222 Widmann, Winter Home for Birds in Missouri. Ilulv 



they harbor a few species which are not found in the forest 

 itself, and the Hawks and Owls resort to them for preying upon 

 the rodents, which infest the corn and cotton fields. 



In such clearings we have repeatedly heard the cheerful carols 

 of Bluebirds (Sta/ia sialis) and in view of our experience with 

 the species last spring, we are doubly glad to hear them. Does 

 not each note contain a promise of extraordinary value ? Is it 

 not as if a real treasure, already given up as lost, is to be restored 

 to us again ? 



On a solitary tree in the field sits a solitary Shrike, and higher 

 up on top of an old stump a male Sparrow Hawk ; he is busy- 

 ing himself with something, but fearing approach he leaves and 

 takes with him his prey — a woodrat. On a distant tree an old 

 Redshoulder (Butco Hneatus) holds a look-out for the benefit of 

 the farmer and over a particularly odoriferous spot six Turkey 

 Vultures (Cathartes aura) are drawing closer and closer circles, 

 apparently intent on an early descent upon the remains of one of 

 the farmer's special pets. 



A small troop of Meadowlarks (Stumetta magnet) is changing its 

 field of labor to another part of the big cornfield, and from the old 

 rail fence comes a harsh, shrike-like, note : it is the expression of 

 surprise on the part of a Mockingbird. Before we turn to leave we 

 get a glimpse of the only Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureas) 

 met with in this region, and following the fence a flock of at least 

 one hundred small birds is seen going up from the cornfield as if 

 at a word of command. They are mostly Juncos and Goldfinches, 

 but we also identify a few Field Sparrows (Spizella pusi/ta), a 

 species which we found only at three or four places and in small 

 numbers. 



Still watching the host of frightened Fringillidae we learn the 

 cause of the stampede, a Barred Owl (Syrnium nebulosum), abroad 

 in the middle of the afternoon, but apparently occupied with 

 thoughts of a defensive, rather than of an offensive nature. 



