Part 21

We did not succeed in cultivating a spirit of great tractability in the Eagle. Aside from the amusement he occasionally afforded in tackling living quarry, generally some superfluous cat, he was a rather uninteresting captive. One morning we omitted his breakfast, but in the course of the forenoon introduced a kitten into his apartment. He eyed her sharply for a few moments, then persistently ignored her and in the evening she was removed unscathed. Upon this we instituted upon the royal bird a brief course of starvation, and then submitted the unfortunate kitten again. This time her reception was very different. At sight of her he manifested great excitement, and in a very few minutes left his perch with a jump and a flop, and seized the poor beast in his talons. He struck her very nicely, pinning fore paws and head together with one foot, the hind paws together with the other, thus preventing the slightest resistance. My remorse at this stage of the proceedings was somewhat alleviated by the fact that the kitten did not even quiver, having apparently been instantly killed by the force of the blow. However, the Eagle at once put an end to what little life may have been left by breaking her spine with his beak. He thereupon tore a hole in her abdomen, and cast the intestines daintily aside. The contents of the stomach were examined and, with the exception of a single tid-bit which appeared to be a piece of bread, rejected. The rest of the body was then rapidly devoured. On the following morning a full-grown tom-cat was turned loose in the cage. The Eagle attacked him several times but was valiantly repelled, and up to the end of the third day, when he made his escape, Thomas remained master of the situation. Dissatisfied with this experiment, my friend subsequently introduced the cat in a half-stunned condition, and after getting well scratched the Eagle succeeded in overcoming him.—NATHAN CLIFFORD BROWN, _Portland, Maine_.

NOTE ON MARECA AMERICANA.—I shot at Wayland, Mass., October 1, 1881, a young male Widgeon (_Mareca americana_). It was flying in company with a flock of twelve others, apparently of the same species.—A. THORNDIKE, _Brookline, Mass._

DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS BY THE COLD WAVE OF MAY 21ST AND 22ND.—It seems worthy of note that, judging from indications in this vicinity, the destruction of bird life by the recent cold wave must have been very considerable.

On the morning of May 21st, a specimen of _Helminthophila peregrina_ was picked up so nearly chilled to death that it died shortly afterwards. The same was also true of a specimen of _Dendræca pennsylvanica_ On the morning of May 22nd, three other specimens of the following species were picked up here which had apparently died of cold: _Dendrœca maculosa_, _Myiodioctes pusillus_, and _Empidonax minimus_.

These facts suggest that the abundance of bird life may, to a considerable extent, be influenced by sudden extreme changes of temperature, as well as by heavy gales.—F. H. KING, _River Falls, Wis., May 24, 1882_.

A “TIDAL WAVE” OF BIRDS IN WASHINGTON.—In the twenty-five years during which I have paid more or less attention to birds hereabouts I have never seen anything like the “wave” that rolled up in the second and third weeks of May of this year. The highest spring “season” is usually the month from April 20 to May 20, at which latter date the tide has usually ebbed equably from its greatest height at the middle of May. This year the birds seemed to be held back by the cold and wet, and such an accumulation has seldom if ever been seen before. The streets and parks were _full_ of the birds, and the daily papers all had their say upon the unwonted apparition. In the Smithsonian Grounds, for example, I saw one day a _flock_ of a hundred or more Orchard Orioles, mixed with Baltimores. There were flocks of Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, etc., and any quantity of Thrushes, Vireos, Flycatchers and Warblers—among the latter the rare beauty _Dendrœca tigrina_. Of the latter Dr. Prentiss took several—the only ones we have known to be captured here for many years. The cause of this gathering of the clans was doubtless the cold wave Mr. King speaks of in the preceding paragraph.—ELLIOTT COUES, _Washington, D. C._

MORE DEFINITE STATISTICS NEEDED IN REGARD TO THE ABUNDANCE OF BIRDS.—It is deeply to be regretted, it seems to me, that we have so little specific information in regard to the abundance of birds in the various portions of the United States from which lists of species have been published.

Such terms as “common”, “not common,” “abundant,” “rare,” “rather rare,” etc., may have such different values in the minds of different observers, as to render them of but little value for any but the most general considerations. They are absolutely valueless in the discussion of such economic questions as, Can birds ever become abundant in thickly settled districts? and, What birds, if left to themselves, are likely to become most abundant in thickly settled sections?

The table given below indicates the character and kind of information which is much needed in the discussion of many important ornithological questions.

The first four columns are compiled from notes made in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, between July 31 and August 7, 1877; those in the last four columns are from notes taken in the vicinity of Ithaca, N. Y., in 1878.

