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IX. THE BIRDS OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE, ERIE
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

By W. E. CiypE Topp.
InrRopuctory NOTE.

Soon after the writer’s purpose to prepare a comprehensive work on
the birds of Western Pennsylvania had assumed definite form and shape,
now almost ten years ago, it became evident that such a work would
be far from complete should it not include the results of a special in-
vestigation of the avifauna of that portion of the State bordering upon
Lake Erie. Not only were many species of water birds, not to be
found elsewhere in western Pennsylvania, reported from that locdlity,
but the influence of the lake, as a factor affecting the distribution of
bird-life, seemed also to demand study. Hence the project was early
formed of spending an entire season at this point, but circumstances
forebade the realization of the plan until the year 1900, when the
writer, having meanwhile become identified with the Carnegie Museum
of Pittsburgh, was able to carry out his long-cherished idea under the
auspices of that institution. As an assistant on the expedition there
was engaged Mr. Willis W. Worthington, of Shelter Island, New York,
to whose ability as a collector and observer the success of the trip was
in large measure due. Almost one thousand specimens were secured.
The exact dates of our stay were: March 21—May 31, and August 20-,
November 20, thus covering both migration periods fairly well. In
the spring our headquarters were rather inconveniently located in the
city of Erie, but in the fall they were removed toa house-boat anchored
in Misery Bay on the Peninsula, greatly facilitating field-work.

In view of the many interesting records that have been accumulated
it has been thought best to publish the results of this trip in advance
of the writer’s general work on the birds of Western Pennsylvania, for
which they were originally intended, the more so as the completion of
the latter is apt to be delayed for some time. The present paper,
therefore, is based on the data secured in the season of 1900, but
also includes all other available information upon the birds of this par-

481
482 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MusrumM.

ticular locality, so that it is a complete summary of our present knowl-
edge of the subject. There have been utilized some notes made by
the writer during other brief visits in 1893 (August 28-30), 1895
(June 17), 1899 (June 26-27), 1902 (December g) and 1903 (Au-
gust 22). To Mr. Ralph B. Simpson, of Warren, Pa., the writer is
under obligations for the use of the notes made upon his various visits
to Erie, as follows: September 5—19, 1900; April 24-27, September
25-27, November 17—23, 1902 ; April 13-16, November 10-14, 1903.
Mr. Archie M. Howes, of Erie, has contributed some notes on the
nesting of several species, and Mr. James Thompson, of the same place,
has courteously supplied information in regard to certain specimens in
his collection. The late Hon. George B. Sennett had made extensive
observations on the avifauna of this section, but his note-books are not
now to be found, and are thought to be lost. ‘Their loss is a serious
matter, made up only in small part by an examination of Mr. Sennett’s
collection of birds and a study of the records published at second-hand
in Dr. B. H. Warren’s ‘‘ Birds of Pennsylvania.’’ By far the most
important contribution, however, has been by Mr. Samuel E. Bacon,
of Erie, who has placed his notes on the birds of this region, covering
the years 1888 to 1904 inclusive, at the writer’s disposal. Although
his object was nearly always the pursuit of game birds, and the notes
gathered on the smaller species are necessarily of a fragmentary char-
acter, yet the data received from this source admirably supplement
those obtained by our party in 1900, and have been extensively used
in the preparation of the present report. Many specimens of Mr.
Bacon’s collecting are now in the Carnegie Museum, while some are de-
posited in the U. S. National Museum as a part of the collection of the
Biological Survey. In addition to the original notes above enumerated,
all the known published records referring to the birds of the locality
under consideration have been collated, and the information contained
incorporated with that from the various other sources.

Attention should be called to the fact that an intelligent understand-
ing of the life and distribution of birds in the region of the Great
Lakes will be only had when a thorough study has been made of
other favorable localities along their shores. The data at present
available are too fragmentary, scattered, and indefinite to permit of
proper correlation. The few local lists that have appeared are gener-
ally inadequate and disappointing, and for many places of probable
interest no data are available. In the case of Lake Erie, for example,
Topp: Birps o£ ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 483

a study of the birds of Long Point, on the Canadian shore opposite
Presque Isle, would be a most welcome contribution to the general
subject, and would afford a basis for a comparison that could not be
otherwise than interesting and instructive.

In the present list, for the sake of uniformity, the nomenclature and
sequence of species given in the ‘‘Check-List of North American
Birds,’’ published by the American Ornithologists’ Union, have been
followed, with, however, a few lately published changes which have been
proposed, but not yet formally accepted. Species whose occurrence is
to be expected, but which have not been actually recorded, are included
in their proper places, enclosed in brackets, usually with a brief state-
ment of their extralimital records and with the proper references.

Acknowledgments are due to all the parties above named as having
contributed notes for use in the present connection, and also to Mrs.
George B. Sennett, for permission to consult the collection of her late
husband ;' to Dr. J. A. Allen, for his courtesy in affording the neces-
sary facilities for examining the same, and to Dr. A. k. Fisher and
Mr. Harry C. Oberholser for assistance in preparing the bibliograph-
ical list and in identifying certain species.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION.

Erie County occupies the extreme northwestern corner of Pennsyl-
vania, giving the State a northern frontage on Lake Erie of more than
forty miles, beginning at the Ohio line near its intersection with the
parallel of forty-two degrees north latitude, and extending in an
approximately east-northeastern direction to the New York boundary.
Its area is about seven hundred and seventy square miles, mainly de-
devoted to agricultural pursuits, comprising as it does some of the best
farming country in the western part of the State. Erie is the county
seat and chief city, with a population (in 1900) of almost fifty-three
thousand inhabitants. Manufactures of various kinds constitute the
principal industries of the city, although there is also carried on a
considerable commerce in lumber, grain, coal, and ore, chiefly with
other cities on the Great Lakes. A capacious but shallow harbor is
created by a strip of low-lying land forming the arc of a circle, and
joined to the mainland at its western extremity, leaving an entrance on
the east, now partially closed by an artificial breakwater. This strip of

1 The bulk of this collection is deposited in the American Museum of Natural

History at New York, but nearly all the mounted specimens were presented to the
Carnegie Museum by Mr. Sennett a few years before his death.
484 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

land is known as Presque Isle, or the Peninsula, while the enclosed
water is Presque Isle or Erie Bay — the former name in each case being
a souvenir of the French occupation of this region.

The mean level of Lake Erie is five hundred and seventy-three feet
above tide. Extending along the lake front is an almost level alluvial
strip some two or three miles in width, which is known as the lake
shore plain. It lies at an elevation above the lake of from one hundred
to one hundred and sixty feet, most of which difference in level is rep-
resented bya steep bluff rising just back of the beach of the lake. The
lake shore plain has a sandy soil, and is regarded as the best farming
land in the county, hence its woodland has almost disappeared. It is
in this cleared area, most of which is under cultivation, or given over
to grazing, that such birds as are partial to open country find their most
congenial haunts. Scattered here and there, and particularly on the
slopes of the high ridge that limits the plain on the south, there yet
remain some groves of hardwood timber, consisting largely of oak
( Quercus, several .species), chestnut (Castanea dentata), walnut
( Juglans nigra), butternut (Juglans cinerea), beech (Fagus atropu-
nicea), wild cherry (Prunus serotina), maple (Acer rubrum), hickory
(Hicoria spp.), elm (Ulmus Americana), and cucumber-tree (dJag-
nolia acuminata), and a great deal of second-growth poplar (Populus
sp.). In many places the bluff facing the lake shore is covered with
a rich woods composed largely of hemlock ( Zsuga Canadensis), which
growth often encroaches upon the adjacent level land, and may have
originally covered much more of this area. In these woods are found
several species of birds which have not been detected at all upon the
Peninsula. A belt of swampy land about three-fourths of a mile wide
formerly extended along the lake shore plain from the Ohio line to a
point about twelve miles east of Erie. Even now, with drainage
systems on every farm, there are still left considerable areas of marshy
ground, with occasional scattered ponds, where ducks and other water-
fowl sometimes alight, and rails and snipe are found in their season,
and, indeed, in early times this strip was famous ground for these kinds
of game birds.

South of the lake shore plain the country is much more heavily
wooded, and doubtless the bird-life is correspondingly affected, but a
discussion of this question does not come within the limits of the
present paper. The ridge overlooking the plain is some four or five
hundred feet above the level of the lake, and beyond this the land is of
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 485

a rolling character, culminating in a drainage divide averaging two
hundred feet higher yet. From these highlands numerous small
and a few larger streams, such as Elk, Walnut, and Mill Creeks,
descend to Lake Erie, breaking through the intervening hills and the
terrace formation in the lower portion of their courses, in a series of
deep gorges or gullies, which are one of the most striking topo-
graphical features of this section. Mill Creek empties into Presque
Isle Bay at Erie, and is utilized as one of the outlets of the sewage of
the city. The marshes and mud-flats at its mouth constitute one of the
best feeding-grounds in this whole region for many kinds of shore-
birds and aquatic fowl during the season of migration. Being so near
the docks and railroad yards, however, it is far from being a safe
haven for the birds, and large numbers are often killed here by
gunners ; but if shooting were forbidden on these few acres it is prob-
able that here, during the fall migration, more varieties of shore-birds
could be seen than at any other one point in Pennsylvania.

The Peninsula has a roughly semicircular outline, about seven miles
long in arc (measured on the outside) and five and one-half miles in
chord. Near its western extremity and junction with the mainland
(about two and one-half miles west of the city limits) — known locally
as the ‘‘ Head’’ — it is quite narrow, in some places an interval of
less than one hundred yards separating the waters of the lake and bay.
To the east, however, it gradually widens until it attains a breadth of
one and one-fourth miles from shore to shore. An arm of Erie Bay,
known as Misery Bay, occupies a rounded indentation just east of the
widest part, the land curving around its eastern shore for some dis-
tance to the southward, terminating abruptly in an artificial pier along
the channel leading from the lake, where are ranged the buildings
belonging to the United States Lighthouse and Life-saving Station.
The entire Peninsula is the property of the General Government, and
the only other buildings upon it are those in connection with the light-
house on its north shore, known locally as the ‘‘ flash-light,’’ but offi-
cially as ‘* Presque Isle Light.’’

In a geological sense the Peninsula is merely an immense sand-bar,
the manner of the formation of which may easily be traced, as all the
various stages are represented. The action of the wind and waves has
at intervals raised a bar parallel to the shore-line, with which, in course
of time, it has become united at one or both ends, enclosing a pond,
whose margins have gradually grown more and more marshy as the
486 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE Museum.

general depth decreased with the filling up of the water area. The
formation of these sand-bars is accelerated by the great storms which
annually visit this region, by which sometimes the entire configuration
of the shore is changed in a single day. At such times the level of
Lake Erie may rise several feet, and in the overflow and recession of
its waters there may be cut channels again connecting the newly
formed pond with the larger body of water, which outlets may persist
permanently. Moreover, there is a continual shifting movement of
the loose sand going on in the direction of the prevailing westerly
winds, so that there is a constant tendency toward contraction at the
west and expansion at the east. Indeed, the western end of the lake
beach of the Peninsula is much in need of protection, it having in
several places been washed quite away, leaving large trees standing in
the water twenty or thirty feet from shore.

To the combined and long-continued action of these various influ-
ences the peculiar topographical features of the Peninsula, as it is today,
may be ascribed. It consists of a series of parallel wooded ridges,
separated by comparatively shallow ponds or marshes, usually of com-
plex structure. Its outer shore (facing the lake) is for its entire
length a smooth sandy beach, referred to in the present paper as the
‘“ outside beach.’’ This beach is widest towards the east, where it
includes several unnamed ponds, back of which lies an extensive area
of sand-dunes, covered with a scanty growth of grasses, herbage, and
in places bushes of the wax-myrtle or bayberry (Afprica Carolinensis),
and scattered low trees or shrubs of a species of poplar (Populus del-
toides). There are a few ponds in this area also. Beginning about
half a mile east of the flash-light, however, the slope of the outside
beach is abruptly terminated by a low bluff to whose edge the wooded
ridges extend, so that to the westward there are very few sand-dunes,
such as have just been described. The ground of this kind gives way
at length to the first of the ridges, which is characterized by irregular
sand hills covered with tufts of coarse grass, and supporting poplar
trees of considerable size, also many grape-vines (Vitis sf.), and
south of this again there grows a variety of deciduous trees, with abund-
ant undergrowth, before any of the larger ponds are reached.

Horseshoe Pond is the name given to an oval body of water occupy-
ing most of the extreme southeastern part of the Peninsula, near the
Government buildings. It is the deepest of the ponds. Its shores are
sandy save for a space along the western side, and it has (at present)
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 487

no permanent outlet, although originally connected with the channel
at the pier. It would seem to be of comparatively recent formation.
Northwest of Horseshoe Pond, after an interval of sand-dunes bearing
poplar trees, and occupying the depression beyond the first wooded
ridge, is Niagara or Lake Pond (Plate XVII), the outlet of which is into
Misery Bay. It is divided into two main portions by a narrow tongue
of land extending from the north, and its shores are everywhere marshy
and fringed with a dense growth of aquatic plants. Yellow Bass Pond,
opening also into Misery Bay by a tortuous channel, lies just beyond
the intervening strip of woodland, and is very similar in character to
Niagara Pond. It is succeeded in its turn by a long, narrow, shallow
body of water known.as Ridge, or Dead Pond, so called, perhaps,
because during the summer months it largely dries up, as also do some
of the other smaller ponds having no visible connection with the bay,
which would indicate that they are mainly dependent on the rains for
their water-supply. Ridge Pond is entirely enclosed by a dense growth
of bushes, and along its southern margin there runs a board-walk con-
necting Presque Isle Light with the Government boat-house at the
head of Misery Bay. Just west of this bay is Graveyard Pond, and
beyond this again Big Pond (Plate XIX), which has, or had in 1900,
_ an artificial outlet to the south. Big Pond, with its intricate system
of arms and channels, is a veritable watery labyrinth. From it a nar-
row passage leads into Long Pond, the name of which suggests its
shape. Long Pond is deeper than any of the other ponds except
Horseshoe Pond, and its margins are not marshy to any extent, a
dense growth of low bushes extending to the edge of the water in
most places. West of Long Pond are two small ponds known as the
Lily Ponds, closed in by dense shrubbery. The only other pond of
importance in this connection. is Cranberry Pond, a long, narrow,
enclosed body of water lying between and parallel to Ridge and Long
Ponds, south of the board-walk. In addition to those above men-
tioned, there are a number of smaller ponds, particularly in the
western portion of the Peninsula, not dignified by special names, as
well as areas of marshy savanna which were doubtless once open ponds,
and have become filled up in the course of time. Nearly all the ponds
have a thick layer of mud covering the sandy bottom, so that it is
usually unsafe to attempt wading. At low water several of the ponds
present muddy margins, which are very attractive to some species of
shore-birds, but the ‘‘dead’’ ponds in the western part of the Penin-
488 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE Museum. '

sula are surrounded by a dense growth of bushes, which encroach upon
the water to such an extent, that, even when the ponds are low, there
is no beach exposed.

The vegetation of these various ponds and marshes is profuse indeed.
Along their edges is a rank growth of rushes (/ucus), marsh grasses,
arrow-leaf (Sagit/aria), and cat-tail ( Zypha latifolia), giving way, in
deeper water, to pondweed (Potamogeton), yellow water-lily (Vym-
phea variegata), and others fully as characteristic. In Niagara,
Yellow Bass, and Graveyard Ponds wild rice (Zizania aquatica) grows
in abundance, and accordingly these are the favorite haunts of coots,
rails, bitterns, and the like. The ducks would no doubt also relish
the wild rice, but as they can be so readily approached when feeding
among it, they soon learn that the more open ponds are safer, at least
in the daytime. In the drier portions there are extensive areas of
dense thicket, while the largest tracts of heavy timber are found on
the higher ridges west of Big Pond (Plate XVIII), The surface of
these ridges is very uneven, everywhere showing the peculiar sand-hill
formation. Oaks of several species constitute perhaps the bulk of the
forest, although there are considerable areas almost entirely given over
to white pines (Pinus Strobus), the trees of which, although well de-
veloped, do not attain the height elsewhere observed.

Erie Bay, constituting the harbor of the city of Erie, is about four
and one-half miles in length, with an average width of one and one-
half miles. The channel giving entrance from the lake opens into its
eastern end, between the pier at the Life-saving Station and the break-
water, built out from a point of land, known as the ‘‘sand-beach,’’
just east of the mouth of Mill Creek. This is a favorite spot for shore-
birds, as mentioned above. The shores of the bay are sandy for the
most part, but the beach is by no means so wide as that along the out-
side shore, and much of it is littered over with driftwood. West of
‘« Big Bend,’’ however, there are extensive marshy areas, and the
shallow water here is almost as good feeding-ground for the ‘‘ pond
ducks’’ as the ponds themselves. Here also at times of low water are
extensive mud-flats, frequented by many species of waders. Except
these marshesand the Mill Creek flats, the shore of the bay has no
marsh or beach that would attract anything but a Spotted Sandpiper,
and the same may be said of the whole lake shore of Erie County,
exclusive, of course, of the Peninsula. The shallower parts of the bay
support a number of aquatic plants in considerable abundance, among
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 489

which may be mentioned wild celery (Vallisneria spiralis), which
is particularly in evidence about Crystal Point, at the entrance to
Misery Bay.

The proximity of a large body of water such as Lake Erie neces-
sarily exerts a marked influence upon the climate of the adjacent
region. These climatic peculiarities were described in detail many
years ago by Dr. J. P. Kirtland'( American Journal Science and Arts,
Second Series, XIII., 1852, 215-219), with whose observations at
Cleveland, Ohio, those of the writer agree so far as they go. In gen-
eral, it may be said that the lake exerts a sempering effect upon the
climate. Asa rule, neither the cold of winter nor the heat of summer
reach the extremes felt by localities south of the lake shore and removed
from its influence. Moreover, on the other hand, the several seasons
are successively later. During the winter Lake Erie is entirely frozen
over, and the presence of such a vast quantity of ice, yielding as it
does very slowly to the influence of returning warmth, absorbs the
bulk of the atmospheric heat in the melting, and thus keeps the air
cold and raw and the weather inclement until the completion of the
process. So long, therefore, as there remain any considerable bodies
of ice on the lake, spring will make but little advancement, but ‘‘ no
sooner do they disappear than spring sets in with a reality, and vege-
tation puts forth with szb-arctic rapidity.’’ Thus, in the season of
Tgoo, the spring seemed to the writer, accustomed to a locality only a
hundred miles to the south, exceedingly cold and backward (May 23
having been the first moderate day), yet it would seem that this
particular season was not exceptional in this respect. Then, too, the
hot weather persists much longer in the fall, and killing frosts are usu-
ally later by a month or more, than in the region just to the south.
Indeed, the woodland, shrubbery, and most of the herbage on the
Peninsula presented almost as green and fresh an appearance the first
week in November, 1900, as in September along the Ohio River,
while the first destructive frost did not come until November 14.
Previous to this date, however, snow could be seen covering the high
ridge south of the lake shore plain, and the foregoing remarks are evi-
dently applicable only to the narrow strip of comparatively low land
contiguous to the lake.

In spite of these peculiar climatic conditions, the dates of the migra-
tion of birds seem not to be appreciably affected thereby, correspond-
ing very closely to similar dates from adjacent regions. The only
490 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

exception to this statement is in the case of certain waterfowl, the
length of whose stay in the fall is largely dependent upon the preva-
lence of open water. The trend of the migration at this point is not
exactly clear, and whether birds follow the shore of the lake until they
come to a convenient crossing-place at its extremity, or boldly adven-
ture themselves in direct flight across its expanse, is not with certainty
known. There are, however, indications that the latter route is some-
times followed, not only by some of the water birds, to many of which
a flight over water is devoid of risk, but by certain of the smaller land
birds as well. Flocks of some species have repeatedly been seen, sup-
posedly in direct migration, flying out to the open lake or coming from
that direction. As Long Point is the nearest land on the Ontario side,
and is directly opposite Presque Isle, the inference that this was the
starting-point or destination of such flights seems not unreasonable.
On several occasions small land birds were picked up dead on the lake
shore, leading to the inference that they had attempted the direct flight
and had failed. Another circumstance worthy of mention in this con-
nection is the greater abundance of the smaller land birds in spring
migration at the eastern end of the Peninsula. It is as if they congre-
gated here in their passage along the coast before their flight across the
lake. It is noticeable, too, that in the fall the shore-birds are met with
first on the most northerly part of the outside beach, which they would
naturally strike first in coming directly across the lake, thence crossing
at the piers to the sand-beach on the mainland shore, or flying to the
ponds and other points on the Peninsula. The keeper of Presque Isle
Light says that birds do not strike the lantern there, save on very thick
and foggy nights, and that the number so killed in the course of a season
is inconsiderable.

In the nature of the case the locality under consideration is perhaps
the most favorable in the entire State of Pennsylvania for the study of
water birds. Quite a number of such occur here which have not been
detected in the interior counties, while among the land birds not a
few are far more abundant and characteristic. Were it not for the
proximity of such a large city, Presque Isle would doubtless be an ideal
spot for birds of almost all kinds, and many species the appearance of
which is at present rare and irregular would be much more numerous.
The persecution to which the birds of this locality are constantly sub-
jected by the hordes of gunners from Erie has resulted in a great
reduction in their numbers as compared with former years, and not a
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 491

few species which were once common are now rarely seen. Although
the Peninsula is government property, and as such is carefully pro-
tected from other forms of vandalism, there is absolutely no restriction
placed upon the extermination of its feathered inhabitants. The
place is overrun with pot-hunters, market-gunners, and irresponsible
sportsmen, who keep the game constantly stirred up, and whose per-
nicious activity has resulted in driving away not only many species
which are considered legitimate objects of pursuit, but also numerous
other kinds, which, if not valuable for economic or esthetic reasons,
are at least harmless. Immense bags of wild-fowl and shore-birds are
sometimes made by ignorant and conscienceless gunners, actuated by
greed of gain, or merely by the desire to kill, and the game-laws are
being constantly violated. Of course, such slaughter, all too common
as it is throughout the country, will eventually render its own con-
tinuance impossible. In the present case the abolition of spring
shooting, which would require for its consummation a legislative
enactment, would most certainly inure to the limitation of this
destruction. A restriction upon the number of birds which one per-
son may kill in a day would tend in the same direction. The prohi-
bition of all shooting, or, if need be, of all trespassing, upon the
Peninsula and its adjacent waters, would be a most effectual measure.
There is no reason why various species of ducks and other water-birds
should not breed about the ponds and marshes of Presque Isle ; the
conditions, all save that of insufficient protection, are unaltered from
former years, when such was regularly the case. Finally, the strict
enforcement of the game-laws and the education of public sentiment
would be of inestimable advantage, and might yet avail to prevent the
threatened extermination of some forms of bird-life at this interesting
locality.

In the present connection some general observations on the avifauna
of Erie contributed by Mr. Samuel E. Bacon, a conscientious observer,
whose extensive experience adds value to his statements, are of such
interest that they are deemed worthy of insertion. ‘‘ As regards the
relative abundance of birds now (1903) as compared with 1888,
when I first began taking notes, I hardly know what to say. I cer-
tainly think that the song-birds have held their own. The birds of
prey seem to have sadly diminished. Ten or fifteen years ago the first
mild days in spring used to bring hawks by the hundreds, but of late
years it is seldom that more than a pair are in sight at once. A
492 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

decrease is noticeable, too, in the numbers of ducks and waders, but
I think that the curtailing of their feeding-grounds and the continual
persecution to which they are subjected from the moment of their
arrival has led them to seek more secluded localities. In October,
1go1, there was an almost unprecedented flight of ‘pond-ducks’
(Anatineg), and in some cases bags of thirty, forty, and even fifty
birds were made. I saw a bag of forty-two (mostly Mallards) killed
on the morning of October 17 by two gunners. This hardly looks
as though the ducks were a thing of the past, and yet the next season
there may be no shooting of any consequence. Presque Isle Bay is
the only feeding-ground of any size for many miles on the south side
of Lake Erie, but with sixty thousand people living right at its shore,
the ducks have little chance to feed. The shallow water species, such
as the Mallard, Black Duck, Teal, Widgeon, Wood Duck, Pintail, and
Hooded Merganser are found in the ponds and along the bay shore of
the western portion of the Peninsula. These kinds, particularly the
Mallard, when persistently hunted, will fly out into the middle of the
bay to spend the day, returning at dusk to the ponds, where I have
watched them feeding in the moonlight. The Scaups, Redheads,
Golden-eyes, Buffleheads, Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, and Red-breasted
Mergansers are found in the deeper waters of the bay, or rather would
be found there if unmolested, but, so accustomed have they become to
being disturbed, that daylight generally sees them on the move for the
main lake, where, if it is not too rough, they spend the day, returning
to the bay about dusk. This is of course not the invariable rule for all
the deep water ducks, for some stay on the bay in spite of the gunners,
and some species would no doubt go to the lake to feed in any case.
In flying to and from the lake the ducks either cross the narrow neck
of the Peninsula to the west, or go over the breakwater pier at the
eastern end of the bay, which place has been a famous ducking point
in years past.

‘‘The shore-birds would seem to have fallen off considerably in
numbers in the last six years, but in this period there has been
very little low water, and the flats at the mouth of Mill Creek have
grown up with weeds to such an extent that their favorite feeding-
grounds are greatly diminished. Many species have seemed to be almost
if not quite unrepresented of late years. The fall flight of Red-backed
Sandpipers was formerly looked forward to as being as certain as the
close of navigation, yet there has been no flight of these birds since
Topp: BIRDS OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 493

1897, and that was a small one, a few hundred birdsin all. The Pec-
toral Sandpiper was practically not represented in the migrations of
1goo, but the following year it was found in small numbers. The
White-rumped and Stilt Sandpipers, the Knot, Red-breasted Snipe,
Hudsonian Curlew, and Northern Pha! ope ought, in my judgment,
to occur here regularly, but certain it is that we get very few shore-
birds, other than Yellow-legs (both species), Semipalmated Plover,
Killdeer, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Sanderlings, and an
occasional Black-bellied and Golden Plover. I hope that the decrease
apparent in water-birds of nearly all kinds merely means that they are
migrating by safer routes, but I fear that what I have noted at Erie is
but a fair sample of what has been observed throughout the country.’’

Two hundred and thirty-seven species of birds have been recorded
from the region of which this paper treats — a larger number than have
been observed in any other area of similar size in the western part of
Pennsylvania, and the list is still obviously far from complete. More-
over, it is evident that further observations would add largely to the
notes on the seasonal occurrence and abundance of many of the less
common species. Considerable difficulty has been encountered in
attempting to classify the various components of the avifauna according
to their seasonal status, as in some cases such is uncertain or indeter-
minate, and the lists that follow must be regarded as provisional only,
and subject to modification in the future.

Eighteen species are to be classed as permanent residents, two of
them doubtfully, as their occurrence throughout the year is inferred
rather than known. They are:

Colinus virginianus, ? Centurus carolinus,
Bonasa umbellus, Otocoris alpestris praticola,
Nyctalops wilsonianus, Cyanocitta cristata,
Syrnium varium, Astragalinus tristis,
Cryptoglaux acadica, Melospiza cinerea melodia,
Otus asto, ? Cardinals cardinals,
Asio magellanicus virginianus, Ampelts cedrorum,
Dryobates villosus, Sitta carolinensis,
Dryobates pubescens medianus, Parus atricapillus.

Eighty-eight species may be placed in the list of summer residents,
and doubtless some listed as transients belong here also, as the locality
is well within their known breeding range. On the other hand there
494.

ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

are a number, preceded by an asterisk in the subjoined list, which
are far more common and characteristic during the migrations than in

the breeding season.

Such species as occur occasionally in winter are

marked with a dagger, while several, as to whose breeding here there is
still some doubt, are appropriately designated. They are:

* Merganser serrator,
Aix sponsa,

Botaurus lentiginosus,
Ardetta exits,
Butorides virescens,

? Mycticorax nycticorax nevius,

* Rallus virginianus,
Porzana carolina,
Philohela minor,

* Gallinago delicata,

* Helodromas solitarius,
Bartramia longicauda,
Actitts macularia,
Oxyechus vociferus,
Aigialitis meloda circumcincta,

? Ectopistes migratorius,

+ Zenatdura macroura,
Circus hudsonius,

? Accipiter velox,

? Accipiter cooperit,

Buteo borealis,
Buteo lineatus,

? Buteo platypterus,
Haliaetus leucocephalus,
Falco sparvertus,

Coccyzus americanus,
Coccyzus erythrophthalmus,

+ Ceryle alcyon,

| Melanerpes erythrocephalus,

+ Colaptes auratus,
Antrostomus vociferus,
Chordeiles virginianus,
Chetura pelagica,
Trochilus colubrts,

Tyrannus tyrannus,
Mytarchus crinitus,
Sayornts phebe,
LHorizopus virens,
LEmpidonax virescens,
Empidonax minimus,
| Corvus brachyrhynchos,
Dolichonyx oryszivorus,
Molothrus ater,
Agelaius pheniceus,
} Sturnella magna,
Leterus spurius,
Leterus galbula,
Quiscalus quiscula eneus,
Carpodacus purpureus,
Pooecetes gramineus,
Passerculus sandwichensts sav-
anna,
Coturniculus savannarum pas-
Serinus,
Spizella socials,
Spizella pusilla,
Melospiza georgiana,
Pipilo erythrophthalmus,
Zamelodia ludoviciana,
Cyanospiza cyanea,
Spiza americana, é
Piranga erythrometas,
Progne subts,
Petrochelidon lunifrons,
FTirundo erythrogaster,
* [ridoprocne bicolor,
Riparta riparia,
? Steletdopleryx serripennts,

wv
Topp: Birps OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 495

Lanius ludovicianus migrans, Wilsonia mitrata,
Vireo olivaceus, Setophaga ruticilla,
Vireo gilvus, Galeoscoptes carolinensis,
Vireo flavifrons, Toxostoma rufum,
Mniotilta varia, Troglodytes aédon,

? Compsothlypis americana, ? Crstothorus stellaris,
Dendroica estiva, Lelmatodytes palustris,
Dendroica pensylvanica, ffylocichla mustelina,
Seturus aurocapillus, LTylocichla fuscescens,
Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla, + Merula migratoria,
Lcteria virens, Stata sialts.

The winter visitants number at least twenty-five species, some (*) of
which, however, are much more numerous during the season of migra-
tion, while others (+) have not yet been actually found throughout the
entire cold season, although their occurrence is in every way probable.
They are as follows:

Larus argentatus, Pinicola enucleator leucura, _,

* Aythya vallisneria, Loxia leucoptera,

* Fuligula martla, Acanthis linaria,
Clangula clangula americana, } Acanthis linaria rostrata,
Ordemia deglandi, | Spinus pinus,

Oidemia perspicillata, Passerina nivalis,

} Accipiter atricapillus, * Calcarius lapponicus,

} Archibuteo lagopus sanctt-johan- Spizella monticola,

nis, * Junco hyemalts,

} Scottaptex nebulosa, Lanius borealis,

Nyctea nyctea, + Dendroica coronata,
Otocoris alpestris, * Olbiorchilus hiemalis,
Hesperiphona vespertina, + Regulus satrapa.

This gives a total of one hundred and six species for the breeding
season and forty-three for the winter. To these are to be added ninety-
five species best classed as transient visitants, although some of them,
indicated by an asterisk, possibly breed occasionally, while others,
marked by a dagger, are apt to occur in the winter season also.

+ Colymbus holballiz, Gavia lumme,
+ Colymbus auritus, Larus delawarensis,
Podilymbus podiceps, + Larus philadelphia,

Gavia timber, Sterna caspia,
496 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Sterna hirundo,

fydrochelidon nigra surinam-

ensts,
Phalacrocorax dilophus,
Merganser americanus,
Lophodytes cucullatus,

* Anas boschas,

+ Anas obscura,
Chaulelasmus streperus,
Mareca americana,
Nettion carolinensts,
Querquedula discors,
Spatula clypeata,
Dajila acuta,

+ Aythya americana,

} Fuligula affints,
fuligula collaris,
Charitonetta albeola,

+ Harelda hyemalis,

+ Oidemia americana,
Erismatura jamaicensis,
Branta canadensis,
Olor columbianus,
Ardea herodias,

Rallus elegans,
Porzana noveboracensis,
Gallinula galeata,
Fulica americana,
Crymophilus fulicartus,
Phataropus lobatus,
Steganopus tricolor,
Macrorhamphus griseus,
Micropalama himantopus,
Tringa canutus,
Arquatella maritima,
Actodromas maculata,
Actodromas fuscicoltis,
Actodromas bairdit,
Actodromas minutilla,

Pelidna alpina sakhalina,
Lreunetes pusillus,
Calidris arenaria,
Totanus melanoleucus,
Totanus flavipes,
Numenius hudsonicus,
Numenius borealis,
Sguatarola squatarola,
Charadrius dominicus,
egiahtts semipalmata,
Arenaria morinella,
Falco columbarius,

* Pandion haliaétus carolinensis,

* Nyctalops accipitrinus,
Sphyrapicus varius,
Nuttallornis borealis,
Empidonax flaviventris,
LEmpidonax traillit alnorum,
Luphagus carolinus,
Ammodramus nelsoni,
ZLonotrichia leucophrys,
Zonotrichia albicolhs,
Passerella iliaca,

Vireo philadelphicus,

Vireo solitarius,
Lelminthophila rubricapilla,
Hlelminthophila celata,
Helininthophila peregrina,
Dendroica tigrina, '
Dendroica cerulescens,

* Dendroica maculosa,
Dendroica castanea,
Dendroica striata,
Dendroica blackburnie,

* Dendroica virens,
Dendroica vigorsit,
Dendroica palmarum,
Selurus noveboracensts,
Geothlypis agilts,
Topp: Birps or ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 497

Geothilypis philadelphia, Sitta canadensis,

Wilsonia pusilla, Regulus calendula,

Wilsonia canadensts, Lylocichla alicia,

Anthus pensilvanicus, Fylocichla ustulata swainsontt,

{+ Certhia familiaris americana, LMylocichla guttata pallastt.

