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^ APRIL, i892

ilUnil 3X. Ury^JoJuIL Ln ^7U6

VOL. IV 3i APRIL. i892 Ife NO. i

Quarterly.

A Journal of Ornithology,

Continuation of the Semi-Annual.

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF

^ THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CHAPTER #

OF the:

AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION.

CONTENTS

L

^1^. V

VOL. 4, NO. 1. APRIL. 1892.

Collecting in the Gila Valley, 1
Nesting of the Blue-headed Vireo at Fitchburg, Mass., 6
Birds of Hillsboro Co. , Florida, 9
Nesting of the Am. Long-eaved Owl in :\lil\vaukee Co., Wis., 13
The Bald Eagle on Currituck Sound, 14
A Bird of the Northland, 17
The Red-eyed Vireo, 20
How to Prepare Eggs for the Cabinet, 21
Report of the Committee on Migration and Distribution, 23
Constitution of W. O. C, 35
List of Members, 37
Editorial, 39
The Work for 1892, 40
Notes, 41
Publications Received, 44
Publisher's Page, 45
Exchanges and Wants, 46
- . >// >'/ b^'t.'A'f( / I ■■/ :

THE WILSON QUARTERLY, published as the organ .of the
Wilson Oniithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association,
by Reuben M. Strong, under the editorial management of
Ljaids Jones, assisted by Willard N. Clute.

TERMS : — $L00 per year in advance. Single numbers $.25.
Free to all active members of the Wilson Chapter not in
arrears for dues.

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADVERTISEMENTS sliould be ad-
dressed to the publisher, Reuben M. Strong, 7 South
Pleasant street, Oberlin, Ohio.

Communications relating to the Chapter should be sent
to the president, Lynds Jones, 5 Elm street, Oberlin, Ohio ;
articles treating on general subjects to Vf illard N. Clute,
11 Jarvis street, Binghampton, N. Y.

All books and publications for notice should be addressed
to the editor, Lynds Jones, 5 Elm street, Oberlin, Ohio.

Vol. 4.

APRIL, 18n-.\

No. 1.

COLLECTING IN THE GILA VALLEY.

BY F. T. PEMBER.

VVliile collecting in Arizona, I have stopped for a week,
on two occasions, at Gila Bend. This was the last of April,
1890 and again about the same date in 1891. Now this is
not a summer watering-place, nor pleasure resort of any
kind, neither is it a sanitarium ; and every time you go
there you wish you •' had n't come." The town consists of
a railroad eating-house and hotel, railroad boarding-house,
two or three little stores and saloons, and six or eight low
houses, utterly devoid of paint. There are no trees, shade,
nor grassy lawns. This comprises the American part
of the place. Besides there is an encampment of Pap-
anoes Indians, with a few ''Greasers.'' It stands on a
treeless, waterless, and almost rainless part of the Arizona
Desert (once the Great American Desert), in its scalding,
blistering heat, and beneath a nearly cloudless sky. It has
no excuse for being there at all, except that it is the nearest
point on the S. P. R. R. to the Gila River for a long distance,
and the company wanted a water-tank there. This they
supply from a pumping station on the river, six miles away.
That is why the town is there, and because it is the nearest
R. R. point to the river, is why I was there. I also selected
it because there are a great many giant cactus — the home
of several species of woodpeckers, pigmy owls, &c. — in that
locality.

n^

-r3

3 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

The first thing in the way of birds to attract my attention,
in that desert village, was a splendid pair of large, glossy
ravens, which were feeding in front of the hotel and along
the railroad track. They seemed to have no fear, and one
could go within twenty-five feet of them. This is the Mex-
ican raven, Corvus covax sinuatus. I rather envied them
their skins, but did not like to shoot them there, and although
I saw them every day, could not catch them '' out of town."'
Xext I found a flock of eight or ten killdeer, that seemed
to make their home near the water-tank, and at least four
miles from any other water. These, and a flock of Brewer's
blackbirds, constituted the bird population of the place.
This was on my first visit. On my next, the ravens Avere
not there, but the killdeers and blackbirds were the same
as before.

From this point it was my custom to make daily excur-
sions to the river bottom, either on foot or by wagon ; and if
by the last I would make longer journeys across the desert
and among the giant cactus, coming to the river several
miles away. The very nearest point on the river is said to
be but four miles away, though it seems ten when you
walk it ; and the river bottom, or lower land, is from one to
two miles wide. The desert, in places, is utterly destitute of
■vegetation, though it usually has a few scattering grease-
wood bushes, from one to three or four feet high, with
an occasional cactus, or group of them, which reach a
height of 30 to 40 and even 50 feet. These are straight
clubs, or with two or three arms, the very old ones
only having from five to seven or eight branches.
They are always full of woodpecker holes. The lower
places, or where water settles or runs in time of rain,
have mesquite, iron wood, paloverde, and other trees,
usually some '^5 feet high, but in places, 40 or 50 feet.
On the river bottom the growtli of trees, bushes, and
vines is very luxuriant, so that in })laces it is very difficult
to get through the tangle at all, or to find any game you
may chance to kill. But along the outer border, or Avhere
the desert and bottom lands meet, is wonderfullv fine

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 3

shooting for many of the Arizona birds. This holder is
three miles or more away, with HttJe or no shooting be-
tween ; but by bearing- to the east for a mile, I came to one
of those dry runs, with bushes and a few low trees, which
increase as we follow it towards the river, and now our
collecting may begin.

One of the first birds to claim our attention is the Ash-
throated Flycatcher, which can be taken in any desired
quantity. The pretty little Yellow-headed Tit, or Verdin,
is next noticed. They are rather common, and one is likely
soon to find one of their curious nests, which is some five
inches in diameter and as round as an orange. They bristle
all over with thorns and ends of stiff twigs, and the round
entrance on the side is so small that a finger will scarcely
enter it. Whether by chance or otherwise, this, of all the
nests I have found, has been on the south or south-east side.
Authors sa}^ the nest is in Imshes four or five feet high, but
I have found them at least fifteen feet high, A nest and
set of the lovely little eggs are a charming addition to my
collection. As we follow along, the Mockingbirds become
numerous, but are exactly like those we get fromi one
ocean to the other. Now why is it, that the desert with
its wonderfully strong sunlight and lack of shade, devolopes
so many pale races, sub-species and species, among so
many species and genera of birds, and seems to have no
influence whatever on others ?

We now begin to see Gambel's Partridge, in pairs or
small coveys, liurrying across the wash or running from
bush to bush, while the California Shrike seems very com-
mon. The glossy Phainopepla are now plentiful, but seem
rather shy, and may show you the white in their expanded
wings several times before you succeed in shooting them.
They, with mockers, shrikes, and ash-throated flycatchers,
occur far out on the open desert. We now see sparrows of
several species. Among thein are Brewer's, Western Chip-
ping, Western Lark, Black-throated, and Sage Sparrows.
All along I have noticed what I supposed to be Black-tailed
Gnatcatchers, but which prove to be Plumbeous Gnat-
catchers, and they are very abundant in this section. Now

4 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

we come to some giant cactus and away go a pair of Gila
Woodpeckers without waiting for a shot. Here is a chance
to hide behind a busli and await their return, with a strong
probability that you will tire of it and start on before they
come back. They are wild about their nesting places, and
you have to watch for them, or shoot them as they are feed-
ing on some of the dead trees of the river bottom, where
they seem tame enough.

On this route, one day I secured a pair of Baird's Wood-
peckers. I can call them nothing else, though they show
more white on forehead and less on back and sides of head
than my Texas specimens. The central pair of rectrices
are also spotted, and the peculiar smoky brown of the nasal
tufts scarcely shows at all. I got these birds in the early
morning, and there was something in the slant rays of
sunlight coming across the desert that magnified every
object, and they looked to me as large as Pileated Wood-
peckers. I crept up behind some bushes and actually
fired a charge of No. 8 shot at one. and when I went for
my game could not understand how it could be so small.
I have never seen anything like it before nor since, but
in a country that can produce a mirage every day in
the year, we need not be surprised at anything.

But the arroyo we are following broadens and deepens
with large trees, and bird life increases. Quails are becom-
ing very numerous and several species of warblers abound.
Of these the Sonora Yellow, Pileolated, Western Yellow-
throat, and Orange-crowned are most common, while the
neat little Lucy's Warbler is by no means scarce. It is a
tax on time and patience however to get many of the last,
for they persist in keeping on the o})posite side of a thick
bush, and after you have waited awhile for a shot, away
they go to another, to repeat the operation.

A.t length we reach the broad bottom lands of the valley,
with a large growth of trees and shrubbery, and we find
game more abundant and tamer than we have ever seen it
anywhere. Here are Gambel's Paitridge and Mourning
Doves by countless thousands, and it seems as if there was
a Jack Rabbit or Cotton-tail under every bush, with fresh

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 5

"signs" of deer and Other large game. On my first visit
there I wanted skins of a few dozen Gambel's, and I enter-
tained the notion that No. 8 shot were the proper size to
kill them with. I had but few of them with me. and to
make them go as far as possible, shot the birds on the
ground, in the open spaces between the bushes, where
I could get from two to five at each discharge. "Not
sportsman like," you say ? Well, it was specimens I was
there for. Besides, I do not like to carry too great a weight
of cartridges, or to hunt birds out of the almost impenetra-
ble chaparral when dropped one at a time on the wing.
Time also seems too valuable when there are so many rare
specimens about. After using all of my No. 8 shot and
three charges of No 12, I tried fine dust shot and found
that at 2o to 30 yards I could kill as well or even better,
than with larger sizes. Firing at a group of three to five,
someway the little shot would find the heads of every one
of them and kill them stone dead. It seemed to me that j
could have killed a thousand in a day.

Doves were so numierous that one could shoot all the time,
at pairs or groups of several birds. I could have killed more
rabbits in a short time than I could carry. How the coun-
try furnished food for so much animal life was to me a
mystery. I was told of a party that trapped 24,000 quail for
the San Francisco market ; thousands were shot, for their
use, by people along the valley, while the R. R. eating-house
was constantly supplied. This was on my first visit. The
next winter a terrible flood swept over the whole valley,
washing it out in places and covering it with rubbish and
sediment in others. On my last visit game did not seem so
abundant, though there was enough, and one could shoot
more than he needed in a short time. Eggs of quail could
be found easily, and I have found several fine sets in a day
without looking for them. At this season all were fresh,
though I saw one bird five miles out on the desert, with a
flock of young the size of small chickens.

On my first afternoon's shooting here, I started a
covey of Gambel's Partridges which flew into a mesquite

6 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

thicket near by. Coming close enough for a shot, I found
it so dense that I could not see them, and they kept flying
away until I thought that all had gone. Just then a thrush
with a long curved bill flew into the same thicket, but
nearly on the opposite side from me. A glimpse of some-
thing through the thick foliage, followed by a quick shot,
and then comes a hunt for my bird which I may have
killed or not. I had to go around the clump of mesquite,
breaking my way through a dense tangle of wiry bushes,
and at length find a place where I can "crawl under."
Judge of my surprise when I found, not only a nice male
Crissal Thrasher, but three fine male Gambel's Partridge
within three feet of each other. Ilie fine dust had found
them and killed all so dead that I had not heard a flutter.
The last mentioned thrush is quite common, and Bendire's
is by no means rare, while Leconte's is also often seen.
Palmer's Thrasher I feel sure I saw but did not take it. Here
now we may find all the birds already mentioned, and many
others, such as Abert's Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee,
Chaparral Cock, Gilded fiicker, Plumbeous Bush Tit, and
many other species.

(To be continued.)

THE NESTING OF THE BLUE-HEADED VIREO,

AT FITCHBURG, MASS.

{11'reo solitarius.)

BY I. C. GREENE.

Previous to ]8!)0 the nest and eggs of- the Blue-headed
Vireo were not known to the ornithologists in this vicinity.
On May 2, when I was on one of my collecting trips, and in
the deep solitudes of a thick pine wood, in a beautiful
valley through which a sparkling brook of some size fol-
lowed its winding course among the rocks, my eye caught
sight of a small nest suspended from one of the dead limbs
of a pine tree. I approached the spot and found that the
nest was one of a Blue-headed Vireo.

The two birds were engtiged in finishing the nest. After

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 7

watching them a short time I proceeded on my way. On
May 13, I again visited the spot and found the female upon
the nest. After trying for some time to frighten her from
it. without success, I was obhged to cHmb the tree ; but as
the nest was out some distance from the trunk and about
10 feet from the ground, I could not get at it without cut-
ting off the limb.

On account of the bird sitting so closely, I thought the
set must be complete, so cut the limb off with my pocket
saw. Through all of this disturbance, and the breaking off
of several small branches, she still remained motionless,
protecting her eggs. I brought the nest up close to me and
tried in vain to drive her off. I stroked her head and at
last took her by the bill and removed her from the nest ;
upon which she at once flew away, not making a sound nor
showing the first signs of defense, anger, or grief ; but upon
alighting in the top of a tree she gave one loud, clear, call-
note, which quickly brought her mate to the scene. But
what was my disappointment upon looking into the nest, to
find that it contained but one egg. I thought all was lost ;
but as this was the first nest of the kind I had ever seen, I
determined to replace it if possible, and try to persuade the
female to complete the set. So I took from my pocket
some common white string and tied the limb back as well
as could be done without a ladder. The white string was
quite conspicuous, as it was necessary to suspend the
broken branch from limbs above in order to have it some-
where near the original position. By this time the male
had arrived and the female kept flying from tree to tree,
every now and then coming very near to me, to see what I
was doing. She uttered a few very soft, plaintive notes
and appeared so humble, that I could but think of her grief
at seeing her home disturbed. I left the tree and watched
the little innocent creature approach her nest. She first
flew to the branch over the place where the nest was orig-
inally, which appeared to be her accustomed way of going
to the nest, and dropping down as though she expected to
alight in it, fluttered a moment, then returned to the tree.

8 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

After uttering a soft ciy of disappointment, she again
approached her nest. This time lighting upon a hranch
near hy. She carefully examined the nest and string, then
chirping a few syllables to her mate, entered the nest,
although somewhat dissatisfied with it. Her mate re-
mained near by, flying from branch to branch over head,
and expressing his sympathy in a few soft notes. At
length, as if to cheer her, he perched himself upon a twig
over head, and in the midst of that lonely wood, pealed
forth a clear, sweet song, making the whole scene very
pathetic. From their meek and innocent conduct, and
from the gratitude expressed by the song of the male upon
finding that the little home had not been altogether de-
stroyed, it somewhat moved my pity for having caused
these beautiful little creatures this needless distress. Had
they been defiant as a Kingbird or the like, one would not
be moved by the same sense of compassion.

On May 17, I again visited the Vireo's nest and found
four eggs, which I took. The nest was placed in a pine
tree, as above stated, on a dead, horizontal limb, about ten
feet from the ground and six feet from the trunk. It was
suspended by the brim from a forked branch, and was
fastened to it by fine strips of fibrous bark and cobwebs.
It was rather light colored, composed of fine bark fiber,
mostly of the inner bark, intermingled with plant down
and spider's webs ; on one side was interwoven quite a piece
of newspaper, also several strips of the thin outer bark of
the white birch. The nest was well made and strongly at-
tached to the limb. It was lined with pine needles and
very fine dried grass.

The eggs were of a light creamy color, with numerous
small chestnut-colored spots around the large end, in the
form of a wreath, some mingling into blotches. The
central area was marked with fine specks of dark brown,
almost black. A second nest was found on May 23. This
nest was likewise in a solitary, though beautiful spot in
the deep woods, and was suspended from the branch of a
tall laurel bush over a bed of green ferns growing around a

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 9

large boulder, making a most beautiful scene, lighted up by
the beams of bright sunlight let in through the tops of the
tall pine trees.

This nest contained two eggs of the Cowbird, one of
which was under the lining of the nest, as the birds had
re-lined it in order to destroy the Cowbird's egg. But this was
in vain, for the scamp deposited a second one when the set
was half completed. This set, when complete, contained
four eggs of a pure white color with spots of chestnut
evenly distributed about the larger end, and not distinctly
wreathed as those of the first set. A few blotches were
present. The nest was not as well proportioned as the first,
but was well made and of a dark color. It was composed of
about the sane substance as the other, and oddly enough, a
piece of newspaper was conspicuously interwoven as in
the other one, though they were found more than three
miles apart. These nests were not ornamented at all with
lichens, ti s is often reported to be the case.

The nest of the Blue-headed Vireo measures as follows :
Diameter, outside, 3 to 4 inches ; inside. If to 2^ inches.
Depth, outside, 2^ to 24 inches ; inside, H inches. The
variations in the measurements of the egg are : .71 x. 5(5
inches ; .75 x .57 inches ; .73 x .58 inches.

The Blue-headed Vireo arrives here from the South as
early as April 22, and during the migration is to be found
abundantly in the woods, but not found as common, if at
all, near the houses or about the trees in the streets. They
pass northward, and by the last of May become very rare
in this locality. They return again in September and
linger until October.

BIRDS OF HILLSBORO COUNTY, FLORIDA.

BY WILLARD ELIOT.

IN THE VICINITY OF LAKE THONOTOSASSA.

1. Podilyiiibus potliceps. Pied-billed Grebe. — Resident, com-
mon, breeds.

2. Sterna antillaruin. Least Tern.— In the years from 1870 to 1888

10 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

the Least Tern was a summer resident at the lake, and at least fifty pairs
bred on the long sand-bars in the lake. I have not seen one since 1888, for
some unknown reason.

3. Aiiliin}»'a auliing'a. Anhinga. — Resident, common.

4. Phahu'orocorax dilophus floridanus. Florada Cormorant.
Casual visitor from salt water.

5. Pelicaims erytlirorhyuchus. White Pelican. — Casual winter
visitant. A fine male was killed at the lake in 1874.

6. Pelicaniis fusciis. Brown Pelican. — Occasional visitor from
salt water.

7. Anas bo.selias. Mallard. — Migrant.

3. Anas carolinensis. Green-winged Teal.— Rare visitant.

9. Anas disoors. Blue- winged Teal. — Rare resident.

10. Spatula olypeata. Shoveller. — Common migrant.

11. Dalila acuta. Pintail. — Common migrant.

12. Aix sponsa. Wood Duck.— Common resident.

13. Branta canadensis. Canada Goose. — Rare. A fiock of seven
visited us during the three successive years 1888 to 1890.

14. Ajaja ajaja. Roseate Spoonbill. — Rare resident. Saw a flock
of three in 1891.

15. Gnara alba. White Ibis. — Abundant Resident.

16. Tantalus loculator. Wood Ibis. — Common resident.

17. Botaurus exllls. Least Bittern. — Rare resident.

18. Ardea occidentalls. Great White Heron. — Rare resident.

19. Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. — Common resident.

20. Ardea egretta. Am. Egret. — Common resident.

21. Ardea candidissinia. Snowy Heron. — Common resident.

22,. Ardea tricolor ruficollis. Louisiana Heron. — Common res-
ident.

23. Ardea coerulea. Little Blue Heron.— Common resident.

24. Ardea virescens. Green Heron. — Abundant resident.

25. Nycticorax violaceus. Yellow-crowned Night Heron.—
Rare resident.

26. Grus niexicana. Sandhill Crane.— Rare resident.

27. Rallus longirostris crepitans. Clapper Rail.— Rare resident.

28. lonornis niartinica. Purple Gallinule.— Rare resident.

29. Fulica americana. Am. Coot. — Common resident.

30. Gallinago «lelicata. Wilson's Snipe.— Common migrant.

31. Totanus flavipes. Yellow Legs. — Common migrant.

32. Actitis inacularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — Common resident.

33. ^Egialitis Aocifera. Killdeer. — Common resident.

34. Colinus virginianus floridanus. Fla. Bob-white.— Abund-
ant resident.

35. Meleagris gallopavo. Wild Turkey.— Abundant resident.

36. Zenaidura niacroura. Mourning Dove. — Abundant resident.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 11

37. Colunibigallina passerina. Ground Dove. — Abundant res-
ident.

38. Catliavtes aura. Turkey Vulture.— Abundant resident.

39. Catharista atrata. Black Vulture. — Abundant resident.

40. Elauoidos tbrlicatus. Savallow-tailed Kite. — Rare resident.

41. Cirous hiidsonius. Marsh Hawk. — Common resident.
43. Acripitcr cooperi. Cooper's Hawk.— Common resident.

43. liiiteo liueatus alleni. Fla. Red-shouldered Hawk.— Com-
mon resident.

