34 Mearns 'on Less Hardy Winter Residents. 



me : " Tlie extremes of early arrival and late departure of this species 

 are April 11 and November 20, both dates being in 1875; though on 

 February 28 (same year) I saw one in a grove of pine-trees, feeding on 

 the dried berries of sumach (Rhus), and appearing quite at home. I 

 again observed it (doubtless the same bird) at the same place, on March 

 28." * I have observed a great irregularity in the migrations of this species, 

 both as to abundance and time of arrival. 



3. Sialia sialis. Bluebird. — The winter range of the Bluebird is 

 about co-extensive with that of the Robin. In the Highlands they are 

 seen every winter, and are generally abundant when the weather is mild ; 

 but there are often long periods when none are seen. They were present 

 — but not numerous — in the winter of 1874-75. During the past win- 

 ter they were very abundant throughout; they warbled their pleasant 

 notes even in January ; fed upon cedar and sumach berries. 



4. Lophophanes bicolor. Tufted Titmouse. — This species is 

 to be included among our winter birds on the recent authority of Mr. 

 Eugene P. Bicknell, f who observed one on November 29, 1874, in a piece 

 of open woodland, near his residence, at Riverdale, N. Y. For several 

 weeks thereafter this bird was occasionally noticed about the same spot, 

 and without doubt remained during the winter, as he felt certain of having 

 heard it in January, and the following March it was often seen or heard 

 about the same Avoods, being then in full song. It disappeared after 

 March 28. As long ago as 1844 Dr. DeKay wrote : J "This lively and 

 noisy bird appears in the southern counties of our State about the first of 

 May, and remains with us until very late in the autumn, and indeed may 

 be said to be a constant resident." It has never been observed in the 

 Highlands. 



5. Anorthura troglodytes var. hyemalis. Winter Wren. — The 

 Winter Wren is found in winter in the Hudson Valley at least as far north 

 as Rhinebeck. Mr. Bicknell writes me that " it is somewhat irregular as 

 a winter resident," but does " not consider it unusual to see it any time 

 between October and May (May 4, 1877). It is, however, most abundant 

 in the fall (October)." In the Highlands it is generally common all win- 

 ter, but is somewhat irregular. It has been abundant during the severest 

 winters, and uncommon, at times, in mild ones. Not plentiful last winter. 

 It is often found in the rushes of the salt marshes beside the Hudson River ; 

 feeds, at such times, upon small moUusks. 



6. Bendroeca coronata. Yellow-rumped Warbler. — The Yel- 

 low-rumps generally stay with us in autumn till November ; a few remain- 



* There is a notice in " Forest and Stream " newsi)aper of the occurrence 

 of a Heiniit Thrush, at St. John, N. B., on January 11, 1878 ; and there are 

 numerous records of its capture, in winter, in Southern New England. 



t See this Bulletin, "Vol. Ill, p. 129. 



t New York Fauna, Part II, p. 59. 



