92 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



much earlier than usual, and the St. Lawrence was clear and 

 open for navigation on the 27th, the earliest recorded date. 

 Many lakes in New England and the maritime Provinces were 

 clear of ice before the last of the month. Early spring birds 

 began to come into southern New England as the month began. 

 On the 3d there was a great movement of Robins in western 

 New York; on the 6th a considerable migration of Robins and 

 other spring birds in the coastal regions of southern New Eng- 

 land; while all the next week, until the 12th and 13th, Red- 

 winged Blackbirds, Robins, Bronzed Grackles, Bluebirds and 

 Song Sparrows were reported over the greater part of New 

 England and in some southern Canadian Provinces. 



The great flood of early migration was about three weeks 

 in advance of that of 1920. Many stragglers of species that 

 usually arrive in April or May were recorded. A few Pied- 

 billed Grebes had been reported during the winter, but only 

 two were heard from during March. A migratory Woodcock 

 was noted March 1st in Massachusetts. Migrating hawks be- 

 gan to appear in Maine and the Provinces late in the month. 

 Blue Jays which had been considerably reduced in numbers 

 during the winter appeared to be increasing again in southern 

 New England, and before the month ended Crows were on their 

 breeding grounds. 



A Few Catbirds and Hermit Thrushes JVintered. — Some Cat- 

 birds successfully passed the winter in Massachusetts. Tree 

 Swallows arrived in hundreds at Plymouth, Massachusetts, 

 March 20. There was an early movement of Ruby-crowned 

 Kinglets in southern New England, and one individual was re- 

 ported from Maine. Small numbers of Hermit thrushes ap- 

 peared in three counties of Massachusetts, but these may have 

 been wintering birds, as a few were reported all winter. A 

 heavy flight of Wilson's Snipes passed northward. 



Ai)ril, 1921. 



The mild weather of March was followed by warm April 

 days. Columbines were in flower on the 27th, and generally 

 in Massachusetts vegetation was about three or four weeks 

 earlier than in 1920. 



Warm Weather and Early Migrants. ■ — During the first week 



