Chapter I: Part 1

BULLETIN
OF THE
NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB:
=A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology.=
VOLUME VII.

=Editor.=
J. A. ALLEN.

=Associate Editors.=
S. F. BAIRD AND ELLIOTT COUES.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.:
PUBLISHED BY THE CLUB.
1882

_W. H. Wheeler, Printer,
15 & 17 Brighton Street, Cambridge, Mass.
1882._

CONTENTS OF VOLUME VII.

NUMBER I.

PAGE.
ON AN APPARENTLY NEW HERON FROM FLORIDA. By _Robert Ridgway_. 1
LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS, AND
VICINITY, AND IN THE COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON, AND FORD
BEND. By _H. Nehrling_. 6
ON THE SESAMOID AT THE FRONT OF THE CARPUS IN BIRDS. By _F. Amory
Jeffries_. 13
NOTES ON SOME OF THE BIRDS OBSERVED NEAR WHEATLAND, KNOX CO.,
INDIANA, IN THE SPRING OF 1881. By _Robert Ridgway_. 15
NOTES ON THE HABITS AND CHANGES OF PLUMAGE OF THE ACADIAN OWL
(_Nyctale acadica_), WITH SOME ADDITIONAL RECORDS OF ITS
BREEDING IN MASSACHUSETTS. By _William Brewster_. 23
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW RACE OF _Peucæa ruficeps_ FROM TEXAS. By
_Nathan Clifford Brown_. 26
ON KENNICOTT’S OWL AND SOME OF ITS ALLIES, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF
A PROPOSED NEW RACE. By _William Brewster_. 27
A RECONNOISSANCE IN SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS. By _Nathan Clifford
Brown_. 33

RECENT LITERATURE.

Memorial Volume of Garrod’s Scientific Papers, 43; Shufeldt’s
Osteology of the North American Tetraonidæ, 44; Illustrations
of Ohio Nests and Eggs, 45; Shufeldt’s “The Claw on the Index
Digit of the Cathartidæ,” 46; Papers on Minnesota Birds, 47;
Freke on the Birds of Amelia County, Virginia, 48; Langdon’s
Field Notes on Louisiana Birds, 48; Krider’s Field Notes, 49;
Langdon’s Zoölogical Miscellany, 50; Hoffman on the Birds of
Nevada, 51.

GENERAL NOTES.

The Tufted Titmouse on Staten Island, N. Y., 52; Nesting of the
White-bellied Wren (_Thryothorus bewicki leucogaster_), 52; An
Erroneous Record of the Orange-crowned Warbler (_Helminthophaga
celata_) in New Hampshire, 53; On the Generic Name
_Helminthophaga_, 53; _Dendræca palmarum_ again in
Massachusetts, 54; _Ampelis cedrorum_ as a Sap-sucker, 54;
Capture of _Plectrophanes lapponicus_ in Chester, S. C., 54;
Occurrence of _Coturniculus lecontei_ in Chester County, South
Carolina, 54; The Sharp-tailed Finch in Kansas, 55; Note on
_Mitrephanes_, a New Generic Name, 55; Nesting of _Empidonax
minimus_ and _Helmintherus vermivorus_ in Pennsylvania and New
Jersey, 55; Cuckoos laying in the Nests of other Birds, 56;
_Melanerpes erythrocephalus_ about Boston, 57; The Barn Owl in
Maine; a Retraction, 58; The Snowy Owl at Fort Walla Walla, W.
T., 58; Capture of the Golden Eagle in Crawford County,
Pennsylvania, 58; The Swallow-tailed Kite in Dakota, 59; A
Remarkable Specimen of the Pinnated Grouse (_Cupidonia
cupido_), 59; Wilson’s Plover (_Ægialites wilsonius_) in New
England, 59; Capture of Baird’s Sandpiper on Long Island, N.
Y., 60; An Addition to the Maine Fauna, 60; Capture of _Larus
leucopterus_ near Boston, 60; The Great Black-backed Gull
(_Larus marinus_) from a new Locality, 60; The Snake-bird in
Kansas, 61; Capture of the Sea Dove 150 Miles from the Sea, 61;
Additions to the Catalogue of North American Birds, 61; Notes
on Some Birds of the Belt Mountains, Montana Territory, 61;
Remarks on Some Western Vermont Birds, 63.

ERRATUM 64

NUMBER II.

ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS LATELY MADE BY MR. F. STEPHENS IN ARIZONA. By _William Brewster_. 65 NOTES ON THE OS PROMINENS. By _Frederic A Lucas_. 86 A LIST OF BIRDS FROM THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, OBSERVED DURING THE SUMMER OF 1881, WITH BRIEF NOTES. By _O. P. Hay_. 89 IMPRESSIONS OF SOME SOUTHERN BIRDS. By _William Brewster_. 94 NOTES ON SOME OF THE RARER BIRDS OF SOUTHERN NEW BRUNSWICK. By _Montague Chamberlain_. 104

NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE UPPER ST. JOHN. By _Charles F.
Batchelder_. 106

RECENT LITERATURE.

Dr. Coues’ New Check List and Dictionary, 111; Nests and Eggs of
Ohio Birds, 112; Professor Macoun’s Report of Exploration, 113;
Knowlton’s Revised List of the Birds of Brandon, Vermont, 113;
Krukenberg on the Coloring Matter of Feathers, 114; Minor
Ornithological Papers, 115.

GENERAL NOTES.

Description of a Nest of the Water Ouzel, 118; The Short-billed
Marsh Wren in New Hampshire, 118; Early Arrival of the Yellow
Rump in Southern Maine, 119; Late Stay (probable Wintering) of
_Dendrœca pinus_ in Massachusetts, 119; The Hooded Warbler in
Western New York, 119; Breeding of the Pine Grosbeak (_Pinicola
enucleator_) in Lower Canada, 120; _Coturniculus lecontei_, _C.
henslowi_, and _Cistothorus stellaris_ in Florida, 121;
_Ammodramus caudacutus_—a somewhat Inland Record on the
Atlantic Coast, 122; The White-throated Sparrow in Winter near
Worcester, Mass., 122; _Peucæa ruficeps eremœca_, 122; The
Canada Jay at Portland, Maine, 122; The White-throated Swift
breeding on Belt River, Montana, 122; Capture of the Golden
Eagle (_Aquila chrysaëtus canadensis_) near Columbus, Ohio,
123; The Little Blue Heron in Maine, 123; Baird’s Sandpiper on
Long Island, N. Y.—a Correction, 123; _Pelidna subarquata_ on
the Maine Coast, 124; The King Rail in New England, 124; Purple
Gallinule (_Ionornis martinica_) in Rhode Island, 124; Note on
the Habits of the Young of _Gallinula galeata_ and _Podilymbus
podiceps_, 124; _Rhynchops nigra_—an Early Record for the
Massachusetts Coast, 125; Notes on the Habits of the Kittiwake
Gull, 125; _Sterna forsteri_ breeding off the Eastern Shore of
Virginia, 126; Note on the Foot of _Accipiter fuscus_, 126;
Supplementary Notes on two Texas Birds, 127; Addenda to the
Preliminary list of Birds ascertained to occur in the
Adirondack Region, Northeastern New York, 128.

ERRATA 128

NUMBER III.

