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NATURAL HISTORY

Sound a

The Wilson Bulletin

Official Organ of The Wilson Ornithological Club

An Illustrated Quarterly Magazine

Devoted to the Study of

Birds in tlie Field

Edited by Ly/ids Jones

Nineteen Hundred and Seven *

Old Series, Volume XIX New Series, Volume XI \'

Published by the Club at Oberiin, Ohio

H ^//<^^^-^-^f

Index to Vol. 19, 1907.

Acanthis linaiia, 24, 72, 115.
Acclpiter atricapillus, 22, 27, 95,

114, 155.

cooperi, 22, 95.

velox, 22, 50, 92, 94, 97.
Actitis macularia, 18, 22, 88.
.^gialitis meloda, 89.

semipalmata, 89.
zl^^githalus caudatus, 3, 4.
Actodiomas baridii, 85.

maculatus, 85.

minutilla, 21, 85.
Agelaius phoeniceus, 24, 115, 144,

155-
Aix sponsa, 21, 52.
Ammodramiu; henslowii, 24, 148.

leconteii, 20.
Ampelis cedrorum, 19, 25, 156.

garrulu?, 115.
Ana^ boschas, 21, 51, 113.

obscura, 21, 151.
rubripes, 51.
Anthus pensilvanicus, 26.

trivialis, 12.
Antrostomus carolinensis, 135.

vociferus, 18, 23, 135.
Aquila chrysaetos, 30.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johan-

nis, 22, 27, 96, 114.
Ardea csrulea. 82.

herodias, 18, 21, 82.
Ardetta exilis, 21, 82.
Arenaria morinella, 90.
Asio accipitriniis, 23, 98, 114.

wilsonianus, 23, 114.
Astragalinvis tristis, 19, 24, 115,

147, 156.
Auklet, Cassin's, 127.
Aythya affinis, 53.

americana, 21, 52.

col la lis, <;3-

marila, 53.

vallisneria, 21, 52.
Basolophus bicolor, 26.
Baldpate, 21, 52, 118.
Bartramia longicauda, 22, 32, 114
Bittern, American, 21, 82, 104,

Hi).

Least, ?T, 82, 104.
Blackbird, Brewer's, ixo.

Red-winged, 24, 46, 63, lo-;.

108,
155-

"5,

144,
145.

107,

112,

155,
1x4.

Rusty, 24, 106, III, 115,

Yellow-headed, no.
Blue-bill, 15.
Bluebird, 19, 27, 32, 46, 63,

157- ■
Bob-white, 2, 90, 105, 155.
Bobolink, 19, 24, 46, 105, no,

143, 144.
Bonasa umbellus, 18, 22, 90,

157-
Botaurus lentiginosus, 21, 82,
Brant, 33.

White-bellied, 33.
Branta bernicla, 32.

glaucogastra, 33.

canadensis, 21, 54, 114.
Bubo virginianus, 23, 99.

pallescens, 114.
Bufflehead, 53, 104.
Bunting, Indigo, 25, 56, 102, 106,

108, no, 153, 164.

Lark, no, in.

Snow, 115.
Buteo borealis, 18, 22, 95.

latissimus, 22.

lineatus, 18, 22, 96.

platypterus, 28, 59, 96.
Butorides virescens, 21, 83.
Calcarius lapponicus, 115.
Calidrir. arenaria, 86.
Canachiten canadensis, 27.
Canvas-back, 21, 'C2.
Cardinal, 25, 49, 106, 151,

Cardinalis cardinalis, 25, 151,
Carpodacus purpureus, 24,

155-
Catbird, 19, 26, 56, 63, 94, 102,

107, 108, 163, 164.
Catharista atrata, 33.
Catharten aura, 91, 155.
Centurus carolinus, 155.
Cecphloeus pileatus, 18, 155.
abieticola, 134.
Certhia familiaris americana, 19,

2^, 115.
Ceryle alcvon, 18, 23, 134.
Chaetura pelasica, 18, 23, 73,
Charadriun dominicus, 22, 89

152,

156.
146,

136.

17(1

l\I)i:X TO VOLUME XIX. ll»(i

C'liaritonetta alheola, 53.

Chat, Yellow-breasted, 20, 26, 49,

102, 107, 164.
Cliaulelasmws streperus, 21, 51.
Chen hyperborea, 53, 114.
(^hewink, 164.
Chickadee, 12, 19, 26, 28, 107, 115.

Carolina, 107, 157.

Hudsonian, 27.
Chondestes grammacus, 149.
Chordeiles ^irginianiis, 18, 23,

136.
Chiick-wiil's-widow, 135.
Circvis hiidsoniiis, 22, 92, 114.
Cistotliorus steilaris, 26.
Clangula clangiila ameiicana, 21,

53-
Coccyzun ameiicaniis, 23, 133.

erythroplithalmus, 18, 23, 133.
Colaptes auratus luteus, 18, 23,

"4, 135, I'??-

cafer collaris, 114.
Coliniis virginianus, 22, 90, 155.
Colymbus aiiritiis, 21, 49.

holboelii, 21.
Compsothlypis ameiicana, 25.
Contopiis virens, 19.
Coot, American, 15, 22, 32, 84,

105, 155-
Cormorant, Baird's, 124, 127.

Double-crested, i;i, 104, 120.
Corvus brachvrhinchos, 19, 2^,

115, 143, 155-

corax principalis, 143.
Coturniculus sa^annarum passer-

inus, 24, 148.
Cowbird, 24^, 101;, 144.
Crane, Sandhill, 83.

Whooping, 83, 114.
Creeper, Brown, 19, 26, 31, 59,

107. 1115.
Crow, American, 19, 24, 29, 102,

105, 110, III, 115, 143, 15^.

Fish, 10s, 132.

Northwest, 124, 127, 132.
Crossbill, American, 24.

White-winged, 24, 146.
Cryptoglanx acadica, 23.
Curlew, Hudsonian, 88.

Long-billed, 88.
Cv'ckoo, Black-billed, 18, 22, 105,

Yellow-billed, 23, 102, 105,
133, 164.
Cyanistes casruleiis, 3, 4, 9.
cyaneus, 3.

Cyanocitta crislata, 19, 24, 115,

I42,_ 155-
Cyanospiza cyanea, 25, 153.
Hafila acuta, 52, 113.
Dendroica jestiva, 19, 25.

blackburnia?, 19, 25.

caerulea, 25.

caerulescens, 25.

castanea, 25.

coronata, 25, 156.

discolor, 26.

maculosa, 25.

palmarum, 26.

Inpoch risen, 26.

pensylvanica, 19, 25.

striata, 25.

tigrina, 25.

vigorsii, 19, 26.

virens, 26.
Dickcissel, 2s, 33, 71, 72, 106, no,

112, 148, 153.
Dolichrnvx orvzivorus, 19, 24., K53.
Dove, Mourning, 22, 91, loi;, no,

114, ISS, 164.
Dowitcher, 21.
Dr\obatef; piibescens, ii;<;.

medianus, 18, 2-',
114, 134-

villosus, 23, 114, 13^.
Duck. Black. 15, 17, 21, si, 104.

Harlequin, 124, 127.

Lesser Scaup, 53, 104.

Kintr-necked, 53.

Ri'ddv, s^, 104.

Scaup, S3.

Wood. 17, 21, <;2, 1 30.
Eagle. Bald, 2, 13, is, t8, 22, 72,

06. los.

Onlden, 30.
Fctop'stps migratorius, 91.
Eider, King, 30.
Empidnnax flaviventris, 24, 141.

minimus. 24, 142.

traillii alnorum, 19. 2J., 141.

virescens. 24.
^rpunetes pusillus, 86.
Erismatura jamaicensis, S3-
Eunhagus carolinus, 2J, 145.
Falco colu'Tibarius, Z'X, 07. lu, iss-

perep-rini's anatum, 22, 97.

rusticolus obsoletus, 22.

sparverius. S'J. 98, 114.
Finch, California Purple, 124, 132.

Pine. s8, 63.

Purple, 24. 59, 72, 106, 146,
"55-

INDEX TO VOLUME XIX, 1907.

171

Flamingo, 64.

Flicker, Northern, 18, 23, 29, 63,

04, 102, 105, no, 114, 135,

155, 163, 164.

Northwest, 132.

Red-shafted, 114.
Florida c^eriilea, 21.
Flycatcher, Alder, 19, 24, 105,

141.

Crested, 24, 65, 102, 105, 139,
141.

Green-crested, 24, 56, 105.

Least, 24, 58, 105, 108, 142.

Olive-sided, 24, 58, 105, 118,
140.

\\'estern, 124.

Yellow-bellied, 24, 58, 105,
118, 141.
Fulica americana, 23, 32, 84, 155.
Gadwall, 21, 51.

Galeoscoptes carclinensis, 19, 26.
Gallinago delicata, 22, 84, 114.
Gallinula galeata, 22, 84.
Gallinule, Florida, 22, 84, 105.
Gavia imber, 18, 21, 49.

luinjTie, 21.
Cieothl\"pis agilis, 26.

formosa, 26.

Philadelphia, 26.

trichas, 26.
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 107, 157.
Golden-eye, American, 15, 21, 53.
GodV'it, Hudsonian, 87.
Goldfinch, American, 19, 24, 58,

59, 63, 106, no, 112, 115, 147,

156.
Goose, Blue, 118.

Canada, 15, 21, 54, 118.

Lesser Snow, 30, 53, 114.
Goshawk, American, 22, 27, 95,

114, 155.
Grackle, Bronzed, 24, 46, 106, no,

m, 146.

Purole, 24, 102, 106, 155.
Grebe, Holboell's, 21, 124.

Horned, 21, 49.

Pied-billed, 21, 49, 104.
Grosbeak, Evening, 146, 162.

Pine, 24, 162.

Rose-breasted, 25, 28, 56, 106,

153-
Grouse, Canada, 27, 114.

Canadian Ruflfed, 158.

Prairie Sharp-tailed, 114.

Ruft'ed, 18, 22, 90, 155, 157.
Gull, Bonaparte's, 50, 104.

Franklin's, 20. 113.

Glaucus-winged, 124, 127.

Herring, 15, 21, so, 73, 74,
104.

Ring-billed, 34, 73, 74.

Western, 124, 127.
Grus americanus, 83.

mexicanus, 83, 114.
Guillemot, Pigeon, 124, 127.
Gyrfalcon, Black, 22.
Haliasetus leucocephalus, 2, 18, 22,

96.
Harelda hyemalis, 53.
Hawk, American Rough-legged,

22, 27, 96, 103, 114.

American Sparrow, 23, 98,
103, 105, 114.

Broad-winged, 22, 28, 59, 60,
96, 103, 104.

Cooper's, 22, 95, 105.

Duck, 22, 46, 97.

Marsh, 22, 92, 103, 105, no,
n4.

Pigeon, 23, 97, 193, n4, 155.

Red-shouldered, 14, 18, 22, 96,

103, 105.
Red-tailed, 18, 22, 95, 96.
Sharp-shinned. 22, 44, 46, 50,

92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 103,

104, 105, 133, 135, 142,
143.

Siiarrow, 8, 46, no, 112.
Helminthophila celata, 25.

chrysoptera, 25.

lawrencei, 25.

leucobronchialis, 25.

peregrina, 215.

pinus, 25.

rubricapilla, 25.
Helmitherus vermivorus, 25.
Helodromas solitarius, 22, 73, 87.
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 22,

83, 105, 120.

Great Blue, 18, 21, 82, 104,
no.

Green, 21, 83, 105, 165.

Little Blue, 21, 82, 120.

Northwest Coast, 124, 132.
Hesperiphona vespertina, 146.
Hirundo erythrogaster, 19, 25.
Horizopus virens, 24, 141.
Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 23,

46, 57, 64, 65, (,(>, 103, 105,

137, 138.
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis,

51-

172

INDEX TO VOLUME XIX, 1907.

Hylocichla alicis, 27.

fuscescens, 27.

guttata pallasii, 19, 27.

mustelina, 26.

swainsoni, 27.
Icteria virens, 26.
Icterus galbula, 24, 145.

spurius, 24, 144.
Iridoprocne bicolor, 25.
Jay, Blue, 14, 19, 24, 46, 56, 93,

94, 97, 105, no, 115, 142, 155.
Junco hvemalis, 19, 25, 115, 150,

156;
Junco, Shufelck's, 124.

Slate-colored, 19, 2S, 32, 55,

63, 106, 115, ii8, 150, 156.

Killdeer, 22, 89, 105, no, 114, 155.

Kingbird, 18, 23, 56, 57, 105, no,

III, 139.

Arkansas, no, 112.
Kingfisher, Belted, 18, 23, 105, no,

134-
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 26, 107.

Ruby-crowned, 26, 107, 115.
Knot, 84.
Lanius borealis, 25, 115.

ludovicianus excubitorides, 115.
lark, Desert Horned, 114.

Horned, 24.

Prairie Horned, 44, 105, 142.
Larus argentatus, 21, 50.

delawarensis, 34.

franklinii, 20.

Philadelphia, 50.
I imosa haemastica, 87.
Loon, 15, 18, 21, 49, 124, 127.

Red-throated, 21.
Longspur, Lapland, 115.

NIcCown's, 115.
Lophodytes cucullatus, 21, 51.
I.ophophanes cristatus, 2, 4, 7.
Loxia curvirostra minor, 24.

leucopterus, 24, 146.
Macrorhamphus griseus, 22.
Magpie, Black billed, no, in,

115.
Mallard, 15, 21, "ji, 113.
Mareca americana, 21, 52.
Martin, Purple, 19, 25, loi, 102,

106, no, 119.

Western, 115.
Megascops asio, 23, 98, 114.
Melanerpes erythrocephaUis, 23,

72, 114, 134.
Meleagris pallopavo, 91.
Melospiza cinerea melodia, 19, 25,

115, 150, 156.

georgiana, 25, 151.

lincolnii, 150.
Merganser americanus, 21, 51.

serrator, 21.
Merganser, American, 21, 51.

Hooded, 15, 21, 51.

Red-breasted, 15, 21, 104, 118.
Merula migratoria, 19, 27, 115,

157-
Mimus polyglottos, 33, 156.
Mniotilta varia, 19, 25.
Mockingbird, 33, 156.
Molothrus ater, 24, 144.
Murre, California, 124.
Murrelet, Marbled, 124.
Myiarchus crinitus, 24, 139.
Nighthawk, 18, 23, 66, 103, 105,

136.
Nettion carolinensis, 21, 51, 113.
Nuthatch, Pygmy, 16.

Red-breasted, 19, 107.

White-breasted, 26, 107, 157.
Numenius hudsonicus, 88.
Nuttalornis borealis, 24, 140.
Nyctea nyctea, 23, 99.
Nvcticorax nvcticorax naevlus, 22.

"83.
Olbiorchilus hiemalis, 26.
Old-squaw, 53.
Olor buccinator, 54.

columbianus, 54.
Otocoris alpestris, 24, 142.

hoyti, 115, 142.
leucolema, 114.
praticola, 142.
Oriole, Baltimore, 24, 56, loi, 102,

106, 14s, 164.

Orchard, 24, 56, 57, loi, 102,
105, 144, 145. 164.
Osprey, American, 23, 98.
Otus asio, 98, 114.
Oven-bird, 19, 26, 31, 56, 102, 107,

108, 163, 164.
Owl, American Barn, 23, 32.

American Long-eared, 23, 114.

Barred, 23, 27.

Burrowing, no, 112, 114.

Florida Burrowing, 69.

Great Horned, 23, 99.

Saw-whet, 23, 118.

Screech, 23, 98, 114, 158, 164.

Short-eared, 23, 98, 114.

Snowy, 23, 99.

Western Horned, 114.
Oxyechus vociferus, 22, 89, 114,

INDEX TO VOLUME XIX, 1907.

173

155-
Oyster-catcher, Black, 127.
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, 23,

Panurus biarmicus, 3, 5.
Panhandle, 4, 5.
Parus bicolor, 157.

carolinensis, 157.

hudsonicus, 27.

major, 3, 4, 10.
Paroquet, Carolina, 69.
Passerculus sandwichensis savanna,

24, 148.
Passerella iliaca, 24, 151.
Passerina nivalis, 24, 115.
Pedioecetes phasianellus campestris,

"4-

Pelidna alpina sakhalina, 85.
Penthestes atricapillus, 19, 26, 115.

palustris, 3, 4, 11.
Periparus ater, 3, 4, 8.
Petrel, Kaeding's, 127.
Petrochelidon lunifrons, 25.
Pewee, Wood, 19, 24, 56, 94, 102,

105, 141.
Phalacrocorax dilophus, 51.
Phalarope, Northern, 127.
Philohela minor, 22, 84.
Phoebe, 19, 24, loi, 102, 105, 108,

140, 155.
Pica pica hudsonica, 115.
Pigeon, Passenger, 91, 166.
Pinicola enucleator leucura, 24.
Pintail, 52, 113, 118.
Pipilo ervthrophthalmus, 25, 151,

156. '

maculatus arcticus, 115.
Pipit, American, 26, 44, 107.

Tree, 12.
Piranga er3thromelas, 25.
Plover, American Golden, 22, 89.

Black-bellied, 43, 88, 89, 97,

120.

Piping, 30, 89, 105.

Semipalmated, 86, 89, 105.
Podilymbus podiceps, 21, 49.
Polipotila cserulea, 157.
Fooecetes gramineus, 19, 24, 147,

156.
Porzana Carolina, 84, 114.
Progne subis, 19, 25.
Puffin, Tufted, 124., 127,
Querquedula discors, 21, 52, !!■;,

155-
Quiscalus quiscula, 24, 155.

aeneus, 24, 146.

Rail, King, 22, 32, 83, 105.

Sora, 84.

Virginia, 22, 83, 105.
Rallus elegans, 22, 32, 83.

virginianus, 22, 83.
Raven, Northern, 143.
Redstart, American, 19, 26, 56, 58.

107, 108, 163, 164.
Regulus calendula, 26, 115.

satrapa, 26.
Remiza pendulina, 3, 5.
Rhynchophanes macco\vnii, 115.
Riparia riparia, 2?.
Robin, American, 19, 27, 28, 32, 46,

63, 65, 102, 107, 108, no, 112,

ii";, 157, 163, 164.
feanderling, 86, 87, 89.
Sandpiper, Baird's, 85.

Bartramian, 22, 32, 66, 105,
114.

Buff-breasted, 87.

Least, 22, 85.

Pectoral, 85.

Red-backed, 85.

Semipalmated, 85, 86, 87, 89.

Solitary, 22, 73, 87, 105.

Spotted, 18, 22, 43, 88, 105,
no.
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 18, 24,

56, 134-
Savornis phoebe, 19, 24, 140, 155.
Scolecophagus carolinus, 115.
Seiurus aurocapillus, 19, 26, 31.

motacilla, 26, 73.

noveboracensis, 26.
Setophaga ruticilla, 19, 26.
Shoveller, 21, 113, 118.
Shrike, Migrant, 106.

Northern, 25, 115.

White-rumped, 115.
Sialia sialis. 19. 27, 157.
Siskin, Pine, 24, 63, 106, 147, 156.
Sitta canadensis, 19, 157.

carolinensis, 26.
Snipe, Wilson's, 22, 84, 114.
Snowflake, 24, 44, 115.
Sora, 82, 84, 105, 114.
Sparrow, Chipping, 19, 24. 63, 94,

102, 106, 108, 149, 156, 164.

English, 63, 102, 156.

Field, 19, 25, 106, 149, 156,
164.

Fox. 25, SS- 63, 108, 151.

Grasshopper, 24, 106, 148, 164.

Henslow's, 24, 33, 106, 118,
I20, 148, 162.

174

iMU<;x TO Noi.r.Mi'; xix. i-.mit.

House, loi, lis, 147) i^3-
Lark, no, 117, 148, 149.
Leconte's, 20.
Lincoln's, 106, 150.
Niittall's, 124, 132.
Savanna, 24, 44, 106, i<8.
Rusty Song, 127, 132.
Song, 19, 25, 28, 55, 59, 63,
106, 115, 150, 151, 156,
164.
Sooty Fox, 127, 132.
Swamp, 24, loi, 102, 106, 151.
Tree, 24, 63, 118, 149.
Vesper, 19, 24, 28, 106, 108,

no, 147, 156, 164.
Western Cliipping, 124.
Western Tree, 115.
White-crowned, 24, 44, 55,

63, 106, 149, 156.
White-throated, 17, 24, 55, 63,
io6, 149, 156.
Spatula clypeata, 21, 113.
Speotj'to cunicularia hypogaea, 114.
Spliyrapicus varius, 18, 24, 134.
Spinus pinus, 24, 147, 156.
Spiza americana, 2S, 71, 153.
Spizella monticola, 24, 149.
ocracea, in;.
pusilla, 19, 25, 76, 80, 150,

156.
socialis, 19, 24, 149, 156.
Squatarola squatarola, 88.
Starling, 24, 105.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 25.
Sterna caspia, 50.

hirundo, 21, 50.
Strix pratincola, 23, 32.
Sturnella magna, 24, 144, 155.

neglecta, 115.
Sturnus vulgaris, 24.
Swallow, Bank, 25, 106, no, 124.
Barn, 19, 25, 102, 106, 108,

no, in. 124, 127.
Cliff, 25, 106, no.
Rough-winged, 25, 66, 106,

124, 127.
Tree, 19, 2^, 106, 124.
Violet-green, 124.
Swan, ^^'histling. i;4-
Swift. Black, 127.

Chimney, 18, 23, ';6, 73, 102,
103, los, 108, no, III,
136, 163.
Svlvania canadensis, 19.
Syrnium varium, 23, 27.
Tachycineta bicolor, 19.

'i'anager. Scarlet, 25, 56, 66, 102,

106, 108, 164.
Summer, 56.

Teal, Blue-winged, 21, 52, 104,

113. 155-

Cjreen-winged, 21, 51, 113.
'relmatod\tes palustris, 26.
Fern, Black, 50, 104.

Caspian, 50, 119.

Common, 21, 50, 74, 104.
Thrasher, Brown, 26, 93, 94, 102,

107, 115, 157-

Jlirush, Gra\-cheeked, 27, 57, 6".
94. 107, 133.
Hermit, 18, 19, 27, 57, 63, 107,

108.
Olive-backed, 18, 27, 57, 63,

94, 107, 133-

Russet-backed, 124, 132.

Wilson's, 27, 57, 63, 107, 108.

Wood, 26, 56, 102, 107, 108,
164.
Tit, Big Cole, 3, 10, n.

Brown Cole, 3, 8, 9.

Blue, 3, 9, lo, n.

Crested, 3, 7. 8.

(jreat, 3, 10, n.

Long-tailed, " 4, 5, 6, 7, 13.

Marsh, 3, n, 12.

Swamp. 3, n, 12.
Titmouse, Tufted, 26, 107, 157.
Totanus inelanoleucus, 18, 22, 87.

flavipes, 22, 87.
Towhee, 25, 63, 93, 94, 102, 106,

108, 151, 156.
Arctic, 115.
Oregon, 132.

Thryomanes bewickii, 157.
Toxostoma rufum, 26, 115, 157.
']'ringa canutus, 84.
Trocliilus colubris, 23, 137.
Tryngites subruficollis, 87.
Thryothorus ludovicianus, 26, 157.
Troglodytes aedon, 26.
Turkey, Wild, 91.
Turnstone, Ruddy, 90.
Tyrannus tyrannus, 18, 23, 139.
Veery, 18.
Vireo flavifrons, 25.

noveboracensis, 25.

solitarius, 25.
Vireo, Bell's. s6.

Blue-headed, 25, 63, 106.

Philadelphia, 106, 118.

Red-eyed, 19, 25, 57, 94, 102,
106, 108, 164.

INDEX TO VOLU.ME XIX, 1907.

Warbling, 56. loi, 102, 106,

164.
Western Warbling, 124.
White-eyed, 25, 102, 106.
Yellow-throated, 25, 106, 108.
Vulture, Black, 33.

Turkey, 60, 91, 105, no, 15;.

Warbler, Bay-breasted, 25, 58, 106.

Black and .White, 19, 2=;, 106,

108, 164.
Blackburnian, 19, 25, 58, 107.
Black-poll, 25, 57, 107.
Black-throated Blue, 25, 106,

108.
Black-throcted Green, 25, 58,

107.
Blue-winged, 25, 106, 164.
Brewster's, 25, 106, 119.
Canadian, 19, 26, 58, 107, 108.
Cape May, 25, 58.
Cerulean, 25, 106.
Chestnut-sided. 19, 25, 57, 66,

106, 108.
Connecticut, 26.
Golden-winged, 25, 106.
Hooded, 26, 207.
Golden Pileolated, 132.
Kentucky, 26, 102, 107, 119,

163, 164.
Lawrence's, 25.
Lutescent, 124, 132.
Magnolia, 25, 57, 106, 108,

163.
Mourning, 26, 58, 107.
Myrtle, 25, 56, 106, 108, 156.
Nashville, 25, 58, 106.
Northern Parula, 106.
Orange-crowned, 25, io6.
Palm, 26, 44, 107.
Parula, 25, 56.
Pileolated, 124.
Pine, 19, 26.
Prairie, 26, 107.
Tennessee, 2^. "jS, 106.
Wilson's, 26, 58, 107.
Worm-eating, 25, 106, 118,

164.

Yellow, 19, 25, 56, 63, loi,
102, 106, 108, no, 124.

Yellow P?lm, 26, 107.
Water-Thrush, 26, 57, 107.

Louisiana, 26, 73, 107.
\^'axwing, Bohemian, 115.

Cedar, 19, 25, 31, 94, loi,
102, 106, 156.
Whippoorwill, 18, 23, 105, 135,

136.
Widgeon, American, 15.
\^'ilsonia canadensis, 26, 58.

mitrata, 26.

pusilla, 26, 58.
\A'oodcock, American, 22, 84, 105,

162.
\^'oodpecker, Down}-, 18, 23, 105,

114, 155.

Great Spotted, 7.

Hairy, 23, 105, 114, 134.

Northern Downy, 134.

Northern Pileated, 18, 134.

Pileated, 155.

Red-bellied, 155.

Red-headed, 2^, 56, 72, 105,
no, III, 114, 135.
\\'ren, Bewick's, 11, 120, 157.

Carolina, 26, 49, 157.

House, II, 26, 102, 107, 108,
157, 163.

Long-billed Marsh, 26, 107.

Short-billed Marsh, 26, 33.

Western Winter, 132.

Winter, 4, 26, 63, 107.
Yellow-legs, 22, 87, 105.

Greater, 18, 22, 87, 105.
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 26, 56,

164.

Northern, 107, 108.
Zamelodia ludoviciana, 25, 153.
Zenaidura macroura, 22, 91, 114,

15.5-
Zonotrichia albicollis, 24, 149, 156.
leucophrys, 24, 149.

Bald Eagle {Haliaetus kucocephalm) on the wing near its nest, Crane
Island, Lewiston Reservoir, Ohio, April 3, 1906.

[Photo by G. C. Fisher]

THE

WILSON BULLETIN

NO. 58

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

VOL. XIX MARCH, 1907 NO. 1

THE PARID/.E OF GERMANY.

BY REV. W. F. HENNINGER.

The Palsearctic Region has many forms of this family when
compared with the Nearctic. Setting aside subspecific niceties
— and as long as subspecies do not differ appreciably from the
species proper biologically I do not see the reason for laying
so much stress upon the distinctions in life history sketches of
birds — there are just nine species of titmice proper found in
the old Fatherland. Of these, however, Cyanistes cyaneus is
only a casual visitor from the east, Panurus biarmicus from
the southeast, and Remiza petidulina only at rare times a
summer resident. This leaves six species for discussion.

One must either recognize the one genus Parus or must con-
sider each species to belong tO' a different genus, and in the
light of the points of difference brought out by a thorough
scientific investigation it is hard to understand how anything
other than the creation of separate genera for each species
could be thought of. Parus major, the Big Cole or Great Tit;
Periparus ater, the Brown Cole Tit ; Cyanistes coeruleus, the
Blue Tit ; Penthestes palustris, the Swamp Tit ; Lophophanes
cristatus, the Crested Tit, and finally Aegithalus cauHatus, the
Long-tailed Tit. They all differ considerably in coloration,
and while I do not wish to inflict a long-winded description of
the various species upon the readers of the Bulletin, still the
following diagnosis will be necessarv.

4 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

Parus major. — Back yellowish-green, upper tail coverts
bluish-gray, under parts yellow, top of head, throat and a
streak down the anus black, cheeks white. Length 1-i centi-
meters, tail G ctm.

Parus ater. — Upper parts bluish-ash, lower parts whitish,
head and neck black, a big cheek patch and a longitudinal
stripe on the nape white. Length 11 ctm., tail 5 ctm.

Cyanistes coeruleus. — Wings, tail, top of head sky blue ; a
wing band, edge of cheeks and nape white ; cheeks lined with
blue ; streak through the eye and a small spot in the nape
bluish-black ; rest of upper parts green, under parts yellow.
Length 12 ctm., tail 5.5 ctm.

Pemthestes palustris. — Whole top of head black with a
metallic bluish tinge ; spot on chin black ; upper parts brown-
ish-gray overlaid with rufous ; sides of throat, breast, flanks,
and lower parts rusty whitish ; wings and tail darker and
grayer. Length 11.5 ctm., tail 4.8 ctm.

Lophophanes cristatus. — Upper parts reddish over a brown-
ish-gray ; lower parts whitish ; feathers of head black with
w'hitish tips ; a conspicuous crest ; a streal< through the eye,
throat, two stripes to the occiput black ; cheeks white ; wings
and tail dark grayish-brown. Length 13 ctm., tail 4.5 ctm.

Aegithalus caudatus. — Head and lower parts white ; sides
of breast, under tail coverts, lower back overlaid with light
reddish-brown ; tail wedge-shaped, the four middle rectrices
black, the rest black with whitish tips and outer edges ; front
part of back and wings blackish. Total length 15 ctm., of
which the tail measures 9 ctm.

The Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalus caudatus) is commonly
called 'The Panhandle,' and a more appropriate sobriquet
could not be found. Imagine a birdikin whose body is a trifle
smaller than that of our Winter Wren, reminding you of a
thimble-like fluffy ball of cotton, with a tail that resembles the
handle of a frying-pan, and you will understand the name
'Panhandle.' The first time I met this most charming acrobat
of the Titmouse family was on February 1, 1889. A sudden
dash of warm winds had made the snow entirely disappear.

Henninger, ox the Parid^ of Germany. o

Picking my way along the edge of a small park, struggling
through the mire against a severe gust of wind, I was not
paying the usual close attention to the surroundings when a
sharp whirr made me look up, and just at that moment I saw
a troop of from ten tO' fifteen 'Panhandles' alighting in some
birch trees. It seemed as if a small flight of miniature white
arrows was showered from twig to twig, from branch to
branch. Hanging on the lower side of the boughs, encircling
others with their tiny claws, performing all sorts of gymnastic
exercises about them, whirring to another tree, examining all
crevices for insects, sounding their sharp notes 'derr derr,'
these titmice were certainly to all appearances a large edition
of animated snowflakes. Never did I see a flock of birds make
a more careful and systematic search for insects and their eggs
than this swarm of pygmies ; and they did it sO' rapidly that it
almost made your head ache by trying to keep your eyes
-riveted on this bunch of busybodies. They disappeared just as
swiftly as they had come. Though a tender bird in outward
appearance this little dwarf is perfectly hardy and many, many
of its families brave the storms ol northern Germany, yea the
farther south you go the rarer it is until in Spain and Greece
it is seldom found.

The birds are not as quarrelsome as other members of the
family Paridse, but are jolly and more active, roving about in
troops not only in winter and fall, for my earliest dates of
troops of 25 or 30 are June 28, 1892, near the Rhine. The
birds seem to prefer the non-coniferous forests ; where the
deciduous trees are missing they are not often found, and even
then they Avill prefer parks and orchards to the depths of the
woods. In their rambles they are frequently associated with
other titmice, kinglets and creepers. Their song is a sweet
melodious twitter that does not carry very far, according to my
observations. As a nest-builder, however, the Long-tailed Tit
develops a mastership that calls forth our highest admiration.
In contrast to the other members of the family except Panurus
biarmicus and Remiza pendulina, it builds a nest, not being
satisfied with a cavity only, although some observers state

6 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

that the nest proper is sometimes phiced in a cavity. The
nests I have found were all placed in birch trees, but of course
numerous other kinds of trees and even elder and juniper
bushes are used. One side of the nest leans against the body
of the tree, the bottom resting upon a bough and fastened
to it.

It is a delight to watch the birds building their domicile. They
begin by placing a number of mosses and lichens on the
bough, perhaps to the extent of four or five centimeters,
carrying the material with their tiny bills, and making trips at
regular intervals, never going very far away from the home-
place. They securely fasten the material with larger pieces,
then build upon this, clinging the while to the outside walls
with their tiny feet, thus working away until they have felted
an oval-shaped ball fifteen or twenty centimeters in height and
probably eleven or twelve centimeters in circumference. They
line the inside with feathers, wool, and horse-hair, leaving a
round entrance hole a trifle above the center of the ball. The
outside of this wonderful piece of workmanship, which it
takes about three weeks to complete, is so closely covered with
lichens, spider-webs and the like, that it cannot be dis-
tinguished with certainty from many a knot with which the
branches are covered. One must therefore resort to the
practice of watching the female as she goes to and from the
nest. Some writers assert that the entrance to the nest is al-
Avays on the east side but I must confess that this is a point
that has escaped me.

The Long-tailed Tit is very prolific, as many as 17 eggs
having been found in a nest, while I have always found ten.
Eggs in my collection from Holland show about the average
measurement of 14 by 10 millimeters.

Nest building comes in April. I found ten young ready to
fly on May 18, 1890 (see Wm. Baer, Ornis der preussiscben
Oberlausitz, page 31). Incubation lasts about 13 days. The
young are fed with great regularity about every five minutes
with a great variety of insects, insect eggs, and larvae, When
older thev stick their long tails through the walls of the nest.

Henninger, on the Parid^ of Germany. 7

producing a very ludicrous appearance to the whole affair, but
eliminating the necessity of cleaning the nest. The birds are
said to raise a second brood in some localities, the second
brood appearing in June.

The coloration of the young differs considerably from that
of the old birds. The 'head and neck are black or sooty, the
throat and lower parts are white with a grayish tinge. It is
needless to say that the Long-tailed Tit is a wholly beneficial
bird, well deserving the universal protection and welcome
wherever it is met with.

The Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) forms the great-
est contrast to the Long-tailed Tit, at least as far as habitat is
concerned, for it is a lover of the gloomy depths of the conifer-
ous forests — pines as well as firs. All the different titmice
troop together in the fall with kinglets, creepers, and nut-
hatches, and generally have as their leader a fine specimen of
the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Common need brings them
together, and the all absorbing food question seems to be the
controlling feature of their roving lives. But when the zephyrs
of spring call, the troops disband and the individuals betake
themselves to the serious business of house-keeping. Even into
the almost solemn gloom of the pine forest a ray and breath
of the warm sunshine seems to float and bring with it the
jolly Crested Tit.

The passion of love causes the male to erect his crest, assume
the most peculiar coquettish appearance, almost dancing
around his ladylove, who, like all of her sex, wants to be
coaxed before she declares herself conquered. During this
time one can hear the low twitter of their mating song which
is totally different from their call notes, but yet insignificant
as far as beauty and melody are concerned. Coupled with
these actions is an increased activity in searching for food, and
the time of year assures a bountiful harvest of insects. Among
the branches, under the bark, on the ground, among the root-
lets of the trees they search with wonderful agility and energy.
Wherever the food is abundant they tarry longer, one taking
the place of another, chasing this neighbor," pinching that one

8 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

in the kg, fighting with a third, but never losing an oppor-
tunity for an inviting morsel. Finally they are mated and have
selected a knot-hole or a hole made by the carpenters of the
forest — the woodpeckers — or, as the convenient nesting sites
are growing fewer every year, take to some artificial bird box
hung by a friendly hand of the 'Deutscher Verein zuni
Schutze der Vogelwelt,' or even into the walls of a deserted
squirrel or magpie nest.

Two broods of from eight to ten are reared every year. The
eggs of all the titmice species resemble one another in colora-
tion, the ground color being a white with reddish-brown and
rusty spots. However, they differ in measurements and in the
arrangement of the spots so that it is comparatively easy to
refer an egg to the species. The eggs of this species measure
16 by 12 millimeters.

While the young are being fed the Crested Tit often visits
deciduous trees to gather the fat young caterpillars and does
not confine its efforts to the firs and pines only. The young,
when }ou come near to their habitaticn, will eye you with the
same curiosity as the old ones, will raise their crests just as
quickly and scold you just as emphatically. When the rigor-
ous frosts of early fall come thev grow restless and soon seek
the companionship of other titmice until we find the large
groups of birds which roam through the woods all winter. Such
groups are only occasionally disturbed by the swift and
furious attacks of the Sparrow Haw4< (Accipiter nisus). With
spring the round of life in families again begins.

The Brown Cole Tit (Periparus ater) is another of the
lovers of the coniferous forests, though clinging more to the
pines than to the firs. Impudence, jollity, and an inclination
to quarrel are common traits of all tits, and this species is no
exception to the rule. While the notes of all titmice are
•similar a trained ear will know the various species at once.
The notes of this species might be rendered as a low 'sis sis
sis sisi.'

This is another of the wholly beneficial species. It clears the
pines of insect pests, but also eats some seeds.

Henninger, on the Parid.e of Germany. 9

Old hollow stumps, if handy, are their most common nesting
sites, but the scarcity of these has driven this species under
ground. On July 17, 1889, we found a nest in an old deserted
badger hole, the nest an arm's length under the ground. It
was neatly made of horse hair, cattle and badger hair, grass,
moss, and a few feathers. At another time I saw a bird flying
into a mouse hole near a roadsi'le, but this nest, too, had no
eggs. Sometimes even heaps of stones are utilized. Nesting
occurs in May, but on May 20 we have found a nest containing
eleven young about ready to fly. From six to eleven eggs con-
stitute a set. The eggs measure 15.5 by 11.5 millimeters.

The Brown Cole Tit is one of the last to join the titmouse
assembly in fall, and one of the first to leave it in the middle
of March ; in fact this species has fcAver distinguishing features
than any of the rest.

The Blue Tit (Cyanistes coeruleus) is the most beautiful
colored one of them all. The peculiar blending of colors, the
tameness, and confidence it places in man, the sagacity and
cunning, and the omnipresence of this species make it well
known to all. While it seems to prefer the deciduous trees to
the coniferous woods, I have found it equally abundant ia
both except during the breeding season. Its strong inclina-
tion to quarrel is a characteristic which we must deplore. Not
only will the birds fight among themselves to a bitter finish,
but they will even kill other birds weaker than themselves ;
indeed, they do not seem afraid to battle with species of
greater strength and size. But what of it ! Nesting sites are
few and the trouble of finding them great and time consuming,
and why should the intruder live? A few strokes of the beak
crush the skull of the intruding rival, the would-be robber of
the long-sought home, and the trouble is ended. Who wnll
blame the Blue Tit if it defends to the death its house and
home ? Moreover, why should \vc persecute the Blue Tit on
that account? Nature always maintains a right balance and
will adjust itself if man will only not meddle, for 'only man is
vile.' There is too much rubbish written about useful and
detrimental species, all wholly from the standpoint of the sel-

10 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

fish utilitarian standpoint of man. The question is not merely
whether the species is found to be beneficial or harmful after
the examination of the contents of many stomachs by experts
of the Department of Agriculture, and hence should be pro-
tected or not protected, but rather, as a German naturalist has
recently said, 'Nature must be full of interesting figures, of
various voices, that man may find pleasure in it, for only out
of nature can a nation regain vitality, energy, and power.
Nations who have lost their feeling for nature, like the
Italians and Spaniards, by killing off the feathered songsters
and making a solitude of their forests and fields, have the
germs of death in their national lives ; in fact, are only living
artificial lives. Nations who retain a strong feeling for nature
as the Teutonic, Slavic, and Japanese, can be beaten to the
ground and like Anteus of old can rise with renewed vigor.
Consequently every government should be wise enough to keep
this feeling alive within the nation, and one of the means is the
preservation of existing forms whether beneficial or not.'
Then why try to persecute the Blue Tit? No, let it live to be
enjoyed by both young and old.

The same nesting places are sought by the Blue Tit as by the
other members of this family, the same jealous quarrels and
love afifairs are pursued, the same roving habits taken up in the
fall and winter.

The eggs number from six to ten, and measure 15 by 12
millimeters. By the end of May the young are ready to fly.
Incubation is performed by the female alone, but the young are
provided for by both parents. I found their nests in the knot-
holes of the oak more often than in any other tree.

The Great Tit (Parus major) is in many respects a larger
edition of the Blue Tit, but still has many peculiarities of its
own. It also prefers the deciduous trees to the coniferous
woods, but during the breeding season is not quite as much
restricted to them as the Blue Tit, and is found in mountains
and foot hills as often as in the valleys and on the plains.

Tlie characteristic call note is a loud 'pink, pink,' the mating
note a 'bissi' or a 'disda disda,' but there are manv other

Hexxixger, ox the Parid.e of Germaxy. 11

notes. Early in Alarch we hear these notes when intense
rivalry exists among the males for the affections of some
coveted female.

There is no rest in the life of the Great Tit, nor is it ever
disgruntled except on. rare occasions. In this, as well as in its
inquisitiveness, it is an exact counte-rpart of our House Wren
or Bewick's Wren. Its actions are a revelation of mouselike
rapidity, dodging, turning from side to side on a twig, creep-
ing through holes, prying into the stable or quarreling with a
colleague. At times the bird is .-o grotesque and comical that
you cannot suppress a fit of laughter, especially since it seems
to take everything in dead earnest. It looks at you as much as
to say : 'Did you ever see a more astute being ?'

Alas, the Great Tit has the same murderous quality of char-
acter as the Blue Tit.

The Great Tit likes to use the same domicile as that of the
previous seaiion. Into this cavity the female drags moss,
feathers, wool, and other materials ; she is accompanied by the
male who, however, does net help in carrying the material, in
which respect be is like the Indian whose idea is 'Big Chief
no work, squaw work.' After the foundation has been laid
the industrious worker spies out the cattle and horse hairs that
are left hanging on the bushes and thorn hedges with which to
line the nest. In placing and arranging the lining she uses
both bill and feet. The eggs are from seven to thirteen in
number and measure 17.5 by 13.5 millimeters.

While the female is performing the office of incubation the
male supplies her with caterpillars, and after the young have
hatched he joins the female and redoubles his efforts to supply
the loudly clamoring young. A second brood is generally
reared, for by the end of ]\Iay the young of the first brood are
ready to fly.

Besides the cavities supplied by nature I have found these
birds breeding in holes in telegraph and telephone poles. They
also have regular sleeping holes which are not, however, used
for breeding purposes.

