1()3 TiiK Wilson Bulletin — No. Gl. 



The Twenty-flftli Aiimi.il inectiiis of tlie American Ornithologists' 

 T'nion, hekl in riuhidelphia. December !) to 12, was the first meeting 

 of this body wliich it has been the privilege of the writer to attend. 

 One of the marked features of this meeting was the good fellowship 

 which prevailed everywhere and at all times. The local committee's 

 efforts to make this meeting a most en,j()yal)le one were crowned with 

 success. INIost of the papers presented were of a popular scientific 

 nature since the general public were invited to the meetings, but it 

 was not difficult to perceive a deep undercurrent of the scientific 

 spirit pervading those who are engaged in the active business of 

 studying the birds. A great mass of facts has been gathered ; we 

 must now inquire what they mean. The next meeting of the Union 

 was set for November K!. IDOS. at Caml)ridge, Mass. It is not too 

 early to begin planning to attend that meeting now. A fuller attend- 

 ance of ornithologists would be of great advantage to the cause of 

 the study of the birds as well as an inspiration to the individual. 



GENERAL NOTES. 



Notes from Bristol, Conn. The following scattered notes may prove 

 of interest as illustrating what seem to be unusual conditions in this 

 vicinity dviring the past year. 



Pine Grosbeaks appeared December 2, lOOG, and were last seen 

 March 31, 1907. They were unusually plentiful for this locality. 



Evening Grosl)eaks were first seen on February 27, the last day 

 on which they were recorded. The males were in brilliant plumage, 

 and at least one sang sotto voce on one occasion. We could see them 

 eating maple seeds, and they appeared to eat snow. They were often 

 within twenty-five feet of us. 



On April 27 I had a rare experience with an American Woodcock. 

 As I was walking in a woods with some companions a sitting Wood- 

 cock caught my eye just as I was aliout to stej) u]ion her. The bird 

 made no least motion while I watched her, and while my companions 

 came up and looked until they were satisfied. As I stooped toward 

 her with extended hand she made no move until my hand was within 

 six inches of her head, when she suddenly flew off. There were three 

 young in the nest, one of which stood up and stepped out of the nest ; 

 another nestled down motionless except for a slight movement of the 

 head. The air was cold so we hastened away to permit the mother 

 to return and hover the young. Two days later I found four shells 

 in the nest. Doubtless one of the eggs was covered by the young and 

 was not seen on the first day. Frank Bruen. Bristol, Conn. 



Henslow's Sparrow in Ohio in 1907. The rarity of this Sparrow in 

 Ohio malces its appearance in some numbers and at two widely sep- 



