Y FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY /Bound aA I . ...... PROCEEDINGii of the NEBRASKA ORIIITHOLOGISTS* UNION Volume IV complete in 2 parts 1908-09 Volume V complete in 5 parts 1910-13 Volume VI complete in 3 parts 1915, (per Circular in File 191) 1908-1915 A.l3-\o2,.^4S'%'>i^ tlo PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION AT ITS FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETINGS Lincoln, Nebr., January 21, 1903 Lincoln, Nebr., January 30, 1904 Omaha, Nebr., December 31,1904 Lincoln, Nebr., December 29, 1905 Lincoln, Nebr., January 19, 1907 Adjourned to Weeping Water, Nebr., May 18, 1007. edited by Myron H. Swenk CONTENTS PAGE Officers, 1903-1907 3 Standing Committees 4 Abstract of Minutes: Fourth Annual Meeting 5 First Annual Field Day 7 Fifth Annual Meeting ' 7 Second Annual Field Day 9 Sixth Annual Meeting 9 Third Annual Field Day 10 Seventh Annual Meeting 10 Fourth Annual Field Day 12 Eighth Annual Meeting 12 Fifth Annual Field Day 15 Treasurers' Reports, 1902-1907 ' 16 Constitution and By-Laws 19 List of Members 22 Papers. Vol. IV, Part 1 February 8, 1908 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists' Union OFFICERS 1902. President. J. M. Bates, Callaway Vice-President Mrs. George H. Payne, Omaha Recording Secretary R. H. Wolcott, Lincoln Corresponding Secretary. .J. C. Crawford, Jr., West Point Treasurer August Eiche, Lincoln r H. B. Ward, Lincoln Executive Committee H. M. Benedict. Omaha Merritt Cary, Neligh 1903. President F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha Vice-President Anna E. Caldwell, Lincoln Recording Secretary R. H. Wolcott, Lincoln Corresponding Secretary. .J. C. Crawford, Jr., West Point Treasurer August Eiche, Lincoln Custodian Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln r G. E. Condra, Lincoln Executive Committee J. A. Dickinson, Gresham H. B. Lowry, Lincoln 1904. President R. H. Wolcott, Lincoln Vice-President Mrs. C. S. Lobingier, Omaha Recording Secretary and Custodian, Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln Corresponding Secretary E. H. Jones, Dunbar Treasurer August Eiche, Lincoln '' Anna E. Caldwell, Lincoln Executive Committee H. B. Duncanson, Peru ^ S. R. Towne, Omaha 4 Proceedings of the 1905. President Wilson Tout, Dunbar Vice-President Agnes M. Dawson, Omaha Recording Secretary and Custodian, Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln Corresponding Secretary Anna E. Caldwell, Lincoln Treasurer F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha ^ Lawrence Bruner, Lincoln Executive Committee R. H. Wolcott, Lincoln ^ August Eiche, Lincoln 1906-7. President S. R. Towne, Omaha Vice-President Mrs. George H. Payne, Omaha Recording Secretary, Custodian, and Editor, Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln Corresponding Secretary .... Elizabeth Van Sant, Omaha Treasurer F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha rH. B. Lowry, Lincoln Executive Committee E. H. Barbour, Lincoln ^Wilson Tout, Dunbar STANDING COMMITTEES I90;' Record Committee. — R. H. Wolcott, chairman; Myron H. Swenk, Lawrence Bruner, F. H. Shoemaker, L S. Trostler, J. A. Dickinson. Educational Coiiiniittce. — Wilson Tout, chairman ; Caroline Stringer, Lawrence Bruner, H. B. Duncanson, Anna Caldwell, Mrs. A. E. Sheldon. Advisory Editorial Committee. — Myron H. Swenk, chairman; R. PL Wolcott, Lawrence Bruner. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union ABSTRACT OF MINUTES FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING The fourth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornitholog"ists' Union was called to order in room 301 of Mechanic Arts Hall, University of Nebraska, at 11:30 a.m., January 24, 1903, with President Bates in the chair. Fifteen members were present. The Recording- Secretary reported that the proceedings of the third annual meeting, having been unavoidably delayed in pub- lishing, were about to come from the press. He also described a card catalogue of the members which he had prepared. His report was, on motion of Lawrence Bruner, accepted and adopted. The Corresponding Secretary then briefly reported on the duties of his office. The report of the Treasurer was, in his absence, read by the Recording Secretary. On motion of Lawrence Bruner, the report was referred to an auditing committee to be appointed by the chair. The President appointed as this com- mittee Lawrence Bruner, Elizabeth Van Sant, and J. C. Craw- ford, Jr. The Record Committee reported considerable progress. On motion of H. B. Ward, all new business was left to the after- noon session. The Corresponding Secretary then reported on the result of the mail ballot and pronounced the followi'ng officers as elected : President, F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha, Vice-President, Anna E. Caldwell, Lincoln, Corresponding Secretary, J. C. Crawford, Jr., West Point, Treasurer, August Eiche, Lincoln, Executive Committee, Geo. E. Condra, Lincoln ; J. A. Dickin- son, Gresham; H. B. Lowry, Lincoln. On motion of Lawrence Bruner, the present Recording Sec- retary was continued in office for the coming year, in accordance with the previously expressed desire of the Union to make this a permanent office. The creation of the office of Custodian was accomplished, and Myron H. Swenk of Lincoln appointed by the Executive Committee to fill it. Adjournment at 12:20 p.m. to. 6 Proceedings of the meet again at 2:30 p.m. On reassembling the following program was enjoyed : President's Address, "Birds and Man" J. AI. Bates "Educational Value of Bird Study" Mrs. C. S. Lobingier "Devices for Interesting Children in Bird Study". .Anna Caldwell "Observations of the Number of Birds to the Square Mile in Custer County" J. M. Bates "Birds of the Niobrara Valley" Myron H. Swenk "Birds of Cherry County" R. H. Wolcott Each of these papers was thoroughly discussed by the members after presentation. The matter of forming an Audubon Auxiliary was presented by the Recording Secretary, and a scheme, with a proposed con- stitution, for its organization presented. He then moved the appointment of a committee to control this organization. H. B. Ward moved as a substitute motion that a committee of five be appointed by the President to take in charge the bird protection work in this state, and that the matter be referred to this com- mittee for action. Carried. The President appointed Wilson Tout, chairman, and Anna Caldwell, Mrs. C. S. Lobingier, Law- rence Bruner, and R. H. Wolcott as this committee. The proposed amendments to the constitution were read, and, on motion of Lawrence Bruner, were adopted. A motion by Lawrence Bruner that with the sanction of the Executive Com- mittee the secretaries be empowered to accept for publication articles on birds not found in Nebraska was carried. A motion by Lawrence Bruner that a committee of five be appomted to take in charge the execution of a proposition to make the fifth annual meeting one devoted especially to game birds was carried. The President appointed as the committee R. H. Wolcott, chair- man; Lawrence Bruner, G. B. Simpkins, L S. Trostler, J. M. Bates. A motion by R. H. Wolcott that the Secretary be em- powered to prepare the published volumes of the proceedings in bound form, provided any member authorized by the President would care to take the matter in charge, was carried. F. H. Shoe- maker moved that the business transactions carried on at the morning session be ratified. After reading of minutes they were Nebraska Onutholo gists' Union 7 adopted. A motion made by R. H. Wolcott that the i\uditing Committee continue in office and report to the Secretary for pub- Hcation was carried. A vote of thanks to the retiring- President was given and the new President introduced. Adjournment. R. H. Wolcott, Secretary. First Annual Field Day. — This meeting was held at Lincohi, May 9, 1903, the party dividing into two sections, one taking the train to Waverly and returning through the woods along Salt creek, the other section going around the lake west of Lincoln and visiting the adjacent sloughs. The composite list reached 104 species and subspecies for the day. FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING The fifth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was called to order in room 301 of Mechanic Arts Hall, University of Nebraska, at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 1904, and, in the absence of President Shoemaker, Vice-President Anna E. Caldwell presided. Twelve members were present. The Secretary' read a letter from President Shoemaker con- veying his deep regret at the unavoidable circumstances which prevented his being present at the meeting, after which he presented an informal report on the duties of his office. The Treasurer's report was then read, and on motion to that effect by R. H. Wolcott, an auditing committee was appointed by the chair. This committee was Lawrence Bruner, Myron H. Swenk, and Wilson Tout. Informal reports from the Custodian, Record Committee, and Committee on Bird Protection were presented. The Executive Committee then reported on the mail ballot. The following officers were declared elected : President, R. H. Wolcott, Lincoln, Vice-President, Mrs. C. S. Lobingier, Omaha, Corresponding Secretary, E. H. Jones, Dunbar. Treasurer, August Eiche, Lincoln, Executive Committee, Anna Caldwell, Lincoln ; H. B. Dun- canson, Peru ; S. R. Towne, Omaha. 8 Proceedings of the The amendment increasing the dues to $2 for active and $1 for associate membership was declared passed, as was also the amendment fixing the quorum at the members present; but that allowing ornithologists from outside the state to become active members was lost. The Executive Committee appointed Myron H. Swenk to the office of Recording Secretary and Custodian. Adjourned at 12 130 to meet again at 2 :30. After calling to order, a discussion of the proposed amendments was indulged in. I. S. Trostler moved the adoption of the amend- ment increasing dues. Carried, A motion by Lawrence Bruner that there be created a list of subscribers was carried. A motion by Lawrence Bruner that the amendment fixing the quorum at the members present be adopted was presented, and amended by L S. Trostler that that number be not less than nine. Motion as amended carried. Motion by L S. Trostler that the amendment allowing ornithologists from outside the state to become active members be laid on the table. Carried. A motion that the present Committee on Bird Protection be continued was carried. On motion of J. M. Bates, article IX was changed to read, "two- thirds of members voting" instead of "two-thirds of the active members." Article VT, section i, was changed to read "one month before the date of annual meeting," instead of "by the first day of November in each year." All business having been transacted, the following program was presented : President's Address, "Birds of Childs Point, Near Omaha" (read by title) F. H. Shoemaker "The Bird Fauna of Cut-Off Lake, Near Omaha". .L S. Trostler "Additional Notes on Cherry County Birds" R. H. Wolcott "Some Bird Horizons" Wilson Tout "Notes Taken in 1903 on the Birds of Sioux County," Lawrence Bruner "California Avian Notes" J. S. Hunter "Bird Observations of a Two Days' Tour in Southwestern Nebraska" Myron H. Swenk "May Lists at Lincoln" R. H. Wolcott "Notes From Norfolk" J. H. Mackay A motion was then made by R. H. Wolcott that a Field Day be held at Omaha the coming May 14. Carried. Installation of Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 9 new officers, and vote of thanks for retiring ones. Adjournment. R. H. WoLCOTT, Secretary. Second Annual Field Day.— In compliance with Dr. VVol- cott's resolution passed at the Annual Meeting, the Field Day was held at Pries' lake, near Florence, Douglas county, May 14, 1904, 79 species being recorded for the day. SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING The sixth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was called to order at 11 :oo a.m. in the lecture room of the Omaha public library, Saturday, December 31, 1904, with President R. H. Wolcott in the chair. Eleven members were present. The report of the Recording Secretary and Custodian was given verbally and briefly by Myron H. Swenk, and on motion of Anna Caldwell was accepted. The Treasurer was not present, and, having prepared no statement in writing, President Wolcott gave a verbal report previously conveyed to hmi by the Treasurer. On motion of Wilson Tout the chair appointed Lawrence Bruner and H. B. Lowry as an auditing committee to examine and report on the Treasurer's report when completed. President Wolcott reported for the Record Committee and Wilson Tout for the Bird Protection Committee. Three names were proposed for mem- bership and unanimously elected. Wilson Tout resigned from the chairmanship of the Bird Protection Committee, owing to lack of time for continuing in that capacity, and the committee was discontinued. The officers were then announced by the Sec- retary. The ballot showed the election of the following members : President, Wilson Tout, Dunbar, Vice-President, Agnes J\I. Dawson, Omaha, Corresponding Secretary, Anna Caldwell, Lincoln, Treasurer, F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha, Executive Committee, Lawrence Bruner, R. H. Wolcott, and August Eiche, all of Lincoln. 10 Proceedings of the Upon request, Wilson Tout, the President-elect, responded briefly, explaining his appreciation of the honor bestowed upon him by the Society. He also moved the adoption of a resolution that the Union extend a vote of thanks to Lawrence Bruner, R. H. Wolcott, and Myron H. Swenk, the authors of the new "Birds of Nebraska," which was carried unanimously. Lawrence Bruner responded briefly. The Union then adjourned at 12 :oo m. to accept the hospitality of S. R. Towne at dinner, and meet again at 2:00 P.M. The afternoon session was called to order at 2 145 p.m. Reading of papers being in order, the following program was rendered: President's Address, "An Analysis of Nebraska's Avifauna," R. H. Wolcott "Bird Observations at Home" Mrs. G. A. Loveland "The Dunbar Bird Club" Wilson Tout "The Birds of Lincoln and Vicinity" Myron H. Swenk "The Arkansas Kingbird and Brewer Blackbird in Knox County" L S. Trostler "The Economic Aspect of Birds" Lawrence Bruner "Methods of Bird Food Study" J. S. Hunter The minutes were approved. The date of the Field Day was left to the Executive Committee. A motion was passed giving a vote of thanks to the retiring officers. Adjournment. Myron H. Swenk. Secretary. Third Annual Field Day. — The Executive Committee de- cided to hold this meeting at Dunbar, Nebraska, May 5 and 6, 1905. In the evening of May 5 a very interesting and well- attended public meeting was held in the town hall, Messrs. Sheldon, Swenk, and Bruner being the speakers of the evening, Wilson Tout presiding. A very enjoyable field meeting was held the next day, though unfavorable weather held the composite list down to 69 species. SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING The seventh annual meeting of the Union was held in room 301, Mechanic Arts Hall, University of Nebraska, on December Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 11 29, 1905. President Tout called the meeting to order at 2:10 I'.M. with eleven members present. The Secretary and Custodian gave a brief verbal report, and, in the absence of the Treasurer, read that officer's report. On motion it was referred to the Executive Committee to audit. A motion extending thanks to the Treasurer and Secretary for their efforts during the past year was unanimously carried. R. H. Wolcott responded briefly for the Record Committee. New business being in order, an extended discussion of the problem of publication vv^as taken up, and finally a motion by R. H. Wolcott that the resources of the Union be devoted to the publication of a quarterly, just as large as possible without incurring indebtedness to the Society, the details to be left to the judgment of the editor, was carried, Wilson Tout desiring to go on record as opposed to the quarterly idea. The Secretary then moved that a permanent Advisory Editorial Com- mittee of two be appointed to confer with, advise, and assist the Secretary in editing the publication, to assume a partial responsi- bility for it, and to start any new incumbent in the duties of the office. The motion was carried. The President appointed Law- rence Bruner and R. H. Wolcott as members of the Advisory Editorial Committee. R. H. W^olcott then moved that a com- mittee of five be appointed as an Educational Committee to take charge of the educational aspect of the Union's aims. The motion prevailed, and the chair appointed Caroline Stringer, Lawrence Bruner, H. B. Duncanson, Anna Caldwell, and Margaret Thomp- son as the Educational Committee. No amendments to the Constitution were presented. The Secretary then announced the officers for 1906, as follows : President, S. R. Towne, Omaha, Vice-President, Mrs. G. H. Payne, Omaha, Treasurer, F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha, Corresponding Secretary, Elizabeth Van Sant, Omaha, Executive Committee, H. B. Lowry, Lincoln ; E. H. Barbour, Lincoln; Wilson Tout, Dunbar. The permanent office of Recording Secretary and Editor was retained by Myron H. Swenk. The afternoon session then adiourned. 12 Proceedings of the The evening session was called to order at 8:30 p.m. President Tout addressed the society upon the subject of "Bird Educational Methods," after which the following program was rendered : "Some Expedients Used in Nest Building" R. H. Wolcott "The Principal Bird Records for 1905" Myron H. Swenk "A Sand-Hill Heronry" R. H. Wolcott "Some Peculiar Birds' Nests'" Lawrence Bruner "The Early Nesting of the Sierra Crossbill" P. B. Peabody After the program R. H. Wolcott moved that Wilson Tout be elected chairman of the Educational Committee, and the motion unanimously prevailed. 'Jlie mmutes of the meeting w^ere read and accepted. Adjournment. Myron H. Swenk, Secretary. Fourth Annual Field Day. — By announcement of the Ex- ecutive Committee, the fourth annual Field Day was held at Peru, May 4 and 5, 1906. On the evening of May 4, exercises were held in the Peru Normal chapel, at which time addresses were given by members of the Union. Wilson Tout acted as chairman of the meeting. R. H. Wolcott gave an illustrated talk on the birds he had observed and photographed m Cherry county during the past two summers. Myron H. Swenk followed with an illustrated discussion of North American birds which have become extinct or are now approaching extinction. Lawrence Bruner then spoke on the problem of bird protection, laying special emphasis upon the local aspects. During the evening several selections by the Peru Male Quartet were very much enjoyed by all. The next day a large and interesting list of birds was secured by the members of the LTnion among the hills about the town. EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING The eighth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was held in two sessions: the first in room 301, Mechanic Arts Hall, University of Nebraska, on Saturday, January 19, 1907 ; the second or adjourned session in the First Congregational Church at Weeping Water, Nebraska, on Saturday, May 18, 1907. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union IB The first session was called to order at 2:30 p.m. with President Towne in the chair, fen members were present. The officers reported briefly, and the Treasurer not being present, his report was read by R. H. Wolcott. Myron H. Swenk reported for the Record Committee. Wilson Tout reported much progress by the Educational Committee, of which he is chairman, and outlined some of the lines of work he proposed to take up. As the meet- ing had been primarily convened for special business, the program, election, and installation of officers and election of members was postponed until the fifth annual May Field Day, which it was unanimously voted should be held at Weeping Water, Nebraska, May 3 and 4, 1907, and which should be considered as an ad- journed session of the present meeting. (Owing to the highly inclement weather of these dates, the meeting was later postponed by the Executive Committee to May 18.) The proposed changes outlined in the Corresponding Secre- tary''s letter of January 14, as voicing the suggestions of the Executive Committee, were then thoroughly debated, pro and con, and it seemed the sentiment of the members that the changes there advised were desirable, namely, ( i ) the reduction of mem- bership classes to one class to be known as members, with annual dues of $2, (2) the combination of the offices of Recording and Corresponding Secretary, the abolishment of the office of Cus- todian, and the formation of the Executive Committee from the officers, and (3) the abandonment for the present of further attempts to carry on bird protection work as started by the Bird Protection Committee and the Audubon Auxiliary of the N. O. U. It was then moved that the Constitution be taken up, section by section, and proposed amendments be acted upon. The follow- ing amendments were carried unanimously : 1. That in article I, section 2, the words, "to encourage the proper study of ornithology- in the schools and to foster the cause of bird protection," be cut out, and the words, "and to encourage the study of birds in the state of Nebraska," be substituted. 2. That article II, section i, be entirely cut out and that section 2 be numbered section i, except that the words, "and active," be cut out, and the words, "only members of this class," be sup- planted by the words, "all members," and the words, "in good standing," be inserted. 14 Proceedings of the 3. That article II, section 3, be entirely cut out, and that section 4 be numbered section 2, and that section 5 be numbered section 3, and that section 6 be entirely cut out. 4. That in article IV, section i, the words, "a Recording Sec- retary, a Corresponding Secretary," be cut out and the words, "a Secretary," be substituted, and the words, "and a Custodian," be cut out. 5. That in article IV, section 2, the words, "three members elected by the Union with the President and Recording Secretary as ex-officio members. The chairman shall be the elective mem- ber of the committee that received the largest number of votes," be cut out, and the words, "the officers," substituted. 6. That in article IV, section 3, the words, "on Records and Migration," be cut out. 7. That in article V, section i, the words, "provided for in article IV, section 3," be cut out, that sections 3 and 4 of Article V be combined under "Duties of the Secretary," and that the words, "to have charge of all property of the Union," be inserted in this section, that section 5 become section 4, that section 6 be cut out, that section 7 become section 5, and that in this section the words, "and place," be inserted and the words, "to decide the election in case of a tie," be cut out. 8. That in article VI, section i, the words, "and the Executive Committee," "a mail," "of active members of the Union," "Cor- responding," and "active," be cut out, and in section 2 the words, "except that the offices of Recording Secretary and Custodian shall be considered permanent," be cut out. 9. That in article VIII, section i, the words, "active," be cut out, that sections 2 and 3 be entirely cut out, and sections 4 and 5 become 2 and 3 respectively. 10. That in article IX, section i, the word, "active," be cut out. 11. That in section 3 of the by-laws "Secretary" be substituted for "Custodian," and in section 6 the word "active" be cut out. It was moved and carried that the Secretary redraft the con- stitution embodying the above amendments, and the copy be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval before pub- lication. Adjournment at 5 -.30 p.m. The second session was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with A. E. Sheldon as chairman. President Towne having found it impossible Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 15 to be present. Four new members were elected. The place and time of the next meeting were discussed, several localities being mentioned, Bellevue and Crete prominently, and the matter was turned over to the Executive Committee for final decision, as the constitution provides. A resolution was unanimously passed ex- pressing the preference that the winter meetings be discontinued, and that all business be transacted in the evening of the Annual Field Day, the reason assigned being that many could not attend both meetings, and preferring the Field Day, the attendance at the business meetings was very small. The report of the Treasurer was submitted, and Lawrence Braner and Wilson Tout were appointed as Auditing Committee. Wilson Tout reported on the May Day Contest inaugurated by the Educational Committee, and provision was made by the Society for furnishing and dis- tribution of the prizes. The election of officers then proceeded by ballot, with the following result : President, Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln, Vice-President, Emily Wood, Omaha, Secretary, Wilson Tout, North IMatte, Treasurer, F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha. The meeting then adjourned at 8:15 p.m., and repaired in a body to the church auditorium to hear the address by Lawrence Bruner on the subject, "Why We Study Birds," which was attended by an interested audience of the townspeople of Weeping Water. Myron H. Swenk, Secretary. Fifth Annual Field Day. — The entire day of Saturday, May 18, was given over to exploring the woods about Weeping Water and observing the birds. During the day 93 species were seen by members of the LTnion, an unexpectedly large list for so late in the season. 16 Proceedings of the Report of Treasurer, 1902-1904 receipts Balance from previous Treasurer, February i, 1902 $64.63 Balance from previous Treasurer, January 22, 1903 10.00 4 Annual dues for 1901 — Active 4.00 4 Annual dues for 1901 — Associate 2.00 44 Annual dues for 1902 — Active 44.00 ^2 Annual dues for 1902 — Associate 16.00 61 Annual dues for 1903 — Active 61.00 61 Annual dues for 1903 — Associate 30.50 ^y Annual dues for 1904 — Active 74.00 31 Annual dues for 1904 — Associate 31.00 2 Annual dues for 1905 — Active 4.00 Sale of Proceedings : 1902 7.20 1903 6.70 1904 4075 $39.S78 EXPENDITURES Paid State Journal Co., February 20, 1902, on II Pro- ceedings $ 50.00 Paid State Journal Co., April 15, 1902, on II Proceedings.. 25.00 Paid State Journal Co., October 28, 1902, balance on II Proceedings 1 1 .05 Postage for 1902 i .50 Paid State Journal Co., September 5, 1903, on III Pro- ceedings 75-00 Paid State Journal Co., January 15, 1904, on III Pro- ceedings 25.00 Postage and stenographic work for 1903 15-25 Paid Cornell Photo and Engraving Co., for plates in III Proceedings, February 2, 1904 20.00 Paid Jacob North & Co., for printing indices, February 3, 1904 24.00 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 17 Paid State Journal Co., March 25, 1904, on III Proceed- ings 20.00 Paid State Journal Co., May 24, 1904, on HI Proceed- ings 20.00 Paid State Journal Co., June 16, 1904, on III Proceed- ings 10.00 Paid State Journal Co., October 3, 1904, on III Proceed- ings I5-00 Paid State Journal Co., November 2, 1904, on III Pro- ceedings 10.00 Paid State Journal Co., December 12, 1904, on III Pro- ceedings 10.00 Paid State Journal Co., December 17, 1904, on III Pro- ceedings 1 500 Paid State Journal Co., January 4, 1905, on III Proceed- ings 1478 Postage, stationery, and stenographic work for 1904 21.45 Balance on 1902 banquet, May 5, 1904 4.00 Paid Woodruff-Collins Printing Co., October 10, 1904. . . . 6.75 Paid New Century Printing Co., December 16, 1904 2.00 $39578 Respectfully submitted, August Eiche, Treasurer. Report of Treasurer, 1905- 1907 receipts 1 Annual dues for 1903 — Associate $ 0.50 2 Annual dues for 1904 — Active 4.00 3 Annual dues for 1904 — Associate 3.00 31 Annual dues for 1905 — Active 62.00 18 Annual dues for 1905 — Associate 18.00 18 Annual dues for 1906 — Active 36.00 10 Annual dues for 1906 — Associate 10.00 3 Annual dues for 1907 — Active 6.00 $139-50 18 Proceedings of the EXPENDITURES Paid State Journal Co., August, 1905, on III Proceedings.. $ 15.00 Paid State Journal Co., November, 1905, on III Proceed- ings 20.00 Paid State Journal Co., December, 1905, balance on III Proceedings 32. 37 Receipt books and postage for Treasurer 5.06 Postage for Secretary 1.42 Stenographic work .25 Premium on money orders .20 Balance on hand. May 18, 1907 65.20 $1.39-50 Respectfully submitted, Frank H. Shoemaker, Treasurer. 19 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS ARTICLE I. (Name and Object) Section I. This Association shall be known as The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Sec. 2. Its aims shall be to promote the study of ornithology by more closely uniting the students of this branch of natural history, and to encourage the study of birds in the state of Nebraska. ARTICLE II. (Members) Section i. Any student of ornithology resident in Nebraska, not less than sixteen years of age, may become a member on receiving a majority vote of the members present at any meeting. All members in good standing shall have the right to vote and hold office. Sec. 2. Honorary members shall be elected for their eminence in ornithology or for distinguished services in furthering the aims for which this Union is established. Sec. 3. Application for membership in the interim between meetings may be considered by the Executive Committee, and the application granted by a unanimous vote of the committee. ARTICLE HI. (Quorum) Section i. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be the active members present at any annual meeting, provided the number is not less than nine. ARTICLE IV. (Officers and Coatmittees) Section i. The officers of this Union shall be: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Sec. 2. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the officers. Sec. 3. Standing committees shall be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. 20 Proceedings of the ARTICLE V. (Duties of Officers and Committees) Section i. Duties of the President. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all the meetings of the Union, to appoint the standing committees, and to perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the office. Sec. 2. Duties of the Vice-President. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to act in the absence or incapacity of the President. Sec. 3. Duties of the Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of the meetings of the Laiion, to countersign all orders and documents issued by the President, to conduct the general correspondence of the Union, to prepare the program of the meetings, to send out the call for such meetings, to superintend the publication of the Proceedings of the Union, to have charge of all property of the Union, and to perform such other duties as properly pertain to the office. Sec. 4. Duties of the Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and have charge of all moneys of the Union and to pay such bills as are endorsed by the President and Secretary. Sec. 5. Duties of the Executive Committee. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to fix the date and place of the annual meeting, to act on applications for membership as provided in article II, section 3, to concur in the appointment of standing com- mittees as provided in Article IV, section 3, to fill by temporary appointment offices which shall become vacant, and to nominate three persons for each of the several offices that are to be filled annually. ARTICLE VI. (Election of Officers and Committees) Section i. The election of all officers shall be by ballot, a ma- jority of those voting being required to elect, and the Secretary shall send a list of the nominees of the Executive Committee to each member one month before the date of the annual meeting. Sec. 2. The term of office shall extend from the end of one annual meeting to the end of the next one. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 21 ARTICLE Vll. (Meetings) Section I. The annual meeting of the Union shall be held at such place and time as the Executive Committee shall decide. ARTICLE VIII. (Dues and Assessments) Section i. The annual dues of the members shall be two dollars ($2), due at the time of election to membership and on the date of each annual meeting thereafter. Sec. 2. In case of failure to pay dues before the close of the year, a member shall forfeit his right to the publications of the Union. Sec. 3. In case of failure to pay dues for two years a member shall be dropped from the roll of the Union. ARTICLE IX. (Amendments) Section i. An amendment to this constitution may be adopted by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present at any annual meeting, one month notice of the proposed amendment having been given all members. BY-LAWS. Section i. The actual amount expended by the officers in carry- ing on their official duties shall be refunded to them. Sec. 2. All members in good standing shall receive gratis one copy of the publications of the Union. Other copies of the publications may be distributed under sanction of the Executive Committee. Sec. 3. All papers presented at the meetings shall be the prop- erty of the Union and shall be filed with the Secretary. Sec. 4. The order of business at the amiual meeting shall be as follows: I, Reports of Officers; 2, Reports of Committees; 3, Proposal of Names and Election of Members ; 4, New Business ; 5, Announcement of Election of Officers and Committees ; 6, 22 Proceedings of the Presentation and Discussion of I'apers and Remarks; 7, Installa- tion of Officers; 8, Reading of Minutes; g, Adjournment. Sec. 5. Application for membership must be made to the Execu- tive Committee, and such application must have the endorsement of at least one member in good standing, which shall be expected to be a proper recommendation of the candidate. Sec. 6. Any of the By-Lav/s may be amended or repealed by vote of a majority of the members. LIST OF MEMBERS Corrected to January i, 1908. Names of Charter Members indicated by an asterisk. HONORARY MEMBERS Miller, Dr. George L., 624 N. 19th St., Omaha 1901 MEMBERS Arter, Jason, Kirkwood, Nebraska 1902 Barbour, Miss Carrie, Dept. Geology, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln, 1902 *Barbour, Dr. E. H., Prof. Geology, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln, 1900 Bassett, S. C, Gibbon, Nebraska 1901 *Bates, Rev. J. M., Red Cloud, Nebraska 1900 Brainerd, Miss Lida, 3214 Hamilton St., Omalia 1904 Bruner, H. F., Swan P. O., Holt County, Nebraska 1901 *Bruner, Lawrence, Prof. Entomology, LTni. of Neb., Lincoln 1900 Bruner, Miss Psyche E., 2314 S. 17th St., Lincoln 1903 *Caldwell, Miss Anna E., State Normal School, Kearney. 1900 *Crawford, J. C, U. S. National Museum, Division Insects, Washington, D. C 1900 ^Dickinson, J. A., Lincoln 1900 Duncanson, H. B., State Normal School, Peru, Nebraska. . . 1901 *Eiche, August, 1133 O St., Lincoln 1900 Frey, C. H., 1133 O St., Lincoln 1901 Gififord, Dr. H., 405 Karbach Block, Omaha 1903 Griggs, Leland, Doane College, Crete, Nebraska 1907 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 28 Harper, JMiss Alice, 2416 Cass St., Omaha 1906 Hartley, Miss Fay, Grand View, Lincoln 1903 *Hayward, Mrs. Mary Smith, Chadron, Nebraska 1900 Hitte, Miss Alice E., 102 S. 25th Ave., Omaha 1904 Isaacson, Miss Hulda, 30th and Seward Sts., Omaha 1905 Johnson, Ross F., R. F. D. No. 3, Burchard, Nebraska 1903 Livers, Rev. Ralph W., South Omaha, Nebraska 1907 Lowry, Dr. H. B., 843 S. loth St., Lincoln 1901 Marshall, Miss Ruth, Dept. Zoology, LTni. of Neb., Lincoln.. 1907 McDonald, Miss Jeanette, Omaha 1905 Milroy, Dr W. F., 312 McCague Building, Omaha 1903 •■*Munro, Rev. G. A., Columbus, Nebraska 1900 Payne, Mrs. Geo. B., 3602 Lincoln Bvd., Omaha 1901 Peabody, Rev. P. B., Blue Rapids, Kansas. 1904 Pollard, Flon. Isaac, Nehawka, Nebraska 1903 Rich, Dr. Guy C, Union Bank Building, Sioux City, Iowa. . 1902 ^Sessions, L., Norfolk, Nebraska 1900 Sheldon, A. E., State Historical Society, Lincoln 1904 Sheldon, Mrs. A. E., Lincoln 1904 "'Shoemaker, Frank H., 2960 Dewey Ave., Omaha 1900 Smith, Mrs. Chas. C, Exeter, Nebraska 1907 Smith, Harry S., Dept. Entomology, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln.. 1907 . Stevens, Dr. J. F., 304-5 Funke Building, Lincoln 1904 *Stringer, Miss Caroline, Omaha High School, Omaha. . . . 1900 *Swenk, Myron H., Dept. Entomology, University of Neb. 1900 Tobitt, Miss Edith, Public Library, Omaha 1907 "Tout, Wilson, No. Platte High School, North Platte, Neb.. 1900 Towne, Dr. S. R., 22 Continental Block, Omaha 1902 *Trostler, Dr, I. S., 423 Garfield Ave., Chicago, 111 1900 Van Sant, A. C, 2960 Dewey Ave., Omaha 1901 *Van Sant, Miss Elizabeth, 2960 Dewey Ave., Omaha 1900 Wallace, J. E., 609 S. 13th St., Omaha 1901 *Wolcott, Dr. R. H., Prof. Anatomy, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln.. 1900 Wolfe, W. E., Wray, Colorado 1903 Wood, Miss Emily, 2444 Templeton St., Omaha 1901 Zimmer, John T., 1701 L St., Lincoln 1907 Vol. IV. Part 2 August 25. l«09 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists' Union AN ANALYSIS OF NEBRASKA'S BIRD FAUNA BY ROBERT H. WOLCOTT The number of species and subspecies of birds known to have occurred up to the present time within the limits of Nebraska is 406, which large number is due to its unusually favorable geo- graphical location. The state lies on the border line between the humid eastern faunal areas and the arid areas of the west, and is frequented by forms characteristic of each. Its extent east and west, and the difference in elevation between the two ends of the state is sufficiently great that while the eastern end is in the Mis- sissippi valley, and shares its faunal character, the northwest cor- ner is fairly in the foothills of the Rocky mountains. Its latitude and the extremes of its climate are such that many southern birds reach its southern border in the summer, while the storms of win- ter bring to it at that season a large number of northern visitors. It should be noted at the outset that in the meeting of eastern and western subspecies of the same species in the state there is, of course, no sharp line dividing them, but on the contrary a gradual shading of the one into the other. Intermediate specimens occur representing all shades of gradation between them. It may be that only a few of the specimens taken at the eastern end of the state represent the one, while only at the extreme west are found specimens typical of the other. But throughout this discussion the subspecies assigned to any region is that to which the major- ity of specimens taken there approach most closely. 25 26 Proceedings of the I The whole number may be grouped as below, the adjectives "eastern," "western," etc., referring to the distribution of the species within the state, and those species which have actually been found breeding being marked by an asterisk. The nomen- clature and the numbers prefixed to the species are according to the most recent revision of the A. O. U. check list. I. — Species found in some part of the state, in larger or SMALLER NUMBERS, AT ALL SEASONS OF THE YEAR *132. Mallard — Anas platyrhynchos Linn. In winter few, on open water, south. *139. Green-winged Tecil—Nctiio): carolmcnsis (Gniel.). In winter few, on open water, south ; in summer rare breeder, north. *143. Pintail — Dafila acuta (Linn.). In winter few, on open water, south. 146. Red-head — Marila amcricaiia (Eyt.). In winter few, on open water, south. *172. Canada Goose — Brania canadensis (Linn.). On larger open bodies of water in winter. ="289. Bob-white — Colinus virginianus (Linn.). *300. Rufifed Grouse — Bonasa umbcllus (Linn.). Eastern. *305. Prairie Chicken — Tympanuchus amcricanus (Reich.). Shows an evident movement southeastward in winter. *308b. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse — Pedioccctcs phasiancllus cainpcstris Ridgw. Western. *309. Sage Hen — Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonap. ). Northwestern. *316. Mourning Dove — Zenaidiira macroura carolinensis (Linn.). In winter in tlocks, south. *325. Turkey Vulture — Cathartes aura septentrionalis (Wied). Rare in winter, south. *331. Marsh Hawk — Circus hudsonius (Linn.). In winter few, south. *332. Sharp-shinned Hawk — Accipiter vclox (Wils.). In winter occa- sional, south ; breeding northwest. *333. Cooper Hawk — Accipiter coopcri (Bonap.). In winter frequent, south. *337. Red-tailed Hawk — Buteo borealis (Gmel.). Eastern. *337a. Krider Hawk — Buteo borealis kriderii Hoopes. Western ; east- ward in winter. 337b. Western Red-tail — Buteo borealis calurus (Cass.). Western; eastward in winter. Nebrask'ci Ornithologists' Union 2i'7 *339. Red-shouldered Hawk — Btiteo lineatus (Gmel.). Eastern; rare in winter, southeast. *342. Swainson Hawk — Bittcu sivainsoni Bonap. Rare in winter, south. *348. Ferruginous Rous^h-leg — Archibuteo ferrugineus (Licht.). Rather western ; east in winter. *349. Golden Eagle — Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.). Now western, rare; more common and eastward in winter. 352. Bald Eagle — Haliactus leucoccphalus (Linn.). Rare. '"355. Prairie Falcon — Falco mexicanus Schlegel. Western ; eastward in winter. 356. Duck Hawk — Falco peregrinus anatum (Bonap.). Probable breeder northwest; in winter rare, southeast. *365. Barn Owl — Altico pratincola (Bonap). Eastern. *366. Long-eared Owl — Asio zvilsonianus (Less.). *367. Short-eared Owl — Asio Hammeus (Pont.). *368. Barred Owl — Sirix varia Bart. Eastern. *372. Saw-whet Owl — Cryptoglaux acadicns (Gmel.). Breeds only east; in winter dispersed over state. *373. Screech Owl — Otus asio (Linn.). *375. Great Horned Owl — Bubo virginianus (Gmel.). Eastern. *375a. Western Horned Owl — Bubo virginianus pallesccns Stone. West- ern. *378. Burrowing Owl — Spcutylo cunicularia hypogaea (Bonap.). Now rare eastward. *390. Belted Kingfisher — Ceryle alcyon (Linn.). In winter about open water, south. *393. Hairy Woodpecker — Dryvbates villosus (Linn.). Eastern. *393e. Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker — Dryobates villosus monticola Anth. Western. *394b. Batchelder Woodpecker — Dryobates pubescens homorus (Cab.). Western. '^394c. Northern Downy Woodpecker — Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swains.). Eastern. "405. Northern Pileated Woodpecker- — Phloeotomus pileatus abieticola (Bangs). Eastern. Possibly extinct. *406. Red-headed Woodpecker — Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linn.). Rare in winter, southeast. *408. Lewis Woodpecker — Asyndcsmus lewisi Riley. Western. *409. Red-bellied Woodpecker — Centrums carolinus (Linn.). Rare in winter, southeast. *412a. Northern Flicker — Colaptes auratus luteus Bangs. More common eastward. *413. Red-shafted Flicker — Colaptes cafer collaris (Vigors). More common westward. *474b. Prairie Horned '[.ark— Otoe oris alpestris praticola Hensh. East- 28 Proceedings of the *474c. Desert Horned Lark — Otocoris alpestris leucolaema (Coues). Western ; eastward in winter. *475. Magpie — Pica pica hudsonica ( Sab. ) . Now western ; moving east- ward in winter. *477. Blue Jay — Cyanocitla cristata ( Linn. ) . More common eastward ; less numerous in winter. *488. Crow — Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm. Rare westward. *492. Pinion Jay — Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus (Wied). Western: moving ea.stward in winter. *.501.1. Western Meadowlark — Sturnella neglecta Aud. Few in winter, south. *51]b. Bronzed Grackle — Quiscalus quiscula aeneus (Ridg. ). In winter few, south. 521. Red Crossbill — Loxia curvirostra minor (Brehm). Present in summer in the Pine ridge ; in winter dispersed over state. *529. Goldfinch — Astragalinus tristis (Linn.). Eastern. .")29a. Western Goldfinch — Astragalinus tristis pallidus Mearns. West- ern. 533. Pine Siskin — Spinus pinus (Wils.). Probably breeds northwest. *566. White-winged Junco — Junco aikeni Ridg. Northwestern. 581. Song Sparrow — Melospiza melodia (Wils.). In winter, south; rare in summer, north. Most of our winter birds are the Da- kota Song Sparrow. *587. Towhee — Pipilo erythro phthalmus Linn. Eastern. In winter rare, southeast. *588. Arctic Towhee — Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Swain.). Western, eastward in migrations. In winter rare, southeast. *593. Cardinal — Cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.). Southeastern. *619. Cedar Waxwing — Bombycilla ccdrorum Vieill. Rare breeder, north ; few in winter, .south. *726. Brown Creeper — Certhia familiaris americana (Bonap.). Eastern. Rare in summer ; in winter, common only southeast. *727. White-bellied Nuthatch — Sitta carolincnsis Lath. Eastern. *737c. Rocky Mountain Nuthatch — Sitta carolincnsis nclsoni Mearns. Western. 731. Tufted Titmouse — Baeolophus bicolor (Linn.). Eastern. *735. Eastern Chickadee — Penthestes atricapillus (Linn.). Rare, east. *735a. Long-tailed Chickadee — Penthestes atricapillus septentrionalis (Harris). *754. Townsend Solitaire — Myadestes townsendii (Aud.). Northwest; in winter southeastward. *761. Robin — Planesticus migratorius (Linn.). Few in winter, south- east. *766. Bluebird — Sialia sialis (Linn.). In winter rare, southeast. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 29 II. — Species migrant in spring and fall and which remain IN LARGER OR SMALLER NUMBERS TO BREED IN THE STATE; AND ALSO SUMMER VISITORS WHICH ARE STRAGGLERS AND DO NOT BREED HERE *3. Horned Grebe — Colymbus auritus Linn. Not common. *4. Eared Grebe — Colymbus nigricollis californicus (Heerm.). *6. Pied-billed Grebe — Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). 58. Laughing Gull — Larus africilla Linn. Summer straggler from the south. *69. Forster Tern — Sterna forsteri Nutt. *74. Least Tern — Sterna a>ttillanim Less. *77. Black Tern — Hydrochelidon nigra surinamcnsis (Gmel.). *131. Hooded Merganser — Lophodytcs cucullatus (Linn.). *135. Gadwall — Chaulelasmiis streperus (Linn.). 137. Widgeon — Mareca americana (Gmel.). *140. Blue-winged Teal — Querquedula discors (Linn.). *142. Shoveller — Spatula clypeata (Linn.). *144. Wood Duck — Aix sponsa (Linn.). Eastern. *147. Canvasback — Marila vallisneria (Wils.). 150. Ring-necked Duck — Marila collaris (Donov.). *167. Ruddy Duck — Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmel.). *181. Trumpeter Swan — Olor buccinator (Rich.). Now rare breeder. 186. Glossy Ibis — Plegadis autumnalis (Hass.). Straggler from the southeast. 187. White-faced Glossy Ibis — Plegadis guarauna (Linn.). Straggler from the southwest. *190. Bittern — Botaurus lentiginosus (Mont.). *191. Least Bittern — Ixobrychus exilis (Gmel.). Eastern. *194. Great Blue Heron — Ardea herodias Linn. 196. Egret — Herodias egretta Gmel. Straggler from the south. *197. Snowy Egret — Egretta candidissima Gmel. Rare. 200. Little Blue Heron — Florida caerulea Linn. Straggler from the south. *20l. Green Heron — Btitorides vircscens Linn. Eastern. *202. Black-crowned Night Heron — Nycticorax nycticorax naeinus (Bodd.). 203. Yellow-crowned Night Heron — Nyctanassa violacea (Linn.). Rare straggler from the south. *206. Sandhill Crane — Grus mexicana (Muell.). *208. King Rail — Rallus elegans Aud. Eastern. *212. Virginia Rail — Rallus virginianus Linn. Eastern. *214. Sora — Porsana Carolina (Linn.). Eastern. 216. Black Rail — Creciscus jamaicensis (Gmel.). Rare. 218. Purple Gallinule — lonornis martinica (Linn.). Straggler from southeast. 30 Proceedings of the *219. Florida Gallinule — Callinula galatea (Licht.). Eastern. *221. Coot — Fulica americana Gmel. *224. Wilson Phalarope — Steganopus tricolor (Vieill.). *225. Avocet — Recurvirostra americana Gmel. 226. Black-necked Stilt — Himantopus mcxicanus (Muell.). Straggler from the south. *228. Woodcock — Philohela minor (Gmel.). Eastern. Rare. 249. Marbled Godwit — Limosa fcdoa (Linn.). 