16 Allison, Spring Birds of Tishomingo Co., Miss. [jan 



are tangles of blackberry (Rubus argutus) and sumac (Rhus copal- 

 Una) . 



Or, in fields long abandoned, we may find scrubby pines (Pinus 

 twda), among rank 'broom-sedge' (Andropogon virginicus) that 

 crowds out almost all other plants; though it gives place, here and 

 there, to patches of wild plum (Prunus chicasa). 



The low woods of the creek and river bottoms contain birch 

 (Betula nigra), water oak (Quercus nigra), basket oak (0. mi- 

 chauxii), sycamore (Platanus occidental™), — present also along 

 upland brooks — maple (Acer dasycarpum), sweet-gum (Liquidam- 

 bar sturaciflua), and cypress (Taxodium distichum). In higher 

 ground in the valley are locust (Robinia pseudacacia) , hackberry 

 (Celtis mississippiensis) , and sassafras (Sassafras sassafras). 

 Common climbers on the border of these woods are trumpet 

 creeper (Tecoma radicans) and cross-vine (Bignonia capreolata). 

 And on the ground rising from the river I found wild strawberry 

 (Fragaria virginica). 



Roadside plants are haws (Crataegus spathulata et mohrii), 

 moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria), and dandelion (Adopogon 

 dandelion). 



More enumeration would carry me beyond the limits set by the 

 title of this article, which perhaps I have already exceeded; and 

 without further preface I offer the detailed account of the birds 

 observed from April 17 to May 17. The town of Iuka, several 

 times to be mentioned, is about six miles southwest of the farm- 

 house which I made my headquarters, and is consequently out of 

 the valley of the Tennessee River. 



1. Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. — One seen April 24, flying 

 westward. 



2. Butorides virescens. Green Heron. — Seen occasionally after 

 April 21, at creeks and ponds. 



3. Fulica americana. American Coot. — I saw one swimming in a 

 marshy mill-pond near Iuka, on April 30. The bird may have been a 

 cripple; but if not, it was doubtless one of a breeding pair; for the next 

 time I passed the spot, on May 17, it was still there. 



4. Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. — Sparingly present along 

 the larger streams, and at the pond where I saw the Coot. 



5. Colinus virginianus. Bob-white. — A common bird in the open. 

 It seems to nest quite late; for I flushed several pairs from their task of 



