ten dollars exchange (eggs) net. Buffalo bones (guaranteed) seven cents to sixty; one skull ‘no horns) $1.60, net. cupine quills, seven cents per dozen. Others up to forty cents, stamps, over forty cents, postal order. KALE THOMPSON, Box 175, Irving, Kansas. (1-p) WANTED THE FOLLOWING SETS— Pur- ple Sandpipes 2-4, American Bittern N-4 Amerlcan Golden Plover N-4, Bonapartes Gull N-3, Greater Yellow-legs 1-4. Will give in exchange Sets Mounted birds and skins. Live Northern Birds supplied. PORTAGE WILD ANIMAL CO., Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Can. Box 393 - MISCELLANEOUS. To exchange for stone relics several copies of Harpers Illustrated Weekly from 1860 to 1873. L. A. PARRE. Batavia, II]. WANTED-—Indian Relics for cash or ex- change. Also/finely mounted specimen birds. DR. A. E. PAYNE, Riverhead, N. Y. (1-p) WANTED. —Type and printer’s supplies. Have Natural history, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- tery, massage machine. J. J. V dermist. Augusta, Ga. FOR SALE.—Good substantial bird houses for Wine ae Birds, etc. Post paid, for 50 cents, B. KIDDER, Columbus, Wis. WANTED.—A pair of calipers marked in hundredths a any copies of the “Iowa Ornithologist.”” Also have a few common sets to exchange. EMERSON STONER, 432- 38th St., Oakland, Calif. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a copy of “The Butterflies of the West Coast.2 JOHN GRAVES, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. 1-p) WANTED.—To correspond with parties in Arizona ahd New Mexico who would collect Beetles for me for cash or exchange. W. E. SNYDER. Beaver Dam, Wis. (1-p) Perfect, and well mounted specimens of North American moths and_ butterflies otfered in exchange for North American bird skins. . PHILIP LAURENT. 31 East Mt. Airy Ave.) Philadelphia, Pa. WANTED AT ONCE.—A specimen or the Red Fox in fine winter fur. Also skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare of Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A pair of Bald Headed Eagles in the down is also desired, Address. stating price. DI- RECTOR, THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Il. (1) IV THE OOLOGIST MISCELLANEOUS. FOR SALE.—I have a fine line of arrows and spears from Grime County, Texas. Send $1.00 for a dozen perfect arrows. pues E. DOERGE, Navasota, Texas, Box 484. (1-p) Brazilian Beetles and small showy shells wanted. Will give skin of Snowy Owl. eggs, butterflies or cash. GEORGE ROSSITER, 52 Tiverton Ave., Toronto, Canada. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Alligator eggs, also Limpkin aud lather back turtle eggs. NAT. P. FRY, Eureka, Marion Co., Florida. (1-p) FOR SALE AND EXCHANGE.—Live Snakes, Lizards, Baby Tartles. also general line of Florida insects. NAT. P. FRY, Eureka, Marion County, Florida. (1-p) For Collectors, a fine collection of speci- mens, all large and very fine, one Chnstolite Tourquoix Matrix, Toursonite Tourmaline, Californite, Kuzite, Semi Opal, Amazon , ite. Opals are very fine, will sell for 5.00 cash with. order. ae Ww. KELLY. Box 186, Seneca, I]. (1-p) Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ, TAXIDERMIST., 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high grade Ithaca hammerless gun, any gaugue, new from factory; or part cash. E F. POPE, Colmesneil, Texas. Bird Skins, animal skins and cleaned skulls eggs in sets and named Coleoptera to ex- pree e for stamps not in my collection. W. YDER, 309 DeClark St., Beayer. Dam ae tris. Live cocoons of Caligula, cachara, from India, and Moths such A ctias, selene, An- theraea pernyi in exchange for cocoons of Samia (lovers, also orders taken for fertile eggs ~f ( itheronia, regalis, 50 for $1.00 and many cther native and foreign eggs. A. J. POTT#': East Killingly, Conn. Bird Books WANTED.—For cash. Osprey Vol. I Nos. 2 and 4; Vol. III Nos. 8-9-10-11-12. Also need many jhumbers of Bird Lore, Oologist, eve Send list of duplicates and receive mine. W. GLENN, Room 107 Penna. Sta.., Bitte burgh, Pa. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.— For cash, to best offer; Newman’s British Moths and Newman’s British Butterflies. Condition good. In- uiries answered. CHRIS FIRTH, Durham, nt.. Canada. {1-p] WANTED.—O. & O. ‘of Mass., Vol. X and Medina, ohio, Vol. 1. Nos. 1, es : [1-p] “(-p) FOR SALE.—The following Bird Lores: Vol. III No.6 (without index); Vol, IV Nos. 3-4-5-6 (with index); Vol. VII Nos. 2-3-4-5-6 (with index) Vol. VIII No.2. LEWIS DEX- TER, 1889 Elm St., Manchester, N.H. (1-p) Have you any bird magazines toexchange? Send list of duplicates and receive mine. L. SLOANAKER, Palisades, Uol. Box 402. FOR SALE.—Cheap for cash. Standard Library of Natural History; leather; new; 5 volumes; hundreds of illustrations. KARLE 1s FORREST, 261 Locust Ave., Washington, a. WANTED—Bull, Cooper Orn. Club (Con- dor) Vol. I No.3. Will pay $4.00 in original covers. DR. W.M. TYLER, Lexington, Mase: ( =p) Fine specimens of the beautiful Abert’s Squirrel, and other mammals, for mounting Will exchange for books on natural History if in good condition. J. STOCKLY LIGON. Chloride, N. Mex. (1-p) WANTED—Am. Ornithology Vol VI; Oolo- gist, Vols. 26, 27, 28; Osprey, Vols. Land III (All complete). State lowest cash price. Have many odd numbers of Bird magazines for exchange; also several books by Wm. J. Long. Listforastamp. ROBT. W. GLENN, Rm. 107, Penna, Sta., Pittsburg, Pa. WANTED FOR CAS 1. — Condor Vol. complete; Vol. 9 Nos. ; Vol. 10, 5 Bird pees Vols 1, No. 1; Vol. 3, Nos. 1, 2, Vol. 2, Nos. ; Vol. 1, except No.1. J. L SPOANAR ER, acnaee: Colo. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—National Geographic magazines for good sets of any pee oF Ph ee Write, statIng what you have. RAM, Austinbure, O. ae es TO EXCHANGE.—I have 1000 duplicates of Scientific periodicals [mostly Ornithological] to offer for Ornithological publications, bird skins, eggs or cash. FRANK L. BURNS, Berwyn. Pa. \2-p] FOR EXCHANGE.—Back numbers Oolo- gist, Osprey, American Ornithology, Mu- seum, etc. -Also first class sets to exchange for desirable postage stamps. GEORGE D. FRENCH, Ivoryton, Conn. {1-p] - WANTED.—National Geoprapn ic Maga- zine, Vols 1 to 14 inc.; Guide to Nature, Vol. II; odd numbers of American Museum Jour- nal; also Zoological Society Bulletins, origi- nal cover; good condition; state price. CHAS- Se TROWBRIDGE, Station A, Framingham, ass. WANTED.—Coues Key N. Am. Birds, fifth edition; back numbers of Condor, Auk and Bird Lore, A. O. U. Check List. ALBERT LANO, Fayetteville, Ark. (1-p) FOh SALE.—State of New York, Fisheries, Forest and Game commissioners Ann. Re- ports 1st, to 8-9th 1895-1903 inclusive. Colored Plates of Birds. Mammals and Fish. CHAS. O. TROWBRIDGE, Framingham Center, Mass. (1-p) WANTED.—Any volumes and numbers of Ornithologist and Oologist, except volume 15 and 16. State price. I have for exchange Turner’s Natural History of Alaska; A.O.U. Check-list, (atest edition; Forbush’s Birds Useful to man. ROBERT W. WILLIAMS, 215 Eastern Ave., Takoma Park, Md. (1-p) ~ THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXII. No. 6. ALBION, N. Y. JUNE. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 335 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. gfe hey : yum yy Fu ome Daughter of Isaac E. Hess, observing “Pitty birdies” in the “nice ole twee.” —Photo by Isaac E. Hess. 90 | THE OOLOGIST A Word Personal. March 6, 1915, thirty-two miles Northwest of Los Angeles, the editor fell from a live oak tree which he was climbing for the purpose of investi- gating a nesting cavity into which he had seen a Plain Titmouse go. It was about twenty-five feet from the ground or slightly more, and carelessness caused us to overlook the fact that in February, 1912, our left shoulder had been thrown out of place by a fall on an icy sidewalk in Minneapolis. In shifting position in the tree we inad- vertantly threw our weight on this left shoulder with the result that it went out again and we started hurried- ly for the ground. On the way down, struck another limb which broke the left leg of the Editor, as our readers have already been advised, and when we landed, the net damage was a left leg fractur- ed in four places, a broken ‘nose, a broken shoulder and shoulder out of place, beside more or less serious in- ternal injuries. We were taken immediately to the Sisters’ Hospital at Los Angeles, where we remained for five weeks; then going to a cottage in Hollywood, which we left for home on May 34d, ar- riving here on the 6th. At the present writing we believe we are on the high- road to recovery, and are able to walk about with a cane only, though the shoulder promises to give us more trouble than the leg. - During our absence, our assistant, Miss Erna Thiedohr, has had charge of this magazine and has done very, very well with it. This is not only the opinion of the Editor, but is com- municated in various letters that come to us from our readers. We are now back in the harness and hope our subscribers will endeavor to assist us in making THE OOLOGIST better than it ever had been, and it is better now than it has been at any time in the past. A magazine, like a person, either goes backward or forward; never stands still, gets better or worse. Our clientele is loyal, extended and learn- ed, embracing ornithologists and oolo- gists of world-wide reputation, as well as beginners. Field workers are thosé that we especially aim to cater to. The closet naturalist has a proper’ place in scientific pursuits, but the closet naturalist is sufficiently heard.from in The Auk and other ornithological mag- azines. What THE OOLOGIST aims to do is to furnish a mouth piece and mirror for the active field workers, both the ornithologist and oologist, giving special. attention of course to the oologist, and it is the only maga- zine devoted to oology published in America and is the best published on the subject in the world. It has been made so by those who take it any pay for it. They traverse hill and dale, and farm, woodland and swamp, and give each other through the columns of THE OOLOGIST, the privilege and opportunity of travelling with them and learning what they learn, and seeing what they saw. These are the kind of notes that have made THE OOLOGIST, and these are the kind of notes that we want. Ever since THE OOLOGIST came under the present management, the June issue has been devoted to the Warbler family. This, because our subscribers have furnished us ample copy so to do, and it is with regret that we announce that this issue is not devoted to the Warbler family be- cause our readers and _ subscribers have not furnished us copy sufficient to make a Warbler number. June is pre-eminently the Warbler month. This large family of tiny, beautiful birds is worthy of one issue per an- num, and we trust that those who THE OOLOGIST - 91 study their habits and see their se- crets and invade their realm will see to it that at least next June, we will have a Warbler number that will sur- pass anything ever issued on the sub- ject. R. M. Barnes. jt AES cae aS ea gS es, Western Meadowlark. A friend of mine while out hunting on the 15th of December, 1914, flush- ed a female 501-B (Meadowlark) from under his feet. On looking around a bit he discovered a finely built nest well concealed, containing three eggs. He told me about it on the 17th and we journeyed out there—National City— about a mile from home. When we ar- rived at the place there were still three fresh eggs instead of five and no bird. The eggs were all wet, the nest just drenched, owing to heavy rains; the bird’had left the nest. Now I call that an early record. My precious rec- ords show February 10th the earliest and I think everything will nest early in 1915. HE. EH. Sechrist. Pees sae Early Nesting of the Ruffed Grouse. At Haskell, N. J., on April 26th, while making a trip over the hills and observing the migrational aspect of this section, I came upon a female Ruffed Grouse sitting on a nest in which two eggs had been lain. The bird hastily took to flight as I neared the site of the nest. The nest was placed directly on the ground among the dried leaves at the foot of a laurel bush and would have escaped attention except for the fact that I almost stepped upon its owner before she took to the wing. This is the earliest nest of this species that I have ever found, the next earliest hav- ing been located about a mile to the east of this spot on May 17th, 1908. This bird usually nests in this sec- tion from May 20th to June 5th and it is only on rare occasions that they have been located prior to May 26th, the average date of about seventy nests that I have examined. In all probability this early nesting is due to the prevailing congenial weather since April 10th. On the 11th numerous adult birds were flushed about here and again on the 18th and the 25th about fifty were observed on each day of the sexes. Louis S. Kohler. — 0° ~— Spring Observations. It is generally thought that the robin is the last bird to leave us and the first one to come, omitting, of sparrows and snowbirds, or birds. course, the real winter My observa- ‘tions this spring, however, seem to up- set this theory, for by far the earliest and the most numerous bird was the blue bird. It came at least a week before the robin. With the coming of spring a large field of study and observation presents itself, especially in the case of the game birds of the nature of ducks, geese, and the like. Upon quietly creeping up to a flock of mallards, it at once became evident that some sort of a battle was going on, for a flock of crows had also arrived and were now fighting the ducks for the posses- sion of a short strip of sand adjoin- ing the river. The crows would stay in the tops of high trees and now and then one of them would dive head-first at the ducks which were on the sand or in the water at the river’s edge. I also observed that this was not a coin- cidence for whenever a bunch of crows were seen above a pond or any body of water, the ducks were usually found to be there. Fred L. Fitzpatrick. Bethany, Neb., Apr. 3, 1915. THD OOLOGIST 92 “SIOMOTA “M “H AQ 0304q— jeususy. Buimoug yMeH USue| JO SHH3A pue json sBulpunouuns THE OOLOGIST 93 ° Farralone Rail. While returning from a collecting trip to Otay Valley one day in April, 1906, I stopped at Sweet Water Slough, that is about the largest slough around San Diego being situat- ed between National City and Chula Vista. I thought I would spend an hour or so looking for Beldings Marsh Sparrow or Light Footed Clapper Rail. I found a deserted’ nest con- taining five eggs I thought looked like Meadowlarks, but were smaller and markings were very faint. On look- ing around some more I located other nests with in, two and three rotten eges and broken egg shells in them. But just before I left I found a fine set of seven pretty well incubated, which took.me about three hours to blow, on looking them up I found they were Black Rail, there being no sub- species then. So several days’ later, on telling an egg collector friend of mine about it, we journeyed down there for another look. Although it was raining, I located two sets of seven and one set of eight; the larg- est set I know of being collected on the coast. I don’t know whether they are found any where else on the coast or not, but about two years later there was an article published on their nest- ing, but my friend got the credit for it. Sometimes I think there are twenty- five or thirty pairs breeding there, then again, another year you cannot locate a single nest. The average sets contain five eggs _ but they run from four to eight eggs although all the large sets there are two and three eggs that don’t hatch on account of the bird being so small she cannot cover them. I have found them nesting in all the different sloughs around San Diego. They nest higher and dryer than the Clapper Rail, nesting way back where the ground is practically dry, except on flood tides. They nest very early on account of the high tides in May and June which would drown them out. The nests are composed of fine marsh grass, once in a great while using dry seaweeds, most always on a raised piece of ground on a small hump well concealed... I never have seen a bird leave its nest and get back: on it and yet you will find the eggs warm. They lock like a mouse running through the grass, never flying unless you nearly step on them or the grass is very thin. Their homes are situated all the way from twenty-five feet, right down to the edge of a small stream and most always setting on the ground. Some- times you hear a male bird cackling that is a sure sign you are near a nest. You can get down on your knees and part the grass by the hour to find it, then sometimes you fail. One fel- low told me every egg he had taken represented eight hours’ work. There is quite a variation in the size and shape of eggs in the same set, also same sets the immaculations are heavy and others fine Mostly all are very finely marked. Sometimes you will find where they have built a new nest on top of an old one, making. a rather bulky nest for this species. Most of the nests are so frail that you have to sew them together in order to collect them. The birds flight is very slow and unsteady like other rails, but if not knowing what they were you would take them for young birds. The young leave the nest about one day after being hatched, like little black balls of cotton. The old birds in in- cubating sit very close, one reason for making them so diffijeult to find. And when they flush you don’t know it. Between the ants, slough mice and short-eared owls a great many of them are destroyed. The owls getting both cold and young ones, also the ants, while the mice destroy the eggs. ; E. E. Sechrist. “SIOMOIA “M “A AQ 070d nzis ul YMeH YsueW jo SHH pue ysanN jo MaIA soueANy es iS o e) 4 fe) fc) a ae eH THE OOLOGIST 95 The Wood Duck. On several occasions while staying at my favorite camping grounds, a large mill pond near Wilmington, Del., I have had an opportunity to observe the Wood Ducks, said to be the most beautiful of American waterfowl and fast relegating to the rare list in many sections. There are always a few pairs in this locality and they evident- ly breed here. I have made a search on several occasions for their nesting sites but without success. I have seen several broods of little ones, however, during the latter part of July. One day a friend and I were out on a little camping and canoe trip and on rounding a sudden bend in the creek above the pond, we came upon a mother duck and about seven little ones. A sudden note from the mother caused a prompt disappearance of the ducklings into the depths below. The courageous mother, however, instead of beating a hasty retreat, as one would most naturally expect, came flying toward the canoe and flopped aown just in front of us, beating the water with her wings and trying by every means to make us believe that a crippled duck was just within our grasp. Seeing no signs of the little ones, we started to follow the mother as if intending to catch her. She skill- fully decoyed us up the creek until around another bend when we were, in her estimation, a safe distance from her little brood. She then suddenly and miraculously recovered and quick- ly disappeared among the heavy growth of hard wood timber which clothes the banks of the creek. We promptly returned to the scene of the first encounter. The little ones had evidently recovered from their fright as we saw three of them swimming around. On seeing us, two of them dove, while the other made slowly for the bank, half submerged like a grebe. As soon as it landed we made a dash for the spot and the little fellow led us a merry chase through fallen tim- ber, across ditches and through thicket and tangle. We finally corralled him, however, and made him pose as a photograph, much against his will. After taking a good look at the young- ster, we set him down near the creek bank, and by the way he took to the water, we could imagine him congratu- lating himself on his fortunate escape from his terrible captors. On another occasion, we came upon a mother duck with about fourteen little ones, the largest brood I have ever seen. During late August I have seen several half-grown wood ducks, not yet able to fly. If surprised in deep water they imemdiately dive. When caught in a shallow spot, they half fly and half swim along the sur- face to deep water and safety. In the fall, large numbers come in to feed on the acorns that abound there About the first of November they seem to be getting ready for their trip South. In the early morning and soon after sunset, they gather in some little cove in the upper reaches of the pond and keep up a terrible chattering for an hour or so. By the middle of November, the last ones have gone to a warmer clime. A. B. Hastman. Wilmington, Del. : SUS ee ey tas SEE I Not Afraid. While out walking Monday the 19th, I came across a “Brown-Headed Nut- hatch” nest, it was in a natural cav- ity in a fence post, and the post was situated one hundred feet from a rail- road, where there is as many as fif- teen or twenty trains pass daily and was twenty-five feet from the engine room of a large brick plant, which lat- ter kept up continuous noise all day long, especially the exhaust from the 96 _ THE OOLOGIST engines. And another strange fact about the nest it had a large wasp’s nest hung from the top, which had a few live wasps in it. The nest contained six well marked eggs—which were fresh. Earl Moffat. ee a Ee ye in the Red-eyed Vireo Vicinity of Philadelphia. The Red-eyed Vireo is one of our commonest woodland birds and every wood-lot or grove harbors at least a pair during the breeding season. Dur- ing the past eighteen years I have found two hundred seventy nests of this interesting species, excluding those I have seen after the breeding season. Of these nests one hundred three were empty and the others con- tained eggs and young as follows: 15 nests contained 1 egg. 27 nests contained 2 eggs. 65 nests contained 3 eggs. 24 nests contained 4 eggs. 1 nest held 4 young. 2 nests held 6 young. 3 nests held 12 young. 4 nests held 3 young. 5 1 Notes in the nests held 2 young and 1 egg. nest held 3 young and 1 egg. 1 nest held 1 young and 2 eggs. 2 nests held 2 young and 2 eggs. 1 nest held I young and 3 eggs. Altogether 19 nests held 1 egg or young. 33 nests held 2 eggs or young. 83 nests held 3 eggs or young. 31 nests held 4 eggs or young. Of the one hundred three empty nests, the majority of them were sham nests. These records show that the Red- eyed Vireo, in this vicinity at least, commonly lays four eggs and they also indicate that clutches of two occur more often than those consisting of four eggs. Sets of three, however, is the common number of eggs laid, and such clutches occur almost twice as often as those of two and four eggs; ~ the single eggs were invariably in- completed sets or were found in de- serted nests. I have found the Red-eyed Vireo nesting in the following varieties of trees and bushes in this region, as well as a few in unidentified shrubs. 1. Fogus grandifolia, Beech, 65 nests. 2. Benzoin asetivale, Spicewood, 35 nests. i 3. Cornus florida, wood, 32 nests. 4. Acer rubrum, Red maple, 24 nests. 5. Quercus alba, White Oak, 14 nests. 6. Ostrya virginiana, “Ironwood, 11 nests. 9. Virburnum dentatum, Arrowwood, 11 nests. 10. Hamamelis virginiana, Hazel, 8 nests. 11. Quercus. velutina, Black Oak, 7 Flowering Dog- Witch nests. 12. Fraxinus americanus, White ash, 7 nests. 13. Quercus coccinea, Scarlet Oak, 5 nests. 14. Lirodendron tree, 5 nests. 15. Prunus serotina, Wild cherry, 5 Tulipifera, Tulip nests. 16. Castanea dentata, Chestnut, 5 nests. 17. Sambucus canadensis, Hlderberry, 3 nests. 18. Hicoria Glabra, Pignut, 3 nests. 19. Sassafras sassafras, Sassafras, 2 nests. ~ 20. Nyssa sylvatica, Tupelo, 2 nests. 21. Rhus Toxicodendron, Poison Ivy, 2 nests. 22. Quercus rubra, Red Oak, 1 nest. 23. Alnus rugosa, Alder, 1 nest. 24. Liquidamber — styraficula, gum, 1 nest. 25 Vaccinum sp. High Huckleberry, 1 nest. 26. Viburnum acerifolum, burnn, 1 nest. Sweet Maple Vi- THE OOLOGIST 97 Set of Marsh Hawk Eggs Shown in Foregoing Photographs, Collected by E. W. Vichers and now in his Collection Ra Aiea Photo by E. W. Vickers. 98 THE OOLOGIST 27. Tsuga canadensis, Hemlock, 1 nest. 28. Rhus Toxi-radicans, Poison Oak, 1 nest. The Red-eyed Vireo seems to prefer the Beech tree to any other in tnis vicinity and the Spicewood and Dog- wood about evenly claim second place; all of these three varieties of trees are uniformly distributed and of rela- tive abundance here, although the Spicewood is by far the commonest species. But one nest was found in a conifer and I have never seen but over four Red-eyed Vireos’ nests anywhere in hemlocks and never in any other kind of evergreen trees. Let us hear from others regard- ing the varieties of trees preferred by this interesting bird and the number of eggs constituting a set, from other localities and perhaps the writer will then have more to say anon in regard to the nidification of Vireo Olivaceus. Richard F. Miller. PAS ian Te Se EAS Nigger Slough. On May 5th, the writer discovered a large flock of twenty Red Phalaropes (Crymophilus fulicarius) at North Nigger Slough in Los Angeles county, Southern California. This is our first record of the species in this area. We also noted many nests and adult birds of the species Tule Wren (Telmatody- tes palustris paludicola). Last year we failed to find the species present in this locality. Alfred Cookman. Bees eal Golden Eagle. A large Golden Eagle was _ killed April 2d by a local sportsman. It seems a Shame to kill these beautiful birds. I remember as a boy of four- teen years of age, that I saw a Bald Eagle feeding on a Black Bass on a log in the Maquoketa River here. So busy was he that he did not hear me as I crawled up behind a large old stump in easy range. I remember how excited I was and how my hands trem- bled as my old double barrel muzzle loader came to my shoulder, never had I stalked such a prey as this. Shot in the back, not even given a chance, I brought him home in all glory and held him up where all could see, as did the man that brought in the Gol- den EHagle to show his friends his skill(?). I still have the claws and a few feathers, all that is left of the first and last Hagle I ever killed. The Golden Hagle was sent to Ames, Iowa, to the College. O. M. Greenwood. ili Me To Save Rare Eggs. So frequently I read in accounts of the discovery of rare eggs “Incubation was so far advanced that they could not be saved,” that I have thought a plan I have used for many years might be of interest, if not already known to your readers. By it eggs at least as small as those of the Oven-bird, even when pipped, may be saved with- out difficulty as excellent scientific specimens. If an egg is pipped, or if on probing the interior after making a small drill- hole the chick is found to be well formed, paint the entire shell, if the egg is small, with a thin coating of flexible collodion. Then apply several coats of collidion on the side where it was pipped, drilled, or, in the remain- ing eggs of the set in which one has been drilled, on ‘the least interesting side. When the colliodion is dry— a matter of a few moments—cut with eurved scissors on the side which has been thickly painted a large enough circular opening to allow the head of the embryo to pass, and remove the piece of shall. Next move the embryo around in the shell until it is possible THE OOLOGIST 99 to fasten a hook in the chin under the symphysis of the mandible. The en- tire bird can then be removed easily, the inside of the shell cleaned with water and, after it is thoroughly dry, the piece of shell that was cut out can be replaced, and fastened firmly with collodion. Care must be taken that the egg is absolutely dry before ap- plying the collodion, as otherwise it will not stick to the shell. As a result of using this simple ex- pedient I have in my collection the skins of one young Semilpalmated Plover, two young Whippoorwills and young Canvasbacks, and the shells from which they were taken. Louis B. Bishop. Ss ot Ontario, 1914 Nests. 394c—Northern Downy Woodpecker 5-26-14. Nest in hole ten feet up in dead poplar; five fresh eggs. Toron- to. 423—Chimney Swift, 6-8-14. Nest deep of twigs in barn, containing four fresh eggs. Thorah Island. 461—Wood_ pewee, 6-22-14. Nest built on last year’s nest forty feet up saddled on crotch of birch very shal- low; three advanced eggs. Wasago Beach. 501—Meadowlark, 6-3-14. Nest arch- ed on ground, containing six advanced eggs. Toronto. ; 511b—Bronzed Grackle 5-22-14. Nest in Marsh two feet above water similar in construction to Red-Wing’s, only much larger with three advanced eggs another nest of similar construction was found with three fully fledged young. Toronto. 529—American Nest six feet up six fresh eggs. found containing six fresh eggs. aga Beach. 613—Barn Swallow, 6-10-14. Nest in rafter in barn containing seven fresh Goldfinch, 7-28-14. in willow crotch; Three other nests Was- eges. Large colony breeding. Thorah Island. 614—Tree Swallow, 6-7-14. Nest of feathers in hollow fence rail; five fresh eggs. Several nests found in similar situation. Thorah Island. 619—Cedar Waxwing, 7-16-14. Nest in Norway pine eighteen feet up; five slightly incubated eggs. Most of nests found were at varying heights in Nor- way pines. Wasago Beach. 622c—Migrant Shrike, 5-15,14. Nest six feet up in thorn bush of twigs, bark and string, lined with bark, feath- ers and grass; four fresh eggs. To- ronto. 655—Myrtle Warbler, 7-17-14. Nest of twigs lined with hair and feathers at top, fifteen feet up on horizontal limb of pines; one fresh cowbird’s ege and two far advanced eggs of onwer. Wasago Beach. 736—Carolina Chickadee, one found with flock of Black Capped Chicka- dees. Toronto, 4-10-14. Paul Harrington. SU ed oer: The Killdeer. (Algialitis vocifera) The Killdeer arrived in this neigh- borhood this season on March 13, which is about one week later than is usual. For three successive years the first killdeers arrived on March 6 but as 1914 has been uncommonly cold, they delayed coming one week. Even at this late date they came long be- fore all the snow drifts were gone. During the day of their arrival I usual- ly see them for hours at a time flying high in air in wide undulating circles as though it was difficult for them to alight, the whole time uttering their clear shrill cry. They usually leave here about No- vember 15 but owing to the very deep snow on the morning of November 9, 1913, they left that day going in large flocks. So from the first week in 100 THE OOLOGIST March until during the third week of November, the Killdeer is one of our most common birds. The nesting season begins late in April and lasts until about the tenth of June. The number of eggs in a set runs from three to four, four being the mest common. In all the many nests I have found but one has con- tained five eggs. (Harperfield, O., June 7, 1906). This I consider very rare. The nest is usually to be found in bare fields but sometimes it is closely cropped pasture fields. I often find the nests while plowing old corn ground or cultivating up fall plowing. When I find one I always make a small depression and put the eggs in it out of harm’s way. This is the only bird I know of that will continue to occupy its nest after it has been moved to a new place. The nest is usually lined with very’ small flat stones or broken pieces of straw, sometimes no nesting material is used. It is seldom that the young remain in the nest over twenty-fcur hours. When very young they have the curious habit if in short grass and danger threatens of duck- ing their heads down under the grass and tipping the body up making it al- most impossible to see them. During August and September, the Killdeer becomes very plentiful about the shal- low waters of the river. S. V. Wharram. Austinburg, O. °—

—o The Elusive Kentucky Warbler. Among other birds in the woods along the Little Caney river, I fre- quently heard and saw the Kentucky Warbler, but not being familiar with them, failed to locate their nests. On May 26th while on a usual tramp, a pair of them attracted my attention by their worried crys, my first thought was of snakes, so hustling to where they were, saw them fluttering and darting around a small bush; sure enough there was their old enemy. Mr. Snake, had already swallowed one young and the second was in its mouth. I soon stopped his nest hunt- ing. Two young and a nearly incu- bated egg were in the nest. Later on I found a deserted nest with an egg of the Cowbird. The next season, 1914, I wrote Kentucky Warbler in big let- ters on my list of likely finds. On April 26th the first one put in his ap- pearance, and soon they were in Ssev- eral likely places and you may be sure I was on my guard, but so were they and they were sure to see me first. On May 6th, saw a small yel- low bird gathering nest material; thought it a Maryland Yellow-throat but I soon saw the male, a Kentucky Warbler so I kept doubly quiet, soon the female flew into the weeds at the foot of a small tree, on leaving I found nearly completed nest. May 11th, it held a Cowbird’s egg which I remov- ed. The next day another was in it and the Warblers were not to be found. Removed this egg also. Three days later a Warbler’s egg was in the nest; the next day another Cowbird’s egg. The nest was then deserted for good, and although the birds did not go far away, I failed to find their nest. Several weeks later found a _ half grown young by seeing the male leave clump of vines and briers. June 3d, while looking for a nest of Swainson’s Warblers a bird flew under my feet and flew in a bush. I soon found it to be a Kentucky Warbler. The nest was at the foot of « sprout in an old road and held three fresh eggs and one of the cowbird. Thinking another one or two might be laid, I did not dis- turb them but on returning two days later, found that some rodent or snake had beat me to them for the nest was empty. A few days before this found a deserted nest with a Cowhbird egg iu THB OOLOGIST 101 it and later an empty nest. One par- ticular pair in another part of the woods took up much of my patience and no little time, keeping me from their nest. Albert J. Kirn. Copan, Okla. IO ass EA An Appreciation. George Miller, naturalist and taxi- dermist, died at his home in York, Pennsylvania, at 9:15 p. m. Thursday, May 13th, at the age of eighty years; pneumonia following an attack of grip from which he had been convalescing, caused his death. Mr. Miller had been a reader of THE OOLOGIST for thirty years. He became a subscriber when the first number of the paper was issued. When the writer called on Mr. Miller on May Day, the venerable naturalist had just recovered from an attack of grip. THE OOLOGIST was discussed and Mr. Miller brought out several early copies of the paper. He declared that he found THE OOLOGIST better in recent years than it ever had been in all the years of its publication. He spoke enthusiastically of the maga- zine. I left some specimens with him for mounting, turtles and other reptiles. He spoke of collecting trips he had in prospect. This was the last time J ever saw him alive. The writer had known George Mil- ler 83 years and had always found him enthusiastic and thorough in his work as a naturalist. Though he had not spent many days in school, his knowledge of nature was intimate. He possessed and knew how to use in- telligently a well stocked library of books on natural history subjects. His reading and field work had enabled him to acquire a vast fund of scienti- fic information which rendered him a profitable companion to the student. Wadsworth M. George, Starling. I read an article in a Sportsman’s magazine today entitled “Should the Starling be Outlawed,’ in which the writer says they should have protec- tion. I don’t believe it necessary to pro- tect the Starling, because even though the season for them is open all year, they are increasing very rapidly and more than holding their own. Besides that they are quite shy and will fly away at the least alarm and not allow a person to get within gunshot in the woods. I have shot a number of them and know that they will get up and fly away before you can get near them, in nine instances out of ten. Of course near the city and even in the busy parts of the city you can ap- proach very near to them, sometimes within a few feet, the same as Spar- rows, they seem to know that you can’t shoot them. There are a few hunters shoot them anyway. As I hear they are tough eating, besides shells are dear and it isn’t worth while to waste them on Starlings. I stuff most of them I shoot. They are also annoying because they nest and roost about the houses. I was out in the woods today and on my way coming home saw a flock of about two hundred or more of them. It was after sunset and they had most likely made up their minds to roost there. It was right in the front yard of a large house in the city and they made an awful racket with their whistling, that they kept up constant- ly. A few weeks ago when I was out to Jamaica and noticed that almost every church I passed had large flocks of Starlings around them that were going to roost in the top under the steeple. At one church there was at least five hundred Starlings. They get in the top through the shutters. The noise they made as they flew 102 around inside, whistling could be heard two blocks away. Every tree in the yards of the neighboring houses were filled with them. Milton J. Hofman. —° <> — ~ My First Set of Maryland Yellow- throat. The Maryland Yellow-throat and a certain swampy hillside are so close- ~ ly associated in my mind that it is impossible for me to think of one without recalling the other. On this particular hillside each season I had harkened to the call of the Yellow- throats and searched diligently for nests. Although several nests were discovered, the unexpected always happened and each season closed with- out the addition of a complete clutch to my collection. One afternoon in the latter part of May, 1909, as I was crossing the famil- jar field, a Yellow-throat mounted a thistle and sent forth his clear call, which can well be translated, ‘tackle me, tackle me, tackle me.” Whether it was the nice set of Worm-eating Warbler a Cowbird had just ruined for me, or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of the Yellow-throat’s manner; all the anxieties and disappointments of past experiences with the bold little senti- nel of the thistle arose in my mind, and I moved stubbornly on, determin- ed for once not to accept his challenge. I had proceeded on my intended route only a few feet however, when a bird fluttered from a bunch of tall grass at my feet and exposed a beauti- ful set of Maryland Yellow-throat. To use the slang expression I had at last “put one over” on the gaily attired head of the house, who had by this time deserted his post on the thistle, to join his more sombre-hued mate, who was nervously fitting from weed to weed vainly trying to engage my attention, THE OOLOGIST Thus the ice was broken with the Yellow-throats, and as I look over my series I can recall with a smile the many disappointments of the past. James B. Carter. ! see K North Texas Bird Notes. By Ramon Graham 1. Mocking birds can be found nest- ing in town or country. They are the best singers in the South. The habits are about the same as the Catbird of the north. The Mocker is always look- ing for a new bird to mock and he sel- dom fails. The nest can be found in hedges, thorn and fruit trees. Mostly of twigs and sticks lined with fine roots and strings, laying from four to six bluish green, brown blotched eggs. The Winter is spent is South Texas and Mexico, arriving here in March and laying in April. The earliest date found was April 4th. I find about two hundred sets each season, but never take but two or three sets. 2. Lark Sparrows are known as wheat birds and can be found nesting in town or country. They are indepen- dent and wont have much to do with other sparrows. The nest can be found in fields, pastures and small trees, built of grass and lined with hair, laying from four to five white eggs with black markings. Thousands of these birds lay around here. I only collect about two or three sets a sea- son. They arrive here in March after spending the winter in Mexico and South Texas. They start to laying in April. The earliest date being April 14th. 3. Field Sparrows can be found only in out away places. I have found them plentiful in one locality; North of here in a dry, hilly country. They arrive in March and are laying in full blast by the middle of April, laying from four to six white eggs with red- dish brown markings. The nest is a THERE OOLOGIST 103 frail structure of grass, lined with fin- er grass placed on the ground or in small trees, bushes, ete. I collect about eight or ten sets a season, my earliest date being April 6th. 4. Grasshopper Sparrow. These birds are plentiful but the nests are hard to find. Arrive here in April and are nesting by the middle of May. Nest is of grass, arched over top so eggs are concealed, laying from four to six white, brown specked eggs. The only way to find them is to use a rope. Two parties take hold of the rope and drag it through the field where they are nesting. When one flies up look about five feet behind her and you will find the nest. Although these birds are plentiful, I rarely find over two or three sets a season. 