112 



ORmTHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 13-No. 7 



The migration South of large numbers of the 

 Whitc-belliecl Swallows w as observed Oct. 18, 

 1SS7, at Diaiuoiul Hill, R. I., by S. F. Dexter. 



B. E. K.. Fitchharij. — The birds you write 

 about we think you will not find to be of rare oc- 

 currence. Perhaps your Bohemian will prove to 

 be the Cedar. Taking the Yellow-bellied 

 Woodpecker in April was the best catch. 



Tl^ ./. Skarnitt, Philaileljihia, Pa., reports Pine 

 Crossbills shot within ten miles of the city, also 

 fifty miles due East. Nov. 23, 1SS7. Very 

 early for that neighborhood. 



K. 7'., Attli-hiini Falls. — Great Northern 

 Shrike arc usually common in February and 

 March in your locality. The Loggerhead is 

 rare. It would be difficult for you to distin- 

 guish It from the VVliitc-rumped, except by 

 close examination. 



For a period of six mouths, we mailed regu- 

 larly a complimentaiy copy to a prominent 

 French Naturalist; iu return came promjit "ac- 

 knowledgements." Our early French being 

 neglected, we took it for granted that each let- 

 ter was a compliment •' a la Francaise,'" and 

 carefully laid tlicm aside. One day in want of 

 employment, after a mighty eftbrt we succeed- 

 ed in trauslating, and, oh horrors / Our cousin, 

 "via Adam," was unable to readp/'(i« English. 

 His national politeness was compelling him to 

 make the attempt. He prayed, begged, aud 

 beseeched us to discontinue, and was evidently 

 being killed by monthly iustallments. We dis- 

 continui'il, and modestly suggest a medal from 

 the S. F. P. of C. to A. 



Boston Scientific Society.— At the meet- 

 ing of the Boston Scientific Society, June 26, 

 the subject of albinism in birds was discussed 

 by Mr. F. A. Bates. He inferred the remote 

 cause of the plienomenon to be a disease in the 

 birds. The immediate cause is the failure of a 

 supply of coloring matter or pigment. Climate 

 at any rate is not the cause, as specimens are 

 found in various latitudes. He exhibited sev- 

 eral specimens, one of which was a pure white 

 jay of the species known as the blue jay. 

 Another was a " rusty blackbird," which was 

 partly white. 



A Ci.AM Captukes a Ska Gull. — A fisher- 

 man on Plymouth Beach, Mass., captured a 

 large gray sea gull in a rather peculiar predica- 

 ment. Firmly pinched upon the bird's bill was 

 a sea clam about the size of the palm of a 

 man's hand. The clam weighed euougli to keep 

 the head of the gull hanging downward, aud 



thus effectually prevent any long fiight, while 

 it was evidently nearly exhausted in trying to 

 escape from its strange captor. It Is thought 

 that the gull, seeing the clam's snout protrud- 

 ing, endeavored to seize the dainty morsel, and 

 was in turn gripped by the hard shells of its 

 intended victim. The clam had to be cut away 

 from the bird's bill. — Bostini Jlrrahl. 



We have no sympathy for the clam or gull. 

 By the waj', clams are reported as being of ex- 

 tra fine flavor in Kliode Island this year. But 

 are not the Prohibitionists assuming a grave 

 responsibility in contaminating Narragansett 

 with mixed drinks? How many of her noble 

 sons will sink into an untimely grave, and in 

 departing say : 1 first acquired the taste from 

 lihode Island clams and Provklence Kiver 

 oysters. 



Correspondence. 



Correspondents making inquiries are requested 

 to be brief and to the point. 



Oswego, N. Y. March 13, 1888. 



Eorroit OuNirnoLOuiST anoOolooist— Sir: I have 

 reuil the article on "Data Blanks" by Messrs. In- 

 gersoll and bryant in the February O. & O. While 

 not taking exceptions to their nioile, I think that 

 (lata of a private collection can be preserved in a 

 more satisfactory manner. It is this: Have a rubber 

 stamp m:ide two and a half inthes wide and fonr 

 inches long. Then get a book eight inches long 

 and live and a half Inciies wide, of heavy, un- 

 ruled paper. A book of this size is large enough for 

 three data on e;ich page, and allows quite a margin, 

 and a small sp:ice between each data. With a little 

 practice aud care, any one can make a nice print 

 every time with a rubber stamp. A nicer l.)ut more 

 expensive way is to have a register priiitetl (in 

 bhmk, of course ),au<l boundby some job printer and 

 book binder. Each data can be numbered on the 

 margin. :ind indexed in the back part of the book 

 when tilled out. Such a data book will always make 

 a Jieat and attractive appearance, on account of uni- 

 form size of data, if nothing else. 



When exchanges are made, it is a short job to fill 

 out the blanks with the memoranda received. 



If a rubber stamp is used. It can be brought into 

 phiy in another blank book devoted to tlui)licatc sets 

 for exchange. Mr. R. W. Ford, a rubber stamp maim- 

 faeturer, who advertised in the O. & O. about two 

 years ago. gave me good work at an extremely low 

 figure. 



Snowy Owls have been conspicuous by their ab- 

 scnce. This winter, January 30 (just after a lierce 

 blizzard lasting four days), I saw a Yellow-shafted 

 Woodpecker. This is the first time I have ever ob- 

 served one of these birds here in winter. In spring 

 they generally arrive here betweeu the 10th and'.;oih 

 ol April. I have one instance noted, when they ar. 

 rived March 10, 1ST3. 



Most respectfully yours, 



D. D. Stone. 



