360 Breninger, Changes in Habits of Birds. Von 



69. Spindalis zena townsendi Ridg-May. Abaco Spindalis. — This 

 well-marked race was common amongst the pines on Abaco, and though 

 we shot a number, only succeeded in recovering two that would do for 

 specimens. 



70. Pyrrhulagra violacea {Linn.). Bahama Bullfinch. — Very com- 

 mon on New Providence, but seen in far less numbers on Eleuthera, Cat 

 Island, and Long Island. Keeps to the thick scrub and is rarely seen, 

 but is one of the first birds to respond to squeaking. 



71. Tiaris bicolor {Linn.). Bahama GRAssquix. — Abundant on New 

 Providence, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Watlings Island, Long Island, and 

 Abaco. It has a sweet little weak song that somewhat reminded me of 

 the Field Sparrow's. This song is generally delivered from a low bush 

 but occasionally from the tops of the taller trees. It frequents the 

 scrubby growth, keeping near the ground, as a rule. 



ARE THE HABITS OF BIRDS CHANGING? 



BY GEO. F. BRENINGER. 



Changes in the habits of birds are largely due to conditions ; 

 conditions change with the progress of time. A century ago there 

 were many large areas of timbered lands ; these are being gradu- 

 ally cut away, until to-day there are but few large timbered tracts 

 within the boundaries of the United States, and these principally 

 in the West. With the felling of the trees and the clearing away 

 of the smaller growths, follows the plowman ; seed is sown, and 

 changes take place, which attract some species and drive others 

 away. The nesting habits in many species change. 



During the past twenty-five years I have seen changes in 

 nesting sites in many species, notably with Lucy's Warbler (Hel- 

 minthophila lucice). Normally this warbler nests in natural cavi- 

 ties in the trunks of trees. My observations lead me to believe 

 the mesquite to be the kind of tree selected, though in a meas- 

 ure this is again due to conditions. In the land where Lucy's 

 Warbler lives mesquite is the principal tree. Cottonwood is also 