254. Greater Yellow-legs — To tonus mclanoleucus (Gmel.). *256. Solitary Sandpiper — Helodromas solitcrius (Wils.). Rare breeder, north. *258a. Western WiUet—Catoptrophorus seinipalmatus inornatus (Brewst.). *261. Upland Plover — Bartramia longicamla (Bechst.). *263. Spotted Sandpiper — Actitis macularia (Linn.). *264. Long-billed Curlew — Numenius americanus Bechst. *273. Killdeer — Oxyechus vociferus (Linn.). *277. Piping Plover — Aegialitis meloda (Ord). 281. Mountain Plover — Podasocys montanus (Towns.). Western. 326. Black Vulture — Catharista uruhu (Vieill). Straggler from the south. *327. Swallow-tailed Kite — Elanoides f urticatus { Linn. ) . Eastern. Rare. 337d. Harlan Hawk — Buteo borealis liarlani (Aud.). Straggler from the southwest. *343. Broad-winged Hawk — Buteo platyptcrus (Vieill.). Eastern. 3.57b. Richardson Pigeon Hawk — Falco columharius richardsonii (Ridg. ). Rare now. *360. Sparrow Hawk — Falco sparvcrius Linn. 360a. Desert Sparrow Hawk — Falco sparvcrius phalaena Less. West- ern ; straggling eastward in migrations. *364. Osprey — Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.). Eastern. *387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo — Coccyztis americanus (Linn.). Eastern. *388. Black-billed Cuckoo — Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wils.). 402. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker — Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.). Eastern. *417. Whip-poor-will — Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.). Eastern. *418. Poorwill — Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (Aud.). Western. *420. Nighthawk — Chordeiles virginianus (Gmel.). Eastern. *420a. Western N'ghthawk — Chordeiles virginianus licuryi (Cass.). Western. *420c. Sennett Nighthawk — Chordeiles virginianus scnnetfi (Coues). Western. Eastward in migrations. *423. Chimney Swift — Chaefura pelagica (Linn.). Eastern. *425. White-throated Rock Swift — Aeronautes melanoleucus fBd. ). Western. *428. Ruby-throated Hummingbird — Archilochus colubris (Linn.). Eastern. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 31 432. Broad-tailed Hummingbird — Sclasplwrus plalycercus (Swain.). Western. 443. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher — Muscivora forficata (Gmel.). Straggler from the south. *444. Kingbird — Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.). *447. Arkansas KAnghwA—Tyrannus verticalis Say. Western, rare breeder eastward ; more common eastward in migrations. *452. Great-crested Flycatcher — Myiarchits crinitus (Linn.). F.astern. *456. Phoebe — Sayornis phoehc (Lath.). Eastern. *457. Say Phoebe — Sayornis saya (Bonap.). Western. *461. Wood Pewee — Myiochanes vircns (Linn.). Eastern. 462. Western Wood Pewee — Myiochanes richardsonii (Swain.). West- ern. *465. Acadian Flycatcher — Empidonax vircscens (Vieill.). Elastern ; but taken once as straggler in Pine ridge. *466. Traill Flycatcher — 'Empidonax traillii (Aud.). 466a. Alder Flycatcher — Empidonax traillii alnorum Brewst. Probably breeds in northwest ; migrant in state eastward. *467. Least Flycatcher — Empidonax minimus Bd. Eastern. *494. Bobolink — Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn,). Eastern. *495. Co^h\rd—M olothrus ater (Bodd.). *497. Yellow - headed Blackbird — Xantliocephalus xanthoccphalus (Bonap.). As a breeder more common westward. *498. Red-winged Blackbird — Agelaiiis phocniceus (Linn.). *501. Meadowlark — SttirncUa magna (Linn.). Rare. Local race breed- ing about Cherry county lakes. *506. Orchard Oriole — Icterus spurius (Linn.). Eastern. *507. Baltimore Oriole — Icterus galbula (Linn.). Eastern. *508. Bullock Oriole — Icterus bullocki (Swains.). Western. *510. Brewer 'Qlackh'nd—Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagl.). Breeding northward and westward. *538. Chestnut-collared Longspur — Calcariuj ornatus (Towns.). Breed- ing northward. *539. McCown Longspur— Rhynccphanes mccownii (Lawr.). Western. *540. Vesper Sparrow — Fooecetes gramineus (Gmel.). Eastern. *540a. Western Vesper Sparrow — Pooecetes gramineus rontinis Bd. Western. 546. Grasshopper Sparrow — Ammodramus savannanttn uustralis Mayn. Straggler along eastern border of state. *.546a. Western Grasshopper Sparrow — Ammodramus savannavum bima- culatus Swain. *547a. Western Henslow Sparrow — Passcrlicrhulus henslozvii occidentalis (Brewst). Eastern. *552. Lark Sparrow — Chondestes grammacus (Say). Eastern. *552a. Western Lark Sparrow — Chondestes grammacus sfrigatus (Swain.). Western. 32 Proceedings of the *560. Chipping Sparrow — Spizella passerina (Bechst.). Eastern. *560a. Western Chipping Sparrow — SpizcUa passerina arizonac Coues. Western. *561. Clay-colored Sparrow — Spizella pallida (Swain.). Rare breeder northward. *562. Brewer Sparrow — Spizella breiveri Cass. Breeder in northwest. *563. Field Sparrow — Spizella pusilla (Wils.). Eastern. *563a. Western Field Sparrow — Spizella pusilla arcnacea Chad. West- ern. *584. Swamp Sparrow — Melospiza gcorgiana (Lath.). Eastern. *595. Rose-breasted Grosbeak — Zamelodia ludoviciana (Linn.). Eastern. *596. Black-headed Grosbeak — Zamelodia melanocephala (Swain.). Western. *597a. Western Blue Grosbeak — Guiraca caerulea lazula (Less.). *598. Indigo Bunting — Passerina cyanea (Linn.). Eastern. *599. Lazuli Bunting — Passerina amoena (Say). Western. *604. Dickcissel — Spiza americana (Gmel.). *605. Lark Bunting — Calamospiza melanocorys Stejn. Rare eastward. *607. Western Tanager — Piranga ludoviciana (Wils.). Western. *608. Scarlet Tanager — Piranga crythromelas Vieill. Eastern. *610. Summer Tanager — Piranga rubra (Lmn.). Rare; southeastern. *611. Purple Martin — Progne subis (Linn.). Eastern. *612. Cliff Swallow — Petrochelidon limifrons (Say). *613. Barn Swallow — Hirundo erythrogastra Bodd. *614. Tree Swallow — Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieill.). Breeds northward. *61.5. Violet-green Swallow — Tachycincta tltalessina lepida (Mearns). Western. *616. Bank Swallow — Riparia riparia (Linn.). *617. Rough-winged SwaWow—Stelgidoptrryx scrripennis (Aud.). East- ern. *622a. White-rumped Shrike — Lanius ludovicianus cxcubitorides (Swain.). 622e. Migrant Shrike — Lanius ludovicianus migrans Palmer. Eastern. *624. Red-eyed Vireo — Vireosylva olivacea (Linn.). *627. Warbling Vireo — Vireosylva gilva (Vieill.). Eastern. *627a. Western Warbling Vireo — Vireosylva giha Stvainsonii (Bd.). Western. *62S. Yellow-throated Vireo — Lanivireo Havifrons (Vieill.). Eastern. *629b. Plumbeous Vireo — Lanivireo solifarius plumbeus (Coues). Breed- ing in northwest. 630. Black-capped Vireo — Vireo atricapillus Woodh. Straggler from southwest. *63]. White-eyed Vireo — Vireo novcboraccnsis (Gmel.). Eastern. *633. Bell Vireo — Vireo bcllii Aud. Eastern. *636. Black and White Warbler — Mniotilla varia (Linn.). Eastern. *637. Prothonotary Warbler — Protonotaria citrea (Bodd.). Eastern. 639. Worm-eating Warbler — Helmitheros vermivorus (Gmel.). East- ern. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union S'd *641. Blue-winged Warbler — Vermivura pinus (Linn.). Eastern. *645. Nashville Warbler — I'ermivora rubricapilla (Wils.). Eastern. 648a. Northern Parula Warbler — Cumpsothlypis amcricana usneae Brewst. Eastern. *652. Yellow Warbler — Dendroica aestiva (Gmel.). *656. Audubon Warbler — Dendroica auduboni (Towns.). Western. *658. Caerulean Warbler — Dendroica caerulea (Wils.). Eastern. *659. Chestnut-sided Warbler — Dendroica pennsyhauica (Linn.). East- ern. 663a. Sycamore Warbler — Dendroica dominica albilora Ridg. Straggler from the south to the southeastern part of the state. *673. Prairie Warbler — Dendroica discolor (Vieill.). Eastern. *674. Ovenbird — Sciurtis aurocapillus (Linn.). *675a. Grinnell Water-thrush — Scinrus noveboracensis notabilis Ridg. Breeds northwestward. *676. Louisiana Water-thrush — Sciurus motacilla (Vieill.). Eastern. *677. Kentucky Warbler — Oporornis formosa (Wils.). Eastern. [*679. Mourning Warbler — Oporornis Philadelphia (Wils.). Eastern. Breeding reported but once and the occurrence, if true, no doubt accidental.] 680. MacGillivray Warbler — Oporornis tolmiei (Towns.). Western. *681. Yellowthroat — Geothlypis trichas (Linn.). Eastern. *681a. Western Yellowthroat — Geothlypis trichas occidentalis Brewst. Western. *683. Yellow-breasted Chat — Ictcria virens (Linn.). Eastern. *683a. Long-tailed Chat — Icteria virens longicauda (Lawr.). Western. 684. Hooded Warbler — Wilsoma citrina (Bodd.). Eastern. Rare. *687. Redstart — Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.). 701. Dipper — Cinclus mexicanus unicolor (Bonap. ). Straggler from west to western Nebraska. 702. Sage Thrasher — Oroscoptes montanus (Towns.). Summer resi- dent in northwest. *703. Mockingbird — Mimus polyglottos (Linn.). Eastern. *703a. Western Mockingbird — Mimus polyglottos leucopterus (Vig.). Western. *704. Catbird — DumetcUa carolinensis (Linn.). *705. Brown Thrasher — Toxostoma rufum (Linn.). *715. Rock Wren — Salpinctes obsolctus (Say). Western. 718. Carolina Wren — Thryothprus ludovicianus (Lath.). Rare; south- eastern. *719. Bewick Wren — Thryoinanes bezvickii (Aud.). Southeastern; rare. *721a. Western House Wren — Troglodytes aedon parkmanii Aud. *724. Short-billed Mar.sh Wren — Cistothorus stellaris (Licht.). Eastern. *725d. Long-billed Marsh Wren — Telmatodytes palustris iliacus Ridg. *751. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher — Folioptila caerulea (Linn.). Eastern. *755. Wood Thrush — Hylocichla niustelina (Gmel.). 34 Proceedings of the 758a. Olive-backed Thrush — Hylccichla ustulata szvainsomi (Cab.). In Pine ridge canyons in summer. *76]a. Western Robin — Plancsticiis mignitorius propinqua (Ridg. ). Western. *768. Mountain Bluebird — Sialia currucoidcs (Bechst.). Western. III. — Species occurring in the state only in spring and fall MIGRATIONS AND BREEDING NOT PROBABLE, THOUGH INDI- VIDUALS MAY BE SEEN IN SUMMER, PRESUMABLY BIRDS THAT HAVE FALLEN OUT IN MIGRATION FROM SOME CAUSE, AS PERHAPS, IN THE CASE OF SHORE BIRDS AND DUCKS, IN- JURY BY SHOT WOUNDS. SOME OF THEM MAY REMAIN IN THE WINTER DURING MILD WEATHER 1. Western Grebe — Acchmophorus occidenlalis Law'r. Straggler from the west. 7. Loon — Gavia immer (Briinn.). 36. Pomarine Jaeger — Stercorarius poiiiarinus (Temm.). Rare. 37. Parasitic Jaeger— Stercorarhis parasiticus (Linn.). Rare. 51. Herring Gull — Larus argentatus Pont. 54. Ring-billed Gull — Larus delazvarensis Ord. A possible breeder northward in the sand hills. 59. Franklin Gull — Larus franklinii Swain. & Rich. 60. Bonaparte Gull — Larus Philadelphia (Ord). 64. Caspian Tern — Sterna caspia Pall. 70. Common Tern — Sterna hirundo Linn. 120. Double-crested Cormorant — Phalacrocorax auritus (Less.). 125. White Pelican — Pelecanus crythrorhynchos Gmel. May have once bred. 126. Brown Pelican — Pelecanus occidentaUs (Linn.). A straggler only. 129. Merganser — Mergus americanus Cass. May winter. 130. Red-breasted Merganser — Mergus serrator Linn. May winter. 133. Red-legged Black Duck — Anas ruhripes Brewst. 133a. Black Duck — Anas rubripes tristis Brewst. A possible breeder. 136. European Widgeon— Mart'ro pcnclopc (Linn.). Accidental. 141. Cinnamon Teal— Quer que dula cyanoptera (VieilL). Rare: more common westward. 148. Scaup — Marila niarila (Linn.). 149. Lesser Scaup — Marila affinis (Eyt. ). A possible breeder in the sand hills, northward. 153. Buffle-head — Charitonetta albcola (Linn.). May winter. 169. Snow Goose — Chen hyperborea (Pall.). 169a. Greater Snow Goose — Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.). 169.1. Blue Goose — Cheri caeruleseens (Linn.). Ncbnuka Untiihoioi^ists' Union ^5 171a. White-fronted Goose — Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.). 172a. Hutchins Goose — Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Rich.). Ma^*- winter. 172c. Cackling Goose — Branta canadensis minima Ridg. 173a. Brant — Branta bcrnicla ghucogastra (Brehm). A straggler. 180. Whistling Swan — Otor coliimbianus (Ord). 204. Whooping Crane — Grus americana (Linn.). May have once bred. 205. Little Brown Crane — Griis canadensis (Linn.). 215. Yellow Rail — Coiurnicops noveboracensis (Gmel.). Rastern. .223. Northern Phalarope — Lobipes lobatus (Linn.). 230. Jack Snipe — Gallinago delicata (Ord). Winters regularly in small numbers about springs and spring-fed bogs. Has been seen during the summer, north. 231. Dowitcher — Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.). 232. Long-billed Dowitcher — Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). 233. Stilt Sandpiper — Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.). 234. Knot — Tringa canutus Linn. 239. Pectoral Sandpiper — Pisobia maculata (Vieill.). 240. White-rumped Sandpiper — Pisobia fuscicollis (Vieill.). 241. Baird Sandpiper — Pisobia bairdii (Coues). Has been seen during the summer. 242. Least Sandpiper — Pisobia minutilla (Vieill.). A possible rare breeder, north. 243a. Red-backed Sandpiper — Pelidna alpina sakhalina (Vieill.). 246. Semipalmated Sandpiper — Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.). Has been taken during the summer. 248. Sanderling — Calidris Icucophaea (Pall.). 251. Hudsonian Godwit — Limosa haemastica (Linn.). 255. Yellow-legs — Tetanus fiavipes (Gmel.). Has been seen in sum- mer. 262. Buff-breasted Sandpiper — Tryngites subriiiicolUs (Vieill.). Has been taken in summer. 265. Hudsonian Curlew — Ntimrnius hudsonicus Lath. 266. Eskimo Curlew — Numenius borealis (Forst.). 270. Black-bellied Plover — Squatarcla squatarola (Linn.). 272. Golden Plover — Charadrius dominicus Muell. 274. Semipalmated Plover — Aegialitis semipalmata Bonap. 278. Snowy Plover — Aegialitis nivosa Cass. Straggler from west. 283a. Ruddy Turnstone — Arcnaria interpres morinella (Linn.). 357. Pigeon Hawk — Falco columbarius Linn. A few winter. 459. Olive-sided Flycatcher — Nuttallornis borealis (Swain.). 463. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher — Empidonax Haviventris Bd. Eastern. 498d. Northern Redwing — Agelaiiis phoeniceus fortis Ridg. Frequently winters. 509. R'usty Blackbird — Euphagiis carolinus (Muell.). Occasionally winters. 36 Proceedings of the 517. Purple Finch — Carpodacus purpurcus (Gmel.). Rarely winters. .537. Painted Longspur — Calcarius pictus (Swain.). 542a. Savannah Sparrow — Passcrculus sandwichensis savanna (Wils. ). Eastern. 542b. Western Savanna Sparrow — Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus (Bonap.). A possible breeder northwestward. 545. Baird Sparrow — Ammodramus bairdii (Aud.). 548. Leconte Sparrow — Passerherbulus leconteii (Aud.). .549.1. Nelson Sparrow — Passerherbulus nelsoni (Allen). 553. Harris Sparrow — Zonotrichia querula (Nutt.). Winters commonly south. 554. White-crowned Sparrow — Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.). 554a. Intermediate Sparrow — Zonotrichia leucophrys gantbelii (Nutt.). 558. White-throated Sparrow — Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmel.). East- ern. .581 j. Dakota Song Sparrow — Melospica melodia juddi (Bishop). Win- ters. 583. Lincoln Sparrow — Melospiza lincolnii (Aud.). 585. Fox Sparrow — Pnsserella iliaca (Merr.). Eastern. Rarely win- ters. 585c. Slate-colored Fox Sparrow — Passerella iliaca schistacea (Bd. ). Western. 626. Philadelphia Vireo — Vireosylva Philadelphia Cass. Eastern. 629. Blue-headed Vireo — Lanivireo solitarius (Wils.). Eastern. 638. Swainson Warbler — Helinaia szvainsonii Aud. Straggler from southeast, once recorded. 642. Golden-winged Warbler — '/ermivora chrysoptera (Linn.). Eastern. 644. Virginia Warbler — Vermivora virginiac (Bd.). Straggler from southwest. 646. Orange-crowned Warbler — Vermitiora celata (Say). 647. Tennessee Warbler — Vermivora pcregrina (Wils.). Eastern. 650. Cape May Warbler — Dendroica tigrina (Gmel.). Eastern. 654. Black-throated Blue Warbler — Dendroica caerulescens (Gmel.). Eastern. 655. Myrtle Warbler — Dendroica coronata (Linn.). 657. Magnolia Warbler — Dendroica magnolia (Wils.). Eastern. 660. Bay-breasted Warbler — Dendroica castanea (Wils.). Eastern. 661. Black-poll Warbler — Dendroica striata (Forst.). Eastern. 662. Blackburnian Warbler — Dendroica fusca (Muell.). Eastern. 667. Black-throated Green Warbler — Dendroica virens (Gmel.). East- ern. 671. Pine Warbler — Dendroica vigorsii (Aud.). A possible breeder. Eastern. 672. Palm Warbler — Dendroica palmarum (Gmel.). Eastern. 679. Mourning Warbler — Oporornis Philadelphia (Wils.). Eastern. Nebraska Ornithologists Union 37 685. Wilson Warbler — Wilsonia f>usilla (Wils.). Eastern. 685a. Pileolated Warbler — Wilsonia pusilla pileolata (Pall.). Western. 686. Canadian Warbler — Wilsonia canadensis (Linn.). Eastern. 697. Pipit — Anthus rubescens (Turn.). 700. Sprague Pipit — Anthus sj>ragueii (Aud.). 748. Golden-crowned Kinglet — Regulus satrapa Licht. Rarely winters. 749. Ruby-crowned Kinglet — Regulus calendula (Linn.). Rarely win- ters. 756a. Willow Thrush — Hylocichla fiisccsccns salicicola Ridg. 757. Gray-cheeked Thrush — Hylocichla aliciae (Bd.). Eastern. 759a. Audubon Hermit Thrush — Hylocichla guttata auduboni (Bd.). 759b. Hermit Thrush — Hylocichla guttata pallasii (Cab.). Eastern. 767a. Chestnut-backed Bluebird — Sialia mexicana bairdi Ridg. Strag- gler from the west. IV. — Winter visitors to the state 2. Holboell Grebe — Colymbus holboellii (Reinh.). 9. Black-throated Loon — Gavia arcticus (Linn.). Straggler. One record. 11. Red-throated Loon — Gavia stellata (Pont.). Rare. Two records. 43. Iceland Gull — Larus leucopterus Faber. Straggler. One record. 47. Great Black-backed Gull — Larus marinus Linn. Straggler. One record. 62. Sabine Gull — Xema sabinii (Sab.). 151. Golden-eye — Clangula clangtila americana (Bonap. ). 152. Rocky Mountain Golden-eye — Clangula islandica (Gmei.). 154. Old Squaw — Harclda hycmalis (Linn.). 155. PTarlequin Duck — Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn.). 163. Scoter — Oidemia americana Swain. 165. White-winged Scoter — Oidonia deglandi Bonap. 166. Surf Scoter — Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.). 334. Goshawk — Aster atricapillus (Wils.). 347a. Rough-leg — Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmel.). 370. Great Gray Owl — Scotiaptex nebulosa (Gmel.). Straggler. One definite record. 371. Richardson Owl — Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni (Bonap.). Straggler. Two records. 375b. Arctic Horned Owl — Bubo virginianus subarcticus (Hoy). Straggler. Two records. 376. Snowy Owl — Nye tea nyctea (Linn.). 377a. Hawk Owl — Surnia ulula caparoch (Muell.). Straggler. One record. 400. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker — Picoides arcticus (Swain.). Rare. 474. Horned Lark — Otocoris alpestris (Linn.). Eastern. 88 Proceedings of the 474k. Hoyt Horned Lark — Otocoris alpestris hoyti Bishop. 478c. Black-headed Jay — Cyanocitta stcUeri annectens (Bd. ). Straggler from the west. One record. 484. Canada Jay — Perisoreus canadensis (Linn.). Straggler. One record. 484a. Rocky Mountain Jay — Perisoreus canadensis capitalis Ridg. Northwest. 491. Clark Nutcracker — Nucifraga columbiana (Wils.). .\ possible breeder in the northwest. Southward and eastward in winter. 514. Evening Grosbeak — Plespcriphona vcspcrtina (Coop.). 515. Pine Grosbeak — Pinicola enucleator leucura (Muell.). 521a. Mexican Crossbill — Loxia curvirostra Strickland! Ridg. 522. White-winged Crossbill — Loxia leucoptera Gmel. 524. Gray-crowned Rosy Finch — Leucoslicte tephracotis Swain. West- ern, straggling eastward. 528. Redpoll — Acanthis linaria (Linn.). 534. Snow Bunting — Plcctrophenax nivalis (Linn.). 536. Lapland Longspur — Calcarius lapponicus (Linn.). 536a. Alaska Longspur — Calcarius lapponicus alascensis Ridg. Western. 559. Tree Sparrow — Spisella monticola (Gmel.). Eastern. 559a. Western Tree Sparrow — Spisella monticola ochracea Brewst. 567. Slate-colored Junco — J unco hyemalis (Linn.). 567b. Shufeldt Junco — Junco hyemalis shnfeldti Coale. Straggle^ from west. 618. Bohemian Waxwing — Bomby cilia garrula (Linn.). 621. Northern Shrike — Lanius borealis Vieill. 722. Winter Wren — Nannus liiemalis (Vieill.). Eastern. 726b. Rocky Mountain Creeper — Ccrthia familiaris moniana Ridg. Northwest. 728. Red-bellied Nuthatch — Sitta canadensis Linn. 730. Pygmy Nuthatch — Sitta pygmaea Vigors. Northwestern. V. — Species now extinct within the limits of Nebraska 307. Lesser Prairie Hen — Tympanuchus pallidicinctus Ridg. Now found in southwestern U. S. Not seen in Nebraska since the early seventies. *310. Wild Turkey — Meleagris gallopavo iilvestris (Vieill.). Formerly eastern. 315. Passenger Pigeon — Ectopistes niigratorius (Linn.). *382. Carolina Paroquet — Conuropsis carolinensis (Linn.). Formerly southeastern. 486. Western Raven — Corvus corax sinuatus (Wagl.). 487. White-necked Raven — Corvus cryptoleucus Couch. Western. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 39 VI. — Intkoihtced spi:('ii:s Ring-necked Pheasant — Phasianus lurqualus Gmel. Southeastern. English Sparrow — Passer doinesticus (Linn.). The distribution of Nebraska birds through the year may, then, be summarized as follows : Found within the state during the whole year 72 Found in migrations and during the summer 174 Found during spring and fall migrations, in certain cases accidental in summer, and in others possibly wintering 106 Winter birds, possibly in some cases coming early in fiill and in others lingering late in spring 46 Birds now extinct within the limits of the state 6 Introduced species, which have gained a foothold 2 406 Birds concerning the breeding of which within the state we have deli- nite positive evidence 205 Birds, not known to be extinct, which have been taken in mid-summer 257 Birds, not known to bo extinct, which have been taken during mid- winter 1 ,^2 II It is interesting and not without significance to compare the number of forms included in the Nebraska fauna with the total number recognized in the A. O. U. check list, according to the latest revision (July, 1909). introduced species being excluded. N. AM. . NEBR. PER CENT Pygopodes (Divers ) 36 8 22 Longipennes (Gulls, Terns; 50 15 30 Tubinares (Albatrosses, Shearwaters, Petrels) 41 — — Steganopodes (Cormorants, Pelicans, etc.).... 25 3 12 Anseres (Ducks, Geese, Swans ) 65 39 60 Odontoglossae (Flamingos) j — — Herodiones (Ibises, Herons ) 26 11 42 Paludicolae (Cranes, Rails, etc.) 24 11 46 Limicolae ( Shore birds) 77 37 48 Gallinae (Pheasants, Grouse, etc.) 53 7 13 Columbae (Doves, Pigeons) 17 2 12 Raptores (Hawks, Owls, etc.) 100 39 39 Psittaci ( Parrots) 2 ] 50 40 Proceedings of the N. AM. NEBK. PER CENT Coccyges (Cuckoos, Kingfishers, etc.) 13 3 23 Pici (Woodpeckers) 47 12 26 Macrochires (Goatsuckers, Swifts. J-fumming- birds) 35 9 26 Passeres (Flycatchers and song birds) 595 ^07 35 Total 1207 404 33.5 Water birds 345 124 36 Some of the larger passerine families furnish the following figures : A.O. II. NEBR. PERCENT Tyrannidae (Flycatchers) '36 14 39 Alaudidae (Horned Larks) 15 4 27 Corvidae (Crows, Jays, etc.) 39 10 26 Icteridae (Blackbirds, Orioles, etc.; 34 13 38 Fringillidae (Sparrows, Finches, etc."> 191 60 31.5 Hirundinidae (Swallows) 17 7 41 Vireonidae (Vireos) 25 10 40 Mniotiltidae (Wood Warblers) 74 42 57 Troglodytidae (Wrens) 34 7 21 Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) 15 5 33 Paridae (Titmice) 24 3 12 Turdidae (Thrushes) 30 12 40 A comparison of the percentage composition of the bird fauna of North America and Nebraska develops the same facts that are brought out above. N. AM. NEB. PER CENT PER CENI Pygopodes 3.0 2.0 Longipennes 4.1 3.7 Tubinares 3.4 — Steganopodes 2.0 0.7 Anseres 5.4 9.6 Odontoglossae 0.8 — Herodiones 2.1 2.7 Paludicolae 2.0 2.7 Limicolae 6.4 9.2 Water birds 28.6 30.7 Gallinae 4.4 1.7 Columbae 1.4 0.5 Raptores 8.3 9.6 Psittaci 0.2 0.25 Coccyges 1.1 0.7 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 41 N. AM. NEB. PER CENT PER CENT Pici ■ • 3.9 3.0 Macrochires 2.9 2.2 Passeres 49.3 51.2 100.7 99.75 Passerine families : Tyrannidae 3.0 3.5 Alaudidae 1.2 1.0 Corvidae 3.2 2.5 Icteridae 2.8 3.2 Fringillidae 15.8 14.9 Hirundinidae 1-4 1.7 Vireonidae 2.0 2.5 Mniotiltidae 6.1 10.4 Troglodytidae 2.8 1.7 Mimidae 1.2 1.2 Paridae 2.0 0.7 Turdidae 2.5 3.0 Certain facts developed by these figures might reasonably have been inferred ; others, however, are not exactly what would have been expected. Excluding the Odontoglossae and the Psittaci, where the num- bers are so small as to permit of the drawing of no conclusions, Nebraska has less than its share of Pygopodes, Tubinares, and Steganopodes, which are in part or all marine ; of Columbae, Coccyges, and Macrochires, which are of more southern distribu- tion ; and of Gallinae and Pici, which seem to be rather localized in distribution and tending to break up into more numerous local forms to the south and west. On the other hand, the state has a relatively large number of Anseres. Paludicolae, and Limicolae, due to its position in the Mississippi valley, the great highway for such birds in migration, and of Herodiones, which show a ten- dency to straggle northward in summer along this same pathway. Water birds, as a group, are relatively numerous in the state, also, because of the general evenness of its surface over the greater part of its extent and the number of ponds and sloughs which dot its surface. The Raptores are numerous because of the abundance of food, the sparse population of certain portions of the state, and 42 Proceedings of the also because the geographical location of Nebraska is such as to bring to its borders forms from both east and west. The families of Passeres show some striking contrasts. Tyran- nidae, Icteridae, Hirundinidae. Vireonidae, Mniotiltidae, and Turdidae are relatively numerous. This may be explained in the case of the Hirundinidae by the fact that the forms do not show a tendency to break up into subspecies and are of wide distribu- tion; in the case of the Mniotiltidae by diis fact and also by the fact that in the relatively few cases where subspecies occur, Ne- braska receives its share of both eastern and western forms ; and in the case of the other families by the occurrence of both eastern and western subspecies. Nebraska is relatively deficient in Fringillidae, which seems particularly surprising, and in Alaudidae, Corvidae, Troglody- tidae, Mimidae, and Paridae. The family Troglodytidae reaches its highest development in tropical America, and the species in- crease rapidly in number as we go southward. The others show a strong tendency to the formation of local races, more numerous west and south, and in the case of the Corvidae, and especially the Paridae, this is accompanied with a minimum tendency toward migration. Ill If for the purposes of further analysis we limit our discussion to those birds which make their home in Nebraska we shall deal with only 232 species and subspecies, including all those listed above as residents, those summer birds which can in no sense be considered stragglers, and species which formerly bred but are now extinct. It is interesting to observe in what direction from Nebraska lie the centers of distribution of these forms during their breeding season. In the compilation of these lists we have depended upon the last edition of Coues' Key (1903) and the four volumes, now published, of Ridgway's Birds of North and Middle America. Of these birds the following are of general distribution in North America : 6. Pied-billed Grebe. 142. Shoveller. 69. Forster Tern. 144. Wood Dnck. 132. Mallard. 190. Bittern. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 4a 191. Least Bittern. 364. 194. Great Blue Heron. 366. 201. Green Heron. 390. 202. Black-crowned Night Heron. 495. 221. Coot. 611. 263. Spotted Sandpiper. 612. 273. Killdeer. 613. 316. Mourning Dove. 614. 331. Marsh Hawk. 616. 332. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 617. 333. Cooper Hawk. 652. 352. Bald Eagle. Osprey. Long-eared Owl. Belted Kingfisher. Cowbird. Purple Martin. Cliff Swallow. Barn Swallow. Tree Swallow. Bank Swallow. Rough-winged Swallow. Yellow Warbler. To these should be added the following which are distributed generally over the interior of the continent: ■206. Sandhill Crane. 224. Wilson Phalarope. 258a. Western Willet. 305. Prairie Chicken. 511b. Bronzed Crackle. 547a. Western Henslow Sparrow. 633. Bell Vireo. Two forms are characteristic of the high plains, of which a con- siderable portion of this state forms a part. These are : 420c. Sennett Nighthawk. 563a. Western Field Sparrow. Thus Nebraska lies, roughly speaking, at the center of distri- bution of 38 forms. The following birds breed mainly to the northward of us : Solitary Sandpiper. Upland Plover. Long-billed Curlew. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. Golden Eagle. Duck Hawk. Short-eared Owl. Saw-whet Owl. Red Crossbill. Pine Siskin. Chestnut-collared Longspur. McCown Longspur. Clay-colored Sparrow. Cedar Waxwing. Olive-backed Thrush. 3. Horned Grebe. 256. 77. Black Tern. 261. 131. Hooded Merganser. 264. 135. Gadwall. 308b. 137. Widgeon. 349. 139. Green-winged Teal. 356. 140. Blue-winged Teal. 367. 143. Pintail. 372. 146. Red-head. 521. 147. Canvas-back. 533. 150. Ring-necked Duck. 538. 167. Ruddy Duck. 539. 173. Canada Goose. 561. 181. Trumpeter Swan. 619. 249. Marbled Godwit. 758a. 254. Greater Yellow-legs. 44 Proceedings of the 74. Least Tern. 197. Snowy Egret. 236. Black Rail. Six species are more abundant, as breeders, to the southward : 325. Turkey Vulture. 327. Swallow-tailed Kite. 365. Barn Owl. Naturally, most of our breeding birds are distributed along the same parallels of latitude as those which cut Nebraska, and the centers of abundance are either to the eastward or westward. In enumerating these forms those whose range extends rather more to the north or to the south of these parallels are indicated by the letters N or S, respectively, in parentheses. To the eastward are the following: 208. King Rail (S). 428. Ruby-throated Humming- 212. Virginia Rail (N). bird. 214. Sora (N). 444. Kingbird. 219. Florida Gallinule (S). 452. Great-crested Flycatcher. 228. Woodcock (N). 456. Phoebe. 277. Piping Plover. 461. Wood Pewee. 289. Bob-white. 465. Acadian Flycatcher (S). 300. Ruffed Grouse. 466a. Alder Flycatcher (N). 337. Red-tailed Hawk. 467. Least Flycatcher (N). 339. Red-shouldered Hawk. 474b. Prairie Horned Lark (N). 343. Broad-winged Hawk. 477. Blue Jay. 360. Sparrow Hawk. 488. Crow. 368. Barred Owl (N). 494. Bobolink (N). 373. Screech Owl. 498. Red-winged Blackbird (N). 375. Great Horned Owl. 501. Meadowlark (N). 387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (S). 506. Orchard Oriole (S). 388. Black-billed Cuckoo. 507. Baltimore Oriole. 393. Hairy Woodpecker. 529. Goldfinch (N). 394c. Northern Downy Wood- 540. Vesper Sparrow (N). pecker (N). 552. Lark Sparrow. 402. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker 560. Chipping Sparrow. (N). 563. Field Sparrow. 405. Northern Pileated Wood- 581. Song Sparrow (N). pecker (N). 584. Swamp Sparrow (N). 406. Red-headed Woodpecker. 587. Towhee (N). 409. Red-bellied Woodpecker 593. Cardinal (S). (S). 595. Rose-breasted Grosbeak 412a. Northern Flicker (N). (N). 417. Whip-poor-will. 598. Indigo Bunting. 420. Nighthawk. 604. Dickcissel (S). 423. Chimney Swift. 608. Scarlet Tanager. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 45 610. Summer Tanager (S). 681. 622e. Migrant Shrike (N). 683. 624. Red-eyed Vireo. 684. 627. Warbling Vireo. 687. 628. Yellow-throated Vireo. 703. 631. White-eyed Vireo. 704. 636. Black and White Warbler. 705. 637. Prothonotary Warbler (S). 718. 639. Worm-eating Warbler (S). 719. 641. Blue-winged Warbler (S). 724. 645. Nashville Warbler (N). 648a. Northern Parula Warbler (N). 725c 638. Caerulean Warbler (N). 726. 659. Chestnut-sided Warbler 727. (N). 731. 663a. Sycamore Warbler (S). 735. 673. Prairie Warbler. 751. 674. Oven-bird (N). 755. 676. Louisiana Water-thrush (S). 761. 677. Kentucky Warbler (S). 766. Yellowthroat (N). Yellow-breasted Chat (S). Hooded Warbler (S). Redstart (N). Mockingbird (S). Catbird. Brown Thrasher. Carolina Wren (S). Bewick Wren (S). Short-billed Marsh Wren (N). Long-billed Marsh Wren (N). Brown Creeper (N). White-bellied Nuthatch (N). Tufted Titmouse (S). Chickadee (N). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Wood Thrush. Robin. Bluebird. To the westward we find 4. Eared Grebe. 457. Say Phoebe. 223. Avocet. 462. Western Wood Pewee. 281. Mountain Plover (N). 466. Traill Flycatcher. 309. Sage Hen. 474c. Desert Horned Lark (N). 337a. Krider Hawk. 475. Magpie. 337b. Western Red-tail. 492. Pinion Jay. 342. Swainson Hawk. 497. Yellow-headed Blackbird. 348.. Ferruginous Rough-leg. 501.1. Western Meadowlark. 355. Prairie Falcon. 508. Bullock Oriole. 357b. Richardson Pigeon Hawk. 510. Brewer Blackbird. 360a. Desert Sparrow Hawk. 529a. Western Goldfinch. 375a. Western Horned Owl. 340a. Western Vesper Sparrow. 378. Burrowing Owl. 546a. Western Grasshopper Spar- 393e. Rocky Mountain Hairy row. Woodpecker. 552a. Western Lark Sparrow. 394b. Batchelder Woodpecker. 560a. Western Chipping Sparrow. 408. Lewis Woodpecker. 562. Brewer Sparrow. 413. Red-shafted Flicker. 566. White-winged Junco (N). 418. Poor-will. 588. Arctic Towhee. 420a. Western Nighthawk. 596. Black-headed Grosbeak. 425. White-throated Rock Swift. 597a. Western Blue Grosbeak 432. Broad-tailed Hummingbird. (S). 447. Arkansas Kingbird. 599. Lazuli Bunting. 46 Proceedings of the 605. Lark Bunting. 683a. Long-tailed Chat. 607. Western Tanager. 702. Sage Thrasher. 615. Violet-green Swallow. 703a. Western Mockingbird (S). 622a. White-rumped Shrike. 715. Rock Wren. 627a. Western Warbling Vireo. 721a. Western House Wren. 629b. Plumbeous Vireo. 727c. Rocky Mountain Nuthatch. 656. Audubon Warbler. ' 7.35a. Long-tailed Chickadee. 675a. Grinnell Water-thrush (N). 754. Townsend Solitaire. 680. MacGillivray Warbler. 761a. Western Robin. 6Sla. Western Yellowthroat. 768. Mountain Bluebird. Again, to recapitulate, of the birds that make their home in Nebraska : 38 find here approximately their center of distribution, 31 are more abundant to the northward, 6 are more abundant to the southward, 94 are eastern birds, and 63 are western forms, making a total of 232. IV The distribution of animal life in Nebraska is such that those who have worked upon the problem have come unanimously to the recognition of five distinct regions, based particularly upon the study of the birds and mammals, but also substantiated by ob- servations made upon other groups. These agree roughly with the phytogeographical areas into which the state has been di- vided,* and correspond to marked differences in topographical and climatological conditions. They have been previously de- finedf as follows : 1. The Missouri Region, including the wooded bottoms, bluffs, and ravines along the Missouri river, and extending outward along the tributary streams into the next region. 2. The Prairie Region, including rolling prairies, intersected with streams fringed with a straggling growth of timber, and ex- tending westward approximately half way across the state. Its *Pound and Clements. The Phytogcograpliy of Nebraska. Lincoln : 1900. ■''Wolcott. Biological Conditions in Nebraska. Proc. Neb. Acad. Sci., viii : 1906. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 47 western limit, where it meets the sand-hill region, is an irregular but very definite line ; to the northward it merges into the plains region in the Niobrara valley and south of the Platte it meets the plains region again by a boundary which is ill-defined. 3. The Sand-hill Region, a broad expanse of sand hills between the Niobrara valley on the north and the Platte valley on the south, together with several smaller outlying areas of sand hills south of the Platte and north of the Niobrara. 4. The Plains Region, high arid table-lands, westward from the preceding to the boundary of the state, extending eastward along the Niobrara and south of the Platte to meet the prairie region. 5. The Pine Ridge Region, a foot-hill area including the deep canyons of the Pine ridge in Sioux and Dawes counties, the sides of which are covered with an open growth of pines, while the deep, cool recesses have a thicker growth of pine and deciduous trees and harbor many plants of a northern distribution or of higher altitudes. (Conditions here have been well described by Gary in these Proceedings for the Third Annual Meeting, pp. 63-750 Of these regions the first two belong to the Carolinian faunal area, as defined by Merriam, which is the humid portion of the Upper Austral life zone ; the third and fourth are in the Upper Sonoran, which is the arid portion of the same life zone ; while the fifth is to be referred to the Transition zone. The character of the bird fauna in each region is determined by the conditions of temperature and moisture which form the basis for the establish- ment of these zones and areas, and also by other local conditions. An enumeration of the more prominent environments in each region will serve to indicate the character of each and its possi- bilities as a place of residence for birds : I. The Missouri region. 1. The river, with its shifting sand-bars. 2. The thickets of willow, and young cottonwoods. 3. The tall bottomland timber, largely cottonwood. 4. The cleared areas, cultivated fields, and scattered shrub- bery of the bottom-lands. 5. The cut-off ponds, and swamps or marshes.- 48 Proceedings of the 6, The cool wooded ravines with springs and brooks. 7. The bluffs with open woods and shrubbery and occa- sional vertical clay banks, largely artificial in origin. II. The prairie region. 1. The larger streams, generally broad and shallow and with shifting sand-bars and sandy mud-flats. 2. The smaller streams with steep, muddy banks. 3. The prairie ponds, with marshes and mud-flats, fre- quently alkaline. 4. The fringe of straggling timber and shrubbery along the streams. 5. Thickets of plum and other shrubs back from the streams, on higher ground, and following up the draws. 6. The open prairie, with weed patches, especially at the heads of the draws. 7. Planted groves. This region follows up the river valleys into the sand-hill region. III. The sand-hill region. 1. The open sand hills, with "blow-outs," where the wind has scooped out a sandpit, often twenty-five to fifty yards across. 2. Shrubbery here and there in sheltered pockets in the hills. 3. Wet valleys with hay flats, sloughs and marshes. 4. Lakes with sandy, marshy or boggy shores. Mostly without outlets. The streams which lead out of this region head in such lakes or bogs or marshes. 5. Tree-claims and groves about the ranches. IV. The plains region. 1. The open level plains. 2. The few streams running frequently in more or less narrowed, often rock-walled, canyons. 3. Irrigating ditches and artificial ponds. 4. Few and relatively small marshy tracts along the streams or ditches or about the ponds. 5. Rocky buttes and ridges rising above the general level. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 49 6. Straggling pine timber scattered over the sides of the canyons or on the tops and talus slopes of the buttes and ridges. 7. Deciduous trees and shrubbery in the bottoms of the canyons and along the streams. 8. The "bad lands." V. The Pine ridge region. 1. The deep canyons, often several hundred feet in depth hemmed in by sheer rocky walls and pine-covered talus slopes. 2. The mixed pine and deciduous tree growth and shrub- bery forming a dense cool thicket at the bottoms of the canyons where are cold springs, and, leading away from them, small brooks, which often are lost out in the valley, which belongs to the previous re- gion and is Upper Sonoran. V In discussing the distribution of Nebraska birds with respect to the regions of the state outlined above, we have first to consider a considerable number which are able to adapt themselves to such a variety of conditions that they find a suitable environment in each of them, in which they are resident during the breeding sea- son. They are as follows :* 289. Bob-white. Now general; 388. formerly Mo. and Pr. 406. 316. Mourning Dove. 412a. 325. Turkey Vulture. 333. Cooper Hawk. 413. 342. Swainson Hawk. 357b. Richardson Pigeon Hawk. 444. Now very rare. 466. 360. Sparrow Hawk. 488. 366. Long-eared Owl. 373. Screech Owl. 495. Black-billed Cuckoo. Red-headed Woodpecker. Northern Flicker. More common eastward. Red-shafted Flicker. More common westward. Kingbird. Traill Flycatcher. Crow. Rare S. and west- ward. Cowbird. *In the lists which follow these abbreviations are used : Mo., Missouri region ; Pr., prairie region ; S., sand-hill region ; PI., plains region ; P. R'., Pine ridge region. 50 Proceedings of the 511b. Bronzed Grackle. Not com- 687. mon westward. 704. 581. Song Sparrow. Northward only. 705. 597a. Western Blue Grosbeak. 612. Cliff Swallow. 721a. 613. Barn Swallow. 735a. 632a. White-rumped Shrike. 755. 624. Red-eyed Vireo. 6.52. Yellow Warbler. 761. 674. Ovenbird. Very rare, if 766. present, S. Redstart. Rare S. Catbird. More common east- ward. Brown Thrasher. Rare west- ward. Western House Wren. Long-tailed Chickadee. Wood Thrush. Rare S. and westward. Robin. Bluebird. Rare westward. The following are excluded from the Pine ridge region by the narrow sense in which that term is here appHed, including only the wooded canyons, but are found in all the others : Solitary Sandpiper. North- ward. Spotted Sandpiper. Killdeer. Marsh Hawk. Short-eared Owl. Belted Kingfisher. Y e 1 1 o w-headed Blackbird. Rare east of S. Red-winged Blackbird. Western Meadowlark. Dickcissel. Bank Swallow. Long-billed Marsh Wren. There are a few birds which belong to the open country and are therefore common to the prairie, sand-hill, and plains regions, but not found in the other two. They are : 4. Eared Grebe. Most common S. Pied-billed Grebe. 256. 6. 263. 132. Mallard. Not common ex- 273. cept S. 331. 140. Blue-winged Teal. Most 367. common S. 390. 172. Canada Goose. Formerly ; now only S. and PI. and 497. rare. 498. 190. Bittern. Most common S. 501.1, 191. Least Bittern. 604. 194. Great Blue Heron. Rare PL 616. 202. Black-crowned Night Heron. 725d, 221. Coot. Most common S. 77. Black Tern. Most abundant 261. Upland Plover. S. 277. Piping Plover. Rare PI. 142. Shoveller. Rare except S. 305. Prairie Chicken. 206. Sandhill Crane. Rare except 378. Burrowing Owl. S. 475. Magpie. Formerly ; now 249. Marbled Godwit. North- only PI. and P. R. ward. 546a. Western Grasshopper Spar- 254. Greater Yellowlegs. North- row. ward. 605. Lark Bunting. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 51 It is worthy of note that no woodland birds are common to the two woodland regions, the Missouri and the Pine ridge. The ranges of the following birds in the state are practically limited by the boundary of the Carolinian area, and they are there- fore confined to the Missouri and prairie regions, except as they straggle out the fringe of trees and shrubbery along the rivers into the plains, or across to the lakes and marshes of the sand-hills : 74. Least Tern. 131. Hooded Merganser. Also in PI. northward. 144. Wood Duck. Also in PI. northward. 197. Snowy Egret. Southward. 201. Green Heron. 208. King Rail. Rare S. 312. Virginia Rail. Also S. 214. Sora. Rare S. 216. Black Rail. 219. Florida Gallinule. Rare S. 327. Swallow-tailed Kite. South- ward. 337. Red-tailed Hawk. 339. Red-shouldered Hawk. Rare Pr. 365. Barn Owl. 368. Barred Owl. 375. Great Horned Owl. 387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Rare S. 393. Hairy Woodpecker. Into PI. northward. 394c. Northern Downy Woodpeck- er. Into PI. northward. 420. Nighthawk. 409. Red-bellied Woodpecker. 417. Whip-poor-will. Rare Pr. 423. Chimney Swift. 428. Ruby-throated Humming- bird. 452. Great-crested Flycatcher. 456. Phoebe. Rare S. 461. Wood Pewee. 465. Acadian Flycatcher. Rare Pr. 474b. Prairie Horned Lark. 477. Blue Jay. Rapidly extend- ing in S. and PI. 494. Bobolink. Into S. north- ward. 506. Orchard Oriole. Into PI. north and south. 507. Baltimore Oriole. 529. Goldfinch. 540. Vesper Sparrow. 547a. Western Henslow Sparrow. 552. Lark Sparrow. 5C0. Chipping Sparrow. 563. Field Sparrow. 584. Swamp Sparrow. Rare S. 587. Towhee. 593. Cardinal. Southward. 595. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 598. Indigo Bunting. 608. Scarlet Tanager. 611. Purple Martin. 614. Tree Swallow. Into PI. northward. 617. Rough-winged Swallow. Into PI. and S. 63 9. Cedar Waxwing. Into PI. northward. 622c. Migrant Shrike. 627. Warbling Vireo. 628. Yellow-throated Vireo. 631. White-eyed Vireo. Rare Pr. 633. Bell Vireo. 636. Black and White Warbler. Into PI. northward. 639. Worm-eating Warbler. Rare Pr. 52 Proceedings of the 677. Kentucky Warbler. Rare 718. Pr. 724. 681. Yellowthroat. 727. 683. Yellow-breasted Chat. 731. 703. Mockingbird. 215. Yellow Rail. 657. 463. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. 660. 542a. Savanna Sparrow. 661. 558. White-throated Sparrow. 662. 585. Fox Sparrow. 667. 626. Philadelphia Vireo. 629. Blue-headed Vireo. 671. 642. Golden-winged Warbler. 672. 647. Tennessee Warbler. 679. 650. Cape May Warbler. 685. 654. Black-throated Blue War- 686. bler. 759b. Carolina Wren. Southward. Short-billed Marsh Wren. White-bellied Nuthatch. Tufted Titmouse. South- ward. It may be added that the following are limited to this area in migrations : Magnolia Warbler. Bay-breasted Warbler. Black-poll Warbler. Blackburnian ,Warbler. Black-throated Green War- bler. Pine Warbler. Palm Warbler. Mourning Warbler. Wilson Warbler. Canadian Warbler. Hermit Thrush. The bird fauna of the Missouri region, naturally, is character- ized particularly by the number of woodland forms, and those which follow, though they may straggle through the prairie re- gion in their migrations, find only in the former, within the state, conditions suitable for summer residence and breeding. Prothonotary Warbler. Blue-winged Warbler. Nashville Warbler. Northern Parula Warbler. Caerulean Warbler. Chestnut-sided Warbler. Prairie Warbler. Louisiana Water-thrush. Hooded Warbler. Bewick Wren. Southward. Brown Creeper. Chickadee. Rare, most spec- imens 735a. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Turning now to the Upper Sonoran we find the following birds ranging throughout the two regions belonging to this area : 228. Woodcock. 637. 300. Ruffed Grouse. 641. 343. Broad-winged Hawk. 645. 352. Bald Eagle. Northward. 648a. 364. Osprey. Northward. 658. 372. Saw-whet Owl. 659. 382. Carolina Paroquet. Now ex- 673. tinct. 676. 402. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. 684. 405. Northern Pileated Wood- 719. pecker. Now rare, if not 726. extinct. 735. 467. -Least Flycatcher. 610. Summer Tanager. South- ward. 751. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 53 264. Long-billed Curlew. North- 539a. ward. 040a. 308b. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. 552a. Northward. 563a. 348. Ferruginous Rough-leg. 588. 37.5a. Western Horned Owl. Also P. R. 596. 420c. Sennett Nighthawk. 599. 447. Arkansas Kingbird. Rarely 681a. in Pr. also. 683a. 474c. Desert Horned Lark. Western Goldfinch. Western Vesper Sparrow. Western Lark Sparrow. Western Field Sparrow. Arctic Towhee. Also P. R. Black-headed Grosbeak. Also P. R. ; rarely into Pr. Lazuli Bunting. Rare S. Western Yellowthroat. Long-tailed Chat. The following are confined as summer residents to the sand- hill region, the lakes and marshes of which harbor a numerous water-bird population : Ring-necked Duck. Ruddy Duck. Trumpeter Swan. Formerly. Wilson Phalarope. Avocet. Western Willet. Rare. Meadowlark. A local race about the lakes of Cherry county. The following are common to the plains and the Pine ridge regions : 475 3. Horned Grebe ward. . Rare, north- 150. 167. 69. Forster Tern. 181. 135. Gadwall. 224. 137. Widgeon. 225. 139. Green-winged northward. Teal. Rare, 258a. 501. 143. Pintail. 146. Red-head. 147. Canvasback. Rare. 360a. Desert Sparrow Hawk. 418. Poor-will. 432. Broad-tailed Hummingbird. 715. 457. Say Phoebe. T61a. 462. Western Wood Pewee. In groves. These are characteristic of the plains region : Magpie. Formerly eastward to Pr. Rock Wren. Western Robin. 281. Mountain Plover. .309. Sage Hen. Northwestward. 337b. Western Red-tail. Rare. 420a. Western Nighthawk. 508. Bullock Oriole. In groves 510. Brewer Blackbird. Also ex- tending into Pr. north- ward. 538. 539. 561. 562. 70:; 703a. Chestnut-collared Longspun Northward. McCown Longspun Clay-colored Sparrow. Northward. Brewer Sparrow. North- westward. Sage Thrasher. Northwest- ward. Western Mockingbird. 