Bulletin No. 26. 



35 



are therefore not representative for the Bluebird. It seems pretty 

 evident that the Bluebird averages a little earlier than any of the others, 

 closely followed by the Robin, a little later by the Meadowlark, and 

 often two weeks later by the Killdeer. But the Killdeer averages not a 

 little later in Iowa and Wisconsin than in Ohio, while the Meadowlark 

 averages a little earlier. In practice the student of migration not seldom 

 finds all four species on the sanie day. Here in northern Ohio we rather 

 count on seeing the Robin and Bluebird on the same day. The Meadow- 

 lark as a migrant usually comes later. 



Of course these records cover a very small part of the field of the 

 migration of these species, but being more or less representative stations 

 in widely different regions, they may fairly be regarded as an index to 

 the more northern parts of the eastern and middle states. While more 

 numerous records from many other localities would furnish more reliable 

 data upon which to base statements, it is doubtful if the relative times 

 of migration of the four species would be materially changed. The 

 only fair comparison is between places in which the species being studied 

 is equally numerous in individuals. Thus, Pittsfield, Me., where 

 Meadowlark is not common, if it is not actually rare, should not be com- 

 pared with a region where the species is common, because it is very 

 likely that the first* arrivals would not be seen, and so the record would 

 be too late. Such a condition would show fluctuations impossible to 

 account for. 



There are a number of such groups of well known birds whose move- 

 ments in the spring would well repay extended study in relation to each 

 other — a course of study in which the old note-book would take an 

 active part. One of these groups is : Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird 

 and Bronzed Grackle. If members are interested enough in this group 

 to send me their notes for a series of years (as many as you have), simply 

 the dates of first appearance, or the statement that it winters if that be 

 the case, I shall be glad to report on it in the next issue. The notes 

 should be sent to me as soon as possible so that they can be carefully 

 studied. 



The southward movement of these species would be interesting, but I 

 have at hand only notes from Mr. Benj. T. Gault, from Glen Ellyn, 

 Illinois, and my own. These are too few to make a profitable compari.son. 



Lynds Jones, Oberlin, Ohio. 



