SECOND ANNUAL MEETING 73 



of weed seed to say nothing- of their social disposition and harmless 

 ways. 



[At this point the author was interrupted by a sicloiess which pre- 

 vented further work on the pajier. It is to be hoped that at some future 

 date he may resume his writing- on this interesting- subject. — Editor.] 



ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIOXS ON THE BIRDS OF NORTHWESTERN 



NEBRASKA 



J. ir. BATES, LOXG PINE 



It falls to the lot of some, through lack of time or ability, to confine 

 themselves to the elementary work, in natural science, of observing- and 

 reporting-. I am unfortunately one of those who are thus limited, and 

 I can offer, after eleven years of interest in the birds of Nebraska, 

 nothing- that indicates intense study. I am, I reg-ret to say, unable to 

 make the subject anything- more than an incident in my life and a side 

 issue of the natin-e study I love so well. I take thought that others may 

 be able to do better work for the little side-light that I may throw upon 

 the work. The birds that are new to me keep coming, and the year 1900 

 has been very intei-esting-, according- to the time I have devoted to the 

 subject. 



As my chronological notes have been sent to Washington, I will take 

 the birds in the order observed in our Nebraska list. 



150. Aytliya coUarls (Donov.). — Ring-necked Duck. October 8, in look- 

 ing over two hundred ducks killed for market at Cody, I found one that 

 was new to me and took notes. It is noteworthy that Apgar in his sup- 

 posedly popular work on the Birds of the United States, should not 

 mention the most conspicuous mark on the duck, the broad white band 

 one-third from ti]> of bill. November S. I and a friend shot two out of 

 a flock of twent}-, at ISIerriman. Those s|)ortsmen to whom I have men- 

 tioned it say they have not seen it. 



190. Botnvriis Iriitif/iiioKits (Mcmtag.). — American Bittern. Was seen 

 November 10 near Long Pine and probably later. I have seen it a little 

 later some years. No doubt it tarries as long- as snakes and frog-s are 

 at larce. 



191. Anletta r.rili!^ (Gmelin). — Least Bittern. I saw one Least Bittern 

 while trouting on the Boardman Creek in Cherry County. .Tuly 7 — appar- 

 ently a verj'^ rare bird up our way. 



194. Ardea heroilias (Linn.). — Great Blue Heron. On June 26, while 

 trouting on the Fairfield Creek in northwestern Brown County I found 

 the tracks of the Great Blue Heron in the mud, too long for any other 

 bird, I am sure. This indicates a new breeding locality. 



201. Ardea vircsrcus (Linn.). — Green Heron. July 17, I had the pleasure 