54 Proceedings of the Finally, the following are peculiar to the Transition in the Pine ridge region : 333. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 533. Pine Siskin. 337a. Krider Hawk. 560a. Western Chipping Sparrow. 349. Golden Eagle. .566. White-winged Junco. 355. Prairie Falcon. GOT. Western Tanager. 356. Duck Hawk. 615. Violet-green Swallow. 393c. Rocky Mountain Hair y G27a. Western Warbling Vireo. Woodpecker. 629b. Plumbeous Vireo. 394b. Batchelder Woodpecker. 656. Audubon Warbler. 408. Lewis Woodpecker. 675a. MacGillivray Warbler. 425. White-throated Rock Swift. 727c. Rocky Mountain Nuthatch. 466a. Alder Flycatcher. 754. Townsend Solitaire. 492. Pinion Jay. 758a. Olive-backed Thrush. 521. Red Crossbill. 768. Mountain Bluebird. To recapitulate, we have: Forms generally distributed in the state 34 Forms excluded only from the Pine ridge region. . 22 Forms generally distributed in prairie, sand-hill, and plains regions 12 Forms belonging to the Missouri and prairie re- gions 64 (Forms migrating through these two regions alone 32) Forms peculiar to the Missouri region 24 Forms peculiar to the prairie region 0 Total Carolinian forms (excluding migrants).... 8> Forms of general distribution in the Sonoran area 16 Forms peculiar to the sand-hill region 15 Forms peculiar to the plains region 12 Forms common to plains and Pine ridge regions. . 8 Total Upper Sonoran forms 51 Forms peculiar to the Pine ridge region (Transi- tion) 25 232 The five regions may be contrasted thus, excluding from each the forms which show a tendency to straggle into it from another : SUMMER PECULIAR RESIDENTS TO IT Missouri region 144 24 Prairie region j[. . 132 0 Sand-hill region '. . . 99 15 Plains region 104 12 Pine ridge region 67 35 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 55 The forms peculiar to both the Missouri and Pine ridge re- gions are mostly woodland forms ; those peculiar to the sand hills, with one exception, water birds ; while those peculiar to the plains are birds of the west which find the western end of Nebraska within the limit of their range. The prairie region is distinctly Carolinian, which brings it into contrast with the sand-hill region, which is Upper Sonoran ; but it has no marked physical or floral features, such as have the other regions, to attract forms peculiar to it, and is marked off from the rest of the Carolinian area by negative rather than positive characters. The small number of forms in the Pine ridge region is due to the narrow limit here set to it, practically restricting it to woodland forms. VI Of course neither resident birds nor migrants are evenly dis- tributed through any given type of environment, and birds are often migrant in environments from which as residents they are excluded. Studies expected to furnish data in regard to such local distribution of forms within our state are now being carried on, but have not progressed far enough to permit of exact state- ments being made. It is hoped that more of our members than are now engaged in such investigations may participate. Most valuable work can be done in any locality by one who will make a careful study of the local bird fauna with respect to occurrence and abundance of different forms in the various local environ- ments and during the different seasons of tlie year. Plate I -3; < ca w 2 u. o in o 5 w 2; i ■;: -c tf Pi n ,, Cl V) a S « C ^-_ r- «i •— < (^ t/J F- 1- Plate II The ]VIissox;ri Region. — Upper figure, a view near Peru, sliovving a wooded bluff, the Missouri river with sandbars, islands and bottomland timber, and the opposite bluffs in the distance. Lower figure, a creek in Richardson county, nine miles from its conHuence with the Missouri, show- ing heavy timber. Pi ATE III The Prairie Regiox. — Upper tigurc, a piece of virgin open prairie four miles west of Lincoln, showing the upper end of a draw. Lower figure, a view in Johnson county, showing the manner in which timber follows up a creek vallev and out into tributary draws. I'l.ATK 1\' The Sand-iiill Region. — Upper figure, a view in the sand hills, on the Dismal river Forest Reserve, Thomas county, showing the characteristic topography. Lower figure. Watt's lake, Cherry county, a typical sand-hill lake surrounded liy reeds and rushes; sand in the forcgromid, hills in the distance. Plate V ^*k t^^^-afaif. 9tjL , ^ • " " 3.vr- " f^ t i HE Plains Kkgiun. — Upper figure, a view in Box Butte county show- ing the open plains. Lower figure, a pond made by damming theAIinne- chaduza near \'alentine. Shows a river-valley in the plains region with a growth of deciduous trees and shrubbery next the river, the barren slopes covered with a straggling growth of pine, and the flat open plains stretch- ing awav bcvond. Plate VI -t^r n- •>«' '- .• -? ** The Pjne Ridge Region. — View looking backward into a canyon on the north side of Pine ridge showing its depth, and the dense growth of vege- tation in its recesses, which harbor transition forms. PROCEEDINGS C F THE NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION AT ITS NINTH, TENTH AND ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETINGS Bellevue, Nebr., May 8 and 9. 190S Lincoln, Nebr., May 14 and 15. 1909 Peru, Nebr., April 29 and 30. 1910 ElJlTED BY .Myron H. Swenk CONTENTS PAGE Officers, 1907-1910 3 Abstract of Minutes: Ninth Annual Meeting 3 Sixth Annual Field Day 5 Tenth Annual Meeting 6 Seventh Annual Field Day 8 Eleventh Annual Meeting 9 Eighth Annual Field Day 9 Treasurers' Reports, 1908-1910 10 Constitution and By-Laws 13 List of Members 16 Papers. Vol. V, Part l August 20, 1910 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists' Union OFFICERS 1907-08. President Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln Vice-President Emily Wood, Omftha Secretary WilsoN Tout, North Platte Treasurer F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha 1908-09. President August Eiche, Lincoln Vice-President Jeanette McDonald, Omaha Secretan^ Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln Treasurer F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha 1909-10. President H. B. Duncanson, Peru Vice-President Joy Higgins, Omaha Secretary Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln Treasurer G. M. Pinneo, Lincoln ABSTRACT OF MINUTES NINTH ANNUAL MEETING The first session of the ninth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was called to order in the Presbyterian Church at Bellevue, Nebraska, at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 1908, with President Myron H. Swenk in the chair. Fourteen members were present, Messrs. Bruner, Livers, Shoemaker, Smith, Swenk, Wolcott and Zimmer, and Misses Bruner, Harper, 4 Proceedings of the Hitte, McDonald, Stringer, VanSant and Wood. In the absence of Secretary Wilson Tout, R. H. Wolcott acted temporarily in that capacity. The report of the Treasurer was read and referred to an audit- ing committee composed of Messrs. Bruner, Livers and Smith. R. H. Wolcott reported briefly for the Record Committee. The names of Messrs. W. L. French of Peru, E. B. Salter of Norfolk, and Misses Joy Higgins and Mary Alter of Omaha were proposed for membership and duly elected by the society. On a motion to that effect all new business was postponed until the next session and the election of officers was taken up. The ballot resulted in the election of the followmg as officers for 1908-09 : President, August Eiche, Lincoln, Vice-President, Jeanette McDonald, Omaha, Secretary, Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln, Treasurer, F. H. Shoemaker, Omaha. The business meeting then adjourned at 8:15 p.m. to take up the public program of the evening. Many visitors from Omaha and students from Bellevue College were present, comfortably filling the church. The program was opened by an invocation by Dr. Phelps, who then warmly welcomed the Union to Bellevue and lauded the efforts of the society to popularize bird study by distributing its meetings among the various educational centers of the state. President Swenk responded on behalf of the Union and explained the aims and past history of the Union and its am- bitions for the future. He also cordially invited the people of Bellevue to accompany the field parties on the excursion of the next day. The following program was then rendered : President's Address, "A Sketch of the Evolution of Our Bird Fauna" - . - - Myron H. Swenk "The Uses that Birds Have Made of Structures Built by Man" ----- - R. H. Wolcott "The Crow Family I'Corvidae) in Nebraska - Lawrence Bruner "Devices of Bird Study" . _ - - Wilson Tout The program concluded at 9 130 p.]\[. after the members had en- joyed a short social session. Ncbr&ska Ornithologists' Union 5 The second session was called to order at 8:00 p.m. on Satur- day, May 9, after the field trip, in the same room as on the pre- ceding evening. Eleven members were present, Messrs. French, Livers, Shoemaker, Smith, Swenk, Tout, Wolcott and Zimmer and Misses Marshall, VanSant and Wood. Eleven visitors were also in attendance. The names of Captain Crimmins of Fort Crook and Mrs. Childs of "Childs' Point" near South Omaha were presented for membership and the persons elected. The report of the Treasurer was accepted, having been found correct by the auditing committee. New business being in order it was moved and carried that the Union prepare check-lists for field use and supply them to mem- bers at cost. The matter of planning for the publication of a new "Birds of Nebraska" was taken up, and after some discussion it was moved that the matter be referred to a committee to be ap- pointed by the chair, to attempt to devise some plan for publica- tion, investigating the cost and to report at the next meeting. The motion was carried. The President appointed on this com- mittee ]^Iessrs. Wolcott, Shoemaker and Tout, with instructions to report at the next meeting. Following the new business the more technical part of the pro- gram was taken up. R. H. Wolcott presented a very interesting discussion of the "Variation in Cherry County Meadowlarks" and illustrated the same with specimens. Discussion of the topic by several members followed. Myron H. Swenk then presented a short paper on "Ornithological Book-Keeping" in which the new records established since the publication of the "Birds of Ne- braska" in 1904 were discussed. Six new forms have been added, thus bringing the total number of definitely recorded species and subspecies in our list to 402. Following this paper a few minutes were devoted to recording the principal bird notes of the year. Mr. Ira C. Jenks of Santa Rosa, California, then addressed the Union on California birds and illustrated his remarks by the ex- hibition of numerous specimens. Following this address the Union adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Wilson Tout, Secretory. Sixth Annual Field Day. — Leaving Bellevue at 6:30 a.m. 6 Proceedings of the Saturday morning, ]\Iay 9, 1908, one division of the field party proceeded nonth along the Burlington tracks paralleling the Mis- souri river to Childs' Point, there meeting with the second divi- sion which had left South Omaha at 5:45 a.m. and proceeded eastward from Childs' Crossing on the interurban. The whole party, consisting of twenty-one members of the Union and a large number of their friends from Omaha and Bellevue, took dinner together at Coffin Springs. The composi/;e list of species seen by members of the party during the forenoon was seventy-eight, and to this several additions were made by the explorations of the afternoon. TENTH ANNUAL MEETING The tenth animal meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was called to order in the ordinary of the Lincoln Hotel at Lincoln, Nebraska, at 8:15 p.m., with President Eiche in the chair. During the afternoon the members had gathered at Mr. Eiche's home and spewt several hours there in examining his splendid collection of mounted birds, after which all had met at the hotel for a banquet at 7:00 p.m. Ten members were present, Messrs. Bruner, Duncanson, Eiche, Pinneo, Sheldon, Swenk, Tout, Wolcott and Zimmer and Miss Higgins. Three visitors were also present as guests of the Union. The Secretary reported on the publication of the check-lists and the proceedings of the society, the present condition of the property of the Union and its exchanges, and by vote of the so- ciety his report was approved. The Treasurer being absent and his report not yet at hand, the Secretary moved that an auditing committee be appointed by the chair to audit the report when re- ceived and if found to be correct to refer the same to the Execu- tive Committee for acceptance. The motion was carried. The President appointed Messrs. Wolcott, Bruner and Swenk as the auditing committee. R. H. Wolcott reported for the Record Committee, stating that as no records had been referred to it during the past year no ses- sion had been held, but that probably action would be taken on Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 7 various new records in the near future. Wilson Tout reported very interestingly for the Educational Committee, describing the progress of their efiforts to work out a course of bird study for the schools, both in the grades and in high schools. He stated that many of the teachers were eager for such help, although some were indifferent. He described the very successful outcome of the May Day list contest, stating that over i,ooo lists were sent in, and quoted some of the favorable reports on it from various schools. Mr. Tout's idea was that by interesting the boys and girls in bird study we would not only do much toward strengthen- ing the spirit of bird protection but also increase greatly the num- ber of future bird lovers and bird scientists, and thus lay a proper foundation for the permanence of the Union and its work. ]\Ir. Tout's report was adopted and discussed by R. H. Wolcott and H. B. Duncanson. The latter gentleman at the close of his remarks moved that the Educational Committee be asked to draft a scheme for bringing the Union in closer contact with the nature study work of the schools and to bring out greater interest in bird study, and to report their plan to the Executive Committee for final ap- proval before putting it into operation. This motion was unani- mously carried. The Birds of Nebraska Publication Committee appointed at the last session, not being ready to report, was on motion of the Secretary continued for another year. The proposal of new names for membership in the Union being in order, the names of Messrs. C. V. Williams and C. R. Weeks of Peru, C. G. Phillips of Aurora, Dr. D. C. Hilton of Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Ewart of Lincoln, and Miss Louise McPher- son of Omaha were submitted and all were elected to membership. The Secretary moverl that he be empowered to send out check- lists to members free of cost, if, with the request for them, suffi- cient postage were forwarded for their delivery. The motion prevailed. Wilson Tout wished to recommend that the Recoril Committee pass upon all the new records to date and publish same in the proceedings, and also maintain a department of cur- rent notes, which suggestion met with approval by the members present. The election of officers for i90C)-io was then taken up. the bal- lot resulting as follows : 8 Proceedings of the President, H. B. Duncanson, Peru, Vice-President, Joy Higgins, Omaha, Secretary, Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln, Treasurer, G. M. Pinneo, Lincoln. At this point the new President was installed, and on request gave a short talk on his hopes for the Union during the coming year. The program was then taken up and the following papers presented by various local members : President's Address, "The Ducks of the State" (read by title) August Eiche, Lincoln "Some Results of Four Years' Collecting in the Vicinity of Lincoln" - - - - - J. T. Zimmer, Lincoln "A Few Things We Can Do" - R. H. Wolcott, Lincoln "The Past and Present of the N. O. U." Lawrence Bruner, Lincoln "My Diary of Bird Observations Made at Lincoln" (read by title) - - - - - - H. B. Lowry. Lincoln "Ideas on the Intergrading Ranges of Certain Subspecies in Nebraska" (read by title) - Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln Follov/ing the program and the discussion of the papers given, the Union adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Myron H. Swenk, Secretary. Seventh Annual Field Day. — Saturday morning, May 15, 1909, the field party of the N. O. U. left the viaduct west of Lin- coln at 7:00 A.M. and proceeded to the saline flats and lake in the vicinity, but owing to the very heavy rainfall of the preceding day and night these were p:reatlv flooded and the waterfowl and shore birds much scattered. The mill uroods on the north shore of the lake were thoraughly explored. Returning, the party left on the Union Pacific for Hanlon, 12 miles south of Lincoln, at 11:05 ^•^^- Immediately after arrival lunch was eaten in the woods and the remainder of the day spent in the vicinity, the party arriving in Lincoln again at 5:45 p.m. The composite list of the day reached ninety-four species, the largest made since the first annual field day seven years previously. A^cbraska Ornithologists' Union g ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING The eleventh annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was held at Peru, Nebraska, Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30, 1910. The first meeting was a public one held in the Peru Normal Chapel, on the evening of April 29 at 8 130 o'clock. Professor H. B. Duncanson, the retiring President, had the meet- ing in charge. An address of welcome by President J. W. Crab- tree of the Normal School was followed by the appearance of the Peru Glee Club which rendered several very enjoyable numbers. A reading appropriate to the occasion was given by Mrs. Daisy Nettleton and was much appreciated. President Duncanson then proceeded with his annual address, which was upon the subject, "Some Interesting Points in the Embryolo2:ical Development of Birds," and was well illustrated with lantern slides. Upon the close of this address Professor Lawrence Bruner responded to a request of the President that he discuss briefly the subject of Bird Study, taking up this line of thought in a very original and enter- taining way. Announcement was then made of the field trip to be held the next dav, to vv-hich all of the visitors present were in- vited. Adjournment at 10:30. Eighth Annual FiFLn Day. — A. .start was made from Peru at 6:30 A.M. Saturday morning, April 30, about fifty people join- ing in the party. The partv divided into three sections, all main- taining a parallel course from Peru, northwestward along the Missouri blufifs to a position directly east of Julian, which was reached shortly after noon. A camp dinner was then prepared and enjoyed by all, after which a business meeting of the Union was held in the woods. The meeting was called to order by President Duncanson. The Treasurer's report, in the absence of that officer, was read bv the Secretary and referred by the President to an auditing committee composed of Messrs. Bruner, French and Wolcott. The Secretary and Vice-President being present reported briefly. The names of Messrs. A. C. Whitford and L. O. Plorsky were proposed for membership and both were duly elected. The constitutional amendment proposing to com- bine the offices of Secretary and Treasurer, owing to the difficulty of easily handling the business of the Union when placed in the lo Proceedings of the hands of two members sometimes living in different towns, was taken up and adopted without debate. The amendment involved amending Article IV, Section i, to strike out the words "a Sec- retary and a Treasurer" and substituting "a Secretary-Treasurer," and combining Sections 3 and 4 of Article V, entitling same "Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer," and numbering it Section 3 and numbering Section 5 Section 4 ; also changing the word "Secretary" in Section 3 of the by-laws to "Secretary-Treasurer." The election of officers was then taken up, the ballot resulting in the election of the following for B910-11 : President, L. Sessions, Norfolk, Vice-President, Mrs. A. E. Sheldon, Lincoln. Secretary-Treasurer, Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln. After a short informal discussion of the next meeting, publica- ticns, etc., the business session adjourned and the party continued the field trip to Barney, where a Burlington train was caught at 6:00 P.M. The composite list of the field party for the day numbered seventy-five species of birds. Myron H. Swenk, Secretary. Report of Treasurer, 1907- RECEIPTS Cash on hand. May 18, 1907 $ 65.20 I Annual dues for 1906 — Active 2.00 I Annual dues for 1906 — Associate i.oo 19 Annual dues for 1907 38.00 $106.20 EXPENDITURES Telegrams of postponement Weeping Water meeting. . . .$ i.oo Postage on announcements afnd Proceedings 2.00 Printing of Proceedings, Vol. IV, part i, Jacob North & Co. ! .^ 37-85 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union i.i Exchange 15 Balance on hand, May 8, 1908 65.20 $106.20 Respectfully submitted, Krank H. Shoemaker, Treasurer. Report of Treasurer, 1908-09 receipts Cash on hand, May 8, 1908. $ 65.20 I Annual dues for 1906 — Associate i.oo I I Annual dues for 1907 22.00 20 Annual dues for 1908 40.00 $128.20 EXPENDITURES Printing of. 5,000 check-lists of Nebraska Birds $ 31.05 Postage, Secretary 2.00 Postage, Treasurer 3.40 Balance on hand. ^vLay 15, 1909 91-75 $128.20 Respectfully submitted, Frank H. Shoemaker, Treasurer. Report of Treasurer, 1909-10 RECEIPTS Cash received from ]irevious Treasurer, May 15, 1909...$ 91.75 I Annual dues for 1906 — Active 2.00 1 Annual dues for 1^06 — Associate i.oo 2 Annual dues for 1907 4.00 12 Proceedings of the 8 Annual dues for 1908 16.00 24 Annual dues for 1909 48.00 Balance from banquet i.oo Sale of Proceedings 3.45 Interest on account i .06 $168.26 EXPENDITURES CorneM Engraving Co., halftones for Proceedings, Vol. IV, part 2 $ 30.53 Jacob North & Co., printing Vol. IV, part 2 78.50 Postage, Secretary 3-55 Stenography, Secretary ■ 1.90 Balance on hand, April 30, 1910 53-78 $168.26 Respectfully submitted, G. M, PiNNEO, Treasurer. Nebraska OrnitJwlo gists' Uiiiott, 13 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS ARTICLE I. (Name and Object) Section i. This Association shall be known as The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Sec. 2. Its aims shall be to promote the study of ornithology bv more closely uniting the students of this branch of natural his- tory, and to encourage the study of birds in the state of Nebraska. ARTICLE II. (Members) Section I. Any student of ornithology resident in Nebraska, not less than sixteen years of age, may become a member on re- ceiving a majority vote of the members present at any meeting. All members in good standing shall have the right to vote and hold office. Sec. 2. Honorary members shall be elected for their eminence in ornithology or for distinguished services in furthering the aims for which this Union is established. Sec. 3. Application for membership in the interim between meetings may be considered by the Executive Committee, and the application granted by a unanimous vote of the committee. ARTICLE III. (Quorum) Section i. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be the active members present at any annual meeting, provided the number is not less than nine. ARTICLE IV. (Officers and Committees) Section i. The officers of this Union shall be: a President, a Vice-President and a Secretary-Treasurer. Sec. 2. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the officers. Sec. 3. Staneiing committees shall be appointed by the Presi- dent with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. 14 Proceedings of the ARTICLE V. (Duties of Officers and Committees) Section i. Duties of the President. It shaH be the duty of the President to preside at all the meetings of the Union, to appoint the standing committees, and to perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the office. Sec. 2. Duties of the Vice-President. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to act in the absence or incapacity of the President. Sec. 3. Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer. It sluall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to keep a record of all the meetings of the Union, to countersign all orders and documents issued by the President, to conduct the general correspondence of the Union, to prepare the program of the meetings, to send out the call for such meetings, to superintend the publication of the Pro- ceedings of the Union, to have charge of all property of the Union, to receive and have charge of all moneys of the Union and to pay such bills as are indorsed by the President and to per- form such other duties as properly pertain to this office. Sec. 4. Duties of the Executive Committee. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to fix the date and place of the annual meeting, to act on applications for membership as pro- vided in Article II, section 3, to concur in the appointment of standing committees .as provided in Article IV, section 3, to fill by temporary appointment offices which shall become vacant, and to nominate three persons for eacli of the several offices that are to be filled annually. ARTICLE VI. (Election of Officers and Committees) Section i. The election of all officers shall be by ballot, a ma- jority of those voting being required to elect, and the Secretary- Treasurer shall send a list of the nominees of the Executive Com- mittee to each member one month before the date of the annual meeting. Sec. 2, The term of office shall extend from fhe end of one an- nual meeting to the end of the next one. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 15 ARTICLE VII. (Meetings) Section i. The annual meeting- of the Union shall be held at such -place and time as the Executive Committee shaM decide. ARTICLE VIII. (Dues and Assessments) Section i. The annual dues of the members shall be two dol- lars ($2), due at the time of election to membership and on the date of each annual meeting thereafter. Sec. 2. In case of failure to pay dues before the close of the year, a member shall forfeit his right to the publications of the Union. Sec. 3. In case of failure to pay dues for two years a member- shall be dropped from the roll of the Union. ARTICLE IX. (Amendments) Section i. An amendment Id this constitution may be adopted by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present at any annual meeting, one month notice of the proposed amendment having been given all members. BY-LAWS Section i. The actual amount expended by the officers in car- rying on their official duties shall be refunded to them. Sec. 2. All members in good standing shall receive gratis one copy of the publications of the Union. Other copies of the pub- lications may be distributed under sanction of the Executive Committee. Sec. 3. All papers presented at the meetings shall b© the prop- erty of the Union and shall be filed with the Secretary-Treasurer. Sec. 4. The order of business at the annual meeting shall be as follows: I, Reports of Officers; 2, Reports of Committees; 3, Proposal of Names and Election of Members ; 4, New Business ; 5, Announcement of Election of Officers and Committees; 6, Pre- 1 6 Proceedings of the sentation and Discussion of Papers and Remarks ; 7, Installation of Officers; 8, Reading of Minutes; 9, Adjournment. Sec. 5. Application for membership must be made to the Ex- ecutive Committee, and such application must have the indorse- ment of at least one member in good standing, which shall be ex- pected to be a proper recommendation of the candidate. Sec. 6. Any of the By-Lav»^s may be amended or repealed by vote of a majority of the members. LIST OF MEMBERS Corrected to July i, 19 10. Names of Charter Members indicated by an asterisk. HONORARY MEMBERS Miller, Dr. George L., 624 N. 19th St., Omaha 1901 MEMBERS Alter, Miss Alary, 413 N. 25th St., Omaha 1908 Arter, Jason, Kirkwood 1902 Barbour, Miss Carrie, Dept. Geology, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln 1902 =^^Bates, Rev. J. M., Red Cloud 1900 Bruner, H. F., Swan P. O., Holt County 1901 '''Bruner, Prof. Lawrence, Dept. Entomology, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln 1900 Childs, Airs. Lowrie, Maxwellton, Ft. Crook Bvd., South Omaha 1908 Crimniins, Captain AI. L., Ft. Crook 1908 Da^^son, Aliss Agnes AI., 514 N. 23d St., Omaha 1903 Duncanson, Prof. H. B., Dept. Zoology. State Normal, Peru, 1901 =^'Eiche, /August, 1133 O St., Lincoln 1900 Ewart, Airs. J. S., 27th and P Sts., Lincoln 1909 French, Prof. \V. L., Dept. Dairy Husbandry, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln 1908 Gifford, Dr. H., 563-573 Brandeis Bldg., Omaha. 1903 Griggs, Prof. Leland, Doane College, Crete 1907 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 17 Harper, Miss Alice, 2416 Cass St., Omaha 1906 ^Hayward, Mrs. Mary Smith, Chadron 1900 Higgins, Miss Joy, 527 Park Ave., Omaha 1908 Hitte, Miss Alice E., 102 S. 25th Ave., Omaha 1904 Hilton, Dr. David C, 1238 O St., Lincoln 1909 Horsky, L. O., Mailing Division, P. O., Omaha 1910 Littell, Mrs. Elsie, County Superintendent of Schools, Wayne 1910 Livers, Rev. Ralph W., 722 N. 25th St., South Omaha 1907 Lowry, Dr. H. B., 843 S. loth St., Lincoln 1901 McDonald, Miss Jeanette, 318 S. 26th St., Omaha 1905 McPherson, Miss Louise, 701 Park Ave., Omaha 1909 Payne, Mrs. Geo. H., W. Dodge St., Omaha 1901 Phillips, C. G., Aurora 1909 Pinneo, G. M., Y. M. C. A. Bldg., Lincoln 1905 Pollard, Hon. Isaac, Nehawka 1903 Salter, E. B., Norfolk 1908 ^Sessions, L., Norfolk 1900 Sheldon, Mrs. A. E., Lincoln 1904 "■Shoemaker, F. H., 2960 Dewey Ave., Omaha 1900 Smith, Mrs. Chas. C, Exeter 1907 ='=Swenk, Prof. Myron H., Dept. Entomology, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln 1900 Tobitt, Miss Edith, Omaha Public Library, Omaha 1907 *Tout, Wilson, Superintendent of Schools, North Platte. . 1900 Towne, Dr. S. R., 446 Brandeis Bldg., Omaha 1902 '"VanSant, Miss Elizabeth, 2960 Dewey Ave., Omaha 1900 Weeks, C. R., Dept. Agriculture, State Normal, Peru 1909 Whitford, A. C, Ashland High School, Ashland 1910 Williams, C. V., Dept. Biology, State Normal, Peru 1909 *Wolcott, Prof. R. H., Dept. Zoology, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln 1900 Wood, Miss Emily, 2416 Ellison Ave., Omaha 1901 Zimmer, J. T., Dept. Entomology, Uni. of Neb., Lincoln. . 1907 Vol. V, Part 2 March 1, 1911 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists' Union SOME NOTES ON THE WINTER BIRDS OF DAWES COUNTY BY JOHN T. ZIMMER In the latter part of November, 1910, it became necessary for me to spend a couple of weeks in the vicinity of Craw- ford, Dawes county. Nebraska, in field investigations of an entomological nature. However as abundant opportunity was offered, I was enabled to make some rather extensive observa- tions on the bird life of that region. Previously on but two occasions had systematic ornithological observations been made in that part of the state during cold weather, once during middle December, 1895 and again from February 18 to 29, 1896, in reality parts of the sarxie winter, when parties headed by Professor Lawrence Bruner worked in that locality. I arrived in Crawford on November 26 and on the next day proceeded south-eastward from the town to the vicinit} of Squaw mound, near the head of Squaw creek, where I made my headquarters until Decem'ber 5, on which date I r urned to Crawford. I then explored the valley of the Wlii'te riven until December 10, when I returned to Lincoln. 'One side trip was made. On December 9 I visited Glen, in Sioux county, where I spent the day and returned the same evening. With this exception, all my observations were made within the bounds of DaAves county. I might here make a brief statement regarding the types of country visited. The vicinity of Squaw mound on the Pine ridge is high table-land or plateau containing the heads of numerous canyons which are destitute of deciduous tim])er 19 20 Proeeedinis of the at this altitude but support a heavy growth of pines and cedars. Lower down in these canyons water appears, together with the beginnings of deciduous growth or "brush-timber" as it is called by the ranchmen. Down in the valley of the White river, about one thousand feet below the summit of Squaw mound, and in the more immediate vicinity of Craw- ford, this kind of growth prevails, although the buttes which rise near the river possess the coniferous trees and have the accompanying faunal characteristics. Glen, in Sioux county, is not radically different from the Crawford territory as it is also situated on the banks of the White river. The following list comprises the extent of the winter bird fauna of this region as I found it. Several of the forms are new definite records for the state, viz.. Western Evening Grosbeak, Mountain Pine Grosbeak, Cassin Purple Finch, Pink-sided Junco and Mountain Song Sparrow, and these will be noted more fully in the individual discussions of each species. 1. Brantahernicla ilaucoiastra (Brehm) — Brant. A single flock of twelve of these birds was observed on November 30. I was on the summit of the ridge and the birds passed rather near to me so that I was able to make out very distinctly the white on abdomen and sides of neck. My attention was first attracted to the birds by their note which was much hoarser than that of the Canada Goose and resembled a grunt more than a "honk." .2. Gallinago deUcafa (Ord) — Wilson Snipe. On December 7, while following down a little stream which empties into the White river, I flushed three of these birds. I fired at one of them but it continued on its way around a bend in the stream, and on following the line of its flight, I found my bird lying in the water on a bunch of cress, from which it was easily secured. It had been shot and wounded previously, for its breast contained a very large scar, \Vhich was, however, completely healed over. W^ilson Snipe has been found before in Sioux and Dawes counties at this season of the year and is evidently a regu- lar resident, found wherever the presence of numerous springs secures a soft, boggy soil. 3. Colinus viriiniamis (Linnaeus) — Bob-white. I observed flocks of Bob-white at Crawford on December Xebraska Orii'dlioloiists' Union 21 6 and 7, and at Glen, on December 9, I saw several coveys. None were found on the high plateau, but all were seen in the lower valleys. 4. Pedweoetes phasianellus campestris Ridgway — Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. These birds were seen only on the evening of November 27 on the plateau at the head of Squaw canyon, where a flock of eighteen or so passed me on their way toward some roosting place. A single individual had been observed some- what earlier in the day in the same general locality. 5. Circus hudsonius (Linnaeus) — >]\larsh Hawk. I observed this liawk but once, on December 5, near Crow butte. 6. ArcMhuteo lagopiis sancti-jolicuinis (Graelin) — Rough- legged Hawk. This hawk was noted but once, December 1, near Squaw mound. 7. Ai'eliibuteo ferrii^ineus Lichtenstein — Ferruginous Rough- leg. 'This bird also was seen on but a single occasion. A pair was observed on November 28. The birds rose from their posts at my approach and as they sailed away displayed the conspicuous white marking at the base of the tail. 8. Aquila chrysaetos (hinnsieus) — Golden Eagle. While exploring the rocky cliffs of the Pine ridge south of 'Crow butte on December 3, I surprised a single Golden Eagle from his perch on a peculiar, chimney-shaped piece of rock which rose sheer twenty or thirty feet from the narrow summit of the ridge. 9. Falco peregri)ms anatuin Bonaparte — Duck Hawk. The only record I have of this species is on December 8 w'hen one of the hawks was noted flying over the hills be- tween Crawford and Fort Robinson. It was reported by Professor Bruner in 1903 as probably breeding about eight miles west of the fort. 10. Falco colinnhariiis Linnaeus — Pigeon Hawk. On December 3. While I was watching a flock of juncos, the birds suddenly stopped their chattering, flocked to- 22 Proceedings of the gether, flattened all their feathers and seemed to lose all fear of me. I looked around for the cause and discovered a Pigeon Hawk. The bird was dashing into another fioek of juncos in a little thicket across the canyon and endeavor- ing to capture one. The juncos were too active and, iu addition, were protected by the network of branches through which the hawk could not force itself and it succeeded in catching one only after a number of attempts. 11. Falco sparverius phalaena 'Ltesson — Desert Sparrov/ Hawk. I was surprised to note this species on November 30 on wdiich date I saw a single bird on the high plateau. A feAV days later, December 2, while exploring a little canyon in the near vicinity of this first locality, I caught a hasty glimpse of a hawk as it disappeared around a bend in front of me, and from the impression I received of its size and coloration in the brief moment I had it in view, I concluded it to be this species, possibly the same bird previously seen. I refer this note to plialaena rather than to typical sparverius as the form^er is the breeding form in north- western Nebraska. 12. Crinjtoglcmxaeadica (Gmelin) — Saw- whet Owl. I sav/ this little owl along the White river between Craw- ford and Fort Robinson on December 8. My attention was drawn to the presence of the bird by the actions of a flock juncos and tree sparrows, most of which sought conceal- ment though one or two of the boldest White-winged Juncos foUov/ed the intmder the length of the grove. This owl is probably an uncommon resident in that part of the state, as elsewhere in Nebraska. 13. Dryohates viUosus monticola Anthony — Rocky M'ountain Hairy Woodpecker. Hairy woodpeckers, undoubtedly referable to this form, were noted on November 28 and 30 and December 3, 9, and 10. 11. Drijohates pnhescens lioinorus Cabanis and Heine — Batch- elder Woodepcker. I saw and secured three individuals of this bird on Decem- ber 3 and 7. It is the resident form of the doAvny wood- pecker in this region. Jfehrasha Ornithologists' Union ' 23 15. Colaptes cafer coUaiis Vigors — Red-shafted Flicker! A single individual, flushed near the base of Saddle-back butte, was the only one I saw of this species. 16. OtocoHs alpestns leucolaevici (Coues) — Desert Horned Lark. This form of the horned lark, which is also the breeding form of the region under discussion, Avas abundant and occurred in large flocks both on the high plateau and in the White river valley. They v/ere seen practically every day and vrere the only variety of the species noted. Sev- eral specimens were secured, one of which was found on the railroad track some distance from any telegraph wires and v/ith no marks on it to' account for its death. 17. Pica pica hudsonia (Sabine) — ^Magpie. Magpies were abundant and were seen every day and in every possible locality, though never in flocks but usually singly or in pairs. Their highly contrasting plumage of white and glossy black was a conspicuous feature of the otherwise more or less dull background of leafless trees in the valleys though none the less marked against the dark green of the conifers higher up on the hillsides. Their harsh voice was also very evident and consisted chiefly of a call or alarm note resembling the sjdlables "cack-cack- eaek-cack-" repeated rapidly and at frequent intervals. The birds' other notes were too varied to bear reproduc- tion 'but were somewhat less harsh in tone and at times sank to an even softer whistle that was not at all unpleasing. The bulky nests of the species were at this season of the year prominent olijects in the trees everywhere. The birds are heartily disliked for their thieving habits and their fondness for eggs and young chickens and are shot at all times by the ranchmen. They are extremely wary on this account and hard to approach. The single specimen that I secured was obtained only because the bird was so busy "singing" that he failed to uotice my approach. 18. Mucifraia cohmihiana (Wilson) — Clarke Nutcracker. The Clarke Nutcracker or Clarke Crow was one of the first birds I saw on my trip. While I was driving out to the ranch house where I made my first headquarters, one of these ])irds flew across th.e road ir front of the horses. It 24 Proceedings of the reminded me of nothing so much as a young Red-headed Woodpecker in that its flight was markedly woodpecker- like and its grayish body and head and its black wings and tail with white on secondaries gave it, at least superficially, a very close resemldance to the bird mentioned. The next day I saw a single individual which was sitting in fhe top of a tall pine and uttering its peculiar " charr-charr, " a note totally distinct from that of any other bird I have ever heard. The following day, November 29, I saw a pair and secured one of them. All the occurrences of this bird noted were at the heads of the canyons on the high plateau. 19. Cyanocephalns cyanocephalus (Wied) — Pinion Jay. The Pinion Jay is even more thoroughly disliked by the ranchmen than is the magpie. It is abundant and goes about in flocks of many hundreds and even thousands. These flocks will alight upon grain fields and, the ranchmen claim, materially injure the crops in a very short time. The birds are not particularly wary but are somewhat difficult to approach at times owing to their restless nature which keeps them constantly moving. I have been standing in the line of approach of a flock of Pinion Jays and had them settle all around and within a foot or two of me and not show the least sign of fear when I moved around among them. They would turn and peer at me and were full of curiosity. Even when I shot they would merely rise, wheel around with loud outcries for a moment or so and then settle down and continue their activities as if nothing had happened to distui% them. Their high, nasal "kree-kree-" or "karee-karee-", repeated rapidly many times in suc- cession or long drawn out, was a very familiar sound. The birds were seldom seen in the deciduous growth but seemed to prefer to keep to the pine covered hills, and there their dull bluish and faint white coloration showed rather prettily against the dark green foliage. 20. Sturnellaneilecta Audubon — ^Western Meadowlark. November 27 numbers of these birds were in evidence arovind Crawford. None were seen on the high plateau, and when I returned to Crawford the ones which had been there were gone, proba'bly driven away by a blizzard which had raged a few days before. J^ehrasha Ornitholoiists' Union 25 21. Hesperiphona vespertina montana Ridgway — Western Evening Grosbeak. I noted this 'bird on two occasions. The first occurrence was on December 7, on which date I saw a flock of them along the White river but was unable to approach the birds, and in the absence of a specimen referred them to this form only provisionally. On December 10, while exploring a little canyon north of Saddle-back butte, I heard the call note of the species, which faintly suggested that of the Purple Finch, and discovered one of the birds in the top of a tree just above me. I secured it but in doing so start- led from its perch another which I had not seen. I obtained this specimen also and it proved to be the mate of the one first taken. The specimens might be referable to either typical vespertina or its variety montana, being practi- cally intermediate in regard to size of wing and bill, although they come a little closer to inontana,vf'\n\Q in the width of the frontal band the tendency is also in that direction. These facts taken in conjunction with the geographical situation of the locality and its accompanying preponderance of western subspecies, leave little doubt in my mind as to the variety to which these two birds should be referred. This record adds a new bird to the Nebraska list as no speci- mens approaching this form have heretofore been taken. 22. Pinicola enucleator montana Ridgway — .Rocky Mountain Pine Grosbeak. Two male pine grosbeaks decidedly referable to this form were obtained on November 30, and form the basis for the inclusion of this bird in the Nebraska list. They were taken from a flock of about twenty-five w^hich were in the top of a pine tree busily engaged in devouring the larvae of an injurious sawfly, the depredations of which were the cause of my being in that part of the state on field work. The birds first drew my attention by their peculiar chirping or chattering, a distinctive enough note when once recognized. The birds themselves are rather inconspicuous except for their white wing bars and their rather large size. December 9, while at Glen, I saw an additional pair which like the flock oibserved before was at the highest part of the ridge. 23. Carpodacus cassini Baird — ^Cassin Purple Finch. A third species to be added to the Nebraska list is the 26 Proceedings of the Oassin Purple Finch. It was recorded formerly from Sioux county by J. B. White who failed, however, to corroborate his statements with the evidence of actual specimens. I observed the birds on December 7 and 8 and secured two specimens, both males, on the first mentioned date. With one exception the birds seen were associated with Redpolls. The species is easily recognized in the field by the brighter purplish hue of the crown in contrast to the duller shade of the back. 'The bird's call note seems to be a chirp best represented by the syllables "to-wheat-to-wheat-" uttered in a rather leisurely manner and not particularly pene- trating in quality. 24. Loxia curvirostrcnninor (Brehm) — Crossbill. Crossbills were moderately common in the coniferous growth. Five specimens taken December 2, 4, and 10 are referable to this form rather than to L. c. strichlandi, al- though several of them exceed the maximum measurements of minor in one or more particulars. Most of these birds as well as many found in eastern' Neibraska would fit nicely into the diagnosis of L. c. hendirei Ridgway and I should refer them to that subspecies had the A. 0. U. committee seen fit to accept it as distinct. As it is the birds must be called minor although they are not typical. 25. Loxia curvirostra strichlandi Ridgway — Mexican Crossbill. A single female taken December 4 should probably be referred to this form as it has a wing measurement of 94 mm. and culmen of 20 mm. 26. Leiicosticte teplirocotis Bwainson — Gray-crowned Rosy Finch. The Oray-crowned Rosy Finch or Leucosticte was not common. I secured a single female along the White river on December 7. The only other representatives of the spe- cies I found v/ere noted December 10. On that day I watched a flock composed of more than three hundred birds. They Avere flying around and wheeling in great curves, just skimming the ground as if preparatory to alight- ing and then rising suddenly, turning and allowing the light to catch and reflect the rosy tinge of their under parts much as the white underparts of a flock of sandpipers flash sud- denly into view as the birds skim the water of some little pond. iKebrasha Ornithologists' Union 27 27. Acanthislinaria (Linnaeiis) — Redpoll. Redpolls were abundant in the deciduous growth along the White river and the streams flowing into it. None were seen on the plateau or higher in the canyons than the decid- uous growth extended. Several specimens taken all prove to be typical linaria. 28. AstraialinustHsUs pallidus (Mearns) — Pale Goldfiinch. Goldfinches, like the Redpolls, were seen only in deciduous timtjcr. No specimens were taken but the birds observed all had the wing bars of maximum width and evidently belonged to the western form which is the resident one in that section of the state. They were but moderately com- mon ; not nearly so numerous as the Redpolls. 29. Zonotiiclna queriiJa (Nuttall) — Harris Sparrow. On December 6 w^hile working the White river valley I was very much surprised to see a Harris Sparrow. I was unable to secure the specimen that day but did so on the day following when I found it in about the same locality and again in a flock of tree sparrows. The record is inter- esting from a double standpoint. The species has not pre- viously been recorded west of Cherry county while in addi- tion it is not known to winter except in southern Nebraska. A wintering individual from Dawes county is therefore, to say the least, unusual. 