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Title: The Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society, Vol. XI. No. 2

Author: Various

Editor: W. H. Brownson

Release date: April 25, 2019 [eBook #59355]

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOURNAL OF THE MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOL. XI. NO. 2 ***

Vol. XI

No. 2   25 cents a copy

$1.00 a year

June, 1909

The Journal

of the

Maine Ornithological Society

Maine Ornithological Society

Bird Protection, Bird Study,

The Spread of the Knowledge thus

Gained, These Are Our Objects.

Editor, W. H. BROWNSON, Portland     Associate Editor, LOUIS E. LEGGE, Portland

Published by the Society at 97 1-2 Exchange Street, Portland, Maine

Entered as second class matter June 13, 1905, at the post office at Portland, Maine, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.

JOURNAL

OF THE

Maine Ornithological Society.

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MAINE ORNITHOLOGISTS

Issued every quarter on the first of March, June, September and December of each year

Publication Office: 97 1-2 Exchange St., Portland, Maine.

Editor, W. H. BROWNSON,

Portland.   Associate Editor, LOUIS E. LEGGE,

Portland.

Price, $1.00 per annum.     Single Copies, 25 Cents.

Address W. H. Brownson, 85 Market Street, Portland, Me.

The Maine Ornithological Society comprises in its membership the leading ornithologists and bird students of Maine. The membership is constantly increasing and the interest in the society was never greater than now. If you are interested in birds and wish to know more about them you should by all means send in your name for membership in this society. The dues are one dollar a year, and payment of this sum entitles each person elected to membership to the JOURNAL free of charge. Application for membership should be made to the Secretary, Mr. Dana W. Sweet, Phillips, Maine. Mr. Sweet is also the treasurer and the annual dues should be paid to him. All persons, both young and old, are eligible to membership. It is not necessary for one to be versed in bird lore in order to insure his election to this society. The larger the membership the more can be done in the way of improving the JOURNAL and increasing its size. Send in your name without further delay. The society will be glad to welcome you to its meetings, which are held once a year in different cities. The officers of the society are as follows:

President, Dr. H. H. BROCK, Portland.

Vice President, J. MERTON SWAIN, Farmington.

Secretary and Treasurer, DANA W. SWEET, Phillips.

Councillors, WALTER H. RICH, Portland; Dr. WILLIAM C. KENDALL, Freeport.

Editor, W. H. BROWNSON, Portland.

Associate Editor, LOUIS E. LEGGE, Portland.

HUNGARIAN OR GRAY PARTRIDGE.

(Perdix-cinerea)

FROM A DRAWING BY WALTER H. RICH, PORTLAND, MAINE.

The Journal

of the

Maine Ornithological Society

Published by the Society on the first of March, June, September and December

Vol. XI     JUNE, 1909     No. 2

The "Hungarian Partridge"—the Gray Partridge.

(Perdix cinerea.)

By WALTER H. RICH, Portland.

For the purpose of advancing the interests of our supply of game and its protection and propagation, a number of local sportsmen have formed a society under the title of "The Cumberland County Fish and Game Protective Association." As first fruits of their endeavors, and as earnest of their intentions, they have imported and liberated in five or six colonies in the neighborhood of Portland, fifty pairs of "Hungarian Partridge" (Perdix cinerea), generally considered the prime game bird of Europe.

The society has secured the passage of an act establishing a close time of four years, with the proper penalties for non-observance thereof.

In its numerous species and varieties the race is scattered all through temperate Europe, prospering best in its milder regions and shunning extremes of either heat or cold. Its range extends from southern Scandinavia and England on the north and west, Naples on the south, eastward through Persia, India and Tibet, to China. As is natural over so wide an extent of territory, there is much variation in size and coloring, but it is upon the great wheat plain of Hungary, where they thrive best and are exceedingly numerous, that the birds of this species attain their greatest size.

The relationship of the Old World Partridges with our "Quails," as we usually term them, seems to be very close. The American group, as most of our members probably know, is separated from its over-sea relatives chiefly because its members have a more or less distinct serration on the cutting edge of the mandible near the tip. This is scarcely apparent in some species. The bill in our American group (Odontophorinæ) seems more arched, giving it a shorter and heavier appearance. In the Hungarian Partridge the bill is noticeably flatter and longer than in our "Quails," and the side view of the head gives a very pigeon-like appearance, save, of course, the lack of the tumid membrane at the base of the bill as shown in the pigeon.

Of our American Partridges the species most suggesting this bird is the Plumed Quail of California, though Perdix lacks the plumes, is rather more brownish in his tones, and is of generally lighter coloring. Our new citizen is plump and stocky, powerful in figure, short of wing with a short tail, carried low in Quail fashion. I weighed the largest of those which I had and he tipped the scales at eleven ounces. He was in fair order, not fat, and in condition might have weighed thirteen or fourteen ounces. The meat is dark, which rather surprised me, for I had taken it for granted that it would be white.

As many of our members may be unfamiliar with the appearance of this bird, a brief description may not be out of place here. Their markings are as follows: top of the head, dark yellowish brown; throat, light reddish buff, with a broad band of the same shade running back above the eyes to the hind head; above, in general a brownish or yellowish ash, lightening toward the rump, the feathers here, as also on the tail coverts, crossed by a broad subterminal band of chestnut, and everywhere the feathers are finely barred with broken, irregular dark lines; the scapulars with more or less reddish or chestnut, and central lines of pale buff; the tail short, carried low like a Quail's, bright reddish brown; the flight feathers brownish, the primaries still darker, and all cross-barred with irregular bands of ochraceous, black-margined; the upper breast bluish ash, growing lighter below, and brownish on the flanks, where the feathers show a broad band of chestnut near the tips, and are crossed by fine vermiculations of darker color, sometimes unbroken lines, but oftener their mere suggestions made up of small dots; a chestnut "shield," or "horse-shoe," of considerable size in the middle of the lower breast; under tail coverts, light yellowish brown, very faintly and finely barred; feet and legs, brownish flesh color; bill, gray-blue; eyelids, gray-blue or pale flesh color; iris, brown or red-brown; naked patch just behind the eye of light orange.

"The dark chestnut 'horse-shoe' on the gray breast is nearly obsolete in most adult females; female invariably distinguished by widest buff bands on black scapulars and adjoining wing coverts, which in cock are light brown with black vermiculations and chestnut blotches. The latter sex, moreover, has gray instead of brown sides to the neck." (Ogilvie Grant.)

There are great variations in coloring. Specimens from dry soil are said to exhibit the richest hues, while some are occasionally taken showing white "horse shoe." A particularly dark variety has been denominated montana. There are even records of hybrids between this species and the red-legged Partridge, and also with the Scotch Grouse.

East of the Altai and Tian Shan this species is replaced by the allied Perdix daurica (barbata), which has lanceolate feathers on the side of the throat and a black "horse-shoe" on a golden-buff breast. Other species in South Tibet, North India, Northwest China, and North Tibet. These last are more hardy, ascending the mountains to the snow line.

The Gray Partridge pairs in February and nests in April, and success in raising the brood depends much on excess of wet or drought. The nest is made upon the ground, a circular cavity, lined with grass, in the herbage and often in exposed situations. Eggs are from nine to twenty, drab or bluish. It is wellnigh impossible to see the bird upon her nest, where her blending colors of gray and brown so closely match the surroundings of dry grass and herbage. Both parents tend the young and employ the same wiles and tricks to mislead the intruder as does the Ruffed Grouse or the Bobwhite in a similar situation. Large numbers of eggs are never hatched, and many a chick falls victim to his enemies in fur or feather, owing to the exposed position of the nest or the feeding ground.

