TIIK FLICKER. 



17 



and weather condition.s from 7 to 4.S miles per night. It i.s ab- 

 solutely certain that it does not move steadily night after 

 night, but only as the weather permits or necessitates and its 

 physical condition allows; the actual distance covered in a 

 night's journey is therefore much greater than at first 

 apparent. 



Vernal. During January and February it is foiuid in 

 flocks of fifty or more individuals in Charle.ston, vS. C. 

 (Wayne), and the forward movement takes place in the first 

 mild weather ; the forerunner appearing at Berwyn as early as 

 Feb. 2 or as late as April 0, according to the promises of the 

 season, correlating in a measure with the date at which the 

 fir.st frog is heard peeping. The first arrivals are often soli- 

 tary birds, frequently hardy old males, that have wintered 

 nearby, accounting for the irregularity of fir.st appearance. 



Narbeth, Pa., March 20-2o ; Vincennes, Ind., about March 

 1» ; Forest Citv, la., Feb. 14 ('l)l) ; Daw.son. Y. T., May 22 



The 'condition of the weather has much to do with the 

 irregularity, as it has been observed that of the earlier records 

 those of January and February especially were made in mild 

 open weather, while the latter dates with one exception were 

 made after a .sea.son of irregular weather ; March M):>, how- 

 ever, was generally open and mild, yet it did not put in ap- 

 pearance until the 2.")th ; the next day more arrived, and in a 



