QL671 .063 m^ 'J f..- FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY The Oologist — FOR THE- <^ STUDENT OF BIRDS, ®> Their Nests and Eggs. Volume III. ALBION, N. Y.: FRANK H. LATTIN, Publisher, 1886. JOHN P. SMITH, PRINTER AND BOOKBINDER, 76-84 STATE ST., ROCHESTER, N. Y, THE OOLOGIST. IIVOEX: TO ^OI.. III. Page. A. O. U. Check List, Review, &c 36 Bird Box, History of a 31 Bird, Strange 61 Birds, Manual of North Ainerican 48 Blowpipe, Water i3i 4' Bluebird 40 Bunting, Black-throated 22 Bunting, Indigo 22 Bunting, Indigo, Spotted Eggs of 55 Buzzards, Turkey 46 Cabinet, Cheap and Convenient 6 Cabinet, How to Make 47 Cabinet, For a Large Collection 51 Cabinet, My 26 Chautauqua 47 Check List of N. A. Birds, a Review of, with Special Reference to the New A. O. U. List.. 36 Checking List, Our New 48, 50 Chenango Co., From 29 Chester Co., Pa., Notes from 45 Chewink Nest in a Tree 49 Chicago Exposition, Our Exhibit 56 Chickadee. ... 34 Climbing Strap 20 Clutch II Correspondence 26, 27, 40, 41 Cortland Co., N. Y., Birds of 2, 21 Coues' Wrong 23 Cowbird 41 Crane, Whooping 43 Cranes Nest, My first White 43 Creeper, Nest of the Black and White 7, 28, 46 Creeper. Nest of the Brown 25 Crossbill, Red 39 Crow, American 31;, 47 Crows, Two using one Nest 41 Cuckoo, Black-billed, laying with the Yellow- billed ;. 28 Cuckoo, Yellow-billed 28 Cuckoo's Egg in Wood Thrush Nest 52 Davie, An old letter from 27 Davie's Key to the Nest and Eggs of N. A. Bird's 10, 12, 24, 30, 50 Eggs, A Large Sale of 48. 50 Eggs, Collect Single 54 Page Fish Hawks, A Day among 49 Flycatcher, Great-crested 26, 60 Friendship, An Unusual 23 Goldfinch, American 59 Goldfinch, American, spotted eggs 60 Grakle, Bronzed 21 Grosbeak, Pine 39 Gronse, Ruffed 35 Guillemot, Pigeon 61 Hawk, Broad-winged 46 Hawk, A Cunning 30 Hawk Sparrow, A Moral Pair of 41 Hawk's Nest, A difficult climb after a Red-tailed 34 Heron, Nests of the Green 33 Hummingbird, Nest of the Ruby-throated 40 Illinois, Collector's Notes 57 Intelligence of Bird's 29 Iowa, Notes from 33 Jottings 8, 9, 10, 24, 36, 48, 56 Kentucky, Notes from 41 Kind Words, etc 14 Kinglet, Ruby-crowned 34 Lark, Horned 34 Long Island, A Day on 53 Loons, A Day with 55 Maine as a Field for the Ornithologist 41 Martins, Purple 31, 44 Michigan, Notes from 41 Minnesota, Notes from 40, 59 Missouri, Notes from 26 Nest, A Popular ! 21 Nest, warm place for 25 Nesting, Late ' ■ 26 Night Hawk 35 North Carolina, Notes from 22 Nuthatch, Brown-headed 55 Nuthatch, Pigmy 27 Oological and Ornithological 44 Oologist, Monthly 52 Oriole. Baltimore 53 Orioles, Intelligence of 29 Orioles, Not Foster-parents 41 Ornithologist, The Young. . . .• 50 Osprey 49 Owl, Great-Horned 19. 27 THE OOLOGIST. Page. Owl, Screech 6i Pcnna., Jottings from 40 Pewee, A Plucky Wood 57 Quail, A Beheaded 26 Rail, Virginia 46 Robin 23 Set or Clutch, &c 40 Sparrow, An Albino 29 Sparrow, English 23, 31 Sparrow, Tree 32 Spoonbill, Rose te 51 Swift, Chimney 54 Tern Eggs, Hunt for 20 Texans Query 41 Thrasher, Brown 41 Thrasher, Brown, White Eggs of 50 Thrasher, Rufous-vented 41 Thrush, Bicknell's 31 Thrush, Golden- crowned 53 Thrush, Gray-che -ked 13 Thrush, Wilson's 13 Page. Thrush, Wood 13, 26, 53 Vagary of a Collector 19 Warbler, Nest of Blue Yellow-backed 60 Warbler, Mourning 46 Warbler, Worm eating 46 Washington, D. C, Summer Birds of 10 Washington Co., N. Y., Notes from 35 Water Ouzel, American lo Whip poor-will 23 Wisconsin, Notes from 40 Woodpecker, Hairy 33, 40 Woodpecker, Red-headed 44 Woodpecker, Red-headed, Canibalism of 29, 40 Wrens, One Day on Chester Island with the Marsh i Wren, Long-billed Marsh 28, 45, 57, ;8 Wren, Short-billed Marsh 58 Yates Co., N. Y., Notes from 60 Explanatory: — Volumes I. and II. of the Oologist were issued under the name Young Oologist. QliiilJl. < ""'^^^ Bi-Monthly. ^^^f^ goc. per Year. ^^• VA^ Vol. III. ALBION, N. Y., JAN. & FEB., 1886. No. 1. PREMIUM LIST FOR OBTAINING New Subscribers for the "Oologist." For every new subscriber one of our present sub- ' scribers may send us, we will give twelve and one-half cents worth of anything we advertise, or offer for sale in The Oologist, our catalogue, or any circular we may send out. We trust our friends will obtain for us as many new subscribers as possible. We consider our premium list one of the largest and most varied ever sent by any publisher in America. Parties desiring to obtain a costly premium can send in their names, as fast as obtained and we will give them a check good for 12^ cents, in trade, when the required number of checks are obtained they may send to us and we will send the premium desired. Parties pre- ferring cash in place of the above will be allowed 10 cents on each subscribtion. To be entitled to the above commission, you must (if not already a sub-;criber) send in your subscription for The Oologist with your first order. We can allow you no commission on your own name. The Oologist's Prize Competition for Winter of 1886. In addition to all other premiums offered, we will give to the persons sending us the greatest number of subscribers for the Oologist before March 20th, 1886 the following prizes : First.— $5. 00 Cash. Second and Third. — Each an egg of the Central American Occellated Turkey, val- ued at $5.00 each. Fourth.— An egg of the South African Ostrich. Fifth and Sixth. — Each one copy of Davie's Key to the INests and Eggs of North American Birds. Seven to Ten. — Oologists Directory. Ten to Fifteen. — Oologists Handbook. Subscriptions must be mailed from your office not later than March 20th. Subscrip- tions mailed on the 20th will count. Pre- miums will be forwarded to the lucky winners on the 1st of April, and their names published in the following Oologist. Should two or more parties send the same number of subscribers, the highest prize will be awarded to the party whose list was sent earliest. Bon't delay, but commence work (it once. Address, FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. The finest collection ever put up FOR BEGIITNEES ! Contains twenty different and choice curiosities, worth over $2.00 at our regular prices ; but in order to reduce our stock we will send, prepaid, a collection containing the following curiosities, properly named, with locality, etc., FOR ONLY $1.10 ! Electric Stone> Sea URcmx, Star Fish, Sea Gopher, Skai-e Egg, Shark Egg, Chinese Coin, 100 Var. Foreign Stamps, Cringid Stem, 12 Black-Eyed Susans, Sea Bean, 3 Handsome Cowry Shells, Branch Coral. Arrowhead, Back op Sand Crab, Razor Shell, Chinese Horn Nut, 2 Money Cowries, 2 Bloody Tooth Shells, and 1 Doubly Terminated Quartz Crystal, (Transparent as water, surpassed only by the dia- mond ; will scratch glass.) ALL FOR $1.10. The collection cannot help but please everyone'. Money refunded to every dissatisfied purchaser. 6 COLLECTIONS, $6.oo. Address, FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. THE OOLOGIST The Young Oologist, THK MOST POrULAH AND INSTRtJCTIVE MA(;AZINE, Devoted to Birds, Their Nests and Eggs, EVER PUBLISHED. - Appreciating its value, the Publisher reserved a limited quantity of each issue to supply future demands. He now has. all told, LESS THAN TWO HUNDRED COMPLETE SETS. Collectors will readily see the advisability of completing their files or IW OBTAINING A COMPLETE SET AT ONCE. ,^ Back numbers will soon be exceedingly rare and valuable and possibly not obtainable at any price. sCJOIO-TIBi^TS: The lollowing enumerates some of the principal articles in each issue and the price for which a copy may be obtained : — The "short articles" are one column or less in length and of great value to the student. Not mentioned in the list of contents : each issue contains one or two pages of "items," one column to two pages of exchange notices, and from three to eight pages of advertisements. Nos. I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and i2rt, each contain 16 pages. Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, each contain 20 pages. Nos. 13 and 14, each contain 32 pages: and No. 11, contains 36 pages. No. I. — Instructions for Collecting Birds' Eggs, (3 pa- ges); Coue's Key, Twenty-four short articles. Price 10 cis. 'No. 2. — Instructions for Collecting Birds' Eggs, con- , eluded, (2 pages); Painted Buntings; Cala. Mot- tled Owl ; List of Birds Found at Montreal ; 24 short articles. 8 cts. No. 3. — Maine Item- ; Yellow-headed Blackbird ; Orchard Oriole ; The Slip System ; Wilson's Thrush ; Hand-book of Agassiz Association ; 23 short articles. 8 cts. No. 4. — Screech Owl ; Importance of Identification ; A La. Heronry; Cardinal Grosbeak; Eagle's Nest; How to Make ana Use Bird Lime; 14 short arti- cles. 7 cts. No. 5. — Bird-nesting — To Collect Scientifically, i 3 pages) ; Cala. Birds ; From Wyoming ; 22 short articles. 8 cts No. 6.— Bobolink, (2^ pages): Sea Birds of Maine; Eeging in a Cala. bwamp ; Old "Put" and the r.ird's Nest ; List of Wisconsin Birds ; 12 short articles. 6 cts. No. 7. — Bronzed Grakle ; Singular Duel ; Fish Hawk; Spurred 'J'owhee and Least Tit ; "Old" Put and the Bird's Nest ; Bird Island ; 14 short articles. 6 cts. No. 8. — The Alligator ; Collecting in Marshes ; Woodcock ; "Our Birds in Their Haunts ;" Iowa Notes; Redstart; Summer Redbird ; 18 ^horc ar- ticles. 8 <:/.f. No. 9.— Baltimore Oriole ; Te.\as Jottings ; Sap- suckers ; Barn Owl ; American Ornithologists' Union, (3 pages) ; How to Handle a Gun ; Black- capped Titmouse ; Eag of the Moa. 10 cts. No. 10. — Winter Wren; Cala. Duck-hunting; Screech Owl ; Davie's Egg Check List ; Peacock With Queer Tastes; White-bellied Nuthatch; Blue Jays , Spotted Robin Eggs ; 8 short articles, sets. No. II. — Bank Swallow; Lnglish Sparrows; Study ot Birds; Gt. Horned Owl; Vellow-billed Cuckoo; Gambel's Quail ; Conn. Notes ; Intelligence of the Oriole ; Vellow-breast Chat : Maryland Yel- low-throat ; White-rumped Shrike ; List of Paci- fic Coast Birds ; Knights of Audubon ; Sample Data Blanks, (4 pages) ; 32 short articles. 12 cts. No. 12. — Completes I'ol. I. Title cages for binding, with complete and exhaustive inde.v, (8 pages . -LOCtS. _ . ' No. 12 rt. — Special edition for advertising purposes, same as No. 12, except being printed on lighter paper and the title pages being replaced with ad- vertising. 3 cts. No. 13. — Bartram's Gardens ; South Carolina Obser- vations, (6 pages) ; Scientific Names ; Gt. Homed Owl ; Bank Swallows ; Knights of Audubon ; Hummingbird; R. 1. Notes; Texas Jottin-^s ; 30 short articles. 15 cts. No. 14. — Americaii Crossbill ; Audubon's Birds of America; Illinois Notes; Destruction of Birds; Cuckoos ; Cala. Notes ; Wrens on the Warpath ; Golden-winged Warbler ; Fox Sparrow ; Our Winter Birds ; Snipe Creek ; Red-head ; Wiscon- sin Jottings ; Burrowing Owl, etc. ; A Florida Trip ; Horned Lark ; Queer Homes and Nesting Sites ; Brave Bird ; Ferruginous Rough Leg ; .Sparrows ; Pigmy Nuthatch ; 26 short articles. 