44. Haliaeetiis leucoceplialus. Bald Eagle.— ^Common resident.

45. Faleo sparvorius. Am. Sparrow Hawk.— Abundant resident.

46. Polyhorus oheriway. Audubon's Caracara. — Occasional
visitor from lower part of country.

47. Paudiou lialiaetu.s caroliiu'usis. Am. Osprey. — Common
resident.

48. Syrniuni nebulosuni. Barred Owl. — Common resident.

49. Megascops asio lioridaims. Fla. Screech Owl. — Abundant
resident.

50. Bubo virg'iuiaiius. Great Horned Owl. — Rare resident.

51. Coccyzus aniei'icamis. Black-billed Cuckoo. — Common res-
ident.

53. Cerylc alcyoii. Belted Kingfisher. — Common resident.

53. Campephilus principalis. Ivory-billed Woodpecker. — Rare
resident.

54. Dryobates villo.sus aiidiibonii. Southern Hairy Wood-
pecker.— Common resident.

55. I>ryobates pubesceiis. Downy Woodpecker. — Abundant
resident.

56. Ceopbloeus pileatiis. Pileated Woodpecker.- Common res-
ident.

57. Melanorpes orytbrocci)haliis. Red-headed Woodpecker. —
Common resident.

58. Colaptt'S aiiratiis. Flicker. — AVmndant resident.

59. Antrostomiis caroliiiciisis. Chuck-will's-Widow. — Common
resident.

60. Cliordeiles virgiiiiaixus eliapinani. Fla. Nighthawk. —
Abundant resident.

61. Chiietura pelagica. Chimney Swift. — Abundant summer res-
ident.

63. Troeliiius coliibris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. — Common
resident.

63. Tyraiiims tyraunus. Kingbird. — Common resident.

64. Myiaroluis criiiitu.s. Crested Flycatcher. — Common resident.

65. Sayoriiis plicebe. Phcebe. — Common resident.

12 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

66. Cyaiiocitta eristata florincola. Fla. Blue Jay.— Abundant
resident.

67. Corvus americanu.s floridamis. Fla. Crow. —Abundant
resident.

68. Agelaius phoeniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. — Abundant
i-esident.

69. Sturnella iiiagna. Meadowlark.— Abundant resident.

70. Quiscalus quiscula aglaeus. Fla. Grackle.— Common res-
ident.

7L Qviisoalujs major. Boat-tailed Grackle. — Common resident.

72. Pipilo erytlirophthalmiis alleni. White-eyed Towhee.—
Abundant resident.

73. Cardinalis cardinalis. Cardinal.— Abundant resident.

74. Piraiiga rubra. Summer Tanager. — Rare resident.

75. Progiie subis. Purple Martin. — Common resident.

76. Ainpelis oedroruni. Cedar Waxwing.— Rare resident.

77. Lanius ludovicianus. Loggerhead Shrike. —Abundant res-
ident.

78. Miimis polyglottos. Mockingbird.— Common resident.

79. Galeosooptes caroliiieusis. Catbird.— Common resident.

80. Harporhynchus riifus. Brown Thrasher.— Common resident.

81. Thryothorus ludovifianus. Carolina Wren. — Abundant
resident.

82. Thryothorus ludovicianus niianieusis. Fla. Wren.— Com-
mon resident.

83. Sitta caroliueiisis. White-brested Nuthatch.— Common res-
ident.

84. Sitta pusilla. Brown Headed Nuthatch.— Abundant resident.

85. Parus carolinensis. Carolina Chickadee.— Common resident.

86. Polioptila ca?rulea. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. —Abundant
resident.

87. Turdus mustelinus. Wood Thrush.— Common resident.

88. Merula niigratoria. Am. Robin.— Abundant winter resident.

89. Sialia sialis. Bluebird.— Abundant resident.

The above list is incomplete, but it contains all the birds
that I am sure of. The families of warblers, wrens, and
sparrows are almost unknown to me at present. I hope to
extend my knowledge of these groups considerably when I
shall have gotten hold of some good reference books.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 13

NESTING OF THE AM. LONG-EARED OWL IN
MILWAUKEE CO.. WIS.

BY ALLAN W. CARPENTER.

This Owl is a quite common resident of soiitliern Wiscon-
sin, but, like the rest of its family, is rarely observed, on
account of its retiring habits.

On April 15, 1890, while on a collecting trip near Milwau-
kee, Wis.. I made my first acquaintance with the nesting
of this bird. The nest was situated in a small tamarack
tree in a dense tamarack swamp, and was undoubtedly the
former property of crows, several pairs of which were nest-
ing within a few yards of the place.

When the nest was discovered the owl was sitting upon
it in plain sight, and had it not been for this fact, the nest
would probably have been passed by for a crow's. The owl
did not leave the nest until I was half way up the tree (the
nest was about 35 feet from the ground), then she flew off
and glided away with noiseless flight.

The nest contained five dirty-white eggs, deposited upon
a scanty lining of feathers from the owl's breast. The
eggs were so badly soiled and discolored that the original
color, a pure white, was hardly discoverable.

The owl (only one of the pair was noticed) stayed near
during the robbing of her home, now and then flitting from
tree to tree and uttering a chicking sound.

On blowing, the eggs were found to be badly incubated,
but the contents were successfully removed. The dimen-
sions of the set, which is still in my posession, are as fol-
lows : 1.62x1.28, 1.67x1.24, l.Olxl.SO, 1.58x1.3], 1.63x1.31.

From the statement that the owl and crows breed in
such close proximity it might be inferred that the two
species were on friendly terms. Such, however, does not
seem to be the case. Before leaving the swamp I observed
a number of crows attacking and driving before them an
owl of this species.

In this same swamp and on this same day, I took a set of
three eggs of Red-tailed Hawk.

14 THE WILSON QUARTERLY,

THE BALD EAGLE ON CURRITUCK SOUND.

BY H. H, BRIMLEY, RALEIGH, X. C.

On Currituck Sound the Bald Eagle may be classed as
common.

The "Sound" is a stretch of water some forty miles long
and narrow in proportion. The water is brackish — I have
drank it when pushed — and shallow, and the whole ex-
panse is the winter resort of innumerable water-fowl —
Whistling Swans and Canada Geese in thousands, and
ducks. Canvas-backs and Redheads especially, in tens and
hundreds of thousands, if not millions. Deer are found on
the ''Banks," and Bear are not uncommon in the swamps.
The large growth around tlie shores is mostly pine, and
there do the Eagles make their resting place.

I well remember my first introduction to this bird. Rid-
ing along the road fj'om the steamboat landing to my
host's house, seated in the straw at the bottom of the cart
that was drawn by a festive steer of pig-headed proclivities,
when overhead loomed a great, shadowy form tlirough the
gathering dusk of the January evening, and my first Bald
Eagle passed out of sight into the surrounding gloom.

To prepare a collection of the water-fow^l of the state was
my object, and during the time that I stayed I had good
opportunities of studying the habits of the Eagles. It was
rarely that a good, searching look all around would fail to
detect one or more of these noble birds, and frequently,
several would be in sight at once.

My host owned and controlled quite a lot of marsh suita-
ble for point shooting, and also, some of the small, outlay-
ing islands much frequented by ducks and geese, all being
free to his boarders. He employed some four or five pro-
fessional gunners, who killed ducks for the market when
not employed in providing sport for the guests of the house.

On one occasion two of them were shooting over a stand
of decoA^s set off the point of "Five Islands." A bunch of
Redheads swung down over the stools, leaving several of
their number on the water as the gunners let then have it.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 15

Before the men had time to leave the blind and take out
their boat after the cripples, a large Bald Eagle swept over
the water, picked up one of the ducks, brought it to the
Island close to the blind, there to be discussed at leisure.
This was too much for the gunners ; the Eagle was prompt-
ly laid low and left where it fell. It was some days before
I heard of this, it being too common an occurrence to be
thought worthy of special mention. I went out to "Five
Islands"' as soon as I 'could after hearing of it, but found
the specimen too far gone to be saved. It was a very large
female in adult plumage. I saved one of the claws, and
some New Yorkers who came along about then in the light-
house tender, saved the other.

As near as I could estimate, there were not less than two
hundred professional gunners shooting on the Sound, and
besides these there are the members of some seven or eight
ducking clubs, as Avell as a number of individual sportsmen.

The immense amount of shooting done by this army of
hunters results in thousands of crippled fowl, and on these
the Eagles feed and grow fat. Although I have never been
there in Summer time, I presume the Ospreys keep the
larder supplied then ; in Winter their services are not
required.

Once, when weary of waiting in a blind for the fowl that
did not come, I had a good chance to watch the perform-
ances of an Eagle in persuit of his dinner. Several hundred
yards away was a large flock of Coots feeding, diving with
an effort and a splash, as these birds do ; the noise of their
movements being distinctly audible where I stood. Sud-
denly a Bald Eagle appeared on the scene, sailing low over
the Coots, not more than three or four feet above the water.
The birds in his immediate vicinity dived or flew on a few
yards and always, for a small space around him, there was a
patch of clear water, while beyond that the Coots were as
thick as fleas on a white dog in Summer time. The Eagle
kept quartering back and forth for some time, occasionally
making a dash at a bird that had let him get a little too
close,* but always unsuccessfully. This was kept up for

16 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

quite a while until the whole flock gradually worked out of
sight. Industry was apparently unrewarded in this case.

Knowing that I wished to kill an Eagle, one of the farm
hands offered one day to take me within gunshot of a pair.
He was hauling pine straw with a cart and yoke of steers,
and said that if I would get into the cart, he would drive
me right heneath a pine in which were a pair of tliem. I
grahhed my gun and a few shells loaded with No. 1, and
jumped into the cart in a hurry. By and by we came
within sight of the tree ; and there they were sure enough,
two splendid white-headed fellows, the sight of which set
my heart thumping like the recoil of an old musket loaded
for " baar." On we went, the cart jerking and jolting over
the stumps and prostrate sticks until right beneath the
tree. This was my first experience of being within gunshot
of an Eagle, and to say that I was flurried is putting it
mildly. Instead of jumping out and taking a fair shot
from solid ground, I stayed in the cart, aimed at the lower
one of the two, and fired just as the wheel of the cart
flopped down in a rut. The shot went somewhere, probably
not within ten yards of what I aimed at, and as the birds
left the tree, I gave them the other barrel — with like
success. I pass over the next five ninutes : what was said
was not for publication, but only as a guarantee of my good
faith.

In driving over to the store at the steamer landing on the
canal, the Albemarle and Chesapeake, one day, an Eagle
was seen on a sand bar, running out into Coin jock Bay.
feeding. I got out of the buggy and with my .38 Smith and
Wesson in hand, crept up behind the bushes as near as I
could. The Eagle saw me and rose, and I gave him all five
bullets as quick as I could pull trigger, but he did not stop.
In fact he seemed quite in a hurry to get away.

On several occasions in coming back home through the
pines, one of these great birds would crash out of the trees
in front and sometimes a snap shot would be tried, always
unsuccessfully, however. To tell the truth I did not kill an
Eagle while I was there, but could probably have collected

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 17

a few had I devoted much time to them. One of the gun-
ners finally procured me an adult male, and with that I had
to be satisfied.

Immature, dark-brown specimens were sometimes seen,
but were not as plentiful as the full-plumaged white-heads.
The natives call the dark birds Washington, or Gray
Eagles.

I have taken it for granted that crippled ducks form the
chief food item of the Currituck Sound Eagles in Winter
almost entirely from hearsay evidence, and I do not think
I am mistaken in this, as the evidence of the market gun-
ners all points that way. Frequently could the great birds
be seen carrying something in their claws about the size of
a duck, and from the ease with which the cripples could be
caught along the edges of the marsh, and from what I saw
and heard, the conclusion is natural that the Eagle of this
locality is an epicure, living principally on the flesh of the
toothsome Redhead and Canvas-back.

Regarding their nesting I have no data to give. I was
told, however, that there were no less than three nests on
one single island, and I see no reason to doubt the state-
ment. From their abundance it seems to me probable that
they must nest in some numbers along the shores of the
Sound ; and from their wary habits, and the fact that they
are not much molested, or systematically hunted, either for
themselves or their eggs, I think it will be years before
this noble bird is driven from his chosen home and well-
filled larder on Currituck Sound.

A BIRD OF THE NORTHLAND.

{Spizella monticola.)

BY HARRY E. MILLER, S. E. N. Y. STATE.

In the last days of the tenth month, golden October,
when all the leaves have fallen strewing the ground with
a tinted carpet of many colors ; when the days are slowly
growing colder, reminding us that winter is soon to reign
over the rest of the seasons ; after other songsters have

18 THE AVILSON QUARTERLY.

liown far away southward to remain till the hright, joy-
ous Spring succeeds the reign of " King Winter," there
comes a flock of little birds from many miles to the north-
ward, to our yards, gardens, and fields, singing their sweet
little melodies, their calls sounding cheerfully over the keen
frosty air.

The Tree, or Canada Sparrow, breeds above the boundary
of our country, spending the last part of the fall, winter,
and early spring in eastern North America. In appearance
this bird is much like the Chipping Sparrow, but as the last
named is not a winter resident you are not liable to get the
two species confounded. A reddish-brown crown, inore or
less dusky in the center of the breast, and shades of yellow.
brown, and gray constitute the colors of our Canadian
visitor.

The little Tree Sparrow is fond of sheltered glens where
food is plent}', where the sun strikes the warmest ; here you
may find them in flocks and squads feeding on the scatteied
seeds which they can find, allowing you to approach very
near without inciting to flight, for this sparrow is not
classed amongst the shy birds. No matter how cold it may
be he seems always cheerful. Sitting close to a limb with
the feathers fluffed up, is a position we see. him in often
when it is very cold. The best time to observe these birds
is generally in the morning when the largest number are to-
gether, for later in the day they break up into squads, each
party feeding by itself. The Tree Sparrow, as far as I know,
has a peaceable character, attending to his own business,
which employs all his time, without interfering with other
birds' rights and movements.

A flock of these sparrows numbering about two hundred
spent the past winter in my locality giving me ample
means to study their songs and movements ; but this is the
first visit they have made to this vicinity as far as I can
find out.

The song of the Canada Sparrow is superior to that of
any of our local Sparrows ; most of the songs, heard by the
writer were in the morning between seven and ten. Why

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 19

this is so, I do not know unless the birds are glad that
"grub time" has come again after the long night's rest.
Often when the thermometer is down to zero, one may
hear them singing away as if their little throats would
split. I am quite positive that this bird does not sing on
the ground, but when musically inclined mounts to some
position above "terra firma. " Most of the notes, for that
matter all of them, are clear, bell-like, and decided. A bird
singing in winter will be noticed, the song highly ap-
preciated, and if any sweet notes prevail will be noted by
the listener more so than when the woods, fields, and yards
are full of songbirds. The Tree Sparrow's songs, of which
it has a number, have but a slight rising and falling from
the beginning to the end. Some of the notes, particularly,
will be distinguished from the rest by their liquid, bell-like
trembling. The first song in clear silvery notes is as fol-
lows : ''tee-dee-tee-dee-tee-dee-dee." The last three notes
uttered in much quicker time than the first four, which are
especially clear, while on the last three there is a slight
falling inflection, just enough to make it all the more beau-
tiful. Some songster sometimes includes these notes in the
first song which, of all the writer has heard, are the most
beautiful, tender, and clear ; " te-a-de-a-te-a-de-a,''' with the
longest pause on the "a," where the quivering bell-tone
becomes the most noticeable. These last notes are often
uttered devoid of any other notes, making what we will
call the second song, with a short but very pleasing charac-
ter. Third song : " chee-cJiee-a-chee-chee-che-a.''' Fourth
song: "'tee-dee-che-a-die-a.'" The notes already described
are not entirely restricted to songs, but are often uttered
separately as if used for alarm or calls.

Again, it has a warbling chatter, used a great deal of the
time when feeding, as if conversing with each other. The
chatter is uttered with a full voice but not extremely so ;
the notes, from their round and steady flow, seem to run
together; that is, from their character, one note is hardly
distinguishable from the others. One might say the chat-
ter is a reproduction of some of the song-notes usually

20 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

expressed in a lower and harsher key ; still it is pleasant
and cheerful.

Besides all the notes so far spoken of, the Canada Spar-
row has two separate notes used for calls, alarm, etc.
First: ''che-ep;'' well pronounced, the most stress on the
"p." Second : " te-e ;" much like the first but shorter and
not as a usual thing uttered with so loud a voice. From
careful study the writer believes that he has included all of
the notes of our little northern boarder who pays his board
with his songs.

If once you have heard the Tree Sparrow's songs, I know
you will be watching for them in the last part of next fall
when no more is heard the warblings of the birds that have
flown far away to the southland. Yet Nature has provided
that this bird shall sing to us after she has placed an icy
seal on the brook, has robbed us for a while of the flowers,
the foliage, and the green grass, has covered the earth
with a thick blanket of snow ; still these little birds are
bright, active, and cheerful, vieing with each other in
making the air respond with clear, liquid music.

THE RED-EYED VIREO.

BY WILL. N. COLTON, BIDDEFORD. ME.

The Red-eyed Vireo is a Summer resident here, and
although I have seldom noticed it bi-eeding in York County,
nests of this species have been frequently found by the
writer in Penobscot County in the northern part of the
state.

The nest is usually rather neat and compact, still much
variation is exhibited in this respect. One of the first I ever
found, I remember, was so large and sprawling that I was
at a loss for a time, to what species to assign the nest.

In 1887 I took a series of seven sets, the eggs varying
little, in either size or markings ; the reddish-brown dots
being sprinkled without uniformity or plan, sparingly on
the larger end. This is unlike the eggs of its fellow breeder,

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 21

the American Redstart ; the markings on the eggs of the
latter being wreathed.

The site I found to be invariably a bush, usually elder;
preference being given to a sharp, upright crotch, which
gives the nest a peculiar ''squeezed'" shape. Most of my
nests were found while walking along secluded lanes or
old cart paths.

The nest is constructed of grass and vegetable fibers ; on
the outside, bits of leaves and bark.

This Vireo has many curious and interesting traits, and
a careful study of its habits will be well repaid. Its song
is not the least of its charms ; a sweet, though simple
strain, suggesting brightness and joy on the part of the
performer, and good will to all around.

HOW TO PREPARE EGGS FOR THE CABINET.

We give the method of blowing and preparing eggs for
the cabinet from a letter recently received from one of the
veteran collectors of the seventies.

We give only the extracts from his letter which relate
directly to the instruments used and methods of use,
together with his directions for constructing the same.

AVe have personally witnessed the use of them and they
are certainly a decided improvement over the old method
of blowing with the mouth.

He says. '"I prefer glnss blowpipes. I buy the glass
tubing at a drug-store and use a spirit-lamp with a g inch
round wick and di-aw them out w4th points suitable for
large, medium, or very small eggs. My experience with
eggs that have been partially incubated is that holding the
blowpipe outside of the drill hole, while blowing, is a good
deal like feeling on the outside of a barn to tell how much
grain it contains.

" The easiest and quickest way to blow eggs is with a
blowpipe attached to a rubber bulb, having a valve in the
opposite end. I think any one would appreciate a hand

22 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

blower after being ' humped up ' for an hour or more, blow-
ing away for dear life— eggs, I should say — on a lot of
eggs that have been set on for four or five days, or long
enough so the white has become thick and tough. After
the eggs are blown they can be rinsed out very quickly
with a Tater blowpipe, which has been described in a
number of amateur papers. Small, fresh eggs can also be
blown with it. I can assure the readers of The Wilson
Quarterly that it will be far easier than squirting water
into an egg-shell, with one's mouth, through a blowpipe.
After preparing seventy or eighty eggs at one sitting you
will be ready to testify that it has saved you about half a
ton of face-ache.

" I made my washer five years ago. I will describe it
and the hand blower, I might also add that the total cost
of both was about one dollar.

•■ I took a tin bucket, that holds about one and one-half
gallons, to a tinker and had a small tin tube, two inches
long, inserted in the side close to the bottom, and a wire
bent like the letter U soldered on the side of the bucket so
it would project an inch above the rim. Then I bought two
feet of i inch rubber pipe and slipped one end on the tin
tube, into the other end I inserted a glass nozzle — of which
I have two sizes.

"When I wish to use it I hang it up over the work bench
so that it cannot turn or swing, place the tube just behind
the nozzle in the bent wire at rim and fill with water.

"For the blower I took the valve from the end of an
atomizer and fitted it into one end of a rubber bulb ; this
bulb being heavier and more durable than the one from
which the valve was taken. Into the other end of the bulb
insert a small glass tube. Before doing this I made a stand
for the blow pipe by taking a block of hard wood one inch
thick, four inches wide, and five inches long ; set a post in it
— near one end — four inches high and one inch by three-
quarters. The post inclines several degrees from perpen-
dicular towards the shorter end of the block. Near the
top of the post bore a hole slanting so that when the blow-

THE AVILSON QUARTERLY, 23

pipe "is in position it will be at an angle of forty-five
degrees. This prevents the water or the contents of the
egg from running back and making a muss on the bench.

•' Whenever I have any eggs to attend to, I take a basin
with a little water in it and place the stand beside it, with
the post overhanging the edge. Then push a blowpipe
through the hole in post and couple it to the tube in bulb
with a piece of small, thin rubber tube, perhaps an inch
long. I like this arrangement better than sticking the bulb
on the end of the blowpipe for two reasons : it is easier,
and it does not wiggle the pipe and endanger a fragile egg.
It takes about two minutes to set up antl take apart the
whole concern.

Of course such an outfit is not practicable for blowing in
the field. I have now two perfect glass blowpipes that I
have carried over ten thousand miles in cars and in stage."'

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION AND
DISTRIBUTION.

