ae SR a: ~~ Sey Rocca Soe Sees a ciahaassaes oe os CORNELL LAB of ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY at Sapsucker Woods a Illustration of Bank Swallow by Louis Agassiz Fuertes rt Co QL 684.M8 | Bir t wil bra iii 31 ora DATE DUE P aD ee oe FS OF VO4 Ar” Iransactions of The Academy of Science af St. Louis. VOL. XXIII. No. 8. BIRDS OF THE KANSAS CITY REGION. HARRY HARRIS. Issued February 27, 1919. Ob 684 HS 3h INTRODUCTION. The following list of birds contains those species which have been noted in the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri. Most of the birds listed have been seen in Jackson County, Missouri, but the ground covered by the list includes Clay and Platte Coun- ties, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas. The extreme limits of the region covered by the notes used in the preparation of the list are Warrensburg, Missouri, Johnson County, forty-seven miles (as the Crow flies) from Kansas City, Corning, Missouri, Holt County, ninety-four miles from Kansas City, and Douglas County, Kansas, twenty-eight miles from Kansas City. Kansas City itself is on the Missouri River, at its junction with the Kansas, or Kaw River, in Lat. 39, Long. 94 30’. The Missouri River makes a sharp turn to the east here. It is bor- dered on the south by bluffs of loess and cliffs of limestone which rise to a height of more than 250 feet above the river. On the north, in Clay County, there is a broad flood plain, bor- dered at some distance from the river by cliffs. These alterna- tions of bluff, cliff, sand bar and flood plain are characteristic of the Missouri River throughout its course in the region above defined. Where small streams find their way to the river, a ‘‘draw’’ winds for a short distance back of the bluffs. The bluffs and the ‘‘draws’’ are richly clothed with pawpaw and red bud, wild grape and black maple, the haunts of the Car- dinal and the Carolina Wren. Where small rivers, such as the Big and Little Blue, have eut a valley to the Missouri from the higher prairies, they dupli- cate in miniature the features characteristic of the great river; narrow bottom lands fringe one side, and cliffs the other, al- ternating as the streams wind. The rich soil along the rivers is shaded by great elms, tall hackberries and ‘‘Cochi’’ beans (Kentucky Coffee trees) ; the base of the cliffs are covered with bladder-nut and cornel. Here the Kentucky Warbler, the Tufted Tit and the Red-bellied Woodpecker are characteristic birds. Above the cliffs there are thin-soiled shelves of limestone, (213) 214 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. covered in summer and fall with a profusion of bright flowers, nigger-heads, asters, goldenrod and blazing star. If these so- called barrens are extensive, they are covered with thickets of plum, wild crab and buckthorn, the favorite home of Bell’s Vireo. Where the soil becomes deeper and the prairie begins, man has for the most part taken possession, and turned the stiff prairie grass under, and is now raising wheat, clover, alfalfa and grass. The Prairie Horned Lark, the Mourning Dove, and the Dickcissel are the birds of the wheat fields. On the farm- steads themselves and in the windbreaks of soft maple that sur- round them, breed the birds which the farmer boy knows best. the Wren, the Kingbird, the Purple Martin, the Bluebird, and the rest of the well known list. In the osage orange hedges that divide the upland fields, Shrikes nest and many migrant birds find shelter. The river, as it sweeps past on its way to the Gulf, has of- fered for untold centuries a highway for the many species that breed in northern latitudes. The House Wrens and Orchard Orioles of Nebraska rest in early May in the willows along its bars, the Purple Finches and Siskins on their way south in the fall, feed on the ‘‘buttons’’ of the sycamores. But to the reai river-man, who has watched for many years the floods make and remake the ever-shifting shores, the flight of birds suggests the great waves of ducks and geese that rest on the sandbars, or in the swift current itself, or the ‘‘Snipe,’’ the Sandpipers or Plover that feed on the exposed flats or wheel with shrill pip- ings over the muddy water. With these birds are associated all the other waterfowl less important to the sportsman, but often coming within his ken, the majestic Pelican, the Grebe, the Coot and the Herons. The city itself has destroyed many former breeding places of the birds, but in the residence section the planting of trees and shrubs has attracted those species that adapt themselves to the neighborhood of man. The Brown Thrashers and Catbirds nest in the shrubbery, Orioles and Robins in the elms, Blue- birds, Wrens and Martins in the boxes now so generally put up. The Chimney Swift is still seen over the mass of stone and con- erete that covers the downtown section of the city. During migration many of the smaller birds pass through the tree tops in the residence sections of the city, or hide by day in Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 215 the shrubbery of the yards. In any open space, such as Penn Valley Park, Mount Washington or Forest Hill Cemetery, a large number of migrants may be found. Swope Park is SO ex- tensive and so varied in character that almost every bird be- longing to the Kansas City region may be found there either breeding, wintering or passing through. A census of the birds in Swope Park, made by Mr. A. E. Shirling, includes 150 spe- cies, of which 73 species, represented by 2,025 singing males, bred within the borders of the Park. The region about Kansas City probably compares favorably with any section of the country in the number of birds that are found at different seasons of the year. In only one respect is the region unfavorable for certain groups of birds; it lacks extensive marshes or reedy lakes where Rails, Marsh Wrens and Bitterns could find the shelter in which they breed. There are a few places, chiefly near the Missouri River, where such birds have been found. In Platte County the shallow river- lakes, such as Bean Lake, and Sugar and Mud Lakes at Ar- mour, are covered in part with a growth of cat-tails. Here Gallinules, Least Bitterns, Black Terns and Yellow-headed Black- birds are fairly common. The increase of ducks and geese, since the passage of the Federal Migratory Bird Law, has been noticeable. More ducks have passed through, and, in many localities, several species are remaining to breed, which formerly were driven off by spring shooting. The larger birds, those which were hunted, and the birds of prey which depend on the game birds for food and were them- selves a mark for gunners, have diminished to a deplorable extent. All the earlier naturalists noted the abundance of waterfowl along the Missouri, and of game birds on its banks. Canada Geese nested in the Missouri bottoms in the days of Audubon, Wild Turkey and Prairie Chicken were everywhere common. Eagles and Fish Hawks built bulky nests in the tall trees in the bottom lands; Duck Hawks and Ravens had their homes in the cliffs. Several species once plentiful or even abundant are now ex- tinct, either in the whole country, or in the region covered by this list. The Passenger Pigeon and the Paroquet have van- 216 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. ished everywhere; the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the Ruffed Grouse are gone from Western Missouri. On the other hand, some birds have probably increased with the cutting off of the timber and the cultivation of the fields. There are probably more Dickcissels and Prairie Horned Larks, more Shrikes and Bluebirds now than fifty years ago. Their enemies have decreased and the land suitable for breeding has grown more extensive. Very little has been previously published about the birds of Western Missouri. The following references form as complete a bibliography as the author has been able to compile: On June 25, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition encamped for the night on an island in the Missouri River near the mouth of a large creek called the Blue-water (now known as Big Blue River) and on the next evening had reached a point at the con- fluence of the Kansas (Kaw) where they remained for two days. Here they secured game in plenty, including Deer and Wild Turkey. On their return they passed this point on September 15, 1806, and killed an Elk and saw many Wild Turkeys. Thomas Say, of the Long Expedition, made an excursion across Jackson County from Fort Osage (Sibley) to the Konza River (Kaw), leaving the fort on August 6, 1819, and rejoin- ing the main party on the Missouri, near the mouth of the Platte, about September 1. He mentions the abundance of game and states that here Ravens were first seen by the party. He adds that in this region he saw a pretty species of Sparrow that was altogether new to him. Reference is here made to the Lark Sparrow which the party had discovered a short time be- fore further down the Missouri River at Bellefontaine. In the spring of 1834, Thomas Nuttall in company with Jno. K. Townsend passed through Jackson County on the old Inde- ‘pendence- Westport Road on his way to the Pacifie Coast. Men- tion of this stage of the journey is made in the second edition of his ‘‘Manual,’’ published in 1840, where the Mourning Finch (now known as Harris’s Sparrow) is described and the type locality given as ‘‘a few miles west of Independence.’’ Maximilian, Prince of Wied, had ascended the Missouri River in 1833, and on his return the next spring, just 17 days after Nuttall and Townsend had left Independence, he dis- Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 217 covered, near the mouth of Platte River, a finch new to him which he named Fringilla eomata. He minutely described this bird (the Mourning Finch of Nuttall) in the second volume of his journal published in 1841. Audubon, who reached this point on May 2, 1843, on his journey up the Missouri River to Fort Union, speaks in his journal of the abundance of Wild Turkeys and Paroquets, and gives a list of 49 species of birds observed or collected. This list contains such locally extinct or rare birds as Ruffed Grouse, Duck Hawk, Swan, Bald Eagle (two nests). In the bottom land on the Missouri side, near Leavenworth, his party took specimens of the sparrow which he named after his friend Edward Harris, not knowing of the discovery of this bird in 1834 by Nuttall. At this point was discovered a vireo, new to science, which Audubon named after another member of the party—J. G. Bell. On the return, in 1848, four Paroquets and two Ruffed Grouse were killed in the vicinity of St. Joseph, and near Leav- enworth great flocks of migrating Geese and Pelicans were seen on October 10th. Three days later a great number of Sandhill Cranes were seen. Edward Harris, who accompanied Audubon, and for whom the supposedly new finch was named, published a list of 118 species seen between Fort Leavenworth and Fort Union (5th Annual Report Smithsonian Institution, for 1850). Of the birds noted by Dr. P. R. Hoy in this vicinity in 1854, at least one species, the Purple Sandpiper, has not since been observed (19th Annual Report Smithsonian Institution, 1864). Dr. J. A. Allen collected a series of specimens in May, 1871, in the bottoms of Platte County, and took several species of water-birds about a lagoon, probably Horseshoe Lake. (Bull. Museum Comparative Zool., 1872). W. E. D. Scott, who was employed at the Normal School of Warrensburg, Johnson County, during the spring of 1874, published a list of 147 species observed and collected in that vicinity (Nuttall Bulletin, Vol. 4, 1879). A few scattered field notes and short articles on rare and unexpected species, by local observers, have from time to time appeared in the bird journals. No previous attempt has been 218 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louts. made to give a complete local list, excepting of course the admirable state list of Mr. Otto Widmann. This list was pub- lished in 1907 by the St. Louis Academy of Science as Vol. XVII, No. 1, of their Transactions. The list is a monument to the accurate and full information which Mr. Widmann gath- ered together from his own widespread observation and from his correspondents throughout the state. Ratpo HorrMann BIRDS OF THE KANSAS CITY REGION. Harry Harris. PREFACE. There has been no list of the birds of the Kansas City region which local students of birds could consult. It is hoped that the present summary of an extensive study of the avifauna of Jackson County, Missouri, and vicinity, will be of service to local nature-study classes, and to bird students in general. It is hoped also that it may stimulate that scientifie interest in bird-study which is an active and powerful incentive to the growing movement for bird protection. No attempt has been made to furnish a means of identifying birds, since so many standard works covering this ground are available. A list of desirable books is given in the text. The nomenclature used is that of the American Ornithologists’ Union Check List. The total number of species and subspecies listed is 343. This number includes 8 species that have become extinct in this region, and 17 that occur here only as wanderers out of their ranges. The summer residents—that is breeders—number 117, of which 12 are very rare. The 9 species and subspecies indi- cated in the text by brackets, have not yet been authenticated, but they should occur here and are included to call the atten- tion of local students to the possibility of establishing their presence in this vicinity. Credit is due several local ornithologists for the generous loan of notes and material which have greatly aided in the working out of migration periods and in authenticating the oc- eurrence of a few rare species. These courtesies are here ac- knowledged with thanks. The greatest stimulus to the work has been the field-companionship of Mr. Ralph Hoffmann. The vast fund of ornithological and book lore possessed by this en- thusiastie and kindly naturalist has been a constant inspira- tion. Mr. Dix Teachenor, an experienced taxonomist, has as- (219) 220 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. sisted in determining subspecies, and has furnished for study a large series of sparrow skins collected in this region. Mr. B. F. Bush of Courtney, and Mr. Charles Tindall of Independence, have furnished valuable notes. Mr. Tindall has also loaned his JACKSON COUNTY j MISSOURI poe : ~ m BLUE SPRIVOS a Cy RAVTOMN tlag G “e 5 6 E Bt 3) C ATE B i aod 7) moggsv V7, DALLAS : Cantar MULLS | J SWMYT Beau MARTIN CITY \ EATREME LIMITS. OF REGION COVERED BY LST. a ote a collection of skins. The notes of Mr. John A. Bryant have yielded several records as well as some early-day matter rela- tive to species now extirpated or very rare. Mr. Charles E. Dankers of Corning, Holt County, who has made an extensive Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 221 collection of the larger birds of Northwestern Missouri, has given free access to his notes and specimens. Mr. A. F. Smith- son of Warrensburg has contributed voluminous notes covering a period of several years. Mr. A. E. Shirling has assisted ma- terially in bringing the list down to date. Among the sports- men whose observations have been based on a knowledge of ornithology, Judge J. E. Guinotte of Kansas City, and Mr. R. P. Holland of Atchison, Kansas, have contributed matter of in- terest and value. The Kansas list of Mr. C. D. Bunker, Curator of the Kansas University Museum, and the admirable Missouri list of Mr. Otto Widmann have been freely consulted and a few records used. Order PYGOPODES. Diving Birds. Suborder Colymbi. Grebes. Family CoLtympipar. Grebes. AECHMOPHORUS OCCIDENTALIS (Lawrence). Western Grebe. Accidental, possibly casual, visitant. The Western Grebe has been taken once near Lawrence (Bunker), and there is a Missouri River record from adjacent territory on the north (southeastern Nebraska). While no speci- men has been taken in this immediate vicinity, this grebe very possibly occurs on the Missouri River here as a casual visitant during migration. CoLYMBUS HOLBOELLI (Reinhardt). Holboell’s Grebe. Occasional visitant. This rare bird has been taken but twice in this vicinity; once in 1854 and again on September 15, 1905. Two grebes observed on April 28, 1917, in the Missouri River overflow at the mouth of the Big Blue, were identified as this species. It is to be looked for during the migration seasons on any large pond or stream, but is more likely to occur on the Missouri River. CoLYMBUS NIGRICOLLIS CALIFORNICUS (Heermann). Eared Grebe. Regular but rare migrant. The Hared Grebe occurs from the middle of April to the first week in May, and again during the second week in November. The small number of actual records for this bird in Jackson county may be accounted for by lack of enough suitable reedy lakes. Two specimens have been taken on the Missouri River near Courtney, and the bird has been observed at Lake City. It occurs regularly and in numbers, during migration, about the river lakes in Platte County. PopILyMBUS PODICEPS (Linn.). Pied-billed Grebe. Common migrant and rare summer resident. The Pied-billed Grebe arrives from the last week in March to the middle of April, and leaves in late November. . This small grebe may be looked for on any small pond or stream. It has been frequently noted on all of the park lakes. (223) 224 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. It is easy of approach and, on being disturbed, instead of taking wing will usually dive, hence the vernacular name Hell Diver. The nest has never been found in Jackson County, but pairs of birds have remained all summer on Mill Creek, north of Inde- pendence (Bush), on Fish Lake, and on the lower Blue River. A nearly full grown young bird was seen at the mouth of Blue on June 13, 1916. Suborder Cepphi. Loons and Auks. Family Gavipar. Loons. GavIA IMMER (Brunnich). Loon. Rare migrant. The few available records of this once common migrant indi- cate that it arrives from the north about the middle of October and returns during the first two weeks in April. It is observed mainly on the Missouri River, though a speci- men was taken at Lake City on October 10, 1902. It is still oc- easionally taken by duck hunters and a few individuals have been known to winter here during mild and open winters. Order LONGIPENNES. Long-winged Swimmers. Family Strercorarmpar. Skuas and Jaegers. STERCORARIUS POMARINUS (Temminck). Pomarine Jaeger. Accidental visitant. A fine specimen of this unlooked-for ocean bird was secured by two duck hunters on the Missouri River near the Eaton Bar on November 28, 1915. The skin is now in the possession of Charles Tindall of Independence, and constitutes the only rec- ord for the state. That there might be no question as to the identification, the specimen was forwarded to the Biological Survey at Washing- ton and identified by Dr. H. C. Oberholser. STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS (Linn). Parasitic Jaeger. Rare winter visitant. The Parasitic Jaeger has been taken several times by duck hunters on the Missouri River, though there are no specimens to substantiate the records. A flock of five were observed at close range near the mouth of the Big Blue River on April 23, Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 225 1916. There can be no question of the identification in this case, as the birds were close enough to show their distinctive charac- teristic, the sharp middle tail feathers a few inches longer than the others. The older river men state that this bird was not uncommon in the days when the river was filled with refuse from the packing houses. STERCORARIUS LoNGIcAUDUS Vieillot. Long-tailed Jaeger. Accidental visitant. A specimen of this bird was taken at Bean Lake in the spring of 1910 (Holland). On October 3, 1916, Mr. B. F. Bush watched two of these easily identified Jaegers worrying a bunch of Blue- winged Teal on the Missouri River near Courtney. Mr. Bush is a trained scientific observer and there can be no question as to this record, especially as the birds were within a few feet of him part of the time. These are the only known records for Missouri. Family Larwar. Gulls and Terns. Subfamily Larinae. Gulls. RIgSa TRIDACTYLA TRIDACTYLA (Linn.). Kittiwake. Accidental. The only record for this gull is that of Mr. J. A. Bryant, who took a specimen in the spring of 1897 (Widmann, p. 24). It has been impossible to verify this record, as the specimen does not seem to have been preserved. Larus ARGENTATUS Pontoppidan. Herring Gull. Fairly common migrant. The Herring Gull sometimes arrives in February, even when the river is filled with floating ice, as in 1916, but more often from ‘he last week in March to the first week in April. This gull probably follows the Mississippi River south in the fall mi- gration, as there are no records of its occurrence here at that season. LARUS DELAWARENSIS Ord. Ring-billed Gull. Not uncommon migrant. Though there are but five authentic records of the occurrence 226 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. of this gull in this vicinity—Oct. 27, 1899, May 5, 1902 (speci- men), Sept. 25, 1902, Apr. 18, 1915 and Apr. 12, 1917,—it prob- ably occurs oftener than indicated by these figures. Unfortu- nately the observers most liable to see it (the river fishermen) are unable to distinguish it from the preceding species. Further observation may prove it to be as common, if not commoner, than the Herring Gull. LaRus ATRICILLA Linnaeus. Laughing Gull. Casual migrant. The Laughing Gull has been repeatedly taken at Lawrence (six records, Bunker) and has been reported from points to the north and east (southeastern Nebraska and southern and cen- tral Iowa). It is probably a rare bird everywhere inland and has thus far escaped notice on the Missouri River in this imme- diate neighborhood. LARUS FRANKLINI Richardson. Franklin’s Gull. Common migrant. Long straggling flocks of these beautiful gulls begin to arrive from the south from the 10th to 20th of April and are but a few days in passing, as they are probably impatient to reach the breeding grounds. Late arrivals have been noted as late as the first week in May. They seem to be irregular in the autumnal flight; during some years but a few are seen, during others great numbers pass through. They straggle along in a leisurely man- ner, feeding as they go, from the middle of October to the last of November. In the spring they are to be looked for on the Missouri River but in fall are likely to occur about any body of water. LARUS PHILADELPHIA (Ord). Bonaparte’s Gull. Not very rare migrant. Specimens of Bonaparte’s Gull are occasionally shot by hunt ers on the Missouri River; more often in spring than autumn. Available records of specimens are as follows: Sugar Lake, May 5, 1897, Bryant; Missouri River, Jackson County, May 10, 1900, Tindall; Holt County, May 5, 1908, Dankers; Missouri River, Jackson County, December 8, 1917, specimen in collection of Miss Clements of Independence. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 227 Subfamily Srerninag. Terns. STERNA CASPIA Pallas. HYDROPROGNE CASPIA IMPERATOR (Coues). Proposed April, 1917. Caspian Tern. Occasional visitant. Two specimens of this tern were taken by Chas. Tindall on the Missouri River near Courtney on October 14, 1914. Sev- eral more were secured, probably from the same flock, at the same place ten days later. A specimen was taken at Lake City by Mr. J. A. Bryant in the spring of 1886. No other records are available. STERNA ForsTERI Nuttall. Forster’s Tern. Not uncommon migrant. Small flocks of Forster’s Terns appear late in April and early May, and again in September and October. Recent data seem to point to the increase of this tern which, though for- merly common, had later become very scarce. These graceful birds may be looked for on the Swope Park lakes or any other large pond, as well as on the Missouri River. ; Sterna HIRUNDO Linn. Common Tern. Somewhat rare migrant. The Common Tern is usually seen late in May or early June and again in October. It was formerly rather common. Some recent dates are May 10, 1916, when a flock of twelve were seen in Swope Park, and June 11, 1916, when fifteen were ob- served feeding in their characteristic manner about the mouth of Big Blue River. STERNA ANTILLARUM (Lesson). STERNULA ANTILLARUM ANTILLARUM Lessor. Proposed April, 1917. Least Tern. Somewhat rare migrant and occasional summer resident. Least Terns make their appearance in small numbers during the last few days in April in some years, but oftener in the first week of May. They leave for the South during the first fifteen days of September. Prior to 1900 this dainty bird was commonly met with on the Missouri River and about neighboring ponds and marshes. It 228 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. remained to breed in small numbers in favorable localities in the Missouri bottoms. During the summer of 1915 a pair were seen throughout the entire breeding season at the mouth of Big Blue, where they no doubt had a nest. This tern seems to be slightly on the increase; more individ- uals have been seen during the last four years than for thirteen years prior to that time. HYDROCHELIDON NIGRA SURINAMENSIS (Gmelin). Black Tern. Abundant migrant and not uncommon summer resident. The first impatient males begin to arrive about April 26th, followed in increasing numbers all through May by the bulk of the flight and until mid-June by the stragglers. A flock of be- tween fifty and a hundred birds have been seen migrating as late as June 11th. These terns follow the Missouri River in flocks of several hun- dred individuals and resort to favorite feeding and resting places where they may be observed during every migration. The Big Eddy just below the mouth of Blue is one of these. Here the feeding flocks may be easily approached in a launch and the many plumage variations observed at close range. This species has been seen about the Swope Park lakes, Penn Valley lake, Country Club pond and other small bodies of water in and around the city. They are observed during the entire summer at most of the duck-hunting resorts in this vicinity, and are very possibly breeding in favorable localities. Several were seen hawking for insects over an athletic field in the Country Club region in company with Nighthawks on May 17, 1917. Order STEGANOPODES. Totipalmate Swimmers. Family ANHINGIDAE. Darters. ANHINGA ANHINGA (Linn).Water-Turkey. Formerly an occasional summer visitant. A small flock of these curious Southern birds were observed by Bush on the Missouri River near old Wayne City (now Ce- ment City), in 1882. A specimen was taken by Bryant on the Missouri River at Parkville in 1898. This bird will possibly not be met with here again; it has been steadily driven south by the encroachments Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 229 of civilization until but a few pairs remain in the sunken re- gions of southeast Missouri. Family PHALACROCORACIDAE. Cormorants. PHALACROCORAX AURITUS AURITUS (Lesson). Double-crested Cormorant. Rather rare migrant. All available records but one of the occurrence of this bird here are in October and November, though it is known to pass regularly in the spring (two specimens, April 17, 1904, Dank- ers). During occasional migrations it is seen in considerable num- bers, as in 1904, when, on October 24th, a flock of between 100 and 150 were seen perched in the trees along the river bank across from the Big Eddy. Two specimens were taken from this flock. Again in the same year on November 17th a flock of twenty was observed on the river near Courtney. The river fishermen know this bird as the Water-Turkey and state that rarely a season passes without their seeing it. Family PELECANIDAE. Pelicans. PELECANUS ERYTHRORHYNCHOS Gmelin. White Pelican. Common migrant. This locality is fortunate in being favored with spring and autumn visits from this, the largest member of the North Ameri- can Avifauna. Pelicans arrive from the south during the last week of March or very early in April and return from the 13th to 25th of September, straggling along in varying numbers until late in November. They are still seen in considerable numbers, though not in such abundance as formerly. They seem to be holding their own of late years in spite of the odds against them. Flocks of several hundreds of these majestic birds are often seen flying high over the Missouri Valley, when they present a sight not easily forgotten, as with alternate series of flapping and sailing they make their way rapidly along. Unless at too high an altitude they are not to be mistaken for any other water bird. They have on at least one occasion been seen to make their 230 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. well-known concerted drive for fish into shallow water. This was observed at Goose Island in the Missouri River a short distance above the city. Hunters only too often bring in specimens of Pelicans wan- tonly destroyed for ‘‘sport.’’ Among these have been noted males, taken in the autumn, with the nuptial horn or mandible keel still retained. This temporary appendage is usually cast on the breeding ground before the southward flight begins. Favorable localities, where they may rest and feed in seclu- sion, or where they are protected, have been known to harbor great numbers of these migrants for days and even weeks at a time. One lake in this district is visited twice a year by a flock of from 100 to 1,500 Pelicans. They sometimes remain on this pond for two weeks. Order ANSERES. Lamellirostral Swimmers. Family Anatwar. Ducks, Geese and Swans. Subfamily Merginae. Mergansers. Mereus aMERIcANUS Cassin. Merganser. Not uncommon migrant; occasional winter resident. Mergansers arrive late from the north, usually during the last half of November, and leave early, in some seasons as early as February, but more often in March and early April. During the winter of 1910-1911 a flock of six were observed during the entire winter at the mouth of the Big Blue. Again in 1916 another larger flock wintered on a nearby pond, leav- ing early in March. Mereus serrator Linn. Red-breasted Merganser. Rare migrant. This duck is occasionally seen in hunters’ bags and is prob- ably more often taken than the records indicate. Two beauti- ful specimens were examined in a gunner’s string on March 18, 1916, on the Missouri River near Sugar Creek. There are a half dozen authentic records for the last few years. LopHopYTES cUCULLATUS (Linn.). Hooded Merganser. Common migrant and formerly a not uncommon summer resident. This striking duck is regularly taken by hunters on the river and at the many shooting resorts in this vicinity. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 231 It remains during open winters in favorable localities and has been known to breed in the county. The dates of its occur- rence here cover the entire year, though lately it is seen only during migration. A flock of six nearly full-grown young were seen on Mill Creek, between Independence and Courtney, on June 17, 1892. Subfamily Anatinae. River Ducks. ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS Linn. Mallard. Abundant migrant, fairly common winter resident and occasional summer resident. The Mallard is present in some numbers during every winter that the Missouri River remains open. The first birds from the north begin to arrive early in September, though the great flocks do not come through until the middle of October, when they are here in varying numbers until the last days of Novem- ber and the first half of December. Unless the winter be ex- ceptionally severe, the northward movement begins late in Janu- ary and early February. By the last week in March the crest of the migratory wave has passed, though stragglers may be seen as late as the middle of May. In former times the Mallard nested commonly along the Missouri River bottoms from its mouth, and Widmann states that a few still find safe breeding grounds in the large tracts -of spartina grass in the marshes of north Missouri. Smithson found Mallards breeding near Warrensburg in 1903 and 1904. They have been known to breed also during recent years near Bigelow. During the past two or three years there has been a very noticeable increase in the numbers of these and other ducks. The autumn flight of 1916 was decidedly larger than any seen for many years. On January 29, 1917, there was a surprising southward flight of thousands of Mallards and Pintails. A severe blizzard followed the ducks, accompanied by a temperature of twelve degrees below zero. These birds had spent the winter up to this date in northern Missouri, although there had been periods during which all lakes and streams, except the Missouri River, had been frozen solid. The closing of the river during this bliz- zard probably accounts for this movement. 232 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. Malards are likely to drop into any small body of water dur- ing their migratory flights and are sure to be seen in Swope Park. ANAS RUBRIPES RUBRIPES Brewster. Red-legged Black Duck. Not uncommon but irregular migrant. The well-known controversy relative to the validity of this form is an interesting incident in the history of systematic orni- thology. It is included in this list in the firm belief that it is a perfectly good and valid subspecies and that it will one day be returned to the American Ornithologists’ Check List. Black Ducks with intensely red legs and feet are not uncom- monly taken on the Missouri River and at the several duck- shooting resorts in this neighborhood. In some years only an oceasional specimen is seen. A hunter’s string was examined on October 27, 1917, that contained two specimens of this duck taken in Jackson County. William Andrews, who lives on the Missouri River and who has spent a great many years hunting and fishing there, recog- nizes the two forms of the Black Duck, and states that he has killed hundreds of the Red-legged subspecies in his time. He states further that they are much less common than formerly and are somewhat irregular in their occurrence. ANAS RUBRIPES TRISTIS Brewster. Black Duck. Rare migrant. This duck was formerly a common migrant and often pres- ent in winter. The older sportsmen recall the days when the “Black Mallard’’ was taken regularly. It has been noted but a few times during the past 15 years and is now considered a rarity. Two specimens were taken on the Missouri River, Oct. 30, 1903, and Nov. 15, 1909, respec- tively. CHAULELASMUS STREPERUS (Linn.). Gadwall. Fairly common migrant. The Gadwall is regularly met with on the Missouri River during March and April and in late October and November. A few single birds or small flocks are occasionally seen as early as the middle of February. A flock of over two hundred birds was seen on April 13, 1917, indicating that this species may be on the increase. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 233 The Gadwall has been found nesting a few counties to the north. MarEcA AMERICANA (Gmelin). Baldpate. Common migrant. The Baldpate is often found in the company of the Gadwall. The migration dates of these two species are about the same, though the Baldpate has not been known to breed in the state. Fairly large flocks of these two ducks have been noted during the last two years; we believe that both are increasing in num- bers. The Baldpate is occasionally seen on the park lakes. NETTION CAROLINENSE (Gmelin). Green-winged Teal. Very common migrant; occasional winter resident. The Green-winged Teal arrives from the north during Oc- tober; a few remain during the mild open winters. By the last week of April all have left for their northern breeding grounds. On account of their habit of flying in compact flocks and of circling back to the same spot again and again, great numbers of these beautiful little ducks are killed by hunters. They have often been noted on the park lakes. QUERQUEDULA piscors (Linn.). Blue-winged Teal. Very common migrant and occasional summer resident. This duck returns from the north early and is the last to de- part in the spring. Blue-wings begin to arrive early in Sep- tember, the bulk passing during the latter part of the month and in early October. A few are seen as early as February on their return but the bulk of the flight is not present until late in April and many are observed well into May. Pairs of Blue-wings are observed all summer wherever there are favorable nesting sites and if not disturbed would breed in numbers in the county. A brood of five young with the parent birds were observed on Mill Creek several times in June, 1916 (Bush). This is one of the species of water fowl that is fortunately showing an increase in numbers. It has been reported as breeding in great numbers in northern Missouri and in north- ern and central Kansas during the summers of 1915, 1916 and 1917. It is not uncommonly seen on the Swope Park lakes. 234 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. QUERQUEDULA CYANOPTERA (Vieillot). Cinnamon Teal. Occasional visitant. This western species has been noted many times in this vicinity, usually in the company of its near relative the Blue- wing. A pair taken by Bryant in 1904 were killed within the city limits. A fiock of five were taken by Tindall at Lake City in 1895. A single bird was observed on a nearby lake on April 17, 1915. Another was seen on the same lake on April 15, 1916, where it remained for over a week. Still another record comes from the same place in April, 1917. SPATULA CLYPEATA (Linn.). Shoveller. Very common migrant; possibly a rare summer resident. The arrival and departure dates of this duck are about the same as those of the Blue-winged Teal. Pairs of these birds, observed every May lingering about ponds and swampy bottom land, are without doubt seeking nesting sites but are driven out by unfavorable conditions. This beautifully marked and easily recognized duck is fre- quently seen on the park lakes. Darius acuta (Linn.). DaFiuaA ACUTA TzITzIHOA (Vieillot). Proposed April, 1917. Pintail. Abundant migrant. Next to the Mallard and Lesser Scaup this is our commonest duck. Its arrival and departure is coincident with that of the Mallard. Tremendous flights of Pintails and Mallards occur every sea- son over the Missouri Valley and present a wonderful and im- pressive sight to bird lovers. Even at night the flocks may be heard passing overhead and the different species may be distin- guished by their notes. On favorable mornings when the migra- tion is at its height, the observer may look in any direction and see dozens of the flocks showing every conceivable variation of flight formation. The most favorable time for observation, if there be no fog on the river, is early dawn and for an hour or so afterward. The Pintail, or Sprig, is almost certain to be seen during every migration on the Swope Park lakes. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 235 Arx sponsa (Linn.). Wood Duck. Rare migrant and summer resident. _This once plentiful duck was a common breeder in the Mis- souri and Blue Valleys but is now seen only occasionally. As late as 1909 a pair nested in the neighborhood of the 27th Street bridge on the Blue River. This pair had raised a brood in this place every summer for many years but were finally driven off. On June 13, 1916, two nearly grown young males were observed at the mouth of Big Blue. Nearly every duck hunter in the county owns a mounted specimen of this beautiful bird taken in this region. Subfamily Fuligulinae. Sea Ducks, Maria AMERICANA (Eyton). Redhead. Not uncommon migrant. The Redhead was once an abundant migrant here but has been scarcer of late years, though it is probably again on the increase. It arrives during early March (sometimes much earlier) and April on the northward flight and in late October and Novem- ber on its return. It is occasionally seen in December. Duck hunters generally bewail the disappearance of this fast flying and valuable duck but take every opportunity to slaugh- ter it on sight. Mari. VALISINERIA (Wilson). Canvas-back. Not uncommon migrant. Like the Redhead, the Canvas-back has greatly decreased in numbers, until where formerly hundreds were observed, now only dozens are seen. It is still regularly taken by hunters, sometimes amid floating ice in the river as early as February. It is often seen with Redheads and its migratory periods are about the same. Maria maria (Linn.). Scaup Duck. Not uncommon migrant. The Seaup Duck arrives from the south in March and April, earlier during some short winters, and leaves from the first week in November to the middle of December. It generally consorts with the two following species. Of late years it has not been seen in such large flocks as formerly. 236 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. All three species of the Scaup Ducks are known to local hunters by the name of Blackjack, though this one is some- times called Bluebill. Marina AFFINIS (Eyton). Lesser Scaup Duck. Abundant migrant. The common Blackjack ranks with the Mallard and Pintail in point of numbers and has not noticeably decreased during the past few years. A familiar sight on the Missouri River, when the bulk of the birds are passing through on the north- ward flight, is to see immense rafts of these ducks floating down stream with the current busily engaged in their mating an- tics. They have favorite stretches of water for these floats and when they have arrived at the end of one where they com- monly ‘‘use,’’ the entire flock leaves the water and flies, some- times miles, to the starting point to begin the float all over again. During these times they are easy of approach though they are becoming more wary of the motor-boat than for- merly. This duck is not a very desirable table fowl but is slaughtered in great numbers by the city hunters. It is often found in the company of other species but prefers to flock with its own kind. It is to be found here all through the migrating season in varying numbers, though never in mid- winter, and is often seen in rather large flocks on the different park lakes. Flocks rest for days on the lake in Penn Valley taking no notice of the traffic but a few yards away. Flocks of considerable size are often seen on the lakes in Swope Park. Mariua COLLARIS (Donovan). Ring-necked Duck. Not uncommon migrant. This species precedes the other Scaup in the spring and is often found with the early Redheads and Canvas-backs. It is not as common as formerly but is regularly taken by the hunt- ers. It is the least numerous of the Scaup. CLANGULA CLANGULA AMERICANA Bonaparte. Golden-eye. Rather rare migrant. This strikingly marked duck is now only decasionally seen in twos and threes on the Missouri River, where formerly it was met with in migration in occasional flocks of dozens. The last Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 237 visiting flock of any size was noted on March 11, 1914. Two specimens were examined in a hunter’s string in the spring of 1916. CLANGULA ISLANDICA (Gmelin). Barrow’s Golden-eye. Very rare winter visitant. This northern bird seldom wanders so far south and there are but two authentic records of its capture in this immediate neighborhood. CHARITONETTA ALBEOLA (Linn.). Buffle-head. Irregular and not common migrant. Never of very frequent occurrence, this small duck is as likely to be met with in February as in May, returning from the north in late October and November. During some years several small flocks are seen and in other years none. The rivermen call this duck the Butterball and say that it does not occur as fre- quently as formerly. HERELDA HYEMALIS (Linn.). Old-squaw. Very rare winter visitant. Authentic records of the occurrence of this duck are few, though several of the river fishermen claim to know the. bird and to have seen it several times. One specimen was taken by Bryant in 1893. HIsTRIONICUS HISTRIONIcUS (Linn.). Harlequin Duck. Very rare winter visitant. There are but two records of the occurrence of this northern duck in this vicinity. One specimen was taken by Wm. An- drews on the Missouri River at the Eaton tower (date not available) and the other was killed at Lake City by Bryant in 1887. OWEMIA AMERICANA Swainson. Scoter. Irregular winter visitant. River men claim to know this bird but the fact of its pres- ence here was not authentically established until 1914. During the autumn flight of that year several dozen specimens were examined at different times. This was probably an exceptional invasion of this duck and the river hunters made the most of it. 238 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. OweEmia Fusca ‘(Linn.). MELANITTA DEGLANDI (Bonaparte). Proposed April, 1917. White-winged Scoter. Accidental. The only authority for including this bird is the mounted specimen in the Public Library, without data but said to have been taken near by. OWEMIA PERSPICILLATA (Linn.). MELANITTA PERSPICILLATA (Linn.). Proposed April, 1917. Surf Scoter. Very rare winter visitant. A female Surf Scoter taken by Charles Dankers, near Corn- ing, and beautifully mounted by that naturalist, is the only record of the occurrence of this duck in this part of Missouri. There are five records from Lawrence, one given by Vernon Kellogg (K. C. Scientist, 1891), and four by Bunker. ERISMATURA JAMAICENSIS (Gmelin). Ruddy Duck. Not uncommon but irregular migrant. Formerly a very common migrant, the Ruddy Duck has greatly diminished in numbers. It is irregular in its occur- rence here, some years appearing in quite large numbers. A flock of between 50 and 100 was seen on March 15, 1916, float- ing down the Missouri River near the Hannibal Bridge. Arriving early in March they hurry through and are back by the middle of October, and all have left by the last week in November. Subfamily Anserinae. Geese. CHEN HYPERBOREUS HYPERBOREUS (Pallas). Snow Goose. Fairly common migrant. The white geese begin coming late in February and are not usually seen after the first ten days in April. They pass through on their return flight from the middle of October to the middle of November. Occasional records for mid-winter and early February have led some observers to assume that this goose remains during open winters. It would be so easy for birds with such powers of flight to go south even for a short period (as their near rela- tives, the Blue Geese are known to do) that this assumption seems not to be warranted by the present evidence. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 239 Hunters, especially on the Missouri River, still bring in com- paratively large numbers of these geese and they are becoming more scarce every year. When the ‘‘Migratory Bird Act’’ is enforced, if not too late, it is hoped that all the geese will immediately begin to increase. CHEN HYPERBOREUS NivaLis (J. R. Forster). Greater Snow Goose. Not very common migrant. This form of Snow Goose is not of such regular or common occurrence as the preceding but is occasionally taken by hunt- ers. Only a few large Snow Geese have been seen during recent years and it is considered much more rare than formerly. There are five authentic records of its occurrence here during the past several seasons. It is difficult to distinguish in the field from the smaller form. CHEN CAERULESCENS (Linn.). Blue Goose. Common migrant. The time of arrival and departure of this goose is about the same as the Snow Goose except that it does not arrive so early as February. Though not so abundant as formerly, the presence here of some very large flocks during the past two years encourages the hope that the species may be on the increase. Flocks of from 50 to 250 are not uncommonly seen on the Missouri River. ANSER ALBIFRONS GAMBELI Hartlaub. White-fronted Goose. Fairly common migrant. Small flocks of White-fronted Geese sometimes arrive as early as the last week in February but the main flight is about a month later. They return about the middle of October and the last are seen sometimes as late as early December. These occasional February and December records have led some ob- servers to think that the bird remains in mild winters. This is not believed to be the case since extended field work during January in several open winters has failed to show them pres- ent. Troops of a few dozen birds are commonly seen all through migration times on the Missouri River and on April 12, 1917, a flock of 250 was observed. 240 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. BRANTA CANADENSIS CANADENSIS (Linn.). Canada Goose. Fairly abundant migrant and somewhat common winter resident. Formerly a summer resident. Flocks of hundreds of these geese are still to be seen, espe- cially in spring. The Canada Goose arrives in early February and March and leaves on the southward flight in November or December, depending on the severity of the season. Canada Geese have been frequently observed wintering here and it has been no uncommon sight to see these wintering flocks tumbling pell mell into the current of the Missouri River amid great fields and agitated masses of floating ice. Great numbers have been killed over decoys in January from blinds built of blocks of ice on sand bars and points. The Wild Goose was a common breeder here in the early days in the bottom land jungles. Several farmers in this vicinity have extensive flocks of do- mesticated Canada Geese which breed freely in confinement. Fine specimens of this and the Snow Goose as well as several species of the commoner ducks are to be seen in the Swope Park Zoo. Long lines of these geese pass over the city during every sea- son and on stormy nights during migration may be heard honk- ing low over the house tops. BRANTA CANADENSIS HUTCHINSI (Richardson). Hutchins’s Goose. Fairly common migrant. This small subspecific form of the Canada Goose is often seen in rather large flocks and is sometimes found flocking with its big relative. Owing to increased activity in manufacturing and transpor- tation, some of the wilder and more wary water fowl have of late years avoided certain stretches of the Missouri River where they formerly ‘‘used,’’ but this does not mean that there has been a proportionate decrease in their numbers. They simply seek greater seclusion further up the river or lower down. This small goose, in particular, is seldom taken in the county but is fairly common elsewhere in the vicinity. Its high pitched gabbling note was formerly an important element in the wild music so keenly enjoyed and appreciated by ornithologists. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 241 Subfamily Cygninae. Swans. OLor coLUMBIANUS (Ord). Whistling Swan. Very rare migrant. The Whistling Swan is still occasionally seen on the Mis- souri River. In 1897 a specimen was taken in the east bottoms by Bryant. Two specimens were brought in by a river hunter on November 22, 1915. The older sportsmen tell of many swans being taken in Jack- son County in former years but they are unable to distinguish the two species. OLOR BUCCINATOR (Richardson). Trumpeter Swan. Formerly a migrant; probably now extinct in this vicinity. The Trumpeter Swan was formerly a regular migrant in the Missouri Valley. The only known. specimen is the one in the Library collection. This bird was taken by Bryant in April, 1900, on a pond at 75th and Holmes. Order HERODIONES. Herons, Storks, Ibises, ete. Suborder Ibides. Spoonbills and Ibises. Family Ismmas. Ibises. PLEGADIS GUARAUNA (Linn.). White-faced Glossy Ibis. Very rare migrant. This species 18 said to breed regularly in Kansas, even north of this latitude, but has been taken in Missouri but twice. Chas. E. Dankers took a specimen October 8, 1907, in Holt County. Suborder Herodii. Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Etc. Family Arpriar. Herons, Bitterns, ete. Subfamily Botaurinae. Bitterns. BorauRUs LENTIGINOSUS (Montagu). Bittern. Common migrant and rare summer resident. The Bittern arrives about April 10th and leaves by the end of October. It is found here in the breeding season in suitable localities but the nest has not been discovered. It is common in migration and is to be seen along the streams and about lakes, ponds and marshes. Even the small marshy spot in the 242 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. woods by the Swope Park rifle range attracts its occasional mi- grating Bittern. On October 26, 1916, one was flushed from the bare prairie south of the Country Club region. This is characteristic of this species as they migrate broadcast over the country and do not follow the streams as do others of their kind. IxoBRYCHUS ExILIS (Gmelin). Least Bittern. Fairly common migrant and not uncommon summer resident. The Least Bittern arrives early in May and leaves in Sep- tember. It has been known to breed in the marshy places about Lake City and would no doubt be found nesting commonly in the county if more suitable localities were to be found. Sev- eral pair were found breeding at Sugar Lake, Platte County, in 1916. It is a shy bird and active only in the evening in the places where it nests. Subfamily Ardeinae. Herons and Egrets. ARDEA HERODIAS HERODIAS Linn. Great Blue Heron. Common migrant and occasional summer resident. Great numbers of these large herons migrate up and down the Missouri River and resort to sloughs, backwater and shal- lows around sand-bars to feed. The earliest birds arrive around March 18th and all have left by the last week in November. They have been found nesting in the tall trees by the old Hiffner Lake near Atherton. A few are met with regularly every summer during the entire season in favorable feeding places in the Missouri Valley. These birds may nest close by or a dozen miles away as they fly long distances to feed. A pair observed during the summer of 1906 at the mouth of the Blue were believed to have a nest in the timber on the Clay County side but it could not be located. Heropias EGRETTA (Gmelin). Egret. Formerly a summer visitant and possible summer resident. The Egret has not been seen in this vicinity for twenty years. It was observed on the Blue River above Dodson in 1895. Tt has been observed on the river lakes in Platte and Buchanan Counties in former years. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 243 EGRETTA CANDIDISSIMA CANDIDISsIMA (Gmelin). Snowy Egret. Accidental. The only record for this part of the country is a beautiful specimen in the Dankers collection taken in Holt County on April 14, 1904. FLoriDA CAERULEA (Linn.). Little Blue Heron. Irregular summer visitant. The few small flocks of these herons that have been seen here are wanderers from the south after the nesting season. Ten specimens testify to its occurrence in this vicinity. Eight of these were taken from one flock by Chas. Dankers on August 20, 1916. BUTORIDES VIRESCENS VIRESCENS (Linn.). Green Heron. Common summer resident. The Green Heron arrives about the middle of April and is seldom seen after the first of October. Every small wooded ereek has its nesting pairs. It nests in Swope Park and along the Blue River within the city. It is very common in the Mis- souri Valley and in the valley of the Little Blue. It begins lay- ing shortly after the middle of May. This heron is less shy than others of the family and falls an easy prey to many thoughtless gunners, and for this reason alone is noticeably decreasing in numbers. Nycticorax NYCTICORAX NAEVIUS (Boddaert). Black-crowned Night Heron. Rare migrant and possible summer resident. The Black-crowned Night Heron arrives about the middle of April and leaves by the middle of October. It is much less common than formerly. It has been known to breed in the counties to the north of us but the nest has never been found in Jackson County. It should be looked for in suitable localities, NycTaNassa VIOLACEA (Linn.). Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Very rare summer resident. The only authentic record of the occurrence of this heron in this vicinity is a pair seen at a nearby hunting resort on April 17, 1915. 244 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. Order PALUDICOLAE. Cranes, Rails, ete. Suborder Grues. Cranes, Courlans, ete. Family Grumar. Cranes. Grus AMERICANA (Linn.). Whooping Crane. Occasional migrant. Charles Dankers is more favorably situated for observing the large water birds than any other observer in this part of the state. He reports this large crane as very rare. He collected a specimen on April 14, 1904, saw one on March 27, 1913, and noted a small flock of five birds on his farm in the spring of 1906. Jno. A. Bryant, who states that this bird was common for- merly, took a specimen in the spring of 1893, in this connty. Grus CANADENSIS. Little Brown Crane. Rather rare migrant. The Little Brown Crane migrates regularly through this re- gion and has been taken in adjacent territory on all sides. There is little doubt that a few of the sight records of the Sandhill Crane in this region properly belong to the Little Brown, as the two are not readily distinguishable in the field. Grus mexicana (Muller). Sandhill Crane. Regular and not very rare migrant. In favorable localities in this vicinity a few of these mag- nificent birds are seen regularly during every spring migration and occasionally in the fall. The following are some of Charles Dankers’ dates: March 23, 1902, a flock of thirty were seen. March 30, 1903, a flock of thirty were seen. March 22, 1905, a flock of twenty were seen. April 8, 1906, one specimen was taken from a flock of ten. April 15, 1906, a single bird was taken. October 18, 1909, three specimens were taken from a large flock. April 2, 1910, one specimen was taken. March 28, 1911, a flock of fifteen was seen. March 30, 1912, seven birds were seen. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 245 March 24, 1913, a flock of fifteen was seen. March 21, 1916, a flock of ninety was seen. In the spring of 1917 (date not received) several small flocks were seen. These data show that the Sandhill Crane arrives during the last week in March on the northward flight and that it some- times returns this way during October. A small number of these noisy cranes were heard circling low over the mouth of the Blue one stormy night in March in 1909. Two were seen by Judge Guinotte on the Missouri River dur- ing the first week of October, 1917. Suborder Ralli. Rails, Gallinules, Coots, ete. Family Rauuian. Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Subfamily Rallinae. Rails. Rauuus ELEGANS Audubon. King Rail. Not uncommon migrant and rather rare summer resident. The King Rail arrives early in April and leaves in late October. It has been reported breeding about Lake City and nests regularly in the up-river counties. This rail is well known to duck hunters who report it a reg- ular and not uncommon migrant on the neighboring lakes and swamps. Dankers has mounted a pair with three young which were taken on his place on July 26, 1903. ‘RALLUS ViIRGINIANUS Linn. Virginia Rail. Common migrant and rare summer resident. Tindall found this rail nesting at Lake City in 1892, 1895 -and 1903. It is commonly seen in migration in the marshy places it frequents and its dates of occurrence are about the same as the following species. PorzANA CAROLINA (Linn.). Sora. Common migrant and rare summer resident. The Sora arrives about April 18th and leaves in late October. It was found nesting by Bush and Tindall at Lake City on August 22, 1896. et ae om ve: Lane yf needy v ua i + \ = Miss) ALAS ey ‘ Continuous line encloses breeding range. Broken line shows extent of winter range. The Red-wings wintering in this vicinity were long suspected of belonging to this very noticeably larger subspecies, but prior to the winter of 1916-1917 no systematic investigation had ever been made in western Missouri to establish their subspecific status. This rather severe winter proved to be a favorable one for this study, as the birds were present in unusual abundance. A large series of specimens was taken over a wide area and covering the entire period of their sojourn. They began arriving in small numbers during the middle of November and continued coming in increasing numbers until during the intense cold periods of late December and January there were countless thousands resorting to common roosts in the timbered bottoms along the Missouri River. In the early mornings when the birds scattered to feed, great flocks flew over Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 287 the city to their feeding grounds on the prairie regions many miles to the south and west. It is estimated that some of the flocks covered daily from thirty to fifty miles on these journeys. As early as the middle of February much singing and mating activity was noted among the flocks and the ranks were begin- ning to thin. On March 2nd the last specimens of fortis were taken (from large masses of birds), and by March 5th this form had been almost entirely replaced by equally large flocks of predatorius. Several specimens taken on this date from large flocks proved to be referable to the breeding form. A difference was also noted in the music of the flocks, as the notes of fortis are softer, more melodious and less grating than those of pred- atorius. These northwestern birds do not seem to have passed down the Missouri Valley (east) beyond this point, as only an occa- sional bird was seen in the nearby down-river counties. The stomachs of ten males and one female taken from one flock on January 17th contained large quantities of the seeds of sorghum (Sorghum sp.) and knotweed (Polygonum lapathifo- lium 1.). Very few Northern Red-wings (A. p. arctolegus) were pres- ent during this hard winter, though during the equally severe winter of 1917-1918 this form greatly predominated. AGELAIUS PHOENICEUS ARCTOLEGUS Oberholser. Northern Red- wing. Abundant migrant; irregular, sometimes very common winter resi- dent. Large moving masses of this recently described subspecies are not readily distinguishable in the field from the Thick-bill, and may even be mistaken for the breeding form unless seen at close range or in mixed flocks. Not enough material has yet been secured to give with certainty the dates of its arrival from the north in the fall or the limits in time of its passage through here on the return in spring. Great hordes pass during both seasons and varying numbers are present during the entire winter. All three forms intermingle here in winter, as, on at least one occa- sion, specimens of all three have been taken from the same flock. 288 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. The accompanying map shows that this region lies fairly in the center of the migratory path of this race, and on the edge of its winter range. DISTRIBUTION OF A. P. ARCTOLEGUS % ‘ WOKLAHOMA + : - 1 ' AR! ew ‘ - Sweeper TEXAS Lt ‘ ' \ ums Y ‘ Sf oN ue 4 Continuous line encloses breeding range. Broken line indicates extent of winter range. STURNELLA MAGNA MAGNA (Linn.). Meadowlark. Common summer resident and very common migrant; rather rare winter resident. Small troops of returning migrants begin to arrive from the 25th to the last of February, but are not numerous until about the middle of March. The southbound migration wave passes in October. Only a few birds, sometimes none, are to be found here in winter. The Meadowlark is generally distributed over the entire county and breeds everywhere in favorable open grassy places, even coming into the outskirts of the city to nest. It begins laying early in May. STURNELLA NEGLECTA Audubon. Western Meadowlark. Regular but uncommon summer resident. Typical examples of the Western Meadowlark are found here and there on the prairie regions of the county. Several pairs nest regularly in the Country Club district and about Waldo. