550 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



In 1883 and again in 1884 a pair built their nest on the inner 

 side of the door of the outhouse at the Vandalia station at Cam- 

 den, Ind. This outhouse was in daily use but the ticket agent gave 

 instructions that the birds should be disturbed as little as possible. 

 The birds entered the building through a hole cut in the gable. 

 When anyone entered the building the bird would usually leave the 

 nest, but when care was used, she sometimes remained on the nest. 

 A brood of young was raised each year. 



In late summer and early fall the chimney swifts gather up in 

 great numbers in the evening and roost in some chimney of the 

 neighborhood. One such roost was in the chimney of the Baptist 

 church on North Sixth Street in Terre Haute, at least from 1887 

 to 1891. A similar roost was in the chimney of the Methodist 

 Church in Flora, Indiana, where the birds were observed in great 

 numbers every fall from 1899 to 1903, and perhaps later. 



87. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD 



ARCHILOCHUS COLUBRIS (Linnaeus) 



Not common. In 1899 they were noted through August and 

 September. On July 22, 1900, two were noted below Lost Lake, 

 one (a female) at a hickory tree, from which it was evidently se- 

 curing sugar. The last one seen this year was on September 28, 

 at work on the flowers of Nabalus. In 1901 the first was seen 

 along the road north of Green's marsh May 14, and on June 2 

 one was seen working at the blossoms of Scrophnlaria leporella 

 which seems to be one of their favorite flowers. In 1906 they 

 were noted occasionally, when it was observed that they were 

 fond of hovering over the flowers of the touch-me-not which grew 

 along the edges of the lake. The last one of 1907 was seen Sep- 

 tember 13 in Farrar's woods. In 1913, one was seen in the after- 

 noon of September 4, near Norris Inlet. 



88. KINGBIRD 



TYRANNUS TYRANNUS (Linnaeus) 



Rather common summer resident. In 1900 they were particu- 

 larly abundant. On August 24 of that year a very unusual sight 

 was observed on Long Point. The day was threatening and a 

 storm was approaching, when a flock of about 50 Kingbirds ap- 

 peared and alighted in the trees on the point. They remained to- 

 gether until the storm abated when they scattered. The first ar- 

 rivals in the spring appear at least as early as May 2, and the 

 birds have been noted as late as September 19. 