The reports received are of such a varied character that
it has been found impossible to present this report in any
thing but a general way. Before a systematic report can
be made on the migrations it will be necessary to gather in
a greater and more carefully prepared mass of notes. It is
but fair to say that a large number of the notes used in this
report were sent in response to a circular issued, calling for
general rather than specific notes.

In the present report an attempt has been made to trace
the distribution of each species east and west, north and
south, without burdening the report with a mass of details.
We have not sought to accomplish any thing beyond
estimating the Fringilline fauna of each locality from
which notes have come, and the relative abundance of each
species. With the small number of localities represented
nothing more than an approximation of the geographical
distribution can be presented. In the report which is to
follow we hope to have every state east of the plains

24 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

between the Gulf and Ocean, and the Lakes represent-
ed. If this be accomplished we shall be able to trace each
species from north to south, and from east to west wher-
ever it is to be found, with a comparison of its distribution
in every state.

The present report contains notes from Texas, Iowa,
Wis., Ills., Ohio, Penn., N. Y., Conn., N. Carolina. I wish
, to express my gratitude to the gentlemen who have con-
tributed notes to this report giving it whatever of value it
may possess : Messrs. John A. Donald, Texas ; Reuben M.
Strong, C. P. Howe, J. N. Clark, Allan W. Carpenter, Wis. ;
F. A Gregory, F. M. McElfresh, Ills. ; J. Warren Jacobs,
Penn. ; D. D. Stone, N. Y. ; John H. Sage, Conn. ; S. W.
P Smithwick, N. Carolina. Notes have also been received
from Frank L. Burns, Berwyn, Penn. ; H. P. T. Weathern,
West Farmington, Me. ; Willard Eliot, Thonotosassa, Fla.
These notes are reserved for the report which is to follow
upon the more specific migration and distribution.

We desire a complete list of the Fringillidse from every
member, with the statement as to whether it is a migrant
(T. v.), summer resident (S P.), winter visitant, (W, V.),
resident, (R.), or accidental visitor (A. V.) ; and also the
abundance of each species. With these general notes send
any and all notes upon migration, giving exact dates in
every case, and also notes upon breeding. We want exact
notes !

514. CoccotJiraustes vespei'tina. Evening Grosbeak.

This Grosbeak is known as a wanderer ; occurring in a
place in great numbers at one time and not being seen
again perhaps for years. And yet there are localities
where it may be expected to pay nearly regular winter
visits. Mr. Strong finds it to be an irregular winter visitor
near Milwaukee, Wis., being seen from Oct. 15 to rarely as
late as Apr. 18, usually in small numbers. Mr. J. N. Clark
reports it to be a common W. V. from Nov. to Mar. at
Meridian, Wis. Mr. McElfresh captured a female Mar. 18,
1891, at Champaign, Ills. At Grinnell, Iowa, I have seen

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 25

but few. A small flock was seen during the spring migra-
tion of 1886 and a single flock of twenty Dec. 11, ]S8G, but
none since. At Oberlin, O., the bird is an A. V. (accidental
visitor.)

515. Pinicola enucleator. Pine Grosbeak.

Although not accidental like the last, nor of wandering
habits, this is yet not a well known bird to our observers.
It appears from the extreme north only during cold win-
ters. Mr. Strong considers it rare at Milwaukee, Wis.,
while Mr. Clark, at Meridian, Wis., finds it to be common
from Dec. to Mar. Mr. D. D. Stone also finds it common at
Lansing, N. Y. At Grinnell, la., it is rare, but few speci-
mens having been taken. At Oberlin, O., it is also a rare
W. V.

517. Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch.

The Purple Finch is pretty well known to all observers.
Its song, no less striking than its rich colors, makes it a
conspicuous object of the woodland. Mr. Strong considers
it an irregular T. V. at Milwaukee, and rare. But Mr.
Clark records it as a common migrant at Meridian. Mr.
Gregory finds it at Rockford, Ills. Mr. D. D. Stone finds
it a common S. R. at Lansing, N. Y. Mr. J. W. P. Smith-
wick finds it a common T. Y. as far south as Sans Souci,
N. C. Mr. John A. Dona]d says that it is accidental at
Decatur, Texas. Both at Grinnell, Iowa and Oberlin, O., I
have found it a common T. V., often associating with
Goldfinches.

521. Loxia curvirostra minor. Am. Crossbill.

All observers consider this species rare. It is a hardy
bird, and, like the Evening Grosbeak, is much of a wan-
derer. Mr. Strong says that it is irregular in winter, some
times occurring in great numbers, at Milwaukee ; Mr. Clark
finds it a rare W. Y. at Meridian ; Mr. Carpenter enters
one Apr. 11, ]891, on the authority of Mr. E. P. Carlton at
Madison, Wis. Mr. Stone marks it "rare W. Y." at Lan-
sing, N. Y. It is not common either at Grinnell, Iowa or
Oberlin, O., though there are usually a few seen each
winter.

26 THE WILSON QUAETERLY.

522. Loxia lencopfera. White-winged Crossbill.

Both Strong at Milwaukee, and Stone at Lansing, N. Y.,
find this bird a rare W. V. In Iowa and Ohio it is also a
rare W. V., not as well known as the preceding. It seems
to be almost an unknown quantity among observers.

528. Acanthis Unaria. Red-poll.

Another northern species which visits our northern ob-
servers only during the coldest weather. Mr. Strong found
it common during the winter of 1889-00, but none 1890-91.
Messrs. Clark at Meridian, Wis. and Stone, at Lansing,
N. Y., find it abundant from Nov. to Feb. Red-poll comes
sweeping into central Iowa in" immense flocks during cold
stormy weather. I have seen hundreds on the weeds by
the roadside while snow was being driven by a north-west
gale. At Oberlin, O., it is only a tolerably common Avinter
visitor.

529. Spinus tristis. Am. Goldfinch.

Who does not know the Goldfinch ? The variet}' of its
local names suggests familiarity. It is the '' Flaxfinch,"
''Thistle-bird," " Wild Canary," "Yellow-bird," "Lettuce-
bird," Salad-bird/' "Sunflower-bird." It is an ornament
to every door-yard. It is an abundant S. R. at Madison
and Milwaukee, Wis., and an abundant resident at
Lansing, N. Y. At Meridian, Wis. Mr. Clark finds it
common all the year, as it also is in Iowa and Ohio. It is
perhaps more common during the summer. In Ills, it is
common with Mr. Gregory. At Sans Souci, N. C, Mr.
Smithwick finds it during the winter only ; while Mr.
Donald, at Dacatur, Texas, says, that while some individu-
als remain all winter, the most go further south, all coming
from the north. At the last two mentioned stations Gold-
finch would naturally not remain to breed but migrate
north ; but at all the other places we should expect it to be
resident. It may not be out of place to mention the fact
that Goldfinch changes his plumage to a plain drab in
winter, and that his general appearance and even his voice
is often so different from his summer habit that he might
easily be mistaken for some other sparrow. To you more

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 27

northern observers who have hitherto found him only in
summer allow me to suggest that it would be of great inter-
est to make a careful stvuh' of Goldfinch and see if you do
not find him in winter also.

533. Sj)inns pinus. Pine Siskin.

This is one of the little know^n but interesting sparrows,
rather northern in its habitat. Mr. Strong finds it irregu-
larly at Milwaukee, Wis, Mr. Stone records it as tolerably
common in winter at Lansing, N. Y. It is common during
the migrations both at Ginnell, Iowa and Oberlin. ( ). Its
song once learned, there is no difficulty in recognizing it.

534. Plectrophenax nivalis.' Snowflake.

Of all the sparrows, Snowflake is undoubtedly the one
which w^e are most glad to see. Sweeping down upon us
like the advance guard of an arm}^ themselves the fore-
runner of the driving snow-storm, they are life in the death
cold. Their songs are like angel voices from the black
angry clouds. It is truly an inspiration to watch an im-
mense flock, such as sweeps down upon Milwaukee and
Meridian, Wis., and Lansing and Pittsburgh, jST. Y., as it
swirls and eddies in the van of the storm among the first
falling flakes. In Ohio I have never seen such a sight, but
in Iowa it is not rare. Their southern range is about 39",
rarely they have gone as far as 35" ; hence our southern
observers could hardly expect to find this interesting spar-
row at their homes.

536. CaJcarius lappouicus. Lapland Longspur.

It is commonly considered to be true that Snowflake is
replaced by this Longspur at the south : but there is no note
made of it by Southern observers. Doubtless they are too
far south. It is an irregular winter visitor at Milwaukee,
but common a,t Meridian, Wis., from Oct. to Apr. in stubble
fields, occurring in large fiocks. It is also common at
Grinnell, Iowa, during the winter, but rare at Oberlin, O.

537. Calcarius pictiis. Smith's Longspur.

This Longspur seems to have escaped our observers
entirely. It is so common at Grinnell, Iowa, during the
winter and late into the spring that it is a conspicuous

28 THE AVILSON QUARTERLY.

feature of the bird fauna. Its note is destinctive, and its
colors attractive. I find a note in the O. & O. VoL XIII, p.
95, of the capture of two specimens of this Longspur at
Garretsville, O., Jan. 29, 1888, by Mr. Clark P. Streator.
The note is interesting from so far east.

538. Calcarius oraatus. Chestnut-colored Longspur.

If we would learn more of this interesting Longspur we
must work on the plains, for it very rarely reaches the
Mississippi river in its eastern movement. Mr. Donald
finds it in winter as a common bird at Decatur, Texas.
Once only have I found it at Gi'innell, Iowa ; during the
spring of 1887 when there seemed to be a general eastward
movement of ail species. Then a flock of several hundred
remained about Grinnell for several weeks. Many were in
full plumage and full song.

539. Rhijnchophanes mccoicnii. McCown's Longspur.
Like the last this is a bird of the plains. Mr. Donald

finds it abundantly at Decatur, Texas. It was one of the
species which wandered east during the spring of 1887,
reaching Grinnell, Iowa, March 3. The flock of about 20
departed the 8th.

5-40. Fooccetes <iramineus. Vesper Sparrow.

As we have reason to expect", this wide-spread species is
pretty fully reported upon, and is evidently well known to
all. It is an abundant summer resident at Milwaukee,
Meridian, and Waukesha, Wis., as reported by Messrs.
Strong, Clark, and Howe, also at Lansing, N. Y. But only
common at Madison, Wis., Waynesburgh, Penn., Rockford,
Ills., and Grinnell, Iowa ; while at Decatur. Texas, it is
only a tolerably common winter visitor. It is abundant at
Oberlin, O., during the migrations, but I have not found it
breeding.

51:2a. Amniodramus sandwichensis savanna. Savanna
Sparrow.

At Meridian and Madison, Wis., this is a rare summer
resident. At Lansing, N. Y., common ; at Portland, Conn.,
as found by Mr. John H. Sage, common in summer but
abundant in fall ; at Sans Souci, N". C, tolerably common

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 39

in winter ; and at Dlecatiii-. Texas, tolerably common. I
have found it to be common both in Ohio and Iowa, as a
summer resident.

545. Auunodi-aiiius bairdii. Baird's Bunting-.

For this interesting bunting there are but two records.
Mr. Donald considers it' a common migrant in Texas, and
I have found it at Grinnell, Iowa. It is another of our
birds which inhabit the plains.

54G. Ammodranius savannarum passerinus. Yellow-
winged Sparrow.

It is surprising that a bird of such wide distribution as
this one should be so little known. All observers consider
it rare. At Waynesburgh, Penn., and Portland, Conn., it
is a rare S. R. ; and at Decatur, Texas, a rare migrant. Mr.
Gregory finds it at Pockford, Ills. It is not common at
Oberlin, O. ; but really abundant in central Iowa. Its song-
is distinctive.

547. Amniodramus liensloivii. Henslow's Sparrow.

Another obscure bird of the Miss. Valley. It is a com-
mon summer resident at Grinnell, Iowa. It will doubtless
be found by observers in Ills., Wis., Mo., Kan, and Neb.
Its delicate little voice is easily droAvned by the louder
prairie voices.

548. Ammodramus lecovfeii . Leconte's Sparrow\

This is also a Miss. Valley species, being found in Ills.,
Mo., Kan., Neb., Texas and the states bordering the Miss.
river . It is not uncommon in central Iowa.

549. Ammodramus caudacutus . Sharp-tailed Sparrow.
Mr. Donald was so fortunate as to capture this bird at

Decatur, Texas, Jan. 28 and 29, 1890. It was accidental
there, since the species is confined to the S. E. Atlantic
and Gulf states.

549a. Amviodravius caudacutus nehoni . Nelson's Spar-
row.

Mr. Sage is the only observer who has found this spar-
row, strangely enough at Portland, Conn., when it is con-
sidered a Miss. Valley bird. He finds it only as a migrant
in Sept. and Oct.

30 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

54:9b. Ai)iinuclraniys cai(<Ji(ciifi(s snhriry(itii,'<. Acadian
Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

Like tlie last, the one record is from Mr. Sage, Portland,
Conn. It is a rare migrant, found onl}'^ in Sept. and Oct.

550. Ainmoilranms maritimus . Seaside Sparrow.

Mr. Smithwick is the only observer to record this mari-
time species. He finds it rarely at Sans Souci, N. C in
winter.

552. ChoiuJe.stes gi-((iinii(icus. Lark Sparrow.

It is interesting to notice the eastern limit of this species.
At Waynesburgh, Penn., it is rare; at Oberlin, O., not
common; at Rockford, Ills., and Milwaukee, Wis., com-
mon ; and at Grinnell, Iowa, and Decatur, Texas, abundant.
Messrs. Clark, Carpenter, and Howe consider it rare in
Wis. ; doubtless they are in an unfavorable position to study
it. We thus see that the true home of the Lark Sparrow is
the Miss . Valley, breeding everywhere .

553. Zonotinchia querula . Harris's Sparrow.

It is unfortunate that there are not fuller notes upon this,
the largest of our sparrows. It would be interesting to
trace its range from east to west. Unlike the last, this bird
does not breed within our limits. At Meridian, AVis., Mr.
Clark says it is a "straggling T. V.'' In central Iowa it
is a common T. V., while at Decatur, Texas, it is an abun-
dant W. V.

55-1^. Zonotii cilia leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow.

This species is also more common west and north than in
the extrenie east and south . Mr . Sage says that it is a rare
migrant at Portland, Conn., and Mr. Donald does not con-
sider it common at Decatur, Texas . Messrs . Strong and
Clark report it as a common migrant in W^is., and Mr.
Stone as the same at Lansing, N. Y. In Iowa it is com-
mon both in spring and fall, but much less common in Ohio.

558. Zonotrichia albicoUis. White-throated Sparrow.

This is one of the well known sparrows throughout nearly
the whole range of our observers . It is a true migrant
except in its extreme southern range, where it remains all
winter. Strong and Carpenter report it abundant in Wis.,

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 31

Gregory and McElfresh common in Ills., Sage common in
Conn., Smithwick common in N. C, but Donald rare in
Texas . It is abundant both in Iowa and Ohio .

559. Spizella })ionticola. Tree Sparrow.

There is no more familiar figure of the winter landscape
than the Tree Sparrow. It is interesting to note how far
south we may expect to find him. Messrs. Strong,
Clark, and Carpenter report it as abundant in Wis.,
Jacobs abundant at Waynesburg< Penn., Stone common in
N. Y., and Sage common in Conn. Mr. Strong is the only
observer who does not find it all winter. It is abundant all
winter in both Iowa and Ohio . Thus we see that our more
southern observers have not found it at all, and yet it
is usually found as far south as 34". Mr. Donald is just
below its southern range.

5G0. Spizella socialis. Chipping Sparrow .

All except Mr. Donald send reports upon Chippy. Every
where it is "conspicuously present" and well known.
Four observers from Wis. — Strong, Clarke, Howe, Carpen-
ter— report it as abundant. Messrs. Gregory and McEl-
fresh find it common in Ills., Mr. Jacobs says it is abund-
ant in western Penn., Mr. Stone says the same for N. Y.,
while Mr. Sage regards it as only common in Conn. All
of the above observers report it as a summer resident. Mr.
Smithwick finds it all the year at Sans Souci, N. C. In
Iowa and Ohio it is an abundant S. P.

501. Spizella pall id a. Clay-colored Sparrow.

This bird is so easily confounded with other species of
this genus that one might easily overlook it. I found it
rather common at Grinnell, Iowa, but secured no positive
evidence of its breeding in the vicinity. It doubtless does
further west and north . This is one of the Miss . Valley
species.

oQo. Spizella pus ilia. Field Sparrow.

This sparrow is one of those upon which nearly all agree;
and the disagreement, when there is any, is due to the dif-
ference of geographical situation rather than to any incon-
stancy of the bird itself. Messrs. Clark, Carpenter, and

32 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

Howe agree that it is abundant in Wis., but Mr. Strong
regards it as only common at Milwaukee. Mr. Gregory
finds it in Ills. ; Mr. Jacobs says it is abundant in western
Penn. : Mr. Stone, common in N. Y.; Mr. Sage, common
S. R.. rareR., in Conn.; Mr. Smith wick, common R. at
Sans Souci, N. C; Mr. Donald, abundant W. V., common
R., at Decatur, Texas. It is a very abundant S. R. both
in Iowa and Ohio. Thus we see that, northerly, it is a sum-
mer resident, while at the south, and even in Conn., some
individuals are found during the whole yea,r.

567. Junco hyemalis. Black Snowbird ; Junco.

We naturally associate Junco and Tree Sparrow to-
gether ; but their range is not just the same, as will be seen
from the following reports : Messrs. Strong, Clark, Howe,
and Carpenter report it as abundant in Wis., Messrs.
Gregory and McElfresh find it in Ills.; Mr. Stone says it
is abundant in N . Y . All of these gentlemen report it as
a migrant. In Iowa and Ohio it is the same. But Mr.
Smithwick finds it commonly all winter at Sans Souci, N.
C, and Mr. Donald says it is abundant all winter at
Decatur, Texas. Thus its wintering limit is below that of
Tree Sparrow, and consequently its southern range is
further south.

580b. Peuccea ruficeps eremceca . Rock Sparrow .

This rare south-western sub-species is recorded by Mr.
Donald as accidental at Decatur, Texas. It has been found
at other places in Texas also .

581. Melospiza fasciata . Song Sparrow.

So well known.a sparrow as this calls forth reports from
every quarter. We can hardly get beyond its range this
side of the mountains. Messrs. Strong and Carpenter
report it abundant all summer in their localities in Wis.,
but Messrs . Clark and Howe consider it only common . Mr.
Gregory is well acquainted with Ills, birds. Mr. Jacobs
says it is an abundant S. R. but rare R. at Waynesburgh,
Penn.; while Mr. Stone says it is an abundant S. R. only
inN. Y. Mr. Sage lists it "R. common S. R." Mr.
Smithwick finds it only in winter in N. C, and Mr. Donald

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 33

as a iiiigTant in Texas. It is an abundant S. R., never R.,
in both Iowa and Ohio in the northern part.

583. MeloKpiza lincolni. Lincohi's Sparrow.

The similarity of this species to the last, together with
its scarcity in many places, causes it to be pretty generally
overlooked. Mr. Stone thinks he has found it as a rare S.
R. at Lansing, N. Y. Mr. Donald finds it a rare migrant
in Texas. I have found it tolerably common in Iowa, but
uncommon in Ohio.

584:. Melospiza (/eoiyiatui. Swamp Sparrow.

The numbers in which Swamp Sparrow is found seems to
depend upon the local surroundings. Thus, in Wis., Messrs.
Strong and Carpenter, at Milwaukee and Madison, find it
an abundant S. R. ; while Messrs. Clark and Howe, at
Meridian and Waukesha, find it only common. So also Mr.
Jacobs records it as rare in western Penn., while it is com-
mon in Ohio, and common also with Mr. Stone in N. Y.
Mr. Sage records it as abundant in Conn. Everywhere thus
far, and in Iowa, it is a S. R. ; but Mr. Smithwick finds it
only in winter in N. C.

585. PassereUa iliaca. Fox Sparrow.

Another well known bird of wide distribution. Messrs.
Strong and Clark say that it is a common migrant in Wis. ;
Mr. McElfresh finds it in Ills. ; it is a common migrant in
Iowa and Ohio ; Mr. Stone says it is rare in N. Y. ; Mr.
Sage that it is common in Conn. ; Mr. Smithwick finds it
common in winter in N. C. ; and so does Mr. Donald in
Texas. It breeds north of our borders.

587. Pipilo eriithrophthalmus. Towhee ; Chewink.

North of Texas Towhee is only a summer resident. In
Texas Mr. Donald says it is found only in winter. In Iowa
it is abundant, and also in Ills., according to Messrs, Gregory
and McElfresh. In Wis. it is abundant at Madison (Car-
penter), common at Waukesha (Howe), and Meridian
(Clark), and tolerably common at Milwaukee (Strong). In
Ohio it is abundant ; but Mr. Stone says of it, '"very rare
S. R. in N. Y."

34 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

oOo. Cardinalis cardinalis. Cardinal.