The Swamp or Alarsh Tit (Penthestes pahistris) has always

12 The Wilson Bulletin — No 58.

been my favorite among the German titmice. It reminds one
of our American Chickadee in coloration as well as in habits.
Both belong to the same subgenus. This is the jolliest and
quickest of the German tits. From early morning to the fall
of night it is constantly on the go, and the woods ring with the
call note — 'sia.' Its love plays arc similar to those of the Tree
Pipit (All thus trwialisj described in the Wilson Bulletin for
March, 1903.

It loves to select a sleeping hole to spend the night in. Dur-
ing the summer of 1890 one always slept in a knothole in our
rustic bowling alley, and neither the rimible of the balls, the
cracking of the pins, nor the talking and laughing of the
crowd, nor even the fact that I often caught her in my hands,
caused her to leave her favorite abode. She became perfectly
fearless of our presence.

The food of this tit consists of insects, .and of seeds,
principally the seeds of the sunflower in the fall.

The hollow tops and holes in old willows are preferred to
any other places in which to deposit the eggs. Such holes are
generally filled out with moss, dry grass, and hair, but I have
found them placed on the chips or sawdust without any nesting
material whatever. From five to ten eggs are laid, which
measure 15 by 12 millimeters. Wm. Baer, in his 'Ornis der
preussischen Oberlausitz,' page 32, mentions my finding three
eggs of the subspecies iiicridionalis snbpalustris, which is cor-
rect, as I caught the bird on the eggs on May 3, 1891 ; but he
does not mention my set of five eggs taken on April 22, 1890,
which at the time he referred to the same subspecies. The
former was given to a friend, but the latter is still in my
possession. The subspecific distinctions in the case of the
Marsh Tit are of more value than most subspecies, for if all
observations prove true their life histories, call notes, etc., are"
different.

Taken all together the family Parid?e contains most charm-
ing and interesting birds which are well worth being intro-
duced into this country where they would likely form a most
desirable and profitable acquisition.

Fisher, on Bald Eagles' Nest. 13

All members of this family can be easily kept in confine-
ment, the Long-tailed Tit being the most troublesome in this
respect.

BALD EAGLES' NEST AT LEWISTOWN RESERVOIR.

BY G. C. FISHER.

Early in March of last year there appeared in the local
newspapers of Western Ohio statements regarding an eagles'
nest which had been constructed at the Lewistown Reservoir.
Following is a verbatim excerpt from one of these articles :

"A sight which has not been witnessed in Ohio for years is
now being viewed by duck hunters on the Lewistown Reser-
voir. On Crane Island of that fishing resort two large-sized
bald eagles have during the winter erected their nest in the
top of two tall oaks. The birds are beautiful specimens and
many hunters have endeavored to bring one or both to earth.
The nest appears from the ground to be fully twenty feet
square and from ten to fifteen feet in depth."

Our attention was thus turned to this point of interest, and
regardless of the evident exaggeration and inaccuracy, we
were anxious to see the object of this press comment.

The Lewistown Reservoir is located in Logan County,
Ohio, and is near the T. and O. C. Railroad, about eighteen
miles east of Wapakoneta. It belongs to the State of Ohio,
and was originally constructed as a feeder for the Miami and
Erie Canal. It covers 7,200 acres, or nearly twelve square
miles, and is now a famous resort for duck hunters, fishermen,
and camping parties. In the Fish and Game Laws, it is
known as "Indian Lake," although Indian Lake is, in reality,
only a small part of the Lewistown Reservoir.

Arriving at the Reservoir on the afternoon of March 26,
1906, we were greatly disappointed to find that the ice had
not yet gone ofif "The Pond." It was too rotten to walk upon
with safety, and yet not a hole in sight, even with a good field

14

The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

Nest of Bald Eagle Crane Island, Lewiston Reservoir, Logan County,
Ohio, April 3, 1906. Photo by G. C. Fisher.

glass. For the first two days we were unable to get out in a
boat, but we meandered around through some of the surround-
ing marshes where we had the opportunity of observing a pair
of Red-shouldered Hawks. We were favored with hearing
their plaintive cry a great many times as they sailed low over
the marshy woods. We also heard the Blue Jay in his very
successful efforts at imitating them.

By the morning of the third day the ice had broken up out
in the open water. We could see that Otter Lake was all
open ; so we pushed our boat out on the rotten ice at the
edge, and began pushing and pulling it out toward the open

Fisher, on Bald Eagles' Nest. ^ 15

water. We were always ready to jump into the boat when
the ice should suddenly give way. Rotten ice doesn't give
much warning. When the ice began to give way, we were
compelled to break out the rest of the way with our oars. We
did not go to the eagles' nest this day because of cloudiness,
hoping that we would be favored later with a bright day so
that we might get some photos. More than fifty Herring
Gulls were seen sitting on the ice or flying about. It was a
little early for ducks although there was a considerable number
of Mallards, Black Ducks, and American Widgeons on "The
Pond." A few Blue-Bills, a Hooded Merganser, and a few
Red-breasted Mergansers were seen. W^e secured a fine
specimen of a male American Golden-eye. Several flocks of
Canada Geese were seen. A large speckled Loon came past
us flying low over the water. We also saw a few American
Coots.

The next day proved to be cloudy, cold, and drizzly, but we
concluded to go to the Eagles' nest, for there seemed. to be little
prospect of fair weather. Landing on Crane Island we began
cautiously to approach the tall American Elm in which the
nest was located. (Upon arriving at the Reservoir, we learned
that it had not been built "in the top of two tall oaks.") We
had approached within sixty yards of the tree before the eagle,
which was apparently brooding at the time (March 29), flew
from the nest. Its white head and tail could be distinctly
seen. It circled about uttering its cry, while we observed the
nest and photographed it. We then withdrew and watched
the eagle return to the nest. During the following week we
secured a number of photos.

According to the testimony of some . of the old residents
this is the first eagles' nest that has been built at the Lewis-
town Reservoir in their memory. Notwithstanding this fact,
and in spite of the law protecting them, we learned that efforts
had been made to kill the eagles even to the extent of using a
high-power rifle at long range.

1() The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

Contrary to the newspaper report, we thought the nest ap-
peared to be about five feet in diameter and three feet in
height or depth. It was made of brush.

From July 31 to August 4, 1906, we again had the oppor-
tunity of visiting the place. At this time we observed both
adults and both young. The latter were in their dark plumage
with some blotches or streaks of white. We were privileged
to observe them several times and to hear their cries until
familiar. It is to be hoped that the game warden will do his
duty in seeing that these magnificent birds will be preserved
for the pleasure of all who may enjoy them.

AUGUST BIRDS OF LAKE SEBAGO, MAINE.

BY CHRESWELL J. HUNT.

Thirty miles from Portland, in Cumberland County, South-
western Maine, lies Sebago, one of those glacial lakes which
are scattered all over the state. It is twelve miles long with
an expanse of eight miles at its widest point. Aside from a
few summer camps and several saw mills the shores remain
in their wild state. These shores are rocky with here and
there sandy beaches behind which lies a forest of white pine
and spruce interspersed with white and yellow birches. Here
the undergrowth is composed largely of the moose-wood
(Acer pcnusylvanicnm) and the ground is covered with mossy
boulders about which grow clusters of wintergreen (Gaiil-
theria pvocuinbcns) , bunch berry (Cornus canadensis) and
clintonia (Clinhnia borealis), together with numerous ferns.

To the north of Lake Sebago lies Long Lake, the two being
connected by the Songo River, a crooked little stream which
flows six miles tO' go twO' miles as the crow flies. A line of
small steamboats ply between Sebago Lake at the foot of Lake
Sebago and Harrison at the head of Long Lake. To the
westward the country rolls away toward the White Mountains,
the hills about the lake reaching a height of from 500 to 1,300
feet. *

Hunt, on August Birds of Lake Sebago. 17

The week of August Gth to 13th, 190G, was spent in com-
pany with Mr. B. W. Griffiths at the head of Lake Sebago,
making the httle village of South Naples our headquarters.
We were ten miles from the nearest railroad station (Mattocles
'on the Main Central), and in the way of showing that the
country retained some of its wildness, I might mention that in
returning from a boat trip up the Muddy River, which en-
tered the lake at South Naples, we surprised a doe and fawn
within a mile of the settlement, also the beach from which we
took our daily swnm was marked with footprints of deer.
Back from the lake the villages are small and the farms few
and scattered.

According to Mr. Hiofifmann's faunal map of New England,
in that excellent little volume "The Birds of New England
and Eastern New York," Lake Sebago lies in the Transition
or Alleghenian Zone.

August is not the ideal month for field work but one can
always learn something and there are two- facts that made
deep impressions in my mind. First, that though one be sur-
rounded by a boreal fauna and flora, the temperature can
climb very high indeed. Second, that the State of New Jersey
do-es not hold as big a monopoly upon the mosquito as I had
always been led to believe. We had them both in abundance
— heat and mosquitoes — and I must confess that the cool
crystal waters of the lake were far more enticing than the
mosquito-ridden woods. But although our swims were possibly
too frequent and a bit lengthy, we did not neglect the birds,
and though the following is by no means a complete list, I
cannot help but feel that it includes most of the birds to be
found here during early August.

One of the men employed in the saw mill told me that the
Wood Duck and Black Duck both breed about the lake.
He also said that a great many of the small birds that v/ere
now becoming fairly common had been almost unknown in
that section until two or three years ago.

Very few hawks were seen and no owls. The total absence
of White-throated Sparrows surprised me, as also did the

18 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

finding of Hermit Thrushes and no Veerys of Olive-backs.

We were greatly amused by the curiosity displayed by a
male Loon. We had gone to explore Trickey Pond, a small
sheet of water lying to the north of the lake, and had forced
our way through the bushes at its edge and each stepped out
upon a rock projecting into the water. We had stood for
several minutes looking about when a harsh laugh reached us,
and a look revealed the bird swimming about near the farther
shore. I tried to imitate his wild laugh and immediately he
answered me. Thus we kept it up for some time, the bird
diving and coming up again at a point somewhat nearer us,
until at last we had him within 200 yards. I would not ask a
better look at any bird. The binoculars showed every
feather! We were standing in plain sight with no attempt
whatever at concealment. His curiosity was far greater than
\iis fear.

1. Gavia imbcr. — Loon. Seen several times.

2. Ardea herodias — Great Blue Heron. Several.

3. Totaniis melanoleucits. — Greater Yellow-legs. A single bird.

4. Actitis macularia. — Spotted Sandpiper. A number seen.

5. Bonasa umbellus. — Ruffed Grouse. Said to be conmon. On each
of the tvpo only extended tramps into the woods we flushed a covey.

6. Buteo borealis. — ^Red-tailed Hawk. Several.

7. Buteo lineatus. — Red-shouldered Hawk. Saw only one.

8. Haliaeetus leucocephalus. — Bald Eagle. One male.

9. Coccyzus erythrophtltalmus. — Black-billed Cuckoo. Several.

10. Ceryle alcyon. — Belted Kingfisher. A few seen.

11. Dryobates pubescens mediajiiis. — Downy Woodpecker. Abundant.

12. Spliyrapicus varius. — Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Heard on several
occasions.

13. Geophloeus pileatus ebieticola. — Northern Plicated Woodpecker.
Seen frequently during the winter. Said to spend the summer in the
more secluded swamps. Upon the shore of the lake stood a dead tree,
the side of which had without question been excavated by this species.

14. Colapates anratus luteus. Northern Flicker. Fairly common.

15. Antrostomus 'vociferus. — Whip-poor-will. Heard singing on
several evenings.

16. Chordeiles virgin'mnus. — Nighthawk. A number seen.

17. Chaetura pelagica. — Chimney Swift. A few seen at North Sebago.
Absent about South Naples.

18. Tyrainius tyranjtus. — Kingbird. Fairly common.

Hunt, on August Birds of Lake Sebago. 19

19. Sayornis phoebe. — Phoebe. Common.

20. Contopus 'virens. — Wood Pewee. Common.

21. Empidonax traillii alnorum. — Alder Flycatcher. Only one seen.

22. CyanociUa cristata. Blue Ja3^ Seen only twice but said to be
common.

23. Corvus brachyrhyuclios. — American Crow. Fairly common.

24. Dolichonyx cryzworus. — Bobolink. One small flock.

25. Astragalinus iristis. — Goldfinch. Common.

26. Pooecetes gramineus. — Vesper Sparrow. Seen in old pasture on
side of Peaked Hills.

27. Spizella socialis. — Chipping Sparrow. About clearings.

28. Spizella pusilla. — Field Sparrow. Common in suitable locations.

29. Junco hyemalis. — Junco. Seen only on the Peaked Hills and near
Songo Lock.

30. Melospiza cinerea melodia. — Song Sparrow. Abundant.

32. Prague subis. — Purple Martin. Common about South Naples.

32. Hiriindo erythrogastra. — Barn Swallow. Common.

33. Tachycineta bicolor. — Tree Swallow. Abundant.

34. Ampelis cedrorum. — Cedar Waxwing. Abundant.

35. Vireo olifaceiis. — Red-eyed Vireo. Common.

36. Mniotilta 'varia. — Black and White Warbler. Fairly common.

37. Dendroica aestiva. — Yellow Warbler. Several. Only heard the
song and was a bit doubtful of this species until the following week at
Camden on the Penobscot Bay, 125 miles farther east and. in a distinctly
Canadian fauna — according to Hoffmann — I positively identified one of
this species.

38. Dendroica pensyl-vanica. — Chestnut-sided Warbler. A few seen.

39. Dendroica blackburniae. — Blackburnian Warbler. One at Mat-
tocks.

40. Dendroica vigorsii. — Pine Warbler. Common near Mattocks. Not
seen at South Naples.

41. Seiitrus aurocapillus. — Oven-bird. Only one seen.

42. Sylvania canadensis. — Canadian Warbler. Fairly common.

43. SetoJ>haga ruticilla — Redstart. Fairly common.

44. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. — Catbird. Rather common about clear-
ings.

45. Certhia familiaris americana. — Brown Creeper. Several at Mat-
tocks.

46. Sitta canadensis. — Red-breasted Nuthatch. A number at Mattocks.

47. Penthestes atricapillus. — Chickadee. Abundant everywhere.

48. Hylocichla guttata pallasii. — Hermit Thrush. In song — common.
Besides the Robin and Bluebird this was the only thrush found about So.
Naples.

49. Merula migratoria. — Robin. Fairly common.

50. Sialia sialis. — Bluebird. Not common.

20 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

ADDITIONS TO THE BIRDS OF OHIO.

BY LYNDS JONES.

In a state as long settled as Ohio it is not to be supposed
that there would be any such shifting of the bird fauna as to
bring into it regularly occurring species, but on the other
hand, it would not be supposed that there would be no further
new occurrences of an accidental nature after a list had once
been made and approved. In my Revised Catalogue pub-
lished three and a half years ago I tried to show that there is
a definite north-eastward piovement of the breeding birds which
has already resulted in pushing some species which formerly
nested along the extreme northern border northward out of
the state, while other species have come into the state and be-
come regular breeders along its south-western border. A con-
tinuance of such a movement must inevitably sooner or later
bring to our fauna more of the more southward nesting
species, such as the Nonpareil and Blue Grosbeak. No such
additions have been made in the interval since the Revised
Catalogue was published, but several additions have been
made to the list of Accidental occurrences. The following
species are further additions to this list :

Lartis frankllmi. — Franlilin's Gull. I found the specimen which is
now in the Oberlin College collection in the taxidermist shop of Mr. Thos.
M. Earl of Columbus. A hunter had brought it into his shop to be
mounted but left it there. It was shot at the Licking Reservoir on October
15, 1906. The hunter stated that there Vv'as another bird of the same kind
with it.

Ammodramus leconteii. — Leconte's Sparrow. Mr. Charles Dury informs
me that he accidentally found a speciamen of this sparrow in his collec-
tion labeled Grasshopper Sparrow. It was captured by him in a swampy
meadow near Ross Lake on April 5, 1880. It is an adult male.

The Yellow-breasted Chat in Michigan. A correction. In his
article in \yilson Bulletin No. 54, page 17, Mr. P. A. Taverner states
that the two nests secured by Messrs. Wisener and Davidson were in
Grosse Pointe. The nest found by Mr. Wisener was on Private Claim
618, Gratiot Tp., and that by Mr. Davidson on Private Claim 49, Ecorse
Tp. Mr. Taverner did not mention a set of three eggs found by Dr. T.
H. Potter and recorded by Dr. Philip E. Moody in Michigan Bulletin,
Vol. IV, No. 4, p. 97. This nest was north of Detroit, and probably on
the same ground where he met with his 1905 birds. J. Claire Wood.

Holmes, on Birds of Summit, N. J, 21

BIRDS FOUND WITHIN A RADIUS OF TWELVE
MILES OF SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY.

BY LARUE KLINGLE HOLMES.

The subjoined list represents the partly completed work of
one of our most active members whose untimely end we all
deplore. While this list is admittedly unfinished, and would
undoubtedly have been far more fully annotated had Mr.
Holmes been able to do the necessary desk work or dictation,
it is now published as he left it by special request so that it
may form the basis for further work by the members of the
rapidly increasing membership of the LaRue Holmes Nature
League.

Colymbus holboellii. — Holboell's Grebe

Colymbtis auritus. — Horned Grebe.

Podilymbus podiceps. — Pied-billed Grebe.

Gavia imber. — Loon.

Gavia liimme. — Red-throated Loon.

Lams argentatus. — Herring Gull.

Sterna hirundo. — Common Tern.

Merganser amerlcanus. — American Merganser.

Merganser serrator. — Red-breasted Merganser.

Lophodytes cucullatus. — Hooded Merganser.

Anas boschas. — Mallard.

Anas obscura. — Black Duck.

Chaiilelasmits strepera. — Gadwall.

Mareca americana. — Baldpate.

Nellion caroUnensis. — Green-winged Teal.

Qucrquedula discors. — Blue-winged Teal. Rare.

Spatula dypeata. — Shoveller.

Aix sponsa. — Wood Duck. A rare summer resident, formerly more
common.

Aythya americana. — Red-head.

Aythya 'vaUisneria. — Canvas-back.

CIcngula americana. — American Golden-eye.

Branta canadensis. — Canada Goose.

Botaurus lentiginosus. — American Bittern. Rare summer resident,
found in the large fresh water marshes.

Ardetta exilis. — Least Bittern. Probably a rare summer resident.

.^rdca herodias. — Great Blue Heron.

Florida caerulea. — Little Blue Heron.

Butorides -virescens. — Green Heron. A rather common summer resident.

22 The Wilson Bulletin^ — No. 58.

Nycticorax nycilcorax tiae'vius. — Black-crowned Night Heron. A large
colonv of these birds was formerly located in this vicinity, but after hav-
ing been attacked many times by plume hunters and eggers, was finally
broken up. I have no recent record of their having been seen in this
section.

Rallits clegans. — King Rail. A nest containing eggs of this species
was found in Great Swamp several years ago. It may breed regularly.

Rallus 'virginianus. — Virginia Rail.

Gallinula galeata. — Florida Gallinule.

Ful'tca americana. — American Coot.

Philohela minor. — American Woodcock. A rather rare summer
resident.

Galluiago delicaia. — Wilson's Snipe.

Macroliamphus griseus. — Djowitcher.

Actodromas minuiilla. — Least Sandpiper.

Totanus melanoleiicus. — Greater Yellow-legs.

Totanus ila'vipes. — Yellow-legs.

Helodromas solitarius. — Solitary Sandpiper.

Bartramia longicauda. — Bartramian Sandpiper. A very rare summer
resident.

Aciiiis mactdaria. — Spotted Sandpiper. A rather rare summer resi-
dent, breeding chiefly in low-lying cornfields.

Charadr'tus dominictis. — American Golden Plover.

Oxyechus voci ferns. — Kill deer.

Colinus <v'irginianus. — Bob-white. Formerly common but now a rare
summer resident. It seems to be increasing in numbers.

Bojiasa umhellus. — Ruffed Grouse. Rare summer resident, though
formerly common.

Zenaidiira rnacroura. — Mourning Dove. Rare. Some years more com-
mon than others.

Circus hudsonicus. — Marsh Hawk. Permanent resident, common in
some localities.

Accipiter velox. — Sharp-shinned Hawk. A very rare summer resident.

Accipiter cooperi. — Cooper's Hawk. A very rare summer resident.

Accipiter atricapillus. — American Goshawk.

Buteo borealis. — Red-tailed Hawk. Rare summer resident and becom-
ing more so as the virgin forests are cut from the hills.

Buteo lineatus. — Red-shouldered Hawk. The most common Hawk
breeding in this locality.

Buteo latissimus. — Broad-winged Hawk. Exceedingly rare summer
resident.

Archihuteo lagopus sar.cti-johannis. — American Rough-legged Hawk.

Haliaeettis leucocephalus. — Bald Eagle.

Falco rusticolus obsoletus. — Black Grayfalcon.

Falco peregriniis anatnm. — Duck Hawk.

Holmes, on Birds of Summit, N. J. 23

Falco columbarius. — Pigeon Hawk.

Falco spar-verius. — American Sparrow Hawk. A not uncommon sum-
mer resident next to B. lineatus in point of numbers.

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. — American Osprey. Common migrant.

Strix pratincola. — American Barn Owl. An extremely rare summer
resident. I know of but one nest having been found. I also have a
record of five young birds, not fully fledged, having been caught in a '
trap set in a pasture for hawks.

Asio luilsonianus. — American Long-eared Owl. Rather common at
times, rare summer resident. About 35 seen in 1905.

Asio accipitrinus. — Short-eared Owl. Rare.

Syrnium •varium. — Barred Owl. Formerly a rather common resident,
but now rapidly disappearing.

Megascops asio. — Screech Owl. A not uncommon resident, but rapidly
decreasing in numbers.

Bubo virginianus. — Great Horned Owl. Never common but now al-
most entirely exterminated from this localitj-. I doubt that a pair breeds
within twelve miles of Summit. It has, however, been captured in early
winter — December and Januarj- — in steel traps set on posts in the
meadows near Summit, within the last two years, and it may still breed
in the wilder portions of the country.

Cryptoglaux acadica. — Saw-whet OwL

Nyctea nyctea. — Snowy Owl.

Coccyzus americamis. — Yellow-billed Cuckoo. A common summer
resident ; more abundant some years than others.

Coccyzus erythorphthabniis. — Black-billed Cuckoo. A rather common
summer resident and as erratic as the preceding species.

Ceryle alcyon. — Belted Kingfisher. Rather common summer resident,
nesting in all suitable localities.

Dryobates villosus. — Hairy Woodpecker. Less common than the next
species.

Dryobates pubescens medianus. — Downy Woodpecker. A common
resident.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus. — Red-headed Woodpecker. Locally com-
mon.

Colaptes auratus liiteus. — Northern Flicker. The most common breeding
woodpecker.

Antrostomus vociterus. — Whip-poor-will. Formerly a common summer
resident. Heard several times the last of April and the first of May, 1906.
Not seen nor heard hitherto for many years.

Chordeiles virginianus. — Nighthawk.

Chaetura pelagica. — Chimney Swift. An abundant summer resident.

Trochilus colubris. — RubN'-throated Hummingbird. Common.

Tyrannus tyrannus. — Kingbird. A common summer resident.

2-1 • The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

Myiarclius crinitus. — Crested Flycatcher. Rather common in woods.

Sayornis phocbe. — Phoebe. An abundant summer resident.

Nuttalornis borealis. — Olive-sided Flycatcher.

liorizopus I'irens. — Wood Pewee. Common summer resident in wood-
lands.

Empidonax ftaviventris. — Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Empidonax virescens. — Green-crested Flycatcher.

Empidonax traill'ti ahiorum. — Alder Flycatcher.

Empidonax minimus. — Least Flycatcher. A rather rare summer
resident.

Octocoris alpestris. — Horned Lark.

Cyanocittu cristata. — Blue Jay. Abundant.

Corvus bracliyrhynchos. — American Crow. Abundant.

Sturnus vulgaris. — Starling. Common in some localities.

Sphyrapicus varius. — Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Common.
. .Dolichonyx oryzi'vorus. — Bobolink. Locally common. Apparently de-
creasing in numbers.

Molothriis ater. — Cowbird. Common.

Agelaiiis phoniceus. — Red-winged Blackbird. Abundant in the fresh
water marshes.

Stiirnella magna. — Meadowlark. Common.

Icterus spurius. — Orchard Oriole. Locally rare.

Icterus galbula. — Baltimore Oriole. Common, breeding in the heart of
the city.

Euphagus caroHnus. — Rusty Blackbird. Abundant.

Quiscalus quiscula. — Purple Grackle. Common. Breeds in colonies
in conifers.

Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. — Bronzed Grackle.

Pinicola enucleator leucura. — Pine Grosbeak.

Carpodacus purpureus. — Purple Finch. Winter visitant.

Loxia curvirostra minor. — American Crossbill.

Loxia leucoptera. — White-winged Crossbill.

A cant his linaria. — Redpoll.

Astragalinus trislis. — American Goldfinch. Common.

Spinus pinus. — Pine Siskin.

Passerina nivalis. — Snowflake. Rather common.

Pooecetes gramineus. — Vesper Sparrow. Common summer resident.

Passerculus sandwicliensis savanna. — Savanna Sparrow. Common.

Coturniculiis savannarum passerinus. — Grasshopper Sparrow. Very
rare.

Ammodramus hensloioii. — Henslow's Sparrow.

Zonotrichia leucophrys. — White-crowned Sparrow.

Zonotrichia alhicollis. — White-throated Sparrow.

Spizella monticola. — Tree Sparrow. Abundant.

Spizella socialis. — Chipping Sparrow. Abundant in settled sections,

Holmes, on Birds oi' Summit, N. J. 35

rare in rural districts.

Spizella pusilla. — Field Sparrow. Abundant summer resident.

Junco hyemalis. — Slate-colored Junco. Abundant in winter.

Melospiza cinerea Ttielodia. — Song Sparrow. Abundant summer
resident.

Melospiza georgiana. — Swamp Sparrow. Abundant summer resident.

Passer ell a iliaca. — Fox Sparrow. Common.

Pipilo erythrophtlialmus. — Towhee.

Card'inalis carditialts. — Cardinal. A rare summer resident. Only two
or three records.

Zamelodia ludoviciarta. — Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Common summer
resident.

Cyanospiza cyanea. — Indigo Bunting. Common.

Spiza americana. — Dickcissel.

Piranga erythromelas. — Scarlet Tanager. Common summer resident.

Progne subis. — Purple Martin.

Petrochelidon lunifrons. — Cliff Swallow. Formerly common but now
seems to have entirely disappeared.

Hiriindo erythrogastra. — Barn Swallow. Abundant.

Iridoprocnc bicolor. — Tree Swallow.

Riparia riparia. — Bank Swallow. Never very common.

Stelgidopteryx serrlpennis. — Rough-winged Swallow. A very rare
summer resident.

Lanius borealis. — Northern Shrike. Rare.

Ampelis cedrorum. — Cedar Waxwing. A common summer resident.

Vireo olivaceiis. — Red-eyed Vireo. Abundant summer resident.

Vireo fla-vifrons. — Yellow-throated Vireo. Rather rare.

Vireo soUtarius. — Blue-headed Vireo.

Vireo no'veboracensis. — White-eyed Vireo. Common along streams.

Mniotilta varia. — Black and White Warbler. Rather rare.

Helmitheros vermivorus. — Worm-eating Warbler. Rare.

HelmintliopJiila pinus. — Blue-winged Warbler. Common summer
resident.

Helmifit/iop/iila cliryspotera. — Golden-winged Warbler.

Helmintliopliila rubricapilla. — Nashville Warbler.

Helminthophila celata. — Orange-crowned Warbler.

Helmintliopliila peregrina. — Tennessee Warbler.

Helminthophila laivrencei. — Lawrence's Warbler.

Helminthophila leucobronchialis. — Brewster's Warbler.

Compsothlypis americana. — Parula Warbler.

Dendroica tigrina.^-Cape May Warbler.

Dendroica aestiva. — Yellow Warbler. Common summer resident.

Dendroica caerulescens. — Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Dendroica coronata. — Myrtle Warbler.

Dendroica maculosa. — Magnolia Warbler.

2G Till-: Wii.sox IUu.lktin — No. 58.

Drndroicti catrulid. — Ccriilcnii Warbler.

Dfitdroicii prttsyhuimca. — (.'hcstinit-suloil Warbler. Ratlicr rare sum-
mer resilient.
' Dciidroica cnstaiitit. — Ha\ -breasted Warbler.

Dendroua striata. — Black-poll Warbler

Drndrolca hhukhtirtiiac. — lilaokbiirnian \\ arbler.

Dftidroica I'iiiorsii. — Pine Warbler.

Dciidroica palmarun. — Palm \\'arbler.

Dcndroica f<nlinariim hypochrysca. — Ycllmv-Palm Warbler.

Dciidroica discolor. — Prairie Warbler.

Dciidroica t'irciis. — Black-throated Cneen Warbler.

S^iiiriis aiirocapilliis. — l^ven-bird. Commonest breeding warl^ler.

Scitiriis iio^'cl'oracciisis. — ^^'ater-'^hrusll.

Scitiriis iitotacilla. — Lovilsiana Water- Thrush.

Geotlilypis agiVis. — Connecticut Warbler.

Geothlypis foriiiosa. — Kentucky Warbler.

Gcot Illy pis Philadelphia. — Mourning Warbler.

Gcothlypis trichas. — Maryland Yellow-throat.

Ictcria I'irciis. — Yellow-breasted Chat. Rather common summer
resident.

irilsoiiia initrata. — Hooded Warbler.

Jf'ilsoiiia pusilla. — Wilson's Warbler.

tf'ilsonia canadensis. — Canadian \\'arbler.

Setophaga ntticilla. — American Redstart. A very rare summer
resident. But one record.

.7 nthiis pcnsilvanicus. — American Pi pit.

Galcoscoptcs carolinctiis'i. — Catbird. Common svmimer resident.

Toxostoina rujiim. — Brown Thrasher. Common.

Thryothorus ludovicianus. — Carolina \\'ren. .X very rare summer
resident. Only two records.

Troglodytes aedou. — House Wren. Rather common.

Olbiorchilus hieinalis. — Winter Wren.

Cistotliorus stellaris. — Short-billed Marsh \A'ren. Locally common.
Breeds in very restricted area.

Tchnatodytcs paltistris. — Long-billed Marsh X\'ren. Locally common in
fresh \vater marsb.es and along tlie Passaic river.

Certhia fainiliaris aincricana. — Brown Creeper.

Sitta carolinensis. — White-breasted Nmhatch. Common.

Bacolophus bicolor. — Tufted Titmouse. Rare, but becoming more
common.

Pcnt/icstcs atricapilliis. — Black-capped Chickadee. Common.

Regulits satrapa. — Ciolden-crowned Kinglet. Common.

Regulus calendula. — Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Common.

H\locichla mustclina. — \\'ood Tlirush. Abundant.

Holmes, on Birds of Summit, N. J. 27

Hyloctchla fuscescens. — Wilson's Thrush. Rather common.
Hylocichla aliciae. — Gray-cheeked Thrush.
Hyloctchla snvainsonii. — Olive-backed Thrush. Common.
Hylocichla guttata pallasii. — Hermit Thrush. Abundant.
Merula migratoria. — American Robin. Abundant.
Sialia sialts. — Bluebird. Abundant.

ADDITIONS TO THE 'AUTUMN BIRDS OF THE LES
CHENEAUX ISLANDS.'

BY WALTER C. WOOD.

In my list of the autumn birds of these islands published in
the Wilson Bulletin No. 52, June, 1905, I enumerated 48
species observed between October 15 and November 15, 1903.
I was again in this locality from November 10 to December
5, 190G, and noted the following additional species :

Canachitcs canadensis. — Canada Grouse. Several secured on the main-
land opposite Marquette Island.

Accipiter atricapillus. — American Goshawk. Secured an adult male
whose stomach was empty.

Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. — American Rough-legged Hawk.
Captain Pollock shot one a few days before my arrival. I found it an
adult in fine plumage. When killed, it was flying from the chicken yard
with a full grown domestic fowl in its talons.

Syrnium -varium. — Barred Owl. Often seen in the thick cedar swamps.

Parus hudsonicus. — Hudsonian Chickadee. Appeared with the first
heavy snowfall, November 25, when a few were seen. They became very
common by the 28th, and Captain Pollock informs me that they are the
most abundant winter bird and very tame; in fact, more so than atrica-
pillus, and more often come about the house and feed from the door-step.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS.

Our cooperative investigations have moved very slowly in-
deed the past year. Perhaps this is due in part to the delay in
mailing the blanks. Out of several hundred blanks distributed
but half a dozen have been returned. Acknowledgments are
due to the following persons :

58 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

Mr. O. M. Schantz, Illinois, for reports on American Robin.

Mr. T. A. Eliot, Jr., Maine, for reports on Chickadee, Rose-
breasted Grosbeak, Song and Vesper Sparrows.

Mr. Henry Ltisk, Iowa, for reports on Song and Vesper
Sparrows.

Blanks are being mailed with this number of the Bulletin,
and it is hoped that all receiving them will make some earnest
efforts to fill as many as possible as completely as possible this
season. Additional blanks can be had for the asking. The
field we are trying to cover is practically a new one and too
much attention cannot be given it from the standpoint of
original observations and personal pleasure and profit it affords.
The back of the sheet may be used for further notes — the
more the better. Frank L. Burns, Berwyn, Pa.

The Special Report on the Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo
platypterus) nears completion as far as my own personal
efforts are concerned ; but there are probably thousands of
references lurking unused in hundreds of notebooks which
would be of the highest value collated, and perhaps valueless
by themselves. I don't see how you can satisfy your con-
science with respect to your service to science if you simply
bury the results of your labor and study in a notebook. Now
is the time to dig some of it up, assemble it, correct errors, ex-
amine specimens, and I can assure a hearty welcome to all
coming my way.

In addition to information relating to distribution, migration, ,
food, breeding, and general habits, plumage, etc., I need
photographs, exact nesting data on location, position and com-
position of nests ; number, size, and description of eggs ; dates,
incubation, and would be grateful for names of authors, titles
and abstracts of little known published references in this
country or abroad. IVIay I not count on you for a blank filled
out with exact breeding data of this bird? It would be well
worth all the trouble for the personal information and ex-
perience received. Frank L. Burns, Berzvvn, Pa.

THE WILSON BULLETIN.

A Quarterly Mag&zine Devoted to the Study of Living Birds.
Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club.

Edited by LYNDS JONES.

PUBI.ISHED BY THE CLUB, AT OBERLIN, OHIO.

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, 50 cents a year, 15 cents a number, post-
paid. Price in all countries in the International Postal Union, 65 cents a year, 20 cents
a number. Subscriptions may be sent to Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio, or to Mr. Frank L.
Bums, Berwyn, Penn.

EDITORIAL.

The editor desires to especially commend to you the calls which Mr.
Frank L. Burns makes for assistance elsewhere in this issue. No words
of mine are needed to add to the assurance that whatever aid may be given
to Mr. Burns will be properly credited and used in the most effective man-
ner, for the report on the Crow and the Monograph of the Flicker amply
attest what he can do with any material which may come into his hands.
I am certain that contributions for this cause will rebound to the credt
of the contributor. Don't delay. Get what notes you now have ready at
once and send them in, and plan for the collection of more and better
notes in the year that is before you.

Letters from many places in the middle west indicate a marked
scarcity of many of the common winter birds. In Ohio this scarcity has
been so marked that usually unobservant editors of local papers have
remarked upon it n their columns. There appears to be no good reason
for this scarcity n ilocal conditions nor in the character of the season.
Food of nearly all kinds seems to be in the usual quantities. It would be
very interesting to gather notes upon the condition of the bird faunas of
the whole country for comparson to determine if there is any general
diminution of numbers, or if there are particularly favored and particularly
unfavored regions. The editor would be glad to receive such reports for
study, correlation, and report in the Bulletin.

The editor's attention has ben called to his article in the last number of
the Bulletin regarding the list of Birds of Cleveland and his own ob-
servations in Erie County, Ohio, and he is glad to make corrections at

30 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

this time. The statement that the Piping Plovers of this region are with-
out a complete breast band is an unpardonable slip, for they certainly do.
Since the King Eider is found not uncommonly on Lake Ontario, and is
an open water bird, it may well be that it may be found in some number
in the lake off rfom Cleveland. It seems that the specimens of Snow Goose
from Detroit and that vicinity are of the Lesser type. Of course the
observation recorded was merely a record made with a high-power field
glass and subspecific distnctions of the fineness presented by these geese
was out of the question. It could only be determined that the birds were
Snow Geese.

In Mr. F. H. Hall's article in the last Bulletin on Adirondack birds
Mr. Eaton wa^ quoted as stating that human occupancy is a menace to
the bird life of those regions. It appears that the source of Mr. Hall's
information was a misquotaton of Mr. Eaton, who made a public correc-
tion of the statement which had come to the notice of Mr. Hall. Mr.
Eaton agrees very closely with Mr. Hall's observations.

GENERAL NOTES.
A GOLDEN Eagle in Miami County, Ohio. The rare occurrence
of the Golden Eagle {AqiiiUa chryswtos) east of the Mississippi
River justifies the publication of any such records. On November
3, 1905, a fine adult female was captured about five miles of Troy,
Miami county. It could not fly owing to a broken wing received
from a shot wound received sometime previous. The bird wa.s kept
alive for two months and a half in the hope that the wing might
recover, but since the humerus was broken in two, and although
nature heroically endeavored to repair the fracture by putting
out great knots of bony tissue on the broken ends, the effort was
futile. The bird persistently picked off all bandages for the sup-
port of the broken wing. During its captivity we fed it Deef, with
an occasional rabbit. It could dispose of a rabbit in a remarkably
short time. The confinement did not seem to affect its appetite,
for that never failed. It was very attractive on account of its
general beauty, but especially on account of the brilliance of its
hazel-brown eyes. We were further interested to observe that it
did not defend itself with its hooked bill but with its powerful
talons. It was identified by an old taxidermist as a young Bald
Eagle, but the entirely feathered tarsus proclaimed it a Golden
Eagle beyond doubt, to say nothing of the cowl of golden-brown
feathers and the fact that the basal two-thirds of the tail was white,
and the outer one-third was very dark brown. Finally realizing
that the wing would not heal, and knowing that there must be a

General Notes. 31

great deal of pain from the compound fracture, we chloroformed
it, and now its mounted skin graces the taxidermy collection of the
Troy High School. G. C. Fishek.

*Troy, Ohio.

An Ovex-Bird at Sea. August 30, 1906, when the fast French
steamer La Province, enroute from Havre to New York, was about
200 miles ^rom Nova Scotia, an Oven-bird {Seiurus aurocapillus)
flew alongside for quite a while, apparently wanting a place to
rest but afraid of the many passengers on the decks. The ship's
latitude and longitude were 42, 09, 5 N.; &2 17 W. Shortly after
noon on coming on deck from the dining room I saw the bird and
watched it for nearly half an hour. It kept within a few yards
(probably five or ten yards) of the ship. Sometimes it would drop
back a little, and we wondered if it were not exhausted. A passen-
ger who was on deck while I was at dinner said that while the
bird was still alongside he had been watching it for an hour. After
this I lost sight of it and supposed it was unable to keep up, but
after an interval of about an hour I saw it again (presumably the
same bird) and watched it for ten or fifteen minutes. It is quite
possible that for a time it was resting somewhere on the ship.
The weather was fair and there was no apparent reason for its
flying so far from land. E. L. Moset.ey.

A Brown Creeper's Spiral Flight. During the mating season
one often catches glimpses of love-making among birds. At this
time the male is frequently seen in playful pursuit of the female
who, hy short flights, leads him from limb to limb and tree to tree.
It was on March 9, 1904, in the valley of Darby Creek, Delaware
county, Pa., that I saw two Brown Creepers engaged in this game
of tag. In my experience the Brown Creeper always alights near
the base of a tree trunk and then works upward, his course being
a spiral one — he travels round and round as he climbs upward. In
the pursuit I speak of this same program was carried out, only in-
stead of climbing up the trunk the birds would fly up. They
alighted near each other upon the tree, then number one would
take wing and fly upward, describing one or two complete spirals
about the trunk and again alight upon it with number two follow-
ing in close pursuit. To travel in a spiral course seemed to be
such a well formed habit that they could not get away from it. It
was not simply a chance flight, for I saw it repeated again and
again. Chreswell J. Hunt.

Cedar Waxwings as Sapsuckers. Toward the' end of March. 100(5.
a sunny spot along the south wall of Blair Hall was frequented

32 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58,

daily by a varying flock of Cedarbirds, sometimes fifty or more, a
few Bluebirds, several Robins, and a couple of Juncos. The
abundant ivy berries were the principal attraction. My rooms
were a little further than across the street from this spot. Directly
in front of the house were several maples and on one of these two
or three twigs nearest my windows and a trifle lower were broken
and dripping. The Waxwings discovered this and several times I
noticed two of them busy at these twigs while two or three others
sat patiently awaiting their turn. A careful examination with fleld
glasses at that close range showed them to be drinking sap. Their
motions were those of drinking. I could see no small insects
there, and even if there had been the Waxwings could have cleaned
them up in a few minutes, but they were busy there for long periods.
I never saw any of the other species follow the Cedarbird's ex-
ample. While my flrst two Waxwings for the year were seen on
March 18 out in the country, all that I saw after that date for
several weeks were in town, the first flock of fifty appearing
March 30.

Princeton, N. J. ^ Charles H. Rogers.

Notes on Chester County, Penn., Birds for 1905. King Rail
(Rail us elegans). A female was captured by some school boys.
May 4, near Howelville, one mile north of Berwyn. It had been
wounded, probably the same day, and not recovered by the hunter.
The boys discovered it and ran it down. It is possible that it
might have bred in the locality as the ovaries contained several
partly developed eggs.

American Coot (Fulica amencana). On November 1, a male was
found dead near Green Tree, probably having flown against the
telegraph wires.

Bartramiau Sandpiper (Barlramia lonf/icaiKla)'. On the evening
of August 18, I received an immature female probably of a local
brood, which was secured the same day in the Chester valley, one
mile north of this place. Owing to the growing scarcity of this bird
in this locality it is worthy of mention. Frank L. Burns.

Berwyn, Pa.

Two More Barn Owl {Strix pratincola) Records for Seneca
County, Ohio. On the morning of August 30, a woman came to
my house to have a Barn Owl mounted which was shot on the
previous day about five miles north of Tiflin. A few weeks later
a local photographer showed me a photograph he had taken two
years ago of a Barn Owl which had been shot at Green Springs
at the north-eastern end of the county and mounted then and
there. Being unfamiliar with the name of the bird he asked me

General Notes. 33

for information. These malve the fifth and sixth records for this
county. Rev. W. F. Henninger.

A Brant at the Lewistown Reseevoie. On March 29, 1905, a
Brant was killed at the Lewistown Reservoir, Logan County, Ohio.
Having no other key except Chapman's Handltook, I identified it as
Brania hernicla (Linn). But, since Chapman does not describe the
subspecies, B. b. glaucogastra (Brehm), I am not now sure which
it was. It is possible, as Dawson suggests, that it was tne latter,
that is, the White-bellied Brant. G. C. Fisiif.r.

