No. 123.] ORNITHOLOGY. 117 



necticut, others too exhausted to fly hunger were seen walking 

 in fields and gardens. A few Swans were reported from time 

 to time in eastern Massachusetts, but not elsewhere. 



During the storms of the latter part of the month many 

 northern Ducks, such as Mergansers, Old-squaws, Golden-eyes 

 and Eiders, appeared. A late flight of Great Blue Herons 

 passed south during the stormy period. Sanderlings were still 

 passing in small numbers up to the 26th, and there were a 

 few Killdeers still left in Connecticut as the month ended. 



A Scarcity of Land Birds. — One reason for the scarcity of 

 land birds was that most of the summer residents and fall mi- 

 grants had passed southward, and winter birds from the north 

 had not come to take their places. Only a few winter Hawks 

 appeared. Snow Buntings and Horned Larks had come in 

 more or less along the coast, but Pine Grosbeaks, Redpolls, 

 Siskins and Crossbills moved southward very slowly and in 

 remarkably small numbers. Fox Sparrows were seen in large 

 numbers by very few^ observers, many saw none, and even 

 Juncos and Tree Sparrows did not appear generally in their 

 usual abundance. One flock of Bohemian Waxwings was noted 

 in New Hampshire on the 14th. 



A few late stragglers among the Warblers and Flycatchers 

 were noted this month, but the period ended with the most 

 remarkable dearth of land birds reported at any time in the 

 experience of the last three years. 



An Ornithological Survey. 



Late in May Mr. John A. Farley began an ornithological 

 reconnaissance for the Division. The principal purpose of this 

 undertaking was to clear up some points regarding the breed- 

 ing ranges in Massachusetts of certain birds of the Canadian 

 fauna. This work was continued through June and July, as 

 long as the birds remained at their nesting grounds. In his 

 search Mr. Farley traveled over parts of Berkshire, Franklin, 

 Hampshire and Hampden counties. He intended also to visit 

 northern Worcester County, but was delayed by continued 

 heavy rains. While en route or later he visited and consulted 

 with the following persons, most of them correspondents or ob- 

 servers of this Division, who freely gave time, advice and as- 