This interesting species scarcely comes far enough north
to be seen by many of our observers. It is resident where-
ever found. I have seen but one at Grinnell, Iowa. Mr.
McElfresh finds it common in Ills. ; and it is common in
Oberlin, O. Mr. Donald says of it at Decatur, Texas :
"Common S. R. : more common in winter."

595. Habia ludoviciana. Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Our southern observers do not find this Grosbeak at all.
In Iowa it is abundant in summer. All four Wis. observers
list it as abundant S. R. ; likewise Gregory and McElfresh
in Ills. Mr. Stone says it is a rare S. R. in N. Y. In Ohio
it is common all summer.

597. Guiraca ccemdea. Blue Grosbeak.

This southern Grosbeak has been found by Mr. Donald
as a rare S. R.. at Decatur, Texas. It migrates north to
southern Ills.

598. Passerina cyanea. Indigobird.

Another species unknown to the southern observers, but a
conspicuous figure in northern woodlands. Messrs. Strong
and Clark say that it is a common S. R. in Wis. ; Mr. Carpen-
ter finds it rare at Madison. Mr. Gregory finds it in Ills.
In Iowa it is a common S. R. ; not so common in Ohio. Mr.
Stone says it is a common S. R. in N. Y.

601. Passerina ciris. Painted Bunting ; Nonpareil.

The range of the Nonpareil closely corresponds to that of
the Blue Grosbeak. Mr. Donald finds it a common S. R. in
Texas.

604:. Spiza americana. Dickcissel.

The records for tliis very interesting little bunting are
few indeed. It is decidedly more numerous west than east.
In Ohio it is a rare S. R. Mr. Gregory finds it in Ills. Mr.
Strong records a single specimen taken near Milwaukee by
Mr. Akely, June 9, 1890. In Iowa Dickcissel is our most
abundant bird. Mr. Donald records it as an abundant S. R.
in Texas. The range of this bunting is changing. It will
be interesting to note its progress.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 35

G05. Calamospiza melanocorys. Lark Bunting,
We have only Mr. Donald's record for this bird of the
plains. At Decatur, Texas, Mr. Donald says it is rare. It
has never been found in Iowa.

Lynds Jones,
Chairman of Committee.
Mr. Frank L. Burns is preparing a very interesting and
valuable report for the Oological Committee, of which he is
the chairman.

CONSTITUTION OF THE WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL
CHAPTER, A. A.

Article I. Name.

The Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz As-
sociation.

Article II. Object.

The promotion of American Ornithology and Oology by
systematic investigation and the publication of the results.
Article III. Membership.

Membership shall consist of Active and Associate mem-
bers.

Active members only can vote and hold office.

Any student of birds in the United States may be admitted
to Associate membership by the President.

Active members shall be limited in number by the Execu-
tive Council ; provided that the number shall not exceed
one hundred, or be limited to less than twenty-five, except
by a majority vote of the Active members.

Active members shall pay annually, in advance, one dol-
lar to the Secretary of the Chapter, for which amount they
shall receive the official organ and all publications of the
Chapter.

Active members may be admitted semi-annually by a
majority vote of the Active members, after recommenda-
tion by the Executive Council.

Application for Active membership should be made to the
Secretary.

36 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

Non-payment of dues for one year shall cancel their name
from the roll of Active membership.

50 cents shall be charged Associate members.
Article IV. Officers.

The officers shall be a President and a Secretary, to be
elected annually.

The President shall have the general management of the
Chapter, direct the investigations and prepare the results
for publication in such forms as directed by the Executive
Council, and appoint all committees, with the exception of
the Executive Council.

The Secretary shall perform the customary duties of such
an officer, and prepare the necessary reports of the Chapter.
Article V. Executive Council.

The Executive Council shall consist of the President, who
shall be chairman, ex officio, the Secretary, and three other
Active members elected annually.

The Council shall act upon all motions, petitions, and
plans not conflicting with this Constitution, and on matters
referred to them elsewhere in this Constitution.
Article VI. State Division.

Organizations of all the members of the Chapter in
any state may be perfected when ten members are enrolled
from that state.

These Divisions may elect their own officers and make
their By-Laws, provided that the By-Laws are approved by
the Executive Council.

The President of each Division shall, under the direction
of the President of the Chapter, have charge of the investi-
gations in that state.

Article VII. Expulsions.

The Executive Council shall constitute a committee
which shall liave power to expel any member who is
proved unworthy of membership.

The decision of the Executive Counci) can be over-ruled
only by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing.
Article VIII. Amendments.

This Constitution may be amended at any time by a two-
thirds vote of the members in good standing.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

37

Lynds Jones, President. J. Warren Jacobs, Secretary.

, ACTIVE MEMBERS.

Bryant, John A.,
Burns, Frank L.,
Carpenter, Allan W.,
Caulk. Wm. B.,
Clute. Willard N.,
Davies, L. M.,
Donald, John A.,
Ely, Chas. A.,
Greene, I. C. ,
Gregory, F. A.,
Hollister, Ned.,
Hull, Walter B.,
Hussey, MaryD., M. D.,
Jacobs, J. Warren,
Jones, Lynds,
Leverkiihn, Dr. Paul,
Martin, E. W.,
Maxfield, C. C,
Mignin, C. F.,
Nehrling, H.,
Oldfield, W. A.,
Pember, F. T.,
Russell, Roy,
Sage, John H.,
Stone, D. D..
Strong, R. M.,

1221 Olive St., Kansas City. Mo.

Berwyn, Penn.

63i Arlington St., Cleveland, O.

Terra Haute, Ind.

11 Jarvis St., Binghanipton. N. Y.

21 Chestnut St., Cleveland. O.

Decatur, Texas.

Perrineville, N. J.

65 High St., Fitchburgh, Mass.

1214 N. Court St., Rockford, Ills.

Box 181, Delavan, Wis.

Box 47, Milwaukee, Wis.

East Orange. N. J.

Waynesburgh, Penn.

5 Elm St., Oberlin, O.

Miinchen, Germany.

Akron, O.

Danbury, Conn.

Akron, O.

Milwaukee, Wis.

66 Mont Claire St., E. Detroit, Mich.

Granville, N. Y.

Kokomo, Ind.

Portland, Conn.

Lansing, N. Y.

7 S. Pleasant St., Oberlin, O.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.

Baldwin. Arthur,
Barnes, Mrs. S. C,
Beal, E. Irving,
Bigney. A. J.,
Brass, Frank N.,
Brigham, S. Willard,
Bowers, L. T.,
Brown. J. H.,
Bush, Geo. B.,
Campbell, Robert,
Cant well, Geo. G.,
Card. Fred.,
Carlton, E. P.,

Amboy, Ind.

Orange, N. J.

Bridgewater, Mass.

Moore's Hill, Ind.

Kokomo, Ind.

East Prov. Center, R. I.

Columbia, Pa.

Grinnell, Iowa.

Fall River, Mass.

Hanover. N. H.

Colorado Sprnigs, Col.

Grinnell, Iowa.

Wauwatosa, Wis.

38

THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

Chase, Walter,
CaiT, Chas. F.,
Clark, J. N.,
Chite, O. C,
Colton, WillN..
Cousins. Marshall,
Cox, A. M.,
Cram, Chas. E.,
Crosby, W. P.,
Curtis, Fred. W.,
Davis, Miss Grace G. ,
Edward£, J. Lee,
Eliot, Willard,
Estes, Francis T.,
Everett, E. A.,
Fernholz, Eugene,
Fletcher, Robert,
French, Linward,
Greene, C. W.,
Grindell, A. B.,
Hager, A. R.,
Hartzell, L. B.,
Haskell, C. B..
Hauger, O. P.,
Hershey, Herbert E. ,
Holzinger, J. M.,
Homer, Arthur,
Huffman, Sam. M.,
Hurd, H. B.,
Johnson, Frank W.,
Jones, C. A..
Kittridge, Edward L.,
Lewis, John B.,
Marble, J. E.,
Maxfield, Mrs. C. C,
McElfresh. Fred.,
McNairn, W. H.,
Miller, Will, A. Jr.,
Neal, M. W.,
Oldright, Chas. D.,
Peck, E. B.,
Plank, Will H.,
Poindexter, F, C,
Reed, N. H.,
Remington, H. V. S.,

Hanover, N. H.

126 State St., Madison, Wis.

Meridian, Wis.

Keokuk, Iowa.

Biddeford, Maine.

Eau Claire. Wis.

Chicago, Ills.

Burlington, Iowa.

Hanover, N. H.

Wauwatosa, Wis.

Northampton, Mass.

Marshallsville, Ga.

Thonotosassa, Fla.

Fall River, Mass.

Waseca, Minn.

Jefferson, Wis.

Hanover, N. H.

Fall River, Mass.

Portsmouth, N. H.

Plattsville, Wis.

Chicago, Ills.

Crystal Springs, Kan.

Kennebunk, Maine.

Orleans, Ind.

908 1st Ave. , Nebraska Cty, Neb.

Winona, Minn.

Fall River, Mass.

Moore's Mill, Ind.

Minneapolis, Minn.

Grinncll, Iowa.

Chicago, Ills.

Milford, N. H.

Eubanks, Kj'.

441 Thayer St., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Danbury, Conn.

Jacksonville, Ills.

4 Harvard Ave. , Toronto, Can.

Decatur, Texas.

441 Thayer St., Ann Arbor, jMich.

Austin, Texas.

Clifton Springs, N. Y.

Kansas City, Kan.

Wash. Co., Bartle, Ind.

16th and Canal Sts., Chicago, 111.

Fall River, Mass.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 39

Richards, L. D., Kirkwood, Wis.

Ricliardson, Walter L., Pasadena, Cal.

Rogers, Geo. H., Madison, Wis.

Rolfe, Wm., San Bernardino, Cala.

Sanford, Samuel, Fall River, Mass.

Savers, Lewis, ' Waynesburg, Pa.

Shaw, Hubert G. , Fall River, Mass.

Sherman, Maurice S., Hanover, N. H.

Smith, Tliorn. Portland, Mich.
Smith, W. G., 1338 Ohio.St., Lawrence, Kan.

Smith wick, J. W. P., Sans Souci, N. C.

Taylor, B. F., Box 292, Columbia, S. C.

Vayhinger, Monroe, Moore's Hill, Ind.

W^all, Ed., San Bernardino, Cala.

Washburn, Percy C, Maiden, Mass.

Weathern, H. P. T., West Farmington, Maine.

Willard, Will A., Grinnell, Iowa.

Zimmerman, Chas., Ambo}', Ind.

EDITORIAL.

In assuming control of the official organ of the chapter,
the members have virtually agreed to support the paper, if
it should not prove self-supporting, until such time as it
shall pay its own way. There is no better way of giving it
support than by seeking to advertise it as widely as possible
by soliciting subscriptions. There is no reason whatever
why the July issue should not have a circulation of 500
copies if each member will make even a moderate effort to
secure subscriptions. The business manager and editor
will naturally be expected to do much more than any other
members, but they cannot do it all.

Our paper is a credit to the chapter, and has been highly
spoken of by the Auk, the leading journal of Ornithology
in America. No effort will be spared to make each issue
more excellent than the last.

It cannot be a money-making scheme for any one, because
the magazine is the property of the organization. Hence
its managers must render their accounts to the chapter as
a whole, as its owner.

40 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

Let each member enter into the work lieartily, deter-
mined to make our paper second to none in the field which
it occupies.

The excellence of the paper will depend upon the interest
taken in preparing articles, notes, and reports for its pages.
We cannot offer each other prizes for best articles, but we
can offer the first place and honorable mention to the best
report which is forwarded to the President during the
coming summer.

THE WORK FOR 1892.

In the January issue of The Taxidermist we announced
the scheme for work during the coming season. The group
of Owls was selected not because it might prove interesting
to all, but because it seemed too little known by very many
members. The object always in view is to direct study in
such a way and along such lines as will bring the most that
is new and valuable to the greatest number.

Thus far the lists that have come in have been good ; but
there should be more of them. Every member should not
fail to make out his list and send it to the President at once
if he has not done so already.

In order that all may not fail to understand what the
work is, we copy the scehme from The Taxidennist.

" 1st. As soon as you have read this make out and send to
the President of the chapter a list of all the owls known in
your locality, noting whether each is a resident, summer resi-
dent, transient (or migrant), or accidental. Whether abund-
ant, common, tolerably common, or rare. Whether it
breeds near you commonly, rarely, or not at all.

"2d. Study its habits carefully, noting where it stays ;
what is its food ; whether it flies during the day ; whether
it is harassed by crows and jays ; whether it approaches
dwellings ; how it is affected by weather ; what is its cry ;
study its courtship.

" 3d. Breeding habits. Note : Whether it builds a nest
or not ; when it begins to build or lay. To what extent it

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 41

appropriates old nests. Where is the nest situated. Proxi-
mit}^ to dwellings. Actions when its nest is disturbed.
Whether its cry is different than at other times. Study
carefully all about the eggs ; number, size, shape, color.
Period of incubation. Whether the male assists in nidifi-
cation. How long the young remain in the nest after
hatching. What is their food. Whether they differ from
the old in color. Whether there are marked phases of
plumage during development.

"4th. Habits after the breeding season closes. Note:
How long families remain together. When the moult
begins ; when it ends. How the birds employ their time.
Economic bearing : Relations to poultry ; to rodents ; to
insects.

"Whatever other points not given above occur to you,
or appear as you proceed with your study, do not fail to
make a note of them."

The benefit of the season's work to you will be measured
by the earnestness and faithfulness of your own individual
work.

NOTES.

Mr. Maxfield, the former publisher of the Semi-Annnal,
has found it impossible to publish the October number.
His business was such that time could not be given to the
paper. All will be sorry that this is so. To make good the
loss we will forward to each member any back number of
the Semi-Aniiual, or an extra number of the Quarterly, at
their option.

We take pleasure in calling the attention of all to the
work of Capt. Chas. E. Bendire, Smithsonian Institute,
Washington, D. C. The Capt. is preparing the life his-
tories of North American birds, accompanied by plates of
eggs, especially of the rarer species, and many illustrations.
He desires information from all who may have interesting
notes upon any species included between A. O. U. 382 and

42 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

the Jiincos. Already the first volume is in press and will
be ready for distribution by Sept. next. It contains 414
pages of text, with index, etc., making the whole volume
about 450 pages. Samples of the text may be found in the
Forest and Stream, of Jan. 14, and Feb. 25, 1892, on Gamble's
Partridge and Bald Eagle. All should be interested to con-
tribute notes toward this work.

Any one who contemplates entering upon any work
should ask himself: "Of what benefit will it be to me? Will
it pay for the effort expended upon it?" If, after careful
consideration, he decides to undertake it, he may reason-
ably expect that he shall receive interest upon whatever
capital he may have put into it, provided he exert himself
sufficiently to make it bear interest.

Many who contemplate entering into the w^ork of any or-
ganization like the AVilson Chapter, may ask : " In what lies
the advantage of membership in this over any other simi-
lar organization ? Is there any advantage ? " We do not
presume to say in regard to the Wilson Chapter. Very
likely it presents no advantages over other similar organi-
zations. Its method is simply co-operation in study. Those
who constitute the organization largely determine, each
one for himself, the value of the organization as an aid in
the study of our favorite science. Each worker has the
advantage of becoming acquainted with the results of the
work of all the others, and better than that, with the methods
of work of each one. The best work is always systematized.
If each of us will give careful attention to the forth-coming
reports upon the various groups of birds, and to all that
have been presented, we shall be able to select fron each
one some points of excellence which may enter into our
own method and be of value to us.

A great advantage of our work is that it extends over a
very large area — from Canada to Florida, California, and
Minnesota. Not all, indeed, very few, of the intervening
places are now represented, especialy the west and north;
but these extremes always give us the extremes of varia-
tion. As new members come in, filling up the centre, as

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 43

they do constantly, we shall not only have the extremes of
variations, but will also be able to trace the variation from
extreme to extreme.

To those who are just entering the field, our system of
investigation cannot but be of service, in that it teaches
them how to study, how to observe and note things as they
occur. To those who are already initialed, the organization
is a benefit, in that it gives them a wider range of study —
something beyond their personal range. To those who de-
sire to gain position in the ornithological field it is an aid in
gaining that position. It offers a channel through which
they may make their work known to those who are the
leaders. It stimulates them to better work. To those who
are already masters of the science the system commends
itself for its disinterestedness in personal elevation, as well
as its scheme of wide co-operation, aiming to bring together,
as far as possible, those who could not otherwise know
each other.

That the work of the chapter is worthy the name is assur-
ed by the fact that those who are the most interested in
American ornithology seek after our reports. We now
have on our table requests from the leaders in the science
for back numbers of the Semi-Annual in which reports
have appeared. This is encouraging. The results cannot
but increase in value as the methods become more and
more systematized. At first what we did was but little more
than an experiment, now we enter upon the work confident
of the results.

We cordially invite all who are interested in our work to
join our ranks and so have a part in it. For further infor-
mation concerning the organization, — its membership, of-
ficial organ, and other details, — we refer the reader to our
advertising page.

44 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. XVII, Nos. 1, 2, 3. Pub-
lished by F. B. Webster Co., Hyde Park, Mass., at $L00
per year. It is too well known to require mention here.

The Taxidermist. Vol. I, Nos. 4 to 9, 1891-2.

A twenty page monthly devoted to practical taxidermy,
but treating on ornithology and oology, arranged alike for
the amateur and the profesional naturalist. Subscription
50c. a year. A bright, well edited paper, steadily improv-
ing. Published by C. F. Mignin, Akron, Ohio.

The Collectors' Mon tidy. Vol. II, No. 12. Vol. Ill, Nos.
2 and 4. A monthly magazine devoted to Ornithology,
Oology, and Entomology ; consisting of twelve pages of
interesting and valuable matter. Subscription 30c. a year.
Published by Chas. H. Prince, Danielsonville, Conn.

The Empire State Exchange. Vol. Ill, No. 2.
A monthly for collectors. Published by Perrine Bros.,
Eden Valley, N. Y. 50c. a year.

Ccdifornia Traveler and Naturalist. Vol. I, No. 2. A
monthly, official organ of the Audubon Chapter, Agassiz
Scientific Association, published by N. L. Hertz & Co.,
Napa, Cala. Subscription 35c a year. A promising young
magazine of the west.

FREMDE EIER IM NEST.
(another bird's eggs in the nest.)

An 8vo 122 pp volume recently published by Dr. Paul
Leverkiihn, C. M. A. O. U., C. M. Z. S., etc., of Munich.
It is an unique work, printed in German in large type on
good paper. It is offered for sale to Americans through
the Dr's. agent, Mr. A. E. Pettit, Box 20G0,New Yoi-k City,
at 62.00 per volume.

The author discusses at length and very carefully the be-
havior of the parent birds to eggs deposited by other birds

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 45

in their nest, or eggs put in by men. The work itself is
given greater value by the copious foot-notes in which not
only authorities are cited, but instances are given as proof of
what he has said. American litei-ature is fr(^ely refered to,
showing the author's familiarity with ornitliology and
his wide range of knowledge. Even obscure journals are
searched and the grains of gold picked out fi-om the trash.

He is highly praised by his contemporaries as a man of
keen wit, quick to see matters of interest, and yet
cautious and painstaking in his work. The Dr.'s book is
well worth the reading and we are glad to recommend
it to all lovers of birds. — L. J.

PUBLISHER'S PAGE.

Looking back over the history of the chapter organs, we
see th(^ little Cnrleiv, then the department in the Semi-An-
nual, and now the Quarterly, and are moved to say as
the editor of one of our esteemed contemporaries in his re-
view of the Curleir said : "Tall aches from little toe corns
grow ; David knocked Goliah out with a pebble, and the
upsetting of a lantern laid Chicago in ashes. We never
can tell what may result from small beginnings. "

The Quarterly is not a money-making venture, but is
supported by the chapter as its organ, and its publisher is
merely a servant.

It is proposed to keep future numbers of the Quarterly
equal in every respect to the present issue, and to make such
improvements as shall be warranted by its success.

Receiving proper support from the chapter, with the
good rates v/e have received from our printers, we are con-
fident of success.

46 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

EXCHANGES AND WANTS.

Brief special announcements, " Wants" or " Exchanges" will be inserted
in this department at tlie rate of 25 words for 2oc. ; more than 25 words at
one-half cent per exti*a word. Notices which are indirect methods of
obtaining cash purchasers cannot be admitted. No notice inserted for less
tlaan 25 cents. Terms, cash with order.

Take Notice ! — I have a few fine sets of St. Domingo Grebe 1-4 and 1-5
for exchange @ $1.00 each. Sets or singles under 50c. desired.

Walter F. Webb, Geneva, N. Y.

Attention, Reliable Collectors. — J. Warren Jacobs, Waynesburgh,
Pa., will have, during '92, fine sets with complete data to exchange for
same. Nests furnished when desired.

For Exchange. — N. Am. Hemiptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera to
exchange for the same, or for birds' eggs, or books relating to Ornithology
and Entomology. Lynds Jones, 5 Elm St., Oberlin, Ohio.

For Exchange. — After July 1st, 1892, I will exchange 1st class birds'
eggs in sets Avith full data for the same, or for books or pamphlets relating
to Ornithology and Oology. Lynds Jones, 5 Elm St., Oberlin, Ohio.