THE COLORS OF FEATHERS. (_Plate I._) By _J. Amory Jeffries_ 129
ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS LATELY MADE BY MR. F. STEPHENS IN
ARIZONA. By _William Brewster_ 135
NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE UPPER ST. JOHN. By _Charles F.
Batchelder_ 147
A SKETCH OF THE HOME OF _Hylocichla aliciæ bicknelli_, RIDGWAY,
WITH SOME CRITICAL REMARKS ON THE ALLIES OF THIS NEW RACE. By
_Eugene P. Bicknell_ 152
SHORT NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF BAYOU SARA, LOUISIANA. By _Charles
Wickliffe Beckham_ 159
LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS, AND IN THE
COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON, AND FORD BEND. By _H. Nehrling_ 166

RECENT LITERATURE.

Bailey’s Index to Forest and Stream, 175; Chamberlain’s Catalogue
of the Birds of New Brunswick, 176; Krukenberg on the Coloring
Matter of Feathers, Second Part, 177; Stejneger’s Nomenclatural
Innovations, 178; Ingersoll’s Birds’-Nesting, 179.

GENERAL NOTES.

Note on _Mimus polyglottus_, 180; The Nest of the House Wren,
180; Remarkable plumage of the Orchard Oriole, 181; The Nest
and Eggs of _Perisoreus canadensis_, 181; Notes on the Plumage
of _Nephæcetes niger borealis_, 182; Plumage of the Young of
_Eclectus polychlorus_, 183; An Owl’s Egg laid in Confinement,
183; _Buteo brachyurus_—a Correction, 184; The Turkey Buzzard
in New Hampshire, 184; Rapacious Birds in Confinement, 184;
Note on _Mareca americana_, 185; Destruction of Birds by the
Cold Wave of May 21st and 22d, 185; More Definite Statistics
needed in regard to the Abundance of Birds, 186; Remarks on
Five Maine Birds, 189; Maine Notes, 190; Stray Notes from
Lookout Mountain, Tenn., 191.

ERRATA 192

NUMBER IV.

ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS LATELY MADE BY MR. F. STEPHENS IN
ARIZONA. By _William Brewster_ 193
NOTES UPON THE OSTEOLOGY OF _Cinclus mexicanus_. By _R. W.
Shufeldt_ 213
LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS, AND IN THE
COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON, AND FORD BEND. By _H. Nehrling_ 222
NOTES ON SOME BIRDS COLLECTED BY CAPT. CHARLES BENDIRE AT FORT
WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON TERRITORY. By _William Brewster_ 225
LIST OF BIRDS ASCERTAINED TO OCCUR WITHIN TEN MILES FROM POINT DE
MONTS, PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, CANADA, BASED CHIEFLY UPON THE NOTES
OF NAPOLEON A. COMEAU. By _C. Hart Merriam_ 233

RECENT LITERATURE.

The Coues Check List and Ornithological Dictionary, 242; Gentry’s
Nests and Eggs of Birds of the United States, 246.

GENERAL NOTES.

_Dendræca palmarum_ at Sing Sing, N. Y., 249; Nest and Eggs of
_Setophaga picta_—a Correction, 249; The Summer Tanager
(_Pyranga æstiva_) in New Brunswick, 249; The Evening Grosbeak
in New York, 250; The Black-throated Bunting in Florida, 250;
Distribution of the Fish Crow (_Corvus ossifragus_), 250; The
Swallow-tailed Kite (_Elanoïdes forficatus_) taken in Southern
Michigan, 250: _Garzetta candidissima_ at Nantucket,
Massachusetts, 251; The Snow Goose (_Chen hyperboreus_) at Sing
Sing, N. Y., 251: Note on the Long-tailed Duck, 251; _Lomvia
arra brünnichi_ and _L. troile_ in New England, 251; Rare
Warblers in Massachusetts, 252; The Unusual “Wave” of Birds
during the Spring Migration of 1882, 252; Birds new or rare in
the District of Columbia, 253; Notes on some Birds and Eggs
from the Magdalen Islands, Gulf of St. Lawrence, 253; Second
Addendum to the Preliminary List of Birds ascertained to occur
in the Adirondack region, Northeastern New York, 256; List of
Additions to the Catalogue of North American Birds, 257.

INDEX 259

BULLETIN
OF THE
NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.
VOL. VII. JANUARY, 1882. NO. I.

ON AN APPARENTLY NEW HERON FROM FLORIDA.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

The following facts in relation to an apparently hitherto unnoticed large Heron found in Southwestern Florida, I am kindly permitted to lay before the readers of the Nuttall Bulletin, by Mr. Charles W. Ward, of Pontiac, Michigan, who spent several weeks at the breeding grounds of the bird in question, and was thus enabled to make many very interesting observations on its habits, etc. Mr. Ward’s memoranda are especially interesting in connection with the question of _Ardea occidentalis_ Aud. and _A. würdemanni_ Baird, but unfortunately the matter, in the light of the evidence which he adduces, becomes involved in greater obscurity than before.

Under date of September 3 (1881), Mr. Ward writes as follows:—

“My observations of the Herons during the past season do not correspond with those of Mr. N. B. Moore, as recorded on page 232 of your article[1], in regard to their feeding habits. I found them generally living in communities, roosting, nesting, and feeding together, like Pigeons, and often observed flocks of the Little White, Reddish, and other Egrets, feeding together like Teal Ducks. Two specimens of _A. occidentalis_ were seen feeding quietly within twenty feet of one of the Herons procured by me [_A. wardi_, nobis]. They were feeding on a mud bar at low tide. I was once concealed in the low brush near a small pool watching three Louisiana Egrets chasing minnows, when two of them making for the same minnow squared off for a knock-down, while the third coolly appropriated the prize, leaving the combatants situated like complainant and defendant at the close of a law suit. In all my observations of the Herons I have seen nothing to lead to a conclusion that one of these birds held any particular antipathy against its own species while feeding. In the many squabbles between Herons on their feeding grounds the encounters occurred quite as often between different species as members of the same species. It may be that during the breeding season they are more friendly than at other times. In order that you may understand my opportunities for observing these birds, I enclose a rough map of Mound Key and surroundings, my camping place from January 20 till April 10. As you will see by the figures marked ... it was in the midst of their feeding grounds, these places being mud- and sand-bars, bare at low tide. Regarding the Reddish Egret, among many thousands of them I saw only one in the pure white plumage, and no white young; but one of my dark specimens has white feathers on the head and in the tail, while one of the secondary quills has the outer web chiefly white. My companion of last winter’s Florida trip reports that he saw no Reddish Egrets with white except on the secondaries.

“Regarding the large Herons [_i.e._, _A. wardi_], I am much inclined to think them a geographical variety ... the specimens being very uniform in color.... I examined some thirty nests at least, fifteen of which contained young, all being dark colored, _with one exception_. These birds are common in Southwestern Florida, and their nests are frequently found along the coast. From all the information at my command, connected with my own observations, I am almost convinced that the bird in question is separate and distinct from _A. occidentalis_ and _A. würdemanni_, and the fact that Audubon found the former in immense numbers among the mangrove islands of Eastern Florida is strong evidence that he happened in the vicinity of one of their rookeries. As you will observe by examining the diagram of my camping place and noting the rookeries of large Herons ... these birds were quite common in that vicinity, while I saw only a few specimens of _A. occidentalis_. The white bird found in the nest with the blue might have come there from an adjoining empty nest, some 30 or 40 feet distant, as it could easily have done, being nearly full-grown. This surmise is strengthened by the circumstance that I saw a large white Heron on the island marked ‘*,’ and my companion killed a similar, if not the same, specimen on the large island marked ‘2,’ which he threw away, supposing it to be a common White Egret [_Herodias egretta_]. These I now believe to have been _A. occidentalis_; the other [_H. egretta_] was then laying its eggs, while the description of _A. occidentalis_ corresponds to my recollection of the bird he killed. At the time, I was not familiar with the description of _A. occidentalis_.

