March, 1892.] 



AND OOLOGIST. 



41 



Biitisli Columbian forest and listeninji: t(> tlie 

 musical strains of the Black-lieacUd Goshawk, 

 the Western Tanager and the rather melan- 

 choly refrains of the Varied Thrush. 



Among the vines. and bushes, as well as the 

 ferns, flowers and mosses, this species finds 

 the berries and lower forms of animated exis- 

 tences, as Its daily needs require. 



Its nest, of which I saw a few specimens 

 of the past year, is composed almost wholly 

 of mosses, lined with lichens and other soft, 

 dry materials. This is placed in bushes, or 

 among branches not far off the ground, or in 

 much similar situations as that of the Hermit 

 Thrush. The eggs, four or five in the set, are 

 ol a bluish hue, mottled with reddish brown 

 spots. Tills species, known also as the Varied 

 Itobin and Oregon Tluush, is reported to be 

 more abundant on the sea-shore, where it 

 I'emains tiiioughout the year, than further 

 inland, and here among the stunted firs, rocks 

 and sands it tiuds a scenery much different 

 from that of the more inland valleys, as well 

 as the effects of the sea-breezes and the rolling 

 waves. In the museum at Victoria I saw 

 some fine, mounted specimens, and in the 

 deep woods near Port Kells its songs strongly 

 reminded nie of the Wood Thrush of Ontario; 

 l)ut under the circumstances the effects w^ere 

 nunc melancholy than pleasing. 



iViu. L. Kills. 



Notes on Bird Flight. 



To me, bird flight has always been an inter- 

 esting study. Statements of extreme velocity 

 often appear in print and are sometimes mis- 

 leading. To say that a flock of geese moves 

 at a rate of one hundred miles an hour for an 

 entire day may require to be "backed up by 

 statements." 



At times, when fleeing before a vorthcr and 

 its flight is accelerated by the force ^)f a high 

 wind, many birds sustain a great vehx-ity. 

 But more frequent is unusual speed in the 

 fierce dash of Falcon or short flight of Grouse, 

 Though different classes of birds may usually 

 be distinguished by their mode of flight, there 

 art! variations at once odd and pleasing. 

 Those measured strokes of the Brown fJrane 

 in full force make a jjleasing ontrast with the 

 majestic and long-continued aerial evolutions, 

 seen while on his migratory course. 



The Canada Goose presses onward, borne up 

 by strong and steady pinions. For forceful, 

 solid business he has few rivals. I remember 



once, while travelling by rail at a rate of 

 thirty miles an hour, our waylay for a time 

 along the course of a swollen creek. A flock 

 of geese, among them one little Teal, came 

 alongside the train and kept almost within 

 gunshot for fully ten miles, seemingly at an 

 ordinary rare; and the Teal was at no loss to 

 keep his place among his larger companions. 



Wliile collecting on the Iowa River I chanced 

 to be near a close cover of weeds and dwarf 

 willows, one cold winter day. Snow lay tw o 

 feet deep on the level, and but little bird-life 

 was in motion. Suddenly a Quail came by me 

 like a flash: a Goshawk was in hot pursuit. 

 The Quail glided safely under cover and the 

 Hawk went again to the woods. In a short 

 time he drove another Quail into the willows, 

 reijeating his unrequited task until not less 

 than a dozen birds nestled in the clump of 

 brush about me; yet the Hawk had not 

 observed me, and he hung about the place for 

 a while, unwilling to leave such good game. 

 The frightful speed of those poor, scared 

 birds and their relentless pursuer haunted me 

 for many a day. 



At another time, while riding in from the 

 country, I saw a male Cooper's Hawk making 

 a determined effort to catch a Quail as it 

 whirred past over an open space, but the 

 Quail was too swift. It would be impossible 

 to estimate their fleetness, but neither could 

 protract it for a considerable distance. 



Often, by cunning, the smaller birds accom- 

 ])Iisli their escape from a swifter pursuer. 

 From my father's house a quarter mile dis- 

 tant, stands a row of tall cottonwood trees. 

 Here the Xorthern Shrike makes his perch in 

 winter time, and by adroit imitation of their 

 notes beguiles many an unsuspecting victim. 

 Hearing the fellow's loud, grating cry, and 

 knowing his tricks I started with the gun, 

 intending to entice him. All at once he left 

 his high ))ercli and chased a little bird; and, 

 though he flew hard, his ettorts were not 

 successful, the bird evading his clutch. As 1 

 had but just started and could scarce see 

 them I was the more interested that they 

 came toward me. The Chickadee — which it 

 proved to be — made good use of its wits. 

 Whenever the Shrike came directly at it the 

 bird made a sharp turn, thus gaining a little 

 advantage. Many times the Shrike chased 

 him up in mid-air, but when the Chickadee 

 attempted to come to ground the Shrike's 

 greater weight accelerated its speed, and thus 

 the entire way was fought, and when that 

 slight creature at length found shelter it was 