12 cts. ^° Vol. I., Complete (184 pages), will be sent post-paid for only 75 cts. Vol. I. and II., Complete (248 pages}, and "THE OOLOGISTS' HAND-BOOK" W'JiX BE MAILMD POSTPAID FOR O^LY $1.06. NOS. 10 AND Vln WILL BE SENT TO THOSE DESIRING SAMPLES FOR FIVE CENTS. Address, FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. iR Al'OTe off'ers and prices, oiuing to limited siipplj', cannot he guaranteed after M.A RCH i Specimen Illustration from Davie's Egg Check List Copyright iSSb. PLATE I. . ... z-f -si -. ty-" ,. ., 4 fe .->-'' -^^^;^>i^is^^^»S^'-=^'^^^''»fc^-r American Water Ouzels and Nest. ( Cinclus ffiexicantts.) See Description No. 19. THE OOLOGIST. Vol. 8, No. 1. ALBION, N. Y., JAN. & FEB., 1886. \ Rl-MONTHLY. '( 50c. Per Year. One Day on Chester Island ■wri';h the Marsh Wrens. Twelve miles below Philadelphia, in the Delaware River, is situated a mass of mud, reeds and dead vegetation, known as Ches- ter Island. This unintere.sting marsh is one mile in length by about one-quarter mile in width, and is uninhabited by man. Despised alike by inhabitants of l)oth States between which it lies, and b}^ mar- iners because of its obstruction to naviga- tion, it has few redeeming points, except for the naturalist. Tradition says that in the Revolutionary times a fine manor house stood here owned and tenanted by an Eng- lishman of wealth, in which hospitality was freely dispensed, and revelrj' reigned supreme. Such, however, is merely here- say, and to-day no evidences remain of former occupancy. This spot, seldom visited by man, offers peculiar facilities'to the Long-billed Marsh Wren for niditication, being nearly covered with a rank and luxurious growth of reeds and splatterdocks. I had made a collect- ing trip here during June, 1874, a trip, too, replete with experiences, and the eleven years which have since elapsed have failed to efface some recollections thereof. I re- call how near a permanent fixture I be- came by sinking in the soft, deceptive mud, how tortured, too, by a species of fly with painful sting, which inhabits the reeds, and how now and then one of the rightful owners in the form of snake or muskrat appeared, as if to dispute my in- vasion of his domain. These and kindred reminders came before me when the thought of a second visit occurred, but finally I decided that some new points re- garding the habits of these wrens, some sets of their little chocolate colored eggs and the possibility of an encounter v.'ith the short-billed species, would well repay me for the trouble and exertion. At this season (June 15th) the reeds have attained their greatest height, (from 7 to 10 feet,) and are in their best color. A perfect wilderness of them, stretched out over the entire island, and growing thickly together, as they do, it becomes impossible to see more than ten feet distant, at any one time ; the fl.oor, so to speak, is only rendered solid enough to bear man's weight by reason of dead reeds and grasses of former years, which make a carpet suf- ticientlj^ soft and velvety to the tread, to suit the most fastidious; the highest of hip boots are not high enough to preserve dry feet, for here and there a muskrat hole or natural sluiceway appears, and without warning one is precipitated from an erect position to one of reclining horror. This is the favorite haunt of the Long-billed Marsh Wren, and for many years a vast colony of them have occupied the place as a summer resort. This season they are very numerous, probably not having been disturbed for many years, and their harsh, short, quickly uttered and not unpleasant note (to me) is heard without intermission all day, hundreds, aye thousands of nests presented themselves for inspection, and in a few hours, almost without being aware of it, I had taken nearly 100 sets of eggs. The well known habit this bird is said to possess, of building one or more duplicate nests, was abundantly corroborated on this occasion, as upon manj'^ previous ones, I observed that when one of these duplicate nests was found, the nest with the eggs was not more than ten feet distant. And such a wonderful home they make for their tiny infants to be born in, a number of matted reeds, of previous years growth are covered and worked with mud into a glob- ular ball not unlike a cocoanut in shape; this is securely fastened to the growing THE OOLOGIST. reeds about three or four feet from the ground, a small opening is left near the top, at one side, which is the entrance to a warm and snug inside, comfortably lined with the blossom of willow and cat-tail. I regfU'd a full average set as six, though many nests contained sets of five, as evi- denced by the advanced incubation, and from several nests I took seven and eight eggs respectively. In one case only did I find nine, which was without precedent in my personal experience. The eggs are spherical or oval, so uniformly covered with spots of brown, as to present a choc- olate color. One set of six were veritable albinos, and almost suggested the Short- billed Marsh Wren, but a diligent search of hours failed to reveal a single nest or bird of this species. The Long-billed and Short- billed do not breed in common, in this sec- tion at least; and I know of no authentic set of the latter ever having been taken here. Toward evening, nearly overcome by thirst, and devoured by insects, a mud be- grimmed and thoroughly fatigued collector returned to land in quest of a much needed bath and refreshing sleep. Harky G. Pariver. Chester, Pa., June 24th, 1885. BIRDS OF CORTLAND CO., N. Y. The following list does not claim to be perfect or complete, as I have purposely refrained from naming any species but those that I have fully identfied, or that have been identified by those I considered competent authority. Any information concerning species not in the list will be thankfully received by the Compiler, care Bennett & Dean, Cort- land, N. Y. (Numbered after Ridgway's Nomenclature.) No. 1. Hylocichla mustelina. (Gmel.) Baird. Wood Thrush. ' ' Flute bird, " ' ' Swamp Robin. " Common in swampy or wet woods. Breeds. Arrives about last week in April. Departs about first of Oc- tober. No. 2. Hylocichla fusce.scens. (Steph.) Baird. Wilson Thrush. "Veery." Not uncommon. Breeds. An-ives early in May. Departs about first of September. No. 7. Merula migratori. (Linn.) Sw. & Rich. American Robin. Breeds. An extremely cojiimon summer resident. Ar- rives about middle of March. Departs in October, occasionally a few wintering here. No. 12. Galeoscoptescarolinensis. (Linn) Caban. Cat-Bird. "Mocking-bird." Very common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives early in May. Departs about first of October. No. 13. Harporhynchus rufus. (Linn.) Caban. Brown Thraser. Formerly very common. Noted in 1882 for the first time in about fifteen years. No. 22. Sialia sialis. (Linn.) Haldem. Eastern Blue-bird. Abundant. Breeds. Arrives about first of March. Departs middle of November. No. 33. Regulas satrapa. Light. Gol- den-crowned Ringlet. Migrant. Abund- ant during last of April and first of May. Again the last of October. No. 41. Parus atricapiilus. Linn. Black-capped Titmouse or chickadee. Resident and abundant. Breeds. No. 51. Sitta caroliuensis. Gmel. White-bellied Nuthatch. "Sap-Suck- er " Resident and abundant. Breeds. No. 52. Sitta canadensis. Linn. Red- bellied Nuthatch. Regular migrant during Apiil and October. No. 55. Certhia familiaris rufa. Brown Creeper. Abundant in Spring and Au- tumn. No. 63. Troglodytes sedon. Vieill_ House Wren. "Jenny Wren." Com- mon summer resident. Breeds. Arrives early in May. Departs in October. No. 67. Telmatodytes palustris. (Wils.) Baird. Long-billed Marsh Wren. I am informed that this and the following species breed in the marshes near Glen Haven, at the head of Skaneateles Lake. No. 68. Cistothorus stellaris. (Licht.) Caban. Short-billed Marsh Wren. THE OOLOGIST. No. 74. Mniotiltavaria. (LiXN.) ViEiLL. Bi.ACK AND White Creeper. Regular migrant. Last of April or first of May, and in September. No. 88. Parula americana. (Linn.) Bonaparte. Blue-Yellow-backed War- bler. A migrant. Noted in 1882, May 5th. No. 93. Dendropca {estiva. (Gmel.) Baird. Summer YEi>Low-BrRD. "Yel- low Warbler." "Yellow Wren." Common summer resident. Breeds. Ar- rives last of April or first of May. Departs first of October. No. 95. Dendropca coronata. (Linn.) Gray. Yellow-rumped Warbler. Not uncommon. No. 97. Dendroeca maculosa. (Gmel.) Baird. Black and Yellow Warbler. Common spring and autumn migrant. No. 99. Dendra?ca pennsylvanica. (Linn) Baird. Chestnut-sided W.\rbler. Some- what common. Breeds. Arrives about second week in May. Departs in Septem- ber. No. 102. Dendroeca blackburnige. (Gm.) Baird. Blackburnian Warbler. Com- mon migrant. Arriving first week in Ma3^ Departing last of September. No. 115. Siurus auricapillus. (Linn.) Swains. Golden-crowned Th'rush or Accentor. "Oven-bird." Summer resi- dent. Breeds. Arrives second week in May. Departs middle of September. No. 122. Geothlpis trichas. (Linn.) Caban. ]\L\ryland Yellow-throat. Summer resident. Breeds. Arrives about middle of May. Departs latter part of Sep- tember. No. 128. Setophaga ruticilla. Ameri- can Redstart. Common summer resi- dent. Breeds. Arrives first week in May. Departs in September. No. 135. Vlreosylvia olivacea. (Linn.) Bonap. Red-eyed Vireo. Common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives second week in May. Departs in September. No. 139. Vireosylvia gilva. (Vieill.) Cass. Warbling Vikeo. Summer resi- dent. Breeds. Arrives about second week in May, Departs in September. No. 140. Lanivireo flavlfrons. (Vieill.) Baird. Yellow-tiiroated Vireo. Sum- mer resident. Breeds. Arrives with the Red-eyed Vireo. Departs in September. No, 149 a. Lanius ludovicianus excubi- torides. White-rumped Shrike. "Butch- er-bird." Not uncommon summer resi- dent. Breeds. Arrives last of March or first of April. Departs in October, usual- ly; though I find noted one specimen seen Nov. 12, 1884. No. 151. Ampelis cedrorum. Carolina Waxwing. Ced.\r-bird. Cherry-bird. Resident; common in vdnter. Breeds. No. 153. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say.) Lawr. Eave Swallow. Cliff Swal- low. Abundant summer resident. Breeds. Arrives middle of April. Departs last of August or first of September. No. 154. Hirundo erythrogastra. Bodd. Barn Swallow. Abundant summer resi- dent. Breeds. Arrives about middle of April. Departs in September. No. 157. Cotile riparia. (Linn.) Boie. Bank Swali-ow. Common from first week in May to second week in September. Breeds. jSTo. 161. Pyranga rubra. (Linn.) Vieill Scarlet T.