5. Dickcissel. Arrive in April and are found in fields nesting the last of May, laying from four to five eggs of light blue. The nest built on the ground in bushes or weeds. These birds are plentiful but the nest is hard to find. I collect about a dozen sets a season, the earliest date being May 2d. (a om Answers Wanted. I have been reading in John Muir’s Story of My Boyhood and Youth, a most interesting incident, one which despite the veracity of the lover au- thor, I find it hard to credit. He speaks of hunting one evening about sunset in one of his father’s fields in Wisconsin, that was much in- fested by gophers. He noticed a shrike dart down from a tree top and alight on the dirt theshold of a gopher hole. After a little hesitation, the bird, he says, dove into the hole, remaining out of sight while John ran up close to the place and listened. After much squealing and sounds of terror, out dashed a gopher, then another, finally six in all, scattering to all points of the compass as if in mortal fright. Then out pops the fierce butcher-bird and in rapid succession lighted upon the backs of each of the fleeing ani- mals and killed each by a shart peck at the base of the skull. After this, he dragged one gopher to a neighboring fence rail and proceeded to devour it. Is this likely? Can any of our Oologist readers in Wisconsin or elsewhere vouch for a similar feat? Maybe on strength of this there ought to be add- ed another geographical race to the finely divided Shrike family. Might we call it Lanius Phagogopherus or Gopher Shrike? Ree nler: EEN ees Ss an The Yellow Warbler. Spring arrivals of the Yellow Warb- ler at Hartford, Conn. I do not wish to impress the readers of THE OOLOGIST that I have seen the first Yellow Warbler that arrives in the state of Connecticut. These dates are the days that I have first seen this Warbler in the vicinity of Hartford, for the last 22 years: May 5, 1894. May 5, 1895 May 8, 1896. Maly 9, 1897. May 3, 1898. ( May 3, 1899. May 6, 1900. May 5, 1901. May 4, 1902. May 3, 1903. May 1, 1904. May 7, 1905. May 4, 1906. May 12, 1907. April 28, 1908. May 5, 1909. May 4, 1910. May 6, 1911. May 2, 1912. April 27, 1913. May 4, 1914. April 28, 1915. Clifford M. Case, 104 Three Hours on the Oakland Mud Flats. Last Thursday, April 1st, the writer was in San Francisco. At 6 a. m. we crossed the bay to Oakland. We walk- ed down to the mud flats for the tide was low, to study the birds that fre- quent this locality. They feed on crust- acea, molluscae and marsh insects. We remained in this region, moving here and there recording the following species until 9 o’clock, and then took the car to Berkeley. The remaining part of the day was spent in the Museum of Vetebrate Zoology in the University of California. List of the Birds seen on the Oak- land Mud Flats: 1. Western Grebe ,Aechmophorus occidentalis). 2. Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps). 3. Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica). 4. Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens). ‘ 5. Western Gull (Larus occidenta- lis). 6. California Gull (Larus californi- cus). 7. Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawar- ensis). 8. Heermann Gull (Larus sherr- manii). 9. Least Tern (Sterna antillarium). 10. Brandt Cormorant (Phalacro- corax penicillatus.) 11. California Brown Palican (Pele: canus californicus). 12. Lesser Scaup Duck (Aythya af- finis). 13. White-winged Scoter (Oidemia deglandi). 14. Great Blue Heron (Ardea hero- fias). 15. American Coot (Fulica ameri- cana.) 16. Wilson Snipe (Gallinago deli- cata). 17. Western Sandpiper (Hreunetes occidentalis), THE OOLOGIST aoe 18. Sanderling (Calidris arenaria). 19. Hudsonian Curlew (Numenius hudsonicus). 20. Killdeer (Aegialitis vocifera). 21. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes au- ra.) Alfred Cookman. SE ae ae aes Xema Sabini at Point Firmin. On January 15th, 1915, the writer spent the day making a general orni- thological survey at Point Firmin in Los Angeles County, Southern Califor- nia. The tide was low at ten a. m. The sea assumed a glassy appearance. The weather conditions were ideal and a de- lightful day was spent in this locality. We recorded twenty species of birds and nearly three hundred individual birds. Our journey along the rocky coast from Point Firmin northwest to Whites Point was exceedingly interest- ing, a distance of three miles. We ob- served six species of gulls. One spe- cies in particular excited me very much. A Sabine Gull (Xema Sabini) was seen soaring in company with sev- eral Bonaparte Gulls (Larns Philadel- phia). It seemed lost and unfamiliar with this region. It remained with these gulls for several hours, and then flew seaward and was soon out of sight. It had evidently got its bear- ings and was making an effort to find its members—inhabitants of the open sea. The Sabine Gull is a rare visitor in this locality. Alfred Cookman. Dept. of Biology, University of So. California. A White-eyed Vireo’s Misfortune. On April 19th I found a White-eyed Vireo’s nest and one egg. The bird was on the nest so I came back in a week to find the bird gone and two cowbird eggs piled on the Vireo’s egg that was broken. The cowbird eggs filled the bottom of her nest. Ramon Graham. THE OOLOGIST V EGG COLLECTORS! ATTENTION!! EXCHANGE OFFER EXTRAORDINARY !!! Having certain series in my collection that I desire to fill out and com- plete at an early day that I may give more attention to others, I have decided to make you the following unprecedented proposition: For all the specimens of which I want One set mentioned below, I will allow you in exchange twice their value as given in Lattin’s 1905 Price List. For those of which I want two sets, I will allow one and two-thirds times the Lattin prices. For those of which I want three sets I will allow one and onehalf rimes; and for those of which I want four sets, one and one-third Lattin’s prices. In all cases where you can furnish all of any one species desired by me, I will allow the full double value. All specimens on both sides to be first class and subject to return if unsatisfactory. When you remember that very many of the specimens wanted are of com- mon species and that I have without doubt the largest and most varied exchange list in America for you to select from, I am sure you will see that this is an opportunity never before offered for you to enlarge your collection. In your Spring collecting lay aside those listed for me, and send me a list of what you have, and later in the season I am sure an exchange can be arranged to your advantage and satisfaction. I want the following A. O. U. Nos.: One set each: 7, 14, 48, 77, 92, 103, 123a, 128, 185 1-12, 186, 141.1, 167, 171a, 174, 252, 258, 264, 295, 300a, 310, 34114, 247, 347a, (351), 356, 357, 373a, 3738b, 375%, 377, 397, 420, 423, 474b, 486, 496, 497, 608, 657. Two sets each: 5, 26, 38, 131, 145, 160, 164, 169a, 172a, 180, 206, 222, 289a, 289b, 293a, 310b, 310c, 342 2-2, 409, 474e, 480, 505, 511 2-6, 511b 2-6, 540, 562, 567b, 596 2-2, 611, 612, 677, 687, 736a, 768. Three sets each: 28, 115, 128, 153, 168, 171.1, 177, 192, 204, 228, 286, 300a, 308, 308b, 310a, 324, 339b 2-2, 283, 387 3-5, 396, 477a, 536, 605, 674, 680, 681, 736, 744, 75la. Four sets each: 8, 31, 40a, 42.1, 52, 89, 112, 218, 272, 312, 319, 328, 348 4-4, 348 4-4, 377a, 391, 398, 466a, 483, 498c, 517a, 581d, 58le, 591, 622a, 627a, 687 4-7, 652, 759b. Besides the foregoing I need many other species. Send on your entire list of duplicates. For never before was an opportunity like this offered and many that I have will go very quickly, as of some I have only a few sets. R. MAGOON BARNES, Lacon, IIl. VI THB OOLOGIST WANTED—Volume II of The Auk, either bound or unbound for which I offer cash or other ornithological works in exchange. W. OTTO EMERSON, Palm Cottage, R. F. D. Haywards, Calif. FOR SALE.—Chapman’s. Handbook East- ern Birds. 1904. Text clean; covers slightly worn. $1.75 prepaid. CHARLES L. PHIL- LIPS, 5 West Weir St., Taunton, Mass. WANTED.—Ornithologist and Oologist Vol. 1-5, Osprey Vol. 1, No. 2 and 4, Bulletin Cooper Club, Vol. 1 No. 3. Address with price. C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. FOR SALE.—For the best cash offer Rec- reation Vol. 6 to 23 (18 vol.) in good condition. E. E. JOHNSON, Hebron, Maine, R. R. 1. THE CONDOR A Magazine of Western Ornithology Published Bi-monthly by the Cooper Ornithological Club of California Edited by J. Grinnell and Harry S. Swarth “The Condor’’ is strictly scientific but edited in such a way that a be- ginner of ‘‘Bird Study” can easily un-. derstand it. The articles in ‘‘The Condor’’ are written by the leading Ornithologists of the United States and are illustrated by the highest quality of half tones. Our subscription rates are $1.50 per year in the United States and $1.75 in a Foreign coun- try. Sample Copy 30c. Address W. LEE CHAMBERS, Bus. Manager, Eagle Rock. Los Angele Cal. I showed a copy of The Oologist to the Carnegie Librarian here and she said she would subscribe for it for the library. She said that she thought it was a most helpful magazine for the bird student. Another party I gave one to, said that it gave more facts about birds in a single copy than the Bird Lore gave in a year, and he knows too, for he was raised up on the Bird Lore. Finaly Simmons. May its shadow never grow less. Not the dollar, but the magazine. H. W. Flint. BOOKS RELATING TO ORINTHOLOGY and ENTOMOLOGY AND OTHER BRANCHES OF Natural History BOUGHT AND SOLD BY JOHN D. SHERMAN, Jr. 403 Seneca Ave., MOUNT VERNON, N. Y. New Price List on Application BENJAMIN HOAG Stephentown, New York. Cut-the-Lining Hgg Drills, 25c each. 4 selected Hizes, $1.00. Regular Hgg Drills, short handle: No.. 1;:20¢; No: 2; °25e¢; No. 3; 35¢;) No: 4, 45c; No. 5, 50e. Nickle Blowpipes, No. 1, 40c; No. 2, 30c; No. 3, 20c. Embryo Scissors, 50c; Embryo hooks, 25c; Forceps, 45¢e; Calipers, $1; Pencils, 10. Climbers with straps, $2.75; without straps, $1.90. Field Glass, $4.50. Data Blanks with name and address, 40e per 100; 250 for $1.00. Books, Davies “Nests and Eggs,” $1.75; Chapman’s ‘Handbook,’ $3.00; Bailey’s ‘Handbook,’ $3.00; Reed’s “Higgs,” $2.25. Prompt quotations on any book or magazine. Everything PREPAID. Lists on request. THE OOLOGIST FOR EXCHANGE.—National Geographic and other Natural History and Popular magazines for Bird Lore, Auk, and bird’s eggs. A. W. CASTELLANOS, 259 Armstrong Ave., Jersey City, N. J. FOR SALE.—Bird Lore Vols. 1 to 16 in- clusive in original wrappers, also vols. 1-2-3-4 in red cloth gilt tops, wil sell set complete or will sell any volume or any single issue for the best offer. Birds and Nature Vols. 6 to 19 inclusive, except Vol. 9. Osprey Vols. 4 and 5 bound and many oddissues. Bendires Life Histories, Vol. 1in original paper covers. Vol. 2 rebound in half morocco. Good as new. J.N. SWIFT, Stockport, Ohio. (1-p) WANTED FOR CASH—The Condor, Vol ItoIV; The Auk. Vols. I to X; The Osprey, Vol. I to ae ane National Geographic Maga- zine, Vol. I to XVII; Nature and Guluune WO. Ik DUA RAN Stockport, O es ro) WANTED.—Books. Magazines and Pamph- lets about Birds and Natural History Sub- jects. In all cases state what you have and the lowest cash prices. No other prices con- sidered. Address FRANK BENDER, 128 Fourth Ave., New York City. (3-14) FOR SALE.—Large number of magazines, Ornithological and Botanical Scientific and Exploration notes, Purchaser must take the lot. Snap, 15.00 postpaid. Send for list. GUSS CROSSA, Suite 1, Purvis Block, Ed- monton, Alta. (d- -p) WANTED.—The Auk, Volume IV (1887). Will pay cash orexchange other publications for same. HARRY C. OBERHOLSER, 1444 Fairmont St., N. W. Washington,’ D.C. a -p) WANTED.—Oregon Naturlist Vol. I, Nos. 2-12., Vol. II, No. 1, Bulletin of the Cooper Club Vol. I. Nos. 2-3-5. and Nidologist Vol. I. Offer good exchange in skins or magazines. STANLEY G. JEWETT, 582 Bidwell Ave. Portland, Oregon. (1-p) WANTED.—Oologist, Vol. 4. No. 1; Vol. 6° No. 4; Birds and Nature, index to Vol. 2: 2; Osprey, Vol. 3, Nos. 8-9-10; Vol. 5. Nos. 2-5-7-9" N.S. Nos. 2-4-7. Nidiologist, Vol. 1, Nos. 1-2- 3-5-6; O. & O. Vol. VIII. all. American Orni- thology, Vol.4, Nos. 1-4-9; Vol. 6, Nos. 3-6; O. & O. Semi-annual, Vol. 2 No. 1. Wilson Bulletins for years 1896 to 1899 inclusive. Bird Lore, Vol. 1, Nos. 2-3-4; Vol. 13 Nos. 1-2-3: Vol. 15 No.6. LAUREN (TREMPRER, No. 136 Dewey St., Philadelphia, Pa. (1-p) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE Bird Lore’s for sale or exchange for any set of Raptore’s Most of them do. not contain any colored plates. R, LOZIER, Attica, Ohio. KH XCHANGE.—January, February, March, Bird Lore, 1913, for Nos. 306-307-309-310-311-312- 313-314 of The Oologist or some Bird books. GRANT HALEY, Springford, Cutanion =19) BOOK INFORMATION WANTED—Will every owner of Complete files of The Auk look at the first six volumes and see if they have the Autograph of my father H. B. Bai- ley) 0» the front page? If you know of their whereabouts, communicate with me, and oblige, 781, 18h BAILEY, Newport News, Va. VII Back Numbers of the Oologist Fifteen Cents Numbers 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 40, 45, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, Tak aalsy, IPA IBY GIB iG. Twenty-five Cents Numbers 10, 18, 15, 16, 54, 55, 56, 75, Sie li2Z3s als l28e 129) 44s 1149) Thirty-five Cents Numbers 9, 66-7, 77, 78, 79, 89, 90, 101, 118, 138, 146. Fifty Cents Numbers 1, 14, 18) 31, 34-5, 42) 53; SO, Tbh, WO; IB, ws37, IB), Ie), TS}. 158, 254. Cne Dollar Number 44. Reprint, 50c. All other numbers will be sold as long as the stock lasts at Ten Cents. Complete volumes of THE OOLO.: GIST unbound, as long as the supply lasts, until further notice will be sold at the following rates only: Wolk IL TBS, INOS dT wo Wo Ss oces $2.10 Wiolmellt 185 NO Sal Saco 4 eee 1.00 AVON, WWOL, WBSIE, INOS, WHS WO B0cdcccc 1.25 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26... 1.00 WOls We TSSSs INGE PY WO) B8iG5605¢ 2.80 Vol. Vi, 1889, Nos. 39 to 50...:.. 2.70 Vol. VII, 1890, Nos. 51 to 62..... 205 Vol. VIII, 1891, Nos. 68 to 74.... 1.45 WOE IDG IUSOAS INOS 7S 0). Bo 566 Sc 2.20 Vole XG 1893 NOs eis tori caer ce 1.90 Vol. Xa, 18947 Nos: 99 to 110... 1.45 Vol) Xai 1895. Nos. ddd to 1225.5 1260 WO. SADUL: TOG, INO, IA hoy AS STO) Vol. XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.. 3.45 Vol. XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149.2. 1.95 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161.. 2.00 Vol. XVII, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171:. 1.20 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. 1.20 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195. 1.20 Vol. XX, 1903, Nos. 196 to 197... 1.20 Vol. XXI, 1904, Nos. 198 to 209.. 1.20 Vol. XXII, 1905, Nos. 210 to 221.. 1.20 Vol: PXexdlile 19065 Nosh 222nto.233nele20 Vol. XXIV, 1907, Nos. 234 to 245. 1.20 Vol. XXV, 1908, Nos. 246 to 257.. 1.20 Vol. XXVI, 1909, Nos. 258 to 269. 1.50 Vol, XXVII, 1910, Nos. 270 to 281. 1.50 Vol. XXVIII, 1911, Nos. 282 to 295 1.50 Vol. XXTX, 1912, Nos. 293 to 305.. 1.50 Alo} EP O2@, Cae Se RRA IAPR one te fac 1.50 WiG 1h DXEXOX ea anes ee eae ay eat ie 1.50 R. M. BARNES, Lacon, II] VIII THE OOLOGIST gettin Sie ISR Aa A PALE ein The July number of The Oologist will w contain Frank L. Burns’ Bibliography of i scarce or out of print North American =a Sete mateur and Trade Periodicals devoted t, 3 ore or less to ornithology. This has taken more than two years f= to produce and is a monumental effort etn =i help =the =the tn =p etn =i =t tet get ight et > El on the subject. It will be invaluable as i Ch A oA Ci i Ch oA oA oF Al OF a for reference and as a checking list in the a oA oA £ futuer and only a limited number of uw copies have been printed. If you want o OF Bextra copies send in your order; other- w w wise it may be too late. Price 25 cents. a oA oF 2 | i SR ener Ra eee eee Te eRe THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS TAXIDERMY VoL. XXXII, No. 7. ALBION, N. Y., Juty. 15, 1915. WHOLE No; 336 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. serted for less than 25 cents. No notice in- 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, 336 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 329 your subscription expired with December issue 1914. 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 Congress of March 8, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘The Oologist,” and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. We will not advertise the skins, Nests, eggs, mounted specimens of North American Birds for sale. These columns are tor the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such Specimens for scientific collecting purpo- ses only.—EDITOR. BIRDS WANTED-—Live American Wild Trumpet- er Swan. R. M. Barnes. Lacon, Ill. WANTED—Skins of N. A. Snipe, Plover, etc. in first class shape for mounting. Must be Al RTHUR G. RUECKERT. 2252 N. Kostner Ave., Chicago, Ill. (1-p) I have a few finely mounted birds on hand to exchange. Who wantsthem? First class taxidermy work done at lowest prices. LES- TERSPERR, Taxidermist, aoe aetna -p WILL EXCHANGE.—Small collection of Idaho bird skins for long focus 4 x 5 folding plate camera box with case and extra hold- ers. HENRY J. RUST, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, Box 683. (1-p) TRADE.—18 A. farm. Will take 8175 cash and 8150 in bird skins or cee or both. If in- terested write me. W.G. SAVAGE, Delight, Ark. (1-p) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Nicely mounted specimens, Ringneck Pheasant, Wood Duck, Barn Owl. California Quail, Single Yellow-head Parrot, and a few others. Might exchange for books on _ ornithology. Write for description. M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y. (1-p) WANTED to exchange skin or specimens of birds mounted of the East for specimens of Western States. WINCHESTER NAT- Wise HISTORY MUSEUM, Winchester, TROPICAL BIRDS.—Anyone interested in Central American material, communicate With E. 0. EHRHA RT, Box 193, Sonus oUvURE, a. -p WANTED—Fine skins only of most Sané- pipers. Offer fine sets of eggs, 300a, 412a, 466a, ee Cae 567, 584. H. MOUSLEY HATLEY. 1@) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—A number of desirable mounted specimens. Will ex- change for Bird Lore, Auk, Osprey, American Museum Journal or other Ornithological magazines. M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y I want to exchange for bird skins of 218- 2926-231-232-292-293-294-295-301-521-443-471. D. V. HEMBREE, Roswell, Ga. (1-p) | FOR EXCHANGE.—Beautifully mounted R. T. Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, and 50 varieties, for others or skins. What have you? Io skins, nests and eggs to trade. DR. J. BALL, 5001 Frankford Ave., Phitadelpiia, a. =) II THE OOLOGIST FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Nicely mounted specimens. Yellow-rump Loucon, Ringneck Pheasant, Weod Duck, Barn Owl. Cali. Quail, Single Yellow- head Parrot, anda few others. These are all in good condition. I might exchange for guns or ornithological publications or other mounted specimens, Write for description of my specimens. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y! EXCH ANGE.—A number of desirable mounted specimens for Bird Lore, Osprey, Auk, Condor, American Museum Journal or other ornithological magazines. Address MILTON HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway. Brooklyn, N. Y. WANTED —I want male skins of 666-652b- 68le, and sub-species of 550. I have eggs of 364. R. P. SHARPLES. West Chester. Ee: p Birds, mostly mounted; some sKins. Will exchange for desired specimens, if first class. Send stamp and exchange lists promptly. A. RUSSELL SMITH, Edge Hill, Pa. WANTED.—A skin of a Cockatoo that is in good condition. Please name price for same. Butterflies and Moths exchanged and bought. Please send list. CASPAR G. BURN, Ox- ford, Pa. (1-p) Over 400 mounted birds, mammals and rep- tiles. Eggs in sets. Foreign and United States coins. Columbia stamps, a few sets of St. Louis Exposition unused. Book on raising skunks, 50c. Tanning process, Guinea Pigs. Oologist from about 1888. What can you offer? ALMON KIBBE, ee Se -p Have annmber of very fine mounted Am. Wood Cock. Willexchange for A 1 skins of hawks. Want skins of mounted Spoon-bill Sandpiper. K. W. KAHMANN, 2457 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Ill. Anyone wishing to exchange bird skins please send list and I will send my list of duplicates per return mail. J. A. WEBER, Palisades Park, d-p) WANTED—A 1 Bird Skins also eggsin sets. Send list of what you have to exchange. EDW. E. ARMSTRONG, 207 N. Michigan Av., Chicago,l. 1-p) WHO WANTS SOME CHOICE SKINS OF LOWER CALIFORNIA WATER AND GAME BIRDS? Skins of the best class. Very moderate prices. GHUO. PRIESTLY, Garden Grove, Calif. (2-p) EXCHANGE— Live Wild Canada, Hutchins, White-fronted, and Snow Geese, Wild Ducks, and Pheasants for Kgyptian Geese, Black, Brant, Mandarin and Wood pucks. Qauil and Hungarian Partridges. a Wo JAGER, Owatomia, Minn. (d-p) BELGIUM RELIEF FUND—I have for sale a set of Peale’s Falcon, skin identified and in collection of Mr. Allen Brooks. These egesareunique. What offer. C.U. GREEN, poe ‘ie Re BURTON, St. Charles St., Vic- oria, B.C. FOR SALE CHEAP.—All kinds of Cali- fornia birds, animals, reptiles, insects, fish, etc. Mounted or skins. Also all kinds of eggs. Let me know your: wants. -R. G. PIERC EK, Anderson, Shasta Co , Califone: (-p) - skins at reasonable prices, g are first-class in every particular, otherwise HUMMINGBIRDS.—I have 110 scientific birds’ skins from South America, 62 of which are Hummingbirds, such as Turguoise Cal- liste, Shining and Blue Honey Creepers, Cotinga, Sabre Wing, etc. Also Motmots, Jacama Collored Swift, Passerinis Tanager, Massena Partridge and many other odd and rare Skins. Also some mounted specimens. This is a good chance to secure some valuable Most of them I will advise you of their condition before hand. Send for list. These were personally collected by J. H. Batty of the American Museum of Natural History. M.HOFMANN, 674 Jamaica Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. FOR EXCHANGE — Bird Skins. Want Hummingbirds only, mounted or_ skins, nest.and eggs of same. KARL HAMILTON, 400 Walnut St., Versailles, Pa. W ANTED—Living healthy birds of the following species for aviar Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern and i Grosbeaks, Grosbeaks, Eastern and Western Blue Gros- beaks, and Pyrrhuloxias. Expenses attend- ant upon capture of these birds, and fair remuneration will be paid. Write in ad- vance in regard to state permits. pond with: F. W. HENSHAW, Redwood City, San Mateo County, California. EGGS. In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would ap- _.preciate it if you would arrange the nuimerals in your exchange notice in (heir numerical order, and not tumble them together hit and miss, as some of our readers are complaining, and we think justly so. Nice data blanks, 100 pages, book form with stubs, 30c. Samples all kinds printing, Arts & Crafts Exchange. J. J. WIRZ, 1422-1424 Gwinnett St.. Augusta, Ga. EGGS. SETS.—A bargain, do not miss it. C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Michi ) -p TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets. Com- plete course of lessons in Taxidermy (Stand- ard works), Game Chickens, Cocks and Pul- Hees E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph. FOR EXCHANGE-—Sets from this locality, for sets from the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARD 8S. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston, Mass. TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets; one 22 cal. rifle. good condition. Complete course in Taxidermy (N. W. School), oneE Flat Alto Horn. Can use many common sets. E. A. WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y FOR EXCHANGE-—European and Asiatic bird eggs in sets with data for eggs of North American species needed for my collection C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Bos- ton. Mass FOR EXCHANGE—@ eggs, also sets 1-2-1-1 Mississippi Kite, personally collected com- plete data. All eggs first class. H.S. SOW- ERS, Brownell, Kansas. ~ WANTED.—Collecting gun and kodak. Offer Raptores in sets. including 329, 341, 345, 347a, 359. D. I. SHEPARDSON, 209 BK. 37th St., Los Angeles, Cal. (1-p) THE OOLOGIST Ill EGGS, FOR EXCHANGE.—Farallone eggs with small holes; also 749, 726d and many others. Continued, Send your list. H. W. CARRIGER, 5185 Trask St., Fruitvale Sta., Oakland, oa . sDJae FOR EXCHANGE.— Sets from the locality for sets from the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARD S. COOMBS, 243 Franklin St., Boston, Maes FOR EXCHANGE.—207 1-4 348 10-4 4-3 349 1-1 355 3-5 364 10-3 416 1-2 417 1-2 486 L-4 and others. Send list of selected full sets, E. J. DARLINGTON, Wilmington, Del. WANTED.—Choice sets of numbers 10-131- 204-215-352a-372-405 and several warblers. Also common kinds 339-360-540b-542a-546a-597a. Also 328 and 332. Satisfactory ranumeration. Old correspondents please write. A. KE. PRICE. Grant Park, Ill. EGGS. Bulwer’s Petrel, Iceland Gull, Cur- lew, Plovers, exchange for Osprey, Bartram Sandpiper, etc. Send lists. Also have some good sets of foreign for sale cheap. H. T. BOOTH,8 Cranbury Road, Fulham, England. FOR EXCHANGE.-—Strictly first-class personally collected sets of 332-333-339-343 and a few others, to exchange for desirable post- ABE! Seuss GEORGE D. FRENCH, Ivory- on. Conn. Will exchange for desirables of similar rarity, sets of A. O. U. 95, 114.1, 81, 134, 295, 301, 302. 310, 327, 330, 354, 356, 389, 416, 417, 419. 639, 641, 654, 666, 677. THOMAS H. JACKSON, 304 N: Franklin St., West Chester, Pa. Single sets to exchange—142-316-412-447-489- 494-495-501-511-560- 519-552-563-581-584-611-622a-652- 704-713-719-761-76la-766. Write first. TO EXCHANGE. For eggs in sets, fine set of field glasses in eee case. Many common sets wanted. . WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. What am I offered for Snowy Owl1-7 Amer. Coll.) Swallow-tailed Kite 1-2 Golden Eagle 1-2, 1-3, Duck Hawk 1-4, Black-footed Alba- tross ie? ilk you don’t need them write for my list. A. KE. PRICE, Grant Park, Il. I have for exchaage many fine sets, per- sonally taken, finely prepared, among which are: 6 1-8, 194b 15 1-8, 199 1-4, 318 1-8 219 1-9. 298 1-4, 289b 1-14, 293 1-12, 295 1-13, 300b 1-14, 307 1-9, 310 1-14, 310c 1-15, 331 1-5, 333 1-4, 334a 1-3, 335 1-4, 1-5, 337a 1-3, Texas Red-shoulder 1-3, 1-4, 339 1-3, 340 1-2, 341 1-2, 1-3, 342 13, 345 1-2, 347a 1-3, 368b 1- 2p te an a Send your lists and get my full list. E . POPE, Colmesneil, exas. TO EXCHANGE.—Two sets of 5 of Sharp- shinned Hawks, No.1 Eggs. Sets of 12 and 13 of Nothopsocta Perdicaria (Kittl) the won- derful polished eggs of South America. You can see your image in the surface of them. Taken by the Superintendent of the Chilean Agricultural College. Series of American Herring Gull and Caspian Tern. Brand new 16 Shot Winchester rifle (22 caliber). What have you? Would consider good postal size camera. DR. W. A. HART, Lapeer, Mich. EGGS — A collection to highest bidder. W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich. For Nova Scotia Biids Eggs and write to R. W. TUFTS, Wolfville, Scotia. WHAT DO YOU WANT me to collect for you? Will collect cigar bands, wood, butter- flies and sets, or anything. Vol. 30 of Auk Skins, Nova for exchange. EARL MOFFAT, Marshall, Texas. (1-p) WANTED.--Good Taxidermist, close to Texas to exchange Taxidermy work for sets. All corresdondence answered. EARL MOF- FAT, Marshall, Texas. (1-p) ON SALE.—Good twelve Gauge, Breech loading shot gun, reloading tools; 32 Gauge Auxiliar Barrel tools, shells, (no Extractor); five dollars cash ten dollars exchange (eggs) net. Buffalo bones ee eer seven neue or- postal order. Irving, Lees ( ear WANTED THE FOLLOWING SETS— Pur- ple Sandpipes 2-4, American Bittern N-4 olden Plover N-4, Bonapartes Manitoba, Can. Box 593, MISCELLANEOUS. To exchange for stone relics several copies of Harpers Illustrated Weekly from 1860 to 1873. L. A. PARRE, Batavia, Il. WANTED-—Indian Relics for cash or ex- ee ee: Also!finely mounted specimen birds. DR. A. E. PAYNE, Riverhead, N. Y. (1-p) WANTED.—Type and printer’s supplies. Have Natural history, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- mens, fishing tackle, shells, minerals, bat- tery, massage machine. J. J. WIRZ, Taxi- dermist. Augusta, Ga. ‘a- Dp) FOR SALE.—Good substantial bird houses for Wren, Blue Birds, etc. Post paid, for 50 cents. R B B. KIDDER, Columbus, Wis. — WANTED.—A pair of calipers marked in hundredths and any copies of the “Iowa Ornithologist.’”’ Also have a few common sets to exchange. EMERSON STONER, 482- 38th St., Oakland, Calif. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a copy of‘ ane Butterflies of the West Coast.’ JOHN GRAVES, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. 1-p) WANTED.—To correspond with parties in Arizona ahd New Mexico who would collect Beetles for me for cash or exchange. W. E. SNYDER, Beaver Dam, Wis. (1-p) WANTED AT ONCE.—A specimen or the Red Fox in fine winter fur. Also skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare of Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A SCIENCES, Lincoin Park, Chicago, III. (1) IV THD OOLOGIBT MISCELLANEOUS, FOR SALE.—I have a fine line of arrows and spears from Grime County, Texas. Send $1.00 for a dozen perfect arrows. E. DOERGE, Navasota, Texas, Box 484. (1-p) Brazilian Beetles and small showy shells wanted. Will give skin of Snowy Owl. eggs, butterflies or cash. GEORGE ROSSITER, §2 Tiverton Ave., Toronto, Canada. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Alligator eggs, also Limpkin aud lather back turtle eggs. NAT. P. FRY, Eureka, Marion Co., Florida. (1-p FOR SALE AND EXCHANGE.—Live Snakes, Lizards, Baby Tartles. also general line of Florida insects. NAT. P. FRY Eureka, Marion County, Florida. (1-p For Collectors, a fine collection of speci- mens, all large and very fine, one Chnstolite S, will sell for 5.00 cash with order. E. W. KELLY, Box 186, Seneca, I]. (1-p) _ Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ, TAXIDERMIST, 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high grade Ithaca hammerless gun, any gaugue, new from factory; or part cash. E. F. POPE, Colmesneil, Texas. Bird Skins, animal skins and cleaned skulls eggs in sets and named Coleoptera to ex- change for stamps not in my collection. W. Be FIN CO) ES 309 DeClark St., Beayer, Dam is. Perfect, and well mounted specimens of North American moths and butterflies offered in exchange for North American bird skins. PHILIP LAURENT, 31 East Mt. Airy Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. Bird Books WANTED. - Kor cash, Osprey Vol. I Nos. 2 and 4; Vol. III Nos. 8-9-10-11-12. Also need many numbers of Bird Lore, Oologist, ete Send list of duplicates and receive mine. R LENN, Room 107 Penna. Sta.. burgh, Pa. (1-p) FOR EXCHA NGE.— For cash, to best offer; Newman’s British Moths and Newman’s British Butterflies. Condition good. In- uiries answered. CHRIS FIRTH, Durham, nt.. Canada. {1-p] WANTED.—O. & O. of Mass., Vol. X and XI; The Muse1m, Vol. IV, Nos. 8,9, 10, 11, 12: Vol, V Nos. 1,7, 11; Vol. VI, Nos. 1, 2, 3; Bird Lore, Vol. XI, Nos, 1, 5. The Taxidermist of Medina, Ohio, Vol. I, Nos. 1, 2, CHAS. W. TINDALL, Independence, Mo. {1-p] FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Bird Lore, Volumes 8 and 16inclusive, complete. Perfect condition. W.J.ERICKSEN, 208 W. 40th St., Savannah. Ga. (-p) Have you any bird magazines to exchange? Send list of duplicates and receive mine. J. L. SLOANAKER, Palisades, Uol. Box 402. = (with index) Vol. VIII No.2. LEWIS DEX- TER, 1889 Elm St., Manchester, N. H. KOR SALE.—Cheap for cash. Standard Library of Natural History; leather; new; 5 volumes; hundreds of illustrations. EARLE He FORREST, 261 Locust Ave., Washington, a. _ WANTED-—Bull, Cooper Orn. Club (Con- dor). Vol. I No.3. Will pay $4.00 in original covers. DR. W.M. TYGER, Dexineton Mase Hine specimens of the beautiful Abert’s Squirrel, and other mammals, for mounting Wili exchange for books on natural History if in good condition. J. STOCKLY LIGON. Chloride, N. Mex. (1-p) WANTED—Am. Ornithology Vol VI; Oolo- gist. Vols, 26, 27, 28; Osprey, Vols. I and III (All complete). State lowest cash price. Have many odd numbers of Bird magazines for exchange; also several books by Wm. J. Long. Listforastamp. ROBT. W. GLENN, Rm. 107, Penna, Sta., Pittsburg, Pa. WANTED FOR CAS4U.—Condor Vol. Bird Lore, Vol. 7, No. 1; Vol. 3, Nos. 1, 2, 3; Vol. 2, Nos. 2, 3; Vol. 1, except No.1. J. L. SLOANAKER, Palisades, Colo. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—National Geographic magazines for good sets of any birds of prey. Write, statIng what you have. S.V. WHAR- RAM, Austinburg, O. (1-p) TO EXCHANGE.—I have 1000 duplicates of Scientific periodicals [mostly Ornithologicall to offer for Ornithological publications, bird skins, eggs or cash. FRANK L. BURNS, Berwyn. Pa. |2-p] Qo gist, seum, etc. for desirable postage stamps. GEORGE D. FRENCH, Ivoryton, Conn. [1-p] FOR SALE.— Nidiologist, Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, bound $7.50. Oologist Vols. 1 to 25 inclusive $25.00. Osprey, Vols, 1, 2, 3, $5.00 Many others; all delivered. A. EK. SCHFUZE, 1108 Blanco St., Austin, Texas. SALE OR EXCHANGE. ~—Messages and papers of the President, II Vol. bound in half leather. Trolling Rods, Fly Rods and Reck, All back numbers. All Story Cavalier Week- ly. Can use eggs in sets and some first-class skins. E. L. HALEY, Rangeley, Maine. WANTED.—Coues Key N. Am. Birds, fifth edition; back numbers of Condor, Auk and Bird Lore, A. O. U. Check List. ALBERT LANO, Fayetteville, Ark. (1-p) Have a set of the The Paper and Messages of the President good as new, cost $32.50. Will exchange for best offer in stamps or Ge GUESS C. A. MEEKER, Danbury, Ct., ox 161. WANTED.