30. Spizella inonticola ocliracea Brewster — Western Tree Sparrow. Western Tree Sparrows were seen twice on the plateau and every day along the White river where they were abundant. SI.' JunooaiA-eni Ridgway — White-winged Junco. This species was the most abundant bird in the region visited. The juncos occurred in flocks of greater or less extent and were distributed over the high ridge as well as down in the river valley. 32. Junco hijeniaJis connecten sCoues — Shufeldt Junco. Shufeldt Juncos were moderately common and were asso- ciated -with the White-Avinged Juncos. Almost every flock of the latter, especially in the lower valley, contained one or more individuals of the present species, which were immedi- 28 Proceedings of the ately distinguishable from the white-winged form by their black heads, rufous backs and pinkish sides as well as by their lack of conspicuous wing bars. Several specimens were secured. 33. Junco hyevialis mea7'nsi^idgwa.y — ^Pink-sided Junco. In the flocks containing the White-winged and Shufeldt Juncos there were individuals of still another form present. These were the Pink-sided Juncos. They were not so abun- dant as the Shufeldt Juncos but were not uncommon. Their pale, ashy heads served to separate them distinctly from the last named form, while their broadly pinkish sides and lack of wing bars prohibited their being confused with the white-winged species. The pinkish coloration was even more extended than in connectens. Three specimens were secured November 2 and December 3 and S, and represent the first definite evidence for the inclusion of this bird in our fauna. The species was at one time included in our list on the strength of a junco, taken at Lincoln by a student in the taxidermy class, March 11, 1895, but the specimen was lost and its identity doubted and for this reason has been excluded. With the evidence now at hand, the species can be reinstated. 34. Melospiza jnelodia (Wilson) — Song Sparrow. A specimen of song sparrow taken December 7 seems to be identical with true melodia. The same species was taken at Crawford December 12, 1895 by Professor Bruner. 35. Melospiza melodia montanaHenshaw — Mountain Song Sparrow. December 7 I took a specimen of song sparrow which is decidedly referable to the western or mountain form. The specimen, an adult male, has a bill with basal depth of only 6.8 mm. while the average of eight eastern Nebraska males of Jlf. m. Dvelodia is 7.88 mm. The other characters are also well in accord with those of the present subspecies. The bird taken first attracted my attention by its nervous actions which reminded me very much of those of a Winter Wren. It kept up a continual chirping which bore some resem'blance to the note of an English Sparrow but was decidedly more musical. The capture of this specimen definitely adds still another new bird to our list. Jfehraska Ornithologists' Union 29 36. Pipilo nuvculatus arcticus (Swainson) — Arctic Towhee. A single Arctic Towhee was seen in Squaw canyon on December 4. The bird is a common summer resident and breeder in this region but seldom winters. 37. Boinhueilla iarrula (Linnaeus) — Bohemian Waxwing. The only bird of this species noted was secured along the White river, December 8. 38. Lanius horealis Vieillot — Northern Shrike. I saw this bird twice. The first occurrence was in Squaw canyon December 4 and the second at Glen, December 9. 39. Certhiafamiliaj'ismontana^idg'wsiy — Rocky Mountain Creeper. December 3 I saw a pair of these birds in Squaw canyon but was unable to secure them as they were in a situation where I did not care to shoot. The birds were noticeably different from typical C. f. americana in their larger size and the much purer white of their under parts as well as by the somewhat brighter coloration of the rump. These two individuals were the only representatives of the species that I saw. 40. Sitta carolinensisnelsoni Mearns — Rocky Mountain Nut- hatch. On three occasions I found this nuthatch, NovemlDer 30 and December 1 and 10, and on each occasion the birds were in pairs and in the higher localities, on the ridge or on the summits of the buttes. None were seen in the deciduous growth of the lower valley. Several specimens were taken, all referable to this form. 41. Sitta canadensis Linnaeus — Red-breasted Nuthatch. The Red-breasted Nuthatches, although reported to be uncommon winter residents of the state were common in the vicinity of Sqiiaw mound. Every day during my stay on the top of the ridge I saw these active little fellows and in every case they were found in a flock of Long-tailed Chick- adees. Almost every flock of the chickadees had one or more of these visitors and if they were not at once seen, a moment's listening would result in hearing tlieir character- istic nasal call. I found none of the birds in the valley. 30 42. Penthestes atrieapillus septentrionalis (Harris) — Long- tailed Chickadee. Long-tailed Chickadees were almost as abundant as the White-winged Juncos, if not fully so. Only a few individ- uals together at a time, yet they were everywhere. They were exceedingly tame and full of curiosity and would come up as close to me as they dared and watch me closely. One little fellow, I remember in particular, followed me up Squaw canyon for a quarter of a mile or so and finally had the temerity to fly up and perch on the barrel of my gun within a foot or two of my head. How long it would have remained there I cannot say for its perch was so slippery as to make it necessary for the bird to find a more secure footing and it flew off. 43. Sajcioola aenaiithe leueorhoa (Gmelin) — ^Greenland Wheat- ear. Under this caption I am obliged to record one of the most severe disappointments I have experienced in field work. On the morning of Decem'ber 2, I was exploring the ridge north of Squaw mound when my attention was attracted by a bird some distance down the southern slope. It was hovering over the ground and would remain for a short time almost motionless except for the rapid beating of its wings. Suddenly it would drop to the ground where it would stay for a little while, and then rise, fly for a short distance and repeat the performance. It did this several times while I watched it and in doing so gradually drew nearer. It suddenly became aware of my presence, how- ever, and sought a perch on a fence post well out of range. All efforts to approach it were useless as it kept pace with my movements and I was forced to have recourse to my field glasses and note-book. I then began another series of attempts at approach but without success. After a weary chase the bird took to the canyons where it succeeded in finally eluding me. I regret very much that I was unable to secure the specimen as the species is not only new to Ne/braska but is extremely rare in the country, although it has been taken in New York, Maine, Michigan, Louis- iana and Colorado. In the absence of more definite data, although I am sure of the identity of the bird I saw, the species cannot be included in our fauna positively. Vol. V, Part 3 April 29. 1911 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists' Union MISCELLANEOUS NOTES THREE INTERESTING ]\IARCH RECORDS.— During the month of March, 1911, the following three records have come to my notice : Eskimo Cnrlew (J\'^inveiiii(s boj^eaUs) . On March 22, 1911, while Mr. Fred Geiger was duck sh'ooting in a blind near Waco, York county, two of these birds came flying by within gun range and both were shot by him. The identity of the birds was not at once recognized but later they were named by an old-time hunter and were then brought to Lincoln for mount- ing, in this way coming to my notice. B'oth birds were fe- males, with well developed ovaries. This record is particu- larly interesting, dealing as it does with a species which has not been collected in the state for many years past, and of which grave doubts have been expressed that any still exist alive anywhere (see Cooke, Bulletin 35, Biological Survey, p. 76). Harlan Hawk {Buteo horealis harhtni). On March 28, 1911, a fine male of this species was shot at Ceresco, Saunders county. It came into my hands for mounting and is now in my collection. Cinnamon Teal {Oiierquedula ciianojrtera). While hunting at the lakes near Shickley, Fillmore county, on ]\Iarch 30, 1911, Mr. Henry Clarke, Jr. shot a teal coining in at a great height and it proved to be a fine male of this species. It came into the possession of ^Ir. Harry Harley of Lincoln, for whom I have mounted the specimen. August Eiche, Li it col n. 31 32 ProceedinQsoftfie ON TWO NEW SCOTER RECORDS AND TIIE EAST- WARD RANGE OF THE PINION JAY.— On November 1, 1910, at Cody lake near Cody, Cherry county, Mr. George A. Turner shot a young male White-winged Scoter iOideniia de- ilandi), and an adult female Surf Scoter (Oideinia j)ersj)irJJ- lata), and, not recognizing the species he gave them to Islr. J. F. Parks of Hot Springs, South Dakota, v^ho sent them to me for mounting. These two ducks are now the property of 'Mr. Parks at Hot Springs. Both species have previously been recorded from Lincoln and Omaha, but records of Scoters in Nebraska are always interesting. During the month of November and in early December, 1910 a flock of Pinion Jays visited the grounds of the Norfolk Asylum. One was shot and brought me to be mounted. While the bird is common in the western part of the state, I feel quite sure that they seldom visit as far east as Madison county, as I have never seen them here before and jays are usually in evidence when anywhere in the neighborhood. L. Sessions, XorfoUc. PINE GROSBEAKS AND BOHEMIAN WAX WINGS AT LINCOLN.^-During' the winter just passed flocks of these two birds were seen repeatedly in the small grove of cedars about the Superintendent's residence on the University Farm Campus. The Pine Gros'beaks {Phdeola enncleator lericjira) were first noted by Swenk on November 7, 1910, when a flock of thirty or forty alighted in the cedars, remaining only a few minutes but yet long enough to enable complete identification. Smaller flocks were again noted on November 15 and Novem- ber 21 by both Swenk and Zimmer. The Bohemian Waxwings iBonihi/cilla iarrula) were first seen by Zimmer on November 8, 1910; then none were noted until February 22, 1911, when a flock of twenty-three were noted by Swenk, they remaining in the cedars for several hours. They were noted for the last time on IMarch 6 hy Swenk. Myron H. Swenk and J. T. Zimmer, Lincoln. SO.ME BIRD NOTES FROM LINCOLN COUNTY.— Little Brown Crane {Qrus inexicmins). — A record for this bird was made by the identification of a head and foot which was brought to me by one of the pupils of the North Platte High School. She secured these parts of the bird from Dr. Drost, a resident of the city. When questioned the Doctor said he was shooting ducks over decoys on a slough north of the North Platte River. A flock of about fifty birds came in over J^ehrasK-ff OrnifJwlognsts' Union 33 the decoj's and in the twilight and from the position of the hunter they were so indistinctly seen as to be mistaken for ^ame bij-ds. One bird fell at the first shot and the flock rose. The bird was brought to town and only the head and foot Avere saved, these being now in the collection of ^Ir. J. T. Zim- mer of Lincoln. The bird was shot ^March 14, 1911. White-winged Junco iJimoo aiheni) . — A specimen was se- cured December 26, 1910, from a flock of about twenty-five which made their headquarters in a neighbor's yard. They seemed to be seen there oftenest, chirping among some low trees and often feeding from the ground. The same birds were seen on nearly every day for about six weeks during the winter. Hedpoll (,-lc(aitJus Iriu/rio) . — January 28, 1911, a flock of redpolls settled in the trees near my home and spent several hours talking to each other while feeding among the weeds and vegetable stalks of my last year's garden. They were very tame. I did not take a specimen as my glasses were suffi- cient to identify them. They were seen in different parts of th city on occasions during the month but disappeared before the first of Feibruary. Lapland Longspur {Cdlcririiis lappoiiieus) — On the evening of January 12, 1909, I spent some time in the evening listening to some birds which were flying around in the darkness. Their twitter was characteristic and attracted me. It was about nine o'clock that I heard them. It was snowing very lightly and the birds seemed to be flying in the storm. Later the snow- turned to sleet and rain and still later it snowed a little more. In the morning I found a Lapland Longspur near the back door of my home. Later I found several more. They were not dead but seemed to be frozen or chilled 'by the rain, sleet and snow. When the school children came to school they brought many individuals. After being in a warm room for a while most of the birds revived but those which were left out on the ground died. I counted the number of dead birds on a vacant lot and then estimated the number of birds which died from the exposure of that one night in the city at 10,000. There were no reports of dead birds outside of town although inquiry was made from a number of people. ^Most of the birds were found in those parts of the city where the streets were lighted. Wilson Tout, ^^orfIl I'hiffe. 34 Proceedings of the SOME RESULTS OF FOUR YEARS' OBSERVATION AND COLLECTING CHIEFLY IN THE VICINITY OF LINCOLN. — The following records and notes were all made at Lincoln, Lancaster county, unless otherwise stated : Western Grebe {Aeclnnophorus occideiifalis). — On October 23, 1909, I watched a pair of these birds for some time at the lake west of the city. They were very clearly seen although they kept well off-shore. Caspian Tern {Sfeivia caspia) . — A flock of twelve Caspian Terns was observed on ]\Tay 2, 1908, at the lake. At times they flew directly over me and I was able to make the identi- fication certain. Wood Duck {Aix sponsa) . — Twice I have noted Wood Ducks, once on June 14, 1907, and again on October 10, 1908. On both occasions the birds were paired. King Rail {Rallus eleians) .—On May 30, 1910. Dr. R. H. Wolcott and myself found this 'bird breeding at Lincoln. On that date a nest containing seven eggs was found in the center of a wild rice swamp. Several individuals of the species were seen the same day and also later in the same locality but only the one nest was located. Yellow Hail (Cof 7 1 imicops novehoracensis) . — I have a female of this species which I took at South Bend, Cass county, on May 8, 1909. I observed two individuals on April 30 of the same year near Lincoln but was unable to secure a specimen. Northern Phalarope {Lohipes lobafiis) . — I have the follow- ing dates for this species : I\Iay 11, 1907, May 14, and 24, 1910. Red-'backed Sandpiper {Pelidna alpina saJchaUna). — For- merly common, this species has of recent years been seen on but few occasions. In the spring of 1910, however, numerous individuals were seen by different observers. I found them on IMay 7 and 14 and June 9 -of that year. ^larbled Godwit (Liinosa fedoa). -This is another species uncommon of late years. I saw a single one on jNIay 28, 1910. Hudsonian Godwit{Lii7vosrf, haemasfiGa). — On June 12, 1910, Dr. R. H. Wolcott and I found a Hudsonian G'odwit at Ceresco, Saunders county. The bird was associating with a pair of Killdeers, whose nest was found, but no mate was seen, and it was undoulitedly merely a straggler. The specimen was taken and proved to be a female. Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Ttv/n^ifes suhriifieollis). — I se- cured the male of a pair of this species at Waverly, Lancaster county, on the early date of August 14, 1909. Xebraskoy Ornifhol ovists' Union 35 Sv.-allow-tailed Kite {Ehuioides forjicatiis). — July 14, 1905, I watched a pair of these birds as they circled around in the air. The locality was a few miles north of Lincoln. Goshawk {.Istiir atrlGaf)illu,s).^A single individual of the Goshawk was noticed November 16, 1907. Richardson Owl {Crjito^laivx funerea richarrlsoni). — I saw a Richardson Owl on October 19, 1907. The bird was perched on a low shock of grass near a patch of woods along Salt Creek and allowed me to approach to within a few feet without tak- ing fright. Even then it did not seem to see me, although it was beginning to grow dusk, but became alarmed by the snap- ping of a twig on which I inadvertantly stepped and took wing, flapping slowly across the creek. Olive-sided Flycatcher {J^uttallomis borertlis). — At Roca, Lancaster county, on September 4, 1909, Mr. M. H. Swenk and myself noted a bird of this species which I secured. It was a female. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher {Eitvpidonax flavij-enfris) . — On :\ray 21, 1910, Dr. R. H. Wolcott and I observed Yellow-bellied Flycatchers south of Roca but were unable to secure a specimen. Alder Fly csiteher'Empidonax trailli alnorinn) . — I have two specimens of this flycatcher, which has not been included here- tofore in the list of Nebraska species. One of the specimens, a male, was taken at Lincoln on May 20, 1909, and the other, a breeding female, was secured at Union, Cass county, on July 23, 1910. Horned Lark {Otocoris alpestris). — On December 24, 1908, I obtained a specimen of the true 0. alpestris from a flock of 0. a. praticola. The bird was singled out of the flock almost immediately on account of its larger size and its more extended yellow markings. ^leSidowlsiY^{Stur7ielUnnaina). — On three occasions, Nov- ember 14, 1908, April 9, 1909, and February 23, 1911, I have seen and heard meadowlarks which I could not satisfactorily call S. ne electa both on account of their markings and their song, w^hich latter was radically different from that of the western species. A male which I secured on April 9, 1909, proved to be easily referable to mairta. Leconte Sparrow {Pdsserherhulus leconfei). — As a particu- larly early record for the Leconte Sparrow I have a specimen which I obtained on March 17, 1909. 36 ProGeedinis of the Nelson Sparrow {Passerherhuliis iielsoni). — The Nelson Spar- row was noted by Dr. R. H. Wolcott and myself on May 30, 1910, near Waverly, where several individuals were seen and two females were secured. The birds were in a low, wet, grassy piece of country and were never seen except when flushed, at which times they would rise and fly low, just clear- ing the top of the grass, and drop quickly out of sight. Western Blue Grosbeak (Gioi?-acacaeriileal((zul(/). — I col- lected the nest and eggs of this bird at Lincoln on July 18, 1908. The set contained three eggs of the grosbeak and one of a cowbird. Blue-headed Vireo (Laidvireo solUarius) . — May 10, 1910, I secured a male of this species near Lincoln. It was the only one seen. Prothonotary Warbler {FvotonotdHa citrea) — I found this warbler as far west as South Bend on I\Iay 8, 1909. Northern Fsiriilsiy^arh\er(Co77ipsoi]tli//J7s ainericand iisneae). — I have seen this bird on September 9, 1908 and April 4, 1909 at Lincoln and on April 30, 1910, at Child's Point, Sarpy county. A female was secured on each of the first two oc- casions. Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) . — I have three specimens of this warbler, two males taken on IMay 25, 1909, at Lincoln 'and May 19, 1910, at Child's Point, and a female secured May 26, 1909, at Lincoln. Blackburnian ^arhXev {Dendroica fusea). — I noted an indi- vidual of this species May 25, 1909. Kentucky Warbler {Opororiiis formosus). — This warbler was found as far west as Lincoln where I collected a female on May 12, 1909. Mourning Warbler {Qporornis Philadelphia). — On May 25, 1909, I secured a pair of Mourning AVarblers at Lincoln and on September 4 of the same year obtained an immature female at Roca. Hooded Warbler {W ilsoni a citriii a) . — ^This bird was noted on .Alay 12. Wilson Warbler ( Wilsonia. piisilla) and Pileolated Warbler iW. p. pileolata). -I have seen the Wilson Warbler on May 11, 1907, May 18, 1909 and September 8, 1909. On September 4, 1909, at Roca I secured three specimens of this species one of which seems referable to the western subspecies because of its much brighter coloration, especially on the forehead. J^ebrasha OrnUlioloiists' Union 37 All three of the specimens were males. This is the first defi- nite evidence for including jnleolata in the list of Nebraska forms. Canada Warbler (jfUsonia canadensis)- — IVIay 26, 1909, I watched a bird of this species for some time but was unable to approach it. Carolina Wren {TkrijotJwras litdovicianus). — ^The records which I have for the Carolina Wren are April 12, 1909 at Lin- coln and ^lay 8 of the same year at South Bend. Winter AVren {Manniis liienialis). — I have the following- dates for this bird: November 28, 1907, December 27, 1907, February 14, 1908 and October 17, 1908. I secured a female on the second mentioned date and a male on the last one. Short-billed Marsh Wren (Cistofhoi'ns stellaHs). — A male of this species was obtained October 1, 1910. Chickadee (Pe?ii/iesfes atricapillus) . -November 28, 1907, I secured a female evidently referable to true atHcapilliis. Golden-crowned Kinglet {Re^iilus satrapa). — I have taken this bird as late as November 27, 1908. Townsend Solitaire {Mijadestes townsendi) — I have a fe- male which I obtained December 7, 1907. It has been reported at Lincoln during the winter several times. Willow Thrush {Hylocichla fuscescens salici/'oJa). — This bird has been seen twice, once at Lincoln May 25, 1909, and again at Roca May 21, 1910. A female was obtained on the first mentioned date. Hermit Thrush {Hifloci^hla ouUata, pallaHi), — I have seen seen this bird twice, on April 20, 1907, and on October 10, 1908, on which latter date a male was collected. J. T. Zimmer, Lincoln. THE TOWNSEND SOLITAIRE WINTERING IN WEB- STER COUNTY.— On January 7, 1911, I collected a specimen of the Townsend Solitaire (Jli/odesfes townsendi) at Red Cloud. This is the first record for the south central part of the state. J. M. Bates, Bed Cloud. 38 RECORDS OF SOME RARE BIRDS IN NEBRASKA.— The following records of the occurrence of several species of rare birds in this state are worthy of note : ■Gray-headed Junco {Jiuico pliaeonotus caniceps) . — On April 19, 1911, Mr. Chas. S. Ludlow of Red Cloud, Webster county, took the first specimen of this species to be definitely recorded for the state, though in the "Birds of Nebraska" the statement is made that it was expected to occur in western Nebraska in winter. Concerning the taking of this specimen, Mr. Ludlow says that there had been a thunder-storm the night before, and the morning was clear, with a cold north-west wind. The bird was first seen in a peach tree, singing a low, sweet song somewhat resembling that of the Tree Sparrow, and from the tree it flew to the ground, where he watched it from a distance of not over twenty feet while it scratched around. It then flew to a brush pile, joining a flock of Tree Sparrows, and here Mr. LudloAv shot it. It is the only speci- men of the species he has ever seen. The sepcimen is now in the collection of Mr. J. T. Zimmer of Lincoln. Western Grebe {Aechuiopliorus ocoidentalis) . — A specimen of this grebe was taken by Mr. A. L. Wilson, a ranchman, at Horseshoe lake, Lincoln county, November 10, 1908, and is now in the collection of Mr. August Eiche of Lincoln. Cinnamon Teal (Ouerquedula cj/anopfera) . — A male was shot by Mr. Charles Armstrong at Greenwood, Cass county. May 4, 1909, being one of two specimens seen. Northern Phalarope {Lobipes lobatus) . — A pair in full breeding plumage was taken by Mr. George Pinneo at Lincoln, June 6, 1908. A Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) was observed by the writer at Omaha, May 10, 1908, and a Canada Warbler {misonid, canadensis) was seen on the same day and in the same locality, Child's Point. Robert H. Wolcott, Lincoln. Vol. V, Part 4 May 1. 1912 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists' Union SOME NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF SOUTHWESTERN NEBRASKA BY M. H. SWENK AND J. T. ZIMMER The western edge of the extreme southern part of the state of Nebraska, embracing Dundy, Chase and Perkins counties, or the area between the fortieth and forty-first parallel and the fourth and fifth guide meridian west, has been on the whole but poorly studied ornithologically, especially as re- gards the migrating birds, and so far as known to us no ornitho- logist has made observations on the migrants of this portion of the state. Our knowledge of the winter birds is largely gained from observations made on a one day trip from Wray, Colorado, and Haigler, Nebraska, November 16, 1901, by L. Bruner and R. H. Wolcott. The co-authors of this paper have both visited the region under discussion in the early summer and made close observations on the summering birds. Swenk first visited the region in July 1903, Avhen, in company with L. Bruner, bird observations covering three days, the 23 to the 25, were made along the line of the Burlington from Max to Haigler. Again, in 1905, Swenk spent a week in the region, driving over the plateau from Ogallalla, Keith county, to Imperial, Chase county, and collecting around Imperial, Culbertson, in Hitchcock county, and Haigler, in Dundy county. Zimmer arrived at Grant, Perkins county, on June 30, 1911, and the next day drove across country to Imperial, leaving Imperial on July 3 and spending July 4 to 11 explor- ing the region about Haigler. The area under discussion lies in the plains region of the state, but there is at places a tendency toward sandhill forma- tion, especially north of Haigler, east of Imperial and east and 39 40 Proceedings of the south of Grant. At other places, especially in Perkins and Chase counties, there are no real sandhills and the plateau is covered with typical plains vegetation. There is no stream of any size in Perkins county ; in Chase county the largest river is the Whiteman's Fork of the Republican, or as it is called thereabouts, the Frenchman ; Dundy county is crossed in the southern part by the Middle Fork of the Republican or the Arickaree. Whiteman's Fork is a small stream, narrow enough to leap across at many points and flowing through a treeless valley. The Arickaree is rather broad but the farmers along its course so deplete the supply of water for irrigation purposes that the bed is almost dry before it reaches the Kansas-Nebras- ka line. The season of 1911 was excessively dry, and at the time of these observations there was no running water, only a few pools here and there fed by springs and not over a foot or so in depth, usually less. In 1903 and 1905, which seasons were characterized by more rainfall, there was running water in the river bed. In places along the Arickaree there are scattered clumps of trees, and willow covered "islands" are not infre- quent. The presence of even this thin tree growth has a pro- found effect upon the species of birds one is apt to meet, and, as the following list and annotations will show, is a pathway which eastern species are following in extending their range to the westward. The lower valleys in the river bottom are cov- ered with high grass, with here and there a reedy marsh, but these latter were largely dried out in 1911. Back from the river valley one comes at once to treeless hills covered with sagebrush, yucca and cactus, varied with blowouts where the soil is sandy, and not infrequently, along the margin of the river bed, eroded into more or less prominent bluffs and buttes. "While the total numbers of species observed, fifty-three, is not large, it is believed to represent practically all of the species present in the summer season, except occasional stragglers, and includes all of the common breeders in the region. It adds con- siderable definite knowledge of the exact distribution of many of our birds and shows pretty clearly the character of the shift- ing of ranges of the various species in this part of the state within the past decade. I. Querqucdiila discors (Linnaeus) — Blue-winged Teal. A pair of these ducks was flushed from a pond a few miles south of Grant, June 22, 1905, by Swenk. {Olor buccinator (Richardson) — Trumpeter Swan. On June 22, 1905, while riding on the mail stage from Xebrashd Ornithologists' Union 41 Ogallala to Grant, a fellow passenger living near Ogallala told Swenk of having seen three swans that morning on the Platte river near town. He stated that he believed that the birds were nesting somewhere in the vicinity. Earlier in the season there had been four of these birds, but several days previously, on June 14, this man had shot one of them and captured it alive. He stated that the wounded bird was being kept alive at a farm house near Hershey. The three surviving birds were being kept under surveillance by a ranchman named Stansbury, who was searching for the nest. Swenk did not have an opportunity to verify this report, but as swans are known to have formerly nested in western Nebraska the apparently disinterested statements of this man have great plausibility.) 2. Botaiirus loitiginosns (JMontagu) — Bittern. On July 5, 1911, Zimmer tiushed a pair of bitterns from the river bottom near Haigler where they had been con- cealed in a clump of reeds. 3. Helodrouias solitarins (Wilson) — Solitary Sandpiper. Evidently a summer resident, though its breeding in this region is doubtful. One was noted on a sandbar in the Re- publican near Benkelman by Swenk, July 23, 1903, and sev- eral individuals were seen along the Arickaree near Haig- ler by Zimmer, July 5, 6, and 7, 1911. 4. Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein) — Upland Plover. Both Swenk and Zimmer found these birds comr.ion on the plateau between Grant and Imperial, June 22, 1905, and July 1, 1911. On the latter date Zimmer found these birds the most plentiful of all the species present and usually the only ones in sight back in the hills south of Imperial miles away from water. Often in approaching too near a nest for the continued peace of mind of the owners they would rise in the air, circling closely around with rapid wing-beats and giving their simple liquid call perhaps a little more rapidly than usual. Once the danger was past with a querulous note or two the birds would settle back to reas- sure themselves that all was safe. At Haigler Swenk heard these birds flying over during the night of July 24, 1903, and Zimmer saw six of them July 7, 1911, some distance west of town. 5. Oxyechus vocifcnis (Linnaeus) — Killdeer. A common bird of the region. Swenk found birds with 42 Proceedings of the young unable to fly at Grant, June 22, 1905, ZimiiKr saw several at Imperial July 1 and 2, 1911, and the species was found commonly along the Arickaree from Benkelman to Haigler, July 23 and 24, 1903, by Swenk, and about the little pools of water in the almost dry river bed at Haigler, July 4-11, 1911, by Zimmer. 6. Coliniis virginianus (Linnaeus) — Bob-white. Bob-whites were rather abundant along the Arickaree at Haigler, especially during 1911, when they were found every day by Zimmer from July 4 to 11 in flocks of greater or less size, each flock evidently composed of the members of a single family. When surprised these flocks would scatter in every direction, although the young were barely able to fly. Swenk noted them at the same place June 26, 1905. Zimmer saw Bob-whites between Grant and Imperial July 1, 1911, but Swenk did not note this species when going over the same ground in 1905. Evidently the dry season of 1911 favored the increase of this bird. 7. T ymp ami c hits americanus (Reichenbach) — Prairie Chicken. Prairie Chickens were noted by Swenk between Grant and Imperial, June 22, 1905, and at one place along the road the buggy passed within a foot and a half of a hen which was squatting immovably, with all her feathers drawn close, be- tween two clumps of grass. Only when the buggy was stopped and the bird nearly touched would she flush, and when she did so over a dozen downy young scattered through the grass, calling confusedly. Zimmer flushed a Prairie Chicken from a grass-grown hollow near the river at Haig- ler July 9, 1911. 8. Zenaidnra macroura caroUnensis (Linnaeus) — Mourning Dove. Abundant. Noted by both Swenk and Zimmer at Im- perial, June 23, 1905, and July 1-2, 1911, respectively, and from Max to Haigler, July 23, 1903, by Swenk. Zimmer found it abundant at Haigler, July 4-11, 1911, also. 9. Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied — Turkey Vulture. A Turkey Vulture was noted by Swenk near Haigler, July 24, 1903, and on both July 5 and 8. 1911, Zimmer noted a pair of them sailing about overhead at the same place. 10. Circus hudsonius (Linnaeus) — Marsh Hawk. Zimmer saw this species at Imperial on July 1 and 2 and at Nebraska Ornitholoiists' Union 43 Haigler from July 7 to 11, 1911. On July 8 he found the nest of a pair of these birds in a swamp near Buffalo creek, several miles east of Haigler, and flushed the hawks them- selves nearb3^ The birds were all on the wing and the nest, therefore, was empty, but the parents showed as much anx- iety during his exploration of the swamp as though the nest had contained eggs or nestling young. 11. Buteo szvainsoni Bonaparte — Swainson Hawk. Swenk noted a dead hawk of this species along the road between Grant and Imperial, June 22, 1905. Two large hawks which he took to be this species were also seen cir- cling about overhead. 12. Archihutco fcrnigincns{Jj\Q\\iens,ie,m) — Ferruginous Rough- leg. At Haigler. July 25, 1903, Swenk noted one of these hawks in the sandhills north of town, the bird allowing a very close approach, while Zimmer noted hawks of this species flying overhead at the same locality, July 5, 8, and 11, 1911. Near Imperial, July 1, 1911, Zimmer observed one perched mo- tionless on a pile of boulders that marked the summit of a near-by hill. 13. Falco sparvcrius (Linnaeus) — Sparrow Hawk. A pair of Sparrow Hawks were noted by Bruner at Max, July 23, 1903. This record is referred to the eastern form, though the birds may easily have been the desert form, F. s. phalaciia, which is resident in Sioux county. 14. Asio flammcus (Pontopiddan) — Short-eared Owl. One seen at Benkelman, June 25, 1905, by Swenk. 15. Ohis asio (Linnaeus) — Screech Owl. On July 9, 1911, in a little grove of willows near the swamp containing the Marsh Hawk nest, Zimmer found about a half dozen screech owls and secured a specimen. This bird, though somewhat paler than our eastern Ne- braska screech owls, is unquestionably referable to the eastern subspecies and does not closely approach the Rocky Mountain form, O. a. maxwciliae. 16. Spcotyto cunicularia hypogaea ( Bonaparte) — Burrowing Owl. Both Swenk and Zimmer noted this owl commonly between Grant and Imperial, perched like so many statues on the fence posts and sleepily turning their heads to watch the 44 Proceedings of the passing buggy and its occupants. They are mostly confined to the vicinity of the prairie-dog towns. Swenk noted them at prairie dog towns between Stratton and Max on July 23, 1903, and again several miles east of Haigler on the same day. Zimmer also found these birds at Haigler, and in the hills south of Imperial, on July 2, 1911, found a Burrowing Owl hunting in the broad daylight. 17. Coccyaits amcricanus (Linnaeus) — Belted Kingfisher. On July 6, 1911, Zimmer saw three Yellow-billed Cuckoos some distance west of Haigler and attempted to collect one of them, but the bird escaped owing to the gun missing fire. Returning of a later date he fo\uid no trace whatever of the of extreme southwestern Nebraska is the California Cuckoo birds. It is highly probable that the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, C. a. occidcntalis, which form is stated to be the common and almost exclusive summer resident and breeder over the whole state of Colorado up to the extreme eastern edge of the state, but the identity of these Haigler birds must remain an open question pending the securing of specimens. 18. Ccrylc alcyon (Linnaeus) — Belted Kingfisher. On July 25, 1903, Swenk noted a Kingfisher come flying down the Arickaree and into the town, alighting on a large water tank on the main street and spending some time peer- ing into its depths. Zimmer noted the species at Haigler on July 6, 8, and 11, 1911. 19. Mclancrpes crythrocephalus (Linnaeus) — Red-headed Woodpecker. Swenk noted this woodpecker at Ogallala, June 21, 1905, at Benkelman, July 23, 1903, and a pair at Haigler, July 25, 1903. Zimmer noted it but once, at Haigler, July 8, 1911, when a singe individual was seen. 20. Colaptcs aiiratus liiteus Bangs — Northern Flicker. Moderately common at Haigler in 1911, where Zimmer noted it on July 6, 8, 9, and 10. On the last date he found an immature bird where it had hanged itself by getting its neck caught in the framework of a windmill tower where two supports came together in a sharply angled Y. It was (piite recently dead when he found it. 21. Colaptcs cafcr collaris Vigors — Red-shafted Flicker. Zimmer found this species rather less common than the preceding, but noted it at Haigler on July 4, 8, and 11. Plate I. Sage brush and yucca covered plains at the Nebraska-Colorado liuv- west of Haigler. the dry bed of the Arickares in the distance. July 10, 1911. J. T. Zinimer. Fii:-l lisf ol ;-au(_lliill> l:a( k luuii ili- li;-d of ilie Arifkarte northeast of Haigler. .July 11. 1911. J. T. Zinimer. Nebraska Omitholoiists' Union 45 Swenk noted neither this nor the preceding at Haigler either in 1903 or 1905. 22. Chordcilcs virginianus scnnetti Coues— Sennett Nighthawk. A common summer resident and breeder. Swenk noted it frequently on the high ground between Grant and Imperial and at Max, Parks and Haigler. Zimmer collected a male at Haigler, July 5, 1911. It renders itself conspicuous by perching on the tops of the fence posts during the day. 23. Tyraiinits tyranniis (Linnaeus) — Kingbird. Swenk noted this flycatcher at Haigler June 26, 1905, one bird only being seen, while in 1911 Zimmer found it rather common in the same locality, July 4-11. 24. Tyr annus vcrticalis Say — Arkansas Kingbird. Swenk found this species common in Dundy county in 1903, especially eastwardly. At Max he noted five birds, at Benkelnian two and at Parks one. He did not see it at Haigler either in 1903 or 1905, nor did Zimmer note it at Haigler in 1911. 25. Sayornis sayns (Bonaparte) — Say Phobe. At Haigler, July 24, 1903, Swenk noted a pair of Say Phoebes and two yeju's later, on June 26, 1905, he saw several different birds at that place. In 1911, Zimmer noted the bird there several times, and saw it also at Imperial, July 2, 1911. This flycatcher is quiet and rather shy, and its soft "pe-ur" or 'Svhe-eer" is in keeping with its actions and appearance and in contrast to the vociferous and aggressive Kingbird. 26. Otocoris alp est r is Icucolacma (Coues) — Desert Horned Lark. In 1903 Swenk found this bird very common in Dundy county, noting it at Max, Benkelman and Haigler ; it was, in fact, one of the commonest birds in the region. In 1905 it was very abundant along the road between Ogallala and Grant, June 22, but in Dundy county it was almost absent. Zimmer did not find it much in evidence in 1911, and noted it but twice at Haigler, July 5 and 6. 2y. Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus) — Blue Jay. Not noted by Swenk in 1903 or 1905, but present, though not very common, at Haigler in 1911, several individuals be- ing present which were noted July 6, 7, 8, and 11. 28. DoUchonyx orycivorus (Linnaeus) — Bobolink. Noted only once, a single bird in a valley near a large 46 Proceedings of the ranch several miles north of Imperial, June 22, 1905. The bird was not present in the highlands. 29. Molothriis atcr (Boddaert) — Cowhird. Swenk noted a large number of cowbirds folloAving the cattle on a large ranch in the sandhills north of Haigler, Jvily 25, 1903. and Zimmer observed small flocks of these birds at Haigler from July 6 to 10, 1911. 30. Xanihoccphalns xanthoccphalus (Bonaparte) — Yellow-head- ed Blackbird. At Haigler, July 25, 1903, Swenk noted Yellow-headed Blackbirds at three different places; a flock of two males and four females along the Arickaree, later three females along the same stream, and a large flock at a well in the sandhills north of town. Not noted by Zimmer. 31. Agclains phocniccns (Linneaeus) — Red-winged Blackbird. Swenk noted several Red-winged Blackbirds in the val- ley north of Imperial where the Bobolink was seen, Jane 22, 1905, and also noted the species at Benkelman, July 23, 1903. Zimmer noted individuals every day from July 6 to 9 and on the 11th at Haigler, though the birds were not num- erous. 32. Sturnella neglecta Audubon — Western Meadowlark. Very common over the whole region. Noted by both Swenk and Zimmer at Grant, Imperial and Haigler, and by Swenk at Ogallala, Max, Benkelman, Parks, etc. 33. Icterus spitrius (Linnaeus) — Orchard Oriole. Heard singing but not seen by Swenk at Haigler, July 25, 1903, and noted by Zimmer at the same locality on July 4 and July 6 to 11, 1911. 34. Qitiscalns quiscula acnciis Ridgway — Bronzed Grackle. Zimmer noted this blackbird as not uncommon at Haig- ler in July, 1911, where he saw it practically every day from the 4th to 11th. Swenk did not see this bird either in 1903 or 1905. 35. AstragaUnns fristis pallidus (Mearns) — Pale Goldfinch. Swenk saw a single bird at Ogallala, June 21. 1905, and Zimmer saw individuals near the Arickaree at Haigler on July 4, 6, and 9, but the birds were not common. 36. Animodramus savannarum biniaculatus Swainson — Western Grasshopper Sparrow. Kebraska Ornltkolo0sts' Union 47 Ou the plateau from Grant to Imperial, June 22, 1905, those sparrows were common, and fewenk noted them at Max and Benkelman on July 23, and at Haigler ou July 24, 1903. Zimmer saw a few at both Imperial and Haigler, and took a specimen at the latter place on July 9, 1911, 37. Chondestes grammacus strigatus Swainson — Western Lark Sparrow. Plentiful over the entire region, and apparently not con- fined to any one type of country. Noted by both Swenk and Zimmer at Grant, Imperial and Haigler, and by Swenk at Benkelman and Parks. Seen by both observers Qyex^ day while in the region. 38. Zamelodia mclanoccphala (Swainson) — Black-headed Gros- beak. Noted, only once in the region, by Swenk at Benkelman, July 23, 1903. 39. Guiraca cacndea lazula (Lesson) — Western Blue Grosbeak. Zimmer found this species rather common in the region under consideration, and the birds were fully as much at home on the almost barren sandhills as in the watered river valleys. In spite of the fact that they have a rather pleas- ing song, they were all more or less quiet at this time. While they usually nest at low elevations, in bushes and on weeds, they occasionally have higher ambitions for the ob- server found a nest, containing three eggs, placed twelve feet from the ground in the fork of a tree where a branch joined the main trunk. This nest was discovered at Haigler on July 6, 1911, and the bird was seen on or near the nest on several subsequent days. Swenk noted this bird at Haig- ler, July 25, 1903. 40. Spiza amcricana (Gmelin) — Dickcissel. On the high plateau between Ogallala and Imperial, repre- senting most of Perkins and Chase counties, the Dickcissel was not seen, except in the valley north of Imperial where one was seen by Swenk, June 22, 1905. Along the Aricka- ree it was noted at Max and Parks, July 23, 1903, one in- dividual at the former place and two at the latter, by Swenk. Zimmer saw a single bird at Haigler on July 8 and 9, 1911. Obviously the Dickcissel does not flourish in this dry coun- try, and occurs only in small numbers along the valleys of the streams. 48 Proceedings of the 41. Calamospiza melanocorys Stejneger — Lark Bunting. This bird was common along the road from Ogallala to Grant, June 22, 1905, and Zimmer saw numbers of them be- tween Grant and Imperial, July 1, 1911. The birds are present throughout the hills and undoubtedly breed there, though no nests were discovered. They are often seen along the road, usually in pairs, a black and white male with its duller colored and streaked mate, where they precede one along a line of fence, flying ahead from post to post or from wire to wire and finally swinging around in a wide circle and returning to a position some distance behind. At Haigler, Swenk flushed a lone bird west of town July 24, 1903, and the next day started several pairs of them from a large deep blowout iii the sandhills north of that town. Zimmer did not note the Lark Bunting at Haigler. 42. Progne snbis (Linnaeus) — Purple Martin. Swenk noted this swallow at Imperial, June 23, 1905, and at Haigler two days later. Zimmer did not find the species at Haigler in 1911. 43. Pctrocheiidon lunifrons (Say) — Cliff Swallow. On July 24, 1903, Swenk saw five of these swallows flying over the river at Haigler, and on June 26, 1905, others were again noted at the same locality, but the species was not seen by Zimmer in 1911. 44. Hirundo erythrogastra Boddaert — Barn Swallow. One was seen between Ogallala and Grant, June 22, 1905, by Swenk, and a dozen or more pairs were found nesting under a bridge at Haigler four days later by the same ob- server, who noted three birds at Benkelman on the 23rd, also, Zimmer found Barn Swallows common at Haigler, noting individuals on July 4, 6, and 11, 1911. 45. Riparia riparia (Linnaeus) — Bank Swallow. Swenk noted twenty-six of these swallows between Benk- elman and Parks, July 23, 1903, and Zimmer saw several of them at Haigler on July 4 and again on July 8, 1911. 46. Stelgidopteryx serrip ennis {KudiVihon) — Rough- winged Swal- low. Zimmer noted this species at Haigler on July 5, 8, and 11, 1911, where it was somewhat more common than the Bank Swallow. J^ebraska Ornithologists' Union 49 47. Lanius ludovicianus exciibitorides Swainson — White-rumped Shrike. On July 11, 1911, Zimmer saw several of these shrikes near Haigler. 48. Vireosylva gilva (Vieillot) — Warbling Vireo, Zimmer heard a warbling vireo singing in the top of a tall tree in the Ariekaree valley on July 6, 1911, but an attempt to collect the bird was unsuccessful. No others of this species were noted. It is possible that the warbling vireo of extreme southwestern Nebraska may be the western form, V. g. su'ainsoiii, which occurs in Sioux county and over Colorado, but the taking of specimens must determine this point. 49. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis Brewster — Western Yellow- throat. A single bird seen July 11, 1911, near Buffalo creek east of Haigler should probably be referred to the western sub- species, which is the breeding form in Colorado and in northwestern Nebraska. The bird was noted by Zimmer, but Avas not secured as it retreated to a dense brush heap from which it could not be dislodged. 50. Mimus polyglottos leucopteriis (Vigors) — ^Western Mocking- bird. Zimmer noted this bird twice at Haigler, on July 8 and 11, and collected a pair on the first mentioned date. They were found in a little grove along the river. 51. Toxostoma ruftitn (Linnaeus) — Brown Thrasher. Zimmer saw a single Brown Thrasher several miles west of Haigler on July 6, 1911. It was in a thorn hedge and probably nested somewhere in the vicinity. 52. Penthestes atricapillus septefitrionalis (Harris) — Long-tailed Chickadee, A single bird noted by Swenk along the river near Haig- ler, flying by and calling, July 24, 1903. 53. Sialia sialis (Linnaeus) — Bluebird. Heard by Zimmer on the morning of July 4 about 3 :40 A. M., before the local celebration started at Haigler, but not found again until Julv 9. Among only a single pair near this town and not observed elsewhere in the region by either Zimmer or Swenk. 