Mockingbird (Mimus pohjglottos) at Geinnell, Iowa. One was
observed from October 29 to November 4, 1906, by Mr. Will Staat
and others. Prof. H. W. Parker, in American Naturalist, Vol. 5, No.
3, 1871, records specimens seen June 25, August 4, and October 21,
at Grinnell. Aside from these I know of no instances of its oc-
currence in central Iowa as far north as 41 44. J. L. Sloanaker.

The Dickcissel in Wayne County, Mich. In the Wilson Bulletin No.
53, December, 1905, I gave an account of Dickcissel here up to the year
1906. During the latter season I was so fortunate as to again meet with
the species and found two nests. The territorj' where these birds were
found was carefully explored in May, so I feel certain that the male dis-
covered on June 10, was the first arrival. After that date an occasional
male was heard singing, but I could not spare the time to investigate,
being fully occupied with Henslow's Sparrow and Short-billed Marsh
Wren. The first female Dickcissel was noted on June 24. It was not
until July 29 that I could give the species proper atention. Two pairs
were located, one on Private Claim 618, village of Grosse Pointe Farms,
and the other on P. C. 404, Grosse Pointe Township. The female of the
latter pair was watched to her nest, which was placed about six inches
above the ground in a thick tangle of grape vines at the base of a dead
apple-tree in an abandoned orchard, and it contained three young, which
were gone August 5. I succeeded in locating three more pairs and found
a nest containing three eggs. This nest was in a hawthorn bush two feet
from the ground, and was well concealed by thick weeds. One of the eggs
was about to hatch, and the remaining two were addled. My next visit
was on September 3, but the birds had disappeared. J. Claire Wood.

Catharista atrata, Black Vulture, in Harrison County, Ohio. Through
the kindness of Mr. Harry B. McConnell, of Cadiz, who made the
identification, I learn of the occurrence of the Black Vulture five miles
north of Cadiz. The bird was shot on December 17, 1906, by Homer
Mover, who mistook it for a hawk. The bird was only winged, but so
strenuously resisted being taken alive that it was shot a second time and
killed. The specimen reached me more than a week later, but was then

34: The Wilson Bulletin — No. 58.

in an impossible condition. The wings were saved after identification
had been made certain. This is the farthest north that this species has
been taken in Ohio. A resume of the Ohio occurrences may prove of
interest.

Audubon was the first to record it in 1840, Birds of America, p. 17, for
the region of Cincinnati. This record was quoted by Kirkpatrick, Brewer,
Wheaton, and Coues, but the next record was made by Dr. Frank
Langdon in Bulletin of the Nuttal Ornithological Club, Vol. 2, p. 109,
1899. Dr. Langdon saw three birds feeding upon carrion near Madison-
ville, one of which he wounded and was afterward probably captured by
Edwin Leonard on January i, 1877. Dr. Langdon saw the birds on De-
cember 20, 1876. Mr. R. W. Smith recorded a pair near Lebanon,
December, 1883. This record, together with the statement that it is now
a regular summer resident in Warren county along the Little Miami and
Caesar's Creek hills, was published in the Journal of the Cincinnati
Society of Natural History, July, 1891, p. 113. Mr. Oliver Davie took
a specimen four miles north of Reynoldsburg on February 6, 1895. It is
curious that the northward occurrences are all during the winter
months. Lynds Jones.

Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis, in Central Ohio. In the taxi-
dermy rooms of Mr. Thos. M. Earl, of Columbus, I found two specimens
of this species. They are now in the Oberlin College collection. One is
full plumage, and was shot by a hunter on the Licking Reservoir on
April 15, 1906; the other is an immature bird, and was shot at the
same place on October 15, 1906. Another bird was shot on the
latter date and is now in a local collection in Columbus. There are so
few recent records of this species in Ohio and Michigan that I was led
to question earlier records of their commonness on Lake Erie. Certainly
in my experience the species has been all but unknown in Ohio.

Lynds Jones.

•4 .■ i"^ .^^ii

ii

1 1 ---..>?^?^

I'.'i 1 ■•''' ■;-\-' '• "r ' ^

^

1 *^

1 1

1 1?'^

''THIS IS THE FOREST PRIMEVAL"

The scene of some of Walter J. Hoxie's work.
By him.

THE

WILSON BULLETIN

NO. 59.

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

VOL. XIX JUNE, 1907. NO. 2

THE BIRDS OF POINT FELEE.

BY P. A. TAVERXER AXD B. H. SWALES.
INTRODUCTION.

The following report is niostU- compiled from the notes of
the members of the Great Lakes Ornithological Club, a small
organization formed for the purpose of co-operation and in-
tensive study of the birds of the Great Lakes. Region. At
one of the earliest meetings of the club attention was- called
by W. E. Saunders to the peculiarly interesting phases of
Point Pelee avifauna, and the interest of the membership was
so aroused that a trip was made there May 13 and 1-1, 1905,
by W. E. .Saunders, B. H. Swales and P. A. Taverner. The
results were so encouraging that further and more extended
trips have been made as business conditions permitted. The
following are the fruits of the work to date. Credit must be
given to the following members, who have aided the writers
to the utmost in their endeavors to present all the data so far
accumulated in regard to the birds of this interesting locality.

Dr. William Brodie, who made a collecting trip to the Point
in July, 1879, and added some valuable notes in regard to
conditions at that early date.

Mr. W. E. Saunders, of London, Ont., who made various
trips during and after 188-1, and has added several species that
do not seem to occur there now or that the rest of us have
failed to find, besides many other notes whose value will appear

38 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 59.

ill the following text. Not the least of our indebtedness to
this gentleman arises from the fact that he first introduced
us to Point Pelee.

Mr. J. E. Keays, who accompanied the above on many of
his early trips and made another rather extended one in the
fall of 1901.

Mr. A. B. Klugh, of Kingston, Ont., who accompanied the
authors on a two weeks expedition the first of September.
190,"), and to whom special, credit must be given for all the
botanical notes, besides others of miore direct ornithological
interest.

]Mr. J. H. Fleming, who accompanied the writers ]\Iav 20
and 21, 190(), to the Point and who succeeded in making the
rarest record for the locality.

Dr. Lynds Jones, who, stationed on the Islands, co-operated
with us on the Point in early September, 1905, and furnished
valuable data as to the actions of migrants as they passed
over the lake.

And lastly, though not least, to the various residents on the
Point whose good will and kindness made our trips, if not
possible, , at least comfortable; and among these especially to
Mr. Albert Gardner, wdiose infonuation on various birds we
have found most reliable and valuable, especially in regard to
the water fowl, of which it is most difficult to gather data on
short and desultory trips.

That the work is far from complete will be evident from the
numerous gaps that exist in the list, that we have so far been
unable to fill from actual observation or reliable report. We
have allowed consistently the rule of admitting nothing, ex-
cept absolutely positive evidence, without giving the grounds
for our conclusions that the reader can judge their
weight for himself. In nearly all cases specimens have been
taken or examined by the writers and in all important records
the location of the specimen has been definitely determined so
that the identifications can be at any time verified. ]\Iany of
the shortcomings of the list must be charged against the in-
termittent character of the work done at the Point and that
this may be duly allowed for we :.ppend the list of visits made

Taverner axd Swales, on Birds of Poixt Pelee. 39

to the locality, by the writer, upon which the bulk of the work
rests.

May 13, 1905, W. E. Saunders, B. H. Swales and P. A.
Taverner tramped out the east shore, camped in the red cedar
belt on the opposite side and beyond the end of the marsh and
returned along the west side road the next day.

Sept. 5 to 17, 1905, A. B. Klugh and Taverner formed a
camp about the same place as before, from which point they
wjorked all localities of interest carefully. Sept. 8 th'ey were
joined by Swales, who remained until the 13th. Camp was
broken the 17th.

October 29, 1905, Taverner made a survey of the east shore.

May 20, 190G, J. H. Fleming-, Swales and Taverner
drove out to the old camping grounds, worked the end of the
Point and a bit of the east shore, returning the next day along
the noad on the west side.

Sept. 1, 190G, Swales and Taverner worked the country
around the end of the marsh antl towards the end of the
Point and returned Sept. 3.

Sept. 15-22, 1906, Saunders, Swales and Taverner camped
in the usual place and worked the end of the Point thoroughly
and spent considerable time on the marsh and ponds.

Oct. 14, 1906, Swales and Taverner covered the end of the
Point, returning the next day along the east beach, working
the Lake Pond on the way.

March 9, 1907, the same two put in two days about the end
of the Point.

May 31, 1907, Saunders and Taverner tramped out the east
beach and camped on the old grounds, worked the end of the
Point and the beaches, returning June 1.

PHYSICAL AXD ECCOLOGICAL DESCRIPTIOX.

Point Pelee is near the western end of Lake Erie, projecting
into those waters some nine miles or so from the northern or
Ontario shore. It is the most southern point of the mainland
of the Canadian Dominion and offers n^an}' features of
peculiar interest to the student of ornithological distribution.
In shape it resembles a large "\ ' w"ith concave amis flaring

40 Till-: W'n.sox IU'llktix — Xo. .■)!).

rapidly at tlie toj) where it mcri^es into tlie i^eneral trend of the
main shore and attains a width oi' about six miles. This re-
semblance to the letter is more than superficial, and a closer
examination carries out the likeness farther than is apparent
from its outline shape alone. The i^eneral aspect is that of
two longf, low sand-bars meeting- at the apex where the}- are
amalgamated for a little over two miles of their length, and
from thence stretching out in divergent parabolic lines to the
main shore. The triangle so inclosed from the point of
juncture back to the mainland is swamp of varying degrees
of wetness, some places being quite firm and wadable. but
others are quaking bogs that render such a proceeding a
ticklish und^taking. In several places the marsh deepens
into ponds, some being of considerable size.

The marsh itself is largely composed of the following
plants: Cat-tail. Typlia latifolia: Narrow-leaved Cat-tail,
Typha aiioiisfifolia : Wild Rice. Zicaiiia aqiiatica ; Reed Grass,
Phragiiiitcs coiiiiiiiDus : and Lake P)ullrush. Scirpus lacKStris.
Of the ponds, those known as the Lake Pond and the Cove
Pond are the principal and largest. These are of no great
depth and their bottoms are composed of successive genera-
tions of aquatic plants and are soft and treacherous. ' The
Lake Pond contains great masses of Wild Celery, J'al-
lisitcria spiralis, which, with the ^^'ild Rice that grows ])lenti-
fully and to great size about its shores, ofifers great inducements
to the wild fowl that visit the locality in large numbers during
the migrations. German Carp that are said to be common are
not nearly as numerous here as at the St. Clair Flats nor have
they done the damage that they have at the latter place where
the punters claim they have almost entirely exterminated the
native Wild Celery.

Across the base of the Point and cutting ofif a considerable
portion of the marsh, a wide ditch has been dug from shore
to shore and the material excavated heaped up on the outer
side to form a dyke. On the eastern shore a pumping station
has been erected and the water is raised from the inner side
and thrown out into the lake, thus reclaiming several hundreds
of acres of rich swamp land to agricultural use. The debris

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 41

taken from the excavation is a stiff blue clay giving an indica-
tion of the underlying strata upon which the superficial
structure of the Point is built. On top of this clay there are,
in places, from two to three feet of solid peat showing in the
vertical faces of the cut.

The eastern shore forming the right hand arm of the "V"
is very simple in character, being composed of but a single
sand-dune, bare of vegetation except for_ a meager covering of
zerophitic plants and a fe^y scattered cottonwoods. Out be-
yond the end of the marsh where the two arms join, the
forest growth of the opposite shore encroaches on the east
side until their roots are almost washed by the waves of the
lake. The average width of the dume for the greatest part of
its length is but a hundred yards and in some places rises to
a height of ten feet above the lake, though in others it is so
low that, during storms when the wind is in the right direction,
the waves wash completely over the slight sand barrier into
the marsh beyond. The plant life is typical of such places and
is composed of Sand-drop-seed, Sporobolus cryptandnts;
Knot-weed Spurge, Euphorbia poiygonfolia; and Tall Worm-
wood, Artemisia caudata. Several scattered clumps of Cotton-
wood mentioned before occur on the crest, and patches of Sea
Sand-reed, Amniophila anindinacca, and Smooth Panic Grass,
Paiiiciim virgatuni.

Just above high water mark the dune rises rather abruptly,
especially towards the base of the point, forming a fairly well
marked bluff, and then gradually sinks away into the marsh
on the other side, upon which it is evidently encroaching; as
between the sand and the bog societies there is usually a long
narrow strip of clear water where the. blowing sand has
smothered the aquatic plants without filling the space up to
the water level. In fact there is every evidence that this shore
is being eroded, and the time is not very far in the future
when Point Pelee will be washed bodily away unless present
conditions change or man devises some way in which to stay
the natural course of events. The older residents say that
some forty years ago this shore was nearly three-quarters of a
mile wide and clothed with heavy hardwood timber. Even

42 TiiK Wilson Bulletin^ — No. 59.

since our first visit in ^Fay, 190-">, we can see that the Point
has lost considerable land along the shore, nor have we ob-
served that there have been any compensating accumulations
made at other points on this side. The fishermen tell us that
the bottom, off shore, is comiposed of mud, and filled with
roots and prostrate tree trunks. On the beach every here and
there are often found large regular masses of peat that seem
to have been torn up from the lx)ttom and washed ashore in
the same manner that Prof. E. L. Mosely describes having
taken place immediately across the lake on the Ohio shore at
Cedar Point.*

The western side shows an entirely different aspect. Near
the base, between the marsh and the lake, it is narrow, barely
allowing room for running a road along its length, but as it
proceeds outw'ard towards the t'nd of the Point it gradu-
ally widens until, beyond the marsh, the two sides of the
"V" join and give a width of about half a mile. From
the base, on the west side to this point, and all be-
yond is heavily wooded with deciduous and evergreen trees.
Black Walnut, Juglaiis nigra, is one of the most conspicuous
species of the former and Red Cedar, Juniperns znrgitiiana,
of the latter. In fact, these two with Juniper Juniperns
coniniuiiis, are the species that give the most striking charac-
ter to the floral aspects of Point Pelee. Hjere and there a tall
AMiite Pine. Piiius sfrobns, towers up among the other growth
or, as in one or two cases, unite to form piney groves. The
extfeme end of the Point is covered with a heavy growth of
Red Cedar in clumps filled in between with great beds of
Juniper. This growth mixed with Snowberry, Symphori-
carpiis raconosus, continues down the Point in a sharply de-
fined belt betweeni the beach in front and the deciduous woods
behind. A few Red Cedars, however, occur scattered through
the woods all along the shore, and in the more barren places in-
land, where also the Western Prickly Pear, Opuntia raHncs-
qnii. flourishes. This western shore, moreover, does not seem
to be suffering from erosion as is the eastern. In fact it seems

♦Proceedings of the Ohio State Academj- of Sciences, 1904, p. 212.

Taverxer axd Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 43

to be growing and extending into the lake. The beach is very
wide and of a gentle, even slope and the woods behind seem
to be extending their ground over its surface as it encroaches
on the lake. It is worthy of notice, in this connection, that
large masses of driftwood and other debris is cast up on this
shore, while the eastern is perfectly clear except for the masses
of peat spoken of before. A road runs out the Point just
within the shelter of the trees on this side. Between the road
and the lake it is still Crown Land, and so, but for the effects
of stray cattle and hogs, is nearly in its primeval state. Be-
yond the road, however, are farm lands wherever there is
room between it and the marsh for cultivation. Beyond the
marsh and extending towards the point is woodland composed
chiefly of Chestnut Oak, Oucrcus primus; Red Oak, Qnerctis
rubra; Black Walnut and Button Wood, Platanus occidentalis.
In the center of this woodland are extensive fields, both culti-
vated and waste, some more or less grown up with thickets
of Hackberry, Cclfis occidentalis : White-heart Hickory,
Carya tonicntosa; young Black Walnut, Red Oaks and
Chestnut Oaks ; Climbing Bittersweet, Celastrus scandcns;
Wild Grape, Vitis riparia; Carrion Flower, Smilax herhacca,
and Prickly Green-briar, Smilax hispid a.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the Point offers in-
ducements for all classes of birds. There are the hardwood
forests, cedar thickets, brushy tangles, high and low waste

lands, open fields and marshes of all degrees of wetness
for a varied avifauna : nor have the conditions promised more
than later results have fulfilled as the accompanying list shows.
But, before proceeding, it seems desirable to call attention to
phenomena of peculiar interest in regard to the avifaunal and
other aspects of the Point biota.

The beaches on either side are perfect, wide and clear and of
themselves seeming to offer equal inducements- to waders ; in
fact, what choice there is would seem to be in favor of the
western one where materials of food value must be constantly
washed up. The contrary, however, is the case. We have
seen no waders but Spotted Sandpipers on this beach, though
Saunders states that on his earlier trips he saw Black-bellied

44 Till-: ^\'Il.S()^' lUrjjrrix — Xo. 59.

Plover there. The neig-hboring- marshes on the east side may
be the determining factor or the presence of the ponds that,
on the east side, wash the inner line of the shore dune in some
places, and are not separated from the beach by a belt of timber
as on the west. There are many indications, however, that
the preference is largely governed by the migrational routes
taken by these migrants in approaching and leaving the Point.
Just such a condition of affairs would be exhibited if the
waders on the fall migration approached the Point from the
east side and so along that shore and leaving at the extremity ;
reversing the route in spring. Such seems to be the course of
the Sharp-shinned Hawk flight and what data we have of the '
distribution of waders on the north shore of Lake Erie seems
to substantiate the theory. Gulls and Tern show a less pro-
nounced preference for the same shore but perching birds, as
would be 'expected, are almost absent from it except at such
times as described by the residents during the latter part of
May, 1907, when, after prolonged interruption of migrations
by unseasonable weather, the sparsely sprinkled Cottonwoods
scattered along the eastern shore were alive with tanagers and
wiarblers. At other times we have found but such typical
species as Savanna Sparrow, Prairie Horned Larks, Palm
Warblers and a few White-crowned Sparrows, and late in the
season, Snowflakes and Pipits. Practically the same con-
ditions prevailed during all our visits.

The most interesting feature of the Point ornithologically,
however, is the intrusion of Carolinian forms of life. This is
backed up and supported by the botany as noted by INIr. A.
B. Klugh, who says :

"The floral aspect of Pelee is decidedly Carolinian as is
shown by the occurrence of the following plants : Sand Grass,
Triodia purpurea, Summer Grape, Vitis aestivalis, Wiry
Panic-grass, Paniciim phUadelphicum, Swamp Rose-mallow,
Hibiscus nwscheutos, Florida Milkweed, Accrates longifolia.
Button-wood, Platanus occidentalis. Black Walnut, Jttglaiis
nigra. White-heart Hickory, Carya tomentosa, Sassifras,
Sassifras officinalis, and Chestnut Oak. Qnercns prinus."

How far these conditions, peculiar for Canada, prevail in-

Taverner and Swales, ox Birds of Point Pelee. 45

land we are unable to tell. We have found slight Carolinian
indications in the bird life along the lake shore as far as Am-
herstburg to the west. About Leamington, a few miles inland,
they are able to raise crops of sugar cane, while tobacco
flourishes throughout the region. The Point itself, however,
is specially favored by the seasons for, though the spring is
some two Weeks later than even in the country about Leaming-
ton, it more than inakes up for that by being absolutely free
from late spring frosts, and having almost a month more free
from frost in the fall. The results of this are well seen this
spring, 1907, when the peach crop on the mainland promised
to be almost a total failure, many entire orchards being actually
killed, while on the Point itself the trees promise the greatest
crop they have ever known. A few such occurrences as this
must have a most decided influence upon the biota and ex-
plain why. so many species are found in but this one locality in
the Dominion.

On looking at the map of Lake Erie, Point Pelee, stretching
out into the lake, the great arm of Ottawa Co. reaching an
equal distance from the opposite Ohio shore, and the islands
lying like stepping-stones between seem to constitute a
natural migrational highway across the lake. Special at-
tention has been given to this appearance and the results seem
to justify our surmises. Dr. Lynds Jones was stationed on
the islands during the first of Sept., 1905, and describes the
migrational conditions he observed in these words :

'T found the birds migrating practically everywhere along
the line of the islands, but the largest and best defined stream
was across Pelee Island, with a well marked convergence to its
southern point, thence across to Middle, and beyond to Kelly's
Island, thence across to Alarblehead. ^Migrating birds were
most numerous on Middle Island, but they were in great num-
bers on Pelee (Island). No birds were seen crossing the lake
except in a line with the islands."

This last statement is imiportant for it shows that, though
Lake Erie is not very wide at any point, the generality of
small migrants prefer an easy passage from island to
island to launching directly out and making the crossing

4() Till': \\'ii.s()x Ri'Li.ETiN' — No. ."iO.

at one flic^lit. We say the "generality" with reason, for
some species we have seen crossing- directly over, unde-
flected by the inviting- appearance of Pelee Island that lies in
full view from the end of the Point and about eight miles and
a half away. The birds we have seen so crossings were Duck
Hawk, Sharp-shinned H'awk, Sparrow" Hawk, Red-winged
r)lackbird. Bronzed Grackle, Blue Jav; Robin, and Blue-
bird. We noted all of these species crossing the afternoon of
October 14, 1900. On that date this was of more than common
interest as it showed mig-ration at a time wdien such move-
mjents are difficult to detect. Ordinarily with individuals com-
ing and going daily there is no appreciable increase or diminu-
tion of numbers of a species. Lender such conditions it is
almost impossible to tell positively whether the bird popula-
tion is migrating or stationary. But here it is possible to
actually see such species start out and feel certain that it is a
migration flight and not but a passage to another woods or
swale, and accidentally in a southerly direction. From the
first of September on. every morning's sunrise sees great
flocks of Blackbirds and Bobolinks that have presumably
passed the night in the marsh making their way down the
Point for the crossing. Through the day it is but an occasional
small bunch that passes over, but from sunrise to about eight
o'clock they go in an almost steady stream. Sharp-shinned
Hawks, on the contrary, seem to wait until they have digested
their morning meal before starting out and then seem to cross
throughout the day in steady numbers.

There is one species, however, that does seem to take ad-
vantage of every resting place along the way, and that is the
Ruby-throated Hummingbird. This diminutive little bird
showed a strange mixture of bravery and caution. Other
birds hesitate more or less before finally leaving the Point and
then fly at an elevation of about two hundred feet or more.
As they start out from the shelter of the last trees the least
thing will turn them back, a man shouting, a gun shot or the
sight of a hawk in the far distance. In this manner they may
make several false starts before the final one. The Humming-
bird, however, comes sailing down the Point over the tops of

Taverxer and Swales, ox Birds of Point Pelee. 47

the last shrubbery and then dropping down to within a few
feet of the sand follows its curves and windings out to its
most extreme tip when, squaring away at an angle to its
flight of a moment ago, it makes straight for Pelee Island.
We saw this many times, nor did they once hesitate or pause
from the time when they first hove in sight over the bush tops
until they faded away in- the field of our glasses over the
waters of the lake. Contrary to other species noted, they
flew low, and according to Dr. Jones, who saw them from a
boat out in the lake, they kept, as much as possible, low in the
trough of the seas to escape the wind pressure of higher
levels.

In most localities in this region fall birds, even in the height
of the migrations, are generally rather hard to find. They
cruise along in bunches often of many individuals and species.
When such companies are found birds are to be seen all about,
but soon the host has passed on and the woods are compara-
tively deserted until another such company is found. During
the height of the fall migrations, the last of August and the
first of September at Point Pelee, however, the conditions are
much different. The birds are in a flock but one might say that
it occupies the whole Point. Sometimes, wherever one turns
many individuals are in sight and one is bewildered by their
numbers. Then some night we hear the "cheeps" of migrants
high in the air and the next morning the multitude will be gone
and, with the exception of some few species, birds will be hard
to find. Then again, thev will gradually increase till they reach
their maximum numbers and again vanish. In fact, the whole
history of the fall migrations at the Point seems to be a series
of gradual augmentations and sudden diminutions of bird life,
as though the rruigrants continue to arrive until certain con-
ditions have been fulfilled or a degree of saturation of bird life
had arrived and then all leave in a body. About one-third of the
wa^- from the Point to Pelee Island, but some miles to the east
of the direct line, there used to be a light-house that is now de-
serted. It was kept by a man by the name of Grubb, who told
us that at times great numbers of birds used to become
dazzled bv the gflare of the liffht, and striking the glass of the

48 Tin-: Wilsox Bulletin — No. 59.

lantern fell struggling to the stage below. ]\Iany of these were
killed outright, but be says that sometimes he would gather up
the stunned ones and carry them inside and has had more than
a hundred flying about his small quarters at a time.

As far as we can see, the night departures of birds in the
fall are made almost independent of the weather. Several
times we congratulated ourselves that the night was too bad
for birds to leave the Point and cross the troubled waters of
the lake and that tbe next day we would have a chance to see
Sonne rare species again only, when morning dawned, to find
that we were to be disappointed and where birds were
abundant the day before they were scarce then. This latter
fact is easily explainable on considering the short flights from
island to island and the number of havens of rest ofifered should
the weather prove too unpropitious.

Usually, companies of migrating birds seem to be moving in
given and definite directions andi one acquainted with the
ground can often locate a group again after it has once passed.
On Point Pelee, however, they seem to move erratically about,
sometinies traveling up and sometimes down the Point. They
seem to have reached the end of their land journey and have
nothing to do but kill time until they are ready to take up
their next stage across the water.

These facts stand out plainly in our work on Point Pelee :
the evident "wave" form of the migrations, the great con-
gestion of bird life during migrations, their erratic wander-
ing while on the Point in the fall and their' departure, as
far as we could see, regardless of weather.

All these facts point to the conclusion that here is the con-
traction and consequent condensation of a great migration
route and the congestion of bird life in spring and a few days
in the fall suggests the great area of territory to the north that
maist be supplied in the spring and drained in the fall of its
birds by this stream. The occurrence of so many rarities
within a small locality is also interesting and suggestive,
showing how such wandering waifs "follow the crowd" and
progress along routes unknov^li to their ancestors and along
these highways sometimes establish permanent homes in new

T.WERNER AND SwALES, ON BiRDS OF PoiNT PeLEE. 4:9

territory, as in the cases of such intrusive forms as Cardinal,
Yellow-breasted Chat and Carohna Wren that have formed
permanent settlement here. In studying out the problems
presented it is well to bear in mind the fact that Prof. E. L.
Mosely seems to have conclusively prooved that within almost
historical times there was land connection broken but by
marshes and streams of comparatively narrow width between
the Ohio and Canadian shores.

Taken all together, the bird life of Point Pelee, the islands
adjoining and the opposite American shore forms a subject of
absorbing interest and ground wliere migrational phenomena
of the Great Lakes can perhaps be studied to better advantage
than anywhere else in this section. There are many such
problems that seem to have a glimmer of light thrown on them
from work done here and should results warrant they will
form the grounds of subsequent papers. As a basis for such
future work and as a matter of present record the following
list is put forth by the authors :

A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF POINT PELEE.

1. Colymhua auritiis, — Horned Grebe.

Without doubt a regular spring and fall migrant as at Detroit,
Mich. Two seen on the Lake Pond, October 15, 190G, and listed by
Harry Gould (Otta^ya Naturalist Vol. XV, 1901, p. 16), September
19, 1900.

2. * Podili/mliKS podiccps, — Pied-billed Grebe.

A common migrant and undoubtedly a regular breder in consider-
able numbers. We have not observed it as yet in the spring during
our May visits, but at these times little marsh work was done
and they could easily have been overlooked. The species increases
in abundance from early September and are common by the middle
of the month on the ponds, though we have yet to see it on the Lake.
They were very common during October, 1906, and appear to remain
until driven out by the formation of the ice. In 1905 there were still
numbers to be seen October 29.

3. * Gavia imber, — Loon.

Mr. Saunders found a nest during the first week in June, 1884, near
the west side of one of the ponds and remarks, "They were then

* Species so marked have either been taken by the writers or speci-
mens have been examined by them personally.

50 The \\'ilsux Bulletin — No. 59.

kuowu to breed there annually." This species seems to have suffered
the same fate here as it has in the adjoining localities, and from a
common breeder has been reduced to the position of a regular mi-
grant, becoming rarer before the enci-oachments of civilization. We
have observed single birds at Pelee at various times and the fisher-
men inform us that at times they take considerable numbers in their
nets. The only places where the loon seems to breed in the adjoin-
ing country is on the little isolated lakes of the interior, such as those
of Oakland county. Michigan, where but a pair or so still manage
to perform the duties of uidification.

4. * Larus argcntatus, — Herring Gull.

We have found tli.e Herring Gull a common species during all our
visits, even as late as May 22 (1900), and as early as September 1
(1905-06). At times of high wind thej' frequent the surf at the end
of the Point. At other times they can generally be found on the stakes
of the pound nets that stretch for some distance out int» the lake
on both sides of the Point. September 13. 1905, we were presented
by some fishermen with a very wet and bedraggled Sharp-shinned
Hawk (Accipiter velox) that they had picked up out of the lake
where it had been buffeted by the Herring Gulls, and would cer-
tainly have been drowned if it had not been rescued for another
fate. It seems almost incredible that a bird as large as this gull
should have any cause to fear this small Accipiter. but there must be
some basis in past experience to form such an antipathy as this case
shows. From our experience at the western end of Lake Erie and
the Detroit River we regard the species as common throughout the
winter as long as there is open water.

5. Larus philailcJphia. — Bonaparte's Gull.

Without doubt a common and regular migrant. We have noted
it on all spring visits as late as June 1, 1907. We have not seen it in
September, but found it present October 14, 1906, and October 29,
1905. A few immatures may remain during tlie summer.

G. Stcnia caspia. — Caspian Tern.

Noted by Saunders on the east shore late in August, 1882. We saw
four flying up aud down the same shore May 13, 1905, in company
with Common Tern; aud September 8, 1905, Mr. Swales saw two
adults flying just out of gun range near the end of the Point. (Auk.
XXIV, 1907, p. 137.)

7. * Stcnia hirundo. — Common Tern.

An abundant migrant and observed commonly on nearly all visits
and as late as September 20, 1900. though none have been seen in
October. Breeds in great numbers on the Hen aud Chicken Islands
directly south in Lake Erie.

T.WEKXEK .\xi) Swales, ox Birds of Point Pelee. 51

8. ■'HiiilnjclnlUUiii iiiiiiu ■siiriiniiiicmtiff. — Black Tevii.

A foiuuioii sumniei" resident aiul breeder. 8ets of eggs were taken
by Saunders in 1884 and they were e\'i(lently nesting or preparing to
do so May 81. I'.MiT. September 12, ]i.)(!.j, is our latest fall date when
we witnessed an interesting migration of the species. Early in the
morning a large number were observed passing southward along the
east beaeh. Many iiaused on their way. alighting on the net stakes
about half a mile out in the lake until every stake was covered.
Nearly all were hnmatures. By noon all had pas>sed.
.[). " I'Jmhicrocorax diloiihit'i, — Double-crested Cormorant.

^larch 10, 1J)07, we discovered the remains of a- specimen of this
species on the eastern slKsre that we were informed had been killed
the previous fall. The head was preserved for record.

10. Meroaiiscr ainci iraiiiis. — American Merganser.

Undoubtedly both Mergansers occur re^cularly on the waters ad-
jacent to tb.e I'oint. tb.ough we Inivc not note:l them personally.
This is the species the ginmers sei^'m the better acquainted with and
tliey report it as common during migrations and through mild win-
ters.

11. * LoitJiiKJiihs (itciilhititK. — Ilouded Merganser.

Ke;;orted by the gunners as a common nii'^n'ant. A fine male sent
us taken November 13, 10t!G.

12. * Anas hoclt(i>^, — Mallard.

Without doubt a common migrant and a connuon though limited
breeder, as reported b.v the gunners. Birds seen and taken Septem-
ber 1, IDCG, were likel.v raised on the marsh. Locally all females are
known as Ure.v I>u(ks by the gunners, who regard them as of a dif-
ferent species. This confusion is likely caused by the taking of
males in the "eclipse" i)lumage when for a short time during the sum-
mer moult it assumes the general plumage of the female.

13. * .4yms obsciira, — Black Duck.

.1. obscura is a more abundant ^pe;•ies than hnvhas: and is reported
by the gunners as a common breezier. Saiuiders saw a pair waddling
about the marshes June 3, 1884, and May 30, 1!)07, he and Taverner
noted ducks in singles and Hocks over the marshes to the number of
twentj- or more that we took to be of this species. In all probability
late migrants will he found to be the form nibripcs. though so far
we have been unable to examine specimens from thei-e later than
October 1.". (lOno).

14. C}i(iiil('hii<iiii(ft strf'itcrKs. — (iadwall.

Gardner seems to know this duck, thuuv'ii he says it is not common.
Though it likely occurs rarely, until >]K^cimens are secured its status
nmst remain hypothetical.
l."i. * Xcftioii (■(iroUitciiNis. — (Jreen-winged Teal.

rndonbtedly small numbers are of regular occurrence during mi-

:>•.' Till-. W'li.SMN r.ri.i.i'-.rijs; — Nik T)!).

,m-:itioiis. We scciiriMl :i ])Mir tnkcn Octolior 2r>. IIMKI. This si)ories
has (liiirinishiMl in imiiihers (if lato years thron.siliont this soction.
It;. (Jiui(ii(((liil<t (li.srors, — Hlue-winircd Teal.

A coiiHiioii migrant, coming early in fall and I'cniaining late in
spring. A few may remain to brood as the residents report. Noted
a i-onp!e in tlie dyke diti-h :May 21, I'.HKi, and May :n, 1907. Gardner
reported that a few were seen a day or so before on the marsh. Com-
mon from September 1 to October K>. liXUi, wlien we left. This spe-
cies does not seem to be diminishing .nt Ibis end of Lake Erie as re-
ported liy Fleming for Lake Ontario. ( Ank XXIII, lOUC, p. 444.)

17. Marei-a utncriiunia. — I'ablp.-ite.

Reported a fairly connnon l)ird during migrations.

18. * Dafila (/ch/o,— Pintail.

A regular and fairly common migrant. Have seen it lietween the
dates of September 13, 190(!, and Novemi)er 7, liJOG.
10. * Aid- f<i)Oii!<it. — Wood Duck.

This rapidly disappearing species seems to be still far from uncom-
mon on the Point. We saw numlters both dead and alive all through
September 19(!5-190(!, and Gardner rejjorts taking one November 1 of
the latter year. lie also cai)turefl a winged bird ou the marsh De-
cember 17. According to the shooters they breed in considerable
uuml)ers, though they are most connnon in sjiring. This spring
(1907) Gardner reports .-i falling off in nundiers. lie is "perfectly
familiar with their breeding habits, and when we asked liim as to
how the feniale got her young to the groiind from the nest he said
that he had several times seen her take the young out of the nest
in her bill and deposit them one by one at the bottom of the tree
where they crouched motionless while she returned for the next.
When all are down, with the old one in the lead, they make straight
for the nearest water, lie s:iys that the greatest enemies that the
young birds have after they leave the nest are the Sna)>])ing-turtles
and large Pike that infest the marshes.

20. *■ Aytlnja (niicricaiid, — Redhead.

A very connnon migrant on the jionds. where it feeds on the mass
of Wild Celery t \'iillixiierin spiralis) growing there. Saunders oIj-
served them as late as May ;?1. 1S84. In 19(10, the first seen
by Gardner was October ".». tlionu'li the year before we took one on
the Lake Pond September !>. lint as it was an injured iiird the date
is of no migrational ini|iortan( e. October 1.~i, looc. we saw large r;ifts
of them in the center of t'.ie Lake Pond and tlie last wei-e reported
from the I'oint I)ecend»er 1.

21. * Aiifhint rullisiicrifi, — Canvas-li.-ick.

Not as common as .1. umcricnun, but of regular occiu'rence. (Jard-
uer reported a nundier Octolier 13, 190G, and November 10 sent us
a specimen.

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 53

22. * Aiitlnja iiiarila. — Scaui) Duck.

A eouimou luigraiit. Reported by Gardner August 31, 1906. We
saw a number September 1. Received several specimens from the
roint in November the same year. Reportetl common December 1.
We saw tbem as late as May 13, 1905, and beard of the presence of
"Bluebills" May 29, 1907. Tliis species is locally known as "Lake
Bluebills" by the shooters.

23. *A!jthya affliiis, — Lesser Scanii Duck.

A common migrant, locally called ".Marsh Bluebill." We had speci-
mens sent us November 7. lOdC. and it was reported December 1.
A few remain all sunnner. Imt they arc likely cripples or unmated
birds.

24. * Ai/tln/a coUarls, — Hing-nccked Duck.

Gardner states that tliis duck occurs in limited numbers especially
iu spring. He sent us a male taken November IG, 190G. (Auk.
XXIV, 1*907, p. 139.)

25. Claiigula claiiguUi (iDioicaiHi. — American Golden-eye.
Reported to be a conunon migrant. We saw a male Iiird May 13,

1905, and it was rci)orted by (iardner September 13, 190G.
20. '^Chajitoiivtta (ilbeoUi, — Buffle-head.

A common migrant. We saw none during our Oi'tober visits, but
had a number sent us Noveud)er 7 and IG, 190G. Gardner reported
about twenty December 1 the same year.

27. HarcUhi In/nitaUs, — Old Sipiaw.

A bed of about fifty lay out in the lake near the nest stakes May
13, 1005. Mr. (Trubb said that they had been there for several weeks.
A number remain during open winters. Locally termed "Coween,"
"South-f-outherlies" and "Sou-easterlies."

28. *Erisi)tatiir<i j(uiia\criisi>i, — Ruddy Duck.

Observed on the ponds by Saunders June 1<), 1884. We secured a
crippled bird on the Lake Pond September 12, 1905, but regarded it
as a "left-over" from the previous migration. Gardner reported a
number Octcfber 13, 190G, and about fifty December 1. He sent us a
female November 7.

29. *Cheii hypcrhorca. — Lesser Snow Goose.

An immature bird was shot near the base of the Point October 17,
1905, by Sidney Stanlick, of Leamington, aud secured by Taverner.
It was very poor aud an injured foot bespoke a recent injury. (See
Auk, XXIII, 190G, p. 219.)

Gardner reports that in November, 190G, after the marsh had frozen
over there were eight white geese seen in tlie fields at the base of
the Point, but they were harried so at long range that they became
so wild that no one succeeded in taking any of them. They doubtless
belonged to this species.

.■■)|. Till-: Wn.sox IU'llktix — No. 5*J.

oO. * liinnta (■itiKiilciisis. — Can.-ula (Jtioso.

A fonnuoii lui.craiit. perhaps inorc ahuiidant in siirini;. They gome-
times freciueut the ponds. Imt arc usually luiuid Iccdiiit; ou the cul-
tivated fields inside the dyke at the hase of the Point. ()l)scrv(!d Oc-
tober 28, ]!)€;"), and Octohor 11 and 12, lOUU.
31. * Olor colioiiliiuniiK. — Whistling Swan.

(Jardncr reports Swans as occurrins irregularly in spring. Usually
thoy remain well out in the lake, hut sometimes during heavy weath-
er they venture in on llie ponds. It is less connuon in tall. We have
seen mounted specimens of tiiis species in Leamington and as culiiiu-
hiuiiits is the common torm in this section, list it under this head,
though Imvvuiator may txcur.

SPRING MIGRATION ANOMALIES IN l!»o;

AS OliSEIU'ED r.Y O. W1I).M.\XX AT ST. LOUIS, MO.

The abnormal weather of the spruig of 190.7 cattsed un-
precedctited dcviation.s of migration dates from the standard
set up (hiring thirty years of observation. A series of ten
hot summer day."^ in the hitter ])art of [March pushed vegetation
to a state of development never seen before at that time, open-
ing the buds of leaves and flowers not opened in other years
before the latter part of April. Just as these tender growths
were exposed, and before the_\- had time to strengthen, a
freeze followed in early April, killing theuL All through
April the temperature remaine<l so low that almost no advance
at all was made in ]-)lant growth, and this perfect, most re-
markable, standstill lasted till early May and even then
progress was exceedingly slow. Hickories did not leaf before
the second week of May and Sycamores, whose first leaves
have been killed, were still without leaves at the end of May
and are eveu now (June <;) very thinly clothed.

That this retardation of plant growth had more to do with
the delay of migration than the lew temperature itself seems
probable. Insectivorous birds seem to be intluenced more by
the condition of vegetation than the weather, especially those
which find their principal food in the small larva: infesting

W'lDM ANN, Ox\ Spring Migration. 55

the leaves of trees. Vireos, Warblers, Orioles and others ex-
perienced the greatest delay, while Thrushes and other ground
feeders were less irregular.

Spring migration started as usual. Juncos, for instance,
appeared in force on [March 15th and reached maximum on
the ^Oth. [Most of them had passed on, but flocks continued to
arrive when the change in the weather came at the end of the
month and, while in most years juncos are rarities after the
middle of April, this year they were present in force until
the 20th and stragglers until Alav 4th.

Fox Sparrows cams as usual March 15th and were un.-
usually numerous March 20th to 25th, but the hot weather
took them all oh' at once and none were seen after the 25th,
while in other years their transit Is extended into April, some-
tim.es to the third week of it.

White-throats kept their normal dates pretty well. The
van appeared as usual at the middle of March (IGth) and the
hot period did not affect them' visibly; but the bulk, the great
army, due April 20th, came a week behind time, April 28th,
and remained with us a week later than in other years, to
May 12th ; the last ones were seen May ITth, the middle of
[May being the usual time for them.

White-crowns, too, did not deviate much from the rule,
appearing in numbers [May 3rd, but contrasting with their
usual soldier-like precision, when nearly the entire army
passes witliin a few days and all are gone after the 15th;
this year's passage was dragging with the 22nd for last day,
breaking the record of the state by four days.

The middle of March marks the invasion of this region by
north-bound Song Sparrows and the bulk was here promptly
on the 17th, but induced to rapid transit by the heated term
the species ordinarily three weeks in passing had disappeared^
after the 25th and none were seen between March 25th and
[May 12th. when from that day until [May 30th Song Sparrows
were seen and heard to sing in tiiree places not known to be
breeding stands. Whether these individuals were belated
transients or summer residents spreading to entirely new
territorv remains to be seen.

.■)('. 'rill-. Wii.sox l'.i'L[j:rix — Xd. ')!>.

Contrary to ilic rule that Vellmv-ruinps appear in large
numbers early in April none were in evidence before April
20th, when they began to appear in pairs. Few were noticed
until INTay 3r.d, at which time in other years the species be-
comes rare, but this year t,hc bulk arrived. 'J>ansit of it
dragged through two weeks and the last of the species were
seen May 27, three days later than the latest on record, May
18th, '8G. Another prominent transient visitant, the Sap-
sucker, appeared as usual Marc;i 23rd, but before the bulk
had reached us the change in the weather occurred and all
farther progress was stopped until the middle of April, when
movements were in order and the gFeat host of transient
Sapsuckers crossed this latitude, being most ])lentiful i\pril
2(>th and last noticed April 24th. which is not particularly
late, as many instances are on record when they remained to
the end of April, even into May.