—Any volumes and numbers of Ornithologist and Dolor ist. except volume 15 and 16. State price. have for exchange Turner’s Natural History of Alaska; A. O.U. Check-list, (latest edition; Forbush’s Birds Useful to man. ROBERT W. WILLIAMS, 215 Kastern Ave., Takoma Park, Md. (1-p) THE OOLOGIST. VOL. XXXII. No. 7. ALBION, N. Y. JuLy. 15, 1915. WHOLE NO. 386 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. The Burns Bibliography With this month’s issue, as a Supplement to and a part of The Oologist we present to each of our sub- Scribers “A Bibliography of Scarce or Out of Print North American Amateur and Trade Publications devoted more or less to Ornithology,” by Frank L. Burns. The Editor, as well as each and every recipient of a copy of this compilation are under a deep obli- gation to Mr. Burns. Nobody who has not been con- nected with the preparation of this Bibliography has any conception of the amount of work and time that it has taken. It has been in progress of preparation for more than two years, and Mr. Burns, with his usual thoroughness has covered the subject as it never has been covered before. This Bibliography will be the standard check list of this character of publications for all time to come. The ornithologist and oologist as well as the collector of this class of publications and all others interested in kindred publications, owe Mr. Burns a deep sense of gratitude. And it is with pleasure that we place before our readers the result of his labor. alls JDO 106 THH OOLOGIST ~~ | ‘ The Northern Raven. By S. 8S. Dickey. The Latin scientific name for the Northern Raven is Corvus corvax pricipalis and means principal croak- ing crow. The general color of the bird’s plumage is black and gives iri- descent blue reflections in a proper light; the length of the species varies somewhat but averages twenty-four inches; the feet and bill are black and the latter is quite large and strong. The Northern Raven is a sub-race of the American Raven which is found in the United States only west of the Mississippi River. The Northerner differs from the Westerner in being larger and in having a heavier beak. Corvus corvax principalis inhabits the Alleghany mountains from north- ern Georgia to the Adirondack moun- tains of northern New York and the mountains of parts of New England. In the Iowlands the birds are some- times found on the coasts of Virginia and New Jersey. species is most abundant in the United States on the rocky coasts of Maine. In the Dominion of Canada the birds may be expected anywhere from the Atlantic to the Pacific; they seem not to dread the bitter cold of the far North and spend much of the year in parts ofboth Greenland and Alaska. In the interior of our country Ravens have been found nesting in the moun- tains of central Pennsylvania and have been sometimes seen about the higher ridges of Virginia, West Vir- ginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. In Centre County, Pennsylvania, Ravens dwell among the craggy moun- tain ravines and at times fly out over nearby farms in search of food. Dur- ing the winter season, when they are hard pressed for nourishment, they will skirt the borders of towns and villages; the writer has seen them sail low over the college buildings that It seems that the stand inside the town of State Col- lege. However, the Raven spends much of its time in the mountains where ragged rocky bluffs afford it shelter from the wintry chill and pro- vide a nesting place in springtime. Ravens resemble Crows when view- ed from a distance but when seen near at hand their large size readily dis- tinguishes them from the latter spe cies; and in flight the Raven ordinar- ily soars and the Crow generally flaps its wings. Then, too, the notes of the Raven differ from those of its smaller relative—the Raven’s notes are coarse gutteral outcries and are usually described as croaking noises. It is said that they have other cries but the writer, in his meager acquaint- ance with the species, has never heard these. In a rocky ravine near State College the writer had the pleasure of watch- ing a pair of Ravens in their aerial ac- tions. The day was a beautiful one of early March, 1913 and the birds had almost completed a nest on a cliff nearby. They became annoyed when I approached their chosen abode and soared about in the air above me. As I came quite near to the nest both Ravens croaked repeatedly, endeavor- ing ta voice their disapproval at my presence. This species of Raven feeds to a great extent upon refuse matter such as dead fish, sheep, cattle, and deer. They are said to visit deserted hunters camps and feed upon waste matter left behind. Besides these things the Ravens devour such insects as grass- hoppers and beetles; also the eggs and young of many kinds of birds. The nesting time of the Raven is early March in our country and early April in southern Canada. Nests are built in trees and on the projecting rocks of cliffs. They are huge affairs of sticks, twigs, course weed stalks, THE OOLOGIST T07 and soft grass blades, and are warm- ly lined with grasses, moss, and an- imal hair. Five eggs is the usual num- ber to a set but as many as seven have at times been found. They are greenish in ground color and are spot- ted and blotched with shades of drab, brown and lavender, and measure 2.92 x 1.38 inches. The birds are quite attached to a place once selected for an abode and will return to it after being repeated- ly disturbed. An old man who has lived nearly all his life near a cliff a few miles distant from State College, Pa., informed me that he had seen Ravens there for more than forty years. Since Ravens are known to at- tain a great age it is probable that the preceding birds were quite aged. So far as the writer is able to learn the first authentic set of Raven’s eggs from Pennsylvania was taken by Professor R. C. Harlow near State College. Late in February, 1910, he discovered an almost completed nest of this species built on a projecting crag of a thirty foot bluff. The bluff was situated in a gap in a mountain ridge which bordered an open space of comparatively level farm land. On March 1 the nest was again visited and a set of five eggs collected from it. The birds soon had another nest and on March 16 a second set of five eggs was secured. Still the birds were persistent and laid a third clutch, con- sisting of four eggs. In 1911 the same pair nested, and Professor Harlow se- cured a fourth set of eggs, five in num- ber. Through the courtesy of Prof. Har- low the writer was directed to a Raven’s nest in southern Clinton Coun- ty, Pa. A young man, while trout fish- ing in that region in the spring of 1912, discovered a nest and young birds and brought a report of it back to State College. Accompanied by Prof. Har- low I took the train to a small town which landed us nine miles from our destination. It was late in the after- noon when we finally approached an abrupt turn in the mountain gulch and emerged into a more open place on the south side of which stood a jagged bluff. By standing in the little moun- tain road I was able to throw a stone across the gulch and against the cliff. No sooner had the stone struck than out of an indentation flopped a Raven and sailed away over the neighboring hemlocks. The bird soon returned and after one circle about departed and was seen no more. I was soon up to the niche in the damp wall of rocks and peered upon the five green egg that cozily rested on the lining of green moss and deer’s hair. This set is now in the writer’s collection and was taken on the day of discovery, March 13, 1913. The eggs are pea green in ground color and are spotted and blotched with shades of brown and drab. The five specimens measure re- spectively, 1.95x1.30; 2.08x1.30: 1.5) xO F 188 x I Ai S61 27, Early in April Prof. Harlow again visited the nest in Clinton County and found that the Ravens had not deposit- ed a second set but that the pair of birds had moved to a smaller bluff far- ther down the gulch and had there built a larger nest than the first one; it was only about ten feet up and was not protected above by rocks, as is the usual case with nests of this bird. April 15, the writer revisited the re- gion for the purpose of obtaining some photographs of the nests, the cliffs, and the surroundings; upon reaching the nest number two he found it empty and no Ravens about. PS ee et ame THE BIRD OR THE CAT Has become aé_e scratching subject which is making the feathers fly in 108 _ THR OOLOGIST many a heretofore peaceful neighbor- hood. Bird lovers who have attempt- ed to establish sanctuaries for their feathered friends have been compelled to revise their visiting lists according to where her Royal Highness, Tabby- kins, holds sway. The bird man who has found to his sorrow that any bird and cat combina- tion means cat-astrophe, even while he is taking the mangled body of the little feathered tenant, that he has worked for months to attract, from the clutches of the innocent-looking, fluffy, four-footed murderer, will be assailed by the cat-owner, who indignantly de- clares that while other low-bred crea- tures may catch birds, she knows her own blueblooded darling Fluffykins is too well bred and too well fed to do such a deed! Naturalists statistically rank the felis domesticus as third in the bird destroying agents, holding every roaming cat responsible for the lives of at least fifty birds a year. A game warden who reports 200 quail killed by a mother cat in less than a year on the game preserve, advocates the wholesale extermination of cats under the supervision of a game warden. The value of the cat to catch mice or rats is disputed by a bird enthusi- ast, who maintains that this Nero of the animal world will hush forever the joyous song of any little feathered chorister, simply for his own amuse- ment when not in need of food. When he dines he goes after a cold bird in preference to any other delicacy, and will catch mice or rats only as a last resort to keep from starving. The most serious arraignment against both the domestic and stray cat is made by the Boards of Health, who have found these animals to be carriers of scarlet fever, diphtheria and other diseases most fatal to their human associates. A successful business man says that if a cat kills a little chicken in the yard of the average farmer, the cat is made away with. If the four-footed hunter comes home with a quail, he is petted; yet the quail is of greater economic value to the farmer than is either the cat or the chicken. He thinks, for humane reasons, the wild or stray cat left on abandoned farms should be put out of the way. A cat-a-comb, where feline prowlers may be laid permanently to rest, is considered a necessary adjunct to every bird sanctuary by a bird conser- vationist, who tried, without success, various methods to prevent cats from killing helpless song and insectivorous birds so valuable to man. Another long sufferer from cat depredations considers a near-by deeper bath, in which to immerse and leave the sav- age depredators, is the only way in which a bird bath may be maintained. Some friends of the birds think to license the cat and hold the owner re- sponsible for his pet’s destructiveness will solve not only the vexing cat, but also the kitten question. They con- clude that if a person pays for a license he will not be so apt to desert his cat, leaving it dependent upon hunting for a living. Optimists who still believe that cat nature may be educated or restrained, suggest that bells and bright ribbon be placed on Pussy so that a warning will precede her fatal spring. Others advocate that the poles or trees on which bird-houses are placed should be sheathed in tin or wrapped in barb wire to prevent the cat from climbing up and destroying the half-grown nest- lings before they can fly to safety. A thorny rose-bush is advised by another humane person; but the ever-present cynic thinks it much better to plant the cat at the roots of the rose-bush where he is sure in time to evolve into harmless fertilizer. THE OOLOGIST 109 If you will help save the birds from all their enemies, sign the pledge and send it in to The Farm Journal, Phil- adelphia, when the badge-button of the bird-saving Club will be sent you with- out cost. pe ONS eS a EE Odd Finds. April 15, 19138, I found a set of three Red-Shouldered Hawks, two eggs be- ing average size, with almost no mark- ings and the third egg was just about the size of a Sparrow Hawk and had very little marking. Wirst runt Hawk egg I ever found in a s90d many years collecting. June 14, 1913, found a set of Cedar _ Waxwing with fcur eggs and one of a Black-billed Cuckoo. Roscoe T. Giles. Marlboro, Mass. SINE SU a a ate _ Books Reviewed. BIRDS OF OHIO, a revised cata- logue by Lynds Jones, hi. Sce., October 1903, Ohio State Academy of Sciences. This cataiogue comes to our desk late, eleven and a half years late, but it is none the less a valuable contribu- tion to the literature of the birds ot Ohio; being prepared by one of the best known and most thorough of North American systematists in the line of ornithology. It has stood the test of years aS a standard authority on the subject and will remain so for a long time to come. It consists oi 241 pages, catalogues 299 species un- der the title of “The Birds of Ohio,” 15 species as accidental, 4 as intro- duced, 18 as hypothetical and 2 as ex- tinct, the Prairie Hen and the Carolina Parcquet, to which of course now may be added, so far as the state of Ohio is concerned, the Whooping Crane, Trumpeter Swan and Passenger Pigeon. —_— ————__ + ——__—_—_ The Knot. One of our most interesting beach birds is the knot, or red-breasted plov- er, as it is sometimes called. Per- haps, also, you have heard of this same bird as the silver or blue plover. The knot is the largest of the bird family called sandpipers and is said to travel further in its annual migra- tions than any other birds. Its flights are made in spring and fall, mainly along the Atlantic coast. One excep- tion, however, is made when those coming north in the spring, via Texas and Louisiana, take a route up the Mississippi valley. The period of their stay in the northlands is quite short. The knots go north during the latter half of May and begin to return about the middle of July; then by the middle of October all stragglers have gone South again. It is an old fact that the adults always go South first, and the young follow sometimes later. We do not find this true of wood and upland birds, although’ several of our coastwise migrants do the same thing. The knot seems to like much com- pany, and when one finds a flock of. these birds he is almost certain to see many turnstones and black-breast- ed plover mingled in with them. Years ago the knots were easily approach- ed, being unsuspicious and trusting, but now, since they have been slaugh- tered in such numbers, they are very wary and shy and avoid dangerous places. In the fall, the young, in their migrations southward, are easy vic- tims for the first hunters along the line, but they, too, scon learn caution and become very restless and easily alarmed, rising to flight at the least disturbance. In some sections the knot is referred to as the “placer miner” because of its habit of closely follow- ing the waves as they recede from the beaches and picking up the shell fish and other marine food washed up by the surge. By nature they are very persistent birds, and old gunners tell us that when they were less wary THE OOLOGIST 110 S9TID “J soosoy Aq 0JOYqI— ‘OIN “p] SNoluIZe ‘Usa, D1}DUW JO SpUNOUy BHuljsenN auiq as0ys 111 THE OOLOGIST SOILD “[ VODSOYy AG 0}0Yq— ‘QI. ‘SHOOY Snoiulze|| UO ‘nzISs Ul ‘U4aL 91390uW Jo SHH pue json 112 THE OOLOGIST they would return time after time to a good feeding ground even though fired at again and again.—The Class- mate. W. A. Strong. San Jose, Cal. We recently had offered to us two sets of four eggs of the Knot taken some years ago in Northeast Green- land within the Arctic Circle, which shows how rare such specimens are. —Hditor.

—$——_———— The Loon—On Plum Lake, Wis. (Gavia Immer) Nest found July 6, 1914, on top of old muskrat house, just a slight de- pression in top, eggs, two in number, half in water. Water about foot and half deep around nest in ten feet from shore. Mother slid off nest when we were still one-cuarter of a mile away. EHggs well incubated. One of the young Loons in the egg was making a small noise like the mother, could be distinctly heard without holding to: the ear. Second nest found August 15, 1914, on island, in middle of lake, under some bushes, just a slight depression, two very pretty but rotten eggs. Mother must have killed or deserted for some reason. One egg broke and I have the other which is a very fine specimen. Dudiey De Groot. —-- oo A Cuckoo Mixup. Have seen a number of notes on the nesting of the Black-billed and Yel- low-billed Cuckoos in the same nest but none of quite like my exnerience of June 26th. While on my way to the possible site of a rare Warbler passed through a patch of alders and high bush of blue berries and in one of the berry bushes was the nest of a Cuckoo. At first glance took the two birds on the nest to be young nearly full grown as it would be time for them to be so, but on closer inspection found one of the birds to be an adult Black-billed and -the other an adult Yellow-billed Cuckoo. One bird faced one way and the other the opposite. Both birds remained on the nest until I came to within five feet of it and the Yellow-billed being nearest me I saw that she was trying to cover two of her own eggs while the Black-billed had one of her own and one of the Yellow-bills. The eggs were close to- gether so that neither bird fuliy cov- ered them, yet they were incubated about a week. The nest itself must have been made by the Yellow-billed as three of the four eggs were hers. Now the average date here for both birds is May 30th so they are fully two weeks late in that respect. Also the Yellow-billed is not near so common as the other and one or two eggs, rather than three is the common set while three and four would be an aver- age set for the Black-billed. Both spe- cies are very destructive; eating eggs and young of all birds up to their size and one need not look for anything in the vicinity of a Cuckoo’s nest. Roscoe T. Giles. aaa SSS The California Cuckoo. In the June OOLOGIST I find no reference to the article in the May is- sue entitled “Home of California Cuckoo Discovered.” None of the ad- vanced oologists have taken the trou- ble to correct the erroneous impres- sion that article conveys to the young- er students who lack the advantages of sufficient ornithological literature. The fact is that we are tolerably well acquainted with the summer home and nesting habits of this cuckoo and ignorant only of its winter range. I have no intention of going deeply into the matter and so merely submit some data taken from the Condor but not all the data therein pertaining to this THE OOLOGIST 118 sub-species. Set of two eggs taken near Santa Paula, Calif., in June, 1904. Set of three eggs July 13, 1907 and another nest July 24, 1910, containing three eggs and one young bird near Compton, Calif. Of the many sets taken by Mr. Jay in Los Angeles County the earliest date was three young May 10, 1901, and the latest date, two eggs August 20, 1911. Of the sets taken by Mr. Schneider near Anaheim his latest is four eggs July 19, 1900. The earliest breeding record of which I have knowledge is the set of two found in San Bernardina Val- ley, in May, 1882, and recorded in Bendire’s N. A. Birds. Aside from published records probably every large collection cf eggs contains sets. I have had sets in my collection from both California and Colorado. J. Claire Wood. There was no intention of conveying the idea that the article in the June OOLOGIST was a description of a FIRST finding of the breeding place of the California Cuckoo. The Cai- fornia Cuckoo is not confined to Cali- fornia, it breeds over a large territory, and its nesting habits are well known. —Hditor. LS es The Economic Value of Birds. Although we all appreciate the fact that birds are of great value to the agriculturist it seems as if some of our enthusiastic protectionists greatly overestimate their value as weed and insect destroyers and when they base their arguments for more protective laws on statements that are altogether unreasonable and absurd it is only nat- ural that people should be inclined to doubt the wisdom of passing more laws on the strength of mis-stated facts. Some of our distinguished ornitholo- gists dissect a series of stomachs of some particular species of bird, and after finding out how many weed seeds and insects are therein contained they figure out how much actual damage the said weeds and insects could pos- sibly do to agriculture under condi- tions most favorable to them. Then the protectionist claims that the birds have saved that amount of value to the country. This is wrong,— for it makes it appear that the good accomplished by the birds is many times greater than it really is. The fact of the matter is that many of these seeds or insects are taken from land where there is such an abund- ance of them left after the birds are through feeding that the amount de- stroyed by the birds produces no no- ticeable effect on the supply. Many of the seeds or insects would perish from natural causes before they could do any harm, even if the birds did not eat them. We will grant that if there were enough seed and insect eating birds on a certain area of territory the amount of good they could do would be apparent to anyone, for this has been demonstrated occasionally dur- ing a plague of insects when birds have appeared in sufficient numbers to check what would otherwise have been a much more serious damage to the crops. But to say that this commonly hap- pens is a gross error, for insect-eating birds have never been common enough in this country to accomplish any such purpose, except in a few isolated local cases which only serve to emphasize the fact that it is unusual. I do not believe that there is a fair minded agriculturist in this country who can truthfully say that there ever was a season during which he found it entirely necessary to protect his crops from weeds or insects, because the birds had made such labor need- less. 114 THE OOLOGIST Two Osprey Nests in one tree, Ketts Point, St. Mary’s Co., Md. —Photo by E. J. Court THE OOLOGIST 115 —Photo by J. B. Dixon Nest and Eggs of Roadrunner, in situ, near Escondido, Calif. 116 THH OOLOGIST Let us stick to good solid facts, for the average man is willing to do what he can to protect the birds because of the charm they add to our woods, fields and waterways, and I think that is the best way to present the matter for his consideration, rather than to encourage him to protect them in the expectation that they will benefit him greatly in a financial way. If a man tries to protect birds simp- ly as an investment he is very liable to be disappointed at the results ob- tained, and then he either loses inter- est in bird protection or else condemns it as a failure. But this same man might become in- terested in natural history if it was brought to his attention in the right way and perhaps would help the good cause of wild life conservation during the remainder of his life, as many others have done and are doing now. Horace O. Green. BES Se ure es eee! Loon and Red-shouldered Hawk at é Mud Pond. On April 11th, 1915, shortly after day break I flushed a male Loon (Gavia imber) along the eastern shore of Mud Pond, Passaic County, New Jersey. During the night several flocks of ducks were heard flying and calling over the house from Kampfe’s Lake, which lies about a mile to the northwest of Mud Pond. On arising I determined to investigate and at tempt to learn the species of these ducks, if possible, and walked down to the pond while it was still dark On the pond were about fifteen Black Duck (Anas obscura) at this time and while walking along the eastern banks and observing these birds in gyratory flights over the pond and playing in its waters, I descended into a small covex in the rocks and the Loon was there quietly swimming about and I had about five minutes to observe him without arousing his suspicions. How- ever, he finally spied me from my lookout and hastily flew off to the southern end of the pond. This is the second specimen of this bird that I have observed on Pompton Lake on April 14, 1912. At noon of this day I found at the Pond a completed nest of the Red- shouldered Hawk in a dead maple about forty feet up and the female was setting on same apparently about to deposit the first egg. I climbed up to this nest but the eggs had not yet been deposited. This is the first nest of this species that I have ever locat- ed in New Jersey. ESO A Three-cornered Battle. On the morning of April 10th in a small swamp in Bloomfield, New Jer- sey, I came upon a noisy three-corner- ed battle between a pair of Sparrow Hawks, a pair of Red-headed Wood- peckers and a trio of Starlings for the possession of a decayed maple stump. In the top of this stump was located a deserted nest of the Flicker of last year and about a foot below the Red- heads had excavated a nest. The Star- lings and Sparrow Hawks having both laid claim to the deserted nest, were busily engaged in fighting it out for possession. The Redheads, on the other hand took decided exceptions to the intrusion of both the other species and were attempting to disperse. the combatants for the upper story of their new home. On April 15th the Hawks apparently by superior strength had driven off both of its rivals and were making elaborate preparations in anticipation of their coming offspring. But this was not to be, as several Italian wood seekers went them one better and car- ried off the stump on their backs, thus forcing the Hawks to seek other quarters, the whereabouts of which is still an unsolved puzzle. Louis S. Kohler. THE OOLOGIST 117 Odd Finds. April 13, 1913, I found a set of three Red-shouldered Hawk, two eggs being averaged size, with almost no mark- ings and the third egg was just about the size of a Sparrow Hawk and had very little marking. First runt Hawk egg I ever found in a good many years collecting. June 14, 1913 found a set of Cedar Waxwing with four eggs and one of a Black-billed Cuckoo. Roscoe T. Giles. Marlboro, Mass. —- eS Drumming of the Ruffed Grouse. As none of the few works on Orni- thology in my library contain a full description of the familiar drumming of the Ruffed Grouse perhaps a few remarks on the subject may be of in- terest. The most detailed description I have ever seen is given in Davies Nest and Eggs of North American Birds, Fifth Edition, and according to my observation in one particular it is completely in error. The following quotation is taken from the descrip- tion given in this work—‘The tufts of the neck feathers are elevated, the bird all the while strutting about in the most pompous manner possible to imagine, striking the sides of her body with rapid strokes of her wings. I have observed a number of these birds in the act of drumming. The procedure is always about the same and never in any instance have I seen a drummer move out of her tracks dur- ing the act of drumming or between performances, much less “strut about on the most pompous manner possible to imagine.” His first position in sitting on a log in a rather huddled up attitude facing away from the log not along it and he looks as if drowsy or asleep but if you try to approach too near he is up and away like a flash. The following two descriptions are taken from my notebook, the first ob- tained without use of a glass and the second through a good pair of glasses. April 17th, 1901, watched a Ruffed Grouse drum seven times. Until start- ing to drum he sits huddled on a log facing at right angles to direction in which it lays. Then he straightens up with tail pressed against side of the log and ruffs out till through drum- ming. The tip of the wings extended then touch the log for a moment be- fore closing and the tail is raised from the log, spread like a fan. Then the ruff and tail gradually subside and he resumes his first position. The sound is produced by rapid beating of his wings against his sides. The wing beats are long, slow and distinct at commencement but much shorter and quicker in middle and end period of performance. April 26th, 1913, watched a Ruffed Grouse drum several times through my glass at distance of about thirty yards. He was sitting crossways on a log as usual. After drumming he sits on the log with wings dropped and tips of primaries touching log in front of his toles, tail straight out behind a couple of inches above the log. As he starts to drum he rises to his full height, beating his sides with his wings and brings his unspread tail tight against side of log. In middle of the act his position has same resemb- lance to that of a Penguim standing erect. As he finishes drumming, ruffs, wings and tail are extended and the last is raised from the log and tilted up in fan shape. He then subsides into his first position of motionless drowsiness which he maintains for several minutes before going through the performance again. Iam unable to say to which sub-spe- cies the Ruffed Grouse of this district belong. Acocrding to ranges given 118 THE OOLOGIST they should be 300a and 300b, but they vary from greys to reds with all grad- uation of coloring between in different individuals so that it would require the services of the experts(?) who separated them to identify some of these birds in either sub-species and then, no two identifications of a num- ber of birds by different experts would agree. I am content to know them as Ruffed Grouse. A. D. Henderson.

Ants and Ospreys. June 20, 1914—While climbing up to an Osprey’s nest in a dead pine on the Tred Avon River, I found that a pair of Red-Headed Woodpeckers had made several large cavities in the tree, about 20 feet from the ground and be. low the Fish-hawks nest. They had raised a brood of five young in one of these holes, one of which I shot. Its stomach contained black ants and a whitish grub. These woodpeckers evi- dently fed on the numerous ants about the hawk’s nest. June 30—Collected a set of two Os- prey eggs. Noticed a pair of Flickers pecking about a hole on a nearby limb. Upon examination the hole seemed to have been freshly made but contained nothing. Ants were abundant about the Osprey nest. Climbed up to another Osprey nest nearby but the nest was so bulky I could not reach or climb over the rim to find what was in it, but I thought that it contained young. Since then I have often seen Flick- ers and Woodpeckers feeding about the nests of these birds. B. Langsdale. Haston, Md. 125 THE OOLOGIST imyywy AQsI[D Avjue}g Aq OJoYG— “Buo| sojius omy Ajueau yoeeaq Jo yo}ou3s e poidnsoso0 Auojoo su, ‘“puejs| uoJoug Jo YOeeq 94} UO poadejd sue sHBHa 943 A] 4914} MOY SMOUS SIU L "“JQUIWIHS YORI pue usa], JOGeD pue ueidseg ‘reAoy jo shby 126 THE The Nesting of the Greater Yellow- legs in Manitoba. (Totanus melanolcucus) Last year (1914) the Greater Yellow- legs was only a migrant in this part of Manitoba. During the whole sum- mer I did not see a single individual, until late in the autumn they arrived here in great numbers from their northern breeding grounds. If any of them remained here during the sum: mer, they were so few that they en- tirely escaped by observation. This year (1915) several pair re mained here to breed. I am certain oi at least three pair breeding within a radius of four miles from my home. One particular pair was constantiy seen at our lake shore not more than two hundred yards from the house. It is hardly necessary to mention that I paid very close attention to the move- ments of these birds, having a slight hope of being able to locate their nest. One morning in June, while I was with one of my neighbors building a fence through a slough, the big Yellow- legs were there also and appeared to be very much agitated about our pres- ence. I felt sure that their home was somewhere near and partly forgetting my work, I commenced to match my wits against theirs. For the whole day this state of affairs continued and I must admit that I was completely we- feated in the end. i hunted and watch- ed the motions of the birds, but all that I gained by my efforts was the satisfaction of knowing that the fe- male was setting somewhere, as she put in an appearance only once dur- ing the whole afternoon, while her mate circled about us nearly all the time; sometimes disappearing for half an hour or more and then returning again; but I never saw him perch on any of the nearby tree-tops, a fact that at last made me think that the nest was not, after all, as near as the anx- iety of the birds indicated. OOLOGIST On the following day, June 24th, while on my way to look over some government haylands, I had to drive over a very nasty swamp, where no rig had ever passed before. This was about a quarter of a mile from the place where we had been building the fence on the day previous. lEvery- thing went smooth until I was on the far side of the swamp where I saw a very soft and spongy looking spot right ahead of the horses. There was no way of getting around it, I either had to go over it or turn back entire- ly as Birch Lake was about two hun- dred yards on the right side of me and a small pond nearer still on the left. An old moose trail led through the swamp. For a moment I hesitated, then, thinking that as a moose had gone through it, the horses ought to be able to do the same, I gave them the word of comamnd to go ahead. The obedient animals plunged at once into it and in a moment were wallow- ing up to their bellies in mud. Now and not before, the thought flashed through my mind that the moose that had made the trail had no wagon to pull through the mud hole. The following moments certainly were full of excitement, but in about thirty seconds we had “made it” and were on the other side on “terra firma” once more. ‘Whoa,’ I yelled to the horses to give them a chance to take their wind and at that very moment a bird flew up right in front of the front wheel of the wagon. ‘“Killdeer!” said the lad who was with me. “Like the dickens,” said I, for there within twen- ty feet of us the Greater Yellow-legs lit upon the ground and anxiously started to watch our movements. I looked over the dashboard of the wagon and “lo and behold,” there was the nest not more than one foot from the front wheel of the wagon. Less than half a minute before this I re- THE OOLOGIST 127 gretted my foolhardiness for plunging the horses into the mudhole, but that feeling took the wings of the wind at the sight of the four beauties in the nest. And it was only a chance out of a thousand, as I am confident that the bird would have never exposed her treasures if we had been even a half a dozen steps away from her. So closely she sat that one of the horses had passed the nest within two feet of it and yet she did not raise until my “whoa” scared her and at the same time one of the heavy wheels threat- ened to crush both her and her treas- ures. The parent bird did not pretend to be lame like most of shorebirds do when anyone is approaching the nest, but stood on the ground nearby giv- ing one a splendid opportunity for making the identification perfectly cer- tain. In a little while the male bird came along and aided by his consort, he gave me a short lecture in the “kew-kew” language of his own. The nest was just a depression in the moss, with a few bits of ivy grass as a lining. It had no shelter what- ever, as a fire had swept over the place about a month previous to the finding of the nest so that there was not even grass growing anywhere near the nest. The eggs were badly incubated but by drilling the holes rather larger than the average and taking plenty of time and using great care, I succeed- ed in making first class cabinet speci- mens of them. They are pear-shaped with rather a glossy surface and meas- ure as follows: 1.77 x1.17, 1.73 x 1.18, 1.73 x 1.19 and 1.74x1.21. The ground color is about the same as that on the eggs of the Spotted Sandpiper; the spots are very dark brown and chest- nut, with small, bluish-gray clouds un- derneath them. The smaller dots are evenly distributed over the entire sur- face of the eggs, the larger ones are all on the larger ends. I am of the opinion that this is the first authentic set of eggs of the Great- er Yellow-legs ever discovered in Man- itoba, leaving out, of course, the so- called Keewatin district, which has re- cently been added to the province and which brings our new boundaries to the shores of Hudson’s Bay. Ernest S. Norman. —o—~—0- The Killdeer is Not Afraid. I had frequently to walk over a cer- tain stretch of the St. Paul railroad near Columbus, Wis., all this spring, and at about the time of working up the fields a pair of Killdeer disturbed in the fields I always started up on the track. I half suspected there was a nest, but could never surprise the bird, she would always see me and get up long before I got near her. Finally one day I almost stepped on the nest. It contained three eggs, so I did not disturb it as I wanted a complete set, if I collected them at all. The nest was of gravel; that is, a hollow scratched in the gravel and well lined with roots of dry grass, placed be- tween the tracts four and one-half feet from the main rails and three and one- half feet from the siding rail; why this wild bird of the prairie selected this place for a home, where multiplied dozens of mile-long heavy freight trains thundered by all through the day and night and where scores of long, heavy passenger trains tore by at terrific speed, throughout the twenty-four hours, and besides hun- dreds of “hobos” tramped every day, called thither by the coming season, why this bird nested here I could not make up my mind. It was not far from a switch, so I decided to collect it, and when the fourth egg was laid, I collected nest and eggs, 26th of this year. Geo. W. H. vos Burgh. Ato? -7/, alas). THE OOLOGIST 128 mMmyjly AQSI[O Aoques hq enone ‘uosiun josjued Ul soejuns ou} Buoje wiys pue nox ynoge loaym oor ou, ‘spunoy jo yOed e& oyl] Bulkeq suowwins yORIq THE OOLOGIST 129 Abbott’s Collection of North American Warblers’ Eggs. To “The Oologist”: Recognizing your shortage in notes and articles it might possibly interest the readers of THE OOLOGIST to know that I have about completed my collection of North American Warbler eggs. ‘While usually regarded as a crank on shore birds, I have not overlooked this interesting family of birds, the Warblers, and take pleasure in de- scribing to you in what here follows the type set of each variety, the lo- cality in which it was taken, date and name of the collector. Among these hames the readers will recognize many able and experienced field men in their respective sections of the coun- try. Gerard Alan Abbott. July 16, 1915. Black and White Warbler—Sevier County.2 Ark. April 222-1902" 7@: ‘Cc: Sheley, Jr.; 5 eggs. Prothonotary Warbler—Fulton Coun- ty, Ill., May 27, 1912, W. S. Strode; 6 eggs. —Swainson’s Warbler—Richmond Coun- ty, Ga., June 18, 1903, M. T. Cleck: ley; 3 eggs. Worm-eating Warbler—Chester Coun- ty,, Pa., May 31, 1904, Wilmer Wood- ward; 5 eggs. Bachman’s Warbler—Charleston Coun- in, Sb Os Nore ales. a7, s7veayobe ARS Wayne; 4 eggs. Blue-winged Warbler—Fairfield Coun- ty, Conn., May 27, 1898, Henry W. Beers; 5 eggs. Golden-winged Warbler—Yates Coun- ty, N. Y., June 6, 1909, Clarence F. Stone; 5 eggs. Lucy’s Warbler—Cochise County, Ari- zona, May 15, 1902, O. W. Howard; 4 eges. Virginia’s Warbler—Cochise County, Arizona, April 30, 1907, Virgil W. Owen; 5 eggs. Nashville Warbler—EHast Wallingford, Vt., July 4, 1897, Duane Kent; 4 eggs. Calaveras Warbler, Pierce County, Wash., June 11, 1905, H. S. Currie; 4 eggs. Orange Crowned Warbler—Mador Township, Ontario, C. J. Young; 4 eges. Lutescent Warbler—Alameda County, Calif., May 25, 1898, Harold C. Ward; 4 eges Tennessee Warbler—Gaff Topsail, Newfoundland, June 25, 1913, EH. Ar- nold; 4 eggs. Parula Warbler—Chatham County, Ga., April 23, 1914, G. R. Rossignol, Jr.; 4 eggs. Northern Parula Warbler—Kings County, Nova Scotia, June 19, 1915, R. W. Tufts; 4 eggs. Sennett’s Warbler—Santa Maria, Texas, May 23, 1888, Vicinte Cava- los; 4 eggs. Cape May Warbler—Aroostook Coun- ty, Me., June 12, 1878; from collec- tion Chic. Academy Science; 4 eggs. Olive Warbler—Huachuca Mts., Ari- zona, June 8, 1909, F. C. Willard; 3 eges. - Yellow -Warbler—Lake County, Ind., May 30, 1914, G. A. Abbott; 4 eggs. Sonora. Yellow. Warbler—San Pedro . River, Arizona, May 20, 1906, H. N. Wolcott; 4 eggs. Mangrove Warbler—Sinaloa, Mexico, April 14, 1910, H. F. Pope; 4 eggs. Black-throated Blue Warbler—Price County, Wis., June 19, 1908, G. A. Abbott; 4 eggs. — Cairn’s Warbler—Buncombe County, INE Ce Miaiy2-2 05119 035stor: Se baaleadal: 5 eggs. Myrtle Warbler—Kings County, Nova Scotia, May 31, 1915, R.. W. Tufts; 4 eges, : Audubon’s Warbler—Pierce County, Wash., May 5, 1912, J. H. Bowles; 4 eggs. Black - fronted Warbler — Magdalena, Mexico, May 12, 1911, H. F. Pope; 4 eggs. Magnolia Warbler—Kings County, Nova Scotia, June 8, 1908, R. W. Tufts; 5 eggs. Cerulean Warbler—Yates County, N. Y., May 31, 1909, C. F. Stone; 4 eggs. Chestnut-sided Warbler—Price Coun- ~ ty, Wis., June 16, 1908, G. A. Ab- bott; 4 eggs. Bay-breasted Warbler—Magdalen Isls., Gulf of St. Lawrence, June 23, 1898, W. E. Shelbourne; 4 eggs. Blackpoll Warbler—Bretton Woods, N. H., June 19, 1908, F. B. Spauld- ing; 4 eggs. 180 THE OOLOGIST Blackburnian Warbler—Kings County, Nova Scotia, June 20, 1908, H. F. Tufts; 4 eggs. — Yellow -throated Warbler — Chatham County, Ga., May 17, 1914, G. R. Ros- signol, Jr.; 4 eggs. Sycamore Warbler—Colmesneil, Tex., July .1, 1913, EH. F. Pope; 4 eggs. Grace’s Warbler— Cochise County, Ariz., June 16, 1900, O. W. Howard; 3 eggs. Black-throated Gray Warbler—Los An- geles County, Calif., June 3, 1895, W. B. Judson; 4 eggs. Golden-Cheeked Warbler, Comal Co., Tex., Mar. 10, 1887; coll. for E. Rech- seihor; 4 eggs Black-throated Green Warbler — Kings County, Nova Scotia, June 15, 1915, R. W. Tufts; 4 eggs. Townsend’s Warbler—Yam Hill Coun- ty, Ore., May 25, 1895, Arthur L. Pope; 5 eggs. Hermit Warbler — Pierce County, Wash., June 8, 1912, J. H. Bowles; 5 eggs. Kirtland’s Warbler—Oscoda County, Mich., June 29, 1907, EH. Arnold; 5 eggs. Pine Warbler—Chatham County, Ga., April 22, 1914, G. R. Rossignol, Jr.; 4 eggs. Yellow Palm Warbler—Queens Coun- ty, Nova Scotia, May 30, 1914, H. F. Tufts; 4 eggs. Prairie Warbler—Middlesex County, Conn., June 12, 1899, C. H. Watrous; 4 eggs. Ovenbird—Price County, Wis., June 12, 1905, G. A. Abbott; 5 eggs. Water Thrush—Listowel, Ontario, May 31, 1903, Wm. L. Kells; 4 eggs. Louisiana Water Thrush—Yates Coun- ty, N. Y., June 6, 1907, Verdi Burtch; 5 eggs. Kentucky Warbler—Chester County, Penn., May 27, 1911, Wilmer Wood- ward; 5 eggs. Connecticut Warbler—Calhoun Coun- ty, Mich., May 27, 1899, EH. Arnold; 2 eggs. Mourning Warbler—Yates County, N. Y., June 7, 1908, C. F. Stone; 4 eggs. Macgillivray’s Warbler — Clackamas County, Ore., June 2, 1912, Harry Shoenborn; 4 eggs. Maryland Yellow-throat — Hillsdale County, Mich., May 24, 1897, G. A. Abbott; 4 eggs. J Western Yellow-throat—Denver, Colo- rado, June 5, 1906, Harry G. Ulmer; . 