60 SEVERAL INTERESTING WARBLER RECORDS FROM DAWES COUNTY. Black-throated Green Warbler — {Dendroica vircns) — On Sej)- tember 14, 1911, I took a fine male of this pretty warbler in Squaw canyon, near Crawford. The bird was noted first in a brush heap along the creek but flew to the low branch of an overhanging willow, from which place I secured it. The species is usually restricted to the more eastern parts of the state. Townsend Warbler — {Dendroica tozviiscndi) — On September 19, 1911, I was exploring the shrubbery along West Ash creek, north of Squaw Mound, when I noticed a warbler which was new to me. It was extremely shy and hard to approach and I completel.y lost sight of it for a time, but I finally secured it and foiuid it to be an adult male Townsend Warbler. This is the first record of the occurrence of this western warbler in Nebraska. MacGillivray Warbler — {Oporornis tolmici) — A single adult male of this species was found and secui'ed in West Ash creek canyon on September 11, 1911. This individual was moving rapidly about the Avillows that margined the creek at this place and was so active that I had difficulty in getting a fair shot at it. Gary found this warbler as a probable breeder in Monroe canyon and in the bad -lands pockets of Sioux county in the summers of 1900 and 1901. Pileolated Warbler (Wilsonia pnsiUa pilcolata) — I found the Pileolated Warbler to be one of the commonest birds and by far the commonest of the Mniotiltidae in the canyons during the fall migration in 1911. Usually they were to be seen in the little clumps of dogwood and willow that line the creek banks and roadsides, but on September 17 I saw a smgle bird at the extreme summit of the ridge among the pines where it was associating with a flock of Audubon Warblers. The little "chib" of the Pileolated was quite characteristic, and was alone enough to distinguish the little fellows from their neigh- bors in the canyons. The birds were quite fearless and full of curiosity and I'was able to take a number of specimens, all of which are distinctly referable to this western form. J. T. Zimmer, Lincoln Vol. V. Part 5 April 14, 1913 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists' Union BIRDS OF THE THOMAS COUNTY FOREST RE- SERVE BY JOHN T. ZIMMER This paper is intended to treat of the birds found on the United States Government Forest Reserve, which lies chiefly in Thomas county, Nebraska, with headquarters at Hal- sey. The period of observation extends from April to latter October, and thus includes not only all of the breeding birds and summer residents, but the spring and fall migrants as well, while the latter probably further include most of the winter- ing forms. The first ornithologists to visit the Reserve were L. Bruner and R. H. Wolcott, who were there in May, 1904, and again in April, 1905, being on the latter trip accompanied by H. B. Ward, In 1906, Frank M. Chapman, accompanied by an artist and a preparator, Messrs. Bruce Horsfall and J. D. Figgins, and by L. Bruner, made a flying trip to Halsey for the purpose of getting material for the Prairie Chicken group of the "habi- tat groups" at the American Museum of Natural History. His party was present at the Reserve from May 3 to 6 of that year, and his notes published in his "Camps and Cruises of an Orni- thologist" contain references to certain birds not recorded by the other observers. In June of the same year R. H. Wolcott visited the Reserve and made observations, and in July, 1908, he returned there, accompanied by F. H. Shoemaker, and made further notes on the birds of the region. In July, 1909, (10-12) M. H. Svvenk, accompanied by J. A. G. Rehn of the Philadel- phia Academy of Natural Sciences, visited the Reserve and made notes on the breeding birds, while the following year, from October 27-29, he listed the fall migrants. My first trip to Halsey was a flying one made in June, 1911, from the 7th to 5 1 52 Proceedings of the the lOtli of that month, when I was accompanied by M. H. Swenk. In July of that year a party, headed by R. H. Wolcott and F. H. Shoemaker, spent part of that month on the Reserve studying the fauna, while I returned to the region on August 20 following, and was present until September 3, at which time I left the Reserve for more western portions of the state. Re- turning on September 20, I was again at the Reserve until the 24th of that month, which date closed my observations there for the year. The following year, 1912, I reached Halsey on the evening of May 14 and left on September 10, having spent all of the time between these dates on the Reserve, with, the exception of a week from June 28 to Jul}^ 5, My personal notes and observations were made during spare time from an entomological problem which was the immediate cause of my presence at the Reserve, most of them in the valley of the ]\Iiddle Loup river, that being the stream which flows immediately past the Reserve station. Several trips were made, however, on horseback across the hills to the Dis- mal river, which, directly south of the station, lies about eight or nine miles away and which presents some features differing from those on the Middle Loup, such as a more meandering course in a narrower valley with heavier and larger timber and a more plentiful sprinkling of native cedars. These trips were made on May 26, June 16 and July 14, 1912. The following list and observations are based primarily upon data from my own note-books, but I have drawn upon the notes of the other observers, Avhich have been placed at my disposal, wherever they have added forms or observations which were not noted by me. The record as presented may be considered as cover- ing a period from May 3 to October 29 with practical complete- ness. Perhaps a short description of the various types of country found on the Reserve will aid in a better understanding of some of the notes made in this paper. Briefly stated, two faunal regions occur on the Reserve, Sandhill and Prairie, the former Upper Sonoran and the latter Carolinian. The Sand- hill type of country is the predominant one and occupies all of the territory with the exception of the river valleys which are more of the Prairie type, and which exist as narrow tongues extending well into the sandhills. Both regions contain var- ious types of habitats which are more or less distinct in certain respects, although it is not always possible to delimit them solely by the nature of their bird population. These habitats Kehraska OriiitJiolo gists' Union 53 have been classified by R. H. Wolcott in his "Analysis of Ne- braska's Bird Fauna" {antea IV, part 2, p. 48, 1909) but the conditions on the Reserve present a slight variation due to the proximity of the two faunal areas and the presence of a con- siderable number of planted pines. The habitats may be de- fined as follows: A.— SANDHILLS (UPPER SONORAN). I. Open Coventry. a. Grassland.- The greatest portion of the area embraced by this paper is of this type. It is a succession of hills and hollows, the latter of varying size and depth, very fre- quently much elongate or more or less connected with other hollows in almorst continuous succession for some distance, with the closed valleys thus formed separated from corresponding valleys to the northward or south- ward by similarly extending ranges of hills. In general, • however, the conformation is irregular. No running water occupies the region. The soil is sand with a char- acteristic vegetation of Bunch-grass {Andropogon scopar- ius), yucca, cacti of several species and other plants. The birds which breed in this area are the Upland Plover, Prairie Chicken, Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, Burrowing Owl, Mourning Dove , Desert Horned Lark, Western Meadowlark, Western Vesper Sparrow, Western Grass- hopper Sparrow and Western Lark Sparrow. Five of these ten were not found breeding elsewhere — the Prairie Chicken, Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, Mourning Dove, Western Vesper Sparrow and Western Grasshopper Spar- row; the rest were noted in the river valley either breed- ing or in situations which gave strong probability of their doing so. b. Sandy Wastes.- Most of these are blowouts or sand pits scooped out of the hills, usually on the southwestern slope. The point ornithologically interesting is the fact that the rotary action of the wind in forming these blowouts has cut the sand from one side, perhaps more commonly the southwestern one, and left it more or less sheer and hard- packed in contrast to the opposite slope of loose sand. This firm bank is used by the Belted Kingfisher and Rough-winged Swallow to hold their horizontal burrows when no suitable places are available along the river 54 Proceediiiis of the shore. When the hitter situations are available, however, the birds by preference make use of them. Other sandy wastes, artificial in their primal origin but presenting no features not already shown by natural formations, are the plowed fire-guards. These the wind frequently seizes upon and converts in part into blowouts — the remainder are mere strips of bare sand like the numerous denuded areas on the hills which have been hollowed out hardly enough to be called true blowouts. These places are fre- quented by the Sennett Nighthawk, which bird is char- acteristic of the habitat, rarel.y if at all breeding in the valley although commonly seen there in its crepuscular flights. 67/ r;//7/;^n'.— Shrubbery of various kinds dots the hills in places, but in many of the deeper hollows where the snow drifts pile up in winter in the shelter of the northwest wall and there furnish a greater supply of moisture than elsewhere in the spring, the result has been to produce a heavier growth of vegetation in that particular portion of the valley. The plants which ordinarily form these pockets are several. The low-growing New Jersey Tea {Ccanothus amcricaiiiisj. Wolfberry (SyinpJwricarpos oc- cidcntalis) and Wild Rose (Rosa arkansaiiaj occur in beds which shelter the Western Field Sparrow. Wild Plum (Primus americanu) and Western Choke Cherry (P. meianocarpa) often form dense thickets which are uti- lized by the Western Blue Grosbeaks. Hack berry (Celtis occidentalis) and Ash (Fraxinus laticcolafa) are of fre- quent occurrence, sometimes in such quantity as to war- rant the application of the name grove. The Hackberry furnishes nesting sites for the Swainson Hawk and Great Blue Heron and probably also the Arkansas Kingbird. The only ]\Iarsh Hawk nest discovered w^as in the shelter of one of the beds of Syuiphoricaypos, but it is probable that a heavy growth of tall grass would have answered the purpose just as well. Wet places. — No permanently moist valleys or sloughs are present among the hills near the Reserve and hence no notes were made concerning the bird population of such places. IMoist spots in the neighborhood of stock wind- mills exert an influence, at least on the insect life of the place but they are of such small size as to have little effect J^ebraska Ornithologists' Union, 55 on the bird population. However, the Killdeer has been found nesting in such a situation. Certain of the valleys undoubtedly contain enough moisture in the early spring to affect the migrating visitors but during the nesting season they are usually dry and cannot be considered un- der the present heading. 4. Lakes — Although present in many parts of the sandhills, lakes are absent in the territory embraced by this paper. 5. Ranch buildings. — The artificial conditions imposed by ranch buildings probably affect bird life in the hills as well as in the valleys, but in the absence of any such building in the portion of the hills which I explored, I am unable to give any data on this particular habitat. 6. Planted groves. — Pine groves are not a natural habitat of sandhill country nor yet an ordinary artificial one, but the presence of a pine-covered area so large as that on the Eeserve will, someday, in all probability, furnish con- ditions not to be disregarded in a consideration of the biology of the region. Even now there is an appreciable effect on the entomology of the place, but the trees are mostly of such small size and of so recent establishment that as yet little influence is to be noted on the bird life of the region during the breeding season. It is hardly possible that the occurrence of the Audubon Warbler and Rocky Mountain Bluebird, both residents of pine-covered territory, can be attributed to the presence of the conifers on the Reserve, especially since neither bird was seen in the planted areas. No groves of deciduous trees were found which were of undoubted artificial origin. One or two were visited which might have been planted but they presented no features which distinguished them, ornithologically speaking, from some of the larger natural groves. One nest, evidently that of a Swainson Hawk, although not definitely so determined, occupied a tree in one of these places. No other possibilities in the nature of breeding birds were noted. B.— PRAIRIE ( CAROLINIAN) . I. Larger streams with sandy mud Hats and sandbars. — This habitat is furnished by the Middle Loup and Dismal rivers, 56 ' Proceedings of the both of moderate si/e and with sandy beds. As breeding inhabitants the Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper were to be noted definitely, and the latter bird was found breed- ing nowhere else. 2. Smaller- streams zvitli steep, muddy banks. — The Dismal river should probably be partially classified in this group, since in its meanderings it cuts numerous cliffs in the hills that margin its course. These banks are steep and often claye}^ and are occupied by the Belted Kingfisher and the Rough-winged and Bank Swallows, birds, the first two of Avhich at least, in the absence of such situa- tions resort to blowouts in the sandhills for nesting. 3. Prairie ponds. — This habitat occurs along the river at various points but seems to be lacking near the locality of my observations. The grass}' banks of a tiny brook cr two sheltered a few Redwinged Blackbird nests but the area embraced was too limited to furnish very ample data on such environment. 4. Thickets along the river. — Thickets occur at various points along the rivers and consist mostly of growths of Wild Plum, Western Choke Cherry, Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), Haw (Crataegus occidentalisj and Sandbar Willow (Salix fluviatilis) interlaced with a tangle of Wild Raspberry (Ruhns occidentalis), in places so dense as to be almost impenetrable, and, at least in summer, very hot and close. Here are found the Screech Owl, Yellow- billed and Black-billed Cuckoos, Kingbird, Blue Jay, Red- winged Blackbird, Orchard Oriole, Pale Goldfinch, West- ern Field Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bell Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Maryland Yellowthroat, Long-tailed Chat, Catbird and Brown Thrasher. Of these, the King- bird, Bell Vireo, Maryland Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler and Catbird were found to breed nowhere else. This environment, of all those present on the Reserve, is the richest in species and total inhabitants, for its extent, both during the breeding season and during migration ; more than one-half of the birds included in the following list were found in these thickets at one time or another. 5. Thickets hack from the streams. — These differ from the foregoing mostly in their position at or near the base of the hills which gives them a partial resemblance to the ^Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 57 hill pockets. Willows (Salix humilis) are less frequent here than in the river thickets, Ash (Fraxinus lanccolata) occurs commonly, and the growths of Symphoricarpos and other low shrubs add their quota to the list of residents. As these thickets are intermediate between the sandhill and river growths, they possess something of the char- acter of both and have little that is truly characteristic. The regular residents are the Screech Owl, Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos, Blue Jay, Pale Goldfinch and Long-tailed Chat in common with the riverside habitat, Western Blue Grosbeak in common with the sandhill pockets. Western Field Sparrow in common with both, and the Arctic Towhee and Black-and- White Warbler more plentiful here than elsewhere if not entirely confined to this environment. A possible subliead under the above might be entitled Woodland. At various places the trees are large and the ground beneath is cool and shaded. Mossy springs may be present although the Vv'ater does not flow far before it gradually seeps into the sand. Such situations may tempt the more arboricole birds during migrations, for it was there that I noted the Robin and Audubon Warbler, there the Olive-backed and Willow Thrushes were the most abun- dant, and there the Redstart and Black-poll Warbler were seen the most frequently. So far as I could learn, how- ever, there were no characteristic breeders in this partic- ular territory. 6. Open Country. a. Grassland. — The grass-covered portions of the valley sup- port but one species distinct from those of the open sand- hills— the Dickcissel. Other breeders in the habitat are the Upland Plover, Burrowing Owl, Desert Horned Lark and Western Lark Sparrow. The Western Meadowlark and Western Grasshopper Sparrow may also breed there but good evidence is lacking. b. Sandy Stretches.— These patches of bare sand occur fre- quently in the region where the wind has persistently blown away the loose soil and prevented vegetation from taking hold. Plowed fields often form a base for such operations. The Sennett Nighthawk (rarely), Killdeer and Desert Horned Lark (more frequently) are S3eu there 58 Proceedings of the but I never found evidence of the breeding of these birds in such places. Ranch buildings. — Two birds alone seem to have utilized man-made stuetures in their nest building — fho Barn Swallow and the AVestern Lark Sparrow — the latter but once to my knowledge as described under the discussion of that species. The swallow is probably dependent on man for its presence in the region but the sparrow is able to find and does find nesting sites of various sorts over most of the region and is not dependent on human &id. Planted groves. — No data are at hand to indicate the* ef- fect of artificial groves on the species of birds occurring in the locality. Only in their artificial nature do such groves differ from some of the woodland or some of the natural groves of trees in the valley, and the very j-res- enee of the latter would tend to minimize the effective- ness of the former in their influence on bird life w^re such influence present. As stated in the note on woodland, such effects are not noticeable and at present I am unable to offer any discussion of this particular habitat. In examining the above notes it must, of course, be borne in mind that the divisions do not hold during mi- grations, at which times the birds wander over a wide range of territory. Witness the occurrence of the King- bird, Black-headed Grosbeak and Brown Thrasher miles from the river valley in a hackberry grove. Even during breeding time, some of the species frequent situations where they do not nest, for example the Mourning Dove, Sennett Nighthawk and Great Blue Heron. Owing to the merging of the Prairie and Sandhill re- gions on the Reserve, some difficulty is experienced in as- signing the proper region to certain of the species of birds, especially in the case of the migrants which because of the proximity of the two faunal areas, may be found in both of them within the space of a very few minutes. In the case of the breeders it is not so difficult and some in- teresting comparisons may be brought out by tabulating the forms somewhat as follows: Birds common to both Sandhills and Prairie in the state which preferred Prairie when both regions were avail- ^ehrasha Ornitholooists' Union 59 able : — Killdeer Bob white Screech Owl Burrowing Owl Black-billed Cuckoo Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Kingbird Traill Flycatcher Western Lark Sparrow Arctic Towhee Dickcissel Bank Swallow Rough-winged Swallow Yellow Warbler Catbird Brown Thrasher 2. Birds common to Sandhills and Prairie, which preierred Sandhills : — Great Blue Heron Prairie Chicken Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse Mourning Dove Marsh Hawk Swainson Hawk Sennett Nighthawk Arkansas Kingbird Desert Horned Lark Western Meadowlark (near Prairie) Western Vesper Sparrow Western Grasshopper Sparrow Western Blue Grosbeak Lark Bunting 3. Birds common to Sandhills and Prairie, of equal distri- bution over both: Upland Plover Western Field Sparrow Birds restricted in their choice because of the absence of their accustomed habitat in the Sandhills. All of them common to both regions in general but here restricted to Prairie : Spotted Sandpiper Redwinged Blackbird Barn Swallow The remainder are Prairie forms which keep to Prairie habitats : Yellow-billed Cuckoo Blue Jay Orchard Oriole Pale Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Bell Vireo Black-and- White Warbler Maryland Yellowthroat Long-tailed Chat (Note: — The absence of typical Sandliills birds is due to the 60 Proceedings of the absence of lakes and marshes, since most of these are shore and water birds). There is little to add here to this discussion. In gen- eral it appears that the brush and thicket inhabiting birds prefer such places in the valley and that the open country birds are better suited in the hills. This is not entirely due to the greater abundance of the accustomed habitat in the preferred region because many of the thickets in the hills are fully as dense and secluded as those in the valleys, and, on the other hand, there is much open coun- try in the valle^^s. Undoubtedly a detailed study of the various habitats in the regions throughout the state will bring to light much that will aid in explaining these facts but such a detailed study I will leave for other and later treatment and will allow the following list to stand as it is. 1. Lams dclazvarensis Ord — Ring-billed Gull. On August 28, 1911, I saw a single gull of this species winging its way along the Loup river, and on May 21, the following year, I saw another bird in much the same sit- uation. The species is probably only a migrant in this vicinity although it remains throughout the summer in the lake region of Cherry county, adjoining Thomas county on the north. 2. Lams frankUni Richardson — Franklin Gull. R. H. Wolcott reports this gull migrating at Halsey. I have never noted the species there nor have I other rec- ords of its occurrence there. 3. Sterna forsteri Nuttall — Forster Tern. This bird is also a migrant, being reported by R. H. Wolcott alone. 4. Hydrochclidon nigra surinamensis (Gmelin) — Black Tern, The Black Tern may breed in suitable situations in the region under consideration but I did not succeed in find- ing any indications of the fact, although there were birds present in small numbers up until June 10. None were seen after that date until July 31, from which time they were again noted until Augnst 9. The species breeds quite commonly in Cherry county and other favorable localities over the state, including parts of the sandhills, and might very well breed on the Reserve also in the presence of reedy ponds and marshes such as occur else- where alongthe Loup river. If any such marshes are Nebraska OmitJiolo^ists' Union 61 near the Reserve I failed to find them, which may, in part at least, account for the absence of positive breed- ing records. The terns were nsually found along the river, darting through the air in graceful, swallow-like flight or moving (juietly over the stream with eyes intent on the water, ready at an instant's notice for a lightning- like descent upon some luckless fish. When not thus en- gaged they could be seen standing singly or in a row along the edge of a sandbar, heading into the wind and motionless except when now and then one would busy itself with preening its feathers. 5. Pclecaiius crythrorhynchos Gmelin. — White Pelican. This pelican was noted by R. H. Wolcott at Halsey. No other records are at hand. 6. Mcrgiis amcricanus Cassin — Merganser. On May 21, 1912. I saw five Mergansers on the Middle Loup and watched them for some time as they swam about in the stream. Finally, one by one, they emerged on to a low sandbar near the far shore of the river, and, burying their heads in their back feathers, they settled down for a peaceful nap from which they were soon rudely awakened by something which must have alarmed them for with one accord they straightened their necks, leaped into the air and sped away up stream. This date is a rather late one for the occurrence of this duck in Nebraska as it is one of the earlier migrants to pass through the state on the way to its breeding grounds. 7. Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus — Mallard. The Mallard was found only during migration although it breeds commonly in localities throughout the state. I saw a flock of these ducks on June 10, 1911, and another on August 25, 1912, both on the river near the Reserve. M. H. Swenk noted a flock of twenty-five on the Loup October 28, 1910, and a smaller flock on the following day. Although but a migrant the species is undoubtedly of reg- ular occurrence. 8. Chaulclasmus strc perns (Linnaeus) — Gadwall. Two ducks of the present species were noted on the Middle Loup river on June 14, 1912, two on June 19 on the same stream but several miles farther up, and a single bird on June 24 near the place where the last two were 62 Proceedings of the seen. These birds, probably onl^y a single pair seen on the several occasions, very likely bred in the valley but I found no nests to corroborate this conclusion. This dvtck is known to breed locally in the sandhills. 9. Nettion carolincnse (Gmelin) — Green-winged Teal. A flock of about a dozen were noted on the Loup, August 28, 1910, by M. H. Swenk. 10. Querquedttia discors CLinnaeus) — Bkie-winged Teal. The Blue-winged Teal also nests in the sandhills of Ne- braska and had I been near any lakes or ponds I would probably have found breeding pairs of the birds, but the only occasions I saw the species were August 30, 1911, and May 17, 1912, a solitary bird in both cases, the first one on the river, the second on a little brook emptying into the larger stream. M. li. Swenk flushed several from ponds and sloughs near Dunning, June 1, 1911, and R. H. Wolcott noted it in June, 1906. 11. Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus) — Shoveller. This duck is recorded by R. H. Wolcott as occuring dur- ing June, 1906, and doubtfully in July, 1911. It is prob- ably only a migrant at this point. 12. Dafila acuta (Linnaeus) — Pintail. Pintails are recorded by F. M. Chapman as having been seen on the river at the Reserve. The species did not occur during my observations, which, however, took place some time after the normal migration period of these ducks. 13. Marila affinis (Evton) — Lesser Bluebill. A pair of Lesser Bluebills was seen on the Dismal river on May 26, 1912, but neither of the birds was noted on any of the later excursions to that stream. Although evidently mated, these were in all likelihood only migrat- ing individuals. A small flock was noted on the Loup by M. H. Swenk October 28, 1910. 14. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu) — Bittern. The only time I saw the Bittern was on August 20, 1911, on which date I flushed a single bird from the margin of the river where it had been half concealed in the tall grass. R. H. Wolcott records it in June, 1906, and July, 1908, and F. M. Chapman in May, 1906. Xehraska Omitholoiists' Union 63 15, Ardca herodias Liuneaeus — Great Blue Heron. Durin? June, 1911, and throughout the summer of 1912, I saw Gi-eat Blue Herons on the Middle Loup, and on several trips to the Dismal river in the latter year also found the birds, wading solemnly over the sandbars and through the shallows or standing motionless— slim gray shadows, hardly to be noticed until some movement be- trayed their presence. At dusk they often showed black against the sun on the water or loomed up big as they flew overhead, now and then uttering a harsh, discordant squawk. Not infrequently I would hear them dov/n on the river in the middle of the night, when their voices^ not the most musical at any time, would assume an added weirdness. Once in the spring I saw a small group of the herons in the valley back from the river but they seemed to have no particular business to perform there and flew abruptly on being approached, only to alight on the nearest hillside. At times, too, they would alight on the hill tops near the Keserve station and stand motion- less or stalk gravely along the summit. On the evening of May 21, 1912, a flock numbering thirty or forty flew overhead, going eastward, but these were, I suspect, the members of a nesting colony. Such a colony I knew to be located somewhere back in the hills but although I learned of the general location of the place from different persons who had been there, no one seemed able to furnish me wnth accurate directions for reaching the place. On May 19, 1912, I set out with several of the forestry men in an attempt to find the pocket in which grew the little grove of trees where the herons had chosen to build their nests. After most of a day spent in quartering the ground for miles in every di- rection from a point v/hich we had chosen as a center of operations, we had almost made up our minds to give up the search or try in some other direction when a heron was noted overhead, apparently returning from a fishing trip on the Dismal. We followed it with our eyes and saw it alight scarcely a half mile away in what appeared to be a patch of low grooving bushes in a shallow depression. When the place was reached the shallow depression was found to bo a deep but not extensive valley, and the low bushes the tops of hackberry trees twenty or thirty feet in height. The trees formed a circular grove seventy-five or a 64 Proceedings of the hundred feet in diameter, which, viewed from a little dis- tance, presented the appearance of a huge nest, since it was depressed in the center where the trees were smaller and more bent, weighted down, evidently, by the heron nests which were more numerous there than at the outer edge. This appearance of the grove, however, was much more apparent later in the summer after the leaves were well out on the trees, but at this time, all the more clearly be- cause of the comparatively bare branches, the trees and the ground beneath showed white with the droppings of the generations of the birds which had been reared there. At our approach thirty-two herons rose into the air and circled around with loud outcries, but finally they alighted on the crests of the nearby hills where they stood on every side lined up like sentinels on post. Occasionally one or two would sail over the grove to reconnoiter, only to fly back to resume their old posts or occupy new ones. We found the nests to be bulky constructions of vsticks, hardly more than hollowed-out platforms, a yard or so in diameter and with the depression about six inches deep. Prom the hill above I had seen the pale g^reenish- blue eggs in' the nests but under the trees I found broken eg'gshells, so I suspected the presence of young birds also. Later I discovered a few young herons, although most of the eggs were as yet unhatched. The usual number in a clutch was four, but some sets were of five. On May 30, I returned to the heronry, and although at this time one set of eggs was discovered, all the others had hatched and the nests contained young birds in nest- ling down of white. These little fellows put up a comical fight when disturbed, craning their long necks and strik- ing out bravely with their sharp bills, which might' have been formidable enough had they managed to reach one's eyes. On June 24 another trip to the heronry found the young birds well feathered and clambering over the nests, frequently passing from one tree to another during their scramblings. On this occasion the odor of dead fish was unpleasantly strong, although it had not been particularly noticeable on the previous visits. Several dead fish, measuring up to a foot in length, were found under the trees. I did not get back to the place until the 25th of August J^ebraska OniUholo^ists' Union 65 and by that time it was almost deserted. Only three birds were seen about the grove and these appeared to be on the eve of departure. In fact, no herons had been seen along the river for some time previously. August 31 I saw the last one, perhaps one of those seen at the heronry on the 25th, a lone bird, fishing along the river. This' heronry is situated between the Dismal and the Loup rivers, about nine miles from the former and four miles from the latter. Both streams are visited by the birds. Another heronry is said to be located a number of miles west of the one I visited but I never found time to search for it. i6. Butorides virescens (Linnaeus) — Green Heron. No Green Herons were in evidence during 1912, but on August 28, 1911, a single male bird was taken from its perch on a brush heap overhanging the river. This furnishes a rather westerly record for the species in Ne- braska. 17. Nycticorax nycticoraxnaevins (Boddaert) — Black-croAvned Night Heron. The Black-crowned Night Heron is probably only a migrant at Halsey although it breeds locally in the sand- hills of the state. Two records are in my note-book, one of an immature bird noted standing in the shallows of the river on September 20, 1911, the other of a lone individual seen flying along the stream on September 3, 1912. 18. Grus mexicana (Muller) — Sandhill Crane. The Sandhill Crane has been noted by R. H. Wolcott as occur; ring in the region. 19. Fulica americana Gmelin — Coot. The Coot is a summer resident and possible breeder in the lakes and marshes of the sandhills but I noted it only once at Halsey. July 17, 1912, one was seen swimming about alone in the river near the Reserve station. 20. Gallinago delicata (Ord) — Wilson Snipe. F. M. Chapman reports a Wilson Snipe from the Loup valley but I saw none there, although on May 26, 1912, I flushed one from a boggy flat along the shore of the Dismal river where it had been poking about in the spring-dotted soil. It did not flush until very nearly trod 66 Proceedings of the upon by my horse. It was not seen on later occasions and was, in all likelihood, a migrating bird. 21. Pisobia maculata (Vieillot) — Pectoral Sandpiper, Keported by R. H. Wolcott as present in June 1906. 22. Piwbia fiiscicollis (Vieillot)— White-rumped Sandpiper. This sandpiper was noted on August 21, 1911, and again rather commonly from May 20 to 31, 1912, on both the Loup and Dismal rivers. A flock of twenty-five White-rumped and Baird Sandpipers was seen at the lat- ter place on May 26, while single individuals of the pres- ent species were noted in the Loup valley as late as June 5 and June 19. 23. Pisobia bairdi (Coues) — Baird Sandpiper. I saw a Baird Sandpiper on August 21, 1911, and dur- ing 1912 I found flocks of the birds on the Loup river on May 21, 31 and June 1. On May 26 they were seen on the Dismal river in company with the preceding species. 24. Pisobia minutilla (Vieillot) — Least Sandpiper. On July 12, 1912, I saw a pair of Least Sandpipers in a very favorable situation for their breeding. They were at the time out in the middle of the stream on a sandbar and were quite wary. Since I could not conceal myself while approaching them, I was unable to get within range before they became sufficiently alarmed to fly. These birds were not migrants, I believe, although they may have been merely summer residents. 25. Ereunetes pusillus (Linnaeus) — Semipalmated Sandpiper. The Semipalmated Sandpiper was noted very sparingly on August 20, 1911, and on May 21 and 25, 1912, on the Middle Loup and was seen in small numbers on the Dis- mal river on May 26 of the latter year. It probably mi- grates regularly at Halsey in greater or less numbers. 26. Totanus mclanoleucus (Gmelin) — Greater Yellow-legs. On September 20, 1911, there was a single Greater Yel- low-legs present on the sandbars in the river near the sta- tion. It was not noted on other occasions. 27. Hclodromas solifarius (Wilson) — Solitary Sandpiper. I noted the Solitary Sandpiper on September 1 and 2, 1911, and on July 12 and 17 and September 6, 1912, a J^ehrasha Ornithologists' Union 67 single bird in every instance. An adult female taken July 12 showed no ovarian development such as would have been present had she been a breeding individual. At most the species can be considered as a summer resi- dent at this locality. 28. Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein) — Upland Plover. Prom May 17 until August, 1912, I found Upland Plovers at various times in both the Loup and Dismal river valleys as well as scattered over the intervening hills. They were not abundant as I found them to be at Imperial in Chase county ( antea V, p. 41, 1912) but the surroundings are as favorable for the birds as at that locality and with the dimunition of their breeding grounds by the settlement of the land in other places they will in all probability re- tire to just such situations as this country affords. The region is suitable for little but grazing in its present state, and it will not for a long time, if ever, be anything but the endless succession of grass-covered hills and hollows, broken here and there by blowouts and patches of bare sand or by a tiny clump of shrubbery in a pocket — just the sort of territory where these retiring birds thrive best. These plover-like sandpipers are often seen stalking through the grass like the Bob white, and when alarmed fly with rapid wing beats and a clear, whistled, ''whoet'- whoet'-whoet'- whoet' ." If a fence post be near they may alight upon it or they may circle around in a wide sweep and alight upon the ground but a short dis- tance away. The most characteristic note of the birds is almost indescribable but it may perhaps be represented as a long, rolling, "pr-r-r-r-r-r-re-e-e-e-e-e-o-u-u-u-u ," the syllables blending into one another in a rising inflec- tion until the climax is reached and then dying away into silence. When heard on a still night from the darkness overhead, the sound is almost uncanny, and even in day- light there is something in the nature of it which seems quite in keeping with the lonely surroundings of these birds. 29. Tryngites suhruiicoUis (Vieillot) — Buff-breasted Sand- piper. A single Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on the shore of a little sandbar island in the Loup river on September 2, 1911, but was too wary to allow itself to be taken. I 68 Proceedings of the have no other records of the occurrence of this bird at Halsey. It is not common anywhere in the state. 30. Actitis viacularia (Linnaens) — Spotted Sandpiper. Spotted Sandpipers were scattered along the Middle Lonp and Dismal rivers and were noted until September 7, 1912. One pair was seen frequently on a little wooded island near the Reserve station but, although I felt sure that there was a nest at this place, I was unable to find it until June 13. On that date I set out to make a minute survey with the resolve to find the nest if at all possible. I waded out to the island and sat down near the center of it to see if the birds would give me any clue, for in that part of the island they had been seen on many oc- casions and it was there, in fact, that the female was al- w^ays last seen when I suspected that she was returning home. Scarcely had I seated myself when the male was overhead, nervous and fluttering. He circled about me once or twice and then flew over a nearby clump of wil- lows, so I rose to my feet and circled the group of trees, entering it at the opposite side. The center of the place was somewhat more open than the margin and barely had I set foot within the clearing when the female was up be- fore me. It took no exertion on my part to find the* place from which she had flown and the nest was soon in view, if nest it could properly be called. It was a mere hollow in the ground at the foot of a willow stub and was lined only by the rubbish of sticks and leaves which covered the earth at that place, and contained four eggs. A young male of the species was secured on August 20, 1911, evi- dently a bird reared in the neighborhood, possibly by the same pair whose nest I found the following year. 31. Numcnius amcricamis Bechstein — Long-billed Curlew. On July 11, 1912, Mr. Bovee, a ranchman living near the Reserve station, told me that he had seen a family of Long-billed Curlews, old and young, in the river val- ley near his place only the day before. I attempted to find them on the following day but was unsuccessful in catch- ing sight of them, although that evening I heard the call of one overhead when it was too dark to see the bird itself. This one was flying in the direction of Mr. Bovee 's place and may well have been one of the birds he saw. J^ebraslca Ornitholoiists' Union 69 32. Osycchii.-; rocifcrus (Linnaeus — Killdeer. The Killdeer was undoubtedly the commonest of the shore birds present at Ilalsey and was found until the 3rd of September in 1911, and until the 5th of that month in 1912. It may have been present in 1911 later than the 3rd, which was the last date of my observation until the 20th, but it Avas absent in the latter part of the month when I returned to Ilalsey. Two nests of four eggs each were found on the same island as the nest of the Spotted Sandpiper and in a very similar situation, although in a different clump of willows. The parent Killdeers were never seen on the nests and never tried to lead me away from their vicinity by the methods which some birds employ of feigning a broken wing, but when I was near the group of willows the birds would squat down in a depression of the sand nearby and remain perfectly quiet, only now and then raising their heads to see if I had gone. So long as I remained motionless, so did they, and by no means coidd I make them acknowledge owner- ship of the nests or eggs except by their nervous attitude and the fact that they were more quiet than usual. The ordjjiary notes of the Killdeer are the well known, "kill- dee kill-dee kill-dee- — , " and the " cry-baby-baby-baby- baby-cry-baby-ba))y. " One bird, Avhich I heard a number of times several miles up the river from the station, possessed some peculiarity in its voice so that the "baby" part of the latter call was given in a falsetto key. The result was ludicrous, as can be imagined. 33. Colinus viri^inianus (Linnaeus) — Bob-white. In 1911 about a dozen of these birds were present on the Reserve near the station where I f^aw them nearly every day, but during 1912 I found them only at inter- vals and then so few, only one or two at a time, that I suspected that the numbers had decreased materially. The explanation was found wdien I was told that Bob- whites had been found frozen several times during the winter of 1911-1912. Most of the birds were in the brush along the river, but often I found them in the open val- ley and in the undergrowth at the base of the hills. On August 28, 1911, a single Bob-white was seen about a half-mile back in the hills, and on June 7, 1912, one was heard but not seen in almost the same situation. 70 Proceedings of the 34. Tympannchus americaniis (R e i c h e n b a c h) — Prairie Chicken. Although I saw but a single Prairie Chicken during 1911, I found the birds in numbers during 1912, when, in the earlier part of May, the loud booming of the males could be heard in the early morning from different points in the surrounding prairie. A few weeks later flocks of downy young were found, ranging the hills in charge of their watchful mother. Several times I came across the young birds when my first indication that they were near at hand was the sight of the parent skulking through the grass or fluttering over the hill, apparently badly hurt. In such cases I refused to be deluded and began to search for the little striped fellows hidden in the grass, often with the result of finding them almost un- der my feet. There was no movement on their part to tell me they were there nor did they do anything but squat fiat to earth until I picked them up. No sooner would I lift one in my hand, however, than it would set iip a loud peeping which generally brought the mother on a run. In one such instance the parent bird appeared over the crest of the hill, where she had skulked away at my approach, and came directly toward me with half- open wings, as if to drive me away. When within a few feet of me she turned quickly and ran in a wide circle about me, clucking all the while like a barnyard hen. Finding that her efforts to drive me away were of no avail she flew with whirring wings over the hill only to return and circle about me in the same way as before, still clucking loudly. This time the chicks left their hiding places, and, with subdued peepings, ran under cover of the vegetation in the direction of the place where the mother had taken a stand and when I left a few moments later not a chick was to be seen. At this time the young were light yellow in color beneath, tinged with warm brown dorsally and with two black stripes down the back, each stripe broken in two places, thus giving the appearance of six short black streaks. The head was brownish yellow dorsally, marked with a central row of blackish blotches and with smaller black markings in the post-ocular region. About this time, also, I found several nests full of egg- J^ehraslcii OrnWwloiMs' Utiion 71 shells indicating the number of eggs in the set to have been in the neighborhood of thirteen, but did not dis- cover a nest with the sitting parent or with the eggs yet unhatched, for the close-sitting bird would be almost impossible to see in the long grass of the hollows. The nests were merely places in the grass where the hen had settled the plants down on the ground and laid her eggs on top of the grassy mat. Even after the family had left there was scarcely a depression to mark the place, and the whole nest was so open and plainly to be seen that only the coloration of the sitting bird would conceal the situation from the would-be observer. Later in the summer I came across flocks of the chicks grown larger, and then, instead of keeping close to earth, they would fly up and scatter over the hill, looking very small in comparison to the size of their mother. In reality they Avere about six or seven inches in length, but their flight was strong and direct although neces- sarily of comparatively short duration. Still later, in the latter part of August and early September, almost grown, they were joined by the old males, which, until then, had been off by themselves in small groups, and the combined flocks, often in company with Prairie Sharp- tailed Grouse, ranged the hi] Is to feed, rising with whir- ring wings, when flushed, to settled again when they had put the crest of a hill between themselves and the ob- server. October 27-29, 1910, M. H. Swenk found them common in the sandhills about the Reserve, but not so abundantly as at the eastern edge of the sandhills in Custer county. 35. Pedioecctes phasiandlns canipestris Ridgway — Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. Like the Prairie Chicken, the Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse nests in the hills, where I frequently found the males dur- ing the summer, feeding in little flocks while the females were sitting and taking care of the young. One flock of the little chicks was all that I found, and that on June 18, 1912. The mother bird had flown with loud voiced *"cnc'- cuc'-cuc'-cuc'— -" but had dropped to earth and skulked rapidly over the hilltop, only to return in a moment and approach me closely and then flutter with apparently broken wing over the grass away from the spot where I 72 Proceedings of the stood. This she repeated several times but at last gave up the attempt to lead me away and sought a position on a nearby rise of ground from which she called anxiously. At the beginning of her maneuvers I dis- covered one of the chicks at my feet, but further search proved to be useless, and not another one could I find, so well were they protected by their color and markings and so quiet did they remain. The chick that I found was in nestling down and resembled very much the downy young of the Prairie Chicken, although even at this age there was a difference in the amount of feather- ing on the tarsi, which character is so marked in the adults. 