Printing Office.

LABELS. — All kinds of Scientific and other labels in neat shape, on
excellent paper, at lowest prices. W^e print labels for the Botany
Classes of Oberlin College.

Labels printed to order, giving Scientific name, common name,
name of collector, etc. — In fkct everything desired on labels.
STATIONERY ANL> CAKDS.— Letter Heads, Bill Heads, State-
ments, Business Cards, Shipping Tags, Programs.
PERIODICALS.— Our Newspaper and Magazine department is fitted
out to do excellent work in this line. The Wilson Quarterly is
])rinted at our ofifice.
ADVERTISING.— If you Avant to advertise among the students of
Oberlin College, in the most unique advertising scheme yovi ever
saw, send for samples and advertising rates of the Students' Report
Book.

Posters, Hand Bdls, Dodgers, and Circulars, printed promptly and
at reasonable prices.
All other printing will receive prompt attention.
Send one or more volumes of The Wilson Quarterly to us to be bound.

H. W. BROWN, 39 North Professor St., Oberlin, 0.

HE WiLSeN 0UARTERLY.

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One page, one insertion, - - - $5.00

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Special rates on smaller, and on standing ads.

The Semi^Annual

Having passed into the hands of the

WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CHAPTER,

Back numbers may be had by applying to the

President of the chapter or the Publisher

of the Quarterly. The price will

be reduced to

30c, FOR EACH NUMBER OR 5flc. A VOLUME.

ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF COPIES NOW ON HAND.

The Wilson Quarteply.

A lilty Page Magazine the Official Organ of tlie Wilson
Ornithological Chapter.

It contains many fine articles written by well known
and able ornithologists, besides the carefully compiled
reports of members upon interesting groups of birds.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $1.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
Published by R. M. Strong, 7 S. Pleasant St., Obeiiin, Ohio.

Edited by Ltnds Jones, 5 Elm St., Obeiiin, Ohio.

Assisted by WiLLARD N. Clute. Binghampton, N. Y.

The Wilson Ornithological Chapter

OF THE

Agassiz Association.

An organization of those interested in "our birds"
and their habits and ways, for the systematic co-opera-
tive study of everything pertaining to ornithology. It
consists of both active and associate members, each
member making regular reports to the President, or to
some member appointed to direct some special line of
work. Active members pay into the treasury an annual
assessment of one dollar, for which all publications of
the organization are furnished them free of charge. As-
sociate members pay fifty cents, for which they receive
free a monthly bulletin. The chapter publishes a fifty
page Quarterly in which reports and other matters relating
to the chapter, besides many excellent articles, appear.
The Taxidermist contains a page relating to the chapter
in each issue.

All are cordially invited to become members. For
further information address, enclosing stamp :

LYNDS JONES, President, 5 Elm Street, Oberlin, 0.

or

J. WARREN JACOBS, Secretary, Waynesburgh, Penn.
Also see another page in this paper.

^^^^mr^\^

•:v

Vol. 4.

JULY, 1892.

No. 2.

COLLECTING IN THE GILA VALLEY.

BY F. T. PEMBER.
( Continued from page 6. )

Looking toward the cloudless sky we see several Turkey
Vultures and large hawks floating lazily over its valley,
while other hawks may be seen sitting upon dead trees and
stubs. I either shot or saAv closely Western Red-tail, Mexi-
can Goshawk, Ferruginous Rough-leg, Swainsons, Sparrow
and Sharp-shinned hawks, also White-tailed Kite. Have
also seen Barn, Long-eared, Short-eared, and Pigmy Owls.
On my last visit I felt anxious to secure as many specimens
as possible of Leconte's Thrasher, but one seldom gets them
even when seen, for they are very wild and on the ground
run very fast, acting and looking, if only the back is seen,
like the Sage Thrasher.

After several ineffectual long shots one day, I was return-
ing, hot, dusty, and tired to the so-called hotel, by the short-
est route across the desert ; it was some time past sundown,
and the place was two miles from the river bottom in a very
open part of the desert and where I little expected to see a
bird of any kind ; but I did see one, runnning from one
greasewood bush to another as lively as a quail, and a quick
shot at long range, in the dusky twilight, proved effective.
I did not then know what it was, and on going to it was de-

SO' THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

lighted and surprised to find a fine Leconte's Thrasher. I
thought it strange that it should he found in such a locality.
The next day I was out looking for more in the same place-
as near as I could locate it, but I searched unsuccessfully
for a long time. Gradually I worked my way nearer the
bottom lands, and when almost on their border, though
still in the desert, and where the ground was broken into
low ridges, I saw plenty of this rare species. There
must have been fully fifty, in a scattering flock, as
we often see robins in September. My hopes were high now
and I thought to get a dozen or more. But the birds were
very wary, and ran from bush to bush, or took short flights,.
always designing to keep well out of gun shot range. At
times as they ran under a low bush, I could have killed five
or six at a shot had I only been nearer by one half the dis-
tance. I followed them about persistently as long as I could
find one to follow, taking very long shots from time to time,
and succeeded in getting just four out of the whole lot,
by shooting ten or twelve times. Where they went to I
never knew, as they seemed to scatter out in all directions,
and I did not see another that day. I cannot understand
why these birds should be so shy in such a country. Not so
with the woodpeckers, however, for the Indians prize their
feathers very highly, and have hunted them so persistently,
particularly the Gilded Flickers, which are plenty here, that
many of them will leave the cactus in which they live be-
fore you get within 200 yards of them.

I fear this article is getting too long, and will give some
incidents of one day's shooting, and close.

On the morning of April 16th, 1893, I started early, with
horse, wagon and driver, also plenty of water, hatchet, rope,
etc., for a day's collecting across the desert, to the west of
Gila Bend. No birds at first, but after a drive of a mile or
more I saw a small bird drop over a little ridge of lava.
Leaving the wagon, I went to the point where I saw it last.
It had vanished, but in its place I flushed a finepair of Tex-
an Night-hawks, both of which I secured. I have taken a
dozen or more about here, and all agree with each other and

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 51

with those taken further west, except one pair, which are
very much paler than the others and may prove a new sub-
species. These birds are found on the sand or on the bare
volcanic rocks which are so hot it is difficult to hold the
hand on them. And just now we see the absurdity of nam-
ing a new bird for a state or locality, for the Texan Night-
hawk is the common and only Night-hawk of Arizona and
California, while the Night-hawk C. Virginianus is the
common and only Night-hawk over a large portion of Texas.
Further on we cross an arroyo with high banks and see a
number of swallows flying about them. We stop long
enough to get three. They are of the Rough- winged species.
Driving for some cactus we see several Gila Woodpeckers
and Gilded Flickers leave them. Hiding behind a bush, as
best I can, I await their return, and after waiting half an
hour shoot one of the former, but the last named have been
too well schooled to be caught in that way. While watch-
ing for them I saw a pair of Cactus Wrens feeding their
young in the fork of a cactus, and fully 25 feet high. One
of the old birds came with food every two or three minutes.
I have found nests of this species almost by the hundred in
some places, and except in one instance, all were in low
branching cactus from three to five feet high. The excep-
tion was twelve feet high in an elder tree. But the cactus
they love so well does not grow in this part of Arizona, and
this nesting site only offers another instance of birds chang-
ing their habits to correspond with their surroundings.
These were the only wrens of any kind that I saw. 1 now
spend an hour or more for eggs and succeed in getting a fine
set of Gilded Flicker and two sets of Gila Woodpeckers.
For a long time I was puzzled how to get eggs from the
cactus, as it needs a ladder twenty or thirty feet long ; but
I solved it at last and can climb any of them with the aid
of a hatchet, though a rope is of great assistance. It is slow
vrork at best, as many of the spines must be trimmed off,
and notches cut in the trunk for hands and feet. A rope a-
round the cactus and your own body gives you a better chance
to work. In this case I made use of the wagon to give me a

52 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

start and then see how few spines I can take off and make
the ascent. Found I could get over and around many of
them, but several times before I got down again I wished I
had taken off just a few more. While cutting into a wood-
pecker's hole a Pigmy Owl flew from a hole higher up ; so I
had to go to that, but found nothing for my trouble. Work-
ing nearer the river, among the mesquite trees, I get a few
quail and shoot a Chaparral Cock from the wagon, with dust
shot. I next took a rather long shot at a Ferruginous Rough-
leg. Two or three feathers floated out in the air in one direc-
tion and the balance went off in n Ijod \ in another. A Crissal
Thrasher soon tried to fl} ' d in front of us. A

shot filled the air with featiiei-.-.; ; out the bird kept on, finally
falling in some bushes eighty yards away, where we found
him after a long search. »»

Then I saw several Abert's Towhecii and got two of them.
My next find was not in the lino of ornithology, but was
what is called a Gila Monster — ( ' largest of Ameri-

can lizards, though perhaps not liu^r iiiough for the name.
It is also known as Gila Horror, and the name "fits them like
a glove." They are eighteen to twenty inches long, stocky,
thick-set,. heavy built fellows, beautifully colored in black
and orange, and are as venomous* as rattlesnakes, and twice
as ugly. They usually run away if they can, but stop
them and tantalize them a littl'e and they act like an en-
raged cat. Push a stick towards them and they will bite
it fiercely, and after getting their teeth well into it, will
■'roll over" like a trained dog, so as to make the teeth tear
and lacerate the wound. I tried " dust "' on this one at
twenty feet, but he wore a coat of mail, and it only
stunned him. I supposed he was dead, and came near be-
ing bitten, as I went to pick him up by the tail. At the
first touch he "changed ends" so quick I could scarcely
see the motion, and it was no part of a second till the end
of his nose was just where the tip of the tail had been. I
had him repeat the performance several times, but with
more caution. I skinned him that evening, and found it
the slowest job of the kind I ever did, for the strong, wiry

* It has been discovered recently that the Gila Monster has no poison
fangs. — Pub.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 53

muscles of the flesh seemed to be fairly woven into the skin,
so that it must be cut awav very carefully at every point.

The best find of the day was the nest of the Mexican Gos-
haAvk. It was some 25 feet high in an old thick-branched
mesquite. I shot the female as she left the nest which was
another ver} rare specimen, and then tried to persuade my
driver to go up to the nest ; but he wasn't a climber, and
'" couldn't see it " in the light I did, so had to do it myself.
These trees have very stiff, wiry branches, covered with
thorns, and the job I had getting to that nest I do not like to
repeat often, though I would go through almost anything
for another set of as rare eggs. The nest held three eggs
entirely fresh, and about the size of those of the Broad-
winged Hawk. They are vv^hite, slightly nest stained,
and are obscurely marked with reddish-brown.

We took our lunch on the river bank under some largf
cotton Woods, stopping- at timps for n shot at a warbler, to
listen to some distant or to watch some of the

water birds al'-''^'-' +'>' w American Egret and a

flock of Whit . but too far away to shoot.

At length we turn ■ -. unce more toward Gila Bend,

shooting and hunt'" ■' <be way ; but as it would be

too much of a re^' 'be it, I will relate but one

more incident of the dnj . \Vc were well on our way back,
and I was following up an cn^royo, with a surface of broken
lava, and a growth of low trees and bushes with an occa-
sional cactus, from which the woodpeckers would fly at my
approach. My driver was following along the ridge outside
so as to keep me in sight. Was having poor success with
birds, when all at once came the sharp, buzzing alarm, or
challenge of a monster rattlesnake. His head was towards
me, raised a foot high, aiid he showed no disposition to try
to get away. I tried to frighten him ; but he would not
scare, and watching every motion seemed to defy me to
come nearer. A charge of shot quieted liim, when I found
that he was five feet and seven inches long and as large as
a man's arm. Within five rods of this place T killed two
more and heard three or four others in the bushes. I began

54 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

to think that they were too numerous about there ; that I
did not care particularly for any more birds that day ; so
started for the wagon, and drove back to town.

From this day's hunt I made good skins of thirteen Gam-
bel's Partridge, two Chapparral Cock, one Mexican Gos-
hawk, one Long-eared Owl, three Abert's To whee, one Lucy's
Warbler, one Pileolated Warbler, two Orange crowned
Warblers, two Gila and one Baird's Woodpecker, three
Phainopepla, two Texan Nighthawk, two Crissal Thrasher,
three Rough-winged Swallow, and one Plumbeous Gnat-
catcher ; also the Gila monster. Besides I had several sets
of very desirable eggs. Back at four o'clock. A bath is
first in order to get off some of the dust and sand ; then I
measure and tag my specimens, work at skinning till past
midnight, and finish the job in the morning.

Such is a partial account of a short collecting trip to this
desert valley ; and if any reader chooses to try it he may be
sure of plenty of specimens, with much to please, interest,
and instruct, and so much that is strange, weird, and seem-
ingly unnatural ; but the accomodations are sure to be of
the poorest, and I fear he may find some things disappoint-
ing, unpleasant, and postively annoying.

THE PRAIRIE HORNED LARK.

( Otocoris alpesUns praticola.)

LYNDS JONES.

More than a year ago* we began to tell the life history
of the prairie form of Otocoris, promising to complete it an-
other time. The seasons that have intervened have afford-
ed us opportunity for further study, and we feel sure that
no one will be the loser from the delay.

The present paper is concerned only with the courtship
and nesting habits of these larks, leaving them when the
summer moult begins.

Even in January, when the bright, warm sun has eaten
holes in Winter's mantle, and the buds on the more for-
"^ Semi-Annual, Vol. II, No. 2, July, 1890, p. 37.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 55

ward trees begin to swell, Otocoris becomes restless. As the
warm spring days multiply, his "fancy lightly turns to
thoughts of love."

Watch him as he sits on some elevated clod, uttering his
peculiar little rattling song, and then darts away like a flash
of light, you know not where nor for what. He has not gone
far when up starts his intended mate, keeping just out of
his reach ; now rushing straight ahead, now turning sud-
denly aside ; now up, now down, instantly followed by the
ardent suitor. Soon she alights so suddenly that he pass-
es completely over and beyond her, but wheels about and
settles, fluttering and singing with all his might, at her
side. Coyly she sidles off and feigns indifference, pretend-
ing to be feeding. The suitor becomes almost frantic ; with
drooping wings and elevated head he displays his yellow
throat above the black crescent, with comical art, fairly sing-
ing his soul away meanwhile.

The object of his affections is still provokingly indifferent.
Vexed beyond endurance he springs up and dashes towards
her. Away she darts like the wind, just at the moment
when you expect a terrible collision! Then the chase begins
again. Over and over the ardent suitor and the coy female
play their parts, until she finally receives the attentions and
caresses which are lavished upon her. Nor does love-mak-
ing with the larks cease when the prize is won, but contin-
ues throughout the spring days, well into the summer
months.

Often a second suitor appears upon the scene. Then the
courtship just described is multiplied by two I The intervals
between the mad chase are filled b} challenges and feints
of battle. If, after the proper time has passed, the female
shows no preference, the issue rests upon a battle be-
tween the suitors. It is always short and decisive. The
first suitor wins.

Unless the mate of the previous summer has been killed
he is always the first and successful suitor. If he does not
appear, two young fellows vie with each other for the first
position in the affections of the female. If both appear at the

.-iO THE WILSON QUARTIiRLY.

same time she usually shows a preference ; but if she does
not, a battle decides it. Females of the previous season,
only a year old, who have not before had suitors, are often
sought by old mates who have lost their mates or been un-
successful in their love affairs. Usually such females show
a preference. In any case a battle is the court of final ap-
peal.

It may be asked if there are not sometimes more females
than males. I have always found it to be the other way.
If a female loses her mate she at once seeks another and
always finds him I

No sooner is courtship over than the business of the
household begins. Accompanied by her mate, the female se-
lects a nesting place. Usually a location not many feet from a
road or foot-path is chosen. Often, perhaps in the majority
of cases, a gently sloping side hill is chosen ; but I have
found a great many nests on bottom-lands, and a very few
on the hill-tops.

The location chosen, both birds set to work to hollow out
a little space about three inches deep at the foot of a tuft of
grass or some elevation to serve as a slight protection, but
not large enough to be conspicuous ; rather to divert than
to draw attention.

In this "slight hollow a scanty supply of fine, dry grass is
arranged, the rim of the nest just appearing above the sur-
face of the ground. But the material used is not always
grass. If the nest is in a cornfield, the dry husks and
leaves of corn are laid next the earth, with a lining of soft
corn-silks above.

The general makeuj) of the nest differs at different times
of the year. It is well known that the Horned Larks rear
two or even three broods in a season. The first nest, which
is made in February or March, would very naturally be more
elaborate and warmer, while those made in July would be
very slight. A nest is never used twice.

How long does it take a pair of larks to build a nest ? That
depends upon the weather, whether material is plenty, and
whether they are in a hurry to begin house-keeping. A

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 57

week is ample time in which to build a nest. I have seen
them built in two days. Wet or stormy weather is very un-
favorable, since the nest must be on the ground. It is not
seldom that a nest is completed some days before any eggs
are deposited. And on the other hand, it is not very unusual
to find single eggs which have been dropped because no
nest was ready to receive them.

In fair weather, as soon as laying begins, an egg is depos-
ited each day ; but if a cold storm should occur before the
set is completed, a day or even two, in extreme cases, may
intervene between the times of depositing two eggs success-
ively.

Early in the season four eggs make a complete set,
though three are often found. Later, when warm weath-
er is coming on, only three, seldom four are laid. Nests in
July often contain only two. At any time of year four
eggs is the largest number laid.

The eggs are usually elongate ovate in form, sometimes
being even a short ovate; and resemble somewhat, in color
and markings, eggs of the Brown Thrasher. But there is al-
ways a certain difference, difficult to define. In color they
are grayish white, never greenish, as is the case with
Brown Thrasher not infrequently. The normal egg is
spotted and blotched pretty evenly over the entire surface
with brown of different shades, giving the impression of
heavy markings. Often the markings are so heavy as al-
most to hide the ground color. In a few instances I have
found eggs with a distinct wreath about the larger end,
but the remainder of the egg was marked as usual with
browns, the wreath being simply confluent blotches and
spots.

In size the eggs range from .80 x .GO to .94 x .67. The
average egg is .86 x .63.

Setting does not always begin immediately upon the
completion of the set of eggs. Frequently, especially in
fair warm weather, the birds take a holiday before settling
down to real business. The female incubates, being sup-
plied with food by the ever attentive male. After studying

58 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

the habits of the larks during this period of incubation, I
have arrived at the conclusion that they are more than or-
dinarily intelligent.

Wheii you approach a nest the male utters his usual call
from his watch-tower, giving a peculiar inflection to the
last note. He is nowhere near the nest, by the way, and
always happens to be in the same direction from the nest
that you are. If you are searching for the nest you must
now look sharp. As soon as the female hears that note she
steps fvom the nest and walks quietly away, feeding as
she goes. You may be on the opposite side hill from the
nest when she leaves it ; in which case you won't be very
likely to find it. But if your eyes are good you may be a-
ble to catch sight of the female as she feeds. If you do, sit
down and watch her, taking care to remain perfectly mo-
tionless. Ifyou wait long enough, and the bird isn't too
shy, you may be able to see her return to her nest.

If you should be so fortunate as to flush the bird fi'om
the nest, unless you were familiar with the habits of the
birds, you would not know it. Casual observers of birds
speak in glowing phrases of the art and maternal affection
exhibited by. the mother bird who leaves the nest fluttering:
and crying as though injured, trying thus to lead you a
way from her nest. But look at this lark. As she sudden-
ly finds you almost upon her she quietly steps from her
nest, runs a little way, feeds unconcernedly, and finally
flits away easily and calmly as you approach. Which iS'
the more commendable art ?

After careful study of a large number of nests, I found
that the average period of incubation of our form of the
Horned Lark is thirteen days. The conditions may be
such that the bird may sit a day or two more or less. I
doubt if any eggs are hatched in less than twelve days, and
very few in less than thirteen.

The newly hatched young, which break the shell and
come forth in exactly the same order that the eggs were
laid, are covered with dirty gray down. This thickens a&
the days pass, and in about ten days the feathers have

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 59

well started. The down does not at once disappear, but
persists after the feathers are well grown, sticking out be-
tween them in little tufts, giving the young bird a very
comical appearance. Not longer than fifteen days after
hatching, the young leave the nest and begin to ''dig" for
themselves.

It is exceedingly difficult to trace the life history of the
larks after the nest is deserted. All that I have been able
to discover is that in a remarkablj^ short time the young
become able to catch insects for themselves ; when the old
birds at once begin building another nest.

Not until late in August, after the birds of the last brood
are well grown, is there a time for rest. Then the moult
begins, and the birds seem to disappear.

THE AVI-FAUNA OF BROOME COUNTY, N. Y.

BY WILLARD N. CLUTE, BINGHAMPTON, N. Y.

