164 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 100 



Bald Eagle. This Eagle caller, when departing, was chased by a 

 Marsh Hawk, and the immense spread of its wings could thus be 

 compared with that of the Hawk. Their proportional sizes were 

 to each other about as those of Crow to Kingbird, and their be- 

 havior was decidedly similar. 



Seeing and hearing daily within hailing distance of ones door- 

 step an average of twenty-three species of birds is a privilege not 

 to be despised, neither are the thrills that come when rare visitors 

 appear quite unexpectedly: to step outside to find a non-reporting 

 Chipping Sparrow and see a Great Blue Heron flying overhead, or to 

 go a little farther in search of a Short-billed Marsh Wren and find 

 instead a Bald Eagle gives zest to the roll calling. But the best part 

 is to see the recruited numbers of some species that have been 

 sadly missed of late. This is especially true of the Bobolink, that 

 joyous rollicking songster which had almost disappeared from 

 fields and orchards for a few years. The Dickcissel, entirely want- 

 ing last year, has been present in moderate numbers, and the Grass- 

 hopper Sparrow, always scarce, has been with us again. The Mourn- 

 ing Dove seems to be prospering as never before. Perhaps pros- 

 perity has made it more generous in revealing its nest secrets, at 

 all events some unsuspected features have been displayed. The 

 seventh nest of this species that has been found on our place in 

 1917 is now in progress. The Maryland Yellowthroat apparently 

 was driven away by House Wrens, whose numbers have increased 

 unduly.' When such an increase happened among the Flickers a 

 few years ago some very curious things took place by which fur- 

 ther increase was checked and the species has now been reduced 

 to normal numbers. It will be a matter of interest to note, if any- 

 thing of like nature occurs among the Wrens, though it seems ex- 

 tremely unlikely. 



Species whose summer residence with us is short are staying in 

 more than usual numbers; since they came late in the spring it 

 is possible they do not intend to cut short their northern sojourn. 

 No Warblers from the north have been seen, though it is now time 

 for first arrivals. 



Altiiea R. Sherm.\n. 



National, Iowa. 



WEIGHT OF AN EAGLE'S BRAIN. 



Recently Mr. Wirt W. Hallam, Secretary of the Chicago Vigi- 

 lance Association, desired to secure information showing the rela- 

 tive brain capacity of a domestic fowl and of an eagle. Inquiry 

 of various ornithologists failed to bring him the information, and 

 lie was compelled to secure the data himself. He secured a male 