There remain eleven species which it is perhaps best, on the whole,
to assign to the class of accidental visitants, at least for the present :

Uria lomvia, Corvus corax principals,
Stercorarius parasiticus, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus,
Rissa tridactyla, Thryothorus ludovicianus,
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, Beolophus bicolor,

Somaterta spectabilis, Poltoptila caerulea.

Symphemia semipalmata,

Among the one hundred and six species known or believed to breed
in this locality there are none strictly referable to the Canadian Fauna,
and but seven, Centurus carolinus, Empidonax virescens, Cardinalts
cardinalis, Spiza americana, Stelgidopteryx serripennis, Icteria virens,
and Wilsonia mitrata, which are Carolinian in their faunal affinities,
and it is to be further noted that of these only two, ZLmpidonax
virescens and IWilsonia mitrata, appear to be at all common and regu-
lar during the breeding season. With these exceptions the species
which are of value in predicating the faunal position of the locality are
all more or less characteristic of the Alleghanian Fauna, either in their
northward or southward dispersion in the breeding season. The local
species which in their breeding range to the southward are limited to
the Alleghanian Fauna are Merganser serrator, Rallus virginianus,
Porzana carolina, egiahtts meloda circumcincta, Empidonax minimus,
Dolichonyx orystvorus, Carpodacus purpureus, Passerculus sand-
wichensis savanna, Melospiza georgiana, Zamelodia ludoviciana, Irid-
oprocne bicolor, Dendroica pensylvanica, and Hylocichla fuscescens.
The region under consideration may safely be considered as included
within the Alleghanian Fauna, although with a slight admixture of the
Carolinian element. It is to be regretted that a more extended study
has not been made of the birds of the lake shore plain, as it would be
interesting to know to what extent and why its avifauna differs from
that of the north shore of Lake Erie, which is considered to be Caro-
linian in character throughout, and to carry that life-zone into western
New York.
498 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

The area covered by the present paper comprises, besides the
Peninsula and Presque Isle Bay, the lake shore plain and its environs
within about four miles of the city of Erie. For the sake of complete-
ness a, few notes referring to other (Pennsylvania) localities on the
lake have been included, as specifically stated under the head of the
various species involved.

List OF SPECIES.

1. Colymbus holbeellii. Hotpa@.i’s Grepe; RepD-NECKED GREBE.

A transient visitant, possibly also a winter resident, apparently of
rare occurrence. A single female was shot November 17, 1goo0, in the
channel near the Life-saving Station, and kindly presented to us by
Mr. Frank Claus. In this specimen the red area of the throat was
plainly indicated, the color being obscured by white — the mark of an
adult bird. On November 26 a second specimen was secured by Mr.
Claus, and on October 27, 1901, one was shot by a local gunner, both
of which were immature birds, and are now in the Carnegie Museum.
The most recent record refers to a pair taken February 13, 1904, at
the mouth of Mill Creek, which specimens are also preserved in the
Carnegie Museum.

2. Colymbus auritus. Hornep GREBE.

A regular migrant, quite common in the spring, and fairly abundant
in the fall. At the former season (in 1900) it was first recorded on
March 27, and none were noted after April 17. As a rule it was
found in small parties, although on one occasion (April 2) a compact
flock of a dozen was observed, which took wing upon pursuit in’ prefer-
ence to attempting escape by diving, as is usual. Male specimens
secured near the time of the vernal departure of the species were in
almost perfect breeding dress, but those taken earlier in the season
showed a considerable admixture of the light-colored feathers of the
winter plumage. In the fall the earliest record was for October 23,
when a small number were observed on the main lake, and from this
time until our departure it was noted almost daily, occasionally off
the outside beach, but most frequently on Erie Bay, and particularly
Misery Bay, the sheltered situation of which offered peculiar attrac-
tions. There were days in November when from ten to twenty indi-
viduals could be counted at once, although they never drew together
into a compact flock, and in their movements when feeding or when
pursued seemed to be entirely independent of one another. At this
Topp: Brrps or ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 499

time of the year the birds were by no means shy, and were easily
approached. Specimens in Mr. Sennett’s collection taken October
22, 1875, and October 29, 1889, tend to confirm the date of arrival
recorded by us in rg00. Regarding its time of departure, Mr., Bacon
states that it remains until the bay freezes over (December 8, 1894 ;
December 9, 1900), but ordinarily does not winter. One specimen
shot January 10, 1go1, and an emaciated specimen captured near a
farmhouse, February 6, 1904, constitute exceptional records. The

_ latest date in the spring migration appears to be April 24, 1902, when

the species was recorded by Mr. Simpson. In former years it may even
have bred in this locality, as it is known to do now at the St. Clair
Flats, and formerly in northern Ohio, as recorded by Audubon ( Or-
nithological Biography, Ill., 1835, 431) and Dr. F. W. Langdon
(Journal Cincinnati Society of Natural History, III., 1880, 230).

3. Podilymbus podiceps. Piep-BILLED GREBE.

The present species, like the last, occurs only as a migrant in the
spring and fall. Although reported to be regular in its appearance at
the former season, it was apparently not common in the spring of
1900, having been noted on but three occasions— April 16, when a
flock of five was seen in Big Pond, two of which were secured ; April
17, when a few more were observed in the same pond; and April 23,
when a single specimen was shot, also at the same place. Although
the conditions are seemingly as favorable for the species nesting here as
at other points along the shore of Lake Erie (cf Langdon, Journal
Cincinnati Society of Natural History, IIl., 1880, 231), diligent and
repeated search in May failed to disclose the presence of even asingle
individual, nor has Mr. Bacon ever found it in the breeding season.
However, he notes that it is among the first of the waterfowl to arrive
in the fall, coming in August (August 26, 1892; August 8, 1903).
In rg00 it was recorded in the fall migration as early as August 27,
and may have been present previous to that date. A bird secured
September 4 was in full summer plumage, but all others taken at this
season were in winter or immature dress. The species seemed to in-
crease in numbers up to the last week in September, when it was exceed-
ingly abundant, not only in the various ponds, but also on the shallow
parts of the bay, wherever there was an abundant growth of aquatic
plants. While numbers were often seen together, it would appear that
their association was the result of a common interest rather than of
500 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

a truly gregarious disposition. Unlike the Horned Grebe, none were
seen on the main lake, while on the other hand none of that species
were found in the ponds. At this time the birds were by no means
shy, and being so constantly in evidence were the source of some
trouble to the observer looking for other species. A decrease in their
numbers was noticeable through October, becoming more marked as
the Horned Grebe increased in abundance, while the last record was
made on November 14, although the probabilities favor a somewhat
later date as the actual time of final departure.

4. Gavia imber. Loon.

‘*A few of these birds are seen on the bay every spring and fall,
but they are never common. I observed one individual as late as
May 31 (1896), while September 25 (1894) is my earliest fall record ’’
(Bacon). Mr. Simpson reports the species as having been observed
in April and November of 1902 and 1903, and notes that a specimen,
still in winter plumage, was shot at Crystal Point on April 25,
1g02. Curiously enough, no Loons were seen in the spring of 1900
until May 4, when two individuals were observed flying over the bay
together. In the fall the species was more numerous, arriving Octo-
ber 6, and was noted at intervals during that month and the next,
single birds being recorded from the bay or lake. On November 12
a gunner picked up a Loon on the shore of Misery Bay near our house-
boat, and brought it to us alive. It was practically helpless on the
flat surface, but quite vicious, striking savagely with its powerful beak
when teased, and uttering its peculiar reverberating cry. Upon skinning
it proved to have been wounded and partially disabled. The last
record was made on November 18, when one was seen on Misery Bay
off Crystal Point, and watched for some time while feeding. It doubt-
less remains as long as there is open water in the bay. Occasionally
one is caught in the fishermen’s nets. A fine specimen in the Car-
negie Museum, dated April 25, 1903, was taken in this way.

[ Gavia arctica. BLACK-THROATED LOON, j

Given by Mr. Lynds Jones (Birds of Ohio, 1903, 26) as a casual winter visitor in
Ohio, where a number of specimens have been taken since that recorded by Dr. J. M.

Wheaton, which was captured near Kelley’s Island instead of on Sandusky Bay.
This is a boreal species, seldom reaching the United States in its winter dispersion. ]

5. Gavia lumme. RepD-rHroatTeD Loon.

Although Dr. Warren states (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 8), pre-
sumably on Mr. Sennett’s authority, that ‘‘ this bird is often met with,
Topp: Brirps OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 501

’

especially late in the autumn,’’ at Erie, the evidence so far at hand
does not admit of such a general statement as regards its abundance.
It is to be clsssed as a transient visitant, of casual occurrence in the
fall and early spring. In 1g00 two specimens in immature dress were
secured from local gunners, both shot on Erie Bay, on October 23 and
November 19, respectively. A little later, on November 28, a third
specimen was captured on the bay bya gunner. On February 16,
1904, three were shot in the channel at the Life-saving Station, and a
single bird was killed at the docks on February 25 also, all but one
of which are now in the Carnegie Museum. These seven examples
are all that are certainly known from this locality.

6. Uria lomvia. Brinnicu’s Murre.

The month of December, 1896, was memorable for the appearance
of this maritime species at many points far inland, as far west as
Michigan and Indiana. The flight seems to have followed the basin
of the Great Lakes, along which there are numerous records. Thus,
specimens have been recorded from near Sandusky and Painesville,
Ohio (Butler, 4uk, XIV., 1897, 197-198; z@., Birds of Indiana,
1897, 566), taken December 19. With these occurrences the Erie
records, here published for the first time, are in close accord. Mr.
Bacon states that several were shot on the bay in December, 1896,
and although he quotes no dates, the time of their capture is fairly
well indicated by a specimen (labeled a female) in Mr. James Thomp-
son’s possession that is marked ‘‘ December 18, 1896,’’ -by the party
who mounted it. At least one other specimen from this fli_ht was
mounted by a local taxidermist, which bird is now in the Carnegie
Museum. The species was not met with again until November 20,
1899, when a single bird was killed on the bay by a gunner, this
specimen also eventually coming to the Carnegie Museum. In 1900
specimens were taken by gunners on November 27 and December 2,
from which flight two specimens are known to have been preserved,
one now in Mr. Bacon’s collection, and the other in that of the Car-
negie Museum. All the gunners who have met with birds of this
species agree in stating that they were easily approached and killed.

[Stercorarius pomarinus. POMARINE JAEGER.

Of casual occurrence on Lake Erie, there being records for Cleveland (Wheaton,
Birds of Ohio, 1882, 546), Sandusky (Cook, Birds of Michigan, 1893, 27), and
Lorain (Jones, Birds of Ohio, 1903, 27).]
502 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

7. Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic JAEGER.

An accidental visitant, of whose occurrence there is but one authentic
record. This depends upon a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection
taken at the head of Erie Bay, October 15, 1874, by Mr. Merrick Low.
Mr. Sennett’s catalogue notes with reference to this specimen: ‘‘ Bird
very poor and quite exhausted. None ever noticed there before.’’
Of interest in this connection there may be noted a few more recent
records, from Lorain and Sandusky Bay, Ohio (Jones, Birds of Ohio,
1903, 27 ; Comstock, duk, XIII., 1896, 171).

8. Rissa tridactyla. Kirtiwaxe GuLt.

Mr. Worthington, who is very familiar with this species elsewhere,
saw and positively identified a single individual off the outside beach
on October 17, 1900, but was unable to secure it. Dr. J. M. Wheaton
states (Birds of Ohio, 1882, 550) that it is a ‘‘ Very rare or acci-
dental winter visitor on Lake Erie. Mr. Winslow notes the occur-
rence of three specimens in Cleveland harbor many years since.’’
Future investigation, however, may perhaps show that this species is at
least sparingly represented every winter on the lake, as indicated in
the A. O. U. Check-List: ‘‘south in eastern North America in winter
to the Great Lakes.’’

[Zerus glaucus, GLAucous GULL.

This large gull is to be looked for in winter. There are records from the Niagara
River near Buffalo, January 29, 1895 (Savage, Auk, XII., 1895, 312), and from
Indiana (Butler, Birds of Indiana, 1897, 570) and Michigan (Cook, Birds of Michi-
gan, 1893, 27.)

Larus leucopterus. ICELAND GULL.

Another northern species, the casual occurrence of which in the winter may be ex-
pected, judging from the number of extralimital records. Dr. J. M. Wheaton (Birds
of Ohio, 1882, 547), gives it as a ‘‘ Rare winter visitor on Lake Erie. Mr. Winslow
states that two or three specimens have been taken in Cleveland harbor.’? Mr. Lynds
Jones mentions a specimen from Lorain, December 22, 1888 (Birds of Ohio, 1903,
28). Mr. E. W. Nelson (Bulletin Essex Institute, VIII., 1876, 145) considers it a
‘regular and not uncommon winter resident on Lake Michigan.’’

Larus marinus, GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL.

In September, 1900, the writer repeatedly saw a single gull along the outside beach
which is believed to have been of this species. It was so wary, however, that in no
case could it be approached near enough to positively identify it: Moreover, this gull
has been described by fishermen as being met with in early winter far out on the lake,
where the tugs go to set the nets, and there would seem to be no reason to doubt the
identification, inasmuch as there are numerous records for such near-by localities as
Buffalo (Savage, duk, XII., 1895, 312), and Cleveland (Wheaton, Birds of Ohio,
1882, 547).]
Topp: Brrps or ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 503

g. Larus argentatus. HeErrinc GuLt.

This gull is a regular winter resident in the vicinity of Erie, and it
is certainly an abundant species during the migrations. A flock of a
dozen individuals was observed March 21, 1goo, at the mouth of Mill
Creek, feeding in the only open water at that time on the bay. Before
the end of the month their numbers had largely increased, but through
April gradually diminished, although the last individual to be recorded
was noted as lateas May 12. At this season the species was usually
found in scattered companies, rarely exceeding a dozen individuals,
feeding in the waters of the bay or resting on the edge of the ice. A
large proportion of the birds occurring early in the spring were adults,
but with the advance of the season these became scarcer and scarcer,
and all the later records were of gray birds. There is a specimen in
Mr. Sennett’s collection taken as late as May 16, 1875, and Mr. Bacon
states that he has often seen them on the open lake in summer, although
they seem never to frequent the harbor at that season. He is inclined
to think that they may breed on the Canadian shore of Lake Erie, but
while such may have been the case many years ago, there would seem
to be no recent records to justify such a supposition. The probabilities
are that the birds seen in summer are non-breeding and immature indi-
viduals, which have failed to follow the bulk of the species to their usual
nesting-grounds. In the fall of r900 a single bird was seen on August
22, and what was presumably the same individual was noted at inter-
vals up to September 6. The following day three were seen, and on
September 12, after a stormy night, the species had become abundant,
and so remained until the date of our departure in November. Both
young and old appeared together at this time, when the former far
outnumbered the latter. Although commonly found on the bay, im-
mense flocks frequented the open lake as well, standing in more or
less close order on the sandy outside shore, flying out to alight on the
water when disturbed. They were at all times shy, but once or twice,
during heavy storms, it became possible to approach within gunshot.
They were accustomed to follow in the wake of the numerous fishing
tugs as they came into the harbor with their catch of fish, ready to
pick up what was thrown overboard. None were ever seen in the
ponds, although often they were observed soaring high over the Penin-
sula, on their way between the bay and lake. Mr. Bacon’s experience
has been much the same. He states that on April 25 and 26, 1901,
he noted a pair about a pond in the fields, and has once or twice in
504 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE Museum.

the spring seen several high in the air, flying over the mainland towards
the lake, evidently migrating ; otherwise he has never observed them
away from the lake and bay. In a series of ten specimens secured
during the spring and fall of 1900 only one was in fully adult plumage.

1o. Larus delawarensis. Rinc-BrLtEp GULL.

The Ring-billed Gull may occur through the winter, but it was re-
corded by us as a migrant only, not noticed in the spring, but moderately
common in the fall, from October 17 until November 15. Scattering
individuals were frequently noticed on both Lake Erie and Misery Bay,
sometimes alone, but more often associated with Herring or Bonaparte’s
Gulls. They were not particularly shy, and on November 4, when they
were especially abundant, kept flying over our duck decoys and near
the blinds with utter fearlessness. It so happened, however, that no
specimens were secured. Mr. Bacon seems not to have met with this
bird in life, but Mr. Simpson contributes the following notes: ‘On
April 26, 1902, during a terrific northwest blow that brought on an im-
mense flight of Bonaparte’s Gulls, two birds of this species [the Ring-
billed Gull] were noted off Crystal Point, one of which I was so fortunate
as tosecure. From November 17 to 23, 1902, this gull, together with
the Herring and Bonaparte’s Gulls was quite common off the outside
beach during the strong east winds which prevailed at that time, and by
persistent effort I was able to secure six specimens, all in the spotted
plumage of the immature bird. Two adults were noted, one of which
was wounded off Crystal Point, but not secured. Again, on Novem-
ber 24, 1903, a few of this species were seen, associated with the Her-*
ring Gulls.’’? Two of the specimens alluded to above, taken respectively
on November 22 and 23, 1902, are now in the Carnegie Museum.

11. Larus philadelphia. Bonaparte’s GULL.

This species occurs as a common transient in spring and fall, being
most numerous at the former season, according to the testimony at hand.
Our experience with this gull in the spring of 1900 was that it was usually
found in loose flocks of from twenty to a hundred individuals, coursing
up and down the bay, feeding, or occasionally on the outside beach,
resting on a sand-bar. However, on the few comparatively calm days
during the season more or less compact flocks were met with resting on
the smooth water, their light color rendering them conspicuous at a long
distance. At such times it was difficult or impossible to approach
within range, and far better chances of securing specimens were afforded
Topp; Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 505

by remaining quietly in the boat as the birds came by on their course
and picking off such as ventured too close. A single bird flung out as
a decoy would almost always bring others within reach, and on one
occasion the cries of a wounded bird brought an entire flock headed
en masse towards the sound. The first individuals were seen on April
13, and the following day a large flock was observed. Practically all
of the birds met with thus early in the season were in full adult plumage,
with the black hood complete, but towards the latter part of April and
during May immature birds were almost exclusively observed. The
last were recorded on May 12, but Mr. Bacon has noted them some-
what later— May 15, 1901, May 25, 1895. Our recorded date of
arrival in 1900, as well as Mr. Simpson’s in 1903 (April 13) may pos-
sibly be a little early, since Mr. Bacon’s notes give April 26 and 24 as
the dates of first appearance in 1892 and 1894 respectively, while there
is a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection taken April 23, 1875. Mr.
Bacon has also recorded the species in the fall movement as early as
August 13 (1902) and 20 (1890), but he adds that it does not gener-
ally arrive until the first week in September, remaining into November,
while he has even once or twice seen an individual during the winter
months —a statement borne out in some measure by Dr. Warren, who
says (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 16) that he ‘‘observed a flock
of a dozen or more of these gulls in company with two or three Her-
ring Gulls late in the month of December, 1889.’’ Although observed
in August by Mr. Bacon, as above stated, and, although a specimen in
Mr. Sennett’s collection was taken as early as September 22 (1875),
it was not until October 29 that we noted its return in the fall of rgoo.
By November 1 the birds were common, being seen almost daily
thereafter until November 17, and no doubt remaining still later.
They were more frequently observed on the main lake at this season,
but were scarcely so abundant as in the spring.
[Xema sabiniit. SABINE’s GULL.

‘‘Accidental in winter on Lake Erie. Mr. Winslow informs me that he took an

immature bird of this species in Cleveland harbor many years since.’’ (Wheaton,
Birds of Ohio, 1882, 552.)

Gelochelidon nilotica. GULL-BILLED TERN.

«¢ Rare visitor in the vicinity of Cleveland, where taken by Mr. Winslow.’’ (Wheaton,
Birds of Ohio, 1882, 553.) It is recorded as breeding at the St. Clair Flats on
the authority of Mr. Adolphe B. Covert, and as ‘often common on Lake Erie’ (in
Michigan) on the authority of Mr. Jerome Trombley, (Cook, Birds of Michigan,

1893, 29). ]
506 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

12. Sterna caspia. Caspian TERN.

This large tern was rather common during the fall migration of
1g00, from September 4 until October 3. Although occasionally met
with by itself, singly, or in small companies, it was more frequently
found associated with the Herring Gull, both on the bay and lake, and
like that species was rather shy. The large flock of gulls on the out-
side beach included a number of Caspian Terns, which could easily be
distinguished, if adults, by their bright red bills. The adults had a
harsh, rasping cry, which was very distinctive, while the note of the
immature birds was more musical. Two specimens, an adult and
a young one, were secured by us, both on the outside beach, and Mr.
Simpson also shot two birds on September 17. There is a single
specimen (September 15, 1888) in Mr. Sennett’s collection, and Mr.
Bacon has observed the species as a regular visitant in September and
October, although he has never seen more than ten or twelve in any
one season. An immature bird taken October 6, 1892, and an adult
and young, taken September 21, 1901, by Mr. Bacon, are in the
Carnegie Museum. The only spring record appears to be that of Mr.
Simpson, who notes that ‘‘ during the terrific ‘northwester’ of April
26, 1902, I saw three on Misery Bay in the company of Common
Terns and Bonaparte’s Gulls.’’

[Sterna forstert. FORSTER’S TERN.

Careful search was made for this tern in the spring and fall of 1900, but none were
identified, although the species, being more a bird of the interior than Sterna hirundo,
would naturally be expected to occur. The nearest locality (on the Great Lakes)
from which it is reported appears to be the St. Clair Flats, (Cook, Birds of Michi-

gan, 1893, 29).]
13. Sterna hirundo, Common TERN.

A regular transient, abundant in the spring, and fairly common in
the fall. It has been recorded as early in the spring as April 26
(1902) by Mr. Simpson, but in 1900 we did not meet with it until
May 7, when a few were observed with the Bonaparte’s Gulls on the
bay, and at least fifty individuals were seen in a flock by themselves.
For about two weeks thereafter they were very common indeed, and a
number were noted as late as May 29. While the Bonaparte’s Gulls
remained the terns were frequently found in their company, and both
could be decoyed by throwing over a dead bird and imitating their
cry. When shot at the terns presently mounted high in the air above
their dead companions, while the gulls dispersed or passed on. Later
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 507

in the season the terns were often found scattered over the bay resting
by preference on pieces of floating driftwood. While there is no
present intimation that this species ever bred in the immediate vicinity
of Erie, such may readily have been the case in former years, before
the city had grown to any size. Mr. Bacon states that as a rule none
are seen after May 25, although in 1903 he saw a single individual
on June 15, and a pair on June 4, 1904. The nearest point where
the Common Tern is actually known to nest would appear to be Big
Chicken Island, off Put-in-Bay, Ohio, where Mr. E. B. Williamson
of Bluffton, Indiana, in a letter to the writer dated February 14,
1901, states that he collected numerous sets of their eggs on June 30,
1896. ‘The probabilities are that the terns found at Erie breed to the
northeast, on Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence. For the return
movement August 8 (1903) is the earliest recorded appearance, but
this is exceptional, according to Mr. Bacon’s experience. ‘Thus, we
did not meet with it in the fall of 1900 until August 28, when a flock
of about thirty was noticed on the bay. It was found in greater or
less numbers from that date until September 26, but no very large
flocks, such as were met with in the spring, were observed. At this
season it frequented the main lake as well as Erie Bay, and was often
found associated with the Black Tern during the period of abundance
of the latter species.
[Sterna dougalli, ROSEATE TERN.

A maritime species of only casual occurrence in the interior. Dr. J. M. Wheaton

includes it as a bird of Lake Erie in Ohio on the authority of Mr. Winslow ( Birds
of Ohio, 1882, 562).

Sterna antillarum. LEASY TERN.

“Certainly breeds at St. Clair Flats,’ according to Dr. W. C. Brownell (Cook,
Birds of Michigan, 1893, 30), and, if so, it may stray eastward along Lake Erie. ]
14. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. Brack TERN.

Dr. Warren states (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 23) that ‘ Dr.
John W. Detwiller . . . writes me, that, some years ago he ‘ procured
eggs of the Black Tern upon drift-wood on Lake Erie, near Erie city.’

. Iam not aware that they are now known to breed anywhere in
the neighborhood of Erie county or elsewhere in our state.’’ While there
is nothing intrinsically improbable in the breeding of the Black Tern
here in former years, as, indeed, it does today (or at least as recently
as 1896, as the writer is informed by Mr. E. B. Williamson), near San-
dusky, Ohio, it has been shown that the late Dr. Detwiller was an
508 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MuSsEUM.

utterly unreliable observer, and all of his published records are thus
open to doubt. Dr. Warren goes on to state that ‘Mr. George B.
Sennett . . . has observed the Black Tern in the vicinity of Erie city
only during the spring and fall,’’ and to support this statement there
are a pair of birds in Mr. Sennett’s collection taken September 23,
1875. The only definite spring record available refers to an indi-
vidual in full breeding dress seen on the bay April 27, 1902, by Mr.
Simpson. Mr. Bacon has never met with the species save in Septem-
ber, 1900, so that in its occurrence even as a fall transient it would
seem to be irregular. The writer found it very common at the St.
Clair Flats and along the Detroit River late in August, 1903, and it is
singular that in its migrations it should not regularly extend to the
eastward along Lake Erie. Our notes on its occurrence in 1goo are
presented herewith. Several small flocks were.seen on the main lake
September 12, after the most severe storm of the season. On Septem-
ber 15 two were seen on the bay, one of which was secured. On the
evening of September 16 the species suddenly became very prominent
on the bay about Crystal Point, and on the following day, which
dawned stormy and threatening, with frequent gusts of rain and a strong
northwest wind, it was exceedingly abundant, swarming on both the
bay and lake, far outnumbering the Common Terns, which were flying
at the same time. The birds were perfectly tame, silent, and very fear-
less, repeatedly coming within a yard of the observer in their flight.
They would beat up against the wind for a distance and then drift
down before it, occasionally stopping over the water to pick up food,
and on the outside beach flying over the land and the ponds back
‘of the shore, without discrimination. Individuals in the postnuptial
moult, showing a black and white spotted plumage, occurred with the
birds in immature and full winter dress in the proportion of about one
to one hundred. The day after this great flight comparatively few
birds were seen, and these mainly on Erie Bay alone. Such were
almost always more or less closely associated with Common Terns, and
like them were often found resting on pieces of floating driftwood. The
last was recorded September 24.

15. Phalacrocorax dilophus. DousiEe-cresTED CoRMORANT.

The notes on this species would indicate that it occurs sparingly, but
regularly, as a transient in late fall and early winter. Dr. Warren so
gives it on the authority of Messrs. George B. Sennett and James
Thompson, and mentions a specimen shot by the latter on October
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 509

26, 1889, from which ‘‘a fish, known locally as ‘ buffalo-sucker,’
measuring between eight and nine inches in length was taken.’’
(Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 28-29.) There is one specimen in
Mr. Sennett’s collection, dated November 15, 1889. Mr. Bacon
has never heard of it in the spring, but has occasionally seen one in
the fall, in every case on the wing, although, he adds, ‘‘ The fisher-
men inform me that the birds when present often alight on the pond-
net stakes. On December 14, 1901, a party of four birds of this
species flew over me as I was passing down the neck of the Peninsula,
one of which I secured. When skinned its throat was found to con-
tain two ten-inch perch, one of which was perfectly fresh. I have
seen single cormorants on the following dates also: October 7, 1897,
December 1, 1900, and November 8, 1go1, while I secured from a
local gunner a bird which had been taken November 6, rg02.’’ Both
specimens to whose capture reference is made are now in the Carnegie
Museum. Part of a skeleton, with the entire tail attached, was found
on the shore of Misery Bay in the spring of 1900, evidently belonging
to a bird killed the previous fall. The only living bird of this species
noted by us was seen off the outside beach on October 9.
[Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus. FLORIDA CORMORANT.

This form may in former years have extended as far north as Erie, and may even
have bred. Compare, in this connection, the statement of Dr. F. W. Langdon
( Journal Cincinnati Society of Natural History, 111., 1880, 229) that two speci-

mens, male and female, were taken by Mr. J. B. Porter, in June, 1878, near Port
Clinton, Sandusky Bay, Ohio. ]

16. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. WuiTE PELICAN.

The claim of this species to a place in the present list rests on the
following statement, which is quoted from Dr. Warren (Birds of
Pennsylvania, 1890, 29-30): ‘‘Mr. George B. Sennett, of Erie,
informs me a few of these birds were seen, about fifteen or twenty
years ago [?. e., between 1870 and 1875], in the neighborhood of
Erie city.’’ Numerous well attested records for this species from con-
tiguous areas would seem to justify the reception of the above state-
ment at its face value.

17. Merganser americanus. AMERICAN MERGANSER.

This merganser is not very common or well known to the local
gunners. It occurs asa transient visitant, and may possibly remain
through the winter. One was seen with a flock of Red-breasted Mer-
gansers in Yellow Bass Pond on April 7, this being our only spring
510 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MusEeUM.

record for 1900. In the fall the first, a young male, was shot at Crystal
Point on November 8. A male in incomplete adult plumage was killed
over decoys in Horseshoe Pond the following day, and on November
12 two females were shot at Crystal Point. There were also examined
a few adults in the possession of a gunner who had shot them on Nov-
ember 17, which was the last date opportunity was afforded to record,
but in Mr. Bacon’s notes mention is made of a freshly killed bird seen
by him on December 8 of the same year. Again in 1903, on a brief
visit to the Peninsula, the writer saw a single bird in possession of a
gunner, said to have been killed on December 7. All the specimens
preserved by us were excessively fat.

18. Merganser serrator. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.

With the single exception of the Lesser Scaup Duck, the present spe-
cies, known to the local gunners as ‘‘ Fish Duck,’’ is the commonest
of the Azatide during the season of migration, both in spring and fall.
Although doubtless present previously, the first record in 1900 was
made March 27, and it was common throughout April and for a few
days in May, while a flock of stragglers was observed as late even as
May 25. ‘Thus its period of migration at this place extended over
almost two months. Although single individuals and small parties
were often met with, it was usually found in larger flocks on the bay,
being detected but once in the ponds. In the fall it was first noted on
October 17, soon becoming numerous, and thus continued up to the
time of our departure. At this season it was one of the few ducks that
frequented the lake proper, and there were ogcasions when a number
of flocks were visible at one time from the outside beach. It was also
one of the species which was readily decoyed, and was thus the source
of much annoyance to gunners who were in quest of more edible kinds.
As a diver it is most expert, and the writer has repeatedly seen an en-
tire flock while engaged in feeding disappear beneath the surface simul-
taneously. It is said to remain in the fall until the bay freezes over.
Mr. Bacon’s notes on this merganser are interesting as tending to prove
that it occasionally remains through the summer to breed. He says:
‘«T have seen large flocks here as late as May 19 (1900), and on May
30, 1901, I saw a dozen birds. I have several times seen young mer-
gansers on the bay in July and August, and on one occasion (July 27,
1893) I shot one. All of these birds Iam quite certain were of this
species, although since I have regretted not having made the identifi-
cation more positive. On September 6, 1900, I killed an old bird of
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 511

this species, although it is well into October before the mergansers are
expected. Taking all these facts into consideration, I think they breed
here occasionally.’’ See, in this connection, Dr. F. W. Langdon’s
note on this species (Journal Cincinnati Society of Natural History,
III., 1880, 229), in which he mentions that it has been identified in
summer at Sandusky Bay, Ohio, by Mr. J. B. Porter.

19. Lophodytes cucullatus. Hoopep MERGANSER.

This handsome species is fairly numerous as a transient in spring and
fall, preferring the ponds of the Peninsula to the waters of the bay,
and is often seen in small pools on the mainland during the spring
movement. While fairly common, it is never found in such numbers
as the preceding species. The dates of its first appearance in the
spring are given by Mr. Bacon as April 7, 1899, and March 25, 1gor.
In rgoo it was first noted on April 2, when a male bird was picked up
dead on the north shore of Erie Bay. Later in the month it was repeat-
edly recorded, but none were seen after May 2 until May 21, when a
belated migrant was observed. In the fall the first record was for No-
vember 7, and the last for November 18, although without much doubt
it actually remained later. While small flocks and single individuals
often came to decoys in the bay, such were as often observed in the
ponds, feeding in company with Coots and Pied-billed Grebes, whence
the name ‘‘ Pond Fisher’’ given by the local gunners. Mr. Bacon
writes: ‘I have often seen them feeding in shallow pools, where they
could scarcely find anything in the line of fish, so that I am inclined
to think that they may feed on vegetable matter at times. They are
claimed by many to be good eating. I have found them both good
and bad.’’ :

[‘‘Anas maxima.” (GossE, Birds of Jamaica, 1847, 399.) MALLARD-MUSCOVY

Hysrip.

