88 General Yof... [^^_ 



The character of the eastern half of the county differs in a marked 

 degree from that of the western. The Taconic range, which forms the 

 western boundary of the county, consists of a series of isolated peaks, 

 separated by the Hoosick and the Housatonic Valleys from the high 

 ground to the eastward. Here the surface is an almost unbroken plateau, 

 falling gradually from an altitude of over 2000 feet, north of the Westfield 

 River, to 1500 feet at the Connecticut boundary. Black spruce and 

 balsam fir, which are absent in the Housantonic Valley and on the 

 Taconic range, are characteristic trees of this plateau, and extend as far 

 south as the town of Otis, about fifteen miles north of Connecticut. 



The birds in the following list are either not reported in the published 

 lists of Berkshire birds, or else were found in stations much further 

 south than those hitherto noted. Unless otherwise specified the following 

 observations were made between June 27 and July id. Mr. W. Faxon 

 has permitted me to use in the preparation of my list several of his 

 manuscript notes. 



1. Anas obscura. Black Duck. — One pair seen in Stockbridge. 



2. Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — A female with young in Stockbridge. 

 ■\. Ardea virescens. Green Heron. — Not common. 



4. Rallus virginianus. Virginia Rail. — One in Stockbridge. 



5. Porzana Carolina. Carolina Rail. — One in Stockbridge, May 30, 

 1892. 



6. Fulica americana. Americ.\n Coot. — A pair was seen by Mr. 

 W. Faxon in Cheshire Reservoir, June 21, 1892. 



7. Totanus solitarius. Solitary Sandpiper. — Two seen in Becket, 

 July 8, 1893. 



8. Colinus virginianus. Bob-white. — Not uncommon in Stockbridge 

 in 1892; none found in 1893. 



9. Bonasa umbeUus togata. Canadian Ruffed Grouse. — Found by 

 Mr. Faxon on Graylock. 



10. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Two seen in June in 

 North Adams by Mr. Faxon. 



11. Asio wilsonianus. American Long-eared Owl. — A specimen in 

 the Pittsfield Athenitum, labelled " Pontoosuc Lake, April 30, 1879." 



12. Asio accipitrinus. Short-eared Owl. — A specimen in the Pitts- 

 field Athenaum, labelled "Pittsfield, April 17, 1S79." 



13. Megascops asio. Screech Owl. — Young found in Stockbridge. 



14. Bubo virginianus. Great Horned Owl. — Nest with young found 

 in Stockbridge, April 8, 1893. 



15. Coccyzus americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. — One in Stock- 

 bridge. 



16. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. — ^One 

 seen in Stockbridge, May 30, 1892. 



17. Contopus borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher. ^ — A nest with 

 young found in Hinsdale, June 30, 1893. 



18. Zonotrichia albicoUis. White-thro.\ted Sparrow. — Not rare 

 from Becket northward. 