Conspicuous in transit, because traveling in broad daylight,
is the ]')lue Jay. Old pairs often, though not always, per-
manent residents were seen building nests on March 2r)th, the
usual time, but north-bcund transients began to pass A])ril
27th. from one to two weeks later than in former years,
blocks continued to come and go until May lUth, the regular
time when these migrations of Blue Jays cease. Birds of last
year were seen mating May 12th and building May Kith,
nearly two months after their parents had gune through the
same experience.

The most noticeal:)le disorder showed itself in the passage of
northern Warblers and in the arrival of our sumniier residents
due in April. INIost of those coming ordinarily soon after the
middle of April came only in the last days of the month or in
early May. Red-headed Woodpeckers, Baltimores, Catbirds,
Rose-breasts, Wocd Thrushes, Summer Tanagers, Redstarts,
I'arula Warblers, Warbling Vireos, Ovenbirds and Swifts
came on the 28th and 29th. Yellow-throats, Yellow Warblers,
Orchard Orioles on May 2nd ; Great Crested Flycatchers,
Chats, Kingbirds on the -"Ird ; Indigo Buntings on the 1th;
Pewees and Scarlet Tanagers on the 9th and PicH's Vireo on
the 10th, all from oue to two weeks too date.

WiDMAXN, ON Spring JMigration. 57

Some did not get their full numbers before June, a month
later than usually, noticeable among them the Red7eyed \'ireo
and Orchard Oriole. Kingbirds seem rarer than in other
years ; also Hummingbirds, though there are plenty of bloom-
ing plants, some early plants retaining their flowers much
longer than in other springs, for instance. Spring-beauties,
Violets and Phlox, also Fire-bush and Snowball, open flowers
of which are still tO' be seen.

Swainson's and Alice's Thrushes came in their usual
abundance and kept nearly their regular time, remaining only
a few days longer, to June 4th. Hermit Thrushes came
early and staid late, from March 33rd to May 1st. A\'ilson's
Thrushes came late and were here only six days, from May
14th to 19th, inclusive.

Never did we have such an opportunity to admire the
beauty of northern Warblers as this year. Not only did they
remain long and in larger numbers than ever, but they were
remarkably tame and frequented the lower branches of trees
and slirubs, where they could be seen easily on account of the
thin cover which trees and shrubs afiforded throughout the
month of May.

The most numerous of all Wa'rblers w^as the Black-poll.
The first came May 3rd and the last is not gone yet, two
females being seen this morning (Jime Gth). From May
Kith to June 3rd whole flocks of males and females were met
with wherever we went, but unlike other years, their song
was seldom heard.

The Chestnut-sided Warbler vvas first seen May 9th and
daily in numbers, males and females together, from Kith to
22nd, and only slightly less abundantly to June 3rd.

The Magnolia Warbler came May^ 12th in little troops, both
sexes, and remained plentiful to May 22nd, but smaller num-
bers were daily seen HU June 3rd.

It might be stated that most of the Warblers came about a
week later and remained from one to two weeks longer than
in most other years.

Northern W^aterthrushes were common most of the time

:iS 'riii: Wilson r.ii.i.irriN — No. ."")!).

from ^lav IHli to -.'sth. Transient Redstarts from ]\Jay I'^th
to June -'ird.

lUivbreast.Ml \\'ar])lers from 'Slay Kith to June '?n(l, both
sexes.

Cape ^fay ^^'arl)ler from ^lay Kith to -^Sth, mostly males.

lllackl)urnian Warbler from INlay 14th to y^nd.

Mourninj^ Warbler from ^lay ISth to June ord ; the sing--
ing- male acconipanied by female.

Blaek-throated Cireen were strangjly scaree ; only on four
days, May 14th, IGth, 17th and 32nd.

I)Ut most striking- was the scarcity of Tennessee and Nash-
ville Warblers, in other years some of the most abundant
transients. Never did we have such small numbers of them
nor did we have so little of their song. The transit of the
Tennessee was extended over twenty-five days, but on no day
were there more seen than eight (May 22nd). They came
two weeks later than usual (May 9th) and the lasts were
still present June 3rd. The Nashville Warbler was noted
from May 1st to 22nd, but only two birds at any one day.

()n the other hand Wilsonia pusilla and canadensis exceeded
rdl records for abundance and length of stay. Pusilla came
May 11th and Canadensis Way 13th, but from the 14th to
22nd they were in troops along creeks and scattered every-
whei'e, both males and females together, the males full of
song. Wilson's w^as gone after the 2kh, l)ut the Canada
Warbler remained till June 3rd.

Another species which had an unusually prolonged stay
with us is the Least Flycatcher from .April 29th to June ;)rd.
Tlie Yellow-bellied from May IGth to June 4th, and the Olive-
sided from ]\Iay 2Sth to June 4th, but representatives of the
T'dxcateh.er family may still be lingering with us, the thirteen-
year locusts having made their appearance during the three
days' rain from May 3(tth to June 2nd. and afford an alum-
dance of food for all birds.

]\iy report would be incompk^te would I omit the mention
of unprecedented numbers of Pine l-'inches present from iNIay
KUh to 23rd. WTiereever we went on these days we met troo])s
of thirty or more in company of (ioldfinches or at least fre-

Shufeldt, on the Broad-wixged Hawk. 59

quenting the same places, coming- down with them to drink
and bathe and trying to make their feeble song heard when
the Goldfinches made pauses. Goldfinches, also, came ten
days later than in other years. The bulk of males was first
noticed May 1st and the height of migration occurred Mav 13th
to 19th, when flocks of a hundred or more, both sexes, were
at their old stands. Smaller numbers, mostly females, were
left at these places until the 33rd. after which summer resi-
dents only were seen.

Purple Finches, usually present in troops from March 10th
to April 30th made a change tliis year by coming only on
April 30th and staying in flocks till May 1st and in smaller
numbers, brown birds, till May 19th.

As a counterpart of the unexplained reappearance of the
Song Sparrows in May must be mentioned the still more re-
markable presence of a Brown Creeper in song May 19th in
a renmant of native timber within the city limits of St. Louis.
None had been seen since April 30th.

NOTES OX THE BROAD-WLXGED HAWK.

(Buteo platypterus.)

nv R. w. siirFEi-irr, f. a. o. u.

Upon looking over, the ether day, sonije old unpublished
ornithological notes and negatives of mine I came across some
that referred to the Broad-winged Hawk, and as the account
includes the keeping in captivity three subadult specimens of
this species, taken by mys;lf. I thought perhaps that the
material might be worthy of preservation.

The pair had nested within, about a mile of my then resi-
dence at Takom.a Park, Marylani^l, and both my son and my-
self were acquainted with the fact, having often noticed the
birds circling overhead in the vicinity. They had selected a
tall, ill-shapen oak with short, crooked limbs, and the nest was

fiO Till-. Wilson lUi.i i-:iix — Xo. r)!).

in a crotch of it near the top. sonic fifty fict from the i^rtamd.
This tree stood in a rather open pieci? of woods of some ex-
tent, and g^rew near the hilly bank of a small sti-eam. Durintj
the latter ])art of Jun?, l.SDT, my s-jn had climbed to the nest
and inspected the eggs, of which there were four, with
nothing peculiar about them, except that he reported that the
dark markings on th'jm were rather strong and pronounced.

I''or some reastjn cm" other this ni^st was not visited again l)y
us. and it a])i)ears that the clutch was duly hatched out. One
morning toward the middle of the following nionth a negro
brought to my house three young Broad-wings, which he said
he had taken from a tall oak tree about a mik' away, and that
there were in it four of them, but one had escaped him and
flown ofif. Upon (|uestioning him there w-as no doubt but
that the specimens had come from the nest we had discov-
ered, as he knew the locality well. One of these birds w'as
considerabl}' larger than the other two. and all were able to
flv a short distance at a time, but their recapture was not a
matter of much difhculty. All of them, when received, were
ravenously hungry, but this was soon appeased by feeding
them with a generous sup])lv <of raw beef cut into small bits.
They were ver}- noisy, and resented being handled very much,
though among themselves good nature prevailed.

( )n the Ifith of July (ISitT) T made, late one evening, a
photograph of the largest individual of the three, but the re-
sulting negative was not quite as good as I should have liked,
owing to the insufficiency of light (see figure). However,
the print from it proved to be an interesting picture of the
species, taken at an age not usually seen in illustrations, and
for this fact I hope it may prove more or less instructive.

In a few days after the above date these birds all escaped,
and I was not altogether sorry to part with them, as at that
time 1 had a good mjany different kinds of living animals
about my premises, with my hands correspondingly full in
making photographs of them all, — everything from a tree-
toad to a Turkey \Tilture.

As to the nest that these birds constructed, provided it was

SllUFELl>T, ON 'IIJK 1 ')R( /AD-W 1 NCICD HaWK.

(il

of their l)uikling. I was not quite certain in ni)- own mind that
they had not taken an old deserted crow's nest and repaired
it a httle to their hkuis;. Crows were in the hahit of buikHnof

in that piece of woods every spring- in those days, and it is
quite possible that these hawks had chosen one of their

■(i'> Till': W'li.sox r>L-i.ij:Ti\ — No. ')!).

abaiuUiiicd structures. I'-endire sa}S in liis "Lite Histories of
North American IJirds" that, "occasional]}- they make use of
an old crow's nest, or one abandoned by same other hawk"
(p. 'i4A). This one. as is usually the case, was rather a bulky
affair, scmewhat loosely put toi^ether. and composed of oak
twigs, and lined with strips of pine bark, but then ther? were
some other unlooked-for materials si)arinj;'ly mixed u]) in it,
not used, as a rule, by this hawk, that more closely resembled
a crow's work of the ye u" pr^^vious. Tlvj hawks may have
pulled out the eld lining, however, and made other additions
to suit themselves.

OUR lURD-BATH.

CY CARKFl-: KLAGIJiR SCIIANTZ.

In June last year (liXXi) we laid cement walks, and frr ui

the "remain'ders" Mr. S built a bird-bath in the corner of

our yard.

He marked out a circle about three feet in diameter. He
then excavated to a depth of twenty inches, ard filled the space
within eig'ht inches of the top with cinders, packing the cinders
well ; en top of thccinders he put a mixture of gravel and
cement and then finished with a mixture of sand and cement,
making the center of the bath about six inches below the sod
and sloping from the center to tlK? rim of the bath, which was
left a little lower than the sod. Tlie bath is located within four
feet of a high v.dre fence in the northeast corner of the yard.
It v/as finished too late for the spring migration, but how the
birds enjoyed it through the rest of the summeY and uiUil it
irozz c.ver in the fall ! We fill the bath with water from the
garden hose and sweep it out with a brconi to keep it fresh
and clean.

You would be surprised at the number of times it needed
cleaning and re-filling on certain warm davs. We are in a

ScHAXTz, OX Ouu Bird-Bath. G3

suburb of Chicago, and street cars and steam cars are all
around us (within from, one to six blocks), still we see many
varieties of birds every season.

The varieties seen at or near the bath were : Robin, English
Sparrow, Bluebird, Gray-checked. Olive-backed, Hermit, and
Wilson's Thrushes, Fox, Tree, Chipping, White-throat.
White-crowned and Song Sparrows, American Goldfinch,
Pine Finch, Red-winged Blackbird, Catbird. Junco, Yellow
Warbler, Flicker. ]\Ieadowlark, Towhee, \\'inter Wren, Blue-
headed Vireo, etc.

One of the most interesting sights was late in September.
A flock of Pine Siskins surrounded the bath, just as thick
around the edge as they could crowd, flying up and down and
in and out, affording us who watched from the windows of the
house a delightful hour.

The bath has given us many a close glimpse of our enjoy-
able little visitors and has more than repaid us for the trouble
of building it.

The top of the' fence aft'ords a good place for the making
of a toilet after the bath. Some shrubbery has been planted
in the corner and in time will add to its beauty and usefulness,
but you may be sure that nothing has been planted that will
hide our view of the bath from the house.

The Pine Siskins came twice each day as long as they were
in the neighborhood, for a drink.

We planted sunflowers outside the fence and the Goldfinches
and Pine Siskins found much to their liking with food and
water both so close together.

We have also proved that birds get "real dirty." Many
times after several birds had been in the bath the water would
need renewing on account of the dirt left by them.

It is also surprising how so many birds located the place to
drink, for we noticed not only many new visitors, but many
that came regularlv dav after dav.

G4 TiiK W'li.sox Bri-Li'Tix — Xo. 50.

ON RUBYTHROATS.

BY CHRESWELL J. HUNT.

How often does one get even half a look at a Humming-
bird ? We see them hover for a moment about some clump of
flowers and then like a flash they have vanished — we know not
where. Of so diminutive a size and with such marvelous
swiftness of wing, is it not a veritable will-o'-the-wisp?

If we arc so fortunate as tO' find one of the tiny nests we
may watch the female caring for the family, for from what has
been written it would seem that the femiale is left to shoulder
all the domestic cares alone. But after the young are awing
and when away from the nest how and where does the Hum-
mer spend the time?

In my field experience how seldom has it been my good
fortune to have one of these birds under observation for even
ten minutes at a time! Well I remember, when a youthful
egg collector, how I was informed by the wise ones that the
only way to discover a Hummingbird's nest was to hear the
hum made by the wings of the incubating bird. Of course this
story should have been relegated to the rubbish heap along
with that of straddling Flanimt^oes, etc., but being of a
credulous age with much faith in wdiat the elders told me, I
w-as led to believe that a hummer's wings were always in
motion and it was not until some years afterward when I
visited a museum and saw a hummer mounted upon a nest
with the wings at rest that I realized the error, for otherwise
would not the taxidermist have spread them? But of the
Hummer at large, what of him ? How much of his time does
he spend in feeding? For how long does he rest, perched
upon some twig? Where does he spend the night? Also do
not some flowers attract him more than others or more proper-
ly does he not find some flowers more profitable feeding-
grounds than others? The trumpet vine is said to be a
favorite, but Vhat of the others ? These are a few of the
questions that I have frequently asked myself and upon which
I have tried to throw some light, but my efforts in this
direction have been well-nigh fruitless. Whenever we do

Hunt, on Rubythroats. 65

chance to meet it is nearly always a case of "now yon see me ;
now you don't" — and Hummers leave no trail.

In going over my note-books I can find but four instances
where I have had this bird under anything like satisfactory
observation and then what they taught me was indeed next to
nothing.

I offer these scanty notes, not that they contain any real
value but in hopes that they may call forth the experiences of
some other student who has been more fortunate in the study
of Rubythroat ways.

It was a hot August day and I was trudging along the
dusty road wdien a Rubythroat darted across in front of me
and hovered above a clump of blossoming Jewel weed
{Impatiens fiilz'a). I am inclined to believe that among the
wild varieties this plant is a favorite with the hummer, for I
have frequently noted them about it. I watched this bird for
fifteen minutes or more and then it left for parts unknown.
It was a female or young of the year. It would go from
flower to flower for several minutes and then would perch up-
on a branch of the Jewel weed where it would stretch out a
wing and run its bill down over and under it, seemingly
smoothing out the feathers.

Again I was following a wood path one June day when I
was surprised to see two Hummers hovering above the path
directly in front of me. I halted and they darted all about
me, sometimes almost into my face. It ma}- Ije that they had
a nest close by, but if so I was unable to locate its wdiere-
abouts. But why would both birds be guarding the nest? Is
it not left entirelv to the female?

One disagreeable October day — the fifth of the month —
with a cold driving rain I had taken up my station in the
woods beside a dogwood tree to watch the birds that came to
feed upon the crimson berries. These all proved to be Robins
and I had about decided to move on when a Crested Fly-
catcher alighted in the tree and began to feast upon the
plentiful fruit. Whether the berries were not to his liking or
his appetite easily satisfied I know 'not, but after eating a
few he darted up into a chestnut tree that stood near by. j\Iy

Gfi Tin-: Wir.soN Rii.i.iiTix — Xo. ."iD.

eyes followed hini but not far, however, for they rested upon
a little knob at the end of a twig away up in that chestnut
tree. 1 shall never be able to say wh\' this tiny knob should
have attracted my attention, for it was not until I had brought
my field glasses to bear upon it that I realized T was looking
at a Rubythroat. He cortainl\- did look like a drowned rat.
Every feather seemed saturated with the cold rain and there
he sat and preened away at them with his bill. Wdiile I
watched him he tlew to another perch and finally left me. but
I wondered where he sought his food at this season. Among
the goldenrods and asters, or did he catch insects from some
perch in true flycatcher fashion ?

\\'e were boating on the Delaware River in late July. I
had pushed the boat's bow in among the marsh grasses and
sat waiting for my friend who had gone ashore. Down
darted a Rubythroat and hovered before a Cardinal flower
sat less than four feet away he was not the least bit alarmed.
He visited every flower, one after another, then made a circle
in the air only to return and revisit each flower. My friend
appearing about this time. Mr. Rubythroat made a rapid de-
parture.

Still another picture stands out vividly on by memory. It
was the third of July. 1904. Tom and 1 were climbing the
Welsh Mountains in X. W. Chester County. We came to a
little clearing. We scrambled over the low stone wall into a
small meadow, wdiere we waded knee deep among timothy and
clover. There going from one red clover head to another
was a Rubythroat. His red throat seemed fairly aflame in
the sunlight. We saw him for only a brief moment, but some-
how the picture clings. We had a good trip that day, with
lots of novelties. There had been Scarlet Tanagers, Chestnut-
(Lobclia Cardinalis) standing by the boat's bow. Although I
sided AVarblers and Rough-winged Swallows ; Bartramian
Sandpipers had shown us how gracefully they could fold their
wings, and a Xighthawk, resting in the road, had almost let
us trample him under foot, but whenever I recall the Welsh
Mountain trip I see again that hillside meadow, the crumbling
stone wall, the noddins: clovers and the Rubvthroat.

Burns, on Walter J. Hoxie. G7

WALTER J. KOXIE. •

BY FRANK L. BURNS.

The accompanying photos were taksn near Port Royal,
S. C, ^lay 10, liiOl, "a red letter clay" Walter J. Koxie called
it. ]\[r. Hoxie has written that he had net given up ornithology

Young Black Vultures {Catharista atrata). By \V. J. Hoxie.

but ornithology had given him up when it became a question
of bread and butter. As a taxidermist, he failed to settle
down in any place ; in fact, could not get altogether suited as
to locality. I do not knew whether he is living at this date. He
"began just before the 'GO's." and kept up a pretty steady
correspondence with Prof. Baird and Dr. Coues. A Yankee

G8

TiiF. W 11. SOX Ul'lletix — No. 59.

schoolmaster, locating near Frogmore, S. C. in the palmy
clays of the "O. and O.," he wrote many entertaining and
instructive papers, seeming to see the joke in everything
IX)ssihle. In July. "88, the U. S. Department of Agriculture
emploved liini to collect in Florida at $75 per month and ex-
penses to Titusville. He was to look up certain species and

\oung Black Vultures (C.atliarista atrata) Asleep in their Nest.
By W. J. Hoxie.

visit certain localities at his own expense from there. At
once he met difficulties : predatory mammals, birds and insects
•made away with nearly all trapped specimens, sometimes trap
and all : skins were devastated by small ants and gigantic
cockroaches ; expenses exceeded salary ; so reducing his bag-
gage to a minimum, he departed for Cape Canaveral with 100

Burns, on Walter J. Hoxie. G9

rounds of ammunition, of which he scarcely wasted a shot ;
and hved on "shot meat" to recuperate his finances. Yellow
fever breaking out, Jacksonville and counties in Florida
quarantined against one another ; so it was some time before
he could make his way into the interior and take the desired
specimens of the Florida Burrowing Owl and Little Striped
Skunk (his description of the breeding habits of the former is
quoted by Bendire in his Life Histories) , and we hear of him
wading the swamps north of Okeechobee bare-legged, in com-
pany with a Seminole, and shooting the Carolina Paroquet ; it
was here, too, he received the thirty days' notice from the De-
partment, as he had not averaged the required twenty speci-
mens a day. Since that time he has visited Florida twice and
had "no end of a good time," but added nothing to the litera-
ture of the country. During our latest financial depression,
he writes in '95 : "Never saw such hard times. I am tired
of looking for the 'silver lining to the cloud.' Nickels or even
coppers would be awfully dazzling to my sight." 1901 finds
him leading the lonely and rather hard life of a shipkeeper on
board the Accomac, Port Royal naval station ; and it was here
while lying on his back in a bunk during his "four hours ofif,"
the touching little narrative of the "Rough-wings of the
Tucules" w,as written' — the .first article to appear in the
Wilson Bulletin after the present writer took it up for the
year 1901 — that volume so prolific in typographical errors,
vexatious delays and unfruitful toil on the part of the editor
and publisher. Walter Hoxie was an honest observer. He
could write and he could shoot; he appears to have valued in-
formation above specimens. Perhaps he possessed too much
sientiiment in his make-up to be a successful collector. Who
knows ?

THE WILSON BULLETIN

A Quarterly Mag&rine Devoted to the Study of Living Birds.
Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club.

Edited by LYNDS JONES.

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB, AT OBERLIN, OHIO.

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, 50 cents a year, 15 cents a number, post-
paid. Price in all countries in the International Postal Union, 65 cents a year, 20 cents
a number. Subscriptions may ha sent to Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio, or ta Mr. Frank L.
Burns, Berwyn, Penn.

Oftic-ers of the Wilson Oniitholo.irical Cliil) for ]'.X»7:
President. Lynds .Jones, Oberlin, Oliio.
Vice-President, R. L. Baird, Denmark, Iowa.
Secretary. Benj. T. Gault, Glenn Ellyn, 111.
Treasurer, Bradshaw II. Swales, Grosse Isle, ilicb.
Members of the Executive Council : W. L. Dawson, Seattle, Wash. ;
. W. .Jacobs. Waynesl)ur.t:. Pa. ; H. C. Oberholser, Washington, D. C.

EDITORIAL.

As announced by postal, this issue of the Bulletin is a month late
because the Editor spent the month of June on the Washington coast
with Rev. W. L. Dawson, studying the birds of that little known
part of our Pacific coast. Some of the results of that study may be
expected in subse<iuent Billetins. It is sufficient here to remark
that the value of the month's experiences cannot be measured in cur-
rent values.

Notices of publications received and book reviews must again be
deferred because the time at the editor's disposal will not permit the
proper attention to such reviews. He wishes to express his thanks to
authors and publishers for courtesies thus received, with the promise
of careful review at the earliest possible date.

As announced on the cards sent out in June, the September number
of the Bulletin will also be somewhat late because of the expected
absence of the Editor in Porto Rico during the better part of August.
But the lateness of that issue will be largely determined by the con-

Editorial. 71

tributors to that number. If copy can be made ready for the print-
ers before the departure of the Editor everything can be in readiness
for the final make-up immediately upon his return.

Members of The Wilson Ornithological Club will please take no-
tice that the address of our Treasurer, to whom all membership dues
should be sent, has been changed to Grosse Isle. Mich. Members will
also please report promptly to both the Secretary, Benj. T. Gault,
Glen EUy, 111., and to the Editor, any change in their address. Many
copies of the Bulletin are lost because changes in address are not
promptly reported.

The Executive Council of The Wilson Ornithological Club have de-
cided upon and are now acting upon a plan whereby candidates for
membership must apply for membership to the Secretary, who will
see that they are properly brought before the active members at the
annual election of members. Hereafter the names of the officers will
be printed at the head of the editorial page so that names and ad-
dresses may be generally known.

It is expected that with the beginning of the volume for 1008 the
Wilson Bulletin will be enlarged to 48 pages for each number,
more illustrations introduced, the general tone of the matter printed
in it of a higher quality, and the price advanced to one dollar a
year to persons not members of The Wilson Ornithological Club.
Advance subscriptions for 1908, which have already been received,
and subscriptions at the fifty cent rate for the year 1908, which are
received before December, 1907, will be honored for the 1908 volume
only. Membership dues will not be changed, and although Associate
members pay only fifty cents a year they will receive the Bulletin
without further charge. The Editor has many times been asked by
many persons how the Bulletin could be made to pay for it-
self at that subscription price. The secret is that it has never paid.
It has been maintained at a loss for the good of the cause, and he
feels certain that it has been a paying investment, however incon-
venient at tinies. The enlargement and advance in price are made
at the demands of readers of its pages and therefore clearly repre-
sents growth in appreciation of the value of bird study. Do you ap-
prove of the plan? Write.

FIELD NOTES.

Dickcissel {Spiza anicricaiia). in Wayne county, Mich. — In the
Wilson Bulletin, Vol. XII, No. 2, p. 06, and Vol. XIV, No. 1, p. 33,

;-2 'I'm: Wii.sox r.ri,i.i:Ti.\ — Xo. .")!).

1 rocordi'd iiiv cxiKTieiico with Kickcissel in \V:i.viie county. 1 have
recontly (((nvsiK.nded with .Mr. J.uncs H. rurdy. of I'lyniouth. and
quote that portion of his letter relatint; to tliis speeies whieli. I be-
lieve, eoinpletes our knowledj^e of the bird in the county. Mr. I'urdy
says: "'riiey made their first appearance here in .May. IS'.H ; at least
this is the lirst lini(> 1 saw thciii. The Ihrcr pairs were located in
a clover lield on tiic east side of the 1'. .M. K. \l. tracli. wlici-e tlie
riyniontli railroad yards now stand. 1 watclied tlieni. located their
nests, and collei-ted two sets of ejigs — one of four and the other of
tive fresh ejisis — on June 1, 1891. The nests were situated about mid-
way iietweeu the };round and clover tops and were hidden from view.
Since then I have seen them some years and some years tliey have
dhninished rather than increased in nundters." .1. Claiuk Wood.

Another rRoviuKXT Mkl.\xerpks ekytiirocepiialus. — The Red-
headed Woodpecker is not an uncommon sunnner resident in this
locality, but does not remain in winter. Tliat he should spend the
greater part of a May day layiuic by a stock of provisions is unu;nial.
On tlie morning of May 22, I'.toT. a neighbor, jdanning to be from
home all day, gave her ehickeus a liberal supply of food. About ten
o'clock an observer saw one of these woodjieckers fly several times
to the ground among the chickens, then he flew to a fence-post, car-
rying something in his l)ill. An examination of the post revealed
the nature of his hoard. Inside the loosened bark he had placed
bits of bread, corn-meal mush, and kernels of corn. Other onlookers
saw the bird many times during the day carry away the chickens'
food, and hide it in various idaces. Althea R. Sherman.

Redpoll (Acdiitliis limtria) in Ecorse township. Wayne county,
Mich. — An event of the season 1!)0G was the appearance of this bird
in Ecorse township and vicinity, in territory which I have hunted
over during the last sixteen years without seeing a single represen-
tative of the .•species. The tirst seen were a- flock of four, October
.".1. and from tliat time small flocks of from four to eight were seen
on all trijis until 1 ceased to visit the locality in late November. I
was in another portion of the township January 11, 1907, and saw
a flock of about thirty. They were in a small field of weeds beside
a school house in the village of Ford.

The Purple Finch was also lumsually conunon. first appearing
September 9, and last seen October Iti. J. Claire Wood.

Some Notes on the Bald Eagle in Winter Near New York City.
— In severe winters like the past one the Bald Eagle is a common
bird in the Hudson River Valley near New York City. They come
down the river upon large ice-floes, and when they reach the north-

Field. Notes. 73

ern limit of ferry traffic tliey fly iip-stream again. If there is no
ice in the river no eagles are likely to be seen. Ebb tide is also neces-
sary to bring them down. Occasionally they perch upon the cliffs
of the Palisades on the New Jersey shore of the river. They have
also been reported as flying over the city.

It is interesting to notice the actions of the Herring Gulls, abun-
dant in the river all winter, in the presence of Eagles. They do not
mind young Eagles at all, but if an adult bird comes close they scat-
ter to all points of the compass. Probably only old birds attack and
rob them, the young not being courageous enough for that. Imma-
ture birds predominated this past winter. Of the six or seven seen
by the writer on two trips along the Palisades, only one was an
adult. February is the month in which they occur in the largest
numbers. George E. Hix.

KOTES FROil BERWYX, PA.

Seiurus motacilla. — Louisiana Water Thrush. On May 6, 1906, I
observed a pair one mile from Berwyn in a rather extensive and well-
watered tract of woods, and they gave evidence of a present or future
nest. With metallic "chucks." wagging tails and quick dashes back
and forth over the creek, they kept me busy catching a focus.

Chwtura pelarjica.- — Chimney Swift. On the evening of the 1st
of June I took one of these birds out of my office stove, where it
had been for several hours, arriving via the short brick chimney and
stove-pipe, which has two elbows, t had heard it fluttering in some
part of the pipe during the morning and rescued it about 7 :30 p. m.
After it had been liberated, it returned within ten minutes and was
down to the grate by the next morning. It was again heard flutter-
ing in the chimney on the evening of the 3d, but I was so bus.y that
the matter did not reoccur to me until the next evening, when I
found it in the grate, exhausted and one eye glued tight shut with
soot. I washed it open with lukewarm water and once more tossed
it up in the open air ; it flew a few yards, but I am afraid it came
to the ground beyond the hedge ; at any rate I saw it no more. It
doubtless had been seeking a place to nest.

Hclodromas solitariiis. — Solitary Sandpiper. A boy showed me a
female of this species which he had shot August 8th. He had aimed
his rifle at the body of the bird, while it was feeding in the shallow
creek, and it had raised its head in time to catch the over-shol; bullet
in the neck, almost beheading it. The date is very early for this
locality. Frank L. Burns.

RING-BILLED GULL.

The Ring-billed Gull has recently been the subject of remark by
several observers in Ohio and Michigan. These remarks have taken

74 Tin-: Wilson Bulletin — No. 59.

the form of the establishing; of recortls of the occurrences of the
si)ecies alons the Detroit Kiver and Lake Erie shore. This bird is
one of luy puzzles. Unless near enough to see the bill I have uerer
been able to identify it, but the pui'pose of this note is to call at-
tention to the fact that iu June of 1905 I was on an island about
fifty miles south of Mauitoulin and near the head of the Bruce Penin-
sula, where this bird breeds in quite large numbers. The nests were
not counted, but there must have been at least one hundred. We
collected eight or ten sets of eggs and their absence was scarcely
noticeable among the occupied nests. In 190G I visited other islands
in Lake Huron about fifty miles southwest of the above location,
forming part of a chain, extending from the upper end of the pen-
insula to its base. One island was occupied entirely by the Common
Tern, another by the Ring-billed Gull, and the third by the Herring
Gull. In view of these two known localities in Lake Huron where
the birds nest in considerable numbers and the strong probability
that it is equally abundant on other islands, one is forced to the con-
clusion that the reason why tliis bird is not more frequently record-
ed is the great difficulty in identification by sight. On both of the
occurrences referred to I made the attempt to separate the birds as
they sailed around, but failed absolutely. I did succeed in learning
that the note of the Ring-billed is pitched in a higher key than that
of the Herring Gull and was able to separate them in that manner.
From my experiences in the nesting of this bird on Lake Huron I
would judge that it is equally as common as the Herring Gull and
that the only reason why records are not made a bit more frequently
is that it is so difficult to identify. W. E. Saunders.

THE FIRST BIRDSKIX OF ELLIOT COUES.

THE

WILSON BULLETIN

NO. 60.

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

VOL. XIX. SEPTEMBER, 1907. NO. 3

.THE FIRST RIRDSKIN OF ELLIOTT COUES.

(a bit of history.)

by dr. r. w. shufeldt.

What I am about to relate must have taken place along
some time in the early 80's, but as to the exact year, or the
month and much less the day of the month, Fve quite for-
gotten. However, to the best of my recollection it was in the
summer of 1882, as that year I was on duty in the Surgeon
General's office at Washington.

In those days Doctor Coues was in his prime, both in the
matter of physical health, as well as in literary activity.
He occupied Professor Baird's old desk in a room of the
north tower of the Smithsonian Institution, and was princi-
pally engaged in driving away at the second edition of the
Key to North American Birds, that subsequently appeared in
1884. The room adjoining his was occupied by Doctor Gill
and Henry W. Elliott, while the present writer was a privileged
daily visitor at the twin sanctums.

Among us four Doctor Gill passed familiarly under the
cognomen of "The Pope" ; Coues somehow had come to be
simply designated as '"Couesi" ; Elliott none other than the
"Pygmy," owing to the comparative humble nature of his

78 The Wilson Bulletin — Xo. GO.

scientific achievements ; while I with my few papers on "hird-
bones," occupied, by all odds, the most inferior position in
these respects, and was made to feel it by bearing the title of
the "Pygmiculus."

Those were the times when Robert Ridgway held forth in
a room, several flights up, in the south tower — a "den" in
which he did a large part of his work, and where he was quite
removed from all of those maddening annoyances that in-
evitably attend an ornithological waiter of his reputation,
occupying a government position. There were so many per-
sons wdio were more than eager to have hint tell them just
how many eggs a chippy-bird laid, or what he used to "stuff
birds with," and how much he had to pav for glass-eyes, and
was it true that the pelican fed her young with her own blood,
and was the Bible right in stating that a bat was a bird, and
would all kinds of birds' eggs hatch out in an incubator, and,
— and the rest.

For me, during that summer, it was one of the treats of my
life to be able to spend half an hour a couple of times a week
in that old room of Ridgway's, especially when he was busily
engaged painting the picture of some bird or other, as he sat
at the quaint old desk over by the window. I remember how
I used to marvel at the rapidity of his work, and his superb
appreciation of the value of pigments and color.

Early one afternoon, somewhere along in the time I have
mentioned, I climibed up the narrow and stony stairway to see
him' about something I had in mind, and upon coming into
the room, to my wonderment I beheld a young pyramid of
birdskins piled up on the floor, numbering evidently several
hundred, or perhaps a thousand, and representing everything
apparently known to the avifauna of this country. In char-
acter, the skins much resemfbled those I used to "put up" in
my 'teens, and before the opportunity was afiforded me to
make an exhibition of my ignorance as to where such a sudden
influx of heterogeneous material had come from, Ridg\vay
remarked that "Coues intends to turn in his collection" — in
other words that ever-open scientific maw of immense pro-
portions of the Smithsonian Institution was once again about

Shufeldt, on First Birdskin of Elliott Coues. 79

to receive into its cavity, close down upon, swallow and digest
another contribution in the way of a donation, that its life
might be prolonged, and strength given it to pass the torch
to the ornithological workers of the years to come. Here
indeed, ruthlessly heaped up on the floor, was the mass in
the main of the bird material of his own gathering, from
which Coues had, through the application of his merciless in-
tellectual hydraulic press, squeezed out that great store of
ornithological facts, which had furnished the food for hun-
dreds of his papers and books and memoirs, and upon which
his name was built. "Dei et piscictdcu/' as Gill would say,
what a classic poemi might have been written in the presence
of such a theme ! But to the great loss to American literature
and poetry, be it ever with regret said, the poet was not
there, and even had he been. I am not at all sure but what he
would have been quite asphyxiated in an atmosphere so
charged with ornithological lore, and so rendered unable to
command the necessary language to commemorate the inci-
dent. Aloreover this aerial density was by no means dimin-
ished when Coues himself and Henrv Elliott came at that
moment into the room. For the benefit of those who were
familiar with those two strenuous workers as they appeared
on such occasions, during the times of which I speak, no pen
sketch of mine is necessary, and others, who never knew
them, will spare me the attempt of description.

x\fter a moment's banter, which invariably took place when
we three got together, and in which Ridgway took no part,
Coues, — who had just rolled a cigarette, — with a characteristic
wave of his hand, given to direct my attention to his heap of
birdskins in the middle of the floor, remarked in words to this
effect :

"Well, Shufeldt, what do you think of them? — pretty gen-
erous, am I not? going to turn the whole bunch in — reckon I
am through with them, and I thought I would give the other
fellows a chance to see if they can find any new species among
them." This all in a breath, followed by a triple volume of
smoke from his mouth and nostrils, that consumed nearly
half of his cigarette to produce.

80 The \\'ils()n Bulletin — Xo. GO.

"Verv generous, indeed," chimed in Elliott, with one of his
broad winks, and a lateral pull of one of his long mustaches.

"Without a parallel in history," said I, "and may the
recipient be truly thankful."

"Miraculously so," remarked Elliott, with a joA^ial grin,
"miraculously so, Robert, miraculously so."

"Pick one out for yourself, Shufeldt," said Coues, "as a re-
minder,— just one, though, just one, — they are still mine, I
believe, Ridgway ?"

"Thanks in advance, and glad to get the chance," said L
And, passing to the stack, I commenced going over them,
leisurely, with the view of making a choice. As I did so
Coues and Elliott crossed the room to where Ridgway was,
and stood with their backs to me, overlooking his work on
the colored figure of the bird he was painting. I had about
settled on some mediumrsized specimen — an auk. I think —
when my eye caught a funny-looking little sparrow-skin,
which I casually picked up and examined the label. On the
obverse side of this appeared :

"Coues Collection. No. 231. District of Columbia.
Spizella Pusilla. — Feb. '58. Elliott Coues."

And on the reverse side :

"I keep this bird because it was the first one of my collec-
tion original Xo. 1."

A little tag attached to the foot bore the number 2'31. In
an instant I recognized the fact that I had in my hand the
first birdskin Coues had ever made, but at the same time I
felt very sure that he would not care to part with it, — to say
nothing as to what Ridgway might say about it. x-Xssuming
the best air of indifiference I could muster, I stood up, re-
flecting most emphatically upon the heat of the day as I did
so, and my inability to go through the entire collection in the
time at my disposal, I said :

"Here, Coues, let me have this little sparrow, — it's only a
common field sparrow, but will answer for all that I want,
and the matter of room is an item with me." To which in
substance he replied :

Shufeldt, ox First Birdskin of Elliott Coues. 81

"Certainly, Shufeldt, any one that strikes your fancy, but
it seems to me you mig^ht have made a better selection. "^

"Well," I said, "you are certain you can spare it?"

"Most assuredly," he replied. "It is yours and welcome."

With this Elliott chimed in :

"Well, Pygmiculus, for modesty, a quality I never suspected
vou of possessing, I am of the opinion that you are it. —
d — n it, sir, why didn't you take a California Condor, sir, or
a — well, words fail me to express my surprise, sir, — the way
in which your modesty, sir, has defeated your better sense,
sir, is simply rye-diculous."

Not heeding these caustic remarks, and holding the skin
closely in my hand, I stepped over to where they stood, and
holding the label near enough so that Coues could read it, I
let him see first one side of it and then the other.

"Oh, hold on. Shufeldt, I did not mean that one. Here, let
me have that, and you choose somie other" — followed by all
sorts of humble begging for the return of the specimen. But
1 was obdurate and paid no heed to all his pleadings, while
in a few words I quickly let Ridgway and Elliott know what
I held in my possession. The latter at once broke in with one
of his usual good-natured, voluble tirades, in which he took
all back that he had just said in regard to my modesty and
lack of sense, and turning loose on Coues with his raillery,
held him up for trusting such a notorious rascal as I was
known to be. — and. especially in the matter of being trusted in
selecting birdskins from another man's collection.

Ridgway said little or nothing, but his face was a study, —
and it was very clear that the Smithsonian was never to be
the possessor of the specimen, — which, of course, did not
mean much, because it was only a field sparrow, anyway.

In the outcome there was no "hard feelings" left, and the
incident in those busy days was soon forgotten, while I kept
the skin, and after a lapse of a quarter of a century, have it
yet, and the reproduction of a photograph I made of it a few
days ago illustrates the present account as to how I obtained
it.

83 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 60.

THE BIRDS OF POINT PELEE.

BY P. A. TAVERNER AND B. H. SWALES,

(Continued from page 53.)

32. *Botaiinis Iciitif/inosiis. — American Bittern.

An abundant summer resident, remaining until late in the fall.
Gardner reported seeing a bird on the marsh Jan. 25 and Feb. 13,
1907. Undoubtedly breeds commonly.

33. *Ardeita exilis, — Least Bittern.

Common summer resident on the marshes, especially near the base
along the dyke, where the wetness and softness of the muddy bottom
is evidently to its liking. Migration dates on this species, especially
in the fall, are hard to get. The local name for the bird on the
Point is "Strike-fire," and under that name it was reported by the
shooters Sept. 2, 1907, which gives us our latest date.

34. *Anlea hcrodias, — Great Blue Heron.

A common summer resident. About four o'clock in the afternoons,
both in spring and fall, numbers of them can be seen winging their
way from the marshes, where they have been spending the day, to
the stakes of the pound nets off shore on either side of the Point.
There they balance themselves awkwardly on the swaying ropes, or
stand statuesquely on top of the stakes and take toll of the contents
of the nets. Sometimes nearly a dozen can thus be seen about one
net, and the fishermen regard the fish so taken as no small item. One
evening Taverner witnessed them making their way out to their usual
stand with the greatest difficulty, against a heavy head wind. Sev-
eral seemed unable to make it, and returned to content themselves
with what they could find along the shore. The wind at this time
was blowing about sixteen miles an hour. It was evident that such
a wind is about the limit, that the early fall l»irds at any rate can
make head against. In the early morning. Great Blue Heron tracks
can be seen all over the sand of the eastern beach, though we have
seen but few there during the daylight hours. So it seems that many
come to the shores in the night to feed. In early September we have
seen them rise up from the marsh in the daytime, when disturbed by
shooters, in flocks numbering a dozen or more individuals.

35. Ardea cerulca? — Little Blue Heron.

Sept. 22, 190G, we examined a white heron in the possession of Mr.
.John Conover, then of Leamington. The bird, an old mounted one,
was situated so as to be difficult of examination, but as far as we
could see it was pure white, without plumes and the legs were painted
green. We therefore enter it under this heading with a question

Taverxer axd Swales, ox Birds of Poixt Pelee. 83

mark, as not being absolutely identified.. It was taken, according to
the owner, by a Mr. Dan Goyeau near the base of the Point in Sep-
tember, 1904. See Auk XXIV 139-40.

30. *Butorides rirescens, — Green Heron.

Tlie resident hunters call this bird the "Blue Bittern" and seem to
be well acquainted with it. It cannot be a very common species or
we would have met with it oftener than we have. A great part of
the west side of the marsh is well covered with suitable bushes that
would form admirable places for them. We have met individuals
at various times of the spring and fall and secured one specimen
August 30, 1907.

37. *Xijcticoraj' nycticorax mcvius, — Black-crowned Night Heron.

Mr. Saunders reports that June 3, 1884, he saw "at least one on the
marsh." On the night of Sept. 15, 1906, we heard the hoarse croaks
of a bird flying out the Point along the shore that we were certain
proceeded from an individual of this species. But it was not until
Sept. 2, 1907, that we were able to remove the Night Heron from the
hypothetical list when Bert Gardner brought one in that he had killed
on the marsh while duck shooting. It was a juvenile bird and is
now in the collection of ^Ir. Taverner. Gardner says that he saw at
least a dozen of them. The next day he looked for them again, but
was able to find but one, which he was unable to secure.

