SflF.RM AX — XoTF.S FrOM ]\ [iSSISST I'PI X'aLI.EV 1.").") 



The Green Heron is foimd rather commonly in many parts 

 of Western Ontario and a])pears to be spreading, but on this 

 walk, we saw onl_\' three and those all on the first day. It is 

 true that during- that day we passed through more wet lands 

 than in the latter part of the trip, but we were constantly 

 near a go(wl deal of suitable ground where these birds were 

 not seen. 



Tree Swallows were also common on the first day, but 

 after that not one was observed. These birds have become 

 practically extinct in the London district within ten years, 

 while in the more rlistant past they were quite common, nest- 

 ing in fair numbers even in the business parts of the city of 

 London, but while our Martins have aj^parcntly held their 

 own. the "lYee Swallows have vanished. 



When passing through a piece of woods about forty miles 

 east of the Detroit River. 1 saw a I lummingbird doing the 

 I'endulum Play. After two or three oscillations in front of 

 a shrub he flew through it and chased out his mate, she lit 

 very close by and he immediately began again, swung ten 

 times and then vanished. 



FIVE NOTES FROM THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI 

 VALLEY. 



ALTHFA R. SHERMAN. 



Kixc Rail, RaUiis clcii^aiis. The conduct of one of this 

 species, thait visited our yard during the forenoon of April 

 l-")th, was out of the ordinary. The ground everywhere had 

 been made very muddy by a heavy rain on the previous 

 day. At 7 145 o'clock ihe King Rail was first seen walk- 

 ing in the middle of the street. Having traveled to the 

 northern limit of the yard, it turned and came under 

 the fence into the enclosure; leisurely examining the ground, 

 it i)assed within six feet of the house and walked out 

 through the front gate, that chanced to stand open. In 

 a similar manner it spent the next four hours, cover- 