3 eggs. Florida Yellow-throat—Tampa, Flori- da, April 10, 1892, A. D. Peck; 4 eggs. : Pacific Yellow-throat—Pierce County, Wash., May 26, 1897, J. H. Bowles; 4 eggs. : Yellow - breasted Chat—Philo, Ills., June-10, 1900, Isaac EH. Hess; 4 eggs. Long-tailed Chat—Brownsville, Texas, April 24, 1902, F. B. Armstrong; 5. eggs. ' Hooded Warbler—Chautauqua County, N. Y., June 18,1895, Almon EH. Kibbe; 4 eges. Wilson’s Warbler—St. John, New Brunswick, June 16, 1895, J. W. Banks; 6 eggs. Pileolated Warbler—Alameda County, Calif., June 8, 1907, J. D. Graves; 4 eges. Canada Warbler—Saybrook, Conn., June 5, 1890, Jno. N. Clark; 5 eggs. Am. Redstart—Cook County, MIIJs., June 16, 1901, G. A. Abbott; 4 eggs. Painted Redstart — Cochise County, Arizona, June 12, 1904, Virgil W. Owen; 4 eggs. Red-faced Warbler—Cochise County, Arizona, June 13, 1904, F. C. Wil- lard; 4 eggs. We wish to thank Mr. Abbott, not only for the copy forwarded with the above but also to compliment him on the wonedrful completeness of his Warbler collection. We doubt if there are many other North American col- lectors who have nearly as complete a sequence of the eggs of this family of birds, comprising as it does sixty-five of the species, sub-species and geo- graphical races at present recognized by the A. O. U. It was our privilege and pleasure to look over this collection of Warbler eggs some time since and can assure our readers that it is superior to any- thing of the kind that we have ever seen anywhere else. We wish more of our subscribers would pay attention to our wails for copy.—Hditor. THE OOLOGIST 131 Two Sparrows of Sherburne County, Minnesota. During the spring of 1915 I added to my list of Sherburne County birds two sparrows; the Field Sparrow and the Nelson Sparrow. I find both are common birds and interesting from a musical standpoint. Though not a great musician, the Field Sparrow sings commonly in the mid- dle of the dryest, hottest days when other birds are silent, while the Nel- son Sparrow does the same thing in the night, being especially musical on rainy or foggy nights. Both of these birds I believe to be new records for Sherburne County, not because they are rare or extending their range but for lack of collecting which would identify them. Bernard Bailey. Ee ets MU Lvs A Systematic Study of the Diving Pro- cess of Erismatura jamaicensis. For three years the writer has ob- served the Ruddy Duck (EHErismatura jamaicensis) at ‘Nigger Sloughs,” seventeen miles south of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, Southern Cal- ifornia. The little ‘“wire-tail” is a common resident of Southern California throughout the year. It breeds in tule marshes from the middle of April to the middle of June. On April 9, 1913, the writer’s atten- tion was drawn to the peculiar diving process which is characteristic of the species. It was at Hast Marsh, a small slough adjoining the main lakes. We were fortunate to have been able to approach within seventeen feet of an adult male bird. He was resting quietly on the surface of the water among swamp willow trees; in a mo- ment he was aware of our presence. He raised his head erect, his sinister eye was observant, curious and ques- tioning. Then slowly he began to paddle forward—we judge a distance of three feet and then, like a flash he disappeared beneath the surface of the water. Fortunately, the water was clear so that we could see him dive to the bottom and reappear again about twenty feet distant from the place from which he first appeared. We observed that the bird immediate- ly rose out of the water and flew away. Our study of the diving process of the Hrismatura jamaicensis is quite technical and would take several pages of explanation to satisfy the readers. We have studied twenty-nine cases of the peculiar diving process of this spe- cies. The angle taken by the bird in its downward movement beneath the water and its reappearance to the sur- face again has computed together with the distance traveled under water in all cases. We have authentic data concerning its arrival and departure and the various factors governing its distribution in Southern California. This study is to be a contribution from the department of Experimental Biol- ogy in the University of Southern Cali- fornia. There will appear in our pub- lication several photographs of the Ruddy Duck in various positions, to- gether with maps and charts illustra- tive of every movement taken by the birds from the time they are discov- ered resting on the surface of the water until they reappear from their dive and fly away across the lakes or among the willow trees. We have com- pleted observations of nine female and twenty male ducks of the genue HEris- matura. We have to complete thirty- seven before the season closes. We will submit for publication in THE OOLOGIST, at a later date a brief resume of our study of the div- ing process of this very interesting little species believing that it will be of general interest to those interested in Ornithological technique. Alfred Cookman, A.B. 132 THE OOLOGIST The Brewer’s Blackbird in Sherbourne County, Minnesota. On June 2, 1915, I closely observed a pair of Brewer Blackbirds in a field, six miles northwest of Hlk River. On June 24, 1915, eight miles north of Elk river I found about twenty or thirty pairs feeding young. Bernard Bailey. <> The Ducks of Douglas and Northern Charles Mix Counties, S. D. In times past, waterfowl nested in abundance in this part of the state, but of late years they have gradually disappeared with the cultivation anc settlement of this country. The country is a rolling prairie, dot ted here and there with ponds anc sloughs. The largest and most popu lar resort for waterfowl is Lake Andes in Northern Charles Mix and about ten miles from Armour. This body of water is some thirteen or fifteen miles long and affords very good hunting for sportsmen from nearby towns. The following is a list of ducks ob- served during the years of 1909, 1910 and 1911: Mergus Americanus—Merganser—A rather uncommon migrant. Lophodytes cucullatus—Hooded merganser—Uncommon migrant. Anas platyrhynchos—Maillard—Con)- mon migrant and probably a rare sum- mer resident. Chaulelasmus streperus—Gadwall— Usually a rather uncommon migrant. Marcea Americana — Baldpate—An uncommon migrant. Nettition carolinense—Greenwinged Teal—Common migrant. Teal Querquedula discors—Bluewing- ed Teal—Abundant migrant and fairly common summer residents. Spatula Clypeata—Shoveller—Fairly common summer resident. Dapila acuta—Pintail—Common mi- grant and occasional summer resident. First duck to arrive in the spring. Aix sponsa—Wood duck—Very rare migrant. In 1909 I mounted a male that was taken from a small flock but leave no later records. Marila Americana—-Redhead—A com- mon migrant and probably a rare breeding bird. A pair was observed in a large marsh on May 30, 1911, but no nest was found. Marila Valisineria—Canvas back— Rather scarce migrant. Marila Marila— Scaup Duck — Mi- grant. Claygula Calngula Americana—Gold- en-eye—Uncommon migrant. Charitonetta Aibeola—Buffle-head Rather scarce migrant. Hrismatura jamaicensis—Ruddy Duck—Common migrant. Alex Walker. 0— 1889; Nos: 39 to 502. 4... 2.70 Vol. Vil, 18905 Nos. 51 to.625.-- 2.15 Vol. VIII, 1891, Nos. 63 to 74.... 1.45 Vol. IX, 1892, Nos. 75 to 86...... 2.20 Vol xe) 18932 NOs Seto o8e ces... 1.90 Vol. XI, 1894, Nos. 99 to 110..... 1.45 Vol. XII, 1895, Nos. 111 to 122.. 1.60 Vol. XIII, 1896, Nos. 123 to 127.. 1.00 Vol. XIV, 1897, Nos. 128 to 139.. 3.45 Vol. XV, 1898, Nos. 140 to 149... 1.95 Vol. XVI, 1899, Nos. 150 to 161.. 2.00 Vol. XVII, 1900, Nos. 162 to 171.. 1.2 Vol. XVIII, 1901, Nos. 172 to 183. 1.20 Vol. XIX, 1902, Nos. 184 to 195... 1.20 Vol. XX, 1903, Nos. 196 to 197... 1.20 Vol. XXI, 1904, Nos. 198 to 209.. 1.20 Vol. XXII, 1905, Nos. 210 to 221.. 1.20 Vol. XXIII, 1906, Nos. 222 to 233. 1.20 Vol. XXIV, 1907, Nos. 234 to 245. 1.20 Vol. XXV, 1908, Nos. 246 to 257.. 1.20 Vol. XXVI, 1909, Nos. 258 to 269. 1.50 Vol. XXVII, 1910, Nos. 270 to 281. 1.50 Vol. XXVIII, 1911, Nos. 282 to 295 1.50 Vol, XXIX, 1912, Nos. 293 to 305.. 1.50 WhO XERERS fs cstaie’ a saves aceusepsvatasessinesee 1.50 AY {0} Paw, ©, ©, 4 Deemer ons Hee oa Oc sue 1.50 R. M. BARNES, Lacon, II] VIII THE OOLOGIST THE ORIOLE > Official Organ of The Somerset Hills Bird Club Bernardsville, New Jersey A new publication devoted to the study and protection of birds. Twonumbers a year, June and August. $1.50 per year, 75 ctS per. copy. Contains colored plates of the Audubon Society, photographs and articles by prominent orni- thologists. The four back numbers may 5e obtained at the recular price: as long as the Supply lasts. Subscriptions should be sent to The Somerset Hills Bird Ginn Bernardsville, New Jersey. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS--NESTS--EGGS, TAXIDERMY Vou. XXXII. No. 9. ALBION, N. Y., Sep. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 388 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. serted for less than 25 cents. No notice in- 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. 338 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 329 your subscription expired with December issue 1914. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1908, at the post office at Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress 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. We will not advertise the skins, nests, eggs, or mounted specimens of North American Birds for sale. These columns are for the use of those desiring to make bona fide exchanges of such Specimens for scientific collecting purpo- ses only.—EDITOR. BIRDS WANTED—Live American Wild Trumpet- er Swan. R. M. Barnes. Lacon, Ill. WANTED—Skins of N. A. Snipe, Plover, etc. in first class shape for mounting. Must be Al. ARTHUR G. RUECKERT. 2252 N. Kostner Ave., Chicago, I11. (1-p) I have a few finely mounted birds on hand toexchange. Who wants them? First class taxidermy work done at lowest prices. LE8- TERSPEER, Taxidermist, peo ae j -p WILL EXCHANGE.—Small collection of Idaho bird skins for long focus 4 x 5 folding plate camera box with case and extra hold- ers. HENRY J. RUST, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, Box 683. (1-p) TRADE.—18 A. farm. Will take 8175 cash and $150 in bird skins or eggs or both. If in- terested write me. W.G.SAVAGH, Delight, Ark. (1-p) FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Nicely mounted specimens, Ringneck Pheasant, Wood Duck, Barn Owl. California Quail, Single Yellow-head Parrot, and a few others. Might exchange for books on ornithology. Write for description. M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y. (1-p) WANTED to exchange skin or specimens of birds meunted of the East for specimens of Western States. WINCHESTER NAT- Ce HISTORY MUSEUM, Winchester, iN. TROPICAL BIRDS.—Anyone ‘interested in Central American material, communicate With E.0O. EHRHA RT, Box 193, Jonnsoub ore: a. -p W ANTED—Fine skins only of most Sand- pipers. Offer fine sets of eggs, 300a, 412a, 466a, Boo 567, 584. H. MOUSLEY eee: o (A). -p FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.—A number of desirable mounted specimens. Will ex- change for Bird Lore, Auk, Osprey, American Museum Journal or other Ornithological magazines. M. HOFMANN, 1434 Broadway, 3rooklyn, N. Y. I want to exchange for bird skins of 218- 226-23 L-232-292-293-294-295-301-521-443-471. D. V. HEMBREEH, Roswell, Ga. (1-p) _ FOR EXCHANGEH.—Beautifully mounted R. T. Hummingbirds, Scarlet Tanager, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, and 50 varieties, for others or skins. What have you? Also skins, nests and eggs to trade. DR. J. P. BALL, 5001 Frankford Ave., Eade ae Pa. (4-p) — = EGGS. SETS.—A bargain, do not miss it W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich. Geen =p TO EXCHANGE—For eggs in sets. Com- plete course of lessons in Taxidermy (Stand ard works), Game Chickens, Cocks and Pul hee EK. A. WHEELER, East Randolph TO EXCHANGE-—For eggs in sets; one 22 cal. rifle, good condition. Complete. course in Taxidermy (N. W. School), one E Flat tO Horn. Can use many common sets. EK. WHEELER, East Randolph, N. Y. WANTEHI)—I want male skins of 666-652b- 68le, and sub-species of 550. I have eggs of 364. R. P. SHARPLES. West Chester re: -D Will nea stamp and exchange lists pr)mptly. A. RUSSELL SMITH, Edge Hill, Pa. WANTED.—A skin of a Cockatoo that is in good condition. Please name price for same. Butterflies and Moths exchanged and bought. Please send list. CASPAR G. BURN, Ox- ford, Pa. d-p> Over 400 mounted birds, mammals and rep- tiles. Eggs in sets. States coins. Columbia stamps, a few sets Birds, mostly mounted; some skins. What can at MON KIBBE, Mayville, N.Y. -p Have annmber of very fine mounted Am. Wood Cock. ij hawks. Want skins of mounted Spoon-bill Sandpiper. K. W. KAHMANN, 2457 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Il. WEBER. Palisades Park, 1-p) WANTIED—A 1 Bird Skins also eggsin sets. Send list of what you have to exchange. EDW. E. ARMSTRONG, 207 N. Michigan Av., Chicago, Ill. 1-p) EXCHANGE—1.ive Wild Canada, Hutchins, White-fronted, and Snow Geese, Wild Ducks, and Pheasants for Egyptian Geese, Black, Brant, Mandarin and Wood Ducks. Qauil and Hungarian Partridges. . JAGER, Owatomia, Minn. (5-p) BELGIUM RELIEF FUND-I have for sale a set of Peale’s Falcon, skin identified and in collection of Mr. Allen Brooks. These egesareuniqite. What offer. C.U. GREEN, Care W. F. BURTON, St. Charles St., Vic- toria, B.C. FOR SALE CHEAP.—AIl kinds of Cali- fornia birds. animals, reptiles, insects, fish, ae Mounted or skins. Also all kinds of Let ine know. your wants. R. G. PIERCE, Anderson, Shasta Co, canloula: -p) HUMMINGBIRDS-—I have 110 scientific birds’ skins from South America, 62 of which are Hummingbirds, such as Turguoise Caliste, Shinning and Blue Honey Creepers, Cotinga, Sabre Wing, etc. Also Motmots, Jacama Collored Swift, Passerinis Tanager. Massena Partridge and many other odd and THE OOLOGIST rare skins. Also some mounted specimens. Some of these bird skins for exchange only. This is a good chance to secure some valuable skins at reasonable prices. Mostofthem are first class in every particular, otherwise I will advise y u of their condition before hand. Send for list. These were personally collected by J. H. Batty. M. HOFMANN, 674 Jamaica, Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. FOR KXCHANGE — Bird Skins. Want Hummingbirds only, mounted or skins, nest and eggs of same. EARL HAMILTON, 400 Walnut St.. Versailles, Pa. W ANTED—Living healthy birds of the following species for aviar Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern and Western Evening Grosbeaks, Eastern and California Pine Grosbeaks, Hastern and Western Blue Gros- beaks, and Pyrrhuloxias. Expenses attend- ant upon capture of these birds. and fair remuneration will be paid. Write in ad- vance in regard to state permits. Corres- pond with: F. W. HENSHAW, Redwood City. San Mateo County, California. FOR EXCHANGEH.—Fine skins of Ameri- can Sparrow Hawks. Only first-class skins desired. H. O. GREEN, 114 North Ave., Wakefield, Mass. FOR EXCHANGE.—Several hundred fine- ly mounted birds. Full data with each spec- imen. Will exchange for first class bird skins. WHARTON HUBER, Gwynedd Val- ley, Penna. Having completed my collection of N. A. Warbler’s eggs, I have now decided to pro- cure a perfect skin of each species, male only, in full plumage. I will give exceptional value for these, especially the western forms. G. A. ABBOTT, 1543 E. 61st St., Chicago, Tl. We are anxious at all times to secure rare bird skins and eggs. Send us a list of your list of material and of your wants. We can offer at present specimens as the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Passenger Pigeon, Scarlet Ibis. Blue-headed Quail Dove. “White and Gray Gyrfalcons, Black-capped Vireo. Golden- cheeked Warbler and soon. Writeus today. WARD’S NATURAL SCIENCE ESTAB- LISHMENT, Rochester, N. Y. I am always wanting lists of entire col- lections of North American Birds’ Eggs which the owners desire to dispose of. None are too large and none are too small if they contain any material that I need. R. M BARNES, Lacon, I). Steel Specimen Cases, absolutely dust and insect proof. Designed for bird or mammal skins, or birds’ eggs. For specifications and prices write W. HUBER, Gwynedd Valley, EGGS. In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would ap- preciate it if you would arrange the nulmerais 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. Nice data blanks, 100 pages, book form with stubs, 30c. Samples all kinds printing, Arts & Crafts Exchange. J. J. WIRZ, 1422-1424 Gwinnett St., Augusta, Ga. THE OOLOGIST EGGS, FOR EXCHANGE—A large collection of choice cabinet sets with full and accurate data to the highest bidder. Send for list. DR: M. I. CLECKLEY, 457 Green St., Augusta, a. FOR EXCHANGE—Three sets Rhea dar- wini 1-6, 1-9, 1-16. Collected by well known Oologist. H. W. CARRIGER, 51835 Trask St,, Oakland, Calif. EGGS—My cuvllection of first class sets. Also Snapping turtle de 25, 1-28, 1-35, 1-41, 1-45 1-46, five ‘cents per eg Want sets of Sharp shinned Hawk, etc. JAMES JOHNSON, 310 North Main, Southin; ton, Conn. I have a private collection of North Amer- ican bird’s eggs to dispose of, also Silver black, cross and red foxes. A bargain for immediate movement. Write for price list. WALTER R. CAMPBELL, Lobo O. P. Ontario, Canada. EXCHANGE.—I have one perfect egg (a full set) of the matchless Black Cloud Swift to exchange for the best offer of rarities, or for grouped sets in Raptores, Gallinae, and Limicolae only. This rare egg is now repre- sented in the following collections only, those of Jo n E. Thayer, A. E. Price, A., E. and A. O. Treganza, Frank C. Willard, Henry Continued. F. Bailey, and the writer. Exchange value 200. W. LEON DAWSON, Santa Barbara, Cal. FOR EXCHANGE.—Farallone eggs with small holes; also 749, 726d and many others. Send your list. H. W. CARRIGER, 5185 Trask St., Fruitvale Sta., Oakland. aoe -p FOR EXCHANGE.— Sets from the locality for sets from the south, middle and west. Send your list and get mine. EDWARDS. COOMBS. 243 Franklin St.. Boston, Mass. FOR EXCHANGE, —207 1-4 348 10-4 4-3 349 1-1 355 3-5 364 10-3 416 1-2 417 1-2 480 L-4 and others. Send list of selected full sets, E. J. DARLINGTON, Wilmington, Del. W ANTED.—Choice sets of numbers 10-131- 204-215-352a-372-405 and several warblers. Also common kinds 339 360-540b-542a 546a-597a. Also 328 and 332. Satisfactory renumeration. Old correspondents please write. EK. PRICE. Grant Park. Ill EGGS. Bulwer’s Petrel, Iceland Gull, Cur- lew, Plovers, exchange for Osprey. Bartram Sandpiper, etc. Send lists. Also have some good sets of foreign for sale cheap. H. T. BOOTH,8 Cranbury Road, Fulham, England. FOR EXCHANGE.-—Strictly tirst-class personally collected sets of 332-333-339-343 and a tew others, to exchange for desirable post- Hee stamps. GEORGE D. FRENCH, Ivory- op. (onn., Will exchange for desirables of similar rarity, sets of A. O. U. 95, 114.1, 81, 134, 295, 301, 302, 310, 327, 330, 354, 356, ee 416, 417, 419, 639, 641, 54, 666, 677. THOMAS H. JACKSON, 304 N: Franklin St., West Chestee Pa, Single sets to exchange—142-316-412-447-489- 494-495-501-511-560-519-552-563-581-584-611-622a-652- 704-713-719-761-76la-766. Write first. Send list of your exchangenumbers. A.O. DURLAND 1242 S. Ist, Evansville, Ind. Ill TO EXCHANGE. For eggs in sets, fine set of field glasses in leather case. Many common sets Wee HaeAt WILEELER, Kast Randolph, N foye w hatam Toffered for Snowy Owl 1-7 Amer. Coll.) Swallow-tailed Kite 1-2 Golden Eagle 1-2, 1-3, Duck Hawk 1-4, Black-footed Alba- tross 1-1? If you don’t need them write for my list. A. E. PRICE, Grant Park, Il. I have for exchange many fine sets, per- sonally taken, finely prepired, among which are: 6 1-8, 194b 1-5 1-6, 199 1-4, 218 1-8, 219 1-9. 228 1-4, 289b 1-14, 293 1-12, 295 1-13, 300b 1-14, 307 1-9, 310 1-14, 310c 1-15, 331 1-5, 333 1-4, 334a 1-3, $35 1-4, 1-5, 337a 1-3, Texas Red-shoulder 1-3, 1-4, 339 1-3, 340 1-2, 341 1-2, 1-3, 342 1 3, 345 1-2, 347a 1-3, 368b 1-2, 373b 1-4, Send your lists and nee my full list. EK. F. POPE, Colmesneil, exas. TO EXCHANGE.—Two sets of 5 of Sharp- shinned Hawks, No. 1 Eggs. Sets of 12 and13 of Nothopsocta Perdicaria (Kittl) the won- derful polished eggs of South A merica. You Agricultural Coege: Herring Gull and Caspian Tern. 16 Shot Winchester rifle (22 caliber). have you? Would consider good postal size DR. W. A. HART, Lapeer, Mich. EGGS — A collection to highest bidder. W.C. WOOD, 179 17th St., Detroit, Mich. For Nova Scotia Biids Eggs and Skins, write to R. W. TUFTS, Wolfville, Nova WHAT DO YOU WANT me to collect for you? Will collect cigar bands. wood, butter- flies and sets, or anything. Vol. 30 of Auk for exchange. EARL MOFFAT, Marshall, Texas (1-p) WANTED.--—Good Taxidermiist, close to Texas to exchange Taxidermy work for sets. All corresdondence answered. KARL MOF- FAT, Marshall, Texas. (1-p) ON SALE.—Good twelve Gauge, Breech loading shot gun, reloading tools; 32 Gauge Auxiliar Barrel tools, shells, (no Extractor); five dollars cush ten dollars exchange (eggs) net. Buffalo bones (guaranteed) seven cents to sixty; one skull (no horns) $1.60, net. Por- cupine quills, seven cents per dozen. Others up to forty cents, stamps, over forty cents, postal order. KALE THOMPSON, Box 175, Irving, Kansas. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Swainson’s Warbler, five sets of three; two sets of four, with nests to the highest bidder in exchange. Send two cent stamp for list of choice Cahinet Sets. DR. M. T. CLHCKLEY, Augusta. Ga. FOR EXCHANGF,—A _ pair of Eastern Moddel climbers and a few sets each of 289, 412, 498, 506, 511, 593, 601, 622 and 631 for birds eggs. R.C. MARTIN, Jr., Jr FOR EXCHANGE—European and Asiatic bird eggs in sets with data for eggs of North American species needed for my collection C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Bos- ton, Mass FOR EXCHANGE—Z eggs, also sets 1-2-1-1 Mississippi Kite, personally collecte@ com- plete data. All eggs first class. H.&,SOW ERS, Brownell, Kansas. IV THH OOLOGIST MISCELLANEOUS. WANTED.—Type and printer’s supplies. Have Natural his‘ory, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- mens, fishing tackle, shells, minerals, bat- tery, massage machine. J. J. WIRZ ‘Taxi- dermist. Augusta, Ga. “(-p) WANTED.—A pair of calipers marked in hundredths and any copies of the “Iowa Ornithologist.”” Also have a few common sets to exchange. KEMERSON STONER, 482- 38th St., Oakland, Calif. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a cepy of “The Butterflies of the West Coast.” JOHN GRAVES, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. (1-p) WANTED.—To correspond with parties in Arizona ahd New Mexico who would collect Beetles for me for cash or exchange. W. H. SNYDER, Beaver Dam, Wis. (1-p) WANTED AT ONCH.—A specimen or the Red Fox in fine winter fur. Also skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare of Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A pair of Bald Headed Eagles in the down is also desired, Address. stating price. DI- RECTOR, THE CHICAGO ACADEMY .OF SCIENCES. Lincoln Park, Chicago, Ill. (1) FOR SALE.—I have a fine line of arrows and spears from Grime County, Texas. Send $1.00 for a dozen perfect arrows. GEORGE E. DOERGE, Navasota, Texas, Box 484. (1-p) Brazilian Beetles and small showy shells wanted. Will give skin of Snowy Owl, eggs, butterflies or cash. GEORGE ROSSITER, 52 Tiverton Ave., Toronto, Canada. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Alligator eggs, also Limpkin aud lather back turtle eggs. NAT. P. FRY, Eureka, Marion Co., Florida. (1-p) FOR SALE AND EXCHANGE.—Live Snakes, Lizards, Baby Turtles. also general line of Florida insects. NAT. P. FRY, Eureka, Marion County, Florida. (1-p) For Collectors, a fine collection of speci- mens, all large and very fine, one Chnstolite Tourquoix Matrix, Toursonite Tourmaline, Californite, Kuzite, Semi Opal, Amazon Stone, Opal Wulfernite. Opals are very fine, will sell for #5.00 cash with order. E. W. KELLY. Box 186, Seneca, Il. (1-p) Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ, TAXIDERMIST, 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high grade Ithaca hammerless gun, any gaugue, new from factory; or part cash. E. F. POPE, Colmesneil, Texas. Bird Skins, animal skins and cleaned skulls eggs in sets and named Coleoptera to ex- change for stamps not in my collection. W. a SNYDER, 309 De Clark St., Beayer, Dam is. Perfect, and well mounted specimens of North American moths and butterflies offered in exchange for North American bird skins. PHILIP LAURENT. 31 Kast Mt. Airy Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. I exchange preserved specimens of reptiles with U. 8. Collectors only. C. A. CLARK, 60 Lynntield St., East Lynn Sta., Mass. Scientific dr wings produced in oil or water color, bird and animal work specialty. MILO B. DENNY, 1230 So. 6th St., W., Cedar Rapids, Ia. EXCHANGE.—Complete course in Taxi- dermy (Northwestern School) Bird Skins and Mounted Birds. Desire Mounted Birds, Skins cr Bird Books. O. M. GREENWOOD, Manchester, Ia. WANTED.—A good Steropticon Lantern for which I will give good exchange in sets or bird magazines and books. Anyone hav- ing such please communicate with ARTHUR W.BROCKWAY, Hadlyme, Conn. To exchange for stone relics several copies of Harpers Illustrated Weekly from 1860 to 1873. L.A. PARRE, Batavia, I1l. WANTED—Indian Relics for cash or ex- change. Also‘finely mounted specimen birds. DR. A. EK. PAYNE, Riverhead, N. Y. (1-p) FOR SALE.—Good substantial bird houses for Wren, Blue Biras, etc. Post paid, for 50 cents. R B. KIDDER, Columbus, Wis. WANTED.—Collecting gun and kodak. Offer Raptores in sets, including 329, 341, 345, 347a, 359. D. I. SHEPARDSON, 209 EB. 37th St., Los Angeles, Cal (1-p) BOOKS. WANTED.- For cash, Osprey Vol. I Nos. 2and 4; Vol. III Nos. 8-9-10-11-13. Also need many numbers of Bird Lore, Oologist, etc Send list of duplicates and receive mine. W. GLENN, Room 107 Penna. Sta., Pitts burgh, Pa. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.— For cash, to best offer; Newman’s British Moths and Newman’s British Butterflies. Condition good. In- quiries answered. CHRIS FIRTH, Durham, Ont.. Canada. {1-p] FOR § ‘ SALE OR EXCHANGE.—Bird Lore, Volumes 8and 16inclusive, complete. Perfect condition. W.J.ERICKSEN, 208 W.40th St., Savannah. Ga. (-p) Have you any bird magazines to exchange? Send list of duplicates and receive mine. L. SLOANAKKER, Palisades, Col. Box 402. FOR SALE.—The following Bird Lores: Vol. Il] No.6 (without index); Vol, [IV Nos. 3-4-5-6 (with index); Vol. VII Nos. 2-3-4-5-6 (with index) Vol. VIII No.2. LEWIS DEX- TER, 1889 Elm St., Manchester, N. H. (1-p) FOR SALE.—Cheap for cash. Standard Library of Natural History; leather; new; 5 volumes; hundreds of illustrations. EARLE ee FORREST, 261 Locust Ave., Washington, a. WANTED—Bull, Cooper Orn. Club (Con- dor) Vol. I No.3. Will pay $4.00 in original covers. DR. W.M. TYLER, exe ne -p Fine specimens of the beautiful Abert’s Squirrel, and other mammals, for mounting Wilt exchange for books on natural History if in good congiice J. STOCKLY eee Chloride, N. Mex. (1-p) _ THE OOLOGIST. Von. XXXII. No. 9. AuBIon, N. Y. Sep. 15, 1915. § WuHouE No. 338 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. Nesting Site of the Florida Screech Owl —Photo by H. W. Atkins 138 THD OOLOGIST Notes on Visits of Col. Roosevelt To Bird Reservists in Louisiana. Former-president Theodore Roose- velt, as guest of John M. Parker, well- known Louisiana sportsman, and M. L. Alexander, president of the Conserva- tion Commission of Louisiana, made a six days’ tour of inspection of the is- lands off the Louisiana coast, east of the Mississippi river, June 8 to 12, see- ing the many gulls, terns, skimmers and other specimens of avian life that use these sandy fragments of land along the Gulf of Mexico as breeding places. Many of the islands visited were United States Government reserva- tions set aside for such purposes while Col. Roosevelt was president, and others were those given over as game and waterfowl refuges by the Conser- vation Commission of Louisiana. The former president left Pass Christian at daybreak June 8, accom- panied by John M. Parker, his two sons Tom A. and John Jr., Herbert K. Job, head of the Department of Ap- plied Ornithology, National Associa- tion of Audubon Societies, who made the photographs that Col. Roosevelt will use to illustrate his Scribner arti- cle on the protection given breeding birds in Louisiana and other conserva- tion work in vogue there. The tour embraced a survey of the Chandeleur, Free Mason, North Har- bor, Grand Cochere, Battledore, and Breton Islands. Col. Roosevelt landed at most of them and made intimate studies of the nesting birds as to their habits, number of eggs deposited and the great numbers that congregate on the different sandy spits that line the gulf off the Louisiana coast. Thursday, June 10th, the party was joined by President M. L. Alexander, president of the Conservation Commis- sion of Louisiana, and Stanley Clisby Arthur, the commission’s ornithologist. Mr. Alexander explained to the dis- tinguished visiting naturalist the vari- ous plans for conserving the game and bird life of the state under the ad- vanced theories practiced by the Com- mission and Mr. Arthur gave Col. Roosevelt first hand information re- garding the nesting habits and zonal peculiarities of many species of water- fowl that have selected Louisiana as a breeding home since the establishment of game preserves and gave other in- formation about bird life in parts of the state that Col. Roosevelt found im- possible to visit owing to his limited stay in the South. [The photo accompanying this arti- cle appeared in the last issue of THI OOLOGIST.—Hditor. ] SESE SCS eS NE) Good. We are pleased to receive a circular from the Department of Agriculture at Washington, to the effect that “The migratory bird law is to be enforced. Sportsmen warned that federal regula- tiens for the protection of wild fowl must be observed.” We trust that this means exactly what it says, and that all persons vio- lating this Federal bird law this fall season will be prosecuted without fear or favor, and anything that we can do to assist in this matter will be gladly done. If the birds are not protected we will have no birds. °—<>_o— American Bittern. “George, we’ve found that bird’s nest you wanted, four eggs,—in nest—kind a gr—in grass, gray, tall—in marsh— bird sits—bird fights—like this—like everything, etc.”; thus I was stormed one gloomy day about June 7th by the girl and boy where I was staying. A few questions convinced me that in- stead of the nest and eggs I wanted, that it was a nest of the American Bit- tern. They would sell the eggs to me for two dollars but I declined, later the bird deserted the nest and I bought them considerably cheaper and they THE OOLOGIST 139 were a nice set. I tramped a great deal in and around many Sora Virginia Rails nests, and also many Long-billed Wrens nests with eggs. Geo. W. H. vos Burgh. a A New Louisiana Bird. The observance of a solitary species of bird life has not only supplied the Louisiana list with a new bird but with the one order of the seventeen found in the United States that has been missing since the avian life of the state has been studied by those who preceded Audubon and those who fol- lowed him. The species observed was a Wilson petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), some- times known as one of “Mother Cary’s Chickens,” of the order Tubinares, or tube-nosed swimmers, which includes, besides the petrels, the fulmars and shearwaters. The discovery was made by Herbert K. Job, head of the Depart- ment of Applied Ornithology of the Na- tional Association of Audubon Socie- ties, and Stanley Clisby Arthur, orni- thologist of the Conservation Commis- sion of Louisiana, while they were on an expedition to the bird breeding is- lands along the Louisiana coast west of the Mississippi river, June 23, 1915. The petrel, when observed, was about a mile off shore paddling the rough waters of the Gulf of Mexico and about seven miles west of Grand Isle. The stranger to the Pelican State circled the Commission’s patrol boat “Opelousas” several times but, al- though efforts were made by throwing lard on the waters to entice it close enough to the boat to be photographed, the bird finally flew out of sight, not before, however, the ornithologists had studied it through binoculars for over a quarter of an hour. Although both Mr. Job and Mr. Ar- thur kept close watch for other spe- cimens of the same species during the remaining five days of the trip no other petrels were sighted and the specimen they did see was absolutely alone. 