Hypothetical.

Some of the old residents tell us of "large white cranes" seen near
the base of the Point years ago "as tall as a man." Also of cranes
feeding in fiocks on plowed fields at an equally early and vague date.
These descriptions point very closely to the Whooping and Sandhill
Cranes, Grus amcricana and G. mexicaiia. The evidence, however, is
not sufficient to admit them formally to the list.

38. RdUiis elegans, — King Rail.

Observed by Saunders June 0, 1884, and by Klugh and Taverner
Sept. 5, 1905. The "Big Vii-ginia Rails" spoken of by the local shoot-
ers must, from their description, belong to this species ; if so they
are much more common than the few above records would lead
one to suppose. In fact there is no reason to suppose them less com-
mon here than on the neighboring St. Clair Flats, where they are
common breeders. Gardner reports one in the marsh, apparently in
good condition, on Nov. 30 and Dec. 31, 1906.

39. Rallus virginiantis. — Virginia Rail.

Observed May 21, 1906, and May 30 and 31, 1907. Our only fall
date is furnished by Keays, who noted two Sept. 19, 1901. Withni our
sphere of operations it has been our experience that the Virginia
Rail is nothing like as common as the Sora. It is undoubtedly a reg-

84 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 60.

uhir hi-i'udcr and ])erlia|is furtli(>r faroful work in certain jMn'tiDns of
the marsh will prove it to bo more ahundanl than our present data
leads us to su]tpose.

40. *I'arzaii(i (■(troli)ia. — Sora Kail.

A common summer resident and breeder. Sept. 19, 190G, we found
certain parts of the marsh alive with them and both juveniles and
adults rose readily from the grass. The shooters call it the "Little
Rice Bird." (xardner rejiorts that he saw no more after Oct. 9, 190G.

41. *GaUiiiuIa guleata.— Florida Gallinule.

This species, called locally "Rice Bird," is a connnon summer resi-
dent, and without doubt breeds. Our latest record is one reported by
Gardner Oct. 9, 1900.

42. '*FuHca (uiicricuiia. — American Coot.

Likely a few breed as we have noted them on all spring visits as
late as May 30 (1907), and in the early fall, Sept. 2 (1907). During
October their numbers ai'e very largely augmented by the migrants,
when large beds of them are to be observed in the center of the
ponds, and every little mud hole in the marsh contains several or
many.

43. *P7(/7o7(e?a minor, — American Woodcock.

A common migrant and undoubtedly a regular breeder. From the
reports of the shooters and our own experience we judge that the
number gradually increases the latter end of August luitil the end of
the month, when the vast majority of them leave. We have never
found many of them in September, though from August 24 to 31. 1907,
they were very common. Sept. 1 they were all gone, and though we
stayed until the 0th. no stragglers were seen.

44. *GalUnaiio (.Icllcota. — Wilson's Snipe.

Reported by the residents to be a common migrant. First fall date,
Sept. 19, 1900. Oct. 13 of the same year they were reported very
common and the next day along the edges of the Lake Pond we saw
about twenty and took several. Gardner reports having seen occa-
sional individuals during the summer mouths, and a breeding record
would not surprise us greatly.

45. *Tringa canntus, — Knot.

Sept. 15, 190G, on the eastern beach, Taverner secured an immature
male Knot. ISIay 30, 1907, he took another, an adult male this time,
in vei'y nearly the same place, but on the marsh side of the sand dune.
A little later in the day, two more were seen flying by. but were not
secured. Both the above birds are in Mr. Taverner's collection num-
bered 365 and 867 respectively.

Taverner and Swales^ on Birds of Point Pelee. 85

46. *ActO(lromas maculata, — Pectoral Sandpiper,

Mr. Saunders took this species in September, 1882, and again in the
same ijionth of 1900. Taverner took two of three seen on the mud
in the marsh near the east base of the Point, Oct. 29, 1905, and we
observed tlie same number in tlie same place, Oct. 15, 1906. This
species does not favor sand beaches as a rule, but is more often
found on mud flats.

47. *Actodromus bairdil, — Baird's Sandpiper.

Mr. Saunders says : "On Sept. 19. 1900, I saw four Baird's Sand-
pipers on the east beach, of which we got one or two." This remained
the sum total of our Ivnowledge of this species on the Point until
August 24, 1907, when we found it almost common. Every bunch,
nearly, of small waders that we saw contained one or more. We
never found them in flocks by themselves, but always a few individ-
uals mixed in with other species. After the 26th they began to thin out
with the rest of the waders, and the last was seen August .31. They
were easily distinguished from the Least and Semipalmated Sand-
pipers,'when associated with them, by their superior size, and the
more general and even suffusion of buffy on the throat and upper
breast. In general appearance they seem to be about half way be-
tween the Least and Pectoral Sandpipers, though the breast colora-
tion is softer, less streaked and more buffy and general than either.
We secured a number of specimens.

48. ■' Actodromas in hint ilia, — Least Sandpiper.

We have noted this little sandpiper much more commonly in the
spring than in the fall ; indeed, it seems to be one of the earliest fall
migrants, arriving in this latitude early in the first week in July, and
but a few stragglers remaining after the first of September. Our Sep-
tember dates are all for a few singles seen early in the month, and
even when we arrived on the Point, August 24, 3907, there were but
few individuals in company with other small waders, and none were
seen after the 2d of September. It is always difficult to separate this
species from the Semipalmated Sandpiper in life, but when they are
both together close attention will reveal the inferior size, redder back
and darker breast of the Least. Without doubt this species is a reg-
ular and common migrant at both seasons at the Point, as it is at
Detroit.

49. *Pelidna alpiiia sakhaUna, — Red-backed Sandpiper.

Observed by Saunders as late as June 10, 1884, and by us May 13,
1905, when about eleven were seen along the shores of the Lake Pond.
May 20, 1906, we saw one, and again another single May 31, 1907. It is a
late migrant, both spring and fall, and is likely both regular and com-
mon in its occurrence at the Point. We have met it but once in the

86 The Wilson Bulletin — Xo. 60.

Inll. Oct. L'l. I'.km;. wlicii about twenty wero seen on nuul banks in the
Lake I'ond. Several were taken at this time.

5(1. *Erviiii(t(.s inisillus. — Seniipalniateil Sand]ii]ier.

The commonest wader on the beach in the laU. AYhen we arrived
on tlie I'oint August 24, 1907, we found flocks already there asgregat-
ing hundreds. After the 20th their numbers decrea.sed, until after
the ;JOth, when but isolated bunches of from a couple to seven or eight,
mingled together with Semipalmated Plover and Sanderling, were
met with scattered along the shore. This is al)out the same numerical
condition that we have found on other September trips of the two pre-
vious years, and so they continued to our latest dates for the month.
Sept. 22, 190G. We saw none Oct. 15 of same year. At Detroit, the
Semipalmated Sandpiper arrives in the fall about the last of July and
leaves the last of August. It is likely the same at Point Pelee,
though as above indicated, a number of individuals linger well to-
wards the end of September. In the spring we have but one good
record, Saunders reports it from there June 5, 1884. May 30, 1907,
we saw several individuals that we thought were this speci&s, but the
conditions of observation were so poor and the chances of mistake so
great that we could not be at all certain of our identification. It is
likely a late spring migrant here as at Detroit, arriving the latter end
of May and departing the first week of June.

51. *Cali(lris arcnaria, — Sanderling.

It seems evident that the last days of ]May are the times to look
for this beautiful little wader. Saunders found it there May 30, 1884.
and again the same date in 1907 it was quite common on the east
beach. It has been noted on all September trips, and was very com-
mon August 24, 1907, though together with most of the other small
waders present then, it much decreased in numbers after the 30th.
We saw two as late as Oct. 15 (190G). This is one of the most inter-
esting of the sandpipers. Unlike most of the waders it is frecjuently
seen some distance from the water line and on top of the dunes on the
drj' sand, though Its usual station is just at the water's edge, running
forward after each receding wave and nimbly back again just in time
to escape being overwhelmed by the next succeeding breaker. They
run with great rapidity over the sand and sometimes prefer that
method of escaping to flight. At such times it takes a sharp and well
sustained pace to walk them down. At times they are absurdly tame,
and at one time allowed us to approach within shooting distance and
to collect all of a bunch of three, one at a time, the survivors showing
not the slightest alarm at the successive reports of a heavy twelve-
gauge gun. On the wing, the black and white of their plumage shows
up in striking contrast, and when in the bright sunlight they ])ass over
the green water they make a rarely beautiful sight.

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 8T

We expected to fiuci adults present the latter eud of August, but
when we arrived at the Point August 24, 1907, all secured were in
juvenile plumage. Saunders thought he saw a couple with the red-
dish breast of the adult bird, but was unable to secure them and no
more were noted. It is well known that the older individuals of this '
species arrive early in the fall and generally depart before the first
of the juveniles arrive.

52. *Limosa hcemastica,- — Hudsouian Godwit.

May 13, 1905, Taverner took a high plumaged male Hudsouian
Godwit along the strip of clear water that separates the sand dune
from the marsh. It stood bunched up under a small bush with its
feet just wet with the lapping of the water, uttering a series of shart,
sharp "cheeps" that first attracted our attention to it. See Auk,
XXIII, 535.

53. "Totaniis meJanoJcucns, — Greater YellowJegs.

We have seen but two of this species on the Point. Both killed by
Gardner on the marsh, Sept. 3 and 14, 1906. The shooters speak en-
thusiastically of the "big Yellow-legs" they shoot on the marsh in
October. No doubt it is a regular and common migrant, though fewer
in numbers than the next species.

54. *Totaiuts flavipes, — Yellow-legs.

We have only met this species in early September, our earliest date
being the 1st, in 1907, and the latest the 19th, in 1906. This gives
very little idea of their mlgrational movement as they arrive at De-
troit the second week of July, and by the first of August are present
in great flocks. The bulk of them seem to leave about the first of
September.

.55. * H el odro 1)1(1 s solitariiis, — Solitary Sandpiper.

We have met but single individuals of this species on the Point in
various September visits, viz. the 11th and 10th, in 1905, and the 6th,
in 1907. Saunders also saw one the latter year, August 28. Both the
latter were observed in a drainage ditch at the base of the Point. In-
deed, Point Pelee is not ground suitable to their tastes at all, and un-
less some are to be found on the mud banks scattered through the
marsh through July and August their occurrence at all is likely ac-
cidental.

56. *Tnjncjites suhruficollis, — Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

August 29, 1907, Taverner took a male at the extreme, end of .the
final sand spit at the eud of the Point. It was in company with a small
bunch of Semipalmated Sandpipers and Sanderling. It seemed quite
tame and was easily secured. It is numbered 924 in the collector's
collection.

88 The Wilson Bulletin — No. GO.

57. '*Aclitis )ii(iculari(i, — Spotted .SandpiiJer.

A common suinmor resident and breeder. In June, 1S84, Saunders
found this species breeding ?o abundantly on the west shore, "That
a sliort wallv was nearly sure to Hush one from the nest." Unlike all
the other waders that occur on the Point it is at all times of its oc-
currence as conmion on tlie west shore as on the east. We have al-
ways found it in numbers in ^ilay, but our fall visits have usually
been a little late to find more than the stragglers. Sept. 3 to 18, 1905,
we saw from two to four daily. In 190G it was common from the 1st
to 3d, but from the 15th to 22d, our later visit, we saw but a couple the
first date and one the 21st. There were quite a number pre.sent from
August 24 to the end of the month, in 1907, but after that it was but
stray individuals and couples that were noted. One of these last was
caught in the hand by Mr. N. A. Wood, being incapable of sustained
flight. On dissection nothing could be discovered to account for such
a condition except that it was so abnormally fat that the conclusion
was almost forced upon us that it was too fat to fly.

58. yumenius hudsoniciis? — (Hudsonian?) Curlew.

The residents tell us of the flocks of Curlew that visit the end of
the Point in June. Saunders records Curlew in June, 1884 ; and May
30, 1907, he and Taverner saw a flock of 15 on the east beach. No
specimens have been secured and the exact specific designation of the
individuals seen remains in doubt. As Saunders says, "The Hudsou-
ian has always been an abundant migrant on a certain few days in
the spring, at favored localities, and the other (Long-billed) always
rare." Further researches have convinced us that we would be war-
ranted in putting the case in even stronger language than this, and
the probability, almost amounting to certainty, is that these are Hud-
souian Curlew, but until specimens are actually examined the species
must be regarded as hypotheical.

59. *Sqiiatarola squatarola, — Black-bellied Plover.

A common fall migrant. We have no record of its occurrence in
spring. We have found numbers of Black-bellied Plover on the beach
and the mud banks of the marsh on all September visits, and took one
Oct. 15, 1906. Sept. 15, 1905, five or six were observed with black
underparts and tlie next day Klugh saw a couple more in like plum-
age ; but it was not until August 25, 1907, that any such specimens
were taken. For the first three days after this date all seen were in
varying stages of the black phase. Then a white-belly was taken and
the black ones decreased in numbers until the 29th, when the last one
was observed ; after which all were white underneath. In common
with most of the waders the adplts seem to arrive in the fall earlier
than the juveniles, and to leave first. It is rare to find a straggling
adult after the rest of its kind have left, but the younger birds often
linger on for a long time after their elders have gone. This species is

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 89

readily distiuguislied from the Golden Plover iu life Iiy its black, in-
stead of gray, axillaries that in flight stand out prominently from the
general gray of wings and sides ; and the rather prominent white
rump that in certain conditions of flight is very noticeable.

60. *CJtaradrius dominicus, — American Golden IMover.

We have met the Golden Plover but twice, both times in the fall,
Sept. 15, 1905, and Sept. 19, 1906. Gardner reported seeing eight on
the marsh Sept. 2, 1007. This completes the record for the Point to
date. The shooters tell us that in October great numbers are found
on the marsh, and though we can not always tell which of the two
large plover are referred to, the time is more iu keeping with the hab-
its of the Golden than the Black-bellied, as it seems to be a much
later migrant in the fall than the other.

61. *Oxi/echus vocifcnis, — Killdeer.

The Killdeer is not a common bird on the Point itself, though they
seem usually common on the mainland near the base. In our Septem-
ber visits we usually see or hear one or two every day. They seldom
alight on the beaches or mingle with the other waders found there.
They undoubtedly breed on the cultivated fields at the base.

62. ^JEgialitis semlpalmata, — Semipalmated Plover.

We have but two or three records for this species iu spring. In
May, 1884, Saunders met it on the Point, May 20, 1906, three, and
May 30, 1907, we saw two. During all fall trips, however, it has been
plentiful. Oct. 29, 1905, Taverner took one. All fall birds so far
seen or taken have been juveniles with the black of the head and
breast replaced with dingy brown. AVe expected, August 24, 1907,
when we arrived at the Point, to find the adults still there, but were
mistaken. At Detroit the adults go through about the middle of Au-
gust and do not stay long. As a rule two weeks covers their sojourn,
but it is seen as in other species, that the younger individuals linger
much longer than the adults. As a rule they occur on the beaches of
the Point in little groups of three or four in company with Semipal-
mated Sandpipers and Sanderling, and no wader group is complete
without one or more.

63. *J^(]iaUtis mcloda, — Piping Plover.

No wader is n'or could be more daintily pretty than this little spe-
cies. Its delicate, tasteful coloration, combined with its clear whistled
pipe as it flies out over the blue water, and from which it has taken
its name, make a rare combination that, together with the smooth
beaches upon which it runs, and the adjoining waters reflecting the
blue skies overhead, arouses a sentimental interest more lively than
any other shore bird is capable of awakening. It is a common summer
resident and regular breeder on the east beach. We have found them
there on each May visit and usually discovered nests and eggs. The

90 Till-: WfLsox I'.ulletix — X(x GO.

lu'St is iiuTC'ly a sliallow di'prt'ssioii in the sauil autl is usually ]ilaeeil
among tbe .small stones that occair on the top of the dune where the
last great storm has washed them. They are Inveterate nest builders.
May 13, 1905, we counted forty-five nest-like hollows made by one
pair of birds. Though the labor is nothing like as great, in point of the
luimber of nests, this bird has the nest-building mania of the Marsh
Wrons Itoaten all hollow. This date we found no eggs, but previous-
ly Saunders took them May 30, tS84, and May 24, 1887, and a few days
later observed a young bird. May 30, 1907, Saunders found two sets,
one of four and the other one. The species leaves early iu the fall
and is usually gone by the first of September, as before 1907 we never
met the species on our fall trips. August 24, howiever, of that year we
found a number mingled with the other small waders on the beaches.
All seen then or later were juveniles, as the adults had already gone.
The last seen were Sept. 2. Strangely enough Samiders reports that
on the occasions of his early visits in 1882 to '87, all breeders seen
had the divided breast band of the type form, while of late years all
have been attributal to the variety ciiciiiiicincta. We are aware that
this subspecies has been discarded by the committee on nomencla-
ture, but it is interesting to note that there has been this change in
the type of coloration of the- species in this locality in late j'cars. The
fall birds taken in 1907, however, all show the divided band ; though
this is likely the I'esult of juvenility.

G4. *Arenaria morineUa. — Ruddy Turnstone.

A regular migrant and likely a more or less coninion one Iioth spring
and fall. Saunders took one June 5, 1884 : and May 30, 1907, we noted
and took several. In the fall we have met them at various times be-
tween August 24, 1907, and Sept. IG, 1900. They were far more com-
mon in 11;mj7 than any other fall that we have been on the Point, and
for the first few days a couple or so were always to be seen with the
larger flocks of other waders. Previous years we had only seen sin-
gle individuals. They are a little more suspicious and difficult to
approach than the other inhabitants of the beach, and it tqok careful
stalking to secure what we did. In life their superior size when
mixed in with other waders is not so striking as one would suppose
frou) the written measurements or a comparison of their skins.

Go. Col ill us rirfjiiiiuiiiis. — Bob-white.

Saunders states, "Not very common iu 1884, although found nearly
to tbe end of the Point, at least as far as the cultivated lands
reached." Personally we have never met it on the Point proper,
though that is likely the result of our not working the more culti-
vated sections. Keays noted but one Sept. 19, 1901, and we flushed
a couple ou the mainland near the base May 13, 1905. Sept. 20, 190G,
Saunders saw ten near the dyke, and August 20, 1907, and Gardner
reported a covey of about thirty. The local sportsmen tell us that it

Taverxer and Swales, ox Birds of Point Pelee. 91

was formeiiy au aluuidant liird and that still a few coveys frequent
the edges of the clearings. The Quail did not seem to suffer during
the rigors of the winter of 1003-04 in this section of Ontario as they
did in adjoining localities in ^Michigan.

Extinct.
• Bonasa uinbellus, — Ruffed Grouse.

Old residents tell us that the Partridge was once a very common
game bird on the Point, but now none have been seen for years. This
woodland bird cannot stand civilization as the Bob-white does and
is now only to be found in the deepest parts of the more extensive
woods. There are no such woods on the Point and they are getting
scarcer and scarcer in the adjoining country as their sites are being
cleared up and made into corn and wheat fields.

Extinct.

Meleatji'i-i [/alloparo. — Wild Turkey.

Formerly the Wild Turkey was exceptionally common in Southern
Ontario. Gardner states that they were numerous on the Point in his
memory and the last one taken he connects with certain births and
marriages and gives the date as aliout 1878.

Extinct.

*Ectopistes iHi[/ivtorius, — Passenger Pigeon.

The older residents remember the vast flocks of Pigeons that once
migrated through the Point. They were still more or less common in
1882, as Saunders says, "In 1882, my stay there extended through the
last days of August, and a week or so in September, and during that
time vv-e often saw small flocks of Passenger Pigeons, running up to
perhaps fifteen or twenty. They would rush up the Point or down,
as the case might be, at a speed, which was all their own, and which
is rarely equaled, to my way of thinking, by any other bird. I have
one specimen from that trip, although we shot several. It is a male,
labeled August. 1882."

66. Zcnaldura macrotira. — Mourning Dove.

We have never, found this a common species though we have met
individuals during all our trips in May, September, and October.
Gardner reported several that remained throughout the winter of
1906-07, frecjuenting the vicinity of the barn yards.

67. Catliartcs aina. — Turkey Vulture.

May 20, 1906, two vultures flew directly over our heads" near the
end of the Point. It may prove to be a not uncommon species, as we
have what seem to be pretty well authenticated reports of a pair that
are regular summer residents near Harrow, about fifteen miles west of

92 The \\'ilson' Bulletin — Xo. (lO.

the Point and a low miles inland. The birds wo saw wci-e tlying very
low and wo had a iiiay:nitii'ont view of theii' wondorrul flight.

GS. *Circiii5 liudsoiiiciis, — Marsh Hawk.

A common hawk, and seen almost every day on all our visits, boat-
ing slowly over the marsh-lands or soaring ovit the woods. It was
still common Oct. 15, 190G. Gardner observed them during the win-
ter of 190G-07, Dec. 1, Jan. 25, Feb. 13 and 23., As early as March 9
we saw two old blue adults beating over the still frozen marshes and
the snow covered meadows.

Gd.*Accipiter vclox, — Sharp-shinned Hawk.

The most interesting phenomena we have observed at the Point
centers about this bird. We have met this species only occasionally
on our May trips, but in the fall there is a truly astonishing flight
composed almost entirely of juveniles. This flight seems to be a reg-
ular annual occurrence and is looked for and expected by the resi-
dents. vSaunders first saw the flight in 1882 and descril>ed it to us in
such glowing terms that it. sounded like exaggeration. How-ever, on
Sept. 10, 1905, we saw for ourselves and only wondered at the re-
straint that he had used. Since then we observed the same thing in

1906, and our latest I'eports from Gardner, the middle of September.

1907, advises us that like conditions prevail again. Our earliest
Sharp-shin date is August 30, 1907. In 190G we saw one Sept. 3, and
the year previous there were some numbers present on our arrival
Sept. 4.

After the coming of the first in the fall their numbers steadily in-
creased until from six to a dozen can be noted in a day, which in
most localities would be accounted common. Then there came a day.
Sept. 11, 1905, and Sept. 15, 190G, when the morning's tramp found
Sharp-shins everywhere. As we walked through the woods their
dark forms darted away between the tree trunks at every few steps.
Just over the tree tops, a steady stream of them was beating up and
down the length of the Point, while in the air they could often be dis-
cerned at every height until the highest looked like a mote floating
in the light. As concrete illustrations of the numl)er present : — In
1905 we stood in a little open glade and at various times of the day
counted from twenty-five to thirty in sight at one time and Saunders
writes, "When I saw the flight in 1882 it was probably even greater
than in 1905. Tliere were more Sharp-shins than one would suppose
were in Ontario, and one day my brother and I stood thirty paces
apart, facing each other, with doul)le-barrel. breech-loaders, and for
a short time the hawks passed so thick that we had to let some go
by unmolested because we could not load fast enough to fire at each
as it came." A farmer told us of sitting in his front yard one after-
noon and shooting fifty-six without leaving his chair.

Early in the morning of the arrival of the flight there seems to be

Ta\;erner and Sw.v.les, ox Birds of Poixt Pelee. 93

some regularity in tlieir movements. First tliere is a steady stream
out the Point, then it flows back again towards the base and then out
again. This movement, however, is not A'ery marljed and by ten or
eleven o'clock it is lost entirely and it is every bird for itself. This
great abundance lasted, in 190.3, three days, and the next year four,
when they gradually began to thin out, though to the latest of our
stay (the 22d, in 190G), they still remained more than common, and at
least fifty could be observed in a day. All this time there was a
steady stream flying across the lake towards the Ohio shore.
Near the extreme end of the Point is a wooden observatroy
tower built by the U. S. Lake Survey for the purpose of making ob-
servations on the changes of the shore contour. It is about fifty feet
high, and stands with its base in the red cedar thicket whilst the
platform rises well above all surrounding foliage. On tliis vantage
point Saunders and Taverner took their, stand the 18th, and with
watch in hand counted the Sharp-shins that passed, nearly all within
gunshot. From 11 :24 to 11 :r)4, 281 passed us, 207 making for the end
of the Point and 74 returning, making 133 that started across the lake
within half an hour. As far as we could make out without remain-
ing on the spot the whole time this rate was kept up all day and
every day of the greatest abundance of the species. The 13th was the
last day of the great flight in lOOo, but i^wales, driving into Leaming-
ton, five miles from the base, found them as common the whole way
between as they were on the Point itself. As he drove along every
field had its quota of hawks and at times every fence post supported
one. Even in the business section of Leamington he saw a number.
The hawks were very bold and fearless, dashing by us often so
closely that we could feel the wind on our cheek from their wings.
Quite often it happened, once three times in one day, that just as we
had our guns aimed at a bird we wished to collect, there was a swoop
of a dark body, a few choked twitterings from the victim, and our
intended specimen was carried off in the talons of a rapacious lit-
tle freebooter. The effect of this great abundance' of hawk life upon
the smaller birds and mammals was very marked, and thej' kept in
close covert. The Blue Jay could hardly be made to forsake its
grapevines, and when at last forced to do so glided swiftly
and silently to the nearest cover, reserving expression of its pent-up
feelings until within safe recesses again. The Brown Thrasher and
Towhee preferred to slink deeper within their tangle, on our approach,
than to seek a new one ; and the Red Squirrels overhead hurriedly
gathered what nuts they could and scurried away to their hollow
trees, refraining from scolding us until safe within their woody fast-
nesses again. When, however, forced into the open by hunger the
first sight of a hawk caused many of the small bii'ds to "freeze" in-
stantly and then they would remain absolutely still until the imme-
diate danger had passed, and in all cases noted such birds were

9-t Till-: \\'ii.s()X RuLLETiN — No. GO.

passed by unseen. Indeed it .seems that hawks and, in tact most other
bii'ds, reeoj;ni/.e lilt' almost entirely by its movement and not by Its
form and color. A perfectly stationary object is usually i-egarded
as inanimate and we have seen a hawk pass rijiht by a flock of Ce-
dar Waxwin.ns in the top of a dead and liare stub when they thus
"froze."

At times the Jays seemed thoroughly to enjoy conditions and de-
lighted to get in the middle of a safe thicket and "jay" their loudest.
No sooner was the first note uttered than a hawk was on hand dodg-
ing around the retreat in the wildest fashion, wliile the jay within
shrieked with well feigned fear, but apparent delight. In fact the
Blue Jay is a canny bird, and though the remains of other s])ecies
were conmionly met with, scattered over the ground around some lit-
tle knoll or log, we recognized their blue plumage but once. The
flicker too, fared well, though subject to constant attack from the
ferocious little Accipitcrs. They did not even curb their voices as
other birds did and, though frequenting the most exposed dead tree
tops, seemed the most care free of any of the birds. Many times we
saw a hawk strike at them, but each time just when we thought it
was all up with the flicker there was a little scramble to the other
side of the trunk and the hawk was sailing away to make another
strike. But it was a one-sided game. The flicker had but a circle of
a few inches to describe and the hawk one of many yards, and never
to our knowledge was the flicker one instant too late.

The loss of life at such times must be immense. We were contin-
ually finding the bunches of scattered feathers that marked where
some songster had met its end. During the first few days before the
heavy flight the cuckoos suffered most severely, but the main body
of hawks seem to follow the migrating Olive-backed and Grey-cheeked
Thrushes and they formed the staple food supply during the height
of tiie flight, though we recognized Towhees, Ked-eyed Yireos. Brown
Thrashers, ('hii)ping Sparrows. Wood I'ewees. various Warblers, and
Catbirds amid the debris.

In spite of all this, however, most of the hawks collected liad empty
stomachs, likely the \vell fed ones were those that circled high in the
air, while the ones that fell to our guns were the hungry hunters,
made bold' by their hiniger. Nearly, if not quite, all of the birds
composing this flight are young of the year. Of the 281 observed
from the tower all but two or three of them were positively made
out to be in this plumage, while the others were viewed under such
conditions of light and distance that no definite determination ccmld
be made. All taken were also Juvenile: in fact the only adult we
ever took at the I'oint was one taken Sept. 5. ]!)0T, and before the
flight had started.

Most birds migrating from Point Pelee make for Pelee Island that
lies in full view out in the lake, lait neither the Sharp-shin nor the

Ta\-erner axd Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 95

otluT hawks do so. Instead tliey take a course nearer the Old Dnnnny
Light and well to the east of the island. As far as we could discern
their forms with our glasses they followed a straight and uudeviating'
course that would land them on the Ohio shoi'e some four or five
miles to the east of the city of Sandusky. It would be most interest-
ing to work this shore at the right season and see just where they do
enter American territory.

On the mainland the flight seems to come from the east. Saunders
says, "Since then (1882) I find it well known by the farmers that
there is a hawk flight (of these birds no doubt) west along the north
shore every year." It is certain that it must take a large area of ter-
ritory to furnish this great number of hawks on migration, and it is
an indication of the extent of country drained by this migration route.
We have also heard that there is a return flight in spring, some time
in April, but we have never seen it and are unable to say what are
the species participating in it. It is said, however, that this spring
movement is nothing like as great as the fall one, but it is regular and
well enough marked to be noted by the farmers and other residents.

Altogether, it will be readily understood that this flight made a
great impression upon us all, and as it seems unique, in many of its
phases, in the annals of ornithology, it forms one of the most import-
ant and interesting memories of Point Pelee.

70. *Acc!t)iter coopcrl, — Cooper's Hawk.

A fairly common hawk, and through all our summer visits we have
usually seen a few daily. They do not seiem to increase in numbers
during the Sharp-shin migration, and the only tendency to a "flight"
of this species that we have observed was Oct. 14, 1006, when fifteen
were seen or talien. Several were noted May 30 to June 1, but we
have no other spring dates, and our earliest fall one is August 28,
1907.

71. *Accipitcr atricapillits, — American Goshawk.

The fall of 190G was notable for the abundance of Goshawks in
certain parts of Ontario, and Point Pelee got its share of them. The
first intimation we had of their presence was a large hawk that we
could refer to no other species seen October 1.5 near the end of the
Point. It was not until Oct. 21 that our identification received con-
firmatory evidence when Gardner sent us an adult male, followed
by others Oct. 23 to Nov. 14 — ten birds in all. Gardner reported them
until Jan. 18, when the last one was seen (see Auk XXIV, 1907, p.
142). The flight in this section seemed confined to the Ontario-
Michigan boundary and its immediate vicinity on the Canadian side,
and there were no reports of any having crossed the lake into .Ohio.

72. ^Biitco borcalis. — Red-tailed Hawk.

We have never foiuid any of the Buteos common at the Point.

9G Till-: \\iLS().\ Uri.LKTix — Xo. (iO.

yaundors says. "On tlie occasion of the hawk ( Sliarp-shiii) Hi,i;ht of
1882 oue of these was taken and a very fe\A- others seen." Keays re-
ports one Sept. 21, 1901. In 1005 we usually saw one a clay, but dur-
ing: our September visits of 1906 we saw but ono single bird. Gard-
ner sent us one bird Nov. IG the same year. From August 24 to Sept.
6. 1907. we generally saw from one to throe birds daily. We do not
tliink that any Ked-tails breed on the Point.

73. * But CO li neat us, — Red-shouldered Hawk.

The Red-shouldered Hawk, coutrary to what we should expect from
our experience here at Detroit, is the rarest of the liutcos on the
Point. Keays reports one Sept. 19, 1901, and two Butcos seen by us
Sept. 8, 1905, were probably of this species. Single individuals were
noted Sept. 1 and Oct. 14, 190G, and again May 31, 1907. Three or
more were seen Sept. 21, 190G, and an immature was presented to
us taken about Feb. 28, 1907.

74. ^Butco plutyijtcjiis. — Broad-winged Hawk.

This siiecles seems to arrive in the fall, about the last of August,
our earliest date being August 26, 1907, but it does not appear in any
numbers until the main bod.v comes down with the Sharp-shins.
Even then not more than a dozen have been seen at any one time
(Sept. 18. 190G). Keays listed but throe in September, 1901. Oct. 14,
1906, is our latest date. Wo have no spring records.

75. Arcltihutco lagoijuft suiicti-jotiainiis. — American Rough-legged

Hawk.
Saunders saw one August 25. 1907, near the end of tlio Point as it
flew by at short range. This is an unusually early record for this
section and likely gives no indication as to its migrational dates at
the Point. Saunders is very positive as to his identification and it
forms our only record. It nuist, however, undoubtedly occur in late
fall and early spring in some munbors. We lack ]iersonal ex]ierience
on the I'oint at such times.

70. Halia'ctus Icucocephalus (al(isca)ius.^), — (Northren?) Bald Eagle.
As no specimens of this species have been taken the exact sub-sjio-
cific name of the breeding form must remain hypothetical, but in all
probability it will pi-ove to be the Northern form. A pair breed an-
nually on the mainland near the base of the Point. May 13, 1905.
we noted the nest in a tall tree in a small patch of woods about a
mile inland. A magnificent adult with Avhite head and tail was beat-
ing about, and with oiu- glasses we could make out the eaglets
perched on the rim of the nest. During all our visits we have noted
from one to four eagles almost daily. Usually those seen are imiua-
tures, but occasionally a fully adult bird flies over. Likely all those
noted in early and middle fall are of the same family before men-

Ta\erxer and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 97

tioued. Garilner informs us that they are occasionally seen throngh
the winter. Sept. 18, 1906, we were watching an eagle soaring over the
lake, when all at once it lowere<l and seemed to plow along the surface of
the lake for a short way, throwing up a dash of spray on either side,
and then rose with something in its talons which it bore away to its
perch on a tall tree-top. This is the only time that we ever saw
them pick up anything from the lake, though we think they feed
quite largely on the dead hsh that are washed up on the beach. Oct.
29, 1905, Taverner found the remains of a half grown turkey, at the
edge of one of the fields, that had evidently been devoured by some
bird of prey. The eagles seem to be the only ones capable of. this.
Several times during the Sharp-shin flight we noted eagles so pes-
tered by aggressive little Accipitcrs that they were forced to' soar
away from the vicinity.

77. Falco pcregrinus (niatmii. — Duck Hawk.

A regular and not luicommon migrant in the fall, but we have never
seen it in spring. All have been sight records, but the pecul-
iar outline and wing action of the Duck Hawk make its identification
almost certain when one has had enough experience with the species
to become acquainted with its distinguishing traits. We have seen in-
dividuals as follows: Sept. 8, 1905, Sept. 19 and 21, 190G, August 28
and 30, 1907. The shooters know it very well and refer to it as that
"Big, black, long-winged Hawk," so it must occur in some numbers.
Taverner had an interesting sight of one of these birds in action on
Lake Muskoka, Ontario. A flock of Blue Jays was passing over .the
lake when suddenly down swooped a Duck Hawk, into and through
their midst, like a dark brown thunderbolt. As he passed he reached
to left and right and seemingly at the touch of his talons two life-
less bodies dropped into the lake. Then, while the surviving Jays
fled shrieking away, the bold marauder, with a long, circling sweep,
returned, and passing, recovered the floating bodies without as much
as wetting a toe. The whole strike and return was executed so quick-
ly that it seemed to occupy no more than a couple of seconds' time,
and well justified his name of "Bullet Hawk."

78. *Falco coluinbarius. — Pigeon Hawk.

Keays saw two Sept. 17, 1901, one of which was taken. May 13,
1905, we saw one as it flew by close to us on the eastern shore. Since
then we have noted single individuals Sept. 16, 19 and 21, 1906, and
August 31, 1907. Saunders gives an interesting experience he had
with this species, which parallels that of Taverner's with the Duck
Hawk as described under that species. He says, "We had fired at
and wounded a Black-bellied Plover which was flying over Lake Erie.
The wounded bird was at once pursued by this falcon. Attaining a
height of thirty or forty feet above the plover, who was only five or
six feet above the water, the falcon swooped and missed — the plover

i)8 The Wilson Bullf/iix — Xo. (i().

ilodLciiiu. Aiiaiii ho voso and swooped, and a;;ain missed. This was
r('I)eated perliaps six times, tlie I)irds drawing awfiy nortlieast to-
wards the mainland, when finally the fak'ou was successfnl and
strnck the ])lovor. knocking him into the water. lie then rose, and
with a carefnl swoop, picked liiiii np anil llapiied away to llie Point
;ind we saw him no more."

70. Fiilco .siHirvrriiif<. — American Sparrow Hawk.

On the I'oint projier this is not a coiimion hawk even dnrini^ migra-
tions, and we do not think that it I)reeds there, though there is plenty
of grovuid that looks eniiiicntly suitable. Bearing in mind that Spar-
row Hawk tiights have from time to time been reported we have
looked for something of the sort here, but so far in vain, and careful
questioning of the shooters has elicited no information that points
towards its proiiability. Indeed it seems as if this species avoids the
Point on its migrations as we have several times, Sept. 4. lOd.l. and
Sept. 8, l!)0(i. found it more than ordinaril.v common on the mainland
and basal (|uarter of the Point, while scarce as usual on the outer
Iiortions. AVe have noted them occasionally on all September visits,
but rarely inoi-e than single individuals, though August 24 to Sept.
(i. I'.HtT. a pair hung around the waste clearings near the extremity of
the Point and we saw one or l)otli nearly every da.v.

80. *P(tii(lioii Itulia'tmi curdliiiciixis. — American Ospre.v.

A not uncommon spring .-md f.-ill migrant, have not heard of any
breeding. Saunders saw a few in September, 1882. We have noted
it on the following dates. — Sept. (>. 1005, one; Sept. 10, three; and 18,
one ; and two Oct. 13, lOOG. Received one male from (iardner. taken
]May 10, 1007, and from August 24 to Sept. 0, 1007, we saw individu-
als each day. Though eagles are rather plentiful we never saw one
molest an Osprey.

81. Asio accipitriiiiiy. — Short-eared Owl.

Personally, wi- have never met this bird on the Point, though the
shooters have often referred to the "iMarsh Owl" as sometimes very
connnon on the marsh. Their description allows no doubt as to what
they refer to. Without doubt this is an occasional winter resident, as
in adjoining localities. Gardner reported one Oct. 13. 1000, and as
common some time previous to then, and his letters refer to one seen
Jan. 18. 1007, so some may remain through the winter.

82. *Oti(>< (/.S-/0.— Screech Owl.

Heard commonly on nearly .-ill fall trii)s and once in May. 10(t7. In
all likelihood a regular breeder. Two have been taken — both in gay
phase. Some of our pleasantest memories of Point Pelee are connect-
ed with this pretty little bird. As we sat in our tent in the evening,
preparing s])ecimens and writing the notes of the day, the soft, gently
descending tremulo of its song would reach our ears from the black-

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 99

uess of the woods across the road. Occasionally two would lie heard
answering each other across the dark gulf overhead and the effect
was very far from unpleasant. One night one was heard closer than
usual and one of us stole out and stealthily followed up the voice.
There was an open glade not far away with a lonely, stunted and
twisted oak in its center. In this tree the little owl sat and reiteated
his love song over and over. Shortly it was joined by another and
they sang duets in the well known quaver, but to the hearer below
came fragments of cooings and gurgles in between such as he never
thought an owl could utter. To attempt to set them down in cold
print would, if possible, rob them of their delicate beauty and destroy
the sentiment. Besides, we could not do it and retain a shadow of
our self-respect. The long, loud quaver was, of course, for the whole
world to hear, and to it you would be welcome ; but the low parts be-
tween were as certainly for no other ears than the little grey-tipped
ones by his side, and to blazen them forth and caricature them be-
fore the world's unsympathetic e.ve would be the act of a veritable
cad. The night may have had something to do witli it. the velvety
blackness, the starlit sky and the murmuring of the waves on the
shore, but taking into consideration all tliese influencing surround-
ings we think that few sounds in nature are as sweet as the love song
of "this little square gentleman in gre.v with the big yellow eyes whom
hardened naturalists call "Screech" Owl.

83. *Biiho rirf/iiiidiniN. — Great Horned Owl.

Not common, though doubtless a regidar migrant and winter resi-
dent. Seitt. 1.3, IDOO, Gardner shot one near his barn. Specimens
were sent us from the Point Nov. 13, 1906, and Feb. 23, 1907, and an-
other was noted March 7 and May 31 of the same year. In spite of
this late record we have been unable to get any evidence frdm the
residents that it bx'eeds.

84. *X!jctca ni/ctcd. — Snowy Owl.

Oct. 29, 1905, Taverner chased an early bird down the entire length
of the east beach. It was <iuite tame and several times he got close
enough to make out that it was very white with hardly any dark on
the breast and but few spots on the wings and back. It did not fly
very far on being disturbed, and always chose some small elevation
to alight upon, such as a log of drift wood, or other jetsam cast up
l)y tlie waves. Trees were never so used, though there were several
cottonwoods scattered along the way, but any tall stake or fence post
was taken whenever available. Its snowy plumage could be seen for
miles against the tawny grasses and yellow sand of the beach. No
more birds were reported that winter, but Oct. 30, 1906, an almost
pure white one was sent to us and another in more ordinary plumage
•Nov. 7. No more were reported for the remainder of the winter. See
Auk XXIV 1907. p. 143.

100 The Wilson Bulletin — No. GO.

ALEXANDER. \\lLSON IN I51RD CENSUS WORK.

BY FRANK L. BURNS.

The many-sided Akxauder Wilson has puhhshed, in the
preface of Vol. IV, pp. \'-X of his American Ornithology,
dated September 13, 1811, probably the earliest bird census
of this country. As it is found in only the earlier editions
and consequently is inaccessible to most of my readers, I
quote in full :

"To the philosopher, as well as the naturalist, and to every
man of feeling, the names, migration, and immense multitudes
of birds in this country, are subjects of interesting and in-
structive curiosity. From the twenty-first day of March to
the first of May, it might with truth be asserted, that at least
one hundred^ million of birds enter Pennsylvania from the
south ; part on their way farther north, and part to reside
during the season. This is no extravagant computation,
since it is allowing only about four hundred individuals to
each square mile ; though even those resident for the summer
would probably average many more. Our forests at that sea-
son are everywhere stored with them ; and even the most
gloomy swamps and morasses swarm with their respective
feathered tenants. In Mr. Bartram's Botanic garden, and the
adjoining buildings, comprehending an extent of little more
than eight acres, the Author has ascertained, during his
present summer residence there, that not less than fiftv-one
pairs of birds took up their abode, and built their nests within
that space. Almost all of these arrived between the above
periods, besides multitudes of passengers. Every morning
(for evening, night and morning seem their favorite hours of
passage) some new strangers were heard or seen flitting
through the arbors, until one general concert seemed to pre-
vail from every part of the garden."

