SUMMER BIRDS OF GREENE COUNTY, * ' .tt • - i1N.<:(n,:,/.ooi o PENNSYLVANIA. J. Warren Jacobs. SUMMER BIRDS OP GREENE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, By J, Warren Jacobs, Waynesburg, Pa. WAYNESBURG. PA., KF.ITIU.H AN BOOK AND JOB OFFIf'K. JtfKt. Inlrodtuforij JJolr. SHEENE County, Pennsylvania, is situated in tlu* ex¬ treme south western corner of the state. The county of Washington adjoins on the north, and on the east the Monongaliela River separates (Greene from Fayette county. West Virginia forms the entire southern and west¬ ern boundaries. The territory included within the county limits comprises about 008 square miles. 'Phe sm face of the conn try is of a broken, hilly nature, with broad bottom lands along the streams. In the western part of the county, a zigzag ridge, running from north to south, forms the general backbone, also the watershed be¬ tween Tenmile and Punkard Creeks flowing east to the Mon- ongahela and the Wheeling and Fishing Creeks flowing west into the Ohio. The elevation is about 1,05U, some points reaching 1,300 feet. At Wavnesburg (80° 8' W. Longitude, 39° 55' N. Latitude,) in the central part of the county, the elevation is about 900 feet. The traveler, viewing the beautiful landscape and noting the general industry and thrift of the agriculturist, must pause and think of the once vast and magnificent forest that 4 covered the hills and valleys of this region. Grand must have been the spectacle — those ponderous “monarchs of the forest” lifting their heads heavenward, canopying the streams and crowning the hilltops — one vast field ot deep green, broken only by an occasional glimpse of the silvery waters of the Tenmile or the Dunkard. In the southeastern part of the county was, originally, woods of pine, hemlock and spruce. These, too, have been almost entirely swept away. The original forests now stand¬ ing are of oak, maple, hickory, bass-wood, ash, elm, poplar, walnut, etc., with here and there an isolated clump of ever¬ greens. These ’woods crown many of the hilltops, wind the curve of some steep hillside or crowd the ravines and coves. In these places the Birds of Prey find ample nesting sites, and the smaller woodland birds breed in profusion. On many of the hillsides are fields overgrown with the blackberry brier and stunted bushes. Here is the home of many of the smaller birds, prominent among which is the Yellow¬ breasted Chat ( Icteria virens), Field Sparrow ( Spizella pusilla ) and the Towhee ( Pipiplo erythrophthcilmus). Along the streams an abundance of willow and sycamore afford sites for colonies of Blackbirds. The scarcity of ponds and swamps in this section accounts for the absence of the Rails and other birds that frequent such localities. In preparing the present paper, I have aimed to give a cor¬ rect list of birds found during the breeding season, and to describe, briefly, the localities frequented by the birds, and to state, where sufficient data has been gathered, the nesting date and the number of eggs composing the complement. J. Warren Jacobs. Waynesbup.q, Pa., Aug. 15, 1893. SUMMER BIRDS - o - Ardea virescens. Green Heron.— a common summer resident. Found resting in orchards and thickets* along tin* streams, during May and June. Karl lent date May 11. May 25 th., may be considered the average date. The lust set was taken July 12, and this was the second laying of one bird, the tirst set having been taken on May 27. The Shite-poke or “Fly-up-the-creek" lays from three to live eggs. Philohela miaor. American Wooixwk. — Not uncommon. From my obser¬ vations it would appear that the breeding season of this bird is during the month of April. April 10th. I took a set of four eggs, incubation about one-third. Again on April :to. a set of four on the point of batching. How ever, some cases vary, as on May 27, 1X20, my dog flushed an adult female from a thin clump of briers near swampy ground, wherein she had been hiding with her bn»od. The two downy creatures sat huddled together, and although away from the nest they seemed not the least bit alarmed at my presence, but allowed me to handle them at pleasure. A favorite nesting site is a dry bushy knoll In marshy ground. Actitis macnlaria. Spottkp Sanhimper.