2 Ornithological Magazines. The magazines of the country more or less devoted to the Study of Orni- thology have shown a decided awaken- ing and improvement of late. THE AWK for July comes as usual, does the recognized Organ of the Tech- nical Student ponderously full of up-to- date information. THE CONDOR for July and August as usual stands as the exponent of Western Ornithology and is well worth perusal at any time. The July and August number being no exception. The BLUE BIRD has commenced a publication of a series of illustrated articles accompanied by colored plates “of the eggs of North America Water Birds” by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt which alone should increase its circulation among studies of Oology. The August number contains the second install- ment of these series and papers and is a splendid contribution to that subject. THE ORIOLE is forging rapidly ahead, it being the official organ of the Summerset Hill’s Bird Club and is is- suing its birds as they come forth and reproduction of the colored plates of North American Birds by the Audubon Society. The August number contains a specially interesting contribution on the Birds of Egypt. THE GUIDE TO NATURE with its September issue inaugurated a depart- ment on Ornithology in charge of Harry B. Higbee. The first contribu- tion being “‘A visit to the home of the American Eagle by Dr. R. W. King accompanied by six photographic half tones of the nests, young, etc., of the bird, a very creditable paper and this department should increase the circu- lation of this well-known magazine among bird lovers if it is kept up to the standard attained in the first issue thereof, 140 THE OOLOGIST Pair of California Screech Owls. Fets in confinement —Photo by H. C. Burt THE OOLOGIST 141 Breeding Birds of Harrison Co., Texas. As there is not much said about the birds that breed in this part of Texas, I beg to submit the following facts regarding the scarcity and abundance of the birds that breed around Mar- shall. The Baltimore Oriole was one of the first birds I ever knew, I have found many of their nests and have observed many birds. But have not seen one individual in eight years. The Purple Martin would usually come here in the spring in droves of five hundred or more and about one- third of this amount would nest in the same place each year, but as years pass by they decrease in number. Chimney Swifts are still plentiful. This year I saw as many as four hun- dred go to roost in the City Hall chim- ney which would take nearly one hour for them to file in, one by one. Robins were very scarce here last winter, didn’t see but three birds all- together. Have only two records of them breeding here. : Blackbirds were also scarce last winter. R. T. Humming birds—Very plenti- ful this year. R. Eyed Vireo—Very plentiful this year. Tufted this year. Mourning Dove—Very common this year. Carolina Chickadee—Very common this year. Maryland Yellow-throat—Very com- mon this year. Carolina Wren—Very common this year. Wood Thrush—Very common this year. Bob White—Rather decreasing this year. Sparrow Hawk—Rather scarce this year. Titmouse—Very common Brown Thrasher—Very scarce this year. Red-shouldered Hawk—Common this year. Turkey Vulture—Common this year. Schreech Owl—Rather scarce this year. ; Cooper’s Hawk—Have only one rec- ord of its nesting here. Earl EK. Moffat. i ed From Georgia Again. When I wrote you last it was nearly spring. I must tell you what the Geor- gia birds are doing in mid-summer. I used to take my air gun or 22 rifle when I went into the woods to study the birds, but I enjoy it better since all temptation to take a shot has been removed. I used to watch them and study them from a leafy spot and let me tell you I have taken a peep into a hundred nests. Tl tell you about a Yellow-hammer’s nest in a hole under a rocky ledge; so many of the boys in the neighborhood knew of the nest. It was robbed six times of whole sets before I began to guard her nest. She at last hatched her brood in the same nest. I put a lot of bird houses in the grove about our home but flying squir- rels took possession of them. How- ever,a downy pecked the door of one house until it would admit her, (I made it for Wrens) and was building when she left it, as a family of flying squirrels were in the apartment next door. Two Thrushes and a Pewee built in the oaks about twenty feet high. Great droves of Jays have noisi- ly visited us daily. I take a shot at them for being so saucy sometimes. I fear they will drive our cat birds and Mocking birds away. I haven’t seen a Mocking bird’s nest this season, but the birds sing in our groves daily. I caught some fine butterflies and moths this summer. I love to read THE OOLOGIST. I am just ten years old now, but I am going to be a naturalist. Lynn Taylor. THE OOLOGIST 142 IOY[eM Xely Aq LL6L ‘OE eunr 0j}0Ud— “q "Ss ‘unowly ye uae} pulqHuly sesueyuy Buno, THH OOLOGIST 143 Young Arkansas Kingbird at Armour, S. D., June 30, 1911 —Photo by Alex Walker 144 THE OOLOGIST Some Western Birds—Phainopepla. It is safe to state that every bird- lover has some favorite amongst the numerous species of the feathered tribe familiar to him, of which the first appearance in the spring is more eagerly awaited than that of any other bird. Should I be asked to name my favorite from the nearly four hundred species and sub-species known to Southern California, my unhesitating choice would be—Phainopepla Nitens. The bird is peculiar to the south- western portion of the United States, ranging from the Mexican Valley north to southern Utah and Nevada; and from the Rio Grande through New Mexico and Arizona to the Pacific. Under any circumstances this interest- ing species would be welcome to the ornithologist, but how much more so when found in the dry arid regions of the West where bird-life is scarce, of- ten the other species being numbered on the fingers of one hand. His neat and immaculate appear- ance always arouses immediate ad- miration and attention. The male, glossy blue-black except for pure white patches on the inner webs oi the primaries, presents a striking picture as he flies leisurely from one perch to another. The female is more sombre in dress, the shining coat of the male being replaced by a dull grayish brown coloring and the white wing patches not being so much in evidence. Both sexes boast a long narrow crest like that of a cockatoo, by means of which the bird is able to express varying emotions. When curiosity is aroused this crest is raised and lowered in an inquiring manner, but let anger get the upper hand and it fairly bristles with rage as the bird shrieks his harsh note of alarm. Like his Eastern cousin the Cedar Waxwing, our Phainopepla feeds on various berries and insects. Pepper, mistletoe, and elder berries are most in demand. The insects are taken on the wing in the same manner as by the flycatchers, a habit which gives him one of his numerous local names, “Black Flycatcher.” In California the ranchers also call this bird ‘‘Wax- wing,’ “White-winged Blackbird,” and “Black Mockingbird”; the last name probably suggested by his manner of flight: the leisurely direct movement being similar to that of the Mocking- bird. Often the Phainopepla will leave his perch, hover in the air above it for a moment and then return, much as does the Bluebird. While not remarkable for his vocal powers, the Phainopepla possesses a variety of notes, especially through the breeding season. The commonest call has been likened to that of a young Robin. The alarm-note is a harsh protracted chatter, accompanied by a raising and lowering of the crest. Throughout the period of courtship, nest-building, and incubation, the male sings almost incessantly during the daytime. Selecting a perch near his mate he utters a few notes, flies straight up into the air, performs vari- ous aerial feats; and then returns to the side of his companion, pouring forth a continuous medley of weak “rusty” notes (if the word may be al- ~ lowed), though not unpleasant to the ear. As with other birds, the Phainopepla is most interesting in the breeding season. In Southern California the birds begin to arrive early in April, and from May to July the nests may be found in the dry sandy washes and arroyos of the Lower Sonoran zone, a region inhabited by the Valley Quail, Roadrunner, and Cactus Wren. Oak, elder and pepper trees are favorite nesting-sites, as well as junipers, wil- lows, Sycamores and clumps of mistle- toe. THE OOLOGIST 145 The nests are rather loosely con- structed shallow saucers of plant fibres, stems, blossoms and down, fas- tened to small twigs. One nest that I found this season was entirely of sage leaves and oak blossoms and was so frail that it fell to pieces as I at- tempted to remove it from the tree. I once found a nest in a fork of a willow where the single egg rested on the rough bark of the tree with no lining beneath. About twelve feet is the average height of the nest from the ground, many of them much lower. In the San Fernando valley the Phainope- la nests in stunted elders five or six feet high, so low that other tree-nest- ing species disdain to use them. The eggs number from one to three, most often two. The shell is grayish, greenish, or purplish white, spotted heavily over the entire surface with small specks of black, brown and lilac. The average size is .88x.66 inches, and the shape is most often elliptical or nearly so, the smaller end never be- ing sharply pointed. The male seems to do most of the rest-building and a good share of the incubating, which lasts twelve to four- teen days; while his spouse gathers in the tree-tops with the other care- free matrons of her tribe. The foregoing presents but a crude picture of a remarkable bird; it re- quires the wielding of a more skillful pen than mine to do him justice; but this rough sketch may serve to give the reader some idea of one of the most picturesque species to be found in the West. D. I. Shepardson. Los Angeles, Cal. RN SU eS ene Pe Le A Pleasure. Once in a while a real pleasure drifts across the desk of an Editor of a publication like this and it was a real pleasure to receive a letter from John Stevens of Moscow, Pa., who is in his eightieth year and in a pre- carious state of health, enclosing a subscription to THE OOLOGIST, be- ing even at that age unable to get along without our little publication. It is an old adage, “Once an Oologist, al- ways an Oologist.” °*~ Among species nesting in Lincoln Park (and it must be borne in mind that the park’s southern limit is only two miles. from the city hall) I have found the chipping sparrow, wood pewee, pellow warbler, red-eyed vireo, warbling vireo, kingbird, Baltimore oriole, bronzed grackle, catbird and brown thrasher. None of these except thes oriole and the grackle may now be found, vsave rarely, building their nests _ in their former haunts in the park. AS« -Jate as 1906 it was my good fortune to come upon what is per- haps the most unusual instance of -a Shore bird’s nesting in a large city. At that°time the work of filling in the dake front opposite the Auditor- ium. Hotel was in progress, and upon this made land, now known as Grant Park, a killdeer had scratched a place amorrgst ‘the‘rubbish of broken glass, cinders, broken brick and the like and _ «when discovered was covering the full THE OOLOGIST 157 complement of four eggs. An ornitho- logist viewing the sights of Chicago from one of the hundreds of motors passing down Michigan Avenue would have been well entitled to disbelieve anyone. who might have offered to shew him a Killdeer’s nest a few hundred yards east of our world- celebrated thoroughfare. Among birds whose nests I can easily remember to have found in the immediate vicinity. of what is now one of the busiest “up-town” business centers—Wilson Avenue and Broad- way—are such species as wood thrush, least-flycatcher, redstart, humming- bird, lark sparrow, both the cuchoos, goldfinch, cedar waxwing, chat, downy woodpecker, red-eyed vireo, vesper, field and- song sparrows—in fact most of the passerine birds which may be looked for in the breeding season in favorable localities in north-eastern Illinois. This, of course, does not recount anything unusual, as, at the time, the locality named held many tracts of well wooded and brush cov- ered land as well as field and pas- tures; but the fact that in this same district, less than ten years ago and even in the present season we have had cuckoos, yellow warblers, screech owls, bronze grackles and brown thrashers with us throughout’ the spring and summer indicates how dif- ficult it is to drive birds from their original haunts if there is left to them the posibility of food and nest cover. It is the writers belief that it is much harder to get them to take up resi- dence in a locality which they have never occupied than it is to keep them in their native cover, even when the encroachments of man have little consideration for their needs. There’s a base-ball park up on the North Side and if I happen occasion- ally to be one of the thousands as- sembled to see the national pastime | am sure to remember that field as it used to be, and for a minute, above the noise of the cheering crowd, I may hear the bold, challenging notes of a pair of crested flycatchers, be- ginning their housekeeping in an old scrub oak which was cut down long ago.—E. R. Ford. bee Aaa feel a. eh ten. Rare Additions. Gerard A. Abbott advises us, “I have added another Warbler nest and three eggs of Belding’s Yellowthroat; also. three other fine sets, Newfound- land Grosbeak, nest and three; Bick- nell’s Thrush, nest and three; Clark’s Nutcrocker, nest and four.” These are indeed rare additions to any collection. eo eee ad Bird Protection and Cats I assume that all bird lovers and students know that the food supply of the world is really dependent upon the birds; that we could _ not exist ten years without the birds. We also know that there has been an alarming decrease of the insect- iverous birds in the past thirty years or more. The United States government; Au- dubon and other bird societies, as well as many private individuals have of late been active in the endeavor to bring back bird life to our farms and homes. One of the most serious menaces to bird life is cats. The Government experts estimate the value of a live robin at $5. a year and other birds, some of them, much higher. They also, from their inquiries throughout the country, find that. cats kill an enormous number of birds and estimate that the average cat de- stroys fifty birds a year. Personally I can not help liking the little pirates, though I never kept a 158 THE OOLOGIST ~ 2 (\@ cat, and I am not greatly surprised at the ardent defence that many peo- ple make for their pets; they declare that their cat is a wonder! would not touch a bird; at the same time they are often viciferous as to the sins of their neighbors’ cats. The remedy it seems to me _ is, education as to the exact status of the cat, then a law compelling a state license for every cat to be followed by the destruction of all unlicensed cats. I find that most people whom I meet are willing to pay a small li- cense, say a dollar a year, for a pet cat, in order to get rid of the half wild, half starved cats that abound in all cities and places or resort where they are abandoned by away going transient visitors. The farmers are the worst hit of all but strangely enough they are gen- erally the ones who defeat any at- tempt to have cats licensed. When convinced, as they were finally about good roads, they will be the most ac- tive for restrining the cat; it seems as though we must educate everybody up to the idea that it is his neighbor’s cat that we think vicious. Of course we know that a license will not change the nature of a cat but I Know of several families that keep, or rather harbor upwards of twelve cats; they do not pretend, or merely pretend to feed them; certain- ly they would not license more than two or three; with penalties for har- boring unlicensed cats, there would be a thinning out process. Educate the people especially the farmers, to the value of birds as against cats and then we can begin to make progress; as it is while we invite birds to stay with us in the peopled places we also invite them to a perilous existence. Many people are beginning to see the value of birds; educate them to see the peril of cats to nesting birds around our homes.—(Communicated). Sa ARN ee i A Rare Runt. Paul Herrington of Toronto, Canada, reports a runt egg of the Red-Winged Blackbird measuring .77 x .51 inches, taken May 30, 1915. ENE SEES Nn Some Western Birds—Road-Runner. Those who have read the late Brad- ford Torrey’s interesting book en- titled “Field Days in California’ will perhaps recall his story of the Hast- ern ornithologist who was walking along a Southern California beach with a lady who, while long a resi- dent of the Golden State, was not very familiar with its avifauna. The gentle- man expressed a desire to see the Road-runner (Geococcyx californian- us) on its native heath, whereupon the Native Daughter pointed to a flock of gulls that were following the waves along the sand, and calmly as- sured him that the bird he sought was before his eyes. With the exception of our Condor, I know of no other bird that the East- erner paying his first visit to Califor- nia looks forward to meeting with as much anticipation as he does to the Road-runner. In many ways the bird is unique. He is the only Ground- cuckoo found within the limits gov- erned by the A. O. U. Check-list, his nearest relatives being the Anis of the South and the common Black and Yellow-billed Cuckoos of the Hast. No picture of the desert is complete without him. Given a giant cactus, a rattlesnake, a lone cow-puncher and a Road-runner; and your short-story novelist has ample material for an ab- sorbing romance of the plains. Like the Penguin of the South At- lantic and the Apteryx of New Zea- land, the Ground-cuckoo possesses. in- THE OOLOGIST 156 different powers of flight. Through long disuse his wings have become too short to support the weight of his twenty-four inch body, a good half of which consists of tail. On the ground, however, he more than holds his own and glides along the roads and through the sagebrush at a speed exceeding that of a fast-trotting horse. Here the long tail serves both as rud- der and brake; a sudden stop is brought about by throwing it upward and forward with a sharp jerk. The notes of the Chaparral Cock, as our- bird is sometimes called, often puzzle the novice. Approach the clump of cactus or mesquite where a nest is concealed and perhaps a peculiar cracking sound will be heard as if someone were breaking rapidly a number of sticks. The sound con- tinues as long as you remain in the vicinity of the nest, but the bird is seldom seen; she remains hidden in the dense brush and produces the mys- terious noises by a snapping of the bill. When undisturbed the male will sometimes mount a rock or low bush and utter a harsher and deeper ren- dering of the familiar “Coo-00” of the Mourning Dove, a performance that seems to call for much effort upon the part of the bird; the sounds be- ing “pumped” forth like the call-note of the Bittern. In Southern California the breeding season is from March to July, but in southern Arizona I have found fresh eggs at a much later date. Inhabiting as he does the more arid zones of the West, the Road-runner has but little choice in the selection of a nesting site, being confined to cactus, mes- quite and a few low bushes. The nest is rarely above six feet from the ground. I well remember how sur- prised I was on one occasion to find that the nest some twenty feet up in a willow tree I felt sure belonged to a Crow was occupied by a Road-runner. The bird left the nest as I reached the foot of the tree, landing almost in my face in her hurried and awkward flight, and to say I was startled would be putting it mildly. Another nest was found this year twelve feet up in a pepper tree grow- ing in a well-populated section of the City of Los Angeles; the birds feed- ing every morning with the domestic fowls of a neighboring hen-yard. The nest is well made, smaller than would be suspected from the size of the builder; and is composed of sticks lined with rootlets, grass, cattle-hair, and sometimes bits of snake-skin. In this from four to nine creamy white eggs are laid measuring 1.50 x 1.20 inches. The bird does not lay regu- larly, one egg being deposited every two or three days, which makes it very difficult to obtain a complete set. I have often found nests containing fresh eggs and nearly-half grown young. How long incubation lasts I have been unable to learn, but I should judge the time required is about three weeks. The young Road-runner is without exception the most hideous nestling that I know. Covered with a coal- black skin through which the _pin- feathers protrude, of ungainly form and as blind at birth as a kitten, he is anything but beautiful. But he is apparently viewed through another light by the parents, at least so one would judge from the solicitude that they show when danger threatens their offspring. Many stories are told of how the Road-runner kills full-grown rattle- snakes by dropping thorny pieces of cactus on them until they are para- lyzed, when the reptiles may then be dispatched at leisure. Such yarns should be taken with the proverbial grain of salt, or rather several grains; 160 THE OOLOGIST although there is no question but what the bird really does eat small snakes with such delectable morsels as beetles, caterpillars, mice and centi- pedes as side dishes. So beneficial a bird is entitled to all protection, but unfortunately it is rapidly becoming scarce in the more settled parts of Southern California because of the large mark it offers to every “sportsman” with a gun, or rather to that class of sportsmen whose idea of a pleasant outing is to kill every living creature in sight with absolutely no regard to its beauty or usefulness. It is probably only a matter of time until the Road-runner will go the way of the Carolina Paro- quet and the Passenger Pigeon unless public sentiment is aroused in his be- half. D. I. Shepardson, Los Angeles, Cal. Se ee ee Spotted Gold Finch Eggs. This season I collected two sets of American Gold Finch eggs of unusual interest; one set of five taken Au- gust 5th contained one egg blotched on the large end and of a buff color. The other set of four eggs taken Sep- tember 7, contains three spotted eggs, which were heavily incubated and one ege being infertile. I would like to know if you or anyone else have ever heard of or seen spotted eggs of the American Gold Finch. Joseph C. Hall, Lakewood, O. Spotted eggs of the Gold Finch are of course not common, but it is not very unusual to discover one or more spotted eggs of this species in a set— Editor. A AS Ea eS A eT LE Pueblo, Colorado, 1915, Notes. On May 8 while walking around on the prairie observing what bird life was there, I found a nest of the Bur- rowing Owl with eleven eggs. They were about five feet back in a desert- ed prairie dog burrow, the bound at entrance to burrow was covered with small pieces of dry horse dung as. also was the bottom of burrow. The female was on the eggs. Some boys found a bird nest with six eggs in it and told me about it. From their description I thought it was a House Finch but next evening, June 6, we went out to see it. The female flew off as we came near and I readily saw it was a Lark Bunting, one young had hatched out and on the 9th the six young made a nest full. The nest was on the ground at the foot of a bush about a foot high. They were a common bird in this locality but their nests were difficult to locate. I was considerably elated over a find I made May 16. I was returning from an afternoon’s walk and was near town when a small bird flew from a cactus bush. I was unable to see what it was but the nest held three bluish white eggs. Later in the day Mr. Herman E. Nash and I returned and were successful in get- ting near enough to the bird on the nest to identify it as the Desert Spar- row. On May 19th the nest was de- serted. It had rained that day and the nest and eggs were wet and cold. I failed to see anything more of the birds. As far as I could learn this is the first time this bird has been found nesting in this locality, or even seen. H. W. Nash Bia SCN Re 2 fern ne Brother Hess. Isaac HE. Hess of Philo, Illinois has just closed a contract for the third years weekly contribution to the Decatur Illinois Daily Herald to ap- pear in its regular Sunday issue which shows that the publishers as well as the readers are satisfied with Mr. Hess’ observations as transcribed on paper and that Brother Hess has THE OOLOGIST 161 something of interest at all times on the subject of birds. We hope his new found honors will not cause him to neglect his old friend, THE OOLO- GIST. So SS SSE ESE The Mourning Dove. H. P. Attwater of Texas contributes to the Houston Chronicle of Sunday August 29th a two column and half to the defense of the Mourning Dove under the heading “The passing of the Mourning Dove.’ We agree with all that Mr. Attwater says on the sub- ject as we could never understand how a man calling himself a sports- man could bring himself to a state of mind permitting him to kill as harmless and beautiful a bird as the Mourning Dove, to’say nothing of its well known beneficial quality instead of shorting the season “for the killing ef Mourning Doves as is suggested. They should at all. times be protected by a continuous closed season. Editor. \-e—~<>—0-— Mr. Darlington’s Collection The unusually fine collection of birds eggs owned by the late HK. J. Darlington of Wilmington, Delaware, “has become the property of Mr. Ed- ward M. Kenworthy of the same city. Mr. Kenworthy is to be congratulated on acquiring this accumulation. of especially desirable specimens. 2~<& = Cedar Waxwing’s Nests. The following are some of my finds of Cedar Waxwings at Wasaya Beach, Ontario, 1914-1915. (1) Nests of weed stems lined with bark 20 feet up on horizontal branch of pine, 4 incubated eggs. 6-22-14. (2) Nest completed 30 feet on hori- zontal branch of Norway pine com- pleted. 6-23-14. (3) Nest 40 feet in Norway pine, one deserted egg. 6-20-14. (4) Nest of weed stems lined with grass and straw 15 feet up in Maple, three fresh eggs. 6-25-14. (5) Nest of weeds and bark lined with pine needles and bark 18 feet up on horizontal branch of Norway pine at the extreme end; five incubat- ed eggs. 7-16-14. (6) Nest 15 feet up in willow crotch, four fully fledged young. 17-23-14. (7) Nest 12 feet up on horizonta) branch of Spruce, three young. 7-25-14. (8) Nest 20 feet on _ horizontal branch of Spruce, four young Just hatched. 7-25-14. (9) Nest 8 feet up in Cedar crotch on river bank of weeds, lined with pine needles, four fresh eggs. 7-27-14. (10) Nest 12 feet up on horizontal branch of pine of weed, stems and bark lined with pine needles, three fresh eggs. 17-28-14. (11) Nest 8 feet up on horizontal branch of Norway pine, three fresh eggs. 7-28-14. : (12) Nest 10 feet up in bush, five fresh eggs. 17-31-14. (13) Nest 4 feet up in grapevine tangle, four fresh eggs. §8-2-14. (14) Nest lined with pine needles 15 feet up in crotch of Cedar, four eggs advanced. 7-6-15. (15) Nest lined with pine needles 12 feet up on horizontal branch of pine, four fresh eggs. 7-5-15.-- (16) “Nest 10 feet up on horizontal branch of Norway pine, lined with the needles, five fresh .eggs. 7-5-14. (17) Nest lined with pine needles 20 feet up on horizontal branch of Norway pine, five fresh eggs. 7-14-15. (18) Nest lined with pine needles 5 feet up in willow, four fresh eggs. 7-29-15. (19) Nest 10 feet up in Hemlock, lined with grass, five fresh eggs. 7-10-15. This nest and eggs were taken, the birds rebuilding in the same spot hatched two young which were fully fledged. 8-13-15. 162 THE OOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of Scarlet Tanager —Photo by Thos. D, Burleigh THE OOLOGIST 168 Nest and Eggs of Indigo Bunting Haemarville, Pa., May 25, 1915 —Photo by Thos. D. Burleigh 164 THE OOLOGIST (20) Nest 5 feet up in willow, lined with pine needles, four fresh eggs. 7-29-15. (21) Nest 10 feet up in bush, lined with pine needles, four fresh eggs. 7-29-15. (22) Nest 6 feet in willow, three ad- vanced eggs, nest knocked down by heavy rain. 8-2-15. Paul Harrington. —_—_______+—> Strange Malady. In the past year I have found about my home four or five Yellow Billed Cuckoos some of them dead but two alive. One of these I found this after- noon. The bird had no broken bones and nothing seemed wrong except the wings drooped a little. It could use its ’ feet well for it ran as well as ever when I caught it. Could you please tell me what is wrong with these birds? R. C. Martin, Jr. Albemarle, La. ———_—_—_———<>e —_____—__ Rightful Use of Big Game Heritage Urged. Henry W. Henshaw, Chief of U. S. Biological Survey Points Out Value of Birds. With the beginning of the hare season, the variety and plenty of the North American huntsman’s domain is indicated in a communication to the National Geographic society Henry W. Henshaw, chief of the United States Biological survey, which tells of “American Game Birds.” Mr. Henshaw enumerates more than 100 kinds of game birds common to this country’s preservs, among which are 37 kinds of duck, eight kinds of goose, eight kinds of quail, and five kinds of grouse. While America’s preserves are distinguished among the hunting fiends of the world for their wealth of game, the writer shows that they are hunted with dangerous thorough- ness. He says; from. “America has always been a para- dise for sportsmen, but of late years the number of those whose chief re- laxation is the pursuit of game has greatly increased, and today there are probably not far from five mil- lions who are interested in the pur- suit of game. What this army of five million hunters means to the large and small game of America can better be imagined than described. Modern guns and ammunition are of the very best, and they are sold at prices so low as to be within the reach of all. Added to these very efficient weapons for killing small game, are innumer- able devices for killing waterfowl, as sneak-boats, punt-guns, swivel-guns, sail-boats, steam launches, night float- ing, night lighting and others.” The varieties of American game duck given by Mr. Henshaw are bald- pate, Barrow’s ‘golden-eye, black buf- felhead, king, Pacific, spectacled and Steller’s eider, fulvous tree-duck, mal- lard, merganser, red-head, pintail, scaup, scoter, canvas-back, shoveller, and teal. Of the canvas-back he says: “The canvas-back, perhaps the most famous of American water fowl, has purchased its: fame at a price. So high- ly is it prized by the epicure that today he who: can afford to dine on _.canvas-back sets the mark of luxurious living. Not that the canvas-back dif- fers essentially from other ducks, but its exceptional flavor is due to the fact that its favorite food is ‘wild celery’, a long ribbon like grass which grows in shallow ponds and estuaries. As the plant roots several feet under the surface, only the diving ducks can secure it and the plebian kinds have to be content with such float- ing fragments as they can pick up or can steal from their more aristo- cratic relatives. In Oregon and Wash- ington, the canvas-back, lives much upon wapato, a bulb-like root former- THE OOLOGIST 165 ly a staple article of food among many Indian tribes, and their excep- tional flavor is said to be little, if any, inferior to that of the celery-fed canvas-back of the east. Prized alike by the sportsman and by spicure the ranks of the canvas-back have been depleted by the relentless pursuit to which it has been subjected. How- ever, the greater number of these ducks breed far to the northward where they are safe, and under pres- ent laws their number should increase to something like their former abund- ance.” Despite this country’s present vast wealth in game birds, according to the writer, they would soon be shot away but for proper protection. As it is, he continues, the number of game birds today are quite insignifi- cant when compared to the abundance of former days. Destruction of for- mer breeding places by drainage and, more especially, the relentless pur- suit with firearms, are the causes as- signed for the falling off of supply. Mr. Henshaw writes: “The statements of the early chroni- clers regarding the multitudes of ducks, plover, and wild pigeons al- most defy belief. When, in the records of the first part of the last century, one reads of clouds of pig- eons that required three days to pass a given point in a continuous moving stream, and again of flocks estimated to contain more than _ 2,000,000,000 birds, credulity is taxed to the limit. Yet not only one such flock was ob- served, but they were of periodic oc- currence during many years of our early history, and the accounts of them are too well attested to be doubted. As throwing a curious side- light on the abundance of wild fowl and the hardships to which the slaves of the period were subjected, I quote from Grinnel, who states that ‘in early days slave owners, who their slaves, stipulated in the con- tract that the canvas-back ducks would not be fed to them more than twice each week.” A high money value is placed on our game resources. Mr. Henshaw states that Oregon values her game re- sources, consisting largely of game birds, at $5,000,000 a year, while Cali- fornia and Maine each claim _ their game to be worth $20,000,000 a year, which suggests the enormous aggre- gate value of the country’s game. Mr. Henshaw concludes his communication with an expression of the belief that the government and the people of the country should do all in their power to protect and to bring about a right- ful use this rich heritage. W. A. Strong. hired out ———__—_ -+ oe —_______—_- Edward Reinecke. A letter of September 18th brings the sad news of the death of Edward Reinecke, of Buffalo, New York, a son of Ottomar Reinecke, who is known to all bird students from coast to coast, which occurred on the first of August at the end of a long sickness. The father says: ‘In all my scienti- fic researches he was my faithful com- panion and help. My collection was largely accumulated by his help. I shall miss him the balance of my exist- ence.” While the Hditor never had _ the pleasure of meeting Mr. Edward Rein- ecke, we have no doubt of his scientific and painstaking characteristics, as many specimens in our collection bear data showing them to have been taken by Edward Reinecke, and they are all absolutely A-1. We extend our sympathy to our friend, Ottomar Reinecke, in his hour of trouble. 166 THE OOLOGIST 5 E. J. Darlington. George B. Bonners, than whom there is no better oologist in the country, has this to say of Mr. Dar- lington in his letter under date of September 18th: “IT am glad you spoke so well of Darlington. I knew him well, and was to have paid him a visit the day he died. I see Sharples has said nice things about him, and I know of a host of others who think the same of him. We Old Oologists are slowly but surely going to the Happy Hunting Grounds. I think I can class myself among the old ones, as I made a trip to Texas after Golden-checked War- blers and Black-capped Vireos in 1884, and have been collecting ever since.” Odd Nesting of the American Merganser. During the spring months of the current year (1915) I was attached to the U. S. S. “Tuscarora” doing gen- eral cruising duty on Lakes Michigan and Superior. Much of our work took us into the small ports on the upper shore of Wisconsin, and it was on June 6th that we stood in and dropped the hook in the little haven of refuse called Hailey’s Harbor at the extreme end of Wisconsin near the entrance to Green Bay, a bay with a town in the bight of the same name, and con- sisting of a mere cluster of fishing shacks and a U. S. Coast Guard Sta- tion. No railroads of any kind traverse this country, so it is practically un- inhabited and is perhaps one of the wildest portions of the state. As we steamed into the harbor the wooded shores and occasional sandy bars of the neighboring islands at the entrance appealed to me from an ornithological standpoint, especially so as I saw the gulls and terns hover- ing about the beaches and here and there a duck winging his way into the trees. In short things looked good for breeding places for all of the above and I made up my mind that a little excursion ashore here might prove quite interesting. So a few hours before sundown J, together with a few men who wished to try their hand at fishing while I was ashore, rowed in and landed on the most east- erly of the islands, a small stretch of land which was more conspicuous than the others of the group due to its having on its outmost point an old tower of what was once a light- house. It was a quaint old tower and curiosity at once drew me in that direction. It was situated in a grassy clearing about a hundred feet from shore and I soon walked over and peered thru the single doorway of the tower. Here the unexpected happened. No sooner was my body in the doorway than a large bird darted from the op- posite side of the brickwork and half running and half flying struck me “amidships” in its wild efforts to make the open. It was with some dif- ficulty that I was able to secure a hold of Mrs. Merganser (for so it proved to be) but I finally accom- plished this and then proceeded with my prize over the door sill to discover the cause of this attempted exit on the part of the duck. It was easily found. Diametrically opposite the door- way and spaced about three feet apart were two wonderfully soft nests of the American Merganser, the eggs they contained being almost hid by the gray and white down of which the nests were entirely composed. Each nest was placed in a depression, perhaps five inches deep, scraped out of the soft dirt of the light-house floor and were about fourteen inches across. One nest contained ten eggs and the other seventeen eggs, and as the latter were quite warm they un: THE OOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of Texas Nighthawk, Ventura, California —Photo by H. C. Burt ~T 168 THE OOLOGIST doubtedly belonged to the captured female. The former were fresh and these I tock, but the latter were far gone in incubation and I considered it both useless and a waste of time to attempt to save them so they were allowed to remain. The captured duck was taken out into the open, and after completely satisfying myself as to its identity I threw her high into the air, and watched her shoot with great rapidity thru the trees and over the water. This is the first time that I have run across any nests of this species, but I had always supposed that they nested only in hollow trees and thus was more than surprised to find them located in such a site. I have no doubt but that this place had been used by these birds, or others of the species, for many years, for here both bird and eggs were admirably protected from wind and rain and in addition were quite remote from the depreda- tions of man. During my short time on the island I was able to find no other birds breeding altho several species were seen in plenty, but I returned to the ship after darkness set in well satis- fied with my excursion ashore. Lieut. I. T. VanKammen. °*@e The Baltimore Oriole A pair of Orioles built their nest in a maple tree on our street. It was about thirty feet from a house where children were playing most of the day, and about fourteen feet from the street where wagons and autos were passing every few minutes, and yet they hatched their eggs and fed their young, and did not seem to mind, or care anything about what was going on around them. I have this nest and it is a fine specimen of Oriole work. IT am a cripple, have not walked for over twelve years, but as our streets are provided with cement walks, I am able to enjoy myself, in my wheel chair watching the birds and squirrels. I notice that the Oriole does not sing any more after their eggs are hatched, but the young can be heard every time the old birds feed them. R. B. K., Columbus, Wis. IS STARS lS TR The Birds of July. | With the approach of July and the hot days of summer the bird life be- comes less and less evident than in the spring. The birds are nesting; separating from the large flocks of the spring and fall they go off in pairs, and are seldom heard except in the early morning. Toward the latter part of July, young birds, just beginning to fly, put in their appearance. They fly from branch to branch, accompanied by the parent birds, and may be seen thus occupied at any hour of the day. It was such a scene which drew my attention one morning not Jong ago. Two young blue jays, together with the old birds, were sitting on a branch of a shrub which grew ona bluff overhanging the river. As I noticed them my attention was drawn by a movement in the grass at: the foot of the tree. A large snake had ar- rived on the scene, unknown to the birds, and was’ watching them intent- ly. Whatever his intentions may have been I do not know, but ‘at that mo- ment one of the old birds observed him. He gave the scream of warning characteristic of a jay, and rose to the top of the trees, where he perched himself and emitted cry after cry. The other parent bird flew down and circled the snake, attempting to beat him with the wings. The young birds remained perched on the limb. They were evidently not well prepared to make their escape. Then the queer THE thing happened. Jays began to ar- rive, attracted by the cries of the old bird, until five were on the scene. The snake refused to move until the fifth came, then, evidently frightened by the number of his opponents he glided away. Fred L. Fitzpatrick Bethany, Neb. es ok ba Mocking Birds Eggs. The eggs of the mocking bird seem to vary -very greatly in this county (Harrison Co., Texas). During the last two years I have taken eight sets of these eggs, six of these had four eggs each, one three, and one five. Most of these sets vary in color and size. The set of three were very light and unusually large, measuring 1.01 xe-805 1500) x) 80% 1:03) x, .82. Another unusual set was a set of four that were very small and heavily marked, they measure .88 x .75, .87 x 64, .87 x .65, and .79 x .60. ; A. D. M. gg A Runt. Last spring I took a set of chipping sparrow eggs, three of these eggs were the normal size and one was a decided runt. This set measured, .87 x .51, .86 x .50, .86 x .48, .54 x .52. These eggs as a rule have very little variation either in size or color. Out of about a hundred nests of these birds that I have examined in the last three years this is the first runt that I have found. A.D. M. SO io —- .Copy. We are, as usual, out of copy. Our giving our readers sixteen and twenty- four pages each month, instead of the twelve pages promised, has exhaust- ed the supply, and it is up to you, Mr. Subscriber to furnish some more, for we are very sure you do not wish to see The Ooologist deteriorate The Editor, OOLOGIST 169 Proposed