examples of the species in the state. The doctor probably depended greatly 

 upon some favored haunt near Columbus not now known. I find upon inquiry 

 that most available notebooks of the present day contain only scattering and 

 meager references to this rather rare and irregular migrant. Mr. H. C. Ober- 

 holser, in his "Birds of Wayne County" says of it: "A transient visitor; ap- 

 parently rare, though in proper localities usually to be found in spring. Not 

 observed in the fall. It arrived about the middle of April, the sixteenth of this 

 month being the earliest date recorded." 



My two Columbus dates are April 24, 1902, and March 19, 1903, the 

 latter being the earliest of which I have information, a typical example of that 

 wonderful warm wave which amazed the oldest ornithological inhabitants. Prof. 

 A. W. Butler, in his "Birds of Indiana," records it as a rare resident in the 

 lower Wabash Valley and gives a few instances of its breeding in that state. 

 The instance recorded by Dr. \\'heaton on the authority of ]\Ir. M. C. Benson 

 of Gambler is the only positive breeding record of this state of which I am aware. 



The Savanna Sparrow is found during migrations along the bushy banks 

 of streams, in weedy fields and bottom-land meadows, together with their 

 interrupting fence-rows and hedges. In habits and appearance it most nearly 

 resembles the Vesper Sparrow, but may be instantly distinguished by the con- 

 spicuous way in which it "parts its hair." Like the other bird, it pitches sud- 

 denly off its perch when disturbed and flies rapidly above the surface of the 

 ground, following every inequality with bewildering precision. Its song is 

 described as a "curious, squeaky affair," as inconspicuous as the bird. 



TWO LITTLE BIRDS 



By WILLIAM J. ACKER 



Two little birds perch in a tree 



And chirp their songs of honest glee, 



Filling the air with tuneful life 



Till e'en the fields with song are rife. 



All unawares the warblers sing 



While nearer creeps the dreaded thing: 



A mass of fur and four strong paws 



Where death lurks in the wily claws; 



In the baleful eyes a gleam of lust, 



And body poised for the murd'rous thrust. 



It pauses a moment, then — a spring, 



And one falls prey to the treach'rous thing. 



The other bird, with a startled cry. 



Then flies away to the woods near-by; 



And a hunter comes — a sudden flash. 



And the bird's breast shows a crimson splash. 



Now whose is the greater part of blame? 

 Whose is the wanton act of shame? 

 Who is it incurs the censor's ban. 

 The thoughtless cat or the critic — man? 



465 



