Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley 11 



wind. Taken altogether this week, usually one of the best of the season, was 

 very unproductive, and it i-equired considerable search to discover a few indi- 

 viduals of species not before seen. It must be understood that such new 

 arrivals are not met with the very first day after their arrival ; they may be 

 here for a number of days before the}^ are discovered. The record of simple first 

 dates without further observation of the species is therefore of little or no 

 value for the study of migration. 



The correctness of this opinion is confirmed by the experience of this 

 last week. I met, for instance, the first indigo on the 21st, but I have not 

 seen any more since, that day. I have met the first Savannah sparrow and 

 the first Lincoln's finch on the twenty-third, but none since, in spite of the 

 most careful lookout, and frequent visiting of nesting stations of former 

 years. I heard the song of the first Beft's vireo on the twenty-fifth, but none 

 since, although I passed daily many of their old stands. I saw and heard the 

 red-eyed vireo on the twenty-fifth, but onl}'^ once again, on the twenty-sev- 

 enth. The first Tennessee warbler was met with on the twenty-fifth, but 

 only once again, on the twenty-seventh. In short, it requires a good deal 

 more than first dates to get an insight into the movements of our birds. 

 During the week sixteen new species have been seen, but all of these six- 

 teen new arrivals did not change our ornis in the least ; it required an orni- 

 thologist to discover them. But the real change in our ornis comes from the 

 increase and prominence of a few species, the van of which came during the 

 preceding week (18th — 22d), and the bulk between the twenty-fifth and twenty 

 ninth. The rose-breasted grosbeak and the Baltimore oriole are the con- 

 spicuous and noisy birds of to-day. Females have arrived, and old males are 

 now back in full numbers. 



May 1. — Day after day I go out with the expectation of meeting friends 

 whose arrival has long been due, according to my records of former years. 

 But in vain. Two more days have gone \>y, and no north bound bird, no 

 new species has arrived. The host of transient warblers, and some of our 

 Summer sojourners have not yet made their appearance, and are getting 

 more or less behind their dates of other years. 



The weather has been exceedingly fine for all purposes of homo sapie7is 

 at least, especially for ho7no sapiens v. rusticus, pleasant, clear mornings, 

 clouding over toward noon, thus keeping us from getting overheated. Dry 

 weather and cool nights. But just this dry weather and these cool nights, I 

 think, are the cause of the retardation in the arrival of our insect-loving trav- 

 elers; and, indeed, it is astonishing how free the air is from all kinds of in 

 sects. Though it is greatly beneficial to the comfort of man, yet not swelling 

 the reports of an observing ornithologist. Vegetation is progressing slowly 

 but steadily, and our beautiful warblers will find abundant shelter in the 

 thickly-foliaged maples, elms, poplars, lindens, etc., as well as the orchard 

 trees. Even oaks and hickories have put forth half- grown leaves, and are 

 covered with catkins. Buckeyes and paw paws are in fine bloom. 



We have had no hot period since the middle of April, but I think there 

 is one approaching now. Easterly winds have blown for several days, and if 

 the wind should turn to the South now, we should have plenty of work. 

 Swamp sparrows, Peabody birds, yellow rumps and yellow redpolls are still 

 remaining with us, and are all assuming the high-colored state. When the- 



