Vol. XXI 

 1904 



I EiFRiG, Birds of Western Maryland. ^Ttl 



only, one being: ' A List of the Birds of Maryland,' etc., by F. C. 

 Kirkwood, Baltimore, Md., 1895, which, however, contains but 

 little available material for this section, since Mr. Kirkwood spent 

 only a few days here, June 5-14, 1895, and had no correspondent 

 here. Then there is the excellent treatise by C. Hart Merriam 

 and Edward A. Preble of the Biological Survey, U. S. Department 

 of Agriculture, of whom the latter \vas detailed to work over this 

 section for the Maryland Geological Survey. He spent some 

 weeks here in May, June, and July, 1899, and that he worked very 

 thoroughly is attested by his tine list of 100 species, which, how- 

 ever, he had to call ' Summer Birds,' on account of the season of 

 the year, in which his stay here fell. 



The dates I have given under the several species are not the 

 only ones I have for them, but merely characteristic or somewhat 

 unusual ones. 



Permanent Residents. 



1. Colinus virginianus. Bob-white. — Some years ago, I am told, this 

 species was nearly or quite exterminated by severe and adyerse winter con- 

 ditions, whereupon local sportsmen imported and liberated about 100 

 pairs, and now they are plentiful again at most points. 



2. Bonasa umbellus. Ruffed Grouse. — Still common in spite of 

 the persistent hunting. I encountered many families this spring (1903) 

 on the wooded ridges and hillsides, whereas in Pennsylvania I rarely 

 flush one. The farmers there ascribe this to the fact, that no bounty is 

 paid any longer for foxes, etc., which is done this side of the Mason and 

 Dixon line. 



3. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. Wild Turkey. — Well able to keep 

 his own on the long, densely-wooded and sometimes almost inaccessible 

 ridges. Many are sold in the local market in winter. 



4. Buteo platypterus. Broad-winged Hawk. — Not common. 



^. Syrnium varium. Barred Owl. — -Seems to be about as common 

 as the next species. Occasionally one is shot in the city. 



6. Megascops asio. Screech Owl. — Not as common as in other 

 States, since there is a bounty paid here for all hawks and owls, still it is 

 not scarce. Both color phases occur. 



7. Bubo virginianus. Great Horned Owl. — Common oyer the 

 ■whole territory. They aie often caught in traps hy farmers and brought 

 alive to the city. 



8. Dryobates villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. — Abundant in migra- 

 tion, rather rare otherwise. 