A specimen of this interesting bird, without doubt a hybrid between the Mallard
and the Muscovy (Catrina moschata), a tropical American species, which is common
in domestication, was taken on the Peninsula near the Life-saving Station on Novem-
ber 25, 1902. The bird was seen flying up and down the bay, and finally alighted on
the shore near several men, who captured it by striking it with a club as it started to
rise. Itseemed to be exhausted. According to Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway ( Water
Birds of North America, 1., 1884, 494), ‘These hybrids are no doubt produced
in the barnyard; but it is said that such birds do not inherit the tameness of their
progenitors, but revert to the original wildness of both species, and escape by flight.
Certain it is, that they are frequently shot by gunners along our coast.’? The
specimen in question, a male, is now in the Carnegie Museum, and may be thus
described : Head and neck black, with strong purple iridescence, washed with brown
512 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

on the lores, chin, and throat. A broken circlet of white feathers at the base of the
neck, Back, scapulars, rump, upper tail coverts, and tail above glossy black, show-
ing rich dark green and violet reflections. Breast rich chestnut, this color also
extending in lessening intensity over the sides to the anterior portion of the back,
where it appears as a brown wash on the feathers. The chestnut of the breast gradu-
ally gives way posteriorly to the grizzled gray color-effect of the abdominal region,
which is due to a fine wavy combination of white and black, the latter predominating
laterally. Under tail-coverts like the back. Wing-coverts dusky olive-green, the
greater ones obsoletely white-tipped, and crossed terminally by a narrow band of
black and brown. Primaries dusky black. Speculum iridescent dark purplish green,
white-bordered behind. Length (from well made skin), 29 inches; wing, 13; tail,
6.25 ; bill, 2.40.]

20. Anas boschas. Ma..arp.

A transient visitant in spring and fall, in some seasons quite abun-
dant, at other times almost rare. As arule the Black Mallard is more
numerous than the present species, but in the fall of 1901 the Mallards
outnumbered the others species ten to one, an unprecedented flight
having taken place October 17 to 19. The earliest record for the
spring migration is February 23, 1891, and other first dates for this
season are March 11, 1897, March 8, 1898, and March 2, 1902
(Bacon). In the spring of 1900 it came under our notice first on March
28, when a number were seen resting on the edge of the ice on Erie
Bay. This was the only occasion when it was found on the bay,
although occasionally it was seen flying over. During April it was
seen at frequent intervals in the several ponds of the Peninsula, either
alone or in the company of other ‘‘ pond ducks,’’ particularly the Black
Mallard. Early in the season it was usually found in flocks number-
ing from six to twelve individuals, but during the latter part of its stay
it was almost invariably in pairs, each pair by itself, and doubtless
mated for the season. May 4 was our latest spring record, and Mr.
Bacon notes a pair seen May 5, 1902. Beyond question the Mallard
bred at this locality in former years, as stated by Dr. Warren (Bzrds
of Pennsylvania, 1890, 35), on the authority of Mr. James Thompson.
However, in December, 1902, Mr. Thompson personally informed
the writer that it was then more than ten years, to the best of his
knowledge and belief, since this species had bred in the neighborhood
of Erie. Mr. Bacon has never seen it under such circumstances,
although he has noted a single old bird] as early as August 24 (1896).
It is generally about the middle of September, however, before it
reappears in the fall according to the same observer. In 1900 Septem-
ber 21 was the recorded date of arrival, and it was noted at intervals
Topp: BirDs OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 513

through the following month, but it was not until November that it
became really common, considerably exceeding its spring abundance.
Flocks of from ten to twenty birds were found on various occasions in
the ponds, and a number of specimens were secured. Curiously
enough, all of the individuals in the flocks that we siw seemed to be
adult males, and, indeed, the only females recorded in the fall were
those which had been killed by local gunners, It was interesting to
observe the manceuvers of a flock when seeking a place to alight. They
would sweep low over the waters of a pond, then rise and disappear
over a wooded ridge half a mile away, returning to repeat the move-
ment until satisfied that the coast was clear, when they would settle in
some shallow spot and begin to feed, remaining in one place for hours
at atime, if not disturbed. November 14 was the latest date on which
an opportunity was given to record the species, although no doubt it
remained much later. It was observed by Mr. Simpson from Novem-
ber 17 to 23, 1902, but it is very doubtful if it ever remains through
the winter.

21. Anas obscura. Brack Matuarp ; Dusky Duck.

This is the most numerous of the ‘‘ pond ducks,’’ at least in the
spring, and occurs as a regular migrant and casual winter resident.
Its arrival takes place early in March, and during its sojourn it fre-
quents the ponds on the mainland and Peninsula fully as much as the
waters of the bay. In the spring of 1g00 the first individuals were
observed on the bay on March 31. They were repeatedly noted among
the floating ice on the main lake, but the ponds were their usual resting
places and feeding resorts. Throughout April they were quite common
in such situations, usually in flocks of from five to fifteen individuals, feed-
ing mainly on the seeds of wild rice, with which the gullets and stomachs
of the specimens secured were crammed. Towards the end of April it
was usual to find these ducks in pairs, apparently mated for the season,
and, indeed, it is quite possible that they breed on the Peninsula,
although not observed by us later than May 5. On this point Mr.
Bacon says: ‘‘ Although ordinarily not remaining after the first of
May (May 2, 1901), I have on different occasions seen a single Black
Mallard in the summer months (August 15, 1896; June 25, 1900;
July 19, 1903), but I have never seen a flock of old and young at this
time, so I am inclined to think that the species has not bred here of
late years. During the fore part of September, (September 13, 1894,
September 14, 1895, September 4, 1897, September 5, 1902), it reap-
514 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

pears on the return migration, and lingers in small numbers well into
the winter, an occasional individual even remaining through the whole
season.’’ Our notes for the fall of 1900 were in accord with Mr.
Bacon’s observations. The first specimen was observed September 7,
but they did not become at all numerous until November set in, while
the last record was for November 17, although they unquestionably
remained considerably later.

[Anas obscura rubripes. RED-LEGGED BLacK Duck.

The occurrence of this form, lately characterized by Mr. William Brewster ( Azz,
XIX., 1902, 184), is to be expected in this locality, but the character of the available
material does not permit of a positive statement to that effect. Specimens must be
had the labels of which shall note the colors of the soft parts. Mr. Lynds Jones
thinks that this is the more common form of the Black Duck in Ohio (Birds of Ohio,

1903, 38).]
22. Chaulelasmus streperus. GapwaLL.

‘Although this species is not common in the vicinity of Erie,
good-sized flocks are sometimes seen mostly in company with other
species about Erie bay, where the Gadwall appears to occur in greater
numbers than in other parts of the state.’’ This quotation from Dr.
Warren (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 37), probably based on in-
formation received from Mr. George B. Sennett, however appropri-
ate it may have been at one time, is utterly misleading at present.
Nothing is more certain than that the Gadwall is by far the rarest of
the ducks at Erie. There is no specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection ;
Mr. Bacon has never seen or heard of it; we did not meet with it
during our stay in goo, nor did we find any gunner who had recog-
nized it. The only positive record is by Mr. Simpson, who examined
a single specimen taken by a gunner November 18, 1902. It was
shot over decoys in one of the ponds, and was unfortunately so badly
mangled through the stupidity of the gunner that it was unfit for pre-
servation. The species must be listed asa transient visitant.

[Mareca penelope. EUROPEAN WIDGEON.

So many records for this bird from neighboring areas have lately come to light that
it would seem not unreasonable to look for it at Erie as a casual visitant. The male
may readily be distinguished from that of AZ americana by its rufous-brown head. ]
23. Mareca americana. AMERICAN WIDGEON. s

This duck occurs as a regular migrant in spring and fall, but is not
very common at either season. It is confined almost wholly to the
ponds, and is usually found in pairs or small flocks, sometimes asso-
ciated with kindred species, particularly the Black Mallard. Accord-
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 515

ing to Mr. Bacon’s experience it arrives from the south soon after the
latter species (March 19, 1898, March 25, 1901), although in 1900
our first record was not made until April 1, a pair shot on that day
by a gunner having come into our possession. The last occurrence in
spring was noted on April 28. In the fall the first specimen was seen
on September 19, and two days later a flock of about ten birds was
found in Ridge Pond, one of which was secured. Curiously enough,
no others were observed from this time until November 6, while the
latest record for the season was for November 13, although no doubt
this date, like many others referring to waterfowl at this season, did
not correctly indicate the actual time of departure of the species.
Mr. Simpson recorded it in 1902 between November 17 and 23,
and Mr. Bacon says that ‘‘ December 5, rgot, is by far the latest date
upon which I have observed this species,’’ and adds that September 26,
1899, is an average date for its arrival in the fall. A specimen in Mr.
Sennett’s collection was taken April 21, 1875. This duck is called
«¢ Specklehead ’’ by the gunners about Erie.

24. Nettion carolinensis. GREEN-wINGED TEAL.

A regular and rather common transient, although seldom as well
represented as the Blue-winged Teal. Mr. Bacon has observed them
about as early in the fall as the other species, as for instance on Sep-
tember 1, 1894, September 15, 1899, and September 19, 1896 and
Igor, but in his experience they are always to be found a week or two
-after the Blue-wings have disappeared. Thus, on November 8, 1901,.
-he killed a pair, and on November 9, 1902, he secured one from a
local gunner. Mr. Simpson has received specimens taken as late as
November 23, 1903, while November 4 was our last recorded date in
tgoo. Dr. Warren observes (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 38) that
these birds are quite common in this locality late in August as well
as in September, and that many of them are-shot for the market. What
may have been one of this species was seen by Mr. D. A. Atkinson
August 24, 1900, but it was not certainly detected again by any mem-
ber of our party until September 19, and only a few were noted dur-
ing the entire fall migration. But one individual was recorded in the
spring; this was a fine male which was secured from a gunner on
April 7, having been killed that morning over decoys at Crystal
Point. That this record could scarcely be counted as a date of arrival
is evident from the following extract: from Mr. Bacon’s notes: ‘‘On
March 12, 1898, I killed one from a small flock. The latter date I
516 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MuSsEuUM.

consider rather early, the first having been noted in other years as
follows: March 28, 1895; March 23, 1901; March 15, 1902.”’
While, according to Dr. Warren, birds of this species are occasion-
ally captured here during the early summer months, there is no evi-
dence to show that the species has nested here in late years. It is
partial to the ponds on the Peninsula, but is often taken on the bay as
well, and at marshy pools on the mainland.

25. Querquedula discors. BLuE-winceD TEAL.

Fairly common as a spring and fall migrant, and rather more numer-
ous than the preceding species. Three were seen April 12, 1900, on
Yellow Bass Pond. Two of these were secured. A flock of six, one
of which was taken, was met with in the same place on April 25, and
the last specimen was seen on April 28. The earliest date of appear-
ance given by Mr. Bacon is March 27, 1898. He has seen single
birds well into the breeding season (May 5, 1892, May 30, 1901),
but never has seen one in midsummer. Late in August, or early in
September (August 28, 1901, September 6, 1893 and 1902, Septem-
ber 7, 1900, September 8, 1875 and 1894), these birds again appear
about the ponds of the Peninsula. Sometimes they come in flocks of
twenty to thirty birds, and upon their arrival are very unsuspicious,
while in other seasons they are few and far between and correspond-
ingly wary. In Mr. Sennett’s collection there are specimens secured
September 25, 1875, while our latest fall date in r900 was September
26. Doubtless, however, it often remains later. Mr. Simpson reports
specimens shot at Crystal Point in April of t902 and 1903, but ordi-
narily it is seldom found away from the ponds.

26. Spatula clypeata. SHOVELLER Duck.

This is one of the rarer ducks in this locality, where it is of irregular
appearance in spring and fall. A pair, shot on the bay, April 21, 1875,
are in Mr. Sennett’s collection. On April 20 and 21, 1900, there was
a small flight of these ducks, they having been found on several occa-
sions, and one male secured (at the head of Big Pond). March 30,
1902, Mr. Bacon secured a single specimen from a gunner, and re-
corded the species again on April 2. These are all the available
spring records, and the notes for the fall migration are similarly
meagre. Mr. Bacon killed two in the fall of 1893 (September 6 and
21), and saw several others, even as lateas November 18. Since then
he has heard of an occasional specimen being shot, although he has
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 517

not personally met with the species at this season, while the gunners
all consider it rare. In the fall of 1900 it came under our notice but
once, when three specimens killed by a gunner on Horseshoe Pond,
September 25, were examined. Mr. Simpson reports having taken a
single adult female, November 13, 1903.

27. Dafila acuta. Pinta Ducx.

This species is locally known as ‘‘ Gray Duck,’’ and is common as
a transient visitant during the migrations. They arrive with the Black
Mallards in the spring, Mr. Bacon’s earliest records at that season
being February 23, 1891, while for other years his dates are as fol-
lows: 1897, March 11; 1898, March 10; 1901, March 25; rgo2,
March 11. In the fall they come early in September, (September 6,
1893, September 11, 1894, September 7, 1895, September 15, 1899),
and are usually gone by the end of the following month, although on
two occasions, November 13, 1902, and December 3, 1903, much
later records were made. In 1g00 a few were seen on Big Pond on
April 20, this being our only spring record. September 19 was the
date of their first appearance in the autumnal movement, and they
were recorded at intervals from that time until as lateas November 16.
Single individuals or small parties were the rule, always in the ponds.
In all the adult male specimens examined in the fall the middle tail-
feathers were in a worn condition ‘and no longer than the others. An
interesting specimen, illustrating the moult of the male from summer
into winter plumage, was secured on October 17. Mr. Simpson con-
tributes the following notes on this species: ‘‘ Several males were
seen April 26, 1902, in a large flock of ducks that frequented Misery
Bay on that occasion. On November 10, 1903, a female was ob-
served.’’

28. Aix sponsa. Woop Duck.

This species is tolerably common as a transient visitant in spring
and fall, and every yeara few pairs spend the summer on the Peninsula,
where they rear their young, their shy and secretive habits during the
nesting season enabling them to pass comparatively unnoticed until the
young are fairly well grown. Broods of young birds have repeatedly
been seen in August, and numerous specimens secured. On August
10, 1901, a flock of ten young birds was noted by Mr. Bacon. Two
young taken August 12, 1903, in which the postjuvenal moult had just
commenced, are in the Carnegie Museum. It is early in April before
518 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

this duck arrives from the south, but it is counted a rare bird in the
spring. The local birds seem to leave early in September, but indi-
viduals, perhaps migrants from more northern localities, have been
seen as late as October 19 (1901). In 1g00 the only occasion upon
which it came to our notice was on November 10, when we secured a
female which a gunner had killed in one of the ponds. Upon skin-
ning it proved to have wounds in both wings near the tip, which had
healed, leaving a swelling. This may perhaps account for the late date
of its occurrence.

29. Aythya americana. RepuHEaD Duck.

A regular migrant, most numerous in the fall, but never abundant.
In the spring of t900 we found them with the flocks of Scaups and
Golden-eyes on Erie Bay, and like these they were wild and difficult of
approach. The first were noted March 2g, and the last April 7,
although doubtless these limiting dates included but a fraction of the
period during which the species stays (a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s
collection dated April 21, 1875, would at least indicate as much).
They reappeared in the fall on October 13, and were seen at frequent
intervals up to November 17, and probably remained still later. On
December 9, 1902, the writer saw some Redheads that had been killed
on the bay within a few days. Mr. Bacon contributes the following
observations: ‘Soon after the first of October (October 6, 1894;
October 3, 1901), and with the first flight of ‘deep water’ ducks
come the Redheads. They are wary and are seldom killed in any num-
bers. Several fall seasons J have known a flock of at least one hundred
of these birds to feed week after week in the western end of the bay,
and only an occasional one was killed. They remain well into No-
mveber, while one was once taken as late as December 15 (1900), and
I have seen a record of a specimen shot January 2, 1903. This spe-
cies prefers the waters of the lake or bay, but, like the Scaups, occa-
sionally a bird drops into the ponds.’’

30. Aythya vallisneria,. Canvas-sack Duck.

The Canvas-back is one of the rarer ducks, and was detected by us
only during the fall migration of 1900, when it was the last of the
ducks to put in an appearance. Mr. Worthington killed a single bird,
a female in moulting plumage, over decoys at Crystal Point on No-
vember 13. Two others, also females, which we examined were killed
by gunners on November 16, one in Horseshoe Pond (said to have been
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 519

one of a flock of four), the other on Erie Bay. Mr. Bacon records
the species as an irregular migrant and winter resident, and adds: ‘I
have never seen this bird alive, but nearly all the older generation of
sportsmen have killed one or two specimens. On December 21, 1900,
a flock of seven appeared at the eastern end of the bay, three of which
were shot by Mr. Frank Claus, from whom I secured them. On
January 8, tgo1, another specimen was killed by Mr. Claus, which
likewise came into my possession. Other examples have since been
brought me, taken on March 13 and 26, 1902, January 1 and 2, and
December 5, 1903. On October 23, 1903, I examined five specimens
that were killed on the bay — my earliest fall date.’’ Most of the
above dates are represented by specimens in the Carnegie Museum.
There appear to be no other records for the occurrence of this duck
so far north in winter. Its favorite food, the wild celery ( Valisneria
spiralis) grows in the bay at certain places, so that it would naturally
be expected to occur regularly did other circumstances permit.

31. Fuligula marila. Greater Scaup Duck.

This duck was not distinguished from the next species by the gun-
ners, both being known as ‘‘ Blue-bills.’’ Moreover, owing to the
difficulty of discriminating the two forms in life, little can be said
definitely of the present species, more than that in the spring of 1900
it certainly constituted a portion of the flocks of Scaups during the
earlier part of the season. Specimens were secured on March 29 and
April 13, that taken on the latter date being a male in full plumage.
Beyond stating that it was evidently much less common than the Lesser
Scaup, it is impossible to indicate the relative abundance of the two
species. In the fall none were noted until November 8, and speci-
mens were examined which were killed on November 14 and 15. Mr.
Simpson reports the species on November 20, 1902, and April 14,
1903, having taken two specimens on each date. Mr. Bacon’s notes,
however, are of special interest in that they are supplementary to those
just presented, tending to show that the seasonal status of this duck is
about the same as that of the Canvas-back. ‘‘ Although I feel sure that
the present species is never found here in any great numbers, it prob-
ably occurs regularly during the migrations and through the winter.

. I have occasionally seen one in the markets, and have secured
specimens from local gunners taken on the following dates: December
Io, 13, and 27, 1902, and January 5, 1903,’’ all of which are at
present in the Carnegie Museum.
520 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

32. Fuligula affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck.

The Lesser Scaup is by far the commonest duck at Erie Bay, as
well as the one the migration of which in the spring covers, perhaps,
the longest period. No doubt a few always winter here ; at any rate
they appear just as soon,as the ice breaks up. At the time of our
arrival in the spring of rg00 (March 23) they were already numerous,
and with the breaking up and final disappearance of the ice the flocks
were augmented by fresh accessions from the south. They were rarely
observed on the main lake, and only occasionally on the ponds, the bay
being their chosen haunt. Here they were found in flocks numbering
sometimes hundreds of individuals, often associated with other species
of sea-ducks, but always outnumbering them. These flocks were wild
and could not be approached in a boat within one hundred yards, but
refused to leave the bay, rising merely to settle in another part until
again disturbed. However, many were killed over decoys set out at
various points, even in the open bay during foggy weather, when a
boat could be anchored at the proper distance. A favorite feeding-
ground, to which the birds persisted in returning despite constant
persecution, lay between one hundred and three hundred yards off the
mouth of Mill Creek, where the water was only a few feet deep. No
diminution in the abundance of the species was evident until late in
April, and many were observed through May, usually at or near the
spot just mentioned. Some specimens were shot to determine whether
these late staying individuals were ‘‘ pensioners’’ or birds in normal
condition, but not enough were secured to warrant a final conclusion.
Thus a specimen taken May 7 was apparently a healthy, well-developed
bird, while one shot May 24 had been wounded earlier in the season.
Another secured May ro had its breast plumage ragged and cut, and a
strongly smelling carcass ; it was doubtless a sick bird. The presence
of this duck thus late in the season is a regular occurrence every year,
as is evident from the statements of local gunners and from Mr. Bacon's
notes. -He says: ‘‘I am certain that this species does not breed here,
but it occurs in numbers all through the spring and well into the sum-
mer months. Early in June of every year there is always a fair-sized
flock feeding on the bay. Thus on June 21, 1901, I saw about fifty
birds, both males and females, in one flock, and on July 9, 1892, I
saw a party of eight; this latter date is, however, my latest summer
record.’’ In further support of this statement may be recorded a
party of five seen by the writer on June 17, 1897, off the mouth of
Topp: Birps OF ERIE AND PrREsQuE ISLE. 521

Mill Creek. The most reasonable explanation of these facts would
seem to be that such late staying birds are those which for some reason
have not the ability or inclination to breed, some of them at least being
‘« pensioners,’’ but just why these should be the only ducks known to
regularly spend the summer here without breeding it is difficult to say,
unless it be that their abundance brings them into more prominence.
In the fall of 1900 the first migrants were noted on October 14, and
by the end of that month they had become quite common, although
the great flights did not take place until the cold stormy weather in
November came. They were still the most common ducks at the close
of our stay, and doubtless remain as long as there is open water, or
well into December. Mr. Bacon contributes the following interesting
account of the migration of this species: ‘‘ On one occasion I saw, as I
believed, all the Lesser Scaups in this neighborhood start for the south.
The bay had frozen over a few nights before, and on this particular
afternoon a large flock of these ducks kept circling over the lake, some-
times high in the air, again dropping swiftly to the surface and skim-
ming along for a mile or so. Finally, having evidently gathered into
one flock all the birds of the vicinity, they rose to a great height, and,
starting southward, were soon lost to view.’’ A peculiar habit of some
of the ducks under certain circumstances is illustrated by the following
note, also from Mr. Bacon: ‘‘I once wounded a duck of this species
in shallow water, and, wading out to where I saw it last, I found it
holding to a strong weed by its bill, two or three feet below the surface,
stone-dead.’’

33- Fuligula collaris. Rinc-NeckeD Duck.

This duck is a transient visitant in spring and fall, probably of reg-
ular occurrence, but not common. By the gunners it is not distin-
guished from the Lesser Scaup, with which it is sometimes found
associated, while its seasonal status, save that there are no late spring
or summer records, would appear to be about the same. The notes on
this species are scanty. The earliest spring record is for March 15,
1903, on which date Mr. Bacon secured a pair shot by a gunner. On
April 12, 1900, he shot a male from a flock of five, which were found
feeding in a small pool in the fields on the mainland. Mr. Simpson
reports a female shot April 14, 1902, and in Mr. Sennett’s collection
there is a female taken April 21, 1875. These are all the available
spring records, and those for the fall are also few in number. A pair
in Mr. Sennett’s collection, taken October 10, 1889, constitute the
522 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

earliest fall record, while Mr. Simpson writes that he secured a female
at Crystal Point November 12, 1903, and received a fine male shot by
a gunner on December 3 of the same year.

34. Clangula clangula americana. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE.

The Golden-eye, called by the gunners ‘‘ Whistler,’’ is of regular and
common occurrence as a spring and fall transient, and is found also
through the winter; although in much reduced numbers. Whenever
the bay opens up a little a few Golden-eyes find the open holes, so that
it would seem that they are always present on the lake in winter.
Late fall (November) and early spring (March), however, find them
most abundant. When it is not too rough, they prefer the open lake
for a feeding-ground, but they are commonly found on the bay also,
and occasionally even in the ponds. Asa rule they go in flocks by
themselves, but sometimes occur in the company of other ducks, the
Lesser Scaup in particular. Numerous flocks were noted by us on March
28, 1900, although it seems probable that many transient birds really
arrived somewhat earlier, inasmuch as the latest record was for April
13, which would indicate that the migration extended over a period of
only about two weeks, which seems too short by comparison. Accord-
ing to Mr. Simpson’s experience, however, April 26 and 16 were the
latest dates for thé spring in 1902 and 1903. October 29, 1889, is the
earliest fall record available, being the date of a specimen in Mr. Sen-
nett’s collection. In the fall of 1900 the first birds were seen Novem-
ber 6. All the male specimens examined in the fall were in the
immature plumage save one, taken November 16. Later in the
season adult birds seem to be somewhat more numerous.

[Clangula islandica, BARROW’S GOLDEN-EYE.

This species may be expected to occur here asa casual winter visitant. The nearest
locality at which it has been taken appears to be Lorain County, Ohio, (McCormick,
Auk, IX., 1892, 397; Jones, Birds of Ohio, 1903, 44). Certain intelligent
sportsmen, indeed, have informed the writer of its undoubted occurrence at Erie, but
in the absence of actual specimens the records are not admitted. The adult males of
this species may be distinguished from those of Clangula clangula americana by the
gloss of the head, which is purple and violet, rather than green, and by the fan-shaped
instead of rounded white spot at the base of the bill. ]

35. Charitonetta albeola. BurrLe-HEap Duck.

Common as a spring and fall transient. In the spring of 1900 they
were found usually in small parties by themselves, although during the
earlier part of their sojourn they were often met with in larger numbers
associated with the flocks of Scaup Ducks. Sometimes, too, they were
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 523

noted in the ponds with other ducks, but the bay seemed to be their
favorite resort, and many were killed here over decoys, as well as shot
from a boat, they appearing less wild than most ducks. The first was
recorded March 23, and they may have come even earlier, (Mr. Bacon’s
earliest record is March 11, 1899). Early in April the period of
greatest abundance was reached, and the last was noted on April 20.
In the autumnal movement they were not observed until November 5,
when cold weather had set in, but were common during the remainder
of our stay, being recorded almost daily up to Novembr 16, although
here, as probably also in the case of numerous other waterfowl, the
last date of record by no means approximated the real date of depart-
ure, since Mr. Bacon's latest date for this particular season was De-
cember 15, a month later, while a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s col-
lection is labeled December 19, 1874. Another of Mr. Sennett’s
specimens was taken October 31, 1875, which is the earliest fall
record available. Mr. Simpson recorded this duck during his visit
from April 24 to 27, 1902, this constituting the latest spring record.

36. Harelda hyemalis. Lonc-raiLep Duck.

This is another duck of common occurrence in spring and fall, being
found usually in small parties, or in flocks of moderate size. They
were noted first on March 28 in the spring of 1900, becoming com-
mon during the first half of April, while single individuals were secured
as late even as May 5 and 18. Upon their return in the fall the
earliest record was made October 18, and by October 25 they had
reached the height of their abundance. Although all which were thus
recorded were seen on the bay, it is evident that this species must be
far more numerous on the waters of the open lake, miles off the shore.
Here the birds, in diving for their food, get entangled in the immense
gill-nets set by the fishermen, and perish by drowning. In lifting
the nets their bodies are removed, and as a rule thrown overboard,
being little esteemed as food, when they eventually drift to shore, to be
devoured by Crows and Bald Eagles. Many thousands are thus de-
stroyed annually, but, singularly enough, no other species of duck
seems to suffer similarly, unless it be the various species of Scoters,
but the proportion of these thus taken is inconsiderable. Such whole-
sale destruction as this involves has necessarily operated to reduce
their numbers materially. Eight or ten years ago these birds were a
pest to the fishermen of Lake Erie, particularly in the fall. Mr.
524 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Bacon’s published notes on this subject ( Ornithologist and Oélogist,
XVII., 1892, 45) are so interesting that they are here reproduced
entire :

‘This bird is in my opinion the most abundant duck in this locality,
during migrations generally appearing in immense flocks after a blow.
Last November [1891] these birds were caught in the herring nets on
Lake Erie by the thousand. At Dunkirk, N. Y., between five and
seven thousand were taken at one haul. At this port (Erie) the larg-
est haul, to my knowledge, was eight hundred. A very few American
Black Scoters were also taken, but no other species. Lake Erie is, to
be sure, a shallow lake, but the fishermen informed us that most of
the ducks were caught when the nets were set [in] 15 fathoms (90 feet)
of water, a few being caught in 18 or 20 fathoms. One captain told
me that he caught three ducks of this species in 27 fathoms, and I do
not doubt his word. One of our daily papers printed a long article on
this subject, claiming that the fishermen set their nets on purpose to
catch ducks, but I had ample proof that such was not the case, for the
ducks were invariably so badly entangled in the nets, as to cause con-
siderable trouble in getting them out; besides, after the first large
haul the markets were glutted in all directions, and many were thrown
away.

‘* This bird is well known to be. an expert diver, yet the fact that
they can descend to such depths as I have noted seems remarkable to
me. ‘Their flesh is very poor, still it seems a pity that they should be
slaughtered in this way, and while I do not think they are liable to be
exterminated, last fall’s catch must have made quite a diminution in
their ranks.’’

Feeding as they do mainly on the lake, and flying into the bay at
dusk to spend the night, they are seldom killed by gunners in any
numbers, and, indeed, they are not worth the ammunition, as they are
too fishy for table use. The species is called ‘‘ Pintail’’ or ‘‘ Coween’’
by the local gunners, and exhibits a great variety of plumages in the
transition from the winter to the summer dress, and wce versa.
Many individuals attain a practically complete breeding plumage before
their departure in the spring, which does not finally take place until
about the first of June, a few lingering until that date almost every
season. The single specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection was taken
at the remarkably early fall date of September 13, 1876. On the
other hand, they may winter here, occasionally at least. Thus, there
Topp: Brrps OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 525

are specimens in the Carnegie Museum shot by gunners on Erie Bay
on January 20 and 29, 1901, and February 16, 1904, respectively.
Mr. Bacon writes, that, while shooting snipe in the fields April 31,
tgor, he killed one of these ducks, that came flying overhead ; with
this exception, he has never seen one away from the lake or bay.

[ Mistrionicus histrionicus. NLARLEQUIN Duck.

There appears to be no valid Ohio record for this northern species, but it may
occur along Lake Erie as a casual or accidental winter visitant.

Somateria dressert. AMERICAN EIDER.

This is an essentially marine species, which occurs ‘‘ south in winter . . . to the
Great Lakes”? (A. O. U. Check-List of North American Birds, 1895, 57), and may
be expected as a straggler at Erie at that season. ]

37. Somateria spectabilis. Kinc Ermer.

The King Eider is a casual winter visitant on Lake Erie, there be-
ing records from Sandusky, Cleveland, and Buffalo. (See Wheaton,
Birds of Ohio, 1882, 536, and Allen, Bulletin Nuttall Ornitho-
logical Club, V., 1880, 62). The first record of its occurrence in the
region of which this paper treats was published by Mr. George B.
Sennett, whose notes (Aw, VII., 1890, 88) are herewith quoted en-
tire: ‘‘The great storm of Nov. 28 and 29, 1889, on the Great
Lakes, brought into the Bay of Erie a flock of fifteen to twenty King
Eider Ducks. They were seen about noon of Nov. 30 swimming
in close to the Iron Ore Dock where numbers of men were at work
unloading vessels. The hunters were soon down on the dock with
guns and others put out in boats. So fearless or stupid were the Ducks
that it was no trouble to shoot them, and at one discharge three were
killed. Mr. James Thompson very kindly took two of the birds home
with him and telephoned me that some very queer-looking Ducks had
been shot that day, placing at my disposal the pair he had secured.
The next day, December 1st, we went to the dock and to all the
hunters we could get track of and captured all the specimens that had
not already gotten into the pot. Out of fourteen that we could trace
as having been killed, we were fortunate enough to obtain seven in
good condition. The oldest hunters here do not remember to have
seen any of the kind before. They call them Boobies, the same name
they give to the Surf Ducks that are frequently taken here. No other
Ducks were seen in the bay when the Eiders appeared. They are in
all varieties of immature plumage, none appearing in anything like the
breeding condition. The nearest approach to it was one male that
526 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

showed pearl-gray mixed with dark on top of head; he also had a dis-
tinct black V-shaped mark on the white throat. The other males had
browner heads and fainter black V-shaped throat markings. Of the
seven, six are males, and one a female in good typical plumage. I
believe that none of this species has been recorded as taken on Lake
Erie since 1879, when eighteen were shot at Buffalo, N. Y. (See
note by J. A. Allen in Bull. Mutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. V, p. 62.)”
Substantially the same account is given by Dr. Warren (Birds of
Pennsylvania, 1890, 46), who adds that ‘‘Two hunters, who un-
fortunately before they knew we were anxious to preserve the ducks
for our collections, had cooked three or four which they had captured,
said the dark-colored flesh was tough, stringy, and so rank and unsavory
that they could not eat it.’’ There are four of the above birds pre-
served in Mr. Sennett’s collection, including the one female; the
others evidently went into Dr. Warren’s possession. ‘To the above
records of the occurrence of this species at Erie the writer is able to
add two more, both on the authority of Mr. Bacon. On November
13, 1894, five of these birds were shot on the bay, one of which he
secured, and which is now deposited in the United States National
Museum (Biological Survey Collection). Again, on December 30,
Igo0, another specimen—one of two seen— was shot on the lake
east of the city limits, and this also came into Mr. Bacon’s hands, and
thence to the Carnegie Museum, where it is now mounted in the Penn-
sylvania collection. Both specimens were immature males.

38. Oidemia americana. AMERICAN SCOTER.

This duck has been observed only as a transient late in the fall,
although it probably remains through the winter. It seems to be the
jeast numerous of the genus here, having been certainly detected on
but three occasions. One was shot at Crystal Point, November 13,
tgoo, and another near the Life-saving Station, November 17, by
gunners, the first specimen coming into our hands. Mr. Simpson re-
ports one taken at Crystal Point, November 10, 1903, and adds that
several ducks seen by him off the outside shore about this time were
either this or the Surf Scoter.