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 289 Breeding birds have been seen near Dodson, Grandview and further west and south. They formerly nested in the neighbor- hood of Swope Park, but none have visited that district in sev- eral years with the exception of one pair that raised a brood near 41st and Benton Boulevard during the summer of 1917. Occasionally Meadowlark songs are heard that are interme- diate between the two forms. Icterus spurtus (Linn.). Orchard Oriole. Common summer resident. The first Orchard Orioles may be looked for between the 25th and 30th of April. They seldom fail to arrive some time during these five days. The only two known earlier dates are April 22, 1897 (Tindall), and April 19, 1909 (Smithson). ‘Great numbers of migrants are often seen resting in the wil- low thickets in the Missouri bottoms during the first eight or ten days of May. They start south late in August and after about ten days only stragglers are seen. The Orchard Oriole may be found in all parts of the county and nests freely within the city in favorable districts. Its four to six eggs are laid in late May or early June. IcTERUS GALBULA (Linn.). Baltimore Oriole. Common summer resident. The Baltimore Oriole usually arrives a few days earlier than the Orchard Oriole and is perhaps more numerous in the city, at least. Its wonderful nest is suspended from the overhanging extremities of the limbs of shade trees, preferably elms, in all residence districts. It is about equally common in the outlying country and often builds there in sycamore and cottonwood trees. The four or five eggs are laid in May. During the period of moult in late July and early August the Orioles are silent and secretive and are seldom seen. Prior to their departure for the south they. have another period of song. EUPHAGUS CAROLINUS (Muller). Rusty Blackbird. Not uncommon migrant; rare winter resident. The first Rusty Blackbirds arrive on their journey to the northern breeding grounds sometimes as early as the third week 290 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. in February, but more often during the second or third week in March. A flock numbering over two thousand birds was seen on February 21, 1916. By April 15th only stragglers are seen. The southward flight passes through in October, tapering off into November. A few birds may be found here during mild and open winters. EupHAGUS CYANOCEPHALUS (Wagler). Brewer’s Blackbird. Rare migrant. Three sight records of this bird constitute the only known evi- dence of its occurrence here. Since the Brewer’s Blackbird may be easily mistaken in the field for the Bronzed Grackle, it may often go unnoticed in flocks of the latter. It has been observed on the prairie regions of Jackson County once, and in the bottoms twice, but no specimens have been taken. It is very desirable to obtain more data relative to this species, as well as more sat- isfactory proof of its local occurrence. Its migration through this region is probably coincident with that of the Rusty Black- bird. QUISCALUS QUISCULA AENEUS Ridgway. Bronzed Grackle. Common summer resident. A few hardy and impatient Grackles sometimes arrive late in February, but it is usually mid-March before many are present. The bulk of the flight arrives still later, during late March and the first week in April. The return migration occupies October and early November and a few may be present until well into December. Grackles are very common within the city, where their habit of occupying common roosts in shade trees, usually over side- walks, makes them a great nuisance. These roosts are not easily broken up and many residents of the south side of the city have had trying experiences in ridding their neighborhoods of this pest. The most effectual method is to shoot Roman-candles into the trees after the birds have settled for the night. Family Frinemumar. Finches, Sparrows, ete. HESPERIPHONA VESPERTINA VESPERTINA (W. Cooper). Evening Grosbeak. Very rare and irregular winter visitant. Only during occasional winters is this district invaded by Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 291 Evening Grosbeaks. The last visitation occurred in 1911, when several flocks of from two to twenty-five were seen at widely separated points in this vicinity. The first were noted on Janu- ary 23rd, after which they were present until the 6th of May. None have been seen since that year. CARPODACUS PURPUREUS PURPUREUS (Gmelin). Purple Finch. Rather common migrant; not uncommon winter resident. Flocks of migrating Purple Finches are likely to be seen any time between February and late April and again during Octo- ber and November. Small groups of wintering birds have been seen in December and January in all parts of the county, nota- bly in such places as Swope Park, the Country Club district, the upper Blue Valley and along the Missouri bluff regions. LoxIA CURVIROSTRA MINOR (Brehm). Crossbill. Rather irregular but sometimes not uncommon winter resident. Only an occasional winter passes without at least a few Cross- bills being seen. During rare winters thousands (Bush) are present and are to be found wherever there are suitable feeding places. They are attracted by sunflower patches, orchards where fruit has been left hanging, pine trees and weed patches. They have also been seen tearing to pieces the fruit of the Osage orange. Crossbills may be looked for between late October and early May. Loxia LEUCoPTERA Gmelin. White-winged Crossbill. Very rare winter visitant. There is only one authentic record of the occurrence of this Crossbill in this vicinity, though it probably occurs occasionally in the company of the other species. Students should be on the lookout for this bird, as we are well within its winter range. ACANTHIS LENARIA LINARIA (Linn.). Redpoll. Very rare winter visitant. Only three records are known of the occurrence of the Red- poll here; February 21, 1882; January 14, 1906, and February 13, 1916. 292 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. ASTRAGALINUS TRISTIS TRISTIS (Linn.). Goldfinch. Very common summer resident; not uncommon winter resident. The Wild Canary or Thistle Bird is most abundant here dur- ing migration, from the last week in April to the middle of May and during October. They are always present in winter in varying abundance and are generally distributed over the en- tire county. They nest rather late, as is shown by the following data from the Tindall collection:—August 21, 1891, four eggs; August 21, 1891, six eggs; June 30, 1895, three eggs; September 7, 1902, five eggs. The male Goldfinch presents a good example of the plumage change in birds whose summer and winter coats are entirely different. Individuals may be seen during different seasons of the year in all phases of their changing color. SPINUS PINUS (Wilson). Pine Siskin. Not uncommon migrant and winter visitant. A large per cent of the flocks of wintering Goldfinches have Siskins scattered among them. They are easily distinguished by their notes and by the streaked plumage. Flocks of migrating Siskins numbering hundreds have been seen between the middle of March (March 11, 1907) and the last of April, and from the last week of October to middle or late November. The presence of this bird in winter is often overlooked and every group of Goldfinches and wintering Sparrows should be closely scrutinized to find it. Passer DOMESTICUS (Linn.). PassER HOSTILIS Kleinschmidt. Proposed October, 1916. Eng- lish Sparrow. Very abundant resident. This alien species has established itself not only about the centers of civilization but has overflowed into the surrounding wild places and has proven itself equally successful in leading a feral existence. It is found in the wildest and most inacces- sible tangles of the Missouri bottom jungles, and nests in vines in the timber along the water courses and in deserted wood- pecker holes as well as natural cavities. Under favorable con- Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 293 ditions as many as four broods are brought forth in a single year. It is probably a fact that the balance of nature will be ad- justed in time by this sparrow at the expense of our more de- sirable native forms, though this may be partially compensated for by an increase in the smaller predatory birds, but as far as the writer has been able to observe no appreciable harm has as yet been done—at least in this vicinity. Mr. Widmann writes that the zenith of this bird’s abundance has been reached in St. Louis several years ago, and is of the Opinion that the late severe winters and lack of suitable nest- ing sites may have caused this standstill or decrease. This con- dition has also been noted in Kansas City, though coincident with the decrease within the city there has been a most decided increase in the surrounding rural districts. PLECTROPHENAX NIVALIS NivaLis (Linn.). Snow Bunting. Very rare and irregular winter visitant. This wanderer from the north reaches this vicinity only dur- ing the most severe winters. On January 29, 1889, a flock of several dozen of these beautiful birds was observed at Courtney by Bush. There is a specimen in the Tindall collection taken near Independence on November 8, 1892. CALCARIUS LAPPONICUS LAPPONICUS (Linn.). Lapland Longspur. Regular and not uncommon winter resident, sometimes very common. Lapland Longspurs are to be looked for on the prairie re- gions of the county between the first week in November (Novem- ber 5, 1913, earliest) and the middle of March (March 18, 1917, latest). ‘Small flocks are commonly met with between the Country Club and the upper Blue Valley, but very seldom visit the Mis- souri Valley. During some winters, flocks of hundreds are present, and dur- ing migration thousands are heard passing over at night. CaLcaRius Prorus (Swainson). Smith’s Longspur. Very rare and irregular winter visitant. The one local record for this bird is May 1, 1905, when three specimens were taken. It is reported as a common winter so- 294 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. journer in Kansas, is a regular migrant in Illinois and winters regularly in Arkansas. It therefore should be looked for in this vicinity. Caucartus ornatus (J. K. Townsend). Chestnut-collared Longspur. Rather rare winter visitant. This bird has been noted during the winter months on the prairie regions of this county and also in the neighborhood of Warrensburg (Scott). It is occasionally seen in the company of Lapland Longspurs, from which it is readily distinguishable. It is not so easily distinguished from the Smith’s Longspur. [RHYNCHOPHANES MccownlI (Lawrence). MceCown’s Longspur.] Probable migrant and winter resident. This Longspur can scarcely be distinguished in the field from the Chestnut-collared. Though there can be little doubt of its more or less regular occurrence here, as specimens have been taken on all sides of us, there is no positive evidence yet at hand that it visits Jackson County. The species should be looked for. POOECETES GRAMINEUS GRAMINEUS (Gmelin). Vesper Sparrow. Fairly common migrant; very rare summer resident. The Vesper Sparrow arrives from the south about the first of April (March 31, 1895; March 23, 1916, earliest) and is no longer present after the 20th to 25th of the month. It is here again during October and has never been seen later than No-_ vember 5th. Though there are two or three summer records, it is not considered a regular breeder in this vicinity. The Vesper Sparrow is found in open fields or along grassy hillsides covered with open groves. It is about intermediate in its choice of cover between the Savannah Sparrow of the open prairie and the Song Sparrow which never moves far from thick shelter. Some very good sparrow haunts are to be found in and about Swope Park. PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS SAVANNA (Wilson). Savannah Sparrow. Common migrant and very rare and irregular summer resident. The Savannah Sparrow arrives during the middle of March and is common until the third week in April. There are a few Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 295 known instances of its remaining during the entire summer. The nest has never been found in the county. The first southbound migrants have been noted as early as September 26th and the species is common again during the first three weeks of October. All are gone by the end of the first week in November. Savannah Sparrows may be found anywhere in the county in weedy fields, open bottom lands and on the prairies. PaSSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS ALAUDINUS Bonaparte. Western Savannah Sparrow. Migrant, probably not rare. Three specimens of this subspecies taken by Teachenor near Lawrence, and one taken by Tindall near Independence, con- stitute the only available records on which to base an estimate of the comparative abundance here of the two forms of the Sa- vannah Sparrow. That the western form is a regular migrant through Jackson County, there can be little doubt, since it has been frequently taken east of here, and is considered common about Lawrence. AMMODRAMUS BarRDI (Audubon). Baird’s Sparrow. Very uncommon migrant. But two known specimens of Baird’s Sparrow have been taken in this vicinity (Wilson, Buchanan County), though it may often occur in the company of other migrating sparrows, especially in the large flocks to be found in the Missouri bot- toms. This district lies within the migratory path of this sparrow. AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM AUSTRALIS Maynard. Grasshopper Sparrow. Very common migrant; irregular, sometimes not uncommon summer resident. The Grasshopper Sparrow arrives about April 25th, and after the middle of May only breeding birds are present. The last have left by early October. In some years none seem to remain to breed, but in others, as during the summer of 1918, many pairs may be found in suitable localities. This sparrow is to be found chiefly on the prairie regions in high grass and in clover fields. It is a common visitor to the 296 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. meadow in Swope Park, where it’ sometimes breeds, and along the Missouri Pacific right-of-way in the upper Blue Valley, where there is much red clover. The weak, high-pitched, insect-like notes of this little skulker more often attract attention to it than an actual sight of the bird. AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM BIMACULATUS Swainson. Western Grasshopper Sparrow. Rare migrant. The study of a more extensive series of Grasshopper Sparrow specimens than is yet available will be necessary in order to determine the local abundance of the western form. Only one specimen (Teachenor, Lawrence, Oct. 14, ’16) has been exam- ined. Further collecting may establish this subspecies as a regular migrant in this region. PASSERHERBULUS HENSLOWI HENSLOWI (Audubon). Henslow’s Sparrow. Not uncommon migrant; rather uncommon summer resident. The Henslow’s Sparrow arrives usually during early April (March 28, 1916, earliest) and leaves during October. It nests about marshy places and wet meadows and in damp grassy places. It has been frequently observed in the alfalfa field in Swope Park, on the Armour stock farm, about Lake City and has been found nesting near Independence. It is one of the runners in the grass that may be easily overlooked. PASSERHERBULUS LECONTEI (Audubon). Leconte’s Sparrow. Common migrant. The first movement of Leconte’s Sparrows into the county is usually noticeable in late February (Feb. 25, 1916; Feb. 25, 1917), but they are not numerous until two weeks later. By the 15th to 20th of April they are gone, not to be seen again until late September. They remain until well into December (Dec. 19, 1896, latest). These little sparrows are found on the high grassy prairies as well as in the open grassy bottom lands. They are not so easily overlooked as some of their more skulking kin, though they are great hiders and runners through the grass. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 297 CHONDESTES GRAMMACUS GRaMMACUS (Say). Lark Sparrow. Fairly common summer resident, The Lark Finch may be expected from the 19th to 28th of April (April 10, 1892, earliest), remaining until late Septem- ber. It is generally distributed over the entire county near the ledges, or barrens above the streams, where the soil is thin and there are small scattered trees. It may be looked for on the farming country adjacent to the bluff regions and in the upper Blue Valley. It is rather rare in Swope Park, though one pair nested on the rifle range in June, 1917. The Lark Sparrow is a ground nester and lays its eggs late in May. It is a beautiful songster and a conspicuously marked bird and may not be easily overlooked. ZONOTRICHIA QUERULA (Nuttall). Harris’s Sparrow. Very common migrant; fairly common winter resident. So far as the writer is aware, the district embraced in this list has given to science but two birds; namely, the Harris’s Sparrow and the Bell’s Vireo. Harris’s Sparrow may properly be called Jackson County’s own bird, since it was discovered here, very possibly within the present corporate limits of Kan- sas City itself. In late April, 1834, Thomas Nuttall, who with Townsend was making a transcontinental journey in the interest of science, discovered, ‘‘a few miles west of Independ- ence,’’ on the road to Westport, a new bird which he named the Mourning Finch. Not until 1840, when Volume 1 of the second edition of his ‘‘Manual of the Birds of the United States and Canada’’ was published, did he describe the finch and give it its systematic name. The fact of a later vernacular name be- coming current is traceable to an oversight of Audubon, who, not knowing of Nuttall’s discovery, thought he had found a new bird near Leavenworth on his memorable trip up the Missouri River in 1848. He named the bird in honor of his much es- teemed friend and companion on the trip, Edward Harris, which name has been recognized by the American Ornithologists’ Union and thus made permanent. The Harris’s Sparrow makes its first appearance here late in the first week of October and is present in varying abundance until late in November, after which only the wintering birds are to be found. If the winter be exceptionally severe, as in 298 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 1916-17 and 1917-18, only a few hardy birds remain to find shelter in the dense cover of the Missouri bottom undergrowth. During open and mild winters a few may be found in the hedges and weed patches of the prairie country. ; The northward movement begins late in February, but is not marked by the characteristic waves, when great numbers are here today and gone tomorrow, until three or four weeks later. The Harris’s Sparrow usually disappears by the first of May, though during late seasons it may remain until the second or third week (May 17, 1916; May 11, 1918, common). The notes of this handsome sparrow are querulous and pitched in a minor key and though very similar to those of their travel- ing companions, the White-throats, are readily distinguished from them by the absence of a well-marked form. ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS LEUCOPHRYS (J. R. 'Forster). White- crowned Sparrow. Common migrant; not uncommon winter resident. The first White-crowned Sparrows come down from the north early in October and are present in numbers until the first or second week in November, after which only a few scattered win- tering flocks remain. They are again numerous from late March or early April until the first week in May (May 14, 1916, latest). Their haunts are the same as those of the Harris’s Sparrow. ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS GAMBELI (Nuttall). Gambel’s Spar- row. Rather rare migrant and winter resident. A few scattered flocks of this subspecies are to be found on the prairies of western Jackson County during winter, being more numerous in open winters. ‘To Mr. Dix Teachenor belongs the credit of discovering the fact that these prairie birds are gambeli and not leucophrys as supposed. Specimens were taken in the region southwest of the Country Club on February 25, 1917. ZONOTRICHIA ALBICOLLIS (Gmelin). White-throated Sparrow. Very common migrant. The White-throated Sparrow arrives from the south early in April (March 28, 1898 ; March 25, 1905; March 23, 1907, earliest Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 299 dates) and is present until the middle of May, being most abun- dant about the third week in April. It is present again during October and is usually gone before the first of November. The only winter record is January 17, 1904, when a flock of fifty was seen by Smithson in the adjoining county. This sparrow is usually found with other large Fringillidae and may be looked for in all parts of the county. in suitable open districts, along hedges and brushy ravines, weedy fields, road- side tangles and about the edges of timber. It is plentiful in the Swope Park neighborhood and in the Missouri bottoms. SPIZELLA MONTICOLA MONTICOLA (Gmelin). Tree Sparrow. Abundant winter resident. The first Tree Sparrows arrive from their northern breeding grounds from the 13th to 21st of October, but are not numerous until well into November. From then on until early March they are present in great numbers throughout the county. After the first few days in April they are no longer present (April 15, 1906; April 9, 1917, latest). This species and the Junco are the commonest winter birds and are usually found together. They are abundant in the out- skirts of the city during winter. SPIZELLA MONTICOLA OCHRACEA Brewster. Western Tree Spar- row. Winter visitant, probably fairly common. There are nine specimens of the Western Tree Sparrow in the Teachenor series which testify to its regular occurrence in the neighborhood of Lawrence. A large enough series of Tree Spar- row skins taken in Jackson County has not yet been assembled to show in what proportion the two forms occur in the immedi- ate neighborhood of Kansas City. SPIZELLA PASSERINA PASSERINA (Bechstein). Chipping Spar- row. Very common summer resident. The Migrating Chipping Sparrows arrive from March 17th (earliest) to the 30th, usually about the 20th. The local birds take up their breeding stations during the first week in April and announce their presence about the parks and boulevards by 300 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. their dry, monotonous, high-pitched song. The four or five eggs are laid in the horsehair nest during the latter part of April. They leave for the south in October and are seldom seen late in the month (November 5, 1916, only November record). SPIZELLA PALLIDA (Swainson). Clay-colored Sparrow. Not uncommon migrant. This sparrow is present from the middle of April to the end of the second week in May (May 17, 1916, latest) and again dur- ing October. It does not seem to migrate in very large flocks and, though easily distinguished in the field, it is not a conspic- uous bird and may go unnoticed, unless one is familiar with its hoarse, wheezy song. It is found on the prairie regions, about open farming coun- try, and in the bottom lands. It has been noted in the Swope Park and Country Club neighborhoods and is a regular visitor to the Atherton and Courtney districts. SPIZELLA PUSILLA PUSILLA (Wilson). Field Sparrow. Very common summer resident and occasional winter resident. The Field Sparrow arrives in the first week of March, though a few impatient males are heard singing sometimes as early as the 15th of February. It becomes common by the third week of March. During the last half of October and November the bulk of the flight passes south. A few are to be seen in Decem- ber (December 25, 1910; December 17, 1916) and a very small number probably remain all winter. They nest in early May, on the ground or in low bushes. Field Sparrows inhabit open places near timber, particularly where there is an undergrowth of buckberry (Symphoricarpus orbiculatus Moench). They are very common about Swope Park. SPIZELLA PUSILLA ARENACEA Chadbourne. Western Field Spar- row. Migrant, probably not rare. The Field Sparrows of this region present a perplexing prob- lem to the writer. A dozen or more skins that have been exam- ined are certainly not typical pusilla, nor do they exhibit all the characters that mark arenacea, though they are much closer, Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 301 in fact, nearly identical with, the latter. The only eastern speci- men available for comparison—a skin from Massachusetts— shows much brighter coloration on the back, no indication of a grayish median stripe on the pileum, and a much shorter tail. Five local