Revision of the By-Laws of The American Ornithologists Union. I wish to address all working orni- thologists and oologists in the United States and Canada,—through the col- umns of THE OOLOGIST. For a num- ber of years, there have been many of the working ornithologists and oolo- gists who have not been satisfied with the present by-laws of the American Ornithologists Union. This dissatis- faction has been shared alike by “Fel- lows”, “Members” and “Associates” of the Union. We have seen in a mild form from time to time this dissatis- faction expressed in the columns of the “Auk,” only to be sidetracked and dropped with but small notice and courtesy. I have just received the annual cir- cular letter from the O. O. U., stating my dues for the ensuing year are now due, and asking for new members, etc., etc. Hach year as I look over this communication I ask myself “Shall I continue in the A. O. U., and what can I offer a new member as an induce- ment to have him join the ‘Union’?” Carefully looking through the pages of the by-laws I can find no inducement to offer him, nor do I see any induce- ment offered me to continue in the Association after this year, should the by-laws not be changed. I have no quarrel with my officer or class of member of the A. O. U., my quarrel is with the by-laws. We all know that the A. O. U. was only a continuation of the “Nuttall Club” and when re-or- ganized and incorporated in 1888, near- ly all active members at that time could be, and were, embraced in the class of ‘‘Fellows” and “Members”. Ac- tive members since that time have in- creased, so much so that now many of the most active workers are in the Associate class. The by-laws have re- mained the same, not keeping pace with the changed conditions. How 170 THE OOLOGIST many of the different class of mem- bers of the A. O. U. have ever seen a copy of the by-laws? The copy that I now have before me, I secured in March, 1914, through the courtesy of the treasurer. In reply to my query as to who was entitled to a copy of the by-laws, the secretary informed me on October 28, 1914, “That every member and associate of the A. O. U. is en- titled to a copy of the by-laws, but it is not customary to send a copy un- less requested to do so.” I believe if every new member could see the by- laws before joining, that he would think them so narrow, and the induce ments offered therein so small, that he would refrain from joining the Union. I trust every class of mem- bers will at once send to the secretary, and secure a copy of the by-laws, and see for themselves if the following assertions are correct or not. About eight per cent of the member- ship are “Members,” paying four dol- lars yearly dues. They have no vote or voice in the business matters of the Union. About ninety per cent are ‘“Asso- ciate’ members, paying three dollars yearly dues. They have no vote or voice in the business affairs of the Union. The business meetings are of the “Star Chamber” kind, and are not open to the main supporters of the Asso- ciation. There is no given method for the advancement of members from one grade to that of a higher grade, nor is there any given standard for a member to measure up to; before he can be ad- vanced to a higher grade. This is one of the weakest points in the by-laws. Judging from the membership list in the April, 1914, “Auk”, we gather the following has nothing to do with one’s chances for advancement: Length of time as a member, Field work in any of the active lines. Attending annual meetings of the A.O.U. Published articles in the “Auk.” HEmassing a collection of scientific specimens, and a library or ornithol- ogy, either through purchase or by per- sonal work. What qualifications then must a per- son have, to attain a higher grade in the Union? Are the majority of the “Fellows” in a position to know just who is doing active work, or eligible to advancement? What member wishes to make out his own application for nomination to a higher class, and have it signed by three “Fellows” as requir- ed by Section 4, Article 4, of the by- laws? What chance is there for a member to become a “Fellow” except through dead men’s shoes, and who likes to wait for such advancement? A “Fellow” can only be retired by his own desire, Article 1, Section 3. No one can blame any of the “Fellows” for desiring to remain in that class, even though some may take no active part in ornithology, and its branches today. The present grades in the mem- bership of the Union, are unsatisfac- tory and undemocratic. Acting in con- junction with other members of the A. O. U., I forwarded proposed changes in the A.O.U. by-laws, to the last meeting of the Union. I had the sup- port and endorsement of two “Fel- lows,” as required by Article 8. I have not been informed in an officiar way by any officer of the Union, what action if any, was taken, nor have we seen any mention of the subject in the columns of the official organ, the “Auk.” The A.O.U. was supposed to be an organization for the “Advancement of its members in ornithological science.” A large percentage have been taken into the Union merely for the payment of their $3.00 dues, and not with any F THE OOLOGIST 171 idea of strengthening the Club scien- tifically. There are other societies where this class of members can do more good than in the A.O.U. Some of the most active workers today in the various ornithological branches are not, and will not, become members of the A.O.U. on account of the class distinction, and star chamber methods of conducting the business of the Union. Let us have the needed changes in the by-laws, and let all class of members express their views and desires through the columns of the several ornithological journals. Let us hear from the “Fellows” in a broad- minded way, just how much they have the interests of the A.O.U. at heart. Above all, let us have a democratic or- ganization, equal rights to all, special privileges to none. If, after a fair fight, we cannot get our desired changes, let those who are dissatis- fied with the present by-laws and way of management, withdraw from the A. O.U., and give their support to some organization who will offer us the co- operation of their organization. Harold H. Bailey. Newport News, Virginia, A ea Birds of Palestine. Cormorant; Sea of Galilee, Jordan River and Coast. Pelican; Spends winter in Palestine, summer in Russia. Pelican; Coast. Avocet; Plover; Jaffa. Sandpiper; Solomans pools. Dunlin; Common Stork; Commonly dis- tributed over Palestine. Black Stork, Same as above, build in fir trees. Ibis; Crane; Crane; Beeschuba in winter, White Heron, Jordan Valley. Blue Heron, Jordan Valley. Blue Heron, Along Jordan River. Brown Heron, Along Jordan River. Buffed backed Heron. Bittern. Least Bittern, Bough at Jerusalem. Water Rail. Ducks, many varieties. Geese, same as Ducks. White Swan, found on the lakes and rivers in winter. Gray Swan, Found on Lakes and rivers in winter. Grouse, Desert, Jordan Valley. Partridge. Rock Partridge, found everywhere in Palestine. Quail, Found during migration on shore of Red and Dead Seas. Griffin Vulture, Palestine and Egypt. Great Vulture. Egyptan Vulture; Palestine in the winter. Kestrel, All southern Palestine. Kite, common in winter. Harries Hawk, Jericho. Hawk. Large red Buzzard, Palestine. Buzzard. Glede. Eagle, Yebua. Short toed Hagle. Osprey, Palestine. Owl. Great Owl, Jericho. Little Owl, Bethelehem. Desert Owl. Screech Owl, Jericho. Black Bird, Palestine. Grackle, Jordan Valley. Starling, Jericho. Dove. Pigeon, Common and migratory. Wood Pigeon. Rock Pigeon. Turtle Dove. Palm Dove. Ring Dove. Hoopoe, Palestine in summer, 172 THE Crow. Rook. Jackdaws. Magpie. Blue Jay, Palestine, growing scarce. Cuckoo, Jordon Valley. Cuckoo, Summer in Palestine. Shrike, Jericho. Shrike, Jordan Valley. King-fisher, Jericho. Night Hawk. Jar. Sparrow, Jericho. Swallow, Jordan Valley. Common Swallow. Swift, Jordan Valley. Lark. Black Cap, Jericho. Great Tit. Bee-eaters. Sun-bird, Jordan Valley. Corn Bunting. Gold Finch. Chat. Nuthatch. Red start. Robin. Thrush. Wag-tail. Peacock. Ostrich. This list is probably incomplete but interesting. Geo. W. H. Vos Burgh. ee EAE The Least Tern at Philadelphia, Pa. The occurrence of the Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) upon the Dela- ware River—particularly in the vicin- ity of Philadelphia—is of doubtful au- thenticity, acocrding to a prominent local ornithologist, who says there is “no evidence that it was anything but an extremely rare straggler”’ in the past, when the species was a common summer resident on the New Jersey OOLOGIST coast, and it is the accepted belief of local ornithologists that it has never been taken in this region during re- cent years. While crossing the Delaware River, on September 25, 1910, in a power boat with my father, three brothers and several friends, and towing two heavily laden bateaux with a camping outfit, when just opposite Bridesburg (which is six miles above Philadelphia) on the Pennsylvania shore, we almost ran down a crippled(?) Least Tern sitting on the water. We gasolined by within | four or five yards of the bird as it sat serenely upon the surface, but on account of our heavy tow were unable to pursue and try to capture the bird, as we would like to have done. The bird was not seen until it was too late to try to run straight for it and we were unable to come back and try to capture it. The Tern was plainly seen, as it was clear and sunshiny and there is no doubt about its identity. It was an adult and evinced no con- cern at our close and noisy proximity, nor did the waves from the boat alarm it and it mounted the small swells without any fear. It didn’t even mani- fest any fear at our yells or hostile demonstrations from which I infer that it was wounded and unable to fly or else remarkably tame. Why should the occurrence of the Least Tern be regarded of such ex- treme doubtful rarity upon the middle Delaware River by “closet naturalists,” when there are breeding colonies of these birds on the eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia and undoubted- ly nearer? After the breeding season, like the Common and Black Terns, in my experience the Least Tern wand- ers about and migrates north or west- ward of its habitat in late summer, nowadays, just as they did, in all prob- ability in the past. Richard F, Miller, 173 THE OOLOGIST Procter A un oO ES wae) ima) Pa) , ae AY. 174 THH OOLOGIST Nest and Eggs of Black-capped Chickadee in dead stub, 2 feet from the ground — Photo by Thos. H. Jackson THE OOLOGIST Iti The Oologist Is the only publication in North America devoted to the interests of those study- ing and collecting Birds Eggs. It is now in its thirty— second year, and is better than ever and will be better Vel: If you know of any one who is interested in Birds send in his or her name and and we will mail them a Sample copy free. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, III. THE CONDOR A Magazine of Western Ornithology Published Bi-monthly by the Coop>r Ornithological Club of California Edited by J. Grinnell and Harry S. Swarth ‘““The Condor’’ is strictly scientific but edited in such a way that a be- ginner of ‘‘Bird Study”’ can easily un- derstand it. The articles in ‘‘The Condor’’ are written by the leading Ornithologists of the United States and are illustrated by the highest quality of half tones. Our subscription rates are $1.50 per year in the United States and $1.76 in a Foreign coun- try. Sample Copy 30c. Address W. LEE CHAMBERS, Bus. Manager, Eagle Rock, Los Angele Cal. Back Numbers of the Oologist Fifteen Cents Numbers 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 40, 45, 50, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74, 80, 93, 114, 115, 126, 134, 135. Twenty-five Cents Numbers 10, 18, 15, 16, 54, 55, 56, 75, 87, 128, 127, 128, 129, 144, 149. Thirty-five Cents Numbers 9, 66-7, 77, 78, 79, 89, 90, 101, 118, 138, 146. Fifty Cents Numbers 1, 14, 18, 31, 34-5, 42, 53, 86, 111, 130, 132, 137, 189, 140, 153, 158, 254. Gne Dollar Number 44. Reprint, 50c. All other numbers will be sold as long as the stock lasts at Ten Cents. Complete volumes of THE OOLO- GIST unbound, as long as the supply lasts, until further notice will be sold at the following rates only: Vol. I, 1884-5, Nos. 1 ty 12....... $2.10 Wolk, I TIS INOS, a Wo mdb 5 ooo oo 1.00 WYO, IDL, WSO, INOS) 1H, wo) BOs coe ce 1.25 Vol. IV, 1887, Nos. 21 to 25-26... 1.00 Wols Wi USES. INGE AY 1OY BSoccccac 2.80 Vol. VI, 1889, Nos. 39 to 50...... 2.70 Vol. VII, 1890, Nos. 51 to 62..... 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BARNES, Lacon, II) vIv THE OOLOGIST The Oologist for 1916 will continue along the same lines as in the past. Our friends can help us enlarge our sub- scription list and thereby enlarge their sphere of iniluence and acquaintance; or lenis OOLOGIST is published for the benefit of its friends. They can, through and by its columns, keep up an acquaintance with the active bird students or collectors that can be reached in no other way. You can send an extra subscription to a friend or acquaintance a whole year for only PIFDY (CENTS, and mo more appropniare Christmas Gift can come to one interested in out door life. All new subscriptions received before Jan- uary 1, 1916, will be credited to January 1, 1917, receiving the balance of 1915 FREE. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILL. THE QOLOGIST. BIRDS-NESTS—EGG3 s, Be ( mw IS i TAXIDERMY \ Olis 2-O-O0 Oe Ogu Ule ALBION, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 340 BRIEF SPECIAL Vanted, serted for less than 25 cents. ANNOUNCEMENTS Exchange, For Sale, HEtc., inserted in this department at 25 cents for each 25 words for one issue; each additional word 1 cent. No notice in- 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, 340 your sub- scription expires with this issue. 329 your subscription expired with December issue 1914. Other expirations can be computed by intermediate numbers at the rate of one number per month. We will not advertise the skins, nests, North American Birds for sale. Entered as second-class matter De- cember 21, 1903, at the post office atl Albion, N. Y., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. In answering advertisements in these columns mention ‘The Oologisl,” and thereby help us, as well as the ad- vertiser and yourself. eggs, or mounted specimens of These columns are for the use of those desiring to inake bona fide exchanges of such specimens for scientific collecting purpo- ses conly.—EDITOR. BIRDS ee WANTED—Live American Wild Trumpet- er Swan. R.M. Barnes. Lacon, Ill. WANTED.—To cor:espond with Florida and northeastern gulf coast collectors of birds’ skins. A. B. HOWELL, Covina, Cal, WILT EXCHANGE.—Small collection of Idaho bird skins for long focus 4 x 5 folding plate camera box with case and extra hold- ers. HENRY J. RUST, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, Box 683. (1-p) SPECIAL NOTICE,.—I have decided to partially reduce my large collection of eggs and am prepired to negotiate with those having perfectly prepared bird skins. In starting this collection of bird skins I shall exercise just as much care as I have in ac- cumulating birds’ eggs, and those who haye dealt with me know that I am extremely particular in this respect. I would like to hear from all those who have any bird skins to offer. Nothing exceeding eight inches in length is desired. I particularly want males of the various woodpeckers, starlings and buntings. G. A. ABBOTT, 1543 E. 61st Street, Chicago, Illinois. Having completed my collection of N. A. Warbler’s eggs, I have now decided to pro- cure a perfect skin of each spec ies,maleonly, in full plumage. I will give exceptional value for these, especially the western forms. G. A. ABBOTT, 1543 E. 61st St.. Chicago. 111. We are anxious at all times to secure rare bird skins and eggs. Send us a list of your list of material and of your wants. We can ofter at present specimens as the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Passenger Pigeon, Scarlet Ibis. Blue-headed Quail Dove. ‘White and Gray Gyrfalcons, Black-capped Vireo. (Goiden cheeked Warbler and soon. Writeustodi#y. WARD'S NATURAL SCIENCE ESTAB- LISHMENT. Rochester, N. Y. EXCHANGE.—Having lately unpacked my collection of birds and mammal skins, which have been stored several years, I can otfer fine skins of water fowl, Marsh Rabbit and other species found in ‘this section, in ex- cuange for sets of eggs. or books on orni- thology and mammalogy. H. H. BAILEY, Newport News, Va. You will please discontinue my ads. in The Oologist, as I have completed my files of the publications asked for. Louis S. Kohler. = EGGS. In sending in your exchange notices for nests, skins and eggs, we would ap- preciate it if you would arrange the numerals im 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. Nice data blanks, 100 pages, book form with stubs, 30c. Samples all kinds printing. Arts & Crafts Exchange. J. J. WIRZ, 1422-1424 Gwinnett St.. Augusta, Ga. Steel Specimen Cases, absolutely dust and insect proof. Designed for bird or mammal skins, or birds’ eggs. For specifications and Bulces write W. HUBER, Gwynedd Valley, a. I am always wanting lists of entire col- lections of North American Birds’ Eggs which the owners desire to dispose of. None are too large and none are too small if they contain any material that I need. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. FOR EXCHANGE,—A pair of Eastern Model climbers and a few sets each of 289, 412, 498, 506, 511, 593. 601, 622 and 631 for birds R.C. MARTIN, Jr. Albemarle, La. A 1 sets for exchange:—53 1-3, 191 2-4, 2-4 208 1-12, 221 1-9, 336 2-3. i216: da Lee. 45 5 1-5 461 2-3. 477 2-4, 488 2-5, 494 2-5, 563 1- 4, 584 3-4, 613 1-5. 705 1-5, 725 2-5, 529 2-5, 619 2-5 4-4 ge with small holes wanted. WALTER A. GOE- LITZ, 504 John St., Champaign, 11). WAN'TED.--All sets of my taking except Nos. 316, 326, 373b, 443. 452. 506, 511b, 552. 593, 601, 663. 703, 719c. ELTON PERRY, 610 Baylor St., Austin, Texas. WANTED.—A good Graflex Camera, either 4x5o0r5x7. Will give good exchange in sets, mounted birds, back volumes to “Auk. Oologist. Condor and books on birds, x RTHUR W. BROCKWA Y, Hadlyme. Toni COLLECTORS ATVRENTION.— couple interested in Natural History who iden to spend the winter in the South, can act as care takers on farm in Virginia. Six room house, fire wood, and milk given. chance to collect. No pay. Ifinterested ad- dress HAROLD H. BAILEY, 319 d4th St., Newport News, Va. FOR EXCHANGE.—5 x 7 photographs of nests with eggs of 26 species of this loc ality with full sets of eggs of all common species on basis of 40 cents each. These are extra good photos. ELTON PERRY, 610 Baylor St., Austin, Texas. ia) 2 is} Bird Skins, animal skins and cleaned skulls eggs in sets and named Coleoptera to ex- change for stamps not in my collection. W. He SNY DER, 309 De Clark St., Beaver, Dam is. WANTED.—Type and printer’s supplies. Have Natural history, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- mens, fishing tackle, shells, minerals, bat- tery, massage machine. J. J. WIRZ, "Taxi- dermist, Augusta, Ga. (1-p) I THE OOLOGIST WANTED.—A pair of calipers marked in hundredths and any copies of the ‘Iowa Ornithologist.”” Also have a few common sets to exchange. EMERSON STONER, 432- 38th St., Oakland, Calif. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a copy of ‘The Butterflies of the West Coast.” JOHN GRAVKS, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. 1-p) WANTED.—To correspond with parties in Arizona ahd New Mexico who would collect Beetles for me for cash or exchange. W. E. SNYDER. Beaver Dam, Wis. (1-p) WANTED AT ONCE.—A specimen or the Red Fox in fine winter fur. Also skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare of Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A pair of Bald Headed Eagles in the down is also desired, Address. stating price. DI- RECTOR, THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. LincolIn Park, Chicago, Il. (1) FOR SALE.—I have a fine line of arrows and spears from Grime County, Texas. Send $1.00 for a dozen perfect arrows. GEORGE E. DOERGE, Navasota, Texas, Box 484. (1-p) Brazilian Beetles and small showy shells wanted. Will give skin of Snowy Owl, eggs, butterflies or cash. GEORGE ROSSITER, 52 Tiverton Ave.. Toronto, Canada. (1-p) WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high grade Ithaca hammerless gun, any gaugue, new from factory; or part cash. EK. F. POPE, Colmesneil, Texas. FOR EXCHANGE.—Alligator eggs, also Limpkin aud lather back turtle eggs. NAT. P. FRY, Eureka, Marion Co., Florida. (1-p) FOR SALE AND EXCHANGE.—Live Snakes, Lizards, Baby Turtles. also general line of Florida insects. NAT. P. FRY. Eureka. Marion County, Florida. (1-p) For Collectors, a fine collection _of speci- mens, all large and very fine, one Chnstolite Tourquoix Matrix, Toursonite Tourmaline, Californite, Kuzite, Semi Opal, Amazon Stone, Opal Wulfernite. Opals are very fine, will sell for #5.00 cash with order. E. W. KELLY. Box 186, Seneca, II]. (1-p) Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ, TAXIDERMIST., 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. FOR SALE.—5 x 7 photographs of the nests and eggs of 26 species of birds of this locality. Mr. I. EK. Hess says they areas good as he has seen. Send 40c in stamps forone. E. PERRY 610 Baylor St.. Austin, Texas. WANTED.—A good Stereopticon Lantern for which I will give good exchange in sets of bird magazines, books and mounted birds. Anyone having such please communicate wath ARTHUR W. BROCKWAY, Hadlyme, Sonn. BOOKS. Frank L. Burns’ Bibliography of scarce or out of print North American Amateur and Trade Publications in existence. Price 25c. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, III. THE OOLOGIST. VoL. XXXII. No. 11. ALBION, N. Y. Nov. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 340 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. Cliff on which poor Billie Crispin died, known as High Rock, near Kintnersville, Pa. It is 300 feet high 176 THE OOLOGIST California Fish and Game. California Fish and Game for Ocio- ber, 1915, contains much interesting reading for the bird student, a refer- ence to some of which may be of in- terest. The disease which is carrying off many thousands of ducks, waders, etc., around Great Salt Lake, Utah, is re- ported to have appeared at Tulare Lake, California. This is a most re- markable disease, which seems to baf- fle all scientists. The Biological Sur- vey through its experts being entirely unable to ascertain either the cause,. or suggest a prevention. It is certain- ly destroying many, many thousands of birds. H. R. Walmsiey is quoted as saying that he had not met a single sports- man or farmer in Cklahoma who knew a Mocking bird from a Wren. That the hunters there shot at all seasons of the year and killed everything with feathers and fur. That he saw a man there shooting Cardinals and feeding them to his dogs! (The man ought to have been shot.—Hditor) That the farmers boasted of killing all kinds of birds, including the Quail, at all seasons. This is a disgrace to the state. H. C. Pyyant reports a colony of the American Hgret as breeding in Stanis- laus County, California. It is to be hoped that they will be protected and increased. An interesting reference, accompan- ied by a half tone, is made to the hy- brid geese reared at Redwood City, by Chase Littlejohn, being a cross. be- tween the Chinese Horned Goose and the Canada Goose. The picture shows a number of oddly colored hybrids; however, the head and neck and gen- eral carriage is typically Canadensis. This is especially interesting to the writer because of our own experience in raising Canada Geese; and also from the fact of our having so many splendid eggs bearing the data of Mr. Littlejohn taken during his Alaskan scojourns. The remarkable statement is made in this notice that “the wild Canada goose has never been success- fully bred in California.” All the more wonderful because of the fact that the Canada goose breeds in confine- ment and takes to semi-domesticity better than any other member of the goose family. It is also stated that “the State Game Warden, General Speaks (of Ohio) however, succeeded in having a bill introduced in the Legislature and it was signed by the Governor” providing for a bounty on Hawks; among others, the “Chicken Hawk.” This is indeed a startling bit of in- formation. HKverybody supposed that an enlightened state like Ohio produc- ed men with sense enough to know that the destructions of hawks would be an injury to the agricultural in- terests of the state. The Cooper Hawk and the Sharp-shinned Hawk are the only Hawks in Ohio that should be killed. That state ought to superanu- ate or retire “General” Speaks and see that he is superceded with a man hav- img more sense, and then elect a Leg- ‘Slature having more brains in the ag- sregate, and then repeal this law, as did the State of Pennsylvania, before it is too late. Louisiana is reported as removing protection from the Turkey Buzzard on the ground that the Turkey Buz- zard aids in dissiminating the diseases of cattle and hogs;—a more errone- ous objection it would be hardly pos- sible to make. The Conservation Com- mission should reverse its decision in this matter, and all possible protection should be accorded this useful bird. It is strange indeed that those most interested should endorse and indulge in the destruction of their best friends THE OOLOGIST 177 and pay no attention to their ever present enemies along this line. Tame Pigeons and particularly English Spar- rows, flying as they do in droves from one infected pen to another, and from one farm to another carry a thousand per cent. more disease, both hog cholera and foot and mouth disease than all the Buzzards put together. To this fact the farmer should wake up and should protect his friend the Buz- zard and destroy his enemy, the Eng- lish Sparrow, and do away with the unnecessary and dirty pigeons about his place. By so doing, the average agriculturist engaged in stock raising will increase his bank account, add to his self respect and turn his gun into a beneficial instead of a destructive instrument.—R. M. B. Se ee eae Arkansas Kingbird. (Tyrannus verticalus) This abundant Flycatcher is one of the most interesting of the family. In South Dakota, they are even more numerous than the common Kingbird, and nearly every tree along the road- side contains a nest of one or the other. I have found ten nests of the Western Kingbird in a small open grove of about two acres. Cottonwood trees in small groves or by the roadsides, and willows around the marshy places are ideal nesting sites, but Box Elders are of- ten selected also. They often choose some very unusual nesting places al so. I have several records of their nesting in windmills. The nests be- ing placed either in the woodwork or in the gearing at the top. In one case both eastern and Arkansas Kingbird had nests in the same mill. A typical nest is composed of weeds, twine, rags; and twigs, thickly lined with hair, feathers and wool. Four or five eggs are the usual num- ber, but sets of three are common. The first migrants arrived May 7, 1910 and May 6, 1911. First nesting dates are June 10, 1909, June 4, 1910, and June 4, 1911. Alex Walker. 2. The Bald Eagle. The September,-October, 1915 num- ber of Bird Lcre, contains the Nation- al Association of Audubon Societies Leafiet No. 82, on the “Bald Eagle’, by T. Gilbert Pearson. He leaves the reader or student with the impression that the Bald Hagle while being an expert at catching waterfowl, cannot catch the members of the Grebe fam- ily, by suggesting a Pied-billed Grebe found by him on an EHagle’s nest on one occasion, “had been picked up dead.” I wish to correct this im- pression if possible. On February 16, 1913, the late William B. Crippen and I took from a nest of the Bald Eagles, (Haliaeetus-lencoaphalus), in York County, Virginia, two Pied-iciiled Grebes and a part of a Lesser Scoup Duck. The nest was in a live pine tree in a swamp, about 85 feet up and also contained two young Eagles, about four and five days old. One Grebe had been dead about two or three hours and the other had just been caught and brought to the nest the last trip, before we drove the par- ent bird off, that was hovering the young eaglets. The latter bird was still warm and had fresh blood on the head and in the beak and while the weather was very cold that morn- ing, it had not coagulated. An exam- ination of both birds shows only two small nail. marks on each side of the Grebe’s head, which had caused death. Roth Grebes were plucked as clean as any person could pluck a water fowl without singeing the small hair-like similar to those on the bacmfwayopi feathers below the “down,” being sim- ilar to those on the back of a man’s — hand. I have never seen a _ better piece of water fowl plucking by any THB OOLOGIST 178 Duck Hawk Cli —Photo by J. B. Dixon THE OOLOGIST 179 person; and how the Eagles held them and plucked them even to the down, without breaking the skin with beak or claws is more than I can under- stand, for there was not a blemish on either bird. We resented at the time, their not having left us two eatible ducks instead of Grebes, and left them at the foot of the tree and walked off with the two young eaglets. The above incident, together with the fact that I have seen them catch a Grebe, leads me to correct Mr. Pearson’s erroneous impression. Harold H. Bailey. — Some Western Birds. Barewer’s Blackbird. In the City of Los Angeles Brewer’s Blackbird (Huphagus cyanocephalus cyanocephalus) is found in larger num- bers than any other species with the possible exception of the Linnet or House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis); the latter bird taken the place here, as far as numbers are con- cerned, of the common English Spar- row of the East. Cyanocephalus is a bird of great adaptability, and civiliza- tion has no terrors for him. On the contrary he flourishes under its re- gime, and his numbers seem to in- crease in direct ratio with the growth of human population. Of course all of his tribe are not urban dwellers, many inhabit the unsettled parts of the West; but he is quick to learn the advantages gained by association with man. In Southern California our Blackbird is resident throughout the year. Dur- ing the periods just before and after the breeding season the birds gather in large flocks numbering sometimes many hundreds and resort to the grain fields to feed, or gravely walk about over the lawns of the city parks and private residences. The bird is quite tame, making his home in your dooryard and if unmo- lested going about his business with little or no attention to the passerby. This Blackbird has the neat trim appearance common to all the mem- bers of his family. The males meas- ure from eight and one-half to nine and three-quarters inches in length; the plumage is glossy greenish-black with a purplish irridescence about the head and neck. The females are somewhat smaller, while their plum- age is more brownish and of not so glossy a texture. The iris of the eve is a clear lemon yellow. Water is always to be found in the immediate environs of our _ black friend’s home, for to him a daily bath is one of the necessities of life. Every morning when the sun is weil up the bird visits his bathing pool, whether it be a puddle in the gutter, a horse- trough in the barnyard, or the sandy shallows of some stream; and there indulges in much splashing of water, after which he vigorously shakes him- self after the manner of a dog and perches in some warm spot to dry. As a result of this salutary habit his plumage is always bright and shining, and an example is set that might well be followed by a great many members of the genus homo. While not a songster of exceptional merit this Blackbird is by no means without a voice. JI have often seen the male bring a stick to his uncom- pleted nest, drop it at his mate’s feet, and give vent to a subdued clucking that was almost a song. The com- monest note is an inquisitive “chack” uttered by both male and female. When their nest is threatened both birds break forth into an _ excited “chack-chack-chack-chee-e-e,” the last note being a clear prolonged whistle. A dog or cat appearing in the vicinity of the nestlings is attacked furiously and usually forced to ignominiously 180 THER OOLOGIST retreat with the loss of more or less fur. The birds are equally quick to assail a human intruder. I have had them dart down so close when my back was turned as to knock my hat off. Being of an excitable tempera- ment he turns to defend his neigh- bor’s home as quickly as his own, and every black feather in the community is aquiver with rage until the inter loper disappears. Grasshoppers, small beetles, grub- worms, and seeds are the mainstays of the Blackbird’s diet. Fruits are par- taken of in the season, as are also grains of various kinds. The rancher very naturally resents the raids made upon his wheat-fields and resorts to the shot-gun method of retaliation, although the bird is protected by the State Game-Laws. Hence the ‘four- and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie” of nursery fame frequently constitutes the piece-de-resistance of the farmer’s supper but. the birds seem to increase nevertheless. I might add from my own experience the aforesaid pie up- holds its ancient reputation of being a “dainty dish.” The nesting season lasts here from about the middle of March to late in May. The greater part of the egg- laying is done in April. I have read somewhere that the average height of the nest is “usually under ten feet from the ground.” This may be true in some localities as at Lake Tahos where the rotting piles of a deserted wharf are used, but in Los Angeles County the average is nearer twenty feet; and some nests are found at three times the average. Cypress, fir, and pine trees are preferred when available. Peppers, oaks, and _ blu- gums are resorted to extensively; while in the more arid regions low willows and even sage-bushes are used. The nests are bulky and exceeding- ly well-made. One that I have before me exhibits the following measure- ments outside diameter seven inches, inside 4 inches; outside depth five inches, inside four inches. This nest was placed on a large horizontal limp of a pine tree, wedged between two small upright branches. The body of the nest is composed of pine twigs and needles interwoven with string and rags, and cemented with mud and ma- nure. The deep cup is lined with felted hair; the whole structure be- ing very compact and well-proportion- ed. From four to six in number, the eggs show more variation than those of any other bird, not only in coloring but in shape and size. Some are near- ly round, others are greatly elongated, the average size being about 1.00x .75 inches. The ground color ranges from light greenish-gray to dark brown. The surface markings of cho- colate brown, lavender and black are sometimes confined to light pen- scratchings lengthwise of the egg, and in other cases appear as heavy blotches that quite obscure the ground color. The variations are endless, every set seems to present a different type. But one brood is reared in a season. Incubation lasts two weeks, the young leaving the nest at the end of three more, and five weeks of excitement is about all that our Blackbird can stand. In spite of his irritable disposition he is a bird well worth knowing. D. I. Shepardson. Los Angeles, Cal. 0 ~<>-8- Phalaropus lobatus at Nigger Slough. A large flock of Northern Philarope (Phalaropus lobatus) was observed with intense interest on October 12, 1915, at 8 a. m., feeding at the edge of North Nigger Slough in Los Angeles County, Southern California. We 181 THE OOLOGIST uOxIq dad ¢ Aq oO G— 182 THE counted twenty-two all told. The writ- er took a male species in fall plum- age. This is a late record. Mr. H. S. Swarth has taken specimens in this locality as late as June 19. C. B. Sin- ton took two specimens from a large flock at Santa Cruz Island, October 21, 1908. The fall migration is late July to October. Spring migration, late April to June. The Phalaropus lobatus breeds in the northern part of the northern hem- isphere. In America they breed in Alaska to Labrador and Greenland. They go South in winter to Guate- mala. There is not among all our waders a more dainty, exquisitely colored bird than the Northern Phalarope in its fall and winter plumage. “Face, line over one eye and under parts white; line under eye, and back of head, dusky; under parts mainly gray.” Alfred Cookman. Road Runner. The Road Runner is what I would call a beautiful bird. His bill is long and curved, with big head and short neck, around his eyes are red and other bright colors, which makes him have a graceful appearance. The body is chunky and nearly all feathers with short stubby wings, long tail and shert feet which are like a Kingfisher has,— two toes in front and two behind. These short feet are put in use very often as this bird rarely ever flies, but his feet makes up for all of this. I will willingly say that he can out- run a race horse. They witli eat any- thing from a lizard to a fish. These birds are not found in large woods as they prefer the open, their regular haunts are road sides along small creeks where the timber is scattered and small viney thickets. They build their nests in low trees and bushes of sticks, manure, and trash. They are OOLOGIST poorly constructed, in a flat round shape. The nest is never over ten feet from the ground and that is un- usual, but I have found them as low as two feet from the ground. The eggs are double shelled and snow white. Without giving any measurements, I would say they are about the size of a bantam chicken’s egg. The usual sets are from four to six, although I found a set of seven and Woodruff Yeates found a set of ten, but I think two birds must have laid these eggs. R Graham. Sole et Osprey. On October 3, 1915, while driving through the country just southwest of Urbana, Illinois, Professor Smith and I saw an Osprey sitting on one of the cross-arms of a telephone post along the road. The bird did not fly but sat calmly watchful as we passed by. Walter A. Goelitz. o<—-— Albino Eggs of the Black Skimmers. By Stanley Clisby Arthur Ornithologist of the Conservation Commission of Louisiana. A person, animal or plant exhibiting an abnormal congenital deficiency of coloring matter is called an albino. The term is applied to plants which are white through a lack of chloro- phyl; to an animal whose coat is white whereas the type color may be brown, black or gray; to a bird whose plumage is white instead of being col- ored like its species. Since the discovery of albinism among the negroes of West Africa by Portugese mariners many hundreds of years ago this curious phase of nature has attracted the close attention and study of those scientifically