DELAWARE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 65 



nest and four eggs of the Woodcock {Philohela minor), found 

 near Paoli, Pa., April 17, 1904. 



Mr. De Haven stated that he had observed Ducks drinking 

 drops of rain water which collected on their backs as they sat 

 on the salt water, and commented on the flight of Hawks 

 through a gap in the hills near Paterson, N. -J. , which seems to 

 occur annually between March 10 and 25. This year one hun- 

 dred and twenty-six birds were shot by local gunners in one day. 



May 5, 1904. Twenty-two members present. 



Mr. Hunt read a paper describing the discover)' of Henslow's 

 Bunting (Ammodramus henslowii), at Cupola, Chester Co., Pa. 

 On April 24, six pairs were observed in a high upland field over- 

 grown with grass and weeds; on the 26th the spot was visited, 

 and a specimen secured for identification. It was presumed 

 that the birds would nest in the locality. 



Mr. Coggins read a paper entitled, "Confessions of an Egg 

 Collector," discussing the value to science of the work of the 

 man who collects egg-shells. The rather limited compass of 

 scientific truths which the study of egg-shells is able to con- 

 tribute was reviewed. In the conclusions of the speaker and 

 the discussion which followed, it was considered that the results 

 obtained hardly justify the practice of indiscriminate collecting, 

 but a stimulus to bird-study is produced which might otherwise 

 never have been aroused. The most notable egg-collector pres- 

 ent admitted frankly that, so far as he was concerned, he col- 

 lected for the amusement and pleasure that it gave him. 



Mr. Baily described the photographing of the Woodcock's 

 nest reported at the previous meeting. The bird showed re- 

 markable tameness and allowed a closer and closer approach 

 until finally Mr. Baily was able to stroke her back with his 

 hand. 



Mr. Stone described the flight song of the Woodcock as heard 

 by Mr. H. W. Fowler and himself at Speedwell, N. J. , April 30. 



May 19, 1904. Thirty-two members present. 



Mr. Richard C. McMurtrie was elected an Associate member. 



Mr. Pennock spoke of some recent observations in Delaware; 