“In the Little Blue Heron [_Florida cærulea_] and Reddish Egret (_Dichromanassa rufa_), where dichromatism appears to be an established fact, each species presents different phases and mixtures of both colors, especially the Little Blue, which shows almost every variety of curious markings of blue and white; while in the Reddish Egret, one specimen shows white on the head, tail, and wings, and others reported by Mr. Adams show white on the wings.

“As before said, I believe the bird to be a geographical variation of _A. herodias_, residing permanently and breeding in South Florida. I think that further search and observation will develop more evidence concerning _A. occidentalis_ and _A. würdemanni_, which may result in confirming your theory of their being one and the same species. You will pardon my opposing your opinion, but my convictions are so strong that only the finding of white birds with blue young and more cases of blue parents with white young, or adults showing mixtures of both phases, would overcome them.”

Assuming that the large white birds observed by Mr. Ward were really a white phase of the dark-colored birds obtained by him, and which were so numerous in the locality, it certainly appears strange that so few of the former were seen. The case of the Reddish Egret, which he cites, affords, however, an exact parallel, and it is now considered established beyond question that “Peale’s Egret” (_Ardea pealei_ Bonap.—a pure white bird) is merely a white phase of this species. As to the comparative rarity of these large white birds, in the locality where observed by Mr. Ward, militating against any theory of their specific identity with the dark-colored birds, it should be remembered that in the case of nearly every dichromatic species of bird this condition is more or less variable with locality. A pertinent example may be cited in the case of _Demiegretta sacra_, a Heron of wide distribution in the Far East. This species inhabits a considerable number of islands in the Polynesian group, and it has been noticed and recorded by naturalists who have visited that region, that on some islands all or nearly all the birds of this species are dark colored, on others all or nearly all are white, while on others still there may be a more equal proportion of the two phases. It may be remarked that the two phases in this species are even more distinct in coloration than in the case of _Dichromanassa rufa_, the colored phase being darker than in the latter species. Upon the whole, even admitting the possibility of the white young bird seen by Mr. Ward having of its own volition taken up its abode in a nest containing dark-colored young, I am strongly inclined to believe that it belonged to the same species with the latter, the question of its parentage (_i.e._, whether its parents were white or dark-colored birds) being a comparatively unimportant consideration, as affecting the main question. But in adopting the view of their specific identity a problem arises which in the light of our present knowledge appears unsolvable, and which may be briefly stated thus:—

The large “blue” Herons obtained by Mr. Ward are, in every respect as regards size and proportions, identical with _Ardea occidentalis_ Aud. and _A. würdemanni_ Baird; in coloration they agree exactly with the latter, except only in the pattern of the head and tint of the neck, which are precisely as in _A. herodias_. The bird in question is apparently “dichromatic,” having a white phase; hence, assuming that _A. occidentalis_ and _A. würdemanni_ are dichromatic phases of one species, it necessarily follows that white individuals of the bird in question would be _absolutely indistinguishable from white examples of A. occidentalis_! Still, in view of the fact that the colored phase differs from _A. würdemanni_ in its most essential feature of coloration, _i.e._, the pattern of the head markings, it seems impossible to unite them, unless it can be shown that the type of _A. würdemanni_ does not represent the perfect colored phase of that species.[2] There are hence several hypotheses which might be plausibly argued upon theoretical grounds, and which may be stated as follows: (1) That _A. occidentalis_, _A. würdemanni_, _A. wardi_, and _A. herodias_ all belong to a single species, which reaches its extremes of variation in the first- and last-named; (2) That these names include three distinct races or species: _A. herodias_, which is never white; _A. occidentalis_, which is dichromatic (having separate white and colored phases), and _A. wardi_, also dichromatic, its white phase indistinguishable from that of _A. occidentalis_, and its colored phase distinguishable from that of the same species (_A. würdemanni_) by the different pattern and color of the head and neck alone; and (3) that there are two species, _A. occidentalis_ and _A. herodias_, which in Florida hybridize on an extensive scale, producing the intermediate specimens which have been distinguished as _A. würdemanni_ and _A. wardi_.

Of these hypotheses I have, after careful consideration of them all, concluded to adopt the second as being most consistent with known facts, and accordingly propose for the bird in question the name

=486* Ardea wardi= _Ridgw._
WARD’S HERON.

With the following characters:—

CH.—Colored phase exactly like _A. würdemanni_ (= dark phase of _A.
occidentalis_?), but with the head colored as in _A. herodias_.
Differing from _herodias_ in much larger size (culmen 6.50–7.00
inches, tarsus, 8.50–9.00 inches), lighter general coloration, and (in
dried skin) light brown instead of black legs. Dichromatic; the white
phase being indistinguishable from that of _A. occidentalis_ (?).

_Adult_ ♂ (No. 82,329, U. S. Nat. Mus., Oyster Bay, Florida, March,
1881; Chas. W. Ward): Head white, with the sides of the crown and
entire occiput (including the lengthened plumes) deep black;[3] neck
lavender-gray (much lighter than in the type of _würdemanni_), the
fore-neck white thickly streaked with black for the lower two-thirds;
jugular plumes chiefly white, their lengthened tapering portion
entirely so. Upper surface uniform bluish plumbeous, the lengthened
scapular plumes hoary whitish or pale silvery gray. Upper breast
uniform black; abdomen and lower breast white, rather indistinctly
streaked with dark gray; anal region mixed black and white, in
longitudinal dashes (the black rather predominating); crissum
immaculate pure white. Tibiæ uniform light cinnamon; edge of the wing
(especially near the bend) deeper cinnamon, but this much mixed with
white toward the bases of the quills; lining of the wing, axillars,
sides, and flanks, uniform plumbeous. Bill, apparently, entirely
olivaceous-yellow; naked portion of tibiæ very pale brown (evidently
yellowish or flesh-colored in life); tarsi light brown (olivaceous in
life?), darker in front; toes light brown. Wing, 20.50: culmen, 6.75;
depth of bill through nostril, 1.10; tarsus, 8.75; middle toe, 5.10;
naked portion of tibiæ, 5.50.

Mr. W. H. Collins, of Detroit, who kindly presented the specimen described above to the National Museum, has sent me measurements of two other specimens, one in his own possession, the other mounted for Mr. Ward. As may be seen below they agree closely in dimensions with the type, their measurements being, respectively, wing 20.00–20.50; culmen 6.50–7.00; depth of bill through nostril, 1.25; tarsus, 8.75–9.00; middle toe, 5.25–5.45; naked portion of tibia, 5.75–6.00.

LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED AT HOUSTON, HARRIS CO., TEXAS AND VICINITY AND IN
THE COUNTIES MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON AND FORD BEND.

