in tlie Lower Hudson Valley. 131 



on its southern migration, and becomes much more abundant than in the 

 spring. On August 5, last, I noticed numbers of these birds in flocks 

 of from ten to thirty individuals lining the fences along the roadside and 

 outnumbering any of the other species with which they were associating. 

 After September 9 none were observed. The greater abundance of 

 this species in spring and late summer than in the intermediate season 

 would seem to indicate a more northern range, and this, taken in connec- 

 tion with the proximity to the Connecticut State line, and the fact that the 

 course of migration at this point tends towards the northeast, would ap- 

 pear to render their regular occurrence there almost assured. 



Cardinalis virginianus. Cardinal Redbird. — A male specimen 

 ■was taken on Manhattan Island in February, 1867, by Mr. George Bird 

 Grinnell, it having alighted near his house during a snow-storm, and on 

 October 12, 1874, I saw a pair at Riverdale, where I also obsen'ed a male 

 on June 8, 1872. Mr. Akhurst tells me that on Long Island one or more 

 of these birds are taken almost every year, and further states that he has 

 often found them about Sandy Hook, and knew of a pair breeding years 

 ago near Jersey City. 



Corvus ossifragus. Fish Crow. — As \vill be seen from the following 

 remarks, there is no doubt that a pair of these birds have been in the vi- 

 cinity during the past season. I first noticed them on February 24, being 

 attracted by their small size, and for several weeks thereafter they were 

 often seen, their peculiarities of note and habit at once distinguishing 

 them from the common Crow. 



Their favorite resort seems to be a growth of tall and partially decayed 

 locusts bordering a fresh-water pond, and on two of these trees, standing 

 together somewhat apart from the others, the birds were to be found al- 

 most every morning, but, owing to their shyness and the openness of the 

 ground, I was unable to approach within gunshot. In alighting they 

 usually chose the very topmost branches of the trees, and when approached 

 manifested their suspicion by a restless and excited motion of the wings, 

 which appeared to be more pointed than in the more stovitly built 

 C. americanus. Their note was an abrupt, expressionless croak, usually 

 delivered singly and at regular intervals. Though other Crows were often 

 seen in the vicinity, this pair kept aloof by themselves, and several times 

 I saw them chased by a clamorous party of their larger relatives. Latterly 

 they have been rarely noticed, and then always singly, thus indicating that 

 they are breeding in the vicinity. 



Empidonax acadicus. Acadian Flycatcher. — Arrives the last 

 week in May, and is not uncommon during the summer, frequenting cool 

 shaded glens or retired woodland usually near a running stream. In any 

 such favorable location in the vicinity these birds may be found every 

 summer, though I have never found more than a single pair occupying 

 any one locality, and know of perhaps six such pairs which are with us 