\naoer. "Red-bird." Summ.er resident. Breeds. Arrives second week in May. Departs in September. E. S. Passer domesticus. (Linn.) Koch. English Sparrow. Resident, and a nuisance. No. 168. Carpodacus purpurus. (Gm.) Baird. Purple Finch. "Linnet." Sum- mer resident. Breeds. Arrives in March. Departs in October. No. 172. Loxia curvirostra americana. (WiLS.) CouES. American Cross-bill. Occasional winter visitant. No. 181. Astragalinus tristis. (Linn.) Caban. Am. Goldfinch. "Thistle Yel- low-bird." Abundant and resident. Breeds in July. No. 186. Plectrophanes nivalis. (Linn. ) Meyer. Snow-bunting. "Snow-bird." 4 THE OOLOGIST. Quite a regular winter visitor. Common from December to March. No. 193 a. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. (Wils.) Ridgw. Savannah Sparrow. Summer resident. Breeds. Ar- rives in April. Departs in October. No. 197. Poaecetes gramineus. (Gm.) Baird. Grass Finch. "Bay-winged Bunting. Common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives first week in April. De- parts last of October. No. 206. Zonotrichia leucophrys. (F'st.) Swains. White-crowned Sparrow. Mi- grant; last of April, middle of October. No. 209. Zonotrichia albicollis. (Gm.) Bonaparte. White-throated Sparrow. Migrant; Middle of April, last of October. No. 311. Spizella domestica. (Bartr.) CouES. Chipping Sparrow. "Chippie." Common summer resident. Breeds. Ar- rives middle of April. Departs early in October. No. 214. Spizella pusilla. (Wils.) Bonaparte. Field Sparrow. Common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives in April. Departs last of October. No. 217. Junco hyemalis. (Linn.) ScL. Black Snow-bird. "Rain-bird." Common spring and late autumn migrant, occasionally winters, rarely summers. Several cases of its breeding have been noted within the last two years, '83 and '84. No. 231. Melospiza fasciata. (Gmel.) Scott. Song Sparrow. "Ground-bird." Very common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives first of March. Departs in Novem- ber. No. 233. Melospiza palustris. (Wils.) Baird. Swamp Sparrow Summer resi- dent. Breeds. Arrives in April. Departs in October. No. 244. Zamelodia ludoviciana. (Linn.) Coues. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Sum- mer resident. Breeds. Arrives middle of May. Departs last of September. No. 248. Passerina cyanea. (Linn.) Gray. Indigo Bunting. "Indigo-bird." Common summer resident. Breeds. Ar- rives about first of May. Departs last of September. No. 257. Dalichonyxoryzivorus. (Linn.) Swains. Bobolink. Skunk Black-bird. Very common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives early in May. Departs in August. No. 258. Molothrus ater. (Bodd.) Gray. Cow Bunting. Cow-bird. Abund- ant. Occasionally winters. No. 261. Agelseus phceniceus. (Linn.) Vieill. Red - and - buff-shouldered Black-bird. "Red-winged Black-bird." Extremely abundant. Breeds. Arrives middle of March. Departs in November. No. 263. Sturnella magna. (Linn.) Swains. Meadow Lark. "Field Lark." Abundant summer resident. Breeds. Oc- casionally winters. No. 271. Icterus galbula. (Linn.) Coues. Baltimore Oriole. "Golden Robin." "Firebird." "Hang-nest." Common summer resident. Breeds. Ar- rives early in May. Departs in September. No. 278. Quiscalus purpureus. (Bartr.) Light. Purple Grackle. C!row Black- bird. Common summer resident. Breeds. Occasionally winters. No. 282. Corvus frugivorus. Bartr. Common Crow. Common resident. Breeds. No. 289. Cyanocitta cristata. (Linn.) Strickl. Blue Jay. Common in locali- ties, as Grade's Swamp, near Messenger- ville, etc. Breeds. No. 300. Eremophila alpestris. (Forst.) Bgie. Shore Lark. "Horned Lark." Resident; most common in spring aud fall. Breeds. No. 304. Tyrannus carolinensis. King- bird. "Bee Martin." Common sum- mer resident. Breeds. Arrives in May. Departs last of September. No. 312. Myiarchus crinatus. (Linn.) Caban. Great-crested Flycatcher. Summer resident, not rare. Breeds. Ar- rives early in May. Departs in September. No. 315. Sayoruis lusceus. (Gmel.) Baird Pewre. "Phoebe Bird." "Bridge-bird." Common summer resi- THE OOLOGIST. 5 dent. Breeds. Arrives last of March. Departs first of October. No. 320. Contopus virens. (Linn.) Caban. Wood Pewee. Not rare. Breeds. Arrives about middle of May. No. 32(5. Empidona.x minimus. Baikd. Least Flycatciiek. Common summer resident. Breeds. Arrives first of Maj- or eai'lier. Departs last of September. No. 335. Trochilus colubris. Linn.eus RuBY-THKOATED HuMMiNG-BiRD. Summer resident. Breeds. Arrives early in May. Departs in September. No. 351. Ch;i?tura pelasgica. (Linn.) Baird. Chimney Swift. "Chimney Swallow." Abundant summer resident. Breeds. Arrives last of April. Departs middle of October. _ No. 357. Chordeiles popctue. (Vieill.) Baird. Night Hawk. "Bull Bat." Common summ r resident. Breeds. No. 360. Picus villosus. Linnaeus. Hairy Wood hecker. Common resident. Breeds. No. 361. Picas pubescens. Linn.eus. Downy Wood- PECKER. Common resident. Breeds. No. 369. Sphyrapicus varius. (Linn.) Baird. Yellow-bellied Wood-pecker. Spring and autumn migrant. AiTives first week of April. Departs in October. No. 375. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Linn. Red-iie.\ded Wood-pecker. Com- mon resident. Breeds. No. 378. Colaptes auratus. (Linn.) Sw. Yellow-shafted Flicker. "High- holder." "Golden- WINGED Wood-peck- er." "AVake-up." "Pigeon Wood- pecker." "Yellowhammer." "FlICIvER." "YucicER." "Yarup " "LIigh-hole." "Claype," etc., etc, etc. Abundant in summer, occasionally winters. Breeds. Arrives middle of April. Departs last of October. No. 382. Ceryle alcyon. (Llnn.) Boie. Belted Kingfisher. Summer resident; occasionally winters. Breeds. Arrives early in April. No. 387. Coccyzus americauus. (Linn.) Bp. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Summer resident. (Rarer than No. 388). Breeds. Arrives about first of May. Departs last of September. No. 388. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. (WiLS.) Baird. Black-billed Cuckoo. Common summer resident. Breeds. Ar- rives first of May. Departs last of Septem- ber. No. 397. Strix nebulosa. Forst. Barred Owl. "Hoot Owl." Resident. Breeds. No. 402. Scops asio. (Linn.) Bp. Little Screech Owl. Not uncommon. No. 405. Bubo virginianus. (Gm.) BoNAP. Great Horned Owl. Resident. Breeds. No. 406. Nyctea scandiaca. (Linn.) Newt. Snowt^ Owl. Irregular winter visitant. No. 420. Tinnunculussparverius. (Linn.) Vieill. Sparrow Ha\vk. Summer resi- dent; rarely winters. Breeds. No. 425. Pandion halisetus caroliuen- sis. (Gm.) Ridgw. American Osprey. Fish Hawk. Occurs regularly. No. 430. Circus hudsonius. (Linn.) YiEiLL. ]*Iarsh H.\wk. Marsh Harrieb. Summer resident. Breeds. No. 431. Accipiter cooperi. Bonap. Coopers HA^^^v. "Chicken Hawk." Not uncommon. No. 432. Accipiter luscus. (Gmel.) Bp. Sharp-shinned Hawk. "Pigeon Hawk." Not uncommon. No. 436. Buteo borealis. (Gm.) Vieill. Red-tailed Hawk. "Hen Hawk." Com- mon summer resident. Breeds. No. 439. Buteo lineatus.C Gm.) Jard. Red-shocldered Hawk. "Hen Hawk." Common summer resident. Breeds. No. 443. Buteo pennsylvanicus. (Wils.) Bp. Broad-winged Buzzard or Hawk. Rare. No. 451. Halisetuslencocephalus. (Linn.) Savig. Bald Eagle. "Bird of Wash- ington." Not uncommon. Said to have formerly bred in this County. THE OOLOGIST. No. 459. Ectopistes migratoria. (Linn.) S"w. Passenger Pigeon. 'Wild Pigeon." Formerly very common during migrations: occurs semi-occasioually in small flocks. No. 460. Zenaidura carolinensis. (Linn.) Bp. Mourning Dove. "Turtle Dove." Rare summer resident. Breeds. No. 473. Bonasa umbellus. (Linn.) Stepu. Ruffed Grouse. 'Partridge." Common resident. Breeds. No. 480. Ortyx virginiana. American Quail. "Bob-white." Rare resident. Breeds. No. 487. Ardea herodias. Linn. Great Blue Heron. Common summer resident. No. 494. Butorides virescens. (Linn.) Bp. Green Heron. "Shiice-poke." Common summer resident. Breeds. No. 497. Botauruslentiginosus. (Montag) Stepii. American Bittern. Occurs oc- casionally. No. 498. Ardetta exilis. (Gmel.) Gray. Least Bittern. Spec, secured in May, "82. No. 516. Oxyechus vociferus. (Linn.) Reich. Killdeer. -'Ring-neck Plover." Common summer resident. Breeds. No. 525. Philohela minor. (Gmel.) Gray. American Woodcock Common. Breeds. No. 538. Actodromas minutilla. (Vieill) Bp. Least Sandpiper. Common spring and fall migrant. No. 550. Rhyacophilussolitarius. (Wils) Cass. Solitary Tattler. Common mi- grant. No. 555. Bartramialongicauda. (Bechst) Bartrams Sandpiper. "Field Plover." Specimens secured spring 1881. No. 557. Tringoidcs macularius. (Linn.) Gray. Spotted Sandpiper. "Tip-up." Common summer resident. Breeds. No. 571. Rallus longirostris crepitans. Gmel. Clapper Rail. Rare. Breeds. No. 572. Rallus virginianus. Linn. Virginian Rail. Occurs rarely. No. 574. Porzana Carolina. (Linn.) Baird. Sora R.\il. Occurs rarely ; two cases of its breedina; here noted. No. 569. Gallinula galeata. (Light.) Bp. Florida Gallinule. Specimen secured in 1880. No. 613. Aix sponsa. (Linn.) Bole. Wood Duck. "Summer Duck." Some- what common. Breeds. No. 781. Podiceps holbolli. Reinh. Am. Red-necked Grebe. Live specimen brought me this spring, '85. No. 732. Dytes auritus. (Linn.) Ridgw. Horned Grebe. Specimen brought to me in May, 1885. No. 736. Colymbus torquatus. Brunn. Loon. "Hell Dh'^er." Occurs occasion- ally. Compiled by M. D. M. Jr., FOR Bennett & Dean. A Cheap and Convenient Cabinet. Dear Editor: — As there are many col- lectors of Oology who cannot afford walnut cases for their collections, I will try and describe a method by which I keep mine free from dust, away from the light, packed away snugly, and yet in such a shape as to be arranged for exhibition in a few moments Should you deem it worthy of publication you can insert it, otherwise, consign it to the waste-basket. Select sev- eral empty cigar boxes about of one size, (as they pack away nicely if all of one size) put a partition through the center, length- wise, just enough lower than the sides to admit a window glass ; remove the bottom carefully, (so as to admit a fine saw), then cut one, two, three or four saw curfo, according to number of partitions wanted, which depends on size of egg, in both sides and also the middle partition; cut very light, as it does not require much depth; if you cut your cross partitions just the right length, replace the bottom, and for cross partitions cut pieces of tin the right length, to go from side to center and just high enough to be level with centre partition; this then makes a good rest for your glass. At almost -Any hardware store you can find plenty of pieces of glass