Vol. xxn ^ , ,r r, 



1904 J Creueral Notes. 4oQ 



only recognition mark tlius far developed is the conspicuous superciliary 

 line. The abnormal pattern of the rectrices of the specimen under con- 

 sideration may be regarded therefore as identical in nature with those 

 variations that must have taken place many generations ago, in the ances- 

 tors of species that now have a full complement of well-developed 

 recognition marks. 



Probably many, many variations of this kind have occurred, and have 

 failed to be perpetuated, for one reason or another, but who can say at 

 what moment such a variation will be seized upon by natural selection 

 and developed into a new racial character! 



The specimen discussed above was collected May 14, 1875, at Indianapo- 

 lis, Indiana, by Dr. David Starr Jordan.— W. F. McAtee, Washi„<rton, 

 D. C. 



\A^arblers and Grapes. — At Bloomington, Indiana, during the fall of 

 1903, from the 24th to the 29th of September, I observed the Tennessee 

 {Hehninthophila feregrina) and the Cape May {De?idrotca tigrina) 

 Warblers piercing or ' sucking ' grapes. The habit has been frequently 

 recorded for the former, but I believe it is the first time it has been for 

 the latter. 



Prof. F. H. King has spoken of the trait in the Tennessee Warbler 

 (Wis. Geol. Rep., 1886), and has protested against condemnation of the 

 bird for this practice Avhich is prevalent for so small a portion of the 

 year. It is this line of argument that I wish to support. 



It is evident that the birds can do no harm to grapes in their summer 

 homes. In the parts of their summer range where grapes are found, 

 these are not ripe until the birds have begun their northward movement. 

 Thus it is only during the limited period in which they are present as 

 migrants in a given locality that it is possible for them to injure the 

 grape crop. This period may be as long as six weeks, but in all proba- 

 bility it is generally shorter, and does not include, at the most, more than 

 two weeks during which the species occurs abundantly. If noteworthiiy 

 harmful, it is only during this very brief period that their depredations 

 would be important. 



Careful observations were made at all opportunities during the period 

 mentioned. The behavior of the birds and the condition of the grapes 

 both before and after the birds' visits were noted. Specimens were taken 

 while in the vines and their stomach contents ascertained. Many of the 

 grapes were preserved in alcohol, just as they were left by the warbler's. 



Both species were constantly busy catching insects on the vines, and on 

 a walnut and some appletrees near by. Frequently, however, they 

 dashed into the vines and thrust their bills quickly into a grape. Some- 

 times they withdrew them quickly ; again they poked around in the 

 interior of the grape a little, and always after these attacks, they lifted 

 their heads as in drinking. This action suggested a reason for piercing 

 the grapes, that I am satisfied is the true one, that is, the obtaining of 

 liquid refreshment. 