In presenting the following list of the birds of Broome
County, N. Y., it ma}^ be well to add a few notes on the
position and topography of the section under review. Broome
is one of the counties forming the " Southern Tier" of the
State, and is situated near the centre of this tier. Its south-
ern boundary is the state line — parallel 42°. There are
no mountains in the county, the highest points being about
1700 feet above sea-level. It is watered by the Susquehanna
and Chenango rivers and several minor streams. As there
are no lakes or ponds of any size, we have but few water-
birds. The chief waterwa}'' of the county —the Susquehanna
— which, in part of its course, forms a natural highway for
the migratory birds, here flows east and west, and many of
the rare migrants have, doubtless, left it for a more direct
route northward. The list given herewith is the result of
six years' observations and makes no pretentions to com-
pleteness. The nomenclature is that of the American Or-
nithologists' Union. Except in a few instances, I have
given the common name by which the bird is best known
in the county,

1. Urinator iinber. Loon. —Occasional migrant.

60 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

2. Merganser serrator. Red-breasted Merganser.— Comnion
in spring and fall. Some winter.

3. Liophodytes cucullatiis. Hooded Merganser.— Somewhat
rare migrant.

4. Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — Not uncommon in spring and fall,
A few probably breed.

5. Braiita canadensis. Wild Goose. — Not uncommon migrant.
It seldom tarries with us but is often heard flying over at night.

6. Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern. — Somewhat rare summer
resident.

7. Botaurus exilis. Least Bittern. — Summer resident. About
as common as the i^receeding.

8. Ardea lierodias. Great Blue Heron. — Rare ; commonest in
spring. As individuals are occasionally seen all summer they doubtless
bi-eed sparingly.

9. Ardea virescens. Green Heron. — Common summer resident :
often breeding in communities.

10. Porzana Carolina. Sora Rail, — Rare. Probably breeds, as im-
mature birds have been taken in the county.

11. Pliilohela minor. Wood-cock. — Not uncommon summer resi-
dent.

12. Actltis niacularia. Tip-up. — An abundant summer resident.

13. .^gialitis vocifera. Killdeer.— Rare. Occasionally seen in
spring.

14. Colinus virginianus. Quail.— Not very common. Breeds.

15. Bonasa unibellus. Partridge. — Common resident, greatly out-
numbering the preceeding species.

16. Zenaidura niacroura. Mourning Dove.— Common summer
resident.

17. Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk.— Not uncommon. Proba-
blj^ breeds.

18. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's Hawk.— Common summer resi-
dent. Breeds.

19. Buteo borealis. Red-tailed Haw^k. — Not uncommon. Breeds.

20. Falco sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. — Common summer resi-
dent.

21. Pandion lialiaetus carolinensis. Osprey.— Occasionally seen
all summer ; may breed.

22. Nyctala acadica. Saw-whet Owl.— Not uncommon resident.

23. Megascops asio. Screech Owl.— Tolerably common resident.

24. Bubo virginianus. Great Horned Owl.— Not uncommon res-
ident.

25. Nyctea nyctea. Snowy Owl. — Occasional winter visitant.

26. Coccyzus erythroplithalmus. Black-billed Cuckoo.— Com-
mon summer resident.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 61,

27. Ceryle alcyoji. Kingfisher. — Common summer resident.
Some winter with us.

28. I>ryobates villo!«iUs. Hairy Woodpecker.— Tolerably common
resident.

29. Dryobates pubesceiis. Downy Woodpecker.— Common resi-
dent.

30. Sphyrapicus varius. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. — Spring
and l.aJl migrant. Sometimes abundant, but often not seen during migra-
tionSj- , . :•: ^ ,

31. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker.—
Not uncommon summer resident.

32. Colaptes auratus. Flicker. — Abundant summer resident.

33. Autrostonius vociferus. Whip-poor-will. — Not uncommon
summer resident.

84., ehord^iles virginiaims. Night Hawk. -^Common summer
resident.

35. Cbaetura pelagica, , Chimney Swift.— Abundant summer resi-
dent.

36. Trochiliis coliibris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird.— Tolera-
bly common summer reaideftti •,

37. TyraniiVLS tyranmisi. KiNGBiRD.r— Common summer resident.

38. Sayoriii.s pboebe. Pewee. — Common summer resident.

39. Coutopiiji vireiis. Wood Pewee.— Common summer resident.

40. Enipidoiiax iiiiiiiiiiiis. Least Flycatcher. — Tolerably com-
mon summer resident.

41. Otocoris alpestris. Horned Lark.— Commonest in spring and
fall ; many winter with us, and a few are seen in all the summer months ;
they probably breed.

42. Cyanoc'itta cristata. Blue Jay. Common resident.

43. Corvus Asiiei'icami.s. Crow. — Common resident. The crows
winter with us in large numbers.

44. I>oliohouyx oryzivorus. Bobolink.— Common summer resi-
dent.

45. Molotlirii.s ater. Cowbird. — Common summer resident.

46. Agelaius phceiiifeu.s. Red-winged Blackbird. — Common
summer resident.

47. Sturnella magna. Meadowlark.— Common summer resident.

48. leteniiii' spnriiis. Orchard Oriole.— Rare summer resident.
Several nests have teen taken.

49. Icterus galbiiia. Baltimore Oriole. — Common summer resi-
dent.

50. Quiscalus quiscula. Crow Blackbird. — Common summer
resident. Partial to cemetries and groves of coniferous trees near water ;
seldom found elsewhere.

63 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

51. Carpodaeus purpureas. Linnet. — Common in spring. Sonip
breed, and a few occasionally winter.

52. Passer doniesticus. English Sparrow. — Common nuisance.

53. Spinus tristis. Goldfinch. — Abundant summer resident. Of-
ten seen in winter.

54. Plectroplienax nivalis. Snowflake. — Irregular winter visit-
ant ; seen only in the hardest winters.

55. Poocaetes graniineus. Baywing.— Abundant summer resident.

56. Aninioclrauius saudwiclieusis savanna. Savanna Sparrow.
— Tolerably common summer resident.

57. Zonotrieliia leucophrys. White-crowned Sparrow. — Not
uncommon migrant.

58. Zonotrichla albicoUis. White-throated Sparrow.— Abund-
ant migrant.

59. Spizella nionticola. Tree Sparrow. — Most abundant in spring
and fall. Common winter resident.

60. Spizella soeiaiis. Chipping Sparrow. — Common summer resi-
dent.

61. Spizella pusilla. Field Sparrow. — Common summer resident,
6'2. Juuco liyenialis. Black Snowbird, — Abundant in spring and

fall. Rare breeder : one nest taken July 24, 1890. See Oologist for Sept. 1890.

63. Melospiza faseiata. Song Sparrow. — Abundant summer resi-
dent.

64. Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow. — Not uncommon
summer resident.

65. Pipilo erytlirophtlialnius. Chewink.— Common summer res-
ident. Found in upland slashings, only.

66. Habla liidoviciana. Rose-breasted Grosbeak.— Rare Sum-
mer resident.

67. Piranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanager. — Rare summer
I'esident.

68. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Cliff Savallow.— Tolerably com-
mon summer resident. Restricted to a few favorable localities.

69. Chelirton erytlirogaster. Barn Swallow. — Not uncommon
summer resident.

70. Tacliycineta bicolor. Tree Swallow.— Common summer
resident. The most abundant of our swallows.

71. Clivioola riparia. Bank Swallow. — Common simimer resident.
Restricted to a few localities.

72. Anipelis cedrorum. Waxwing. — Common summer resident.

73. Lanius borealis. Northern Shrike. — Regular winter resident.

74. Vireo oiivaceus. Red-eyed Vireo. — Common summer resi-
dent.

75. Vireo gilvus. Warbling Vireo. — Not uncommon summer res-
ident.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 6:5

76. Muiotilta varia. Bl^a.ck and White Creeper. — Not uncom-
mon in sjiring and autumn ; has been seen in summer, and may breed.

77. Conipsotlilypis ainericana. Parula Warbler.— Not uncom-
mon migrant.

78. Deiitlroica ^estiva. Summer Yellow-bird.— Common sum-
mer resident.

79. Deiidroica maculosa. Black and Yellow Warbler.— Not
uncommon migrant.

80. Deiidroica caerulescens. Black-throated Blue Warbler.
— Common migrant.

81. Dendroica coronata. Ykllow-rumped Warbler. — Common
migrant.

82. Deiidroica peuiLsylvanica. Chestxut-sided Warbler.— Tol-
ei'ably common migrant. Sometimes seen in summer.

83. Deiidroica castanea. Bay-breasted Warbler. — Not uncom-
mon migrant.

84. Deiidroica blackburiiiae . Blackburnian Warbler. — Com-
mon migrant.

85. Deiidroica virens. Black-throated Green Warbler.— Com-
mon summer resident.

86. Seiurus aiirocapillus. Golden-crowned Thrush. — Common
summer resident.

87. Seiurus noveboraceiisis. Water-Thrush. — Somewhat rare
summer resident.

88. Geothlepis Philadelphia. Mourning Warbler.— Not uncom-
mon migrants

89. Geothylpis trichas. Maryland Yellow-throat.— Common
svimmer resident.

90. Icteria virens. Y^ellow-breasted Chat.— Not uncommon
summer resident.

91. Setophaj?a ruticilla. American Redstart. — Not uncommon
summer resident.

92. Galeo.scoptt'.s caroliiiensis . Catbird. — Common summer res-
ident.

93. HarporhyiH'hus rut'iis. Brown Thrasher. — Abundant sum-
mer resident.

94. Troglodytes aedoii. House Wren. — Tolerably common sum-
mer resident.

95. Troglodytes hieinalis. Winter Wren. — Not uncommon win-
ter resident.

96. Cistothorus palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren.— Not un-
common summer resident.

97. Certhia t'aaiiiliaris ainericana. Brown Creeper.- Not un-
common resident. Seen oftenest in spring.

64 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

98. Sitta earoli'iiensi'Si ■ ■ White-breasted Nuthatch. — Common res-
ident.•«••><«» % »•*••' '• • •-»in..ji :
99/ ^'•■Pl#^•(^t^ atricaprllil'si'' Chickadee.— Abundant resident.

100. Kegalus' satrapa. Golden-crowned Kinglet. — Abundant mi-
grant; 'These birds usually winter with us in small numbers, and some
are seen in summer.

101' Kegttlus calehrtula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.— Common mi-
grant.

lO?. -'^Ttirdu^ rilustelirilis. Wood Thrush. — Common summer resi-
dent.

103,;isri'^ircUis fiiscesceiis. Wilson's Thrush.— Abundant summer
resident.

104.' -T^rffiis aonalasclikae pallasii. Hermit Thrush.— Not uncom-
mon during migi'ations.

105'.""Merula niigratoria. Robin. — Abundant summer resident.

106. Sialia sialis. Bluebird. — Abundant summer resident.

THE MAGPIE IN WASHINGTON.

'-},_:. ( Pica pica hudsonica.)

W. L. DAWSON.

In his chosen haunts amongst the brown hills of Yak-
imer County:, there is no bird more interesting than the
Black- billed Magpie. Like all the other aborigines who will
not adapt themselves to the ways of civilization, he has been
compelled to seek hjs home in out of the way places.

During a fesid'ence iri eastern Washingon of some four
seasons., J had ample opportunity to note the habits of this
bird, both as it wintered in the valleys, and as it spent the
breeding season in the lonesome foot-hills.

Through the short winter it hangs about the farmhouses,
with an eye to pilfering from the poultry yard, or else in
anxious expectation of its annual festival, "slaughtering
time."' Necessity alone makes him so bold, for as soon as
the . w^rjTi, Chinook winds drive off the snow, early in
March, he repairs to the lonesome canons in the foot-hills,
ani;l fo^ the. rest of the year severs his connection with the
busy world.

I roa^e.four different visits to their retreats, and each
time returned well laden with specimens for the cabinet.-

THE WILSON QUARTERLY 65

Starting early in the morning, on horseback, a ride of three
hours woukl bring us — for I usually went with a brother
collector — over the hills, barren save for sage-brush, bunch-
grass, and resin-weed, to one of several *' Springs " known
to us. The springs themselves were mere excuses for the
presenC'e of some scores of willows, quaking asps, and
thorn bushes, placed in a deep ravine and somewhat shel-
tered from the wind by the steep hill-sides. In these trees
and bushes the magpies build their nests, at a height vary-
ing usually from five to thirty feet, although I have found
nests resting on the ground.

A well built magpie's nest is quite an affair; in its normal
shape a huge ball of sticks, with the under half shaped and
strengthened by a cup of mud a foot across and an inch in
thickness; this in turn well dried and carefully lined with
roots. The dome is shaped like the bottom, but no mud is
used in its construction. The main entrance is through a
rather indistinct hole in the side, but as I generally tried to
approach the nest from this side, I noticed that the birds
often struggled through a less marked opening in the other
side. The whole structure averages two or two and a half
feet through from top to bottom ; but of this there is every
variation ; in some rare instances the nests had no tops.

Whether or not the birds believe that they can protect
their eggs from man, if they only built their nests strong
enough, the tendency certainly seems to be toward larger
and larger nests. One that I found last spring was a per-
fect mediaeval castle. It was four feet in height by three
and a half in breadth, and that, too, making liberal allow
ance for projecting sticks. It was evidently a new nest
and built on the most approved plans of modern magpie
architecture. As magpies are most inveterate egg thieves,
this huge structure might have been reared with a special
view toward securing for its owners a safe retreat from the
just indignation of the bird world. In vain were all their
precautions, for when I stormed the fortress the bold brig-
and was obliKcd to flee, and leave his treasures.

The size of the sticks that they bring to their nests is sur-

60 THE WILSON QUARTERLY

prising; some having been found as much as three feet
long, and others, shorter ones, as much as three-fourths of
an inch in thickness; these last however are rather remark-
able exceptions.

The average set of eggs is eight, although nine is not in-
frequent and one set of ten eggs is recorded. Breeding be-
gins in the latter part of March and is at its height in the
middle of A pril.

Although for the most part the birds keep at a respectful
distance, occasionally an over-bold one comes near enough
to give you a sound scolding. It is an experience to be re-
membered, being up in a thorn tree on a windy day, cling-
ing with one hand to a branch, and with the other trying
to force an entrance to a magpie^s stronghold, while the
wind blows the thorns against you, and the magpie,,
perched just out of reach, gives you a good curtain lecture.

Of the magpie in captivit}" much has been written, be-
ginning as far back as Plutarch; and small wonder, for
surely nothing could succeed better in entertaining than
the sly genius and originality of a tame magpie. His well
known penchant for hiding bits of meat and chance odds
and ends " for future reference " is a constant source of
amusement. But he is not to be trusted around the poultry-
yard if once he acquires a taste for eggs. I once saw a
magpie flying away from a hen coop with a hen's egg in
its bill, and I watched it till it h'ghted several rods away.
I immediately frightened it away and the egg was not
pierced, broken, or in any way injured, but showed simply
the dirty marks of the magpie's bill. The egg was of me-
dium size and certainly made quite a mouthful for such a
bird.

Last year, in the latter part of May, I succeeded in cap-
turing a couple of 3'oung birds which evidently had quitted
the nest several days before. The indignation of the par-
ent birds knew no bounds. I have taken quite a little
" sauce" from birds, but I think I never before stood under
such a torrent of abuse as those birds heaped upon me
when I held up their fledgelings. They could not find ad-

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. C7

^ectives enough in their vocabulary to apply to me, and
when strong language failed them, in their imi.K)tent fury^,
they fell to pecking the limbs on which they stood, snapped
at and broke off the twig-s, and even lit on the gix)und near
me and tore up the earth with tkeir bills, perfectly beside
themselves with rage.

Although their range in Washington crowds up to the
pine belt, evergreen timber does not seem congenial to
them. On this account their presence west of the Cascade
mountains has not been recorded, as nearly as I can find
out, except in the f*)llowing instance. On October 7ths,
1890, in that time of year when non-migrants have nothing
to do but to loaf around and kill time, I met a party of
about twenty sight-seeing magpies within a mile of th«
sea shore and at least a hundred miles west of their usuai
range.

The magpie is a notable bird; but after all, obscurity is
the best passport to long life According to Nicollet mag-
pies were once common in Cook County, Illinois, but now
they are rare anywhere east of the Rockies, At this rate
one might almost be led to think that they must ere long
join the bisoa. Perhaps, however, when it conies to the
test, their native cunning will stand them in hand in the
struggle for existence even better than it has with the
crow.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT FOR THE WORK OF
1801. ON THE FRINGILLID^.
The following report has been compiled from notes re-
ceived from members of the chapter from several states :
Messrs. John A. Donald. Decatur, and Chas. D. Oldright,
Austin, Texas; Messrs. F. M. McKlfresh, Champaign, and
F. A. Gregory, Rockford, Ills. ; Messrs. C. P. Howe, Wau>
kesha, J. N. Clark, Meridian, and R. M. Strong, Wau-
watosa. Wis.; Mr. D. D. Stone, Lansing, N. Y. ; Mr. ,H, P.
T. Weathern, West Farmington. Maine; Mr. John H. Sage,
Portland, Conn.; Mr. J. W. P. Smithwick, SansSouci, N. C.>

6S THE WILSON QUARTERLY,

and from my own observations in Iowa and Ohio. To these
gentlemen I desire to express my thanks for their interest-
ing and valuable notes.

A number of interesting questions have arisen as we
proceeded with the report. Can we not^ in our further
study, satisfactorily answer them? Our interest grows in
proportion to the effort we expend in study and research.
Let us increase our interest.

Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch.

Mr. D. D. Stone finds this finch a common breeder in Os-
wego Co., N. Y. He finds the first nest as early as May 8,
and the last as late as June 30. The bird builds preferably
in fir, spruce, or cedar trees, but he has twice found nests
in apple trees. From three to five eggs are laid. They are
greenish in color, finely dotted with dark browns and
blacks.

Spinus tristis. American Goldfinch.

There seems to be considerable confusion among observ-
ers between Goldfinch and Yellow Warbler. Several
records are very evidently for those of the Warbler and
not of Goldfinch. The Warbler is strictly a migrant, and
does not arrive from the South until the first of May, while
Goldfinch is a resident nearly throughout the United States.
In winter he appears in plain dress and is easily overlooked,
especially since his song gives place to a very sparrow-like
"chip." The difficulty is aggravated by the fact that Gold-
finch dons his yellow and black summer dress about the
same time that the Warblers arrive from the South. Bear
in mind that the Yellow Warbler nests in May and June,
and that Goldfinch waits until July and August. Don't let
these two birds give you any more trouble.

Mr. Stone has found nests in New York as early as July
8; and Mr. Strong in Wisconsin as early as June 10. These
are exceptional dates. In Iowa I have never found a nest
before the middle of July. The last found was September
G, four fresh eggs.

At Lansing, N. Y., fruit trees are preferred as nesting
places, the peach being chosen oftenest. In Milwaukee Co.,

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 69

Wis., nests may be found in almost any kind of trees or
bushes. In Iowa thistles are first choice, then the young
sumac, and lastly the topmost branches of young oaks and
elms. Thus the height from the ground may vary from
one foot to forty or fifty feet.

The material of the nest seems to be very uniform the
country through, with unimportant differences for the dif-
ferent localities. Vegetable fibres, shreds of bark of as-
clepias, rootlets, grasses, fine leaves, horse-hair, wool,
thistle-down in nests made late, and other soft cottony ma-
terials are woven into a compact, neat nest.

The nest is usually placed in an upright fork, the tough
fibres of the outer nest woven about the branches, securely
lashing the nest into the fork. In the tops of trees nests
are very firmly lashed.

The usual number of eggs is four. But Mr. Stone has
found five not uncommonly, and six rarely. I have invari-
ably found four eggs in the nest both early and late.

In color the eggs are uniform bluish-white, rarely with a
tint of green, and never spotted.

The eggs hatch in twelve days from the time they are
laid, and the young leave tlie nest in fifteen days. The
young appear and leave the nest in exactly the order in
which the eggs were laid; one egg being laid each day.

Late one October I found a nest of Goldfinch in the top-
most branches of an oak tree in which were the skeletons
and quill-feathers of three young birds. The parent birds
were probably killed, or the young drowned or chilled in a
severe storm.

Why does Goldfinch wait until July and August to rear
its brood, when the other birds nest in May and June,
months apparently far better suited to brooding? Here is
food for thought and opportunity for investigation.

Pooccefes grant ineus Vesper Sparrow.

All observers know tiie Vesper Sparrow, or Grass Finch,
or Bay-winged Bunting. It is a common breeder to the
North, found only in winter or during the migrations at the
South. At Meridian, Wis., Mr. J. N. Clark finds it an

70 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

abundant breeder. It is abundant in Milwaukee Co., ac-
cording to Mr. Strong; "common in western New York."
— D, D. Stone; "common in Connecticut." — Sage; and
"common in Maine." — Weathern. I have never found it
breeding at Grinnel\, Iowa ; but it is not uncommon at
Oberlin, Ohio.

It nests early and late. In Wisconsin, according to Clark,
Hc^we, and Strong, nests may be found with fresh eggs
from April 20 to July 15; being most numerous in the mid-
dle of May.

The nest is always on the ground, usually concealed by a
tuft of grass, a bunch of weeds, or a corn-hill. It is com-
posed of fine grass, a few weed-stalks, and leaves, usually
lined with hair and rootlets. Old stubble or sod is a favor-
ite nesting place.

