192 Cincinnati Society of Xatural History. 



mens having been taken in Ohio during the spring of 1877 — four of 

 them in this vicinity. 



Among the interesting ornithological features of this locality should 

 also be mentioned the common occurrence of several rather southerly- 

 species, such as the Kentucky Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer 

 Redblrd and Acadian Fly-catcher, among the summer residents ; and 

 the Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chicadee, Great Carolina Wren and 

 Cardinal Redbird, among the constant residents ; this being apparent- 

 ly' about the northern limit of the regular occurrence of these species 

 in numbers. Other noteworthy species are the Mocking Bird, Be- 

 wick's Wren, Loggerhead Shrike, Barn Owl and the Black Vulture; 

 these, however, are of rare occurrence in this vicinity. 



During the past fort}^ years, several important changes have taken 

 place in our local Bird-fauna. As in all thickly populated districts 

 the Wild Turkey and the Prairie Chicken have been exterminated; the 

 Parroquet, which formerly occurred in abundance throughout the 

 Mississippi and Ohio Valleys has at present a much less extensive 

 range, being mainly confined to the Gulf Stales; the beautiful Swallow- 

 tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatusf has apparently ceased to visit us, 

 and our two largest Woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis and Hylo- 

 tomus pileatus) have disappeared along with the dense forests that 

 were their favorite resorts. The seventh extirpated species is the 

 Raven, which is said to have been a common resident of this section in 

 former times. 



Tu offset these losses, we have the Cowbird and the Black-throated 

 Bunting in abundance, both of which were considered of doubtful 

 occurrence in Ohio forty years ago;^ the Kentucky' Warbler, Loggerhead 

 vShrike and Lark Finch are also inferi'ed to have made their appearance 

 within the same period, as the}' were omitted entirel}^ from Dr. Kirt- 

 land's list; and the Cerulean Warbler, now a common summer resident 

 throughout the State, was observed by him in one instance only, a fact 

 sirongl}' suggestive of its comparative rarit}^ at that time. Within the 

 present decade two European species, the House Sparrow and the 

 Sk^'lark, have also been added to our fauna, the former of which seems 

 likely to exceed in numbers any one of our native species, unless its 

 extraordinary increase should be checked by natural or artificial 

 means — " a consummation devoutly to be wished." With respect to 

 this ever recurring " sparrow question," however, it is sufficient to 

 say here that their introduction is regarded by ornithologists generally 

 as a most decided mistake; for special reasons why they should not 



1 See footnote page 14, on the re-.^ent occurrence of this fspccics near Cohiinbu*, Oluo. 



2 Vide Kirtland, List of Ohio Birds.— Wtio Geol. Surcey, 1838. 