— Abundant and seldom seen away from the streams. According to my observations the number of eggs laid by this bird is almost invaribly four. May 5th. to June 10th., average date May 20. Aegiilitis vociferia. Kili.dkkk. — Common in the upland, nesting usually In the corn-fields. From June 15th. on they are to be found earing for their broods about the springs and marshes that occur in the vicinity of the nest. The Kllldeer lays three or four eggs. Calinus virginianus. Bobwhitk.— Abundant, nesting in the upland mead¬ ows and brier-fields. Nineteen is the largest number of eggs 1 have found In a single nest. Fresh eggs may be found from June 15th. to the last of August. Bonasa umtellus. Rcmto Grouse.— Common in the thicket and mixed wood. According to my observation* ten or eleven is the usual number of eggs laid. The largest set numbered thirteen, the smallest, seven eggs. Fresh eggs can be found from first to last of May. May 5th., eleven fresh eggs were taken. Zenaidura macroara. Mourning Dove. —Abundant everywhere excepting the more densely wooded district*. Nests placed on stumps, top rail of fence, in orchard trees and occasionally in the tall sycamores along the streams. One nest containing two eggs was found on the ground in a meadow margined by a stream. The Mourning Dove begins nesting about the 5th. of April and from this date until the first of August fresh eggs are found. Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture. — I have observed this specie* throughout all the summer months, becoming oen located some days before in a dead maple but found the tree prostrate. A woodchopper discov¬ ering the home of a “Great Indian Hen,” felled the tree, thus destroying my much coveted prize. The cavity contained four broken eggs. On May 21st. of the same year I found a nest, containing four young birds and one addled egg, in a live maple within a quarter of a mile of the town of Wayncs- burg. After a long search on May fith.. ISiW, I succeeded in finding a nest in the dead top of a living maple on the outskirts of one of our large forests. At first I thought the hole deserted, so broken and blackened was the dead wood surrounding the entrance, but a careful examination through my Hold-glass disclosed the telltale feathers adhering to bark near entrance. Hounding on the tree had not the cITcct of bringing the old bird out nor did she leave the nest until I was within reach of cavity, when apparently in great alarm she fluttered out. and giving vent to those shrill, ear piercing cackles, disappeared In the gloom of the forest. The nest con¬ tained one addled egg, one young bird and the shell from which It had just made its exit. This shell was in two pieces which I carefully Joined, and now have, in my collection, a specimen that was once the cradle of an embryotlc pilr-nltm. which is to-day, perchance, roving from wood to wood or hiding in some secluded nook where human footsteps seldom fall. Melanerpes erythrncepbn’n*. Rkd-iieadfd Woodpecker.— Rather common about newly cleared tracts, and is likewise found nesting in the sycamores along the streams and in orchards. Four to six eggs are laid, usually five. Average nest¬ ing date May 2.7th. Melanernes carolinus. UKn-nr.u.iKn Woodpecker. — A common i|>coies, nesting usually in live trees. When the birds discover an intruder near their neat, they become much distressed, and will often come quite close while watching the annihilation of their home. Three and fotir eggs have been found by me. Colaptes auratns. Fucker. — Abundant everywhere excepting the deeper forests. Eggs live t > ten. usually six. Excavation generally In main trunk of de¬ caying tree. During migration in Spring and Fall this species Is very partial to woods. Average nesting date May 2Hth. Antrostomus vociferns. Whip-poor-wii.i..— Common. Nmn tiers can be heard every night. They are particularly noisy during May and June. Always two eggs. Average date June 1st. Woods where under-growth is thin. NOTE. — Tiif. Nioht ii wvic , (f* Vorrfel/c* rirylnf'tnn*). doubtless, should have a place in this list as I have occasionally noted a straggler throughout ttie season. A farmer friend told me he onee found two Whip-poor-will eggs, which were much darker colored than any of the eggs of that species I had in my collec¬ tion. These, which lie described as having a “mottled brown appeaiance,” were, no doubt eggs of (Vv>rdetfea virgininnujt. Chaetura pelaglca. Chimney Swift.— Abundant. As far as 1 am aware these birds nest only in chimneys. Four to five eggs are laid. Trochilus colabris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird.— Abundant, nesting In the cool shady grove and woods. The sugar maple is its favorite tree. The Ruby- throat returns year after year to its old haunts in the ahady nook. Here, on top of a slender twig, it constructs its neat little nest of cottony substance, spiders’ web and lichen. I have observed Isith birds at work on the nest. The female, how¬ ever, does the greater part of the work. On a few occasions I have found the nest built on an old last year’s one. Two eggs are laid and these not always on consec¬ utive days. The female, however, does not begin to incubate the eggs until the laying is completed. Average date for fresh eggs, June 1st. Earliest record May 21st. 8 Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird.— Common, nesting in orchards anil along streams. A few nests are found in isolated trees in the field. Kggs two to four, usually three. During the Spring of ’85 I found a pair of “Beebirds” repairing an old nest of the Robin on a horizontal branch of a walnut tree on the bank of Tenmile ( reek. In a few days the nest contained one egg which I took. Passing this way the next morning I was somewhat surprised to see the old bird leave the nest. Climbing up I found the nest contained another egg. This I also took, and so on each succeed¬ ing day until I had four eggs when the laying ceased. Happening by this tree ten days later, I discovered the birds moving suspici¬ ously about the branches. I ascended the tree and found the nest to contain one fresh egg the beginning of a new set. I tried the same experiment as on the former occasion with the same results. After this they abandoned the Robin’s nest and built one of their own far in the top of a giant sycamore, that grew near by. Myiarchus crinitus. Chested Flycatcher.— Common alike in forest and field, nesting in natural cavities in trees. Four to six eggs are laid. May 15th. to June 15th. Sayernls phoebe. Phcebe. — Abundant. Most common along streams, placing the nest under bridges and against rocky banks. It is found also in places remote lrom water. One nest (May 5th., 1S08), was placed on a brace in a dark corner of a sheep- shed on top of a high hill and more than a quarter of a mile from any stream. It contained five eggs of the Phcebe and one of M. alcr. N'ests containing fresh eggs can be found from the middle of April to the last of May. Contopus virens. Wood Pewee. — Common. Met with during the breeding season in the more open woods and clumps of trees in the pastures. Fggs usually three, often only two and rarely four. First half of June is the time to obtain full sets of fresh eggs. Empidonax acadicus. Acadian Flycatcher.— Abundant. A common resort of this bird is along the shady brooklet in a ravine in the woods. The nest is an easy one to find, being placed in or suspended from a forked twig at extremity of some long drooping branch, and usually overhanging the ravine. As I wind the course of some dark, dreary hollow the sharp alarm notes of acadicus just a few yards in advance assures me that • ‘the place is haunted” — not by ghostly objects, but by God’s creatures, the study and delight of man. Pressing on 1 soon find the nest, composed of catkins, weed fiber, vine tendrils and line grass, often so frail the eggs can be discerned through the floor. From two to four eggs are laid. The most common clutch being three. Two broods are reared during the season. Fresh eggs of the first laying must be looked for from the twenty-fifth of May to the tenth or fifteenth of June. Cyanocitta cristata. Blue Jay.— This noisy bird frequents the scrubby thicket where they are met with sparingly. A common bird in the fall and winter. One nest, placed in a pine tree, contained four young. Two other nests were observed but for want of time were not examined. Corvus americanus. American Crow.— Abundant. Most common during Spring migration, — February and March. Almost every woods contains one or more nests. The height ranges from twenty to eighty feet, commonly below forty. The crow is a close sitter and I have frequently climbed to nests before the old bird would leave. Four to six eggs are laid. Most of the nests observed by me have contained five eggs. Six is undoubtedly a rare set as I have found this number but twice during the past ten years. April 1st. to May 10th. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink.— Rare as a Summer resident. One nest containing five eggs was found placed in the tall grass in the midst of a large 9 meadow. During the Spring migration (his is one of our most common birds, re¬ sorting to the woods and keeping well into the tree-tops. Molothrus ater. Cowbird.— Abundant. These birds arrive from the south about the first of April and are seen in small flocks of a dozen or less individuals. About the fifth of May, the lazy female begins skulking about on the ground, or peering into the under-growth, searching for the nest of some other species, in which to deposit an egg while the owner is away from home. I am of the opinion that this bird often returns to the same nest and deposits at least the second egg, as I have often encountered nests containing eggs of M. atrr, which resembled each other as closely as is general with a complement of eggs of any of the smaller birds. According to my observations, in nearly every instance, nests in which Cow- birds’ eggs had been deposited, contained an incomplete complement of the right¬ ful owner. Especially is this true with nests of hilioplUu rarrulni, Itemlroien aettiva, Sri unis motarilla , Kmpiilnnnr ucatlirun, /‘ijiilo erytUrojihthntmux, Vireo olivaccus, Icteria virens, and Piranga erythromelax. I have found a nest of Blue-gray (Jnutentcher containing a single young bird and that a Cowbird. A Red-eyed Vireo's nest contained nothing more than a hard sat egg of .If. ntcr. Many nests are deserted after the placing of the parasitic egg. Frequently nests (Pha*be, Yellow-breasted Chat, and the Yellow and Kentucky Warblers) were found In which a new floor had been laid, entirely or partially hid¬ ing the first laid eggs which in this case, was the Cowbird. In addition to the species already mentioned as being troubled by the Cow Bunting, the following re¬ ceives a fair showing of the sime attention: Interim gnlbula, LXtrrtinalli enr- dinalis SpiteUa si trial it. Spite! In pimilin, Melimpitn /use iota, Ihixxrrinn cyanra, Vireo gilvus, Vireo noveboraeentit, Helminthophila rhrgxoptern, Seiurux aurocapiUtis, (Jeothlyplt tric.ins, Nelophaga rutirUla, him* bir.Unr, Tu ntu* mustelinux und Nialia xialix. Agelaius phoenicens. Rs.i>-wis'<;ki» Bi.ai kihi:i>.— This is our commonest Blackbird. The first individuals reach this locality about the twenty-second of March, and by the twentieth of April, flocks numbering hundreds are jsiurlng in from the south. During the breeding season the Redwing resorts mainly to the low lands, plac¬ ing its nest in the tall grass and weeds or in the tops of low willows and elders that line the banks of many of the streams. The height from the ground is usually under eight feet, although I have found nests fifteen feet up In orchard trees, ami on one occasion fifty feet above the ground in top of water elm. Muy 15th. full complements of eggs are to Is- found. The number ranges horn three to five, the latter number, however. I consider u rare set. Sturnella magna. Mkaduwlaiik.— Most common in the upland pastures, nesting ifs early as May third (five fresh eggs). Kggs usually five, often only three or four and rarely six. Icterus spurius. Orchard Okiolk.— Common. Found nesting In orchards and in the maples and water elm* along the creeks, from middle of May to middle of June. From three to five eggs are laid. Icterus galbula. Baltimork Okiolk. — Common along the streams, nesting In the sycamores and elms. A few pairs nest in the orchards and woods on the hill¬ sides. The largest number of eggs found in one nest was six. This large number came under my notice twice. Although taken in different years the two sets might have been laid by one bird as the nests were in the same tree. 1 find the usual complement is five eggs; four, however, is not an uncommon set. May and June is the nesting period. 10 Quiscnlus qniscula. Purple Grackle.