ORNIT^IOLOGIST 



[Vol. iS-No. I 



woodman's axe. Instead of the tall trees 

 that covered the spot a year ago, heaps of 

 cord-wood were scattered all over the 

 brown hillside, with very few of the old 

 trees left ; but we soon discovered that 

 among those few was the dilapidated old 

 tree whose hollow trunk had contained 

 the nest of Syrnium. But little encourage- 

 ment, however, could we take to our- 

 selves, for within a few feet from tiie 

 trunk was a square corded pile of split 

 wood. With scarcely interest enough to 

 go to the spot, I lifted my staff" and gave a 

 gentle blow upon the base and was prompt- 

 ly startled by seeing the big brown head 

 emerge and with great flapping of wings 

 speed away to a neighboring tree, whence 

 she glared at us with her beady black eyes 

 and called out ivJio-xvho-zvJio-oo-ou . By 

 this time tiie boy was sitting astride the 

 one remaining branch of the tree, which 

 stood like an arm reaching out to grasp a 

 support for the decaying foundation. 

 "Three eggs this year," he exclaimed as 

 he gazed down into the depths, "and 

 they are awa\' down deep, tlie whole 

 length of mj' arm." Last year it was so 

 that the bird could sit on the eggs and 

 just peep over the top at an intruder. It 

 was a beautiful set, almost globular in form, 

 and being quite fresh they were clean and 

 white. We returned over the hill way to 

 visit the Red-tailed Hawks' nest as we 

 did last year when we secured the set of 

 three beautiful spotted eggs ; but while we 

 found the nest unchanged, it appeared to 

 be without a tenant this year. Niglit 

 nearly overtook us before we reached 

 home, and the first spring tramps will tire 

 one ; but the pure air is invigorating and 

 one does not seem to require such full 

 measure of success on the first trip as later 

 to be fully satisfied, for we unanimously 

 pronunced it a successful and enjoyable 

 outing. 



John \. Clark. 



Old Saybrook, Conn. 



A List of the Birds of Randolph 

 County, Ind., with some notes on 

 the Mammals of the same county. 



For some years previous to August, 

 1891, I made careful notes on the birds 

 and mammals found in the above county, 

 and believe the following to be a pretty 

 accurate list of the winter birds. A few 

 listed are truly migrants, but the dates at 

 which they were seen would place them on 

 the winter list. The mammal list is not 

 complete. No Bats are given. I have seen 

 some there, but do not know the species. 

 The list of Mice and Shrews I believe to 

 be only partially complete. 



"WINTER BIRDS. 

 A. o. r, 



194. Great Blue Heron. Not common 

 in winter, but one was seen late 

 in December. 



3S9. Bob White (Qiiail). Very common 

 and much sought by hunters. The 

 county is thickly settled, but nearly 

 every farm has a flock or two. 



310. Wild Turkey. Now extinct but 

 formerly quite common. 



316. Mourning Dove. A few remain 

 around feeding places the entire 

 winter. 



32 V Turkey Buzzard. Occasionally seen 

 during warm winters. 



333. Cooper's Hawk. Has been taken 

 in the winter. 



337. Red-tailed Buzzard. Qiiite com- 

 mon at all times. 



339. Red-shouldered Hawk (Chicken 

 Hawk). Common for a hawk. 



353. Bald Eagle. One is occasionally 

 seen. 



36S. Barred Owl. \'ery common. 



373. Screech Owl. Common. More of 

 the gray color than the brown. 



37^. Great Horned Owl. Abundant for 

 this species. 



376. Snowy Owl. Two were taken in 

 the county in December, 1S91, the 

 only ones I have ever known. 