large enough for such purpose which they will cut for you THE OOLOGIST. for about two cents apiece, or if you have a glass cutter, ■which are quite common now, you can cut them yourself just so as to fit inside of the box and rest on parti- tions ; put some cotton in each partition, arrange the eggs to suit you, place in the glass, close the lid and they are away from the light, which we all know fades them if left in the light; and so you can p/ick them awa}' as snug as a " brick." I have a great many boxes packed away, thus keeping the different varities of the same family in the same box, where one box will hold them, otherwise in two or as many as are required to do so ; and yet I can set them out, canted up a little on edge with lid turned back and make about as pretty a display for the number of eggs I have as any of them, I think. Hoping to hear from others in regard to how they manage their collections, 1 remain, Fraternally j'ours, R. D. Goss, New Sharon, la. Nest of the Black and White Creeper. This species, belonging to the family of the warblers, generally frequents the mar- gins of the woods, in low, swampy places, where from the crevices of the bark of trees it gleams its food of insects and their larvjB ; and from its peculiar manner of creeping or leaping up and around the trunks of standing timber, it has received the name^.of Creeper, though in other re- spects it has little relationship with the other species known as the "Brown Creeper." In gener-il it does not ascend high up the trees, like the brown species, and nuthatches, but usually pursues its food-hunting operations near the ground. Its common note is a sharp '"chip," and its song a repetition of a few simple notes, uttered in a low but pleasing warble. The plumage on the upper parts of the body consists of alternate bars of white and dusty black ; there is white on the throat and under parts, and the head of the male is marked with a yellow strip on the crown and over each eye ; in length it is over four inches. It arrives in Canada about the middle of May, and nests toward the end of that month. On the 18th of June last, when putting up some fence on my farm, one of these birds flushed from my feet, darted through the rails of the fence and disappeared, without uttering a note or pau.sing to see what fate might befall its possession. I soon discovered the nest, which contained five young about a week old. It was placed on the ground among the leaves with a few twigs bending over it, and near to and under the shelter of a fence stake, over which was the spreading branches of a beech tree, and formed of leaves, rootlets and hair. A few feet off was a gap in the fence where cattle and sheep had daily passed, and where the fence had just been taken down and was being put up, and yet the nest had not been crushed nor the bird flushed, and not until the side of the nest had been actually trod- den upon had she left her charge. An hour or so afterwards I looked at the nest again. The mother bird was seated upon it, and although I was within arms length of her she did not leave, but her little black eyes twinkled as she looked up at me like stars on a frosty night. She had doubtless often seen me before and regarded me as a friend, although I was not aware of her existence or that of her nest. In the eve- ning when passing I noticed with regret that the cattle had trampled on the nest, and the brood were cold and dead. This was the fourth nest of this species that I had observed in this locality, but the other three were in the roots of fallen trees, in a low, woody place. One of these also contained four young the other two, eggs, one a set of four, the other of five. Of the set of five eggs in my collec- tion, 1 note that they are a little larger than those of the yellow warbler, of a white hue, irregularly dotted toward the large end witn brown spots, two of them having the large end covered with brown. In my "notes" for this year I note that this species was first observed be my on the 13th of May. Wm. R. Keli,s, Listowel, Canada. THE OOLOGIST. THE OOLOGIST. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY FRANK H. LATTIN, - ALBION, N. Y. Correspondence and items of interest to the student of Birds, their Nests and b'.ggs, solicited from all. Terms of Subscription. Single Subscription, Sample Copies, The above rates include postage and premium 50c per Annum. - 8c each. Terms of Advertising, Made known upon application. Send copy for estimate. Remittances should be made by draft on New- York ; money order or postal note payable at Albion, N. \ ,, or by registered letter. Unused U. S. postage stamps of any denomination will be accepted for sums under one dollar. Make money orders and drafts payable and address all subscriptions and com- munications to, FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y. JOTTINGS. All copy for the next Oologist must reach us before March 1st. We want our friends to send us in "lots" of intereslino; items for next issue. All subscriptions commence Avith this number. When remitting, please state whether j'ou have a copy or not. Collectors, the Oolooist is your jour- nal. Put your " shoulders to the wheel " and ?ielp the publishers make it a success. Each issue of the Oologist will contain a one or two page list of curiosities and specimens, which we are bound to sell re- gardless of cost. This month's Oologist has a verj'' ex- tensive circulati(m ; should you receive more than one copy, or not care for the copy you do receive, neither throw it away nor return it to us, but hand or send it to some friend Avhom it might interest. Two parties will then thank you for your trouble. Amateur Printers Printing otjr Re- quest Advertisements. — After January 1st we will not pay any advertising bill un- less said bill is for advertising inserted by our written permission. Collectors desiring to purchase or ex- change desirable specimens should try our exchange and want column. Many of its old patrons received from 25 to 100 an swers from a single notice. Davie's new " Key to the Nests and Eggs of North American Birds" is simply im- mense. We will send it post-paid for only $1.00 ; if your old "Egg Check List" is in good condition we will allow you 85 cents for it in exchange. Future issues will contain twelve pages of instructive and valuable matter, and eight pages of advertising. "Oar own horn " will be mostly if not exclusively blown on th" advertising pages. Every Naturalist and Curiosity collector in America should subscribe for The Oolo- gist. We give more original and valuable reading matter for the money than any like periodical ever published. If you are not interested in ornithology and oology the bargains offered in our advertising col- umns will more than repaj' the subscrip- tion price. TWO RARE eggs. Among our Central American eggs of last fall's importation we find about fifty of the Groove-billed Crotophaga, worth $3.00 each, and forty of the new and rare Gau- mer's Swift, {Ghatura Oaumeri), worth any reasonable price a dealer may ask for them. We think the egg was never before offered by any dealer and doubt if one of our thousands of readers possess a specimen of this species. We have decided to give one of either the above named eggs to the first seventy-flve persons sending us $1.00 for the egg and The Oologist, one year. This offer is good until March 1st only. THE OOLOGIST. The famous Carryl collection of birds eggs has been in our possession for nearly two years. The collection will be catalogued in the next issue of the Oologist and offered for sale as a whole or in single sets. The collection consists of 450 species in sets with data, ( besides hundreds of dupli- cate sets.) The collection is valued at over $1,600. We take the following from the Young Oologist of Aug., 1884: "We have sent out 125 Yucatan Jay eggs as premiums with The Youxg Oolo- gist, and have no more to offer. ^Nlan}^ of our friends can contiratulate themselves for obtaining such a desirable and beauti- ful egg at so slight an expense." Our Central American eggs, including less than 100 of Yucatan Jay and about the same number of each the other species, we offer as premiums, we imported last fall for the express purpose of offering to our friends as premiums. Only about 500 can have one of these eggs. '• First come, first served." A Premium to Every Subscriber. — The publisher of The Oologist, in order to obtain a large circulation for his little journal, offers the follow;ing inducements, which have never been equaled by the pub- lisher of any journal devoted to the inter- ests of naturalists and curiosity collectors. To any person sending us fifty cents for a year's subscription to The Oologist we will seno any one of llie following pre- miums : A. The Oologist's Handbook. B. " " Directory. C. 100 Assorted Data Blanks. D. Three of our Premium Rubber Initial Stamps with Outfit. E. A One-line Rubber Name Stamp with Outfit (additional lines 5 cts. each). F. Numbers 10, 11, 12 a, 13 and 14 of The Young Oologist (126 pages of valu- able information). G. Ten Choice, Showy Minerals. H. 200 Foreign Stamps, over 100 varieties. 1. Ten named Fossils. J. An egg of the Ground Dove. No. 465. K. " " American Eider " 627a. L. " " Razor-billed Auk" 742 M. " " Common Pulfln " 743. N. " " Com. Guillemot " 763. O. " " Yucatan Jay. P. " " Euphonia. Q. " " Gular Oriole. R. " " Gray's Thrush. S. " " Graceful Mock'g Thrush T. " " Golden - crowned Fly- catcher. U. An egg of each the Shark and Skate. V. An Exchange or Want Notice of not exceeding thirty words in The Oolo- gist. Our premiums are first-class in every re- spect and would cost our friends, were they to purchase, from 25 cents to $1.00 each. We will send any one of them from A to V inclusive, and The Oologist one year for only 50 cents. Our Canadian friends desiring .any pre- mium excepting A. B, C, F, H and V must add 5 cents extra to pay one-half the postage. Premiums O to T are very de- sirable Central American Eggs and are generally retailed at .