These Partridges roost upon the ground at night. Late in the fall they "pack up" into large coveys, much as do our Prairie Chickens, and these are said to be equally as wild at this time as are the Chickens in the same circumstances. Rarely does the Gray Partridge desert the open for the woods, even in hot weather, only seeking shelter under low brush, or the broad leaves of the crops, the corn, the cabbage, the turnip, the clover clump. The larger the cultivation in a district the better their chance of prospering.

Often pursued, they trust to their legs for escape, or may crouch low in the grass, motionless, trusting to their plumage's matching tones to render them invisible. When flushed they rise with a loud whirr—the flight rather labored until under way, when they glide on bowed wing rapidly and easily. As to their qualities as game birds it is somewhat too early for us to speak with full decision. They are highly esteemed in Europe, but are more often driven than hunted over dogs, mainly, it is said, because the cultivated ground has so little of waste spaces in hedgerows or brush to lead them to lie close, so they are apt to run unseen to the end of the furrows and so flush wild. They are swift of foot and very quick in all their movements. If I were to express any opinion at present, I should say that I should expect them to do a great deal of running before the dog, especially when the young have become well grown, and from the little I have seen I should judge them to be far inferior in wing power to Grouse or Quail.

I was fortunate enough to have a colony of these birds left in my care for setting out, and I took them home with me. During the evening I brought a male bird in to make the acquaintance of the family. I spent the half-hour in which he lay snuggled under my chin in scratching his head. At first his heart jumped in lively fashion but he soon quieted down and merely blinked his eyes in deep content. It seems as though they would tame very easily.

In their coop they used a great variety of language; they clucked like a Grouse; they chattered like a Blackbird; they snapped their bills like an Owl; they "jawed" like a Parrot; they made a guttural note of alarm like the "br-r-r-r" of a startled Pigeon; they hissed like a Black Duck guarding her nest, or like a Thomas cat whose dignity is ruffled not quite enough for anger; and, in addition, they are said to "crow" at evening. Their Latin name, Perdix, is said to be a fairly close imitation of their call. English? Continental? Or ancient Roman pronunciation?

Next evening, May 6, 1909, about sundown, I carried them into a clearing in the woods where was a couple of acres of newly turned soil sloping down to a brook, the north side well wooded, on the south open to the sun, and a good bit of cultivated land near by. I placed the box upon the ground with a corner of the burlap cover loosened so that they might easily get out. They got out; they stood not upon the order of their going but went at once. The box was scarcely set down when they began to stream out into the dusk. They made only a short flight—twenty yards or so, the longest not over forty—and dropped into the plowed ground. A few scurried into the woods at the right. In a moment the gloom was filled with curious noises as the scattered birds began calling each other. It was as though every wheelbarrow in the neighborhood had lifted up a voice of protest against the high price of oil. Presently they gathered together, the last straggler came out from the woods, and all collected on a little hummock in the midst of the plowed ground, and viewed their surroundings, as it seemed to me, with no great approval. They squeaked and called for a few minutes until finally the whole covey made off on foot, entering the edge of the brush and apparently settled down for the night. Here we left them and another experiment in game propagation is under way.

Will they survive or no? It is to be hoped that the optimists may win this time, for it would be a great pity to lose these beautiful little creatures. For their welfare during all but the bitterest of our weather there need be no fear, but the furnishing of the table of a bird who depends mainly on grain and insects for its sustenance may become a vital issue when our northern winter descends upon us, and when the door of the North Pole swings open about January 15th to stand wide until March 20th, and the north wind comes down, swirling and heaping the snow through the woods and over the open, I greatly fear that these little folk will regret the day they left the billowing grain fields and sunny vine-clad slopes of far-off Hungary.

Occasional Notes on Birds at Sea.

By DR. WILLIAM C. KENDALL, Scientific Assistant U. S. Bureau of Fisheries.

The following notes were made by the writer while serving as naturalist on the U. S. Fish Commission Schooner, "Grampus," in 1891, 1894 and 1895, during cruises connected with enquiries relating to mackerel. These cruises extended from off the coast of Virginia to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and even southern Labrador, but all of the notes are not now available, thus rendering those following more or less fragmentary, desultory and indefinite. They are copied almost verbatim from the available notes, about the only change being that of adjusting such technical names as were used to the more modern nomenclature of "Knight's Birds of Maine." Owing to the writer's unfamiliarity with birds, unfortunately they could not always be identified with certainty when at a distance, and in the case of the Petrels not even when in hand. Therefore when the species is in the least in doubt the technical name when used is questioned. Many references are to Phalaropes without specifying the particular species. This is due mainly to inability to determine which they were. But always when identifiable the Northern Phalarope was the more common.

The only excuse the writer has for offering these notes for publication in the JOURNAL is that he was urged to do so by officers of the society. So, ever desirous of obliging his friends, he has complied, even though contrary to good judgment and discretion.

1891.

May 5. Latitude 41° 16´ north; longitude 71° 2´ west. Two Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) seen flying northwest.

May 8. About 5.5 miles north and west from latitude 39° 46´ north; longitude 73° 46´ west. Two Herring Gulls were seen in shoreward. Two Loons (Gavia imber) and two Ducks (sp.?) were also observed. Fresh southwest by west breeze and hazy sky. When about six miles off Navesink a Yellow Warbler (Dendroica æstiva) flew aboard and remained for some time.

May 9. About 10.30 A. M.; near latitude 39° north; longitude 73° 55´ west. A small flock of Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus?) and one Petrel (sp.?) seen. At 12 M. Small numbers of Phalaropes and Petrels occasionally seen. Latitude 38° 39´ north; longitude 73° 39´ west; gentle west southwest breeze; temperature of air 56.5°. A flock of about thirty or more Phalaropes seen. 2.6 miles south and west of above position several small flocks of Phalaropes were observed. About latitude 38° 39´ north; longitude 73° 59´ west. Small flocks of Phalaropes seen. Have seen frequent small flocks during the afternoon. All the Phalaropes seem to be one species (P. lobatus?).

May 10. Near latitude 38° 21´ north; longitude 74° 26´ west; light west southwest air. A Yellow Rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) flew aboard and remained several hours. (About noon; near latitude 38° 18´ north; longitude 74° 24´ west, a red Bat flew aboard). About latitude 38° 15´ north; longitude 74° 22´ west, a few Northern Phalaropes seen. 4.7 knots south and west from latitude 38° 9´ north; longitude 74° 19´ west; temperature air 58°; gentle southwest breeze and somewhat hazy. Two large flocks of Northern Phalaropes seen.

May 11. Latitude 38° 11´ north; longitude 74° 22´ west; 11 A. M. Observed small flocks of Northern Phalaropes.

May 18. Latitude 38° 23´ north; longitude 74° 45´ west; 8 A. M. A few Northern Phalaropes seen. Latitude 38° 3´ north; longitude 74° 39´ west; 11 A. M. Several Petrels (sp.?) seen.

May 19. Latitude 38° 40´ north; longitude 74° 10´ west; 11 A. M.; wind west by south; light air. Observed some Petrels (sp.?). Here an Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) flew aboard and remained until night. Latitude 39° 2´ north; longitude 73° 53´ west; 7 P. M. Two small bunches of Northern Phalaropes and one Petrel (sp.?) seen.

