1040 REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



region in which he has collected are C. a. usnece. It seems, then, 

 that in the State are to be found the typical southern form, as sum- 

 mer residents, in the lower Wabash Valley; the typical northern 

 form, as migrants, at least, and birds intermediate between them 

 these latter possibly breeding. A few birds remain through the sum- 

 mer, and Mrs. J. L. Hine says it breeds in Dekalb County, but, so far 

 as I know, none have been found breeding. In Laporte County it is 

 a summer resident (Byrkit). It was taken Jane 3, 1888, by Mr. Ruth- 

 ven Deane, at Englsh Lake; in Putnam Ccunty, July 2, 1889, by Mr. 

 J. F. Clearwaters. Mr. Charles Dury fcund them near Cincinnati, 

 July 18 and 31, and August 27, 1879. Dr. Wheat on speaks of them 

 breeding in northern Ohio, possibly south of Columbus (B. of Ohio, 

 p. 239), and Prof. Cook says it occasionally breeds in Michigan (B. of 

 Mich.). Mr. Nelson notes that it breeds rarely in northeastern Illi- 

 nois. I have, for the present, referred all records north of Knox 

 County to this form. They appear within the State, most seasons, in 

 the latter half of April, and migrants seldom linger after the middle 

 of May. I have found the first arrivals at Brookville as early as April 

 25 (1881), and as late as May 16 (1884). They have been observed 

 at Bloomington as early as April 21 (1885), and April 27 (1886); at 

 Terre Haute, April 24, 1890, May 3, 1887; Lafayette, April 28, 1893; 

 Carroll County, May 4 to May 10, 1885; Wabash County, May 2 to 

 10, 1892; Sedan, April 29, 1897, May 4, 1894; Lake County, May 24 

 and 26, 1894; Chicago, 111., May 9, 1886, May 15, 1895. 



Even when they arrive early they are usually mating. I have 

 seen them so engaged as early as April 25. They are as variable in 

 numbers as they are in the time of arrival. Some years they are com- 

 mon, and others, quite rare or wanting. Usually when they are com- 

 mon they arrive early, and again a few or even a single representative 

 will be seen late in the migrations. I have always found them in 

 the heavier woodlands, where they frequent the higher tree-tops, 

 preferably maple, elm and oak. Their habits remind one of those of 

 a Titmouse, but they are more active. Occasionally they utter a pe- 

 culiar song, ending in a peculiar little screech. It is the same as that 

 given under the last species. Its food consists of small insects, includ- 

 ing flies and various other winged forms, spiders and caterpillars, 

 which they are very industrious in gathering from the unfolding 

 leaves and inconspicuous flowers of the trees they frequent. In fall, 

 the return journey is made in August and September. The latest 

 dates when it was seen are: Chicago, 111., September 15, 1885, Sep- 

 tember 23, 1895; Cincinnati, 0., August 27, 1879, September 28, 

 1878; Lake County, September 18, 1881. 



