INTRODUCTION 43 



summer resident and permanent resident land-birds, as the 

 number breeding on the beach is exceedingly small. I am 

 particularly indebted to Mr. E. P. Bicknell for preparing 

 an abstract of his observations. He has visited the beach 

 weekly throughout the year for over ten years, and has 

 amassed an incomparable migration record. It is not too 

 much to say that his observations exceed in value and com- 

 pleteness that of all other observers combined, and many 

 experienced students have visited Long Beach frequently in 

 the last fifteen years. Of far greater importance than the 

 preparation of his report is Mr. Bicknell's generosity in 

 permitting the use of his records, as he was planning separate 

 publication. A total of 239 species is recorded. 



New York State. For lack of a more convenient term, 

 the balance of New York State is here referred to, including 

 Staten Island, New York City, Bronx and Westchester 

 Counties. It is here that the greatest changes for the worse 

 have taken place. In recent years this is particularly true of 

 Staten Island, which fifteen years ago was chiefly unspoiled 

 country. It is now almost ruined for birds. The only rural 

 country remaining in this section is in northern Westchester 

 County, about the breeding birds of which we have little 

 definite information at present. I am indebted to Mr. 

 Courtenay Brandreth of Ossining for valuable notes on the 

 water-birds of the Hudson, which excellently supplement 

 those made by Dr. A. K. Fisher 50 to 30 years ago. In the 

 time of Mearns and Fisher this river was a great highway 

 for these birds. This is now a thing of the past, but many 

 species still occur in fair numbers on the Tappan Zee. North- 

 ern Westchester County has a colder winter climate than 

 New York City. As a result the fall migration in particular 

 is concluded earlier, and several species, such as the White- 

 throated Sparrow, are unknown there in winter, or casual, 

 instead of regular. Migration dates are not given, unless they 

 are better than those obtained in the " Local Regions," 

 two of which will be found, as follows: 