May 25. Latitude 40° 17´ north; longitude 73° 23´ west; 6 P. M. Large flock of Petrels (sp.?) seen.

May 26. 12 M.; light south wind; heavy rain; fog lifting some. Two Maryland Yellowthroats flew aboard. Latitude 41° 2´ north; longitude 71° 46´ west; 2 P. M. Two Black Hags (Puffinus fuliginosus?) seen.

May 28. Latitude 41° 6´ north; longitude 71° 15´ west; 4 P. M. Few Petrels (sp.?) and Hags (Puffinus gravis) observed. Latitude 41° 7´ north; longitude 71° 16´ west; 6 P. M. One small flock of Northern Phalaropes seen.

May 31. Latitude 41° 9´ north; longitude 71° 9´ west; 8 A. M. Petrels (sp.?) appear whenever toll-bait for mackerel is thrown. These birds, as well as preceding Petrels, are called by the sailor on the vessel "Carey Chickens" or just "Caries."

June 3. Latitude 41° 15´ north; longitude 71´° 2´ west; 4.30 P. M. A few Petrels ("Caries") observed.

1894.

April 22. Latitude 38° 22´ 30´´ north; longitude 74° 26´ 30´´ west; 2 P. M. Two small flocks of Petrels (sp.?) feeding in a slick. Near station; latitude 38° 22´ 30´´ north; longitude 74° 26´ 30´´ west; 1.6 knots southeast by south. Several small flocks of Northern Phalaropes, from eight to thirty birds each, one or two Jaegers and many Loons seen to-day. Near latitude 38° 19´ north; longitude 74° 23´ west. A flock of Gannets seen.

April 23. Near latitude 38° 15´ north; longitude 74° 18´ west; dead calm. Phalaropes have been common this morning in small flocks and scattering birds, generally flying southward. Latitude 38° 12´ north; longitude 74° 17´ 30´´ west. One Gray Gannet shot; stomach contained nothing. Two Northern and two Red Phalaropes shot. Their stomachs contained copepods and coarse and fine sand, and had a few small gastropods. Latitude 38° 13´ north; longitude 74° 20´ west. Phalaropes have been common this morning. A few Arctic Terns observed. Phalaropes mostly on the wing, but flying in no particular direction.

April 25. Latitude 37° 35´ north; longitude 74° 47´ west. Occasional flocks of five or six Phalaropes each have been seen to-day.

April 26. Latitude 38° 3´ north; longitude 74° 31´ west; 12 M. Very few birds thus far to-day. Two Loons heard crying. East northeast; 5.2 knots from latitude 38° 17´ north; longitude 74° 26´ west; 5 P. M. A small flock of White Gannets seen sitting on the water.

April 27. Latitude 38° 42´ north; longitude 74° 2´ west; 8 A. M.; temperature of air 53° F.; moderate south southwest breeze. Phalaropes very common. Latitude 38° 27´ north; longitude 73° 37´ west; 12 M. Some Phalaropes seen.

April 28. Latitude 38° 24´ 30´´ north; longitude 74° 6´ west; 6 A. M. A few Phalaropes seen in flocks of three to five.

May 1. Latitude 38° 24´ 30´´ north; longitude 74° 9´ west; 12 M. Quite a number of scattering Phalaropes have been seen through the last hour. Six knots southeast by east from latitude 38° 24´ 30´´ north; longitude 74° 9´ west; 1 P. M. Northern and Red Phalaropes quite common but scattered.

May 2. Latitude 38° 13´ 30´´ north; longitude 73° 33´ west; 12 M. Very few Phalaropes seen to-day, one Pomarine Jaeger(?). Latitude 38° 9´ 30´´ north; longitude 73° 44´ 15´´ west; 4 P. M. Phalaropes scattered but common.

May 4. Near latitude 38° 29´ north; longitude 74° 47´ 45´´ west. Numerous large flocks of Phalaropes and large schools of mackerel seen.

May 12. East by south, 4.3 knots from latitude 39° 19´ north; longitude 72° 49´ 30´´ west; 8 A. M.; gentle northeast by east breeze; temperature of air 53° F.; clearing; moderate swell. Scattering Phalaropes seen this morning, also one "Marlinspike" (Stercorarius longicaudus?). West northwest, 1.3 knots from latitude 39° 19' north; longitude 72° 37´ 30´´ west; 10 A. M.; temperature of air 56° F.; gentle northeast by north wind; moderate swell. Few scattered Phalaropes.

May 12. Latitude 39° 21´ 45´´ north; longitude 72° 49´ west; temperature of air 56° F.; gentle north wind; sea smooth. Observed a few Phalaropes and one Common Jaeger. Latitude 39° 24´ 30´´ north; longitude 74° 55´ west; temperature of air 64° F.; calm. Several flocks of Phalaropes seen flying.

May 13. Latitude 39° 22´ north; longitude 72° 29´ 30´´ west; temperature of air 54.5° F.; gentle west southwest wind; sea smooth. Several fair sized flocks of Phalaropes seen this morning.

May 16. Latitude 40° 41´ 30´´ north; longitude 69° 5´ 30´´ west; temperature of air 57° F.; moderate west breeze; smooth sea. A small flock of Phalaropes circling about the same spot repeatedly, and alternately sitting on the water and rising again in quick succession. Nine Terns (Sterna hirundo?) seen "plugging" in the same spot, but soon flying off to the westward.

May 18. Latitude 45° 6´ 30´´ north; longitude 65° 29´ west; 10 A. M.; temperature of air 47°; moderate east southeast wind; sky cloudy, clearing some; sea smooth. Small flocks of Phalaropes seen, very wild. No birds seen during the afternoon.

May 23. Southeast by south from latitude 44° 11´ 15´´ north; longitude 64° 14´ west; 12 M.; temperature of air 43° F.; moderate east wind; clear sky; moderate swell. A very large number of Herring Gulls were seen, two flocks of from 100 to 200 each, also a flock of Red Phalaropes on the water and Terns (Sterna paradisea?) "plugging," and covering this one place. Latitude 44° 22´ north; longitude 63° 53´ west; 5 P. M.; temperature of air 44° F.; gentle east southeast breeze; cloudy; sea smooth. "Mackerel Gulls" (S. paradisea?) very common this afternoon. Northeast by east, 3.3 knots from latitude 44° 22´ north; longitude 63° 53´ west; 6 P. M.; temperature of air 44° F.; gentle east southeast wind; sky cloudy; sea smooth. About 7 P. M., a large flock of Phalaropes seen sitting on the water. One (P. lobatus) was shot. Tow net took a lot of "red feed" (copepods) here. Birds contained fragments of copepods. Nothing found in proventriculum; everything in gizzards and intestines.

May 23. Latitude 44° 23´ north; longitude 63° 51´ 30´´ west; 7 P. M.; temperature of air 42.5° F.; light east southeast breeze; cloudy; sea smooth. Shot five Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisea) and three Phalaropes (P. lobatus). Terns had been eating crustacea; contained fragments. Phalarope had copepods in gizzard. The Terns were very common to-day. If one is wounded and utters a cry when shot, the others will hover over it and everyone could be killed.

