Abel — A Winter RornN Roost 167 



which afforded an excellent place for counting. ' To the south- 

 east there were a good many trees but they seemed to disre- 

 gard them and fly directly over. At 6 :27 p. m. most of the 

 birds had congregated, and a few Kingbirds were also seen 

 among the robins. 



On the evening of Sept. 2, the roost was visited at 6 :30 

 and only four Robins were counted in the trees. The first 

 birds to fly in from the east came at 6 :43 and from this on 

 they came in from the east with rapidity until 7 :30 when it 

 became too dark to see or count them. By this turn we had 

 counted 302 Robins entering the roost from the north and east. 



Territory where the Flocks Gathered. 

 Typical ravine in wliicli Robins feed during tlie day. 



The Kingbirds had vanished — none were to be seen, although 

 a single one was seen in the roost 'early the next morning. 

 The cold night of Sept. 1st, had probably been too much for 

 them. It was decided to visit the roost early the next morn- 

 ing in order to see how it would break up. So at 3 :45 A. M. 

 we were on the ground, but everything was so quiet and dark 

 and cold that we sought shelter. Returning at 4:55, we 

 heard the first Robin chirp at 5 :05. At 5 :10 several flew si- 

 lently from outside trees to the main roost. At 5:15 we 