The eggs are from three to five in number, of a pale
greenish-white color, sometimes grayish or even pinkish,
marked more or less heavily with spots, splashes, blotches,
and lines of reddish browns, the lines often appearing
blackish. Sometimes the whole egg appears washed with
this reddish-brown.

In shape the eggs are usually elongate ovate, varying to
short ovate. .83 x .Gl is an average size, with very consid-
erable variation.

The period of incubation is thirteen days. The young
leave the nest in fifteen to seventeen days.

Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna. Savanna Sparrow.

The range of this sparrow is nearly the same as that of
the Vesper Sparrow, but the bird is not so well known.
Only Mr. Clark has found it in Wisconsin as a breeder.
Mr. Stone finds it common all summer in New York, and
Mr. Sage says that it is common in Connecticut. In Iowa
it is common in the fields ; but I have not met with it in
Ohio ; it certainly is not common in Lorain County,

Like the last, its nest is placed on the ground, usually
beneath a tuft of grass or other shelter; meadow is a favor-
ite nesting place. It is sunken flush with the surface and
is rather loosely made of fine dry grasses. I have usually

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 71

found nests in rather low places, seldom on uplands.

Mr Stone finds nests most common about May 15. I have
found them as early as May 1. and as late as June 15. Mr.
Stone records a nest with five eggs June 6, Early nests
may contain six eggs, usually five, and late only three.
The average set is five. The eggs are a greenish- or gra} -
ish-white, very finely marked with spots and dots and
small l)lotches of light brown and lilac, forming a ring
about the larger end or becoming almost confluent in a great
blotch covering it all over. Incubation lasts twelve days,
and the young leave the nest in about fifteen days.

Ammodratnus savannarutu passerinus. Grasshopper
Sparrow.

Although pretty generally distributed over the Eastern
United States, the Grasshopper Sparrow does not seem to
have been very widely noticed. There are only the records
of Mr. Sage for Connecticut, and my own for Iowa. Mr.
L. M. McCormick secured three specimens on the Ver-
million river bottoms during the season ; they were evi-
dently breeding. Mr. Sage calls it ''a rare S. R." in Con-
necticut. He has found two nests. One, June 1, five
eggs, the young well developed. Nest in an open, dry field,
and not protected by a tuft of grass or weeds. The other,
June 6, four eggs. Nest in a mowing lot, on high ground.
In Iowa, 2Kts>>evinus is one of our commonest sparrows.
Nest building begins the second week in May, and fresh
eggs are frequently found in July. First sets sometimes
contain six eggs, July sets almost invariably only three.
Five is the normal number. It is very common to find sin-
gle eggs of passerhi us lying upon tlie bare ground.

The nest is inade in a slight depression made by the birds,
usually beneath a tuft of grass or weeds. It is composed
almost wholly of fine, dry grass, seldom lined with a few
hairs. Early in the season it is frequently arched over,
and is very pretty. Later it is a plain, flat nest.

The majority of nests are in lowlands, not wet lands, or
on side hills sloping to depressions. A very small percent-
age are on the hill-tops. The bird flushes finely from the

73 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

nest, always betraying its position. Sometimes she will
sit until one is almost past or upon her before flushing.

There is little clanger of mistaking this bird's eggs for
those of any other. They do not resemble eggs of any oth-
er sparrow in shape or general appearance. Most eggs are
short ovate, appearing plump and full at the larger end.
They are of a pure white color, slightly polished, and rath-
er sparingly spotted, dotted, and sparingly blotched with
reddish browns, mostly around the larger end, often in the
form of a ring. The markings are never so heavy that the
ground color cannot be easily seen.

The period of incubation is twelve days, and the young
leave the nest in fifteen days. When hatched they are
covered with dirty looking down. For a fuller account of
this bird's habits, see O. & O. S. A. Vol. I, No. 2.

Ammodramus hensMivii. Henslow's Sparrow.

No one seems to have noticed this bird except myself.
Even the books find little to say of it. In Iowa it is com-
mon in the fields. The first arrivals from the South are al-
ways found in the underbrush skirting native woods. Lat-
er they move out to their prairie homes, just as the
Grasshopper Sparrows are arriving from the South. Their
weak little voice will not be heard among all the rest unless
one listens very attentively for it.

Soon after its appearance on the prairies nest building
begins, about the middle of May . I found a nest with eggs
nearly fresh May 35. So few have been found that no ex-
act dates can be given. From unmistakable indications we
would be safe in saying that nests with eggs may be found
as late as July 10.

The nest is placed on the ground, usually in a slight de-
pression, and has for a shelter a tuft of grass or bunch of
weeds. The material is fine dry grass, with a few hairs
frequently. The use of feathers is accidental, as they are
evidently from the mother bird's breast, and are not built
into the material of the nest.

The eggs resemble those of the last species, but usually
have a greenish or grayish tint with brown markings not

THE W1LS0:N quarterly. 73

so large. The average size is .75 x .57, thus being rather
smaller than those ot passerinus^

CJwndestes gvammacus Lark Sparrow.

In the preliminary report on the sparrows I mentioned
this bird as not common in Oberlin. I have since learned
that it had not thus far been taken in Lorain County, but
that it had beeji found within the state,* Its home is the
Mississippi Valley, from which thei-e are some very full
notes.

It is interesting to note how different the nesting habits
•of these birds are as we pass from south and west to north
and east, Messrs, John A. Donald of Decatur, and Charles
D, Oldright of Austin, Texas, have sent in very full notes, so
that we are able to make a careful comparison. Mr. Old-
right says, "nests are sometimes on the ground sunk
to its level, and concealed in a tuft of muslin weed or
other plants ; but this is not so frequent in Travis County
as in less wooded localities. Here nests are found in bushes
and trees, usually not less than six feet high, and sometimes as
<ilevated as thirty feet. Of the twenty-eight nests by Mr.
Donald twelve were on the ground in the open prairie or
field, fifteen in trees or brush or vines, while one was on
top of a po-t under a cotton platform. Of the twenty -eight
nests, sixteen were in the prairie, seven in the timber belt,
five in the city of Decatur, one nest was in an elm tree, fif-
teen feet up, overhanging a road. Three were within a
few feet of public roads, 1 hree were placed in door yards.
The average of those placed above ground was seven feet.
In Iowa nests are invariably on the ground, sunk flush with
the suri'ace, sometimes concealed in a tuft of grass or bunch
of weeds ; often in the open with no attempt at conceal-
ment.

The fields of fall-plowing are favorite resorts early in the
season. I have very frequently found nests early in May,
as the ground was being worked the first time. After the
corn is well grown, late in June or early in July, nests are
*0n May 20, 1892, Mr. L. M. McCoimick took several siieciineiis on the
Vermilion River bottoms.

t4 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

placed at the foot of a corn-hilL All of. the nests that I
have found have been in fields or meadows.

In Wisconsin Messrs. Strong and Clark find nests always
on the ground, sunken to its level, in pastures or fields.
Thus the liabit of building above the ground is peculiar to
the south andw^est. The difference is not due to a greater
scarcity of timber at tlie north and ea^t, for there is fully
as large a proportion of timber to prairie there as in Texas.
Let some one study out the reason.

Mr. Donald describes a typical nest as, "tolerably bulky,
composed mostly of muslin weeds, with a little grass ; lined
first with rootlets, then with horse-hair." He has found
but three nests wdiich did not contain muslin weed. Two
of these were composed of grass and weeds, and lined with
rootlets ; while the other was on the ground and composed
wholly of grass. "The soft, cottony muslin weed seems to
be a characteristic of this specie ■." Mr. Oldright describes
the nest as composed of about the same material, but does
not consider it bulk3% but rather compact. He finds that
those made on the ground are much slighter and looser.
Mr. Donald finds that during the early part of the season
nests are almost invariably in trees or bushes, while in
June they are mostly on the giound. A point well worth
noting.

In Iowa and Wisconsin the nests are made of weed stems,
dry grass, and rootlets ; always with a preponderance of
rootlets. The nests are not compactly built, but strong-
enough so that they can be easily preserved. Often no oth-
er material than rootlets is used.

In Texas the birds rear two broovls. The season extends
from April 15 to June 22. Mr. Donald's earliest nest was
April 18 ; Mr. Oldright's latest June 15. In Iowa and Wis-
consin two broods are raised ; the first nest May 1. the last
July 10. Thus at the south the birds are more forward in
spring.

The average set in Texas contains four eggs. Of tw^en-
iy-seven sets found by Mr. Donald eleven contained five
eggs, thirteen four, and three three ; all known to be com-

THE WILSON QUARTERLY 75

plete sets. Mr. Oldright says, three, four, and five consti-
tute a set.

In Iowa I have never found more than four. But in
Wisconsin Mr. Clark has found five in a nest.

A series of eggs collected by Mr. Donald show an aver-
age of .79 X .GL The largest is .8() x 01, the smallest .62 x .50
which is evidently a runt. Tlie next smallest is .75 x .58.
Sets taken in central Iowa show an average .70 x.5-1:. Thus
Iowa eggs are more spherical and smaller. In shape they
are short ovate

The ground color is pearly white marked witli a few pin
points of black to heavy smudges of red umber. The
scratchy, wavy lines are generally characteristic, accord-
ing to Oldright, Iowa eggs are much the same. The
markings are usually confined to the large end, and never
heavy enough to obscure the ground color. The blotches,
scratching ;, and pencilings are usually clove brown, with
blotches of lavender appearing as shell markings.

The period of incubation is twelve days, and the young
leave the nest in fifteen or sixteen days

Spizella socialis Chipping Sparrow.

This bird is almost too well known to require considera-
tion here. But it may be interesting to compare dates of
nesting in the different localities. Chippy does not breed
in Texas. But in North Carolina Mr. Smithwick says that
the first nest is made the first of May, and the last to be
found the last of June. In New York, according to Stone,
the first nest is made May 10. In Iowa the first nest found
was May 1, the last June 10. In Wisconsin Clark found
the first nest May 15, Strong first week in May. The last
one found by Mr. Howe was June 20. In Maine Mr. H. P.
T. Weathern says that Chippy does not begin to build till
late in May. Nests may be found as late as July 1. Thus
the southern birds are several weeks earlier than the north-
ern.

Chippy builds his nest above ground, rarely as high as
tliirty feet, usually about six, in trees, bushes, shrubs, and
vines. ^Ir. Strong says that the nest is soniotiuies placed

% THE WI L&ON QUARTERLY

on beams of buildings. 1 have found more nests in orna-
mental shade and garden trees than an wy here else. The
social habits of this sparrow lead it to appropriate the art-
ificial shrubbery in lawns and nesting sites. It is very in-
teresting to note with what regularity and precision birds-
Avill return to their old nesting tree or shrub and build a
gain their new home witliin it.

The nest is made of much the same material the country
through. It gives the impression of being rather frail,
with only dry graS'S and a lining of long hairs ; but in fact
the nest is quite durable and compact. Often nests
are wholly made of hair. And it is worth noticing that the
long hairs from a cow's tail are more commonly used than
horse-hair.

Chippy lays four eggs usually, rarely five, late in the sea-
son only three. It is one of the birds most imposed upon
by the Cowbird. I have several times found three eggs of
Cowbird in one nest with only two Chippies" eggs.

The eggs are a uniform gieenish blue or bluish green,
sparingly speckled and spotted with blackish brown and
purplish, chiefly aiound the larger end. Mr. E. B. Peck
gives the average measurements as .G'.; x .50, which is the
average for Iowa-
Mr Clark says that the period of incubation is thirteen
days, and that the young leave the nest in ten days. We
might expect a period of only twelve days with so i-mall a bird.

SpizeUa pnsilla. Field Sparrow.

The breeding range of Field Sparrow seems to be farther
south than that of Chippy. Mr. Oldright finds it a com-
mon breeder in Travis County, Texas, while Chippy whs
only a winter visitor there. The notes represent it as oc-
curring in every locality as a breeder.

In Texas it begins to breed April 15. and continues till
May 15. In North Carolina the first nest may be found the
first week in May, and the last one the last week in June.
In Iowa the first nest is May 10, the last July 10. In Wis-
consin the first is a little later— May HO, the last June :28. In

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 77

New York Stone records the first nest May L In Connect-
icut Mr. Sage gives the first nest May 19.

In Texas. North Carolina, New York, and Iowa, nests
are above ground at all seasons, either in grass, weeds,
bushes, or trees, usually not more than two feet, often orrly
a few inches; Mr. Smithwick records one nest in a cedar,
thirty feet up ; this is very unusual. In Wisconsin all
three observers say that the first nest is placed on the
ground, later ones in grass or bushes. Mr. Sage says that
nests are usually on the ground, sometimes in bushes.
There seems to be a tendency for the birds to seek the
ground at the north and shun it at the south. Can weath-
er be the cause ?

In any situation the nest is made of about the same ma-
teiials. in the same manner. Small weed stems, dry grass,
and long hairs from a cow's tail are th3 regulation materi-
als, all woven into a neat nest. Often a few leaves may be
used. But downy and cottony substances are avoided. The
location chosen is usually in the vicinity of a woods, in the
l>rush and shrubs skirting it. Mr. Oldright finds that in
Travis County, Texas, this sparrow is confined to one small
tract near Austin.

Field Sparrow lays from four to six eggs, average five,
according to Clark ; three to five, average four. Strong ;
four average, Howe ; three to six. average five, in Iowa ;
three or four, average four, in Texas, Oldright ; two to
four, average three, in North Carolina, Smithwick ; three
to four, average four, New York. Stone ; three to five, av-
erage four, Peck ; three to five, average four, in Connecti-
cut. Sage. Cowbird frequently inposes upon this sparrow.
Two broods are raised in most localities.

In color the eggs are buffy. clay, or often greenish, white,
rather thickly spotted, blotched, and washed, with several
light shades of brown, and lavender ; the markings being
more pronounced and thicker at the larger end, sometimes,
becoming confluent so as to hide the ground color. The
eggs are rather elongate, oval, or ovate, in form. They

78 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

vary from .62 to .72 in length by 50 to .55 in breadth. The
average is about .08 x .53.

The period of incubation is twelve days, and the young
leave the nest in twelve or thirteen days.

Melospiza fasciafa. Song Sparrow.

The range of Song Sparrow seems to correspond very
nearly to that of Chippy. It is not found breeding in either
Texas or North Carolina. Even in Iowa it is not common
in summer in the central portion. In Wisconsin, Iowa,
Xew York, Connecticut and Maine, it is common all sum-
mer. In Wisconsin Mr. Clark found the first nest May 12,
last July 12; Howe May 17, first; Strong May 3. first, eggs
slightly incubated last week of July, the last. In Ohio May lo
is the first date. In NewYork, April 22, Stone. In Connecticut,
May 17, last June 16, Sage. In Maine, May 20, Weatliern.

Song Sparrow builds its nest either on the ground or in
trees or low bushes Mr. Weathern has found nests '"in a
hollow place in a tree, four feet up." Mr. Clark says, "the
first nest is on the ground, the second in willows." Strong-
finds some in brush piles and weeds. In Ohio I have found
them only on the ground, and in Connecticut Mr. Sage finds
them only on the ground. They are seldom many feet a-
bove ground in any locality.

The nest is made of weed stems, leaves, grass, and lined
with fine grasses and hair. The nest is not very compact-
ly made ; the outer layer of leaves and weed stems falling off.

The eggs range from three to six in a set, usually five.
They vary so greatly in coloration that only a general idea
can be given of the general appearance. Some are pinkish
white, running through, greenish white to light bluish
green. The coloring is usually in rather heavy blotches,
with a few spots and splashes of several shades of dark
brown, all so heavy that the ground color is obscured or
hidden.

In size the}^ average .73 x .57, varying a few hundredths
each way. Thus they are ovate in shape, almost oval.

The period of incubation is thirteen days. I have never
been able to studycarefully the full history of Song Spam w.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 79

Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow.

The range of Swamp Sparrow is rather more northerly
than that of the last. It does not occur in Texas and North
Carolina as a breeder, nor in central Io\v''a. I have not
found it at Oberlin, Ohio, though I presume it may be found
in the swamps on the lake shore. In Wisconsin it is
common in summer, according to Clark ; and abundant ac-
cording to Strong. There it begins to build the last week
in April, and eggs may be found as late as the first
of August. In New York the first nest was May 'i. Mr.
Sage records no nest from Connecticut, and the bird is un-
known to Maine observers.

As its name suggests, it is preeminently a bird of the
swamps and lowlands, building its nest on the ground, a-
mong the rushes and sedges which abound where water
stands. The nest is made of rushes, dry grass, and hair,
after the pattern of Song Sparrow ; and its eggs so nearly
resemble those of that species that it is often difficult to dis-
tinguish between them ; they are, however, usually more
clouded, and the marking more indistinct. In size the}'
average .70 X .59, thus being larger than eggs of the last
species. The number of eggs in a set ranges from three to
five ; usually four.

The period of incubation is thirteen days.

Pipillo ei'ijtln-ophilnilinus. Chewink, Towhee.

Towhee is not known south as a breeder. Messrs. Clark,
Howe, and Strong find it common in Wisconsin. In Iowa
and Ohio it is very common. It is fond of woods in wliich
underbrush is rank, and in little copses of brush. A brush
grown clearing is a favorite resort.

Building begins May 1 in Iowa and Ohio. This spring I
found a nest containing three of Chewink and two of Cow-
bird. May 7 The eggs were addled. In Wisconsin nesting
begins a week later than in Iowa. July 1 is a rather ex-
treme date for fresh eggs.

The nest is place I ou the ground preferably at the foot
of a bunch of brush or weeds, or at tlie foot of a tree ti-
a'ainst whicli leaves have di-ifted. I have found a few out in

80 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

an open orchard, on the ground, and a few four to six feet
up in bushes.

Nests are made largely of dry leaves, with a lining of dry
grass, with a few hairs and feathers occasionally. The
few nests in bushes had a foundation of small twigs.

The average set contains four eggs, often three :
rarely five complete a set. Mr. Strong records a nest found
May 28, '88, which contained one normal egg of Towhetj^
and one runt, with four of Cowbird I I have often found
two and three eggs of Cowbird in Tovvhee's nest.

The eggs are usually whitish, sometimes pinkish or blu-
ish in color, profusely and quite evenly spotted, blotched,
and splashed, over the entire surface, with browns of a
pinkish shade. Often the markings are so heavy that they
obscure the ground color, making the egg have a pinkish
appearance. In size the eggs average .06 x .72.

Cardinalis cardin.alis. Cardinal Grosbeak.

This is a southern bird, not reaching central Iowa, but
found in Ohio rather commonly as a resident. We are in-
debted to Messrs. Donald and Oldright for our notes, as I
have never taken a nest in Ohio.

In Texas nest building begins about April 1. Mr. Don-
ald records the first April 8, one egg; but a nest containing
four young April 20. His latest is June 30, incubation
slight. He says two broods are raised.

The birds place their nest in trees or bushes, usually
trees. Of fourteen nests found by Mr. Donald seven were
in oak uplands, six along prairie branches of streams, and
one in the city in a honeysuckle vine covering a summer
house. The highest was eight feet, lowest two, average
five. He says, ''Cardinal, as a rule, builds his nest in
some bushy tree or bush, generally concealed, though I
have found them in public places."

"A typical nest is bulky. First, a large network of small
briars and other twigs ; second, the nest proper, composed
of the inner bark of grape vine, leaves and grass, and root
lets ; the grape vine bark being characteristic. The nests
are usually well built, but sometimes frail."

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. ?!

'Of twenty-one sets examined one contained five eggs.,
twelve four, eight three. Mr. Oldriglit records one set of
five, and several taken by Mr. N. Y. Benedict in Young
County, first nests four, later three. A series of eggs
shows an average of .93 x .09, the largest 1.05 x .68, small-
•est .75 X .59, probably a runt.

The ground color of eggs varies from a white, to a green-
ish or bluish, even to a brown tint, i'he markings are red-
dish brown, lavender, and lilac, often pretty evenly distrib-
uted over the entire surface, sometimes confined to the
larger end, there becoming confluent in a blotch.

Habia ludoviciana. Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

This is another northern species, breeding commonly in
Iowa and Wisconsin, not so commonly in Ohio. Messrs.
Clark and Strong list it as abundant in Wisconsin all sum-
mer.

Nesting begins about May 20. Clark gives the first
nest May 24, Strong May 20, last July 0. Of the position
of the nes)^, Clark says, "Nest in upright fork of slender
sapling." Strong says, '"Nests placed from eight to twen-
ty feet up in crotches of small trees ai\d forks of limbs of
larger trees." I have found many nests in grape vine
thickets and on horizontal branches like nests of Scarlet
Tanager.

Strong says of the composiiion of the nest, "Nests are
made of small sticks, twigs, weed stems, straw, dried grass,
etc Most of the materials used are too stifi^ and brittle to
be bent, so the ends of the twigs are left sticking out at all
angles." Iowa nests are made of light colored material, of-
ten of a small vine woven neatly and compactly. A few
grass and weed stems are often used, but no twigs are ever
seen. The whole structure is so thin that the eggs can be
seen from beneath. There is no attempt at fixing the nest
in its position, so it is frequently tipped over or tilted.

