1 8 Biillriin No. ig. 



excursions — those in December and February being across countr}- to 

 Oberlin, in a region almost devoid of evergreen woods; the one in Januar}' 

 being across country and back again, into a region well-supplied with 

 evergreens. It should be added that the Lake Erie trips were made by 

 the writer alone, while that to Chance Creek was in company with Mr. 

 Dawson. The complete list includes four species which were recorded 

 by Mr. Dawson but not by the writer. 



At no time during December was the ground entirely covered with 

 snow for more than a few days at a time. The only severe weather 

 occurred during the third week, when the temperature reached zero on 

 the 24th, but was speedily followed by a marked rise to thawing weather. 

 January was almost free from snow, with barely freezing temperature dur- 

 ing the day, and with a marked warm wave when the temperature reached 

 60° on the i2th. February opened with below zero temperatures and a 

 little snow, but the reaction of the beginning of the second week culmi- 

 nated in high temperatures, reaching 61° on the nth. This warm wave 

 marked the beginning of the i8g8 spring migrations. Crows appeared 

 in considerable numbers, Bronzed Crackles and Song Sparrows increased 

 in numbers and were singing lustily, Prairie Horned Larks were pairing 

 and scattered to their nesting places, and a general breaking up of winter 

 quarters occurred among all of the resident species. The colder weather 

 beginning on the 15th and continuing during the remainder of the month, 

 with the deepest snow of the winter, drove the Prairie Horned Larks into 

 flocks again, but the other birds did not seem to be affected by it much. 

 Regarding the winter as beginning on the first day of December and end- 

 ing on the last day of February, there was no weather severe enough and 

 the snow was never deep enough for a considerable period to drive the 

 more hardy northern birds south. On the other hand, the weather was 

 not mild enough to make a northern stay agreeable to the few species 

 which sometimes winter with us, but usually go south in fall. Hence, 

 the past winter may be regarded as an average one for this region. 



The list of the species recorded during the winter follows; 



American Herring Gull, 12. American Rough-legged Hawk, i. 



Mallard, 3. Golden Eagle, i. 



Bob-white, 33. Bald Eagle, 1. 



Ruffed Grouse, 4. Pigeon Hawk, 3. 



Mourning Dove, 27. Sparrow Hawk, 6. 



Sharp-shinned Hawk, i. Screech Owl, i. 



I^ed-tailed Hawk, i. Hairy Woodpecker, 28. 



Red-shouldered Hawk, 4. Downy Woodpecker. 49. 