specimens taken in the fall (October) are decidedly paler in color and have the characteristic pileum of the western form. The tails and wings also average longer, and, though the ventral characters do not exactly coincide with Ridgway’s description, the five specimens are so close to arenacea that they may be with little doubt referred to that subspecies. Whether an intermediate form breeds here (as is suspected) will be known as soon as a series of summer specimens can be studied. JUNCO AIKENI Ridgway. White-winged Junco. Very rare winter visitant. This Junco has been seen a few times during severe winters by Bush in the neighborhood of Courtney. It was also observed by Smithson near Warrensburg on March 21, 1904. It prob- ably occurs here only during occasional and very severe winters. A specimen was taken by Mr. Dix Teachenor near Lawrence on October 24, 1912. JUNCO HYEMALIS HYEMALIS (Linn.). Slate-colored Junco. Abundant winter resident. Early in the second week of October the first Snowbirds are usually seen (October 5, 1901; October 7, 1917, earliest) and a week or ten days later hordes of migrants are present. Great numbers are to be found in all suitable localities over the entire county during winter. The northward movement begins late in February and by the 10th to 15th of April only stragglers are present (April 23, 1907; April 25, 1915; April 22, 1916, latest dates). This is our most familiar winter bird and may be found in abundance within the city. JUNCO HYEMALIS CONNECTENS Coues. Shufeldt’s Junco. Migrant and winter visitant. A large series of Juncos taken in this district by several col- lectors and assembled for study has yielded several specimens closely, if not quite, approaching this as well as the following 302 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. subspecies. Typical specimens of this race have been taken near Lawrence by Teachenor and others. JUNCO HYEMALIS MONTANUS Ridgway. Montana Junco. Migrant and winter visitant. The remarks on the preceding subspecies are equally applica- ble to the Montana race. The winter range of this form extends east to the Mississippi River, and, as may be expected, the Mon- tana Junco is occasionally found in Jackson County. At least four specimens are at hand which in the writer’s opinion are referable to montanus. The comparative abundance of the Juncos will, however, be an open question until more material can be studied. MELOSPIZA MELODIA MELODIA (Wilson). Song Sparrow. Very common migrant and fairly common winter resident; very rare summer resident. The spring movement of Song Sparrows begins early in March and migrants are abundant for the next three weeks. By the last few days of April or the first three or four days of May no more are to be seen save an occasional nesting pair. The first returning migrants are usually seen from the 5th to 10th of October and the bulk of the flight passes during the next three or four weeks. The wintering birds are most numerous in the thick shelter of the Missouri bottoms but may be found in small flocks on the uplands as well. They are rather common in the Swope Park district and on up the Blue Valley where food and thick shelter are to be had during the most severe winters. Bush has occasionally found Song Sparrows nesting in the Courtney district. MELOsPIzA LINCOLNI LINCOLNI (Audubon). Lincoln’s Sparrow. Fairly common migrant and rare winter resident. The Lincoln’s Sparrow arrives from the 18th to the 23rd of April (March 28, 1916, earliest migrant) and is present until between the 5th and 8th of May (May 19, 1916, latest). The first fall migrants are noticed about the middle of October and numbers are present until the second week in November. A few are always seen in December and there are a half dozen January records. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 803 They seem to occur most commonly in the Missouri bottoms and bluff regions, but are found in suitable sparrow territory over the entire county. The beautiful though rather subdued song of this sparrow is regularly heard in late April and early May, and oceasionally in the fall (October 14, 1917). MELOSPIZA GEORGIANA (Latham). Swamp Sparrow. Common migrant and not uncommon winter resident. The first northbound Swamp Sparrows arrive early in March though during mild seasons they may come as early as the mid- dle of February. They are present until late in April and the last are seen during the first week in May (May 9, 1914, May 9, 1915, latest). The autumn migrants are present from the middle of October until the first or second week in November, after which only the scattered winter residents are to be found. Like the Lincoln’s Sparrow this bird seems to like best the bottoms and bluffs along the river, especially in winter, where there is to be found plenty of food and shelter in the grassy sloughs and deep tangles of underbrush. In less numbers they are also found on the prairie regions in winter, about hedges, thickets, wooded ravines, weed patches and brushy creek bot- toms. PASSERELLA ILIACA ILIACA (Merrem). Fox Sparrow. Very common migrant and fairly common winter resident. During open and mild winters when the Fox Sparrow is com- mon, it is difficult to say just when the migrants arrive, though they are particularly numerous all during March. The few April records are for stragglers and are all in the first half of the month. The first fall migrants arrive late in September and become common early in October, the bulk passing during the first three weeks. After the first week in November only the wintering birds are left. The Fox Sparrow may be said to be an irregular winter resident, since it is very numerous in all parts of the county during some winters and during others only a few scattered birds are to be found in the thickest cover of the deep sheltered bottom lands. During the migration periods they are found everywhere in the open country but the largest flocks follow the bluffs and bottoms along the Missouri River. 304 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. PIPILO ERYTHROPHTHALMUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS (Linn.). Tow- hee. Common summer resident and abundant migrant; irregular winter resident. Not many days before or after the 15th of March the return- ing Towhees announce their presence from every thicket and wooded ravine and hillside. For about three weeks the woods are full of singing migrants. At this time they are to be found even along the streets and boulevards of the city. Nesting be- gins late in April and early May. The southward movement is noticeable early in October and the birds present in November will remain all winter unless driven further south by unusual cold. These wintering birds are few even in mild winters. Towhees are common over the entire county in suitable lo- ealities and may be found in the cemeteries, parks and suburbs. PIPILO MACULATUS ARCTICUS (Swainson). Arctic Towhee. Very rare winter visitant. Bush states that he has observed the Arctic Towhee at rare intervals near Courtney during severe winters and that speci- mens have been taken. Bunker gives it as rare in eastern Kan- sas during winter. CARDINALIS CARDINALIS CARDINALIS (Linnaeus). Cardinal. Very common resident. Some question exists as to the status of our Cardinal. Ridg- way states (Bull. 50, U. S. N. M., Birds of North & Middle Amr., part 1, p. 637) that it is very uncertain how far south along the eastern border of the plains this form (C. c. car- dinalis), or how far north the Texan form (C. c. canicaudus —Gray-tailed Cardinal) extends; ‘‘possibly even birds from eastern Kansas are referable to the latter.’’ He states further (1. e. p. 636) that specimens from the Mississippi Valley are so completely intermediate between the two forms that they may almost as properly be referred to one as to the other. There has been available for study a series of ten males and six females from this region and only two male specimens from east of the Allegheny Mountains, but no typical C. c. canicaudus has been examined. A carefully drawn up table of measure- ments shows a very slight increase in the size of the local birds over the eastern specimens. No difference in the distribution Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 305 or intensity of the coloration can be detected. A comparison of the females with Ridgway’s description of the female cant- caudus type leads to the conclusion that the local bird is true C. c. cardinalis, or is at least much closer to it than to C. c. canicaudus. Mr. Dix Teachenor states that his study of the material in the Kansas University Museum leads him to be- lieve that the Gray-tailed Cardinal does not range so far north as Douglas County, Kansas, or Jackson County, Missouri, and that he unhesitatingly referred the specimens in his collection, taken in the Lawrence neighborhood, to the eastern form. The Cardinal is common throughout the county and is resi- dent during the entire year. It nests freely in the suburbs of the city and is abundant in the parks and cemeteries. Its three or four eggs are laid in May and more than one brood is raised. The nest is a loose, bulky structure placed in low trees, bushes, briar tangles or thick vines. The Redbird is silent only during the time of moulting, after the last brood of young are out of the nest. Great numbers pass the severe periods of winter in the shelter of Swope Park, in the upper Blue Valley, along the bluffs and in the timbered bottoms. ZAMELODIA LUDOVICIANA (Linn.). Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Common migrant; not uncommon summer resident. The first Rose-breasts arrive between April 19th (earliest) and 29th and are common during early May when the bulk of the migrants are present. After the middle of the month only the breeding birds remain. The autumn migration is notice- able in middle and late September. There are no October re- cords for this vicinity. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are to be found in all parts of the county in wooded tracts and even breed sparingly within the city. GUIRACA CAERULEA CAERULEA (Linn.). Blue Grosbeak. Recent and very rare summer resident. Prior to the summer of 1918 there were but three known in- stances of the occurrence of the Blue Grosbeak in this vicinity, and these records were not entirely satisfactory. On July 13, 1918, a nest containing young was found in a peach orchard on the farm of Mrs. M. J. Morrin, just east of Swope Park. 306 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Touts. Both old birds were observed feeding the young, and the male sang almost continuously. Mrs. Morrin states that the birds were present during the summer of 1917. This is the most northern breeding record for Missouri. A pair observed by Smithson near Warrensburg in June, 1904, were possibly nest- ing. Like the Bewick’s Wren this bird seems to be extending its range in this direction. PASSERINA CYANEA (Linn.). Indigo Bunting. ; Very common summer resident. The Indigo Bunting arrives regularly during the last three days in April or the first three days in May. It nests in late May and early June and leaves for the south during the early part of October. It is found in dry, open sous about the edges of thick timber, along brushy ravines, hillsides or roads and in any country overgrown with brush. It is very common in the Swope Park district, on the prairies in favorable localities, in the bottom country and bluff regions and along railroads. PASSERINA AMOENA (Say). Lazuli Bunting. Occasional or accidental visitant. Only wanderers out of their range are likely to be met with in this vicinity. One specimen has been taken here, two have been taken at St. Joseph, Missouri, and one at Leavenworth, Kansas. Spa AMERICANA (Gmelin). Dickcissel. Very common summer resident. The Dickcissels arrive during the last half of April and are very common early in May. Nesting begins by the middle of the month and two or three broods are raised. They leave in September, very few remaining into October. The Dickcissel nests on the ground or in low bushes and is a lover of open fields. It is rarely found in the Missouri bottoms except during migration but is very common on the higher re- gions of the county. About fifteen pairs nest regularly on the rifle range and adjoining meadow in Swope Park but during some unfortunate years, as in 1917, they are all driven off and the nests destroyed by the early mowing of these tracts. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 307 Family Tangaripar. Tanagers. PIRANGA ERYTHROMELAS Vieillot. Scarlet Tanager. , Common summer resident. The Scarlet Tanager arrives from April 25th (1895, earliest) to the 30th, sometimes not until the last days of the first week in May. Nesting begins in early June, and after the postnuptial moult, when the young are on the wing, the birds leave for the south. The migrating period occupies nearly all of September. By the first of October all have left. The Tanagers are woods-loving birds and are always found in the neighborhood of timber. This species has a general distribution over the county and breeds in the timbered bottoms as well as in the woods of the high country and near the edges of the prairie regions. It is common in Swope Park and the upper Blue Valley and breeds at several points in the southern suburbs. PIRANGA RUBRA RUBRA (Linn.). Summer Tanager. Fairly common summer resident. This tanager arrives with its congenor in late April or early May and leaves during September. It is perhaps not quite as common as the Scarlet and is never found nesting in the Mis- souri bottom lands or other low timber. It prefers higher country, particularly dry oak woods, and occasionally builds its nest in orchards or other timber close to habitations. It is numerous in Swope Park and on the wooded hills and ridges of the upper Blue Valley, as well as in many similar places in the central and southern parts of the county. Family Hirunpinipar. Swallows. PROGNE SUBIS sUBIS (Linn.). Purple Martin. Very common summer resident. The earliest Martins arrive in mid-March (from the 4th to 26th). These are a few impatients males that are sometimes forced by late storms to rejoin their less venturesome brothers further south. By the last week in March there are always a few present and during the following two weeks they are joined daily by fresh arrivals. It sometimes happens that late sleet storms force the Martins to remain in their roosts for two or three successive days when they starve to death. 308 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. Nesting begins early in May and when the young are out the birds begin flocking to common roosts in the bottoms. They leave on the southern journey during early September. Martins are sociable birds and breed in colonies wherever suitable bird-houses are provided or where they are able to find room in the cornices of old business buildings, as on north Main Street and elsewhere in the city. To attract a colony of Martins it is necessary to provide a house of several rooms with the entrance holes at the bottom and placed as high from the ground as possible. It is also necessary to have the house out in the open away from trees. PETROCHELIDON LUNIFRONS LUNIFRONS (Say). PETROCHELIDON ALBIFRONS ALBIFRONS (Rafinesque). Proposed April, 1917. Cliff Swallow. Not uncommon migrant; very rare summer resident. For twenty years prior to 1917 no Cliff Swallows were known to breed in Jackson County. During that summer a colony of about a dozen pairs remained to breed in the neighborhood of Atherton. There are a few colonies in the adjoining counties on the east and north. During migration they are regularly seen in small numbers hawking for insects over ponds with other swallows. They arrive in late April and leave in early September. HirnunDo ERYTHROGASTRA Boddaert. Barn Swallow. Abundant migrant and not uncommon summer resident. The Barn Swallow arrives from the 13th to 20th of April and departs during the last half of September. It is found in all parts of the county except close to the city. It builds in farm outbuildings, attaching its mud and straw nest to rafters, beams and walls. Hosts of these and other swallows are to be found in the Mis- souri bottoms during migration where they find congenial roost- ing and feeding places. Numbers of swallows are also to be found over the Swope Park lakes during May and September. TRIDOPROCNE BICOLOR (Vieillot). Tree Swallow. Very common migrant. During the second half of April and early May, and in Sep- tember and October the White-bellied Swallow is abundant. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 309 During this time it is to be found hawking for insects over any body of water with other swallows and flocking to the lowlands to roost. It breeds not far to the north but has never been found nest- ing in this county. RiIpPaRIA RIPARIA (Linn.), Bank Swallow. Common summer resident. The Bank Swallow arrives during the last half of April and leaves in the first and second weeks of September. It may be found in migration about any suitable feeding place in the company of other swallows but in the breeding season is found only near the Missouri River. Great numbers breed in colonies in the high sandy banks of the river and in the exposed faces of the deep deposits of loess along the bluffs. Several railroad cuts at the base of the bluffs afford suitable sites for their nesting burrows. This swallow may be distinguished from the Rough-wing, in whose company it is often found, by the dusky throat band. The Rough-wing has a dusky patch that is not clearly defined by the unmarked throat. STELGIDOPTERYX SERRIPENNIS (Audubon). Rough-winged Swal- low. Common summer resident. The Rough-wing arrives sometimes as early as April 4th but more often near the 15th or 20th and is present until late Sep- tember. It is more widely distributed in this county in summer than the Bank Swallow though it has much the same nesting habits. It breeds in crevices in masonry, particularly in bridges but also in clay banks, but never in large colonies like those of the Bank Swallow, nor in such deep burrows. It has been seen feeding about the Swope Park lakes during summer and no doubt nests in the park. Family Bompyciuipan. Waxwings. BoMBYCILLA GARRULA (Linn.), Bohemian Waxwing. Very rare and irregular winter visitant. Only three specimens of this rare and uncertain bird have ever been taken in this vicinity: February 27, 1911, December 310 Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. 25, 1916, and another, date unknown, taken in Platte County by Jno. Bryant. The Bohemian Waxwing may occur more frequently than is known and students should closely scrutinize and follow up every winter flock of Cedar Waxwings seen in the hope of find- ing it. It is easily distinguished by its much larger size and by the presence of white in the wing. BoMBYCILLA CEDRORUM Vieillot. Cedar Waxwing. Irregular, sometimes common, migrant and winter resident; doubt- ful summer resident. The following dates selected from a mass of notes on this bird will show the puzzle of its local occurrence. Jan. 17, 1915. Twenty. Apr. 30, 1896. Flock. Jan. 26, 1905. Small flock. May 6, 1894. Flock. Feb. 4, 1894. Numbers. May 7, 1911. Twelve. Feb. 11, 1904. Few. May 20, 1916. Flock. Feb. 15, 1917. Eighteen. May 25, 1894. Small flock. Feb. 20, 1916. Twelve. May 30, 1904. Flock. Feb. 21, 1901. Numbers. May 30, 1916. Twenty-five. Mar. 2, 1914. Twenty. Jun. 2, 1894. Few. Mar. 5, 1903. Flock. Jun. 4, 1894. Few. Mar. 6, 1898. Small flock. Jun. 5, 1907. Few. Mar. 12, 1916. Thirty. Jun. 8, 1897. Few. Mar. 19, 1915. Forty. Oct. 8, 1916. Forty. Mar. 26, 1914. Flock. Oct. 17, 1915. Flock. Apr. 4, 1907. Large flock. Oct. 31, 1904. Seventy. Apr. 5, 1896. Twenty. Nov. 5, 1898. Flock. Apr. 9, 1905. Three. Nov. 13, 1893. Flock. Apr. 17, 1905. Flock. Noy. 30, 1916. Two. Apr. 28, 1917. Small flock. Dec. 25, 1916. Hight. The Cedar Waxwing probably occurs during the three months not given and yet it has never been known to breed in this vicinity. Flocks are likely to be met with in any part of the county. They are fond of hackberries, persimmons, wild grapes, choke cherries and many other kinds of wild fruit found here in abundance. They sometimes swoop down into the shade trees along the Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 311 boulevards but are most often seen in the Missouri bottoms and bluff regions. Family Lanupaz. Shrikes. LANIUS BOREALIS Vieillot. Northern Shrike. Rare winter visitant. The Northern Shrike is distinctly larger than the Migrant Shrike, and may be recognized in the field by its size by a care- ful observer familiar with the latter species. It may be looked for anywhere in the county during winter. It is never numer- ous and in some winters is not seen. It is likely to be met with any time between early November and late March or early April. Three specimens only, are known to have been taken in this vicinity, November 24, 1901, January 18, 1909 (Dankers), the third date not being available. Bush gives several dates on which he has observed this bird. LaANIUS LUDOVICIANUS EXCUBITORIDES Swainson. White-rumped Shrike. Accidental visitant. Only one specimen of this western shrike has ever been taken in the county (April 25, 1902), and it is considered only acci- dental. Its range in this latitude extends as far east as central Kansas. LANIUS LUDOVICIANUS MIGRANS W. Palmer. Migrant Shrike. Common summer resident; occasional winter resident. The Migrant Shrike is the breeding form for this district and arrives commonly from the 12th to 20th of March. It departs in late October and early November and a few may remain during mild and open winters. Even in severe winters an oc- casional bird is seen. This shrike is fairly common over the whole county but is most numerous on the prairies and open farming country, par- ticularly where the osage orange hedges afford it breeding places. It is seldom seen in the Swope Park neighborhood but is common south of the Country Club district and on the high country south and east of Forest Hill Cemetery and beyond Dodson. The nesting