— Abundant during migration but be¬ comes scarce as the season advances. A few pairs remain to breed and are found in the same localities as the subspecies Q. q. aeneus. Quisculns quiscnla aeneus. Bronzed Grackle. Abundant, nesting com¬ monly in the elms, pines, maples and the giant sycamores along the streams, and in the orchards on higher ground. Clumps of locust trees in the vicinity of water is also a favorite site. Eggs four to six; live is the number most commonly met with. As early as April 25th. I have found nests containing slightly incubated eggs, and fresh eggs were found as late as May 15th. About the middle of July, small companies are seen collecting in certain locali¬ ties. As the season advances their numbers increase until flocks of hundreds, and even thousands, pack the roosts. One of these roosts exists along the creek on a farm ad¬ joining Waynesburg on the southwest. Here, I have seen immense flocks of Black¬ birds settle on the ripening corn, whose rustle, from the sudden contact, sounded like prolonged puff's of escaping steam. The Blackbirds do but little damage to crops, in this locality, consequently they escape persecution. Spinas tristis. American Goldfinch. — Abundant, and a resident throughout the year, nesting in the orchards, along edges of woods and in the isolated walnuts and other trees in the field, in July and August. The nest is usually placed in trees, at heights ranging from ten to thirty feet above the ground. However, there are exceptions, as I have found an occasional nest above thirty feet, and one nest (August 1st., 1891), containing six slightly in¬ cubated eggs, was placed in a brier only five feet above the ground. Most of the nests examined contained five eggs, a few only four, and one six. Poocaetes gramineus. Vesper Sparrow. — Common in the upland pastures, placing their nests near base of a weed or bunch of grass. Eggs three to five, the latter number being seldom met with. It seems that more than one brood is raised during the season, as I have found eggs variously incubated, from May second to the first of August. Ammodramus savannarnm passerinus. Grasshopper Sparrow.— So far, I have found this bird to be rare. Two nests were found on the ground in pastures on hillsides. One contained five, the other three eggs. Chondestes grammacus. Lark Sparrow.— Rare. My brother brought in a set of five fresh eggs which he took from a nest in a small bush. Spizella socialis. Chipping Sparrow. -Abundant, nesting everywhere except in the more heavily wooded tracts. A common bird in the town, nesting in the shade and other ornamental trees. Height to nest ranges below thirty-five feet. One was placed on the ground. However, this is an exception, as it is the only one found placed less than fifteen inches above the ground. Eggs three and four. Two broods are reared, the first eggs being laid by May 15th. Spizella pnsilla. Field Sparrow.— Abundant in grassy fields overgrown with briers and bushes so often met with on the hillsides. Nests placed in tuft of grass or a few inches above the ground in brier or bush. Eggs commonly three or four, rarely five. Nidification begins about the tenth of May. Two broods are raised; the second being hatched by August 15th. Passer domesticns. English Sparrow. —Abundant in town and are becoming so about farm houses in the country. Four, five and six eggs are laid. Nests about buildings in town and trees and deserted nests of the Woodpecker in the country. In some of the shade trees in town I have observed the large globular nest of this bird. 11 During late summer and throughout the fall the Knglish Sparrows are found In flocks, sometimes numbering several hundred. Even now, while I am writing this, there is a flock of two score or more, raising a dust and general racket out in the street in front of our house. Melospiza faclata. Song Sparrow.—' The lirst nests of the Song Sparrow are generally placed in tire side of a bank along a stream or the roadside. Later in the season they are most common in pastures and neglected liclds, placing the nest on or near the ground; the highest being five feet up in a bush. Most of the nests examined contained four or five eggs. Occasionally a nest contained only three eggs. Niditieatlon begins about the 28th. of April. Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow.— A few of these birds are met with in the weedy bottom land along some of the streams. The few nests found by me were placed in low bushes or bunches of grass grow¬ ing along the border of boggy places. Full sets numbered four eggs, and May 28th. and June 17th. are the dates on which they were taken. Fipilo erythropthalmus. Towhek. — Abundant along the border of brushy wovtds and in the brier fields, placing the nest on the ground or in a small bush. Niditieatlon begins about May 5th., and two broods arc reared. The number of eggs is usually four, often only three and rarely five. tine peculiarity I have noticed is that the tirst nests are nearly always placed on the ground, while the position of the second nests is usually the reverse. Cardinal!