260 General Notes. [J lll y 



On Nov. 17, 1885, the bulk passed south, and on Dec. 10 the mercury 

 fell to 15 below freezing. This was the coldest weather until Jan. 7, 18S6. 

 On Jan. 6, 18S6, a Hock of fifteen were seen, and were repeatedly seen up 

 to fan. 20. Where those birds came from and why they came at such an 

 unseasonable time of the year is the question. It will be seen that they 

 passed south in November, 1885. It will be further noted that there was 

 only four days difference in the time of arrival in January, 1885, and that 

 of 1SS6. For three weeks prior to their arrival in 1885 it was very cold 

 for this climate. For three weeks prior to their arrival in 1S86 the tem- 

 perature was moderate. During January, 1SS6, they endured weather 4' 

 below zero. 



If winds are to be considered as affecting the flight of birds, these 

 Finches must have come from the N. W., as it had blown from that quar- 

 ter for five successive days, ami one day it blew with great violence all 

 day. They were just ahead of the 'blizzard' of Jan. 7, which was also 

 from N. W. But why should they come in advance of the cold in 1886, 

 and through it in 1SS5? Mr. Nehrling (Bull. N. O. C. Vol. VII, p. 12) 

 says: 'CJrass Finch. Only found during migrations. None remain, so 

 far as I know, to winter or to breed." His observations were made near 

 Houston. Tex. Mr. Geo. B. Sennett's 'Notes on the Ornithology of the 

 Lower Rio Grande of Texas,' page 17, says: "Pocecetes gramineus con- 

 finis (Gm.) Bd. Western Grass Finch. J Apr. 9th, Brownsville. ? Apr. 

 29th, Hidalgo." Dr. J. C. Merrill's 'Notes on the Ornithology of South- 

 ern Texas' (Ft. Brown), page 126, says : ii Poazcetes gramineus var. confinis 

 Baird. Spring and Autumn." 



It is probable from the longitude of the localities in which the above 

 observations were made that a large per cent, of the Grass Finches are of 

 the intermediate form. 



It is worthy of note that Grass Finches were wintering south of the 

 Rio Grande in 1876, and on the northern border of Texas in 1886. — 

 George H. Ragsdale, Gainsville, Cook Co., Tex. 



A Song Sparrow wintering in Eastern Maine. — During the winter of 

 [885-S6 1 received a Song Sparrow {Melosfiza fasciata) from a friend, 

 who secured it on January 23, 1SS6. The bird found abundant food during 

 its winter sojourn in the chaff and other refuse from a large barn, in the 

 immediate vicinity of which was a protected covert that afforded it ample 

 shelter. On dissection it. proved to be a male in good condition. Con- 

 sidering the date and locality, it may fairly be said to have been wintering. 

 — Lewis M. Todd, Calais, Me. 



The Song Sparrow in New Brunswick in Winter. — I have seen the 

 Song Sparrow occasionally in New Brunswick during the winter months, 

 and Mr. Francis Bain says a few regularly remain on Prince Edward's 

 Island all winter. — Montague Chamberlain, St. John, N. B. 



Unusual Nesting-Site of the Song Sparrow. — Mr. Wilbur F. Lamb, 

 of Holyoke, Mass., writes me under date of May 30, 18S7, as follows : "I 



