Birds of Indiana. 



697 



Summer resident. Common in suitable localities. Some years, at 

 least, resident in the southwestern part of the State, especially the 

 Wabash Valley, and perhaps about moist places that do not freeze 

 throughout the State. 



It has been reported from Grand Eapids, Mich., January 1, 1888. 

 (Cook, Birds of Michigan). Prof. E. L. Moseley reports one that had 

 been wounded, shot near Sandusky, 0., in midwinter. The winter of 

 1888-9 they wintered in the lower Wabash Valley. Prof. J. A. Balmer 

 says they were frequently seen that winter along the open creeks on. 

 the prairies near Vincennes. Mr. E. J. Chansler reports them win- 

 tering in the same region the winter of 1896-7. 



American Woodcock, showing attenuate primaries. Natura-I size. 



They migrate very early in spring, sometimes in February. Mr. 

 H. W. McBride reported them from Dekalb County February 14, 



1890. Usually, however, the greater number migrate in March and 

 early April. The following records for the first arrival in spring for 

 several years in Indiana and Michigan are given: Brookville, 1884, 

 March 21; Petersburg, Mich., 1887, March 2; 1888, March 15; 1889, 

 March 23; Petersburg, Mich., 1897, March 20 (J. Trombley); Elkhart, 



1891, March 29; Greencastle, 1892, March 10 (Black); 1893, March 

 10 (Earlle); Laporte, 1894, April 2; Indianapolis, 1895, March 8 

 (Noe); Edwards, Vigo County, 1896, March 11. It will be observed 

 that the earliest dates are usually from northern Indiana and 

 Michigan. In other words, they were noted at an earlier date from 

 those localities than from places much farther south. In fact, they 

 were found in the northern part of our State from two to four weeks 

 before they were supposed to appear in the valleys of the White and 

 Whitewater, in the southern half of the State. This indicates that 

 they proceed at once, at the earliest possible date, to their favorite 

 breeding grounds, and those who know where they are, or who aoci- 

 dentally happen upon them, find them. 