A nest complement is tlij-ee to five, usually four eggs.
The eggs are a greenish blue or bluish green, more or less
spotted and blotched over the entire surface with reddish
brov/n and lilac shell markings. The markings seldom be-

82 THE WlLSOJf QtTARTEHLr.

come confluent. The average measurements are .98 x .7'S' :.
largest, 1.05 x .71 : smallest .93 x .63. — Strong.

Passerina cyanea. Indigo Bunting.

The notes relating to this bird are very scanty. Mr.
Oldright says that it breeds rarely in Texas, and Messrs.
Clark and Strong find it toleralily common all summer in.
Wisconsin. It is common in Iowa, less so in Ohio. In
Iowa it begins to build about June 1. The first nest with
eggs was found June 6, the last July 10.

The nest is placed in low bushes or bunches of weeds or
grass from three inches to four feet up. It is made of weed
stalks, coarse grass, and leaves, lined with finer grass.
The weed stalks and leaves form a deep foundation, and the
other material is placed upon it.

The average set is four eggs, late in the season only three.
The eggs are whitish with a bluish tinge, often quite blue,
often almost cream white, and are very rarely spotted with
brown. They measure ,75 x .52. Period of incubation
twelve days.

Passerina ciris. Painted Bunting, Nonpareil.

The Nonpariel is a bird of the South, being found only by
Texas observers, v/here it is common. Mr. Oldright found
the first nest May 15 ; Mr. Donald the last June 33.

The nest is placed in a small bush about three feet up/
and resembles that of Field Sparrow, Mr. Oldright says,
■'It is composed of large white lichens and heads of a
small plantain fastened together with spider-webs on the
outside, grass on the inside, and lined with rootlets " —
Donald.

Four eggs make a set. They are white or bluish white,
speckled, spotted^ and blotched with brown, chiefly at the
large end. Four sets collected by Mr. Donald average
.()7 X .50.

Spiza anipvicana. Dickcissel.

Better known as Black-throated Bunting. It has an ex-
tended range north and south, breeding fiom Texas to
Minnesota. I have never found it in Oliio.* Mr. Strong

* Since the above was written Mr. L. M. McCoimick has found it breed-
ing; on the Vermilion River,

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 8^

"record bonefioni Wisconsin, (Wilson Quarterly, VoL iv.
jS"©. 1, page 34.) Both Texas observers find it abundant.
In Iowa it is the most abundant bird.

Mr. Oldright found the first nest May L Donald May 20,
incubation advanced. In Iowa the first nest ]\[ay 15 ; the
last August 10. Two broods are raised.

Mr. Donald has never found a nest on the ground, all be-
ing in grass, weeds, or bushes, from two or three inches to
three f-eet up. Mr. Oldright says that nests are either on
the ground or in bushes up to ten f-eet above ground. I
have found but few nests on the ground ; one was in an. ap-
ple tiee, twenty feet up. Usually nests are in low bushes-,
weeds, or grass, in copses, or neglected fields.

Nests made early in the season are composed of leaves,
grass, and weed stalks, lined with fine grass, sometimes with
a few rootlets and hair. Later nests, those made in July, are
almost wholly made of the dead stalks of the Shepherd's
Purse ; looking much like nests of Rose-breasted Grosbeak

The eggs are four to six, commonly five, in number, in
Iowa, four iu Texa^. In color tliey very cljsely resemble
eggs of Bluebird, being light blue an spotted.

Texas eggs average .83 x .(51, with a variation of .00 x .01.

In Iowa eggs average .81 x .00. Incubation is completed
in thirteen days.

Guiraca coerulea. Blue Grosbeak.

Both Texas observers have found this Grosbeak rare in
Texas. Mr. Donald has collected two sets of eggs. One
was found June -4, the other May 2o.

One was in a Black Jack bush, in the edge of a cotton
field, three feet up ; it contained four eggs. The other
was in tlie same kind of a bush in the timber in oak up-
lands, two feet up ; it contained two eggs, both were
three miles from Decatur.

The nests were made of weeds, grass, leaves, corn husks,
and paper fastened together with spider-webs, and lined
with fine rootlets and horse-hai)-.

In size the eggs average .88 x . 03; smallest, .87 x .02 ; larg-
est, .91 X .04. They are plain, light blue, rarely spotted
with lilac shades.

«4 THE WILSON QLTARTERLT.

The following are a few species wliich have been found
breeding by one or two observers. No comparison can be-
niade, as there are not notes enough from different sources.

Spinus psaltria mexicanus. Mexican Goldfincli.

Mr. Oldright reports it as a rare breeder at Austin, Tex-
as ; he has never found a nest. At Mason, Rev. Ira B.
Henry has found it common. (Mississijjj^i Valley Bird Mi-
gration, page 183,)

Zonofrichia albicolUs. Peabody, White-throated Sparrow.

Mr. Stone mentions a set of four taken by Mr. E. S Bry-
ant, at Phoenix, N. Y.

Zonofrichia leucophrijs. White-crowned Sparrow

Mr Weathern reports this sparrow as common in Maine,
breeding in swamps and thickets.

Ainphispiza bilineata. Black-throated Sparrow.

According to Oldright it is rare in Texas as- a summer
resident.

PeuccEa cassiiti, Cassin's Sparrow.

''In Texas it is common in summer, resorting to mes-
quite thickets.'" — Oldright.

We have seen that Lark Sparrow nests in bushes and trees
at the south and west, but on the ground at the north and.
east ; that not a few of the sparrows which make twu
broods build the two nests in different positions or of diff ei-
ent material. The fact has been discovered before, but the
why has never been found out. Let us make this our
work. Only the surface of ornithology has yet been scratched ;
we must dig deep into it and find tliere the hidden treas-
ures. Lynds Jones.

THE WILSON QUARTERL-Y. 85

NOTES.

BLUE EGGS OF THE CROW.

BV W. L. DAWSON, OBERLIN, ().

One day last April, on my return from a trip after crow's
eggs, I showed my finds, two sets having the ordinary
olive-green and spotted coloration, to a friend of mine. He
exclaimed in great surprise : "Why, I thought crows' eggs
were light blue; those that I have seen were." In my su-
preme oological conceit I chaffed him unmercifully for
making such a wild statement ; but I only succeeded in
arousing his Canadian blood, and he stuck to it most posi-
tively that he had seen blue crow's eggs in Ontario, and
that he had watched them till young crows had been
hatched from them.

A few days later, April oOth it was, I started out with
mj" climbers and gun. and was accompanied by a fellow
student of marked botanical instincts.

In the course of the afternoon we came to a crow's nest
placed about fifty feet high in a beech tree; and the first
thing that attracted my notice as we approached, was the
head of the crow as she peered anxiously over the edge of
the nest. I walked slowly past the tree so as to size it up
from another side; and not till then did I point out the
bird's head to my companion. At the sight of my threat-
ening finger, knowing that she was detected, the old crow
flew off with loud "caws'". I soon had on my climbers and
made the ascent. Judge of my feelings when I peered in-
to the nest and beheld, not the set of conventional crows"
eggs, but a single pale blue one. I grasped the egg, still
warm, and hastened down. Nothing but the possession of
such a treasure would have made up for my humiliation at
the "I told you so" of my Canadian friend, delivered with
a very self satisfied chuckle.

Nine davs later I revisited the nest, this time taking

86 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

great pains in my approach, meaning to secure a shot if
possible. It was no use; the male discovered me and set up
an outcry, and the female was off like a flash. Both birds
were well seen however, and their continuous clamor in an
adjacent part of the woods assured me of their interest if
not of their sympathies. I ascended the tree with some
trepidation, fearing lest the old bird should have gone back
on her reputation as a freak. But I was not to be disap-
pointed; there lay three eggs as destitute of markings as
any woodpecker's, and having the same delicate blue tint
as my first one. The nest was in every respect a crow's,
though indifferently well lined. Although unable to secure
the parent birds on account of their extreme wariness, I
am thoroughly satisfied that the evidence for these crows'
eggs is the best.

The eggs measure as follows: 1.83 x 1.41 inches; L82 x
1.38 inches; 1.78 x 1.39 inches; 1.72 x 1.39 inches; as com-
pared to 1.70 X 1.20 for the average crow's egg.

X —

On the 28th of May, 1892, while out collecting, I shot a

male Olive-sided Flycatcher. This bird had a shining
white brown ; the bill, which was slightly larger than or-
dinary, was flesh colored with the exception of a black
spot on the upper mandible The back was spotted here
and there with white feathers. Wm. Rolfe.

[A case of partial albinism. — Ed.]

^

While exploring a deep, thickly wooded ravine leading

into Vermilion River, Lorain County, Ohio, with a party

of botanists, June 4, 1892, the publisher found a nest which

he had sought without success for some years.

Following the bed of the clear, cold stream at the bot-
tom of the ravine, we flushed a bird from its nest in the
side of a clay bank. The bird flew quickly away, '"chip-
ping" sharply, and giving us little chance for observation.

A few minutes later, on the return back to the river we
obtained an excellent view of the bird and easily recog-
nized it as the Oven Bird, Seiiiriis aurocapillus.

The nest was placed in a little hoik w, in a recess of the

THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

87

bank, with the sod at the top overhanging- it a few inches
above. It was not roofed over, and contained the excep-
tional number of six eggs of the usual color and size ; in-
cubation well advanced. The nest was made of dry root-
lets, grass, and leaves, with finer rootlets and grasses for

the lining. u i • i

When we were within four or five feet of the nest, the bird
left it, and joining its mate, flew nervously about at a dist-
ance, uttering quick, sharp notes of alarm.

Lyxds Jones. President. J- Warren Jacobs, Secretary.

ACTIVE MEMBERS.

Bryant. Juhn A..
Burns, Frank L. .
Carpenter. Allan W..
Caulk, Wm. B.,
Clute. Willard N.,
Davies, L. M..
Donald, John A.,
Ely, Chas. A.,
Greene, I. C.
Gregory, F. A.,

Hollister, Ned,

Hull, Walter B.,

Hussey, Mary D, M. D..

Jacobs, J. Warren.

Jones. Lynds,

Leverkiihn, Dr. Paul.

Martin, E. W..

Maxfield C. C

Mignin, C. F.,

Nehrlitig, H..

Oldfield. W. A.,

Pember, F. T..

Prill. Dr. A. C..

Russell, Roy.

Sage, John H.,

Stone. D. D..

Strong, R. M..

Wall, Edwar.i.

1221 Olive St. Kansas City, Mo.
Berwyn, Penn.
(V^ Arlington St., Cleveland, O.
Terra Haute, Ind.
11 Jarvis St., Binghamton, N. Y.
21 Chestnut St., Cleveland. O.
Decatur, Texas.
Perrineville, N. J.
65 High St., Fitchburgh, Mass.
1214 N. Court St., Rockford, Ills.
Box ISl, Delavan, Wis.
Box 47, Milwaukee. Wis.
East Orange. N. J.
Waynesburgh, Penn.
Spear Libi-ary, Oberlin, O.
Miinchen. Germany.
Aki-on, O.
Danbury, Conn.
Akron, O.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Port Sanilac, Mich.
• Granville, N. Y.
Sodaville. Linn Co.. Ore.
Kt>komo, Ind.
Portland, Conn.
Lansing, N. Y.
Oberlin. .0.
Box 478, San Bernardino. Cal.

88

THE WILSON CjjUARTERLY.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.

Baldwin, Aitliur.

Barnes, Mrs. S. C,

Beal, E. Irving,

Bigney, A. J.,

Brass, Frank N.,

Brigham, S. Wlllard,

Bowers, L. T.,

Brown, J. H.,

Bush, Geo. B.,

Campbell, Robert,

Cantwell, Geo. G.,

Card, Fred,

Carlton, E. P.,

Carr, Chas. F.,
Chase, Walter,
Clark, J. N.,
Clute, O. C,
Colton, AVillN.,
Cousins, Marshall,
Cox, A. M.,
Cram, Chas. E.,
Crosby, W. P.,
Curtis, Fred. W.,
Davis, Miss Grace G. ,
Dawson, W. L.,
Edwards,, J. Lee,
Eliot, Willard,
Estes, Francis T. ,
Everett. E. A.,
Fernholz, Eugene,
Fletcher, Robert,
Fench. Lin ward,
Greene, C.W.,
Grindell, A. B.,
Hager, A. R.,
Hartzell, L. B.,
Haskell, C. B., *
Hauger, O. P..
Hershey, Herbert E. .
Holzinger, J. M.,
Homer, Arthur,
Howe, C. P.,
Huffman, Sam. M..

Amboy, Ind.

Orange, N. J.

Bridgewater. Mass.

Moore's Hill, Ind.

"Kokomo. Ind.

East Prov. Center, R. I.

Columbia, Pa.

Grinnell, Iowa.

Fall River, Mass.

Hanover, N. H.

Colorado Springs, Cul.

Grinnell, Iowa.

Wauwatosa, Wis.

12(5 State St., Madison, Wis.

Hanover, N. H.

Meridian, Wis.

Keokuk, Iowa.

Biddeford, Maine.

Eau Claire, Wis.

Chicago, Ills.

Burlington, Iowa.

Hanover, N. H.

Wauwatosa, Wis.

Northampton, Mass.

25 N. Pleasant St., Oberlin, O.

Mashallsville, Ga.

Thonotosassa, Fla.

Fall River, Mass.

Waseca, Minn.

Jetferson, Wis.

Hanover, N. H.

Fall River, Mass.

Portsmouth, N, H.

Plattsville, Wis.

Chicago, Ills.

Crystal Springs, Kan.

Kennebunk, Maine.

Orleans,'Ind.

908 1st Ave.. Nebraska Cty, Neb.

Winona, Minn.

Fall River, Mass.

Waukesha, Wis.

Moore's Mill, In d.

THE WILSON QtJARTEIirY,

m

Hard, H. B.,
•Jofinson, Frank W.,
•Jones, C. A,.
Kittridge, Edward L..,
Lewis. John B.,
j\larble, J. E.,
:Maxfield, Mrs. C. C,
McElfresh. Fred.,
McNairn, W. H.,
Miller, H. E ,
Miller, Will. A,, Jr.,
"Neal, M. W.,
Oldright, Chas, D.,
Peck, E.B..
Plank, Will H.,
Poindexter, F. C,
Reed, N. H.,
Remington. H. W S.,
Richards, L. D.,
Richardson. Walter L..,
Rogers, Geo. H,,
Rolfe, Wm.,
Sanford, Samuel,
Savers, Lewis,
Shaw, Hubert G. ,
Sherman, Maurice S.,
Smith, Thorn,
Smith, W. G.,
Smithwick, J, W. P.,
Taylor, B. F.,
Vavhinger, Monroe,
WalU Ed.,

Washburn^ Percy C,
Weathern, H. P. T.,
Willard. Will A.,
Zimmerman, Chas.,

Minneapolis, Minn.

Grinnell, Iowa,.

Chicago, Ills.

Milford, N. H.

Eubanks, Kj\

441 Tliayer St.-, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Danbur}', Conn.

Jaclfsonville, Ills.

4 Harvard Ave., Toronto, Can.

Croton Falls, N. Y.

Decatur. Texas.

441 Tliayer St., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Austin, Texas.

Clifton Springs. N. Y.

Kansas City, Kan.

Wash-, Co., Bartle, Ind.

16th and Canal Sts., Chicago, Ills,

Fall Raver, Mass.

Kirk'wood, Wis.

Pasadena, Cai.

Madison, Wis.

•San Bernaixiiiio, Cal.

Fall River, Mass.

Wayn^esburg, Pa.

iFall Riv^v, Mass.

Hanoveiv N. H.

Portland, Mich.

1^38 Ohio St., Lawrence, Kan,

Sans Souci, N. C,

Box 292. Columbia, S. C.

Moore's Mill, Ind.

San Bernardino, Cal.

Maldenv Mass.

West Farminglon, Maine^;

Gi'innell, Iowa.

AmboA'. Ind.

EDITORIAL.

In working over notes for the purpose of making a gen-
eral report, the first great difficulty to a comprehensive
view of any one species is in the lack of notes from widely
different localities An ideal rei)ort would have for its ba-

\)0 THE "VVILSON QUARTERLY.

sis not only these widely different localities, but all inter-
vening places as well. With our limited nuijibers we can-
not hope for more than an approximation to this. But we-
have members in Maine and in California, in Minnesota and
in Florida, with many between. The difficulty, then, is
not in the places which ought to be represented, but in
those who should represent them. Not enough members
attend to making their reports.

The coming report on the Owls is already fuller than tlie-
present one on the Sparrows, but there are still some seri-
ous gaps. Thus far nothing but the bare lists are in. Be-
fore the first of September, certainly not later than the 1 5th of
that month, all notes should be sent to the President. We
want every note that you have. Study the scheme in the
last Quarterly, and make your report carefully. Omit
nothing because you regard it of no interest. We want it I

Measurements of eggs and of birds are particularly de-
sired. The phases of plumage will furnish material for a
very interesting portion of the report.

Lose iio time in getting vour notes together.

1 — ^. — ^

Since our last issue two new active, and two new associ-
ate members have joined us, with others likely to do so at
an early date. We still have room for those who wish tO'
aid in the work which we are trving to do.

X-^

What shall we study next year ? Now is the time to be

thinking about it. Before October we should have our
l)lans well matured so that they can be put into definite
shape in the next issue, and in the January issue fully
worked out. It is a matter in which we are all interested.
If any one has a new plan of work let him propose it so
that we can have it under advisement.

Not as many notes have been sent in as we hoped. The
pages of the paper ought to fairly glow with the freshness
of the fields. We all see very unusual things which would
be of great interest to all. Write them U[) bi-iefly aiid send
them in. ^'otice in this issue what has been discovered by
members. You can do as well.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY. 9l

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The Observer. Vol. III., Nos. 5, (i. T. Published by S. F.
Bigelow, Portland, Conn. A monthly of pages, 11 x 15 in.,
full of valuable matter to all lovers of nature.

The, Taxidermist. Vol. [., Nos. 10, 11, ISO'2. A twenty
page monthly at 5(»c a year. Published by C. F. Mignin,
edited by E. W. Martin, Akron, Ohio. Contains many good
articles on general orniihology, and excellent hints to tax
idermists by men eminent in the profession.

Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. XVII., Nos. i. 5. Pub-
lished at $1.00 a year by F. B. Webster Co., Hyde Park,
Mass. Always full of valuable matter and fresh notes.

California Traveler and yaturaliat. Vol. I., Nos. 3, 4,
.5. Published by N. L. Hertz & Co., Napa, Cal. , at '.\oc a
year, with premiums. It is bound to succeed.

Sports Afield. Vol. IX., No. 1. $2.00 a year. Published
b}" Claude King, Denver, Col. A 100 page monthly, inval-
uable to sportsmen, containing many fine articles on gen-
eral science.

Descriptive List of Fishes of Lorain Co., Ohio. By
Lewis M. McCormick. Contains a systematic table of 24
families, followed by short, comprehensive descriptions of
89 species found in Lorain Co.; 14 plates add value to the
work. A carefully made map of the county is a very
valuable aid in locating the places mentioned in the text
from which certain species were collected. It is a contri-
bution to the iclithyological literature of Ohio.

PUBLISHER'S PAGE.

The publisher will be at North Greenfield, Wisconsin un-
til September 20; after that date at Oberlin, Ohio, as form-
ei'lv.

] . . ^

Subscribers will please not send stamps to us in making

payments, if possible to send m :)ney in any other way.

92 THE WILSON QUARTERLY.

EXCHANGES AND WANTS,

Brief ypeoial announcements, " Wants" or " Exchanges " will be inserted
in this department at the rate of 25 \\-ords for 35c. : more than 25 words at
one-half cent per extra word. Notices which are indirect methods of
obtaining cash purchasers cannot be admitted. No notice inserted for less
than 25 cents. Terms, cash with order.

For Exchange. — N. Aqi. Hemiptera, Coleoptera, f^nd Lepidoptera to
exchange for the same, or for birds' eggs, or books relating to Ornithology
and Entomology. Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio.

For Exchange.— After July 1st, 1892. I will exchange 1st class birds"
eggs in sets with full data for the same, or for books or pamphlets relating
to Ornithology and Oology. Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio.

To Exchange. — Carefully prepared specimens, with full data, of flow-
ering and fern plants found in the United States.

Reuben M. Strong. Oberlin. O.

The Semi^-Annual

Having passed into the hands of the

WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL CHAPTER,

Back numbers may be had by applying to the

President of the chapter or the Publisher

of the QuAKTERLY. The price will

be reduced to

30c. FOR EACH NUMBER OR 50c. A VOLUME.

only a limited number of copies now on hand.

The tfliJilson Quarterly.

A fifty Page Magazine the Official Organ of the Wilson
Ornithologioal Chapter.

It contains many fine articles written by well known
and able ornithologists, besides the carefully compiled
reports of members upon interesting groups of birds.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $1,00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
Published bj' R. M. Strong, Oberlin, Ohio.

Edited by Lynds Jones. Oberlin, Oliio,

Assisted bv Willard N. Clute, Binghamton, N. Y.

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