$1.00 each. We have sold lots of them at that price. Natural History specimens are some- thing that cannot be manufactured, and must be obtained through collectors. Our offer will hold good only as long as our present supply lasts; therefore, to secure one of the premiums, we would advise our friends to send in their subscriptions hy re- turn mail, as our supply is limited. As many collectors will desire more than one of our valuable premiums they can. when sending in their subscriptions, en- close 25 cents for each additional premium wanted, and we will forward by return mail. Premiums ordered at other times can be had at regular retail rates. Many of our friends during the next few months will request us to publish The Oologist more frequent and to increase the number of pages. In reply the pub- lisher would say that both requests were lO THE OOLOGIST. tried with The Young Oologist and that the publisher lost both his time and hun- dreds of dollars. Our time is valuable and money is scarce, consequently our "experience." must not be repeated ; but we would say to our friends that from the day our subscription list, numbers 2,000 paid subscribers The Oologist will be a monthly publication, and that if every reader of this item will send in his sub- scription, or if each one of our patrons will subscribe and send one other subscription at once, The Oologist will never again be sent out as a bi-monthly publication. Special Notice to the subscribers of The Young Oologist. — We want to have each and every one of our old Y. O. friends enrolled on our new subscription book, and as we always endeavor to deal fairly with all, we will give, in addition to any premium oifered, to each of these old friends who subscribed or renewed their subscriptions for the Y. O between the dates of September 1st, 1884, and 'August 1st, 1885, who will now help us by sub- scribing for The Oologist before March 1st, an exchange notice of twenty-five or less words. As the value of this notice and the premium is over fifty cents, we are in one sense making you a present of The Oologist. This offer will never be re- peated and is good until March 1st only. our engraving or rather the plate in this number of the Oologist, was not only loaned but one-half of the whole number ( 6,000 ) required for this edition was presented us, by one of the Oologist's best friends, Mr. Oliver Davie. This plate is one of those given in the second edition of his most valuable work, " Egg Check List and Key to the Nests and Eggs of N. A. Birds." The following description is also taken from that work : No. 19. American Water Ouzel — cin- CLUS mexicanus. This interesting bird which has the aquatic habits of a duck and the tilting movements of a sandpiper, in- habits exclusively the mountainous portions of North America west of the Mississippi from Alaska to Guatemala. It is never found near still water, frequenting only wild mountain streams, cascades, eddies and swift currents. Tlie nest is variously situated but always in a nook or crevice near water, or shelving rocks or roots of trees. It is a beautiful ball of soft green moss about as large as a man's head, dome- shaped, with a small round hole in one side for an entrance ; within it is strongly arched over and supported by twigs. Plate I., frontispiece, gives a faithful rep- resentation of one placed on a ledge of rock. The eggs are usually three in num- ber, dull white, unspotted, and measure 1.04 by .70. If you wish to aid us in giving your or- ders and communications the earliest pos- sible attention, and to avoid making mis- takes, which sometimes will happen, care- fully read the following and when writing have each subject on a separate slip of paper. 1. Business or personal letters. 3. Queries ( either to be answered by mail or in the Oologist.) 3. Anything to be printed in the Oolo- gist, including "exchanges and wants," advertisements, etc., each must be on a separate slip and written on one side of the paper only. 4. Orders for bird's eggs. 5. " " minerals. 6. " " books, supplies, etc., etc. 7. " " rubber stamps. 8. Subscriptions for the Oologist. Sign your name and address in full at the bottom or top of each slip. We always first attend to orders sent as above suggested, before trying to sort out " mixed-up " ones. Sammer Birds About Washington, D.C. As the bird life around this metropolis has interested me, it occurs to me that some of the readers of the Oologist might care for a few notes about them. I am struck with the absence of some which are common farther North, as well as with the presence of others not found there. The robin, for instance, is not at all common here during the breeding season. I have heard but one song from him, I think, THI-: OO LOG I ST. 1 1 since my arrival about tlie middle of April ; and I have scarcely seen him above a half dozen times. The Song Sparrow I have neither seen nor heard during that time ; nor Wilson's Thrush, which is so common in Western New York. One of the most common sotmds which reminds me of my change of latitude, is the hoarse croak of the Fish Crow ( V-n-vos ossifvagiis,) which .seems to be much more common than the Common Crow, and so near it in size and in general appearance as to be scarcely distinguishable from it except by its voice. The cheerful whistle of the Cardinal Grosbeak (C. Virginianous,) often sounding as if calling a dog — Prof, liidgeway has seen the dogs run after the iUusion — reminds me, too, that I am faj- ther South. But the gay Cardinal is very shy here, and scarcely lets one have a glimpse of him. In every woods and thicket the monotonous ditty of the Che- wink {P. eryihruplithalums,) almost wears out ones patience. A beautiful nest of five eggs, which I watched closely, was twelve days in hatching. The first plumage ol the young is a beautiful brown edged with lighter, the light breast being linely streaked with darker shades. The win- some song of the Prairie Warbler {D. Jiscolor,) given in the upward slide and bearing quite a resemblance to the song of the Coerulean, is quite common in the breeding .season. I have seen one fine male of the Summer Redbird ( P. aestim,) in a fine hardwood forest. The Catbird {Mineiis L'droUiiensis,) and the Brown Thrush ( Uurporhynchus rvfns,) are abun- dant and as musical as usual. The most common sparrow about the fields and pas- tures is the Yellow- winged ( Cote.niculus passeriniis.) Its song, so much like tht shrilling of an insect, is alniost constantly within hearing of the field laborer. A nest containing five eggs, very closely re- sembKug those of the Field or Bush Spar- row except that they were longer and more coarsely marked with reddish brown, was found the 28d of June. The frail nest of dried grasses was deeply sunken in a hole in the ground and incubation was well ad- vanced. The Field Sparrow is also abun- dant, but the Baywing is rather scarce. The Quail seems quite common about the sub>irl)s of the cit3^ They are very fre- quently heard during the breeding season, and I saw a pair in my garden a few weeks since. I have been fortunate this season in being able to observe a Humming Bird's nest through incubation, which lasted fifteen (15) days. The nest was on a small limb of a pine tree in the woods, and some twenty-five feet from the ground. A most noticeable species here is the Tur- key Buzzard ( Cathartes aura,) which climbs the sky in such numbers as to be an inseparable part of the landscape. The carcas of any dead animal is carefully watched till it becomes mellow, and then it soon disappears. J. H. Langille. CLUTCH. What is clutch ; how, and why is it used, and is it properly used ? I have noticecT that many collectors use it, but have never been able to ascertain the correctness or origin of the word. AVill some fellow-oologist please enlighten me on this point '? While speaking to a collector who does a great deal of foreign exchanging, on this subject, he said that "clutch" is used in England and Germany in the same manner, and instead of our ' ' set. " The etymology of the word in its present meaning is not very clear ; the meaning of clutch, as generally used, is to grasp, and this mean- ning used in an Oological sense would indicate the number of eggs taken from the nest, be they a full or but one thirtieth of a complement. An enterprising friend thinks that if we need a new word, which we do to use instesid of '•number of eggs taken from nest," that we should have ingenuity enough to manufacture one of our own instead of accepting a mongrel of European origin. Would be glad to see some opinion in the next number of The Oologist, also some notes on cabinets, cabinet arrange- ments, and methods of work. H. K. L.VNDis, Landis Valle3^ Pa. 12 THE (30LOGISr Davie's Nfsts and Eggs of North American Birds. One short eventful year has rolled around since we had the pleasure of examining the advance pages of the first edition of Davie's "Egg Check List of North American Birds." Our opinion at that time was given as follows in the Young Oologist of February last : " Last December we received a letter from our friend, Mr. Oliver Davie of Columbus, O., in which he hinted (hat in a short time he would place before the oologists of America a work which would be as neces- sary and essential for thfm to have as "bread and butter," and, in fact, "they couldn't get along without it." Knowing Mr. D. to be a man of his word and not wishing to doubt his statements, we waited patiently to see "the elephant." About January 1st we received advance or sample pages of his new work. To say that we wei'e pleased would be putting it mildly. We were then and are now ready to en- dorse any of Friend D.'s statements bear- ing on the value and necessity of his work. The work stands alone in 'its chosen field, and thousands will be sold during the com- ing season. The book itself is a marvel of cheapness and beauty, and had Friend D. been one of the "Big Bird Doctors," the idea of sending out the work for less than $2.00 would have been absurd ; but w^e are happy to say that, for our good, Friend D. does not belong, as yet, to that fraternity. He has concluded to content himself with very small profit, and hns placed the price so low that every American collector will obtain a copy. We trust that the extensive sale of his work will more than reward him for his generosity. And we will say to the collectors obtaining a copj'^ from us, we will not only refund their money if not more than satisfied, but will send stamps sufficient to pay the return postage." Only ten months has elapsed since the first copy of that edition was placed into liands of American collectors, and such a necessity was the work that not one dozen copies now remiiin in the po.ssession of deal- ers, and thousand of collectors now stand ready to attest to its value. Friend Davie writes us in letter dated Dec. 21, 1885: " Tott lutvi' Hold tJirce copies to one of all the other dealers combined." We have not had a single chance to refvmd money to a dis- satisfied purchaser. To-day, Dec. 24th, '85, we are in receipt of advance pages of the second edition. Words cannot express our pleasure, and effuse as much as we may we cannot write Mr. Davie a worthy testimonial. Ever since February last he has been hard at work preparing for this new edition. Col- lectors throughout the land