39. Oidemia deglandi. WuuttE-wincED ScoTER.

Fairly common as a transient visitant in the fall, and of not infre-
quent occurrence as a winter resident, but seemingly rare in the spring.
In the fall of 1900 it was-numerous in the waters of the lake off the
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 527

outside shore, often closely associated with O. perspicillata, with which
it was found in mixed flocks. Such were first noted on October 9,
and at frequent intervals thereafter until October 27. Occasionally
single birds appeared on the bay, where they continued to be seen
until November 19, when the work of the season was concluded.
Mr. Simpson notes that specimens were shot at Crystal Point, Novem-
ber 22, 1902, and November 13, 1903, and others were seen. Mr.
Bacon reports specimens taken November 6, 1894, January 30, Igo01
(a pair), and November 27, 1903. The only spring record available
refers to a single individual seen March 27, 1900, in a flock of Lesser
Scaup Ducks on the bay. The only full-plumaged bird seen by the
writer from this locality is a specimen in Mr. James Thompson’s
possession, said by him to have been taken late in the fall, about 1892.

40. Oidemia perspicillata. SurF ScoTER.

The general notes on the last species are applicable to this as well,
save that there is no spring record in the present case. Flocks were
noted on the outer lake from October 9 to November 5, 1900, and
a single bird was seen as late as November 13. A specimen shot on
Horseshoe Pond November 7 was the only one identified by Mr.
Simpson during his visit in the fall of 1903. In Mr. Sennett’s collec-
tion there is a female taken at the head of the bay October 17, 1875,
while Dr. Warren (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 48) says that in
January, 1890, he purchased a bird of this species from a hunter who
had shot it on the bay, where a flock of about twenty was said to
have been seen. All three species of Scoters are known locally as
‘« Boobies,’’ and are little esteemed for the table.

41. Erismatura jamaicensis. Ruppy Duck.

Occurs as a transient visitant only, far more numerous in the fall
than in the spring, although as a species much less common than
formerly. We did not notice it at all in the spring of 1900, but Mr.
Bacon has occasionally observed it at that season, and Mr. Simpson
saw two adult males shot by gunners April 13, 1903. A specimen in
Mr. Sennett’s collection is marked April 18, 1875. Dr. Warren re-
marks (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 49) that stragglers are occa-
sionally observed at Erie Bay in summer, but that the species is not
known to breed there, while Mr. Bacon records a single female (now
in the Carnegie Museum) taken June 8, 1892, and a pair observed
May 29, 1904, adding that these are the only ones he has seen
528 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

under such circumstances. However, the breeding range of this
duck is coextensive with its geographic distribution, and it is not
impossible that it should have nested here in former years. In the
fall movement it has been met with, according to Mr. Bacon, as
early as September 27 (1893), while October 2, 1875, is the date
of a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection. October is evidently the
month when it is most common. In the fall migration of 1900 it was
most frequently observed on Misery Bay, where the first was seen
October 1, a single bird in company with a Coot, both of which were
secured: By October 12 it had become quite numerous, and was
recorded at intervals until November 13. It was found sometimes
singly, but more often in twos and threes or even larger parties. By
the gunners it was called ‘‘ Hardhead.’’ Most of the specimens ex-
amined were in immature dress. Dates of last appearance in other
years are November 6, 1894 (Bacon), and November 12, 1903 (Simp-
son).

[Chen hyperborea nivalis. GREATER SNOW GOOSE.

“‘Not rare on Lake Erie,’’ according to Dr. J. M. Wheaton (Birds of Ohio,
1882, 518), and be looked for as a casual spring and fall transient. The Lesser Snow
Goose (Chen hyperborea) may also occur, but the larger form is the one more likely
to be found. Mr. Lynds Jones gives both forms as occurring in a number of counties
in Ohio (Birds of Ohio, 1903, 48).

Chen cerulescens. BLUE GOOSE.

Another goose whose occurrence here as a casual visitant may be expected in spring

and fall, ‘A specimen which I saw in Cincinnati was said to have been taken on

Sandusky Bay.’? (Wheaton, Birds of Ohio, 1882, 520). ‘Two were captured
on the Oberlin water-works reservoir, October 28, 1896.’’ (Jones, Birds of Ohio,
1903, 49.)

Anser albifrons gambeli. AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.

There are a few records from Ohio given by Dr. J. M. Wheaton (Birds of
Ohio, 1882, 518), who says that it is ‘*more common on the lake and reservoirs
than elsewhere,’’ so that it is not unreasonable to look for its casual occurrence
during migration at Erie also. ]

42. Branta canadensis. Canapa Goose.

The Wild Goose is a regular and fairly common migrant at both
seasons, concerning which Mr. Bacon writes as follows: ‘‘ Every fall
two or three Geese are killed about the bay and Peninsula, but in the
spring they keep to the fields (and are six months older too!), and
are seldom brought to bag. I have never seen them during the winter,
nor earlier in the spring than March 2 (1902). Other dates of ap-
parent arrival are March 28, 1895, March 13, 1897, and March 12,
Topp: BirDS OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 529

1898. On April 30, 1889, I saw a flock of a dozen Geese, and on
May 1, 1902, a single pair ; I consider both of these very late records.
A flock of about fifty was noted October 20, 1899, which is perhaps a
fair average date for the arrival of the species in the fall.’’ During
the season of 1900 it was observed as a not uncommon transient, but
was not seen to alight, the flocks passing over well out of gunshot.
The first spring record was for March 29, when a flock of a dozen
birds was noted, and another flock of the same size was seen April’7.
On the return of the species in the fall October 26 and 27 were
days of great movement, large flocks passing southward at this time.
A single individual was seen flying south November 13. Mr. Simp-
son states that several flocks were seen passing over November 22,
1902, while during the big blow of April 26, 1902, five individuals
were observed.

[Branta canadensis hutchinsii. HUTCHINS’ GOOsE.

This form resembles the Canada Goose in color, but is smaller. Dr. J. M. Whea-
ton records it from Sandusky Bay on the authority of Mr. R. K. Winslow (Birds of
Ohio, 1882, 522), and it may occur occasionally with the larger form at Erie also,
although specimens would be required to settle the matter beyond dispute.

Branta bernicla glaucogastra. BRANT.

Essentially a marine species, rare in the interior. The Ohio records cited by Dr.
J. M. Wheaton (Birds of Ohio, 1882, 520) are admitted by him to be rather
unsatisfactory. However, it is apt to occur along Lake Erie as a rare or accidental
visitor. ]

43. Olor columbianus. WHuuisTLinc Swan.

Arather rare and irregular spring and fall visitant. Mr. Bacon saw
one individual on the bay March 11, 1897. Two were killed in 1901,
one in the spring (April?), and another (an immature bird) in No-
vember, which latter bird is now in the Carnegie Museum. A flock
of about twenty was reported by Mr. Faulkner G. Lynch to have been
seen on November 16 of the samie year. Mr. Simpson writes that or
November 19, 1902, he saw a party of four flying down the bay early
in the morning. The latest record is of an adult in full plumage shot
by a gunner on March 30, 1904.

[ Olor buccinator. TRUMPETER Swan,

This swan may be of casual occurrence here as elsewhere in the Eastern United
States. There are some Ohio records (Wheaton, Birds of Ohio, 1882, 516;
Jones, Birds of Ohio, 1903, 51). It could not readily be distinguished from the
other species in life, and any records of its occurrence must rest upon specimens. ]
530 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

44. Botaurus lentiginosus. American BITTERN.

A summer resident on the Peninsula, fairly common for a species of
such solitary habits, finding congenial haunts in the rank growth of
rushes and other aquatic plants fringing the various ponds, but not
averse to bushy places. Although no nests are actually known to have
been found, it doubtless breeds in such situations, where it has been
observed in every month from April to October inclusive. The ear-
liest dates of arrival are those borne by two specimens in Mr. Sen-
nett’s collection, marked respectively April 4, 1888, and April 10,
1875. Mr. Bacon has not noted it earlier than April 13 (1895) or
15 (1892). In the spring of rgoo its first recorded appearance was
on April 17, but it could scarcely be said to have reached its normal
summer abundance until May. The latest fall records are October 26,
1875 (Sennett) ; October 28, 1893, and 17, 1892 (Bacon). We
did not see it in 1900 after October 6. It is rare anywhere away from
the Peninsula save during migrations, but Mr. Bacon saw one in a
grassy marsh on the mainland June 27, 1891.

45. Ardetta exilis. Least Brrrern.

This diminutive species occurs as asummer resident, more common
than its larger relative, but unlike it never observed away from the
tracts of rushes and marsh grass save when disturbed, when it will
occasionally alight in the shrubbery. Yellow Bass and Niagara Ponds,
accordingly, are the ponds where it is most numerous, affording as
they do the most extensive areas of this kind. A number of individ-
uals, two of which were secured, were noted here on June 26 and 27,
1899, when they were doubtless breeding. There is no record of this
bird away from the Peninsula or bay shore, nor has its nest been found
up to date, although search at the proper season would undoubtedly
discover it. It is a much later comer than the American Bittern, the
first to arrive in 1900 being recorded May 21, and becoming common
soon thereafter. In other years the observed dates of arrival have been
May 24, 1875 (Sennett); May 19, 1892, May 25, 1893 and 1gor
(Bacon). The only instance of its occurrence in the fall which was
observed related to specimens secured on August 27 and September 3
respectively, which would indicate its early departure at this season.
September 7, 1892, is Mr. Bacon’s latest date, but in 1902 Mr.
Simpson reported that a single bird had been seen September 25.

[Ardetta neoxena, Cory’s LEAST BITTERN:
This species (if species it be) has been found near Toronto, also in Michigan, and
should occur at Erie at least as a transient. ]
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 531

46. Ardea herodias. Great BLUE HERON.

Although this species occurs through the summer months, it is not
believed to breed anywhere in the vicinity, no nests having been seen
or reported. Individuals may be found any day in July and August
on the Peninsula, on the outside beach as well as about the ponds,
while during migrations in spring and fall it is tolerably common also.
It is but seldom met with on the mainland, although an occasional
bird has been noted there in the spring. The following dates, culled
from Mr. Bacon’s note-book, are of interest as indicating its times of
occurrence and migration: May 30, 1901, three birds; June 25,
Igoo, one bird; March 31, 1899; March 27, 1902; April 4, 1892;
November 22, 1902. During the spring movement it sometimes
occurs in flocks. A party of six was observed April 12, r1go00, and
Mr. Simpson writes that he flushed ten birds together in Niagara Pond,
April 14, 1903.

[Merodias egretta, AMERICAN EGRET.

Stragglers may be expected to occur in this region, especially in late summer and
early autumn.

Egretta candidissima. SNowy HERON.

Mr. Sennett’s record as given by Dr. Warren ( Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 60)
is too indefinite as to the exact locality to warrant the inclusion of this heron in the
Erie list. If it occurs at all it could only be as a summer straggler from the south.

Florida cerulea. LATTLE BLUE HERON.

Mr. L. M. McCormick notes a specimen taken near Oberlin, Ohio, about 1882,
(Auk, IX, 1892, 397), and it is apt to occur at Erie also as a straggler. ]

47. Butorides virescens. GREEN HERON.

This species may be considered a common summer resident, breed-
ing in suitable situations about the pools and along the streams of
the mainland, and also, according to Mr. Bacon, on the Peninsula,
although our experience in the spring of 1900 would scarcely confirm
such a statement, as the bird was met with there on but a few occa-
sions during the entire season. The first spring record was for April
1g, when asingle bird was seen in a pool in an open woods on the
ridge south of the city. The latest record was for August 29, but
doubtless this was too early by a month.

48. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius. BLAcK-cRowNED NicuTt HERon.

‘¢ Two immature Night Herons, said to have been killed in a swamp
in this neighborhood, were brought to a local taxidermist a few years
ago, inthe summer.’’ (Bacon.) The species is doubtless to be listed
as a rare summer resident.
532 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE Museum.

49. Rallus elegans. Kino Ratt.

A rare transient visitant, an occasional bird having been taken here.
Mr. James Thompson has a mounted specimen killed by him about
1898, late in the fall. He has never seen but the one, while Dr.
Warren’s statement (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 68) that Mr.
Sennett has observed it in Erie County as a spring migrant is not
supported by specimens in Mr. Sennett’s collection. Mr. Bacon
never met with the species until 1902, when he was so fortunate as to
secure three specimens (all shot on the mainland), one each on April
17, May 7, and September 13, respectively, the one taken on the latter
date being an immature bird. All are now in the Carnegie Museum.

50. Rallus virginianus. Vircinia Ral.

Occasional as a summer resident, and during the migrations said to
be regular and tolerably common. However this may be, in 1900 we
recorded it only as a rare fall transient. What was probably the same
individual was flushed in Niagara Pond on September 28, October 1,
and October 4. A specimen brought us September 29 constituted our
only other record. As to its nesting here there is no question, as Mr.
Bacon’s notes attest: ‘‘On May 26, 1891, I found a nest containing
nine eggs in a swamp west of the city, and on June 2, 1892,+I found
another nest in the same marsh, also containing nine eggs. April 18
(1900) is the earliest date upon which the species has been noted in
the spring, while recorded last dates are October 25 (1901) and 28

(1893).”’

51. Porzana carolina, Sora RalL.

The Sora Rail is mainly a transient, not uncommon in the spring,
and very abundant in the fall, outnumbering the Virginia Rail ten to
one, and like that species occasionally remaining through the breeding
season. Two nests have been found by Mr. Bacon, one June 4, 1890,
in a bunch of cat-tails at the ‘‘ Head,’’ containing eleven eggs, the
other May 25, 1892, in the same marsh where the Virginia Rail was
found breeding, likewise with eleven eggs. March 31, 1902, is the
earliest record of the arrival of this species; this, however, is very
exceptional indeed, the usual date ranging from April 27 (1895) to
May 5 (1892). In the spring of 1900 it was observed by us on but
five occasions, a single individual having been met with in each case.
The first was on May 10, when a bird was killed at the mouth of Mill
Creek, while the other occurrences were all on Niagara and Yellow
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 533

Bass Ponds, from May 24 to 31. Although found in some numbers
in all the marshy spots about the bay, these two ponds seem to be the
favorite resorts of the species during the fall movement, offering, as
they do, the best and most extensive tracts of suitable covert, the
growth of wild rice, on the seeds of which the birds feed, constituting
the main attraction. They were already present on August 20, 1900,
when our fall observations began, but asarule the first great flight
does not take place until about September 1, varying only a day or
two either way, on which occasions, and at intervals thereafter, the
birds are excessively abundant, and very large bags are often made
by gunners. ‘‘I have seen the time,’’ writes Mr. Bacon, ‘‘ when
Niagara Pond seemed fairly alive with them,’’ and our own experience
at this season was in full accord. After September 25 they are seen
only in small numbers, while October 25 (1893 and 1894) is as late
as they have ever been observed, and, indeed, in 1900 we saw none
after October 6. An adult male specimen in Mr. Sennett’s series,
taken October 25, 1889, is evidently melanic. (See Auk, VII, 1890,
71.) This rail is said by Mr. Bacon to be an expert diver upon
necessity, as for instance when wounded and trying to escape.

52. Porzana noveboracensis. YELLOW Ral_.

The credit of adding this interesting species to the fauna of Erie
belongs to Mr. Bacon, whose notes are herewith transcribed in full:
‘« A rather rare spring and fall migrant, not known to the local gunners,
although, like myself, they must meet with it occasionally. I observed
it on the Peninsula first on September 30, 1893. In the fall of 1894 I
met with it on three different occasions (October 15, 17, and 19) at the
mouth of Mill Creek. On September 18, 1895, I took asingle specimen
in the snipe grounds west of the city, and on April 27, 1896, I took an-
other at the same place. . Again, on September 20, 1900, I shot one Yel-
low Rail at the mouth of Mill Creek, but in the fall of r901 Isaw and se-
cured more than in all previous seasons combined. Evidently a small
bunch, perhaps a family group, stopped in the snipe grounds (before
mentioned) west of the city, where I noticed them first on September
25, when I saw three and secured two. (Previously, however, on Sep-
tember 15, I had received an immature bird killed bya local gunner. )
From this time on I never failed to start one or two Yellow Rails by
hunting through this grassy spot (marsh grass, cat-tails, and wild
rice), but often they rose so close at hand and flew such a short dis-
534 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

tance that it was out of the question to shoot. Eight specimens in
all were secured, the last on October 29. Seldom were more than
two seen at once, but they were always flushed at about the same spot,
and I am inclined to think that I secured nearly all of them. The
species was also met with on April 28, May 3, and October 4, 1902,
September 17, 1903, and April 23, 1904.’’ In view of the above
facts it would not be surprising if this rail should be found nesting
here. Two of the specimens taken by Mr. Bacon are in the United
States National Museum (Biological Survey Collection), while most
of the remaining birds are preserved in the Carnegie Museum. The
series exhibits considerable variation in plumage, and seems to show
that the males are larger than the females. Two fall specimens, evi-
dently immature, are very dark-colored, and have the crown and sides
of the head prominently spotted with white.

[Porzana jamaicensis. LITTLE BLACK RAIL.

Rare as the Yellow Rail is accounted to be in most localities, this diminutive spe-
cies is rarer still. Erie is possibly a little too far north for it to be found; but so
little is known concerning the exact limits of its distribution that it may yet be
detected here. ]

53. Gallinula galeata. FLoripa GALLINULE.

Careful search was made for this species in 1900 by our party, but
without success. However, Mr. Bacon enters it as a rare and irregular
spring and fall transient, having recorded it on the following dates,
in every case on the Peninsula: May 28, 1892, August 29, 1894,
September 3, 1900, August 30, 1901, and October 2, 1902. One of
these birds was found swimming among the wild rice, the others were
flushed along the shore of the ponds. In addition to the above
records, a specimen was brought Mr. Bacon October 7, 1891, which
was killed in the fields just east of the city. .It seems strange that
this bird is so rare here, and has not been found breeding, when
Dr. F. W. Langdon has noted it as such a common summer resident
at the head of Sandusky Bay, Ohio ( Journal Cincinnati Society of
Natural History, Wl, 1880, 228).

54. Fulica americana. AMERICAN Coot.

So far as known the Coot is a transient visitant only, uncommon in
the spring, but quite abundant in the fall. It mainly frequents the
ponds, where it skulks among the aquatic plants, less frequently the
marshy shores of the Peninsula and the waters of the bay. Usually
it is found singly or in small parties, which are by no means averse to
Topp: BirpDs OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 535

the company of the various species of ducks and grebes, but during an
immense flight of this species on October 7, 1902, as many as seventy-
five were seen in one flock. March 28, 1898, appears to be the
earliest recorded date of arrival, but in 1900 we saw none until April
10, when a single bird was met with ina flock of Black Mallards.
Others were seen later in the month, and one was shot on May 15.
An individual seen on May 23, 24, and 26, when it was finally secured,
was in worn and faded plumage, but showed no signs of breeding.
As this locality is well within the known breeding range of the species,
the only reason that it does not nest here would seem to be the gen-
eral publicity of the place. However, it has been observed as early
on the return movement as September 5, 1875 (Sennett), and Sep-
tember 7, 1900 (Bacon), but does not become common until October,
and remains well through the following month, the latest date on
record being December 6, 1900 (Bacon).

55. Crymophilus fulicarius. RED PHALAROPE.

This is more of a maritime species than the other phalaropes, and
inland is the rarest of the three kinds. It occurs at Erie as a very
rare transient. In Mr. Sennett’s collection there is a female in win-
ter plumage shot October 10, 1899, by Mr. James Thompson. Just
six years later, on October 10, 1895, Mr. Bacon secured another
specimen at the mouth of Mill Creek, which bird is now in the Car-
negie Museum. These examples appear to constitute the first authen-
tic records for Pennsylvania, although the species has been noted from
both sides, at Cleveland and Buffalo (Wheaton, Birds of Ohio, 1882,
467, and Savage, Auk, XII, 1895, 313).

56. Phalaropus lobatus. NorTHERN PHALAROPE.

‘* At Erie bay and about the lake shore in Erie county this phala-
rope is found as a rather regular but not common migrant, seen most
frequently in the fall.’’ (Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 76.)
To support this general statement there are, however, only three
records positively known. Two specimens, females, taken Septem-
ber 29, 1888, and October 10, 1889, are in Mr. Sennet’s, collection,
while a third specimen was secured by the writer at the mouth of Mill
Creek on the occasion of the great storm of August 29, 1893, and is
now deposited in the U. S. National Museum (Biological Survey Col-
lection).
536 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

57. Steganopus tricolor. Witson’s PHALAROPE.

The only authority for the inclusion of this species is Dr. Warren
(Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 77), who says that ‘‘ at Erie bay small
flocks of these phalaropes are sometimes to be seen in the fall swim-
ming in the water like ducks.’’ No specimens are known to be
extant, however, but for the present the record may be allowed to
stand, inasmuch as there is nothing intrinsically improbable in the
occurrence of the species at this point, and specimens may come to
hand at any time. Dr. J. M. Wheaton speaks of it as having been
repeatedly taken in the neighborhood of Cleveland (Birds of Ohio,
1882, 464).

[| Aimantopus mexicanus. BLACK-NECKED STILT.

A Mississippi Valley species, casually straying eastward. Dr. J. M. Wheaton says
that it ‘* has been repeatedly taken on Lake Erie, as I am informed by Mr. Winslow.”

(Birds of Ohio, 1882,463.) There are no recent records known to the writer from
this general region. ]

.

58. Philohela minor. AmeERIcAN Woopcock.

A summer resident, according to our observations not very common
on the Peninsula in view of the apparent adaptability of the place to
its needs, It was met with on two occasions by the writer on June
26, 1899, and in 1goo a pair must have had a nest near the foot of the
board-walk, as they were repeatedly flushed there, and on May 21 two
young, but a few days old, were discovered. They were odd look-
ing little fellows, covered with down of two shades of reddish-brown,
and were able to run about and utter a weak peeping cry. May 29
what were presumably the same birds were again seen, then much
larger and more active. Mr. Bacon contributes the following inter-
esting observations on this species: ‘‘Common as a summer resident,
arriving the latter part of March (March 23, 1901), and staying until
the first severe weather in November, my latest record being November
14, Ig01. Erie County contains some very good Woodcock ground
for both summer and fall shooting. In favorable seasons a good many
broods are raised in the vicinity of Erie, particularly on the Peninsula.
Asarule they are well grown by the first of July, but I have seen
young birds at that time scarcely able to fy. A single Woodcock
may happen to be found almost anywhere, particularly during the fall
migration. For instance, such places asa fence-row, cornfield, brier-
patch, orchard, or thicket may harbor a single bird, but to find any
number together it is necessary to traverse a growth of young poplars,
Topp: BIRDS OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 537

and if such be overrun with goldenrod it is all the more apt to provea
favorite haunt. In such a spot, during the migration, a dozen birds
may be killed, apparently depopulating the place, and yet the next
day there may be as many birds as ever, the result of an influx
during the intervening night. In large tracts of second-growth there
are often found particular spots, seemingly no better for Woodcock
thana hundred other similar places, where the birds will be found
with certainty day after day, unless, indeed, the ground be flooded.’’

59. Gallinago delicata. Witson’s SNIPE. 5

Common as a transient visitant, and rare as a summer resident.
According to Dr. Warren (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 81), ‘‘ Mr.
Samuel Thompson, of Erie city, reports having discovered a nest and
four eggs in June, 1889, in a swamp near the Erie county poor-house,’’
while Mr. Bacon also records it (on the authority of Mr. George C.
Russell) as nesting elsewhere in the county, outside the limits of the
present paper, however. This observer writes as follows of his exten-
sive experience with the present species: ‘‘ The county in general,
and the lake shore plain in particular, contain much excellent snipe
ground in the spring, but in the fall the fields are seldom flooded, and
being very grassy, do not furnish inducements for the birds to alight.
The Peninsula on the contrary is better ground in the fall than at the
other season, as the close of winter finds the edges of the ponds so bare
that there is no cover forevena snipe. From my notes on the migra-
tion of this species, covering over ten years, I find that the date of its
arrival on an average falls in the last week of March, March 13 (1903)
being the earliest and April 10 (1896) the latest date respectively.
The bulk of the birds pass through in April, and not a few linger into
the following month for a week or more, or until May 7 (1892 and
1898) to May 17 (1894). Its return in the fall is seldom delayed
beyond the last week in August, my earliest record being August 18
(1896) and my latest September 15 (1899), while it lingers as a rule
until the first week in November, the records ranging between October
19 (1898) and November 21 (1899). A curious partial albino [now
in the Carnegie Museum] was shot May 7, 1892.’’ According to our
observations in 1go0o this bird is by no means so numerous on the
Peninsula as the local conditions would seem to warrant. Single
individuals were met with as a rule, more rarely small flocks or
‘«wisps,’’ always on the edge of the ponds, from April 20 to May ro
5388 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

in the spring, and from August 23 to October 3 in the fall, at which
season it was most numerous, however, in September.
60. Macrorhamphus griseus. RED-BREASTED SNIPE.

Occurs as a rare transient visitant, being mentioned by Dr. Warren
as having been taken here (Lirds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 83), doubt-
less on Mr. Sennett’s authority, although there is no specimen in the
Sennett collection. Concerning the single specimen in the Carnegie
Museum Mr. Bacon speaks as follows: ‘‘ While hunting in the fields
west of the city July 19, 1892, a single shore-bird whose note was
unfamiliar to me flew by and alighted perhaps a mile away. Follow-
ing up I came upon it again at the edge of a pool, and was successful
in securing the bird, which proved to be of the present species. Since
that time I have seen one or two individuals, believed to have been of
this species, at the mouth of Mill Creek.’’

[Macrorhamphus scolopaceus. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER,

This bird should be looked for during the migrations. It has occurred at Straw-
berry Island in the Niagara River (Savage, Auk, XII, 1895, 313).]

61. Micropalama himantopus. Stri_tT SANDPIPER.

This interesting species must be listed as an irregular visitant in the
fall. It may, indeed, occur every season, but gunners would scarcely
distinguish it from the Lesser Yellow-legs, with which it is often found
associated. It was first observed in this locality by Mr. Bacon and
the writer at the time of the great storm of August 29, 1893, on which
date five specimens were taken from a small flock at the mouth of Mill
Creek. On September 13 of the same year Mr. Bacon secured a single
bird, and another on the day following. It was not again met with
until August 31, 1895, when he shot eight specimens out of a flock of
forty birds, at least half of which were Lesser Yellow-legs. These were
all obtained at the mouth of Mill Creek. Since that time, however,
it has been detected on the Peninsula also, about the ponds, where
one specimen was taken August 7, 1901, and a second, an adult bird
still retaining much of the summer plumage, on August 20 of the
same year.

62. Tringa canutus. Rosin SANDPIPER; KNotT.

Although given by Dr. Warren (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 84)
as a regular and somewhat common visitor at this locality in spring
and fall, this species has been rarely observed of late years. A pair,
shot on the Peninsula September 17, 1875, are all that are in Mr.
Sennett’s collection. On August 27, 1895, Mr. Bacon took a single
Topp: BirDs OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 539

bird on the outside beach, and on August 30 of the same year exam-
ined two others which had been shot on the beach near the ‘‘ Head.”’
One other was secured August 29, 1896. Mr. Simpson killed asingle
bird from a flock of Killdeer Plover on September 10, 1900, also on
the outside beach. These are all the available positive records of the
occurrence of the species.

63. Arquatella maritima. PuRPLE SANDPIPER.

Nothing is known of the occurrence of this sandpiper here beyond
the brief statement made by Dr. Warren (Bzrds of Pennsylvania, 1890,
84): ‘Mr. George B. Sennett, of Erie city, mentions it as a strag-
gler in his locality.’’ There is one record for Cleveland, Ohio, given
by Dr. J. M. Wheaton (Birds of Ohio, 1882, 476). The species
should be looked for in November and December, along the outside
beach.

64. Actodromas maculata. PECTORAL SANDPIPER.

The following account of this species is taken from Mr. Bacon’s
notes: ‘‘ The Pectoral Sandpiper is a transient visitor, irregular, but
sometimes fairly common in the spring, more abundant and regular in
the fall. ~At the former season, if found at all, it occurs in flocks
numbering from twenty to forty or fifty birds, feeding in wet places
in the fields. I have met with it repeatedly during the last week in
March, my earliest record being March 23, 1895, but usually it is
most numerous in April, while the latest spring record is May 4,
1893. For the autumnal movement July 31, 1897, is the earliest
date ; this, however, is decidedly exceptional, the usual date of its
arrival ranging between August 20 (1896 and 1901) and September
4 (1894). The migration continues usually until the middle of Oc-
tober and occasionally even later ; thus, I have noted birds on Octo-
ber 31, 1895, and November 3, 1894. At this season it is found in
flocks seldom exceeding a dozen birds, frequenting the edges of
the ponds, and the marsh at the mouth of Mill Creek in particular.
It does not take to cover like the Wilson’s Snipe, but stands so still
and quiet that it is seldom seen until it flushes. It is a hard flier and
single birds afford good sport.’’ This sandpiper is rarely found on
the outside beach. One was shot there on September 10, 1900, by
Mr. Simpson, which, with another taken by Mr. Worthington on Big
Pond, October 31, constituted our only record.
540 ANNALS OF THE CaRNEGIE MusEUM.

65. Actodromas fuscicollis. WuHiTr-RUMPED SANDPIPER.

One of the rarer transients among the shore-birds. The following
specimens are in Mr. Sennett’s series: one, October 23, 1874, ‘‘ head
of bay’’; two, June 4, 1875, ‘‘on the Peninsula ’’ —the only spring
record, and a very late date — and one October 29, 1889. The spe-
cies was noted by the writer as quite common on the occasion of the
great storm of August 29, 1893, when it was found in small flocks at
the mouth of Mill Creek, feeding in the muddy slime, and very tame
and unsuspicious. Since then Mr. Bacon has met with it a few times
at the same place. October 11, 1894, he shot a single specimen,
also again on September 28, 1895. On October 9 and 10, 1895, he
secured two birds each. In the fall of 1900 a single specimen was
secured (on the outside beach) by Mr. Worthington on October 15.

66. Actodromas bairdii. Barrp’s SANDPIPER.

Baird’s Sandpiper, essentially a bird of the interior, and recorded
but once from Pennsylvania previously (Todd, Avs, VIII, 1891,
240), proves to be a species of moderately common and presumably
regular occurrence as a fall migrant at this locality. It is found singly
or in pairs, always on the outside beach, and occasionally in the com-
pany of other shore-birds. September seems to be the month when
its migration is mainly performed, the earliest birds having been noted
in 1900 on September 5, and the last September 29. In addition a
single specimen was secured as late as November 2, but its condition
indicated that it had been wounded and thus unduly delayed. Mr.
Bacon has observed the species on the following dates: August 24,
1892; September 16, 1893; September 1 and 7, October 5, 1894;
October 3, 1895; September 11, 1897; August 22 (the earliest
record), September 1 and 5, 1902. He does not recall having seen
more than a pair together.

67. Actodromas minutilla. Lrasr SANDPIPER.

This diminutive shore-bird has been observed as a transient visitant,
quite common in both spring and fall. It may be looked for almost
anywhere about the bay where there is a mud-flat, or where the
aquatic weeds cast up by the waves thickly strew the outside shore, and
it is occasionally found in flooded fields also. On its way northward
it passes through in May, the earliest arrivals in 1900 having been
observed May 8, while from Mr. Bacon’s notes we learn that May 24
(1893) is the latest date at this season. It returns in August, the
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 541

earliest record being August 13, 1902, and usually is present through
most of September, and even until, in one instance, as late as October
3 (1895). The season of 1g00 for some reason seemed to have been
an unfavorable one for this species, as it was not very common in the
spring, when it was noted only at the mouth of Mill Creek from May
8 to 16, and but one bird was seen in the fall (August 23). More-
over, no flocks of any size were observed, single individuals or small
parties being the rule.

68. Pelidna alpina sakhalina. ReED-BACKED SANDPIPER.

Tringa (Pelidna) alpina sakhalina BuTURLIN, Auk, XXI, 1904, 253.

Pelidna alpina sakhalina, A. O. U. Check-List, Auk, XXI, 1904, 412.

Quite common as a transient visitor in the fall, but rare in the
spring. Some birds believed to have been of this species were noted
as early in rg00 as August 22, 27, and 31, in company with other
shore-birds, but no others were seen until October 11, when one speci-
men was taken. It was observed at frequent intervals on the outside
beach up to November 3, the days of greatest movement being October
25 and 26, when flocks of considerable size were met with. Single
individuals taken on November 15 and 16 had been previously
wounded, which may account for the lateness of their stay. All the
specimens secured were in full winter plumage. Mr. Bacon’s notes
on the present species are of great interest as showing its quondam
abundance, as well as the reason for the decrease initsnumbers. ‘‘In
former years extensive flights took place about the first of November,
upon which occasions bushels of them are said to have fallen to asingle
gun. During these great flights the flocks were accustomed to follow
the outside beach of the Peninsula (having presumably come directly
across the lake) to its southeastern extremity, thence crossing over to
the sand-beach east of the mouth of Mill Creek, where, after having
been sadly depleted by dozens of guns, they would finally rise high in
the air and pass southward over the mainland, flock following flock
all day long. I know this by hearsay only, but am positive that this
is the bird that used to arrive in such numbers late in the fall. On
October 29, 1897, I killed fifty-three of these birds out of two flocks,
comprising in all perhaps as many more, and this is the nearest ap-
proach to a flight that has occurred of late years. Every season, how-
ever, numerous small flocks are found, appearing sometimes as early
as the first week in October (October 2, 1894; October 3, 1895 ;
October 6, 1891), but more commonly toward the latter part of the
542 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

month. November 9, 1894, is my latest fall record. The spring
records are few indeed. I took a specimen May 16, 1892, and on
May 19, 1896, I saw a flock of perhaps forty birds, and with the sun
glistening now on their red backs, and then on their black breasts, as
they circled back and forth after the manner of Golden Plover, it was
a sight not soon to be forgotten. On April 21, 1900, I saw one of
these birds which had been killed in the fields ; aside from this I have
never known them to be met with away from the lake. Their flesh I
consider very far from being a delicacy, tasting very fishy in fact.’’
Mr. Sennett’s collection affords two additional spring records: May
23, 1875 (two specimens), and May 15, 1889. ‘There is also one
specimen, taken September 21, 1875, in his series, while Mr. Simpson
reports single specimens secured on September 25 and 26, 1902, these
being the earliest authentic fall records.

