The Audubon Societies 187 



We love birds and are glad to learn more about them and to help protect 

 and feed them. — Margaret Dougherty, President, Russell Planck, 

 Secretary, Columbia School, Peoria, III. 



[The teacher who sent this picture and letter writes: "We have a large and enthusi- 

 astic society composed of the children of the fifth and sixth grades. In a contest among 

 the Junior Audubon Societies of the state last year, our club won second prize for their 

 study of birds, and their efforts in protecting them. The si.x excellent books about birds 

 which they received encouraged and helped them in their bird-study this year. They have 

 been keeping close watch of the birds as they return, and are learning their songs and 

 calls." The value of careful study combined with enthusiasm is told in this brief report. 

 Distinguishing the songs and call-notes of birds is evidence of a high grade of work. — - 

 A. H. W.] 



A SONG SPARROW IN JANUARY 



January i, 1917, was a "red-letter day" for me. I was putting up bird- 

 houses with a friend of mine, when I heard a familiar song. I looked up, and 

 on the top of a maple tree I saw a Song Sparrow. Two days later I saw it 

 again. — Henry Shaw, Jr., (Age 11 years), Morristown, N. J. 



["Red-letter day," the very phrase suggests the delightful discoveries always 

 awaiting the bird-lover, like this of a Song Sparrow in midwinter. Many people have 

 found bird-study unusually attractive this last winter, because the severity of the weather 

 in some sections made birds more than ordinarily dependent for food upon the hosj^i- 

 tality of man. With harbors and rivers frozen solidly for weeks, flocks of Gulls and 

 Ducks were at times practically deprived of accustomed food-supplies. In one instance. 

 Herring Gulls came some distance inshore to pick up corn muffins thrown out by a bird- 

 lover who happened to have nothing else at hand to offer. th?m^ The habit of Gulls and 

 Terns of alighting on floating drift, buoys or any available foothold at sea, has become 

 of immediate benefit to man. More than once in the present war, ships have discovered 

 their proximity to mines by spying Gulls over them. — A. H. W.) 



THE BOHEMIAN WAXWING IN OREGON 



On the afternoon of February 7, 1917, I saw a rather rare visitant, the 

 Bohemian Waxwing. While on a bird walk I stopped to observe some birds 

 that were feeding on wild hawthorn berries, not far from Mt. Tabor Park, 

 and while there I saw a flock of eighteen Bohemian Waxwings. I am very 

 certain that there is no mistake as to their identity, for they corresponded in 

 every detail to the description in Florence M. Bailey's "Birds of Western 

 United States." 



On Januar\' 24, I saw, in this vicinity, one bird thai 1 thoughl was a Bohe- 

 mian Waxwing, but I was not al)S()lule]\- certain, as I did not know then the 

 distinguishing marks lor which to look. However, when I saw the tlock of 

 eighteen on February 7, 1 noted particularly ihe size, larger than the Cedar 

 Waxwing, which is (|uite common here in sunmier; tin- white wini^ coverts, 

 and broader hand of yellow on the tail. 



On I'ebruarv cj, 1 again noted tweUi- Bolu'inian Waxwings, prohablx' ol the 



