3G Mearns on Less Hardy Winter Residents. 



that a few sometimes remain, even in the Highlands, throughout the 

 milder winters. I remember one bird that seemed to be permanently 

 established in a pile of lumber and debris on Consook Island, in the Hud- 

 son River; but it was unfortunately shot on the 19th of November, 1874. 

 Mr. Bicknell writes me : " The only instance which has come to my knowl- 

 edge of M. paluslris wintering was in the severe winter of 1874 - 7.0, when 

 a single individual remained during the winter about a roadside drain, 

 which, owing to a continual inflow of water, was not often frozen. The 

 water was supplied through a small passageway passing beneath the 

 road, in which the bird doubtless found a desirable and effectual retreat in 

 severe weather, as I several times started it from within the opening of 

 this passageway, where the water was quite shallow. Other than the above, 

 the latest record I have is November 30, 1876, when two were noted." 



10. Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throatkd Sparrow. — Mr. 

 Bicknell writes me : " A regular winter resident here (Riverdale) is Zono- 

 trichia albicollis. I rarely find it, however, in winter, except in the vicin- 

 ity of private residences, where an abundance of spruce-trees and other 

 evergreens affords it a suitable shelter. At that season it often approaches 

 familiarly about the kitchen doorstep, in company with Junco hyemalis 

 and Spizdla monlicola." 



11. Passerella iliac a. Fox Sparrow. — Possibly a few may stay in 

 sunny sheltered situations all winter. I found them as late as December 8, 

 1877, and as early as February 28, 1878. Mr. Bicknell furnishes the 

 following dates: " December 4 (1874 and 1876); February 24, 1874 (a 

 warm day, temperature 74° !) " 



12. Sturnella magna. Mkadow Lark. — They remained at Fish- 

 kill, Duchess Co., N. Y., during the winter of 1874 - 75. Found at various 

 points along the Hudson in winter. 



13. Ceryle alcyon. Belted KINGFISHER. — None of the collectors 

 seem to have found this bird wintering, though it might easily have done 

 so during the past winter. My latest capture was November 4, 1874; also 

 saw two November 30, 1878. It probably occurs on the lower part of the 

 river in winter. 



14. Sphyrapicus varius. Yki.i.oyv-hki.i.ied Woodpecker. — Fre- 

 quently observed in the Highlands during the severest winter weather. 

 Mr. Bicknell gives the following record from Riverdale: "November 24, 

 1872 ; December 3, 1874 ; and January 22, 1876. On the latter date one 

 was shot while feeding on some decayed apples that still hung on the 

 branches of a tree, close to the bouse." Another was taken the same 

 month, also feeding on decayed apples. Mr. A. J. Huyler Btates that 



"the Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers stayed at Tcnally, X.J., until the last. 

 <! December, 1877; and that they were more abundant than they had 

 been for a number of years." 



• 15. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Kkd-iik adkd Woodpecker. — 

 Mr. Huyler Bays the Red-headed Woodpeckers stay at Tenaily all winter. 