BY H. NEHRLING.

1. =Turdus migratorius=, _L._ ROBIN.—Very common in the woods from November to April. Very shy and retiring during their stay; only a few have been observed in the larger gardens of Houston. Feeds abundantly on the berries of the holly (_Ilex opaca_) and the myrtle-holly (_Oreophila myrtifolia_). About the 15th of April all have departed for the North.

2. =Turdus mustelinus=, _Gmel._ WOOD THRUSH.—Arrives from the North early in October when the aromatic berries of the _Magnolia grandiflora_ are ripe, on which they eagerly feed. On account of this food the flesh is very delicate and large numbers are killed by pot hunters, who call them “Grassets.” In the winter months they appear not to be common and inhabit swampy thickets and bottom woods.

3. =Turdus fuscescens=, _Steph._ WILSON’S THRUSH.—Only a few observed during the fall migration.

4. =Turdus swainsoni=, _Cab._ OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH.—Not rare during the migrations.

5. =Mimus polyglottus=, _Boie_. MOCKINGBIRD.—A very abundant resident. Only a few remain to winter, in protected localities; the majority migrate further south. They arrive from their winter quarters early in March and are by the end of that month again common. Nest-building commences usually in the middle of April. Many are killed by farmers and gardeners on account of their fondness for ripe figs and grapes. Besides insects, they feed eagerly on the berries of the poke (_Phytolacca decandra_), the elder (_Sambucus canadensis_), and the Mexican mulberry (_Callicarpa americana_). In winter the berries of the myrtle-holly (_Oreophila myrtifolia_) and those of the mistletoe (_Phoradendron flavescens_) are their principal food.

6. =Mimus carolinensis=, _Gray_. CATBIRD.—I first observed a single specimen of this bird April 25, 1879. It was then my opinion that this bird must be a very rare migrant, as I did not meet with another that year. It was this year (1881), May 5, when I wandered through the thick underbrush in the woods on Spring Creek that I heard the peculiar cry of the Catbird, and a few minutes after I discovered the nest, which was built in a young oak sapling, about ten feet above the ground. They are not the familiar and confident birds of the Northern States, but extremely shy and retiring in their habits. They kept a good distance from me when I took the nest.

7. =Harporhynchus rufus=, _Cab._ BROWN THRUSH.—Common during the winter months in the thick underbrush of the woods near Spring Creek, in the northern part of Harris County. Very silent and extremely shy.

8. =Sialia sialis=, _Hald._ BLUEBIRD.—A very abundant winter sojourner and a common summer resident; but not so abundant as in the Northern States, and not so familiar. Commences to breed as early as February 15. I found a nest March 6, which contained newly hatched young. A nest discovered April 29 contained four pure white eggs.

9. =Regulus calendula=, _Licht._ RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and

10. =Regulus satrapa=, _Licht._ AMERICAN GOLDEN-CRESTED KINGLET.—Both are common during the winter months, when, in company with Titmice, they inhabit the pine woods near Houston. Are to be observed during the whole winter in the mountain cedars (_Juniperus occidentalis texanus_), which are common in the gardens of the city.

11. =Polioptila cærulea=, _Sclat._ BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.—Common in the heavy wooded bottom lands on the Brazos, Spring Creek, and San Jacinto, and especially abundant on Buffalo Bayou when the magnificent _Magnolia grandiflora_ is in bloom. Almost with the agility and grace of a Hummingbird, it flies around the showy flowers in pursuit of insects. Nest-building commences early in May. This beautiful little domicile is built very high, in small branches of elms, swamp oaks (_Quercus palustris_) and other densely leaved forest trees.

12. =Lophophanes bicolor=, _Bon._ TUFTED TITMOUSE.—A very common bird and resident throughout the year, even in the city gardens, where it is exceedingly tame and confiding. Breeds as early as the beginning of March. Nests in deserted Woodpeckers’ holes, in old stumps, in cedar-posts, in hollow branches, etc.

13. =Parus carolinensis=, _Aud._ SOUTHERN CHICKADEE.—Very common and familiar. Resident throughout the year. April 15 I discovered a nest of this diminutive bird in an old fence-post; it contained six nearly fledged young. The cavity was filled up about nine inches with soft mosses, cow’s hair, and the fur of smaller animals. Usually the nest is built in the hollow of a branch.

14. =Thryothorus ludovicianus=, _Bon._ CAROLINA WREN.—Very common in all low wooded localities with dense underbrush. Thickets of smilax, blackberry bushes, snowball (_Viburnum molle_ and _V. dentatum_), _Rhamnus carolinianus_, _Bumelia lanuginosa_, intermixed with a few larger trees (oaks or elms), which are commonly overgrown by the mustang-grape and the grotesque forms of the supple jack (_Berchemia volubilis_), are its favorite resorts. In a few instances I have known a pair to build their nest in a bird-box near a dwelling.

15. =Thryothorus bewicki=, _Bonap._ LONG-TAILED HOUSE WREN.—Abundant in all suitable localities and very familiar, breeding in bird-boxes, stables, corn-cribs, and even in houses over doors, etc. One pair built their nest in the pocket of an old coat, hanging out doors.

16. =Troglodytes aëdon=, _Vieill._ HOUSE WREN.—Only a winter visitant, occurring in considerable numbers in secluded localities.

17. =Cistothorus palustris=, _Baird_. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN.—Rare during the migrations.

18. =Cistothorus stellaris=, _Cab._ SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN.—Observed so late as May 2 in the marshy prairie districts in the northern part of Harris County, and in September in the sugar-cane fields on the Brazos in Ford Bend County. Probably breeds.

19. =Anthus ludovicianus=, _Licht._ AMERICAN PIPIT; TITLARK.—Very common during winter, from the middle of November to the second week in April. Comes fearlessly in the streets of the city and in the door-yards.

20. =Neocorys spraguei=, _Sclat._ MISSOURI SKYLARK.—Observed small flocks early in November on the prairies near Houston. They were often associated with _Passerculus savanna_, and in habits resembled very closely the Titlark. All disappeared soon.

21. =Mniotilta varia=, _Vieill._ BLACK-AND-WHITE CREEPER.—Not uncommon during the migrations. Noted first March 22. At the 15th of April the majority depart for the north, only few remaining to breed.

22. =Parula americana=, _Bon._ BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER.—This beautiful little Warbler is rather common during the migrations in all wooded portions, especially in the river bottoms, where almost every tree is covered with the long gray Spanish moss (_Tillandsia usneoides_). Some remain to breed, as I have seen the parents feeding the young in July and August.

23. =Protonotaria citrea=, _Bd._ PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.—A not uncommon summer resident in marshy localities on Spring Creek and in Ford Bend County in the Brazos bottom, where so-called lakes are abundant. It breeds in hollows of trees, deserted Woodpeckers’ holes, and in stumps standing in the water. I usually met with this bird in localities where the Little Blue Heron (_Florida cærulea_) and the Snowy Heron (_Garzetta candidissima_) were common. I can add nothing to the unsurpassable life history of this bird given by Mr. William Brewster in this Bulletin, Vol. III, pp. 153–162.

24. =Helmintherus vermivorus=, _Bon._ WORM-EATING SWAMP WARBLER.—A few seen April 6, 1881, in a flowering plum tree in a city-garden.

