Scott on Winter Birds at Princeton, N. J. 81 



LATE FALL AND WINTER NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OB- 

 SERVED IN THE VICINITY OF PRINCETON, N. J., 1878- 79. 



BY W. E. D. SCOTT. 



As the present winter is here exceptionally severe, as regards 

 both snow-fall and temperature, some statistics respecting the 

 Fauna at this season may be of interest. As it is not within the 

 scope of the present paper to enumerate every species occurring, 

 the following observations will be restricted to notes on the compar- 

 ative rarity or abundance of particular species. 



It is hardly necessary for me to say that, as usual, Robins and 

 Bluebirds have been common, the latter particularly so. Early in 

 January, on a day when the mercury marked seven degrees below 

 zero, both species were noted, and at short intervals of a day or 

 so they have Jjbeen observed from December 1 till the present 

 time (January 20). 



On January 17, after a heavy fall of snow, there being from a 

 foot to eighteen inches on the ground, I took a male Hermit Thrush, 

 the only one seen during the month. 



Tufted Titmice (Lophophanes bicolor) have been, and still are, 

 common at this date, and Black-capped Titmice (Parus atricapiilus) 

 are more abundant than I have ever known them to be before. A 

 series of careful observations leads me to believe that the Carolina 

 Titmouse (Paries atricapillus var. carol 'inensis) is not a resident here 

 throughout the year, or, if so, that it is very rare in winter, when 

 its place is filled by the Northern form. The Southern variety, even 

 in summer, is by no means common, but is most abundant in early 

 fall. I have found them nesting in May and June. 



Shore Larks (Eremophila alpestris) have been very common in 

 localities, and are generally to be found every winter on the coast, 

 but not always inland. Late in December large numbers of Yellow- 

 rumped Warblers (Dendrceca coronata) were still here, but they have 

 not been noted this month (January). 



Cedar Birds (Ampelis cedrorum) are common at certain localities, 

 and become abundant, where suitable food is to be obtained, about 

 January 20 to February 1. 



Great Northern Shrikes (Collurio borealis) are abundant. Their 

 VOL. iv. 6 



