Vol. XXVI 

 1909 



Howell, Summer Birds of Northern Georgia. - 131 



trees, with which are associated hickories, chestnuts, gums (Nyssa 

 syluatica) tulip trees (Liriodendron) and other characteristic 

 Carolinian forms. Pines of two species {Pinus rigida and P. 

 virginiana) are found in scattering clumps, and hemlocks (Tsuga 

 canadensis) grow along the streams. Among the characteristic 

 birds found in this area may be mentioned Bceolophus bicolor, 

 Thryothorus ludoricianus, Icteria virens, Seiurus motacilla, Piranga 

 rubra, Empidonax virescens, and Cardinalis cardinalis. 



At about 3500 feet altitude most of the Carolinian species dis- 

 appear and a number of characteristic Alleghenian forms are first 

 seen. On the upper slopes the prevailing trees are white oak and 

 chestnut, with which are found hickories, locust (Robinia), red 

 maple, striped maple* 1 (Acerpennsylvanicum), cherry-birch* (Betula 

 lento), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), laurel (Kalmia), rhodo- 

 dendron (R. maximum), flame azalea* (A. luted), purple-flowering 

 raspberry* (Rubaccr odoratum), small-flowered hellebore * (Vera- 

 trum parviflorum), etc. The characteristic birds of this area are 

 J unco h. carolinensis , Lanivireo s. alticola, Dendroica cwrulescens, 

 Dendroica virens and Dendroica blackburnice. 



Near the summit of Brasstown Bald the soil is thin and rocky 

 and the tree growth much stunted. On the shaded northeast 

 slope dense thickets of rhododendron and laurel cover the cliffs 

 and rough rock piles and furnish suitable conditions for the presence 

 of Canadian forms. Here were found the southern yellow birch 

 (Betula alleghanensis), mountain maple f 2 (Acer spicatum), Caro- 

 lina rhododendron (R. catawbiense) , the Wilson Thrush (Hylo- 

 cichla fuscescens), a mountain salamander f (Plethodon shermani), 

 the Smoky Shrew f (Sorex fumeus), and the Cloudland White- 

 footed Mouse f (Peromyscus nitbiierrae). The following list of 76 

 species, based almost entirely on the birds observed or collected 

 on this trip, though obviously incomplete, is offered as a contribu- 

 tion to our knowledge of the avifauna of this litde known area. 

 Thirteen species are here first recorded as occurring in the State 

 during the breeding season: Corvus corax principalis, 3 Coturniculus 



1 Species starred are characteristically Alleghenian. 



2 Species marked with a dagger are characteristic of Canadian Zone. 



3 An indefinite record for Georgia is found in John Abbott's letter to George Ord 

 (1814), in which he says, "The Raven only frequents the back inland Countries of 

 Georgia & can inform you nothing more of it." (Auk, XXIII, 1906, p. 367.) 