May 24. Latitude 44° 24´ 45´´ north; longitude 63° 27´ west; 5 P. M.; temperature of air 44° F.; gentle southeast breeze; sky cloudy; sea smooth. Surface net took a very few minute copepods in ten minutes. Surface life is scarce. Terns (S. paradisea) have been numerous all day. They were frequently observed to dive. Phalaropes have been very common also, but so far away that it was impossible to identify them. Those we succeeded in shooting were (P. lobatus). Red Phalaropes (Crymophilus fulcarius) may have been present, as some looked redder than others.

May 25. Latitude 45° 0´ 45´´ north; longitude 61° 28´ 30´´ west; 7 P. M.; temperature of air 46° F.; light west southwest air; sky clearing; moderate swell. All along a few flocks of Phalaropes have been seen. A few "Medricks" (S. paradisea?) also observed.

May 28. Latitude 44° 49´ 15´´ north; longitude 62° 9´ 30´´ west; 9 A. M.; temperature of air 45° F.; light north wind; sky cloudy; moderate swell. Several small flocks of Phalaropes seen sitting on the water.

May 29. Nearly one knot (.7) east northeast from latitude 45° 39´ 30´´ north; longitude 60° 4´ 15´´ west; 2 P. M.; temperature of air 55° F.; light west northwest air; sky clear; sea smooth. A couple of small flocks of Phalaropes seen sitting on the water; seemed pretty "tame".

July 9. One knot north by east from latitude 42° 34´ 45´´ north; longitude 70° 29´ 15´´ west; 2 P. M.; temperature of air 66° F.; sky overcast; fog; light north by east breeze; sea smooth. Large flock of Petrels (sp.?) seen sitting on the water or hovering over the surface in certain localities, probably feeding on something at the surface.

July 17. Latitude 42° 54´ 30´´ north; longitude 70° 18´ 30´´ west; 1 P. M.; temperature of air 72°; light southwest air; overcast; fog; sea smooth. Observed a large school of large fish ("Bonito") followed by a lot of Petrels (sp.?).

July 30. Latitude 50° 9´ north; longitude 65° 2´ 30´´ west; 9 A. M.; temperature of air 53° F.; gentle east southeast breeze; overcast; fog; sea smooth. Very few birds have thus far been seen up here. One or two Ducks, a few Plover, a few large Gulls, a Loon and a Gannet.

August 5. Latitude 47° 52´ north; longitude 60° 57´ 30´´ west; "Bird Rock" light bearing west northwest about six miles; 11 A. M.; temperature of air 61° F.; fresh west by south wind; cloudy; very choppy. A large number of Gannets seen flying about.

August 18. Southwest by south 1/2 south, 5.5 knots from latitude 44° 59´ 45´´ north; longitude 61° 44´ west; 6 P. M.; temperature of air 62° F.; stiff west by south wind; sky clearing; sea choppy. Few Medricks seen.

August 23. Near latitude 43° 11´ 15´´ north; longitude 65° 27´ 15´´ west; 10 A. M.; temperature of air 60° F.; light northwest by west air; sky clear; moderate sea. Five Phalaropes (P. lobatus) seen. Latitude 43° 13´ 30´´ north; longitude 65° 33´ west; 11 A. M.: temperature of air 55° F.; gentle west by south wind; sky moderate; moderate sea. Scattering Phalaropes (P. lobatus) seen about 10.30 A. M.

September 11. Latitude 43° 11´ 30´´ north; longitude 69° 45´ west; 1 P. M.; temperature of air 59°; moderate west northwest wind; sky clear; sea choppy. Four Red and four Northern Phalaropes seen.

[To be concluded in the September JOURNAL.]

A Pet Cedar Waxwing.

By MRS. DELLA F. WENTWORTH, South Portland.

September 17th, 1908, a young Cedar Waxwing was found helpless and almost unconscious on the lawn. On examination its left wing seemed dislocated, and the left leg from the knee to the foot was bent toward the right foot. We think that the dense fog which prevailed the night before and that morning may have prevented the bird from seeing the electric wires overhead and so been the means of the accident.

After being brought into the house he revived, and little by little recovered the use of his injured leg. After five months the wing still hangs down nearly touching the perch, though, strange to say, he can spread it fully, and close it nearly to the dimensions of the well wing when closed.

Cedric, for so we have named him, can hop from perch to perch of the canary bird cage and from the floor of the cage to the perches. When I take him out of the cage on my finger, Cedric will sometimes try to fly, but succeeds only in flopping down upon the floor, often striking heavily. Although frequently trying to fly upward, he cannot use his left wing well enough to raise himself wholly from the floor.

Cedric does not appear to regard his cage as a prison, and, though he sometimes shows fear of strange inanimate objects, is not afraid of any person, and will take his favorite tidbits from any offering hand. When first we offered food we found black cherries and choke cherries were his choice, but when cherry time had passed he reluctantly accepted as a substitute dried currants such as are used in cooking. It is interesting to watch him eat a cherry or currant. Seizing it quickly in his bill and pointing his bill upward he rolls it over and over in his mouth, as a juggler revolves a ball in the air, then suddenly one quick gulp and the tiny ball has disappeared.

Cedric is very fond of live flies, and angleworms cut in half-inch sections are graciously received, but grasshoppers and beetle-like bugs are rejected. Cedric seems to like flies best when their wings are buzzing, and if he is at the farther side of the cage when a fly is offered him he will jump to the perch near the fly and oftentimes seems to catch the fly in his bill before his feet have touched the perch. He comes as near taking the fly "on the fly" as is practicable within the confines of his cage. In the absence of flies and worms, fresh beef, veal and lamb, cut in tiny fragments, are eagerly swallowed, but never in great quantity. Cedric is also fond of fruit, and will eat apple cut in bits, or scraped fine, and small pieces of orange or banana.

Our little bird protege always knows when he has eaten enough, and when his needs are satisfied he will leave the most tempting morsels and resolutely fly or hop to the opposite end of the cage and turn his back on us as if to say, "I won't even look at it lest I may be tempted"—a lesson to the featherless bipeds who pride themselves upon their superior wisdom.

When very hungry, about eighteen flies seem to be a satisfying portion, though often half as many suffice. A half dozen bits of meat the size of a green pea, and a less amount of fruit are sufficient. Of course these meals are frequent, six or eight a day, while he always has access to the dried currants which we keep in his food dish, and which are washed and soaked before putting in the dish. If the currants are too dry, he will roll them about in his bill and toss them scornfully over his shoulder. Any food which we offer him that he does not want is promptly thrown down. We tried him on cedar cones and the berries of the ground juniper, but he would have none of them. The berries of the bush honeysuckle he ate until we got him cherries, when he utterly refused the honeysuckle berries, and threw them out of his dish. Seeds and sand he will not notice, but pecks regularly at the cuttlefish in his cage. When hungry he announces it in shrill staccato whistles, but when his hunger is satisfied, he will seek an upper perch and preen his feathers, and often sing to us in a soft, sweet whistle, which seems full of love, confidence and content, though it may have a shade of vague regret.

On hearing our footsteps after a period of solitude, we are greeted with a welcoming whistle, which is very delightful. This, and the more strident tones of our Poll Parrot, convince us that "they miss us at home."

At night, though in the full glare of the electric light, Cedric is ready to settle down to quiet, and when asked if he is ready to go to bed, he will flutter all his feathers and snuggle up in a corner, when we cover the cage with a paper and bid him "good night." If offered food at night he snaps his bill at us and makes an indescribable little querulous sound in his throat and will peck at our fingers if we continue to annoy him.

