82 Scott 07i Winter Birds at Princeton, N. J. 



presence is particularly noticeable, as they are generally rather rare 

 in winter, and always sh}'. This year, however, it is not unusual to 

 see ten or a dozen in a day's collecting, and most of the specimens 

 obtained are highly colored. 



On December 17 1 noted a Loggerhead Shrike (CoUurio ludovi- 

 cianns) in very fine plumage, and early in Janviary two others. 

 These birds, which five years ago were rare, are not at all uncommon 

 now. There seems to have been a decided increase in September 

 of each year for the past two years. I find no mention of it in 

 Dr. TuT'ubuirs list, and the first specimen that I know of I took at 

 New Brunswick, N. J., during August, 1873. I have notes of the 

 species now from Princeton, New Brunswick, and Barnegat. At 

 the former place I observed three in one day early in November, 



As regards the Sparrows, all that usually winter here are well 

 represented, especially the Song Sparrows and Purple Finches. In 

 addition, on the 16th of January, two large flocks of Red-poll Lin- 

 nets (^/Egiothus linaria) were seen. Among these were many highly 

 colored adult birds. This is the southernmost point at which I 

 have noted this species, and I have no record south of Plainfield, 

 Union County, save the above. On January 14 I took a single 

 Fox-colored Sparrow (Fasserella iiiaca). Saw no others. This is 

 the first note I have made of this species occurring in this locality 

 in January. The Grass Finch {Pocecetes gramineus) is not generally 

 common in winter, usually leaving about the middle to the last of 

 November, but on January 21 I took two, and saw several more, 

 and on the 25th I saw three others. 



Cardinals (Cardinalis virginianus) are quite common, and to be 

 found everywhere. Meadow Larks are particularly abundant. A 

 specimen taken on January 21, and three others taken the next 

 day, are in full spring plumage. Having carefully observed the 

 birds during the preceding six weeks, I am of the opinion that they 

 have not moulted, but have changed by the direct wearing away of 

 the tips and edges of the feathers. On January 17 1 took a fine 

 male Raven {Gorvus corax) at West Creek, Ocean County, N. J. 

 On January 21 I took a Fish Crow (Co7-vns ossifragus), and another 

 on the following day, and saw many others flying about with the 

 common species. The plumage seems to be decidedly more glossy 

 and intense in color than that of representatives of Corvus ameri- 

 camis taken at the same time. 



The preceding notes are not particularly remarkable except in 



