CERTAIN BIRDS ON THE INCREASE. 



In the face of the alarm being created — and justly — by the appearance 

 of Mr. Hornaday's pamphlet*, it is gratifying to be able to report any 

 increase among desirable species. A comparison of this season's notes 

 with those of former years undoubtedly goes to prove that several of the 

 brighter plumaged birds are on the increase in this locality. On the 

 more sober plumaged rarities, however, it is unsafe for a young orni- 

 thologist to pass judgement. This because a new bird once learned 

 suddenly appears to the observer as plentiful, whereas it may have 

 simply passed unnoticed before, in quite as large numbers. But of the 

 increase in the six species following, there can be little doubt. 



Baltimore Oriole — Everybody, rustic and villager alike, is remark- 

 ing the abundance of the Oriole this year. In the spring anyone passing 

 along one of the ridge roads of the county would scarcely pass out of ear- 

 shot of an Oriole. This year represents a notable gain over last, but 

 these birds have not been properly "rare" during the last seven years. 



CARDIN.A.L. — In four seasons at Oberlin, viz. : '92-'95, I saw only one 

 pair of Cardinals in the county. Last year I saw and heard a half-a- 

 dozen pair ; but this year not less than twenty. We expect to find them 

 this season in any considerable woods, and some, probably two or three 

 pairs, are nesting right here in town. 



Orchard Orioles.— Were not noted by either Mr. Jones or myself in 

 a six years' joint residence here, up to last year, when three or four 

 individuals were seen. This season at least a score have been noted, 

 chiefly toward the lake shore. 



Scarlet Tanager. — Never really rare ; have been repeatedly remarked 

 this year by the unobservant as something new. They are quite common. 



Yellow-breasted Chat.^ — Last year, as noted in The Wilson Bul- 

 letin, we saw our first and only Chat. This year, altho they are by no 

 means common, I have heard as many as four individuals in the course 

 of an afternoon's ride. 



Bob-white. — These birds are fairly plentiful this year, but it is unsafe 

 for us to congratulate ourselves upon the fact. Dude sportsmen, who 

 never hear their cheery whistle in the summer time, will slaughter them 

 next fall for " Quail on toast." By the way, how much easier it is to 

 kill "Quail" and "Rice-birds" than Bob-whites and Bobolinks. 



W. L. Dawson, Ohej-liii, Ohio. 



'^■The Dest7-uctio7i of Our Birds a7id Maiiniials, by William T. Hornaday. 



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