The cage is placed on the end of the piano and often when we play and sing, Cedric sits very still and accompanies us with his soft, whispering trill.

Every morning Cedric has his bath in the big bath tub, where he is sprinkled with cold water from a bath sprinkler. He spreads his feathers and prances about apparently in great delight. He always seems sorry when his bath is ended. Notwithstanding his daily bath, he frequently goes through the motions of taking a second bath, this time in his drink dish, though no water gets farther than his eyes.

Cedric has been moulting for two months or more. When found his breast was whitish, mottled with dark spots, like the breast of a thrush. He had no red spots on his wings and was not the beautiful purplish fawn color which is now showing on back and crest and breast, as the new feathers make their appearance. Now very few mottled feathers remain on his breast, which is nearly covered with the pretty fawn-colored feathers. The feathers of the belly are light lemon color. The lemon-tipped tail feathers have come out, one or two at a time, and are now nearly all new. The vivid black forehead and chin are new, but the crest is in such a state of pinfeatherdom that one would hardly think our little friend had any crest to speak of. Long and anxiously have we looked forward to the day when the little red tips would appear on the wings, and February 10th the first one was observed on the lame wing. It is salmon colored, rather than the vivid red of sealing wax, as yet, but we are watching closely for all the changes as they come, and shall hope soon to see our pet arrayed in the full insignia of the very daintiest groomed of all the distinguished Cedar Waxwings.

Our great regret is that we cannot cure him and set him free with his kind. It is pathetic to hear him chirp at his own image in the mirror, and for some time he has been tearing paper in his cage and trying to make string or paper stay upon his perch, apparently as the foundation of his nest. Much as we love him, we would gladly set him free could he but hold his own in the bird world and escape his enemies. Could we but find someone who could set his wing so that he could fly among his kind, we would be gladly content with only the memory of a brave, patient, trusting, dainty, delightful friend.

The Bohemian Waxwing in Maine.

By ORA W. KNIGHT, Bangor.

About the first of March the writer noticed an item in the Bangor Commercial to the effect that Mr. Clark had seen large flocks of the Northern Waxwing at Lubec during the past winter, but paid no further attention to the event, knowing that Mr. Clark would doubtless record the matter in proper shape in a more scientific medium in due season.

On March 9th, Dr. W. H. Simmons, of Bangor, called me up on the telephone and said he wished to tell me about the flock of Bohemian Waxwings which he had seen daily near his home since the middle of February. He stated that there was a good sized flock of the birds, and that they had been feeding daily on the fruit of a mountain ash tree which grew beside a window of his home, where he could look down on them. The birds had been coming for some time before he paid any especial attention to them, thinking that they were doubtless Pine Grosbeaks, until he happened to notice that they all had crests, which he knew was not a fact with the Grosbeaks. He then examined the birds critically and identified them as Bohemian Waxwings by their having white wing bars, yellow tips to their tail feathers, and by their prominent crests. Dr. Simmons also states that in February, 1908, a flock of birds of the same size were daily in the habit of visiting the same locality, but at that time he took no particular notice of them, though he is inclined to believe that they were of the present species.

March 11th, the writer and Mr. Winch visited the locality for the purpose of personally seeing the birds. They were not about Dr. Simmons' premises, but he was able to give us an idea of the general route they pursued, so that finally we found the flock feeding on rotten crab apples in an orchard several blocks away. Yes, there is no question as to their identity, as they were positively Bohemian Waxwings. They were busily engaged in eating the rotten apples, sometimes eating the pulp itself, at other times pecking the apple to pieces and eating the seeds, which they swallowed without shelling out the meat as do the Pine Grosbeaks.

Now and then the birds would fly from the tree in which they were feeding to a neighboring tree, uttering low lisping notes and whistlings which sounded very appreciably different in character from the notes of the Cedar birds.

They were very tame, so that I was able to get up within fifteen feet of them and secured six exposures of them with my pocket kodak. As if to show their kindly and obliging nature, they waited patiently until I was through taking photographs, and then at a signal the whole flock flew away in a compact bunch. Later in the day Mr. Winch secured one at the same locality, to which they returned.

From Dr. Simmons I was able to learn somewhat of their feeding habits. They did not seem to eat the pulp of the mountain ash berries but delved into the berry to obtain the seed while the pulp was dropped on the snow beneath. They seem to be more or less regular in their feeding habits, frequenting certain localities in a given route or circuit through the immediate neighborhood for a distance of a dozen blocks or so.

One of the teachers at the neighboring grammar school, who has aspirations to be somewhat of an ornithologist, had an item printed in the Bangor Commercial to the effect that the Cedar Waxwings had been wintering in the immediate neighborhood. Dr. Simmons saw this item in print and immediately called me up on the telephone to call my attention to the error, thus happily resulting in giving me much valuable information and the pleasure of seeing the birds as well.

It is well on to twenty years ago, when the writer was a high school boy, just beginning his scientific career, that the Bohemian Waxwings last visited this locality. In those early days Bohemian Waxwings and other northern birds used to visit us rather more frequently than they do now, as we used to see them every three or four years, but now that twenty years has elapsed from their last call to the present visit it is indeed a pleasure to be able to see them once more.

Practically all our winter birds seem to come in fewer numbers and less frequently and regularly than formerly, though even in those early days such eccentric creatures as the Bohemian Waxwings, Crossbills, and to a lesser extent the Pine Grosbeaks, could never be depended on.

Formerly we always found the Crossbills in winter, not at any other season, while now about Bangor both species of Crossbill occur more commonly and regularly as summer birds in May, June, July and August.

Birds of the Boston Public Garden.

BIRDS OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN. A Study in Migration. By Horace Winslow Wright, with an Introduction by Bradford Torrey, and illustrations. 238 pages. $1.00 net. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York.

THE JOURNAL has no hesitation in designating this volume as one of the most satisfactory local lists of birds ever published. For nine years the author has been a constant student of the migration of birds at the Boston Public Garden, adjoining Boston Common. Frequent excursions through that delightful locality in the early morning at the season when the birds are traveling northward or southward have made Mr. Wright perfectly familiar with the conditions which govern their arrival and departure. The data which he gives are valuable for all New England students, as well as a service beyond estimate for the young people who are making their first observations in that locality. A description of the Public Garden and the vegetation it contains is of exceeding interest. The illustrations are excellent half-tone engravings of the trees which attract different rare species of birds and the locations which they love. Particulars of the noteworthy features of the migrations for a series of years are given, both from the personal observations of the author and from the added testimony of other reliable observers.

More than three-fourths of the volume is devoted to an annotated list of the birds of the Boston Public Garden and incidentally of the Common, in migration, 1900-1908. This list is exhaustive and authority for numerous records and dates is freely given. An examination of the list is of unusual interest on account of its clearness and completeness, as well as the systematic order in which it is arranged. Many birds which one would expect to visit the Public Garden frequently in migration are noted as very rare. On the other hand, birds often are recorded as common which one would not expect to find their way to that locality. The book, as a whole, is of great value to the bird student, and it is so well done that it is worth a place in the library of any ornithologist.

W. H. B.

The Ornithological Magazines.