36. Zcnaidura macroura carolinensis- (Linnaeus) — Mourning Dove. The dove is rather abundant on the Reserve, as it is elsewhere in the state, and is found everywhere from the underbrush along the river to the open hills. When nesting, it chooses the latter situation almost exclusively and constructs a twig-lined hollow on the ground in the shelter of a clump of bunch-grass or perhaps beneath a pine tree if it happens to be in a planted portion of the Reserve. The birds can be seen in the early morning com- ing to the river valley from the hills and returning again in the evening, since none of them, apparently, remain in the valley over night. Some of the nests discovered were fully a mile or more from the wooded river bottom, and none at all were found closer than the first adjoining hillside. 37. Cathartes aura septentrionaUs Wied — Turkey Vulture. At intervals throughout the summer of 1912, a buzzard could be seen sailing in broad circles high overhead on widespread, motionless wings. Numerous times a pair of them would be seen together and once I saw three. Whether or not the birds which I noted on the Dismal river were the same individuals as those which appeared from time to time in the other valley I cannot positively say, but I suspect such was the case since in the wide expanse of territory over which a buzzard ranges the few miles which separate the two streams would be in- considerable. Probably the pair, or possibly two pairs, nested in the vicinity of the former stream. J^ehrasha Ornithologists' Union 73 38. Circus hudsonins (Linnaens) — Marsh Hawk. A pair of ]\Iarsli Hawks wore seen at the Reserve dur- ing both years that I was there, and nested in the bottom of a deep hollow a short distance back from the river. I knew the nest to be situated somewhere in this particular hollow, but I could never Hush the old birds from it and they would not alight near it while 1 was in the neigh- borhood, but would perch on nearby hilltops or fence posts and watch my every movement, occasionally flying over me with rapid "cac'-cac'-cac'-cac'— " but never giv- ing me the least indication of the exact position of their home. On June 20, 1912, I was watching the pair from a distance when the female turned her course suddenly and slanted downward to a part of the valley which I had somehow overlooked during my explorations. I hur- ried down the intervening slope and this time had no difficulty in locating the nest on the ground in the middle of a thick growth of SyuipJwricarpos. There was little evidence of architectural ability apparent at the time; the nest was a mere flat mound of sticks, matted with excreta and having a few scattered bones and feathers lying upon it, the feathers from the plumage of the old birds and in all probability moulted rather than pur- posely removed. Six yonng birds were present, five of them Avell grown and hidden in the brush nearby, the sixth but little larger than when hatched and lying in the nest where it could do nothing but squirm and move its head about when I would have touched it. The healthy birds were beginning to develop quills and con- tour feathers, the latter for the most part on the back of the head where they formed a black, spike-like crescent or crown which gave the youngsters a peculiarly vicious appearance, especially when, on being approached, they edged off, opened their beaks and hissed sharply. Mean- while the old birds circled about with anxious calls and began a series of downward swoops, shooting with great velocity directly toward me and when within but a few feet of me, turning and passing over my head at rather close quarters. Later in the summer I saw the 3'oung birds on the wing on numerous occasions, all of them re- sembling their mother more or less in their plumage of brown. The parents were seen all summer, hunting in the hills and in the river valley and the male was flushed 74 JProceedin gs of the on one occasion from the carcass of a prairie-dog- which I had left in the field after skinning it. This hawk was noticed by\ M. H. Swenk on October 28, 1910. 39. Accipiter velox (Wilson) — Sharp-shinned Hawk. September 1, 1911, I secured a female hawk of this species which I had noted the day before for the first time in the region. September 1, 1912, exactly a year later, I saw a pair in almost the identical place. Prob- ably the Sharp-shinned Hawk is a regular migrant at Halsey. 40. Bnteo swainsoni Bonaparte — Swainson Hawk. Very frequently during the summer of 1912 I noted a pair of Swainson Hawks near the Reserve, usually high in the air, circling about over the hills. On June H) I discovered the nest in a hackberry tree which formed one of a group of such trees in a hollow about two miles back from the Loup river. The nest was a bulky structure about a yard in diameter and fully as much in height, two feet across the interior and about a foot in depth, and was constructed of sticks and lined with grass and root- lets. Its height from the ground was not over twelve feet. It contained three heavilj^ incubated eggs, almost pure Avhite in color but lightly tinged with pale green and faintly blotched with brown. 41. Archihutco fcrrngineiis ( Lichtenstein ) — Ferruginous Rough-leg. This hawk was noted in 1911 on several occasions from August 26 to September 21, but in 1912 I saw it only on May 19. Apparently there were no breeding birds near the Reserve during my observations, but R. H. Wolcott records a nest of the species from the region. 42. Falco mexicanus Schlegel — Prairie Falcon On August 8, 1911, I saAV a single Prairie Falcon in the valley near the Reserve station, the only time that I have seen the species in the sandhills. Without doubt it was a migrating bird. 43. Falco coliimharius Linnaeus — Pigeon Hawk. A single Pigeon Hawk was seen between Halsey and the Reserve station on September 3, 1911. It was in com- pany with several Sparrow Hawks but did not seem to be Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 75 44. Falco sparvcrhis Linnaeus — Sparrow Hawk. During August and September, 1911, Sparrow Ilaw^ks were quite common at Halsey, and, although I had seen none in June of that year, I supposed that the birds were breeding ones. I found this conclusion to be false the following year, for the hawks were not present in May and did not appear in the region until August 3, although from this time on they were plentiful, both in the river valley and for a short distance back in the hills. Fre- quently they would alight on the crest of a sandhill where they would remain in silent inspection of the country until on a sudden impulse they would rise into the air and circle about in all manner of aerial gyrations to the accompaniment of their rapid "killy-killy-killy— -" On one occasion a beautifully plumaged male settled itself on a post two or three yards away from where I sat under a pine tree and perched there silently, bobbing its head as it surveyed me fearlessly, and when it finally flew away it did so deliberately and without undue haste and re- mained in the immediate vicinity for some little time afterward, not in the least alarmed at my presence. Very probably some of these birds were referable to the Desert Sparrow Hawk. 45. Pandion haliaefits carolinensis (Gmelin) — Osprey. F. M. Chapman includes a fish hawk in his list of the birds seen at Halsey. I did not see the species at any time. 46. Asia flammens (Pontoppidan) — Short-eared Owl. The only record for this owl is one made by R. H. Wol- cott in July, 1911. 47. Otus asio (Linnaeus) — Screech Owl. Several Screech Owls haunted the underbrush along the river and at the base of the hills whence their quavering call was heard nightly. Occasionally when exploring the thickets I would flush these little gray birds — none of the red phase were apparent — but usually their unmistakable voice was the only clue to their whereabouts. Tliey are undoubtedly residents and probably breeders here. 48. Speotvto cunicularia hypogaea (Bonaparte) — Burrowing Owl. 76 Proceedings of the Burrowing Owls are very common in the neighborhood of prairie-dog towns in the sandhill region and could be found at any time in such places, either perched on a neighboring fence post, if such there happened to be, or standing on a mound or in the entrance to one of the bur- rows. When alarmed they would give their peculiar "cack- cack- cack- cack- cack- cack- cack — " and disap- pear down the burrow or take wing and fly off some dis- tance and drop into the grass where they would remain motionless but on the alert until they deemed the danger too great, when they would again repeat the performance. Sometimes wlien standing in the entrance to their bur- rows they would gradually sink lower and lower, on being approached, until they had entirely disappeared under ground. They did not become so easily alarmed when approached by a vehicle or by anyone riding on horse- back, but would stand bowing sedately in a manner ludicrous in the extreme, only seeking safety, if at all, when at rather close quarters. At times an owl could be seen going through a perform- ance which was most amusing. The solemn little actor combined bowing and blinking with turning from side to side so that it appeared to be bowing and nodding first to one side and then to the other, the whole proceeding so comical that I never tired of watching it. Frequently at dusk the owls could be seen hunting. Their method con- sisted of a hovering with rapid wing beats followed by a swinging flight to another position or a sudden and swift drop to earth. Usually the birds remained in the valleys, but one was seen hunting in the hills, and on August 31, 1912, I found a bird at the entrance to its burrow a mile or two from the valley and the nearest dog town. At night the song of the owls could be heard in the vi- cinity of their nests, a peculiar, weird, "cuc-cuc-cuc-cuc- cuc- — " repeated in a monotone so rapidly as to seem to roll, quite a different note from the alarm cackle. This song has been compared to that of our native cuckoos, but to me there is little in the one to suggest the other; the performance of the owls has a distinct sound which is char- acteristic although the difference between it and the note of the cuckoos is difficult to write in mere syllables. 49, Coccysus americanus (Linnaeus) — Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Cuckoos were found in the thickets along both rivers J^ehraska OniitJiolo^isfs' Union 77 and at the base of the hills, but of the two forms present this was the less common one in the neighborhood of the Reserve station although 1 saw it at intervals throughout the summer. It no doubt breeds here as does the Black- billed Cuckoo but I found no nests. 50. Coccyzns erythropkthalmiis (Wilson) — Black-billed Cuc- koo. This cuckoo is a moderately common summer resident and breeder at Halsey. On June 8, 1912, I found a nest with a set of three eggs and the full set of four was com- pleted on the following day. June 10, I found another nest with a single egg and with two additional eggs added by the 13th. These nests were at the usual low elevation, one of them in a low bush on the hillside facing the river, the other in a marshy place bordering the stream, on the top of an old willow stvirap around which had grown up new shoots of the tree, forming a shaded retreat in the center with a sort of stockade around it. This latter nest was lined with sprays of willow seed-pods. 51. Ceryle alcyon (Linnaeus) — Belted Kingfisher, A pair of Belted Kingfishers had their nest somewhere back in the hills where the hard-packed, perpendicular side of a blowout furnished the only sort of situation in the region where they could excavate the horizontal bur- row in which their eggs are laid. Just which particular blowout had been chosen by the birds I covild not discover but they were often seen a half mile or more from the Middle. Loup river and may very likely have nested even farther from the stream than that. In the valley of the Dismal, where the river in its windings has cut steep banks in the side of the hills along its edge, the kingfishers have undoubtedly made use of these banks for nesting sites, but the absence of such cuts on the Loup river near the Reserve station and the level condition of the shores of that stream have made necessary the sort of proceedure to Mdiich the birds there resort. The kingfisher was noted at Halsey October 28, 1910, by M. H. Swenk. 52. Dryobatcs villosiis (Linnaeus) — Hairy Woodpecker. A pair of Hairy Woodpeckers was noted September 22, 1911, among the trees at the base of the hills, and on August 27 the following year I saw a single individual in 78 Proceedings of the the brush timber by the river. The Hairy Woodpecker, like most of the other woodpeckers which are found at Halsey, is a migrant there and does not breed. 53. Dryobates pubcsccns m c dianus {'&w?an%on) — Downy Wood- pecker. A single Downy Woodpecker v/as observed across the river near the Reserve on August 29, 1912. R. H. Wol- cott noted the species in July, 1908, but no other records are at hand of its occurrence at this locality, which is at about the western limit of distribution of the species in the state. 54. Mclanerpes erythroccphalus (Linnaeus) — Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpeckers were present in moderate numbers and were noted up until May 30 when they dis- appeared not to be seen again until August 18, from which time on through September they were found as before. > Usually they were among the trees along the river and at the base of the hills, or on telegraph poles and fence posts in the valley, but occasionally I would find them a mile or more out in the hills where they had followed a line of fence. On the first trip which I made to the colony of Great Blue Herons I saw this species among the trees which bore the heron nests and in another grove of larger hackberries about a half mile south of the heronry. Why the Red-headed Woodpeckers do not remain at Halsey and nest in the larger trees and telegraph poles it is hard to say since they are usually quick to adapt themselves to changed conditions, especially when such changes are in their favor. 55. Colaptes auratus httcus Bangs — Northern Flicker. R. H. Wolcott reports the Northern Flicker as breeding at Halsey and gives records of its occurrence in June, 1906, July, 1908, and July, 1911. My own records date from Au- gust 29 from which time on I found the species rather com- monly although I had seen none at all during the earlier part of the summer. During migration these birds are un- doubtedly more abundant than at other times although they may possibly winter in numbers. 56. Colaptes cafcr collans Vigors — Red-shafted Flicker. Red-shafted Flickers were seen from September 20 to 23, Plate II. Middle Loup Valley at Forest Reserve, showing the broad, flat stream margined with thickets, the grass-covered valley and woodland near the hill slope. Photo bv R. J. Pool, 1912. Sandhills back from the river valley, showing the covering of bunch-grass and the young planted groves of Jack Pine and Scotch Pine. Photo by R. J. Pool, 1912. J^ebraska Ornithologists' Union 79 IDll, and probably remained in the region still later, after I liad left the locality. The species is not so common as the preceding- one, although its numbers may increase during cold weather. 57. Chordeiles virginiamis virginianus (Gmelin) — Nighthawk. A single female of the typical eastern Nighthawk was taken September 3, 1912, a short distance out in the hills. Evidently here, as probably elsewhere in the state, the three native varieties of nighthawks overlap ranges during migration and all forms are of equally probable occur- rence during that time. 58. Chordeiles virginiamis henryi Cassin — Western Night- hawk. On August 30 and 31, 1911, I saw several nighthawks which were so conspicuously rufous that I am inclined to think that they belonged to the form henryi, which breeds to the north and west of the Reserve in the Pine Ridge re- gion and spreads eastward during migrations. 59. Chordeiles virginianus sennetti Coues — Sennett Nighthawk. The Sennett Nighthawk is the common form of night- hawk breeding in the sandhillsi and is present throughout the summer from May until September. It nests on tlie hills, and there I have frequently flushed the birds from sandy places, bare or sparsely dotted with vegetation where I was certain that a nest, so called, was situated, but it was almost impossible to find a nest unless the spot from which the birds arose was accuratel}'^ 'marked down.* A female Sennett Nighthawk collected as late as June 22 contained a fully developed egg in the ovary showing that nesting was still in progress. In the evenings the nighthawks were common in the river valley and about the nursery beds, but in the daytime they were seldom to be seen except out in the hills. There their characteristic "peent" could be heard very fre- quently, often followed by the hollow, vibratory "whoo- 00-00- — " as a bird stopped itself suddenly in a headlong descent and began to mount upward again. The white patches on tlie wings rendered the birds moderately con- spicuous even at dusk, when they accompanied the bats through the air in their insect hunting. 60. Chaefjira pclagica (Linnaeus) — Chimney Swift. On the evening of May 31, 1912, a lone Chimney Swift 80 Proceedings of the was observed making its way np the Middle Loup valley. It was probably a belated migrant, since the species does not breed in this locality. 6i. Archilochus colubris (Linnaeus) — Ruby-throated Hum- mingbird. I secured a young male Ruby-throated Hummingbird on September 3, 1912, from the undergrowth along the Middle Loup river. This record extends the limit of distribution of this hummingbird in Nebraska for some distance west- ward. Previously the 98th meridian, lying about one hun- dred and fifteen miles east of Halsey, marked the supposed western boundary for this species. The Broad-tailed Hummer [Selasphorus platyccrcus (Swainson)] common west of here, has been found at Bassett, about thirty-seven miles east of the Reserve, so it might occur here also, al- though no records of its doing so are at hand. 62. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linnaeus) — Kingbird. Kingbirds were quite common at Halsey up to the time of my departure on September 10, 1912, but had been ab- sent on September 20 of the preceding year when I stopped at this locality again on my return from more western parts of the state. The intermediate period of September 10-20 probably includes the date of departure of the species. One nest with a set of four eggs was discovered on June 10 about eight feet from the ground in a willow overhang- ing the Middle Loup river, and numerous pairs of the birds were found along that stream, all of which were undoubt- edly breeding. A single Kingbird was seen back in the hills on May 19, 1912, in the grove of large hackberries south of the heronry, but this was during migration and I do not suppose that the Kingbird will nest in that situa- tion. 63. Tyrannus verticalis Say — Arkansas Kingbird. The Arkansas Kingbird was not an abundant bird but was seen on several occasions throughout the summer of 1911 and 1912 and may have bred sparingly. It was noted in the undergrowth along both the Middle Loup and Dis- mal rivers, in the open valley, and in pockets back in the hills. One was seen several times about the little clump of hackberries that contained the nest of the Swainson Hawk, and I suspected the presence of its nest at that J^ehraslca Ornithologists' Union 81 place also, especially since this flycatcher frequently builds in close proximity to the nests of these hawks, but I could not discover the nest and only the single bird was seen. This species occurs on the Reserve more commonly in mi- gration than at other seasons, and was noted from May to September. 64. Sayornis sayns (Bonaparte) — Say Phoebe. F. M. Chapman reports Say Phoebes as present during early May migration in 1906, but his record is unique. The species breeds north of Halsey along the Niobrara and else- where in the state westward, but does not appear at this locality" except as a migrant. 65. Myiochancs richardsoni (Swainson) — Western Wood Pee- I noted the Western Wood Peewee in 1911 in the shrub- bery along the Middle Loup river, where I saw individuals on August 21 and 28. None were seen during 1912 al- though the birds observed the year before may have bred in the locality during the summer. One specimen, an adult male, was taken on August 21, 1911. This species has been seen along the Dismal river in the neighborhood of Tiled ford and is reported by L. Bri^ner. 66. Empidonax trailli (Audubon) — Traill Flycatcher. Traill Fl^'catchers were seen from May 15 to June 10, 1912, and occurred irregularly in August of the preceding year from the 21st to the 31st. A male was taken August 21, 1911, and a pair was secured on the 31st of that month. The birds seen in 1911 might have bred in the region, but none were observed during midsummer in 1912. R. H. Wolcott, however, records the breeding of the species in the locality and it may nest in places regularly. The habi- tat frequented by these flycatchers was the plum brush along the river and the undergrowth at the base of the hills, the latter less commonly. 67. Otocoris alpcstris Icvxolaema (Coues) — Desert Horned Lark. Desert Horned Jjarks were found to be common in cer- tain situations on the Reserve and undoubtedly bred. A few were seen in the river valley in the plowed fields, but the majority kept to the hills and the largest number were observed at the stock windmills, where the constant tramp- 82 Proceedings of the ling of the cattle clears a large area around the water tanks, destitute of vegetation but furnishing a good feed- ing ground for the birds. Often their cheery call woula be noted from overhead, and occasionally their more pro- tracted song as a bird would rise in spiral curves high into the air or poise itself on fluttering wings a short distance above the earth. The pale grayish brown and pink of these larks is by no means conspicuous against the light colored sand, and even when I knew that there were birds just ahead of me it required some effort, at times, to make them out, especially if they chose to remain motionless. F. M. Chapman refers the horned larks which he saw at Hal- sey to the prairie form, O. a. praticola, but I believe that the resident sandhill birds are nearer the present variety — at least a female and a male which I took on May 21 and June 1, 1D12, respectively, easily referable to this sub- species. The Desert Horned Lark was noted at Halsey, October, 1910, by M. H, Swenk and probably occurs throughout the year. 68. Pica pica hudsonia (Sabine) — Magpie. A flock of six birds was noted along the Loup east of the Reserve, October 28, 1910, by M. H. Swenk. 69. Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus) — Blue Jay. Several Blue Jays were present in the thickets and scattered timber along the valley. R. H. Wolcott records the finding of Blue Jay nests in July, 1911, but I was not so fortunate, although I saw the birds frequently during the summer. 70. Conms brachyrhychos Brehm — Crow. One or two Crows were noted in the Loup valley from the 26th to the 23rd of August, 1911, but none were seen the following year. The sandhills do not tempt these birds as do more heavily wooded and more cultivated parts of the country. In latter October, 1910, M. H. Swenk did not find the Crow present at Halsey, but at Hazard, about eighty miles southeast, a fiock of over 100 birds was con- spicuously in evidence. 71. Molothriis ater (Boddaert) — Cowbird. I saw a few Cowbirds throughout the summer in the val- ley and hills, although I did not find any evidence of their parasitism in the nests of other birds. More of them were J^ebraska Ornithologists' Union 83 seen in spring than at any other time, usually in the val- ley where they were following the cattle. y2. Xanthocephaliis xanthocephalus (Bonaparte) — Yellow- headed Blackbird. On September 3, 1911, I saw a flock of about sixty Yel- low-headed Blackbirds in a cornfield in the Loup valley; May 17, 1912, I observed a single bird of the species, and September 10 of the latter year the last birds that I saw as my train left Halsey were these blackbirds — a flock of them down by the river. The Yellovv^-headed Blackbird breeds locally in the sandhill marshes of the state, but was not observed near the Reserve during the summer, prob- ably because of the absence of any extensive tracts of suit- able marsh land. It is reported as a common migrant by men on the Reserve, and was seen by F. M. Chapman in May, 1906. 73. Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus) — Red-winged Blackbird. Numerous Red-winged Blackbirds nested along the river at Halsey where I found their nests placed in various sit- uattions, from the ground up to six or eight feet above it. The birds frequented marshy parts of the river bank more commonly than other situations and were never seen far- ther away from the water than the open valley land. There is great probability that some or all of these birds should be referred to the western form A. p. fortis Ridgway but no specimens were taken to prove this supposition. 74. Sturnella magna (Linnaeus) — Meadowlark. Chapman speaks of a single typical eastern Meadowlark which he both saw and heard at Halsey on the 5th of May, 1906. This record is unique for the locality but the bird was probably a member of a local colony of eastern Mead- owlarks which breeds in the lake region of Cherry county, adjoining Thomas county on the north. 75. Sturnella neglecta Audubon — Western Meadowlark. The Western Meadowlark is a very common summer resident and breeder in this region. On various occasions in May and early June I flushed the birds from their nests in the tufts of bunch-grass that dot the hills. So well are the nests placed and so alike are the various bunches of grass that a return to a given tuft and its occupants is de- cidedly uncertain unless the place has been marked by 84 Proceedings of the some means or other. I found no nests in the valley or far back in the hills but all that 1 discovered were on the first slope facing the river or within a few ranges. West- ern Meadowlarks were seen on numerous occasions in other habitats, however, and may very possibly have bred there. In the late fall these birds tend to shift eastward to the edge of the sandhills, for on October 27-29, 1910, M. H. Swenk did not see or hear the species on the Reserve, but from Anselmo, twenty-five miles southeast of Halsey, east- ward across the state it was common. 76. Icterus spurius (Linnaeus) — Orchard Oriole. At least two pairs of Orchard Orioles bred in the under- brush along the Loup river near the Reserve station, and one nest with four eggs was found on the Dismal river on June 16, 1912. During 1911, I saw but a single bird, on June 8. yy. Icterus galbula (Linnaeus) — Baltimore Oriole. A single male Baltimore Oriole was seen in the thickets along the river on June 7, 23, and 28, 1912. It may have bred in the vicinity but I saw only the male bird and did not discover any nests so its breeding here is in question. 78. Euphagus carolinus (Muller) — Rusty Blackbird. I noted this blackbird on September 22 and 23, 1911, in small flocks in the valley of the Loup river. I did not see it the following year, probably because I left in the fall before its arrival. 79. Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler) — Brewer Blackbird. Like the preceding species, the Brewer Blackbird was not seen in 1912, although it was noted in 1911. It ap- peared in small numbers from September 21-23, of that year. F. M. Chapman also lists the species as occurring in May, 1906. 80. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus Ridgway — Bronzed Grackle. A very few Bronzed Grackles were noted at intervals during 1912 until the middle of July, but none were seen after that time and I do not think that those which re- mained up until then bred in the region. The timbered growth along the river seemed to be the habitat most fre- quented by the species. J^ehraskcb Ornithologists' Union 85 8i. Astra galimis tristis paUidits (Mearns) — Pale Goldfinch. Goldfinches were plentiful in the thickets along the river and at the base of the hills, as well as in the planted groves in the valley, and occasionally I would meet with them out in the hills, especially in autumn when the sunflowers filled the hollows and covered the southern hill slopes in masses acres in extent. On the yellow heads of the sunflowers the birds were often found devouring the seeds, and so well did they harmonize with their surroundings when in such situations that it was often difficult to see them even when I heard their plaintive "swec-ee-eet" and knew that they were in the neighborhood. Several specimens which were taken all seem to belong to the pale western form which is the resident breeder in the Pine Ridge region, also. Two birds were noted near the Keserve buildings October 28, 1910, by M. H. Swenk. 82. Spinus pinus (Wilson) — Pine Siskin, A specimen was taken by M. H. Swenk October 28, 1910, and was the only individual noted. Probably it occurs regularly if not commonly at the Reserve. 83. Poocce'tes gramineus confinis Baird — "Western Vesper SparroAV. One of the common, although not abundant, birds to be seen on the Reserve was the Western Vesper Sparrow. It was met with during early summer in the open valley and in the hills, on the grassland or among the planted pines and thickets whether of choke-cherry and plum or the lower-growing Symphoricarpos and Ccanothus. As the summer advanced it was seen more frequently in the open hills and less in the other habitats. I hunted through the whole of May and June for nests of the species but without success and had given up thoughts of finding any by the end of the latter month, but on July 8 I was surprised to discover two nests, one Avith three eggs, the other with four. These eggs were elongate-oval, in color a pale green- ish white, splotched, very heavily in one set and less so in the other, with reddish-brown and lilac and marked spar- ingly with black lines and dots. Both sets were heavily incubated at this time. The nests were built of grasses and lined with rootlets and horse-hair and were placed in sim- ilar situations — a tnft of bunch-grass in the hills — with the opening to the cavity so inconspicuous that I never would S6 Proceedings of the have suspected the real nature of eitlier place had not the sitting birds fluttered away to avoid being stepped upon. 84. Atmnodramus savannarum bimaculatus Swainson. Western Grasshopper Sparrow. The little Western Grasshopper Sparrows are a fa- miliar companion of your travels in this region and are frequently met wuth in the river valley although they are much more numerous back in the hills, where they out- number the other birds found there. When traversing the grass-covered slopes it is a frequent occurrence to flush from underfoot a little grayish-brown shape which skims the tops of the grasses for a short distance with wavering flight, drops suddenly out of sight and skulks rapidly un- der cover of the vegetation to another position. When you approach the place where you saw it disappear nothing is to be seen of it, but, as you move about in an attempt to flush it again, the elusive bird comes up on one side and you turn your head only in time to see it droppihg from sight again. When flushed from the nest the parent birds frequentlj'^ travel some distance, skulking behind clumps of grass and weeds or even under cover of vegetation so sparse that you wonder it can shield any moving thing, and the first indication that you have of the presence of a bird is the sight of one rising from a little patch of grasses which, as you may afterward discover, is some dis- tance from where the bird started to run and quite destitute of any nest. Sometimes, especially when young are in the nest, the mother sits close and flies only when discovery is imminent, and at such times the usual procedure is for her to try to lead you away by feigning a broken wing and therefore appearing easy of capture. On June 18, 1912, I found a nest which contained four young birds. This nest was on the slope of the hills facing the river, the only one so discovered since all the others that I found were back in the hills. On June 6, I found a single egg of the species lying by itself in the open prairie with no nest of any kind near. June 24, 1 discovered a nest with a single egg, and on June 27, R. J. Pool showed me a nest which he had found which contained a full set of five. On July 11, I discovered still another nest, this time with four fully-feathered young which more than filled the nest. The little birds remained perfectly quiet after the parent had fluttered off, until I touched one of them when they broke J^ehraska Ornithologists' Union 87 forth from the place like an exploding bomb-shell and scat- tered in four difi'erent directions, leaving behind them a sinj,'le infertile egg. The nests of these sparrows are usually placed on the ground in the shelter of a tuft of bunch-grass and art? built of grasses and lined with finer plant fibers and root- lets. One of the nests I found was so arranged that the bare ground formed part of the lining, so thin was the in- ner construction. The eggs are short-oval and rounded, white in color, frequently tinged with pale blue, and are spotted more or less generally all over with reddish-brown. The song of the Western Grasshopper Sparrow, heard most frequently during the nesting season, is a cheery "pittuck-zee-ee-ee— -" which is given from some elevated perch. A yucca pod on its slender stalk is a favorite posi- tion and thence may come the little insect-like trill with more or less steady persistence through the heat of the day, often when all the o1her birds are silent and seeking the cooler shades of the plant growth. The call note is a weak reiterated "pit" and is heard frequently as an ex- pression of anxiety concerning the nest. It is also heard commonly in the late sunmier when often the only times you see the birds are when you flush them from under foot. 85. Chondcstes grammacus strigatus Sw^ainson — W e s t e r n Lark Sparrow. The prettily marked Western Lark Sparrows were, with the exception of the AVestern Field Sparows, the commonest birds of the region. They occurred every- where from the open hills to the river bottoms, nesting on the ground in the valley and on the hillsides facing it, and on one occasion even in the hay filling of a wind- break in the nursery beds on the Reserve, four feet from the earth. Sometimes the nests were in the protection of a low bush or plant but often they were in the open, a little hollow in the ground lined with grasses, root- lets and hair from the cattle and horses on the range. The eggs, four in number in most cases, were laid in the latter part of May and June. May 31, 1912, I found a nest which was without eggs at that time ; several days later it contained three eggs, but still later it was empt}^ and the nest partly torn up although there was nothing to indicate how the eggs had disap- 88 Proceedings of the peared. The old birds remained near the nest but they did not build again nor did the female lay again in the old nest. The trusting and fearless nature of these sparrows was always in evidence Often they would merely hop a few steps out of the way of an approaching observer and go about their business of picking up seeds from the prairie roadside as though no one was within their horizon. If sufliciently startled they might fly, but it was rarely for any great distance. When flushed in this manner the con- spicuous white border of the tail became very noticeable as the birds spread that member in flight. The call note of these Western Lark Sparrows is not particularly distinctive although it is easy to recognize when heard, but their song an exceedingly rich and varied mixture of w^histled notes, quite sustained and with a dis- tinct undercurrent of a peculiar buzzing or purring nature, hard to descibe but quite unmistakable and character- istic. The birds could be heard singing throughout the day at the Reserve, and frequently even at night their song was noted when the Screech Owls and the Long-tailed Chats led the nocturnal clioir. 86. Zonotrichia qiicrnla (Nuttall)— Harris Sparrow. When I reached Halsey in 1912 there was a single be- lated Harris Sparrow in the neighborhood of the Reserve. I saw it on May 15 in a thicket at the base of the hills and May 17 I found probably the same bird in the brush along the river. The species is very likely in this region both a migrant and a winter resident during mild seasons, since it was noted commonly by M. H. Swenk October 27-29, 1910. 87. Zonotrichia Icucophrys gambeli (Nuttall) — Gambel Spar- row. I saw a dozen or more Gambel Sparrows on September 21 and 22, 1911, in the plum brush along the river. F. M. Chapman lists the species in May, 1906 and it is very likely of common occurrence during migrations early in the spring and late in the fall. 88. SpiacUa monticola ochracca Brewster — Western Tree Spar- row. "The most abundant bird in the locality, October 27- 29, 1910." (M. H. Swenk). Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 89 89. SpiccIIa passcrina (Bechstein) — Chipping Sparrow, On Augnst 20 and September 23, 1911, I noted Chipping Sparrows in the brnsh along the Middle Loup river. In the spring of 1912 I saw a very few individuals at inter- vals from INIay 15 to May 24, in situations ranging from the open hills to the river underbrush, and usually in company with the more plentiful Clay-colored Sparrows. It was found breeding among the pines on the hillside back of the Reserve by R. H. Wolcott, but I saw it only during migra- tion. 90. Spi^scUa pallida (Swainson) — Clay-colored Sparrow. Present at Halsey when I arrived on August 21, 1911, this sparrow was noted from that time on through Septem- ber. It was again present when I reached the locality in May, 1912, and remained until May 24, disappearing then but reappearing about August 23, and remaining at least until I left the region on September 10. It is found in all possible situations during migration, but frequents the brush in greatest numbers, especially that in the river val- ley, either along the stream or back at the base of the hills. 91. Spi::clla pusilla arenacea Chadbourne — Western Field Sparrow. The Western Field Sparrow was one of the most abun- dant and generally distributed birds at Halsey during the summer, and was found from the earliest to the latest dates that I was at the Reserve, May 15 to September 24, while F. M. Chapman records it still earlier, May 3-6, 1906. Every pocket in the hills, every little hollow with a clump of shrubs in one corner, as well as the brush along the river and against the first slope of the hills contained a pair or more of these little sparrows, whose simple but musical song, with its rising inflection ending in a trill, was a pleasing part of the general chorus, although frequently heard in company with only the Western Grasshopper Sparrows and Western Blue Grosbeaks. The nests of the Western Field Sparrows were con- structed *of grasses and soft weed stems and lined with fine rootlets. They were placed at low elevations in wild rose bushes, plum trees, low shrubs like Symphoricarpos and Ceanothus or other such situations, sometimes almost on the ground. One nest that I found was a beautiful struc- ture, the outer part of it a slaty gray in color while the 90 Tj'uceedin^s of the rootlets which formed the linins: were a deep yellow and served to set off by contrast the five pale bluish-white eggs, spotted and scrawled with brown and gray. 92. J unco aikcni Ridgway — White winged Junco. On October 27, 1910, two White-winged Juncos were seen in a flock of the following species about the seed beds, by M. H. Swenk, 93. Junco hyemalis conncctcns Coues — Shufeldt Junco. "Abundant everywhere but especially about the seed beds, October 27-29, 1910. On the 27th a specimen was taken" (M. H. Swenk). 94. Mclospiza mclodia tnelodia (Wilson) — Song Sparrow. Song Sparrows were noted only in the fall and had prob- ably left the i-egion before my arrival in the spring, since I saw none at that time. They were present when I reached Halsey on August 21, 1911, but the following year did not appear until the 27th of that month. They re- mained at least until the 23i-d of September in 1911 and were noted commonly by M. H. Swenk on October 27 and 28, 1910, so they may, under favorable conditions, stay throughout the winter in the brush along the river. 95. Mclospica mclodia juddl Bishop — Dakota Song Sparrow. On September 21, 1911, I saw one song sparrow which was apparently distinctly referable to this form. The Da- kota Song Sparrow is not uncommon over the whole of Ne- braska during migrations and even occurs during winter in the southern part of the state. 96. Mclospiza lincolni (Audubon) — Lincoln Sparrow. On September 21, 1911, I saw two Lincoln Sparrows in the brush by the river and the same number, very likely the same birds, the following day. August 28 and Sep- tember 6, 1912, I saw single birds in the same general lo- cality as during the preceding fall. The species probably migrate through the region in moderate numbers. 97. Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Swainson) — Arctic Towhee. Although not so common as the Western Lark and West- ern Field Sparrows, the Arctic Towhees were rather num- erous in the undergrowth throughout the valley, particu- larly that at the foot of the first range of hills. I found no nests or eggs, but I discovered the young from the nest on J^ebraska Ornithologists' Union 91 several occasions — little mottled and streaked fellows which usually remained quiet until picked up, when they would set up a cry which brought the parents in anxious haste. F. M. Chapman lists the Arctic Towhee as present in great numbers early in May, 1906. 98. Zaniclodia mclanoccpJiala (S w a i n s 0 n) — Black-headed Grosbeak. A pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks bred in the thicket along the river during the summer of 1912 but I was never able to discover the nest. Both birds were seen quite reg- ularly up until the lOtli of June, but after that time they were noted only at long intervals — possibly the cares of nesting kept them busy near the nest. During 1911 I had seen the species only on June 9 and August 20. On May 19,1912, I saw a single individual far back in the hills in a pocket of hackberries which was situated south of the colony of Great Blue Herons. During the summer, how- ever, the birds confined themselves to the thickets along the river and at the foot of the hills where their grosbeak call- note, which always reminds me of the sound of a pair of rusted shears, could often be heard and frequently served to indicate that the birds were near. They did not sing much at any time, but occasionally in the spring and the earlier part of the summer I would catch the notes of the true song from across the river, although the singer re- mained hidden near the tops of some of the taller trees. 99. Gniraca caerulea lazula (Lesson) — Western Blue Grosbeak. Quite regularly all summer up until August 29 in 1911, and August 30 in 1912, I found Western Blue Grosbeaks at home from the thickets at the base of the hills to the pockets far back from the river. One nest was discovered on July 10 which contained a single pale blue e^^ that had disappeared when I returned to the place a few days later. This nest was situated about three feet from the ground in in a choke-cherry bush in the same pocket that contained the hackberries with the nest of the Swainson Hawk. The male of this pretty sparrow, the only bird of its color to be found in the depths of the hills, is a conspicuous object as he flies nervously about or perches on a weed stalk, uttering his sharp "quit." The female is not so conspicuous in her dress of more sober brown. I rarely heard the full song of this grosbeak, but although it is a 92 Proceedings of the creditable performance it is inferior to that of the Black- headed species. loo. Passcrina auiocna (Say) — Lazuli Bunting. R. H. Woicott records the Lazuli Bunting from Halsey, I have no other records of its occurrence here, although it may migrate regularly, probably not commonly, through the region. It has been noted repeatedly as far east as Lincoln. loi. Spiaa americana (Gmelin) — Dickcissel. I found Dickcissels throughout the summer of 1912, from May 29 to August 13, and had seen them on June 8 and 9 and August 22 of the preceding year. Apparently the birds breed in the river bottom, for it was there that I saw them most commonly. Rarely they extended their wan- derings over the first row of hills, and I have a female which I secured in a pocket growth in such a situation on August 22, 1911. 102. Calainospica uidanocorys Stejneger — Lark Bunting. I have relatively few dates for the occurrence of the Lark Bunting at Plalsey. On June 9, August 20, and Sep- tember 2 and 3, 1911, and irregularly from May 15 to June 10, 1912, I saw the species. The 1911 records are of flocks, some of them of rather large extent; May 19, 1912, one flock was seen but the other records for that year refer to individual or paired birds. I do not think that the species nests commonly in this particular region although it may breed at no great distance, as is evidenced by the numbers of mated pairs that I saw. R. H. Woicott has found the bird breeding here, however, and records it in July, 1908 and 1911. The call note of the Lark Buntings, a gentle "who-ee- ee," with gradually rising inflection, was heard fre- quently, and when given by a flock in chorus as the birds rose from the ground before you or settled again a short distance away was most pleasing. The true song, which is given by the males, as I have heard it here and on the high plains where the buntings breed abundantly, is, to me, strongly suggestive of the notes of the Long-tailed Chat. In addition to the similarity of the notes the sing- ing bird frequently performs in a manner that also calls to mind the same other feathered clown, and if the proceed- Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 93 inw be seen at a distance and in such a light that the colors and markings of the bird are obscured, the illus- ion is all the more complete except that wonder may arise as to wdiat a Chat is doing in the open hills. The song is composed of syllables or repetitions of syllables pieced together in a more or less regular fashion. Some of the notes may be expressed as, "cheerp' -cheerp' -cheerp' cheerp' -ehee-ee-ee-ee-ee-hir' -ta-hir' ta-hir' ta-who-oo-oo oo-oo-3'or ' da-yor ' da-hurt '-hurt '-hurt '-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee~ ' ' This is delivered most frequently by a bird on the wing, but it may be given from a perch on a fence post or weed stalk. When the bird sings thus in flight it rises regularly and directly into the air with rapid wing-beats until, at the summit of its ascent, it pauses and begins to descend by a series of awkward, jerky motions of its set, extended wings, the motion being more like that of a butterfly than of a bird. The performance is peculiar, and the song, from the representation I have given it, may seem to be any- thing but musical but in reality it is very pleasing. River valley and hills are the habitats by preference of the species ; the main requirement is open country. 103. Pctrochelidon lunifrons (Say) — Cliff Swallow. I saw one or two migrating Cliff Swallows on June 1, 2 and 7, 1912, in the valley of the Loup river. 104. Hirnndo erythrogastra Boddaert — Barn Swallow. Barn Swallows nested at suitable places along the river valley and frequently came past the Reserve on their foraging expeditions, although none nested near the sta- tion. F. M. Chapman found them present on May 3-6, 1906. 105. Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot) — Tree Swallow. Two Tree Swallows were among the migrants at the Reserve on May 23, 1912, evidentl}^ on their way to breed- ing grounds to the northward, possibly along the Niobrara river in the county adjoining on the north, where they are known to nest. This swallow was found here by F. M. Chapman also, May 3-6, 1906. 