In each column, opposite the name of the species, is given the number of individuals which were observed in travelling the distance indicated near the foot of each column. The item, “birds seen or heard but not named.” includes those individuals which were known to exist in the territory passed over, but which for various reasons could not be identified with certainty.

The salient features of the two localities, briefly stated, are these:—

In the vicinity of Ithaca, there is a long, deep, and narrow valley, having somewhat rolling, glen-cut sides: in it lies Cayuga Lake, deep and weedless, stretching, like a broad river, to the northward. Its east and west banks are abrupt and rocky and cut, at intervals, by deep wooded glens. A small grass swamp, bearing a few trees, at the south end of the lake and running up into the city, is about the only low land in the vicinity. Formerly a mixed deciduous and evergreen forest covered the hills. Now, mere remnants stand near together upon small closely packed farms on both sides of the valley. The houses are numerous, the orchards large, and there are few fields not having some trees standing in them.

In the portion of Jefferson County where the notes were taken, the country is nearly level, with gentle undulations, and is traversed by Bark and Rock Rivers. The streams make a sharp line between prairies and openings on one side and heavy hard and soft-wood timber on the other. Marshes trend along the streams, and shallow reedy ponds are common. Compared with the vicinity of Ithaca, the farms are larger, the houses less numerous, the orchards smaller, the woods and groves larger, and but few trees stand in the fields.

Route 1 led from a point about half a mile north of Bark River out across cultivated fields. Routes 2 and 3 each led east from Rock River, north of Jefferson, alternately through pieces of heavy timber and across dry cultivated fields. Route 4 led from the Crayfish west upon the prairie southwest of Aztelan, traversing dry treeless fields and leading through two small groves. Route 5 led from the University buildings west across the valley, leading through a pasture, through the north end of the city, through the swamp, and up the railroad, bordered on one side by cultivated fields, and by tangled thickets on the other. Route 6 led directly east from the campus to Varna, and then southwest along the railroad. On this trip only cultivated fields were crossed and one small piece of woods traversed. Route 7 led up the valley from Ithaca along the east side, and then across to Enfield Falls. On this tramp we passed in turn along the railroad, bordered with small scattering thickets on both sides, across the inlet through low fields, and then past cultivated fields and small pieces of woods. Route 8 lay ten miles east of Ithaca, and led from McLean off to the southeast of Dryden, and then through Dryden to Freeville. A branch of Fall Creek was crossed twice, and, with the exception of a small marsh near Freeville, only cultivated fields and small pieces of wood were passed.