THE AUK.—The Auk for April, 1909, is an unusually interesting number. It contains "The Position of Birds' Feet in Flight," by Charles W. Townsend, M. D.; "Ornithological Miscellany from Audubon Wardens," by B. S. Bowdish; "Notes on the Summer Birds of Northern Georgia," by Arthur H. Howell; "The Training of Wild Birds as a Means of Studying Their Movements," by Leon J. Cole; "A List of the Birds of Western South Dakota," by Stephen S. Vischer; "Barrow's Golden-eye in Massachusetts," by William Brewster; "The Habitat Groups of North American Birds in the American Museum of Natural History," by J. A. Allen; "Something More about Black Ducks," by William Brewster, and "New Records and Important Range Extensions of Colorado Birds," by Merrit Cary. Besides these general articles there are many valuable notes of birds and bird literature.

THE CONDOR.—The Condor for March-April, 1909, has articles on Mearns Quail, Dusky Poor-will, California Black Rail, Thrashers, of Arizona, Birds of Southern Mexico, and the usual number of notes. In an interesting article Jonathan Dwight, Jr., M. D., of New York, makes a plea for retaining the common names of birds and for stability in vernacular appellations.

THE WILSON BULLETIN.—The Wilson Bulletin, for March, 1909, includes an index to the preceding volume. There are articles and notes on the birds of the Washington coast, American Barn Owl, Yellow-breasted Chat, Wood Thrush, Robin, Song Sparrow, Warblers of Wayne County, Michigan, and others. There is a long article on Alexander Wilson by Frank L. Burns.

CASSINIA.—Cassinia, issued in March, 1908, contains the proceedings of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club of Philadelphia. There are articles of permanent value on the birds of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is an interesting and valuable publication, well printed and adequately illustrated.

THE PURPLE MARTIN AND HOUSES FOR ITS SUMMER HOME.—This pamphlet is Gleanings No. 5, by J. Warren Jacobs, of Waynesburg, Pa. It is an article reprinted from the publications of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture. It contains all the information that anyone could desire about Martin houses, and how to obtain them or build them. There are also full suggestions for attracting the birds to the houses after they are erected. For sale by the author.

The Journal

of the

Maine Ornithological Society

A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds

Vol. XI     Published June 1, 1909     No. 2

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $1.00 a year; 25 cents a copy

OFFICERS OF THE MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Pres., DR. HENRY H. BROCK, Portland

Vice-Pres., J. MERTON SWAIN, Farmington

Sec.-Treas., DANA W. SWEET, Philips

Councillors, DR. WM. C. KENDALL, Freeport

WALTER H. RICH, Portland

W. H. BROWNSON, Portland Editor

LOUIS E. LEGGE, Portland Associate Editor

The JOURNAL prints in this issue the first instalment of an interesting series of notes of birds at sea, by Dr. William C. Kendall, Scientific Assistant U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, gathered in 1891, 1894 and 1895 on the United States Fish Commission Schooner Grampus, the cruises extending from the coast of Virginia to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and even to southern Labrador. The notes for 1891 and 1894 are here printed and those made in 1895 will be published in the September JOURNAL. We are under obligation to Dr. Kendall for this valuable contribution.

Mr. Dana W. Sweet, the new Secretary and Treasurer of the Maine Ornithological Society, has for some years compiled, in an able manner, the migration reports sent to him by members of the Society. In addition to his duties as Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Sweet will continue to edit the migration reports, and this will be eminently satisfactory to all members.

The attempt to introduce the Hungarian Partridge into Cumberland County will be watched with considerable interest, to see whether the birds liberated will take kindly to their new habitat. In this issue Mr. Walter H. Rich writes of the circumstances attending the introduction of the bird and contributes an excellent original portrait, drawn from life.

During the winter of 1908-1909 the Bohemian Waxwing appears to have been seen by a number of reliable observers, mostly in Eastern Maine. Reports of its occurrence continue to come in, so that it is sure that the region visited by the bird was quite extensive.

All subscribers to THE JOURNAL, who have not paid for the year 1909, are requested to send their dollars as soon as convenient. The money is needed to pay the current expenses of publishing THE JOURNAL, the membership dues, which should be paid to the Treasurer, not being sufficient for that purpose. Subscribers, as heretofore, should remit to the editor.

Attention is again called to the necessity of having a good department of notes, and this can only be accomplished when the members make frequent and generous contributions. The new associate member, Mr. Louis E. Legge, has charge of this feature of the magazine, and under his direction there is no doubt that it will be a credit to the Society. It is hoped that members will not fail to respond to Mr. Legge's request for material to make a good showing.

Members who have copies of Vol. 7, No. 1, March, 1905, Vol. 8, No. 1, March, 1906, or Vol. 9, No. 4, December, 1907, and who do not care to preserve them for binding, will do a favor by sending them to the editor. The file is nearly exhausted for those issues of THE JOURNAL, and there are frequent calls for complete sets from libraries in different parts of the country. Those who have copies issued previous to 1905 should preserve them carefully and send them to the editor unless they are intended for binding. There are many of the early issues of THE JOURNAL which are now lacking, and it is getting to be difficult to make up a complete set.

LINCOLN'S SPARROW AND MOURNING WARBLER IN PORTLAND, MAINE.—On May 30, 1909, I received as one of the victims of a plate glass window on Bowdoin St., Portland, a Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza Lincolnii), a male in good plumage. This is apparently the fifth recorded specimen for the vicinity of Portland. On June 1, 1909, from the same source, an adult male Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia). This appears to be the third recorded specimen for the vicinity of Portland. The other two specimens are recorded by Mr. N. C. Brown, May 31, 1876, Deering, Brown Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl., Vol. I, p. 95, and May 30, 1868, Cape Elizabeth, Me., Proc. Part. Lac., N. H., Vol. II, p. 1. Both birds are preserved and in my possession.—Miss Helen M. Lewis, Portland, Maine.

THE WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.—After walking a number of miles and visiting several places in a vain search for the White-crowned Sparrow, I gave up all hope of finding it this spring, but on May 26th I was so fortunate as to see a fine specimen of the male bird. He was perched on a post which stands at the edge of a tract of swampy land and appeared to be resting. I called the attention of my companion to him, and as he did not appear to object to our presence we took a long look at him. Should any person in this part of the state see this most interesting bird at a later date, I should be very glad to know it.—Sara C. Eastman. Portland, Maine.

Bird Notes.

Notes and observations upon bird life within our State are earnestly desired from all our readers for publication in this column, and should be sent to Louis E. Legge, 22 Dow street, Portland, Maine.

We note with much satisfaction the increasing frequency with which the members of our society report to this JOURNAL their ornithological observations. This is an important part of our duties, one to another, and should be shared in by all interested in bird life. The JOURNAL'S columns are always open to contributors of items of general interest relating to Maine birds, and we trust our members will, though this medium, disseminate such knowledge as they personally possess.

BIRDS AT GRAND MANAN.—Allan L. Moses sends from Grand Manan a list of birds seen there in March, April and the early part of May. Among the most interesting notes are a thousand Northern Phalaropes, a large flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks April 6th, Sparrow Hawks abundant on the same day, a Sora Rail heard on April 21st, a large flight of Ruby-crowned Kinglets from April 23rd to 25th. Mr. Moses reports on March 6th a Wilson's Phalarope, the only time he has seen it there. He records for the first time on the island an Ipswich Sparrow on March 26th. A Little Blue Heron was seen April 17th, this being the fourth time it has been recorded at Grand Manan. Brunnich's Murre was seen March 31st, Dovekie May 4th, Pigeon Hawks common after May 7th, Yellow Palm Warblers common after April 14th, Myrtle Warblers common after April 17th, Redpoll April 22nd, American Pipit May 11th.—Louis E. Legge, Portland.

