Jones — r)iRn.s of Cedar Point. 105 



On the mainlaiul nests are usnally made in orchards. The flocking 

 habit persists even during the period of incubation, the unoccupied 

 birds feeding together. Little damage is done to clierries in the 

 region, because the birds are not sufficiently numerous to become 

 noticeable in comparison with the Robins. In winter flocks are 

 more frequently met in the large cemeteries than elsewhere except 

 the natural cedar thickets, because cedars and other evergreens are 

 more runierous there and furnish suitable habitats. 



385. Laniiis boreal is. — Northern Shrike. 



Of regular occurrence on the mainland. Extreme dates of occur- 

 rence are November G, 1897, April 3, 1899. At best there are only 

 a few individuals recorded during any Avinter, and most of those 

 either withiia the stream gorges or in their vicinity. One occasion- 

 ally finds its way into Oberlin, where it feeds upon the English 

 Sparrows. Most of the quarry examined has proved to be Tree 

 Si)arrow, probably because this sparrow is the most numerous bird 

 in winter, always excepting the English Sparrow. It is seen hov- 

 ering over a field, much after the manner of the Sparrow Hawk, 

 when it nuist be lo«;)kiDg for small mammals. None have been noted 

 iu the vicinity of Cedar Point. 



180. Laiiius liidoriciaini.'^ iiiif/raHf!. — Migrant Shrike. 



A regular summer resident. Judging from the conditions in Rus- 

 sia Township there are about a dozen pairs in each township. 

 With very few exceptions nests are placed in osage orange hedge 

 rows, of which there remain considerable numbers iu the region 

 under consideration. I have not seen it nor evidences of its b/reed- 

 ing on any of the islands. At Cedar I'oint it has been recorded 

 during the spring migrations feeding along the sand spit. The 

 median date of arrival for fourteen years is March l.j. the earliest 

 being March 2, 1901. My latest record is October 31, 1896. Re- 

 corded dates of occupied nests are March 30, April 11, 13, 14, 18, 

 20, 21, 22, and young, June 5. Nests are regularly destroyed b.v 

 men and boys, on the plea that the birds kill chickens, and even 

 young pigs and lambs, and that they are witches ! The families 

 remain together during the summer and early fall, when the old 

 birds indulge in a good deal of singing. 



187. yirvoxijh-a oliracca — Red-eyed Yireo. 



This is one of the characteristic woodland birds in summer. It 

 is also characteristic of parks and door-yards in which trees and 

 shrubljery are permitted to grow. One can hardly use the word 

 abundant for this vireo, because were it not for the incessant sing- 

 ing it would not aiipear to lie numerous. The song carries far and 

 nuiltiiilies the effect. It is not less connnon on the Cedar Point 