^^'ilson's figures are apparently based upon the assumption
that the vernal migration progresses as a rule directly north-
ward. The 250,000 square miles of territory required in his
computation would extend from the southern limits of Penn-

Burns, on Wilson in Bird Census Work. 101

sylvania to about the northern thnber hne. (3n the whole
his estimate of 400 birds to the square mile would doubtlessly
prove conservative for even present times. In his detailed
list following", we have something tangible, and it has oc-
curred to me that by the platting of a familiar tract of equal ex-
tent a comparison of the present and past in actual numbers
of species and individuals might be not altogether impossible.
Aly tract consists of one and one-half acres of fruit and shade
trees, together with several buildings comprising my house ;
three and one-half acres of hedge, .bush-and-brier-tangle
bordered pasture ; almost three acres of open thicket
connecting the rear ; and a small plat of a few square
rods containing a few evergreens, joining the west front
— about eight acres in all. True this tract lacks many
of the essential features of the historic garden — the
abundance of dense foliage, the buildings suitable for
swallow and Phoebe, the damp meadow fed by the Schuylkill,
and the proximity to the great Delaware — yet it is per-
haps almost equally free from molestation, within the
same faunal zone, and at no great distance (about 15 miles)
from the scene of Wilson's labors.

The Swamp Sparrow has not been found as a breeder in
this neighborhood, the Yellow Warbler is altogether uncom-
mon, and while the Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, the
]\Iartin, and the Warbling Vireo have more or less frequently
nested within this tract, they have only been present as
callers the past season. Then the three acres of thicket has
been turned into a secHon of a private park of late years, and
in consequence it has lost not a little of its attractiveness to
brush-loving birds.

A comparison of the number of individuals representing
the species found in either place shows that six have practi-
call}' held their own, one increasing materially, and while four
species have decreased in number this would seem to be com-
pensated for to a great extent by the increase of additional
species, all of which are of undoubted benefit to mankind,
excepting the Waxwing and European House Sparrow. On
the whole, wath the single exception of the Purple Martin, we

l(i".^ Tiii£ \\'ii.S()X I)UI.i.i-:tix — No. (iO.

apprehend small grounds fur fear of local extinction of any

species named below, at least for some time to come :

Wilson. 1811. Present at both Gray's Ferry Burns, 1907.

At Gray's Ferry only and Berwyn. At Berwyn only.

No. No.

2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

2 Northern Flicker.

4 Chimney Swift 4

2 Crested Flycatcher.

Phoebe 2

2 Wood Pewee 2

Orchard Oriole 6 _. Sometimes present.

Baltimore Oriole 6

8 Purple Crackle 5

2 American Crow.

2 Americaa Goldfinch.

16 Chipping Sparrow 4

Swamp Sparrow 2

2 Indigo Bunting- 2

2 Towhee.

? Scarlet Tanager 2

Purple Martin 2 Sometimes present.

Barn Swallow 20

2 Cedar Waxwing.

4 .Red-eyed Vireo.

Warbling Vireo 4 Sometimes present.

2 White-eyed Vireo ?

Yellow Warbler 6

4 Oven-bird.

2 Kentucky Warbler.

2 Yellow-breasted Chat 2

10 Catbird 10

2 Brown Thrasher.

10 House Wren 2

4 Wood Thrush.

2 American Robin 12

10 English Sparrow.

19 species 114 Individuals 95 25 species.

ASPECTS OF THE SPRING MIGRATION OF 1907.

BY LYNDS JONES.

The spring- migrations of the past season have so far
receded that it is possible to view them in proper perspective.
The migration phenomena were so surprising in many of their
aspects that one became almost bewildered in his efifort to
properly follow the changes and exceptional features.

If anyone ever inclined to a doubt of the profound effect
which weather has upon the movements of the birds such
doubt must have been effectually dispelled long before the
close of the last vernal migration season. Here in northern
Ohio there was nothins" unusual in either weather conditions

Jones, on Spring Migration of 1907. 103

or bird movements until March 51st, although a considerable
flight of ducks, blackbirds, and the earlier sparrows occurred
on March 17th and 18th. On the 21st the temperature
reached 03°, and on the following day 78°, with summer tem-
peratures prevailing and no frosts at night until April oih.
It was during this period that reports reached me from San-
dusky, through Prof. E. L. Moseley, that not only swallows
but Chimney Swifts, Nighthawks, and Ruby-throated Hum-
mingbirds were seen there on more than one occasion. I am
bound to state, however, that none of these birds v/ere seen
b}' him, but the reports camle from what seem to be reliable
sources. During this period twenty-five species arrived in Ober-
lin, none of them being very exceptional. Following this two
weeks of summer the temperature dropped and remained low
enough for frosts on many nights, with occasional and short
periods of seasonable temperatures, until May 11th. During
this cold period the sky was usually lowering, especially so
at night, and rain or snow was frequent. The only movement
of any consequence that occurred during this period was on
April 29th, following a warm day and clear night, when
thirty species arrived, and with theuT a marked increase in the
numbers of many other species which had straggled in despite
the unfavorable weather. Low temperatures and heavy weather
followed immiediately. May 11th the temperature began to
rise and the sky clear and conditions for a large movement
improved on the 12th. Along the south shore of Lake Erie
the 13th was not onlv the banner day for the year but it
proved to be a record breaker in every particular. Not only
were the species recorded more numerous than on any
previous day in the experience of the writer, but most of the
species were represented by unusual numbers of individuals.
One of the exceptional features of the flight of April 29th
was the great flight of hawks during the early part of the
day. The Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged were present in
uncountable numbers, and mixed with them or hawking over
the marshes we recorded Marsh, Pigeon, Red-shouldered
American Sparrow, American Rough-legged, and one other
whose identification could not be certainly determined. The

104

The Wilson Bulletin — No. 60.

Sharp-shins were generally found among the shrubbery while
the Broad-wings were soaring about overhead or passing
slowly eastward.

Continued adverse weather conditions to the end of May
resulted in June records for many of the warblers which are
usually upon their nesting grounds north of Ohio by May
2r)th. Indeed, there was scarcely any diminution in the num-
bers of many of the transient warblers up to May 28th, when
the writer's work was concluded.

In view of the extensive area covered by the exceptional
weather conditions and consequent exceptional migrations of
the birds, it seems to the writer worth while to present in
tabular form three "All Day" records made during the last
great movement of the birds. Two of these are from Ohio^
but since one represents the lake shore fauna and the other
the strictly inland fauna they should be considered supple-
mentary. The third record was made at Princeton, New
Jersey, in the line of northw^ard movement for the birds be--
longing to the Atlantic Plain fauna. Rev. W. F. Henninger
contributes the record' from Tiffin, Ohio; Mr.' Charles H.
Rogers the record from Princeton, New Jersey ; and the
writer, with the assistance of two friends, the record from the
south shore of Lake Erie, particularly from the sand spit
reaching out into the lake to Cedar Point opposite Sandusky,
Ohio. The last named record was made on May 13th, the
others on Mav 14th, 190T :

Oberlin, O. Tiffin. O. Princeton,

Pied-billed Grebe

3

Herring Gull

20

Bonaparte's Gull

10

Common Tern

C

Black Tern

10

Double-crested Cormorant

1

Red-breasted Merganser

7

Black Duck

20

Blue-winged Teal

3

Lesser Scaup Duck

C

Bufflehead

1

Rudd.v Duck

50

American Bittern

20

Least Bittern

1

Great Blue Heron

5

N.J.

1?

Jones, on Spring :Migration of 190T

105

Green Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron

King Rail •

Virginia Rail

Sora

Florida Gallimile

American Coot

American Woodcock

Greater Yellow-legs

Yellow-legs

Solitary Sandpiper

Bartramian Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper

Killdeer

Semipalmated Plover

Piping Plover

Bob-white

Mourning Dove

Turkey Vulture

Marsh Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Bald Eagle

American Sparrow Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Black-billed Cuckoo

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Whippoorwill

Nighthav,'k

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Kingbird

Crested Flycatcher

Phoebe

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Wood Pewee

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Green-crested Flycatcher

Alder Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Prairie Horned Lark

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Starling

Bobolink

Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Meadowlark

Orchard Oriole

Oberlin. 0.

Tiffin, 0.

Pv

■inceton.

N.

J.

5

C

1

4

1

1

C

C

1

C

c

10

1

2

2

1

2

5

2

4

C

C

47

2

C

2

2

2

5

C

C
1

7

1

3

1?

C

1

1

1

10

10

3

4

10

2

10

1

o

1

3

3

13

C

C

c

C

21

c

2

1

C

C

82

1

1

1

C

C

48

c

2

2

lew

C

7

30

C

c

20

C

C

C

4

C

2

1

1

2

110

C

5

c

C

44

1
2

c

C

22

c

C

5

c

c

48

c

c

34

2

1

5

lOG The Wilson

Bulletin — ^

[o. GO.

Oberlin, O.

Tiffin. 0.

I'rinceton,
N.J.

Bnltimore Oriole

C

C .

5

Rusty Blackbird

20

17

I'urple Grackle

72

Bronzed Grackle

C

c

Purple Finch

2

21

American Goldfinch

C

C

44

Pine Siskin

100

Vesper Sparrow

c

c

6

Savanna Sparrow

1

Grasshopper Sparrow

C

c

12

Ilenslow's Sparrow

3

6

White-crowned Sparrow

C

White-throated Sparrow

• c

1

29

Chipping Sparrow

C

c

28

Field Sparrow

c

■ c

24

Slate-colored Junco

1

Song Sparrow

c

c

133

Lincoln's Sparrow

10

Swamp Sparrow

3

1

19

Towhee

C

c

31

Cardinal

10

c

4

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

c

c

3

Indigo Bunting

c

c

Dickcissel

2

Scarlet Tanager

10

C

2

Purple Martin

20

C

Cliff Swallow

C

Barn Swallow

C

C

18

Tree Swallow

c

3

Bank Swallow

c

c

3

Rough-winged Swallow

c

c

.7

Cedar Waxwing

2

Migrant Shrike

1

1

Red-eyed Vireo

C

c

1

Philadelphia Vireo

C

Warbling Vireo

10

c

Yellow-throated Vireo

10

2

7

Blue-headed Vireo

c

c

1

White-eyed Vireo

5

Black and White Warbler

c

2

40

Worm-eating Wa rider

6

Blue-winged Warbler

c

3

Golden-winged Warbler

4

Northern Parula Warbler

1

C

IG

Nashville Warbler

c

2

Orange-crowned Warbler

10

Tennessee Warbler

c

3

Brewster's Warbler

1

Yellow Warbler

c

C

52

Black-throated Blue Warbler

c

2

15

Myrtle Warbler

c

C

81

Magnolia Warbler

c

C

2

Cerulean Warbler

2

Chestnut-sided Warbler

c

C

8

Bay-breasted Warbler

c

6

Jones, ox Spring Migration of 190T.

107

Oberliu, O. Tiffin. O. Princeton,
N.J.

Blaclv-poll Warbler

1

7

Blaeliburnian Warbler

C

c

Black-throated Green Warbler

c

c

6

Palm Warbler

10

1

Yellow Palm Warbler

c

2

Prairie Warbler

c

1

Oven-bird

c

2

33

Water-Thrush

2

1

13

Louisiana Water-Thrush

1

Kentucky Warbler

2

Mourning Warbler

1

4

Northern Yellow-throat

C.

C

51

Yellow-breasted Chat

G

2

Hooded Warbler

1

2

Wilson's Warbler

10

3

Canadian Warbler

• C

C

American Redstart

C

C

IT

American Pitpit

C

7

5

Catbird

c

C

62

Brown Thrasher

c

C

9

House Wren

c

C

3

Winter Wren

4

Long-billed Marsh Wren

C

Brown Creeper

10

White-breasted Nuthatch

1

c

4

Red-breasted Nuthatch

20

2

Tufted Titmouse

3

c

7

Chickadee

2

4

Carolina Chickadee

3

Golden-crowned Kinglet

2

Ruby-crownod Kinglet

10

2

2

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

20

C

Wood Thrush

C

2

17

Wilson's Thrush

C

C

28

Olive-backed Thrush

C

8

Gray-cheeked Thrush

C

4

Hermit Thrush

10

2

American Robin

C

C

140

Bluebird

C

C

10

Species 144 112 84

As a further contribution to the subject under discussion
the appended table of comparisons of four locaHties is in
point. I have selected these locaHties because the lists sub-
mitted seem to me to represent about equally careful work and
because they contain a considerable number of species common
to each, thus affording opportunity for fair comparisons.
Bristol, Conn., and Bloomfield. N. J-, may be taken as two
supplementary localities, and Youngstown and Oberlin, Ohio,
as two others of the same sort for the middle west. It is

108 The Wilson Bulletin — Xo. GO.

probable that a much larger number of localities would show
a much more erratic movemient of many of the birds even in
neighboring localities, for my experience about Oberlin indi-
cated that while the host of a species was late in arrival one
might find a few venturesome individuals 'cking out a miser-
able subsistence in some particularly favorable spot. Failure
to find the spot would result in overlooking the vanguard of
the species and thus result in an exceptionally late record.
Thus at Oberlin the American "Redstart was represented by
only seven individuals until May 13, when individuals were
found everywhere in the woods. The same condition occurred
with each of the warblers, recorded in late April and early
May. If the arrival of the bulk of a species should be taken as
the real arrival of that species then all but the first ten on the
subjoined list were two or more weeks late in their arrival at
Oberlin.

Yomisst'wn,

Oberlin,

Bloom

field.

Bristol,

Ohi

io.

Ohio.

N.

J.

Conn.

American Robin

Feb.

22

Mar.

4

Mar.

16

Mar. 8

Red-winged Blackliird

Mar.

14

:\rar.

1.5

Mar.

24

:\Iar. 17

Phoebe

Mar.

18

Mar.

IS

Mar.

17

Mar. 17

Towhee

Mar.

IS

:\rar.

IS

Apr.

27

Apr. 28

Fox Sparrow

Mar.

IS

Mar.

IS

Mar.

16

Mar. 17

Hermit Tlu'ush

Mar.

IS

Mar.

23

Mar.

23

Apr. 11

Chipping Sparrow

Mar.

2.S

Mar.

30

Apr.

.5

Apr. 21

Vesper Sparrow

Mar.

2,3

Mar.

22

Apr.

14

Apr. 14

Barn Swallow

Apr.

2.S

Apr.

22

May

.5

A]ir. 23

Myrtle Wa rider

Apr.

2.5

Apr.

22

ISIay

10

Mav 12

Yellow Warbler

Apr.

2.-1

Apr.

29

May

.5

May 12

Northern Yellow-throat

Apr.

29

Apr.

29

May

10

May 12

Oven-bird

Apr.

2ft

Apr.

30

Mav

1.5

Mav 5

Wood Thnish

Apr.

29

Apr.

29

May

C,

Mav 5

Black and White Warbler

Apr.

29

Apr.

29

May

.5

Apr. 26

Chimney Swift

Apr.

29

Apr.

29

Mav

5

May 8

Honse Wren

Apr.

.30

Apr.

29

May

.5

Mny 1

Catbird

Apr.

.30

Apr.

29

Mav

5

May 3

Wilson's Thrush

]\rav

1

Apr.

29

Mav

25

May 12

American Redstart

May

1

May

1

May

19

May 12

Black-throated Bl. Warb

. May

1

Apr.

29

Mav

10

Mav 12

Scarlet Tanager

May

1

May

S

Mav

27

May 12

Magnolia Warbler

Mav

6

May

13

May

10

May 16

Least Flycatcher

Mav

11

May

13

:\Iav

5

May 5

Chestnut-sided Warbler

:\Iay

11

Mav

13

:\ray

13

May 12

Red-eyed Vireo

May

12

May

13

ISIav

19

Mav 14

Canadian Warlder

May

16

Mav

13

Mav

2(">

Mav 13

Indigo Bunting

May

16

Mav

13

Mav

30

Mav 19

Yellow-throated Vireo

Mav

16

Mav

11

May

19

:May 9

Of the birds listed above for Oberlin, Ohio, only the Vesper Sparrow

Jones, on Birds From a Car Window. 109

was appreciably earlier than normal, it being more than a week early
for the locality. The last eight mentioned species were from a week
to two weeks later than the average date of tirst appearance. While
this list includes only a few of the species which make up the Spring
movement, it is representative of the species found in each locality
and may be taken as indicating the bird movements during the past
phenomenal Spring.

BIRDS FROAI A CAR WINDOW AGAIN.

BY LYNDS JONES.

In spite of all that has been said and can be said against
placing any reliance upon observations from a car window
there is a certain value in making as careful records as con-
ditions warrant while one is racing across country in a sleep-
ing-car. No small part of the value to the individual concerned
lies in thus lessening the monotony of the jottrney; as every-
one who has attempted this sort of pastime can testify. But
there is another value which must not be overlooked, which
lies in the comparison of the numbers of individuals of each
species which it has been, possible to record with certainty.
It has been said that any record made from a car window
must be taken with a certain degree of mental reservation.
I am inclined to challenge that statement and make the con-
trary assertion that it is entirely possible to be as certain of
some birds from a car window as it is from any vantage
point. Of course this will be true of a limited number of
species whose individual characteristics are very marked, or
else they must not be recorded except during the time when
the train is standing still and the observer is able to make free
use of his field-glasses.

In making the list which follows I have admitted only
records which are beyond question in my own mind. This has
resulted in the rejection of many records which may have been
good but lacked the element of certainty. The list represents
much less than half of all of the species actually recorded.
Only those are given which seem to be of interest from the
standpoint of comparisons. In this list no account is taken

no

The Wir.soN Bulletin — No. GO.

of subspccific differences because I wish to compare species
with species. The numbers refer to the number of individuals
actually counted.

The route traveled was from Oberlin, Ohio, over the Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern Railway ; from Chicago over
the Xorthwestern and its connecting lines to Portland, Ore-
gon, taking the Oregon Short Line at Granger, thus avoiding
Ogden. The journey began on May 28th, and ended at Port-
land on June 1st. The working time covered the following
areas : Oberlin, Ohio, to Elkhart, Indiana ; ]\Iount Vernon,
Iowa, to Fremont, Nebraska ; Sutherland, Nebraska, to Raw-
lins, Wyoming ; Montpelier, Idaho, to Huntington, Oregon ;
Heppner Junction to Portland, Oregon. It will be apparent
that the dates indicate that the journey was made while most
of the birds were nesting.

The list which follows is given in the order of the number
of individuals recorded for each species :

Moiu'uiug Dove

1759

Yellow Warbler

23

Red-winged Blackbird

554

Northern Flicker

20

Brewer's Blackbird

234

Killdeer

18

Meadowlark

212

Belted Kingfisher

17

Bronzed Grackle

180

Burrowing Owl

10

Crow

153

S|)arrow Hawk

15

Lark Bunting

149

Bobolink

15

Barn Swallow

100

Spotted Sandi)iper

12

Black-billed INIagpie

71

Bank Swallow

11

Kingbird

03

Great Blue Heron

9

Red-headed Woodpecker

GO

Yellow-headed Blackbird

7

Chimney Swift

59

Indigo Bunting

7

Robin

49

Blue Jay

0

Otocoris

37

Tjark Sparrow

6

T-anius

34

JNIarsh Hawk

5

Goldfinch

31

Vesper Sparrow

3

Arkansas Kingbird

34

Turkey Vulture

2

Dickcissel

28

Purple Martin

2

Cliff Swallow

23

Mourning Doves were not only the most numerous in in-
dividuals but were the most evenly distributed of the species
recorded. The numbers seen during each day increased per-
ceptibly as we sped westward, reaching the maximum in
Idaho and eastern Oregon — in the desert regions. The pre-
ponderance of individuals may be partly accounted for by the
size of the bird and the ease with which it mav be identified,

Jones, on Birds From a Car Window. Ill

but its habit of frequenting the railway right of way as a feed-
ing ground is undoubtedly an important factor in determin-
ing its abundance. This habit is accentuated in the sage-brush
regions where food must be relatively scarce.

Of the 554: Red-winged Blackbirds recorded 412 were seen
in western Iowa, and only 113 were recorded over the area
occupied by the Brewer Blackbiid, so that it must be con-
sidered about half as numerous as Brewer's in the sam|e
region. Both of these blackbirds were unquestionably far
more numerous than the record shows because positive
identifications could be made only under the most favorable
circumstances.

Meadowlarks were remarkably evenly distributed. There
were more westerly than easterly. Possibly this may be
partly accounted for by a habit of feeding along the railway
right of way in the west.

Eliminating the 109 Crows recorded in western Iowa, the
species was evenly distributed over the area covered.

No Bronzed Crackles were seen west of Fremlont, Nebraska.
The exact place where the last were recorded does not appear
on my records.

Lark Buntings were seen only on a run from Sutherland,
Nebraska, to Pine Blufil:, Wyoming, except a single individual
on the following day, in Idaho.

Barn Swallows were unaccountably scarce, except in west-
ern Iowa, where 75 were recorded. None were seen in west-
ern Oregon, but elsewhere an occasional one was seen
hawking over meadows.

Black-billed Magpies were seen only in Idaho and Oregon
— none in western Oregon. They were mostly well scattered,
one or two appearing in a place, six being the largest number
seen together.

Half of the Kingbirds were seen in western Iowa. Else-
where they were occasional, often two together.

Red-headed Woodpeckers were not seen west of Pine Blufif,
Wyoming. All recorded were on the railway right of way.

All but two of the Chimlney Swifts were seen in western

112 Till-: Wilson I'.l'LLEtix — Xo. (JU.

Iowa, and one of those two not far from Uniaha, Nebraska;
the other one was an Ohio bird.

Robins were occasional over th€ whole course except from
.Sutherland, Nebraska, to Rawlins, Wyoming.

Representatives of the genus Otocoris which could be cer-
tainly identified as such were scarce except in western
Nebraska, where 30 were seen. They seemed to be busy with
nesting duties.

Except from Omaha to Fremont, Nebraska, Shrikes were
occasional, the largest number being recorded in eastern
Oregon, where 31 were counted either on or near the right of
way.

Goldfinches were scattering and erratic, and mostly
recorded in srHall villages or at watering places.

The Arkansas Kingbirds were seen only in western
Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and eastern Oregon — two days'
run. Here they were much the most numerous flycatcher.

There were no Dickcissels west of Fremont, Nebraska, and
but one recorded for western lovv'a. Rain in Iowa dampened
their ardor.

Sparrow Hawks, which I have come to regard as one of
the characteristic birds of such a trip, were distressingly few
in number. The records for the different regions are as
follows : Two, two, two. six, three. Perhaps they were
molting.

No Bobolinks were seen w^est of Iowa. On the homeward
journe}- there were not a few^ seen in ^lontana along the
course of the Northern Pacific.

Burrowing Owls were seen only between INIontpelier,
Idaho, and Huntington, Oregon. Conditions seemed to l>e
favorable elsewhere.

The journey left the impression with me of a paucity of
bird life not before experienced on a journey of such extent.
Except for about three hours, while we were running through
western Iowa, the weather conditions were favorable for the
usual activities of the l)irds. The slowness of the train in
many interesting parts of the country, and my own freedom
from- neisfhborinsr elbows — there were few in the car — made

Larson, on Birds of South Dakota. 113

the circumstances for such a study as favorable as possible.
It was several times remarked that the engines seemed to be
in such delicate health that only the pure water — that con-
tained in tanks far removed from towns and cities — would
suit ! If the steam could be shut off when the train stops the
bird-man would be happy.

A. PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE BIRDS OF WEST-
ERN LYMAN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA.

BY ADRIAN LARSON.

The following list is compiled from observations made
along the White Clay Creek valley in western Lyman county,
S. D., from Sept.. 13, 1906, to April 25, 1907.

Lyman county lies in the Great Plains Region at an eleva-
tion of about 2,000 feet. Its topography is similar to other
regions in the Great Plains country, being mostly level
tion of about 2,000 feet. Its topography is similar to other
regions in the Great Plains county, being mostly level
prairie, with occasional hills or buttes rising above the prairie.

There are numerous dry creeks, which run only in the
spring or after very heavy rains ; they are mostly dry at other
times.

The hills and prairies are, for the greater part, covered with
range grass, while the creeks are fringed with such trees as
ash, box-elder, cottonwood, elm, willow, and rarely a red
cedar, with much buffalo-berry, hazel, and plum brush.

There are numerous marshes on the prairies which are
well filled with water in the spring, but dry up towards
summer :

1. Larus-species? A flock of eleven seen April 24. They may
have been the Franklin Gull.

2. Anas J)oschas. — Mallard. Common migrant.

3. Nettion carol'mensis. — Green-winged Teal. Common migrant.

4. Qucrquedula discors. — Bine-winged Teal. Common migrant.

5. Spatula chjpeata. — Shoveller. Common migrant.
G. Daflla acuta. — Pintail. Common migrant.

114 The W'ilsox Bulletin — No. GO.

7. Clicii Injpcrborea. — Lesser Snow Goose. Migrant.

S. Bniiita canadensis. — Canada Goose. Mijirant.

<:». Batatirus Icntitjhiosus. — American Bittern. One seen Sept. 20.

10. (Inis mc.ricaua. — Wliooping Crane. Common migrant, Sept.
20-Oet. 4; April VA.

11. Porzaua varolina. — Sora. One seen Sei)t. 16.

12. Galliitaijo delicata. — Wilson Snipe. Migrant, Sept. 2G- Oct. 4.

13. Jiartraniia lonr/icaiida. — Bartramian Sandpiper. One seen
Sept. la.

14. O.ri/vchiis rocifcnis. — Killdeer. Sunnner resident. Arrival,
March 21.

15. Pedirrcetcs phasiaiiciliis canipcstris. — Prairie Sharp-tailed
Grouse. Common resident. I have observed these Grouse eating the
seeds of the Wild Sunflower many times ; they also eat Buffalo-berries
and Hazel-berries.

10. ZoiaUJiira macronra. — ^Mourning Dove. Common summer res-
ident.

17. Circus hudsonius. — Marsh Hawk. Common summer resident.
Departure, Nov. 13 ; arrival, March 15.

18. Accipiter atricapiUus. — American Goshawk. Winter visitant.

19. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. — American Rough-legged
Hawk. Winter visitant. Common for the species.

20. Falco columbarius. — Pigeon Hawk. Winter visitant. One day
last winter I saw a Pigeon Hawk chasing a sharp-tailed Grouse, but
the Grouse dove under cover and then the Hawk left it.

21. Falco sparverius. — American Sparrow Hawk. Common sum-
mer resident. Arrival, March 23.

22. Asio icilsoiiianus. — Long-eared Owl. Resident; common.

23. Asio accipitrinuH. — Short-eared Owl. One seen Dec. 23; four
seen Jan. G.

24. Mcgascops asio. — Screech Owl. Resident ; not common.

25. Biiho rin/inianus paUcsccns.- — Western Horned Owl. One seen
Dec. 11.

26. Hpeotiitn cunicularia hiipoija'a. — Burrowing Owl. Common in
Pi'airie Dog towns.

27. Dnjobates viUosus. — Hairy Woodpecker. Resident; common.

28. Dryohatcs pubescois niedianus. — Downy Woodpecker. Resi-
dent ; common.

29. Melnnerpes erythroccphalus. — Red-headed Woodpecker. Sum-
mer resident ; common. Departure, Sept. 18.

30. Colaptcs aiiratus Inteits. — Northern Flicker. Summer resident;
common.

31. Colaptes cafcr coUaris. — Red-shafted Flicker. Summer resi-
dent; common. The first Flickers were seen on March 24.

32. Otocoris alpestris IciicoUrma. — Desert Horned Lark. Summer
resident ; tolerably common.

Larson, on Birds of South Dakota. 115

33. Otocoris alpestris lioijii. — Winter visitant ; common.

84. Pica pica hudsonia. — Black-billed Magpie. Common resident.

35. Cyanocitta cristata. — Blue Jay. One or two seen Sept. 18.

36. Corvus brachyrhytwhos. — American Crow. Summer resident ;
common. Departure, Oct. 19 ; arrival, March 10.

37. Agelaius phocniceus. — Red-winged Blackbird. Summer resi-
dent. Arrival, March 27.

.38. ^turncUa magna ncglecta. — Western ^leadowlark. Summer
resident ; tolerably common. Departure, Oct. 25 ; arrival, March 15.

39. Scolecophagus caroUiius. — Rusty Blackbird. Common migrant.

40. Acanthis linaria. — Redpoll. Common winter visitant. Depar-
ture, March 19. I often saw these birds feeding on the seeds of the
tumbleweed.

41. Astragaliiiiis tristis. — American Goldfinch. Common summer
resident.

42. Passer domesticus. — House Sparrow. Tolerably common.

43. Passerina nivalis. — Snow Bunting. Common winter visitant.

44. Calcarius lappouicus. — Lapland Longspur. Common winter
visitant.

4.5. Rhynchophanes mccoicnii. — McCown Longspur. A large flock
seen April 7.

46. Spizella monticola ochracea. — Western Tree Sparrow. Com-
mon migrant, Oct. 1-Xov. 14 ; Feb. 18. Still common on the 25th of
April.

47. Junco hycmalis. — Slate-colored .Tunco. — Migrant Oct. 1, Oct. 22,
March 26. Still common on the 25th of April.

48. Melospiza cinera mclodia. — Song Sparrow. Summer resident.
Arrival, March 31.

49. Pipilo maciilatus arciicus. — Arctic Towhee. Summer resident;
common.

50. An'ipclis garndiis. — Bohemian Waxwing. A flock of ten seen
Jan. 4.

51. Laiiiiis horealis. — Northern Shrike. Common winter visitant.

52. Lanius ludovicianus exciihiiondcs. — White-rumped Shrike.
Common summer resident.

53. To.rostoma riifmn. — Brown Thrasher. Summer resident. De-
parture, Sept. 18.

54. Penthcstcs atricapillus. — Chickadee. Common resident.

55. Rcgulus calendula. — Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Migrant.

56. Ccrtliia familiaris americana. — Brown Creeper.

57. Mcrula migratoria. — American Robin. Only one seen in the
fall ; common in the spring. Arrival, March 24.

Although this list is rather short, it will give a fair idea of what
birds would be found here.

THE WILSON BULLETIN

A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Living Birds.
Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club.

Edited by LYNDS JONES.

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB, AT OBERUN, OHIO.

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, 50 cents a year, 15 cents a number, post-
paid. Price in all countries in the International Postal Union, 65 cents a year. 20 cents
a number. Subscriptions may be sent to Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio, or to Mr. Frank L.
Burns, Berwyn, Penn.

Officers of the Wilson Ornitliological Club for 1907:
President, Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio.
Vice-President, R. L. Baird, Denmark, Iowa.
Secretary, Benj. T. Ganlt, Glenn Ellyn, 111.
Treasurer, Bradshaw H. Swales, Grosse Isle, Mich.
Members of the Executive Council : W. K Dawson, Seattle, Wash. ;
J. W. Jacobs, Waynesburii, Pa. ; H. C. Oberholser, Washington, D. C.

EDITORIAL.

The editor's absence from Oberlin during the sununer and early
autumn is responsible for the great delay in the appes^rance of this
number of the Bulletin. This delay was foreseen and announced in
May. It is anticipated that if there are any further delays they will
be slight.

Promptness in the appearance of the Bulletin largely depends
upon contributors. It is important that copy Intended for any issue
should reach the editor not later than the 25tli of the month pre-
ceding the issue. Copy for the December number should reach the
editor's desk by November 25. Will you not attend to this matter at
once and help to make the December number better than any which
has yet been issued?

The article entitled "Birds from a Car Window Again" in this num-
ber is intended as the first of a series relating to the editor's studies
on the Washington coast. Succeeding articles will be illustrated.
The object of these articles will be to acquaint the reader with the
cardinal features of certani restricted areas or islands which are rep-
resentative, and give as much of the life histories of characteristic
birds as the short period of study warrants.

Field Xotes. 117

In former numbers of the Bulletin the editor has urged the im-
portance of studies of juvenile plumages of even the commonest of
our birds. Not only is there a great deal of the past history of the
species wrapped up in the color patterns of the young birds, even
. looking back to their ancestry, but there is abundant material here
for throwing light upon evolutionary processes. It is doubtless true
that most of us are not now interested in making deductions from our
bird studies, being content with the pleasure it affords as a pastime,
but it cannot long remain merely a pleasurable means of spending
idle moments without awakening desires to know the meaning of it
all. In preparation for that time be acquainting yourself with as
many phases of bird life as possible. Become a trained ornithologist.
Be accurate in all your work.

It would be impossilde to predict anything concerning the coming
winter, but after such a phenomenal spring it would not be at all sur-
prising if we should find some unusual things among the birds. The
writer has probably not been in a position to note the fall migrations in
their bearing upon the spring movement northward, but it has seemed
that birds have been less common than during previous southward
movements. The lateness of their arrival upon their l)reediug
grounds may have resulted in fewer young being brought to maturity
than under normal conditions. As a single example, the Alder Fly-
catcher has been a common breeding bird along the borders of the
Sandusky Bay marshes, particularly in the shrubbery bordering the
swamp margin of the sand spit. The past summer I looked in vain
for any at all, and found very few at any place along the lake shore
where many usually breed. This scarcity may have resulted from
other causes than the late spring. At any rate the winter birds will
certainly be worth careful study. A large number of winter lists ac-
companied by notes would make interesting reading for the March
Bulletin.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1008.

Notices for nominations should have Ijeen sent out in September,
but the President's absence made that impracticable. Nominations
for all officers except A'ice-President should be made at once and sent
to Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio. If this is tatended to at once ballots
can be distributed in time for the election at the regular time, Dec. 5.

In this connection the present incumbent wishes to say that it will
not be possible for him to attend to the duties of the President's of-
fice during the coming year, and that he is therefore not a candidate
for renomination.

lis Till-: Wilson Bulletin- — Xo. GO.

FIELD NOTES.

Some Records for the Cedar Point Sand Spit, Ohio. — Beginuiug
early in October, 1906, it has been my privilege to give one day of
nearly every week of the migration seasons and the winter months to
ecological bird stndies along the seven miles of this narrow neck of
sand. A report of this work was given in the December. lUdG, linlle-
tin. page 12G. Further notes are given here relating to the winter
and spring months.

Tree Sparrow. A considerable number were present April 2!), the
last date on which the species was recorded. The latest previous rec-
ord was April IG, 1898.

Slate-colored Junco. Two were found May 20. The latest ]n-e-
vious record was May 4, 1903.

Red-breasted Merganser. A group consisting of one male and six
females was recorded for May 13. The latest previous record was
:\Iay 7, 1904.

Canada Goose. Present in uncountable numbers on April !.">. which
was the last record. This is usually an uncommon species in this
part of northern Ohio. The latest previous record was March 26,
1896.

Baldpate. The first birds of this species recorded were found in
the marshes on March 18. and it was the commonest duck on all trips
to an including ]May 6. The last was a company of seven on May
20. The latest previous records are April 2.j, 1898 and 1901.

Pintail. It was common during the last half of March. Tlie last,
a company of four, was recorded on April 29. The latest previous
record is April 6, 1903.

Shoveller. Present in small num1)ers from March IS to 30.

Saw-whet Owl. One found in the shrubbery near the west end of
the saud spit INIarch 30. Any occurrence of this owl is worthy of
record.

Blue Goose. Two flocks were seen on April 8. and a single individ-
ual on April 15.

Henslow's Sparrow. The appearance of this rare and local spar-
row in a field at the east end of the sand spit, where it was breeding,
is worthy of notice. On April 29 at least six- individuals were foimd.

Worm-eating Warbler. One found neai' the east end of the sand
spit. This is the first authentic record for this part of the state.

Philadelphia Yireo. First recorded April 29, conmion on May 13
and 20. Not recorded for this part of the state prior to 190G.

Olive-sided Flycatcher. Common on May 1.3. This is the firs^ rec-
ord for this part of Ohio.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Individuals counted up to 20 when the
count was lost. Probably more than double that number. Hitherto
it has l)een of only casual occurrence in northern Ohio.

Field Notes. 119

Kentucky Warbler. Two found at the east end of the sand spit
May 13. Always scarce.

Brewster's Warbler. One found near the Lake Laboratory. It was
in nearly typical plumage for this form.

Caspian Tern. Two were ranging along the sand spit and over the
bay September 1.3 and 23, 1907. They passed within easy range sev-
eral times. Lyxds Joxes.

A Purple Martin Roost. — On my coming from Ohio to Florida, 1
was impressed with the much greater abundance of Purple Martins
in the South than in the North. During the months of July and
August, 1907, I traveled over about all of west Florida, and was in
nearly all of the towns and cities west of the Suwannee river. In
all this territory I saw the Purple Martins nowhere nearly so
abundant as at Qirincy, Gadsden county, Florida. There were
very few to be seen here during the middle of the day, but towards
evening they would gather in.

It was impossible to tell where they came from, but in a very
short time, and just before sunset, there would be thousands of
them in the air circling over the town. The sky was alive with
them until labout dusk, when they went to roost. The noise of
their chatter was continuous during this time.

They gradually collected in a more compact body and swung
around over the town in large gyrations, until finally a little be-
fore dark, as if of one mind, they dropped into a small clump of
mulberry trees. With great noise of wing as well as of voice,
they fairly fell into these trees with a rush that was truly aston-
ishing. These trees are in the central part of the town, near the
Lorraine hotel. They had all settled in less time than it takes to
write it. I believe that it would be conservative to estimate their
number at more than five thousand. After getting settled, their
noise was intense; from a little distance it sounded much like
escaping steam, or like the patter of violent rain on the leaves of
the trees. This noise continued intermittently until late into the
night, and began again with energy before daylight in the morning.

The birds began to leave just about dawn, — a few straggling
little bunches leading off, and then practically all of the rest
taking wing at once and swinging off in one grand departure.
Howevei-, there were a few that did not get started with the main
flight; but in a very few minutes they were all gone. The
branches of the trees sprang up very perceptibly as their load was
released.

My observations extended over only four days. — August 6-0. 1907. —
and I have been informed that the INIartins have been roosting in
this clump of trees every night during the entire summer for a num-
ber of years. G, C. Fisher.

120 The Wilson Bulletin— No. GO.

Notes fkom a Columbus Taxidermist. — I can report an luuisiial
abundance of Wood Duck this fall. I have mounted eight or ten
during the past two weeks, and know of as many more that have
been killed. In the years 1900 to 1905 I did not see a Wood Duck
and came to regard them as nearly extinct. Indeed many new
sportsmen did not know what a Wlood Dnek is like, and some have
come to me with Mergansers saying that they had Wood Ducks.
I mention this to show that the bird was almost unknown for a time.
In the fall of 190.3 these Dui-ks began to come in for mounting and
have been growing more common ever since. Some one with
more bird-lore than myself must account for the increase. Cer-
tainly every one will be glad of it.

In the spring I hiad a Black-bellied Plover to mount which I
regard as rare. I also knew of two Little Blue Herons being taken
at Buckeye Lake. They were preserved by a friend who still
has them. I mounted a Doul)le-crested Cormorant for I'rof. Mercer
of Athens, which was presumably taken at Buckeye Lake.

Thomas M. Earl.

Bewick's Wren {Thryomancs hewickii) in Seneca County, Ohio.
— On April 3rd. while waiting for a street car in the west end of
town I twice heard the song of Bewick's Wren and also saw the
bird once As I have been familiar with the bird for fifteen years
in Missouri, Virginia and Southern. Ohio, I was greatly surprised
to run across this species up in this part of the state, and I re-
gard its occurrence here as purely accidental. This record, to-
gether with the Henslow's Sparrow of last fall and the Black-
crowned Night Heron of May 14, 1907, brings the number of
species for this county up to 208. W. F. Henninger.

■^1

2H

THE

WILSON BULLETIN

NO. 61.

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

VOL. XIX. DECEMBER, 1907. NO. 4

JUNE WITH THE BIRDS OF THE WASHINGTON

COAST.

Around Cape Flattery.

lynds jones.

June 3rd, 1907, was only a few minutes old when the ex-
pedition of which I shall speak in this and subsequent numbers
of the Bulletin, began with the casting off from the wharf at
Seattle. W^e were asleep, but that did not seem to hinder the
departure of the boat.

Our party consisted of Rev. W. L. Dawson, two women who
were in quest of information from the Indians and material for
short stories, the writer, and an amount of baggage sufficient
for an expedition to the South Pole. Since the expedition was
to be one in which the camera must pla}' the most prominent
part, cameras and appropriate materials for this work bulked
large and weighed heavy. Former experience with films
had proved their unreliability for the finest work, so plates,
heavy and fragile as they are, were taken by the gross. We
would do the same thing again.

Morning found us steaming outward near the west shore
of Admiralty Inlet. Birds w'ere scarce on and over the water
until we approached Port Townsend, on the division line be-
tween the Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Here birds

124 The Wilson Bulletin — No. Gl.

were everywhere, flying in all directions away from the ap-
proaching steamer. Perhaps the most numerous were the
little Marbled Murrclets, reminding one of flying fish as they
started up from the water on rapidly beating wings and
skimmed the surface to drop upon the surface or dive when
out of harm's way. Pigeon Guillemots were also numerous.
A few California Murres, Tufted Puffins, Loons, Harlequin
Ducks, and Holboell's Grebes were seen on the water, and
flying about were Glaucus-winged and Western Gulls, Baird's
Cormorants, and Northwest Coast Herons. It was interesting
to watch the Northwest Crows feeding with and much in the
same manner as the Gulls. Of course they did not rest upon
the water nor snatch morsels of food from the water while
flying, but they perched upon the floating drift-wood and
gleaned from this and from the water, often standing beside
the Gulls,

At Port Angeles the unloading of a mionument to some de-
parted Greatness consumed nearly half of the day and
enabled us to make a brief exploration of that immediate
region. Here were recorded Tree, Barn, Bank, Rough-
winged and Violet Green Swallows ; Yellow, Lutescent, and
Pileolated Warblers; Nuttall's, and Western Chipping Spar-
rows ; Shuf eldt's Junco, Western Warbling Vireo, Western
Flycatcher, Russet-backed Thrush, Western Martin, Rufous
Hummingbird, and California Purple Finch ; besides the water
birds mentioned above. If the study had been pursued in the
early morning instead of in the middle of the day there is
little doubt that a larger list of species would have been se-
cured. Most of the birds listed were in full song and some
were evidently nesting.

All day long the scenery w'as obscured and often entirely
hidden in the dense smoke of the forest fires. Occasional
glimpses of the far snow-capped Olympics and the green
verdure-clad nearer foot-hills fanned- almost into flame again
the longing to conquer this vast wilderness and mount its
loftiest heights. Vancouver lay a dim haze along the northern
shore.

Jones, on June on the Washington Coast.

125

Neali Bay is a Makah Indian village of some 500 inhabitants. It
is at tlie head of the Strait navigation, situated upon a well protect-
ed but shallow bay, just inside the mouth of the Strait. There is a
trading-post store here, but one should not depend upon securing
many supplies for an outfitting here.

Store house at Neah Bay in the distance. Bows of Indian canoes in the foreground,
overhanging bow is carved to roughly resemble a deer's head.

The

126 The Wilson Bulletin — No. Gl.

The steamer tied up to tbe float about half-way between
W'iddah Island and the shore at half-past two Tuesday morn-
ing, nearly twenty-seven -hours out from Seattle. Its imme-
diate return made disembarkation necessary, but since day-
light begins in this high latitude at this time of year about
three o'clock the wait in the chill night air w'as short.

