544 General Notes. [^^ 



Where a small stream entered the harbor, I noticed quite a modification 

 of the otherwise prevalent, boreal conditions. Waste water from some 

 mills enters this stream, evidently raising the temperature considerably, 

 for a mist hung over the stream and the beach was bare of ice and snow for' 

 some thirty feet on either side of the brook where it entered the harbor. 

 The birds seemed to have taken advantage of this very local, climatic 

 condition. 



About a hundred Herring Gulls were feeding about the mouth of the 

 stream; fifty Horned Larks were busy gleaning edible bits and two had a 

 spirited contest for a choice morsel, while at times they twittered to each 

 other in low, musical tones; and a bright and active Acadian Sharp-tailed 

 Sparrow was noticed among the Larks. I observed it for some time, and 

 it came within eight feet of me, searching for food among the sea-weed and 

 stones, and rested for a minute or more upon a large beach stone. The 

 creamy-buff appearance, of the back and head markings, breast and under- 

 parts, longitudinal gray side streaks, the contour of the bill, and the sharp- 

 tipped tail feathers were distinctly visible. I was pleased to note this 

 species on our coast in severe mid-winter. 



I am reasonably sure that this sparrow was not maritmms which species 

 has some late, northern records, as its larger size and different bill would 

 serve to identify it. 



I continued my observations at this point about an hour and while here 

 a male Golden-eye whistled overhead, so near that his attractive dress 

 and white spot near eye were distinctl}' seen. Also a fine adult, male 

 Great Black-backed Gull was noticed with some Herring Gulls near a 

 channel. — Charles L. Phillips, Taunton, Mass. 



Notes on the Dickcissel in Colorado. — During the week of August 

 fourth to eleventh, 1912, while visiting friends at the ranch of J. W. Ramsey, 

 near Crook, Colorado, in company with Mr. Dean Babcock, of Estes 

 Park, 1 was fortunate in finding a number of Dickcissels {Spiza americana). 

 They were first seen and heard singing August 6. Mr. Babcock had 

 been familiar with the bird in the east and he told me he felt positive of the 

 song. As they were very wary some difficulty was experienced in getting 

 within gunshot, but the first specimen was finally secured, confirming the 

 primary identification. Five specimens in all were taken, four males and 

 one female, a pair of which are now mounted in the Colorado Museum of 

 Natural History. We saw at least twelve individuals on the sixth and on 

 subsequent days in other fields, enough to make a conservative total of 

 twenty for the vicinity. 



They seemed to prefer the moist meadows of sweet clover and sunflower, 

 rarely going to the adjoining grain fields. Their habit (so common with 

 many birds) of remaining on the highest stalk in a clump while singing, 

 rendered them very conspicuous but difficult to approach. The note 

 which had proved so instrumental in the identification consisted of six 

 syllables divided into two parts; the first part of two syllables, sfightly 

 slower and higher pitched than the last of four syllables. 