* cardinal!*. Cardinal.— The “Hed-bird ' Is an abundant resident throughout the year, and is amongst the tirst of the smaller birds to begin nesting. A common resort of this bird is the briery thicket and bushy field. Early in the season a few nests are placed in tangled roots of trees along the streams. The num¬ ber of eggs range from two to four, usually three. Nest building begins about April 2.'>, and full sets of eggs are to be found May 4th. The Cardinal often lays abnormal eggs. Home of these are very long and taper¬ ing, some are almost spherical and others are much below the average size, tine nest found May 27th., 1S88, contained two eggs of the normal size ami one measur¬ ing .tilx.51 inches. Passerina cyanea. Indigo Hunting. — Abundant along the border of woods and in the briery thickets and bushy fields. Nests placed from ten inches to live feel above the ground. Three and four Is the number of eggs laid; four predominating. Fresh eggs were found from June llth. to August 3rd. Fyranga erythromelas. Scarlet Tanagek. — Common In the woods and large orchards, placing the nest on a horizontal branch. Three and four eggs are laid. Average date for fresh eggs, June Nth. Progne subls 1’crplic Martin.— Abundant, nesting in boxes put up for their use. Four und live eggs are laid. About the Nth. of AugiLst the Martins begin to collect in numbers at»out certain Martin houses in Waynesburg. On a few occasions 1 have noted flocks numbering from three to six hundred birds clinging to and circling around the cupola of the Court House. About August 17th., these flocks tiegln to scatter and move south In companies of less than titty Individuals. When thus migrating they do not move In a compact body, but in a scattering and struggling way,— to one uninterested hardly noticeable as a general southward movement. Petrochelidon lnnifrons. Clipk Swallow.— Nests abundantly about barns and other buildings along the streams, placing the nest under the eaves. Four and flve eggs are laid. June 1st. to 23th. Chelldon ery throgaster. Ha kn Swallow.— Found associating with the last named sj>ecies, and placing the nest usually on the Inside of the building. 12 Tachycineta bicolor. Tkeg Swallow.— Only one nest observed. This was in the deserted nest of a Woodpecker in a sycamore stump. Clivicola riparia. Bank Swallow.— Common along streams, placing the nest in holes in the sandy banks. Excavations vacated by the Kingfisher are readily appropriated by this swallow, for a nesting site. Five to seven eggs are laid. May 15th. to June loth, is the date for full complements of eggs. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow. Rare. A lew found associating with the last named species. Only one nest has come under my obser¬ vation. This was placed in a crevice in a bridge wall, and contained five fresh eggs. Ampelis cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing.— Found nesting commonly in orchards . and in the sycamores along the streams in June. Four and five eggs compose a complement NOTE. _ Loggehiieao Shrike. Lanius ludovicicmus (/). In 1884, I found a nest of the Shrike containing two eggs. Unfortunately, the nest was removed be¬ fore I had an opportunity to obtain the parent bird, so I am at a loss to know to which these eggs belonged, — the species, Lunius ludovtcictnus , or the race, A. 1. excubito rides, White-rumped Shrike. Vireo olivaceus. Red-eyed Vireo. Common in the upland woods, suspending the nest from forked twig of branch oi bu.-h, sapling or tree, usually below 10 feet. The set consists ot three or four eggs and in this locality are found from May 15th. to June loth. Vireo gilvus. Warbling Vireo. — Common along streams, nesting in the ma¬ ples, elms and tall sycamores. Nests are also met with in orchard trees. Four eggs is the number usually found in a nest, although three is by no means rare. Nidification begins about May 22nd. Vireo flavifrons. Yellow-throated Vireo.— This Greenlet is an uncommon summer resident, i have met with the nest but twice and these were deserted. Vireo noveboracensis. White-eyed ViftEO.