Our two Indian guides had reached the town of Neah Bay
only the night before, after a tramp over the mountains con-
suming two days, and we saw nothing of them until the day
was well advanced. A prolonged parley over the time, extent,
and cost of the trip was followed by a further delay in secur-
ing the necessary equipment for the canoe, so that it was mid-
afternoon before the last of the baggage was stowed away in
the eighteen-foot cedar canoe and the four passengers had
bored their way down to cramped seats upon the bottom. In
the rough waters at the entrance of the Strait the impor-
tance of the high sides of the canoe became apparent and the
skill of the Indians in avoiding breaking wave crests im-
pressed us with calm confidence in the outcome of the trip as
far as this sort of navigation had any bearing upon it.

Tatoosh Island guards the American side of the mouth of
the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and is one of the vastly numerous
rocks which lie out in the Pacific marking the line of an
ancient coast. Its precipitous sides preclude landing except
on the narrow pebbly beach which lies between an outlying
rock which is connected to it at low tide, and the main island.
This beach faces the Strait and is fairly well protected by
other outlying rocks. Here we landed about five in the after-
noon for the first camjp. The light-house and wireless station
are responsible for the white inhabitants of this extensive
rock, and three or four ancient Indian houses furnish a per-
manent residence for about a dozen Indians, and a temporary
residence for many more during the fishing season. In the
accompanying half-tone the Indian houses are dimly shown
to the left of the government store house.

Naturally the bird population of this twenty-acre rock is
not very extensive. The light keepers told us wonderful

JoNES^ ON June on the Washington Coast. 127

stories of the vast numbers of birds which pass during the
vernal migrations, and of strange night cries which we later
learned to be those of Cassin's Auklet. During the remainder
of the day and until nine o'clock the next we found twelve
Black Oyster-catchers, many Baird's Cormorants making nests
among the rocks below our reach, four pairs of Rusty Song
Sparrows, four Black Swifts flying about over the island,
five or more pairs of Barn Swallow^s nesting in the grottoes of
the rocks and in caves, three Rough-winged Swallows, a single
Sooty Fox Sparrow in full song, a single Northwest Crow,
six Harlequin Ducks swimming about and feeding on the
ocean side in places protected by the outlying rocks from the
violence of the waves, numerous Glaucus-winged Gulls and
Pigeon Guillemots, and a single Western Gull, all flying
about. During the night we heard the weird call of Kseding's
Petrel. Doubtless the Glaucus-winged Gulls nest somewhere
about this island, but we were unable to find nests. A dense
fog which amounted to rain a part of the time prevented much
work on the parts of the island where the vegetation was more
than knee-high and made the quest for burrows of the
Petrel and Auklet in the turf fruitless.

Not until nine o'clock had the fog lifted sufficiently to make
it safe to venture out upon the water. Once afloat and well
away from this inhabited island birds became numerous in
individuals though few in species. A flock of Northern
Phalaropes, thirty or more individuals, swept past on their
way northward. Wherever rocks were approached there two
or more Black Oyster-catchers were standing guard and pro-
testing our further advance. Glaucus-winged Gulls, Pigeon
Guillemots, Baird's Cormorants, and Tufted Puffins were
everywhere flying about or resting on the ocean. Loons and
Herons were occasionally seen.

Some faint suggestion of the appearance of this bold coast
can be conveyed by photographs, but one must navigate the
waters in which they lie seated in the bottom of an Indian
canoe to appreciate their magnificence, their ruggedness, and
their numbers. Rocks which are uncovered onlv in the trough

1-28

The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

Tatoosh Island, with its powerful light, guards the entrance to the
Strait. As an added safeguard to the many ships entering these in-
land waters a fully e(iuii)ped wireless station has recently been estab-
lished here, presaging the general use of the wireless system on this
coast. A month's residence here during the height of the migration
should be an interesting and valuable experience.

Our first camp on the beach at Tatoosh Island. Fog and smoke from the Indians' fires dim
the rocks in the center. The tents at the right of the white beach storehouse, the
Indian houses at the left.

Jones, on June on the Washington Coast. 129

of the waves at low tide, showing black amid the churned
water ; rocks rising a few feet above the ocean surface com-
pletely washed by every wave; rocks with broad, waterworn
shoulders in the center of which a narrow pinnacle rises
twenty or more feet almost sheer skyward ; rocks rising sheer
from the waters and overhanging, narrowing toward the
summit or with nearly parallel sides to the verdure-clad crest
200 feet from the water. The accompanying half-tones of a
few which it was possible to photograph between fog banks,
or partly wrapped within the fog. give but a sorry suggestion
of what we were looking upon during nearly the entire day,
June 5th, as our Indians rowed and paddled from the vantage
point of Ta'toosh Island to our Sandy Point Camp, about half
the distance to LaPush.

The weather experts on Tatoosh Island had promised us fair
weather for at least two days, but predicted that the presence
of an extensive area of high pressure would cause long and
high rolling swells. They shrugged their shoulders when we
proposed launching forth in the 18-foot canoe with more than
a ton of baggage. Their prediction was verified in every par-
ticular. Only the Indians and the writer felt the gnawings
of hunger during the eight hours on the water. Very little
water was shipped during the voyage, in fact rather less in
quantity than the involuntary response to the call of the sea !
Just inside the line of rocks which form the limits of the
broad bay-like area bordering the beach at Sandy Point huge
kelps fairly crowd each other and effectually bar the en-
croachment of any rough water. Once inside the line of kelps
the water becomes glassy smooth with only long flat swells
which die away almost immediately. The canoe wound its
way along moderately clear channels in the kelp forests,
avoiding scarcely submerged rocks, and poked its nose into
a gently sloping sandy beach. Just beyond the storm wave
line the beach presented the typical appearance of the region
with its abundant supply of drift ranging all the way from
splinters of wood to logs many feet in diameter. Bird voices

130

The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

Some of the rocks at the Point of Arches.

The beauty of these outlying rocks is soul-stirring. One never sees
them twice the same because the scene at each slight angle changes
completely.

Jones, on June on the Washington Coast. 131

Fog obscured rocks. The partly obscured rock at the left is Fuca's Pillar.

This well illustrates the characteristic scene when the fog is only-
moderate, or erratic. The air can be clear and it can rival or surpass
Cape Cod, or even London itself.

132 The Wilson Bulletin— No. 61.

all about made preparations for the night irksome in* the ex-
treme.

Early morning revealed a wholly unexpected condition of
the bay which we had entered. Instead of a level surface of
glassy water we looked out upon a boulder strewn area acres
in extent with only shallow pools of water here and there.
Seaweed clung to the larger rocks or grew in masses on the
sand, and crabs scurried to cover beneath rocks or within the
masses of seaweed. Crows were reaping a rich harvest of the
sea animals which were foolish enough to remain exposed.
Clearly it would be some hours before the completely ebbed
tide would flow again enough to float the heavily loaded canoe
over the rock summits. The delay was vexatious for some
reasons but not altogether unwelcome since it afforded time
to become familiar with the land birds of the region.

The Sandy Point list is small but fairly represents the
common birds of a narrow belt fringing this coast. Rusty
Song, Sooty Fox, and Nuttall's Sparrows were in full song
and evidently nesting; Lutescent and Golden Pileolated
Warblers were seen and heard many times ; Western Winter
Wren, Northwest Flicker, Rufous Hummingbird, Oregon
Towhee. Russet-backed Thrush, California Purple Finch, and
the Northwest Coast Heron constituted the list of land birds,
adding the Crow before mentioned. The usual water birds
w'ere flying about.

At this camp the Crows were so fearless that it became
necessary to watch our stock of provisions. No sooner was
the waste food thrown out than there was a scramble of the
Crows for it. Their numbers seemled to be unlimited. The
ordinary call sounded like a cross between the call of our
familiar eastern Crow and that of the Fish Crow of the At-
lantic coast region. In habits these Crows more closely
resemble the Fish Crow.

The water which Harry Hobucket, the younger Indian,
brought to camp for cooking purposes deserves passing men-
tion. In color it closely resembled strong coffee, but in flavor
it was somewhere between a lumber yard and a slaughter

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 133

house. When thoroughly cooked and thinned out with rice
or grapenut it proved very palatable ! An Indian's perceptions
of a white man's gustatory sensibilities are minus infinity.

Once afloat upon as calm a sea as one could hope for even
on the famed Pacific, our way lay among rocks and islets alive
with birds. It was hard to pass them by when so many superb
pictures were floating about. The good days coming when
a portable camera will be able to catch the pictures as the eyes
see them' — are they near at hand? Now we must be content
with scarcely more than suggestions of the most that we see.

Our course lay to the Indian village of La Push, near the
mouth of the Ouillyute river, past Carroll Islet where the best
part of our work was to be done. The story of this "Bird
Paradise" will be told later.

THE BIRDS OF POINT PELEE.

BY P. A. TAVEBNEB AND B. H. SWALES.

(Continued from page 99.)

85. *Coccyzus americanus. — Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

A common and well distributed species in all wooded sections of
the Point. Noted May 13, 1905, to September 10, 1905. Likely later
birds have been overlooked, as in the adjoining Michigan territory
they remain in limited numbers until the end of the first week of
October. During the first three days of September, 1006, both spe-
cies were unusually abundant, but when we made our second visit
from September 15 to the 22d, their numbers were much diminished,
and none of this species were noted, and but few of the next. From
May 30 to June 1, 1907, cuckoos were remarkably scarce, and the
only indication of their presence on the Point was furnished by a
small pile of feathers of one of this species that marked the place
where one had been eaten by a hawk. During the first few days of
the Sharp-shin flights of 1905-6 the cuckoos suffered severely under
their depredations and, until the arrival of the Olive-backed and
Gray-cheeked Thrushes, seemed to be the staple of their food supply.

86. ^Coccyzus erythrophtliaJmiis. — Black-billed Cuckoo.

As far as we have been able to judge without carefully looking up
every cuckoo noted, the two species are about equally divided in
numbers on the Point. If anything the Blact-bill is slightly in the
minority'. We have positively identified none later than September
14, 1905.

134 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

87. Ceryle alcyon. — Belted Kingfisher.

Fairly common. Very seldom seen over the lake, but we have
scarcely ever visited the ponds witliout seeing one or more. We have
met with no indications of their breeding on the Point, but the
banks of the dykes near the base offer a congenial-looking habitat.

88. Dryohatcs viUosus. — Hairy Woodpecker.

Woodpeckers, as a class, are scarce on the Point; and this partic-
ular species is rare. Why this should be so we are unable to sur-
mise. There is plenty of heavy woodland, with a normal amount of
dead and dying timber scattered through it, and the comparative ab-
sence of this usually common species is one of the interesthig phe-
nomena of the locality. Keays noted one September 19, 1901, and
we observed one single bird March 9. 1907. It is likely that they
would be found more commonly during the winter months.

89. Dryohates puhescen^ mcdianus. — Northern Downy Woodpecker.
With the exception of the Flicker the Downy is the commonest

woodpecker on the Point. It was rare during Septenilier. 190.5, but
at all other times we have noted from one to ten individuals each
day.

90. *Sphyrapicus varius. — Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

We have generally missed the height of the migrations of this
species at the Point, which occur earlier in the spring and later in
the fall than the dates of the majority of our visits. We noted a few
May 13-14, 1905, and one the first of the following September. Keays
reports it as increasing from two on the 18th to one hundred on the
21st of September, 1901. We saw none during the August- September
visit of 1907, but October 14, 1906, we noted eight or ten individuals.

EXTINCT.

Ceophlceus pileatus abieticola. — Northern Pileated Woodpecker.

An old resident, a man of about seventy years of age, informed us
that in his boyhood the "Cock of the Woods" was not uncommon, bin
he had not seen any for a good many years. None of the present
shooters remember ever seeing one, so it is likely that the species
has been extinct on the Point for something in the neighborhood of
thirty years.

91. *Melanerpes erythrocephalus. — Red-headed Woodpecker.

We have found the Red-headed Woodpecker common on all May
trips, but scarce at other times on the Point, though coincidently it
was often common on the adjoining mainland. In September of
1905, we saw but one bird, on the 6th. During the same month of
the two succeeding years they were more numerous and we saw one
or more several times during each visit. Our latest date is October
14, 1906, when one was observed. None were seen in March, 1907.

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 135

92. *Colaptes aaratus liiteus. — Northern Flicker.

Not commou during our May dates. Ttiose seen tlien likely rep-
resent the breeding population. One seen March 9, 1907. During
September it has always been one of the most abundant birds of the
Point. Keays reports a flight in 1901 when he noted four hundred
September 21.

The Sharp-shin flights discommoded this species less than any other
species of small birds. The Flickers never resorted to concealment of
any kind as other birds did, but frequented the most conspicuous
places in the dead trees, from whence they shrieked their loudest,
as is their wont. Though at times they seemed uneasy and restless,
they were perfectly able to take care of themselves and easily made
their escape when attacked. On the other hand the hawks seemed
aware of the futility of successful pursuit, and after a few half-
hearted dashes usually desisted. The usual course of proceedure of
the Flicker, when attacked by a hawk, was to wait until the last
minute, when the hawk, in its swoop, was just about to seize its
victim, and then dodge quickly to the other side of the limb. In
every case observed the ruse worked perfectly, and we found only
once the feather remains which proved that once in a while the hawk
was a little too quick for the Flicker.

93. *Antrostomus caroUnensis. — Chuck-wills-widow.

The capture of this bird. May 21, 1906, by Fleming, in the red ce-
dar thickets near the end of the Point, forms one of the most inter-
esting records for Pelee and one that is unique in Great Lakes Orni-
thology. The bird was flushed from near the roadside at the feet of
Fleming and Swales, and lit again in full view of them both and
calmly waited for them to warn Taverner out of the line of flre and
then collect it in due form. The bird was a male and forms the first
Canadian record of the species. See Auk, XXIII, 1906, 343.

94. * Antrostomus vociferus. — Whip-poor-will.

A common bird. We have always heard one or more during the
May nights, while in camp in the red cedar thickets, when they
would I'epeat their plaintive refrain until early in the morning. In
our various September visits we have usually found them more or
less common, but at that season they are much quieter, and seldom
do more than call a few times in the early evening and then cease.
Sometimes one will be heard again through the night, but more often
not. September, 1905, beginning the 4th, we saw from one to six until
the 13th, when a great flight of them appeared on the Point. That
day, in the red cedar thickets near the extremity of the Point, we
flushed thirty between twelve and half-past one in the afternoon.
They all left that night, as the next day, on the same ground, we
were able to put up but three.

136 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

One evening, just as the dusk was darkening into niglit, a Wliip-
poor-will was heard near the camp. We stole out, and the bird was
located in a large bare walnut tree in the open bush where, looking
up against the still faintly illuminated sky, it could be plainly made
out, sitting lengthwise, as is their fashion, on a rather large and al-
most horizontal branch. It remained perfectly motionless except for
an occasional jerk of its white blotched tail, when it gave vent in-
termittently to a guttural "gluck." These notes were repeated at ir-
regular intervals of perhaps half, a minute, several times and then,
without start or warning, it launched away into the air, starting off
immediateily at full speed, with a drop that carried it in a large,
even circle half way to the ground, and then up on the same curve,
to vanish in the gloom of the trees. Then it appeared on the other
side, swinging down on fixed wings in great elliptical curves as
though whirled from the end of a cord, perfectly silent in flight and
threading the dusky mazes of the tree tops with the utmost confi-
dence and precision. Here and there it rapidly wheeled, without an
apparent stroke of the wing, now coming into view in the lower arc
of its great circling, and then vanishing silently again on the up-
ward sweep on the other side. As suddenly as it started, it ceased in
the middle of a swing and, while the eyes vainly searched for the
dark object along the continuation of its course, it was seated again
on the branch from which it first sprang, silent and still. This was
repeated several times, and then it was joined by another, and the
two circled about like great soft, gliding bats until the sky above
grew so dark that their movements could no longer be watched.

The latest date we have for the species is October 14, 1906, when
one was seen. During the August-September trip of 1907 but one
bird was noted, straggling along after a bunch of Nighthawks that
were making their way out the Point on their southern migration.

95, *Chordeiles virginianus. — Nighthawk.

Common on all spring visits, but in the fall it is only the strag-
glers that are seen after September 1. In 1905 we saw one solitaiy
bird, September 8, and another the 12th. In 1906 a few were seen
September 1-3, and another single the 18th. All the early fall mi-
grants of 1907 were a little late, and this species was observed com-
monly passing southward every day until August 27, when they grad-
ually thinned out and the last was noted the 6th of September. Very
few seem to do much feeding when passing along the Point on their
southward migration ; all then seen are steadily winging their way
straight south and but occasionally making the briefest side excur-
sion for passing insects.

96. Chwtura pelagica. — Chimney Swift.

Common on all trips except those of October and March. Septem-

Taverner and Swales^ on Birds of Point Pelee. 137

ber 15 to 22, 1906, they were scarcer than usual and the ten seen on
the 19th were doubtless the last of the main body of migrants, as
this is our latest date.
97. *Trochilus coluhris. — Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Common on all May dates and, in the fall, to September 21, 190G,
the latest date in that month that we have been on the Point. The
first three days of September in 1906 were notable for the vast num-
bers of Hummei's present. In certain low slashings in the open
woods were luxuriant growths of Jewel Weed {Impatieirs sp?)
standing nearly shoulder high and so dense that to enter it one had
to force his way through. It was simply spangled with blossoms, and
all about and over it hovered and darted hundreds of Hummingbirds.
From some little distance, as we approached such clumps, we were
aware of innumerable little twitterings that followed each other so
rapidly as to scarce be separable, one from another, and so fine,
sharp, and high in pitch that it took a little effort to realize that it
was real sound and not imagination or a ringing in the ears. Un-
derlying this was a low hum that arose from the vibrations of many
little wings. Approaching closer, the pugnacious little mites were all
about us, chasing each other over the smooth rounded surface of the
jewel weed or darting angrily at us from this side or that, with furi-
ous chatterings that made one instinctively cover the eyes, or invol-
untarily flinch at the expected impact of their sharp, rapier-like, lit-
tle bills. If a Hummingbird were larger and still retained its same
aggressive spirit in proportion to its increased size, it would be posi-
tively dan'gerous to stray into its haunts. As it is, such concen-
trated wrath wrapped up in so small and impotent a body, tempts
one to coin a new simile for futile rage and say, "As mad as an an-
gry hummingbird" ; and strongly recalls Beethoven's composition.
"Wrath at the Loss of a Penny." On remaining perfectly still for a
few moments the turmoil resultant upon our intrusion subsided, and
the disturbed proprietors of the place went about their business and
their pleasure regarding us no more than any other fixture of the
landscape or the trees and stumps about them. Some sat preening
their feathers on a twig of a bare branch that projected through the
green mass, or, on a high spray of the jewel weed itself, passing their
wings through their delicate mandibles and scraping off infinitesimal
particles of dust. Others busied themselves about the flowers that
'blossomed in such profusion, probing every cup to see whether or
not some drop of nectar had not been left by previous explorers.
Often two would rise over opposite sides of an obstructing mass of
vegetation and meet face to face at the top. Then they would dash
towards each other, squeaking and bridling with rage, but just be-
fore the final collision and when but a foot or so apart, they would
both rise in the air vertically, their bodies hanging straight up and

138 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

down, their wings a blurry film on either side, and their voices
squeaking defiance as they faced each other and i:ose, sometimes, to
tlie height of the tree tops, and once we watched a couple pass com-
pletely out of sight over our heads. Then, as if hy common consent
they would drop to earth again, and seek different parts of the weed.
This was repeated over and over again and sometimes by the same
individuals. Each time there was the same angry dash, the same cross
recrimination and the same mutual retreat. Sometimes there would
be several such balanced couples in the air at one time, and we saw
the action repeated many times in a few minutes. They quarreled
interminably, and whenever two met, whether they soared or not,
there was a furious succession of little squeaks, blending together
into a sort of little song, something like this, — "tsc tsc tsc tsc tsc fsc
tsG tsc Isc." The groups of squeaks ran into each other so that it
sounded almost like a sustained note and, as the groups varied a lit-
tle in pitch, it made a not unpleasant suggestion of a song.

All these birds were juveniles. Swales noted but one with the
ruby throat, and Taverner one with but a single metallic feather set
like a gem in its gorget

The succeeding May we had another interesting experience with a
Hummingbird that was much aggrieved at our presence at his par-
ticular spot. He flew towards us, scolding with vigor, his ruby
throat gleaming in the sun. When but a few feet away, and directly
facing us, it paused, and swTing back and forth across our path,
along an arc of a circle as if swung on the arm of a long invisible
pendulum. The amplitude of the swing was about twenty feet and
each beat was regularly timed and seemed to be beating seconds. For
about half a minute he kept it up and then dashed away and disap
pea red over the bush tops.

The last of August and the first of September, 1907, saw no such
numbers of Hummers as described above. The early migrants were
late in starting this season, and it was not until September 23, the
last day of our stay, that there was any indication of numbers of
migrants. Up to then we had seen but one or two each day, run-
ning up to five August 27. The last day, however, in the early morn
ing, fifty were observed. There were no such growths of jewel weed
as were seen the fall before, even in the places where it then grev>'
so luxuriantly, and but little patches of it here and there reminded
us of last year's glories. What Hummers we did see were about these ,
little clumps.

Keays noted that in 1901 the Hummingbird was the only species
that did not turn back when, in migrating out the Point, it reached
the end. We verified this many times. The final end of the Point
stretches out for a couple of hundred rods, in the form of a long. low.
more or less winding and attenuated sand spit. Stationed about half

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 139

way out on this, it was most amusing to watcli the little mites come
buzzing over the last of the red-cedar bushes and then drop down
towards the ground and. without pause or hesitation, follow every
winding of the ever-changing sand to its extreme end. and then, with
a sudden and resolute turn, square away for Pelee Island, just visi-
ble on the horizon. Dr. Jones was stationed on the opposite islands
from August 26 to September 2, 1905, and makes the following state-
ment as to the movements of the species over the waters of the lake :
"Hummingbirds were passing during the daylight, and all those noted
were flying very low. In fact they dropped down between the waves
for protection from the wind, which was quartering, or at right an-
gles to their line of flight and seemed to disturb them. I noticed
that in the strong westerly wind, all birds headed southwest, but al-
ways drifted south."

98. *Tyranniis tyrannns. — Kingbird.

Common on all May visits. In September, 1905, the bulk of the
species had left when we arrived on the 3d, and we saw but too the
next, and one each on the two succeeding days. The next year. Sep-
tember 1, we saw a little flock of about twenty on the mainland dur-
ing our ride out to the Point, and four more on the return trip on the
4th, but none were noted on the Point itself at that time. On our
return on the 15th of the same month all had gone. In 1907, when
we arrived August 24, Kingbirds were very common and distributed
all over the Point and the adjoining mainland. Each day brought
more, until by the 27th there were a greater number of Kingbirds
present than any of us had ever seen at one time before. Most of
them were in the waste clearings near the end of the Point, where
at times we saw flocks numbering hundreds of individuals. The
dead trees scattered about the edges of these clearings were at all
times more or less filled with them and it was no uncommon sight to
see from fifteen to twenty in one small tree. The 29th saw the cul-
mination of the flight, and when we went out in the morning of the
30th we found that the bulk of the kingbirds had left, and we saw
but a few scattered individuals, where the day before there were
hundreds. They kept steadily diminishing in numbers until Septem-
ber 5, when we saw none and decided that the last had left, but the
next morning, before we broke camp, we saw two in the fields near
one of the farm houses. Likely these were the last stragglers.

99. *My larch us crinitus. — Crested Flycatcher.

On nearly all visits, except those of early spring (March) and
late fall (October), we have found the Crested Flycatcher fairly
common. The bulk seems to leave before the middle of September.
Our latest record is September 15, 1906, though Keays lists one as
late as the 19th, 1901.

140 The Wilson Bulletin — No. Gl.

100. *8auornis phocbe. — Phoebe.

Regular but not very common. We have never been able to recog-
nize any decided migrational augmentation of their numbers and
likely the few that we have seen on most of our trips represent the
resident summer population. The greatest number we have ever
noted one day was eight, October 14, 1906. Usually we do not see
more than one or two, and these not every day, and usually
close to one vicinity, in the neighborhood of some of the farm build-
ings. They are likely members of the same family, seen repeat-
edly. Our latest date is the above. October 14, which likely falls
within the season of their migrational movement along the Point.

101. *Nuttallornis borealis. — Olive-sided Flycatcher.

This is by no means a common flycatcher in this vicinity, nor was
it noted at the Point until the fall of 3906, when one, two, and one
were noted September 1, 2 and 3 respectively, and one taken the 2d.
On the last day of our return trip, September 22, during our drive
in, another was seen before we left the Point, on the topmost tip of a
dead tree. An attempt was made to collect it, but without success.
May 31, 1907, another was secured along the cross-road near camp
and the same fall six in all were noted or taken August 26 and 29.

The Olive-sided is the most wary of our flycatchers. Sitting on the
tip-top of some dead tree, well out in the open, it can study the
ground for some distance about and allows nothing suspicious to ap-
proach too closely. Usually quiet and undemonstrative, it will once
in a while launch out after some passing insect and then return
again to the same perch. So situated, it presents the general appear-
ance of a dark colored kingbird; but the dark blotches of the sides
stand out prominently in contrast with the light colored center breast
line and will identify it without fail as soon as a. moderately good
view is obtained. Under the wing, on each side of the back, and usu-
ally under the secondaries when the wing is folded are patches of
almost pure white downy plumage, with a peculiar silky sheen. At
times -these are thrown over the folded wings forming flaring white
patches against the dull olive background of the rest of the body,
making a most distinctive and striking field mark. This species be-
comes very much attached to certain perches and can be found re-
peatedly day after day doing vidette duty on such' favored stations.
There are two or three trees on the Point that were so occupied in the
fall of 1906 and again in 1907, and when one of the occupants was
shot it was only a little while before another was seen in the same
place. These were by no means the only perches of the kind in the
neighborhood. There were many others standing well out in the
open, and to human eyes just as suitable as those chosen, but which
we never saw occupied. When disturbed from one station they will

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 141

fly to another, and when two or more are discovered a bird can be
kept flying back and forth from one to the other many times. Their
voice is loud and noisy and their "0-whe-o" can be very easily mis-
taken for the like call of the Crested Flycatcher before one is famil-
iar with it.

102. *Horizopus virens. — Wood Pewee.

Common in the spring and very abundant in the early days of fall.
It is evident that the first fall movement of this species begins early
in the season. The 24th of August, 1907, we found the woods of the
Point already in possesion of innumerable hosts of Wood Pewees,
and through early September we have always found them the most
prominent bird in the landscape. Their voices can be heard any hour
of the day uttering their pathetically plaintive note ; and often in
the night, as we have lain awake in the tent, some Pewee has
aroused itself and a long drawn "pewee" has punctuated the darkness
with its soft sweetness. In 1905 it remained common until Septem-
ber 9, when the bulk departed, but a number were noted until we left,
the 14th. In 1906 the numbers gradually decreased after September
16, but some numbers were still present at the time of our depart-
ure, the 22d. In 1907 it was common from the time we arrived, Au-
gust 24, to the break of camp, September 6.

103. *Empidonax flaviventris. — Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Wo have noticed this bird in the spring but once, May 30 and 31,
1907, but in the fall we have always found it common. In 1905 it
was first noted September 4th and was present in large numbers the
9th, after which it decreased to the 13th, when we left. At the time
of its greatest abundance it successfully disputed with the Least Fly-
catcher for the first place in point of numbers. The next fall (1906)
they were not quite as common, but September 1 to 3, and 15 to 22,
we daily saw several. In 1907, from August 24 to September 6, they
were at all times more or less common. Their numbers culminated
August 29, when they became abundant, but slowly decreased the
succeeding days. This species seems to start on its southward mi-
gration about the middle of August, but others come in before the
earlier arrivals leave, and many linger until well into September.

104. Empidonax trailii alnorum. — Alder Flycatcher.

Not a common bird, but regular. It may be much more common
than our notes seem to indicate, for the small flycatchers are diffi-
cult to separate without a certain amount of concentration of obser-
vation on each individual bird, and this species, without any strong
characteristic, may very well be overlooked when the bushes are full
of other small flycatchers and the attention is absorbed in looking for
other species.

We have noted five, May 14, 1905 ; two, September 2, 1906, and ten,

143 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

August 29, 1907. These latter had been noted for several days in the
same spot, and going over the next day with the purpose of taking
recording specimens, we found them all gone. Though no specimens
have been taken, Mr. Brewster has examined series from the sur-
rounding localities, London, Ontario ; Detroit, Michigan ; and Oberlin,
Ohio ; and has pronounced them of this sub-specific form.

105. *E)npidonax minimus. — Least Flycatcher.

One of the most abundant Flycatchers. We have found it com-
mon on all our May visits, and in September, until shortly after the
middle of the month. In 1905 their numbers culminated the 9th, but
there were still a few when we left the 14th. In 1906 they w ere com-
mon during the first three days of September, but were gone by the
time of our return trip, the 15th. In 1907 we did not notice any for
the first two days, but the 26th of August they commenced arriving,
and by the 2Sth and 29th were very common. After this they gradu-
ally decreased, though they were still not uncommon w4ien we left
the 6th of September. Our latest fall date is September 14, 1905.

106. *Octocoris alpestris praticola. — Prairie Horned Lark.

Prairie Horned Larks are usually to be found along the east beach
and in the waste clearings near the end of the Point near the shore.
We have noted a few on each visit, but found them especially in
March and October. Specimens taken March 9. 1907, were evidently
breeding or preparing to do so. From the reiwrts of Jones on the
Ohio shore, directly opposite, and Saunders, of Rondeau, a few miles
east along the Ontario shore, we expect that both 0. a. alpestris and
O. a. hoyti will eventually be found here in the winter, but as yet we
have received no specimens to verify our expectations.

107. *Cyanocitta cristata. — Blue Jay.

We have found the Blue Jay common at all times, but more al)un-
dant in fall than spring. During the hawk flights of 1905 and 1906
they were much harassed by the Sharp-shins but, as they are per-
fectly able to take care of themselves and kept pretty close in the
grape vine tangles, it is not probable that they suffered much, unless
it was from the nervous strain of being continually on the outlook.
But who ever saw a Blue Jay suffer from nervousness? In fact once
within the shrubbery, they seemed to rather enjoy the situation, and
from their safe retreats hurled joyous epithets at their baffled ene-
mies. Saunders also notes the ability of the Jay to keep a whole
skin against the hawks, and we have only once found the remahis of
a hawk-devoured bird of this species.

October 14, 1906, we noticed a very interesting migration across
the lake. All morning long we saw large flocks passing out the
Point. In the afternoon we followed them to the end and, though
most then had passed, we witnessed one small bunch of perhaps fifty

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 143

birds essay the passage. The daj- was fine and clear and but very
little wind blowing, but when they came out to the end of the trees
they turned back and sought a large tree-top, where they settled to
talk the matter over at the top of their voices. Then, reassured, they
started out, rising above gun shot from the ground and making for
the Ohio shore, not for Pelee Island as we supposed they would. When
they got far enough out to see the blue water under them they slowed
up, and when we waved our hats and shouted at them a few wavered,
paused and then fled back to the shore to their tree again, followed
a moment later by the whole flock. Another pow-wow was held and
again they started, with great determination and seemingly filled
with the motto, "Ohio or bust." This time they had hardly got well
out over the lake when a Sharp-shin was discerned far in the dis-
tance, but it was enough to again send them shrieking back to their
oak tree. This time the consultation lasted a little longer than be-
fore, but at last the coast seemed clear and they started once more.
Again, as they drew over the. water, they slightly paused as though
doubtful, but no one shouted, there was not a hawk in sight and, as
there was no possible excuse for backing out this time, they kept
slowly and gingerly on until well started and away from land, when
they settled into their pace and, when lost sight of in our glasse.*.
were continuing on their way in a straight line that would carry
them several miles to the east of Peleee Island.

EXTINCT.
Corvus corax principalis. — Northern Raven.

One of the older residents tells us that in his boyhood the Raven
was well known on the Point, but the last one was seen there so long
ago that he could give no information as to the date.

108. *Corvus hrachyrliynclios. — American Crow.

Common, though as but few nests are to be found when the trees
are bare of leaves it is not likely that many breed on the Point it-
self. A few are always to be found along the beaches picking up
dead fish and other food stuffs that are washed ashore. October 14-
15, 1906, they had congi-egated in large flocks and were constantly
passing up and down the Point, from the end of which we watched
them gathering in the final trees and acting much as did the Jays as
before described preparatory to crossing the lake.

109. *Dolichonyx oryzivorus. — Bobolink.

Common in the cultivated fields on all May trips. In the fall they
leave during the first half of September. During later August and*
early September they frequent the marshes in large flocks and are to
be found in the early mornings in the corn fields or flying over in
large compact bodies towards the end of the Point and from thence
across the lake. At this season, from sunrise to about ten o'clock,

144 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

there is a steady stream of Blackbirds and Bobolinlcs, all making in
the same direction. When they reach the end of the land they do not
hesitate as do the Jays but, unless threatened by real danger from
hawks or other enemies, continue their flight unhesitatingly from the
time they leave their marshy roosting-grounds till they reach the
other shore. When we have seen them they, too, have always taken
a course that would take them some distance to the east of Pelee
Island, and apparently they cross the lake at one sustained flight and
do not follow the island stepping stones across.

In 1905 flocks of about one hundred and twenty-five were seen
September 5, and a few more the morning of the 7th. In 1906 flocks
of several hundreds each w-ere seen September 16-18, and we found
them very abundant August 24 when we arrived in 1907, They
reached their maximum of abundance the 27th, after which they de-
creased, though, when we left September 6, there were still a few to
be seen. Our latest date is September 18, 1906.

110. *MolotJirus ater. — Cowbird.

The Cowbird has been common on all visits except that of March
9 and 10, 1907. Through the first of September they are to be seen
making the early morning start for across the lake with the other
blackbirds and the Bobolinks. There were great numbers October
29, 1905.

111. *Agelaius phoeniceus. — Red-w'inged Blackbird.

A common breeder on the marshes. It was still common October
29, 1905, in mixed flocks with other blackbirds and was present in
immense numbers October 14-15, 1906, when the morning migrations
were especially heavy. Gardner wrote us several times during the
wuuter of 1906-07 that fifty or so were wintering on the Point and
we found a number present March 9-10 the following spring when
the lake and marshes were still completely ice-bound.

113. *Sturnella magna. — Meadowlark.

The Meadowlark is fairly common on the Point in the cultivated
sections in the spring, but it is rare to see any in the fall on the
Point proper, though at the same time they are usually almost abun-
dant on the adjoining mainland. Keays reports seeing several Sep-
tember 19, 1901, and one was noted September 13, 1905, and several
the following October 29 along the eastern sand dune. According to
Gardner, a few remained all the winter of 1906-07 on the frozen
marshes.

114, *Icterus spurius. — Orchard Oriole.

It was rather a treat to us to find this beautiful species abundant
on our first visit. May 13-14, 1905, and we have found them equally
so on all subsequent May trips. They are, in fact, one of the com-

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 145

monest species on the Point, outnumbering the Baltimore perhaps
two to one. One or more are seldom out of hearing, and their voice
is always pleasant to the ear, while their forms, in all their various
plumages, can be seen darting away through the trees on either hand
the whole length of the Point as we follow along the road. The
farmers are well acquainted with both the orioles and call this spe-
cies the "Oriole,"' while the Baltimore is generally known as the
"Golden Robin." The fruit growers of the neighborhood regard
them as rather injurious to their small fruit, because they puncture
large numbers of hanging grapes. Though they were as numerous
as usual as late in the season as June 1, 1907, we do not think that
many individuals regularly breed on the I'oint, as very few nests,
either new or old, have been observed in late fall when such objects
are very conspicuous.

The Orchard Oriole leaves in the fall a little earlier than the Bal-
timore. In 1905 none were present September 3. When we arrived
September 1, the following year, they had likewise left, though the
Baltimore was still common. In 1907 we saw two, August 2G, which
forms our latest date.
115. * Icterus galbula. — Baltimore Oriole.

One of the commonest birds of the Point. His brilliant livery can
be continually seen flashing from tree to tree, while his full rich
voice makes the fine spring air melodious. They have been more
than common on all spring visits and in all September trips, except
that of 1905, when they seemed to have left a little earlier than
usual. September 1 to 3, 190G, they were quite common and singing
daily. One of these days we heard a little fragmentary song
from one that was unlike anything we had ever heard before. Had
either of us been musicians we could have imitated it perfectly. It
sounded so human that at first we thought it was a boy whistling,
having the same quality and timbre. It was as if some one was ab-
sent-mindedly whistling the fragments of an air, with many breaks
and missing notes, as if busy with other thoughts. It was very pret-
ty, indeed, and we suppose that it was uttered by the young male,
though we could not make out this point for a certainty. We heard
the almost full spring song several times. When we returned to the
Point the 15th the Orioles had all gone. The fall of 1907 we saw sev-
eral each day until September 2, when the last one was noted. Keays
lists the species as late as September 20 in 1901. This must be re-
garded, however, as an exceptionally late date.
116. Eupliagus carolinus. — Rusty Blackbird.

As is to be expected, the Rusty Blackbird is but a migrant at the
Point. We have met it in flocks October 29, 1905, and the 14th and
15th of the same month in 1906. If it was present March 9 and 10,

146 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

1907, we failed to make it out among tlie floclcs of otlier blackbirds
seen theu.

117. Quiscaliis quiacula wiieus. — Bronzed Grackle.

Found commonly on nearly all visits. There were fewer Septem-
ber 4 to 15, 1905, than usual, but October 14 to 15, 1906, they were in
great flocks and, in the early morning, when the liocks passed over
towards the end of the Point, all squeaking together, they made con-
siderable din. Gardner reports that a few remained all the winter of
190G-7, and when we arrived March 9 a few were seen. There were
large flocks present when we arrived August 24, 1907, and they re-
mained without perceptible change in numbers to when we left Sep-
tember 6.

118. Hesperiphona vesi)ertuia. — Evening Grosbeak.

March 9, 1907, Mr. Wilkinson, of Leamington, who drove us out to
the Point, told us of a number of birds he had seen a short time be-
fore that tallied so well with the descriptions of this bird that there
could hardly be any doubt as to what he meant. When we got out
to Gardner's he told us substantially the same thing and described
them as "about the size of a robin and yellow and black, and the
hen birds were a sort of grayish." He had seen them about a mile
from his place, along the road, about the first of March. A number
of them were killed by boys, but we were unable to get sight of any
specimens or their remains. While there we hunted carefully for
them in hopes that some might still remain, but without avail.

119. *Carpodacus purpureas. — Purple Finch.

In comparison with our Detroit dates in fall this species arrives
at the Point very early. October 29, 1905, about eight birds were
seen, but none during the September visit. In 190G five were seen
or taken September 17, and at least thirty the 19th. Their numbers
dropped suddenly then to three and one the next two succeeding
days. October 14 there were great numbers and flocks of from five
to a dozen were met with continually all over the wooded sections of
the Point. All were either full red birds or else olive colored; none
observed were in mixed or transition plumage. The dull olive col-
ored birds sang constantly, but the red ones never. Their songs
were considerably varied, but the most characteristic might be ren-
dered, "Pe-a-we — to-te-te-to."

In 1907, W. E. Sanders saw one in the red cedar at the extreme
end of the Point, August 28. This was a most unusually early bird.

120. *Loxia leucoptcra. — White-winged Crossbill.

November 14, 1907, we received a box of birds from friends on the
Point. Among them was one White-winged Crossbill. On skinning
it no marks of violence could be found and it was most likely picked
up dead. It was quite fresh and could not have been dead more

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 147

than a few days. Asking Gardner about the species later, he said
that about that time he noticed considerable flocks of small red birds
that he was unacquainted with on the Point. The White-winged
Crossbill is a much rarer visitor in this section than its relative the
American. See Auk, XXIV, 1907, p. 145.
121. Astraf/aUnus tristis. — American Goldfinch.

Seen without exception every day we have been on the Point. Less
common in late fall and early spring than at other times. October
29, 1905, but one was noted, though on the 14th and 15th of the same
month in 1906, they were common. March 9-10, 1907, we noted sev-
eral, and three on the successive days. At all other times it has been
common.

HYPOTHETICAL.

Spiling piinis. — Pine Siskin.

March 10, 1907, we saw two or three finches that we were quite
certain were Pines, but as we failed to collect them and the light
was very poor for glass work, we could not be absolutely certain of
our identification. The following June 1st Saunders reported hear-
ing two on the inner edge of the woods that fringe the east shore be-
yond the crossroad. Mr. Saunders is quite certain of his identifica-
tion, and as this was a most peculiar spring, with all the migrations
more or less disorganized, we accept even this late record witliout
any very great mental reservation.

INTRODUCED.

Passer doniesticiis. — House Sparrow.

Point Pelee is no more free from this "Undesirable citizen" than
the adjoining territory. Fortunately for the Point, it is not abun-
dant far from towns, but there is always a fair-sized flock to each
group of farm buildings.

122. *Passerina nivalis. — Snowflake.

Of course the Snowflake is but a winter migrant on the Point.
October 29, 1905, we found a few on top of the eastern sand dune
along the lake shore the whole length of the Point. They did not oc-
cur in large flocks, but in singles and pairs scattered along here and
there. Through the winter of 1906-07 Gardner reported large flocks
of them on the marshes, but when we arrived there March 9 he told
us that he had seen the last about a week previous.

123. *Po(iecetes gramineus. — Vesper Sparrow.

Not a uniformly distributed bird, but locally common, more es-
pecially late in the fall (October). They are usually common in the
weedy corners of the waste flelds near the end of the Point; and
here, and in like places, we have always been able to find them on all
visits except that of March 9 and 10, 1907, which was, of course,

148 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

too early. September 1 to 3, 1906, they were uuusiially abundant for
this time of the year. October 29, 1905, they were still common and
more uniformly distributed than we have seen them at other times.

124. Passerciiliis sandivichensis savanna. — Savanna Sparrow.

A common migrant, and likely a sparse breeder, as it nests more
or less commonly along the Canadian side of the St. Clair Flats and,
to a lesser extent, in the neighboring territory of Michigan. It is
most commonly found along the top of the dunes of the east shore
where, May 13, 1905, and again September 11 and 12 of the same
year, we found a number. October 29, none were seen, though the
whole of the east shore was tramped over, and they had evidently
left. In 1900. we saw none in May or during the first three days of
September ; but in neither of these visits was much attention paid
to the east shore where they were most likely to be found. On the
return visit, from the 15th to the 22d of September, the species was
present on its accustomed grounds and we found them in great num-
bers distributed all over the marsh the 19th. October 15 the.v were
still common. None were noted in 1907 on an,y of our visits, May 30
to June 1, and August 24 to September 6. During the latter trip,
however, we did not work the marshes and, though w^e did not find
them about its edges as usual, we are unable to state that they were
not in its interior.

