242 



THE OOLOGIST. 



which you have to endure while crawl- 

 lug about on the island. 



Highly elated, we started back and 

 arrived at the opposite shore without 

 any mishap save the loss of our 'guide's' 

 coat, which was lying on a seat and got. 

 over-board during a little excitement 

 caused by the boat getting jammed 

 among some rocks. 



All the eggs were those of the Black 

 "Vulture, and some were highly incu- 

 bated. I think if we had arrived about 

 3 weeks earlier Ave would have secured 

 a great many more eggs. However, we 

 were very well satistied and returned 

 home Avith the full intention of visiting 

 "Buzzard Island" again next Spring. 

 Ben Hudson, 



Columbus, Ga. 



Winter Visitors. 



When late in the autumn the decidu- 

 ous trees lose their verdant summer fo 

 liage, and the landscape appears deso- 

 late and barren, a number of northern 

 birds come to spend the rigorous months 

 of winter with us. 



Their advent is cheerfully Avelcomed 

 by the lover of animated nature, who 

 laments the departure of his summer 

 friends. The following species are to 

 be found in the inland dlsti'icts of Bris- 

 tol County, Mass: Black SuoAvbirds 

 and Tree Sparrows are abundant, and 

 they usually associate with each other; 

 they are gregarious, frequenting bushy 

 pastures, cultivated fields, and if there 

 is a spot where weeds have grown, and 

 have been allowed to go to seed, these 

 birds may be found in large numbers 

 feeding on them. After a snowstorm 

 the birds under consideration become 

 semi-domesticated, hopping around the 

 veranda and even alighting on the win- 

 dow-sills, and peering curiously into 

 the apartments. At this time they get 

 a great many dainty morsels, which 

 their superior bipeds expose purposely 

 for them. When they find a sheltered 



nook on a sunny day, they emit a low 

 melodious warble. During the month 

 of August I have seen Black Snowbirds 

 among the rocky crevices, on the sum- 

 mit of Mt Washington, at an altitude of 

 6,300 ft. They probably breed on the 

 slopes of the Presidential Range. 



The beautiful SnoAV Bunting with his 

 white plumage, marked Avith graj% yel- 

 loAvish broAvn and chocolate is usually 

 first seen, during, or just after a heavy 

 snowstorm. When snow, wind and a low 

 temperature combine to make life, to 

 the inhabitants of the temperate zone 

 disagreeable, this hardy Avanderer from 

 the boreal regions is found in the great- 

 est abundance. They move rapidly 

 over the surface of the immaculate man- 

 tle of snoAV, in detached flocks, at times 

 uttering their Ioaa^ call note. 



As we ramble among 'the coniferous 

 trees in Avinter we hear a A'ery Aveak, 

 squeaking note, and soon discover a 

 flock of diminutive birds around us. 

 they are all busily at work gleaning 

 their insect food from the trees. Final- 

 \y a bright-eyed little felloAV comes close 

 to you, and inquisitively peers into your 

 face; his yelloAV and orange-crowned 

 crest is slightly erected, and you at 

 once recognize the Golden-crowned 

 Kinglet. These birds often associate 

 with the Black-capped Titmice. 



Later we may have occasion to climb 

 over a stone Avail, Avhen Avith a rattling 

 chatter a little broAvn body darts into 

 the Avail, out on the other side, gives 

 you a rapid glance, and then disajDpears 

 again. If you i-emain motionless the 

 little eccentric Avill next appear a rod 

 or moi'e aAvay having wended his way 

 through the interstices of the wall. 



You Avill fii"st see his head over the 

 top of a stone, next he is on top of the 

 Avail in full vicAV, with his tail in a per- 

 pendicular position. There is no doubt 

 but Avhat you are in the presence of the 

 Winter Wren. This genial little bird 

 comes around the house, explores the 

 recesses of theAvood-pile,andthe pump. 