106. Riparia riparia (Linnaeus) — Bank Swallow. On the Dismal river the present species was equally common with the following form, breeding in the banks formed by the stream in cutting down the adjoining hills. On the ]\Iiddle Loup river these swallows were present 94 Proceedings of the only during migrations and none were seen after the first week in June in that~ valley. Evidently the lack of suit- able nesting sites in immediate proximity to the Loup river has deterred the birds from breeding there and they do not seem to have adapted themselves to conditions as perfectly as have the Rough-winged Swallows. 107. Stelgidopteryx sernpcnnis (Audubon) — Rough-winged Swallow, This swallow was moderately common along the Loup and Dismal rivers, breeding in cut banks along the latter stream but forced by the nature of the country along the Loup, near the Reserve station, to retire back into the hills, where the action of the wind in forming the numerous blowouts has packed the sand on one side of the hollows enough to permit the excavation of a burrow there. So far as I know the swallows do not go very far back from the river, but usually select a suitable site on the first range of hills or on one not far from it. They were commonly seen coursing above the river as well as circling the hills in the neighborhood of their nests. 108. Bombycilla garrula (Linnaeus) — Bohemian Waxwing. On October 17, 1906, three specimens of the Bohemian Waxwing were shot from out a flock at the Reserve by one of the men and two of them forwarded to the Uni- versity for naming. (See M. H. Swenk, Auk, xxiv, p. 223). 109. Lanius borealis Vieillot — Northern Shrike. Individuals of the present species were noted on October 27 and 29, 1910, by M. H. Swenk. 1 10. Lanius ludoviciamis ex cubit oridcs S w a i n s 0 n — ^White rumped Shrike. From August 20 to September 3, 1911, 1 noted this Shrike irregularly and supposed that the birds I saw were the members of a family raised somewhere in the neighboring plum brush along the river. In 1912 I noted this Shrike on August 18, but as it was the only one seen throu^ghout the entire summer I doubted my conclusions regarding the birds of the preceding year. It is possible, however, that the species breeds at certain places along the river, al- though the fact is yet unproved. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 95 111. Vircosylz'a olivacca (Linnaeus) — Red-eyed Vireo. On May 21, 24 and 30, 1912, I saw several Red-eyed Vireos in the trees along the bank of the jMiddle Loup and at the base of the first range of hills. On August 28 and 30, the Species Avas noted again, as it had been from August 22 to September 3, in 1911. The breeding of the species is probable, but, in the absence of definite records, un- certain. 112. Vireosylva gilva (Vieillot) — Warbling Vireo. On August 22, 1911, I saw a lone Warbling Vireo in a thicket near the river and on May 25 the following spring, in the same bit of undergrowth, I secured a female, also a solitary bird. No indications were present during the summer of the breeding of the species at this locality, although R. li. AVolcott noted the bird in June, 1906, and July, 1908. 113. Vireo belli Audubon — Bell Vireo. The Bell Vireo is the commonest of the vireos which occur at Halsey, and breeds commonly in the dense thickets of plum brush, haw, willow and dogwood that line the river bank in places. Only one nest was discovered. This one was about a foot and a lialf from the ground in a haw and was first found on June 1, luicompleted, and later, on June 7, with the complement of four eggs. It was hung in the usual semipensile manner and was constructed of grasses, bits of corn husk and a few odd scraps of paper, the whole stuccoed with filaments of spider web and lined with fine plant fibers. These little inconspicuous vireos confine themselves to the scrub thicket in the river valley whence their harsh "cheeow" is often heard, especially when the birds resent your invasion of their provinces. Their siong is a hurried sequence of notes for which I have never found adequate representation in syllables, but it harmonizes well with the active, restless disposition of the creatures, which seem never to be still for a moment but move continually about through the network of brush, now appearing on one side of the observer, now on the other, and frequently reviling you with their queer explosive calls. 114. Mniotilta varia (Linnaeus) — Black-and- White Warbler. The "wee'zy-wee'zy-wee'zy-wee'zy-wee'zy - -"of the 96 Proceedings of the Black-and-White Warbler was a familiar sound in the tim- ber along the base of the hills at the station, and was sometimes heard nearer the river as well. There were several pairs of the warblers in the vicinity of the Reserve station and all of them probably nested along the base of the hills. On June 4, 1912, I was working on the hillside just back of the Reserve station when I heard one of these warblers singing nearby. I looked around for the bird in the hopes of discovering it in some place which might shelter its nest for I had heard the warbler in the same part of the grove for a number of mornings previously. I did not see the bird this time but my eyes fell on a clump of small trees farther up the slope where the grassy hillside was shaded and where it seemed probable that a search for a nest would be rewarded. I started up the hill and entered the small group of trees, and had barely passed through it when I found myself looking into the entrance of a little hollow in the grass, through which I could see the black and white striped head and watchful eyes of the sitting 'bird. At my nearer approach she flew from the tvift of grass, disclosing a nest built of grasses and lined loosely with horse-hair, and placed squarely on the ground in the shelter of a little bank. The nest contained five eggs. 115. Verniivora cclata (Say) — Orange-crowned Warbler. One or two Orange-crowned Warblers were noted in the thickets of the Loup river on May 15, August 28 and 30, and September 6, 1912. None were seen the preceding year. 116. Verniivora pcregriiia (Wilson) — Tennessee Warbler. During the spring migration in 1912, Tennessee Warb- lers were not uncommon in the trees at the base of the hills and along the river, where I noted them from my arrival on May 15, until May 25. No individuals were noted during the fall migration up to the time of my de- parture on September 10, although they may have come in later. 117. Comsothlypis amcricana nsncae Brewster — Northern Parula Warbler. On September 7, 1912, when I was exploring the shrub- bery along the river in a place where the growth was so J^ehrasTca Ornithologists' Union 97 dense tliat I was oblitred to stoop and crawl along in order to make any progress, 1 came at last to a little open place where I could stand erect. Hardly had I straight- ened up when I caught sight of a Northern Parula Warbler only a few feet away, where it was flitting about in a low plum tree. Since Northern Parula Warblers are by no means of common occurrence in Nebraska, especially in the sandhill region, I secured this one, which proved to be an adult male. Ii8. Doidroica acstiva (Gmelin) — Yellow Warbler. Yellow Warblers were common in the spring and fall migrations and a few were observed from time to time along the river throughout the summer. Possibly the species breeds sparingly in the region although I cannot be sure of this iu the absence of the definite discovery of a nest. 119. Dendroica coronata (Linnaeus) ^Myrtle Warbler. I saw and watched a Myrtle Warbler on May 15, 1912, as it hunted insects among the willows on a little sand- bar island in the Loup. The species cannot be considered as very common here, although it may be more or less regular. F. ]\I. Chapman reports it earlier in May than my own notes record it. 120. Dendroica andnboni (J. K. Townseud) — Audubon Warbler. On Ma}^ 15, 1912, I saw what I at first took to be an- other Myrtle Warbler, among the taller trees growing against the first range of hills. A second glance proved my error, for the bird had a yellow throat, and I knew it then to be an Audubon. I secured it and it proved to be a male. The occurrence of the Audubon Warbler here is not entirely acidental, for it breeds not far to the westward and spreads eastward during migrations, at which time it has been recorded from Lincoln. Occasion- ally the species wanders far from its normal range, and has been found even as far east as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. 121. Dendroica striata' (J. R. Forster) — Black-poll Warbler. Migrating individiuils of this warbler were seen on May 16, 22, and 25, 1912, in the ''woodland" at the base of the hills and along the river. I saw no birds in the fall, nor had I found it during the preceding year. F. M. Chapman noted the species in early May, 1906. 98 Proceedings of the 122. Sciiinis aurocapillus (Linnaeus) — Ovenbird. The Ovenbird is apparently a regular migrant on the Reserve. On August 21 and 22, 1911, May 17, 21, and 23, August 29, 30, and 31, and September 3, 1912, I noted the species in the region. The thiclvets in the valley, both against the hills and along the river, were the customary habitats and there I often had the pleasure of watching these little walking warblers and of hearing their ringing "teacher-teacher-teacher-teacher - -." Usually the birds came to me as I sat quietly on the ground in the shelter of the dense undergrowth ; frequently I have come upon them in my wanderings, sometimes unexpectedly, at other times led by the sound oj* their call to search them out. At all times they were quite fearless and promenaded along the branches of a low tree or over the ground either in silent inspection of me or going about their business as though I were nowhere near. Even when alarmed they departed without undue haste but nevertheless disap- peared so completely that no amount of searching revealed the little hermits. 123. Sciurus novchoraccnsis no^a&//w Ridgway — Grinnell Water Thrush. August 29, 1911, and May 22, 1912, are the only dates which I have for this migrant. On the former occasion I secured a fine male from the shrubbery along the river, where I had heard its familiar note for some time before I was able to find the bird. It was finally discovered in a willow overhanging the stream, but 1 was forced to get out into the water before I could see the creature, so closely did it keep to the shelter of the bank. 124. Geothlypis trichas (Limnaeus) — Maryland Yellowthroat. Maryland Yellowthroats were present all summer in the valley, breeding in suitable places along the river and voicing their cheery "wree-chi-ty-wree'chi-ty-wree-chi-ty - -" from the shrubbery and weed patches that lined the margin of the stream. Common enough during the breed- season, they were still more abundant during migration and could be heard then, as indeed at other times, more often than they were seen. 125. Icteria virens longicauda Lawrence — Long-tailed Chat. The self-assertive chat was a prominent inhabitant of J^ehraska Ornithologists' Union 99 the thickets in the river valleys, where it bred commonly. One nest, discovered on June 9, 1911, was placed in a wil- low five or six feet from tlie ground. It was composed of grass and plant hhres and eontainefl four ej^'^s. During the nesting season the voice of the chats could be heard on every hand in the valley region but the singers themselves were not so much in evidence. At rare inter- vals you could catch a glimpse of brilliant yellow through the vines and tangle of interlaced branches, but it waa only for a moment. Attempts to stalk the singer usually failed and ^\ere you not acquainted with the bird and its ways you might have been led to believe in the existence of a disembodied voice, so persistently did the creature elude 3'ou. Occasionally you might see a chat rising from the brush into the air but pausing suddenly to turn and descend asrain, resembling a bird less than' an awkward, loose-jointed assortment of legs, wings and tail, all the time keeping up the jumbled variety of catcalls and whis- tles which you heard from the thicket before the perform- ance started. One of the birds in the vicinity of the Re- serve had a "cack'-cack'-cack' " so like that of a Magpie that I almost allowed myself to be deluded several times with the idea that a bird of the latter kind was in the neighborhood. On June ] 8, 1 912, one of my mammal traps in the brush along the river was robbed, the thief leaving only the mangled head of the mouse which had been caught. I reset the trap, using the remains of the carcass as bait, and the next morning found a female chat in it. Whether the bii'd had been the thief of the preceding night, or was merely making a curious investigation or perhaps was caught entirely accidentally, 1 cannot say. 126. Wilsonia pusilla pusilla (Wilson) — Wilson Warbler. On August 21, 1911, I collected a specimen of true east- ern W. p. pusilla in the undergrowth near the river and I saw others on September 22, both there and at the base of the hills. On August 29 and 30, 1912, a single indi- vidual was present in the first-mentioned habitat. F. M. Chapman lists the species in May, 1906. It and the fol- lowing variety are probably both regidar migrants at this locality although I do not think the present form extends 100 . Proceedings of the its wanderings much farther west in Nebraska than this point. 127. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata (Pallas) — Pileolated Warbler. On Se7)tember 21 and 23, 1911, I saw several warblers^ distinctly referable to this variety of the species, among the willows and dogwoods near the river. Like the Wil- son Warblers their characteristic "chib" often identified them as far as the species was concerned, before the birds themselves were seen, and then the distinctly orange hue of the forehead and a trace of the same color about the chin and throat revealed the variety. These warblers are among the m.ost confiding of their family, and often come as close to the observer as they can, flitting through the bushes and talking all the while in a conversational tone, although their remarks are restricted to a single syllable. If alarmed the}^ take to the tree-tops in many instanced, and there move with such rapidity that it is almost im- possible to keep them in sight among the leaves. 128. Sctophaga ruticiUa (Linnaeus) — Redstart. Redstarts were common in the valley during May, dis- appearing about the 27th of that month not to reappear until the last week in August, but remaining then at least until the 10th of September. They do not remain to breed in the sandhills but pass through as migrants. Where they are abundant, their song can be heard above the general chorus, so persistently do they give their ' ' su-i '-su-i '-sui '-sui '-sui '-su i ' - -. " 129, Dumetella caroUnensis {lArvn&Qu^) — Catbird. Sometimes during the spring and summer the Catbird's voice was heard fj'om the thickets but the singers were rather retiring and were seen less often than heard. They probably bred in small numbers along the river. On August 25, 1911, I caught one by the foot in a trap which I had set for rodents in the brush by the river, but I think that this capture was entirely accidental. 130. Toxostoma rnfiim (Ijinnaeus) — Brown Thrasher. Brown Thrashers were numerous in the river valleys at all times from the earliest to the latest dates that I made observations in the region and are recorded still earlier by F. M. Chapman. On May 19, 1912, there was a single thrasher in the hackberry grove which sheltered J^ehraska OrnUJwlos'ists' Utiion 101 tho nests of the Great Blue Herons, several miles back in the cleptiis of the hills. This bird was undoubtedly migrat- ing through this particular situation and probably did not breed there. 131. Salpinctes obsoletus (Say) — Rock Wren. F. J\l. Chapman found the Rock Wren migrating through Halsey in May, 1906. I failed to find any of the birds during my observations, probably because I reached the locality somewhat too late to catch the earlier spring migrants, among which the present species is to be con- sidered. 132. Troglodytes aedon parkmani A.udubon — Western House Wren. The Western House Wren migrates through this region during iMay and in August and September, although in rel- atively small numbers. Their bubbling song was a welcome surprise, when I occasional]}^ heard it in the valley thickets, as was also the sight of their little, barred, gray forms whisking through the underbrush or clambering about the shrubbery overhanging the river where they always gave a singularly homelike aspect to the place. The dates which I have for the species are Ausrust 31, 1911, and May 3 7, 18, 20 and 21 and September 6, 1912. 133. Telniafodyfcs pahtstris iUaciis Ridgway — Prairie Marsh Wren. I saw this marsh wren only on August 28 and 29, 1911, a single bird which was in evidence about a brush heap on a sandbar in the Middle Loup river. The presence of cat-tail swamps and reedy marshes would no doubt favor the presence of this bird in greater abundance than that with which it now occurs here. 134. Pcnthcstcs atricapilliis scptcntrionalis (Harris) — Long- tailed Chickadee. From August 22 to September 23, 1911, Long-tailed Chickadees were present sparingly in the Loup valley. R. H. Wolcott recorded their occurrence in July, 1908, and it is possible that the species breeds on the Reserve, al- though no nests have been found. 135. Regulus calendula (Linnaeus) — Ruby-crowned Kinglet. I noted a Ruby-crowned Kinglet on August 22, 1911, in 102 Proceedings of the the trees along the Middle Loup river. This is a rather early date for the appearance of this bird in Nebraska although it ocnrs commonly a week or two later in the more northwestern part of the state. 136. Myadcstcs tozvnscndi (Audubon) — Townsend Solitaire. Several pairs were noted about the seed-beds, October 27-29, 1910 by M. H. Swenk. "They were industriously catching insects with all the skill of a flycatcher, at in- tervals giving their peculiar wild call note. According to the men on the Reserve this bird passes through reg- ular! v each spring and fall. A specimen was taken on October 27." 137. Hylocichla mustcUna (Gmelin) — Wood Thrush. The only record for the Wood Thrush at hand is one made by R. II. Wolcott in July, 1908. 138. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola Ridgway — Willow Thrush. When I reached Ilalsey in May, 1912, there were Willow Thrushes present among the trees in the Loup valley and others were found also on May 26 in the valley of the Dismal. May 27 I saw the last one near the Reserve, although a few of the Olive-backed Thrushes, with which the present species was associated, remained about the neighborhood for a few days longer. These thrushes were exceedingly wary, and would not allow the least approach, but at the first advance in their direction would slip away through the undergrowth and disappear, and it was often difficult to find them again so perfectly did tliey elude pursuit. Their rather dull plum- age was none too conspicuous in the shadows, and the quietness of the v/earers did not add to its prominence. The rather brighter coloration of the back of this species served to separate it from the Olive-backed in the field, as did the brighter hue of the breast, although the latter character Vv'as less often apparent, owing to the position that the birds usually took with their back toward the observer, watching him over their shoulder and ready to disappear at the slightest provocation. 139. Hylocichla xistiilata swautsoni — (Tschudi) — Olive-backed Thrash. Like their companions the Willow Thrushes, these tlu'ushes were shy and retiring. Not once do I remember to have heard them utter a sound of any description. They Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 103 were somewhat more numerous than the other species and were seen rej^rularly from May 15 to June 1 in 1912, as well as on August 31 and September 2 in the preceding fa: 140. Plancsticus migratoriiis (Linnaeus) — Robin. Tile onlv time I saw the Robin at Halsey was on IMay 29, ]912. "R. H. Wolcott saw it in July, 1908 and on Oc- tober 27-29, 1910. M. IT. Swpuk found it abundant about the Reserve. Probably it does not breed in this locality. 141. Sialia sialis Hjinnaeus) — Bluebird. The ]>luebird is recorded by F. M. Chapman from this locality, and it was noted near the Reserve buildings by M. H. Swenk, October 28, 1910. I failed to find the species present. Like the Robin, the Bluebird is apparently only ? migrant at this point. 142. Sialia cnmicoides (Beehstein) — Mountain Bluebird. On JMay 26, 1912, as I rode slowly along the valley of the Dismal river, resting v^y horse after the tiresome suc- cession of hills and hollows which we had crossed since early morning on our Avay from the Loup river, I saw a lone wanderer in the form of a Mountain Bluebird, perched on a weed stalk some distance ahead of me. It rose at my approach and flew to a position a short distance beyond, displaying as it did so the beautiful coloration of the back, wings and tail, which is so different from the blue of the eastern Bluebird — to my mind much more delicate and more handsome in every particular. This bird repeated its maneuver several times but finally flew to the timber along the river, where I lost sight of it. We must consider the species as a straggler here, although it is common and breeds in the pine-covered region along the v/estern edge of the state. UNVERIFIED RECORDS. The following birds have been reported on various occa- sions by different observers, but the records are not en- tirely without question, and it has been thought best to list the species separately: [Cyanocephalus cyanocephahis (Weid) — Pinion Jay. The Pinion Jay has been reported as occurring during migration at the Reserve and may probably be a regular visitor to the region.] [Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus) — Cardinal. I am informed by men at the Reserve that the Cardinal is present along the Loup in small numbers and winters there.] [Mimiis polyglottos leucopterus (Vigors) — Western Mocking Bird. During the summer of 1912 a pair of mocking birds were reported to me as occurring on the Reserve, a few miles down the river from the station. I was never able to discover the birds, but the occurrence of the species at this point is quite probable, and the variety would un- doubtedly be that under which I have placed this note.] End of Volume V 104 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION AT ITS TWELFTH, THIRTEENTH. FOURTEENTH AND FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETINGS Lincoln. Nebr., May 5 and 6. 1911 Lincoln, Nebr.. May 10 and 1 1 . 1912 Lincoln. Nebr.. May 9 and 10. 1913 Lincoln, Nebr., May 15 and 16, 1914 edited by Myron H. Swenk CONTENTS PAGE Officers, 1010-1914 3 Abstract of Minutes : Twelfth Annual Meeting 3 Ninth Annual Field Day 5 Thirteenth Annual Meeting 7 Tenth Annual Field Day 8 Fourteenth Annual Meeting 8 Eleventh Annual Field Day 11 Fifteenth Annual Meeting 12 Twelfth Annual Field Day 14 Secretary-Treasurer's Reports, 1910-1914 15 Constitution and By-Laws 19 List of Members 23 Papers. Vol. VI, Part 1. Fchiuary 20, 1915 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists* Union OFFICERS 1910-11. President L. Sessions, Norfolk \'ice- President Mrs. A. E. Sheldon, Lincoln Secretary-Treasurer Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln 1911-12. President H. B. Lowry, Lincoln Mce-President Mrs. Lowrie Childs, South Omaha Secretry-Treasurer Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln 1912-13. President D. C. Hilton, Lincoln Vice-President Miss Edith Tobitt, Omaha Secretary-Treasurer J. T. Zimmer, Lincoln 1913-14. President Lawrence Bruner, Lincoln \'ice-President Miss Joy Higgins. Omaha Secretary-Treasurer T. T. Zimmer, Lincoln ABSTRACT OF MINUTES TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING The twelfth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was held at Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6, 1911. The members of the Union assembled in the banquet room of the Lindell Hotel, Thirteenth and M Streets, at 7 :00 Friday evening, where a six-course dinner was served. Immediately after the dinner, at 8:30, President Sessions called 4 Proceedings of the the meeting to order. Fifteen members were present, Messrs. Duncanson, Eiche, Hilton, Horsky, Lowry, Pinneo, Sessions. Shoemaker, Swenk, Tout, Towne, Wolcott and Zimmer, and Misses Higgins, VanSant and Wood. Three candidates for membership and six guests of members of the Union were also present. After the call to order the President reported briefly for himself and called for the report of the Vice-President. In her absence extracts from a letter from her, regretting the necessity for her absence and wishing the Union a successful meeting were read by the Secretary-Treasurer, who then proceeded to report upon the activities of his own office. A statement of the financial condition of the Union was rendered and the status of the membership explained, while as Editor and Custodian the publications and property of the Union were reported upon in detail. President Sessions appointed Messrs. Wolcott, Eiche and Zimmer an Auditing Committee to examnie the financial statement and report back their findings. R. H. Wolcott then reported briefly for the Record Committee and Wilson Tout for the Educational Committee, both being chairmen of their respective committees. The latter report was detailed and showed clearly the activities of the Educational Committee and the successful results of its work. The proposal of new names for membership in the Union was next taken up and the names of Mr. R. W. Dawson of Lin- coln, and Miss Maud Shipherd of Omaha were proposed. Miss Isaacson also asked for reinstatement, following resignation of 1908. All were voted upon favorably, and declared members of the Society. On motion of the Secretary-Treasurer a Resolutions Committee was appointed to prepare resolutions relative to the loss to the Society by the death of Miss Agnes M. Dawson of Omaha, these to be entered into the Proceedings of the Union and copies sent to the family of the deceased. Misses Wood and Higgins and S. R. Towne were appointed upon this committee. Upon motion of R. H. Wolcott, the Secretary-Treasurer was directed to send a telegram of greetings to Prof. Lawrence Bruner, who was out of the state and thereby forced to be Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 5 absent from the meeting, the first he had missed since the organi- zation of the Union. A motion was also unanimously passed extending the thanks of the Union to Mr. Eiche for the splendid table decorations of cut flowers which had been furnished by him. The election of ofiicers for 1911-12 was then taken up, the ballot resulting as follows : President, H. B. Lowry, Lincoln. Vice-President, Mrs. Lowrie Childs, South Omaha. Secretary-Treasurer, Myron H. Swenk, Lincoln. The President then appointed a committee to escort the newly- elected President to the chair. This was done amid applause and the President-elect responded gracefully with a speech. The arrangements for the Ninth Annual Field Day were then dis- cussed and a detailed plan agreed upon. R. H. Wolcott for the Auditing Committee stated that it had gone over the financial statement of the Secretary-Treasurer and found it to be correct and moved the acceptance of the report. The motion was carried. The remainder of the evening was given over to informal talks and discussions, R. H. Wolcott acting as toastmaster. Mr. Duncanson described some interesting observations he had made upon the feeding habits of the White Pelican. Mr. Zimmer explained the status of our Nebraska Juncos and illustrated his remarks with specimens. Mr. Sessions spoke entertainingly on the changes in the bird life about Norfolk during the past forty years. Other remarks and discussions were made upon various ornithological topics by Messrs. Eiche, Tout, Swenk, Towne and Wolcott and Misses VanSant and Wood. At 10:45 p. m. the meeting adjourned. Myron H. Swenk, Secretary-Treasurer. Ninth Annual Field Day. — The field party of the N. O. U. left the Government Square, Tenth and O Streets at 7 :00 a. m. Saturday, May 6, 1911, and proceeded in a body to the north shore of the lake west of Lincoln (Capital Beach), investi- gating the outlying salt flats on the way. The northern and eastern shores of the lake were then followed. Return was made to Lincoln at noon. At 12:30 p. m. the train was taken to Roca, twelve miles south of Lincoln, and the afternoon given 6 Proceedings of the over to a study of the woodland birds, the party returning to Lincoln at 5 :45 p. m. The composite list of the day included one hundred and three species, only one less than the record list of May 9, 1903. The list follows : Bluebird, Robin, Wood Thrush, Long-tailed Chickadee, White- breasted Nuthatch, Long-billed Marsh Wren, Western House Wren, Brown Thrasher, Catbird, Maryland Yellowthroat, Louisi- ana W^ater-Thrush, Grinnell Water-Thrush, Black-poll Warbler, Myrtle W^arbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed \'ireo, Rough- winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin, Dickcissel, Rose-breasted Gros- beak, Cardinal, Arctic Towhee, Towhee, Lincoln Sparrow, Song vSparrow, Western Field Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow. Chip- ping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Spar- row, Harris Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Leconte Sparrow, Western Grasshopper Sparrow, Savanna Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Goldfinch, Red Crossbill, Bronzed Crackle, Baltimore Oriole, Western Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Cowbird, Crow, Blue Jay, Prairie Horned Lark, Least Fly- catcher, Phoebe. Great-crested Flycatcher, Kingbird, Arkansas Kingbird, Chimney Swift, Red-shafted Flicker, Northern Flicker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Short-eared Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper Hawk. Sharp-shinned Hawk, Mourning Dove. Bobwhite, Piping Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Golden Plover, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Yellow-legs, Greater Yellow-legs, Hudsonian Godwit, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Red-backed Sandpiper, Least Sand- piper, Baird Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sand- piper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson Phalarope, Coot, Hutchins Goose, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Bluebill, Pintail, Shoveller, Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall. Franklin Gull, Ring- billed Gull, Eared Grebe. A nest of the Pine Siskin, a bird not previously known to nest in Nebraska, was found during the day; nests of the Robin, Western Meadowlark, Screech Owl and Crow^ were also found by the field party. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 7 THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING The thirteenth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was held at Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday evening. May 10, 1912. At 7:00 p. m. the members sat down to a banquet in the Lindell Hotel. Following the banquet President H. B. Lowry called the meeting to order. Thirteen members were present, Messrs. Bruner, Dawson, Eiche, French, Hilton, Lowry, Shoe- maker, Stephens, Swenk, Wolcott and Zimmer and Misses Bar- bour and Higgins. Three guests of members of the Union were also present. The minutes of the twelfth annual meeting were read, and, on motion, approved. The President reported briefly for himself and called for the report of the Secretary-Treasurer. This officer presented the usual financial statement and gave an account of the membership and general status of the affairs of the Society. President Lowry appointed R. H. Wolcott and Miss Joy Higgins an Auditing Committee to examine the financial report of the Secretary-Treasurer, and Messrs. Swenk, Shoe- maker and Eiche as a Nominating Committee. R. H. Wolcott reported for the Record Committee. The name of Mr. Chas. S. Ludlow^ of Red Cloud was proposed for member- ship and on motion of the Secretary-Treasurer was duly elected. In order to give the committees an opportunity to work, the order of business was changed somewhat and the first paper of the program was taken up. Mr. J. T. Zimmer gave a very clear account of the relationship, variation and distribution of the White-crowned and Intermediate Sparrows in Nebraska. At the close of Mr Zimmcr's paper the Nominating Committee reported the following nominations for officers during the next year, 1912 : President, Dr. D. C. Hilton, Lincoln. Vice-President, Miss Edith Tobitt, Omaha. Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. J. T. Zimmer, Lincoln. Upon motion of R. H. Wolcott the Secretary was instructed to cast the unanimous ballot of the Society for these officers. The Auditing Committee through R. H. Wolcott reported the financial statement of the Secretary-Treasurer to be correct and moved its acceptance. Carried. 8 Proceedings of the The program was then resumed. T. C. Stephens briefly dis- cussed the woodpeckers of northeastern Nebraska. R. H. Wol- cott summarized the ornithological results of the summer of 1911 which was spent in the field in western Nebraska, in Sioux, Ban- ner, Thomas and Cherry counties. F. H. Shoemaker gave a very interesting account of the nesting of the Poorwill and White- throated Rock Swift in western Nebraska during the past sum- mer. The Secretary-Treasurer read excerpts from letters from various members who were prevented from being present, ex- pressing their good wishes for the success of the meeting, and reporting various bird observations of the year. The President then appointed Messrs. Wolcott and Eiche as a committee to escort the newly-elected President to the chair. Under the head of new business a project of keeping co-operative migration notes was discussed by R. H. Wolcott and T. C. Ste- phens. The Secretary was instructed to ask the members as to their willingness to serve as a committee to arrange and consoli- date migration data. The arrangements for the field day were discussed and decided upon. The meeting then adjourned at 10:30 p. M. Myron H. Swenk, Secretary-Treasurer. Tenth Annual Field Day. — Saturday,, May 11, 1912, was exceedingly cold and rainy, so that it was decided not to attempt to hold the usual Field Day with the birds. Instead the party spent the day studying the mounted bird collection belonging tc August Eiche. FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING The fourteenth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was held at Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday evening, May 9, 1913. The members gathered at the Lindell Hotel, where, at 7:00 p. M., they sat down to a banquet. Eleven members were present, Messrs. Bruner, Dawson, Eiche, Hilton, Lowry, Shoe- maker, Swenk, Tout, Wolcott and Zimmer and Miss Higgins Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 9 Three guests of the Society, Mrs. and Ivliss Hilton and Miss Bruner, and one candidate for membership, Mr. Gates, were also present. Following the banquet, President Hilton called the meeting to order. No reports were given by the President or Vice-Presi- dent. Mr. J. T. Zimnier reported for the office of Secretary- Treasurer, the report being aT)provcd and the financial statement referred to an Auditing and Nominating Committee appointed by the chair and consisting of Messrs. Low^y, Eiche and Bruner, the committee to examine the accounts and report on their findings. M. H. Swenk reported for the office of Editor and the report was accepted. Wilson Tout gave a brief report for the Educational Committee and R. H. Wolcott for the Record Committee, both reports being accepted as read. Election of new members was held, and the names of Messrs. L. M. Gates of University Place, and \V. A. Luke and W. R. Skinner of Lincoln were proposed and all were unanimously elected. H. B. Lowry as chairman of the Auditing Committee reported finding the financial statement of the Secretary-Treasurer cor- rect, and on motion to that efifect the report was accepted. As chairman of the Nominating Committee Dr. Lowry presented the following list of candidates for offices for the ensuing }ear : President, Professor Lawrence Bruner, Lincoln. \"ice-President, Miss Joy Higgins, Omaha. Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. J. T. Zimmer, Lincoln. In presenting the name of the candidate for President it was stated that Professor Bruner was the first President of the Society at its organization and although no other President of the Society had e\er held that office twice, it was thought em- inently ]:)roper and fitting to elect l^rofessor Bruner again, since next year would be the fifteenth amiiversary of the Union. H. B L.owry moved to suspend the rules and have the President cast the unanimous ballot of the Society for Professor Bruner as President. M. H. Swenk repeated the motion with reference to Miss Higgins as \'ice-Presidest and R. H. Wolcott with refer- ence to J. T. Zimmer as Secretary-Treasurer. These motions 10 Proceedings of the were all seconded and carried and the unanimous ballot of the Society was cast for these ofhcers. Plans for the field day on Saturday, May 10, were next taken up. It was decided to have one party assemble at Ninth and O Sts. at 7:00 a. m. to start for Capital Beach, a second party to as- semble and leave for the same place at 8:00 a. m., later plans to be formulated there for the afternoon trip Messrs. H. B. Lowry and R. H. Wolcott were appointed a com- mittee to escort the President-elect to the chair, where after the applause had subsided he gave a few words of acceptance. The Secretary-Treasurer read the minutes of the last meeting, which were then approved, on motion to that effect. Retiring President Hilton gave a very interesting paper con- sisting of some "Notes on the Birds of the Gulf Strip of Texas," in which the treated very clearly of a large number of species which he had observed in the region mentioned on several trips to Texas. After the conclusion of Dr. Hilton's pai)er. new business was taken up. The matter of the Feather Proviso in "Schedule N" of the Tariff Act, then before Congress, was discussed. On motion to that eft'ect, a committee composed of M. H Swenk and the Secretary was empowered to draft resolutions expressing approval of the portion in question of the Tariff' Act, copies of the resolution to be forwarded to the Nebraska Senators and Representatives at Washington. On second motion, Miss Hig- gins was added to the per.sonnel of the committee. The matter of a biological survey of Nebraska was brought u}: and discussed. It was moved, seconded and carried that th(. Secretary be empowered to express to the Bureau of Biological Survey at Washington, the willingness of the Nebraska Orni- thologists' Union to co-operate with the Bureau in getting out such a survey. The committee on resolutions concerning the Tariff' Act proviso reported the following resolution : "Resolved, that the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, assembled at the Fourteenth Annual Meeting at Lincoln. May 0. 191:5, express their un- qualified approval of the Feather Proviso in "Schedule N." of tlie Tariff A^cbraska Ornithologists' Union 11 Act. and urge upon the Senators and Representatives of the State of Nebraska to give this provision of the Tariff Act their support. (Signed) "M. H. Swexk. "Joy Higgins, "John T. Zimmer, "Committee." The resolution was adopted fjy the society. The next question to be taken uj) was that of the non-issuance of scientific permits for collecting specimens this year. Governor Morehead having refused to issue such permits owing to past abuse of the privilege by non-scientific collectors. A motion was carried to the effect that a committee composed of Messrs. Bruner. Eiche and Wolcott be appointed to confer with the gov- ernor regarding the issuance of a liinited number of permits to authorized parties connected with scientific institutions. At 10:00 p. M. the motion was put to adjourn. John T. Zim.mer, Secretary-Treasurer. Eleventh Annual Fief.d Day. — Saturday, May 10, was rainy and stormy and only a few members made the field trip to Capital Beach. In the afternoon, some members visited Wyuka cemetery where several woodland birds, not seen in the morning, were added to the list. Numerous species usually common were not in e\idence. but notwithstanding this fact and the inclement weather, a total of ninety-one species was secured. The composite list is as follows : Robin, Olive-backed Thrush, Ciray-checked Thrush. Willow Thrush, Wood Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Long-tailed Chickadee, Western House Wren, Brown Thrasher, Catbird, Pipit, Redstart, Maryland Yellowthroat, Louisiana Water- Thrush, (irinnell Water-Thrush, Ovenbird, Black-throated Green \\'ari)ler. Black-poll Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Myrtle Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-and- White Warbler, Bell Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Warb- ling X'ireo, Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Tree Swal- low, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Dickcissel, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Cardinal, Towhee, Lincoln Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, White-crowned Spar- 12 Proceedings of the row, Intermediate Sparrow, Harris Sparrow^ Leconte Sparrow, Western Grasshopper Sparrow, Savanna Sparrow, Goldfinch, Bronzed Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Westerii Meadowlark, Ived-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird. Cowbird, Crow, Blue Jay, Least Flycatcher, Traill Flycatcher, Kingbird, Chimney Swift, Northern Flicker, Red-headed Wood- pecker, Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Sparrow Hawk. Mourning Dove, Bobwhite, Semipalmated Plover. Kill- deer, Spotted Sandpiper, Western Willct, Solitary Sandpiper. Yellow-legs, Greater Yellow-legs, Hudsonian Godwit, Semipal- mated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird Sand])iper, White- rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Coot, Ruddy Duck, Les- ser Bluebill, Pintail, Shoveller, Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, Red- breasted Merganser, Black Tern, Franklin Gull, Ring-billed Gull. FH^TEENTH ANNUAL MEETING The fifteenth annual meeting of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union was held at Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday evening. May L^. 1914. At 7:00 p. m. the members met in the ordinary of the Lincoln Hotel. Ten members were present, Messrs. Bruner, Dawson, Eiche, Gates, Hilton, Lowry, Shoemaker, Swenk and Wolcott and Mrs. A. E. Sheldon. Six guests of the Society, Mrs. and Miss Hilton, Mr. and Mrs. Loveland and Mr. Childs of Lincoln, and AFiss Laura Evans of Blue Springs, were also present. After the banquet the Society was called to order with Presi- dent Bruner in the chair. The minutes of the fourteenth annua! meeting were read by the acting Secretary, and on motion by R. H. W^olcott they \\ere approved and accepted. After briefly reporting for his office, in the absence of the \'ice-President the report of the Treasurer was next called for and read, and on motion by H. B. Lowry an Auditing Committee yas appointed. Messrs. Eiche, Dawson and Shoemaker were appointed as the Auditing Committee. At the same time a Nominating Commit- Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 13 tee, consisting of Messrs. Lowry and Svvcnk, was appointed b\ the chair. R. K. Wolcott reported briefly for tlie Record Committee. In the absence of the chairman of the Rducational Committee no report of this work was received. Election of new members being in order, the names of Miss Laura Evans of Blue Springs and Mrs. Catherine Foley of Goth- enburg were proposed by R. H. Wolcott and S. R. Towne, respec- tively, and duly elected to membership. On her personal request,. Mrs. (i. A. Loveland, who joined the N. O. U. in 1901 but re- signed in 1904, was reinstated by an affirmative expression of the Society. August Eiche reported for the Auditing Committee that the reports of the Treasurer for 1913-14 had been examined and found correct, and, on his motion, the report was accepted. H. B. Lowry read the report of the Nominating Committee for officers for 1914-15, as follows: President, Prof. T. C. Stephens, Sioux City. \'ice-Prcsident, Mrs. G. A. Loveland, Lincoln. Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. R. W. Dawson, Lincoln. L^pon motion of H. B. Lowry that the rules be suspended and that the Secretary be instructed to cast the unanimous ballot of the Society for T. C. Stephens as President, the motion was put and unanimously carried. The motion was repeated for Mrs Loveland as Vice-President by Mrs. Sheldon, and for R. W. Dawson as Secretary- Treasurer by M. H. Swenk, and in each case the nominee was unanimously elected. New business being in order, the Secretary-Treasurer pro- posed the following three amendments to the constitution : ( 1 ) That in Article II, Section 1, the words "or adjacent states" be inserted after "Nebraska," and (2) that vt Article Y, Section 4, the words "and to nominate three persons for each of the sev- eral offices that are to be filled annually" be stricken out, and (3) that in Article \T, Section 1, the words "and the Secretary-Treas- urer shall send a list of the nominees of the Executive Committee to each member one month before the date of the annual meet- ing" be stricken out. After explanations by the Secretary-Treas- 14 Prorrcdiiu/s of the urer these amendments to the constitution were unanimously car- ried on motions by II. B. Lowry and August Eiche No furtlier new business being proposed, the program was taken up. Retiring President Bruner gave a very instructive ad- dress on "A Comparison of the Bird Faunas of the Pampas of Argentina and the Plains of Nebraska," a subject with which he was especially competent to deal because of his extensive travels in Argentina in 1897 and his long expereince with the birds of our plains. Following the President's address, the Secretary read a highly entertaining letter from Mr. J. T. Zimmer, a member of the Soci- ety now engaged in scientific work near Manila, P 1., giving his impressions of Philippine birds. R. H. VVolcott then exhibited a remarkable specimen, obviously the abdominal fat layer of a diick turned to soap, which had recently been found floating on a Cherry county lake by a ranchman. This specimen, though show- ing plainly the feather tracts, etc., of the bird is simply two- thirds calcium soap, and its formation is attributed by Dr. Wol- cott to the bird dying or falling into the lake during a warm pe- riod when the fat rapidly united with the alkali of the water to form the soap. M. H. Swenk then exhibited a series of Nebraska nighthawks. and explained the distribution of the various sub- species in this state, so far as it is at present understood. Plans for the Twelfth Annual Field Day were then taken up and discussed, and it was decided to visit the beach west of Lin- coln in the morning, leaving the city on the electric cars in two parties, at 5:00 a. m. and 6:40 a. m., respectively, and to spend the afternoon on the Salt Creek bltift's near Havelock. leaving the city at 1 :20 P. M. At 10 :30 the meeting adjourned. Myron H. Swenk, Acting Secretary-Treasurer. TwEFTii Annual Fteld Day. — On Saturday. May 16, the field party of the N. O. U. visited Capital Beach from early morn- ing until noon, and in the afternoon, from 2:00 to 6:00 p. m.. the birds seen on the trip to the "Havelock Bluff" northeast of Lin- coln were listed. The composite list for the day was rather small, Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 15 owing to the fact that the migration was largely over. Eighty- five species were observed, as follows : Bluebird. Robin, Wood Thrush, I.ong-tailed Chickadee, West- ern House Wren, Brown Thrasher, Catbird, Maryland Yellow- throat, Ovenbird, Black-poll Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Orange- crowned Warbler, Bell \'ireo. Warbling \'ireo. Red-eyed Vireo. Migrant Shrike. Kough-winged Swallow. Bank Swallow. Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, Dickcissel, Indigo Bunting, Rose-breast- ed Grosbeak, Cardinal, Towhee, Lincoln Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Harris Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Western Grasshopper Sparrow, Savanna Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Goldfinch, Bronzed Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Western Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Cowbird, Blue Jay, Prairie Llorned Lark, Phoebe, Great-crested" Flycatcher, Kingbird, Chimney Swift, Northern Flicker, Red-headed Wood- pecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Belted King- fisher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Swainson Flawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Marsh Hawk. Mourning Dove, Bobwhite, Turnstone, Pip- ing Ploxer, Semipalmated Plover. Killdeer. Black-bellied Plover. Spotted Sandpiper, Yellow-legs. Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandjiiper. Stilt Sandpiper. Wilson Phalarope. Coot, Black-crowned Night Heron, tireen Heron, Ruddy Duck, Lesser Bluebill, Redhead, Shoveller, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal. Gadwall, Mallard. Black Tern, Franklin Gull, Eared Grebe. Report of Treasurer. 1910-1911 Receipt.s Cash received from previous Treasurer, April 30, 1910. . .S 53.7(S 1 Annual dues for 1905— Active 2.00 2 Annual dues for 1906— Active 4.00 2 Annual dues for 1907 4W 2 Annual dues for 190S 4.0C! 6 Annual dues for 1909 12.00 18 Annual dues for 1910 36.00 16 Proceedings of the 1 Annual dues for 191 1 2.00 Sale of Proceedings and Checklists 3.75 $121.53 Expenditures Jacob North & Co.. printing Vol. V, Part i and 500 receipts v$ 31.45 McVey Printing Co., printing Vol. V, Part 2 16.20 McVey Printing Co., printing Vol. V, Part 3 13.30 McVey Printing Co.. printing 1,000 letter heads for use of Secretary-Treasurer 3.50 Postage, office of Secretary-Treasurer 1.45 Stenography, office of Secretary-Treasurer 2.20 Balance on hand, May 5, 1911 53.43 $121.53 Respectfully submitted, Myron H. Swenk. Secretary-Treasurer. Report of Treasurer. 1911-12 Receipts Cash on hand. May 5, 191 1 $ 53.43 2 Annual dues for 1906— Active 4.00 2 Annual dues for 1907 4.00 3 Annual dues for 1908 6.00 5 Annual dues for 1909 10.00 10 Annual dues for 1910 20.00 14 Annual dues for 191 1 28.00 3 Annual dues for 1912 6.00 Sale of Proceedings 2.10 $133.53 Expenditures Boyd Printing Co., printing Vol. V, Part 4 $ 18.20 State Journal Co., mkaing two halftones for \'ol. V, Part 4 3.60 Postage, office of Secretary-Treasurer 2.90 Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 17 Telegram .50 Return of balance from banquet of May 14, 1909 1.00 Balance on hand, Alay 10, 1912 107.33 $133.53 Respectfully submitted, Myron H. Swenk, Secretary-Treasurer. Report of Treasurer, 1912-13 Receipts Cash received from previous Treasurer, May 10, 1912. . .$107.33 2 Annual dues for 1909 4.00 3 Annual dues for 1910 6.00 11 Annual dues for 1911 22.00 14 Annual dues for 1912 28.00 Sale of Checklists .20 Excess on banquet fund 1 50 $169.03 Expenditures Boyd Printing Co., printing Vol. V, Part 5 $ 88.45 Postage, office of Secretary-Treasurer 2.00 Balance on hand, May 9, 1913 78.58 $169.03 Respectfully submitted, John T. Zimmer, Secretary-Treasurer. Report of Treasurer, 1913-14 Receipts Cash on hand, May 9, 1913 $ 78.58 1 Annual dues for 1911 2.00 3 Annual dues for 1912 6.00 4 Annual dues for 1913 8.00 18 Proceedings of the 1 Annual dues for 1914 2.00 Sale of Proceedings 5.95 Sale of Checklists .25 $102.78 Expenditures Postage, office of Secretary-Treasurer $ 1 90 Materials for preserving N. O. U. collections .30 Balance on hand, May 15, 1914 100.58 $102.78 Respectfully submitted, John T. Zimmer, Secretary-Treasurer. Myron H. Swenk, Acting Secretary-Treasurer. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 19 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS ARTICLE I Name and Object Section 1. This Association shall be known as The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. Sec. 2. Its aims shall be to promote the study of ornithology by more closely uniting the students of this branch of natural history, and to encourage the study of birds in the state of Nebraska. ARTICLE II Members Section L Any student of ornithology resident in Nebraska or adjacent states, not less than sixteen years of age, may become a member on receiving a majority vote of the members present at any meeting. All members in good standing shall have the right to vote and hold office. Sec. 2. Honorary members shall be elected for their eminence in ornithology or for distinguished services in furthering the aims for which this Union is established. Sec. 3. Application for membership in the interim between meetings may be considered by the Executive Committee, and the application granted by a unanimous vote of the committee. ARTICLE III Quorum Section 1. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be the active members present at any annual meeting, provided the number is not less than nine. 20 Proceedings of the ARTICLE IV Officers and Committees Section 1. The officers of this Union shall be: a President, a Vice-President and a Secretary-Treasurer. Sec. 2. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the officers. Sec. 3. Standing committee shall be appointed by the Presi- dent with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. ARTICLE V Duties of Officers and Committees Section \. Duties of the President — It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all the meetings of the Union, to ap- point the standing committees, and to perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the office. Sec. 2. Duties of the Vice-President. — It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to act in the absence or incapacity of the President. Sec. 3. Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer. — It shall be the duty of the Secretary -Treasurer to keep a record of all the meet- ings of the Union, to countersign all orders and documents is- sued by the President, to conduct the general correspondence of the Union, to prepare the program of the meetings, to send out the call for such meetings, to superintend the publication of the Proceedings of the Union, to have charge of all property of the Union, to receive and have charge of all moneys of the Union and to pay such bills as are endorsed by the President and to perform such other duties as properly pertain to this office. Sec. 4. Duties of the Executive Committee. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to fix the date and place of the annual meeting, to act on applications for membership as pro- vided in Article II, section 3, to concur in the appointment of standing committees as provided in Article IV, section 3, and to fill by temporary appointment offices which shall become vacant. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 21 ARTICLE VI Election of Officers and Committees Section 1. The election of all officers shall be by ballot, a majority of those voting being required to elect. Sec. 2. The term of office shall extend from the end of one annual meeting to the end of the next one. ARTICLE VII Meetings Section 1. The annual meeting of the Union shall be held at such place and time as the Executive Committee shall decide. ARTICLE VIII Dues and Assessments Section 1. The annual dues of the members shall be two dol- lars ($2), due at the time of election to membership and on the date of each annual meeting thereafter. Sec. 2. In case of failure to pay dues before the close of the year, a member shall forfeit his right to the publications of the Union. Sec. 3. In case of failure to pay dues for two years a member shall be dropped from the roll of the Union. ARTICLE IX Amendments Section 1. An amendment to this constitution may be adopted by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present at any annual meeting, one month notice of the proposed amendment having been given all members. 22 Proceedings of the BY-LAWS Section 1. The actual amount expended by the officers in car- rying on their official duties shall be refunded to them. Sec. 2. All members in good standing shall receive gratis one copy of the publications of the Union. Other copies of the publi- cations may be distributed under sanction of the Executive Com- mittee. Sec. 3. All papers presented at the nieeiings shall be the prop- erty of the Union and shall be filed with the Secretary-Treasurer. Sec. 4. The order of business at the annual meeting shall be as follows: 1, Reports of Officers; 2, Reports of Committees; 3, Proposal of Names and Election of Members ; 4, New Business ; 5, Announcement of Election of Officers and Committees ; 6, Pre- sentation and Discussion of Papers and Remarks ; 7, Installation of Officers; 8, Reading of Minutes; 9, Adjournment. Sec. 5. Application for membership mast be made to the Ex ecutive Committee, and such application must have the indorse- ment of at least one member in good standing, which shall be ex- pected to be a proper recommendation of the candidate. Sec. 6. Any of the By-Laws may be amended or repealed by vote of a majority of the members. Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 23 LIST OF MEMBERS Corrected to January 1, 1915. Names of Charter Members indicated by an asterisk. MEMBERS *Bates, Rev. J. M., Red Cloud 1900 Bruner, H. F., Kola 1901 *Bruner, Prof. Lawrence, University Farm, Lincoln 1900 Dawson, R. VV., University Farm, Lincoln 1911 Duncanson, H. B., Peru 1901 *Eiche, August, 1133 O St., Lincoln 1900 Evans, Miss Laura, Blue Springs 1914 Foley, Mrs. Catherine. Gothenburg 1914 Gates, L. M., University Farm, Lincoln 1913 Higgins, Miss Joy, 527 Park Avenue, Omaha 1908 Hilton, Dr. D. C, 1238 O St., Lincoln 1909 Horsky, L. O., Mailing Division, Post Office, Omaha 1910 Loveland, Mrs. G. A., Lincoln 1901 Lowry, Dr. H. B., 843 S. 10th St., Lincoln 1901 Ludlow, C. S., Red Cloud 1912 Luke, W. A., Secretary City Y. M. C. A., Lincoln 1913 McDonald, Miss Jeanette, 318 So. 26th St., Omaha 1905 Payne, Mrs. Geo. H., West Dodge St., Omaha 1901 Pollard, Hon. Isaac. Nehawka 1903 Salter, G. B., Norfolk 1908 *Sessions. L., Norfolk 1900 Sheldon, Mrs. A. E., 1319 So. 23d St., Lincoln 1904 .Shipherd, Miss Maude, 4811 Davenport St.. Omaha 1911 Stephens, Prof. T. C, Morningside College, Sioux City. la. . 1911 Skinner, W. R., 3161 Kleckner Court, Lincoln 1913 *Swenk, Prof. M. H., University Farm, Lincoln 1900 Tobitt, Miss Edith, Omaha Public Library, Omaha 1907 *Tout, Wilson, Supt. Schools, North Platte 1900 *VanSant, Miss Elizabeth, 2960 Dewey Avenue, Omaha 1900 *Wolcott, Dr. R. IL, University of Nebraska, Department of Zoology. Lincoln 1900 Zimmer, J. T., Department of Agriculture, P. 1 1907 Vol. VI. Part 2 February 27, 1015 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Nebraska Ornithologists* Union THE ESKIMO CURLEW AND ITS DISAPPEARANCE BY MYRON H. SWEXK It is now the consensus of opinion of all informed ornitholo- gists that the Eskimo Curlew fNumenius borealis) is at the verge of extinction, and by many the belief is entertained that the few, scattered birds which may still exist will never enable the species to recoup its numbers, but that it is even now practically a bird of the past. And, judging from all analogous cases, it must be confessed that this hopeless belief would seem to be justified, and the history of the Eskimo Curlew, like that of the Passenger Pigeon, may simply be another of those ornithological tragedies enacted during the last half of the nineteetith century, when, be- cause of a wholly unreasonable and uncontrolled slaughter of our North American bird life, several species passed from an abun- dance manifested by flocks of enormous size to a state of practical or complete annihilation. In this deadly work the people of Ne- braska, as well as those of our neighboring states, to our lasting discredit played a conspicuous and all too effective part each spring, while in the fall the equally profligate gunners of New England and the Atlantic states poured leaden death into south- bound flocks of these unfortunate birds whenever an opportunity presented itself. Nothing was known concerning this interesting bird until after the middle of the eighteenth century. It was originally described by Forster^ in 1772, as Scolopax borealis, from a specimen taken 'Forster, J. R. Phil. Trans. Rojal Soc. London, Ixii, pp. 411 and 431, 1772. 26 Proceedings of the at Albany Fort, Hudson Bay. Pennant- in 1785 and Hearne" in 1795 both erroneously referred to the larger congener of this bird, the Hudsonian Curlew (Nmncnius hudsonicus), as the "Es- kimaux Curlew," though the latter author recognized two species of curlew as abundant about Hudson Bay from 1769 to 1772, the smaller of which was undoubtedly the present species. In 1790 Latham* formally described the Hudsonian Curlew and referred the Eskimo Curlew to the same genus, but confusion between the two species continued up to the earlier years of the nineteenth century, and the bird described by Wilson' in 1813 as the "Esqui- maux Curlew" was in reality the Hudsonian, the species right- fully entitled to the name he used being unknown to him. The Hudsonian Curlew is a large bird, about seventeen inches long, with a bill about four inches long, a whitish stripe in the middle of the top of the head and the long flight feathers of the wing barred with bufify ; the Eskimo Curlew is two to five inches shorter, with a bill only slightly over two inches long, the crown unstriped and the flight feathers of the wing unbarred. In the spring migration this curlew passed through the interior of the United States, in the Mississippi valley, rarely if ever oc- curring on the Atlantic ocean or its coasts. It first appeared in the United States in Texas and Louisiana during early to middle March. In central Texas Brown*^ noted it at Boerne. Kendall county, March 9, 1880. as a rather common migrant, while in northern Texas at Gainesville. Cooke county, it arrived on the average March 17, according to Ragsdale, while its earliest date was March 7, 1884". In the adjacent county. Wise, it was noted as late as April 2, 1884. while at Caddo, Oklahoma, a short dis- tance across the Red River from Gainesville, in 1884 it was noted March 25 and was abundant on April 2^. In Louisiana, where it was a common migrant", the last records are for March 17 and ^Pennant. T. Arctic Zoology, ii. 1785. "Hearne, S. A journey from Prince of Wales' Fort in Hudson's Bay to the Northern Ocean, 179.5. *Latham, J. Index Ornithologicus, ii. p. 712, 17!tO. ^Wilson, A. American Ornithology, vii. 18i:>. 'Brown, N. C Bull. Nuttall Ornith. Club. vii. p. 42. 1882. 'Cooke. W. W. Bull. ?>;i. Bureau of Biological Survey, pp. 74-76. 1910. "Cooke. W. W. Bull. 2. Division of Economic Ornithology, p. 98. 1888. 'Beyer, G. R., Allison, A., and Kopman. H. H. Auk, xxv, p. 179, 1908. ycbrnska Oniitholugists' Union 27 23. 18.S9'". while for Arkansas the last rca)r(l is from Fayelte- villc, March 31, 18:!. 1S.")8. "Mackay, G. H. Auk, ix, pp. 16-21, 1892; x, p. 79, 189:5; xi, pp. 75-76, 1894; xiv. p. 214, lSil7 ; xv. pp. 52-5.3, 1898; and xvi, p. ISO, 18<)9. 34 Proceedings of the in 1877 there was a flight and in 1878 a smaller flight*2 i^ i879 there were no birds, but the next three years there were some ; in 1882 two hunters on Nantucket shot 87 Eskimo Curlew in one morning, while at about the same time another hunter on Mar- tha's \"ineyard killed about 70 of them'". In 1883 there was a large llight August 26'-, while on August 30 of that year the last great flight of Eskimo Curlew and Golden Plover occurred on Cape Co(H-'. There were a few birds in 1884, 1885, 1886 and 1887, a number in 1888 and 1889, again a few birds in 1890, 1891 and 1892. while in 1893 a single bird was shot^- and another seen""'. One bird was seen in the Boston market in 1894^^^ ^yy^ were killed at Chatham in 1895'". none were seen in 1896, eight in 1897, and two in 1898+-. At Chatham Beach one was killed in 1897, four in 1899 and the last one on September 13, 1900'o. In 1898 one was seen at Dennis, m 1900 one was killed at Eastham"^ and in 1901 birds were killed at Ipswich"*'* and on Prince l^dward Island'". In October, 1902, two were obtained in the Boston market and one of them came from Massachusetts"^*. In 1908 two were sliot at Newburyj^ort. Massachusetts. August 27, and one of them was saved'"'. In New York State the Eskimo Curlew was seen or taken every year, except 1888, from 1885 to 1891 ; the last record for that state being about 1896"''. ]n early days there were flights of many thousands of these birds on Long Island, where they v.ere known as "Futes," at long intervals during heavy easterly storms, but not in recent years^". In twelve years this bird was met with only four times by N. T. Lawrence, viz.: September 12, 1875, September 10, 1876, and September 26. 1884, two on the latter date'"*. In .Maine, a female was shot at Pine Point, Sep- tember 23. 1901. and two were shot at Hog Island, Hancock County, in Se])Lember, 1909. one on ilic 2(1 and one on the 14th, both specimens being preserved'" '■'. "Job, H. K. Wild Wings, pp. 207-208, 190.5. "Townsend, C. W. IMrds of Essex County. ''Mayer, J. E. Auk. xxvi, p. 77, ];)0!). "Eaton, E. H. Birds of New York. i. HUG. '"Braislin. W. C. Prnc. Linnaean Soc. New York, p. C4. 1907. '''Lawrence, N. T. .\uk, ii, p. 273, lS8.i. '"Knight, O. W. Auk, xxvii, p. 79, 1910. yjehraska Oniitliologists' Union 35 As to the destruction in Massachusetts. Forbush'" says: The decrease of tlie Dough-birds in .Massachusetts during the last cen- tury may be explained in part by the continual persecution they stiffered here. The arrival of these birds was the signal for every gunner and market hunter on the coast to get to work. The birds were rarely given any rest. Nearly all that remained on our shores were shot, and only those that kejjt moving had any chance for their lives. As a consequence of this continual persecution, the birds probably learned to avoid the New England coast ; and most of those that were driven to land by storms left the moment the weathei' was favorable for a continuance of their flight. Often they came in at night and went in the morning." In Texas the Eskimo Curlew came in immense flocks on the prairies from 1856 to 1X75, after which }car the large flocks dis- appeared^^'. Small flocks were seen in 1S(S6 and 1890"^ The last records of the si)ecies for Texas were 1902 and 1905. one and three individuals respectively^". The species was first definitely recorded for Kansas from Russell county in 1874'"'. In that state these curlews were abundant as late as 1878, but in 1879 their numbers were much reduced and the birds decreased rapidly'". There were still a few in the Kansas markets in the early 90's. The last record is for 1902'". Eastwardly in the interior the birds were always uncommon and disappeared early. The last Michigan record is in ISSS"''. The last Ohio record is in 1878'". The last Wisconsin records are April 27. 1899"'-, and September 10. 1912, the latter speci- mens a male taken at Fox Lake. Dodge County, Wisconsin'*^. The last Indiana record is, with some doubt, April 19, 1890"'^. We have no definite records of the Eskimo Curlew in Nebraska during the territorial days, aside from the recollections of the few survivors among our earliest settlers of enormous flights of 'TVairie Pigeons"' which passed through the territory each spring. As to the abundance of these birds in Nebraska during "Benson, F. S. i-'orest and Stream, ii. p. 341, 1874. "Barrows, W. B. Birds of Michigan. "Sclu)enl)eck. A. J. Birds of Oconto County, pp. 1-31, 1902. ".•^nvder, W. E. Auk, xxx, pp. 209-370. 1913. ''Butler, .'^% W. Auk. xxiii, p. 274, 1906. 36 Proceedings of the the early years of its statehood, the observations of Professor Lawrence Bruner, who distinctly remembers the flights which oc- curred in the vicinity of Omaha during the years 1866-1868. when he was a boy ten or twelve years old, are indicative. The birds would arrive about the time the later willows began t3 bloom (latter April), being present in force for a week or ten days only, for by the time all of the wild plum blossoms had fallen (middle ATay) the birds were gone. Usually the heaviest flights occurred coincident with the beginning of corn planting time, and enormous flocks of these birds would settle on the newly plowed fields and on the dry burnt-oft' prairies, where they searched industriously for insects. These flocks reminded the settlers of the flights of Passenger Pigeons and the curlews were given the name of "Prairie Pigeons." They contained thousands of indi^•iduals, and would often form dense masses of birds extending for a quarter to a half mile in length and a hundred yards or more in width. When the flock would alight the birds would cover forty or fifty acres of ground. During such flights the slaughter of these poor birds was appalling and almost unbelievable. Hunters would drive out from Omaha and shoot the birds without mercy until thev had literal!}' slaughtered a wagon load of them ; the wagons being actually filled and often wiih the sideboards on at that. Some- times when the flight was unusually heavy and the hunters were well supi^lied with ammunition their wagons were too quickly and easily filled, so whole loads of the birds would be dumped on the prairie, their bodies forming piles as large as a couple of tons of coal, where they would be allowed to rot while the hunters proceeded to refill their wagons with fresh victims and thus further gratify their lust of killing. The compact flocks and tameness of the birds made this slaughter possible, and at each shot usually dozens of the birds would fall. In one specific in- stance a single shot from an old muzzle-loading shotgun into a flock of these curlews as they veered by the hunter brought down twenty-eight birds at once, while for the next half mile every now and then a fatally wounded bird would drop to the ground dead. So dense were the flocks when the birds were turning in One (it seven Eskimo Curlews shot from a flock of eight at Clarks. Merrick county. Nel)raska. April 20. 1911. hy Mr. P. I. Iloagland of Omaha. Specimen in N. O. U. collection. The last known taking of the hird in Xel)rnska. and one of the last records from anvwhere. Nebraska Oriiithnl agists' Union 37 their flight that one could scarcely throw a brick or other missle into it without striking a bird. The decade 1870-1880 witnessed the beginning of the diminu- tion of these great flocks of Eskimo Curlew. In addition to the numerous gunners who shot these birds for local consumption or simply for the love of killing, there developed a class of profes- sional market hunters who made it a business to follow the "flight birds" as they made their annual journey across the state each spring. Mr. Wheeler, living near Norfolk, jiursued this business during the latter '70's, and his observations, transmitted to me by Mr. L. Sessions of that place, describe graphically the status of the bird at this period and also the typical methods of the market hunter in securing these birds. The chief feeding grounds of these curlews at the time Mr. Wheeler came to Nebraska (1877) was in York, Fillmore and Hamilton counties, and their heaviest lines of northward migra- tion across the state was between the 97th and 98th meridians. The birds were much less numerous north of the Platte river than on the South Platte feeding grounds, although they were noted there, but not in large flocks. One spring, about 1879, while working on the Marshall Field ranch in Madison county, following a heavy south wind, birds which seemed to have been driven past their feeding grounds by the wind were seen flying southwardly, very close to the ground, apparently going back to this South Platte feeding ground, llie birds used to come in about the 18th to the 25th of April, all arriving between these dates, and would remain until about the 15th to the 25th of May Early in the season, when they first arrived, they would frequent the burnt-over prairies, where they would occur in flocks of from a dozen to three or four hundred. As the season advanced the dififerent smaller flocks would bunch up until as many as a thou- sand birds had assembled, but this assemblage was obviotisly made up of many small flocks. In later years when these prairies commenced to be extensively broken up and farmed, the curlews used to feed a great deal in the open wheat fields, and toward the last they were found very frequently in tame meadows. 38 Proceedings of the In hunting these curlew, the field glass was used by the hunters to follow their flights. The fields where they were prone to gather were patrolled many times during the day, and carefully scanned with the glass to discover the flocks on the ground. When the birds came in they would be up quite high, perhaps from two or three hundred yards to a quarter of a mile, and in preparing to alight they would turn and wheel, towering in the air while they whistled softly, would ho\er a while, and then all drop and come down, flying along over the ground for a short distance before alighting. The birds wouM always alight all at once and very close together, and if the day were warm they would sit down very close together on the ground, forming bunches, when they could be readily discovered with the field glass and approached close enough to get a shot. There was no difficulty in getting quite close to the sitting birds, perhaps within twenty-five or thirty-five yards, and when at about this distance the hunters would wait for them to arise on their feet, which was the signal for the first volley of shots. The startled birds would rise and circle abovit the field a few times, affording ample opportunity for further murderous dis- charge of the guns, and sometimes would realight on the same field, when the attack would be repeated. Air. Wheeler has killed as many as thirty-seven birds with a pump gun at one rise. They weighed just about one pound each when they were fat. Some- times the bunch would be seen with the glass alighting in a field two or three mile? away, wdien the hunters would at once drive to that field with a horse and buggy as rapidly as they could, relocate the birds, get out and resume the fusillade and slaughter. On rainv days the l)irds would fly restlessly from one field to another, moving about in this way most of the day and seeming unusually plentiful because of being so much in the air. Other observers in the North Platte country corroborate the ob- servations of Mr. Wheeler as to the comparative infrequency of this bird north of the Platte river during these flights of the 70"s as compared with the enormous flocks found in the South Platte region. Removmg from Omaha to West Point in 1869, Profes- sor Bruner recalls that though he noted the birds each spring the Xcbi-asha Oniitltologists' Union 39 flocks were usually much smaller than the enormous flights seen at Omaha. usua!l\ consisting of 30 to 100 hirds. though occa- sionally of considerahle size. \'oar hy year the birds decreased in numbers, until b}- 187S. in which y».ar Professor Bruner entered tlie services of the ( loxcnmenl. they were seen only in small flocks or in(li\i(lnall\- here and there. During these eight or nine years he moimted several of these curlews, three or four for the University Museum (all of which have since disap- peared), a pair \incoln. It might also be mentioned here that about 1897. Mr. P. I. Hoagland saw a flock of these birds near Laramie. Wyoming, so late in the spring that he wondered if the birds could be expecting to nest there. About the middle of 7\pril, 1900, Mr. Paul 1. Hoagland and his father, of Omaha, were hunting near Clarks, Nebraska, when a large flock containing seventy or seventy-five birds flew across the road and disappeared over the hill. Mr. Hoagland, Sr., rec- A^cbraska Ornithologists Union 41 cgnized the birds as the Eskimo Curlew and both men started toward the place where the birds were last seen. They saw a newly plowed field and made toward it and found the entire flock on the freshly plowed land busily engaged in picking up grubs and insects turned up by the plow. The birds were entirely unsuspicious and permitted the hunters to approach as close as desired. The flock was flushed and each hunter made four shots, obtaining in all about thirty-four of the birds. None of them were saved as specimens. This was written up by Mr. Sandy Griswold in the "Omaha World-Herald"" at the time, but he called the birds "Golden Plover," which they were not. Mr. C. \V. Tinker, a hardware merchant of Waco, who used to hunt these birds with Mr. Wheeler in the '70's, saw his last Eskimo Curlews in 1904 or 1905 on the old York county feeding grounds. Mr. Wheeler himself saw his last birds in the spring of 1909 or 1910. when nine of these birds were seen near Nor- folk, Madison county. He was very close to them and positively identified the birds. The last records of collected birds for Nebraska were made in the spring of 1911. On March 22, 1911, while Mr. Fred Geiger was shooting ducks near Waco, York county, two of these birds came flying by within gun range and both were shot by him. The birds were identified by an old-time hunter and were then brought to Lincoln and mounted by Mr. August Eiche, in whole collec- tion they are at present, l^oth birds were females, with well de- veloped ovaries. On April 20, 1911, while hunting at Clarks, within a mile of the field where the large flock had been seen eleven years before, Mr. Hoagland saw a flock of eight Eskimo Curlews. With little dif- ficulty the entire flock was killed except one bird which made its escape. The birds were brought to Omaha, and Mr. Hoagland, remembering that in spite of almost continual hunting during the open season he had not seen the bird since the large flock eleven years before, or even heard of its being seen, took one of the birds to Mr. Allabaugh, a taxidermist of Omaha, for mounting. Mr. Fred Goodrich, also of Omaha, saw the birds, and when he noted that Mr. Hoagland was about to have one of them mounted 42 Proceedings of the said he would like one mounted also. Two birds were put aside for this purpose. Later, on considering the matter, Mr. Hoag- land decided to save all of the birds and ga^•e orders to that effect, but they had already been picked by the cook. Both birds were mounted by Mr. Allabaugh, April 24, 1911, and one is now in the possession of Mr. Fred Goodrich of Omaha, the other in the N. O. U. collection, a gift of ]\Ir. Hoagland through the writer. Even in these latter captures and observations, when the birds were nearing extinction from incessant persecutions, they were very unsuspicious and ai)parently fearless. They flew away leis- urely in close, compact flocks so that they could scarcely be missed when shot at, and a single discharge would bring dovvii many of the birds. The most recent records for the Eskimo Curlew would indi- cate that it is probably not yet wholly extinct. The occurrence of eight and the killing of seven of these birds near Cartwright, Labrador, in August and September, 1912, and the collecting of a male specimen on September 10 of that same autumn while flying alone over decoys along the shore of Fox Lake. Dodge county, Wisconsin, have already been mentioned A specimen was observed on the Bermuda Islands, according to Kennedy, on January 20, 19LS''"'. Mr. L. Sessions whites me that a small flock of these birds was seen near Norfolk, Nebraska, in the spring of 191.1. On September 5, 1913, a specimen was collected at East Orleans, Massachusetts, it being alone when taken^^. No records for 1914 are at hand. In the spring flight these curlews arrived at the same time as the Golden Plover, though they did not always frequent the same localities. The Eskimo Curlew was always uncommon in the fall migration in Nebraska. Most of the observers who have fur- nished me data on this bird (Messrs. Bruner, Wheeler, Hoag- land) have never seen it at that season, but Mr. Elwood thinks he remembers having seen the birds sometime in October, and Mr. A. J. Leach thinks he remembers their passing through south- ''^Kennedy, J. N. Ibis, ser. x, ii, 1914. '"Lamb, C. R. Auk, xxx, p. 581, 1913. Nebraska Oniitliologists' Union 43 wardlv about October 1. Augliey^" records a specimen sent him from Bellevue for identification in October. 1874, and states that he had ol)ser\ed the species in northeastern Nebraska in that month. The Eskimo Curlew had several notes. During flight they uttered a fluttering "tr-tr-tr" note which was given by many indi- viduals at once, and described by Coues as a "low conversational chatter" and by Mackay as "a soft, melodious whistle, bcc. bee." Mr. W. A. Elwood describes this note as ''a short low whistle," continually repeated l)y many of the birds simultaneously while in flight. Mr. A. J. Leach recalls the notes as resembling quite closely the note of the bluebird when in flight, only perhaps .shorter and more of a twittermg whistle, and as it was given by a large number. perha])s all. of the flock as they took wing and while flying, it was ditiicult to catch the mdividual note. This note was constantly uttered while the birds were flying and was often audible before the birds could be '^een. Before alighting, as they descended and sailed, they gave a soft whistle, somewhat like the note of the Upland Plover, according to Professor Bruner, while as they walked over the ground when feeding they uttered a chiriping whistle as if calling to each other. The Eskimo Curlew was a bird of such food habits that it is a distinct loss to our agriculttire that it should have disappeared. During the invasion of the Rocky Mountain Grasshopper {Mela- nopltis shrctus) it did splendid work in the destruction of grass- hoppers and their eggs. Mr. Wheeler states that in the latter '70"s these birds would congregate on pieces of land which had not been plowed and where the grasshopper eggs were laid, reach down into the soil with their long bills and drag out the egg cap- sules which they would then devour with their contents of eggs or young 'hoppers, until the land had been cleared of the pests. A specimen examined by Aughey in 1874 had thirty-one grass- hoppers in its stomach together with a large number of small berries of .some kind"''. The bird in its migrations often alighted on plowed ground to feed on the white grubs and cutworms "Aughey, S. 1st Rept. U. S. Entomological Comm., Appendix, p. 55, 1878. 44 Proceedings of the turned up by the plow, or in meadow lands, probably feeding on ants in the latter situation. Richardson records finding them feeding on large ants at Fort Franklin in late May 1849-"*. The curlews were rarely seen near water, but were upland birds al- most exclusively during their spring migration over the Great Plains region. The flesh of the Eskimo Curlew is said by all who have eaten it to have been exceedingly well flavored, and, according to Mr Hoagland, the equal if not the superior of any of our large shore birds. Although the Eskimo Curlew is reduced to the point of extinc- tion, it is probably not yet absolutely extinct, and if the pitiful remnant of the species could be absolutely protected there is still a chance that it might be enabled to recover and be saved. A campaign of education as to the present desperate status of this bird, by all ornithologists and true sportsmen, together with ab- solute legal protection under high penalties everywhere, and a complete cessation of killing" these birds even for specimens, might actually accomplish this result. The recently enacted fed- eral law giving the control of migratory birds to the General Government should be a large help in such a campaign. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES SOME BIRD NOTES FROM LINCOLN AND VICINITY Two Herring Gulls (Lonis argentatiis) were observed flying back and forth over the lake at Capital Beach on April 7, 1912. Dr. H. B. Lowry also reported this species in early April, 1912, at the same locality. During the past two years the Northern Phalarope (Lobipes lobatus) has been present at Capital Beach during the fall migra- tion, the writer having observed small flocks of three to a dozen birds on the following dates: August 24, August 31, and Septem- ber 7, 1913 ; September 13 and 20, 1914. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) was noted at the Beach on August 24, 30 and September 13, 1914. On August 24 three birds were seen feeding on the sand, and Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 45 were so tame that they permitted the writer and a companion to approach within ten feet, while they continued to feed in seem- ing indifiference. The Buff-breasted Sandijiper seems to prefer the firmer sand of the beach a Httle back from tlie water's edge, in which situation the general buff tone of its ]:»lumage renders it very inconspicuous. A single specimen of the Western Sandpiper {Ercunctcs mauri), which had been crippled by hunters at the Beach, was taken by the writer on August 31. 1913, and is now preserved in the collection of the State Entomologist; Mr. J. E. Wallace re- ported this bird to be present in rather large numbers at about this date, or a little earlier, when he took several specimens. These constitute the first definite records of the Western Sand- piper in Nebraska. Two Marbled Godwits {Limosa fedoa) were seen at the Beach on May 9, 1914. A single specimen was seen on August 2. and again on August 9. 1914. A Pigeon Hawk [Falco columbarius columbarius) was clearly seen, and definitely identified by the writer on November 5, 1911. While the Burrowing Owl {Spcotyto cunicularia hypogaca ) is an abundant breeder in the sandhill region of Nebraska, it is not very common in the eastern part of the state, and the finding of a colony of these owls near Lincoln seems worthy of note. On April 12, 1914, Mr. E. A. Markham discovered a colony of about a dozen pairs of Burrowing Owls one-half mile north of the "O" street road and a mile west of Stevens' creek. The colony was later visited by the writer on April 19 and 25 and again on May 17 and 24, 1914. The colony appeared to be deserted on October 28, 1914. when it was visited in the hope of getting some photo- graphs. An unusually early date for the Yellow-billed Cuckoo {Coccy- cus amcriraiins amcricanus) seems worthy of note. On April 22, 1914, the writer and a companion approached to within fifteen feet of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo as it sat in a small leafless tree in Wyuka Cemetery. The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Coitunis caroliiius) is occa- sionally seen at Lincoln, as is indicated by the following dates 46 Proceedings of the taken from the writer's migration notes: October 23 and 31, 1909; November 6. Dccem])er 18. and March 6, 1910; May 3, 1914. Three female 1 'ur])le h^inches ( Carpodacits piirl^Krens piirpn- reits) were noted in Wyuka Cemetery on April 24, 1914. They were feeding on ash seeds, and remained in the same tree for at least an hour. A male Lazuh Bunting {Passeriiia aiiiocna) was seen in the woods along Stevens' creek on May 12. 1912. A single Lark Bunting { Calaiiiospicui inelaiiocurvs) was ob- served on August 17. 1913. Possibly the exceedingly hot and dry weather of that summer caused the Lark Bunting to drift eastwardly further than usual. Messrs. M. H. Swenk and L. M. Gates saw a male Lark Bunting near the University Farm cam- pus on May 11. 1914. A male Yellow-throated \'ireo {Laiiivirco flavifrons) was seen on May 25, 1913. On the morning of Ma} 3. 1911, Dr. hi. B. Lowry telephoned Mr. M. M. Swenk that he had just seen the Palm Warbler {Den- droica pahnaruni pcdnianiiii ) in Wyuka Cemetery, so in the after- noon Messrs. Swenk, Zimmer and the writer visited the cemetery in the hope of also seeing the bird. We had the good fortune to definitely identify a male of this rather uncommon warbler. On May 11, 1913, the writer in company with Mr. R. A. Markham had an excellent opi)orlunity to obser\e one of these warblers in the woodlands north of Capital Beach. Another .specimen was seen May 2, 1914. at Capital Beach. A male of the Wilson Warbler ( U'i/sonia pitsilla pitsilla) was observed in the Cemetery on Ma\' 3, 1914. A Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitfa caiiadotsis) was seen at the .same locality on April 15, 1914. and the Gray-cheeked Thrush (Hylocklila aiiciac allciac) on May 10, 1914. R. \\'. Daw.sox. Lincoln. Three Records from the Nebua,sk.\ Expertmext.\l Sub- Station AT North Platte. — On June 26. 1914, I had a pair of W'estern Blue Grosbeaks (Ciiiraca cacnilca la.-Jida) under obser- vation for half an hour or more. They were in the tree planta- Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 47 tions on the bench land, and often flew to a wire fence wliich bounds the road on the east side. 1 made c|uite a searcli for a nest, but was unsuccessful. Ihe birds were in l)ri (D) ; 30 (D) ; April 16 (Z) ; 27 (Z) ; 30, nesting (*Z) ; (paired with excnbitorides male) ; ]May 4 (D). ^^'hite-rumped Shrike — April 27 (L) ; 30. nesting (*Z) (paired with migrans female j. Red-eyed Vireo— April 30 (L) ; May 12 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 20 (Z) ; 21 (Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 2'o (D and Z) ; Tune 1 (D). V/arbling Alreo- April 20 (D and L) ; May 2 (Z) ; 4 (D and Z) ; 8 (Z) ; 10 (Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) : 18 (Z) ; 20 (Z) ; 21 (Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 24 (Z) ;25 (D and Z) ; 26 (Z) ; 28 (Z) ; June 1 (D). Yellow-throated Vireo— May 25 (D). Blue-headed Vireo— May 10 (*Z) ; 11 ( *D and Z). Bell ^'ireo— May 4 (D) ; 10 (S and Z ) ; 11 (L) ; 13 (*Z) ; 17 (D and S) ; 18 (D and Z) ; 19 (D) ; 20 (Z) ; 21 (D and Z) ; 2? (D) ; 28 (Z) ; June 1 (D). Black and White Warbler— May 10 ( Z) ; 1 1 { D. L and Z) ; 12 (Z): 13 (Z): 14 (Z); 15 (Z): 18 (Z); 22 (Z) ; 25 (Z). Blue-winged Warbler — May 8 at Havclock (Edward ^^'allace). Nashville Warbler— May 11 (Z). Orange-crowned Warbler— May 3 (Z) : 4 (Z) ; 8 (Z) ; 10 (Z) : II (D, Land Z) ; 12 (D and Z) : 13 (Z) : 14 (Z) : 15 (Z) : 16 (Z). Tennessee Warbler— May 2 ( Z ) : 10 ( *Z ) ; 1 1 ( Z ) ; 12 ( D. S and Z); 13 (Z); 14 (Z); 15 (Z) ; 18 (Z); 19 (Z): 20 (Z) : 22 (Z); 25 (D and Z) ; June 1 (D). 66 Proceedings of the Yellow ^^^arb1er— April 27 (Z) ; 29 (D and S) ; 30 (L) ; May 2 (Z ) ; 4 (D and Z) ; 10 (S and Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z); 14 (Z); 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 17 (D and S) ; 18 (D and S) ; 19 (Z) ; 21 (D and Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 23 (Z) ; 25 (Z) ; 26 (Z) ; 27 (Z) ; 28 (Z) ; June 1 (D and Z). (Z); 4 (D and Z) ; 10 (Z) ; 11 (D) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z); 18 (D). Magnolia Warbler — May 10. one (Z) ; 11, several (D) ; 25, one (Z)- Chestnnt-sidcd Warbler — May 14, one male (*Z). Bay-breasted Warbler — May 14, one male (*Z). Black-poll W^arbler— May 10 (Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 18 (Z) ; 20 (S and Z) ; 21 (D, S and Z) ; 25 (D and Z). Palm Warbler— May 11, one (D). Black-throated Green Warbler — May 10 (Z) ; 14, one male (*Z). Ovenbird— May 10 (Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (D and Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z); 15 (Z); 16 (Z); 18 (Z); 20 (Z) ; 21 (Z) ; 22 CZ); 25 (Z). Grinnell Water Thrush— May 10 (Z) ; 11 (L) ; 20 (Z). Louisiana Water Thrush— May 10 (Z) ; 11 (L). Connecticut \A^arbler — May 18. a male (Z).t Mourning Warbler— May 13. male (*Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 20, pair (Z) ; 25, one (Z) ; 28, one male (Z). Maryland Yellowthroat— May 4 (D, L and Z) ; May 10 (S and Z); 11 (Dand Z); 12 (SandZ); 13 (Z) : 14 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 17 (D and S) ; 18 (D, S and Z) ; 20' (Z) ; 21 (D and Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 25 (D and Z) ; 28 (Z) ; June 1 (D). Wilson Warbler— May 8 (Z). Redstart— May 8 (Z ) ; 10 (Z); 11 (L) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 18 (Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 25 (D and Z). Pipit— April 13 (D) ; May 10 (Z) ; 11 (L). Mockingbird— May 4 (L) ; 24 (Z) ; 25 (Z) ; 26 (Z) ; 27 (Z) ; 28 (Z);30 (Z). Catbird— May 3 ( Z ) ; 4 (D and L) ; 8 (Z) ; 10 (Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 17 (D and tFirst report of this bird for the State (Editor). Nebraska Ornithologists' Union 67 S) ; 18 (D, S and Z) ; 19 (Z) ; 20 (Z) ; 21 (D and Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 23 (Z) ; 25 (D and Z) ; 26 (Z) ; 28 (Z). Brown Thrasher— April 20 ( D, L and W) ; 24 ( S) ; 27 ( D and Z) ; 29 (D ahd S) ; 30 (L and Z) ; May 2 (Z) ; 3 (Z) ; 4 (D and Z): 7 (Z); 8 (Z); 10 (S and Z); 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) : 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 15, nesting (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 17 (Z) ; 18 (Z); 19 (Z); 20 (Z); 21 (D and Z); 22 (Z) ; 23 (Z) ; 24 (Z) ; 25, nesting (D and Z) ; 26 (Z) ; 27 (Z) ; 28 (Z) ; June 1 (D and Z). Western House Wren— April 17 (W) ; 20 ( D ) ; 27 (D, L and Z) ; 29 (D and S) ; 30 (Z) ; May 2 (Z) ; 3 (Z) ; 4 (D and Z); 7 (Z) ; 8 (Z); 10 (S and Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z); 14 (Z); 15. nesting (Z) ; 18 (Z) ; 19 (Z) ; 20 (Z) ; 21 (D and Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 23 (Z) ; 24 (Z) ; 25, nesting (D and Z); 26 (Z);27 (Z) ; June 1 (D and Z). Short-billed Marsh Wren— May 11 (L). Brown Creeper— January 26 (D) ; March 9 (L) ; 23 (D). White-belHed Nuthatch— January 26 (D); February 9 (D) ; 18 (D) ; March 9 (D and L) ; 23 (D) ; 30 (D) ; April 6 (D) ; 20 (D) ; May 4 (D). Red-beUied Nuthatch— April 13 (S). Long-tailed Chickadee— January 11 (Z) ; 25 (L) ; 26 (D) ; Feb- ruary 9 (D); 18 (D); March 9 (D); 23 (D) ; 30 (D) ; April 2 (D) ; 6 (D) ; 13 (D) ; 20 (D) ; 27 (D and Z) ; 30 (Z) ; May 2 (Z) ; 3 (Z) ; 4 (D and Zj ; 7 (Z) ; 8 (Z) ; 10 (Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 17 (Z) ; 18 (Z) ; 19 (Z) ; 20 (Z ) ; 21 (D and Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 23 (Z) ; 25 (D and Z) ; 26 (Z) ; 27 (Z) ; 28 (Z) ; June 1 (D). Golden-crowned Kinglet — April 5 (W) ; 13 (L). Ruby-crowned Kinglet— April 17 (D) ; 28 (S) ; Mav 10 (S and Z)- Wood Thrush— May 2 ( D and Z ) ; 3 (Z ) ; 4 (D. L and Z) ; 7 (Z); 8 (Z): 10 (S and Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 14, nest building (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 17 (Z) ; 18 (Z) ; 19 (Z) ; 20 (Z) ; 21 (D and Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 25, nesting (D and Z) ; 26 (Z) ; 27 (Z) ; 28, nesting (Z) ; June 1 (D and Z). Willow Thrush— May 2 (Z) ; 8 (Z) ; 10 (Z) ; 11 (Z) ; 12 (Z). 68 Proceedings of the Gray-cheeked Thrush— May 4 (Z) ; 8 (Z) ; 10 (Z) ; 11 (S and Z); 12 (Z);21 (Z). Olive-backed Thrush— April 30 (L) ; May 3 (Z) ; 4 (D and Z) ; 7 (Z) ; 8 (Z) ; 10 (Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 18 (Z) ; 20 (Z) ; 21 (Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 23 (Z) ;25 (D and Z) ; 26 (Z). Hermit Thrush— (W). Robin— January 26 (D) : February 12 (W) ; 16 (L) : March 9 (D);23 (b);30 (D); April 2 (D);6 (D); 11 (D and S) ; 12 (B and S) ; 13 (D and S) ; 17 (D) ; 20 (D) ; 27 (D and Zj ; 29 (D and S) ; 30 (Z) ; May 2 (Z) ; 3 (Z) ; 4 (D and Z) ; 7 (Z) ; 8. nesting (Z) ; 10 (Z) ; 11 (D and Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 13 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 15 (Z) ; 16 (Z) ; 17 (Z ) ; 18 (Z) ; 19 (Z) ; 20 (Z) ; 21 (D and Z) ; 22 (Z) ; 23 (Z) ; 24 (Z) ; 25 (D and Z) ; 26 (Z) ; 27 (Z) ; 28 (Z) ; June 1 (D and Z). Bluebird— March 9 ( D and L) : 23 (D) ; 24 (W) ; 30 (D) : April 2, abundant (W) ; 6 (D) ; 11 (D and S) ; 13 (D) ; 16 (Z) ; 17 (D) ; 20 (D) ; 27 (D) ; May 2 (Z) ; 3 (Z) ; 4 (D and Z) ; 7 (Z) ; 8 (Z) ; 11 (Z) ; 12 (Z) ; 14 (Z) ; 23 (Z) ; 24 (Z) ; 25 (DandZ);27 (Z) ; 28 (Z). AMNH LIBRARY 100103019