Vol.^XX-| Maxon, Birds of Madison County, N. Y. 263 



lar territory of higher elevation, with crests ranging to 2000 feet 

 and more, which so far as I know is quite untouched ; and in the 

 northwestern portion a 'considerable territory, including several 

 low swamps not much above the level of nearby Oneida Lake, 

 likewise awaits investigation. These unexplored areas are bound 

 to yield interesting results. Of this I am convinced by the unex- 

 pected returns from several short excursions I have undertaken, in 

 the northeastern portion, over the Stockbridge West Hill which 

 reaches a maximum altitude of 1300 feet. Here, for example, I 

 ^ found a good sized colony of the Cerulean Warbler. 



Madison County falls for the most part well within the Transi- 

 tion or Alleghanian zone, but there is an odd intermingling of 

 Canadian and Carolinian forms. The Stockbridge West Hill and 

 its opposite slope at the east form the sides of a broad northerly- 

 trending glacial valley (drained by Oneida Creek), some twelve 

 miles long, which, at a point some seven or eight miles south of 

 the eastern end of Oneida Lake, runs out to the level country 

 marking the bed of the ancient stream, that once swept Central 

 New York from the westward. It is this region with which I am 

 most familiar and to which my own records mainly apply. The 

 following notes are published with especial reference to Mr. 

 Embody's list; and in several instances reference is made to ear- 

 lier records overlooked in its preparation. 



1. Ardetta exilis. Least Bittern. — -Said to be "rarely seen in 

 Madison County. One male taken May 30, 1897." Several specimens 

 have been taken in the Covvasselon Swamp near Oneida during August. 



2. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. 

 — Not mentioned in the list; may be put down as an occasional transient 

 visitant (See Bagg in Auk, XIV. 227, 1897). 



3. ^gialitis vocifera. Killdeer. — Given as a "very common sum- 

 mer resident." In the northeastern parts of the county the bird is 

 rather uncommon, and it seems likely that its distribution is very local 

 throughout. 



4. Colinus virginianus. Bob-white. — "None recorded since 1893. 

 Formerly a not uncommon summer resident." Still occasional between 

 Oneida and the Lake. A nest was taken at Peterboro in the summer of 

 1894, the only time the bird has been known to occur in that vicinitj*. 

 (See also Auk, XIV, 226, 1S97, and XVII, 17S, 1900.) 



5. Zenaidura macroura. Molrning Dove. — "Rare. One bird seen 

 April 28, 1S96." This statement is to be accounted for only upon the 



