Vol. XXn Trotter, Kahti's O}'7iitholo^ical Observatiojis. 26 1 



1903 _j ' '-' — '-^ A 



This is interesting as an early nortliern record for the mocking- 

 bird. From Kahn's statements it would appear that the bird was 

 a more or less common summer resident in the region about Phila- 

 delphia. The species does occasionally breed in this neighbor- 

 hood and may have been much more abundant in the earlier days 

 of the settlements. 



Catbird. — Under date of September 7, 1748, at Philadelphia 

 is the following note : "Mr. Peter Cock, a merchant of this town, 

 assured me that he had last week himself been a spectator of a 

 snake's swallowing a little bird. This bird, which from its cry 

 has the name of Cat bird, {^Afuscicapa Carolinensis, Lhin.) flew from 

 one branch of a tree to another, and was making a doleful tune." 

 (Eng. Trans., I, p. 61.) 



The rest of the narrative is a "snake story." Suffice it to say 

 that the snake swallowed the bird, but was ultimately killed by 

 the valiant Cock. Mr. Cock, by the way, was a very reputable 

 citizen. 



Robin. — In Kalm's journal at Raccoon, under date of March 

 12, 1749, is the following short note concerning the robin : "The 

 bird which the English and Swedes in this country call Robin-red- 

 breast, is found here all the year round. It is a very different bird 

 from that which in England bears the same name. It is Linnceus's 

 Turdiis migratoriiis. It sings very melodiously, is not very shy, 

 but hops on the ground quite close to the houses." (Eng. Trans., 

 II, p. 90.) 



Bluebird. — A note dated Raccoon, New Jersey, February 14, 

 1749, says : "The Swedes and the English gave the name of blue- 

 bird to a very pretty little bird, which was of a fine blue colour, 

 Linnaius calls it Motacilla Sialis. Catesby has drawn it in his 

 Natural History of Carolina, Vol. I, pi. 47, and described it by the 

 name of Rubecula Atnericana ccerulea nitida, pectore rufo, ventre 

 albo. In Catesby's plate I must observe, that the color of the 

 breast ought to be dirty red or ferruginous ; the tibiae and feet 

 black as jet ; the bill too should be quite black ; the blue colour 

 in general ought to be much deeper, more lively and shining ; no 

 bird in Sivedeti has so shining and deep a blue color as this : The 

 jay has perhaps a plumage like it. The food of the blue bird is 

 not merely insects, he likewise feeds upon plants ; therefore in 



