THE MIGRATION OF INLAND BIRDS. 187 



two ways we can explain the absence of tliese bii'cls : either those that 

 were accustomed to occupy it went to a new locality, and the sinole 

 bird that had preceded them, finding his companions did not come, 

 left, rather than remain alone ; or he left to announce that food would 

 be scarce, for it must be remembered, as Darwin has remarked, "most 

 animals and plants keej) to their proper homes, and do not needlessly 

 wander about ; we see this, even with migi-atory birds, which almost 

 always return to the same spot." At any rate, the summer of 18V4, 

 in this neighborhood, was the driest in the past forty years, and it 

 seemed as if the chewink knew what was coming. So, at least, we 

 believe. During this season we noted the entii-e absence, during the 

 summer, of several migratory birds, common, as a rule, and a very 

 marked decrease in the numbers of those that did appear; but, at the 

 same time, our note-books mention the arrival of one or more individ- 

 uals of every one of our migratory birds. Many, like the chewink, 

 foresaw what was coming and acted accordingly. It would be most 

 interesting to determine if insect-life was less abundant than usual 

 during the past summer, but concerning this we have only to note, as 

 suggestive that it was so, a marked freedom of the fruit-trees and 

 fruit itself from the attacks of their insect enemies. 



Another feature of the migration of our inland birds must here be 

 briefly referred to; and that is, the failure of late years of certain 

 species to come, as a rule, as far north as New Jersey ; and also the 

 habit, now fully acquired by others, of remaining throughout the year, 

 when, but a comparatively short time ago, these same birds were truly 

 migratory. 



As an instance : the summer red-bird {Pyranga CBstiva), twenty 

 years ago, was a regular visitor to Central New Jersey, arriving about 

 May 1st and remaining until October. It nested on ti'ees, frequently 

 in apple-orchards, laying pretty purple-blotched, gi'een eggs. It pre- 

 ferred wooded hill-sides with a growth of underbrush, and having a 

 southern exposure. In such situations they were numerous, and to 

 one such locality, in particular, we can well remember the charm they 

 added to the scene by the bright gleam of their plumage as they 

 passed from tree to tree, uttering their peculiar but not melodious 

 notes. For the past fifteen years we have seen not half a dozen indi- 

 viduals, and recorded no nests since 1857. In far scantier numbers 

 the scarlet tanager {Pyranga rubra) has taken their place, although 

 this bird is not rare by any means, nor was it so when the preceding 

 species was abundant. 



It is much the same with the mocking-bird (Ifimiis polyglottis). 

 Formerly, as regular in its appearance, if not as abundant, as the cat- 

 bird, it is now among our rarest summer visitors. An occasional pair, 

 selecting some well-tangled thicket, will come late or early, and build 

 their nest, and then half a dozen years may elapse before we see them 

 again. Yet, thirty years ago these birds were common. 



