108 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTLTRE. [Pub. Doc. 



wintered in Massachusetts prdbably died or disappeared on or 

 before the 6th of March, but on the 28th the first, spring mi- 

 grant of the species was reported. About that time Ospreys 

 appeared. The main flight of Red-winged Blackbirds began 

 to arrive in Massachusetts on the 22d. Grackles had reached 

 Maine by the 30th, Evening Grosbeaks decreased at this 

 time in Massachusetts but increased in Maine. During the 

 blizzard of March 6 Snow Buntings had appeared in immense 

 flocks in northern Vermont. A few days later flocks were ob- 

 served in Aroostook County, Maine, flying northward at a 

 great height. Fox Sparrows appeared in southern New Eng- 

 land on the 23d and 24th. Tree Swallows were numerous at 

 Nantucket on the 25th. Despite the severe winter a single 

 Hermit Thrush had wintered successfully in Bristol County, 

 Massachusetts, and was heard singing on the 24th, and at least 

 one Catbird survived. 



Ajml. 



April was a month af cold, snow and driving rain with 

 sweeping gales, scant sunshine, and but few days of vernal 

 warmth. Migrants were much delayed or driven back by 

 northerly winds; also, the birds were drifted inland by easterly 

 gales, but they still pushed on. No great bird wave was 

 recorded until late in the month, when spring flowers were seen, 

 butterflies appeared, and woodchucks and chipmunks were 

 noted. After the 15th toads, hylas, wood-frogs, turtles, snakes 

 and bats were reported in southern New England. On the 

 19th there was a strong northward movement of birds, but 

 on the 24th a high northwest gale again checked the advance, 



A Retrograde Movement. — During this gale a retrograde 

 movement of Swifts, Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows was 

 observed in Massachusetts and Connecticut localities. From 

 the 25th to the 26th the forward movement was resumed. 

 During the month Blue-gray Gnatcatchers appeared in unusual 

 numbers in the middle States. 



Northward Flights of Hawks and Other Land Birds. — On the 

 24th, 25th and 26th great flights of Hawks were observed in 

 Massachusetts. 



In April the large Northern Hairy Woodpecker had .left 