25. =Helminthophaga chrysoptera=, _Cab._ GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.—Common during the migrations, in October and April.

26. =Helminthophaga peregrina=, _Cab._ TENNESSEE WARBLER.—Not uncommon during migrations.

27. =Helminthophaga celata=, _Bd._ ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.—Seen only during migrations and very rare.

28. =Dendrœca æstiva=, _Bd._ SUMMER YELLOW BIRD.—Very abundant during migrations. Not a very common summer sojourner, but quite regularly distributed.

29. =Dendrœca coronata=, _Gray._ YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.—The most common of all the Warblers from November to April. Winters abundantly in this region and numbers visit the gardens, even those in the interior of the city.

30. =Dendrœca maculosa=, _Bd._ BLACK-AND-YELLOW WARBLER, and

31. =Dendrœca blackburniæ=, _Bd._ BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, are both, so far as I observed, exceedingly rare during migrations.

32. =Dendrœca pennsylvanica=, _Bd._ CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.—Somewhat common in the latter part of April and early in May.

33. =Dendrœca castanea=, _Bd._ BAY-BREASTED WARBLER.—This elegant Warbler is one of the most common of its family during the spring migration. I observed small flocks of from eight to ten so late as May 5.

34. =Dendrœca striata=, _Bd._ BLACK-POLL WARBLER.—Transient; arrives from winter quarters late in April, when the host of Warblers pass northward. Tolerably common.

35. =Dendrœca virens=, _Bd._ BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.—Abundant during migrations. Moves in flocks of from four to ten.

36. =Dendrœca dominica albilora=, _Ridg._ YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.—A very rare summer resident and very difficult to observe in the high moss-grown forest trees of the river bottoms. The song resembles that of _Dendrœca æstiva_, but is louder and more varied. I think it is almost impossible to discover a nest of this bird in the high trees, so densely covered with _Tillandsia._

37. =Dendrœca pinus=, _Bd._ PINE WARBLER.—Winters in small companies in the woods in the northern part of Harris County, near Spring Creek.

I did not find so many Warblers as I expected, although I kept a diligent lookout. I did not observe _D. palmarum_, _D. canadensis_, _D. discolor_, or _D. cærulea._

38. =Siurus auricapillus=, _Sw._ GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH.—Transient and not common.

39. =Siurus nævius=, _Coues_. WATER THRUSH.—Not uncommon in suitable localities during migrations.

40. =Oporornis formosa=, _Bd._ KENTUCKY WARBLER.—A common summer resident; exceeding in numbers even the Maryland Yellow-throat, with which it occupies the same localities. Common in wet fields with patches of low bushes, and in the dense undergrowth near water. Visits frequently the country gardens. Very abundant on Spring Creek, in the northern part of Harris County, and in Montgomery County. Arrives about April 21. Commences nest-building early in May. Nest very difficult to find.

41. =Geothlypis trichas=, _Cab._ MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.—Arrives about April 15, from its winter quarters. A common summer sojourner. Like the preceding species, most common in grassy localities with thickets interspersed. On a farm near Houston is a wet piece of land containing about two acres, where I found three pairs breeding. Through this runs a ditch and the whole ground is covered with high broom-grass (_Andropogon macrurus_) with briar patches, thickets of water oak. _Viburnum dentatum_, black haw (_V. pruneifolium_), etc. The field is surrounded by an almost impenetrable hedge of Cherokee roses (_Rosa lævigata_). Here the Yellow-throats occur with Kentucky Warblers, White-eyed Vireos, Yellow-throated Vireos, Painted Finches, and Blue Grosbeaks, all living in harmony. Two broods are raised yearly in this latitude. In almost every nest of this bird, and also of the Kentucky Warbler, eggs of the Cow Bird are to be found.

42. =Geothlypis philadelphia=, _Bd._ MOURNING WARBLER.—Transient and rather rare.

43. =Icteria virens=, _Bd._ YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.—A common summer resident, arriving from its winter quarters about April 15. Many winter in sheltered places. Its most favorable resorts are brier-patches in fields, thickets on the edge of woods, myrtle-holly thickets overgrown with tangled Smilax laurifolia, and similar localities. Nest in the interior of thickets near the ground; it has some resemblance to the Catbird’s, and is built of nearly the same material.

44. =Myiodioctes mitratus=, _Aud._ HOODED WARBLER.—This beautiful species is common during migrations. Arrives from the South in the last part of April, when the host of Warblers migrate northward. I never observed the bird during the summer months and do not think that any remain to breed.

45. =Myiodioctes canadensis=, _Aud._ CANADIAN FLYCATCHING WARBLER.—Not very common during the spring migration.

46. =Myiodioctes pusillus=, _Bon._ BLACK-CAPPED WARBLER.—I consider this the most common species of the genus during migrations.

47. =Setophaga ruticilla=, _Sw._ AMERICAN REDSTART.—Moves northward late in April and early in May, when the throng of Warblers migrate to their summer quarters in high northern latitudes.

48. =Vireosylvia olivacea=, _Bon._ RED-EYED VIREO.—A common summer resident in all the deciduous woods.

49. =Vireosylvia gilva=, _Cass._ WARBLING VIREO.—Evidently a rare species, even during the migrations.

50. =Lanivireo flavifrons=, _Bd._ YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.—Abundant and breeding. The first nest, beautifully constructed, I discovered April 28 in a high blackberry-bush about four feet above the ground, near Houston. It contained four fresh eggs and one of the Dwarf Cowbird (_Molothrus ater obscurus_). Nest and eggs in my collection. Many more nests were discovered during the months of May and June, and many contained one and two eggs of the Cowbird.

51. =Lanivireo solitarius=, _Bd._ SOLITARY VIREO.—Rare during migrations.

52. =Vireo noveboracensis=, _Bon._ WHITE-EYED VIREO. A common summer resident in localities where _Viburnum dentatum_, _V. molle_, _V. pruneifolium_, _Rhamnus carolinensis_, _Cornus florida_, laurel-oaks (_Quercus imbricaria_), and elms are growing, especially on the borders of woods, in open thickets, peach gardens, etc.

53. =Vireo belli=, _Aud._ BELL’S VIREO.—A common summer sojourner. A not quite finished nest was discovered April 15 on a horizontal branch of a _Viburnum dentatum_ on the edge of a thicket, about five feet above the ground. It contained three fresh eggs. The nests of this Vireo are more purse-shaped and deeper than any other Vireo nests I am acquainted with.

54. =Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides=, _Coues_. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE.—A generally dispersed summer resident, but not abundant. Prefers to build in the hedges of the osage orange.

55. =Ampelis cedrorum=, _Vieill._ CEDAR BIRD.—Abundant migrant. Observed flocks of from thirty to fifty as late as May 6. None remain to breed.

56. =Progne subis=, _Bd._ PURPLE MARTIN.—Abundant summer resident. Arrives March 1 from the South. Breeds in large numbers under the wooden awnings of sidewalks, even in the business part of Houston and Galveston. Abundant also in the country where bird-boxes are put out for its convenience. Two broods are commonly raised in this latitude.

57. =Petrochelidon lunifrons=, _Lawr._ CLIFF SWALLOW.—Seen in great numbers during September, but does not breed in this region.

