92 



ORNITHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 16-No. 6 



wliile it does not reach the more hilly country 

 immediately back of the city until al]oiit 

 March 1st. 



Mretini/ of April 21iit. "The Warblers of 

 Pennsylvania and New Jersey" was the sub- 

 ject for discussion at this meeting, and a fine 

 series of specimens was on exhibition, includ- 

 ing, a number of rarities. Eight specimens 

 of the Cape May Warbler and two Cerulean 

 Warblers were among the number, and no less 

 than three specimens of the rare Brewster's 

 Warbhr were brought together. Reports on 

 bird migr.ition during the month showed that 

 most birds were a week or more ahead of time 

 as compared with records of previous years. 



The unusually warm weather caused im- 

 mense migrations, especially on the nights of 

 April 12th and 16th, and there was great uni- 

 formity in tlie time of arrival of many of the 

 species at the various observers' statit>ns. For 

 example, the Hermit Thrush arrived at four 

 stations on April 12th and the f'hipping Spar- 

 row at six stations on April IStli. 



An interesting nielanitic Meadow Lark was 



exhibited, having the yellow plumage of the 



breast entirely replaced by black, though 



otherwise quite normal. Tlie specimen was 



shot in New .Jersey some years ago. 



Witmer StottP. 

 l*liilailelphia. 



enters another person's land, posted or not, is 

 subject to fine. 



Thus you see that instead of encouraging the 

 study of birds, as should be done, everything 

 militates to dampen the ardor of all but true 

 bird lovers. Htewnrt E. Wliite. 



Grand Rapids, Mich. 



American Barn Owl Taken in Mass- 

 achusetts. 



Chester A. Keed shot a fine specimen of tlie 

 Barn Owl (Strix jinitlncuhi) in this city, May 

 2:id. It was a 9, very light in color and in 

 fine condition. Length W/j in., extent 44 in. 

 How many have been taken in this state that 

 are on record? Chas. K. lieciJ. 



\V()roester, Mass. 



Stupid Laws of Michigan. 



Ancient Ornithological Notes Found 



in Ames' Almanack, Published at 



Dedham, Mass., in 1726 to 1775. 



The O. & O. is the recognized channel of 

 communication for the ornithologists of this 

 country, and therefore through its columns I 

 wish to attract some sympathy towards the 

 bird lovers of Michigan. 



Under our present law it becomes necessary 

 for the collector to obtain a special permit 

 every month, said permit allowing him to kill 

 tico of each s])ecies only! It is limited to one 

 county, one month and two specimens. In the 

 application for this permit one has to name 

 each species that he desires to collect; it does 

 not suffice to say " all land and water birds," 

 or words to that effect. 



The oologist has no chance at all, no permit 

 of any kind is issued to him and the law 

 imposes a fine of $.">.00 for each egg collected. 

 At that rate I fear a good many of us would be 

 paupers in a short time. 



Besides these direct attacks on our science, 

 the trespass law could be made to interfere 

 with us to a serious extent. .\ny person who 



February, 1730. 



The wild geese, that soar elate 



With pleasure ji:lidino; thr"iiji:h the liqiiid air, 

 Guided by instinct or some other fate. 



T 'iito their northern rendezvous repair; 

 Tlieir captain (foremost ) leads the feathered throng. 



And knr»\vs what ports to light at all along. 



Marrh, 173S. 



Now all aloud the winds do hlow 

 About the hoary heaps of snow, 

 "With feathered rain the ways are foul, 

 No birds do sing except the Owl. 



April, 1740. 



This is the morning of the year 

 The awakened roses forth 

 From their buds do sjirout. 

 The \Vbip-i)oor-wills are couu* 

 To bid you plant. 



March 21, 174S. First Robins singing. 



March 24, 1748. First Bluebirds seen. 



February 20, 17-51. First Blueliirds singing. 



February 2.5, 17-")1. First Larks seen. 



February 27, 17')l. First Robins singing. 



You will see from the foregoing that the 

 ornithologists of the early times put their spring 

 notes into verse, but lieginning with 1748 the 

 notes were short, like those of the observers of 

 to-day. A'. R. Ingersoll. 



