Winter Birds About Washington^ D. C. 185 



prise were attracted readily by *' squeaking." Tliree Savanna 

 sparrows were noted in a grassy field. Both these birds 

 usually are rare in winter in this region. 



Starlings have been fairly common in the vicinity of Wash- 

 ington this winter, and were seen on nearly every trip afield. 

 They frequented the river flats and fields, mingling freely 

 with crows, an act of familiarity that few native birds dare 

 attempt. 



On January 7, 1917, we found myrtle warblers common 

 near Hunter, Virginia, in woods heavily grown up to under- 

 brush, in which was an exceptional amount of holly. 



Other species of birds additional to the forty-eight above 

 listed that have been credibly reported in the Washington 

 region during the winter (December 1, 1916, to February 

 15, 1917), include the following. Unless otherwise stated 

 the observations have been made by one or more of the 

 authors. No attempt has been made to use all known dates 

 of occurrence, and certain records published in Bird-Lore for 

 January-February, 1917, have been disregarded. x\ll the 

 localities named are within fifteen miles of Washington. 



American Merganser. — Mt. Vernon, Va., January 20, 1917, four 

 observed. 



Mallard. — Dyke, Va., January 25, 1917, eight. 



Black Duck.— Dyke, Va., December 27, 1916, three. 



Buffle-head. — New Alexandria, Va., December 23, 1916, one (J. P. 

 Young, Bird-Lore, 1917, p. 25). 



Great Blue Heron. — Four Mile Run, Va., January 14, 1917, one; 

 Dogue Creek, Va., January 20, one. 



American Coot. — Dyke, Va., December 2, 1916, several recently 

 killed were seen at a hunter's cabin. 



Wilson Snipe. — Dyke, Va., December 2, 1916; remains of one 

 killed, probably the preceding day, observed at a hunter's cabin. 



Killdeer. — Arlington, Va., December 17, 1916, one; Brandywine, 

 Md., December 2, five; Four Mile Run, Va., December 10, common; 

 one seen December 24. Killdeer usually winter on the tidal basin 

 at the mouth of Four Mile Run, but a heavy freeze drove them away 

 this year. 



Ruffed Grouse. — Between Contee and Bowie, Md., January 28, 

 1917, one. 



