iSgi-l Loo.Mis oil Soittli Carolina Birds. '?27 



ticeii. One day two were flusheti from a clusler of rhododendrons vvilhin 

 twenty steps of an open spot where I had been resting under a tree, from 

 which a Towhee had been shot a few minutes before. The report of the 

 gun had been unheeded, the birds rising only when I started in their 

 direction in pursuit of a Chestnut-sided Warbler. It is well-nigh iinpos- 

 sible to get a shot in the places they frequent unless one is ready to press 

 the trigger the instant they are a-wing. By the end of June they seemed 

 to become more generally distributed, solitary birds being found on the 

 ridges. Emancipation from the care of the nest and the tempting flavor 

 of the ripening huckleberries doubtless encourage wider dispersion, at 

 least on the part of the old males. Young, as large as Bob-whites and 

 under the care of the parent birds, were noted by the middle of June. I 

 did not hear the 'drumming' of the males during the time of my stay. A 

 genllenian, stopping at the hotel, informed me of the presence and occa- 

 sional capture of this species in the 'flat woods' of Abbeville County. Its 

 range in the Piedmont Region appears to be nearly or quite coextensive 

 with that of the ground squirrel. 



3. Meleagris gallopavo. Wild Turkey. — But few 'turkey signs' were 

 seen. Froin what was learned, it appears that their bands are consid- 

 erably thinned. I was told of one hunter who had taken thirty the past 

 season, and of another who had secured five at one fire. Bating a trench 

 is said to be the favorite method for their extermination. 



4. Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture. 'Buzzard.' — Individuals 

 observed daily soaring over the mountain tops. 



5. Buteo borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. — Tolerably common. The 

 Duck Hawk, or 'Squirrel Hawk' as locally called, is reported to breed 

 commonly, a pair at one time having a nest in the cliff at the Head. The 

 Bald Eagle was also mentioned as occurring. As almost my entire time 

 was spent in woods where there was no opportunity for outlook, but 

 scanty knowledge was gained of the Falconidtc. 



6. Coccyzus americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 'Rain Crow.' — 

 P^ound about the hotel and elsewhere at the summits, but it was appar- 

 ently not very common at these highest altitudes. 



7. Ceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. — Only upon one occasion 

 was the Kingfisher's rattle heard, June 12, in the valley of the Middle 

 Saluda from a cliff" above. 



8. Dryobates villosus audubonii. Southern Hairy Woodpecker. — 

 While not strictly typical, the specimens taken are nearer audubonii than 

 villosus, and in consequence the Hairy Woodpecker of the crest of the 

 mountains is referred to the subspecific form. This Woodpecker is rather 

 common. 



9. Dryobates pubescens. Downy Woodpecker. — This species was 

 the commonest member of the family met with. 



10. Ceophlceus pileatus. Pileated Woodpecker. 'Wood Hen.' — 

 Common, and unusually tame. Sometimes one would alight quietly on 

 the trunk of a tree within twenty yards of a place where I would be sit- 

 ting, and peer cautiously from the further side very much as the inquisi- 

 tive Red-head does, though without the latter's volubility. 