125. Coturniculus savannarum passerinus. — Grasshopper Sparrow.
Some years ago this species was more common and of more gen-
eral distribution in this locality than it is now. Personally we have
not met with it on the Point, though we have found a few pairs scat-
tered over the fields in the neighborhood of Amhurstburg, at the
mouth of the Detroit River. Saunders says (Auk iv, 1887, p. 248).
"The Grasshopper Sparrow breeds in Southwestern Ontario, where
I have found it in different localities, notably at Pt. Pelee, where I
heard it singing in early June and was comparatively common. . . .
In June, 1884, there were numbers of pairs breeding in the cultivated
meadows and fields." The status of the bird has certainly changed
since the above observations were made, together with that of two
other species of somewhat like habitat, namely, the Lark Sparrow
and the Dickcissel, of which more under their respective headings.
We have looked diligently for the Gi'asshopper Sparrow in all likely
places and it is not probable that it has been overlooked.

126. Ammodramiis /te»«?o?(;n.— Henslow's Spari'ow.

May 24, 1906, Saunders saw and heard several near the east base
of the Point, in the damp meadows bordering the marsh. May 30,
1907, in going over the same grounds we listened and looked care-
fully for them, but either it was during one of their periods of si-
lence, such as the species is given to, or else they were not there this

Taverner and Swales^ on Birds of Point Pelee. 149

season, for we discovered no indication of their presence. Their
usnal "se-silick" note, though unobtrusive in volume or pitch, has
great carrjing power ; and is too distinctive not to be heard or recog-
nized wlien tlie observer is acquainted with it and is listening for it.

127. Choiidcates grammacus. — Larli Sparrow.

The Larli Sparrow seems to be another species that has retreated
from its range of late years in this section and the adjoining parts
of Michigan. Saunders found some numbers of them on the Point
in 1884, and again May 14, 1905, he saw two in the cultivated fields
by the roadside. Though we have looked carefully for the species
since, we have not been able to locate it.

128. *Zonotricliia leucophrys. — White-crowned Sparrow.

May 13, 1905, this fine sparrow was very common all over the
Point, but especially so about the clumps of cottonwood along the
east beach, wliere it was the commonest of the land birds there pres-
ent. We met the species again October 14-15, 1906, but other visits
have been either too early or too late to catch it on its migrations
on the Point.

129.* Zoiiotrichia alhicollis. — White-throated Sparrow.

A common and regular migrant. May 13 and 14, 1905, four and
one were seen on their respective days, but on neither of the trips
of May 21 or 30 of the two succeeding years were any noted. In
the fall of 1905 a few were noted, beginning September 14, and the
next year ten were observed the 15th of the same mouth and were
still common October 14 and 15, when we made the last trip of the
year. Our latest date on the Point in 1907 was September 0, but
none put in an appearance before we left.

130. *8i)izeUa monticola. — Tree Sparrow.

A common and regular migrant and, if we can judge from I'eports,
it must winter in considerable numbers, as during the winter of 1906-
07 Gai'dner spoke repeatedly of seeing large numbers of "Busli Spar-
rows." March 9-10, 1907, we saw large flocks in the weedy edges of
the fields. The»day was cold and bleak, and the chorus of the com-
bined flocks made a very cheering sound, when such cheer was wel-
come indeed.

131. *SpizeUa socialis. — Chipping Sparrow.

On all May and September dates the Chipping Sparrow has been
more than common. It frequents the road side mostly, and whether
that runs through cultivated fields, pine groves or red cedar thickets,
the Chipping Sparrow is invariably to be found in numbers along
its length. In point of numliers it must out-rank those of all the
other sparrows combined. It was common October 14-15, 1900, and
even as late as October 29, 1905, it was present in some numbers.

150 The Wilson Bulletin— No. 61.

This latter is a very late date for the species, judging by our exper-
ience in the adjoining sections of Michigan, where they usually have
all disappeared by the middle of the month.

132. *Spizella pusilla. — Field Sparrow.

Common on all May Ansits. In the fall the species is rather local
in its distribution, but is very partial to the weedy spots in the waste
clearings near the end of the Point. Until the fall of 1907 we pretty
generally overlooked this species in the autumn until the secret of
its distribution was discovered, when we daily found it common from
August 24 to September 6, when we left. Our latest date is October
13, 1906.

133. *Jimco hyemalis. — Slate-colored Junco.

A regular and common migrant. On our earliest visit, March 9,
1907, there were several present, and May 13. 1905, we noted one
solitary late bird. We have no other spring records. In September,
1906, the first was noted the 17th, and two days later four more.
They were abundant the following October 14-15, and the 29th, in
1905. Keays noted their first arrival September 18, in 1901. In
his letters Gardner described the bird very well and reported its
presence at various times during the winter of 1906-07.

134. *Melospiza cinerea melodia. — Song Sparrow.

Not as common as would naturally be expected. While present
during all visits except that of March 9. 1907, it never seems to be a
prominent bird in the landscape. This was especially true May 20-
21 when, until its scarcity was noticed and we commenced a special
. search for it, it nearly escaped our observation. It has been much
commoner during the late October trips than at any other time.

135. *Melospisa lincolnii.- — Lincoln's Sparrow.

May 14, 1905, two were met with in a brush pile in a slashing but.
as usual with the species, when the birds were in sight they were too
close to shoot, and when at a sufficient distance to collect nicely they
were not to be seen. This species is one of the most persistent skulk-
ers that we have. They frequent dense brushy masses and, when col-
lectors are around, generally keep to their deepest recesses. Usually,
however, when approached, they will hop to some commanding posi-
tion and view the intruder for an instant. Then, if the observer is
bent on taking specimens, is the time to shoot, but it must be done
instantly, for the next second the bird will be gone deep in the tan-
gle, and it is rarely seen again. On the other hand, though difficult
to shoot, it is one of the easiest birds to trap, and does not seem to
have the least suspicion that strange combinations of sticks or
springs can harbor any danger. On its migrations we have never
heard it utter any distinctive note, and as it so closely resembles
the Song Sparrow in appearance, it is not an easy bird to identify

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 151

during the brief liurried glance that it allows us, unless the condi-
tions of light and situation are excellent. In general, however, it
can often be told by the evener and grayer cast of the back, lacking
the more conspicuous longitudinal streaks of the former bird. Of
course when a clear view of the breast is obtained, with its ochra-
ceous band, fine spotting high up on the breast, and the lack of the
heart mark so conspicuous in nearly all plumages ot the Song Spar-
row it is easily identified. September 20, 1900. Saunders took one
bird from amongst some Song Sparrows in a brush pile in Gardners
yard.
136 Melospiza r/eo/r/iaj/a.— Swamp Sparrow.

Though a common breeder on the St. Clair Flats and an abundant
and regular migrant locally in our territory about Detroit, our rec-
ords for the species on the Point are few and not perfectly satisfac-
tory. Keays lists two seen September 10, 1901. We laave two not
very convincing sight records, October 15, 1900. and June 1 190.
Neither of these birds were seen well enough for us to be peifec y
positive of our identification. We searched the marshes carefully
for them September 10, 19C5, the 19th, 1900, and October 15 906
but without avail. At the time of the latter date they « -" <i J^- «
been very common, as we find great hosts of them in such places at
this date about Detroit.
137 ^PasseriUa iUaca.— Fox Sparrow.

On but one occasion have our visits fallen within the dates ot the
migrations of the species. October 14-15. 190.5. several were seen.
At least seven the first day and one the next.
1S8. *Pipilo erythroptlialmus.—Towhee.

Not very common during spring dates. Very few ^^^n May 1^-14
1905 and but moderately common the 20th and 21st, and 30th and
31st'of the same month of the two succeeding years^ ^f^'^Z^
the first half of September and one seen as late as October 29, 190o
In 1906. but one was seen the first three days of September, and but
two from the 15th to the 22d, but October 14-15 it was common.
From AiTgust 24 to September 6, 1907, from one to fifteen were seen
ever" dav Our earliest spring date is March 9. 1907 when one was
tiken in\he still snow-filled woods. We were inclined to regard tls
Is a wintering bird, but as the next week there were several to be
seen about Detroit, it is not at all clear that it was not an early mi-
grant. Our latest date is October 20, 1905.
139 *CardinaUs cardinalis. — Cardinal. ,.^ .

Point Pelee and its vicinity boasts of being the only locality n,
the Dominion of Canada where the Cardinal is regular ^nd connnon
The status of this species has been dwelt upon at some length in
the ^uk XXIY, 1907, p. 146, by the authors and the data therein giv-

153 TiiK Wilson Bulletin — No. Gl.

en soonis to indicate tliat half a centnry ago the species was more or
less conmion iu Southeastern Michigan, but since then has retreated
from its range and is only now resuming it. The history of the
Point Pelee observations point in the same direction. Dr. Brodie
says, "I visited Point Pelee July, 1879. ... I formed a speakuig ac-
quaintance with several people and all had a story to tell about a
'visitation of war-birds' a few weeks previously. From descriptions
given tliere was no doubt these 'war-birds' were Cardinals. . . . From
diligent inquiries it appeared the birds were not rare summer visi-
tants, but this season they were unusually nimierous. I heard noth-
ing that suggested the presence of females, the birds were all red."

Saunders made his first ornithological visit to the Point in late
August and early September, 1882, and another in May and June of
1884, and again in September of 1900. In none of these did he dis-
cover any Cardinals. It was not until the next year, in September,
when Keays visited the Point that the bird was again brought to no-
tice. See Auk, XIX, 1902, p. 205. On that occasion the residents said
that it had put in an appearance on the Point about four years previ-
ous. This last statement has since been corroborated in a certain de-
gree by Gardner, who states that his acquaintance with the Cardinal
has only been of a few years' duration; that he does not rememl)er it
as a boy, but that since some had been caught and caged by a woman
on the Point, he has known the species very well and does not think
that he could have overlooked it if, in the past, it had been as com-
mon as it is now. It is strange that so showy and loud whistling a
bird could have been overlooked by so acute an observer as Saunders,
if at the time of his visits it was as numerous as it now is. more es-
pecially as one of the visits was made in late spring before the song
period had quite passed. The spring of 1907 he and Taverner were
on the Point at this time and then Cardinals whistled from every
hand. The evidence certainly points to the conclusion that the Car-
dinal occupied the Point until at least 1879, and then for a sp|ice. un-
til about 1901, deserted the locality to a greater or less extent. It
is quite common now and it would be impossible for any field natur-
alist to visit the Point without making its acquaintance. On all our
spring visits it has been seen perched on some isolated cedar top in
the warm sunshine, whistling loud and long and making patches of
intense red against the dark background. They appear to be pretty
well distributed over the Point, from the base to its extreme end.

In the fall they are more difficult to find. They then frequent the
densest tangles in little flocks which seem to be original broods, for
there are usually one or two adults and three or four juvenile birds
in the company. They are intensely curious and skulk about just
out of sight, uttering little clicks and cheeps that seem ridiculous
from so large a bird with such fine vocal powers. We have found

Taverner and Swales, on Birds of Point Pelee. 153

them common on all visits, and without doubt they winter on the

Point. March 9-10, 1907, they were in full song.

140. *Zamelodia lucloviciana. —Rose-hveasted Grosbeak.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak was fairly common May 14, 1905, but
was not seen at all May 20-21, 1906, and but two from May 30 to
June 1, 1907. We have met it but once in the fall. From September
18 to 21, from one to seven were noted each day. They were very
difficult to find, keeping well up in the tops of the high trees and hid-
den In the leaves, and the only indication of their presence was the
sharp grosbeak click that occasionally came to us from somewhere
overhead. Even after hearing one it was most difficult to locate it
and we spent hours in the aggregate, standing under the large wal-
nut trees, with our necks bent back, staring into the foliage, trying
to locate from which quarter the sounds came. It was only in the
early morning that any were noted at all. In short, this fall it was
noted that, though from sunrise for a few hours certain parts of the
woods would be filled with warblers and other birds, later in the day
there would hardly be one in sight or to be found, and it always re-
mained a mystery where so many birds could spend so many hours
of the day without their presence being detected.

132. *Cyanospiza cyanea. — Indigo Bunting.

Common on nearly all our visits, October 29, 1905, and March 9-10,
1907, being the only dates when we failed to note them. October 14,
190G, three late birds were seen, and a juvenile with nestling down
still plentifully attached to the feathers, was taken.

133. *Sinza americana. — Dickcissel.

The Dickcissel is another bird that, after extending its range into
Southeastern Michigan, retreated again. Its history at the Point
closely parallels its career in Michigan, at least as far as its re-
cession is concerned. Personally we have not met it on Pelee,
though we have looked closely for it. Saunders reports that it was
coumion enough in 1884, and says of it,— Auk II, 307,— ".June 1, 1884,
W. L. Bailey, Mr. A. P. Saunders and W. E. Saunders found several
Black-throated Buntings about two miles from the end of Point
Pelee in a meadow— first Canadian record. Subsequently, in extend-
ing our search, we found one or more pairs in every field. . . . These
birds were observed in every locality on the Point, and on the re-
turn drive they were heard constantly till we had gone three miles
into the mainland and then no more were noted." Saunders also in-
forms us that he met them again September 10, 1900, and says, "We
saw five Dickcissels, but did not secure any. They were in the weed
fields on the dry side of the east and west ditch and perhaps half a
mile from it." The next fall, 1901, Keays did not note the bird, nor
has it been seen on the Point since.

154 The Wilson Bulletin — No. Gl.

BIRDS OBSERVED IN HAWKINS COUNTY, EAST
TENNESSEE.

J. H. FLEMING.

The following notes were made in the vicinity of Surgoins-
ville on the Holston river, between March liO and April lo,
1907, and can by no means be considered as representing the
normal conditions, for almost two weeks before my
arrival the weather had been unusually warm, on March
30 the country between Bristol, Tennessee, and Rogersville,
the nearest station to my destination, was ablaze with color ;
the peach orchards in full bloom, the pink contrasting with the
pale blue of the wistaria about the houses, and the wooded,
leafy hill-sides were already showing great patches of
white cherry and pink red-bud. On March 31 it rained
and on April 1 the higher mountains on the Virginia
border were snow capped, frost came on the night of the
second, and any migrations that may have been under way
ceased. It was cold and rained most of the time till the Uth,
when it turned to snow, the weather getting gradually colder
until the ponds were frozen over, and during the remainder of
my stay there was a good deal of snow alternating with rain,
and sharp frosts every night. Under these conditions bird life
was not very evident, and had it not been for the assistance of
my friend, Mr. E. F. Handy, C. E., and the kindness of Dr.
W. C. Lyons, in whose garden I was able to observe many
birds, the short time at my disposal would have shown little
result.

The valley of the Holston river is about 1,400 feet above
sea level, the land rising gradually to sharp topped ridges
that reach 1,700 feet at the back of Dr. Lyons' estate. The
whole country is a succession of fertile valleys, timbered with
much oak, walnut, and hickory in the uncultivated parts ;
separated by ridges wliich rise gradually on one side and drop
suddenly on the other. These ridges are well covered with
hardwood. Birds were scarce in the woods, probably owing
to the weather conditions.

Fleming, on Hawkins Co., East Tenn., Birds. 155

Querquednla (//sco/-s.— Blue-wiugecl Teal. A female was taken by
Mr. Handy on April 11.

FuHca americana.— American Coot. One was taken on April 11.

Oxyeclms vociferus.—KiUaeer. A pair seen on April 2 and 3.

CoUnus virginiams.—Boh-vfhitQ. Resident and quite common.
These are the original stock, as no new blood has been introduced,
chis part of Tennessee is one of the very few places where the indi-
genous bird can still be found. Locally called "Partridge."

Bonasa umhelUis.—Rnfiea Grouse. There seem to be very few left.
I saw fresh signs uf them and Mr. Handy had the skin of one he
took in February. Locally called "Pheasant."

Zcnaidum macroura.— Mourning Dove. Very common everywhere.
During a snow storm 1 observed a pair flying in wide circles, mak-
ing a very loud droning sound with their wings, quite difEerent from
the usual whistle.

Cathartes ai//-a.— Turkey Vulture. Common resident, breeding.
Dr. Lyons tells me that buzzard's quills are used to make toothpicks
on account of their toughness.

Accipiter atricajnUus.— American Goshawk. I saw one April 5.
with the ashy breast of the fully adult bird, and Mr. Handy had seen
one some time previous to this date.

Faico colHinharius.—Viseon Hawk. Mr. Handy shot one in Septem-
ber, 1906, and the skin is now in my collection.

Dryohates puhescens.— Downy Woodpecker. Saw four, including

a pair.

CeophlCEUs pileatus.—Fiiesited Woodpecker. Heard one on April 9,
and Mr. Handy had the tail feathers of one which he had shot dur-
ing the winter.

Centurus c«ro;in//s.— Red-bellied Woodpecker. Saw one on March
31, and another on April 8.

Colaptes aiirattts ««ie«s.— Northern Flicker. A flock seen on April
13 ; only two or three seen previous to this. No specimens taken.

Smjornis p// ce 6 e.— Phoebe. Scarce; saw only four, the first on
March 30.

Cyanocltta crista ta.— Bine Jay. Common resident.

Corviis hrachyrhyiwhos.^American Crow. Fairly common; usu-
ally alone or in pairs.

Agelaius phoBnicc us. —Red-vcinsed Blackbird. Saw several April
7; one taken on the 18th.

Sturnella magna. — Meadowlark. Several seen April 1 to 8.

Quiscalus qiiiscula.—Fnrple Crackle. Small flocks seen April 1.
None were taken, but I got near enough to individuals to be reason-
ably sure that they were not a^neus.

Carpodacus pwrpwrews.— Purple Finch. Abundant in flocks from

156 The Wilson Bulletin— No. G1.

March 31 to April 12, feeding ou elm buds. There was a good pro-
portion of red birds, and on April S I heard a bird in the striped
olive plumage singing.

Astraffaliiuis Iristis. — American Goldfinch. Large flocks feeding
on the elm. Ou April 2 a few birds were changing to spring plumage,
and by April 13 a good many had partially changed.

Spinus piniis. — Pine Siskin. Saw a number on April 1 feeding with
a flock of Goldfinches.

Passer domesticiis. — English Sparrow. Found generally distributed
along roads, in fields, and about houses, but not very plentiful any-
where. The conditions are much the same as in England, and the
birds seem less active and more contented with a permanent country
life than they do further north.

Pooccctes gramineus. — A^esper Sparrow. A few seen from April 1
to 11, and a flock on April 13.

Zonotrichia alhicoUis. — White-throated Sparrow. A male seen on
April 8.

Spisclla socialis. — Chipping Sparrow. Saw a few on March 30.
They were very common on April 2, and remained so until April 11,
when a flock of over one hundred was seen, but on the 13th only a
few were seen.

Spizella piisilla. — Field Sparrow. Saw one ou April 3, and they
became common until large flocks were seen from the 11th to the
13th. Shot a partial albino on the 15th, and Mr. Handy saw two
more on the 11th.

Junco hyemaUs. — Slate-colored Junco. Not common. The only
ones seen were a few about the outbuildings. The ones I took proved
to belong to this form, and were api)arently barren birds.

Melospiza clnerea melodia. — Song Sparrow. Saw one April 11,
and another April 13.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus. — Towhee. A male seen April S.

Cardinalis cardmalis. — Cardinal. Common resident. One was
seen carrying nesting materials on April 5. I found this bird as
often in the hard-wood brush as about the houses, but always in
pairs.

Ampclis cedrorum. — Cedar Waxwiug. Saw several large flocks
from March 31 to April 4.

Dendroica coronata. — Myrtle Wai'bler. Fairly common in winter
dress from March 31 to April 9, on which latter date the first one in
changing plumage was noted ; and birds in nearly full plumage were
noted from the 11th to the 14th. These warblers roost at night in the
red cedars.

Mimiis po/yr/Zo^/os.— Mockingbird. Resident and fairly common.
One pair had a nest in Dr. Lyons' garden, but had not more than fin-
ished it before the cold wave came, so there were no eggs in the nest.

Burns, on Ruffed Grouse in Penn. 157

Toxostoma rufum.-Bvov.rn Thrasher. Two seen April 3, and one
nn the 10th and one on the 11th.

„ ArAvii 7 Thev were no donnt keeping
2, and several were seen on April <. iney ^^ele

out of the way until the cold wave was over.

out 01 Lue vxaj' T>^„H^ir'<5 Wren Fairly common about the

Thryomanes bewJtcAt;.— Bewick s ^^len. ^ '"^"^-^
houses One was singing on April 3, and Mr. Connor Lyons found a
W and one e- on the 9th. This wren seems to have a much more
loosely join^ed^^tail than has the House Wren; it gives one the im-
nression of being worked on a ball socket.

Am-11 1 to 13, sometimes in small flocks, hut usually n pa us. Speoi
meu exam ued have a more slender beak thau Outavio b, rcte.
Tarns ticolor.-Tnlt^ Titmouse. Several seeu from April < to 1
Zl e«°'H«.»*.-Carollua Chickadee. Falrl, commou aud well

"S;:;"«;C-r"Bl„e-..ay Ouatoateuer. One seeu and one

^"K::,«C™.o,.*,-American Roh.u. A .e. -» J «ar^J^»;
and no others until April 5. After that date ''>.™™' f ""^;"^, ""
un to April 15. The birds appeared to be migrants. Although no
bLs were taken I doubt It they were ac„r„s,eus. Mr. Handy (ailed

to find any breeding. . .

SiaHa-sm?i..-Bluebird. Fairly common m field, and ne^^

ings.

THE RUFFED GROUSE (Bonasa umbeUiis) IN
PENNSYLVANIA.

FRANK L. BURNS.

1 ^f 1001^ that kine" of srame birds, the

Dtirino- the season of lV»Ub, tnat King ui f,

"Pbeasain" of Pennsylvania, perhaps reached its h.gh-wat
mark in point of abundance for recent years, especially m ot
rrthern counties; and the reports to our game -mm.ssion
confirmed the belief that it was present in every c°""'y ° " ^
state excepting only Philadelphia. I have been fortunate m
ec^in, a number of skins through the kindness of severa
o al sportsmen returning from several weeks' ^hoot.r^ m 1
upper tier of counties: one bird being m the beautiful gra>
plumage, "Silver-tail" as it is locally known; some five or six

158 The Wilson Bulletin— No. 61

were taken in Wayne county. It has been the favorite theory
of one of my sportsman friends, that inasmuch as he and his
party had killed 125 birds the previous season in this one
locality, about 100 of them: being males, their places had been
filled by the more numerous Canadian Rufifed Grouse from
the north. Mr. Witmer Stone of the Philadelphia Academy
of Natural Sciences examlined my specimen and I am sure he
will pardon me for quoting him \v)ithoiit permission : "I have
seen others like it from the state, and some that were even
nhorc gray; unfortunately, however, I have not a good series
here for comparison. The case is just this way: (a) If the
Canadian birds are all or nearly all gray and the southern
birds practically all red, then Pennsylvania is the meeting
ground of the two races and such a bird as yours is an inter-
mediate. (b) On the other hand if you get both red and gray
birds, both north and south, then the difference is dichromatic
or individual, like the Screech Owl, and there is no Canadian
race, even though gray birds predominated somewhat to the
northward or vice versa. I have not the material to settle
this matter, but Edwyn Sandys and L. E. Van Dyke in
Upland Game Birds say of the Canadian birds that they
have 'shot hundreds of them in every Canadian province ex-
cept one * * * * have bagged smoky tufts, black tufts, brown
tufts and no tufts ; gray tails, grayish-brown tails, and reddish-
brown tails ; have had all but one of them in the same bag, and
killed a brown tail with one barrel and gray tail with the other.'
If this is really the condition in the stronghold of togata then
I should say there was only one Ruffed Grouse in the east,
But some parts of Canada are as 'Carolinian' as Pennsylvania,
or nearly so, and others are pure 'Boreal'' and the above state-
ment does not take this into consideration. It is a matter for
careful study with a big series of specimens. All I can say
is that with my present knowledge of the subject I can see
no difference between your bird and our Maine and Canadian
togata except in its having a little more red-brown in its
plumage." My father was a famous "Pheasant" shot, and
killed a great many birds in a period extending over half a

Burns, on Ruffed Grouse in Penn. 159

century, in Chester and adjacent counties; yet he does not re-
m;emb;r having ever taken the Silver tail. I have examnied
several hundred birds in the meat taken in northern Penn-
svlvania previous to 1906 and found not more than one or
two in the grav phase. The past open season seems to have
b°en a failure in spite of the care taken to prevent forest fires
and rigorous enforcement of the game laws m the state.
Friends returning from Wayne and Cameron counties report
scarcely one old bird where there were a dozen last season
and practicallv no young at all. Of fourteen birds secured
but a single one was of the year. It appears that the late and
verv rainy spring proved extremely unfavorable to the breed-
in cr' of this hitherto supposed very hardy bird; few eggs
hatched and the nesting birds were attacked by a disease said
to resemble the roup, the sitting bird was frequently found
stiff and cold on her nest of addled eggs, others were picked
up fluttering and helpless in the woods unable to escape their
enemies. It seems scarcely possible that the Grouse had be-
come too thick to thrive ?

THE WILSON BULLETIN

A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Liiring Birds.
Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Club.

Edited by LYNDS JONES.

PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB, AT OBERLIN, OHIO.

Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, 50 cents a year, 15 cents a number, post-
paid. Price in all countries in the International Postal Union, 65 cents a year, 20 cents
a number. Subscriptions may ba sent to Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio, or to Mr. Frank L.
Burns, Berwyn, Penn.

Officers of the Wilson Ornitliological Club for 1907:
President, Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio.
Vice-I'resident, R. L. Baird, Denmark, Iowa.
Secretary, Benj. T. Gault, Glenn Ellyn, 111.
Treasurer, Bradshaw H. Swales, Grosse He, Mich.
Members of the Executive Council : W. L. Dawson, Seattle, Wash. ;
J. AV. Jacobs, Waynesburg, Pa. ; H. C. Oberholser, Washington, D. C.

EDITORIAL.

This is the last issue of the Bulletin at the subscription price
which has from the beginning resulted in a deficit which the editor
has always met. It has been impossible to print the Bulletin for
fifty cents a yeai". The advance to a dollar a year will be accom-
panied by a doubling in the number of pages and the introduction
of a number of illustrations in each issue. The value of the Bulletin
will be more than doubled. 1908 will therefore mark an epoch in
the history of the Bulletin.

The editor has ready for sale reprints of the first three numbers Of
the New Series of the Bulletin at fifty cents a set. These three
numbers constitute the first volume of this series. The greatest care
has been taken to make these reprints conform exactly to the original
prints word for word, line for line, and page for page. The only
changes are in the size of type — 10-point instead of 8-point — and in
correcting the spelling of about a dozen common words. The reprints
are uniform in size with the other numbers of the New Series up to
and including No. 29. We can guarantee their accuracy in the above
stated particulars.

Editorial. ' 161

With the initiation of the new era for our Bulletin the editor
wishes to have it clearly understood that the character of the arti-
cles which will be printed in its pages will be improved both as to
their bearing upon the question of contributing to our knowledge of
the birds and as to typography and general make-up. It rests with
each reader and member to determine how far the improvements can
go as to the character of the matter. Unless you are ready to con-
tribute such articles and notes as you may be able to, it will be im-
possible to make the improvement that is greatly desired. Won't you
make this a personal matter and plan to contribute something during
the year?

What kind of matter is appropriate to the pages of the Bulletin
for 1908? Well prepared local lists of regions which have not al-
ready been covered by such lists. Systematic comments upon the spe-
cies of a region which was covered by a local list two or more dec-
ades ago, this assuming the form of a local list if there has been much
or significant change in the bird life of the region. Carefully worked
out and well prepared Preliminary lists of the birds of a region which
is little known in a general vsay and scarcely at all known to those
outside of it in a special way. As an instance : a list of the birds of
Morgan county, Ohio, would be a welcome addition to faunal literature
because the region in which that county lies does not appear in bird
literature except in the general way of being covered by the state list.
Such lists should be copiously annotated. Lists of the birds of a
region which presents some marked peculiarities having a bearing
upon bird distribution are always valuable. Lists of winter birds and
of summer birds, when they are carefully worked out in the field, are
also valuable. Records of careful studies of any phase of bird life are
always acceptable and valuable, particularly the breeding habits.
Carefully worked out censuses of small areas are earnestly desired
for all regions. In short, the field is so wide that it would take pages
to particularize.

The editor feels certain that his action in confining his work for
the Club to editing its Bulletin and withdrawing from the Presi-
dency of the Club will commend itself to every thoughtful member.
It has not been possible to properly attend to all of the duties in-
volved in the double responsibility to the Club in addition to the reg-
ular duties of a teacher, and with the increased work which the en-
largement and improvement of the Bulletin involves, the burden
would become impossible. The editor fully believes that the change
will prove of great advantage to the Club. Its development and that
of the Bulletin can go forward together.

1()3 TiiK Wilson Bulletin — No. Gl.

The Twenty-flftli Aiimi.il inectiiis of tlie American Ornithologists'
T'nion, hekl in riuhidelphia. December !) to 12, was the first meeting
of this body wliich it has been the privilege of the writer to attend.
One of the marked features of this meeting was the good fellowship
which prevailed everywhere and at all times. The local committee's
efforts to make this meeting a most en,j()yal)le one were crowned with
success. INIost of the papers presented were of a popular scientific
nature since the general public were invited to the meetings, but it
was not difficult to perceive a deep undercurrent of the scientific
spirit pervading those who are engaged in the active business of
studying the birds. A great mass of facts has been gathered ; we
must now inquire what they mean. The next meeting of the Union
was set for November K!. IDOS. at Caml)ridge, Mass. It is not too
early to begin planning to attend that meeting now. A fuller attend-
ance of ornithologists would be of great advantage to the cause of
the study of the birds as well as an inspiration to the individual.

GENERAL NOTES.

Notes from Bristol, Conn. The following scattered notes may prove
of interest as illustrating what seem to be unusual conditions in this
vicinity dviring the past year.

Pine Grosbeaks appeared December 2, lOOG, and were last seen
March 31, 1907. They were unusually plentiful for this locality.

Evening Grosl)eaks were first seen on February 27, the last day
on which they were recorded. The males were in brilliant plumage,
and at least one sang sotto voce on one occasion. We could see them
eating maple seeds, and they appeared to eat snow. They were often
within twenty-five feet of us.

On April 27 I had a rare experience with an American Woodcock.
As I was walking in a woods with some companions a sitting Wood-
cock caught my eye just as I was aliout to stej) u]ion her. The bird
made no least motion while I watched her, and while my companions
came up and looked until they were satisfied. As I stooped toward
her with extended hand she made no move until my hand was within
six inches of her head, when she suddenly flew off. There were three
young in the nest, one of which stood up and stepped out of the nest ;
another nestled down motionless except for a slight movement of the
head. The air was cold so we hastened away to permit the mother
to return and hover the young. Two days later I found four shells
in the nest. Doubtless one of the eggs was covered by the young and
was not seen on the first day. Frank Bruen. Bristol, Conn.

Henslow's Sparrow in Ohio in 1907. The rarity of this Sparrow in
Ohio malces its appearance in some numbers and at two widely sep-

General Notes. 163

aratecl places worthy of mention. Mr. George D. Fordyce found it
on April 30 and May 1 about seven miles south of Touugstown. This
is the first record for that locality. I found a single bird in a held
about a mile northwest of Amherst on April 22, and at least half a
dozen singing males in a field at what is known as Rye Beach, some
three miles west of Huron and a half mile from Lake Erie, on April
29, and on each visit to that locality during the entire spring and
breeding season. No nests were found in this field, but there could
scarcely be any doubt about the fact of breeding. It is to be regret-
ted that the region of Oberlin, where the birds were found on two
former occasions, could not be carefully worked during their breed-
ing season. This bird is both local and erratic in its breeding distri-
bution, and should be watched for in meadows and low fields.

Lynds Jones, OherVin, Ohio.

Field Notes from Berwyn, Penn. — The cold, wet and late spring
of 1907 not only played havoc with our migration averages, but not
unnaturally affected the periods of song and nesting. I noticed a male
American Redstart as late as June 9th, fly down to our stable steps
and from there to the water trough, and after a moment flash past
me to the spruce hedge. This species, so far as I know, has never
nested in the county, yet it was seen and heard up to the 17th of
June, a pretty late date for a non-breeder, when it is taken into con-
sideration that we look for its reappearance on its autumnal migra-
tion soon after the last of July.

I must mention a most curious incident occurring at the residence
of Mr. John A. Brown, near Devon. On the north side of the house,
facing a grove quite close to the rear, a large plate glass window re-
flects the woods so perfectly that a person would think he was look-
ing into its cool depth, especially during those dull, cheerless days.
This illusion frequently deceived the birds. Mr. McCarthy, who
brought me for identification a Kentucky Warl)ler killed by flying
against this glass, informed me that they picked up dead birds al-
most every day under the window, especially Oven-birds ; also Cat-
birds, Magnolia, and other migrating Warblers.

On the 6th day of July, while I was taking snapshots from a win-
dow at the wary House Sparrows visiting one of my bird boxes, I
unintentionally killed a Robin in its flight to feed a brood of young
located in this sparrow-infested box, twenty-five feet in the air. The
upper portion of one side of an apartment had become detached,
and, much to my surprise, utilized by this bird. I am glad to say
that the mate proved faithful and brought up the young, which were
a second brood. On August 5th a brood of young Flickers left the lo-
cust tree, and on the 9th the last brood of Swifts left the chimney

164 The ^\'l^.soN Bulletin — No. Gl.

and the socoiul family of House Wrens were able to fly from their
home box.

The song period extended in many instances well into midsunnner
and even later, and the end of the tirst and hesinning of the second
period was not clearly defined. I"p to and including Jul.v 2ud, the Ves-
per. Grasshopper, Cbi])ping, Field, and Song Sparrows, Chewink, Indi-
go Bunting. Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos, Maryland
Yellow-throat, Catbird, Wood Thrush, and Robin, were in song dur-
ing the middle of the day, as well as early morning and evening.
The Worm-eating and Kentucky Warblers did not cease singing until
after July 10th, and the Chat until three days later. The Robin was
heard at 3 a. m. on the lOth and did not become entirely silent until
after the 29th. August 2nd marked the last song of the Black and
White Warbler, and the 5th of the Chipping Sparrow, Indigo Bunt-
ing, Scarlet Tanager, and Maryland Yellow-throat. On the 8th the
Chewink sang its last, and I noted the Kentucky Warbler still chip-
ping in the undergrowth. The Baltimore Oriole retired for the sea-,
son as a musician August 22nd : Field Sparrow. 2r)th ; Blue-winged
Warbler, 2Gth ; the Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Flicker,
Red-eyed Yireo and Oven-bird on the 27th ; Orchard Oriole, 2Sth ;
American Redstart, Septeni])er 5th, and finally the Warbling Yireo
ou the 14th of September. Frank L. Burns.

Bencijn, Penn.

A Screech Owl that Played Santa Glaus. — One afternoon last
February, on opening the door of my cabin in the woods near I'en-
sauken, N. J., I was not a little surprised to find a Screech Owl
within. The bird had entered the stove pipe and came down twelve
feet of pipe and around two elbows and gotten into the stove, where
its flapping about had displaced one of the stove lids, and hence it
had flown into the room. When I attempted to catch it the bird
snapped its bill fiercely and showed signs of fight, but when finally
caught it gave up completely and appeared to feign death, that is, it
allowed itself to lie in my hands limp and apparently lifeless. I
placed it upon the table, where it lay ui^on its side without move-
ment. I tried to get it to sit upon my finger, but it would allow itself
to fall, and only when it found that it was actually falling would it
attempt to cling to the finger and regain its balance. I tossed it
into the air, thinliing it would take wing, but it allowed itself to
fall to the floor, after which it flew across the room and alighted on a
shelf. The bird was of the rufus plumage and entirely unhurt, and
this passive manner of allowing itself to be handled was new to me.
Toward evening it became very restless and flew about the room,
and as I would approach it would utter a single note — a sound en-
tirely unknown to me in a Screech Owl — more like the squawk of a

Recent Literature. 1G5

Green Heron than anything else I can liken it to, and would follow
with a savage snapping of the bill. The next morning I placed it
upon a branch outside, but it was some moments before it realized
that it was free and flew away. Chreswell J. Hunt.

Philadelphia.

RECENT LITERATURE.

American Birds ^ is a recent profusely illustrated book from photo-
graphs from life, with the accompanying text in the popular scien-
tific style, but making no pretensions to the scientific accuracy which
is characteristic of those who are engaged in scientific researches in
animal behavior. The book is rather another of the accurate popu-
lar books of the best class. The illustrations are for the most part
clear and selected with a view to their value in depicting the family
life of the birds studied. The general account of each group studied
is in large, clear type, and this is followed by a brief but comprehen-
sive description of plumage and range in smaller type. "In this
book no attempt has been made to include all the different bird fam-
ilies but a series of representative birds from the hummingbird to

the eagle has been selected Many of these studies were made in

the West, but in the list of birds treated an effort has been made to
get a selection that is national in scope." In this book no one can fail
to find entertainment of the most wholesome kind, and it should oc-
cupy a place beside books which contribute to the knowledge of the
life of our birds. ^'

The Warblers of North America "- is one of the most important con-
tributions to ornithological literature of the year. It has been pre-
pared at great labor and expense to meet a growing demand for a
book to which the bird student may go with assurance of success in
properly determining which of the host of warblers he has seen.
That the book meets this demand is attested by the eagerness with
which its appearance was awaited and the promptness of its wide

^American BirdslStudied and Photographed | from Life|by William
Lovell Finley, I illustrated from photographs by [Herman T. Bohlman|
and the author. | Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. 1907. $1.50,

net.

^The WarblerslofjNorth America.] by | Frank M. Chapman,|with the
cooperation of other ornithologists [with twenty-four full-page colored
plates, illustrating! every species, from drawings by Louis Agassiz
Fuertesland Bruce Horsfall, and half-tones | of nests and eggs.| New
York ID. Appleton & Company.] 1907. 8vo. Cloth. $3.00, net.

166 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

use. In illustration and typography there is little left to be desired.
The treatment of each species is full and clear. l. j.

The Passenger I'igeon ' is treated in 225 pages, mainly historically,
but with an effort to determine if any yet remain in the country.
The book is largely one of reminiscences of persons who lived during
the great abundance of these birds, supplemented by historical rec-
ords of the marketing of them. In treating of the causes of extinc-
tion the author and contributors are of the opinion that killing for
market and the destruction attendant upon that enterprise is suffi-
cient to account for the disappearance of this game bird. As to the
present status of the Pigeon it is stated by no less an authority than
John Burroughs that there is still a small flight which pretty regu-
larly crosses the Caskills. The hope is expressed that this remnant
may presage a reappearance of the host. l. j.

The Birds of Iowa - supplies a need which has been felt since the
abbreviated catalogue prepared by Keyes and Williams went out of
print only three or four years after its appearance. The present list
assumes the character of a compilation of published records, notes
solicited from and contributed by ornithologists of the state and
workers who have gone to other fields. We notice the omission of
some papers from the bibliographical list, but the obscurity of the
journals in which they occurred no doubt accounts for the omissions.
The Catalogue is concerned with making "some contributions to our
knowledge of their habits and economic relations, their migrations;
to trace their local distribution and comparative abundance at the
present time, and to determine, if possible, what changes the rapid
growth of settlement and civilization have wrought in' our avifauna
during the comparatively brief period since the settlement of our
state." Three hundred and fifty-four species and subspecies are
treated as authentic native birds, one imported, and twenty-five are
entered as hypothetical. We are glad to see this catalogue in print
and congratulate the author upon its neat appearance. l. j.

Useful Birds and their Protection^ is a timely contribution to the
all too scanty literature relating to the subject of which it treats.
Although it is local in character and deals largely with local condi-
tions it cannot fail of being of general use. It is profusely illus-

^ The] Passenger Pigeon, |by|W. B. Mershon,|New York:|The Outing
Publishing Company.] 1907. $.(X), net.

^Proceedings I of I the Davenport Academy of Sciences,jThe Birds of
Iowa,|by Rudolph M. Anderson,] Davenport, Iowa, U. S. A.]Daven-
port Academy of Sciences. 1 1907.

^Useful Birds]and their Protection, I containing! brief descriptions of

Recent Literature. 167

trated, each illustration selected with a view to its bearing upon the
subject under discussion. The title of the book sufficiently illustrates
the character of its contents. Suffice it to say in this brief review
that the State of Massachusetts has set an example which can be
followed by other states with profit to their citizens. The excel ence
of the work accomplished attests the fitness of the author foi toe
task assigned to him.

The Birds of Missouri ^ is a most welcome addition to our faunal
literature, and coming, as it does, after the discouraging '^^|d ^listress^
ing loss of the first prepared manuscript, is a satisfaction both to the
author and to his friends who feared that his long years of caretul
work might be lost. This is the first catalog of the birds of the whole
state of Missouri, and the designation "A Preliminary Catalog, ad-
mirably illustrates the modesty of the author, whose thirty years of
field work in that state certainly gives him the right to have adopt-
ed a more pretentious title.

The Introduction, Bibliography, Explanations, Faunal Areas, The
Climate, Topography, Decrease of Birds, and Bii-d P^-ot-tion are
topics which occupy the first twenty pages. In the fol o^^.ng -4(.
pages the author treats 383 species of birds, thirty of which he re-
gards as hypothetical, but occurring in adjacent regions within rea-
sonable distances of Missouri. Each of the hypothetical species ^s
bracketed and placed in its proper systematic position m the li.t.
We commend this practice.

The body of the book is given to the annotations accompanying
the names of the species, its general geographical distribution dis-
tribution in Missouri, migrations, and other pertinent notes, es-
peciallv the type of locality where rare birds may be found.

The print is large and clear, and the typographical erroi-s few.
It is a valuable addition to ornithological literature, and we congiat-
ulate the author and the Academy of Science of St. Louis upon^its
appearance.

the more common and useful species of|^I--'^<^^"^^"^' "f^^^^^^^^^^^
of their food habits,|and a chapter on the means of attiactlmg and
protecting birds. | By] Edward Howe Forbush,| Ornithologist to the
M^^chietts slate' Board oflAgriculture.|Illustrated by the a..
thor,|C. Allan Lyford, Chester A. Reed, and others. Published under
the direction ofjthe Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture. j by
authority of the Legislature.

^A Preliminary Catalog|of thelBirds of Missouri,] by 1 Otto Wid-
mann,lSt. Louis, Mo. 11907.

168 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 61.

The Birds of the Chicago Area ' strilves us as something new in
faunal literature in that political boundaries are wholly ignored by
the author. This is as it should be. Political boundaries mean noth-
ing unless they chance to coincide with faunal boundaries. The area
here treated comprises "all of Cook and DuPage Counties, the nine
north townships of Will County and the northern portion of Lake
County, Indiana." An interesting feature of the introductory part
of this book is a special treatment of "Localities of Interest," with
their birds. The body of the book, comprising 170 pages, treats the
species systematically, the present accepted name being followed by
a list of synonyms, these by the occurrence of the species in the area
in question, then often interesting remarks concerning the species,
closing with the general range in North America. It is a valuable
addition to faunal literature. l. j.

^The Birds of the Chicago Area. | by | Frank Morely Woodruff, [Bul-
letin No. VI.|of|The Natural History Survey,|The Chicago Academy
of Sciences. I issued April 15, 1907.

0161 ^