62 



ORNITHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 17-No. 4 



ence, and, when wounded too sorely to fly, 

 will always attemjit to escape capture by this 

 means, sometimes successfully. Its stiff tail is 

 held up when swimming, "so that this Duck 

 does not slope down behind as most do on the 

 water." Trim and jaunty of form, and taste- 

 fully yet modestly clad in a suit of warm, 

 brownish red, it is without doubt a beautiful 

 bird. In the fall, however, its plumage is not 

 so bright as at the other season. 



W. E. Clyde Todd. 

 Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 



Humbug. 



About a year ago I saw quite a number of 

 articles in different papers about the wonder- 

 ful destructive (liypsy Moth, and what damages 

 it was doing in Maiden and surrounding towns. 

 As I am somewhat interested in entomology I 

 thought I would like to pay a visit to the head 

 quarters of that wonderful insect. 



I called on a friend and made my business 

 known to him, and was shown around several 

 gardens and was imformed they had done a 

 great deal of damage; but I must say I was 

 unable to find one single leaf that had been 

 troubled by those $75,000 moths. 



I was very anxious to procure a few speci- 

 mens. After riding around some two hours we 

 brought up at the police station and were 

 introduced to the chief. I made my business 

 known to him and he did not have to hunt 

 long, but within ten feet of the station door 

 we found them on a large cherry tree. I col- 

 lected a few specimens and returned home feel- 

 ing well satisfied that I had seen the greatcvst 

 humbug which ever invested Maiden. Some 

 weeks after this, I saw some three or four men 

 showering some trees in an orchard. I made 

 inquiries as to what tree they found them on. 

 It was pointed out to me. I examined this 

 tree, and am sorry to say not a sign of a 

 moth could be found. 



I think if the state would appropriate a few 

 hundred dollars to purchase insect pins, and 

 distribute them among the school children, 

 and offer a few dollars reward for the one that 

 would collect the most, it would do more than 

 all the army now in camp at Maiden at three 

 dollars a day, and roast-beef. 



EntomoloyiHl. 



Birds Singing on Their Nests. 



In the March O. & O., I noticed an article by 

 Mr. Henry Hales, relative to birds singing on 

 their nests, etc. Keferring to same, I will say 

 I consider it rare with most birds but not so 

 with the Vireo. It seems to be a trait peculiar 

 to that family. I have observed both C^assins 

 and the Western Warbling Vireo singing on 

 their nest and in this way discovered them. 

 It is nothing uncommon for a bird to sing 

 near its nest, and by careful attention you 

 will sometimes hear the 9 •'tnswer fi-om the 

 nest. ' '"•*'' '''-'■■^'--''' ■^^- -'*- 



Tliis subject is an interesting one and might 

 be a help to many students of bird life, in 

 assisting them to find the oological treasures. 



Let us hear from others in regard to birds 

 singing on their nests. Ch/de L. KfUer. 



Salem, Oregon. 



The Phoebe, North of Washington, 

 D. C, in Winter. 



It is reported in the .lanuary O. & O. that a 

 Pha>be was seen near Washington, on Decem- 

 ber 13, 1891. On November 28 and i!0, 18J:0, 

 I was surprised to see one here. But I was 

 still more surprised to see one on the 4th and 

 9th (and several times after that) of January, 

 1891. This is about twenty miles north of 

 Washington. Harold li. Stabler. 



Sandy Spring, Md. 



Eabi>y Akkivat.p. — Feb. 14, Phoebe (Saij- 

 ornis phoebe)\ March 6, Kobin {Merula luiyra- 

 oria); March 8, FWcker {C'ulajate.s auratus). A. 

 Farmer. Amoskeag, N. H. 



The flight of Yellow-rump Warblers passed 

 here in February. W. P. Hadley, Arlington, 

 Mass. 



On Feb. 20, 1892, a black English Sparrow 

 was taken by C. E. Brown at Beverly, Mass. 

 It was all black except a small buff spot on 

 each cheek. The specimen goes to the Pea- 

 body Academy of Science, Salem, Mass. 



March 3, 1892, a.m. Bright, clear. Ducks 

 and Geese have been on the move for the last 

 ten days. This morning Bluebirds, Robins 

 and Meadow Larks came. My dear featiiered 

 friends are returning one by one from the 

 sunny South. Afternoon, sky overcast. 

 March 4, Blackbirds reported moving in large 

 flocks. Golden-winged Woodpeckers here. 

 During the morning, raining. Afternoon, sky 

 overcast. Carl Fritz Henning, Boone, la. ■ 