MOURNING DOVES.—March 19th, I discovered a pair of Mourning Doves in the old Deering Golf Links, near the junction of Falmouth Street and Deering Avenue. My attention was first called to them by their size, and their peculiar movement on the ground. They were feeding quite close together, and finally I succeeded in making them take wing, when I at once discovered what variety of birds they were by the heart-shaped tail and the white feathers on each side. From their action on the wing, I should imagine that they were a pair, male and female. Possibly these birds are not rare, but I never recalled seeing but one other specimen, which I shot eleven years ago, late in October.—Silas B. Adams, Portland.

BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS IN BANGOR.—The flock of Bohemian Waxwings, which has been seen about the streets of Bangor since early in February, had not left us March 30th, 1909. I had not seen them until that date, although I had made many efforts to do so. I was walking down Court Street, near my own home, when I heard the note which I knew to be a Waxwing note, but enough different from that of the Cedar bird so that I at once guessed that I was at last to see our own rare visitors. I discovered a good sized flock among some apple trees in a neighbor's yard. For a good half hour I watched the birds at close quarters. They were busy with the old fruit on the trees and flying back and forth to the ground, the snow under the trees often being thickly dotted with them. They did not seem to mind at all my close proximity, neither did they mind some chattering English Sparrows who came around to see what was going on. But the strident note of a crow seemed to disturb their nerves somewhat. At his near call they would rise and fly off a short distance, but would soon return again to the same trees. A couple of White-breasted Nuthatches and a Chickadee, seemed to be on very friendly terms of companionship with them. I had ample opportunity to observe all the distinguishing features of the Bohemian Waxwing, the shape of the crest, the white on the wings, the chestnut coloring of under tail coverts and forehead, which in the sunlight looked almost a rich orange. I think I never enjoyed a more interesting and beautiful bird sight.—Bertha L. Brown, Bangor.

PHILLIPS BIRD NOTES.—I had never been able to find the Fox Sparrow in spring until last year. This spring I have found this species common, and most of the birds that I saw were singing. The song, when heard a little distance away, impressed me as being remarkably similar to that of the White-crowned Sparrow. I saw one White-crowned May 11th, two May 16th, and two the 17th. They were all in song. May 5th, I came upon a flock of nine Pipits. This is my earliest record. The same day I saw a large compact flock of Redpolls. I estimated the number to be between 100 and 200. The Sparrow Hawks have been fairly common this spring. With me this is a rare species. Up to date, the present month seems to have been most unfavorable for the observation of Warblers. They are not inclined to sing much, owing to the cold, backward weather. A few have arrived at the usual time, but it takes perseverance and sharp eyes to find them.—Dana W. Sweet, Phillips.

FOX SPARROWS SING IN BANGOR.—The 2nd of April I was delighted to hear again the inspiring song of the Fox Sparrow. I rushed out of doors with my glasses, and sure enough the little fellow was perched on a high branch of a young birch tree in our garden, his cinnamon back gleaming in the sunlight, and his joyous notes fairly crowding from his bursting little throat. This is the earliest spring record that I have of the Fox Sparrow. I first learned to know the song five years ago. Since then, every spring, numbers of the birds have visited our grounds, scratching among the leaves on the hillside, and singing exuberantly in the trees, generally staying with us about ten days or two weeks in April. As yet my little songster seems to be alone, but I hope soon to welcome his friends. Some bird books say the Fox Sparrow sings only on his northern breeding grounds; but I and several of my bird-lover friends know very well that of late years, at least, they sing around Bangor. In our own garden, and also in another garden somewhat similarly situated in another part of the city, we enjoy their most beautiful ringing song every April.—Bertha L. Brown, Bangor.

MORE BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS.—Mrs. Elizabeth H. Marks, of Yarmouth, writes that Miss Ellen F. Paine, of Bangor, reports a flock of Bohemian Waxwings at Bangor, the week previous to March 7th. The birds were positively identified—W. H. Brownson, Portland.

KILLDEER PLOVER.—Sunday, April 4th, while out for a walk looking for birds, I was very much gratified to see a Killdeer Plover. It was in fine plumage and was a beautiful bird.—H. W. Jewell, Farmington.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER LIGHTS IN BUSHES.—While out looking for birds back of the depot here at Farmington, I saw a Spotted Sandpiper fly and light on a bush which hung out over the water. They have done this before when I have been at the same place. There is a small creek back of the depot and a sewer runs into it from the village. The Sandpipers were here picking up bugs and worms from the mud on the banks of the creek.—H. W. Jewell, Farmington.

AN ALBINISTIC HERMIT THRUSH.—On the morning of May 17th, 1909, the writer saw an albinistic Hermit Thrush at Westbrook, Me. The bird was not captured. The entire head and upper part of the neck and throat appeared to be white and immaculate, and the large spots of the breast were resumed below the albinistic portion, their irregular upper border showing the irregular termination of albinistic portion. The unusual number of Hermit Thrushes seen that morning made it appear that a movement was in progress. The bird has not been seen since. Should any one see the bird, it is to be hoped that it may be reported through these pages.—Arthur H. Norton, Portland.

A ROBIN'S STRANGE NESTING PLACE.—I found a year or two ago what seemed to me to be an interesting incident, which was in the shape of a Robin's nest built on a ledge, the ledge being on a level with the surrounding land. A small bush gave protection from the blazing rays of the sun. The nest was six feet from the track (Sandy River Railroad), where four passenger trains passed, also several freight trains each day, but did not disturb the bird in the least.—H. W. Jewell, Farmington.

NOTES FROM FRANKLIN CO.—I saw a Wood Thrush near Farmington village, May 21st. I had visited the same place the morning before without hearing it. I saw another May 24th, near my home in Avon. May 23d, I saw a Philadelphia Vireo. It was singing in a clump of small trees on a bank in a field. The same day I saw a Veery with a pure white place on its upper parts. It seemed to be on the wing near the rump, about the width of a feather, and one-half to three-fourths inches long.—Dana W. Sweet, Phillips.

LATE MYRTLE WARBLERS.—On account of illness I have been unable to watch the migration of birds except from the piazza of my cottage in South Portland. As late as May 22nd, a considerable flock of Myrtle Warblers frequented the small gray birch trees which abound here. There were from twenty-five to forty individuals, in all grades of plumage. The adult males are very brilliant in slaty blue, black and yellow. This date seems to me to be quite late for so many of these birds to be in this section of the state, as they rarely nest here. A few Yellow Palm Warblers are with the Myrtles, and it is late for them to be so far south. Brown Thrashers, Catbirds, Baltimore Orioles and Yellow Warblers are quite numerous around the cottage. A large flock of Tree Swallows fly around the field all day, seeking insects in the air, but often settling down among the bayberry bushes and varying their early fare with the waxy berries.—W. H. Brownson, Portland.

