THIRD ANNUAL MEETING 5o 



are resident in this state. Among- the smaller birds the sparrow family 

 is most abundantly represented in winter, although the majority of 

 the woodpeckers are also present. These are, of course, either 

 gramnivorous or larvae-eating birds. Strictly insectivorous birds such 

 as flycatchers, warblers, or vireos are almost if not entirely absent in 

 winter, for they generally depart as soon as the insect supply begins 

 to wane. 



With this great variation in the cliaracter of our winter bird life, 

 according to tiie conditions, considerable difficulty is experienced in 

 attempting to determine when a bird ceases to be a summer resident 

 or fall migrant and becomes a winter resident or visitant. In this 

 paper I have chosen to consider as a true winter bird every species 

 that has been found in the months of December, January, or February. 

 The list is a compilation of all unquestionable published articles on the 

 subject, together with mj^ own notes, and those of various members of 

 this Union, who are in every case accredited with their notes or dates. 

 While certainly incomplete, the list represents fairly well our present 

 knowledge of the subject, and forms a basis for future work. 



J 30. Merr/aiiser serrator (Linn.). — Red-breasted Merganser. Seen on Platte 

 liiver in mid-winter (L. Bruner). 



332. Anns boschas Linn. — Mallard. Common throughout the winter if 

 the water is open. Beatrice, January 29, 190L 



139. Nettion caroJlnensis (Gmel.). — Green-winged Teal. Common in win- 

 ter. JSIany records. 



143. Dafilu acuta (Linn.). — Pintail. Present in winter; often migrates 

 in February. January 22, 1S99; February 8, 1898 (E. H. Wolcott). 



146. Aytliija americana (EyL). — Eedhead. Remains very late and winters 



if open water is present. 



147. Aiithya vaUisneria (Wils.). — Canvas-back. Remains late in November; 



arrives in February; probably present throughout mild winters. 



151. ClaiKjiihi dangula americana (Bonap.). — American Golden-eye. Win- 



ters. Long Pine, December 10, 1896 (J. M. Bates). 



152. ClamjuUi islandica (Gmel.). — Barrow's Golden-eye. Winters. South 



Bend, January 22, 1900 (L. Brimer). 



154. Harelda hyemalis (Linn.). — Old-squaw. Rare winter visitant. Omaha, 

 December 8, 1900 (J. E. Wallace). 



165. Oideniia deglandi Bonap. — White-winged Scoter. Winter visitant, 

 possibly winter resident. Omaha, December 8, 1900 (.T. E. Wal- 

 lace). The other Scoters are also probably present, but rare. 



169. Chen hyperhorea (Pall.). — Lesser Snow Goose. Found throughout 

 November, returns in February'. Beatrice, Februar3- 20, 1901. 



172. Branta canadensis (Linn.) .^Canada Goose. Common throughout 

 ordinarj- Avinters. Platte River, January 22, 1900 (L. Bruner). 



172fl. Branta canadensis liutcliinsii (Rich.). — Hutchins's Goose. Same as 

 preceding, and found ^Adth it. 



230. (TalUnago delicata (Ord). — Wilson's Snipe. Winters somewhat com- 

 monly over the state. Many records. 



289. Colinus virginianus (Linn.). — Bob-white. A.n abundant resident over 

 most of the state. 