58. =Hirundo erythrogastra=, _Bodd._ BARN SWALLOW.—Large numbers seen in the latter part of August, but not found breeding.

59. =Tachycineta bicolor=, _Cab._ WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW.—Common during migrations. A few observed in summer on the borders of woods.

60. =Cotyle riparia=, _Boie_. BANK SWALLOW.—A few pairs remain to breed in such localities as the banks of Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay.

61. =Stelgidopteryx serripennis=, _Bd._ ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.—A very abundant summer resident. Often nests under the roofs of sidewalks and on old buildings in Houston, but is more a companion to the preceding on the high banks on Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay.

62. =Pyranga rubra=, _Vieill._ SCARLET TANAGER.—A moderately common bird during the migrations. Arrives from the South about April 15 and passes without lingering to its more northern breeding range.

63. =Pyranga æstiva=, _Vieill._ SUMMER REDBIRD.—A common summer resident, particularly in oak woods. It is an elegant species, as are all the members of this family, but is more retired in its habits and quicker and more restless in its motions than the preceding. The song is more varied, louder, and wilder. The nest is usually built on the horizontal branch of an oak, from seven to twenty feet above the ground. It is a very open-worked inartificial structure, and the eggs cannot with certainty be distinguished from those of the Scarlet Tanager.

64. =Astragalinus tristis=, _Cab._ GOLDFINCH.—A very abundant winter sojourner. Feeds almost entirely on the seeds of the sycamore or button-wood (_Platanus occidentalis_).

65. =Chrysomitris pinus=, _Bon._ PINE FINCH.—A somewhat rare winter sojourner.

66. =Passerculus savanna=, _Bon._ SAVANNA SPARROW.—Common resident throughout the year. Breeds on the low grassy prairies, but the nest is difficult to find.

67. =Poœcetes gramineus=, _Bd._ GRASS FINCH.—Only to be found during migrations. None remain, so far as I know, to winter or to breed.

68. =Coturniculus passerinus=, _Bon._ YELLOW-WINGED BUNTING.—Seen occasionally during the winter months.

69. =Ammodromus caudacutus=, _Sw._ SHARP-TAILED FINCH.—Observed near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay. Doubtless breeds.

70. =Chondestes grammicus=, _Bon._ LARK FINCH.—This interesting, lively bird is the most common of its family in all suitable localities, that is, on the prairies, near woods. Departs for the South late in September and early in October; arrives from his winter quarters again in April. Breeds in May, June, and July, and two or even three broods are raised yearly. Nests in gardens on mulberry-trees, in the corners of rail-fences, in cotton fields on the ground, but most commonly on a low horizontal branch of an oak densely covered with _Tillandsia_, on the borders of woods, where they are exceedingly difficult to discover. After breeding-time the birds assemble in large flocks.

71. =Zonotrichia albicollis=, _Bon._ WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.—Rare and occurs only in winter.

72. =Zonotrichia leucophrys=, _Sw._ WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.—Abundant in winter.

73. =Zonotrichia gambelli intermedia=, _Ridg._ GAMBEL’S FINCH.—Not uncommon in winter.

74. =Spizella socialis=, _Bon._ CHIPPING BIRD.—Abundant in October and November, and again in March.

75. =Spizella pallida=, _Bon._ CLAY-COLORED BUNTING.—Abundant in winter near thickets and in fields with brier-patches.

76. =Spizella pusilla=, _Bon._ FIELD SPARROW.—Not uncommon during winter.

77. =Junco hiemalis=, _Sclat._ COMMON SNOWBIRD.—Abundant winter visitor.

78. =Melospiza fasciata=, _Scott._ SONG SPARROW.—Common during the winter months.

79. =Melospiza lincolni=, _Bd._ LINCOLN’S SPARROW.—Common in winter in the thick undergrowth on the borders of woods.

80. =Peucæa cassini=, _Bd._ CASSIN’S FINCH.—A common summer resident on the open grassy prairies. It runs like a mouse through the grass, and is very shy and difficult to observe. A nest I never discovered.

81. =Pipilo erythrophthalmus=, _Vieill._ GROUND ROBIN.—A rare summer resident. A few pairs breed in the woods on Spring Creek.

82. =Calamospiza bicolor=, _Bon._ LARK BUNTING.—Abundant in winter on the prairies.

83. =Euspiza americana=, _Bon._ BLACK-THROATED BUNTING.—A common summer resident. Breeds abundantly in all the prairie districts.

84. =Cardinalis virginianus=, _Bon._ CARDINAL GROSBEAK.—This well-known bird is the most abundant of the family and resident throughout the year.

85. =Guiraca cærulea=, _Sw._ BLUE GROSBEAK.—Regularly distributed summer resident, but nowhere abundant. Nests discovered always in brier-patches in fields, on roadsides, and on the border of woods.

86. =Cyanospiza ciris=, _Bd._ PAINTED FINCH.—Inhabits with the preceding similar localities. Very common from April to October. Nest usually in blackberry-bushes, but always well hidden and not easy to find. These birds are very shy and exceedingly quick in all their motions.

87. =Cyanospiza cyanea=, _Bd._ INDIGO BIRD.—Observed only during the migrations. None I think remain to breed.

(_To be concluded._)

ON THE SESAMOID AT THE FRONT OF THE CARPUS IN BIRDS.

BY J. AMORY JEFFRIES.

In the Bulletin for October, 1881, is a paper by Dr. Shufeldt entitled “On the Ossicle of the Antibrachium as found in some of the North American Falconidæ,” in which the author describes the sesamoid ossicle at the distal end of the radius in the Marsh Hawk (_Circus hudsonius_) as a new bone. Dr. Shufeldt says: “It does not seem possible that a bone the size of one which I am now about to describe could have been entirely overlooked by ornithologists, yet after a careful perusal of such parts of the works of the most prominent writers, as refer to the skeletology of the upper extremity I fail to discover the barest mention as to the existence of any such an one.” Now this bone was figured, as it occurs in _Aquila fucsa_, by Milne-Edwards in his famous work on the Fossil Birds of France, the publication of which began in 1866, so that the bone as it occurs in the _Falconidæ_ can scarcely be considered unknown to anatomists. The “os prominens” as it occurs in the _Falconidæ_ is a modification of the sesamoid ossicle which very often occurs in the tendon of the tensor petagii longus where it passes over the carpus;[4] its function here being that of a simple sesamoid over the carpus. In many of the _Falconidæ_[5] this sesamoid becomes bound to the distal end of the radius, and lengthened out at right angles to the long axis of that bone, as figured by Dr. Shufeldt. By this means the function of the ossicle becomes very much altered. It no longer slides over the carpus, but serves, since the tendon of the extensor petagii longus includes only its free end, to keep that tendon off the carpus, thus avoiding friction at the joint. Again, since the ossicle attains considerable length,—6 centimeters (millimeters?) according to Dr. Shufeldt in _Circus_,—it materially alters the action of the extensor petagii longus so that it tends much more to extend the hand and draw the thumb away from the index. In this way the extensor petagii longus seems to antagonize the slip of the flexor longus digitorum sublimis, and since its tendon is elastic, owing to the amount of yellow fibrous tissue in it, the action must be to a considerable degree automatic.