period is during the last two weeks of April and 312 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. later. Four to seven eggs are laid and two broods are often raised. Family ViIrEoNIDAE. Vireos. VIREOSYLVA OLIVACEA (Linn.). Red-eyed Vireo. Common summer resident. The Red-eyed Vireo arrives regularly during the last four days of April and leaves during the last week of September. It is our commonest vireo and comes freely into the wooded sec- tions of the city to breed. One pair even yet comes to nest in a thicket on the ledge in Penn Valley Park, a few blocks from the Union Station. Red-eyed Vireos are numerous in and about Swope Park, in some of the cemeteries, in the wooded sections bordering the Country Club and other districts within the city and along the bluffs. The nesting season begins about the second week in May. VIREOSYLVA PHILADELPHICA Cassin. Philadelphia Vireo. Rather rare migrant. There are but six known records of the local occurrence of this vireo, all during the month of May. Two specimens have been taken by Tindall on May 10, 1893, and May 8, 1898, re- spectively. VIREOSYLVA GILVA GILVA (Vieillot). Warbling Vireo. Common migrant and not uncommon summer resident. The Warbling Vireo rarely arrives in numbers before the first week in May though singing males are occasionally heard as early as the middle of April. It leaves for the south during the first two weeks of September. During migration Warbling Vireos may be found in wooded places in every part of the county but in summer they seem to prefer the bluff regions and neighboring territory. They are heard singing during the nesting season about Independence, Courtney, Atherton and Sibley and in the Missouri and lower Blue Valleys. They have been found nesting in Fairmount Park. LANIVIREO FLAVIFRONS (Vieillot). Yellow-throated Vireo. Not uncommon summer resident. The Yellow-throated Vireo arrives about the middle of April and leaves in late September. This vireo loves damp woods and Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 313 prefers thick wooded creek bottoms and ravines near water. It nests regularly in Shilo Hollow at the edge of Swope Park and in the Hazel Dell neighborhood within the Park. It is most numerous during migration in the Missouri Valley and along the bluffs. LANIVIREO SOLITARIUS SOLITARIUS (Wilson). Blue-headed Vireo. Not uncommon migrant, The Solitary Vireo is a comparatively late visitor, arriving during the last few days in April or the first week in May, often remaining till the last of May (May 26, 1893, May 15, 1899, May 18, 1915, and May 28, 1916, latest). It leaves for the south during the last few days of September. It is seen regularly along Brush Creek in the Country Club district, in the Missouri and Blue Valleys, along the bluffs, about Inde- pendence and in Swope Park. VIREO GRISEUS GRISEUS (Boddaert). White-eyed Vireo. Fairly common summer resident. The White-eyed Vireo arrives from April 26th to May 4th and leaves during the second and third weeks of September at which time it is usually in full song. The nesting period begins early in June. It is found in the rich undergrowth of timbered places near streams and near the edges of clearings. It breeds in such places over the entire county but is more numerous in the Missouri bottoms and along the bluff ravines and creeks. Several pairs nest regularly in and about Swope Park. VIREO BELLI BELLI Audubon. Bell’s Vireo. Fairly common summer resident. The Bell’s Vireo was made known to science by Audubon who met with it for the first time in the bottom lands of the Missouri between Fort Leavenworth and St. Joseph. The first specimen was shot by J. G. Bell, a member of Audubon’s party, on May 4, 1843. The Bell’s Vireo and the Harris’s Sparrow are the two birds which have been discovered in the territory cov- ered in this list. This vireo arrives during the first days of May, seldom be- fore the third (April 30, 1899, April 27, 1900, earliest), and leaves for the south shortly after the middle of September. 314 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. This species is not so closely associated with thick woods as most of the other vireos and may be found on the prairie re- gions in thickets, hedges, bushes and small clumps of trees or shrubbery. It nests in the outskirts of the city and may be found in the neighborhood of Swope Park as well as other easily accessible places further west and south. It nests early in June. Family Mnioti.twar. Wood Warblers. Mynioriuta varia (Linn.). Black and White Warbler. Common migrant and rather rare summer resident. The Black and White Warbler arrives from the 15th to 20th of April (April 11, 1915, earliest) and is very common in the wooded sections of the county until the middle of May. From then on until the first week in September only the breeding birds are present. During the first two weeks of September the migrants are again numerous. This distinctively marked warbler breeds in the less fre- quented sections of Swope Park where it has been observed car- rying nesting material and feeding full grown young. Unlike most of the warblers it often feeds near the ground on the trunks of trees and among low bushes and is easy of approach. During the spring migration, when the birds are mating, they are seen in numbers in wooded territory over the entire county, particularly in Swope Park. PROTHONOTARIA CITREA (Boddaert). Prothonotary Warbler. Common summer resident. The Prothonotary Warbler arrives irregularly from the mid- dle to last of April (April 7, earliest) and leaves during the first half of September. It nests in holes and cavities and prefers to be near water. It breeds along the Blue in the Swope Park district and is com- mon in the Missouri bottom timber near swampy and damp places. Deserted woodpecker holes in standing dead trees or stumps are favorite nesting sites. Great numbers migrate up and down the Missouri Valley. HELMITHEROS VERMIVoRUS (Gmelin). Worm-eating Warbler. Not uncommon summer resident. The Worm-eating Warbler arrives during the first few days Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 815 in May and leaves early in September. It is most numerous during the second week in May when the bulk of the migrants pass. At this time it is evenly distributed over the wooded sections of the entire county. In the breeding season it is found only about rocky ledges bordering thick timber, pre- ferably near creek bottoms or damp ravines. Such conditions are found in and about Swope Park where the dry monotonous song of this warbler is heard regularly during summer. This song is very similar to that of the Chipping Sparrow but is dis- tinguishable from it in being higher pitched and more rapid in execution. The songs, too, are never heard in the same en- vironment. VERMIVORA PINUS (Linn.). Blue-winged Warbler. Rather rare summer resident. The Blue-winged Warbler arrives during the last days of April and during the next ten days northbound migrants are present in numbers in the wooded regions of the county. Its buzzing notes are heard all summer in the less frequented woods of Swope Park where it seems to be increasing in num- bers during recent years. With the exception of some of the wilder bluff regions, the conditions for the successful raising of its young are more favorable in Swope Park than in any other region of the county. VERMIVORA CHRYSOPTERA (Linn.). Golden-winged Warbler. Extremely rare migrant. Though there is but one record of the local occurrence of this warbler (May 9, 1889, Bush) it is not considered as merely acci- dental. It migrates regularly through the eastern part of the state and occurs sparingly south of this district. It is hoped that students may be able to secure and transmit further data regarding this species. VERMIVORA RUBRICAPILLA RUBRICAPILLA (Wilson). Nashville Warbler. Not uncommon migrant. The Nashville Warbler arrives from April 25th to May 5th and is most numerous during the second week in May. The latest spring record is May 22, 1916, which is an extremely late date. The returning migrants pass through during the last half of September. 316 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. This warbler is found in all wooded sections of the county, including the southern and eastern suburbs of the city. VERMIVORA CELATA CELATA (Say). Orange-crowned Warbler. Not uncommon migrant. ‘The Orange-crowned Warbler arrives during the last week of April (April 17, 1916, earliest) and is present until the mid- dle of May (May 20, 1916, latest). Its passage through the county is never marked by any great numbers. The earliest fall arrivals are noted about the middle of September (Sept. 14, 1903, earliest) and individuals are present until the middle of October. On account of the lack of any bold markings the Orange- crowned Warbler is difficult to distinguish in the field and is often overlooked. It frequents low thick bushes more than other species. The bird may generally be discovered by its song, which is feeble and sounds like an unsuccessful effort to keep on one key. It may be looked for in the timbered bottoms and bluff regions of the Missouri River and in the upper Blue Valley in the Swope Park and Dodson districts, and in thickets even in the residence district in the city. VERMIVORA PEREGRINA (Wilson). Tennessee Warbler. Very common migrant. With the possible exception of the Myrtle, the Tennessee Warbler is our commonest warbler. The birds first arrive dur- ing the last few days of April and become most numerous during the first ten days of May. Stragglers are sometimes seen as late as May 25th (1916, three). The southward movement is noticeable in late September and the first half of October. At the height of migration the nervous staccato song of this species resounds from every tree, even in the outer residence section of the city. CoOMPSOTHLYPIS AMERICANA USNEAE Brewster. Northern Parula Warbler. Very common migrant and not uncommon summer resident. The Parula Warbler arrives from the 16th to 28th of April and leaves during the last half of September. During the first week or ten days of May the spring migration is at its height and the tall timber of the bottom lands fairly teems with these buzzing and persistent songsters. They are somewhat gaudily Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 317 marked birds but are difficult to see as they feed among the dense foliage of the highest tree tops. They breed in the Missouri and Blue Valleys and may be commonly found in Swope Park during summer. One form of the song of this species is similar to that of the Cerulean Warbler but may be distinguished by a difference in the opening notes, which are more drawled in the song of the Parula. DENDROICA TIGRINA (Gmelin). Cape May Warbler. Very rare migrant. The only known records of the occurrence of this warbler in this vicinity are May 22, 1909, May 11, 1911, May 11, 1912 and April 26, 1915. The record for May 11, 1912, was made over the state line in Johnson County, Kansas. DENDROICA AESTIVA AESTIVA (Gmelin). Yellow Warbler. Very common migrant and common summer resident. The Yellow Warbler arrives regularly during the last five or six days of April. During early May when the bulk of the migrants are present, they are distributed over the entire county. This species is most numerous in the Missouri bottoms between May 2nd and 7th when it may be said to fairly swarm in the willow thickets. It also prefers to nest in the bottom lands and in the wide valleys leading into these regions. It has never been found in Swope Park in summer but there is one breeding record for the lower Brush Creek region not far to the west. It is not seen in this county after the first week or ten days in September. [DENDROICA CAERULESCENS CAERULESCENS (Gmelin). Black- throated Blue Warbler. ] Probable migrant. This warbler has been reported several times to the east and west of this district but there is no known instance of its oc- currence in the immediate vicinity. Students should be on the lookout for this distinctively marked species during migration times. Denprorca coronaTa (Linn.). Myrtle Warbler. Very common migrant and rather rare winter resident. During favorable winters when there is an abundant supply 318 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. of their favorite food, the fruit of the poison ivy, at least a few flocks of Myrtle Warblers are present in the thick timbered sections of the bluff regions and bottom lands. In some win- ters, as in 1914-15 and 1915-16, these birds are to be found in noticeable numbers during the most severe weather conditions. The migrants begin arriving from the 16th to 25th of March and by the middle of April are present in large numbers throughout the entire county. Very few are seen after the first week in May though an occasional straggler lingers until rather late in the month (May 20, 1916, latest). The earliest fall birds reach here from September 27th (1908, earliest) to late in the first week of October, and by the last of the month the migrants are gone and only winter numbers are present. These warblers may be looked for during migration in any wooded place. They pass through Swope Park in great num- bers and are found along the boulevards and about lawn shade trees. They are restless birds but often feed low down in the trees and in bushes and are easy of approach. DENDROICA MAGNOLIA (Wilson). Magnolia Warbler. Regular but rather uncommon migrant, The Magnolia Warblers pass through at the height of the spring migration between the 11th and 16th of May. No fall records are available but the returning migrants should be looked for during the second and third, and possibly fourth, weeks of September. They may be found in the tall trees along the rivers and creeks, and even in the hawthorn and crab thickets of the outer residence districts. The greatest number ever noticed in one year was on May 14, 1917, when more than ten birds were seen between Inde- pendence and Courtney (Tindall). DENDROICA CERULEA (Wilson). Cerulean Warbler. Common migrant and not uncommon summer resident. The first Cerulean Warblers are usually heard on May Ist, rarely before (April 29, 1900, earliest), and sometimes not un- til the last days of the first week of May. They leave early for the south, not being seen usually after late August. As they haunt the tops of the highest trees they are more often heard Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 319 than seen, and during their silence after the breeding season are often overlooked. They are to be looked for in thick bottom timber. Several pairs nest regularly in the damp woods of Shilo Hollow and Hazel Dell, in Swope Park. They also breed in the Missouri Valley. The song is similar to one form of the Parula Warbler’s song but may be distinguished by its opening, which consists of a series of double notes briskly given. The two are often heard together in the woods near the south suspension bridge across the Blue River in Swope Park. DENDROICA PENSYLVANICA (Linn.). Chestnut-sided Warbler. Very rare migrant. There are but eight available records of the occurrence of this warbler in Jackson County. It was observed on April 30th during two years and from the 18th to 20th of May during five others. No autumn records are available. DENDROICA CASTANEA (Wilson). Bay-breasted Warbler. Very rare migrant. This warbler has been reported as rare both to the east and west of this district and there is but a single local record, of ancient origin (Hoy). Students should be on the lookout for further records. DENDROICA STRIATA (J. R. Forster). Black-poll Warbler. Common migrant. The Black-poll brings up the rear of the north-bound warb- ler army and is commonest during the second and third weeks of May. The advance guard usually arrives between the 2nd and 7th of May though in favorable seasons it may arrive earlier (April 27, 1900, April 28, 1904, April 29, 1915, earliest). The southward flight passes during September. The Black-poll Warblers may be looked for in all wooded sections of the county and in the park cemeteries. Denproica Fusca (Muller). Blackburnian Warbler. Rather rare migrant. Blackburnian Warblers appear about the end of the first week in May and are rarely seen after the 20th (an exception- ally late date is May 30, 1904). They pass through on the re- 320 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. turn flight from the 10th to 25th of September. They are never numerous. They are to be looked for in wooded places beloved of the warblers. Several records have been made in Swope Park. DENDROICA DOMINICA ALBILORA. Sycamore Warbler. Not common migrant; probable summer resident. This region is on the western edge of the range of the Syca- more Warbler, and though it is a regular migrant and very possibly a more or less regular summer resident, it has not been often noted. é This warbler is one of the first to appear in spring, being preceeded only by the Myrtle Warbler. The earliest available record is April 7, 1918 (mouth of Indian Creek). The Sycamore Warbler is a frequenter of tall trees in bottom land along water courses. It is difficult to see in the tree tops, but is distinctively marked and has a very characteristic song, the manner of delivery of which recalls the Indigo Bunting. DENDROICA VIRENS (Gmelin). Black-throated Green Warbler. Not common migrant. The Black-throated Green Warbler is present during the first three weeks of May and during all of September. It is never present in very great numbers. It may be looked for in the wilder parts of Swope Park, in the Dodson region and in the timber of the Missouri and Blue Valleys. Dewnproica vigorst (Audubon). Pine Warbler. Regular but not common fall migrant. The Pine Warbler is regularly seen here between September 3rd and October 16th, during which time it is often in full song. It is given as a fall migrant only as it has never been observed here in spring. This is perhaps merely an oversight as it mi- grates north through eastern Kansas and eastern Missouri. Students should be on the lookout for this bird in the spring in the hope of establishing a new record. Some recent records are: Sept. 3, 9 and 10, 1914 (singing), Sept. 9, 14, and 15, 1915 (singing), Sept. 10, 1916, and Oct. 16, 1916. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 321 DENDROICA PALMARUM PALMARUM (Gmelin). Palm Warbler. Regular but not numerous migrant. The Palm Warbler arrives from April 27th to May 7th but is never very numerous. It passes through on the southward flight between the 5th and 11th of October. Usually single birds are seen, though sometimes they occur in small troops of twos and threes. They may be looked for in the timber of the Missouri and Blue Valleys and in Swope Park. DeENpROIcA DIScoLoR (Vieillot). Prairie Warbler. Occasional. There is but one known record of the occurrence here of the Prairie Warbler—May 6, 1911, near Dodson. SEIURUS AUROCAPILLUS (Linn.). Oven-bird. Common migrant and rather rare summer resident. The Oven-bird arrives during the last week of April and in- creases in numbers in the first week of May. At this time it may be looked for in all thickly wooded places over the county, especially in the bluff and bottom regions and in such places as the upper Blue Valley. The migrants are again present during September. The only places in the county where this warbler is known to breed are a few wild sections of the bluff regions, as near Sib- ley, and on the dry wooded ridge in Swope Park south of Hazel Dell. In the latter place the songs of the Ovenbird and Ken- tucky Warbler, which are very similar, may be heard together. SEIURUS NOVEBORACENSIS NOTABILIS Ridgway. Grinnell’s Water- Thrush. Not rare migrant. This northwestern form of the Water-Thrush passes through this region regularly during the first half of May (April 29, 1917, earliest; May 15, 1916, latest) and during September. It is to be looked for either in the same kind of territory as that frequented by the southern species, which is the breeding form for this region, or in swampy places in woods. With the aid of glasses the two forms are readily distinguishable in the field and may be further identified by their noticeably different songs. The Grinnell’s Water-Thrush is a regular migrant through 822 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. Swope Park. It has been observed at close range in the small swamp in the woods near the Swope rifle range. Serurus moraciLua (Vieillot). Louisiana Water-Thrush. Common migrant and not uncommon summer resident. Our earliest arrival date for this warbler is April 1, 1905, though the average is ten days or two weeks later. During the first week in May numbers of migrants are found along the streams, especially along the banks of the Missouri River in the willow thickets and other dense growths standing on high cut- ting banks. The fall migratory flight passes through in Sep- tember. These warblers breed not uncommonly in the ravines and ereek bottoms of the bluff regions and in the valleys of the Big and Little Blue. They nest also in favorable places in and about Swope Park. OPoRORNIS FoRMOSUS (Wilson). Kentucky Warbler. Rather common summer resident. The Kentucky Warbler arrives during the first week of May, though occasionally earlier (April 30, 1899, April 29, 1900, April 29, 1917), and leaves late in September. It nests in the deep woods of the Missouri Valley and in the thick undergrowth along the wooded creek bottoms of the higher regions. It is fairly common as a breeder in certain favorable sections of Swope Park and the upper Blue Valley. Three pairs nested in Shilo Hollow during the summer of 1917 and had not left their breeding stands on September 3rd. Bush states that they nest in the coarse grass and sedge along swamps and sloughs in the Courtney district. OPORORNIS AGILIS (Wilson). Connecticut Warbler. Very rare migrant. Only two local records of this warbler are available. One was seen near Independence on May 12, 1914. On May 15, 1916, one was observed at close range in the Country Club re- gion and was heard to sing repeatedly. It was feeding in a clump of Buckberry bushes under large trees from which it sang as it did also from a small thorn tree and from the ground. The song was loud and clear and Carolina Wren-like and may be transcribed as Wee-chipper, Wee-chipper, Wee-chipper, Chip (Hoffmann). Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 323 OPORORNIS PHILADELPHIA (Wilson). Mourning Warbler. Regular but not numerous migrant. The ten available records of the local occurrence of this warbler are between May 18th and 23rd. They have been noted in the Missouri bottoms and bluff timber, in Swope Park, and in the Country Club region. Their presence here on the return flight has thus far been overlooked. GEOTHLYPIS TRICHAS TRICHAS (Linn.). Maryland Yellow-throat. Very common summer resident. The Yellow-throats arrive regularly between the 23rd and 29th of April (April 19, 1914, only earlier date). These early arrivals announce their presence first from the bottom lands, but are soon scattered over the uplands as well. From May 5th to 10th the greatest numbers are present in the willow thickets along the Missouri River. The breeding birds are evenly distributed over the county and may be looked for along all water courses, even ditches, and in any damp woods or low bushy places. They nest within the city in Swope Park, along the Blue and Brush Creek Valleys, in the Country Club and Rockhill regions, in the cemeteries and along Cliff Drive. They nest about the middle of May and lay from four to six eggs. The fall migration begins during the first days of September and continues through the month, very few birds being seen during the last week. IcCTERIA VIRENS VIRENS (Linn.). Yellow-breasted Chat. Common summer resident. Like several of the warblers, the earliest Chats are to be looked for in the thick tangles of the Missouri bottoms where the bulk of the migrants pass. These forerunners appear regu- larly between the 24th and 29th of April. By the 5th to 10th of May the crest of the migration wave is passing. This warbler inhabits thickets, briar tangles, bushy ravines, second-growth timber, burnt-over hillsides and all kinds of brushy undergrowths. Three to six eggs are laid late in May. The Chat is something of a skulker, but is occasionally caught at his clownish antics. A good place to hear the indescribable song of this species is in the neighborhood of the rifle range meadow in Swope Park. 824 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Leuis. The Chats disappear from their breeding stations early in August (August 4, 1904, family party) and the fall migration is not noticeable, as the birds are then silent and secretive. ‘WILSONIA CITRINA (Boddaert). Hooded Warbler. Rare visitant and possible occasional breeder. The few local records of this warbler are, with one exception, from the timbered regions of the Missouri bottoms and are be- tween the 8th and 25th of May. On May 25, 1916, a pair seen near Independence may have been breeding. WILSONIA PUSILLA PUSILLA (Wilson). Wilson’s Warbler. Not uncommon migrant. The Wilson’s Warbler is present from May Ist to 20th and again during the first week or ten days of September. It seems to prefer the upland wooded regions, since there are but three records from the bottom lands. It passes through regularly on both spring and autumn migration, but is never present in very great numbers. WILSONIA PUSILLA PILEOLATA (Pallas). Pileolated Warbler. Occasional migrant. Only one Pileolated Warbler has been taken in the county; near Independence (Ridgway, Birds of North and Middle Amer- ica, U. S. N. M. Bull. No. 50, Vol. 2, p. 712). A specimen was taken by Bunker and Wetmore near Lawrence, Kansas, on Octo- ber 17, 1908. WILSONIA CANADENSIS (Linn.). Canada Warbler. Rare and irregular migrant. During some years a few of these warblers pass this way and during others none are seen. Their nearest regular migration route, where they pass in great numbers, is the valley of the Mississippi River. The latest record for this species is one bird seen on May 13, 1916. SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA (Linn.). Redstart. Very common migrant and fairly common summer resident. Redstarts arrive from the 25th to 30th of April and leave during September. In early May, when the migrants are most numerous, they are present in all parts of the county in wooded places and may be looked for in all the city parks and along the Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 325 boulevards. During the breeding season they resort to damp woods and timbered creek bottoms and are then fairly common in Swope Park, the upper Blue Valley, the Missouri bottoms and bluffs and many other like places. Three to four eggs are laid in early June. Family Moractnuipar. Wagtails. ANTIUS RUBESCENS (Tunstall). Pipit. Fairly common migrant. / The fall migration of Pipits is more noticeable than the ver- nal passage, since the flocks are much !arger and remain in one place for a longer period. They arrive from the north in flocks of often several hundreds during early October (Sept. 30, 1897, earliest) and are present in some years till November 22 (1914). The greatest numbers are present from the 13th to 30th of October. Pipits frequent bottom clearings, grass and alfalfa fields and open spaces at the edges of willow thickets where the ground vegetation is scant. They also feed about the banks of ponds and in barnyards and burnt-over places on the prairie regions. At one farm pond where the surrounding spaces are favorable feeding grounds, a flock of about two hundred Pipits arrived on October 20, 1916, and remained until November 10th. The spring migration begins about March 29th and is over by May 2nd (1915, latest date). Pipits may be looked for in the open districts of the Mis- sourl bottoms and in favorable places on the prairie regions. They have been observed in the neighborhood of Swope Park and about Dodson. ANTHUS SPRAGUEI (Audubon). Sprague’s Pipit. Rare migrant. Only two known specimens of this form have been taken. The Sprague’s Pipit is given by Bunker as a rare migrant in eastern Kansas. It may occur regularly in large flocks of the preceding species. Family Mima. Thrashers, Mockingbirds, ete. Mimus POLYGLOTTOS POLYGLOTTOs (Linn.). Mockingbird. Fairly common summer resident; somewhat rare and irregular win- ter resident. As a winter resident the Mockingbird is irregular or has * 826 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. escaped notice during some winters. It has been observed in December, January or February of 1898, 1904, 1906, 1907, 1910, 1916 and 1917. It appears at its breeding station very irregularly from March 1st to April 10th and leaves usually in early August, sometimes later. ; The Mockingbird prefers the neighborhood of man and since the improving of the Rockhill and Country Club regions and Swope Park it has greatly increased within the city. It nests in these districts as well as in the cemeteries, the Marlborough neighborhood, and about Dodson and Independence. Four eggs are laid in early June. More than one brood is raised, young birds having been found as late as September 4th (1913). DUMETELLA CAROLINENSIS (Linn.). Catbird. Very common summer resident. The first Catbirds are seen between April 25th and May 2nd (April 19, 1903, earliest). Great throngs of migrants are pres- ent between the 5th and 9th of May in the willows of the Mis- souri bottoms. They leave about the middle of September, and from the 17th to 20th of the month the willows again swarm with migrants. Only an occasional straggler is seen after the first day of October. This familiar bird is a common breeder within the city wher- ever there is thick shrubbery or bushy cover. Like the Mocker, it takes kindly to the protection of man and, though a somewhat shy bird, it is noticeably on the increase. Four or five eggs are laid during the middle of May and later another nest is built and at least one more brood raised. Toxostoma RUFUM (Linn.). Brown Thrasher. Very common summer resident. The first of the migrating Brown Thrashers arrive from the 1st to the 6th of April, though occasionally single birds are seen much earlier (Feb. 28, 1904; March 26, 1905; March 26, 1914). The local birds arrive on their breeding stands and begin singing from the 10th to 15th of April. They leave dur- ing the last half of September and none are seen after the last few days of the month. They breed freely within the city in the same districts and in the same kind of brushy cover as the Catbird. The two species do not nest close together, however, as they are mortal enemies during the breeding season and Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 327 have been known to battle to the death over a disputed nesting site. Four or five eggs are laid in late April and three broods are often raised. Family TrRoGLopyTIpAE. Wrens. THRYOTHORUS LUDOVICIANUS LUDOVICIANUS (Latham). Carolina Wren. Common resident. The Carolina Wren is present during the entire year and is one of the few winter songsters. It is to be looked for in any kind of wooded territory and is common in the Swope Park district, in the Blue Valley and Brush Creek woods and in all the wilder sections of the county. It nests among overhanging roots along creeks and ravines or in holes in the banks. One nest was found by Tindall in a wagon bridge near Independence. Five to seven eggs are laid in early May and more than one brood is raised. One nest was found on August 15, 1901, containing three fresh eggs (Tin- dall). THRYOMANES BEWICKI BEWICKI (Audubon). Bewick’s Wren. Very rare visitant or summer resident. This wren is slowly extending its range northward and has probably already reached the extreme south and east borders of the county, as it has been regularly seen in the adjoining eounty (Johnson) since 1907. Since its arrival in the latter district it has established itself as a breeder and has become noticeably less rare. Smithson states that he has seen as many as six in one morning at Warrensburg and has several times seen them carrying nesting material. The Bewick’s Wren is a much more desirable neighbor than the House Wren, as its beautiful song has none of the harsh and penetrating and, to some, disagreeable qualities of that bird. It is also more beautiful, graceful and less quarrelsome than the House Wren. TROGLODYTES AEDON PARKMANI Audubon. Western House Wren. Very common summer resident. Impatient House Wrens have been seen here as early as March 15th (1903) and several times between the Ist and 10th of April. During some years they arrive between the 15th and 328 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 21st of April, the bulk of the migrants passing between the 5th and 8th of May, at which time they swarm in the willows of the Missouri bottoms. They leave during early September and are rarely seen after the middle of the month. Some exceptionally late dates are as follows:—Oct. 6, 1901; Oct. 15, 1911; Oct. 15, 1916, and Nov. 7, 1916. This wren nests in birdhouses, in crevices about buildings, in the pockets of discarded garments, in tin cans and in other similar situations too numerous to list. It also nests in the deep woods of the bottom lands and other wild places in nat- ural cavities in trees and deserted woodpecker holes. Five to seven eggs are laid in May. NANNUS HIEMALIS HIEMALIS (Vieillot). Winter Wren. Irregular but not uncommon winter resident. During those winters when the Winter Wren is present it may be looked for in timbered creek bottoms, ravines, thick brushy places and weedy roadsides. It is to be found in the thick cover of the Missouri bottoms and bluffs and in Swope Park and the Dodson region. During some winters it is fairly common and in others is either absent or present in very few numbers. Our records covering a period of about twenty years show that it is present from September 30 (1906, earliest) to April 19 (1908, latest), being commonest during the first half of October. CISTOTHORUS STELLARIS (Naumann). Short-billed Marsh Wren. Rather uncommon migrant and probable summer resident. This wren is seen most often in the Missouri bottoms about sloughs and grassy swamps. It has also been noted on the prai- rie regions and in the upper Blue Valley. All available local records show its presence here during April and in September and early October. Students should be on the lookout for breeding records, as both Marsh Wrens have been found nesting in the swamps of the up-river counties. TELMATODYTES PALUSTRIS ILIacuS Ridgway. Prairie Marsh Wren. Rather uncommon migrant and summer resident. This wren is present from the middle of April till early in May (in Jackson County) and again during late September and October. It occurs most commonly in the Missouri bot- ‘ Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 329 toms, but has been seen at Lake City and other marshy places on the uplands. It breeds in the cat-tail swamps of the river lakes in nearby counties, but the nest has not been taken in Jackson County. Family Certumpan, Creepers. CERTHIA FAMILIARIS AMERICANA Bonaparte. Brown Creeper. Common winter resident. . Regularly on October 8th, 9th or 10th the first Brown Creep- ers may be expected from the north, remaining until from the 10th to 20th of April. They are most numerous during the second and third weeks of October and in the first week of April. During migration they are distributed over the entire county wherever there are trees. In winter they seem to prefer the woods bordering the prarie regions, though they are common on the bluffs and in the bottom timber, especially in the large timber of the Indian Creek Valley. During the latter period of their stay they are sometimes heard in full song. Family Sirrmaz. Nuthatches. SITTA CAROLINENSIS CAROLINENSIS Latham. White-breasted Nut- hatch. Not uncommon resident. The White-breasted Nuthatch is present during the entire year in the wooded sections of the county. In winter it is a not infrequent visitor within the city, where it hunts for insect food on the trunks of the shade trees. During the breeding sea- son it retires to the deeper woods to nest in cavities in trees. Six to nine eggs are laid in late April. Its peculiar grunting notes are familiar sounds in the winter woods. Sirra CANADENSIS Linn. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Not uncommon migrant. This small nuthatch is present in varying numbers from the first few days of October (September 30, 1906, earliest) to about the middle of January (January 18, 1913, latest), and again from the middle of March (March 14, 1914, earliest) to the first week of May (May 5, 1917, latest). It is to be looked for in the same kind of wooded places as the preceding species and, 330 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. like it, is sometimes seen along the city streets. It has been noted rather regularly in Swope Park, in the Country Club re- gion, in the cemeteries and about Dodson and Independence. The Red-breasted Nuthatch has been noticed feeding on the seeds of the large ragweed, Ambrosia trifida, which it carries to fence posts and hammers open in the cracks in the timber. Family Parmar. Titmice. BaEOLOPHUS BICOLOR (Linn.). Tufted Titmouse. Very common resident. The monotonous call of the Tifted Tit is a familar sound in the woods during the entire year except in the breeding season. Owing to their numbers and sprightly behavior and their con- tinual calling and answering, they are one of the most conspicu- ous birds of the winter woods. They nest commonly in the outlying districts of the city in bird-boxes, old woodpecker holes and other cavities, and are also found in wooded tracts in all parts of the county. Six to eight eggs are laid late in April and early May. PENTHESTES ATRICAPILLUS ATRICAPILLUS (Linn.). Chickadee. Very common resident. The Chickadee, like its relative, the Tufted Titmouse, is pres- ent throughcut the year and is evenly distributed over the en- tire county. It is probably more numerous than the latter and comes into the city to feed during winter in greater numbers. It nests in cavities, sometimes excavated by itself at the ex- pense of no little labor, and lays from five to seven, rarely eight, eggs in early April. PENTHESTES ATRICAPILLUS SEPTENTRIONALIS (Harris). Long- tailed Chickadee. Somewhat rare winter visitant and probably rare resident. A few counties to the north, as well as twenty or thirty miles to the west, this form is the common Chickadee. The few local records are mostly in winter and indicate a partial migratory movement of these neighboring birds. Bush reports that a few are seen in the bottoms in the Courtney district during the entire year and that he considers the bird a regular breeder. The local records are chiefly from the Missouri bottoms. Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 331 Family Sytvupar. Kinglets and Gnatcatchers. Subfamily Regulinae. Kinglets. REGULUS SATRAPA SATRAPA Lichtenstein. Golden-crowned King- let. Common migrant and not uncommon winter resident. Wintering Golden-crowned Kinglets may be found in the wooded bluff and bottom regions, in the cemeteries, in the tim- ber along the Blue and Brush Creek, in the parks and in wooded places at the edges of the prairie country. They arrive from the north usually between the 5th and 10th of October (Sept. 24, 1904, and Sept. 3, 1906, the latter a very exceptionally early date) and the bulk of the migrants are present during the sec- ond and third weeks of the month. The spring movement is noticeable during the first three weeks of April, when great numbers of these tiny birds pass through the city. None have been noted later than April 26th. REGULUS CALENDULA CALENDULA (Linn.). CoRTHYLIO CALENDULA CALENDULA (Linn.). Proposed 1917. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Common migrant. The latest fall records for the Ruby-crowned Kinglet are De- cember 24 and 25, 1916, when a small troop was seen in the Missouri bottom timber. These birds probably did not remain throughout the later cold periods of the winter, but moved on further south. They arrive in the spring with the Golden crowns, but remain later, stragglers having been noted as late as past the middle of May (May 18, 1905, and May 17, 1916) and fairly regularly during the first week of the month. Fall dates are about the same as for the other kinglet. They frequent timbered places and are to be looked for in the same localities as the Golden-crowns. In migration they are common in the trees and thickets of the outlying residence dis- tricts. Subfamily Polioptilinae. Gnatcatchers. PoLIOPTILLA CAERULEA CAERULEA (Linn.). Blue-gray Gnat- catcher. Common migrant and not rare summer resident. The Gnateatchers arrive from the 11th to 20th of April 332 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. (March 30, 1918, exceptionally early) and leaves from the mid- dle to last of August. It nests during the middle of May; four or five eggs are laid. The nest is one of the most wonderful examples of bird workmanship known. It is an exquisitely formed cup, rather deep, composed of down from buds, bits of fine twigs and leafy material woven together with spider webs and thickly covered over with delicate bits of lichens. It is saddled on branches or between the forks of horizontal limbs like the nest of the Hummingbird and is usually from twenty to thirty feet from the ground. Favorite nesting sites are dry ledges or hillsides grown over with oak. Gnateatchers may be found in the bluff regions, in Swope Park and vicinity, and around Independence and Dodson. Family Turpipar. Thrushes, Solitaries, Stonechats, Bluebirds, ete. Subfamily Turdinae. Thrushes. HYLocIcHLA MUSTELINA (Gmelin). Wood Thrush. Very common summer resident. The Wood Thrush is the favorite songbird of most bird lovers, especially those who have not heard the Hermit Thrush. It arrives from the 23rd to 28th of April and leaves during the second and third weeks of September. ‘It nests during the middle of May in damp woods and tim- bered creek bottoms and ravines, and comes into the city freely to breed. Some places in town where it nests regularly are Penn Valley Park, Karnes Boulevard, 36th and Gillham, Ar- mour and Paseo (a most unusual place), 46th and Gillham, Rockhill and Country Club regions, Swope Park and all the cemeteries. HYLOCICHLA FUSCESCENS SALICICOLA Ridgway. Willow Thrush. Regular but rather rare migrant. This subspecifie form of the Veery is seen regularly during migration, but is never common. The spring records are be- tween the 4th and 23rd of May: the fall records between Sep- tember 10th and October 14th. It may be looked for in any wooded section of the county, high or low. HYLOCICHLA ALICIAE ALICIAE (Baird). Gray-cheeked Thrush. Fairly common migrant. The Gray-cheeked Thrush is present in all wooded sections Harris—Birds of the Kansas City Region. 