═══════════════════════════════════════╤═══════════════════════════════ NAME. │ ROUTES. ───────────────────────────────────────┼───┬───┬───┬───╥───┬───┬───┬─── │ 1 │ 2 │ 3 │ 4 ║ 5 │ 6 │ 7 │ 8 ───────────────────────────────────────┼───┼───┼───┼───╫───┼───┼───┼─── Turdus migratorius │ 11│ │ │ 3║ 20│ 13│ 31│ 44 Turdus fuscescens │ │ │ │ ║ 2│ │ 2│ 4 Mimus carolinensis │ 2│ 8│ 3│ 2║ 12│ │ 25│ 7 Sialia sialis │ 1│ 2│ │ ║ 2│ 8│ 5│ 17 Parus atricapillus │ │ │ │ ║ │ │ 9│ Sitta carolinensis │ 3│ 7│ 2│ ║ │ 1│ 2│ 3 Troglodytes aëdon │ │ │ │ ║ │ 1│ │ 5 Eremophila alpestris │ │ │ │ ║ │ │ │ 3 Cistothorus stellaris │ 1│ │ │ ║ │ │ │ Dendrœca æstiva │ │ │ │ ║ 1│ 2│ 5│ 5 Geothlypis trichas │ │ │ 1│ 3║ │ │ │ Setophaga ruticilla │ 2│ 15│ 5│ ║ 2│ │ │ Pyranga rubra │ 1│ 3│ │ ║ │ │ │ Hirundo horreorum │ 5│ 5│ │ ║ │ 12│ 7│ 20 Tachycineta bicolor │ │ 2│ │ ║ │ │ │ Petrochelidon lunifrons │ │ │ │ ║ 2│ 12│ 10│ 55 Cotyle riparia │ │ │ │ ║ │ │ │ 13 Progne purpurea │ 2│ │ │ 1║ │ │ │ Ampelis cedrorum │ │ │ 8│ ║ 4│ 7│ 12│ 4 Vireo olivaceus │ 1│ 13│ 13│ ║ │ │ 1│ Vireo gilvus │ 1│ │ │ 3║ │ │ │ Vireo flavifrons │ │ │ 10│ 4║ │ │ │ Lanius excubitorides │ 1│ │ │ ║ │ │ │ Chrysomitris tristis │ 9│ 27│ 5│ 4║ 6│ 28│ 32│ 44 Poœcetes gramineus │ 5│ │ │ 10║ │ 16│ 19│ 28 Melospiza melodia │ 6│ 5│ 8│ 17║ 7│ 33│ 23│ 73 Melospiza palustris │ │ │ 1│ ║ │ │ │ Spizella socialis │ 3│ 1│ 1│ ║ 7│ 33│ 17│ 36 Spizella pusilla (shot) │ │ │ │ 2║ │ │ │ Cyanospiza cyanea │ │ 5│ │ ║ │ 2│ 3│ 3 Pipilo erythrophthalmus │ │ 3│ 3│ ║ │ │ │ Dolichonyx oryzivorus │ │ 18│ 3│ ║ │ 5│ 22│ 52 Molothrus pecoris │ │ │ │ ║ 2│ │ │ 10 Agelæus phœniceus │ │ 1│ │ ║ 12│ │ 10│ 12 Sturnella magna │ 1│ 2│ │ ║ 2│ 8│ 5│ 11 Icterus baltimore │ │ │ │ ║ 7│ 11│ 5│ 3 Quiscalus purpureus │ │ │ │ ║ │ │ │ 2 Corvus americanus │ 1│ 2│ │ ║ 3│ 10│ 8│ 28 Cyanurus cristatus │ │ │ │ 1║ │ │ │ Tyrannus carolinensis │ 8│ │ │ 10║ 4│ 4│ │ 8 Sayornis fuscus │ 2│ │ │ 4║ 2│ │ 22│ 11 Contopus virens │ 3│ 20│ 15│ 4║ │ │ 2│ 4 Empidonax minimus │ │ │ │ ║ 1│ │ │ Chætura pelasgica │ │ │ │ ║ 4│ 3│ 13│ 12 Trochilus colubris │ 1│ 5│ 1│ 1║ │ 1│ 1│ Ceryle alcyon │ 2│ 7│ │ ║ │ │ │ Coccyzus erythrophthalmus │ │ │ │ ║ 2│ │ 1│ Picus villosus │ 2│ │ 1│ ║ │ │ │ Picus pubescens │ │ 1│ │ ║ │ │ │ Sphyrapicus varius │ 1│ 2│ 4│ ║ │ │ │ Melanerpes erythrocephalus │ 4│ 2│ │ ║ │ 2│ │ 3 Colaptes auratus │ 7│ │ │ 6║ 2│ │ 2│ 1 Circus hudsonicus │ │ │ │ 5║ │ │ │ Falco sparverius │ │ │ │ ║ 1│ │ │ Hawk │ │ 2│ │ ║ │ │ 2│ Zenaidura carolinensis │ 5│ │ │ ║ │ │ 4│ 1 Bonasa umbellus │ │ │ 10│ ║ │ │ │ Ægialites vociferus │ 17│ 2│ │ ║ │ │ │ Tringoides macularius │ 1│ 11│ │ ║ │ │ 4│ 3 Actiturus bartramius │ 2│ │ │ ║ │ │ │ Ardea herodias │ 2│ │ │ ║ │ │ │ Ardea virescens │ 2│ 3│ │ ║ │ │ │ Rallus virginianus │ 1│ │ │ ║ │ 1│ 1│ Podilymbus podiceps │ 1│ │ │ ║ │ │ │ Birds seen or heard, but not named │ 20│ 36│ 18│ 15║ 20│ 69│100│101 ───────────────────────────────────────┼───┼───┼───┼───╫───┼───┼───┼─── Total number of birds observed │137│141│112│ 95║127│282│405│626 Number of miles traveled │ 4│ 5│ 3│ 3║ 2¼│ 5│ 7│ 11 Average number of birds per mile │ 34│ 28│ 37│ 32║ 56│ 56│ 58│ 57 Total number of species │ 35│ 27│ 18│ 17║ 23│ 22│ 31│ 32 ═══════════════════════════════════════╧═══╧═══╧═══╧═══╩═══╧═══╧═══╧═══

Total average number of birds per mile in Jefferson County is about thirty-three.

Total average number per mile in the vicinity of Ithaca is about fifty-seven.

