Birds Observed on Mt. Mansfield. 79 



The mile and a half of road from the foot of the plateau to 

 Bingham's Falls at the entrance of the Notch, proved rich in 

 species. For most of the way the road runs well above the 

 wild, rocky bed of the swift-flowing brook, presenting along 

 its borders the variety of scant open woodland, heavy forest, 

 areas of recent growth, and areas of mountain-side where 

 lumbermen have left trunks and tree-tops. Over the shorn 

 forest, vines and bushes are rapidly growing, offering shelter 

 and food to birds of the open woodland border. 



Birds characteristic of both Alleghenian and Canadian fau- 

 nae seemed to intermingle here. Scarlet Tanagers and Wood 

 Pewees were in close touch with Olive-backed Thrushes and 

 White-throated Sparrows, and the W^inter Wren slipped mouse- 

 like among the prostrate trees. 



Some puzzling questions of distribution were presented. 

 Below the Notch, Olive-backed Thrushes were confined to 

 this Branch, as were White-throats and Juncos. while they 

 were never found on the South Branch, just across the narrow 

 plateau. 



The Wilson and Hermit Thrushes were distributed on the 

 South Branch only, and though the Hermits were in the forest 

 at the base of the mountain and well up along the Notch road, 

 they were always in the woods at the left of the road, the 

 Mansfield side. 



These and some other questions relative to distribution are 

 reserved for further study before discussion. 



The only birds listed not found along these Branches, the 

 plateau or mountain to 3,000 feet altitude, are Bicknell 

 Thrush and Black-poll Warbler, these two birds being confined 

 exclusive to the mountain summit. 



1. Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — June 9. Through 

 the season, North Branch and down the valley. 



2. Bonasa umbellus. (togata?) Ruffed Grouse. Mr. Howell re- 

 fers all the Grouse found in this region to the Canadian form. I 

 could not determine this definitely. Heard frequently drumming 

 about the base of the mountain. Met with young all through the 

 season from June 13 to July 17, on the lower slopes of the mountain 

 to the Half-way House. 



3. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Summit, June 15, oc- 

 casionally till late in July. 



4. Accipiter atricapillius. Goshawk. — All through the season. 