69. Ereunetes pusillus. SzMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.

A very common transient in the fall, but spring records seem to be
few. A single bird was seen May 23, 1900, and in Mr. Sennett’s
collection there is a bird taken at the remarkably late date of June 4,
1875. In 1900 Mr. Bacon met with it in the fall movement as early
as July 27, and on August 22, when our work began, it was already
common, continuing in varying numbers until September 27, after
which date no more were observed. It was found both singly and in
flocks, very often in the company of other shore-birds, frequenting
the outside beach. On August 29, 1893, it was common at the mouth
of Mill Creek, and an unusually large flock was seen on the sand-
beach at the Soldiers’ Home grounds. ‘This species and the Least
Sandpiper, which it so much resembles in size and coloration, are not
distinguished from each other by the gunners, both passing under the
name of ‘‘ Peep,’’ and being slaughtered for sport whenever the oppor-
tunity offers. The Carnegie Museum has an interesting albino speci-
men of this sandpiper, taken by Mr. Bacon August 25, 1894; it is
white, lightly washed with rusty on the crown, back, wings and tail.
[Zreunetes occidentalis, WESTERN SANDPIPER.

Many small sandpipers, killed by gunners and by our own party, were examined
in the hope of finding specimens of this species among them, but none were found:
Still, it may yet be detected as an accidental fall migrant. ]
yo. Calidris arenaria. SaNnDERLING.

The Sanderling is without question the most abundant of the migrat-
ing shore-birds in the fall, although it has not been observed in the
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PREsQuE ISLE. 543

spring. July 27 was the date of its arrival in 1900 as recorded by
Mr. Bacon, and it was present and common on August 22 when our
fall observations began. There was no noticeable decrease in its
numbers until October, and, indeed, it continued a frequent and fairly
regular visitor up to October 27. In addition a single bird, to all ap-
pearances well and unhurt, was taken as late as November 16. It was
met with exclusively on the outside beach, and there were not a few
days when it was the only shore-bird seen there. Single birds, or two
or three together, were often found, but as a rule it was observed in
flocks of a dozen or thereabouts, keeping close to the edge of the
water, running down and back again with the recession and advance
of the waves, ceaseless in activity and graceful in every movement.
The flocks of old birds met with earlier in the season were sometimes
difficult to approach, but the young, which alone were found after the
first of September, were usually quite unsuspicious, and would often
come within a few yards if the observer remained perfectly still. A
flock of about two dozen birds was seen on the mud-flats at the Soldiers’
Home grounds during a brief visit made there by the writer on August
22, 1903, this being the only time the bird was ever noted away from
asandy beach. Mr. Bacon notes that it usually appears sometime dur-
ing the first half of August, and says that he has seen it as late as October
27 (1893). Mr. Sennett has a specimen taken November 1, 1874,
and Mr. Simpson shot one November 17, 1902. ‘‘On September 16,
1900, I observed several feeding on a dead fish, and seemingly fight-
ing over it.’’ (Bacon. )

[Limosa fedoa. MARBLED GODWIT.

‘¢ Mr. George B, Sennett informs me stragglers are occasionally taken in Crawford
and Erie counties.’? (Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 88.) The exact locality
to which this note pertains cannot now be ascertained, although the statement may
well refer to the vicinity of Erie. In this connection also it may be noted that Mr.

Sennett even gives this species as dveeding in Western Pennsylvania (Elliot, Worth
American Shore Birds, 1895, 105).

Limosa hemastica, HUDSONIAN GopwIT.
This species may occur as a casual or accidental visitant. It has been noted on
Lake Erie near Cleveland (Wheaton, Birds of Ohio, 1882, 481).]

71. Totanus melanoleucus. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.

A regular transient, occurring in moderate numbers both in spring
and in fall, although never so plentiful as the Lesser Vellow-legs, in
the company of which it is occasionally found. More than a half
dozen in any one flock have not been observed, single birds and pairs
544 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

being the rule. ‘‘ March 28, 1902, was an exceptionally early date of
first appearance in the spring, as they usually arrive sometime during
April [April 13, 1889 (Sennett) ; April 16, 1900], many lingering
well into the following month before finally passing northward [May
10, 1900], sometimes even until May 25 (1893). I secured one
specimen July 28, 1896, and at that time thought the date very unusual
indeed; I have since, however, seen them in August several times.
Their migration continues through September and most of October
and even occasionally into November (November 4, 1893), but at no
time does there seem to be any concerted movement among them, in-
volving marked flights on certain days, as with many other shore-
birds.’ To Mr. Bacon’s notes above quoted may be added Mr.
Simpson’s record of a bird seen flying over at Crystal Point, Novem-
ber 18, 1902. In 1900 our earliest fall date was August 25, and the
latest October 31. The length of the period of migration in this
species on its southward movement is remarkable, and equaled in the
case of but few other birds. They seem to be about equally partial to
the mud-flats at the mouth of Mill Creek, the outside sand-beach, and
the marshy edges of the various ponds, and even at times the flooded
fields of the mainland. As a rule they are shy and difficult to
approach.

42. Totanus flavipes. Lrsser YELLOW-LEGS.

Like its larger congener, the present species is a transient visitor in
spring and fall, but is more numerous, at least at the former season,
occurring more plentifully, perhaps, than any other shore-bird of equal
size. The marshes and mud-flats at the mouth of Mill Creek are a fav-
orite feeding-ground, although it frequents as well the other spots
where shore-birds in general are wont to be found, Flocks of this
species seldom aggregate two dozen birds, which, unlike those of the
larger kind, are as a rule quite unsuspicious, so that it is comparatively
easy to secure specimens: on one occasion (May 7, 1900) four were
taken at oneshot. Mr. Bacon states that they make their appearance
usually during the last week in April (April 23, 1900; May 4, 1894),
the bulk passing through during the first half of May, the latest re-
corded date being May 24, 1893. Mr. Simpson reports a pair seen
at Crystal Point April 26, 1902, while our records for the spring of
1goo (all from the mouth of Mill Creek) ranged between May 1 and
12. Inthe autumnal movement they are said to reappear some time
in August, on one occasion (1901) as early as August 7, lingering
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 545

well into October, recorded last dates varying between October 11
(1894) and 14 (1893). We did not, however, meet with them in
1goo at this season save on August 22 and 23, and September 21. It
is very evident that this species is not so hardy as the Greater Yellow-
legs, its migration being performed during the warmer part of both
seasons.

73. Helodromas solitarius. SoLirary SANDPIPER.

The Solitary Sandpiper is regular and common as a migrant, and of
casual occurrence as a summer resident, having been noted by Mr.
Bacon on various occasions through the summer, of which the follow-
ing were recorded: July 19, 1892, July 7, 1896, and July 25, 1890.
Upon this latter date two specimens were taken, both young birds.
Migrants from farther north, however, begin to arrive in August, exact
dates lying between August 17 (1901) and 25 (1897). In the fall
of 1g0o0 it was first noted (at Mill Creek) August 20, but did not
appear to be very common at that season, at least on the Peninsula,
where it was observed only on September 13 and 25. The latest fall
date given by Mr. Bacon is October 12, 1901. He has observed its
arrival in the spring from April 27 (1895) to May 6 (1893). In the
spring of rgoo it was first seen May 3, when one was noted at a muddy
pool a few miles west of the city. May 8, 9, and 10 were days when
a considerable movement took place, the species being met with not
only at the mouth of Mill Creek, but about the ponds on the Peninsula
as well. It was observed at intervals up to May 24. This species has
not been found on a sandy beach, the margins of the ponds on the
Peninsula and pools on the mainland being its favorite resorts.

74. Symphemia semipalmata. WILLET.

Mr. Simpson is the only observer in this region who has been so
fortunate as to meet with this species, whose occurrence here must be
considered as very rare or accidental. His account is as follows:
“*On April 24, 1902, while hunting on the outside beach, I saw two
large shore-birds at the very water’s edge, standing close together.
As there was no cover I kept on as if to pass them, and fired at long
range just as they were about to start, with the fortunate result of
securing both birds. They proved to be a pair of Willets in full
spring plumage, and were pronounced ‘Golden Plover’ by gunners
who saw them, as are also Yellow-legs or any large wader.’’ These
specimens are now preserved in Mr. Simpson’s collection. Many
546 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MusEuM.

years ago (1838) this bird was recorded by Dr. J. P. Kirtland asa
common visitor, doubtless breeding, on the shores of Lake Erie in
Ohio (American Journal Science and Arts, XL., 1841, 24), but there
is no recent evidence to substantiate this statement, and the species is
certainly rare enough at the present time so far north in the interior.

75. Bartramia longicauda. BarrraMiaAn SANDPIPER.

The writer has never met with the present species in this locality, but
Mr. Bacon’s very full notes admirably supply the deficiency. ‘‘ This
interesting species must be put down as a migrant, rather common in
the fall, less numerous in the spring, and of occasional occurrence as
a summer resident. Some seasons, as for instance in 1899, it has
been quite common in certain localities which it frequents. I have
spent many afternoons in the pursuit of these birds, and have con-
cluded that more can be found on a couple of square miles of pasture
and farm land, just west of the city of Erie, than in all the remainder
of the county. From my own knowledge of the county, and from
information given by others, I am led to believe that this bird seldom
stops, save on the lake shore plain. Thus, I have never seen one on
the Peninsula, and never expect to, for it is a bird of the pastures and
clover fields. During spring migrations I scarcely ever see more than
one or two pairs, but by July 15, or soon thereafter, I always find a
bunch of young birds on their way south, perhaps half a dozen, per-
haps two dozen, and, if it happens to bea favorable season, their num-
bers are soon augmented. It would seem to be‘the case that a rainy
summer with a luxurious growth of weeds and grasses brings but few
Bartramian Sandpipers, but let it be hot and dry, with the stubble
short, and grasshoppers by the million, then they may be expected in
abundance. On June 20, 1897, at Miles Grove, I saw a bird of this
species which acted unmistakably the part of a female with young,
flying from side to side along a road lined with grain fields, and oc-
casionally alighting within a few yards of me. On June 25, 1899, I
saw a single bird, and on May 21, 1890, I saw several, while a female
taken May 9, 1900, was nearly ready to nest, so that I think an occa-
sional brood is raised in the vicinity of Erie also. One day while
watching a flock take their usual dive preparatory to alighting, I saw
one of them strike a telegraph wire, cutting both his neck and his
existence off short. My records of the vernal appearance of this spe-
cies lie between April 11 (1896) and May 1 (1897), while the latest
fall date appears to be September 22, 1896.’’ This species has, how-
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 547

ever, despite Mr. Bacon’s prediction, been taken on the Peninsula, but
its occurrence there must be very exceptional indeed. Mr. Simpson
writes as follows: ‘‘ April 26, 1902, during the big storm, flock after
flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls came in from the main lake over Niagara
Pond to the bay, and with one of these flocks came a smaller bird,
which upon shooting proved to be a Bartramian Sandpiper.’’

[ Zryngites subruficollis, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER.

One of the rarer shore-birds, which has been recorded, however, from Cleveland,
Ohio (Wheaton, Birds of Ohio, 1882, 491), and has even been noted as breeding
near the Ontario shore of Lake Erie (McIl wraith, Birds of Ontario, 1894, 156-157). ]
76. Actitis macularia. SpoTTED SANDPIPER.

This familiar and ubiquitous bird is an abundant summer resident
on the Peninsula, where it doubtless finds suitable nesting grounds in
the grassy sand-dunes back from the outside beach, and where it was
observed in June of 1897 and 1899. It is found also on the shores
of the bay, and about the ponds— anywhere, in fact, wherever water
runs or stands, but does not often associate with other shore-birds.
It comes from the south in April (April 18, 1900; April 27, 1894).
The bulk seems to pass southward by the end of August, but a few
usually linger well through September, the last being seen in rg00 on
September 23. On May 2, 7, 8, and 9, 1goo, it was excessively
abundant at the mouth of Mill Creek, flying in flocks, shy and restless,
behaving very much as do those of some other shore-birds. The time
of its nesting is indicated by a nest with two eggs found by Mr.
Bacon, May 24, 1893.

[Mumenius longirostris, LONG-BILLED CURLEW. |

In early times this species may have been not uncommon on the shores of Lake
Erie (cf Kirtland, American Journal Science and Arts, XL, 1841, 24), and it may
still occur as a casual visitor. Certain gunners have described a bird to the writer
which was probably this species, which they claimed to have killed near Erie within
late years. ]

77. Numenius hudsonicus. Hupsonian CurLEw.

Occurs as a transient visitant, rare and irregular in late years,
although well known to the older generation of sportsmen. It has
been seen here in the spring, but most of the reports of its occurrence
are for the fall migration. Mr. Bacon has seen but two individuals,
on August 1, 1890, and August 27, 1895. Mr. James Thompson has
a mounted specimen which he says was taken in the fall, about 1892.
The Carnegie Museum has an example said to have been shot in the
*80’s by Captain J. D. Paasch.
548 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

78. Numenius borealis. Eskimo CurLew. i

A very rare fall transient. ‘‘A few of these birds are seen every
year about the shores of Erie bay, where, in October, 1889, two were
shot by Mr. James Thompson, of Erie city.’? (Warren, Birds of
Pennsylvania, 1890, 96). Asingle female in Mr. Sennett’s collection
taken September 17, 1889, and marked as having been collected by
James Thompson and George B. Sennett, is evidently the only basis
of the above statement, since Mr. Thompson asserts that the speci-
mens in question passed into Mr. Sennett’s possession.

79. Squatarola squatarola. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

A transient species, regular and fairly common in the fall migration.
Neither this nor the following species have been positively identified in
the spring, but on at least two occasions Mr. Bacon has seen a single
plover at that season, belonging to one species or the other. August
1, 1890, is his earliest fall record, but ordinarily it does not arrive
until about the middle of the month, attaining its greatest abundance
in September, and remaining often through the greater part of Octo-
ber, and sometimes even later (November 10, 1894). In the fall
migration of 1goo the first was observed August 23, and September 1o
and 17 were days of special movement, while the last record for the
season was not made until October 31. Small parties are the rule,
although single birds are not infrequent, and the outside beach and
Horseshoe Pond are its favorite haunts. It has also been observed by
Mr. Bacon on the ploughed fields of the mainland. Of the whole
number secured but three were adult. These were taken on September
5 and 17—by rare good ’fortune, as they are very wild as compared
with the young, which can usually be approached with little difficulty.
This preponderance of immature birds is noted also by Mr. Bacon,
who has seen but three or four adults in all, two of which were se-
cured (August 28, 1897; August 17, 1901). Heconsiders the young
very indifferent for the table.

80. Charadrius dominicus. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.

In its seasonal distribution this species is like the last. ‘‘ Taking
one year with another,’’ Mr. Bacon writes, ‘‘I consider this species
much the more abundant of the two. Flocks of from twenty-five to
fifty birds used to be seen every season, frequenting the ploughed fields
west of the city, arriving soon after September 1, and staying for a
week or two. These flocks seemed to be comprised mainly of old
Topp: BIRDS OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 549

birds, the young being found in pairs and small bunches around the
lake beach. I saw two such flocks in September, 1901, the first seen
to speak of in several years. The Golden Plover is seldom noted in
August, but on August 20, 1896, I shot one old bird. My latest fall
note is November 5 of the same year.’’ Very few individuals of this
species came to our notice in 1900. The first was observed August
27, a specimen taken September 17, and one seen the following day —
all on the outside beach. The last record was that of a bird shot at
Crystal Point on September 25. Both birds secured were immature. In
1902 Mr. Simpson shot a specimen on September 27, and on Novem-
ber 18 saw three flying down the bay at some elevation, uttering their
peculiar whistle.

81. Oxyechus vociferus. KILLDEER PLOVER.

Common as a summer resident, and among the first of the shore-
birds to move northward in the spring, arriving some time in March,
the exact date varying between March 8 (1898) and 28 (1896). It
is not so numerous at this season as many others, however. More-
over, it is practically certain that none breed on the Peninsula, as
such a noisy species as this is much in evidence daily on its nesting
grounds, and it was not thus observed. A female taken May 17
exhibited signs of breeding, but had evidently come from a distance.
The cultivated fields of the mainland afford more suitable nesting
facilities. ‘‘On April 7, 1888, I found a single egg in a ploughed field.
From subsequent experience I think this must have been very early
nesting, as the next earliest record is for May 5, 1894, when a nest
with four eggs was discovered, while on June 25, 1899, I met with a-
brood of young’? (Bacon). It is in the fall migration that the
Killdeer gathers into flocks and visits the Peninsula in large numbers,
thronging the outside beach, often in company with other species,
noisy, restless, and suspicious. It was already present there August
22, tg00, and on September 8 there was a great flight of this species,
to the almost complete exclusion of all other shore-birds. After the
first week in October it was noticeably less common, but did not finally
disappear until November 12, when one was seen in Big Pond — the
only instance of its being met with about the ponds. Mr. Bacon notes
an individual seen as late as Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1891.
82. Agialitis semipalmata. SrMIPALMATED PLOVER.

Save the Sanderling alone, the present species is perhaps the most
numerous of the transient shore-birds. May is the month when its
550 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MusEuM.

northward movement takes place. In the spring of 1900 its arrival
was recorded May 8, and it was observed at intervals until as late as
May 28, most frequently at the mouth of Mill Creek, but also on the
outside beach and the bay shore. The return movement probably
began before August 22 (Mr. Bacon’s earliest fall record is August 7,
1901), when the species was already common on the Peninsula, con-
tinuing thus until about October 1, after which date it was only oc-
casionally found. Asingle straggler was shot November 2. It usually
appears in flocks of greater or less size, and is fond of the company of
other shore-birds.

83. Aégialitis meloda circumcincta. BELTED PIPING PLOVER.

This interesting species is to be classed as a summer resident, sev-
eral pairs nesting annually on the wide stretches of sandy beach on
the outer shore of the Peninsula. It was first met with June 17, 1897,
when at least two pairs were found by the writer, haunting the outer
beach and the shores of Horseshoe Pond, but none were secured.
Upon the occasion of the next visit — June 26 and 27, 1899 — it was
again met with in the same locality, and two specimens were collected.
In 1900 it was first noted as early as April 16, although not again
until May 2. Several specimens were captured during this latter
month, and in a female shot May 24 was found an egg that would
have been deposited very shortly, thus settling beyond question the
matter of the species breeding here. Mr. Bacon has taken young of
the year on July 21, 1892, and August 17, rg01. It was noted in
the fall only on August 22 and 23, and September 7, and these rec-
“ords in all probability refer to the same individual, which was shot on
the last date. Mr. Simpson noted a bird of this species September
26, I902, and in Mr. Sennett’s collection there are a pair taken May
4, 1875. Its favorite haunts are wide stretches of dry, sandy beach,
with which it agrees so perfectly in color that unless in motion it is
difficult to distinguish. It runs very rapidly, and is rather shy and
hard to approach within range.

84. Arenaria morinella. Ruppy TuRNSTONE.

The Turnstone occurs sparingly, but perhaps regularly, during the
fall migration, and has been observed in the spring also. A specimen
shot on the Peninsula August 29, 1893, came into the writer’s hands
the next day. Single birds were captured in 1900 on August 28,
September 5, and September 24, and one was identified, but not se-
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 551

cured, on September 25. These records were all either for the out-
side beach or Horseshoe Pond. Mr. Bacon has met with the species
on but a few occasions, and has not seen more than two together.
Following are the dates when it has been observed by him: September
5, 1892; May 24, 1893; September 21, 1901; August 30, 1895;
August 11, 1896. In addition he speaks of having occasionally ex-
amined specimens killed by others, which failed of record in his notes.
Mr. Sennett has two specimens: September 12, 1875; August 24,
1889.

85. Colinus virginianus. Bos-wHITE; QUAIL.

‘*A resident species that would be common on the mainland if
given a fair chance. The guns and dogs are a little too numerous,
however, and an occasional winter with continued cold and crusted
snow may seem to exterminate them entirely, but there are always
some left, and once or twice they were almost abundant.’’ (Bacon. )

86. Bonasa umbellus. Rurrep GRousE.

A common resident, seemingly better able to hold its own against
sportsmen and bad weather than the Quail, provided the timber is not
thinned out too much. Wooded hillsides and ravines are its favorite
resorts, and even along the wooded bluffs of the lake shore, right up
to the city limits, it is seen every fall. Indeed, it even breeds here
not infrequently. Mr. A. M. Howes reports having met with a female
and brood of young on May 30, 1892, only two miles west of the city.
Occasionally it is met with on the Peninsula, but never seems to in-
crease there, although there seems no good reason for such a scarcity
as both general report and extended observations indicate, unless it be
that the well known abundance of minks, weasels, and birds of prey
should account for it. A female with a brood of young was noted
along the board-walk by the writer on June 26, 1899, and Mr. Simp-
son records its occurrence in November, 1902. ‘‘On November 27,
1902, I shot the first I ever saw on the Peninsula.’’ (Bacon.)

87. Ectopistes migratorius. PassENGER PIGEON.

Formerly a very abundant species, now almost exterminated. Mr.
Bacon writes: ‘‘In the year 1889 I met with this bird on two occa-
sions, but have not seen nor heard of it since. June 9 an adult male
was shot by a friend, and on July 18 I shot a young bird.’’ These
dates and the attendant circumstances would suggest that the species
was breeding, and, indeed, it is given by Dr. Warren on Mr. Sennett’s
552 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

authority as breeding sparingly in Erie County (Birds of Pennsylvania,
1890, 111). Mr. Sennett had three males in his collection, two of
which are now in the Carnegie Museum; they bear dates of April 3,
1875, March 13, 1876, and April 11, 1876, respectively.

88. Zenaidura macroura. Mourninc Dove.

Common as a summer resident, arriving, according to Mr. Bacon’s
experience, from March 18 (1898) to 25 (1893), and staying through
September. He adds further: ‘‘ They are also occasionally seen in
late fall and even in winter (January 5, 1891). Their abundance is
extremely variable from year to year. Thus, in the summer of 1891
they were exceedingly numerous, and I remember seeing as many as
five hundred in a single afternoon. Ordinarily, however, it isseldom
that more than a half dozen will be seen in an afternoon’s tramp
through the country. Again, I have found them quite abundant early
in July, seemingly all young birds, while two weeks later I could
scarcely find a Dove inan afternoon’s hunt. Certain fields always
have a special attraction for Doves, and on one dry ridge not far from
the city I can always start a dozen or two in season, which must, how-
ever, be transients, as I never see as many there later on. This
species does not occur on the Peninsula as a breeder,’’ the birds seen
there being visitors from the mainland. A few were noticed there in
the spring of 1900, first on April 2, and thereafter on several occasions
until May 2. It was usually found in pairs, haunting the more open
places.

89. Circus hudsonius. Marsy Hawk.

A summer resident, breeding, Mr. Bacon feels quite positive, on the
Peninsula, where it has been seen through the nesting season. It is
often seen on the mainland also, and isin fact the most common hawk
in this section, save the Sparrow Hawk alone. It has not been observed
in winter, but has been noted as early as March 27 (1901). In 1900 it
was occasionally seen in the spring from April 10 to May 3, and in
the fall from August 26 to October 3. Animmature example shot on
Big Pond September 29 was the only one secured.

go. Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED Hawk.

This hawk is in all probability a summer resident, although so far
it has not been certainly detected during the breeding season. It is
not uncommon, however, during the spring and fall migrations, es-
pecially at the former season. In 1900 the earliest record was for
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 553

April 7, and from April 17 to 21 there was a considerable flight,
while May 8 was the latest date upon which it was noted. In the
fall the first came September 26, and the last was recorded October
23. It seemed to be partial to the open places on the Peninsula,
and the sand-dunes bordering the outside beach were a favorite resort.
‘Mr. Bacon has taken specimens in April, May, and October.

o1. Accipiter cooperii. Cooprer’s Hawk.

Apparently not a common species in this section, its seasonal status,
both observed and inferred, being the same as that of the last. One
was noted in the woods near Big Pond, April 2, 1900; a specimen was
secured September 1 at the head of Yellow Bass Pond; and one other
was observed September 3. Mr. Bacon has taken specimens March
27, 1901, and April 5, 1902. These seem to be all the records.

g2. Accipiter atricapillus. American GosHawkK.

This is given by Mr. Sennett as a rare visitor, doubtless in winter
(Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 125), as might be expected.
Further records, however, are very desirable.

93. Buteo borealis. ReEp-TaILED Hawk.

Concerning the Red-tailed Hawk Mr. Bacon writes as follows: ‘I
have seen young birds of this species killed in midsummer, and believe
it breeds regularly, although I have had no experience with it myself.
March 18, 1901, I secured from Mr. Frank Claus a specimen shot by
him on the Peninsula.’’ It doubtless occurs as a permanent resident.
Mr. Simpson saw a pair on November 18, 1902, on the outside beach.

94. Buteo lineatus. RED-SHOULDERED Hawk.

Asummer resident, possibly remaining through the winter, but there
are few records for any season. In Mr. Sennett’s collection are two
specimens, November 7, 1876, and September 14, 1888. Mr. Bacon
has secured examples on April 6, 1899, and March 30, 1901. Mr.
Simpson noted two birds late in September, 1902. In 1g00 a pair
were repeatedly observed about the lower end of the board-walk during
the last week in March, and on April 3 one which had been shot by a
gunner was found in a ducking-blind at Graveyard Pond — doubtless
killed two days previously. This pair may have intended nesting in
the vicinity, but were not certainly noted thereafter. One other in-
dividual observed November 1 constituted our sole remaining record.
Mr. A. M. Howes has been so fortunate as to find this hawk breed-
ing, the exact locality being a tract of woods within the curve made
554 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

by the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, on the ridge east of the city.
He secured a set of four highly incubated eggs on April 24, 1894,
and a second set of three, probably laid by the same pair, on April
5, 1895. Both nests were in trees, thirty-five and forty feet from the
ground.

95. Buteo platypterus. BroaD-winceD Hawk.

Recorded by our party on but two occasions, but probably a sum-
mer resident. An immature male in moulting plumage was shot near
the foot of the board-walk on May 26, and one other was seen Sep-
tember 21. Mr. Bacon mentions having seen one specimen from this
locality.

96. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED
Hawk.

Occurs as a rare winter visitor. One was killed by Mr. Faulkner
G. Lynch in the fall of 1900, and on November 4, 1902, Mr. Bacon
was so fortunate as to secure a specimen, which is now in the Carnegie
Museum.

[Aguila chrysattos, GOLDEN EAGLE,
A species which may be expected to occur here as a casual visitor. ]

97. Halizétus leucocephalus. Bap Eac te.

This magnificent bird is found here at every season of the year ex-
cept winter. The writer met with it first on June 26, 1899, when a
half dozen individuals were noted about the outside beach, and its
presence at such a date naturally led to the inference that it was
breeding in the immediate vicinity. This inference was strengthened
the following year, when the species was repeatedly observed at dates
ranging from April 9 until the end of May. Notwithstanding, nothing
is more improbable than its nesting on the Peninsula. Such a large
nest would easily be visible at a long distance before the trees were
in leaf, but none were discovered, and common report was entirely in
accord with our observations. It is said to nest, however, at various
points on the mainland along the lake bluff (Northeast, Girard, etc.)
but the Peninsula is evidently a favorite rendezvous and feeding-
ground. Most of the individuals seen are immature birds, although
some are apparently adult. It is no uncommon thing for as many as
a half dozen to be in sight at once, sailing about overhead, or perched
in a commanding position in some tall tree. They frequent all por-
tions of the Peninsula, but perhaps are most apt to be met with about
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 555

Long Pond, where the high timber affords convenient sites for perch-
ing, and along the outside beach, where they find abundant food in
the shape of dead fish, and, at certain times, large numbers of Long-
tailed Ducks cast up on shore. They are at all times shy and difficult
of approach, but sometimes fly unwittingly within range. Thus two
specimens were secured, on May 14 and 16 respectively, both in the
strip of woods at the foot of Ridge Pond. The first had a head
and tail of mottled brown and white, the other was a younger bird,
with no trace of white. Eagles were not so often observed in the fall
months, and none after November 6. Doubtless the freezing over
of the lake cuts off their accustomed supply of food, so that they are
compelled to move southward for the winter.

[Falco peregrinus anatum. Duck Hawk,

A species which should occur in this locality, casually at least, as Dr. J. M.
Wheaton (Birds of Ohio, 1882, 423) says it ‘‘is not uncommon in the vicinity of
Cleveland,” while a more recent record from Erie County, Ohio (May 29, 1893, one
male shot) is given by Mr. Carl Tuttle (4u2, XII, 1895, 191). ]

98. Falco columbarius. Pickon Hawk.

Occurs as a transient at irregular intervals in the spring and fall,
being perhaps most numerous at the latter season. Mr. Sennett has
specimens taken April 26 and September 24, 1875, and September
16, 1877. Mr. Bacon has shot examples on March 28, 1895, Oc-
tober 24, 1896, and May 3, 1900. We did not meet with the species
in 1900 save during the fall migration. One shot September 18 by
Mr. Simpson was in pursuit of Flickers, which were quite numerous
just at that time. A number were seen and one was shot September
20. Others were noted September 27, October 6, and October 26.

99. Falco sparverius. Sparrow Hawk.

The present species is the most common hawk of this region, at
least on the mainland, and occurs as a summer resident, breeding in
suitable situations throughout. It is not very often observed on the
Peninsula, however.

1oo. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis. Fish Hawk; Osprey.

Of occasional occurrence in the spring and fall. One was noted
on May 7, 1900, and once or twice subsequently. It has been noted
by Mr. Bacon on the following dates: May 26, 1890; May 30,
1896; April 20, May 4, May 24, 1902. Most of these dates, it will
be noted, fall within the known nesting season of the species, and it is
possible that it may breed occasionally within our limits, although
556 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE Museum.

there is no positive evidence as yet to this effect. It is known to go
sometimes a long distance from its nest in search of food, and the
individuals observed may have been nesting somewhere on the main-
land. It was seen on August 26 and 29, 1900, also by Mr. Simpson
in September of both 1900 and 1902.

[Strix pratincola. AMERICAN BaRN OWL.

There are several Erie County records for this owl, but none of them happen to
fall within the limits of the present paper. Doubtless it will be detected in due
time, however. ]

tor. Nyctalops wilsonianus. AmERIcAN LONG-EARED OWL.

Asio wilsonianus, Cours, Check- List, 1882, 81. — A. O, U. Check-List, 1883, 198,

and of most recent authors.

Nyctalops wilsonianus, STONE, Auk, XX, 1903, 275.

This owl is no doubt a resident species, but on account of its noc-
turnal habits is seldom observed, and may be much more common
than the records indicate. There are four specimens from Erie in
Mr. Sennett’s series, taken on the following dates: April 1 and No-
vember 13 (two), 1875, and October 19, 1889.

102. Nyctalops accipitrinus. SHoRT-EARED OWL.
Asio accipitrinus, NEWTON, Yarrell’s British Birds, ed. 4, I, 1872, 163.— A. O.
U. Check-List, 1883, 198, and of most recent authors.

Nyctalops accipitrinus, STONE, Auk, XX, 1903, 275.

‘‘ Occurs as a regular migrant, most numerous in the fall, and some
seaons almost common. September 28 (1896) is its earliest recorded
autumnal appearance, while the latter part of October marks the ar-
rival of the bulk of the individuals. I have never observed it in the
winter, although it may occur occasionally at that season. On the
other hand, it is possible that it may breed. Thus, on July 27, 1897,
I shot one of these birds in a grassy spot where I have often found
them in spring and fall, and again, on July 10, 1902, I found an
individual under similar circumstances. Upon the latter occasion I
could not induce the bird to leave the locality, although I could find
neither nest nor young birds. It is usual to flush these owls in some
grassy field or marsh, but on one occasion I surprised one in an apple-
tree.’’ To Mr. Bacon’s account above quoted the writer can add
nothing from personal experience. There are three specimens in Mr.
Sennett’s collection, two of which were captured on dates that appear
to be respectively the earliest fall and latest spring records: Septem-
ber 22, 1875, and April 26, 1875.
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 557

103. Syrnium varium. BarRED OWL.

A specimen of this owl, taken October 20, 1891, was secured by
Mr. Bacon from a gunner, and mounted birds of local origin are
often seen in the hands of private parties, so that it is probably regu-
larly distributed as a permanent resident.

104. Scotiaptex nebulosa. Great Gray OwL.

A very rare or accidental winter visitor. ‘‘ Mr. Geo. B. Sennett
tells me one was found a few years ago in the smoke stack of a steam-
boat at Erie city.’’ (Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 152).
[Cryptoglaux tengmalmi richardsoni. RICHARDSON’S OWL.

Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni, A. O. U. Check-List, 1883, 200, and of most

recent authors,

Cryptoglaux tengmalmi richardsoni, RICHMOND, Auk, XVIII, 1901, 193.

This owl is a very rare winter visitor in the northern United States, An example
in the Carnegie Museum, taken in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1896,
by Mr. D. A. Atkinson, is the only known record for the State (see Rhoads, Azz,
XVI, 1899, 311), but if found anywhere in Pennsylvania it should be at Erie.]

105. Cryptoglaux acadica. Saw-wHEr OwL.
Nyctala acadica, A. O. U. Check-List, 1883, 200, and of most recent authors.
Cryptoglaux acadica, RICHMOND, Auk, XVIII, rgor, 193.

This diminutive owl is doubtless a resident species, but has been
most frequently detected during the colder portions of the year. Its
small size and retiring disposition combine to shield it from frequent
observation, so that it may be much more common than the available
records indicate. Mr. Sennett has two examples, labeled respectively
January 3 and June 4, 1875. Mr. Bacon took one specimen October
27, 1888, and has received from other parties individuals captured
February 5, 1892, and November 15, 1894, these, with a single bird
noted October 18, 1902, comprising all the instances of its occurrence
that have come to his notice.

106. Otus asio. ScREECH OwL.

Megascops asio, STEJNEGER, Auk, 11, 1885, 184.—A. O. U. Check-List, 1883, 200,

and of most recent authors.

Otus asio, STONE, Auk, XX, 1903, 275.

Doubtless a permanent resident here as elsewhere, quite common,
but not often observed. One was seen April 4, 1900, in a hollow
stub on the wooded bluff at the head of the bay. The species was
heard calling on the Peninsula near Misery Bay on the evenings of
September 30 and November 5. Mr. Sennett has one specimen, March
20, 1876.
558 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

107. Asio magellanicus virginianus. Great Hornep OwL.
Bubo virginianus, BONAPARTE, Geographical and Comparative List, 1838, 6.—A.
O. U. Check-List, 1883, 202, and of recent authors generally.
Asio magellanicus virginianus, OBERHOLSER, Proc. U. S. N. M., XXVII, 1904,
188.

Resident throughout the year, according to Mr. Bacon, in suitable
situations in tracts of heavy timber, and probably more plentiful, on
the whole, than any other owl, excepting the last species. We did
not meet with it in 1900.

108. Nyctea nyctea. Snowy Ow.

A rather rare winter visitor. The following note on its occurrence
refers to Northeast, Erie County: ‘‘ A party on a recent gunning ex-
pedition shot a large white or snowy owl near this place that measured
five ft. six in. from tip to tip of wings. Only one wing was in-
jured and it was captured alive, and is now on exhibition in a prom-
inent show window. It is the first I have heard of captured in this
section forsome years.’’ (‘*A. A. A.,’’ Forest and Stream, XXVIII,
February 3, 1887, 24.) Mr. Sennett secured two specimens near
Erie, one November 22, 1874, ‘‘cedars back of lake,’’ the other
November 6, 1876, ‘‘head of bay.’’ Mr. Bacon has personally seen
but one individual (December 22, 1894). Other specimens have,
however, come to his notice, killed by various parties on the following
dates: April 13, 1895, March 8, 1902, November 3, 1902 (a very
white bird), November 18, 1902. Two of Mr. Bacon’s specimens
and one of Mr. Sennett’s are now in the Carnegie Museum.

[Sernia ulula caparoch. AMERICAN HAWK OWL.
A species that may occur as an accidental winter visitor in this section. ]

1og. Coccyzus americanus. YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo.

A summer resident, apparently not very common. The only exam-
ples thoroughly identified in 1900 were recorded May 22 and Septem-
ber 21, dates which perhaps represent the approximate time of the
arrival and departure of the species.

110. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. BLAck-BILLED Cuckoo.

Like the last a summer resident, and probably the more common
of the two species, frequenting the shrubbery and woodland. Speci-
mens were taken May 30 and September 13, 1goo, and in Mr. Sen-
nett’s collection there is a specimen marked May 11, 1875, which
possibly represents an arrival.
Topp: Birvs oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 559

1x1. Ceryle alcyon. Bettep KINGFISHER.

‘*Common as a summer resident from April to November, and on
one occasion (January 23, 1895) I saw a single bird in midwinter,
after the bay had been frozen for several weeks.’’ (Bacon). It is
not very common, however, on the Peninsula during the breeding
season proper, doubtless owing to the scarcity of suitable nesting
sites. In Igo00 it was first observed April 7, and by April 11 had
become quite numerous along the bay shore and margins of the ponds.
This comparative abundance continued until about the first of May,
when the nesting season begins. The only nest discovered was ina
low bank on the Peninsula about the middle of the shore of the bay.
It was found May 25, but not examined. The species was seen almost
daily in the fall up to October 12, and once again November 1.

112. Dryobates villosus. Harry WoopPEcKER.

A permanent resident here as elsewhere throughout its range, pre-
ferring heavy timber. An occasional bird is seen on the Peninsula,
and Mr. Bacon thinks it is more common than the Downy Wood-
pecker.

113. Dryobates pubescens medianus. Downy WooppeckER.

Like the last, a permanent resident, not uncommon in its chosen
haunts, and, except in the nesting season, often associating with other
of the small resident and winter resident birds.

114. Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER.

A transient visitant, noted by Mr. Bacon as being in some years
quite abundant in the spring migration. His earliest spring note is
March 31, 1893. Mr. Sennett has several specimens, one taken
April 10, 1875. According to our observations in 1900 it was toler-
ably common in the spring, but much more numerous in the fall.
The first was seen April 18, but from lack of data the length of its
stay cannot be given. In the autumnal movement September 18 was
the date of its first appearance, and by September 26 it had fully
reached the limit of its abundance, and did not finally disappear until
October 12. It was particularly partial to wild cherry trees, and was
accordingly most abundant along the board-walk, where these trees
are numerous, Mr. Sennett’s expressed opinion that the species
breeds occasionally (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 169) refers in all
probability to the interior of Erie County.
560 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

[Ceophlaus pileatus abieticola, NORTHERN PILEATED WOODPECKER.

This woodpecker is not an uncommon species in the interior of Erie County, but Mr.
Bacon has never seen or heard of one within six miles of the lake, so that it does not
properly come within the scope of the present list, although it may yet be detected.
True, there are two specimens in Mr. Sennett’s collection, labeled without qualification
‘*Erie’’, but the correctness of the label in this respect is open to question, not only
in view of Mr. Bacon’s statement as above, but also because Mr. Sennett himself
seems to intimate that this species is found in Erie County only in the vicinity of Lake
Pleasant (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890,171).]

115. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.

A common summer resident (on the mainland) from April to October,
and occasionally winters here. Mr. Bacon contributes the following
note on this point: ‘‘ On several days in the winter of 1888-89 (De-
cember 29, 1888, January 3 and 5, 1889, to be more exact) I observed
this bird in small parties of eight or ten individuals each, and there
seemed to be some in every woods.’’ The specimens in Mr. Sen-
nett’s series bear the following dates, abundantly confirming the general
statement: November 6, 14 and 17, 1874; February 25 and May
18, 1875; February 9, 1876; February er, 1878; September 24 and
October 27, 1888. Definite records of this species nesting on the
Peninsula are lacking, and, indeed, it would seem not to occur there
during the breeding season at all. In 1900 it was first observed April
30, and a number were noted again on May 8 and g. In the fall it
was not detected until September 21, but from that time until the end
of the month was very much in evidence, frequenting the tall trees
along the board-walk and elsewhere. By October 8 the last had
departed.

116. Centurus carolinus. RED-BELLIED WOoDPECKER.

The seasonal status of this species here is uncertain. It seems to
have come under the notice of observers in the northern part of its
range mostly in the winter, but this is no indication that it does not
occur save at that season, as the writer has satisfied himself in at least
one case by persistent work. Its occurrence at Erie is no exception
to the general rule, the records resting on four specimens in Mr. Sen-
nett’s collection bearing dates respectively of Octoker 6, 10, and
November 11, 1874, and February 8, 1876.

117. Colaptes auratus luteus. NorTHERN FLICKER.

The Flicker is a common summer resident, not known ever to stay
through the winter, although, according to Mr. Bacon’s experience,
remaining sometimes quite late (November 20, 1897; December 1,
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 561

1888), and returning usually in March (March 12, 1898; Match 20,
1903). Itsarrival was overlooked in the spring of 1900, or at least unre-
corded, although a single specimen was taken April 17. In the fall there
was an immense movement of these birds beginning about September
15, and continuing to near the end of the month. During this period
they were exceedingly abundant, thronging the wooded portions of.the
Peninsula, and apt to be met witheven intheopen. Like the Yellow-
bellied Woodpeckers, they seemed partial to wild cherry trees, and
often a half dozen or more could be seen in one such tree. The
species was present in diminished numbers through October, and the
last record was of a single bird seen September 17, with a party of
Meadowlarks on the sand-barrens near the outside beach.

118, Antrostomus vociferus. WHIP-POOR-WILL.

A summer resident species, which, curiously enough, was found by
us only in the tract of woodland at the foot of the board-walk, between
Yellow Bass and Graveyard Ponds, where it seemed to be not uncom-
mon after its arrival on May 1. Mr. Bacon, however, thinks these
birds were transients, as he has seen the species on but two occasions,
(September 4, 1899; July 19, 1902), and has heard its notes only
on a few occasions in May, and hence considers it rare on both the
Peninsula and the mainland during the summer. Mr. Simpson reports
having taken a specimen north of Niagara Pond on April 26, rgo2.

119. Chordeiles virginianus. NIcHTHAWK.

Not uncommon as a summer resident. It is, however, much more
numerous during the migrations than in summer, but occasional birds
are seen at the latter season, and no doubt it breeds regularly. In
1g0o its arrival was noted May 16, and one was seen the next day.
The only other record is of asingle bird seen and positively identified
on September 23, flying over at Crystal Point. This is a very late
date indeed. ‘‘On May 17, 1894, L observed a flight of these birds, in
small parties of from two to six individuals, going eastward along the
Lake Erie shore. They seemed to follow at fairly regular intervals,
and during 'the two hours that I was able to observe them, I saw
probably one hundred birds. On August 28, 1901, a similar flight
was noticed by some of my friends, a peculiar circumstance connected
with which was that the birds, although in fall migration, also fol-
lowed the lake shore to the east, the same course as pursued in the
spring.’’ (Bacon).
562 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM,

120. Chetura pelagica. CuimNnev Swirt.

This species occurs as a summer resident, and perhaps nests on the
Peninsula, having been seen by the writer about the lighthouse build-
ings in June, 1899. It is also rather common in the city, but its first
appearance in 1900 was overlooked. In the fall the last was seen
September 20, this being, indeed, our only record at that season, but
in Mr. Sennett’s collection there is a specimen taken as late as October
To (1874).

121. Trochilus colubris. Rusy-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.

Here as elsewhere in the United States a summer resident, appa-
rently not very common. It was not observed in the spring of 1900
until May 21, but its real arrival probably took place two or three
weeks earlier. In the fall it was noted last on September 9.

122. Tyrannus tyrannus. KINGpIRD.

A common summer resident on both the Peninsula and the main-
land, appearing early in May (May 7, 1893; May 8, 1901, Bacon).
In 1900 its arrival was recorded May 3, when a half dozen individuals
were seen together at Crystal Point. -It was noted but twice in Au-
gust, and the last was seen on September r.

123. Myiarchus crinitus. CrEsTED FLYCATCHER.

A summer resident, not very common, at least on the Peninsula,
where it is confined to the wooded ridges. It may possibly be more
numerous on the mainland, where it was first observed in the spring
of 1900 on May 3, at the ‘‘ Head.’’ In the fall the latest record was
September ro, the period of its stay being thus but little longer than
that of the Kingbird.

124. Sayornis phoebe. PHCBE-BIRD.

A common summer resident in this general region, although not
actually detected as such on the Peninsula, the character of the ground
being unsuited to its needs. However, it was quite common there
for a time during the spring migration, and also in the fall toa less
extent, haunting the margins of the various ponds. April 3 was the
date of its first appearance, and it was recorded as common on April
12. There were two records each for August and September, and
the last was seen October 4. Additional records for the spring migra-
tion are March 29, 1875 (Sennett), and March 31, 1892 (Bacon).
125. Nuttallornis borealis. OLive-sipED FLYCATCHER.

Contopus borealis, BAIRD, Birds of North America, 1858, 188.—A. O. U. Check-
List, 1883, 233, and of recent authors generally.
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 563

Nuttallornis borealis, OBERHOLSER, Auk, XVI, 1899, 331.

A rare transient visitant in this locality. A single female shot by
Mr. Simpson, September 18, 1900, in an open grove just east of
Niagara Pond, constitutes the only record.

126. Horizopus virens. Woop PEewee.
Contopus virens, CABANIS, Journal fiir Ornithologie, I1I, 1855, 479.—A O. U.

Check-List, 1883, 234, and of most recent authors.
HHorizopus virens, OBERHOLSER, Auk, XVI, 1899, 332.

Fairly common as a summer resident, and noted as such by the
writer in June of 1899. The following season its arrival was observed
May 14, and it soon became numerous. Although repeatedly noticed
in the scattered trees of the eastern end of the Peninsula, it was much
more common in the high, thick woods of the central and western
portions, There seemed to be a marked movement of this species
beginning about September 11, and continuing for about two weeks.
During this period it was not unusual to meet with many individuals
together in the woods, usually in company with other forest-loving
birds, continually on the move in the tree-tops. The time of nesting
is indicated by the label of a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection,
dated June 22, 1875, which states that it was taken ‘‘ with the nest
and three eggs.’’

127. Empidonax flaviventris. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER.
Occurs as a transient visitant, apparently rare in the spring, but
rather common in the fall. The only spring record in 1goo referred
to a single bird taken May 26. As early as August 25 it had reap-
peared, and was noted at frequent intervals up to October 3, the date
of its last record inthe fall. Its favorite resorts were the tracts of dense
shrubbery along the ponds, where it contrived to keep well hidden.

128. Empidonax virescens. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER.

The Acadian Flycatcher appears to be a regular and rather common
summer resident, both on the mainland and Peninsula. It was first
met with by the writer on June 26, 1899, in a dense growth of pines
in the rear of the north lighthouse, and here a specimen was secured
on May 15 of the following year, constituting the earliest spring rec-
ord. An old nest was discovered here also. On May 28 it was found
quite commonly in the deep woodland along the lake shore near the
‘¢Head.’’ This appears to be one of the northernmost localities
where this relatively southern species is known to breed regularly.
Mr. Sennett has a specimen taken August 20, 1888, but we did not
meet with it in the fall.
564 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

129. Empidonax traillii alnorum. ALDER FLYCATCHER.

This interesting little flycatcher may breed in this locality, but has
been certainly detected only during the spring migration, and appears
to be quite rare. A single specimen was taken May 26, 1900, in
thick shrubbery. Mr. Bacon secured one bird on May 21, 1894.

130. Empidonax minimus. Least FLycaTcuer.

Tolerably common as a summer resident, at least on the Peninsula.
It was first observed in 1g00 on May 5, and repeatedly thereafter until
the end of the month. It is partial to tracts of shrubbery, as is also
the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, but is more apt to be found on their
outskirts and in openings than that species. It was unaccountably
rare in the fall, and was noticed then on but two occasions—Septem-.
ber 12 and 27.

131. Otocoris alpestris. Hornep Lark.

Occurs as a winter resident only, but none have been identified
within late years, although special search hasbeen made at the times
when it would be expected to occur. Such negative evidence does not,
of course, preclude its regular occurrence. There are eight mounted
specimens of this form in Mr. Sennett’s collection, shot in February
and April, and two skins dated respectively February 14 and March
24, 1875. (See Dwight, 4uk, VII, 1890, 142.)

132. Otocoris alpestris praticola. Prarrie Horned Lark.

One of the common and characteristic birds of this general region,
where it occurs at all seasons of the year, although it is probable that
many or all of the winter individuals come from farther north. It
breeds quite early in the season: thus, Mr. Bacon found a nest with
eggs March 31, 1896, while another nest discovered by him May 1,
Igo1, shows that the nesting season is sometimes prolonged. It was
noted in the spring of 1900 from March 21, when our observations
began, throughout the season, but curiously enough, it was not
recorded from the Peninsula until May 31, when an immature example
was secured there, all the other records referring to single birds
or pairs in open fields on the mainland, or seen flying over.
Evidently it breeds here, and retires to the Peninsula with its young
when they are able to fly. In June of 1897 and 1899 it was found on
the outside beach, in the latter year in great abundance, occurring in
small parties, perhaps formed by the union of several family groups, as
they were composed largely of immature birds, which were quite tame
Topp: Brrps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 565

and easily approached. In the fall of 1900, too, it was quite abund-
ant here also, particularly in October, associating with the Snow
Bunting, but no very large flocks were observed. Through the winter,
however, flocks of considerable size are often found on the Peninsula,
andeven more frequently on the mainland. a

133. Cyanocitta cristata. Buur Jay.

The Blue Jay is a permanent resident, and at times very abundant,
being one of the few conspicuous birds in the heavy timber of the
Peninsula in the early spring, also in the fall, in October. The wood-
land on either side of Long Pond is a favorite haunt. A nest was
discovered in a bushy sapling at the foot of Ridge Pond in May, rgoo,
but was deserted before all the eggs were laid.

134. Corvus corax principalis. NorTHERN RaveEN.

This is given by Mr. Sennett as a straggler, and on the questionable
authority of Dr. John W. Detwiller as having been seen once in win-
ter (Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 202). Wilson speaks of
the Raven ‘‘as entirely supplanting the Crow on the southern shores
of Lake Erie’’ (in Ohio), but this was almost one hundred years ago
(American Ornithology, UX, 1825, 136).

135. Corvus brachyrhynchos. AmERican Crow.

Corvus americanus, AUDUBON, Ornithological Biography, II, 1834, 317, and of

most authors.

Corvus brachyrhynchos, BREHM, Beitrige zur Végelkunde, IT, 1822, 56. — RICH-

MOND, Proceedings Biological Society of Washington, XVI, 1903, 125.

Common, according to Mr. Bacon, during all but the winter months,
and occasionally seen at that season also. It arrives very early in the
spring (February 22, 1894; February 28, 1893), and by the end of
April the nests usually contain eggs. It was numerous on March. 21,
1900, at the inception of our work, feeding about the shores and the
edge of the ice at the mouth of Mill Creek, much in the manner of the
Herring Gull. A large flock was observed west of the city the same
day. Although unquestionably breeding quite commonly on the
Peninsula, the only instance.that came to our notice was that of a
nest found May g at the head of Yellow Bass Pond. In the fall it was
most abundant in October, and was noted up to November ro. It
was frequently found along the outside beach, feeding on living and
dead animal matter cast upon the shore. Mr. Bacon contributes the
following interesting observation on the feeding habits of this bird:
“« Once during the summer of 1886 I saw a Crow fly out of an evergreen
566 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

with his ‘hands full,’ so to speak. A shot induced him to drop his
burden, which proved to bea Flicker, just at its last gasp. Never
before or since have I caught a Crow in the act of killing a bird, and
the size of the bird attacked was doubly surprising.’’

136. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Boso.ink.

In the meadows of the mainland this species is a very common sum-
mer resident, the country being particularly adapted to its needs. Mr.
A. M. Howes has a set of four eggs collected near Erie in June, 1894.
In 1900 the first migrant of the season was seen May 7 (Bacon),
which is a fair average date of arrival. The species was observed on
the Peninsula but once in the spring—May 30, when a single male
was taken along the edge of Big Pond, In the fall migration a
flock of about thirty was noted September 8, in some weeds and
bushes at the mouth of Niagara Pond. Mr. Bacon says of it at this
season; ‘‘ They begin to flock early in August, and by the end of the
month they can be heard overhead every night on their way south-
ward. I have seen occasional flocks come into the wild rice in the
Peninsula ponds, but I think they do not remain here more than one
night. They never approach the Red-winged Blackbird in abundance,
straggling flocks of from twenty to forty birds being the rule.
September 24, 1897, I saw several hundred in aclover field. October
1, 1901, I saw between two and three hundred in a stubble field west
of the city. The latter date is very close to the time of the final de-
parture of the species for the south.’’

137. Molothrus ater. Cowesirp.

Common on the mainland as a summer resident from March (March
22, 1893, Bacon) through September (October 1, 1874, Sennett),
after which it isseldom seen. It often associates with the Red-winged
Blackbird. Onthe Peninsula it must evidently be quite uncommon,
as it certainly entirely escaped notice there in the season of 1goo.

138. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. YELLow-HEADED BLack-
BIRD. .
An accidental visitant from the west. One specimen, a male, was
shot by Mr. Bacon August 22, 1896, on the Peninsula near ‘‘ Big
Bend.’’ It wasalone. —

139. Agelaius pheniceus. Rep-wiINGEpD BLackBiIRD.
A very common summer resident, to all appearances breeding quite
plentifully on the marshes of the Peninsula, where it was noted by the
Topp: Brrps OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 567

writer in June of 1897 and 1899, although no nests were found, either
then or in 1900, ‘‘The date of its arrival,’?’ Mr. Bacon writes,
‘varies considerably, depending as it does upon the general advance
of the season, and has been observed from March 7 (1902) to 30
(1893). In August and September this species resorts by thousands
to the Peninsula, going to the ponds containing wild rice late in the
afternoon, and starting back to the mainland soon after sunrise. Oc-
casional flocks remain in the ponds through the day, but the main
army make the trips to the grain fields and back again daily. In
making these trips they follow the neck of the Peninsula at its western
end, or else the breakwater pier at the eastern end, seldom crossing
the bay where it is of any considerable width. This bird is supposed
by most of the gunners to be the ‘reedbird’ of the game laws, and
many are slaughtered annually for food.’’ Their flesh is said to be
very good. A curious albinescent specimen, showing the pattern of
the female in a bleached condition, was taken by Mr. Bacon Septem-
ber 19, 1902, and sent to the Carnegie Museum. November 12, 1900,
is the latest fall date upon which its presence has been recorded.

140. Sturnella magna. MEADOWLARK.

A summer resident, quite common in the meadows and cultivated
fields of the mainland, but naturally not found breeding on the Penin-
sula, where it was only detected occasionally during the fall migra-
tion, a few being seen in the sandy barrens bordering the outside
beach as late even as November 17, 1900. Mr. Bacon says that it is
seen occasionally through the winter months, as for instance on Jan-
uary I, 1902, although ordinarily it arrives from March 10 (1894,
1898) to 29 (1896, 1899), and remains until November 5 (1896) to
29 (1894).

141. Icterus spurius. ORCHARD ORIOLE.

This is given by Mr. Bacon as a regular but not common summer
resident, breeding in suitable situations. It was not met with in 1900,
but a single individual was detected on the Peninsula June 17, 1897,
in open woodland. Mr. Sennett took one specimen May ro, 1875.

142. Icterus galbula. BattimorE ORIOLE.

Also a summer resident, much oftener seen and better known than
the last species, but hardly to be called more than tolerably common.
Its arrival occurs early in May (May 6, 1893, Bacon), in 1900 on
May 8, when individuals were observed among the shade trees of the
568 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MuSsEUM.

city as well as in the woodland on the Peninsula, and by the middle
of the month its normal summer abundance had been reached. It
was not observed by us in the fall, probably having passed south before
our observations at that season began. August 23, 1888, is the date
of a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s series.

143. Euphagus carolinus, Rusty BLackyiRD.
Scolecophagus carolinus, RipGway, Proceedings United States National Museum,
VIII, 1885, 356. —A. O, U. Check-List, 1883, 253, and of most recent authors.
LEuphagus carolinus, RICHMOND, Proceedings Biological Society of Washington,
XVI, 1903, 128.

A regular but not very common transient visitant, the bulk of the
flight passing through in April and October. Two specimens seen
and secured April 19, in an open grove east of the city, constituted
our only record for 1900. Mr. Bacon’s recorded dates of arrival and
departure are April 6 (1900) and May 17 (1902) for the spring, and
September 27 (1893) and October 21 (1902) for the fall. Mr. Simp-’
son has observed it about the ponds of the Peninsula as late as No-
vember 18 (1902). ‘Its notes, which I have heard once or twice,
resemble those of the Bronzed Grackle, but are more subdued.’’
(Bacon).

144. Quiscalus quiscula eneus. BRONZED GRACKLE.

Common (on the mainland) as a summer resident from March
(March 11, 1902, Bacon; March 14, 1876, Sennett) to September,
seldom remaining in any numbers later in the season, although on
one occasion recorded by Mr. Bacon as late as November 24 (1888).
It is not known to breed on the Peninsula, where, indeed, it is seldom
seen at any time. One was shot near the shore of Misery Bay, April
II, 1g00. It does not approach the Red-winged Blackbird in abun-
dance, nor does it mix with that species ta an appreciable extent.
145. Hesperiphona vespertina. EvENING GROSBEAK.

Dr. Warren speaks of having met with this species in Erie County
during the season of 1889-90, when, as is well known, it appeared over
a vast territory far to the eastward of its usual range (Birds of Penn-
sylvania, 1890, 225). Mr. Bacon says that during this incursion two
specimens were shot at Erie, and mounted by a local taxidermist.
146. Pinicola enucleator leucura. Pine GrosBEAk.

A rare and irregular winter visitant. In Mr. Sennett’s collection
there are two specimens, females, taken February 11, 1875. Mr.
Bacon includes the species in his list on the strength of a specimen
Topp: Brrps ofr ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 569

killed some twenty years ago (1882), one of a flock feeding on the
berries of the mountain-ash.

147. Carpodacus purpureus. Purpie Fincu. A regular transient
in spring and fall, breeding sparingly however. Mr. Bacon speaks of
having heard it in midsummer in a tract of evergreens, and Mr. Sen-
nett has young birds in his collection dated July 12, August 2, and
August 6, 1888. May and September seem to be the months when
it is most numerous, but it is not impossible that it occurs during
colder weather, or even in the winter. May 2 and September 19 were
the only occasions upon which it was detected on the Peninsula in 1g00.
[Loxta curvirostra minor. AMERICAN CROSSBILL.

This species doubtless occurs as an irregular winter visitant, and should have been
detected long since. ]

148. Loxia leucoptera. WHITE-wWINGED CROSSBILL.

A winter visitant, rare and irregular. In the winter of 1874-75
there must have been somewhat of a flight here, as Mr. Sennett has
four specimens taken during that season: December 17, 1874, Jan-
uary 2 (two) and March 22, 1875. A more recent record refers to a
specimen secured alive on the Peninsula about October 20, 1903, bya
gunner, who at last accounts still had the bird in captivity, where it
appeared to be doing well.

149. Acanthis linaria. ReEDPOLL.

Another winter resident species, possibly of regular occurrence, al-
though it has been detected so far during two seasons only. There are
seven specimens in Mr. Sennett’s collection, all taken in February,
1875 (February 4, 5, 24, 25 and 26). Mr. Bacon has met with the
species but once—March 31, 1893—when a smal] flock was seen on
the Peninsula, in the tops of some young poplars, and one specimen
was secured.

150. Acanthis linaria rostrata. GREATER REDPOLL.

Also a winter resident, a single specimen having been obtained by
Mr. Bacon from the flock of Redpolls seen March 31, 1893, as noted
above. Under the circumstances it would of course be impossible to
say in what proportion the two forms were. The present record seems
to be the first for Pennsylvania.

1s1. Astragalinus tristis. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
A common species in the more open woodland areas, occurring —
save in the nesting season—in scattered flocks of greater or less extent.
570 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

It is a permanent resident throughout the year, but is less commonly
observed, however, in the winter.

152. Spinus pinus. Pine FIncu.

The Pine Finch is to be classed as a migrant or possibly a winter
resident, apparently not common. On May 24, 1900, a flock of
fifteen or twenty were met with in the scattered trees north of Misery
Bay, and two specimens were shot.

153. Passerina nivalis. Snow BunTING.

An abundant and regular winter resident, more numerous, however,
in late fall and early spring than in the depth of winter. They throng
the outside beach in flocks of from a few birds up to a hundred or
more, while stray individuals are occasionally found along the shore
of the bay. Sometimes they are found associated with Prairie Horned
Larks, but as a rule they keep separate. They usually keep close to
the edge of the water, and although not especially shy, are very rest-
less and erratic in their movements, flying in a jerky, hesitating fashion,
as if about to alight every instant. For a species of such cold weather
proclivities, the date of its arrival in 19g00—October 17— seems re-
markably early, yet by October 22 it was already recorded as common.
That this is not exceptional, however, is shown by Mr. Bacon’s
record of the same date in 1892, and of October 21 in 1901, as the
time of the first fall appearance of the species in those years, while Dr.
Warren says that in 1889 one was shot as early as October 12 (Forest
and Stream, XXXI1V, February 13, 1890, 64). He speaks also of
having seen a flock of two hundred and fifty or three hundred birds
near the Soldiers’ Home in November of the same year. Mr. Bacon
mentions that they are often seen on the fields of the mainland as well
as on the Peninsula during their sojourn, which lasts until sometime in
March.

154. Calcarius lapponicus. LapLtanp Loncspur.

Dr. Warren’s statement that this species is a tolerably common and
regular winter visitor about Lake Erie (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890,
233) is not fully confirmed by the available evidence. Mr. Sennett
took at least three specimens on October 3, 1889 (see Warren, Forest
and Stream, XXXIV, February 13, 1890, 64), and two on March
25, 1875, these two dates being respectively the earliest for the fall
and latest for the spring. Mr. Bacon first detected it on March 3,
1894, when a flock of a half dozen was seen and one specimen
Topp: Birps of ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 571

secured. No more were met with until February 28, 1902, when
a few were found in a field west of the city, and two specimens taken
the following day. Again, in 1903, on March 11 and 13, still others
were found, and on this occasion five specimens were taken. Two
examples were secured on March 8, 1904. ‘‘ They seem to be much
wilder and more difficult to procure than the Snow Buntings, with
which they often associate.’’ Future research may show that this
bird occurs regularly every season, but the above are all the known
records. Doubtless it is found also through the months intervening
between October and March.

155. Pooecétes gramineus. VESPER SpaRROW; GRass FINCH.

‘<A summer resident, common, arriving the latter part of March
(March 31, 1893), and soon becoming numerous. Nests have been
found as early as May 7 (1893), and as late as July 2 (1892), in the
latter case possibly a second nesting.’’ (Bacon.) It was observed on
the sandy barrens of the Peninsula on April 18, tgoo, in straggling
flocks, reminding one of those of the Slate-colored Snowbird in their
behavior. In the fall the last bird was noted October 27.

156. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. SavaNNA SPARROW.
Possibly a summer resident on the mainland, and so given by Dr.
Warren on Mr. Sennett’s authority (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 234),
but the exact locality is indeterminate. The only specimen in Mr.
Sennett’s collection is dated September 12, 1875, and by all other
observers it has been noted only as an uncommon transient in the
autumnal migration. The writer shot a specimen on the breakwater
August 30, 1893, and Mr. Bacon took specimens on September 16 and
30 of the same year. In the season of 1g0o it was noted on September
6, 14, and 15, specimens being secured on each occasion. The sand-
barrens along the outside beach were its chosen haunts at this season.

157. Coturniculus savannarum passerinus. YELLOW-WINGED SPaR-

ROW.

In a section such as this, so well adapted to its needs, the present
species would be expected as a common summer resident, frequenting
the open country of the lake shore plain. It is mentioned as breeding
by Mr. Sennett (4uk, VI, 1889, 198) in such a way as to leave
the inference that the circumstance deserves special remark, and,
indeed, it is given as a tare breeder in this section on the authority
of the same observer (Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 235).
572 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE Museum.

It came under our notice but once, May 28, 1900, when one was
seen in a meadow near the ‘‘ Head.’’ Mr. Sennett has two speci-
mens, taken August 7, 1888.
[Ammodramus henslowii. HENSLOW’S SPARROW.

Careful search was made for this sparrow on the Peninsula, which abounds with

spots suited to the bird’s needs, but without success, and it remains one of the spe-
cies yet to be detected. ]

158. Ammodramus nelsoni. Netson’s SHARP-TAILED SPARROW.

This little-known sparrow was added to the avifauna of Pennsylvania
on September 23, 1893, when a single bird was taken at the mouth
of Mill Creek by Mr. Bacon. This remained the only record up to
the season of 1900, when our field work showed it to be a rare
spring but quite common fall transient visitant on the Peninsula. A
single specimen taken in Niagara Pond May 24 was the only spring
record. In the fall it was first certainly identified September 13, and
was probably seen several days previous to that date, while there are
no records later than October 6. Although found about nearly all of
the ponds, Niagara and Big Ponds were its favorite resorts. The
birds were wont to frequent the thin growth of rushes along the
water’s edge, where they would run and skulk and hide with the
utmost dexterity, flushing only when closely pressed, and soon drop-
ping down again, sometimes flying back to the growth of weeds and
bushes adjoining. In such cases they were usually easily secured by
noting where they alighted and ‘‘squeaking’’ them up into sight.
While there is no reason apparent why this species should not pass the
summer here, it is unlikely that it does so, judging from our present
knowledge of its distribution at that season, from which it appears to
be extremely local.
[Chondestes grammacus. LARK SPARROW.

The eastward extension of the range of this species along the lake shore plain from

Ohio to Pennsylvania may reasonably be expected. It has been found breeding at
Oberlin, Ohio (McCormick, Au, IX, 1892, 397).]