— A few are found about moist places in under-growth woods, where they breed. A nest found on May 28th., 1889, was within ten inches of the ground and con¬ tained four slightly incubated eggs. Mniotilta varia. Black and White Warbler.— Rare. On two occasions I have observed parents feeding young. Eelmitherus virmivorns. Worm-eating Warbler.— A few are met with in the moist woods where there is but little under-growth. A nest observed some years ago contained three young birds and one egg on the point of hatching. On May 13th., 1893, I found a nest in which the old birds were just placing the lining. From this nest, eleven days later, I took a beautiful set of four eggs. The nest was sunken in the ground at base of small sprout on the side of a raTine. An¬ other nest taken on July 2nd., contained three addled eggs which were cold. The nest was wet from recent rains and evidently had been deserted for some days. Notwithstanding this fact the male was greatly distressed by my presence. He came quite close and fluttered along on the ground. Female must have been kill¬ ed, as a careful search of the vicinity revealed nothing indicative of a new nest or of young birds. Helminthophila crysopfera. Golden-winged Warbleb.— Met with on the outskirts of thickets and bushy woods, where they nest sparingly. The nest is placed on the ground in the midst of a small clump of briers or weeds. The eggs number from three to four and are deposited during the latter part of May or the fore part of J line. 13 Dendrolca aestlva. Yellow Waiuii.eh.— Common In orchards and along the streams, nesting in fruit trees, elders and bushes. According to iny observations, nest building begins early in May when the apple trees are just lieginning to burst forth in green and pink. Four and five eggs compose « complement. Seinrns aurocaplllus. Ovkn-iwkp.— ('oimnon, nesting in the dry upland woods. Four and live eggs an1 laid, and these are deposited early in June. One or two nests were found during the last week in May. Seirns motacilla. Louisiana Water-Thrush. — Common and always found along the courses of the smaller streams in the woods. The nest of this Water-Thrush la placed in the side of a bank and. usually, Is hidden by overhanging roots and fonts. The location, however, can easily lie de¬ tected, os the birds invariably have a great bunch of wet leaves hanging from the front edge of the nest. This mass soon Itccomes dry, and is worn smooth at the en¬ trance of the nest. Xiditicatlon begins about the 2.*th. of April. Most nests eon tained live eggs, several only four, and often, where .if. atrr hud lntorterred the nest contained but three eggs. One nest contained the unusually large number oi six eggs in which incubation was almost complete. When once deprived of their eggs, this hint immediately Sets to work bid Idlng a new nest in the vicinity of the first. Geothlypis formosa. Kentucky Wakhi. tit. —Commonly met with in the moist woods, placing the nest on the ground at the base ol a small bush or in the midst of a bunch of ferns. The number of eggs laid is three or four, and these are dep*«* ited during the latter half of May and throughout June. One nest found May 2Xth., lHsM, contained four fresh eggs oi the Warbler and three of the Cowbird. Two of the Cow bird's eggs Imd been laid lx- fore the nest was completed. Undaunted by tlds intrusion, the birds continued building, placing the material around and over the parasitic eggs. Geothlypis trlchas. Wakvi.anii Yki.iaiw throat. — Common in the briery thickets and waste llelds where they nest during the latter part of May and throughout June. Kggs, four to five. Icteria virens. Yeluiw-bkkastkh Chat.— Abundant in all tin- brier fields and bushy tracts. It is also found in considerable numbers along the border of brushy woods. Nest building begins about May 1st and I have found ftv*h eggs u> late us July 2nd. The complement consists of three and four eggs. Sylvania mitrata. Hoodkp Wakiii.eh. — A few pair* are found Inhabiting the same localities as the Maryland Yellow Warbler. On June Oth., lstd, I found a nest of the Hooded Warbler placed in the inldst of a small bunch of golden-rod. on the margin of u wth., lxth. lino, 5tb. wonl, read Ifallarrlut. Pa*e 10th., lnt. and 4th. lino*, ltd. word*, read Qalacalnt. Paso 11th.. 17th. lino from bottom, 2nd. word, road fasdata. Page lltli. . to Chelidon erythroraster observation* add: Fair* fotir to «lx. Last week in May to last of June. ’ • tt ' > . ■ >