My views of the functions of this ossicle are, it will be seen, very different from those of Dr. Shufeldt, who considers it to protect the carpus and greatly increase the area of the wing. This bone, standing up as it does on the anterior edge of the wing, would seem to be particularly liable to injury, sufficient, we should think, to offset the amount it may protect the compact carpals below. The extra area covered by the wing on account of the ossicle is easily measured. It is simply the area of a triangle, which has for its base the difference in altitude between the process of the metacarpus and the sesamoid ossicle, 3 millimeters say, and for its altitude the distance between the carpus and the origin of the extensor petagii longus, say 2.5 decimetres. Absolute measurements cannot be given since no Hawks are to be got in Boston at present. So the entire increase of area would be 3.75 square centimetres, and this increase is at the base of the wing, where it would least increase the resistance of the wing. This difference becomes quite small in the ratio (√2 _a_)/(∛weight) where _a_, the area of one wing, represents hundreds of square centimeters. Yet the ratio is that of the supporting power of the wing to the weight of the body, other things being equal. In the above calculation it is assumed that Dr. Shufeldt meant millimeters not centimeters,[6] when giving the dimensions of the “os prominens.”

To sum up, the bone serves: (1) To keep the friction of the extensor petagii longus muscle off the carpus. (2) To increase the power of that muscle to abduct the thumb. (3) To slightly increase the supporting power of the wing. (4) To protect the carpus (?).

Here it may not be improper to state that during the winter of 1880–81, the writer _showed a specimen_ of the carpus of _Accipiter fuscus_, and explained his views as here stated of the function of the “os prominens,” at a meeting of the Nuttall Ornithological Club.

NOTES ON SOME OF THE BIRDS OBSERVED NEAR WHEATLAND, KNOX CO., INDIANA,
IN THE SPRING OF 1881.

BY ROBERT RIDGWAY.

Monteur’s Pond, situated about ten miles east of Vincennes and two miles west of the village of Wheatland, on the O. & M. R. R., is of considerable extent, being about nine miles long by a mile in average width. It is rather a swamp, however, than a pond, probably less than half its area being open water, the remainder filled with trees, chiefly willows (_Salix nigra_) averaging 50–60 feet high, mixed in places with a larger growth, chiefly ashes (_Fraxinus americana_, _F. sambucifolia_ and _F. pubescens_), red maple, and swamp cottonwood (_Populus heterophylla_), the latter chiefly around the margin of the pond, where grow also swamp, white, and water oaks, sweet-gums, and an occasional catalpa (_C. speciosa_). The surrounding country, where not cleared, consists chiefly of original forest of various oaks and hickories, “poplar” (_Liriodendron_), beech, elm, and other trees in great variety, coniferous species being wholly absent.

The pond is never very deep, probably nowhere or at anytime exceeding four feet, and in seasons of drouth becomes absolutely dry, then forming an excellent pasturage for the stock of the neighboring farmers. Even when filled with water, the latter is, in the season of vegetable growth, entirely hidden by a luxuriant growth of aquatic plants, rendering the passage of a boat, of any description, impossible, while numerous muskrat holes and the intricate submerged stems render wading difficult and fatiguing in the extreme. For these reasons the pond was but slightly explored, while it was wholly neglected after the use of a boat became out of the question. I am therefore quite ignorant as to what species may have been breeding in the recesses of the pond, my investigations having been wholly confined to the surrounding fields and woodland, the northern portion of the pond and its immediate vicinity having been the scene of my ornithological investigations from April 15 to May 27.

Notwithstanding the very unusual lateness of the season I found on my arrival (April 15) that many of the migratory birds had preceded me, but subsequent arrivals were carefully noted up to May 6, and are presented herewith.

April 15. Prairie Warbler (_Dendrœca discolor_).

April 17. Yellow-throated Warbler (_Dendrœca dominica albilora_),
Yellow-throated Vireo (_Lanivireo flavifrons_), Least Flycatcher
(_Empidonax minimus_).

April 18. Prothonotary Warbler (_Protonotaria citrea_), Canada
Flycatching Warbler (_Myiodioctes canadensis_), Blue Yellow-backed
Warbler (_Parula americana_), Scarlet Tanager (_Pyranga rubra_),
Summer Redbird (_P. æstiva_), Lark Finch (_Chondestes grammica_),
Summer Yellowbird (_Dendrœca æstiva_), Maryland Yellow-throat
(_Geothlypis trichas_), White-eyed Vireo (_V. noveboracensis_), Wood
Thrush (_Hylocichla mustelina_), Black-throated Green Warbler
(_Dendrœca virens_), Indigo Bird (_Passerina cyanea_).

April 19. Great-crested Flycatcher (_Myiarchus crinitus_), Kingbird
(_Tyrannus carolinensis_), Catbird (_Galeoscoptes carolinensis_),
Pine-creeping Warbler (_Dendrœca pinus_).

April 20. Golden-crowned Thrush (_Siurus auricapillus_), Kentucky
Warbler (_Oporornis formosa_).

April 21. Red-eye Vireo (_Vireosylvia olivacea_), Tawny Thrush
(_Hylocichla fuscescens_).

April 22. Yellow-breasted Chat (_Icteria virens_).

April 23. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler (_Helminthophaga pinus_).

April 24. Warbling Vireo (_Vireosylvia gilva_), Ruby-throated Humming
Bird (_Trochilus colubris_), Baltimore Oriole (_Icterus galbula_),
Chestnut-sided Warbler (_Dendrœca pennsylvanica_), Worm-eating Warbler
(_Helminthotherus vermivorus_), Nighthawk (_Chordeiles popetue_).

April 25. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (_Zamelodia ludoviciana_[7]), Blue
Warbler (_Dendrœca cærulea_[7]), Hooded Warbler (_Myiodioctes
mitratus_), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (_Coccyzus americanus_).

April 26. Black-throated Bunting (_Spiza americana_), Yellow-winged
Sparrow (_Coturniculus passerinus_), Wood Pewee (_Contopus virens_),
Oak-woods Sparrow (_Peucæa æstivalis illinoensis_).

April 30. Bay-breasted Warbler (_Dendrœca costanea_), Long-billed
Marsh Wren (_Telmatodytes palustris_).

May 2. Black-throated Blue Warbler (_Dendrœca cærulescens_),
Black-and-yellow Warbler (_D. maculosa_), Chestnut-sided Warbler (_D.
pennsylvanica_), Red-poll Warbler (_D. palmarum_).

May 3. Blackburnian Warbler (_D. blackburniæ_).

May 6. Nashville Warbler (_Helminthophaga ruficapilla_), Cape May
Warbler (_Perissoglossa tigrina_), Mourning Warbler (_Geothlypis
philadelphia_).

May 7. Tennessee Warbler (_Helminthophaga peregrina_).

Among the migratory species which had already arrived by the 15th were the Large-billed Water Thrush (_Siurus motacilla_), numbers of which were heard singing in the swamp, the Black-and-white Creeper (_Mniotilta varia borealis_), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (_Polioptila cærulea_), and a few others.

The nesting season began much later than usual, as the following list, of the earliest date on which the eggs of any species were obtained, will show.[8]

April 27. Yellow-crowned Night Heron (_Nyctherodius violaceus_).

April 30. Hairy Woodpecker (_Picus villosus_), two sets; Grass Finch
(_Poœcetes gramineus_).

May 2. Field Sparrow (_Spizella pusilla_), Chewink (_Pipilo
erythrophthalmus_).