159. Zonotrichia leucophrys. WHITE-cCROWNED SPARROW.

A tolerably common spring and fall transient. May 1, 1894, is
the earliest available date in the spring, while a specimen secured
May 17, Ig00, constitutes the latest date, as well as the only occur-
rence observed by us at that season. The first was seen in the fall
September 19, and the migration lasted about two weeks, or until
October 3. At this time it was fond of tracts of bushes and shrub-
Topp: Brrps OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 573

bery in the more open situations, and was particularly numerous in
some such growth north of Horseshoe Pond.

160. Zonotrichia albicollis. WuHire-THROATED SPARROW.

Like the last a transient visitant, but much more numerous, being
fairly common in the spring and abundant in the fall. At the former
season it was first observed April 18 in 1900, reaching its maximum
abundance May 2, and disappearing May 10. May 13, 1892, and
May 15, 1875, arethe latest spring records given by Messrs. Bacon
and Sennett respectively. On its return the first record was for
September 15, and the last for October 29, its stay being thus about
six weeks, for much of which period it was one of the most abundant
of the smaller land-birds, swarming everywhere in suitable covert, as
forinstance all along the board-walk. October 28, 1888, is the date
of a late fall migrant in Mr. Sennett’s collection.

161. Spizella monticola, TREE SPARROW.

Abundant as a winter resident, probably more numerous, on the
whole, than any other native bird at that season, haunting the many
and extensive tracts of shrubbery, bushes, and weeds on the Peninsula,
and found usually in straggling flocks of greater or less extent, often
associated with other species of kindred haunts and habits, as the
Slate-colored Snowbird for instance. None were noticed later in the
spring of rg0o0 than April 18, while the first fall record fell on No-
vember 5, although the real arrival was probably earlier by a week or
more, as indicated by a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection taken
October 26,1889. Aninteresting albino was shot April 16, 1900: it
was a dirty white color, shaded with light russet brown on the wings,
tail, and back, the whole plumage being much worn.

162. Spizella socialis. CHippinc SPARROW.

A very common summer resident in the cultivated grounds of the
mainland, but not observed as such on the Peninsula, where it was
noted in the fall migration only, in September and early October.
April 3, 1892, is Mr. Bacon’s earliest recorded spring appearance, and °
October 27, 1888, is the latest fall record afforded by Mr. Sennett’s
collection. On May 30, 1888, Mr. Bacon found three nests of this
species built on the ground ( Od/ogis¢, Albion, N. Y., VI, 1889, 134).
«« They were all in orchards, in long grass.’’
574 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

163. Spizella pusilla. Fretp Sparrow.

Also a summer resident, which, like a number of other species, is
far more numerous on the mainland than on the Peninsula during the
nesting season. It was quite common and in full song on the sand-
barrens of the Peninsula on April 18, 1900, and doubtless arrived
considerably earlier. Here, too, it was rather numerous during the
fall migration, in October, the last being seen October 26.

164. Junco hyemalis. SLaTE-coLORED SNOWBIRD.

This is perhaps best classed as a winter resident, although it is com-
paratively seldom seen in the depth of winter, seeming to retire
farther south at that season. It is very abundant in the spring and
fall migrations, particularly on the Peninsula, the locality being well
adapted to its needs. It is found usually in straggling companies in
the waste tracts, or on the edges of shrubbery and woodland, asso-
ciated with Tree Sparrows, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Black-capped
Chickadees, and others. In the spring of 1900 the last was observed
May 5, and on its return the first was noted September 19, although
it was scarcely common until the first week in October. However,
its numbers during this latter month varied considerably from day to
day, the fluctuations perhaps being due to migratory movements. In
the spring of 1903 the last was noted May 7 (Bacon).

165. Melospiza cinerea melodia. Sonc Sparrow.

This familiar species is abundant on both the Peninsula and main-
land, wherever there is suitable covert. An occasional bird may be
seen through the cold season, so that no doubt a few winter regularly,
but the bulk of the species is made up of summer residents only, com-
ing north some time in March, when they are in full song. A nest
with five eggs was found early in May, 1900, placed on the ground in
the marsh at the mouth of Mill Creek.

[Alelospiza lincolnii, LINCOLN’s SPARROW.

Little can be said of this species as a Pennsylvania bird. It is of such a retiring
disposition, and passes through in spring and fall so quickly and quietly, that it is
easily overlooked. It doubtless occurs here as a transient. ]

*166. Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow.

This sparrow is a common and characteristic species of the marshes
on the Peninsula, where it occurs as a summer resident, haunting the
thick bushes near the margins of the ponds, and the growth of flags
and cat-tails in moist places, where it generally keeps well hidden.
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 575

April 24 was the day of its recorded arrival in 1900, when it was
already common and in full song. Through September it was very
numerous, and the last was noted October 6. Additional dates of in-
terest relating to its migration are April 20, rg02 (Bacon), and Oc-
tober 6, 1888 (Sennett).

167. Passerella iliaca. Fox Sparrow.

A rather uncommon transient visitant, inhabiting the densest shrub-
bery and tangle, usually with other small birds of kindred tastes, and
very retiring in its disposition. The only spring records in 1goo are
of single specimens secured respectively on April 13 and 18. Mr.
Bacon has noted it on the following dates: April 18, 1893, April
11, 1895, and April 25, 1901 —the last being the latest spring record,
while a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection marked April 4, 1874,
is the earliest date for that season. In the fall of 1900 October 5 and
November 5 were extreme dates. Mr. Simpson reports a specimen
taken as late as November 12 in 1903.

168. Pipilo erythrophthalmus, TowHEE.

A summer resident, apparently only tolerably common during the
breeding season — at least on the Peninsula — but much more numer-
ous during the migration, frequenting the woodland thickets. ‘‘ March
10, 1894, I saw a pair, which date I consider very early. A more
usual date of arrival is March 31, 1899.’’ (Bacon.) In rgoo none
were noted until April 18, when it was present in some numbers. In
the fall the last was noted October 11.

169. Cardinalis cardinalis. CarpiINnaL GROSBEAK.

A rare species so far north. Mr. Bacon is the only observer who
has met with it here. ‘A single pair of this species is all that I have
seen or heard. This pair raised a brood of young in the summer of
1892, in a thicket bordering the lake bluff, about five miles west of
Erie. On August 18 I was shown the nest, containing at that time
three young birds, and both parents were seen in the trees near by.’’
It would be interesting to know where these particular birds spent the
winter.

170. Zamelodia ludoviciana. Rosr-BREASTED GROSBEAK.

A summer resident, not very common, at least on the Peninsula,
where, in 1900, it was first observed May ro in the spring, and last
on September 19 in the fall. Mr. Bacon thinks it is more common
away from the lake. May 4, 1892, is his earliest date. The latest
576 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

record is furnished by a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection, labeled
September 21, 1889.

171. Cyanospiza cyanea. InpiGo BuNTING.

Of regular occurrence as a summer resident, although not common.
May 9 was the date of its appearance in 1894 (Bacon). Curiously
enough, we did not meet with this species on the Peninsula in 1go0,
although the locality seems an ideal one for its presence.

172. Spiza americana. BLack-THROATED BUNTING.

This species is admitted to the list on the strength of the following
note, contributed by Mr. Bacon: ‘On several occasions I have seen
and heard a bird that I have identified as this species, which is there-
fore to be counted a rare summer resident. June 9, 1895, I saw one
singing and heard two others.’’

173. Piranga erythromelas. ScarLtet TANAGER.

Tolerably common as a summer resident, frequenting the wooded
portions of the Peninsula and mainland. It arrived May 8 in 1g00,
and reached the height of its abundance May 20. In the fall the last
(and only one) was seen September 26. These dates are probably a
fair average index of the arrival and departure of the species. ‘Several
nests have been found by Mr. A. M. Howes in the woodland along
the bluff facing the lake, west of the city. In every case they were
built on the horizontal branches of hemlock trees in deep woods, and
May 30 usually found the sets complete.

174. Progne subis. Purple MartTIN.

«¢ A summer resident, nesting commonly in the city limits in boxes
provided for the purpose. Observed dates of first appearance are
April 15, 1892, and April 13, 1893.’’ (Bacon.) It is seldom seen
on the Peninsula. A female was taken there May 29, 1900, and in
the fall migraticn two birds were observed August 24.

175. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Ciirr SwaLLow.

In suitable situations on the mainland this species is a rather common
summer resident, but on the Peninsula it occurs only during the mi-
grations. It was quite numerous in the vicinity of Big Pond on April
24 and 25, 1900, in company with other swallows. In 1902 Mr.
Simpson noted it first on April 26.

176. Hirundo erythrogaster. Barn SwaLLow.

Like the last a common summer resident on the mainland, but found

on the Peninsula only during the spring and fall migrations. Mr.
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 577

Simpson reported it in 1902 on April 26. In the spring of 1go00 it
was first noted April 25, as a prominent component of a considerable
flock of swallows observed near Big Pond. In the fall August 24
and 25 were days of considerable movement, and it was recorded
thereafter at intervals until as late as September 18. An immature
specimen taken by Mr. Bacon July 25, 1895 (now in the National
Museum, Biological Survey Collection), is an almost perfect albino,
showing on the upper parts merely a light wash of rusty.

177. Iridoprocne bicolor. WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW.

This hardy swallow was the first to put in an appearance in the spring
of 1900, arriving as early as April 9, and soon becoming numerous,
frequenting the bay and ponds in search of its insect prey. Usually
several birds were observed together, and on April 24 and 25 a con-
siderable number were found flocking in the vicinity of Big Pond,
accompanied by three other species of swallows. While it is quite
probable that this species breeds on the Peninsula occasionally, the
evidence is inconclusive. It was noted as late as May 19, however,
and was present in the fall movement August 21, although the last
individual of the season was not observed until September 21, a month
later. Conclusive evidence of the nesting of the present species in
this locality is afforded by Mr. A. M. Howes, who states that on June
7, 1893, he took seven eggs from a bird-box in the rear of his home
in the city. Three birds were seen, and from the fact that on two
consecutive days two eggs were laid he thinks that the male must have
been a bigamist.

178. Riparia riparia. Bank SwALLow.

A common summer resident, very plentiful in certain favorable local-
ities. It was first noted in the spring of 1900 on April 25, as the least
numerous of the flock of swallows seen near Big Pond onthat day. On
May 28 a nesting colony on the mainland a few miles west of the city
was visited, where perhaps five hundred pairs were breeding. Their
burrows were excavated in the sandy banks of a deep ravine leading to
the lake shore, usually near the top, and in certain favorable spots the
face of the bluff was very thickly punctured indeed, while the birds com-
ing and going and hovering in the air were a pretty sight. Apparently
no eggs were laid at this time, although no nests were actually exam-
ined. Some of the birds were seen carrying in nesting material, how-
ever. Asa rule the birds entered their holes in pairs, but in more
578 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

than one case three individuals were seen to enter the same opening
in rapid succession. Of ten specimens shot indiscriminately all but
one proved to be males. Mr. Simpson’s first record for this swallow
in 1902 was for April 26.

179. Stelgidopteryx serripennis, RouGH-wINGED SwaALLow.

According to Mr. Simpson, some were seen with other swallows
during the storm of April 26, 1902. Whether these birds were blown
out of their course, or whether the species is an occasional summer
resident here can only be conjectured.

[Ampelis garrulus. NORTHERN WAXWING.

Here, if anywhere in the State, should this species be detected as a casual winter
visitant. ]

180. Ampelis cedrorum. CEDAR WaxwINc.

A permanent resident the year round, nesting in every orchard:
When seen in winter it is in good-sized flocks, haunting mountain-ash
trees. Such flocks have been rather rare, however, Mr. Bacon adds,
in the last five years. On the Peninsula it is quite numerous, and is
often seen about wild cherry trees in the fall months.

181. Lanius borealis, NoRTHERN SHRIKE.

‘A winter resident, but more apt to be met with in late fall and
early spring than through the colder months. I scarcely ever see
more than a half dozen in any one year. It has been.recorded upon
the following dates in winter: February 5, 1888; December 24,
1893; January 21, 1894. September 21, 1892, is my earliest fall
record, and March 18, 1893, the latest date in spring.’’ (Bacon.)
182. Lanius ludovicianus migrans. MicRANT SHRIKE.

Lanius ludovicianus migrans, WM. PALMER, Auk, XV, 1898, 248.

One of the characteristic birds of this region, where it is a common
summer resident on the mainland, and occasional during migrations on
the Peninsula, where, in 1900, it was first seen April 3, while single
birds, presumably of this species, were noted October 13, 17, and 18.
Mr. Bacon says that it starts nest-building immediately upon its
arrival, and that he has found the eggs as early as April 15 (1890).
Mr. A. M. Howes reports having secured three sets of six eggs each
on April 21, 1900. Dr. Warren gives a detailed account (Birds of
Pennsylvania, 1890, 261-262) of the nesting of this species here as
observed by Mr. Sennett and himself on May 20 and 21, 1889, at
which date most of the nests contained young. The nests are almost
invariably built in thorn or wild crab-apple trees in more or less open
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 579

situations. The following note on the feeding habits of this species
is contributed by Mr. Bacon: ‘‘In the summer of 1886 I saw one of
these shrikes kill a Yellow Warbler, and on May Io, 1891, I sawa
White-throated Sparrow impaled on a thorn, with a shrike perched
near by, so that it would seem that occasionally this species preys
upon small birds as does the Northern Shrike.’’

183. Vireo olivaceus. RrD-EYED VIREO.

Very abundant as a summer resident, more numerous, indeed, than
ever observed elsewhere by the writer, and perhaps the most common
and generally distributed small bird on the Peninsula, frequenting the
woodland and shrubbery. It was first recorded in tg00 on May 12,
becoming common a few days later, and not disappearing until Sep-
tember 27. Many old nests were observed. Mr. Bacon says it often
nests in the shade trees in the city.

184. Vireo philadelphicus. PHILADELPHIA VIREO.

Fairly numerous as a transient visitant in spring and fall, having
been observed in the former season, in 1goo, at dates ranging from
May 14 to 23, and in the latter from September 6 to 25. Its favorite
haunts were bushes and shrubbery, where its deliberate motions dis-
tinguished it from the warblers, with which it was wont to associate,
and its brighter colors and smaller size from the more common Red-
eyed Vireo. It could be approached very closely, manifesting no fear.
Its song was not heard.

185. Vireo gilvus. WaARBLING VIREO.

Probably occurs as a summer resident on the mainland, perhaps
nesting in the shade treesin the city, where it was noted on May 12,
1900. It was observed on the Peninsula in the fall only, on Septem-
ber rand 12. Mr. Sennett has a specimen taken as late as September
21 (1888).

186. Vireo flavifrons. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.

Doubtless a summer resident, but not very common. One shot
May 4 was the first of the season in 1goo, and the only one observed
by us on the Peninsula. On May 28 a number were seen in a strip of
woods along the lake shore near the ‘‘ Head,’’ where they were appar-
ently settled for the season. In 1892 Mr. Bacon noted two specimens
on May 1.
580 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

187. Vireo solitarius. BLurE-HEADED VIREO.

A transient visitant, not common. In 1900 it was detected only
in the fall migration. | One was taken in shrubbery along the board-
walk September 27, and another was seen in a similar situation
October 1. Mr. Simpson reports having met with it on April 26,
Igo2.

[ Vireo noveboracensis. NHITE-EYED VIREv.

This vireo is exceedingly rare throughout western Pennsylvania. The writer has
never met with it anywhere in this section, but it is as apt to occur at Erie as else-
where in the region. It is said to be fairly common at Jefferson, Ashtabula County,
Ohio (Jones, Birds of Ohio, 1903, 171).]

188. Mniotilta varia. BLack AND WHITE WARBLER.

Although not actually observed during the breeding season proper,
there can be no doubt that this species isa summer resident, not,
however, very common. In 1900 it was noted first on April 28, and
the last was recorded September 2r. Mr. Bacon has taken specimens
on May 1, 1892 and 1894, and Mr. Simpson shot one April 26, 1goz2.
[Aelminthophila pinus, BLUE-WINGED YELLOW WARBLER.

Dr. Warren speaks of having met with this warbler in summer in Erie County
(Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 276), but the exact locality is not stated, and the
record cannot therefore be used. Moreover, in the absence of specimens it would
seem as if the record were open to doubt. This is one of the very rarest warblers in

western Pennsylvania, and that it should breed so far north as Erie County seems
highly improbable.

Helminthophila chrysoptera. BLUE GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.

It was surprising not to meet with this warbler at Erie, in view of its comparative
abundance in the western part of the State in general. Doubtless future observations
will discover its presence, ]

189. Helminthophila rubricapilla. NasHvILLE WARBLER.

A transient visitant, possibly not uncommon, although it has been
definitely recorded but twice. Mr. Bacon secured two specimens
May 9, 1892, and Mr. Simpson shot one along the board-walk Sep-
tember 27, 1902.

190. Helminthophila celata. ORANGE-cROWNED WARBLER.

One of the surprises connected with the work in this locality during
1go0o was the discovery of this species—not an isolated record, as is
usually the case in the Eastern United States, but several occurrences,
seeming to indicate that it is a regular although uncommon fall migrant.
It was first brought to light by Mr. Simpson, who secured a specimen
near Big Pond on September 15. On October 6 one was observed
Topp: Brirps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 581

just east of Niagara Pond, which eluded capture, but later in the day
a fine adult was seen and shot along the board-walk. It was skipping
about in the tops of the bushes, very active in its movements, and
easily distinguishable from the hordes of Yellow-rumped Warblers
that were migrating at the same time. Another was observed Octo-
ber 8, and two more, one of which was taken, on October 10. If it
be permissible to draw a conclusion from such meagre data, it would
seem that the present species is one of the later migrants among the
warblers.

199. Helminthophila peregrina. TENNESSEE WARBLER.

Recorded as a rather uncommon migrant in the spring of 1900,
when it was observed on May 21, 22, and 23, one or two individuals
on each day. It kept high up in the terminal foliage of the trees in
woodland, where, being so deliberate in its movements, it was difficult
to discern, although its song, so penetrating and distinctive, was invaria-
bly a sure clue to its presence.

192. Compsothlypis americana. ParuLa WARBLER.

Probably a summer resident species. In 1900 it was first observed
at the surprisingly early date of April 19, when a single bird was
taken on the wooded ridge southeast of the city, accompanied by
chickadees, nuthatches, kinglets, and the like. No others were
seen until April 30, while by May 4 it was recorded as rather com-
mion on the Peninsula. May 28 it was found in a tract of hemlocks
along the lake front a few miles west of the city, seemingly settled for
the season, and, indeed, there is no reason why it should not be a
regular summer resident in such places, here as farther south. The
time of its departure is indicated by a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s col-
lection bearing date of October 3, 1875. Mr. Bacon notes two speci-
mens taken May 2, 1891. The two examples secured by us (April
1g and 30), although doubtless transient individuals, are considered
by Mr. Harry C. Oberholser to be indistinguishable from the true
Compsothlypis americana.

193. Dendroica tigrina. Cape May WarBLER.

Occurs as a rare spring and fall transient visitant. Two specimens
were secured, both in shrubbery north of Misery Bay, a female May
16, and a male September 12. Mr. Simpson took a female along the
board-walk September 27, 1902. There are also two specimens in
Mr. Sennett’s collection, a male labeled May 13, 1890, and an im-
mature male September 22, 1888.
582 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

194. Dendroica estiva. YELLow WaRBLER.

Abundant as a summer resident, especially on the Peninsula, find-
ing congenial haunts in the many tracts of bushes and low shrubbery.
Mr. Simpson noted it in 1902 on April 26, but in 1900 the first was
observed April 30, and the next day it was common and musical.
Several nests were found the latter part of May, some containing eggs.
It was last seen August 31, being thus among the earliest species to
leave for the south.

195. Dendroica caerulescens. BLack-THROATED BLUE WARBLER.

A spring and fall migrant, not very common, frequenting the
shrubby and wooded growths on the Peninsula, doubtless on the main-
land also. The first came May 7 in 1goo, and it was seen at inter-
vals up to May 18. In the fall its migration was not so hurried, as it
extended from September 6 up to as late as October 2. It was if any-
thing more numerous at the latterseason. Mr. Bacon’s earliest spring
note is May 7 (1893) —the same as our own — while Mr. Sennett’s
collection contains specimens taken as late in the month as May 18
(1889) and 20 (1875). The second and third week in May include
practically all the available spring records.

196. Dendroica coronata. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.

A common winter resident and abundant transient. We were some-
what surprised to meet with this warbler in considerable numbers at
the commencement of our work (March 21), associated with Black-
capped Chickadees and Golden-crowned Kinglets, haunting the
growth of pines and shrubbery near the north lighthouse, where there
was shelter from the wind. They proved unusually shy and difficult
to obtain, but such specimens as were secured were just entering upon
the prenuptial moult, and their fat was of a peculiar consistence, evi-
dently derived from the wax of the bayberry (AQprica Carolinensis),
which abounded in the locality, and upon which the birds were doubt-
less subsisting. There can be no reasonable doubt that they pass the
entire winter here, where there is such protection from the weather
and such a plentiful supply of food. The influx of transient individ-
uals from the south did not begin until about April 28, and the bulk
passed through the first week in May, when they were the most
numerous of the non-breeding warblers. None were seen after May
15. In the fall they reappeared September 18, becoming common in
about a week, thronging the shrubbery and bushes, and outnumbering
Topp: Brirps or ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 583

every other warbler, even the Black-poll. This migration came to
an end in October, when the species was left in its normal numbers
for the winter, being recorded up to November 17. Additional
migration dates culled from specimens in Mr. Sennett’s collection are
May 14, 1875, and September 20, 1888.

197. Dendroica maculosa. BLack anp YELLOW WARBLER.

Presumably a summer resident, if not on the Peninsula, then in the
hemlock woods of the lake shore bluff, where the conditions are seem-
ingly favorable. However, it has been detected only during the
migrations, spring and fall, having been rather more numerous at the
latter season in 1900. May 15 was the apparent date of its vernal
arrival, and none were seen later than May 25. May 8, 1875, is the
date of an example in Mr. Sennett’s collection. In the fall it was
observed as early as August 30, soon reaching the height of its abund-
ance, and lingering until October 1. It is an inhabitant of the wood-
land and shrubbery during its stay.

(Dendroica cerulea, CERULEAN WARBLER.

This species may occur at Erie, as it has been found both to the west and east, in
Ohio and New York (compare Jones, Birds of Ohio, 1903, 180-181, and Davison,
Auk, V, 1888, 430). Farther south in Pennsylvania it is a common summer resi-
dent (Todd, Auk, VIII, 1891, 238).]

198. Dendroica pensylvanica. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.

A summer resident species, moderately common on the Peninsula
in the scrub growth to which it is so partial in the breeding season.
It was first observed in rg00 on May 12, and noted at frequent inter-
vals during the remainder of the month. In the fall, however, it was
recorded but once, an immature example having been taken on Sep-
tember 14. It was observed also in June, 1897. Following are some
of Mr. Bacon’s dates for the migration of this species: May 12, 1891,
May 14, 1892, May 13, 1893. Mr. Simpson saw one as early, how-
ever, as April 26, 1go2.

199. Dendroica castanea. Bay-BREASTED WARBLER.

One of the rarer migrants, detected in rgoo in the spring only,
single specimens having been taken on May 14, 18, and 21, all in the
wooded growth north of Misery Bay.

200. Dendroica striata. BLACK-POLL WARBLER.

Occurs as a transient visitant, common in the spring, more abundant
in the fall. At the former season it is among the last of the warblers
to migrate, not appearing (in 1900) until May 14, while it was still
584 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

present on May 31, when our spring observations were concluded. It
reappeared August 30, and doubtless remained well through October,
although on this point data are unfortunately lacking. For a time at
this season it was the most numerous of the warblers, but later was
perhaps exceeded in number by the Yellow-rumped Warbler. Mr.
Sennett’s collection contains one specimen taken October 11, 1878;
doubtless, however, the species often remains somewhat later in the
fall.

201. Dendroica blackburnie. BLAcKBURNIAN WARBLER.

This dainty warbler occurs in moderate numbers during the migra-
tions in spring and fall, being perhaps most numerous at the former
season in 1900, when it arrived May 7, and was seen at intervals up
to May 22. In the autumnal movement it was the. earliest warbler
to appear, coming August 21, and being noted several times thereafter
until the end of that month, while the last was observed as late as Oc-
tober 2. It is more partial to high woods than some of the other
warblers, rarely descending close to the ground. May 10, 1875, is
the date of a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection.

202. Dendroica virens. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.

Probably breeds in the coniferous woods of both the Peninsula and
the mainland, as is the case farther south, but all our notes seem to
refer to transient individuals, It was recorded at the remarkably early
date of April 19, when a single one was seen and secured on the
wooded ridge southeast of the city, ina flight of Black-capped Chicka-
dees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Snowbirds, and the like. It was not
again observed until April 30, but was seen subsequently at intervals,
the last on May 21. In the autumnal migration the first record re-
ferred toa bird picked up August 24 on the outside beach, perhaps
exhausted and drowned in attempting to cross the lake. September
14 the next was seen, and the last not until October 8. Mr. Simpson
notes that a few came in on April 26, 1902, with the big storm.
Other dates are May 21, 1894 (Bacon) ; May g, 20, and September
16, 1875 (Sennett).
[Dendroica hirtlandit. KIRTLAND’s WARBLER.

One of the very rarest of the warblers, which should, however, occur ‘at Erie, if
anywhere in Pennsylvania. Cleveland, Ohio, is the type locality, and there are num-

erous Ohio and Michigan records. It has within the last year been found breeding
in northern Michigan. (See Wood, Bulletin Michigan Ornithological Club, V,

1904, 3-13.) ]
Topp: Birps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 585

203. Dendroica vigorsii, Prinz WARBLER.

‘‘Mr. Sennett has observed this bird in the Crawford-Erie district
only as a spring and fall migrant.’’ (Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania,
1890, 291.) This statement is borne out by two specific records.
Mr. Bacon shot one specimen April 28, 1892, and on April 24, 1900,
we secured a single bird in the high woods north of Long Pond. It
seems to be rare everywhere in western Pennsylvania where there are
no tracts of its favorite red or yellow pines.

204. Dendroica palmarum. Patm WARBLER.

Rather common on the Peninsula in rgoo as a spring and fall tran-
sient, frequenting the shrubbery, low bushes in open places, and even
the margins of the ponds, strikingly resembling certain species of
sparrows in its habits. It came on April 30, was common for a few
days only, and disappeared May 7. In the fall migration it was
present fora much longer period-——September 4 to October 4, and
possibly still later. Mr, Bacon observed it in 1891 from May 1x to
12, and two specimens dated September 30, 1888, are in Mr. Sen-
nett’s series.

[Dendroica discolor. PRAIRIE WARBLER,

‘(In Erie and Crawford Counties Mr. Sennett has found the Prairie Warbler as a
rare spring and autumnal visitor.’? (Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 293).
This statement, although in all probability true, is too indeterminate as to the exact
locality to be admitted here, especially as it is unsupported by specimens, Dr. Kirt-
land states that this species breeds regularly in the vicinity of Cleveland (American
Journal Science and Arts, Second Series, XIII, 1852, 218), and Audubon gives Lake
Erie as its northern limit in the interior ( Ornithological Biography, 11, 1834, 68).
It is a rare species in western Pennsylvania. ]

205. Seiurus aurocapillus. GoLDEN-CcROWNED THRUSH.

A summer resident in this general region, but strangely enough not
recorded as such on the Peninsula, where it was met with on but two
occasions in 1900, May 14 and October 4, a single bird in each case.
Mr. Simpson saw two individuals here on April 26, 1902. Mr. Bacon
gives it as taken on May 1, 1894, May 4, 1892, and September 15,
1891.

206. Seiurus noveboracensis. WaATER-THRUSH.

The arrival of this species was noted in 1900 on May 8, one being
seen at the mouth of Mill Creek. A few days later it was observed on
the Peninsula, in the dense growth of bushes at the lower end of Ridge
Pond, where a specimen was taken May 17. Although at least one
586 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

pair seemed to be settled here for the season, the species is known to
migrate so late that further data are requisite to decide its exact sea-
sonal status. In the fall it was observed by us on August 22 and 23,
and Mr. Simpson reported it in September, as well as in September
of 1902. Mr. Bacon’s only specimen was taken May 11, 1894.

207. Geothlypis agilis, Connecricur WARBLER.

One of the rare transient visitants, bringing up the rear of the
warbler migration in the spring. A bird believed to have been of
this species was heard singing in thick undergrowth May 22, 1900,
but eluded capture. A specimen was taken in some low brush along
the marsh near the western end of the bay on May 25, its song having
first attracted attention. May 29 a third individual was met with ina
dense growth of bushes along the board-walk, but successfully evaded
an attempt at capture which lasted almost two hours, keeping so well
concealed that we got but one or two glimpses of it, although within
only a few feet, as evidenced by its singing. The song of this warbler
is quite loud and clear, and bears a striking resemblance to those of
the Mourning and Kentucky Warblers, but has a peculiar explosive
quality heard to some extent in the notes of the Canadian Warbler and
Water-thrush. It is susceptible of three or four variations, but per-
fectly distinctive. There are two fall records: a specimen taken at
the head of Niagara Pond September 21, and asingle bird noted in the
bushes along Ridge Pond September 24. Dr. Warren speaks of
having taken the species here in September, and that Mr. Sennett
considers it an uncommon migrant (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890,
297).

208. Geothlypis philadelphia. Mourninc WarBLER.

Occurs as a rare migrant, detected in the spring only. One was
noted in the thick woods west of Graveyard Pond on May 22, 1900,
but eluded capture. Mr. Sennett’s collection contains one female,
shot on the Peninsula June 4, 1875—a late spring record.

209. Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla. NorTHERN YELLOW-THROAT.

An abundant summer resident on the Peninsula, where it is a char-
acteristic inhabitant of the bushes and shrubbery surrounding the
ponds, and it is noted also on the mainland. May 4 was the date of
its vernal appearance in 1900, and by May 14 it had become common.
It was particularly numerous -and conspicuous in the fall, in August
and September, leaving by September 27, although a single stray
Topp: Brrps or ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 587

specimen was taken as late as October 13. Other late fall records are
October 1, 1875 (Sennett), and September 27, 1902 (Simpson).
In 1893 Mr. Bacon saw it first on May 6, and on June 8, 1892, he
found a nest with four eggs.

210. Icteria virens. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.

Audubon, who landed at Presque Isle late in August, 1824, ( Orvi-
thological Biography, 1, 1831, 182-185), is responsible for the first
record of the Yellow-breasted Chat at this locality, as he says that it
extends ‘‘as far as the borders of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania’’ (zdzd.,
II, 1834, 223). Although not a few of Audubon’s statements have
never been confirmed, and some of them are certainly errors, in the
present case the correctness of his observations has been demonstrated
after a lapse of seventy-five years. The writer found this species June
27, 1899, ina tract of shrubbery at the foot of Yellow Bass Pond,
and one was noted near Misery Bay on May 14 in 1900. It is evi-
dently a rare summer resident so far north.

211. Wilsonia mitrata. Hooprep WarBLER.

The Hooded Warbler was met with May 28 in considerable numbers
and to all appearances settled for the season in a tract of rich wood-
land along the lake front a few miles west of Erie, and a male was
secured. This would indicate that it is a not uncommon summer
resident in suitable situations on the mainland, although not noted at
allon the Peninsula. Mr. Sennett gives it as breeding in Erie County
(Warren, Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 300), and Mr. Bacon had a
specimen brought him May 9, 1901, which date probably indicates the
time of its vernal arrival.

212. Wilsonia pusilla. BLack-capprD WARBLER.

A transient visitant, apparently not common, at least in the spring
of 1900, at which season it was detected on but two occasions, May
1g and 24. Upon its return in the fall it was first noted August 30,
and occasionally thereafter until September 21. It was always met
with low down, in bushes or thick shruberry. May 25, 1889, is the
date of the only specimen of this species in Mr. Sennett’s collection.
213. Wilsonia canadensis. CanaDIAN WARBLER.

Another transient species, not very common, having been found
from May 17 to 24, 1900, frequenting shrubbery. Mr. Bacon records
one specimen taken May 18, 1893, and Mr. Simpson mentions having
met with it in September, 1900, although it was not observed by us
at that season.
588 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

214. Setophaga ruticilla. American REDSTART.

Common as a summer resident in the wooded portions of both the
mainland and Peninsula. ‘‘In 1892 its arrival was noted May 4,
and on June 6 of the same year several nests containing eggs were
found.’’ (Bacon.) In 1goo the first birds were observed on May
12, and on May 19 a large flight was encountered in the high woods
north of Long Pond. May 28 it was found to be very numerous in
the woodland along the lake bluff, a few miles west of the city.
September 26 was the last date upon which it was recorded in the fall.

215. Anthus pensilvanicus. AMERICAN TITLARK.

Fairly common as a transient visitant, especially in the fall. It
frequents the muddy flats at the mouth of Mill Creek, the outside
beach, or occasionally the shores of the bay. Mr. Bacon has met
with it also in certain barren fields at the western end of Erie County.
In the season of 1900 May g was the date of its observed arrival,
May 10 two were seen and secured, and May 12 a small flock was
observed passing northward, these notes comprising the full spring
record. The fall notes were as follows: first, September 8 ; common
September 13; and last, November 15, with numerous intermediate
records. According to Mr. Bacon flocks of at least fifty birds are
quite frequently seen, but we did not meet with any so large as this
during our stay.

216. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. CATBIRD.