The notes from which these tables are prepared were obtained by walking continuously over the routes named, without retracing steps in any case. When a bird was observed a record was made in the form of a dot placed against the name of the bird. The dots were placed for convenience in groups of five each separated by straight lines.

It seems a little remarkable that the four averages of the two localities should so nearly coincide. The fact that they do coincide so closely suggests that, unless we have here an unusual recurrence of figures, the averages represent a tolerably definite factor of the bird population of the two localities at the time the observations were made. The statistics do not indicate the actual bird-population in the two localities; but they do show, it seems to me, the relative abundance in the two sections, and, to a large extent, the relative abundance of the various species in each locality.

It is to be observed that the notes from the vicinity of Ithaca were taken in June before many of the young birds were upon the wing, while those from the other locality were made after the breeding season. The two localities should not be compared, therefore, without taking this fact into account. For instance, all the Bobolinks observed on trip 8 were, with two exceptions, males. Hence the figures probably show only about one-half the number of birds of this species that existed in the territory at the time of the visit.

In July, 1878, about the middle of the month, I went over route 5 and 6 a second time to see what effect upon the average the addition of the young birds would have. The whole number of birds observed was a little more than double that observed in June.

Perhaps some one will suggest a better method of obtaining the facts recorded in this connection.—F. H. KING, _River Falls, Wis., May 24, 1882_.

REMARKS ON FIVE MAINE BIRDS.—It appears that no formal announcement of the occurrence of the Gray-cheeked Thrush (_Hylocichla aliciæ_) in the State of Maine has ever been made, though the course the bird is known to pursue in its migrations renders such an announcement of slight importance. It may be stated, however, for the benefit of compilers, that this Thrush is a regular, not very common, spring and fall migrant in southern Maine, reaching Portland in spring about the middle of May, and in autumn about September 20.

_Apropos_ of Dr. Coues’ recent prediction[87] that the Titlark (_Anthus ludovicianus_) will yet be ascertained to breed occasionally along the Maine coast, is there anything but inferential evidence to indicate that it occurs there at all in spring or summer? Being known to pass through Massachusetts in spring and to occur on the island of Grand Manan[88] at that season, it is fair to suppose that the Titlark also touches at favorable points in Maine while _en route_ to its breeding grounds. Nevertheless neither my own observations nor the records of other observers substantiate this hypothesis.

The once prized Ipswich Sparrow (_Passerculus princeps_) must now take its place among the common autumnal migrants of southern Maine, though restricted, so far as I am aware, to the sea-coast. In spring, however, it is uncommon if not rare. Since the capture of the first Maine specimen,[89] March 20, 1875, I have seen but two other spring specimens. These I found upon Old Orchard Beach, March 28, 1882, and one of them is now in my collection. In their autumnal migration the birds reach Cumberland County about Oct. 13, remaining at least until Nov. 6, later than which I have never looked for them. Upon almost any day between these dates the collector may find a dozen or more individuals along the sandy shore between Scarborough Beach and the Saco River.

In the Proceedings of the Portland Society of Natural History for April, 1882, I spoke of the Ring-necked Duck (_Fulix collaris_) as having but once been taken in the vicinity of the city within my experience. On the very morning upon which my paper left the press, I found in one of the city markets two adult males which were killed in the Presumpscot River, March 31, 1882. On April 12 I found another male in the market; the next day I purchased a pair from a sportsman in Deering; and on April 17 detected another male in the market. That the bird’s occurrence in such numbers is very unusual there can be no doubt. In fact, so far as I have been able to learn, our most experienced hunters of wild fowl either knew the species only by tradition, before this year, or else were wholly unacquainted with it.

Mr. Brewster has more than once advanced good evidence to the effect that the Short-tailed Tern (_Hydrochelidon lariformis_) should be considered a regular and not uncommon visitor to suitable localities on the New England coast.[90] Specific records for Maine are, notwithstanding, few as yet.[91] Two recent specimens should go on the list. One of these was killed in Scarborough, the other at Wells Beach, York County, in the autumn of 1881.—NATHAN CLIFFORD BROWN, _Portland, Maine_.

MAINE NOTES.—=Oporornis agilis= (_Wils._) _Baird_. CONNECTICUT WARBLER.—Mr. Nathan Clifford Brown, in a paper read before the Portland Society of Natural History April 3, 1882, gives this bird for the first time a place in the Maine fauna. He met with it Aug. 30, 1878, on Cape Elizabeth. I would record a specimen which I took in August, 1879, at Ebeme Lake. This makes the second record for this State.

