3 40 Howell, List of Summer Birds ofMt. Mansfield. \jy^. 



paper birch {Betiila papyrifera) , red spruce {Picea rubra), hem- 

 lock {Tsuga canadensis) and balsam fir {Abies balsamea) . 



The undergrowth, in places quite dense, is made up of the young 

 trees of the above named species, with the addition of the mountain 

 maple {Acer spicatum), striped maple {Acer pennsylvanicinn), 

 ' witch-hopple ' ( Vibiirtiutn ainifolium), etc. This mixed growth 

 covers the lower slopes of the mountain, the maples, beeches and 

 hemlocks becoming less numerous at the higher altitudes, until 

 at about 3000 feet, they entirely disappear, and the forest is com- 

 posed of spruces and firs with a few birches intermixed. A dense 

 growth of stunted spruces and firs covers the more sheltered por- 

 tions of the summit, and reaches well down toward the Notch. 

 Alders {Alnus ahwbetula) grow abundantly, both at the summit and 

 on the less precipitous cliffs in the Notch. 



In the list which follows, the species preceded by an asterisk 

 are given on the authority of Mrs. Straw. Among the birds which 

 I confidently expected to find, but did not, are the Olive-sided 

 Flycatcher and the Winter Wren, both of them common species 

 in the Franconia Mountains in New Hampshire. 



1. * Ardea herodias. Great Blue Herox. — Rare and local. 



2. Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — A few seen along the 

 streams in the valley. 



3. Bonasa umbellus togata. Canadian Ruffed Grouse. — Qiiite 

 numerous, both in the valley and on the mountain throughout the Cana- 

 dian zone. Those observed were chiefly females with young, for whose 

 safety they showed great solicitude. Although no specimens -were 

 secured, it is safe to refer the birds to the Canadian form. 



4. Falco sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. — One observed in the maple 

 woods near the base of the mountain. 



5. * Megascops asio. Screech Owl. — Common resident. 



6. * Bubo virginianus. Great Horned Owl. — Resident. 



7. * Coccyzus erythropthalmus. Black-billed Cuckoo. — Common. 



8. * Ceryle alcyon. Kingfisher. — Common. 



9. Dryobates villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. — A single specimen 

 was noted on the mountain, near the upper edge of the tall timber. 



10. * Dryobates pubescens medianus. Downy Woodpecker. — Not 

 uncommon. 



11. Sphyrapicus varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — Two were 

 seen in the ^■alley (one in Stowe village), and a few in the maples on the 

 lower slopes of the mountain. 



12. Ceophlceus pileatus abieticola. Northern Pileated Wood- 



