Even then several years will be needed for the growth of the 

 new trees. Fortunately the Sea Ox-eye and Saltwater Myrtle 

 are already spreading naturally. A matter for congratulation 

 is that of the birds which have been driven away the greater 

 part seem to be of the commoner species, while the Snowy Egret 

 {Egretta candidissima) , for the preservation of which the effort 

 to save the island has been made, seems actually to be increasing. 

 At the time the island was last visited, on May third, the birds 

 had completed nest building and were evidently in process of 

 egg laying. The nests contained from one to five eggs, the latter 

 number being rare. Numerous nests were on the ground; as 

 many as possible were flat on the tops of the low bushes and still 

 others were crowded into every available space that could sup- 

 port a nest. L. M. Bragg. 



SPRING BIRD OBSERVATIONS 



Black Skimmer. — This summer resident, which generally does 

 not appear until after April 1, was seen this year on January 

 19 by Mr. Ellison A. Williams. It was seen again on February 

 7 by Messrs. Burnham and Rhett Chamberlain, and has been 

 recorded regularly since that date. 



Woodcock. — So few breeding records have been made for this 

 species that another may be of interest. On February 22, 1913, 

 a Woodcock was shot at Summerville, S. C. When the bird was 

 drawn, it was found to contain several eggs, the largest of which 

 would probably have been laid in two or three days. 



Ground Dove.— On February 22, 1913, Mr. Alexander Sprunt, 

 Jr., found at Beaufort, S. C, a Ground Dove's nest containing 

 two fresh eggs. These are now in the Museum collection. The 

 Ground Dove has never before been known to breed earlier than 

 April. 



Red-eyed Vireo. — The earliest migration record for this species 

 was made this year when I found two Vireos at Otranto on March 



30. 



Swainson's Warbler. — Although this warbler is known to be 

 common in certain restricted areas in this region, it has never, 

 until the present season, been reported by a member of the Nat- 

 ural History Society. On May 11, 1913, at Otranto, I saw and 

 positively identified one in the deep swamp. 



Mockingbird. — Early in the spring of this year — before the 

 Summer Tanager had arrived — I heard a note which was an 



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