Study of the Avi-fauna of IIake Erie Islands. 173 



noted ou each vi?it. No migratory movement was noted. Besides 

 the peculiar call note a bird occasionally sang. Nests built after 

 the manner of this bird were found, but it was not possible to 

 positively identify them as such. 

 Empidotiax minimus. — Least Flycatcher. 



Present on all visits, and common after August 5, 1910. During 

 the most marked migratory movements this little flycatcher 

 swarmed over the beaches where the vegetation was scanty as well 

 as among the brush and trees. Of course it was singing. Actual 

 migration flights southward were not noted. They probably oc- 

 curred in the darkness. 



Cyanocitta cristata cristata. — Blue Jay. 



Present on all visits. It was common on the August 18, 19, 1908, 

 visit, but in 1910 only two were found constantly, and they were 

 in the larger trees in the vicinity of the swamp. They were 

 unusually wary. 

 Corxnts J)7-ac1iijrhynchos brachyrhynchos. — Crow. 



There were Crows on all visits and during the 1910 stay, but none 

 were seen in migration. The numbers were not accurately deter- 

 mined, but there were certainly upwards of ten present all the 

 time. 

 Dolichouyx oryzivorns. — Bobolink. 



Present on all visits, usually in migration flights. Some evi- 

 dently nested in the interior of the island, but the great majority 

 were from the north. The first definite migratory movement took 

 place on July 19. Nearly every day thereafter flocks of Bobolinks 

 were passing southward, usually high in the air. There was little 

 or no hesitation about starting out over the water toward Kelleys, 

 and there were no halts on the way, unless it be at Middle Island. 



Molothriis ater ater. — Cowbird. 



Present in small numbers on our arrival in 1910. The first mi- 

 gration seemed to occur on August 6. in company with the other 

 species of this family, and such migrations in small flocks oc- 

 curred nearly every day, the individuals becoming fewer, until the 

 24th to the 27th, when only one was noted each day, and none 

 afterward. An occasional flock rested in the last trees of the point 

 before essaying the flight to Kelleys. It was not always easy to 

 identify these birds among the other blackbirds, unless they gave 

 their whistle call. 

 Ayelaiiis phrcniceuK pho'niceus. — Red-winged Blackbird. 



Common on all visits, and breeding in the marshes in considera- 

 ble numbers. Many individuals were sirtging every day. Begin- 