333 of the county, especially in the bluff and bottom regions, be- tween the 1st and 20th of May and in late September. It is noted regularly in Swope Park and the upper Blue Valley and in the timbered sections of the Country Club district. This Thrush frequently sings in the period of migration, par- ticularly toward the end of its stay, but in very subdued tones. HYLOCICHLA USTULATA SwaINsont (Tschudi). Olive-backed Thrush. Common migrant. This species is often in full song during the latter days of its spring passage. It arrives during the first week of May, be- coming more numerous from the 10th to 20th. At this time it may be looked for in all wooded regions, especially in the river and creek bottoms. Stragglers have been noted during the last days of May and there is one record of a singing male in Swope Park on June 7, 1916 (Shirling). The species is again present during the last half of September. HYLOCICHLA GUTTATA PALLASI (Cabanis). Hermit Thrush. Regular and not uncommon migrant. The Hermit Thrush is the earliest in spring and latest in fall of all the migrant thrushes. It arrives in late March and is seldom seen after the middle of April. It is present again dur- ing the first three weeks of October. It frequents the same wooded places as the others and may be looked for in Swope Park, the upper Blue Valley, in the bluff and bottom timber, near the Country Club, and many other less accessible places in the county. We have no record of the singing of this species while migrat- ing through this region. PLANESTICUS MIGRATORIUS MIGRATORIUS (Linn.). Robin. Abundant migrant, very common summer resident and rather rare but regular winter resident. It is safe to say that there is not a day in the year when Rob- ins are entirely absent from Jackson County. During the cold- est periods of the most severe winters a few are always to be found in the dense shelter of the bottom timber where there is an abundance of wild fruit for food. In open and mild winters they are to be found even within the city. The forerunners of the migrating throngs arrive from the 334 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 10th to the 20th of February, often much earlier, and by the last of the month or in early March migration is under way in earnest. Countless thousands continue to pass until the middle of April, by which time the local birds have young in the nest. The southward migration occupies October and early Novem- ber. Small flocks may be seen in late November and early December that may move further south at the approach of zero weather, but always a few hardy birds remain. The Robin has taken kindly to the advance of civilization and is steadily increasing in numbers despite the persecution of it in some southern states, where it is slaughtered in large numbers for food. SIALIA SIALIS SIALIS (Linn.). Bluebird. Very common summer resident; rather rare but regular winter resi- . dent. Bluebirds have been seen in and near the city during the coldest periods of seven of the last thirteen winters. The first spring migrants arrive usually in the second week of February, and by the 20th or 25th are common. The bulk of the migrants pass through during the first two weeks of March. Flocks of southbound migrants have been noted as early as September 18th, but the largest flocks are seen about a month later. SUMMARY. DATES ON WHICH THE REGULAR SPRING MIGRANTS MAY BE LOOKED FOR February 1 to 15 Mallard Pintail Canada Goose Robin Bluebird February 15 to 29 Herring Gull Merganser Hooded Merganser Snow Goose White-fronted Goose Killdeer Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Bronzed Grackle Purple Finch March 1 to 7 Gadwall Baldpate Green-winged Teal Redhead Canvas-back Lesser Scaup Ruddy Duck Blue Goose Mourning Dove Cooper’s Hawk Kingfisher Cowbird Leconte’s Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Harris’s Sparrow Field Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Fox Sparrow Mockingbird March 8 to 20 Blue-winged Teal Shoveller Scaup Duck Great Blue Heron Coot Wilson’s Snipe Greater Yellow-legs Marsh Hawk Phoebe Pine Siskin Savannah Sparrow Towhee Purple Martin Migrant Shrike Myrtle Warbler March 21 to April 1 Pied-billed Grebe White Pelican Sandhill Crane Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Chipping Sparrow Pipit ; Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush April 2 to 7 King Rail Least Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Osprey Northern Flicker Vesper Sparrow Henslow’s Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Rough-winged Swallow Louisiana Water-Thrush Brown Thrasher Ruby-crowned Kinglet April 8 to 15 Ring-billed Gull Franklin’s Gull Bittern Green Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Pectoral Sandpiper Yellow-legs Broad-winged Hawk Chimney Swift Yellow-headed Blackbird Goldfinch Lincoln’s Sparrow Barn Swallow Sycamore Warbler Western House Wren Short-billed Marsh Wren Prairie Marsh Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher April 16 to 20 Eared Grebe Virginia Rail Sora Florida Gallinule Baird’s Sandpiper (335) 336 Trans, Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. April 16 to 20—Continued Solitary Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Semipalmated Plover Whip-poor-will Lark Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Tree Swallow Bank Swallow Black and White Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Northern Parula Warbler April 21 to 25 Wilson’s Phalarope Kingbird Crested Flycatcher Baltimore Oriole Grasshopper Sparrow Rose-breasted Grosbeak Dickcissel Cliff Swallow Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Orange-crowned Warbler Tennessee Warbler Oven-bird Maryland Yellow-throat Yellow-breasted Chat Redstart Wood Thrush April 26 to 30 Least Tern Black Tern Upland Plover Red-headed Woodpecker Nighthawk Ruby-throated Hummingbird Orchard Oriole Indigo Bunting Scarlet Tanager Summer Tanager April 26 to 30—Continued Red-eyed Vireo Blue-headed Vireo White-eyed Vireo Blue-winged Warbler Nashville Warbler Yellow Warbler Palm Warbler Catbird May 1 to 10 Forster’s Tern Common Tern Least Bittern Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Wood Pewee Acadian Flycatcher Traill’s Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Bobolink Philadelphia Vireo Bell’s Vireo Worm-eating Warbler Cerulean Warbler Black-poll Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Grinnell’s Water-Thursh Kentucky Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Willow Thrush Gray-cheeked Thrush Olive-backed Thrush May 10 to 15 Olive-sided Flycatcher Yellow-bellied Mlycatcher Cape May Warbler Magnolia Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Mourning Warbler Hooded Warbler RESIDENTS The following species occur in this vicinity throughout the entire year: Bob-white Red-tailed Hawk Sparrow Hawk Long-eared Owl Barn Owl Barred Owl Screech Owl Great-Horned Owl Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Red-headed Woodpecker Prairie Horned Lark Blue Jay Crow Red-winged Blackbird Goldfinch English Sparrow Cardinal Carolina Wren White-breasted Nuthatch Tufted Titmouse Chickadee Robin Bluebird Summary 3837 WINTER RESIDENTS In addition to the above, the following species occur in this vicinity regularly during winter: Rough-legged Hawk Short-eared Owl Thick-billed Red-wing Northern Red-wing Purple Finch Pine Siskin Lapland Longspur Harris’s Sparrow Gambell’s Sparrow Tree Sparrow Slate-colored Junco Song Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Fox Sparrow Myrtle Warbler Brown Creeper Golden-crowned Kinglet IRREGULAR WINTER RESIDENTS. The following species occur in this vicinity irregularly in winter or during mild and open winters. tants are not included: Merganser Mallard Green-winged Teal Canada Goose Mourning Dove Marsh Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Western Red-tail Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-shafted Flicker Cowbird Very rare species and occasional visi- Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Crossbill White-crowned Sparrow Field Sparrow Towhee Cedar Waxing Northern Shrike Migrant Shrike Mockingbird Winter Wren Long-tailed Chickadee SUMMER RESIDENTS The following species nest in this vicinity. A very few species are included in the list on such evidence as birds carrying nesting material and being seen in the neighborhood all summer, and old birds feeding young or carrying food to nestlings. Species represented by only one nesting record are placed in the next list. Pied-billed Grebe Black Tern Hooded Merganser Blue-winged Teal Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Green Heron King Rail Virginia Rail Sora Florida Gallinule Coot Spotted Sandpiper Killdeer Bob-white Mourning Dove Turkey Vulture Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Sparrow Hawk Barn Owl Long-eared Owl Barred Owl Screech Owl Great Horned Owl Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Kingfisher Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker 338 out Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. SUMMER RESIDENTS—Continued Northern Flicker Whip-poor-will Nighthawk Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Kingbird Crested Flycatcher Phoebe Wood Pewee Acadian Flycatcher Prairie Horned Lark Blue Jay Crow Cowbird Red-winged Blackbird Bell’s Vireo Meadowlark Western Meadowlark Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Bronzed Grackle Goldfinch English Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Lark Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Towhee Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Dickcissel Scarlet Tanager Summer Tanager Purple Martin OCCASIONAL OR VERY Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron Short-eared Owl Least Flycatcher Yellow-headed Blackbird Vesper Sparrow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Bank Swallow Rough-winged Swallow Migrant Shrike Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo White-eyed Vireo Black and White Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Blue-winged Warbler Northern Parula Warbler Yellow Warbler Cerulean Warbler Oven-bird Louisiana Water-Thursh Kentucky Warbler Maryland Yellow-throat Yellow-breasted Chat Mockingbird Catbird Brown Thrasher Carolina Wren Western House Wren Prairie Marsh Wren White-breasted Nuthatch Tufted Titmouse Chickadee Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Wood Thrush Robin Bluebird RARE BREEDERS Savannah Sparrow Henslow’s Sparrow Song Sparrow Blue Grosbeak Hooded Warbler Short-billed Marsh Wren FORMER BREEDERS The following species formerly nested here, but have been driven by the advance of civilization: Least Tern Mallard Shoveller Wood Duck (may have returned) Canada Goose Egret | Woodcock Upland Plover Prairie Chicken Ruffed Grouse Wild Turkey Swallow-tailed Kite Marsh Hawk Bald Eagle Osprey Carolina Paroquet Ivory-billed Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Poor-will Raven Summary 339 POSSIBLE BREEDERS The following species probably breed here, but conclusive evidence to prove this is lacking: Black Rail Western Horned Owl Traill’s Flycatcher Sycamore Warbler Long-tailed Chickadee EXTRALIMITAL: NOT INCLUDED The following species have been recorded from the Lawrence re- gion, but are not included in the list: Mexican Cormorant Black-necked Stilt Lewis’s Woodpecker Say’s Phoebe Pine Grosbeak Pale Goldfinch Lark Bunting Western Robin MIGRANTS In addition to the above-listed wintering migrants, both regular and irregular, which do not occur here in summer, the following species are found in this region only during migration. The more rare birds are marked with an asterisk. Holboell’s Grebe* Hared Grebe Loon* Parasitic Jaeger* Herring Gull Ring-billed Gull Laughing Gull* Franklin’s Gull Bonaparte’s Gull* Caspian Tern* Forster’s Tern Common Tern Least Tern Double-crested Cormorant White Pelican Red-breasted Merganser Red-legged Black Duck Black Duck Gadwall Baldpate ‘Cinnamon Teal* Shoveller Pintail Wood Duck Redhead Canvas-back Scaup Duck Lesser Scaup Duck Ring-necked Duck Golden-eye Barrow’s Golden-eye* Buffle-head Old-squaw* Scoter* Surf Scoter* Ruddy Duck Snow Goose Greater Snow Goose* Blue Goose White-fronted Goose Hutchins’s Goose Whistling Swan* Trumpeter Swan* White-faced Glossy Ibis* Whooping Crane* Little Brown Crane Sandhill Crane Yellow Rail Red Phalarope* Northern Phalarope* Wilson’s Phalarope Avocet Woodcock* Wilson’s Snipe Long-billed Dowitcher* Stilt Sandpiper* Knot* Pectoral Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Baird’s Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Red-backed Sandpiper* 340 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. MIGRANTS—Continued Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Sanderling Marbled Godwit* Hudsonian Godwit* Greater Yellow-legs Yellow-legs Solitary Sandpiper Willet* Western Willet* Upland Plover Buff-breasted Sandpiper Long-billed Curlew Eskimo Curlew** Black-bellied Plover* Golden Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover* Ruddy Turnstone* Mississippi Kite* Swallow-tailed Kite Goshawk* Krider’s Hawk* Swainson’s Hawk* Golden Eagle Bald Eagle Duck Hawk* Pigeon Hawk Osprey Saw-whet Owl* Snowy Owl* Western Nighthawk Sennett’s Nighthawk Arkansas Kingbird* Olive-sided Flycatcher Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher* Horned Lark Bobolink Brewer’s Blackbird* Evening Grosbeak* White-winged Crossbill* Redpoll* Snow Bunting* Smith’s Longspur Chestnut-collared Longspur Western Savannah Sparrow Baird’s Sparrow* Western Grasshopper Sparrow Leconte’s Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Western Tree Sparrow Western Field Sparrow (may breed) White-winged Junco* Shufeldt’s Junco Montana Junco Arctic Towhee* Tree Swallow Bohemian Waxwing* Philadelphia Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Golden-winged Warbler* Nashville Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Tennessee Warbler Cape May Warbler* Magnolia Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler* Bay-breasted Warbler* Black-poll Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Pine Warbler Palm Warbler Prairie Warbler* Grinnell’s Water-Thrush Connecticut Warbler* Mourning Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Pileolated Warbler* Canada Warbler* Pipit Sprague’s Pipit* Red-breasted Nuthatch Ruby-crowned Kinglet Willow Thrush* Gray-cheeked Thrush Olive-backed Thrush Hermit Thrush BIBLIOGRAPHY In compiling this list the author has had access only to his own books, and realizes that there are omissions. It is hoped, however, that all the important references are listed. For the sake of economy of space, titles are not given in the customary full bibliographical form. Any additions that may be communicated by interested students will be appreciated, as it is desired to ultimately complete the list by in- cluding every published record from the Kansas City region. 1814. Lewis, M. and CLarKe, W.—History of the Expedition under the command of Captains Lewis and Clarke, to the sources of the Missouri, thence across the Rocky Mountains and down the River Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. Performed during the years 1804-5-6. By order of the Government of the United States. In two volumes. Philadelphia. 1814. This edition has not been handled by the writer. There are many subsequent editions, several of which are undesirable from the standpoint of the naturalist. The most desirable is the Harper Edition, edited with notes by Coues. A few bird notes were recorded while the expedition was passing through the Kansas City region, and will be found under dates of June, 1804, and September, 1806. 1816. Brackenrmer, H. M.—Journal of a Voyage Up the River Mis- souri; Performed in Highteen Hundred and Eleven. By H. M. Brackenridge, Esq. Second Edition. Revised and Enlarged by the Author. Baltimore. 1816. While this item is of no real value to the working ornitholo- gist, it is cited mainly for its references to Thomas Nuttall. It is of great interest in touching on some particularities of this enthusiastic and absent-minded young naturalist on his first trip through this region. His next visit to the same ter- ritory, twenty-four years later, is of more importance to the ornithologist. 1817. BrapBury, J.—Travels in the Interior of America, in the Years 1809, 1810 and 1811. By John Bradbury. Liverpool, 1817. This English botanist has recorded some interesting bird notes, and a few that are valuable and important. An au- thentic account is given of the nesting of the Canada Goose not far below what is now Sibley, Jackson County, Missouri. Notes on the Passenger Pigeon are scattered throughout the narrative. Thomas Nuttall, who was later to acquire fame in the field of ornithology, and who twenty-four years later, in company with John K. Townsend, discovered the Harris’s Sparrow in this region, was a member of Bradbury’s party. (341) 342 1823. 1839. Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. Say, THomas.—Account of an Expedition from Pittsburg to the Rocky Mountains, performed in the years 1819, and ’20, by order of the Hon. J. C. Calhoun, Secy. of War; under the command of Major Stephen H. Long of the U. S. Top. Engineers. From the notes of Major Long, Mr. T. Say, and other gentlemen of the ex- ploring party. Compiled by Edwin James, Botanist and Geolo- gist of the Expedition. In two volumes. With an Atlas. Phila- delphia. 1823. A valuable reference. No serious student of the ornithology of this region can afford to miss reading this narrative, though the scientific matter is buried in foot-notes. The work is rare. Thos. Say, with Peale and others of the party, collected material and notes on what is now the site of Kansas City, Missouri, and in the immediate vicinity of this point, on the Kaw River, the scientists had a painful and serious experi- ence with Indians. TownseEnp, J. K.—Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Moun- tains, to the Columbia River, and a Visit to the Sandwich Is- lands, Chili, etc. With a Scientific Appendix. By John K. Town- send. Philadelphia. 1839. Townsend and Nuttall crossed Jackson County, Missouri, on April 28, 1834, over the frontier trail between Independence and Westport. Somewhere between the two points, probably in the Blue Valley, Nuttall took the type specimen of the Harris’s Sparrow, which he named the Mourning Finch, Fringilla querula, Townsend does not mention the incident in his narrative because of the fact that Nuttall had not yet described the bird. 1839-1841. Maximmian, Prinz zu Wrep.—Reise in das Innere Nord- 1840. America in den Jahren 1832 bis 1834 von Maximilian Prinz zu Wied. Coblenz. Two volumes. Vol. 1, 1839. Vol. 2, 1841. This work contains much matter relative to the birds of the Missouri Valley, but it is largely omitted from the only Ameri- can edition the writer has had access to. See Maximilian, 1904. It is understood that one of the few copies of the original edition in this country is owned in Topeka, Kansas. NuttTat., T.—A Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and of Canada. By Thomas Nuttall. Second Edition. Two Vol- umes. Boston. 1840. The Harris’s Sparrow is here given to science. The type locality is given as “a few miles to the west of Independence in Missouri.” 1840-1844. Aupuzon, J. J—The Birds of America, from drawings made in the United States and their Territories. By John James Audu- bon. New York and Philadelphia. Seven volumes. 1840-1844. Subsequent editions have eight volumes. The last volume of this and the subsequent editions contains the birds discovered on the Missouri River trip in 1844. A discovery in this region was the Bell’s Vireo, the original sue mex of which was taken near St. Joseph, in the Missouri Ooms. 1843. 1845. 1848. 1851. 1851. 1857. Bibliography. 3438 MAXIMILIAN, PRINCE oF Wiep.—Travels in the Interior of North America. By Maximilian, Prince of Wied. With numerous en- gravings on wood, and a large map. Translated from the Ger- man by H. Evans Loyd. 81 colored plates, folio. London. 1843. This rare and desirable English edition has not been exam- ined. Fremont, JoHn C.—Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the year 1842 and to Oregon and north California in the years 1843-4. By Brev. Capt. J. C. Fremont, of the topographical engineers, under the orders of Col. J. J. Abert, chief of the topographical bureau. Printed by order of the House of Representatives. Washington. 1845. This report contains little matter of interest to the bird ‘student. ABERT, J. W.—Notes on a Military Reconnoissance from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, to San Diego, in California. By W. H. Emory. Washington. 1848. Lieut. Abert’s notes are in appendix 6 (pp. 386-405), where twenty-six species are added to the Kansas list. This expe- dition, like others from Fort Leavenworth bound for the west over the Santa Fe trail, passed through what is now Kansas City, and the old frontier settlement of Westport. Harris, Epwarp.—List of Birds and Mammalia found on the Mis- souri River from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Union. Fifth An- nual Report Smithsonian Institute for 1850, 1851, pp. 136-138. This list is given as an appendix to a narrative by Thaddeus Culbertson, and is of interest as one of the sources of infor- mation relative to the occurrence in this region of species long since extirpated or extinct. The author was the patron and close friend of Audubon, and was with him on the mem- orable Missouri River trip. KeLtey, Wm.—An Excursion to California over the Prairie, Rocky Mountains and Great Sierra Nevada, with a stroll through the diggings and ranches of that country. By William Kelley, J.P. 2 vols. London. 1851. The writer of this narrative ascended the Kaw from its mouth, and noticed birds by the way. The bird matter is not of unusual interest or value. Brewer, THomas M.—Smithsonian Contribution to Knowledge. North American Oology; Being an Account of the Habits and Geographical Distribution of the Birds of North America during their Breeding Season; with Figures and descriptions of their eggs. By Thomas M. Brewer, M. D. Part 1. Washington City. Published by the Smithsonian Institution. 1857. New York. D. Appleton & Co. Two or three references to this region are found in the text of this work, only one part of which was published. 844 1858. 1858. 1860. 1863. 1864. Trans. Acad. Sct. of St. Louis. Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to ascertain the most prac- ticable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Made under the direction of the Sec- retary of War, in 1853-6. Vol. IX. Birds. By Spencer F. Baird, Assistant Secretary Smithsonian Institution, with the co-oper- ation of John Cassin and George N. Lawrence. Washington, D. C. 1858. A rather large number of specimens taken in the Kansas City region were used in the preparation of-this monumental work. Some material was collected by unknown soldiers sta- tioned at Fort Leavenworth, and sent in by army officers. Among the scientists who collected in this region are Dr. F. V. Hayden, of Lieut. Warren’s party; Dr. Kreuzfeldt, of Cap- tain Gunnison’s party; W. S. Wood, of Lieut. Bryan’s party; Dr. J. G. Cocper, of W. M. Magraw’s party (who secured many specimens in Jackson County), and Dr. Suckley. Speci- mens taken in this region by the Audubon party in 1844 are also tabulated. MaxIMILIAN Prinz zu Wiep.—Verzeichniss der Vogel welche auf einer Reise in Nord-America beobachted wurden.