114 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



INIassachusetts during the latter part of the month. Canada 

 Geese also reached Massachusetts and were noted from time 

 to time, but were not seen on Long Island or farther south. 



A Large Flight of Shore Birds. — Many observers reported 

 unusual numbers of shore birds. The flight extended Avell 

 through the month. Hudsonian Curlews were more common 

 than usual. Upland Plovers and Killdeer Plovers seemed to 

 have increased in numbers over former years. Reports of 

 the increase of Ruffed Grouse in Massachusetts were disap- 

 pointing in many cases, but in northern New^ England and 

 the Provinces the reports were more optimistic. 



H aides, Nighthaicks, etc. — There was a flight of Hawks the 

 first week of the month, but the main movement came from 

 the 16th to the 19th. Great numbers of Chimney Swifts, in 

 flocks, appear to have vanished from Massachusetts on the 

 night of the 18th, as few were reported afterwards. 



The main Nighthawk flight moved southward early in the 

 month, but stragglers continued to pass over until October. Im^- 

 mense roosts of Starlings were reported from Essex, Middlesex 

 and Bristol counties, Massachusetts, and considerable numbers 

 in the Connecticut valley. During the month there appeared 

 a definite movement of this species toward the coast. Its num- 

 bers seem to increase from season to season. Goldfinches were 

 less in number in Massachusetts than last year, but abundant 

 locally in northern New England; and but very few Siskins 

 were reported. Horned Larks and Tree Sparrows arrived in 

 New England during the latter part of the month, but in very 

 small numbers. During September Red-breasted Nuthatches 

 arrived in the coastal region of northern New England, and 

 Brown Creepers were recorded south to Massachusetts. A 

 single Mockingbird was reported on Cape Cod. As the month 

 closed a southern hurricane was blowing up the coast. 



October. 

 Copious summer rains in many parts of New England and 

 the Provinces had helped to develop and mature a great crop 

 of wild fruit and seeds. In regions where such food was 

 plentiful certain birds remained somewhat later than usual. 

 Birds and squirrels moved into regions where nuts or seeds on 



