^'^iq'os^^I Harlow, Azotes on Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania. 'Zll 



sylvania and New Jersey' was published in 1894 no great changes 

 in the bird life of this region have been noticed. But as increased 

 observation renders an increasing amount of valuable ornithologi- 

 cal records, it has been deemed advisable by the writer to place 

 on record the following notes, both as a record of present conditions 

 and as a legacy for future reference. Eyesight records have been 

 used at times when specimens were not available but only when 

 the identification was carefully made imder favorable circumstances 

 and was practically undeniable. No attempt at an extended list 

 has been made, the species noted being merely those of especial 

 interest to the ornithologist. Practically all the varieties recorded 

 in the following list were taken or observed within twelve miles 

 of the city of Philadelphia and in the counties of Montgomery, 

 Philadelphia and Delaware. 



Herodias egretta. American Egret. — The Egret is now one of 

 the rarest of Pennsylvania birds. In former years a few were noted 

 annually in late July and August along the larger streams, but the 

 species is now on the verge of extinction and as its appearance is 

 usually heralded with a charge of shot, it is not likely to increase 

 within our limits. I observed one of these magnificent birds at 

 the Bristol Mill Pond on July 20, 1906, and on July 30, 1906, two 

 were seen together on a pond near Ashbourne, INIontgomery 

 County. One of these was shot by a boy, and the wings and head 

 afterward examined by the writer. 



Accipiter atricapillus. Goshawk. — Large numbers of this 

 hawk invaded Pennsylvania during the month of December, 1906, 

 and not a few found their way into the hands of Philadelphia 

 taxidermists. The writer secured one specimen on January 5, 

 1907, at Edge Hill, Montgomery Co., from a farmer who had the 

 bird nailed to his barn. All birds seen were in fully adult plumage. 

 The Goshawk is usually a rare winter visitant, but has a decided 

 tendency to occur in 'waves.' 



Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. Rough-legged Hawk. — 

 In former years this was a common winter resident on the Delaware 

 Meadows. It has frequently been reported by observers but very 

 few specimens have been taken in recent years, and it is likely that 

 not a few Rough-leg records have in reality been immature Red- 

 tails. It is now an imcommon species. 