concern- ed. Albinism, according to the best authorities, is most common and most marked in the negro and Indian races and it occurs in all parts of the world 183 THE OOLOGIST uoxIq ‘q “f Aq 0J0Yq— yMeH yong Jo shbho pue }seu 10 M@IA J9Ue9N 184 THE OOLOGIST and among all the varieties of the hu- man race but, undoubtedly, our wond- erment grows when we see it evi- denced among the lower orders as in plant, animal, insect and bird life all about us. A curious phase of this abnormal whiteness was thrust forcibly on my notice in June of 1915 when I was with Col. Theodore Roosevelt on his visit to the bird island reservations of Louisiana where the breeding colo- nies of terns, gulls and black skim- mers are guarded during the summer months from molestation by the Con- servation Commission of Louisiana. We were ashore early one hot June morning and I was photographing a particular fine flight of a hundred or more black skimmers as they “skim- med” over the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, the majority of these queer- billed birds having their under mandi- ble under water. I was asked to point out, from many thousands of eggs that lined the long sand shingle for about two miles, the eggs of this particular bird. This is an easy mat- ter for the skimmer, as perhaps most readers of this magazine know, lays a clutch of four eggs and “scoops” out a nest in the sand, while the Caspian, Cabot and Royal terns deposit their, usually one or sometimes two eggs, on the undisturbed surface. I had pointed out a typical nest, fours, but, happening to glance just beyond my outstretched arm, I made a discovery. It was a skimmer’s nest with three eggs, one of which was white with black spots. The body color of the typical black skimmer’s egg is pale buff, spotted and splash- ed with dark browns, and blackish, and pale neutral tints. Consequently I was interested. I pointed out this “freak” to Presi- dent M. L. Alexander, of the Conser- vation Commission, and said: “Here is a strange thing—a black skimmer’s egg inclining to albinism.” The “find” came in for a general observance by the whole party ashore on Breton Is- land and duly wondered at. We had not gone twenty feet forward when I discovered another white egg among two other typical specimens. This one was more than inclining toward the peculiar white phase—there were traces of the blackish spots only and these showing so faintly as to give them a bluish or lilac cast. Five min- utes later a third freak nest was dis- covered and this one contained what I was wondering if I could be lucky enough to find—a perfect, or wholly white, albino egg! A careful search of the beach for more such specimens pregnant with results. I located eleven pure white, twenty-seven nearly pure white and nine with a white ground but blackish spots. I located them in nests of twos, threes and fours but not one nest had more than one such egg and, in one nest that I marked off and ex- amined later in the day, a typical egg was laid after an albino egg had been deposited. One thing that I wanted to know but did not find out was— whether or not the “freak” egg was laid first and the typical eggs after- wards. I am inclined to doubt that this is the case for not in a single in- stance did I find a nest with a single albino egg and I did see many hun- dreds containing the first of the clutch and in every case the one egg was a typical one. I made a collection of these eggs for the Louisiana State Museum and that they were fertile was proved when Curator Robert Clark prepared them for the cabinet for each contained an imago of perfect form and growth. That the albino egg will produce young was demonstrated on a later tour to Breton Island (which, by the THE OOLOGIST 185 way, is the only place I have seen al- bino eggs) where a nest of two typical eggs and two young were found. The second chick to emerge had not as yet gotten its down dry and it came from a practically, pure white shell. Naturally a proper study of this phase of nature would be to watch the successive stages of a skimmer chick born in an albino shell and so learn if the deficiency of pigmenting in the lime shell would follow the bird to maturity and be evident in its plum- age. Such a study is hardly practic- able but next year Professor Glenk and I intend making the experiment of rearing skimmers from albino shells provided, of course, we find the albino eggs. In Darwin’s “Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication” inen- tion is made that “two brothers mar- ried two sisters, their first cousins, none of the four or any relation be-. ing an albino; but the seven children produced from this double marriage were all perfect albinos.” Does this point out a possible solu- tion to the mystery of the albinistic eges of the Black skimmer found on Breton Island? Does it mean that mating has taken place between two birds from the same nest? If it does why were not all of the eggs in the clutches that contained albinistic spe- cimens, white? Why is an egg, evi- dently not the first nor the last laid, so lacking in pigment granules while the others from the same oviduct have the spots and splotches that make them things of beauty to the observer and collector. I am frank to admit that I have not studied bird eggs very thoroughly— my greatest interest has always been seeing them in the bird’s own nest and left strictly alone—and there may be a simple answer to the occurrence of the white eggs among the skimmers of Breton Island, an answer some reader of THE OOLOGIST has on the tip of his typewriter. I, for one, would be interested in knowing it. And, a last question, is it proper to term these white eggs albino eggs? Are they really albinistic in the ac- cepted sense? —— Frank B. Armstreng. Through the columns of the last issue of the Auk we learn of the death of Frank B. Armstrong of Brownsville, Texas. Than he no better known col- lector and field oologist existed in North America and we believe that Mr. Armstrong in his time supplied more specimens of this character to museums and private institutions than almost any other man living; hundred of which now rest in our case, many having been received direct and others from all parts of the country by ex- change and with the collections we have purchased. We have always re- garded Mr. Armstrong’s specimens as absolutely reliable and authentic and indeed are sorry to miss from our ranks this veteran of fifty-three years of age. eerie eee aS are ees) Sora Rail. Richard F. Miller of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, reports the finding of four Sora nests this year in North- east Philadelphia in the city’s limits, where they are not supposed to breed by local ornithologists, containing seven, nine, eleven and twelve eggs respectively. ESE eee da es North Platten, (Nebr.) City Schools. Biology Department Local Faunt. Birds No. 4. The following is a composite list of all the birds seen on Bird Day, May 15, 1915, by the members of the Meadowlark Bird Club of this city. Miss Laura Murray, a teacher in the 186 THE OOLOGIST City Schools, is leader of this club. The start was made at about 5 a. m. with nearly forty in the party. The trip covered about three miles, start- ing at the Washington school building and going to the North Platte River and a short distance the other side and back. The weather was clear and cool with a light breeze from the northwest. (The editor can vouch for the list except the Sparrowhawk.) 1. Maryland Yellowthroat (probab- ly occidentalis). Yellow-headed Blackbird. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. White-throated Sparrow. Western Meadowlark. Western Warbling Vireo. Solitary Sandpiper. Red-shafted Flicker. Downy Woodpecker. 10. Arkansas Kingbird. bo Oo Oral & Ol SP CO 11. Hared Grebe (Specimen found). 2. Northern Flicker. 13. Bronzed Grackle. 14. Least Sandpiper. 15. Baltimore Oriole. 16. Mourning Dove. 17. Brown Thrasher. 18. Chipping Sparrow. 19. Red-winged Blackbird. 20. Orchard Oriole. 21. Robin. 22. Magpie. 23. Killdeer. 24. Kingbird. 25. Barn Swallow. 26. Belted Kingfisher. 27. Catbird. 28. Bluebird. 29. Blue Jay. 30. Yellow Warbler. 31. Horned Lark. 32. Towhee. 33. Mallard. 34. Goldfinch. 35. Sparrowhawk. 36. Cowbird. Issued June 12, 1915. The Original White Wings. The term “gull” usually is associat- ed in the popular mind only with the long-winged swimmers seen along the salt water shores and in coast har- bors. There are represented in the United States, however, twenty-two species or sub-species. Of these some are true inland birds, frequenting prairies, marshes, and inland lakes. Flocks of gulls on the waters of our harbors or following the wake of ves- sels are a familiar sight but not every observer of the graceful motions of the bird is aware of the fact that gulls are the original “white wings.” As sea scavengers they welcome as focd dead fish, garbage, and offal of various sorts, and their services in cleaning up such material are not to be regarded lightly. It will, however, surprise many to learn that some of the gull family render important in- land service, especially to agriculture. At least one species, the California gull, is extremely fond of field mice, and during an outbreak of that pest Nevada in 1907-8 hundreds of gulls as- sembled in and near the devastated alfalfa fields and fed entirely on mice, thus lending the farmers material aid in their warfare against the pestifer- ous little rodents. The skua also feeds on mice and lemmings. Several spe- cies of gulls render valuable service to agriculture by destroying insects also, and in spring hundreds of Frank- lin’s gulls in Wisconsin and the Da- kotas follow the plowman to pick up the insect larvae uncovered by the share. That at least one community has not been unmindful of the substan- tial debt it owes the gull is attested in Salt Lake City, where stands a monument surmounted by a _ bronze figure of two gulls, erected by the people of that city “in grateful re- membrance” of the signal service THE OOLOGIST rendered by these birds at a critical time in the history of the community. For -three consecutive years—1848, 1849, and 1850—black crickets by millions threatened to ruin the crops upon which depended the very lives of the settlers. Large flocks of gulls came to the rescue and devoured vast numbers of the destructive insects, until the fields were entirely freed from them. It is no wonder that the sentiment of the people of Utah as reflected through their laws affords gulls the fullest protection. Of the 68 bird reservations, some 27 situated on the seacoast or on is- lands in the Great Lakes are visited by the gulls in migration and fre- quented by them during the breeding season. In these reservations the birds find safety from human moiesta- tion and local wardens have endeavor- ed to reduce their wild native enemies to a minimum. Among the birds frequenting these reservations are the glaucous-winged, western, herring, California, and laughing gulls. Thus these reserva- tions protect several of the most im- portant species of North American gulls. Through the efforts of individuals and the National Association of Audu- bon Societies, guards and wardens have been employed along the coasts until it is probable that there is no important colony from Maine to Flor- ida not guarded during the breeding season. A few colonies are protect- ed on the Gulf coast, and on the Ore- gon coast breeding-places are guarded by State wardens. As a result of this protection herring gulls along the coast of Maine have increased consid- erably, while laughing gulls are begin- ning to be common once more in var- ious localities where they had been al- most exterminated. Fully as important for the protec- 187 tion and increase of gulls has been the enactment of state laws prohibiting their killing of any time of year and of laws prohibiting the sale of their plumage. Gulls with their close allies, the terns, have been among the great- est sufferers from the millinery trade. As is usually the case, the birds were shot on the breeding grounds during the height of the nesting season, thus causing the death not only of the par- ent birds, but insuring the death of the young birds by lingering starva- tion. Some years ago the public awoke to the barbarity of such slaughter, and after much agitation New Jersey, in 1885, enacted the first effective state law prohibiting the killing of gulls. This example has been followed by other states until now—1915—there are forty states which protect gulis all the year. Louisiana protects them during the breeding season, February 1 to August 1, while five states—Mon- tana, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico—offer them no protection at any time of year. The surest way to protect any given bird is to remove the temptation to destroy it, and so the most certain way to stop the killing of gulls for the millinery trade is to prohibit the sale of gulls’ wings and plumage, so that the plume hunter can find no market for his spoils. To California belongs the credit of incorporating in the game law of 1895 the first law in this coun- try prohibiting the sale of gulls’ plum- age for millinery purposes. _Many states followed this lead until, in 1910, New York, enacted the most drastic law of all, prohibiting not only the sale but the having in possession of the plumage of any bird belonging to the same family as any of the birds of the state of New York. U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. ee Bulletin No. 292. Distribution and Migration of North 188 THE OOLOGIST American Gulls and their Allies, by Wells W. Cooke, U. S. Dept. of Agri- culture, Bulletin No. 292. This Bulletin, released October 25, 1915, is one of the best distributory papers that has come to our notice for a long, long time. Particularly bene- ficial to the Oologist is that part of the paper showing the breeding places of the various members of the family, on skeleton maps. We opine an examination and com- parison of these maps with the data that has been sent broadcast witn various species of Gull, etc., eggs in years gone by will cause some mis- giving in the minds of those who imagine they possess or have possess- ed some rare specimens belonging to this family of birds, and may yet bring the distributors of some of these spe- cimens more or less prominently in- to the public print. However thorough the paper may be, and it appears to be very thor- ough, we doubt if it is entirely com- plete. One glaring omission cf which the editor has personal knowledge, is the omission of the breeding of the Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) on Big Quill Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, where the writer and John F. Ferry found it in large colonies in 1908, which record was published in The Auk the year following Mr. Fer- ry’s death in a paper prepared by him in his lifetime and proof read by the editor. pea RR SAN MS Queer Nesting Places. In the spring of 1904 a blue bird built its nest in an old tea-pot out in the smoke house. Smith Co., Texas. In the summer of 1913 a mourning dove built its nest on the seat of a riding plow that stood in the barn lot. I should not say “built” for it built no nest, but layed its two white eggs on a sack that covered the seat. Cleve- land Co., Oklahoma. A friend of mine, Houston Boaz, has a fruit jar to which a wren comes every year to build its nest. The jar is laying on its side on a shelf above the door of the work shop on the in- side. She goes through a crack in the wall when the door is closed. Wyandotte Co., Kansas. This summer (1915) I built a four- roomer martin house and set it upon a pole. Two pairs of purple martens oc- cupied the suite of rooms on the west, while two pairs of English sparrows took up their abode in the two remain- ing ones. They each raised their young and had no disputes as far as I could tell. Ralph Donahue. Bonner Springs, Kansas. wR eM Early Arrival of the Slate-colored Junco. Last year (1914) I first noted the arrival of the slate-colored junco on November 12, while this year I saw them on the twentieth day of October, or three weeks and three days earlier. Whether this fact will mean an ear- lier winter or not, I am as yet not able to say. Ralph Donahue. Bonner Springs, Kansas. 2 0—- ~ A Mixed Tale. Oolegical—Zoologicaly—Illogical. By Isaac EH. Hess. There is naught that appeals to the average male, like an eloquent talker recounting a tale; It don’t mat- ter much what the tale is about; whether soldier or sailor—ball player or scout; Just so there’s a point with a humorous twist, why one can have fun with an O-ologist. Now we Bird Men are scattered so widely apart, ’tis not often that we may converse heart to heart; We must needs be contented with type- written words when we are desirous of talking ’bout birds. THE OOLOGIST i89 As a “medjum” our little old “O-” is a whale, so I offer an ornithological tale. Away back a dozen or more years ago, a brother collector decided the Crow, had all other birds about backed off their pegs in depositing beautiful series of eggs. Well, Crow eggs are pretty—lI’ll agree to that much but my choice, is Condor’s, Wild Pigeons and such. But for Crow eggs the Doc—R. L. Jessee, M. D.) had a sort of a weak- ness—a partiality. Hach season be- fore e’en the Bluebirds had come or the first daring Honeybee risked a real hum, the Doctor’d begin to exam- ine the boughs and the Cottonwood crotches for signs of the Crows. Some winters the Crows were so thick that perchance they’d outnumber the whole German army in France; We'd locate a flock of a million or so and I’d laugh and say “Well Doc youw’ll sure have to go, if you get all the eggs those black ladies will lay—they’ll keep you O-ologin’ both night and day. Doc had the right system—’tis wise to select a series that ’aint so blamed hard to collect; “to get what we want” is the common rule, yet, ’tis wiser by far to “want what we can get.” My series of Passenger Pigeons is nil and Ym longing for nice sets of Condor eggs still. But Doc got his Crow eggs in sets four to six, recording life hist’ries from “caw-caws” to chicks; But the long rows of Crow eggs enhancing his case reveals but a fractional part of the chase; Each set has its romance— a tale of a trip—of torn pants or bark- ed shins from an unlucky slip—or caught in the arms of an April snow storm—of incidents, accidents, events multiform. But the beautiful Crow eggs my story’s about are not round Doc’s of- fice, within or without; Like young lives that perish ’ere scarcely begun, those beautiful eggs lost “their place in the sun..’ "Twas an April day morning our story begins with soft balmy breezes and opening catkins; We hiked for the timber along the Ambraw—lIt’s really “Embarrass” but that’s “Frich ye knaw.” A Red-tailed Hawk screamed as we entered the wood; Our hearts beat some faster as bird crank’s hearts should; A Woodpecker pounded on slippery elm and old Mother Nature was sure at the helm; A Wood Thrush was antheming ‘do-rae-me-do” but all that Doc heard was the call of the Crow; He soon had located a nest in a tree; the female flew off and I heard him ‘“Whoop-pee”. ’Twas the first for the year, exciting the Doc, who shinned up the tree without shedding his frock. He always was dressed in a dignified way with a long English coat of the style Cutaway. The Crow nest was only twelve feet from the ground and the eggs quite the prettiest that Doc had e’er found. He scooped the six beauties up into his hand; then for the first time wondered how he could land. He couldn’t come down with the eggs in his mitt; His basket forgotten was no benefit; He thought of the time when he was a kid, how with mouth- ful of eggs he could easily skid, to the ground so expertly and ne’er crack a shell; but on this past picture he could not long dwell. It wasn’t a parallel case he well knew; Four Robin’s would go in, but six Crow eggs—oh whew; He could not descend by the use of one arm; if he tried it, to him or the eggs would come harm. His arms now were grown tired—alas and alack; he could not reach up now to put the eggs back. What a pickle to be in; it was getting Doc’s goat, ’till he thought of that pocket in the tail of his coat. 190 THB OOLOGI8T Ha that’s the solution—the eggs found the place and a look of content- ment spread over Doc’s face. His troubles seemed o’er but I like a chump, yelled ‘Doctor come _ here quick, see what’s here in this stump”; I had climbed to a series of holes in a stub and was pounding away for dear life with a club. As the Doctor arrived on the scene puffing hard about, (well the numbers Ill just dis- regard), but a lot of those Squirrels called “Flying” sailed out and landed on tree trunks that stood round about. As they left the old home nest in ones, twos, and threes, the Doctor be- gan to wake up if you please. They sailed just like pieces of old plaster skid, through the air when expertly tossed forth by a kid. So slowly they sailed as they volplaned the space be- tween the old home and the new land- ing place, that the Doctor yelled “Club it again and I’ll try to capture a speci- men when it sails by.” Well I’ve had lots of fun in the years I grew up, but I’ve never had more fun since Heck was a pup, than while watching the Doctor run forth, leap and whirl in the wildest of efforts to capture a Squirrel. While the Doctor ran fast as the Squirrel could sail, he lost every race —it seemed no avail, for when both fleet racers arrived at the tree and Doc grabbed, the Squirrel was not there you see; When the last little creature flew out into space and the Doctor stood mopping his perspiring face, I slid down the tree stub to rest aching legs and volunteered “Doc, may I see your Crow eggs?” A wild look—a spasm passed over his face, he looked as though death he would gladly embrace; Then with rare resignation, with face calm and bland, and with infinite caution he reached back his hand, Have you e’er ordered scrambled eges—table de ’hote? Doc had this rare dish in the tail of his coat. The moral to my tale, is this—boys and girls, “When carrying bird’s eggs, don’t bother the Squirrels. Philo, Illinois. — <0 J. EK. McClary is fast enough, but he has a hen that is a little slow yet makes up in results. He has a double shelled egg laid last Sunday, a couple of weeks late for the chicken show, that is certainly a freak. The outer shell is as large as a small goose egg while the egg proper is very large and apparently a double yolk; be- tween the real egg and the outside shell is the white of an egg but no yolk. Now here’s two eggs within an egg within an egg, how much are they a dozen? If you want a “setting” ord- er early as it takes time for this par- ticular brand to develop. Mr. Mc- Clary is the Secretary of the Gran- ville Poultry Association and is ex- pected to breed something fine in his line-—Granville Echo, Feb. 9, 1912. o~ 10) Nos. 316, 326, 373b, 443. 452, 506, 511b, 552. 593, 601 663, 703, 719e. ELTON PERRY, 610 Baylor St., Austin, Texas. WANTED.—A good Graflex Camera. either Oologist. Condor and books on birds, ARTHUR W. BROCKWAY, Hadlyme. Conn, _ COLLECTORS ATTENTION.—A_ couple epee the winter in the South, can act as care takers on farm in Virginia. Six room house, fire wood: and mr given, and a If interested ad- good photos. ELTON PERRY, 610 Baylor st., Austin, Texas. Bird Skins, animal skins and cleaned skulls eggs in sets and named Coleoptera to ex- change for stamps not in my collection. W. ee. SNYDER, 309 DeClark St., Beaver. Dam is. 2 WANTED.—Type and printer’s supplies. Have Natural history, medical and other books, skins for mounting, mounted speci- mens, fishing tackle, shells, minerals, bat- tery, massage machine. J. J. WIRZ, Taxi- dermist, Augusta, Ga. (1-p) I THE OOLOGIST WANTED.—A pair of calipers marked in hundredths and any copies of the “Iowa Ornithologist.’’ Also have a few common sets to exchange. EMERSON STONHR, 432- 38th St., Oakland, Calif. (1-p) FOR EXCHANGE.—Butterflies and moths for eggs in sets or others, many common ones wanted. Would like a copy of ene Butterflies of the West Coast.” JOH GRAVES, 1057 62nd St., Oakland, Cal. tes) WANTED.—To correspond with parties in Arizona ahd New Mexico who would collect Beetles for me for cash or exchange. W. HE. SNYDER, Beaver Dam, Wis. (1-p) WANTED AT ONCE.—A specimen or the Red Fox in fine winter fur. Also skin or mounted specimen of the Varying Hare of Snow Shoe Rabbit in brown summer fur. A pair of Bald Headed Eagles in the down is also desired, Address. stating price. DI- RECTOR, THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. Lincoln Park, Chicago, Il. (1) FOR SALE.—I have a fine line of arrows and spears from Grime County, Texas. Send $1.00 for a dozen perfect arrows. GEORGE E. DOERGE, Navasota, Texas, Box 484. (1-p) Brazilian Beetles and small showy shells wanted. Will give skin of Snowy Owl, eggs, butterflies or cash. GEORGE ROSSITER, 52 Tiverton Ave., Toronto, Canada. (1-p) WANTED—A high grade camera, 5x7 pre- ferred. Offer in exchange fine sets, high new from factory; or part cash. Colmesneil, Texas. FOR EXCHANGE.—Alligator eggs, also Limpkin aud lather back turtle eggs. A . KRY, Eureka, Marion Co., Florida. (i-p) FOR SALE AND EXCHANGE.—Live Snakes, Lizards, Baby Turtles. also general line of Florida insects. NAT. P. FRY Eureka, Marion County, Florida. (1-p) For Collectors, a fine collection _of speci- mens, all large smal very fine, one Chnstolite Tourquoix Matrix, Toursonite Tourmaline, Californite, Kuzite, Semi Opal, Amazon i Opals are very fine, will sell for %5.00 cash with order. KE. W. KELLY. Box 186, Seneca, III. Make me offers on fine Sea Lion skins for mounting. also Sloth Bear from India. WIRZ, TAXIDERMIST, 1422 Gwinnett, St., Augusta, Ga. lac] 610 Baylor St., Austin, Texas. WANTED.—A good Stereopticon Lantern for which I will give good exchange in sets of bird magazines, books and mounted birds. Anyone having such please communicate with ARTHUR W. BROCKWAY, Hadlyme, onn. WES NEUEI —Ornithologist and Oologigist Vol. 1, No. 2 and 4. Bulletin Cooper Club, Vol. 1 No. 3. Address with price. C. W. Vee AMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, ass. THE OOLOGIST. Von. XXXII. No. 12. Apron, N. Y. Dec. 15, 1915. WHOLE No. 341 Owned and Published Monthly, by R. M. Barnes, Albion, N.Y., and Lacon, Ill. NEARING EXTINCTION Pair of Trumpeter Swan on Editor’s Home Place, August, 1914. —Photo by Charles EK. Martin There are but nine living specimens of this magnificent bird known in the entire world. It can only be saved from complete extinction by adopting the methods adopted by the American Bison Society to preserve that famed animal from obliteration. The Editor stands ready to be one of ten tc contribute $1,000 apiece to make this effort. Where are the other nine? R. M. BARNES. 196 THE OOLOGIST A Belated Nest of the Olive sided Flycatcher. The Olive Sided Flycatcher arrives in Nova Scotia about the 22nd of May and by the first week in June the birds are usually paired and nesting operations underway. Full sets of fresh ‘eggs of the first laying may be taken from the tenth to the twenty- first of June. These birds are rather local in their distribution and like Hawks, Owls, loons, etc. each pair seems to have its own special preserve or do- main, into the confines of which, others of the same species are not permitted to intrude. On the 4th of June, while passing a suitable nesting grove of spruce trees, about a mile from Wolfville, my attention was called to the loud, clearly accented notes of the ‘Olive Sided” so aptly translated by Chap: man into the phrase “come right here.” Crossing a field and a brook I was soon beneath the tall dead tree, the topmost twigs of which seemed to suit him admirably for a perch. I knew I was too early for eggs, but I confidently expected to find the nest either ready for eggs, or in a state of semi-completion. Having dis- covered upwards of fifty nests of this species, during the years of my field work, I knew probably well how to begin what to expect from the birds. As I approached the tree the “come right here,” call changed to the well known note of alarm—“tip-tip-tip’— “tip-tip-tip” which always sounds to me like ‘“go-a-away—go-a-away” (a translation which seems quite fitting). I looked about in vain for the female. The scolding of the male was kept up for about ten minutes, while I was moving from tree to tree hoping to see the nest. Suddenly the calling ceased and the bird flew off and alighted on a dead tree some two hun- dred yards away, ignoring my intru- sion completely. Now experience had taught me that this was not the normal behavior for nest- ing “Olive Sides,’ so I decided to waste no time looking for the nest and I went away somewhat puzzled. Four days later I returned and there he was perched on the self same prong of that dead tree, and as I drew near he plainly showed his objections by repeated scoldings and altogether nervous manner. Still no female in sight. I thought that by this time she might possibly be sit- ting on the eggs and as some of the branches were thick and most of the trees quite tall, I resorted to an oft- tried trick of tossing a stick or stone into the boughs to frighten her from the eggs, thus revealing the location of the nest. This proved unsuccess- ful here and was soon given up as the lone bird had by this time flown to another part of the grove and only occasionally gave a half hearted note of alarm. As I was about to leave, more puzzled than ever, I noticed on a flat limb of one of the smaller trees, a spot which seemed to show up as a dark patch against the sky. I climbed up and found what ap- peared to be a new nest ready for the lining. By this time the male had returned and by his actions, seemed to take more than a passing interest in what was going on. I was satisfied now that I had found the nest and that I had just happened along when Mrs. Flycatcher was away from home. Early in the morning, June 15th, I went back. At first no bird was in evidence, but before I got to the first trees the male again appeared on his favorite perch and began telling me to “go-a-away,’ but not as though he cared very much and by the time I got to the tree which contained the THE OOLOGIST 197 nest he was not to be seen at all. This was not in order, but still, as I climbed the tree I expected to find one egg at least. Imagine my sur- prise at finding the nest just as I had left it and still only one bird about the grove. I went home in a “brown study.” My theory was this: —The bird is an unmated male and the nest an old one. Still I was far from satisfied, for why this regular show of alarm when I come near (half hearted tho it was) and why was he always about this one little clump of spruces? The feeding was not bet- ter there than elsewhere. No, he had some special interest in this grove and the fate had decreed that I was soon to know what that in- terest really was. About five hundred yards away from these spruces in question there is an old estate. The house occu- pied by Mr. .... is surrounded by tall graceful elms and some maples, but no coniferous trees. On June 20th while playing tennis I happened to meet the daughter of Mires ces who called my attention to an Olive Sided Flycatcher perched on the top of a nearby flag-pole. Point- ing to the pole she asked what kind of bird that was which made that peculiar note. I told her and she then said that a short time ago one of these birds had been a frequent visitor at her home, coming at an unrighteously early hour in the morn- ing. So annoyed had the family become at its loud and _ persistent calling that her father had finally shot the “nuisance” as she termed it. Immediately the thought flashed through my mind that here was an explanation for the widowed state of my solitary friend of the grove. Giv- ing some casual excuse for my in- terest, I asked as to the date of this occurrence, and was told that it hap- pened about three weeks before, which date would tend to confirm my theory as above stated. On June 27th I happened to be in the vicinity of this grove of spruces and being curious to know whether the male was still holding out there, I decided to ‘call around.’ When still some distance off I was agree- ably surprised to hear the familiar call and to see him perched on the tall dead tree. I was about to con- sole with him on the untimely loss of his mate when I was delighted to find that now, he was not alone. He had found a new mate and she was indeed busy going from tree to tree and branch to branch, settling down among the twigs, twining and twist- ing about; unmistakably looking for a nesting site. Two days later I returned and had the pleasure and interesting satisfaction of discover- | ing that she had chosen for the nest- ing site the same tree as had her predecessor. At first I thought she was going to complete the old half finished nest, for she flew and lit be- side it. But I soon saw that she was removing it, twig by twig to the other side of the tree, at the same eleva- tion—(about fifteen feet) and about half way out on the limb. I watched her for nearly an hour binoculars, from a distance of about one hundred yards. During this time she made about one dozen trips to the new nest, stopping between times to feed. She was apparently in no hurry. Only about once in every three would she make a trip to the old nest, (about six feet away) for material, but I noticed later that no trace of the old one was left. Once I saw her fly to the dead tree, near her mate and at- tempt to break off a twig. It wouldn’t come, so she hovered by it in the air and then grasping it firmly in her beak, she let herself fall and in this way secured the twig she wanted. While I was thus watching these 198 THE OOLOGIST birds, there occurred an _ incident, which though it be aside from the main point, seems worth recording. The birds now were perched near each other on the dead tree. The male was on the topmost prong as usual. Suddenly I saw him dart up- ward with great speed at an angle of about seventy degrees. Immediately following him went the female. After rising about one hundred feet in straight flight, the pair began to ascend in circles which grew small- er as they rose. They kept quite close together and yet there was no appearance of one trying to overtake the other. Finally when they were specks against the sky, they seemed to pause, and then down they came with wings partly folded in jerky, erratic flight, in true woodcock fash- ion. During the whole novel per- formance, I heard no note and when they alighted again, they began feed- ing as though nothing had happened. This is the only time I have ever seen the Olive Sided perform in this manner. Only July 4th, I again visited the nest, feeling sure there would be eges by this time. The nest was completed but empty and the birds objected vociferously when I climbed the tree. About this time I left Wolfville. Returning July 16th I went to the nest. It contained three beautiful marked eggs, incubated, but slightly. Both birds were very bold in the de- fense of the nest and in darting at me, came so close that I could feel the rush of their wings as. they passed and hear their beaks snap. They would alight within ten feet of me and continue the snapping of their beaks, sometimes, before dart- ing again. The alarm note is now uttered continuously as above des- eribed. This for a first nest was remark- ably late, but under the circumstan- ces quite excusable. Where he was fortunate enough to find a second mate at this unseason- able time is still a mystery. Possi- bly it was some female whose own family had been broken up by a trag- edy similar to his own,—a tragedy which some small boy with an air gun, or some “pet” cat might be able to explain. RE Wee uttss Barn Owl. 5 It was on the 9th of May when a friend came to me and said that he had shot a beautiful Owl, and know- ing that I was interested in birds asked me if I wanted the bird for mounting purposes. I asked him what kind of Owl it was he said he did not know but he thought it was what is called the monkey faced owl, and upon asking him what his object was in shooting the bird he told me that the bird was flying over the chicken park and he fearing it being what he called a chicken Hawk so he shot the bird but was very much surprised when the bird fell that it was an Owl. So my friend started back to get the bird, he returned within about two hours he did not have the bird, but told me that I had better go with him for they had captured another bird of the same kind and also two eges. I at once started for the place where the owl was, it was five miles from town and within an hour’s time we reached the place. I found to my surprise a pair of barn owls, one was still lying where it fell after being shot and the other had been crippled when it was taken from the hollow of the tree and was in a large box and two eggs had also been taken from the tree. I was very sorry that these beau- tiful birds had been disturbed but was going to do all in my power to restore the captive bird to its free- dom, and upon asking my friend where the tree was that the captive bird had been taken from he took me to the barnyard about ten rods from the house. Upon arriving there he pointed to a tree about ten feet from the barn. There was a large opening in the tree about twenty feet from the ground and in this hollow the THE OOLOGIST 199 owls had been nesting, the birds had been disturbed and when the male bird was flying to the tree it was taken for a hawk and was shot, shortly after the female was seen, and it soon disappeared in the hollow of the tree. The tree was at once assented and after a short struggle which re- sulted in fracturing the wing of the bird it was captured and the eggs were also taken. After having this I took the two birds and started for my home. When I arrived I at once made a place for the crippled bird. I had it for sev- eral days; its food consisted of spar- rows, which I shot and also mice. I was very much surprised one morning to find another egg which the captive bird had laid, and I also noticed that the bird was making use of the fractured wing. On May 14th the bird seemed to be in perfect health and I opened the door of the cage and restored the bird its free- dom. ¢. Ee. Pahrman. a ela “BLUE BIRD.” We are in receipt of an announce- ment that commencing with the De- cember issue of this publication, it will be owned and edited by Eliza- beth C. T. Miller in co-operation with the Cleveland Bird Lovers Associa- tion, at 1010 Euclid Avenue, Cleve- jiand, Ohio. We trust Blue Bird will prosper under the new management. There is room for such a publication and we extend to its new owners our best wishes. ——__ + oe _______- Notes on the Acadian Flycatcher in the Vicinity of Philadelphia, Pa. The Acadian or Green-crested Fly- catcher has evidently decreased in the vicinity of Philadelphia during the past decade. It was formerly a common breeder along the Schuyl- kill River above Manayunk during the late ’80 and early ’90s, according to the late Harry K. Jamison, as evi- denced by the many breeding records in his note book, but it is now a rare bird in that region. Not knowing anything of the en- vironment of the region in Jamison’s time, I cannot explain the cause of the bird’s disappearance, but the lo- cality today appears well adapted to the needs of this species, yet the birds are rarely found there now. Jamison also found the Green-crested Flycatcher to be a common breeder along Mill Creek, in Montgomery County, two miles above West Mana- yunk, and on the Wissahickon Creek, in Philadelphia. It still occurs abun- dantly along the latter stream, but is rather uncommon on the former. The Acadian Flycatcher has almost entirely disappeared as a breeder on the Tacony Creek in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties but is rare on the Poquessing Creek in Bucks and Philadelphia Counties. It oc- curs in small numbers only on the Neshaniny Creek in Bucks County and Crum Creek in Delaware County. According to my observations, it is slowly disappearing everywhere about Philadelphia except on the Wissahickon Creek in Fairmont Park, Philadelphia, where in the extensive forests that covers the banks of this stream with both coniferous and de- ciduous trees, the species is appar- ently increasing. The Acadian Flycatcher is not found or occur rarely on the tide- water streams in New Jersey in the vicinity of Philadelphia according to my observations. Richard F. Miller. Ba ee AS ee ee Are Our Birds Becoming Fewer? This is apparently a question hard to solve without a comprehensive —Photo by Paul G. Howes Quail on Nest Showing Protective Coloration THE OOLOGIST 201 knowledge of ornitology, universally speaking, and one that would require the co-operation of ornithologists to settle definitely, but to localize: then it is not a hard matter to name species that are becoming less abun- dant and rare with each succeeding year, provided you have a knowledge of the ornitology of a certain region for a large number of years. The most skeptical bird student cannot re- fute this assertion. In the densely populated regions, but especially in the close proximity of our big cities, bird life is most assuredly getting scarcer and the causes are obvious enough to the most casual observer. The steady and incessant growth and expansion of a city causes the destruction of bird haunts, as year after year, woods are felled, thickets cleared, swamps and marshes drained and reclaimed, etc., for building purposes, ruining and forever wiping out the habits of bird peculiar to these associations. But no matter how big a city may grow and expand in urban size, there always remains a rural region or country surrounding it and its en- largement does not necessarily drive away the birds, but deprive them of their former haunts as the birds move and spread out farther with the city’s growth and inhabit the suburbs al- ways around it. Yet, despite these movements, the birds are decreas- ing in appreciably numbers all about the cities and the chief cause of their diminishing numbers can safely be attributed to alien gunners, cats, and the boy with his rifle and cheap shotgun, these being our bird's worst enemy everywhere. Changes of environment are every- where affecting our birds. eval forests of Pennsylvania have been all but exterminated, causing the destruction of most of the cana- The prim- - dian fauna in this state, and causing birds of this element to seek a more congenial habitat farther north or in a higher altitude possessing envir- onments suitable to their nature. Birds of the upper Austral and Tran- sition zones are pushing up into the Canadian fannsas, and even the Tuft- ed Titmouse and Yellow-breasted Chat are trespassing into the most boreal regions in this commonwealth, where a decade ago they were unknown, all on account of the destruction of the virgin timber and the original fanns and flora. Although most of our birds are de- creasing about our cities, it is grati- fying to find others that are increas- ing. In southeastern Philadelphia such species that have perceptibly increased during the past ten years are the Blue winged and Kentucky Warblers, Orchard Oriole, Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Gros- beak, Florida Gallinule, Least Bit- tern, Hairy Woodpecker and Starling. The Starling has increased in aston- ishing numbers during the past sev- eral years and at the present rate of iis increase and dispersion bids fair to soon rival the House or misnamed “Hinglish” Sparrow in numbers and abundance. The Yellow Warbler probably shows a bigger decrease in numbers in this region than any of our smaller birds. The Caroline Wren was beginning to increase here but it has again become scarce in the last four years, altho it was never common. The Black-billed Cuckoo, never a common bird in this vicinity, has practically disappeared as _ I have not seen any during the past three years. These as well as other species could be cited to show how all birds have increased or decreased in the vicinity of Philadelphia and the con- ditions are probably the same in other cities everywhere. Richard F. Miller. 