one of the college buildings, where they pass the night. From about 

 two hours before sunset until twilight is fading, clouds of them may be 

 seen hovering near this chimney or whirling about in the near vicinity. 

 During the day they are dispersed about the country feeding. When the 

 Nighthawks were passing over the village the Swifts harrassed them un- 

 mercifully. 



Of the flights of Cowbird and Bronzed Grackle I shall have something 

 to say later in a special bulletin. 



Bluebird. — The increase in the numbers of the Bluebirds over last 

 summer is especially marked. One may find a few every day in what- 

 ever direction he may look. Small flocks may be met with in the 

 country. 



Goldfinch. — Ordinarily the Goldfinch is choice in the selection of its 

 nesting site, preferring the region of the lake, or some fair seized stream. 

 The past season it has been found nesting in considerable numbers in all 

 the brushy pastures near Oberlin, and but few pairs were seen on the 

 lake marshes where it has usually been so numerous. A nest with fresh 

 eggs was found August 22. 



Pine Siskin. — This usually rare bird was found with Goldfinches, 

 helping to form large flocks, on September 26. It seemed to be rather 

 common, and made no attempt to separate from the Goldfinches, rather 

 preferring their company. A few individuals were singing. All were in 

 fall plumage. 



Among the birds which have been ususally abundant during the sum- 

 mer and fall. Flicker and Red-headed Woodpecker, Vesper and Song 

 Sparrows, and Goldfinch deserve special mention. Meadowlark is still 

 abundant. 



There has been a marked decrease in the numbers of Wood Thrushes, 

 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Accentors and Louisiana Water Thrushes over 

 previous years. It has been difficult to find any in the woods since early 

 spring. No reason can be assigned for this scarcity. 



Pugnacity of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. — As I sat in 

 a bramble thicket watching for birds on August 17, a Red-eyed 

 Vireo dashed into the thicket, hotly pressed by a Hummingbird. 

 The Vireo sought refuge in a dense tangle of thorns within a few feet of 

 me, but was soon forced to leave it. The tactics of the Hummingbird 

 gave the Vireo no rest, for while the Vireo was flying his tormentor 

 bumped against him repeatedly, seriously disturbing his equilibrium ; and 

 when perching he was made dizzy by the antics of the Hummer, which 

 kept up a constant dancing motion within a few inches of the Vireo. 



