The Spring Migration of 1915 at Raleigh, N. C. 



By S. C. BRUNER and C. S. BRIMLEY 



THE migration of birds at Raleigh, N. C, during the spring of 191 5 was 

 so unusual that it is beHeved that a short account, together with a Ust 

 of the records, will be of interest to the readers of Bird-Lore. In con- 

 sidering the following remarks, it may be well to bear in mind that records of 

 the bird migration in this locahty have been made each year for the past 

 thirty-one years. Also, the amount of time spent in making observations dur- 

 ing the past season is significant. From March 19 to May 7, field trips were 

 made by Mr, Bruner on forty-seven days out of a possible fifty. Prior to and 

 after this period observations were made by him for several weeks at intervals 

 of from two to four days. Mr. Brimley was in the field for twelve days from 

 March 30 to April 28, but was unable to pay full attention to birds. The dura- 

 tion of each trip averaged about four hours, this figure not including the time 

 spent in going to and from the city. Observations for the most part were made 

 independently by each of the writers, and on lands differing somewhat in general 

 character. It is beUeved that the great majority of species were recorded on as 

 near the actual date of their arrival as it would ordinarily be possible to obtain 

 them. 



The most remarkable fact in connection with the season was the very great 

 delay in the arrival of the earHer migrants and in the departure of the winter 

 birds. This was very probably due almost entirely to the unusual weather con- 

 ditions which seemed to prevail throughout the South during March and early 

 April. March was abnormally cool, especially so during the latter part of the 

 month. At Raleigh one-half of an inch of snow fell on the thirty-first, and 

 this was soon followed by the most severe snowstorm on record for the month 

 of April. On April 2, at 8 p.m., wet snow began to fall, and continued steadily 

 until about 8 p.m. on April 3, the ground at that time being covered to a depth 

 of about ten inches, the total fall being equivalent to thirteen inches of dry snow. 

 In the wake of this storm came fair and very warm weather. By April 6 nearly 

 aU traces of snow had disappeared, and the birds began to arrive. Between 

 April 6 and April 9, the Black-and- White Warbler, Louisiana Water-Thrush, 

 Yellow-throated Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Maryland Yellow-throat, 

 and White-eyed Vireo all reached Raleigh, these species being from nine to 

 fourteen days late. Prior to this period the Chipping Sparrow had appeared 

 on March 19 — about two weeks late, — and the Blue-headed Vireo on April i, 

 this bird arriving only one week late. After April 6, the greater number of 

 other species came in at about their usual time or a few days later, but several 

 were decidedly early. The Kingbird reached Raleigh on April 12, the earliest 

 date yet recorded in this locahty. However, this was the only record for early 

 arrival that was broken among the commoner species, although two others 

 were equaled. 



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