^^^igiO^^'^] Embody, Birds observed at Ashland, Virginia. 171 



I am indebted to Mr. E. A. Evans, Director of the Richmond 

 Experiment Station, for the climatological data here used. For 

 more detailed information regarding the physiography, drainage, 

 and soils the reader is referred to the 'Soil Survey of Hanover 

 County, Virginia' by H. H. Bennett and W. E. McLendon, U. S. 

 Department of Agriculture, 1906. 



It is with the hope that someone may continue the work and 

 furnish us with a reasonably complete catalogue of the birds of 

 Hanover County, that this preliminary affair is put forth. 



Annotated List. 



1. Podilymbus podiceps. Pied-billed Grebe. — Occurs in open 

 waters from about November 20 until April 9. Occasional pairs were seen 

 on Railroad and King's Ponds. 



2. Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern. — A rare winter visitant seen 

 but once. November 2, 1907. 



3. Butorides virescens. Little Green Heron. — A summer resident, 

 not common. One or more may usually be found at Iving's Pond or in the 

 swamp two miles south of Ashland. 



4. Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — Found in small numbers 

 during April, May, June and September. It may breed but a nest has 

 not yet been discovered. 



5. Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer. — A few were seen during the 

 latter part of March, during April and October. All were feeding in wet 

 meadows or ploughed fields. 



6. Colinus virginianus. Bob-white. — A fairly abundant resident, 

 more in evidence during the period of song, from the middle of April 

 through the greater part of July. 



7. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. Wild Turkey. — Turkeys still exist 

 in some numbers in the more unsettled parts of Hanover County. One 

 was brought in by a farmer who had killed several during the fall, five 

 miles to the northwest of Ashland. 



8. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Mourning Dove. — Rather com- 

 mon from March 15 until late in November. Occasionally seen in 

 winter. 



9. Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. — Common 

 throughout the year. Breeds. 



10. Catharista urubu. Black Vulture. — The " Carrion Crow" seems 

 to be nearly as abundant as the preceding species and may breed. 



11. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Haw^k. — Recorded but twice 

 during the period, October 20 and November 5, 1907. 



12. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's Hawk. — One only was identified 

 with certainty, January 16, 1908. 



