80 Bailey, Birch Breeding in the Mountains of Virginia. [jan. 



sparrows) were ver^^ abundant and our noble Virginia certainly 

 did her share towards increasing the bird population. In the 

 mountains Wild Turkeys, Ruffed Grouse, fox squirrels, foxes 

 and wild cats are common. From the descriptions given me by 

 farmers' boys, Eagles and Duck Hawks breed on the cliffs. 



The following list is very incomplete but may form the nucleus 

 for other observations during the heated term some future year. 



1. Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — Not rare. Saw young about half 

 grown, July 10. 



2. Butorides virescens. Green Heron. — Common; probably raises 

 two broods. 



3. Philohela minor. AVoodcock. — Rare. Seen July 24. Boys say 

 they nest in March. 



4. Actitis macularius. Spotted Sandpiper. — Not common; old 

 and young together in June, July 14 and in August. 



5. Oxyechus vociferus. Killdeer. — Quite common; young Ajdng 

 July 10. 



6. Colinus virginianus virginianus. Bob-white. — Abundant. 

 Owing to the dry weather the young were two thirds grown July 7; second 

 settings of eggs were destroyed July 29 when hay fields were cut, but the- 

 birds immediately went to laying again. They always desert the nest 

 when cut around, even if a piece of cover is left over the nest. On August 

 25 a covey of young just able to fly Was observed. 



7. Bonasa umbellus umbellus. Ruffed Grouse. — Covey of 

 young July 10. Not rare on mountains. 



8. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris. Wild Turkey. — Still common. 

 I think much crossing is done in the wilder parts; many farmers are giving: 

 up the bronze variety, owing to their straying propensities. 



9. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Mourning Dove. — Com- 

 mon. Young in all stages. July 16, fresh eggs. 



10. Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey^ Vulture.— Rather 

 common; boys claim they build on the cliffs, and Buzzard roosts are com- 

 mon names on sides of several mountains. 



11. Catharista urubu. Black Vulture. — Commoner than the 

 preceding. 



12. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Not common. July 

 10, nest with young ready to fly. 



13. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's Hawk. — Not common. Several 

 seen. Not a favorite with fanners. 



14. Buteo lineatus lineatus. Red-shouldered Hawk. — Breeds 

 sparingly, and probaiolj' the Red-tailed Hawk also. 



15. Falco sparverius sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. — Not common 

 until August when young were full grown. 



