DELAWARE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 31 



tinguishing the notes from the bellowings of a numerous tribe 

 of bullfrogs which lived near our shore of the lake. 



Our cabin was located on a grassy slope which was dotted 

 witli beautifuliy-pointed spruces, standing singly and in small 

 clumps. The tops of these trees were the favorite resting-places 

 of Purple Finches and Cedarbirds. Later in the season flocks 

 of Red Crossbills resorted to them also, picking and twisting at 

 the green, sticky cones, but usually tarrying only a few minutes 

 at a visit. At the time of our stay the Purple Finches were in 

 full song, furnishing a most acceptable accompaniment to the 

 more distant Hermit Thrushes. Before we had been there 

 many hours one of the party discovered that the Finches were 

 carrying nesting materials to one of the upper branches of a 

 spruce. Three days later, at the time of our departure, this 

 nest was finished and contained one egg, while another nest 

 near by contained four eggs. Both of these nests were of rather 

 loose construction, placed upon horizontal limbs without any 

 pretense of being attached to their support. 



One of the chief purposes of our trip was to settle the identity 

 of a certain small Thrush, of elusive habits, which lived in a 

 cold spruce swamp across the lake from our cabin. To this 

 problem many of our precious hours were devoted. Our theory 

 was that in looking for the chief objects others of less import- 

 ance nught turn up incidentally. This proved to be the case, 

 for our Thrush hunt led to the rediscovery of several interesting 

 birds previously reported from that locality, besides the nests 

 of Blue Jay and Maryland Yellowthroat with young. Magnolia 

 Warbler with eggs, and no end of Catbirds' nests placed in the 

 midst of the densest clumps of young spruces. 



As for the Thrush itself we confirmed our impressions that it 

 was a difficult matter to see it satisfactorily. Early in the 

 morning and again toward evening it would mount to the top 

 of some tall tree, either living or dead, and sing beautifully. 

 To my ear the song bore no resemblance to that of the Wood 

 Thrush or Hermit, and was longer than that of the Veer\', as 

 well as clearer, more powerful and varied. Although no speci- 

 men was secured, by piecing together all the information avail- 

 able we now feel satisfied that this bird is the Olive-backed 