202 THE OOLOGIST E Nest and Eggs of Quail Showing Habitat August 1, 1913, Long Ridge, Ct. —Photo by Paul G. Howes THE OOLOGIST 203 Birds Famous in History and Mythology. Old Abe. The Jail-bird. Pliny’s Dove. The Dicky-bird. Minerva’s Owl. Shelley’s Shylark. The Dove of Peace. The Cranes of Ibycus. Coleridge’s Albatross. Bryant’s Water-fowl. The Immortal Phoenix. Jackdaw of Pheinis. Sacred Imis of Egypt. Barnaby’s Rudge’s Raven. The Great American Hen. Robinson Crusoe’s Parrot. Footless Bird-of-Paradise. The Raven released from the Ark. The Sacred Ibis of the Stymphal- ides. The Raven that fed Elijah wilderness. The Vulture that preyed upon the liver of Prometheus. The Pigeon into which was turned into. The Peacock that once contained the soul of Pythagoras. The Roc which laid an egg as big as an ordinary hogshead. in the Semiramis The Gray Goose one of the flock whose cackling saved the Roman capitol. Richard F. Miller. Be Me et DR. R. W. SHUFELDT. The readers of the Oologist are to be congratulated upon the fact that as prominent and well known scien- tist as Dr. Shufeldt has kindly con- sented to contribute occasional arti- cles for our columns. Dr. Shufeldt is perhaps the best known living Amer- ican Ornithologist and has been quite active with his pen of late. THE AUK for October, 1915, con- tains an article by him on ‘The Fos- sil Remains of an extinct Cormorant found in Montana” and also an obit- uary of Dr. Otto Herman. NATURE STUDY REVIEW for October, 1915, likewise contains the second installment by the doctor on “Nature Study and the Common Forms of Animal Life.” THE ANATOMICAL RECORD for October, 1915, is an exhaustive paper on the “Comparative Osteology of certain Rails and Cranes,” illustrat- ed. In OUR DUMB ANIMALS for Octo- ber, 1915, is an article relating to “The Quarrelsome King Bird” from Dr. Shufeldt’s pen, and THE COUN- TRY GENTLEMEN for October, 1915, is embellished by the same author with a splendid appeal “Don’t Shoot the Owls,” and it will not be long until the contributions from the same pen will be enjoyed by the readers of this magazine. EKditor. pg a f Some Western Birds. BURROWING OWL. Theodore Roosevelt gave to this species the descriptive name _ of “picket pin,’ and well does it apply. Sitting motionless in the hot sun at the entrance to his burrow, he re- sembles nothing in the world so much as a stake driven into the prairie. The rancher views him with a friend- ly eye, and calls him “Billy Owl.” His scientific cognomen is Speo- tyto cunicularia hypogaea, and the Check-List gives his range as the Western United States from the Pa- cific Coast to the Missouri River, and from Canada south to Panama, with accidental appearances in New York and Massachusetts. A Southern form, Speotyto cunicularia floridana, is resident in the southern parts of Florida and differs fromour bird principally in being smaller and paler. North of about the forty-fifth par- Nearer view of same Quail’s Nest —Photo by Paul G. Howes THE OOLOGIST 205 allel the Ground Owl is migratory, but here in Southern California he is resident throughout the year from the base of the mountains to the very edge of the Pacific Ocean. The breeding season is at its height in Los Angeles County by the middle of May. Every patch of pasture-land has one or more pairs. On the grass-covered slopes of Point Firmin above the harbor of San Pedro I have found them breeding in colonies of twenty or more pairs. Here I have spent many pleasant hours watching the little fellows; and incidentally many hours of hard labor digging for their round white eggs. Some writers have it that the birds excavate their own burrow, but I have never found any evidence of this, and believe that in the majority of cases, if not invariably, they take up quarters in the deserted burrows of various small quadrupeds such as ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and rabbits. These holes are from four to ten feet in length, and are of varying shapes; some are straight while others are driven in the shape of a horse-shoe. From six to _ twelve inches in diameter, the burrow wid- ens out at the end into a small cham- ber a foot or more across, and from two to four feet below the surface of the earth. The Burrowing Owl betrays his nest by the quantity of dry horse or cattle dung that lines it from the entrance to the nesting chamber proper; the latter being thickly car- peted to a depth of two to four inches with this material. Some- times dry grass, rags, paper or what ever other suitable substance may be available is used. In the vicinity of San Diego I once found a burrow that was lined with cotton waste ob- tained from _ the railroad shops. The eggs are from five to eleven in number, white in color as with all the Owls; the average measurements are 1.25x1.00 inches. They are ellip- tical in shape, the ends being of an equal size. I have often found eggs lying on the ground near the en- trance to the nest. These adventi- tious eggs seem to be infertile in all cases. As both the birds remain in the burrow throughout the day in- cubation starts with the first egg laid, and a large set shows embryos in all stages of development. No doubt the dung used in the nest gives out sufficient heat to maintain the necessary temperature when the par- ent birds are absent at night in search of food. I have been unable to learn from my own observation how long incubation lasts, the under- ground location of the nest making studies of this sort difficult in the extreme. Mrs. Wheelock in “Birds of California” gives three weeks as the time, which figure is doubtless correct. When hunting in the early evening the birds call to each other with a short “too-oo,” the last syllable rising sharply. Another note resembles the “kow-kow-kow” of the California Cuckoo; this latter note is frequently heard as a pair sits on the mound outside their burrow, first one and then the other uttering it as if carry- ing on a conversation. Allmembers of the Owl family eject the undigestible portions of their food from the crop in the shape of pellets, and our Burrowing Owl is no exception. These pellets are found in large quantities scattered along the length of the burrows; they are composed of small bones, fur, feather quills, wing cases of in- sects, ete. The egg-collector can nearby Quail’s Nest showing Unhatched Eggs and one Young Quail one hour old —Photo by Paul G. Howes THE often spare himself a lot of unneces- sary labor by examining the burrow before digging, the presence or ab- sence of fresh pellets showing wheth- er or not the nest has recently been occupied. The Burrowing Owl is of course strictly carnivorous, feeding on mice, gophers, young ground squirrels, liz- ards, beetles, grasshoppers, and small birds. We may well forgive him the last item of his diet if we take into consideration the numbers of injuri- ous quadrupeds and insects that he consumes. I have often seen our bird hunting grasshoppers in the broad daylight, but as a rule he re- mains in the burrow during the day and comes out to feed at dusk. The old “Happy Family” story of how the Ground Owl, Rattle-snake, and Prairie Dog lived together amic- ably in the same long dwelling has long since been disproven. It has been shown that the Rattler enters the Owl’s burrow in search of eggs and nestlings, while the unfortunate young of the Prairie Dog falls a vic- tim to both of his rapacious neigh- bors. D. I. SHEPARDSON, Los Angeles, Cal. jh eee eee COMMON TERN. Of late years the Terns have be- come very plentiful on Sparrow Lake, Muskoka, usually making their ap- pearance during the middle of Au- gust and departing towards the end of September. I frequently see them in small flocks, either resting on a rock or on a floating log off shore, or flying gracefully about in the air, ut- tering their grating te-arr, te-arr. Last summer I witnessed what ap- peared to be a common habit with them of following a loon about and when it would come to the. surface with a small fish the Terns who had OOLOGIST 207 been hovering about in the air would dart down near the loon and try to snatch the fish away. George H. Gerald. ope THE CAT QUESTION. I have noticed all along and have read with interest many articles on the cat question in the Oologist and other journals. I say by all means rid us as far as possible of the pesty eat. Most cats are wholly or partly starved and birds at once more at- tractive and mice more. secretive, they almost invariably select the bird. Most people will ask “what would we do without cats, and one needs one or two about.’ No they don’t. A good screech owl is worth a dozen cats and as for rats not one cat in twenty will tackle a rat. What are we to do with the rat then? [ll tell you, get and keep a pair of the common little guinea pigs and you will never be troubled with rats and the guinea pig never disturbs birds. I propose in the near future to do as some others are doing; to always carry a small rifle in the field, a Stevens 22 or a Winchester 25 and pick off every cat I see. They won't be missed and I like cats too. George W. vos Burgh. ee Migratory Notes taken Fall 1915 by J. B. Ellis, Chokoloskee, Fla. No. 494 Bobolinks, numerous 9-1-15. No. 573 Prairie Warbler, 3 speci- mens 9-20-15. No. 656 Audubon Warbler, 2 speci- mens 9-21-15. No. 611 Purple Martin, 1 specimen 9-24-15. No. 601 Painted Bunting, 2 mens 9-24-15. No. 687 Redstart, 1 specimen 9-24- 15. Number of Vireos and Warblers can’t identify without killing them 9-25-15. speci- THE OOLOGIST 208 SeMOPH “SD [ned Aq o01OYG— aseg euaweg uo Bulsog jien® Buno, THE OOLOGIST —~ No. 679 Mourning Warbler, 2 speci- mens 9-30-15. No. 751 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 2 specimens 10-7-15. Humming Bird nesting 10-7-15. No. 722 Winter Wren, 1 specimen 10-7-15. No. 681 Maryland Yellow-throat, 1 specimen 10-10-15. No. 567 Slate colored Junco, specimens 10-11-15. No. 758a Olive-backed Thrush, two specimens 10-11-15. No. 627 Warbling Vireo, numerous 10-11-15. two —— No. 670 Kirtland Warbler 10-11-15. A few Sparrows could not identify 1-11-15. No. 676 Louisiana Water-Thrush l specimen 10-12-15. No. 775 Pine-woods specimen 10-12-15. No. 686 Canadian Warbler, 2 Sparrow one speci- mens 10-12-15. ¢ No. 622 Loggerhead Shirk, 2 imens 1-12-15. No. 646 Orange crowned Warbler, 2 specimens 10-12-15. No. 656 Phoebe, 2 specimens 1-12- 15. No. 459 Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 specimen 10-12-15. No. 273 Kilideer, numerous 10-23-15. No. 140 Blue Winged Teal Duck, numerous 10-23-15. No. 221 American Coot, 1-23-15. No. 648 Parlua Warbler, 1 men 1-25-15. No. 677 Kentucky Warbler, 1 speci- men 10-25 15. Nearly all the birds became nu- merous by October 15th and by Oc- tober 20th nearly all had disappeared. I have seen no Orioles or Finches this season, they usually are plenti- ful. I have seen two Sparrows, sev- eral Vireos and Warblers and three Juncos not described in any litera- ture I have. spec- numerous speci- 209 The Rose-breasted Grosbeak. There is only one species of the Grosbeak that comes here, that 1 ever have seen and that is the Rose- breasted. A pair of them come here every summer and eat potato bugs. I have wondered if paris green hurts them, but according to my observa- tion they did not seem to mind it. One day I saw a young one in the grass and a Robin was teasing it, but the male Grosbeak came along and put a stop to this. I think the Rose-breasted one of the finest sing- ers we have. They warble so nice. A person can distinguish them easily by their thick yellow bill and the rose colored shield shaped patch on their breast, also by their parrot like movements. The male takes turns with the female in sitting on the green speckled eggs. They like to warble in the twilight. You might think they were away off in the tim- ber and yet they were close by. R. B. K., Columbus, Wis. ee eo eee Judge John N. Clark. HE KNEW HEGGS. There has just died at Old Say- brook, Connecticut, one of the most noted ornithologists in the world. His name was John Nathaniel Clark. As a young man, Mr. Clark took a keen interest in birds and he devoted the greater part of his life to the study of the different varieties and their habits. His work in this line gained him a world-wide reputation, and at the time of his death he stood second to none in the United States as an authority on ornithology. His collection of eggs of American birds is the most complete individual one known in this country. The col- lection includes a nest with full set of nine eggs of the Black Rail, the only complete set known to be in existence, and another nest of seven 210 THE OOLOGIST of the same bird. The nearest ap- proach to this collection of Black Rail eggs is a nest of four in the Smith- sonian Institution at Washington. It was his desire to have in his collec- tion the eggs from every species of bird known in America, and there are but few that he did not have. Mr. Clark has been for many years a member of the National Ornitho- logical Society, and his papers read before the annual meetings of the so- ciety were always acceptable as au- thority. His advice was sought after by ornithologist throughout this coun- try as well as in Hurope. Aside from his collection of birds and eggs, Mr. Clark had a rare collection of insects and he also had a small block of nearly every variety of wood which grows in this country. From an old Philadelphia Press. Submitted by Richard F. Miller. We print the foregoing for the sole purpose of showing how even the best of us (and there’s none better than our friend Miller) may be led astray by newspaper generalisms. The writer knew Judge John N. Clark (for he was a judge in that state) by correspondence well, for many years. We have hundreds spec- imens of North American bird’s eggs in our collection taken by him in his lifetime. Many we have received di- rect from him, and others with nearly every large collection which has come into our possession. He was a nat- uralist of far more than ordinary at- tainments. His specialty was oology. But he has not “just died,’ for Judge Clark has been dead a number of years. We called at his home in Old Say- brook in the late summer of 1912 finding the place closed as his family were not at home. He had died more than a year previous to that time. His collection of North American birds eggs is not and was not at the time of his death, the most complete individual collection known in this country; neither did it approach near to that distinction. It was large and varied, containing about 540 different varieties. It has been the privilege of the writer to examine and cata- logue a list of this collection, and of the data accompanying it. Among the rarities it contained, was a full set of nine eggs of the Black Rail. This, however, is not the only complete set known to be in ex- istence. It may be the largest set for aught that we know, but there are a goodly number of sets of the Black Rail in the United States. Four or five sets that we know of were taken by one collector in the last two years. There are many more sets of Black Rail’s eggs in existence in the United States than there are of the Yellow Rail. It is a pleasure to add to the testi- mony of the worth and ability of this well-known scientist, but it can be done truthfully in giving him a very high place in the ranks of North American Ornithologists, without overdoing it. We have no doubt our friend Miller has recently been read- ing “newspaper ornithology.” Editor. ERC eS Peculiar Nesting. Site of English Pest (Sparrows). - On a certain farm in southern Wis- consin there was a barn half full of last year’s timothy hay, well mowed and solid almost as a rock or bank of earth; into the front of this, exactly like Bank Swallows a whole tribe of sparrows burrowed and built their usual bulky nest of feathers at an en- largement at the extreme end, some- times several feet back and where they twittered and squealed like a lot of rats in a free for all fight. The THE OOLOGIST 211 colonizing was like the Swallow, while the individual burrow and plac- ing of the nest at the back end was like a Belted Kingfisher’s. George W. H. vos Burgh. ee ee Mourning Dove Notes. These sets may not be unusual but I rarely ever find them in these lo- cations. June 11, 1910, in a boat tall Grackle nest set of three Mourning Doves. June 12, 1910, set of two Mourning Doves and three Boat tailed Grackle in Grackle nest. April 14, 1915, nest of Mourning Dove and two eggs on top of a broken off tree ten feet high. R. Graham, Ft. Worth, Texas. 2 eee The Kingfisher. The Belted Kingfisher arrives in this part of Illinois, Bureau, La Salle, Putnam and Grundy Counties, the latter part of April or the beginning of May, and immediately looks up his old nesting site and if the same has been destroyed, commences excavat- ing a new hole for a nesting site. In this part of the country it does not require any great amount of physical exertion to procure a set of King- fisher eggs, for during all my collect- ing years, I have never had occasion to use a pick, ladder or such other paraphernalia as described by Mr. Maxon. The Kingfisher is shrewd in locating his nesting site, but not shrewd enough to foil the sci- entific collector, for the reason that the cavity is generally placed at a depth of from two to three feet below the surface of the bank containing the nesting site. The mode of secur- ing the eggs after locating the cavity is as follows: Secure a pliable switch of a length of six or seven feet, meas: ure depth of hole from top of bank ‘then insert pliable switch or stick to get the ankle and length of run-way, then withdraw your stick and lay upon surface of ground, and by fol- lowing the angle and measurement on your stick and allowing one foot more, so as to give a change to get in the rear of the nest, the nesting site can be approached, without dan- ger of breaking the eggs or ruining the site. I generally take a garden trowel and hatchet in cutting down to nest- ing site and never destroy the cavity for the reason of saving the site for another set. After digging down and you get near the horizon of the nest be care- ful by tapping to prevent a sudden entrance, as it may ruin your expecta- tions. I make as small an opening as possible, and after removing the eggs and securing the necessary data, I then carefully replace the earth, after covering the opening into the dome containing nest with a piece of sod reversed and close up excavation and replace top sod. I have taken three sets of eggs from one cavity in one season in the manner described. L. H. Shadensack. ———_ oo Introduced New York Game. Ottomar Reinecke in a letter, ad- vises us that “a great many male Mongolian Pheasants have been shot in New York State this fall by hunt- ers.”” The female is protected by law, and nearly all of the birds shot were mounted by taxidermists; Dr. Herman R. Grieb, a taxidermist of Buffalo, receiving not less than five hundred for mounting from all parts of New York. This bird seems to be established in some of the Eastern states. It is not yet established in Illinois. orale ak ee Late Nesting of the Wilson’s Thrush. On the 24th of June, 1915, at Spar- row Lake, Muskoka, I found a nest 212 THE OOLOGIST of this species, containing one egg in a juniper bush about six inches from the ground. Three days later it held only three blue eggs being considered a set. This is the latest date I have found this bird breeding, nests usual- ly being found during the latter part of May. George E. Gerald, Toronto, Canada. CEE We alll SS wb a ee From One Who is Game. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. I suppose that all the Ornitholog- ists and Oologists in North America well know this Nuthatch, top of the head and front part of the back shin- ing black; rest of the upper parts bluish gray; inner secondaries bluish gray, marked with black, wing cov- erts and quills tipped with whitish; outer tail feathers black with white patches near their tips; middle ones bluish gray; sides of the head and under parts whiter; lower belly and under tail coverts mixed with rufous. The female is similar but the black of the head and back vailed by bluish gray. His way of providing food for him- self and the nestlings is different from the other birds. He flies to the top of a tree and works his way down to secure the eggs and various larvae of insects and in this way is a great preserver of our forests. J would like to know whether any ornithologists or oologists had any such experience as I have had on April 28th, 1892, in nearby Sherkston, Canada,—closely watching a male Nuthatch, I finally located his home in a basswood tree in a _ horizontal limb about fifty feet from the ground. It was a terrible climb, but I finally got there. By bringing out those pretty eggs, I also to my astonish- ment brought out a Cow-bird’s egg. I have often taken the Cowbird’s egg in other nests, but all near the ground, for instance with the Yellow Warbler, Hooded Warbler, etc., but never fifty feet from the ground. I have taken another large set of seven on May 10th. 1904, in Tonawanda Swamp. about fifty miles from Buf- falo. This swamp has heen drained late- ly and the nesting site of the Great Blue Heron destroyed, which could have been saved as uw State Reserva- tion at a very small cost. —Written by Edward Reinecke shortly before he died. 1915. With this issue, we close our la- bors on THE OOLOGIST for the year, and before doing so, we wish to thank all of our friends who have stood so loyally by The Oologist dur- ing the past twelve months. It has been no little satisfaction to know that at the time of our mis- fortune, the good friends of this little magazine rallied as one man to its support. The Oologist during 1915 has not been what we would have de- sired it, but it has been far better than in many other years. It could not have been as good as it was, had it not been for our friends. To those who have helped us make The Oolo- gist in the last year, we feel under deep obligations. —— 3 = Pe tt 1916. During the ensuing year The Oolo- gist will be the same Oologist that it has been in the years that have passed, except we hope to make it better with each issue. We have de- termined to more closely group the various articles relating to different members of the bird family each month than we have been able to do in the past. This will be possible only if our contributors will send us an ample supply of copy. It really THE OOLOGIST 2138 takes vastly more copy to keep The Oologist moving, than the ordinary person realizes. Next year we propose to issue The Oologist for the different months so far as may be, as follows: January,—The Eagles and Owls. February,—The Hawks. March,—provided we can _ secure sufficient copy, will be devoted large- ly to the preparation and arrange- ment of ornithological and oological specimens, and we especially beseech you, Mr. Reader, to send us some- thing along that line at an early date. April,— The Woodpeckers. May,—General Ornithology. June,—The Warblers. This is as far as we have deter- mined for the coming year, except that later in the year we expect to devote nearly an entire issue to the birds of the Isle of Pines. We also have two splendid illustrated articles from the pen of Dr. R. W. Schufeldt for use this coming year. We trust that during the winter months, an ample supply of copy will be accumulated to run The Oologist largely through the coming year, and this is impossible unless each of those interested in its success will do something along this line. Already our suggestion to those in- terested in the welfare of this little journal that they send an extra copy to some of their friends as a Christ- mas present or to encourage them in ornithology, is bearing fruit. R. Graham of Fort Worth, Texas, is the leader in this work so far, but many of our readers have responded nicely. We would suggest that each and every one of our subscribers when- ever writing to The Oologist would include in the communication some short fresh, newsy bird note, if the same is only a line or two. Such a course would furnish us with many interesting incidents, beneficial to our readers. Do not overlook the fact that it takes money to run The Oologist, and that money comes from subscriptions. So renew your. subscription now while you have it in mind, and thereby please the Editor and ease your own conscience. R. M. Barnes. op AD WORDS. “My ad. produced results that were more than satisfactory. D. I. Shepardson, Feb. 1, 1915. “IT received two answers from my ad before I got the magazine that it was first inserted in, pretty quick re- sults. Speaks well for the Oologist as an exchange medium.” A. J. Potter: 0 <—_—______ GOOD WORDS. December 12, 1914. “I enjoy the paper very much and read it with great interest.” Wm. McLaren. January 1, 1915. “A good magazine for little money.” George Kamp. January 1, 1915. “TI wish to congratulate you on the improvement on the Oologist since taking it over, it has become a real important publication for naturalists.” Stanley H. Jewett. January 1, 1915. “Ag for me I could not be without ‘The Oologist,’ I have had it so many years and it is steadily improving. You must be congratulated upon the last issue.” C. A. Hewlett. January 3, 1915. “T sure like to read the Oologist and get lots of information on nest- ing habits of the different birds.” Guy W. Day. January 4, 1915. “Allow me to express the pleasure I feel with the improvement of the Oologist since you undertook the pub- lishing of the same.” Chris Firth. 214 THE OOLOGIST January 5, 1915. “T always sit down and read the Oologist through as soon as it comes.” S. M. Burdick. January 11, 1915. “The last number contains illus- trations which alone are worth the cost of that number.” John T. Parsons. January 12, 1915. “T have had nine or ten answers to my magazine advertisement in the Oologist, and would be glad to have you say for me how well it pays to advertise in that publication.” Lillian L. Beers. January 17, 1915. “You are giving us a mighty good paper for the money.” W. F. Nicholson. Feb. Ist, 1915. “A fine little paper and the cause of me becoming acquainted with some good fellows.” EH. A. Sikken. January 17, 1915. “The Journal is worth $1.00 and I should think many would be willing to pay that for it.” S. S. Dickey. January 18, 1915. “The 1914 Oologist was a dandy and I trust that 1915 will be as good.” Alex Walker. January 24, 1915. “T actually can’t see how you get out such a high grade paper for such a small amount charged for subscrip- tions.” F. T. Carless. January 25, 1915. “T certainly have enjoyed and profited by the reading of your mag- azine.” Robert S. Bains. January 27, 1915. “T do not wish to miss a single number.” Ernest S. Norman. January 29, 1915. “You have a live little paper and we certainly get our money’s worth.” Fred J. Dixon. January, 1915. “Your January number is a good one and very interesting.” Alfred L. Marshall. February 1, 1915. “T congratulate you upon the last number of the Oologist. It was the finest yet.” D. I. Shepardson. Feb. 1, 1915. “This is the best egg magazine that is published.” Caspar G. Burn. We get full worth EF. T. Pember. Feb. 6, 1915. “If your paper continues to im- improve in 1915 as it has been in the past, you'll be charging us more than fifty cents per annum. Well, we should worry.” J. R. McLeod. Feb. 17, 1915. “IT must say that the last few num- bers were simply great and that it is growing better every month.” EK. A. Stoner. July 10, 1915. “Tt seems to me that the Oologist is getting better all the time.” Fred Maltby. July 17, 1915. “A nature lover can’t help but like the Oologist and we know that the Editor’s heart and soul is in it which makes it better.” “Tt is alright. of our money.” George L. Cook. August 16, 1915. “T always look forward to the com- ing of this little bird publication. It has them all beat a mile.” C. G. Hart. Aug. 21, 1915. “TI would rather do without my eats than the Oologist.” : Turner EH. McMullen. Aug. 25, 1915. “Permit me to say at this time, I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every copy of your magazine, and always look forward to dates of is- sue.” J. H. Trumbull. Aug. 28, 1915. “T can’t get along without the Oologist.”’ R. Spellum. Aug. 30, 1915. “My friends, Mr. Horace Green, and Mr. Donald Nicholson together with myself think the price of the Oologist ought to be $1.00 a year. How many others, we would like to ask feel the same way.” Edw. S. Coombs. Oct. 22, 1915. “Tt is one of the best bird publica- tions in the United States. It is ‘alive’ with valuable information.” Alfred Cookman. THE OOLOGIST Itl BOOKS. Frank L. Burns’ Bibliography of scarce or out of print North American Amateur and Trade Publications in existence. Price 25c. R. M. BARNES, Lacon, Il. WANTED.—‘The Auk,’ Vols. I and VI (inclusive) odd volumes or odd numbers. LEE CHAMBERS, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles County, California. WANTED.—Bulletin of the Cooper Orni- thologic Club, Vol. I,cdd numbers W. LEE CHAMBERS, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles County, Calif. FOR SALE—Out of print Ornithological books by Bendire, Cones, Ridgway, Goss, Baird and Dawson. All bird magazines. W. de ERICKSON, 208 West 40th St., Savannah, a. z FOR EXCHANGE.—Back volumes of the Auk in original cover; also American and foreign bird skins for A. 1. skins of Western HENRY K. COALE, Highland Park, Ih. WA WUED.—Books. Magazines and Pamph- Jets about Birds and Natural History Sub- In all cases state what you have and Fourth Ave., New York City. (3-14) TO EXCHANGE.—TI have 1000 duplicates of . GLENN, Room 107 burgh, Pa. Ge 5) FOR EXCHANGE.— For cash, to best offer; Newman’s British Moths and Newman’s iti ies. Condition good. In- uiries answered. CHRIS FIRTH, Durham, nt.. Canada. {1-p] WANTED.—Back numbers of Condor, Bird Lore and others. Exchange in other numbers a reasonable cash price. E. A. DOOLITTLE, Box 444, Painesville. O. Books bought, sold and exchanged. High- est cash prices for books and magazines about Birds and all other Natural History THE NEW YORK BOOK MART, 30 Lexing- ton Ave., New York, N FOR SALE BIRD LORE.—Lot A, Vols. I to XII inclusive without volume indexes; Lot B, Vol. II No, 1to Vol. XII No, 2. inclusive without volume indexes and Vol. II No. 2 missing. Will not break lots. State best cash offer. THOMAS L. McCONNELL, 1815 Huey St., McKeesport, Pa. FOR SALE.—Fishers Hawks and Owls; Birds of America, Audubon, Vol. 2 (tw: plates and binding injured) Vol. 4 good; eeolenical Survey West of 100 Mer,, 8 Vols.; Geol. Zoology, Botany, Archaeology, etc. complete sets; cash. GEO. W. H. VOS BURGH, Columbus, Wis. EGGS, Continued. Natural History Cabinet for sale or ex- change. Suitable for bird skins, eggs, botany, minerals or shells. Want back numbers of magazines. ALBERT LANO, Fayetteville, Arkansas. FOR EXCHANGE.—European and Asiatic bird eggs in sets w ith data for eggs of North American species needed for my collection, C. W. CHAMBERLAIN, 36 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. ee ee 8 eS ee Se eee WANTED—Common American eggs, single or in sets. Exchange full sets of South Afri- can Penquino—side blown and good speci- mens. G. WIDDAS, Box 90, Route 1, Cam- bridge, Md. FOR EXCHANGE .—273 2-4, 325 2-2, 337b 2-3 1-4, 339b 1-3, 373c 1-4, 385 1-3, 583 1-3, 588d 2-4. 75la 2-4 and many others with small holes. for A-1 sets with small holes, M. C. BADGER, Santa Paula, Calif. Sept. 30, 1915. “T do not get much time for field work now, but always enjoy reading ‘The Oologist.’ It is a very pleasant and practical link between the pres- ent and the old days.” W. W. Lewis. Oct=- 20, 1905: “We take several ‘Bird’ magazines but yours is the best of all; it’s a real live paper and we enjoy it.” H. F. Merriam. THE CONDOR A Magazine of Western Ornithology Published Bi-monthly by the Cooper Ornithological Club of California Edited by J. Grinnell and Harry S. Swarth “The Condor’’ is strictly scientific but edited in such a way that a be- ginner of ‘‘Bird Study” can easily un- derstand it. The articles in ‘‘The Condor’’ are written by the leading Ornithologists of the United States and are illustrated by the highest quality of half tones. Our subscription rates are $1.50 per year in 3 the United States and $1.75 in a Foreign coun- try. Sample Copy 30c. Address W. LEE CHAMBERS, Bus. Manager, Eagle Rock. Los Angeles, Cal. IV THE OOLOGIST 1916 The Oologist for 1916 will continue along the same lines as in the past. Our friends can help us enlarge our sub- scription list and thereby enlarge their sphere of influence and acquaintance; for THE OOLOGIST is published for the benefit of its — friends. They can, through and by its columns, keep up an acquaintance with the active bird students and collectors that can be reached in no other way. You can send an extra subscription to a friend or acquaintance a whole year for only FIFTY CENTS, and no, more appropiate Christmas Gift can come to one interested in out door life. All new subscriptions received before Jan- uary I, 1916, will be credited to January 1, 1917, receiving the balance of 1915 FREE. R. M. BARNES, LACON, ILE any of ak fats en ae oO. ei Speen? “S Lee Mee pene an tt oa! Nene Cua gnie, 3” “ERE mee o Wye he a aEE les SEAS ad ot aS on ye sce (PES ea ‘ig eer Take si Sure renee Ay, smelted peta x eon SME Dep, CORO GITE Vaicod pt x : ; ei 4y | Lag Mire Papa ao ts “LET, a rmerate Soin sere & “i “yt aaa! = “Sean aR? See as =. i a sate es zy wy Tee ate eae A Senet Le : % “ Sy 7 (e) ie ~ Peete) ~ a é gut Rea tae ae Aree cava ge Sap ce Hae he Sl EE ech el aa shall Sy (HE ae Rem): sy Hil ies MT Hi rag ee a ne i | | i I x an A | ~ «lat ‘@) pe eS a geo ban os SS gay Te een (EEE “> ey he “X EN PA era SE rh ica Nn i ESO ETON ~, a Hales aN ve f : we “ ite —————— =