Notes from Field and Study 



IOI 



as I knew the Prairie Chickens were 

 migratory west of the Mississippi River, 

 but have since found a statement by the 

 A. O. U. that these birds do not migrate 

 east of the Mississippi. 



The locality where I saw the Prairie 

 Chickens is a part of the original prairie 

 region of the state and near the original 

 eastern boundary of the species. If they 

 were really resident birds, it seems certain 

 that our game-protective measures, to- 

 gether with an enlightened public opinion, 

 is surely bringing back this splendid bird 

 to our Middle Western States. — W. A. 

 Squires, Gary, Ind. 



Bohemian Waxwing in Northern 

 Steuben County, N. Y. 



I am glad to report the occurrence of 

 the rare Bohemian Waxwing here in 

 northern Steuben County, N. Y. They 

 came on the wings of a terrific blizzard on 

 January 18, and, on the morning of 

 January 19, I found 24 of the Bohemians 

 and one Cedar Waxwing feeding on the 

 abundance of shriveled fruit in our 

 choke-cherry hedge. 



They were so tame that I approached 

 within 10 feet while they flitted through 

 the tangle of branches, at times flying 

 toward me and alighting on the snow to 

 eat the dried cherries that rattled from 

 the bushes. During my close observations 

 the Bohemians ate greedily and scarcely 

 paid any attention to my presence. 



During thirty years of active field bird- 

 study, this is the first time I have noted 

 this species. At the time of writing this 

 (January 19) I can see the Bohemians 

 from my window. — Clarence F. Stone, 

 Branchport, N. Y. 



King Rail in Winter 



It occurs to me that possibly you might 

 be interested in the occurrence of a King 

 Rail in the vicinity of New York City in 

 the winter time. 



On February 8, 1920, when walking on 

 the crusted snow through a small fresh- 

 water marsh just outside of the city, I 



was surprised to start a bird of this species 

 from a clump of matted reeds. I had a very 

 good look at it as it ran over the snow, 

 and there could be no doubt as to its 

 identity. 



On February 12 I again visited this 

 marsh, and saw the bird. This time it ran 

 out, as before, from almost underfoot, 

 but managed, with great apparent effort, 

 to take to the air. It came down in the 

 reeds about a hundred feet away, quite 

 close, as it happened, to a wandering boy 

 and dog. The dog immediately gave chase, 

 and the Rail, doubtless weakened by 

 hunger, did not attempt to fly again. 

 The Rail was overtaken after it had run 

 a great race, but we managed to rescue 

 it uninjured. After a careful examination, 

 we released it. 



Other birds I have observed this winter 

 and consider unusual are: a Wilson's 

 Snipe and eight female Red-winged 

 Blackbirds on January 4; and a male Red- 

 winged Blackbird, and a male with two 

 female Rusty Blackbirds on February 12. 

 — James R. Webb, New York City. 



Nonpareil Wintering in Florida 



While spending the winter in Daytona, 

 Fla., there came, several times a day, to a 

 feeding-station upon the ground, four 

 female (or immature) Nonpareils, and fed 

 on the mixed grains kept there. The first 

 one I saw on February 5, 1919. Not 

 knowing what it was, I took a book and 

 turned to the Key for Sparrows, tracing it 

 at once to the Painted Bunting (female). 

 I had never seen one before, so hesitated 

 to name it positively. On my way north 

 I stopped at Charleston, and there visited 

 the museum, where I saw good specimens 

 of the Nonpareil. The female and the 

 birds I ' saw in Daytona were identical. 

 I also visited the new museum at Wash- 

 ington and again verified them. 



Several bird-lovers, who had spent many 

 winters in Daytona, came to see these 

 birds, and all said they had never seen any 

 like them. One gentleman (Mr. Stillman 

 of Plainfield, N. J.) said he was positive 

 there was no record of a Nonpareil in 



