5(1 



THE OOLOGIST. 



Birds of Macon County, Ga. 



EdITv)R OoIiOGIST: 



I saw a suggestiou in your last issue tha 

 it would be of benefit to the student of 

 birds to have some knowledge of the birds 

 in each county or section. I think, myself, 

 it is a good idea and will act upon it. 



This county, Macou, is about 40 miles 

 south of the center of Georgia. Is hilly in 

 some parts, but no mountains. Fliut River 

 fringe d l>j' wide swamps, divides it. 



I know but little of our swamp species, 

 having had no opportunities for investiga- 

 tions. 



Bir 3 hfe is abundant and varying in up- 

 land and bottom. The nesters are many. 

 The Mockingbird, Blue Jay, Brown Thrash- 

 er, Catbird, Eng. Sparrow and Bluebird 

 are abundant at all seasons. The Turkey 

 Buzzard and Carrion Crow are also quite 

 co.umon. The Summer Redbird, Cardiual, 

 Yellow-shafted Flicker, Loggerhead Shrike, 

 Bob white, Crow, Mourning Dove. Sparrow 

 Hawk and Red-bellied Woodpecker ai-e 

 common at all times of the year. During 

 the winter, Robins, Field Larks, Blackbirds 

 and many Sparrows are very abundant. 

 Several varieties of Ducks frequent the 

 rivers and creeks. The more abundant 

 kinds are Summer and "Green-head" with 

 some Teal. No Robins nest with us. A 

 few Larks and Blackbirds and probably 

 some of the sparrows remain through the 

 spring. 



About the 1st of April the Martins, Bank 

 Swallows, Kingbirds and Chimney S\\-ifts 

 appear and are soon very abundant. During 

 the spring and summer at any time of the 

 day in almost any spot one can see a Bee- 

 Martin on some high perch, darting Aovm 

 for flies and twittering freqenilv. 



I give some extracts from my notes in 

 1888: 



Mar 2'J. Saw 1 Bank Swallow 



" 30. Heard of several Black Martins. 



April 1. Saw ono or two Bee Martins. 

 " 2. Saw a Black Martin. 

 " 4. Saw, to-day, first Chimney 

 Swift ; 6 or 8 circling and twittering in the 

 sunshine. 



Bee Martins are becoming common; have 

 seen but few Bank Swallows as yet, and one 

 Purple Martin. Yesterday and to-day have 

 been qiaite warm, and nesting will begin in 

 earnest soon. 



I saw on the 2nd, partially completed 

 nests of Thrasher, Mocker and Shrike. 

 C. B — . took an egg of the Turkey Buzzard 

 several weeks ago . Robins have all gone, 

 I think; saw one Sundaj' afternoon and 

 think I've heard one or two since. The 

 Sparrows are still plentiful. Doves have 

 have been mating for several weeks, but 

 Quail are still in small scattered covies. 

 Hnipe have lately been scattered all over the 

 country, frequenting ditches, ponds etc. 



Mockingbirds are making day and night 

 sweet with song and I supjjose they are all 

 building their nests now. 



I am told that Red-headed woodpeckers 

 have been here several days. Except the 

 egg mentioned above, I know of none taken 

 yet. 



This is an exceptionally warm day for 

 the first week of April as was yesterday also. 

 Peaches are through blooming. Oaks have 

 put out considerably; in fact, sjaring is upon 

 us. 



April 5. Heard the first Wood Pewee 

 to-day. These birds are abundant here 

 in spring and siimmcr months. 



Ajjril 7. Took a walk out back of Mr. 

 F's house this morning ; could hear three or 

 four Mockingbirds singing " in full tilt' " at 

 at one time. 



Apr. 8. Found nest and three eggs of 

 Cardinal ; fresh. First set of season, 



Apr. 9. Took set of 5 Loggerhead Shi-ike. 

 1 has airing of spots at small end; balance, 

 as usual. 



Apr. 10. 'I ook set of 2 almost fresh eggs 

 of Turkey Buzzard. Found in a cave near 

 here. They are beauties; one don't find 

 such every day. ■ 



Apr. 14. I took, to-day, set of 5 Red- 

 bellied Nuthatch (?). Found nest in a snag 

 in the middle of a large pond. The eggs 

 measure. 62 X .45. .6'2 x .46, .60 x .45, 

 .60 X .45, .60 X .44. 



Apr. li'>. To-)k ?et of Tv.fted Titmons^ 