have been in- terested, and have made it their work; hun- dreds, yes, thousands of suggestions, cor- rections and additions have been sent to him. These valuable and original helps, with gleanings from all previous writings pertaining to oology, combined with his own no small knowledge on the subject, have been thoroughly and carefully sifted. The "chaff" has been cast aside and the "wheat" Friend D. presents to us in one of the most valuable works ever placed before the oological world. The work contains in the neighborhood of 200 pages, (nearlj' three times that of the first edition,) and is embelished with seven full page engravings by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D. These illustrations are true and careful delineations of the "American Water Ouzels and nest," "Least Tit and nest." " Traill's Flycatcher and nest, " "Burrow- ing Owl and nesting place," Swallow- tailed Kite and nest," "Wood Ducks and nesting place" and "Dabchicks and nest." This edition contains and gives the habital and breeding range of each species, syn- onyms— that is, all the known names of each bird, with complete descriptions of all the nests and eggs of ail North American Land and Water birds known to date — inclu'iing several species never before described in any work. The "Notes" in the first edition have been done away with and the whole contained in the body of the work, •s valuable improvement. So many and valuable have been the corrections, changes and additions throughout the work that the reader would hardly recognize it as a "second edition" of Davie's "Egg Check List." Friend Davie has prop- erly changed the title to the "Egg Check List and Key to the Nests and Eggs of North American Birds." The work will be ready for delivery January 15th, and THE OOLOGIST. 13 will be sent post-paid to any address for only $1.00, or with The Oologist one year for $1.25. Any person obtaining a copy of us that is not more than pleased with his purchase can return the book in good condition and we will refund the amount paid with 25 cents additional to defray expenses. To show our readers more full}' its value and tiie greater amount of information given in this than the first edition, we give the first few descriptions in the new work : "1. Wood Thrush — Hylocichla mus- TEijNA. Color, uniform deep blue, re- sembling the eggs of the Robin, but smaller. The number laid is usually four, and the average size is 1. by .75. The nest is built in low trees or bushes, and composed of leaves and grasses with a laj^er of mud; on this there is a lining of vegetable fibres. The bird is found chiefly in low, damp woods and in thickets. Breeds throughout every portion of United States between the jVIississippi River and the Atlantic, as far as Georgia on the south and Massachusetts on the north. Habitat: United States east of Missouri plains, south to Guatemala. 2. Wilson's Thrush — Hylocichla ftjs- CESCENS. Bluish-green, unspotted: four or five in number and average .87 by .63. The nest is usually placed on the ground or near it at the foot of a bush or tussock. It is composed of a mass of weeds, grasses, leaves and bark, lined with fine roots and hair. The nest and eggs are not distin- guishable with certainty from those of the Hermit Thrush. The Wilson's or Tawu}' Thrush breeds as far south as Pensylvania and Ohio and as far west as Uiah and occurs in the breeding season throughout Maine, New Brunswick, Xova Scotia and Canada. Habitat: Eastern North America, Colorado, Utah. » 3. Gray Cheeked Thrush — Hylocichla ALICIA. Deep-green, marked with spots of yellowish and russet brown. The eggs are usually four in number, and average .92 by .64. Nest, generally placed in low trees and made of dry grasses, strips of fine bark and decayed leaves, lined with finer fibrous material. Alice's Thrush is another name for this bird. Breeds in immense numbers between the mouths of the Mac- kenzie and Coppermine. Habitat: Eastern North America to shores of Arctic Ocean, and along the north coast from Labrador to Kodiak, west to Fort Yukon and Mis- souri River States. 'da. Bicknell's Thrush — Hylocichla ALiCLE BiCKNELLi. The Rcv. J. H. Laug- ille in the Auk for July, 1884, gives a de- scription of the nidification of this Thrush recently identified in the Catskill and White Mountains and named in honor of its discoverer. He found them breeding on Mud and Seal Islands, off the coast of Nova Scotia, westward from the city of Yarmouth. The nests were all nearly alike in location, structure and materials; placed a few feet from the ground, against the trunk of an evergreen tree. They were composed of various kinds of mosses, a few fine sticks, weed-stems and rootlets and were lined with fine bleached grasses. The nest was as green as a bunch of fresh moss. The eggs were of a light bluish- gree:i speckled with brown; size .87bj^.63." A Water Blow-Pipe. 1 have no doubt but that many of our readers of The Oologist, after a hard days march collecting eggs, feel pretty tired before they get even half through blowing their eggs, and wish, from the bottom of their watch-pocket that there was a safe way to blow eggs by steam or any other power. The way I am going to tell you now, I have used with perfect success for two or thi ee years, and I made it at the cost of 50 cents. All you need to make it is an empty tin can, holding about 2 quarts, one which has had apples in it I am using, about 10 feet of j^ rubber tubing, some glass tubing that will fit tight in the rubber pipe, and some string. The first thing to do is to clean the can thoroughly, then with a sharp pointed awl make a hole about i inch from the bottom of the can a little smaller than the pipe, so that you have to pinch and squeeze the pipe to get it in ; then make the glass tubing into bhnv pipes not more than two inches long, and of different sizes. To go to work, introduce the rubber tube into the hole in the can, and in the other end of the tube put one of the blow pipes. Take a small ring of any kind, about i inch in diameter, and then by bending over the end of the tube near the blow pipe put the ring over it to keep the water from going through when not in operation. Fill the can about one-half full of good clean water, and put the can on a book case about 10 feet from the floor. By this simple arrangement we have a blow pipe which does not take a bit of trouble to blow any number of eggs, and there is plenty of force to blow any e^g. The same time the egg is being blown, it is being rinsed, and all you have to do is to blow the water out when it is blown. Jas. ]\[. Andrews, Saratoga Springs, N. Y, 14 THE OOLOGIST. Kind Words for the Oologists' Directory, etc., etc. " Allow me to congratulate you in the originality and attractiveness of the work. You introduce us for the moi^t part, it would seem, to a new community of rising naturalists, and we are very happy to make their acquaintance." Rev. J. H. Laxgille. "I think the Directory has thrned out a grand success." Theo. Colemak, Seaforth, Ont. " Worth double the money." E. R. Davis, Jr., Gainesville, Tex. " This volume is gotten up by the pub- lishers in a style that reflects great credit upon them. The book is well worth having and was an agreeable surprise to us." Tidings from Natxtre. " Your Oologists' Directory is immense." W. H. F., Pittsfield, Mass. '• It is a neat thing." L. W. Stilwell, Deadwood, D. T. ' ' The lot of eggs ordered of you came to hand all safe Saturday. I will say 1 am better pleased with the lot than any other order I have received this year out of orders aggregating over $16.00." Respectfully yours, R. M. B. , Lacon, 111. "The instruments which I ordered of you arrived this morning. I had no idea of getting them so soon. Please accept of my thanks for your prompt attention and also for the satisfactory way in which you filled my order." Respectfully yours, B. W. S., Troy, N. Y. "I would rather pay 100 per cent, more and get good eggs, like you handle, than exchange for eggs that ' haint no good.'" G. P. E., fiercer. Pa. "Your hand rubber stamp is the best we have found yet out of about a dozen other kinds we have had yet; also, please send us a few catalogues to give to our friends." J. & W. M., Plainfield, N. J. "I received the eggs and checklist in good order, some time ago. The eggs were packed beautifully, and learned me a les- son in packing I shall never forget. The egg check list is a perfect treasure and I am delighted with it. Please send me as soon as convenient one of your new 32- page catalogues." C. B. R., Ft. Atkinson, Wis. "I recently foimd a nest of the Rain Crow with six eggs in it. Is not this an unusual number? " G. H. W. Crystal Springs, Miss. "Received books and instruments sent by you in good order, and am much pleased with them all, particularly the Davies Egg Check List and your Guide and Catalogue; they are valuable helps to the collector and to anvone interested in Natural History at all." " H. F. S., Jamaica, N. Y. " The blow-pipe and drill were duly re- ceived. The give the best of satisfaction." L. J., Grinnell, la. " Please accept my thanks for your kind information in regard to identity of eggs sent you." E. C. D., Gainesville, Tex. "Order of the 25th to the amount of $2.75 received in good order, all O. K. Please accept thanks for promptness, also for the catalogue. You may expect an- other order from me. Again thanking you, I remain, yours, C. H., Murfreesboro, Tenn. "You may expect many orders from us. Were very much pleased with curiosities received from you some time ago. M. B., ElmiVa, K Y. " I will remember j'^ou as one whom, in all dealings with me, have been carried out to the very letter. Success to you ! " C. H., Murfreesboro, Teuu. " I have just received the cones and in- sect pins. Thej^ are O. K., better pins than I have had in a long time; just what I wanted. I should think you would always be out of stock ; your goods are so superior to those kept at other places, it seems you would sell your supply in a very short time. " A. G., Ft. Scott, Kan. ' ' Your eggs received. I am very well satisfied wtth them; think they are nice specimens." R. I. R., El Paso, 111. "Drill received to-day all O. K. We are more than pleased with it. It is a perfect gem." F. D. & J. H. F., Tarborough, N. C. ' ' Received goods ordered of you on the l6th. Am pleased to say that none of the eggs were broken, and that the book is in- valuable to me in collecting eggs, in fact everything I ordered was much better than I expected and I shall take pains to recom- mend you to collectors in this vicinity. Hoping to be able to order other goods of you soon." W. N. H., Hermon, N. Y. THE OOLOGIST. BIRDS EGGS. Our stock is the largest and most com- plete in America. Price-list 2 cents. For the convenience of our younger collectors, we have arranged the following collections, which we believe to be unsur- passed for the price. Collection Xo. 1 contains 10 species for 50 cents. No. 2 contains 15 species for 75 cents. 