May 9. Redbird (_Cardinalis virginianus_).

May 18. Red-eyed Vireo (_Vireosylvia olivacea_).

May 19. Prothonotary Warbler (_Protonotaria citrea_), Wood Thrush
(_Hylocichla mustelina_).

May 20. Acadian Flycatcher (_Empidonax acadicus_).

May 22. Yellow-breasted Chat (_Icteria virens_), Maryland
Yellow-throat (_Geothlypis trichas_), Indigo Bird (_Passerina
cyanea_), Black-billed Cuckoo (_Coccyzus erythrophthalmus_).

May 24. Green Heron (_Butorides virescens_).

Although situated about 20 miles north and the same distance east of Mt. Carmel, the bird-fauna was entirely the same, allowing for differences in the character of the country, the environs of Wheatland being much less varied, and therefore not such as to attract so great a variety of species. Nearly all the characteristic summer birds found further south were abundant near Wheatland, however, even _Peucæa illinoensis_ occurring there. Among the more numerous species were the Cerulean, Blue-winged Yellow, Kentucky and Prothonotary Warblers, all of which were quite as numerous as near Mt. Carmel. At the time of my arrival, the most abundant bird was probably the Cardinal Grosbeak, it being no unusual sight to see several males at one time along the railroad track, picking up grain dropped from passing cars, while the swamp and surrounding woods were filled with their sweet but monotonous whistlings. Later in the season, however, other species became rather more numerous, it being difficult to decide between the Redstart and Red-eyed Vireo, as to first rank in point of numbers. Other species almost as well represented as those mentioned, were the Red-headed Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, and Red-winged Blackbird, and, for a brief season, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Cedarbird. Hawks were very plentiful, especially the Red-shouldered and Red-tailed, and on one occasion eight of the former (all adults) were observed soaring about, near together, uttering their clamorous cries. Barred Owls were exceedingly numerous among the trees growing in the swamp, and at night afforded much amusement by their “family squabbles.” Ducks and Geese which had been very plenty on the pond during the winter, had gone northward prior to the middle of April, except a few Mallards, Shovellers, and Blue-winged Teal, which remained until about the end of the month, as did also multitudes of Coots (_Fulica americana_).

The following list of course includes only a small proportion of the total number of species observed.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (_Hylocichla aliciæ_).—The exact date of arrival
of this species was not noted, but was somewhere near the 20th of
April. During the last week of April and the first three weeks of May
it was very common, perhaps more so than any other of the small
Thrushes. Specimens were shot May 23, and others were observed as late
as the 28th of that month, the date of my departure.

TAWNY THRUSH (_Hylocichla fuscescens_).—Arrived April 21 and remained
until toward the last of May. Less common than _H. aliciæ_ but
frequenting the same localities and having nearly identical manners.

BEWICK’S WREN (_Thryomanes bewicki_).—Rather common, found only about
the out-buildings of farms and in the village.

HOUSE WREN (_Troglodytes aëdon_).—Less common than Bewick’s Wren, and
noticed only about brush-heaps and along old fences.

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (_Protonotaria citrea_).—Very abundant among the
“elbow-brushes” (_Cephalanthus occidentalis_) and willows in the pond,
nesting in hollows of the latter.

BLUE-WINGED YELLOW WARBLER (_Helminthophaga pinus_).—Very abundant
among the undergrowth in thick woods, chiefly in the bottoms.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (_Helminthophaga chrysoptera_).—Not uncommon for
a few days during the early part of May.

TENNESSEE WARBLER (_Helminthophaga peregrina_). As usual, very
numerous for several days, arriving May 7.

NASHVILLE WARBLER (_Helminthophaga ruficapilla_).—Rather rare during
the middle portion of May, arriving about the 6th.

CAPE MAY WARBLER (_Perissoglossa tigrina_). Probably not uncommon,
four specimens being obtained, all shot from the top branches of tall
trees, and not recognized until after being shot.

BLACK-AND-YELLOW WARBLER (_Dendrœca maculosa_).—Much the most abundant
of the migratory species.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (_Dendrœca castanea_).—Rather common for a few
days.

BLUE WARBLER (_Dendrœca cærulea_).—Very abundant summer resident,
first noticed about the 25th of April. Diligent search failed to
discover a single nest, though pairs evidently having nests were met
with on every hand through the woods.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (_Dendrœca dominica albilora_).—Unaccountably
rare, only two having been obtained, and one or two others heard. I am
at a loss to account for the scarcity of this species, unless it be
the rarity of sycamore (_Platanus_) trees in the locality under
consideration.

Since there is evidently a general misapprehension of the characters
distinguishing this race from true _D. dominica_, it may be as well to
state here that the latter is larger, with a _constantly and very
decidedly longer bill_, while the yellow over the lores is _never
absent_. Var. _albilora_ frequently has the yellow over the lores
almost as distinct as in typical _dominica_, but the bill is always
much smaller, and somewhat differently shaped.

PINE-CREEPING WARBLER (_Dendrœca pinus_).—Rather rare.

PRAIRIE WARBLER (_Dendrœca discolor_).—Heard singing among the bushes
in an old field on the day of my arrival, and frequently afterward.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER (_Oporornis agilis_).—Not uncommon about the
middle of May, but very shy. Frequented the borders of the swamp, and
escaped into the thick button-bushes when surprised.

KENTUCKY WARBLER (_Oporornis formosa_).—One of the most abundant of
the summer residents.

MOURNING WARBLER (_Geothlypis philadelphia_).—Became suddenly very
common May 6. Frequented chiefly brush-piles and old fences. Most of
the specimens observed were males in fine plumage.

BLACK-CAPPED YELLOW WARBLER (_Myiodioctes pusillus_).—Rare during
migration.

CANADA FLYCATCHING WARBLER (_Myiodioctes canadensis_).—One of the most
numerous of the migratory species; first noted April 18, but not
common until a week later.

HOODED WARBLER (_Myiodioctes mitratus_).—Rather common in deep woods,
but much less so than in the vicinity of the Cypress swamp, further
south.

SOLITARY VIREO (_Lanivireo solitarius_).—Rare.

CEDARBIRD (_Ampelis cedrorum_).—Exceedingly numerous among the willows
in the swamp, where feeding upon the larvæ of _Diabrotica 12–maculata_
infesting these trees.

SUMMER REDBIRD (_Pyranga æstiva_).—Rather common, but owing to the
comparative absence of high, dry woods, much less so than near Mt.
Carmel. A female, killed at the same shot with her mate, resembled the
male except in the tint of the red, which was of a brick-red rather
than vermilion, the male also being in the parti-colored plumage of
the immature bird, the red occupying, in both male and female,
one-half or more of the plumage. The ovaries of the female were well
developed.

GRASS FINCH (_Poœcetes gramineus_).—Common in the meadows, a nest with
four eggs being taken April 30.

LARK FINCH (_Chondestes grammica_).—Rather common, chiefly in fields
near roadsides.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (_Zonotrichia leucophrys_).—Became common about
the middle of May.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (_Zonotrichia albicollis_).—Very abundant up to
the middle of May, and a female was started among some bushes near the
edge of the swamp about the 27th or 28th of the month, her actions and
notes strongly suggesting a nest in the vicinity, but I was unable to
discover one.