Very common as a summer resident, especially on the Peninsula,
finding congenial haunts in the tracts of bushes and shrubbery which
abound. Mr. Bacon notes its arrival about April 30 (1893) or May
1 (1892). In r1goo the first was seen May 2, and the last one in the
fall on October 8.

217. Toxostoma rufum. Brown THRASHER.

Also a summer resident, but not so common as the Catbird, although
frequenting the same situations. It makes its appearance the latter
part of April (April 28, 1892; April 26, 1893, Bacon), and in the
fall of 1900 it was last seen October 6.

218. Thryothorus ludovicianus. CaRoLina WREN.

“In 1898, on April 18, 19, and 23, I heard the loud notes of a
wren that was new to me, and on the first occasion caught sight of the
bird itself. Although I was unable to secure it, there is no doubt that
it belonged to this species.’’ The above note, contributed by Mr.
Topp: Brirps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 589

Bacon, is the only record for this relatively southern species so far
north in Pennsylvania, and its seasonable status is quite uncertain.
Farther east along the lake shore it has been recorded but once, from
near Buffalo, N. Y. (Savage, Auk, XII, 1895, 314).

219. Troglodytes aedon. Houser Wren.

Rather common as a summer resident, not only on the Peninsula,
but even in the city itself, where it often nests, while nearly every
farmhouse has a pair breeding in its immediate vicinity. On May 30,
Ig00, a nest with six fresh eggs was found, built in the deserted hole
of a woodpecker in a stub close to the board-walk, the shrubbery along
which was a favorite haunt of the species at all times during its stay.
Its arrival has been observed by Mr. Bacon about the first of May
(April 30, 1893; May 3, 1892), and in 1900 October 3 was the
latest fall date. Mr. Sennett writes entertainingly (4ué, VI, 1889,
76) of a nest found by himself and Dr. B. H. Warren on August 1,
1888, which was built in a kingfisher’s hole in a sand-bank, and con-~
tained young birds.

220. Olbiorchilus hiemalis. WunTER WREN.

Of moderately common occurrence during the spring and fall migra-
tions, and occasionally in winter also. Mr. Bacon has seen it on Janu-
ary 1, February 2 and February 22, 1892. Its first and last recorded
occurrences in the spring of 1900 were respectively April 9 and May
to. In the fall it was noted only on October 10 and 11. Mr. Sen-
nett’s collection contained examples taken October 27 and 29, 1888.

221. Cistothorus stellaris. SHorT-BILLED MARSH WREN.

This comparatively little known species was noted on but one occa-
sion, May 17, 1900, when a single female was shot by Mr. Worthing-
ton at the head of Yellow Bass Pond, having been flushed from a growth
of low weeds and bushes near the water’s edge. It is probably to be
set down as a rare summer resident.

222. Telmatodytes palustris. Lonc-BILLED MarsH Wren.

In the marshes of the Peninsula this interesting species is an abun-
dant summer resident. By the writer it was first met with in June,
1899, about Yellow Bass.and Niagara Ponds, when a number of speci-
mens were collected and several new (but empty) nests discovered.
In 1900 it was first observed April 30, becoming common May 9.
May 23 several unfinished nests were found, and on May 31 a set of
six eggs was collected from a nest in Niagara Pond, a favorite haunt
590 ANNALS- OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

of the species, from the extensive tracts of rushes and marsh grasses in
which it delights. It was also encountered in the marshes along the
bay shore at the western part of the Peninsula, and at the mouth of
Mill Creek, but was not found about Long or Cranberry Ponds, the
conditions there not being favorable. During the migrations it is said
to occur occasionally on the mainland. October 6 was the latest fall
date on record, although it may possibly have stayed somewhat longer.
In 1893 it was first seen on May 3 (Bacon).

223. Certhia familiaris americana, Brown CREEPER.

A fairly common migrant in spring and fall, and in all probability
a winter resident in small numbers. Mr. Sennett is quoted as saying
that it is sometimes seen during mild winters (Warren, Birds of Penn-
sylvania, 1890, 314). It has been found in migration in early April
(April 8, 1875, Sennett; April 8, 1893, Bacon), but none were no-
ticed in r900 until April 18, while on April 24 a flight was encoun-
tered in the high woods north of Long Pond. There were dozens of
them in the trees, their faint chirps being heard on every hand, and
some were even singing. May 7 the last was seen. In the fall Sep-
tember 14 was the first date, and October 16 the last, although the
species doubtless remained later, as above intimated.

224. Sitta carolinensis. WuHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.

A permanent resident, well represented at all seasons of the year,
frequenting the wooded portions of the mainland and Peninsula, often
in company with other species of like haunts and habits.

225, Sitta canadensis. RepD-BREASTED NUTHATCH.

Fairly common, according to our observations, during the spring
migration, less numerous in the fall. April 19, 1900, one was shot
on the wooded ridge southeast of the city, but none were noted on
the Peninsula until May 2. It was observed as late as May 19, almost
justifying the suspicion that it breeds. In the fall it was recorded on
September 20, 21, and 26. It was met with in the woodland, often
quite low down, and usually accompanied by such birds as kinglets,
chickadees, Brown Creepers and warblers. Other observers seem to
have found it rather common in the fall. Thus, Dr. Warren mentions
having found this species ‘‘ quite plentiful in October and the early
part of November [1889] in Erie county,’’ (Birds of Pennsylvania,
1890, 316.) There are specimens in Mr. Sennett’s collection taken
at intervals from September 22 to October 29, 1888.
Topp: Birps OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 591

226. Beolophus bicolor. Turrep TITMOUsE.

A rare straggler, wandering northward in the winter from its usual
habitat. There are three specimens in Mr. Sennett’s collection, two:
of which are labeled December 18, 1874, the third December 20,
1874 — possibly an error for the earlier date, since it is stated that.
this was the only occasion upon which the species had been met. with
here. These were taken, it is said, from a flock of a dozen or more,
on the bluff at the head of the bay. Doubtless this occurrence is the
basis of the very indefinite statement of Dr. Warren, ‘‘ This species is
seldom seen in Erie county’’ (Birds of Pennsylvania, 1890, 318).

227. Parus atricapillus. BLack-cappED CHICKADEE.

A common resident, found in scattered companies except in the
nesting season, associated with other species of similar haunts and
habits. It was to be met with at all times in the shrubbery along the
board-walk, where a nest was discovered in a small dead stub, about
five feet from the ground, from which six incubated eggs were secured
on May 19, 1900. In the fall it is conspicuous in the van of the
flights of warblers.

228. Regulus satrapa. GoLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.

This species doubtless remains through the winter in small numbers,
as it was found in both March and November in the sheltered wood-
land of the interior of the Peninsula. During the migrations it is very
numerous, the spring flights occurring (in 1900) from April 17 to.
30. In the fall the first was seen September 25, and it became com-
mon in October, resuming its winter numbers the latter part of that
month. September 29, 1888, is the earliest fall record afforded by
Mr. Sennett’s series.

’

“229. Regulus calendula. Rusy-crowNep KINGLET.

A spring and fall transient visitor, quite common, according to our
experience in 1900. It was recorded first in the spring on April 21,
and was last seen May 12. In the fall its migratory movement lasted
a full month, from September 18 to October 18. It was very often
found in company with the Golden-crowned Kinglet, and associated
with warblers of various kinds. It was in full song upon its arrival
in. the spring. An additional fall record is September 22, 1888
(Sennett).
592 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

230. Polioptila cerulea. Biur-cray GNATCATCHER.

The status of this species here is uncertain. The only record is of
an individual seen and secured on August 25, r900. It is not known
to breed_so far north in Pennsylvania, and the bird taken may have
been migrating, and strayed out of its range.

231. Hylocichla mustelina. Woop Turusu.

Common, according to Mr. Bacon, as a summer resident, and the
best known of the small thrushes. This‘observation; however, must
refer to the mainland only, as we did not find the species on the
Peninsula at all, and our only record is of several seen May 28 in
woodland along the lake shore bluff, a few miles west of the city limits.

232. Hylocichla fuscescens. Wi.son’s THRUSH.

Occurs as a moderately common summer resident, frequenting the
woodland and shrubbery, particularly along the board-walk. Its arrival
was noted May ro, 1900, and on May 26 a nest with four fresh eggs was
discovered, built on the ground in the woods, in an open place among
the dry leaves. May 11, 1875, is the date of the only specimen in
Mr. Sennett’s collection.

233. Hylocichla alicie. Gray-CHEEKED THRUSH.

This species was found to be of common occurrence as a migrant
in the fall of 1900, arriving September 18, and at once becoming
numerous, vying in abundance with the Olive-backed Thrush, with
which it was closely associated during its stay. Although the two
species are so similar in coloration, haunts, and habits, the Gray-
cheeked may always be readily distinguished from the other by its
call-note, which is more prolonged, quite different from the short,
low ‘‘ chuck ’’ of the Olive-backed. In addition it was often heard
to offer a variety of other notes, perhaps snatches from its song,
which greatly resembled those of the Wilson’s Thrush. By the end
of September the present species had diminished in numbers, and by
October 6 the last had gone. The only spring record is afforded by
a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection, taken May 13, 1875.

234. Hylocichla-ustulata swainsonii. OLive-BackED THRUSH.

A transient visitant, only tolerably common in the spring, but much
more so in the fall, according to our experience in 1900. May 17
marked its vernal appearance, and May 26 its departure. During this
interval it was frequently heard singing. In the fall the earliest and
latest dates were respectively September 18 and October 3, thus coincid-
Topp: Brirps OF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE. 593

ing closely with the migration period of the last species. It was
particularly numerous in the shrubbery along the board-walk. Mr.
Sennett took specimens of this thrush on May 21, 1875, and Septem-
ber 21, 1889; Mr. Bacon secured one September 21, 1go1.

235. Hylocichla guttata pallasii. Hermit THRUSH.

The Hermit Thrush occurs as a transient visitant only, apparently
uncommon in the spring, but quite plentiful in the fall. It migrates
earlier in the spring and later in the fall than the other thrushes.
April 11, 1875, the date of a specimen in Mr. Sennett’s collection,
seems to be the earliest spring record available. Mr. Simpson saw
several April 26, 1902. Mr. Bacon has secured specimens April 29,
1892, April 30, 1893, and May 2, 1891—the latest spring date. A
specimen taken April 24, in deep woods north of Long Pond, was the
only specimen noted in rg00. In the fall it arrived and was common
on October 3, when the Gray-cheeked and Olive-backed Thrushes
were leaving, and remained at least until October 20. At this season
it was found mostly in dense covert of bushes and evergreens, usually
in scattering companies, silent save for a low call-note. October 7,
1894 (Bacon), and October 26, 1889 (Sennett), are additional fall
records.

236. Merula migratoria. Rosin.

This abundant and familiar bird is a summer resident on both the
mainland and Peninsula. Mr. Bacon states that an occasional in-
dividual remains through the winter, but that it ordinarily arrives the
second week in March, sometimes a little later, March 9, 1892, being
the earliest record. Although it was already present in numbers the
latter part of March, Igoo, when our observations began, it was observed
in flocks, evidently migrating, as lateas April 19. In the fall a small
party was seen November 7, this being its last recorded occurrence of
the season, although it has been noted by Mr. Bacon as late as Novem-
ber 29 (1894). Such birds as stay through the winter are generally
seen about mountain-ash trees, the berries of which furnish an unfail-
ing food supply (S. E. B[acon], Odéogist, Albion, N. Y., V, 1888,
60).

237. Sialia sialis, BLUEBIRD.

‘¢ A summer resident, common, although never so numerous as the
Robin, and never known to stay through the winter. I have noted it
as early as February 22 (1888), but it usually arrives a little later,
594 ANNAES OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

‘about March 5 or 10. In the spring of 1895, however, which was
memorable for the scarcity of Bluebirds throughout the country, the
first was not noted until April 11, while up to May 25 but two pairs
had been observed in all. The species has recovered its normal
abundance since then, however.’’ (Bacon.) In the spring of 1g00 it
was already present March 22, and doubtless arrived some time pre-
viously. Although repeatedly seen on the Peninsula, it is very
doubtful if it breeds there, as it was never observed under circumstances
that would justify such a belief.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

The following list embraces the titles of only such papers and pub-
lications as contain information specifically stated to refer to the avi-
fauna of this particular locality. Several articles have been published
in the last few years which contain references to specimens in Mr.
Sennett’s collection, but unless it is definitely indicated that such
specimens came from Erie the titles have been ruled out. Moreover,
all papers have been excluded which merely quote or refer to notes
originally published elsewhere. Very possibly some notes of more or
less value, published in sportsmen’s journals, etc., have escaped notice.

1834. AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES, Ornithological Biography, Volume 11, Edinburgh,

1834. i
Reference is made on page 223 to the occurrence of /e¢teria virens on the

Pennsylvania shore of Lake Erie (see page 587).

1887. “A. A. A.’? The Snowy Owl in Erie County, Pa.— Forest and Stream,
XXVIII, February 3, 1887, 24.

1888. B[ACON], S[AMUEL] E. [Notes on the Robin and English Sparrow at Erie,
Pa. ]—Odlogist, Albion, N. Y., V, 1888, 60.

1888. WARREN, B. H. Report on the Birds of Pennsyvania. Harrisburg, 1888,
pp. 260. /

‘he appendix (pages 229-249) contains « number of references to Erie
County birds inserted on the authority of Mr. George B. Sennett.

1888, BACON, SAM[UEL]E. [Notes from Erie, Pa. ]—Odvogist, Albion, N. Y., VI,
1889, 134.

1889. DWIGHT, JONATHAN, JR., Recording Secretary, [Abstract of Proceedings of
the] Linnzean Society of New York.—duk, VI, 1889, 196-204.

On page 198 four.species of birds are stated. to have been found at Erie
by Mr. George B. Sennett—Sterna ‘‘ ¢schegrava,’’ ‘* Octocoris’’ (sic)
alpestris praticola, Lanius ludovicianus (migrans), and ‘* Ammodramys”’
Savannarum passerinus,
1889.

1890.

1890,

1890.

1890.

1890.

1892.

1892.

1899.

1g00.

Topp: Brirps oF ERIE AND PRESQUE ISLE 595

SENNETT, Grorce B. Troglodytes aédon, House Wren, Breeding in a Sand
Bank.—Axuk, VI, 1889, 76. See page 589.

DWIGHT, JONATHAN, Jr. The Horned Larks of North America.—Awh,
VII, 1890, 138-158.

Specimens from Erie in Mr. Sennett’s series are mentioned on pages 142
and 145.

SENNETT, GEORGE B. The King Eider (Somuteria spectabilis) at Erie,
Pennsylvania.—duz, VII, 1890, 88-89.

(Merriam, C, Hart, Secretary]? Seventh Congress of the American
Ornithologists’ Union.—Az, VII, 1890, 66-71.

‘He [Mr. George B. Sennett] also called attention to a peculiar, dark-

colored, and otherwise abnormal specimen of the Carolina Rail taken at Erie,
. Pennsylvania.’’ (Page 71.) ;
Warren, B. H. Notes on Pennsylvania Birds.— Forest and Stream, XXXIV,
February 13, 1890, 64.

“¢ Plectrophenax’’ nivalis and Calcarius lapponicus at Erie, Pa., October
and November, 1889.

Warren, B. H. Report on the Birds of Pennsylvania, Second Edition, Re-
vised and Augmented. Harrisburg, 1890, pp. 434.

Scattered through the pages of this report are many notes on Erie birds
inserted on the authority of Mr. George B. Sennett. As Mr. Sennett’s
original manuscripts were consumed with the rest of Dr. Warren's papers in
the Capitol fire at Harrisburg in 1897, it is impossible to verify the references,
some of which are unsupported by specimens in Mr. Sennett’s collection,
while others are too indefinite as to the exact locality meant to be utilized in
the preparation of the present paper. However, as Mr. Sennett was known
to be a careful observer, there would seem to be no good reason for discredit-
ing his records published at second-hand, all other things being equal, and
hence they have been taken at their face value, except as above mentioned.
A few species have been included in the present list on the authority of these
records alone, as specifically stated in every case.

Bacon, SAMUEL E, Old Squaw (Clangula hiemalis).—Ornithologist and
Odlogist, XVII, 1892, 45. Quoted in full on page 524.

CHAPMAN, FRANK M. A Preliminary Study of the Grackles of the Subgenus
Quiscalus.— Bulletin American Museum of Natural History, IV, 1892,
1-20.

Contains several references to Mr. Sennett’s Erie specimens of Quiscalus
quiscula @neus.

RuHoaps, SAMUEL N. Notes on Some of the Rarer Birds of Western Pennsyl-
vania.—Auk, XVI, 1899, 308-313.
Two specimens of Ectopistes migratorius from Erie County mentioned
(page 310) as having been presented to the Carnegie Museum by Mr. George
B. Sennett.

CHAPMAN, FRANK M. A Study of the Genus Sturnella.— Bulletin American
Museum of Natural History, XIII, December 31, 1900, 297-320.
Three specimens of Sturnella magna from Erie, Pa., listed.
696 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

1902. OBERHOLSER, Harry C. A Review of the Larks of the genus Otocoris.—
Proceedings United States National Museum, XXIV, 1902, 801-884.
Specimens of Otocoris alpestris praticola from Erie (in the Biological Sur-
vey series, collected by Samuel E. Bacon), are mentioned on page 828.

ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA.

Since page-proof of the present paper has reached the author there
has been published the ‘‘ Thirteenth Supplement to the American
Ornithologists’ Union Check-List of North American Birds’’ (Az,
XXI, 1904, 411-424), wherein a number of the nomenclatural
changes used by the writer are formally adopted, rendering the cita-
tion of references unnecessary in such cases.

Attention is also called to the following corrections and additions,
noted too late for insertion in their proper places :

Page 494, 13th line from the top, insert asterisk before Porzana
carolina.

Page 494, 5th line from bottom, for Colaptes auratus read Colaptes
auratus luteus.

Page 502, under Svercorarius parasiticus, add: Mr. Bacon has in-
formed the writer that on May 22, 1904, he observed a bird which he
believed to have been of this species. ‘‘It was a handsome, spirited
bird, falcon-like in its movements, and when noted was pursuing a
Common Tern.’’ The occurrence of this species so late in the season
is indeed remarkable.

CARNEGIE MUSEUM,
July 14, 1904.
ANNALS OF CARNEGIE MUSEUM, Vol. II. Plate XX

 

JOHN BELL HATCHER.

Born Oct. 11, 1861; Died July 3, 1904.
Tn Memoriam.

JOHN BELL HATCHER.

It becomes the mournful duty of the editor of the Annals to
record the death, on July 3, 1904, of his beloved and trusted
associate, Mr. John Bell Hatcher.

Mr. Hatcher was born at Cooperstown, Brown County, Illinois,
on October the 11th, 1861. He was theson of John and Margaret
C. Hatcher. The family is Virginian in extraction. In his boy-
hood his parents removed to Greene County, Iowa, where his
father, who with his mother survive him, engaged in agricultural
pursuits near the townof Cooper. He received his early education
from his father, who in. the winter months combined the work of
teaching in the schools with labor upon-his farm. He also attended
the public schools of the neighborhood. In the fall of 1880 he
entered Grinnell College, Iowa, where he remained for a short
time, and then went to Yale College, where he took the degree of
Bachelor in Philosophy, in July, 1884. While a student at Yale
his natural fondness for scientific pursuits asserted itself strongly,
and he attracted the attention of the late Professor Othniel C.
Marsh, the celebrated paleontologist, who was at that time the
paleontologist of the United States Geological Survey. Professor
Marsh, as soon as the young man had received his diploma, com-
missioned him to undertake a paleontological investigation in
southwestern Nebraska. On his way to his appointed field of
labor he spent but two days and a night with his parents. Although
he had not revisited his home for three years, and was urged to
stay longer, he refused to do so, being filled with the highest —
enthusiasm for the work to which he had been called. This inci-
dent at the very outset of his career casts light upon his character
and his subsequent activities, in which, though full of the warmest
affection for those who were bound to him by ties of blood and
friendship, he never allowed personal pleasure, or comfort, or even
the gratification of the most innocent instincts of the heart, to

 
598 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

stand in the way of what he conceived to be his calling. From

the summer of 1884 until the year 1893 he was continuously in the
employment of Professor Marsh. During these years he conducted
explorations sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied by others,
over a wide area in the States of Nebraska, the Dakotas, Montana, |
Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. ‘These expeditions to the western

country, which usually began early in the spring, continued until
late in the fall, or even into the early winter. He also collected
in the winter months and early spring. in Maryland, and North
Carolina. His success as a collector was phenomenal, and the
scientific treasures which ‘he unearthed greatly enriched the col-
lections of the United States Geological Survey and of the Pea-
body Museum in New Haven. It was upon the collections of ver-
tebrate fossils made by Mr. Hatcher that Professor Othniel C.
Marsh based to a very large extent many of his most important
papers, and to Mr. Hatcher more than to any other man is due the
discovery and collection of the Ceratopsia, perhaps the most strik-
ing of all the extinct reptilia. Very little had been known about
them, and before Hatcher succeeded in discovering a large number
of skulls and skeletons they were at best represented by a few
fragments, the nature of which was hardly understood even by the
most advanced students. At the time of his lamented death Prof.
Marsh was engaged in preparing a monograph upon this material,
and it fell to his distinguished student, who had discovered these
colossal creatures, to take up in 1902 the work which Professor
Marsh had left unfinished, and it was to this work that he was
devoting himself when the hand of death cut him off, as it had
some years before removed his revered and distinguished master.

In 1890 Mr. Hatcher was made Assistant to the chair of Geology
in Yale University. In 1893 he was elected Curator of Vertebrate
Paleontology and Assistant to the chair of Geology in the College
of New Jersey at Princeton.

While at Princeton he continued his geological and paleonto-
logical explorations in the Western States with his usual enthusiasm
and success. For many years he had cherished the wish to under-
take the exploration from a geological and paleontological stand-
point of Patagonia and Terra del Fuego. He finally undertook
the collection of a fund to enable him to carry out his purpose.

 
Hotianp: JouNn Bett HATcHER. 599 ©

‘Generous subscriptions were made by a number of the alumni and
friends of Princeton University, and he himself out of his small
savings contributed a large portion of what proved to be required
to undertake the work. His plans were thoroughly approved. and
enthusiastically supported by Professor W. B. Scott, the Professor
of Geology in Princeton. Three expeditions were made. The
first extended from March the 1st, 1896, to July the 16th, 1897.
On this expedition Mr. Hatcher was accompanied by his brother-
in-law, Mr. O. A. Peterson, as an assistant. The second expedition
extended from November the 7th, 1897, to November the gth,
1898. On this expedition Mr. Hatcher was accompanied -by Mr.
A. E, Colburn as taxidermist. The third expedition .was carried
on from December the gth, 1898, to September the rst, 1899, when
again Mr. O, A. Peterson accompanied Mr. Hatcher as his assistant.
The story of these expeditions has been published in the first volume
of the Reports of the Princeton University Expeditions to Patagonia,
which are being issued under the editorial supervision of Professor
William B. Scott upon the J. Pierpont Morgan Publication Fund of
Princeton University, the fund having been generously given by
Mr. Morgan in order that the scientific information secured by Mr.
‘Hatcher might be made known tothe world. In the conduct of
these expeditions Mr. Hatcher strikingly revealed not only his
great scientific insight, but his undaunted courage and great tenacity
of purpose. Twice he came near losing his life, once as the result
of a singular accident which befell him while taking a lonely ride
across the pampas, once while confined to his tent amidst the deep
snows of winter by a violent attack of inflammatory rheumatism,
during which his solitary companion ministered to him as well as
he could, at one time hourly expecting that the life of the intrepid
explorer was about to end. Fortunately he recovered, but the
terrible sickness through which he had passed left its impress upon
him ever afterwards, although he was never willing to admit, even
when suffering intense pain, that he was other than strong and
capable of enduring hardships as in former days.

The results of Mr. Hatcher’s explorations in Patagonia were of
the most important character. The collections of vertebrate fossils
made by him and his assistants, and now preserved at Princeton
University, are enormous in extent and of the very highest scientific —

 
600 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

value. Some of these collections-were made by him at great per-
sonal risk, the strata in which they were found being only exposed
for a few hours at low tide on the inargin of the ocean. Working
rapidly he and his assistant took up what they could, and then
hurried back over the wide beach to the cliffs, to presently see the
water ‘from fifty to sixty feet deep rolling over the spot where they
had been at labor. The explorers literally snatched their treasures
from the hungry jaws of the ocean. In the fields of recent zodlogy
and botany he made extensive collections. His geographical dis-
coveries were of great importance. He added immensely to our
knowledge of the interior of Patagonia, traversing vast territories
upon which civilized man had never before planted foot. He dis-
covered mountains and lakes, and traced the course of rivers which
had never before been mapped. One of the great mountain ranges
by the consent of both the Argentine and Chilean governments
bears his name. ‘His decision that the crest of the Patagonian
watershed in parts of its course lies far east of the crest .of the
southern Andean ranges, had an important bearing upon the ques-
tion of the boundary line between the Argentine Republic and
Chile, and in the arbitration of this question, which has happily
been settled without recourse to arms, as was at one time threatened,
the discoveries of the young American explorer were brought into
prominence in diplomatic circles.

On February the rst, 1900, Mr. Hatcher accepted the position
of Curator of Paleontology and Osteology in the Museum of the
Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, where his brother-in-law, Mr. O.
A. Peterson, immediately after his return from Patagonia, had been
employed as an assistant. Installed in his new station, with the
assurance of the unqualified and generous support of the founder of
the Institute in all wise efforts to make his work successful, he began
to lay out in connection with the Director of the Museum plans to
create one of the most important paleontological collections in
America. For four summers in succession he carried on explora-
tions in the Western States. In 1903 he was associated for a por-
tion of the time with Mr. T. W. Stanton of the United States
Geological Survey in an effort to ascertain the relative position and
geological age of the Judith River beds, which had been for some
time the subject of earnest discussion among geologists. His views

 
Hortanp: JOHN Bett HArcHER. 601

in relation to this subject, which had been opposed by almost every
other geologist in America, were finally ascertained to be correct,
and it was a matter of great personal gratification to him, as the
writer of these lines knows, that the accuracy of his observations
and of his conclusions, which had been reached many years before,
had been verified.

While professor Hatcher wrote very little in relation to geology,

’ he nevertheless was regarded as being one of the very ablest of

American geologists, his great experience in the field and his close
attention to the subject having given him a practical knowledge of
the subject, such as was possessed by few of his contemporaries.
One of the leading geologists in America, in speaking of him said
to the writer, ‘‘I regard Professor Hatcher as one of the best
informed geologists in the United States. He is preéminent in this
field, though he sets comparatively small store by his attainments.’’

The last five years of his life, during which he was connected
with the Carnegie Institute, were not only years in which he proved
himself remarkably successful as a collector, but in which he revealed
' his ability as a scientific author. A number of important papers
from his pen have appeared in the Annals and Memoirs of the Car-
negie Museum, The first volume of the Reports of the Princeton
University Expeditions was written by him during this time. He
contributed numerous brief articles to various scientific journals,
and in 1902 undertook for the United States Geological Survey the
completion of the Monograph of the Ceratopsia which had been left
unfinished by Professor Marsh at the time of his death. The writer
believes that this great work had been brought so far that it will be
possible to complete it with comparatively small effort on the part
of some one reasonably familiar with the subject. Various other
important papers of a monographic character had been begun.
Unfortunately these for the most part are not in such condition that
they can be published.

One of the great undertakings which had occupied much of his
time and thought during the past eighteen months was the reproduc- —
tion of the skeleton of Dzplodocus carnegit, a restoration of which
had been ordered by Mr. Andrew Carnegie for the purpose of pre-
senting the same to the British Museum of Natural History, the
Trustees of which in February, 1903, had formally signified their

 
602 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

acceptance of Mr. Carnegie’s kind offer to have such a reproduction
made for them. The superintendence of this task was congenial
labor to him. On the first day of July, 1904, a small company
of scientific men and women, together with the Trustees of the
Carnegie Institute and a few other guests, had the pleasure of a
private view of this restoration, which had been carefully assembled
preliminary to shipment to England. ‘The absence of Professor
Hatcher from the little company was feelingly alluded to by many.
But none of the party dreamed, although he was known to be seri-
ously ill, that he was even then sinking into the eternal sleep.

Mr. Hatcher’s position as a paleontologist was unique. He is
universally admitted by those who are most competent to pass judg-
ment, to have been the best and most successful paleontological
collector whom America has ever produced. In saying this it may.
at once be admitted that he was in all probability the most success-
ful collector in his chosen domain who has ever lived. Professor
Hatcher and those associated with him under his control during the
years of his activity in the field assembled more important vertebrate
fossils than have been assembled by any other one man, whose name
is known in the records of paleontology. The larger proportion
of the choicest vertebrate fossils now in the Peabody Museum at
Yale University, in the collection of the United States Geological
Survey, in the Museum of Princeton University, and in the Museum
of the Carnegie Institute at Pittsburgh were collected by him. To
a very large extent the American methods of collecting such re-
mains, which are now universally admitted to be the best methods
known, were the product of his experience in the field and of his
careful thought. In a letter just received by the writer from Pro-
fessor Henry Fairfield Osborn, the Paleontologist of the United
States Geological Survey, he says, alluding to the death of Professor
Hatcher: ‘‘I can hardly tell you how shocked and grieved I am.
I had often thought of the probability of Hatcher’s death while in
the field when taking great risks and entirely away from medical
and surgical attendance, but of his death at home I had not
thought a moment. In his intense enthusiasm for science, and the
promotion. of geology and paleontology, and the tremendous sacri-
fices he was prepared to make, and Aad made, he was a truly rare
and.noble spirit, the sort of man that is vastly appreciated in Eng-

 
HoLianD: JoHN BELL HatTcHER. 603°

land and in Germany, but I fear. very little appreciated in America.
His work as a collector was magnificent, probably the greatest on
record.’’~ s

Professor W. B. Scott, in the columns of Scéence, says: ‘* Hatcher
may be said to have fairly revolutionized the methods of collecting
vertebrate fossils, a work which before his time had been almost
wholly in the hands of. untrained and unskilful men, but which he
converted into a fine art. The exquisitely preserved fossils in
American museums, which awaken the admiring envy of European:
paleontologists, are, to a large extent, directly or indirectly due to
Hatcher’s energy and skill and to the large minded help and ad-
vice as to methods and localities which were always at the service
of anyone who chose to ask for them.’’ Testimony of like charac-
ter as to the great achievements of Professor Hatcher has come from
many other sources.

Mr. Hatcher was characterized by most intense devotion to his
life work, as has been already pointed out. Underlying his char-
acter was an indomitable determination. In childhood he was
weak, and his parents had little hope of seeing him live to young
manhood. He, however, gradually outgrew the physical weakness
of his boyhood, and bent himself with a mighty purpose to the
acquisition of knowledge. His aged and venerable father has
touchingly described to the writer the lad’s determination when he
was but a mere boy to amass useful knowledge, patiently sitting for
hours poring over his books when his comrades of like age about
him were bent upon sports and pastimes. He was an indefatigable
student of books and a very keen observer of things. He was
fertile in resources. He had great mechanical aptitudes, and suc-
ceeded, sometimes when alone, by patient effort in accomplishing
apparently impossible tasks in the removal of huge and weighty
objects from difficult positions, which would not have been under-
taken by others. The writer recalls one or two cases in which he
dared great physical risks and even death, when alone, far from
human companionship, in extracting large masses from their original
position and moving them by a skilful arrangement of levers to
points where they could afterwards be taken up. One such instance
occurred in the fall of the year 1903, and the writer could not re-
frain, while admiring the courage and skill displayed, from earnestly

 
604 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

warning Mr. Hatcher against the repetition of such risks as he at
that time assumed in attempting to handle a block of rock weighing
nearly a ton without the assistance of other men.

While accomplishing a vast amount of most important work dur-
ing the last five or six years of his life, there was hardly any time
in which, as the result of the illness and exposure which he had
undergone in Patagonia, he did not suffer pain, and at times pain
of a most excruciating character, and yet he was patient and un-
complaining. Painstakingly exact, scrupulously honest, he could
not brook carelessness or departure from absolute truthfulness and
honesty in others. While full of kindness he was relentless in his
opposition to a few by whom he regarded himself as having been
deceived.

Perhaps the most striking characteristic of Mr. Hatcher was his
extreme modesty. He was always reticent in speaking of what he
had done, and shunned publicity, other than that which came to
him through his scientific writings. The notoriety which is eagerly
courted by some so-called scientific men, and which is acquired by
them through a diligent cultivation of the columns of the daily
papers, he simply loathed, and he could not be induced, even
when urged to do so, to accord an interview to the ordinary repre-
sentatives of the press. Social life outside of the circle of his
home had little charm for him. He even declared himself as hap-
piest when far from men in lonely wilds and face to face with nature
in her sternest and grimmest moods. He was, while not a recluse
in the strict sense of the word, so deeply absorbed in his researches
and studies as to take but little pleasure in the ordinary round of
social enjoyments. Nevertheless, he was a most charming com-
panion, and when he could be prevailed upon to unbend and relate
the story of his adventures in strange and distant places, the lis-
tener found his companionship fascinating.

Though living so much of his life in the wilderness, he was a
man of strong domestic attachments. He loved his home, and to
none of all the wide circle of his acquaintance does his untimely
death bring deeper and more poignant grief than to his wife and
four young children. To them the writer renews in these lines his
expression of the deepest sympathy.

W., J. Hovianp.

 
Plate XVI.

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