20 25 50 75 100 $1.00. 1.50. 3.25. 5.00. 10.00. 12 species European 1.00. 20 " 2.00. 4 species Central Ameri- 7 8 9 10 can SI. 00. No. 11 contains 10 species Central Ameri- can $3.00. No. 12 contains 20 species Central Ameri- can flO.OO. No. 13 contains $1.00 worth of second- class eggs, 35 cents. No. 14 contains $2. 00 worth of second- class eggs, 60 cents. No. 15 contains $4.00 worth of second- class eggs. $1.10. No. 16 contains S8.00 worth of second- class eggs, S2.00. No. 17 contains $25.00 worth of second- class eggs, $5.00. No. 18 contains $10.00 worth of first- class eggs in sets, $6.00. No. 19 contains $25.00 worth of first- class eggs in sets, $13!00 No. 20 contains $50.00 worth of first- class eggs in sets, $25.00. For the more advanced collectors we have made up the following collections. A contains 8 species of the Thrushes, worth $1.50, $1.00. B contains 7 species of the Lark, Blue- birds and Gnatcatchers, worth $2.00, $1.50. C contains 6 species of the Chickadees and Nuthatches, worth $3.50, $3.25. Z> contains 7 species of the Wrens and Wagtails, worth $1.50, $1.00. £" contains 9 species of the Warblers, •worth $5.50. $3.00. F contains 7 species of the Vireos, Shrikes and Waxwings, worth $2.00, $1.25. O contains 8 species of the Swallows and Tanagers, worth $2.50, $1.75. //contains 25 species of the Finches, Buntings, Sparrows, etc., worth $7.00, $4.00. / (contains 13 species of the Starlings, worth $4.00, $2.50. J contains 5 species of the Crows, ^Mag- pies and Jays, worth $1.50, $1.00. /r contains 13 species of the Flycatchers, worth $6.00, $3.25. L contains 4 species of the Humming Birds,Swifts and Goatsuckers. worth $3.00, $2.75. il/ contains 7 species of the Woodpeckers, worth $3.50, $2.50. N contains 4 species of the Cuckoos, worth $3.75. $2.00. 0 contains 6 species of Owls, worth $6.75, $5.00. P contains 10 species of the Hawks, Vultures, etc., worth $10.00. $7.50. Q contains 4 species of Pigeons, worth $1.75, $1.00. R contains 8 species of the Guans, Grouse and Quail. Avorth $4.50, $3.25. 5 contains 7 species of the Herons and Ibis, worth $2.00, $1.50. J" contains 9 species of the Oystercatch ers. Plovers and Stilts, worth $5.00. $3.75. U contains 8 species of the Rails, worth $2.50, $1.75. F contains 10 species of the Ducks, worth $6.00, $3.75. TF contains 6 species of the Flammingoes, Pelicans and Cormorants, worth $5.00, $3.50. X contains 7 species of the Gulls, worth. $4.50, $2.75. Y contains 9 species of the Terns, worth $2.50, $2.00. Z contains 5 species of the Petrels, Grebes, worth $2.50, $2.00. -y loiv Forced Sale goods especially desired. Wanted. — 100 good Bahama Starfish at reasonable rates. 33 Fiue Specimens [or Only $1.00 ! Our mineral collection we guarantee to give equally as good, if not better satisfaction, than any $i.oo col- lection ever sent out by any dealer. The following choice specimens are FOUND IN OUR COLLECTION: Silver Ore, Lead Ore, Peacock Ore, Copper Ore, Iron Pyrites, Fluor Spar, Aiazooite, Moss Agate, Moss Jasper, Wood Jasper, Wood (Jpal, Chalcedony, Fortihcation Agate, Petrilied Cedar Wood, Crystal- ized Palm Wood, Quartz Crystal, Rose Quartz, Rock Crystal, Smoky Quartz, Forest Kock, Alabaster, Pink Satin Spar, White Satin Spar, Selenite, Rhomb Spar, Amazon Stone, Obsidian, Dogtooth and Pearl Spars, Wavellite, Tin Ore, Brown Mica, Tourmaline, etc. The specimens in above are from the most noted localities, including Rocky .Mountains, Black Hills, Europe, Asia, etc. Each Specimen Correctly Named and Labeled. 1 Collection, post-paid, $1.00. 6 Collections, $5.00. Address, FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. ONLY $2.50! UNTIL MARCH 1st, We will send the following invaluable aids to the young naturalist (or old one either) for ONLY $2.50. THIS collection CONSISTS OF YOUNG OOLOGIST, Vol. 1& II, $1.00 OOLOGIST, and Premium, - .50 OOLOGIST'S HANDBOOK, - .25 Davie's Egg Check List and Key to Nests and Eggs, - - 1.00 OOLOGISTS' DIRECTORY, - .30 100 Asstd. Data Blanks - - .25 As nearly two thousand Collectors now possess Vol. I. and II. of the YOUNG OOLOGIST, we will substitute in its place for those who prefer, 1 EMBRYO HOOK and 1 EGG DRILL! Both are best nickel plate with handsomely en- graved handles. FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. THE OOLOGIST. -ID j^.. "v I e; ' s- THE EGG CHECK LIST AND KKY IT) THE NESTS AND EGGS OK NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. SECOND EDITION : Rc-,'ised and Enlarged. Illustrated Witli Seven Full Page Engravings, Jiij T/icodore Jasper, A. M., M. It. This work has become indispensable to all students of Oology ; assisting them in identifying N ,5ts and Eggs while in the field, and has taken the place of those expensive works, usually beyond the reach of many collectors. The Xew E.lition contains FULL AND ACCURATE DESCRIPTIONS of all the Nests and Eggs of the Land and Water Birds of North America known to date, togethei with the breeding range and habitat of the species and ornith- ological synonyms. It contains in the neighborhood of 200 pages and is bound in heavy aniique, tinted papei . PRICE, BY MAIL, $1.00. Address all orders to FRANK H.LATTIN,Gen'l Wholesale Agt., j^LBionsr, isr. ~sr. IDExNTIFICATTON ! During the past few years we has'e cheerfully at- tempted to IDENTIFY ALL SPECIMENS our friends have sent us, and this without remunera- tion ; but owing to the fact that we are now receiving packages by the dozen for this purpose, and that our time is more than occupied with our regular business, in the future we shall be obliged to ch.arge our friends in addition to return postage the following I^^^TE S = Single or first Specimjn, Second to tenth Specimen, Eleventh Specimen and over, 10 (fts. 3 (its. each. 2 (Tts. " The above rates for identifying we think verj' rea- sonable. We have spent several years in handling and studying specimens of various kinds, and have on hand a verj' large stock with which comparisons can' be made. We also have the leading works to use as reference. The advantage of having specimens properly identified is invaluable to collectors. Address, FRANK H. LATTIN, Altion, N. Y. CONTAINS 86 Pages of Valuable Information. It gives our regular price list of oological specimens and supplies (the most complete ever sent out by any dealer). It gives the common and scientific names of all North American birds, arranged and numbered according to Kidgeway's(the Smithsonian) nomencla- ture of 1881 ; it gives the numbers used in Baird's check-list of 1859 and those used in Coue's of 1883 ; it gives the value of the eggs of over 500 species of North American birds, this fact alone making the catalogue invaluable to collectors as a basis of ex- change. It names the various families into which the birds of North America are divided, and enumerates the birds belonging to each family. It gives, approx- imately, the number of eggs in a clutch of every American bird. It tells how to prepare specimens for cabinet, how to pack them for transportation, with many other useful hints. A copy of our new hand- book and catalogue will be sent postpaid for ONLY 25 CENTS. or we can furnish the HANDBOOK bound in cloth and gilt for so cents. ADDKESS ^'Tl.£iL.l.; Yellow-headed Blackbird; Orchard Oriole ; The Slip System ; Wilson's Thrush ; Hand-book of Agassiz Association ; 23 short articles. 8 cts. No. 4. — Screech Owl ; Importance of Identification ; A La. Heronry; Cardinal Grosbeak; Eagle's Nest; How to Make ana Use Bird Lime ; 14 short arti- cles. 7 cts. No. 5. — Bird-nesting — To Collect Scientifically, ( 3 pages) ; Cala. Birds ; From Wyoming ; 22 short articles. 8 contains 7 species of the Wrens and Wagtails, w^orth $1.50, $1.00. ^contains 9 species of the Warblers, worth $5.50. $3.00. J contains 5 species of the Crows, Mag- pies and Jays, worth $1.50, $1.00. K contains 13 species of the Flycatchers, worth $0.00, $3.25. L contains 4 species of the Humming Birds,Swifts and Goatsuckers, worth $3.00, $2.75. 3/coutains 7 species of the Woodpeckers, worth $3.50, $2.50. ]S~ contains 4 species of the Cuckoos, worth $3.75, $2.00. 0 contains 6 species of Owls, worth $6.75, $5.00. P contains 10 species of the Hawks, Vultures, etc., worth $10.00, $7.50. Q contains 4 species of Pigeons, worth $1.75, $1.00. E contains 8 species of the Guans, Grouse and Quail, worth $4.50, $3.25. S contains 7 species of the Herons and Ibis, worth $2.00, $1.50. T contains 9 species of the Oystercatch ers, Plovers and Stilts, worth $5.00, $3.75. U contains 8 species of the Rails, worth $2.50, $1.75. F contains 10 species of the Ducks, worth $6.00, $3.75. TT contains 6 species of the Flamingoes, Pelicans and Cormorants, worth $5.00, $3.50. X contains 7 species of the Gulls, worth $4.50, $2.75. F contains 9 species of the Terns, worth $2.50, $2.00. Z contains 5 species of the Petrels, Grebes, worth $2.50. $2.00. d- contains 5 species of the Auks, worth $1.75. $1.00. XTZ contains the above 27 collections and 10 additional eggs, worth in all over . $100.00, $60.00. XLCR contains the eggs of 400 different North American Birds, but few collections in this country can show as many species. It is truly the ' ' Excelsior " collection and we expect to place one or more of them in the cabinets of our wealthier patrons. Price, carefully packed and boxed, safe delivery guaranteed, $200.00 Satisfaction guaranteed. Address, FiiANK H. Lattix, Albion, N. Y. THE OOLOGIST. GLASS EYES. FOR SALE BY FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. Please examine our prices before ordering elsewliere. Elongated Pupils, 20 per cent, extra. Fish Eyes, - 10 " " Special extra flue veined eyes at from 40 per cent, extra to double price. Write just what you want, and for what. A small discount will be allowed on large orders. These Prices are Net Cash. Notice to Collectors. COLORED. SIZES. BLACK. ! Per Per 5 No Per Per lo; Per 50 Pair. Pair. inch. Pair Pair. Pair. $0.02 $0.07 00 1-32 0.01 $0.02'$0.07 .m .07 0 2-32 .01 .02 .07 .02 .10 1 3-32 .01 .02 .10 .02 .10 2 4-32 .01 .02 .10 .03 .13 3 5-32 .01 .03 .13 .03 .13 4 6-32 .01 .03 .13 .04 .16 5 7-32 .01 .05 .20 .04 .17 6 8-32 .01 .05 .20 .04 .19 7 9-32 .01 .07 .33 .05 .20 8 10-32 .01 .07 .33 .06 .26 9 11-32 .02 .10 .46 .06 .27 10 13-32 .02 .10 .46 .08 .38 11 14-32 .02 .14 .66 .09 .40 12 15-32 .02 .14 .66 .12 .55 13 16-32 .02 .16 .77 .13 .60 14 17-32 .03 .19 .92 .14 .65 15 18-32 .03 .24 1.15 .15 .70 16 10-16 .04 .30 1.38 .17 .80 17 11-16 .05 .40 1.98 .18 .85 18 12-16 .05 .47! 