3IO 



Bird - Lore 



August 1 6 Chimney Swifts and Tree Swal- 

 lows were migrating, the latter in flocks 

 feeding over the rushes and rice along the 

 lake-shores. Red-eyed Vireos were still 

 feeding broods of young, out of the nest, as 

 late as August 19. On the latter date, Sap- 

 suckers, old and young, and one Humming- 

 bird were seen drinking sap from borings in 

 several birch trees in the same grove where 

 they were found similarly engaged two years 

 ago. The trees then in use, large birches 

 tapped 25 feet from the ground where the 

 first limbs were given off, are all dead now. 



The first advance couriers of the great 

 southward movement of Nighthawks that 

 annually takes place through the Park ar- 

 rived on August 20. From that date until 

 the 29th they were passing daily in even 

 greater numbers than usual, and on several 

 days there were almost unbroken flights 

 from early morning until dark. On the even- 

 ing of the 24th a gathering of several hundred 

 assembled over the larger part of the lake 

 and until dusk the air was filled with the 

 great, whirling mass of birds. 



About August 22, Ducks began to appear 

 on Itasca Lake, where there had been none 

 since our arrival, August i. From this time 

 they increased in numbers, chiefly Wood 

 Ducks and Mallards with a few Blue-winged 

 Teal, but were at no time numerous. Thej-, 

 in common with flocks of Red-winged Black- 

 birds that came about the same time, fed in 

 the fringe of wild rice that encircled the lake. 

 Loons were much less frequent this year 

 than formerly. The first seen on the lake 

 was an old bird accompanied by a half- 

 grown young one on August 17. An im- 

 mature Red-necked Grebe was seen on the 

 23d, the first record for this species in the 

 Park. 



A single Vellovv VVarljler was seen on Au- 

 gust 19, the first time that it has been found 

 in the Park during the summer months. It 

 occurs sparingly in the spring migration, 

 and it is a surprising fact that a bird so 

 abundant everywhere in the state should be 

 entirely absent during the nesting season 

 from this large area where there are many 

 places well suited to its wants. The Chest- 

 nut-sided Warbler, so similar in habit.=, is a 

 regular breeder. 



On August 24, a family of four Ospreys 

 were seen at Elk Lake, the young birds evi- 

 dently having only recently taken wing as 

 they occasionally returned to the nest to 

 rest there awhile. On the same date, a lone 

 Great Blue Heron was fishing on the lake 

 shore, probably a migrant from farther 

 north, as the inhabitants of the two con- 

 siderable heronries in the Park had all left 

 before August i. 



One day late in August, sixteen Turkey 

 Buzzards were seen soaring in company, 

 which number about represents the total 

 late summer population of this bird for the 

 Park. Year after year the count varies but 

 little. They are very local and sociable in 

 their habits at this time of year, and though 

 scattered somewhat during the day they 

 assemble nightly to roost together in the 

 trees on one particular point. 



On the last da)' of August came the first 

 migrating flocks of Robins and from this 

 time until we left, September 13, the Park 

 was full of them. After September 6 thej' 

 were joined by countless Flickers, which, as 

 they too fed on the ground, were often 

 mingled with the Robins as though flocking 

 together. 



Four belated Martins were seen flying 

 about over the lake on September 7. 



.MiwKAPOLis Region. — September 14 to 

 October 15. The fall thus far has been mild, 

 with no killing frost in this locality. From 

 October 3 to 11, the temperature fell at night 

 almost to the freezing point and there were 

 fairly heavy white frosts sufiicient to kill 

 outside of the city such sensitive garden 

 flowers as dahlias and scarlet sage, but the 

 weather since has been warm and almost 

 summer-like. 



Circumstances ha\c prevented the writer 

 being much afield this fall, but reports from 

 others indicate that the migration has con- 

 tinued, as it began, ten days or more ahead 

 of the normal. Two Blackburnian Warblers 

 at Minneapolis, on July 31, reported by Mrs. 

 Judson L. Wicks, could be accounted for only 

 as early south-bound migrants, as this bird 

 breeds in Minnesota only in Canadian asso- 

 ciations. She also reported newly hatched 

 young Song Sparrows as late as August 13. 



