Vo1 -^ 111 ] Beyer, Allison, Kopman, Birds of Louisiana. 277 



commonly to be seen during the winter. A mild spell the latter 

 part of January brings probably the first individuals of this species 

 that have wintered extralimitally. On rather rare occasions the 

 first Purple Martin appears in the earliest days of February. Its 

 arrival is the first prominent incident of migration. Usually how- 

 ever, it does not appear, or is not seen, until the middle of February 

 or even subsequent dates in that month. Its movements are some- 

 times much upset by very heavy freezes that visit even the southern- 

 most part of the State, as on February 9-16, 1895 (with 10£ inches 

 of snow at New Orleans) and February 13, 1899 (with a min. temp, 

 of 7 degrees at New Orleans). Heavy freezes have not occurred 

 within recent years, if at all, later than February 17. By February 

 20, the aspect of spring is usually very pronounced in the lowland 

 woods of southeast Louisiana. Flocks of transient Myrtle Warb- 

 lers are now conspicuous. Robins are beginning to show some de- 

 crease; transient Catbirds appear occasionally; in an exceedingly 

 mild and early season, 1893, several Parula Warblers were observed 

 on February 22, but this date is rather extraordinary by comparison 

 with normal dates of arrival. The cypress and late willows leaf 

 out at this time. Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Mockingbirds, and 

 Carolina Chickadees begin to sing vigorously After this there is 

 small probability of the season's receiving further set-backs. 



The first completely vernal weather, all factors considered, comes 

 usually by the 3d or 4th of March. Weather of this kind is estab- 

 lished but a day or two before the certain arrival of the Parula and 

 Sycamore Warblers. The first extensive flights of Limicolse, espe- 

 cially Tringa maculata, Totanus, and Bartramia, reach the coast dis- 

 tricts of Louisiana. Yet the migrations are not given very decided 

 impulses for some time longer. The number of migrants in the 

 first half of March seems by no means commensurate with the pre- 

 vailing temperatures and the rapid growth of plants. Migrational 

 activity during this period is usually most noticeable about March 

 10. Purple Martins, which become generally distributed, though 

 not common, about March 1, now appear in considerable numbers. 

 Parula W T arblers grow common. Night Herons and Little Blue 

 Herons begin to arrive. In a normal season the first Hooded War- 

 bler appears. 



Usually a third distinct warm period sets in at the latitude of New 