3.31 .20 .95 19 18-16 .07 .60 2.97 .21 1.00 20 14-16 .08 .671 3.30 .24 1.15 21 15-16 ; .09 .80! 3.96 .25 1.25 22 1 1 .12 .94' 4.62 .28 1.35 23 1 2-16 .13 1.07 5.28 .31 1.50 24 1 3-161 .14 1.20 5.94 .35 1.70 25 1 4-16' .15 1.33 6.60 .37 1.80 26 1 5-16 .18 1.47 7.26 .41 2.00 27 1 6-16 .20 1.75 8.25 .54 2.60! 28 1 1-2 .25 2.00 9.90 1.0,000 C-wiriosltles. The famous collection of Coins. Curiosities, Natural History specimens, Ocean Curio, Birds, Eggs, ^Minerals, Fossils, Indi.^n Relics, etc., etc., etc., in the BELKNAP MUSEUM, Moore's Opera House, Lake Village, N. H., is for sale. Must be sold im- mediately. Fine opportunity for Colleges^ Dealers, Collectors, etc. Will be sold very cheap for cash. Write for lists, particulars, etc. C. P. WILCOMB, Curator. We have a Loon, nicely stuffed and mounted by an experienced ta.xidermist, which vie. will offer for sale or exchange for some good work on Birds. The specimen was taken on Cranberry Lake, St. Lawrence Co. Correspondence solicited. Send stamp for particulars. FELL & ROBINSON, Hermon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ONE MILE SIGNAL WHISTLE The loudest aad most piercingly shrill whistle oi it-^ size made. tJan be heard up to one mile. The exact size of a 60 calibre U. S. Goveriinieiit Kifle Carlrikc N IE A A Mj SON MFG. CO., 785 Filbert Street, Philart.lohia. Penna^^ -I A DIFFERENT STAMP and price-li^t for a one cent stamp unused. STEM PEL BROS., Ft. Madison, Iowa. Breeder of Mottled laya Fowls & Red Polled Cattle. Stock first-class. Write, enclosing stamp, for what you want. Eggs in season, S3 for 15, $■; for 30. A collection of about one hundred stamps, including some very choice Ceylon & India stamps, arranged in one of Scolts cloth-bound stamp books. And also a number of Ceylon .shells. Address, CHAS. S. HASTINGS, P. O. Box 5oq. Hartford, Conn. ("CORRESPONDENCE desired with those wishing ^-' specimens from this section. .Send list, enclosing 2C. stamp for reply. 1883 nickels for sale. W. W. OILMAN, Stoughton, Wis. MINERALS. 35 specimens ixi for $1.00 from Pennsylvania and Maryland; sent Post-paid ; printed labels ; name and locality ; no two alike. Price-list of large specimens free. Send money by Registered letter. ISAAC S KIRK, Fremont, Chester Co., Pa. OOLOGIST'S ATTENTION. I will send, post-paid, id feet of first-class Rubber Tubing, with full directions for water blower, for 50 cents. This is the best blower for_ eggs, and these prices are cheaper than you can get it at your Drug Store. ( >rder at once. Send postal note. FRED. M. DILLE, Greeley, Colo. THE OOLOGIST. -D^^^VIE'S- TliE EGG CHECK LIST AND KEY TO THE NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. SECOND EDITION: RcviseJ and £>i/ar^ernithological, and Taxidermal specimens, and twenty-one pages of advertisements of the leading dealers. TMs Directory is tlie Best and Clieapest ever offered collectors, and is worth double the amount for which it sells. It is printed in good, suitable type, on heavy tinted paper, and bound in antique Japanese covers. PRICE, POSTPAID, ONLY THIRTY CENTS. WHOLESALE AGENT. Albion, Xew York, THE OOLOGIST. THE NEW KEY TO North. Axxierican Birds, Contains a concise account of every species of living and Fossil Bird at present known on the Continent north of the boundary line between Mexico and theXlnited States, including Greenland. SECOND EDITION, REVISED TO DATE AND ENTIRELY REWRITTEN, WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED GENERAL ORNITHOLOGY- cation of birds ; and -An outline of the structure and classifi- FIELD ORNITHOLOGY— A manual of collecting, preparing and preserving birds. By ELLIOTT COUES, M. A., M. D., Ph. D., Member of the National Academy of Science, &c. PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. The original edition of this Standard Text Book of Ornithology being entirely out of print, and still very much in demand, the publishers have spared neither pains nor expense in the preparation of " THE NEW KEY," in which the whole subject is carefully brought down to date. Cone's " Key is to well known as a leading and authorative treatise to require remark, having for twelve years held its place as the standard work of Reference for Professional ornithologist, as well as for students and amateurs. For complete prospectus of this work see Young Oologist Vol, I., No. i, page 12. The work is fully indexed with several thousand entries. Price complete in one stout volume. Koyal Octavo, Vellum Cloth, $10. Eoyal Octavo, Library Sheep, $1].50. Eoyal Octavo, Half Morocco, Extra, $13.50. FRANK H. LATTIN. Albion, N. Y. OUR THIRTY-TWO PAGE ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE, CONTAINS COMPLETE I'RICE LIST OF Minerals, BiMs' Eggs, Shells. Curiosities. Naturalists', Taxidermists', Entomol- ogists', and Oologists' INSTRUMENTS (^iSUPPUES OF ALL KINDS. IT SHOWS El&HT STYES OF DATA BLANKS, And Gives Over 30 Other Illustrations, WILL SEND IT, POST-PAID, FOR or, if you will send us an order for any thing we ad- vertise, amounting to 25 cents, and mention that you would like a copy, it will be sent you gratis. Address. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y, We Don't Want the Earth, But we do want all the People in it, who take even a passing interest in the interesting study of Natural History, to send for a free sample copy of " The Youth's Visitor," z.senii-vionthly magazine, devoted to Natural History and other Choice Literature of all kinds A Serial is now running by Harry Harris, in which Natural History is happily combined with" adventure. Our Mtiseutn is the name of the Natural History Department, conducted by " Oriolo," an enthusiastic naturalist. All its reading matter is original. 50 cents a year. Address GEO. G. PENDELL, Publisher. Waverly, N. Y. SEWING MACHINE HAS NO EQUAL. PERFECT SATISFACTION NewHomeSewiifflacliinBCo. —ORANGE, MASS.— 30 Union Square, N. Y. Chicago, III. St. Louis, Mo. Atlanta, Ga. DailaSi TeXi San Francisco, Cai. FOR SALE BY THE iMiiiai. < Vol. III. ALBION, N. Y., MAY & JUNE, 1886. No. 3. HOOSIER NATURALIST, having enlarged to a 24 page magazine, and having also secured a number of prominent Ornithologists and Oologists as regular correspondents, is, with its beautiful illustrated articles, acknowledged to be the leading low priced journal of the kind published. Sample for seven one cent stamps. ST-^3^^I=S. R. B. TROUSLOT, (Editor and Publisher) Valparaiso, Ind.,has information of prime importance to all interested in any branch of natural history, and if you will favor him with your address on a postal card, you will receive a "surprise party" by return mail. IBEXjXjIiTTJISTJS X).^3^.aTe It. To lutrodu full, expen-lve. and in- terestiiii; eataloeueof Kuns, kn \es, novelties, ."xid useful artleles. \»e will ^i-nd this i^tle .mci c-ll iloRue bv ni n' post- paid tor onlv 8.% eonts in st mip^ ^A- dress RE >N1E «fe AMvSON MFO. CO., 735 Filbert Street. Philadelohia. Pennn FOR SALE CHEAP ! We have a few founts of second-hand type, in good condition, for sale cheap. Send stamp for list. A. M. EDDY, Albion, N. Y. Breeder of Mottled Java Fowls & Red Polled Cattle. Stock first-class. Write, enclosing stamp, for what you want. Eggs in season, $3 for 15, $5 for 30. 1 THE OOLOGIST. Exchanges and Wants. Brief special announcements, " Want^,'" " Ex- changes," inserted in this department for 25 cents per 25 words. Notices over 25 words charged at the rate of one-half cent per word. No notice inserted for less than 25 cents. Notices which are merely indirect methods of soliciting cash purchasers cannot be ad- mitted to these columns under any circumstances. Terms, ca.sh with order. Wanted. — A good second-hand bicycle, Columbia preferred. E. K. McCLAIN, Yorkville, S. C. Will exchange a Remington Rifle, 22 caliber, good as new. Also Jointed Rod, with laiicewood tips, reel and line (cost $10.00) nearly new, for American Birds Eggs in sets. Rare Warblers and Raptores preferred"," THOS. H. JACKSON, Bo.x 1668, West Che.'ter, Pa. A pair of good climbing irons of my own make, and eight dollars worth of eggs, including sets of numbers 402, 557, 485, 420, find 569, for a Steven's or Flobert Rifle in good condition ; also eggs to e.\change with other collectors. OLCOTT PAYNE, Little Neck, N. Y. To Exchange. — Fine named eggs in sets from Texas and .Mass., for same. C. E. HOYLE, West Millbury, Mass. Eggs For Exchange. — I desire to exchange with collectors American Bird Eggs in sets, Nos. 51, 5^, 360, 369, 396, ana A72 particulr-rly wanted. Address with list, THOMAS H. JACKSON, Box 1668, West Chester, Pa. C. W. FORBES, Clyde, N. Y. A pair of Nicke' Plated Roller Skates, with bag and oil can, for a canvas tent or a canoe. Exchange. — I wish to exchange a coUeciion of birds eggs (many rare) for a young puppy of some good breed. Address, G. H. WIIKINSON, Wharton, Te.xas. Will exchange the following books for N. A. eggs in sets with data: Samuel's New England Birds, cost $5,00; Gentry's Birds of the U. S., cost $/c.oo; Adam's Familiar Birds, cost S3. 00 ; all new. Also a fine old Stradivarius Violin, with Bow and Box, cost complete $28.00. Address, with full list, SAM'L B. LAUD, West Chester, Pa. F. C; LUSK, Holley, N. Y., will exchange first- class bird skins for the same ; twenty species of Warblers, Tanagers, Rose-breasted-Grosbeak, Wax- wings, &c. To Exchange. — First-class birds eggs in sets and pairs, to exchange for first -class eggs in sets or books, or magazines of birds. Please sei.d list and receive mine in return. FRANK L. FARLEY, St. Thomas, Ontario. AUSTRALIAN BIRDS' EGGS. Rare I Cheap ! Handsome ! Send stamp for catalogtie of American and Australian Birds' Eggs, for sale by S. W. DENTON, Wellsley, Mass. MARVELOUS PRICES! B00KS::MILLI0N Complete Novels and Other Works, by Famous Authors, Almost Given Away ! The following book.s are punlisheil in neat pamphlet form, many of them huiidMoniely Illustrated, ami all aro printed from (food type upon Kood puper. Then trout of a great variety of subjecta, and we think no one can ex- amine the li-it without finding therein many that he or i.he would like to possess. In cloth-bound form the;e hooks would cost 91-00 each. Each book is complete in itself. The Widow Bedott Papers. This is tho bonk over which your grandmothers laughed till they cried, and it is just as funny to-day as it ever was. Grimm's I'lilry Stories for the Tounjt. The finest collection of tairy stories c. er published. The child- ren will be delighted with l!h'?m. The Lady of the Lake. By Sir Walter Scott. "The La.lyof the Lake" is a romance in ver.sc, and of all th> iTor'ns of .Scott none is more beautiful than thi