520 Smyth, Birds of Montgomery County, Va. \_Auk. 



ground is thawed. I have seen fledged young as early as May 13; have 

 found nests with eggs throughout May, and one nest with fresh eggs as late 

 as July 12. I think two broods are usual, and possibly three occasionally. 



104. Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — Breeds; arriving as 

 early as April 26, and is building by May 16. Very constant in the date 

 of arrival, April 26 to 29 being the range of variation. 



105. Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole. — Breeds. Range of 

 first arrivals is from April 23 to April 30. Latest seen, August 22. Nest 

 with eggs, by May 16. They frequent the potato patches with the fledged 

 young and feed freely on potato beetles. 



106. Euphagus carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. — A spring and fall 

 migrant. Flocks of rusty individuals arrive about October 19 and are 

 here until late in November. I have one record of one individual for 

 December 31. A few begin to return by February 27. By March 8 full 

 plumaged birds are here and remain until March 19 when they pass on. 



107. Quiscalus quiscula quiscula. Purple Crackle. — Single 

 specimens of the Crow Blackbird occasionally occur throughout the winter 

 months; thus I have one record for December 29, 1904, one for January 17, 

 1907, and one for February 18, 1906. The earliest advent noted, in small 

 flocks, is February 20; by March 8 the returning flocks are increasing in 

 numbers. Earliest eggs noted are for May 20. By July 4, those breeding 

 near each other begin to flock, young and old going out in the morning to 

 feed in flocks, and returning together at sunset. By mid-October flocking 

 for migration is evident, numbers leaving and being replaced by more 

 northern flocks, which stop over for a few days in their flight, until by 

 October 27 all are gone. About this time and later they are replaced for a 

 few days by small flocks of the Bronzed Crackle. 



108. Quiscalus quiscula seneus. Bronzed Crackle. — In small 

 flocks from October 18 until November 20. One seen January 20, and a 

 doubtful record was given me for March 10. 



109. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. Purple Finch. — A win- 

 ter and spring migrant. From February 15 to May 1. Most abundant 

 in March and April. Seen also early in November. 



110. Loxia curvirostra minor. Crossbill. — Saw one male on a fir 

 tree on the campus, on January 16. I was attracted by its note, and got 

 easily within thirty feet of it and watched it for some time. The odd occur- 

 rence of this species in the summer months in unlikely southern localities 

 has been noted: by Wayne, at Yemassee, S. C, for two or three years; and 

 by Wirt Robinson, in Nelson Co., Va., in July. So it was no surprise to 

 me to find a flock in the town limits of Blacksburg on June 12, 1909, which 

 remained for several days, and specimens therefrom were brought me for 

 identification. 



111. Astragalinus tristis tristis. Coldfinch. — A roving resident. 

 Here every month in the year. Plumage of the males changing in late 

 April. A late breeder; eggs as late as August. 



112. Spinuspinus. Pine Siskin. — Occasional in the winter. In 1908, 

 a large flock was here continually from December 26 until May 4, 1909. 