=Hylocichla unalascæ pallasi= (_Caban._) _Ridgw._ HERMIT THRUSH.—These birds breed commonly with us every year (Bangor). Their eggs are usually taken early in June, but I find among my notes the record of a set taken August 5, 1873, at Dedham, Maine, the eggs being but slightly incubated. This would seem to be presumptive evidence for the belief that these birds raise two broods in a season.

=Lomvia arra brünnichi= (_Scl._) _Ridgw._ BRÜNNICH’S GUILLEMOT; and =Lomvia troile= (Linn.) Brandt. COMMON GUILLEMOT.—These birds are found on our coast in the winter season, Brünnich’s Guillemot being quite numerous, while the Common Guillemot is more rare. Some idea of their comparative numbers may perhaps be obtained from the fact that during the past two years I have procured some thirty specimens from different points on our coast (from Grand Manan to South Bristol) and out of this number only one was a representative of the Common Guillemot (_L. troile._) The experience of Mr. N. A. Eddy of this city is exactly similar, and out of about an equal number of specimens he has obtained but a single example of troile. Other collectors in this vicinity who have received numbers of Guillemots have not obtained a specimen of Lomvia troile.

=Actodromas fuscicollis= (_Vieill._) _Ridgw._ BONAPARTE’S SANDPIPER.—This bird is not given as a resident of our State in Hamlin’s, Verrill’s or Maynard’s lists, but is still a not uncommon autumnal migrant along our coast. They are seldom met with in the interior, and the only records of their capture away from the coast, so far as I can learn, are here given. Nathan C. Brown furnishes me the first record from his notes as follows: “Oct. 16, 1876. During the past two weeks our party has taken only three specimens of this bird at Lake Umbagog. One was shot about Oct. 2, the two others upon Oct. 14.” On October 23, 1881, I came upon a flock of four at a small pool near this city (Bangor), and obtained three of them. Mr. N. A. Eddy afterwards took one at the same place.—HARRY MERRILL. _Bangor, Maine._

STRAY NOTES FROM LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TENN.—The following notes were taken on Lookout Mountain, Tenn., from March 17 to April 4, 1882. The “Mountain,” so-called, is a ridge, some twenty miles or more in length, extending nearly due north and south. Its altitude ranges from 2200 to 2450 feet above the sea, and from 1500 to 1750 feet above the Tennessee River, which touches the base at its most northern point: its width, at the top, is from half a mile to two miles. About two miles of its northern end is in Tennessee, the rest being in Georgia. My collecting was done mostly on the Tennessee portion, but occasionally I went into Georgia, my longest trip into that State being five miles. The country is, for the most part, heavily wooded, although towards the northern end a great deal of the timber was destroyed during the late war and the new growth is still quite small. There are numerous streams in the ravines, along the banks of which laurels, blackberries, etc., grow luxuriantly. On the east side of the ridge there are, for half a mile, huge boulders, and the trees, principally pines, on and around them, were, I found, a favorite resort for the smaller birds. The whole number of species noted during my stay was fifty, but I give only such notes as may, perhaps, be of general interest.

1. =Sitta canadensis= _Linn._ RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH.—Met with but once, on March 29, in a partial clearing.

2. =Dendrœoa virens= (_Gmel._) _Baird_. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.—First seen March 19. Taken March 20. After this date it was not at all uncommon, and could be heard singing at almost any hour of the day.

3. =Peucæa æstivalis illinoensis= _Ridgw._ OAK-WOOD SPARROW.—First noted April 3. Two males procured April 4, both in song. These were both well-marked examples of _illinoensis_, one, indeed, carrying the differentiation to an extreme degree. In this specimen the back was of a reddish-brown color, entirely without streaks, and exactly resembled extreme specimens from Illinois. The other had the back distinctly streaked with black, and closely resembled a specimen from Alabama, taken by Mr. N. C. Brown. I found these birds both in groves of small pines and in open fields where there were plenty of brush-piles. They seemed to be quite common, as I heard several singing, at the same time, in different parts of the field. I was enabled to compare my specimens with those of the Smithsonian Institution through the kindness of Mr. R. Ridgway, and for this and many other favors I wish to tender him my grateful thanks.

4. =Corvus corax carnivorus= (_Bartr._) _Ridgw._ AMERICAN RAVEN.—Quite common. Said to breed on the cliffs. I have seen as many as eight or ten chasing each other through the air at one time.

5. =Catharista atrata= (_Wils._) _Less._ CARRION CROW.—Quite common. Breeds. They seem to keep in flocks more than Cathartis aura.