308 [March, 



*H!RTJNDO BICOL.OR, Vleill. 



Not a numerous species with us. Arrives fiom the 1st to the middle of April. 



*CoTYLE RIPARIA, Lijin. 



This numerous species perforates the banks of the lake, wherever the soil is 

 sandy. 



*Ch/ETURa pelasgia, Tcmvi. 

 Common. 



HALCYONID.E, (1 species.) 



*Cer\'le alcyon, Liiiu, 

 Common. 



LANIAD.E, (3 species.) 



*LaNILS BOREALlSj Vleill. 



This large shrike is most nnmprous durint: fall and winter. A few, however, 

 spend the summer in the middle and northern parts of this State. During 

 winter tliey subsist on field mice (aivicola,) and small birds. 



*LANins LUDOVICIANUS, LiJUl. ? 



I much doubt whether the north-western and southern loggerhead are the 

 same. Our bird is smaller than the southern, as described in the ornithological 

 works, the adult male measuring 8j to 121 ; female 81 to 10^. The nest and 

 eggs, too, differ materially from Bachman's description, as quoted by Nuttall, of 

 tho^e of the southern species. The Wisconsin bird constructs a compact nest, 

 placed on the lower branches of a small tree. It is composed externally of 

 small sticks and roots, filled in with strips of bark and the lint of various specie^ 

 of plants, and is amply lined with feathers, which almost conceal the six 

 sjiotted eggs. 



The male assists in incubation, which is completed in fourteen da)''s. 



I once shot a female just as the pair had commenced building. The male 

 went on and completed the nest, even to the soft lining of feathers, then took 

 his stand on the topmost branch of the same tree, and continued watching 

 almost constantly for three days, apparently awaiting the return of his mate. 

 At the end of that time I missed him, and supposed he had abandoned the spot ; 

 but the second day afterwards, he returned with a new bride, who appeared 

 well satisfied with the waiting nest, and commenced layinjr immediately. 



They return to a particular tree to nest every year. This attachment is so 

 great, that when the nest is destroyed, even after they commence incubation, 

 they not unfrequently construct another on the same tree. Mice, young birds 

 and lariie insects compose their fare. 



Numerous on the border of the prairies. Arrive 1st of April ; depart in 

 October. * 



LaMUS EXCUBITOROIDES, Sl'Vli//-^. 



I shot a pair of birds of this species in March last (IS-jS.) The female is faintly 

 marked on the breast with pale brown undulating lines. This is undoubtedly a 

 distinct species. 



MTJSCICAPID.^^, (14 species.) 



*TyRANNUS INTREPIUUS, Vielll. 



Common. 



*Tyrannus ckinitus, Li)in. 



Not so common as the preceding. Inhabits the dark swamjy woods, where 

 the harsh squeak of this species is frequently heard. 



Tvrannula eusca, Gmel. 



This familiar pewee is met with everywhere. 



*TyP.ANNT'I,A VIRENS, Li)))!. 



Common in the deep solitary woods. 