HIGHLAND LAKE MIGRANTS.—While I have not been out at all this spring, as is my custom, to watch for the migrants, I have seen a few on the way to my camp at Highland Lake, as noted below; March 27th, 1 Bluebird; April 11th, 5 Phoebes, 1 Pine Warbler; April 19th, 2 Yellow Palm Warblers; April 19th, 2 Vesper Sparrows; April 27th, 3 Spotted Sandpipers; May 2nd, Black-throated Green Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Barn Swallow, Blue-headed Vireo; May 9th, Kingfisher; May 15th, Catbird; May 16th, Ovenbird, Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Mr. Fred Frost reports seeing a flock of 42 Canada Geese going over the Western Promenade March 25th.

Mr. Harry Hanson reports two Song Sparrows wintering near and about Deering Oaks. The pair were observed at various times during November, December and January—Louis E. Legge, Portland.

The Warblers of North America

By FRANK M. CHAPMAN.

With 24 full-page colored plates illustrating male, female and young of all species, and 8 full-page plates of nests and eggs. Large 8vo. Cloth, $2.90.

"The Warbler Book" and Chapman's Color Key, or Reed's North American Birds' Eggs,

$4.80

"The Warbler Book" and Bird-Lore, full year,

3.60

Chapman's Handbook Birds Ea. N. Am., cloth, $2.25; leather,

2.60

Coues's Key, last ed., 2 vols., cloth,

11.00

Bird Studies with a Camera, Chapman,

1.50

Two Bird Lovers in Mexico, Beede,

2.85

Wild Wings, Job,

2.85

Bird Houses, Dugmore,

1.82

With the Birds in Maine, Miller,

1.00

ALL SENT POSTPAID.

Let me quote you on any book or magazine published. My lists are free for the asking.

BIRD GLASSES, fine pair, in case with strap, $5.00, prepaid.

BENJAMIN HOAG,

STEPHENTOWN, NEW YORK.

WANTED!

Ornithological Books

on American or Foreign Birds and Eggs.

Offer fine list of choice sets, among them 712; 2121; 8211; 211 B111; 23014; 347 A13; 34814; 34912; 35614; 42413; 48618; 66314; 645 A15; 71516; 7541; 76313. 200 others.

CHAS. S. THOMPSON

Box 214

BUENA VISTA, COLORADO

Bird-Lore

is now publishing a series of plates by

Louis Agassiz Fuertes

and Bruce Horsfall

ILLUSTRATING

The Flycatchers of North America

IN COLOR

20 Cents a Copy $1.00 a Year

THE MACMILLAN CO.,

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WANTED.

Members of the Maine Ornithological Society who have copies of THE JOURNAL of Vol. 7, No. 1, March, 1905, Vol. 8, No. 1, March, 1906, or Vol. 9, No. 4, December, 1907, and who do not care to preserve them for binding, will confer a favor by sending them to the Associate editor of THE JOURNAL, Louis E. Legge, 22 Dow Street, Portland, Maine. The file is nearly exhausted for those issues and there are frequent calls for complete sets from libraries and individuals in different parts of the country.

..Standard Books on Birds..

FLOWERS, INSECTS, FISHES

and all Branches of Nature....

We can furnish on orders received by mail any nature book that you may want at a price that will be satisfactory to you. We have all the

STANDARD BIRD BOOKS

published, and can supply them promptly. Write us for information about anything you have in mind of this description, and we will reply at once. When you are in Portland call and see what we have on our shelves.

Following is a partial list of the bird books we have in stock and can furnish upon order:

Camps and Cruises of an Ornithologist.

Frank M. Chapman

Warblers of North America.

Frank M. Chapman

Birds of Maine.

Ora W. Knight

Baby Bird Finder. Volume 1 and 2.

H. E. Richards and E. G. Cummings

Feathered Game of the Northeast.

Walter H. Rich

Key to North American Birds, 2 vols.

Dr. Elliott Coues

Handbook of Birds Eastern North America.

Frank M. Chapman

Color Key to North American Birds.

F. M. Chapman

Bird-Life.

F. M. Chapman

Bird-Studies with a Camera.

Chapman

Handbook of Birds of the Western United States.

Florence Merriam Bailey

North American Birds' Eggs.

Chester A. Reed

A Guide to the Birds of New England and Eastern New York.

Ralph Hoffman

Nests and Eggs of North American Birds.

Oliver Davie

Birds of the Rockies.

Keyser

The Warblers of North America.

Frank M. Chapman

Two Bird-Lovers in Mexico. Lavishly illustrated.

C. William Beebe

Bird Neighbors.

Neltje Blanchan

Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted.

Neltje Blanchan

How to Attract the Birds.

Blanchan

Bird Homes.

Dugmore

Home Life of Wild Birds.

F. H. Herrick

Field Book of Wild Birds and Their Music.

F. S. Mathews

Birdcraft.

Mabel Osgood Wright

Birds of Village and Field.

Florence A. Merriam

A-Birding on a Bronco.

Merriam

Birds through an Opera-Glass.

Merriam

With the Birds in Maine.

Olive Thorne Miller

The First Book of Birds.

Miller

The Second Book of Birds.

Miller

Upon the Tree-Tops. A Bird-Lover in the West. Little Brothers of the Air. Bird-Ways. In Nesting Time.

Miller

Bird Portraits.

Ernest Thompson-Seton

"Every Bird."

Howe

Fowls of the Air.

Long

Our Common Birds and Know Them.

Grant

Field Key to the Land Birds.

Knobel

Song Birds and Water Fowl.

Parkhurst

Wake-Robin. Winter Sunshine. Birds and Poets. Locusts and Wild Honey. Pepacton and Other Sketches. Fresh Fields. Signs and Seasons. Riverby.

John Burroughs

Everyday Birds.

Bradford Torrey

Wild Wings.

Herbert K. Job

The Land-Birds and Game-Birds of New England.

Henry D. Minot

Third edition edited by

William Brewster

Wild Fowl of North America.

Daniel Giraud Elliot

North American Shore Birds.

Elliot

Gallinaceous Game Birds of North America.

Elliot

Birds of the United States and Canada.

Thomas Nuttall

Revised and annotated, with additions by

Montague Chamberlain

Ornithologists will always be welcome

at our store, and we shall be pleased to give all particulars about anything in the book line that may be desired. Our store is in Monument Square, where all the electric car lines center, and easily reached by all visitors to the city.

LORING, SHORT & HARMON,

PORTLAND, MAINE.

Transcriber’s Note:

Obvious printer errors corrected silently.

Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOURNAL OF THE MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOL. XI. NO. 2 ***

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Table of Contents

JOURNAL OF THE Maine Ornithological Society. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MAINE ORNITHOLOGISTS Issued every quarter on the first of March, June, September and December of each year Publication Office: 97 1-2 Exchange St., Portland, Maine. Editor, W. H. BROWNSON, Portland. Associate Editor, LOUIS E. LEGGE, Portland. Price, $1.00 per annum. Single Copies, 25 Cents. Address W. H. Brownson, 85 Market Street, Portland, Me.

The Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society Published by the Society on the first of March, June, September and December Vol. XI JUNE, 1909 No. 2 The "Hungarian Partridge"—the Gray Partridge. (Perdix cinerea.) By Walter H. Rich, Portland.

Occasional Notes on Birds at Sea.

1891.

1894.

A Pet Cedar Waxwing.

The Bohemian Waxwing in Maine.

Birds of the Boston Public Garden.

The Ornithological Magazines.

The Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds Vol. XI Published June 1, 1909 No. 2 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $1.00 a year; 25 cents a copy

OFFICERS OF THE MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Bird Notes.

Transcriber’s Note:

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE