RiDGWAY on birds observed in Knox Co.^ Indiana. 21 



near the edge of the swamp about the 27th or 2Sth of the month, her 

 actions and notes strongly suggesting a nest in the vicinity, but I 

 was unable to discover one. 



Field Sparrow {^Sfizella pusilla). — A very common bird. Remark- 

 able variations were noticed in the song of this species, several individuals 

 repeating the usual song three times without stopping. Another had 

 such peculiar notes that it was followed and shot for a strange bird. 



Oak-woods Sparrow {Peuccea cestivalis illinoensis). — Rare, and 

 observed only on one occasion, on the 26th of Apr^l. The locality was 

 a " woods pasture," about one-half cleared of trees, with occasional old 

 logs and brush-piles on the open portion, and plenty of dead standing 

 trees, the ground high and rolling. Immediately upon sighting the 

 locality I thought of this bird, and at almost the same instant heard one 

 sing. This one was shot, as he sat upon a brush-pile. Two or three 

 others were heard at a distance, but I failed to discover them. 



Lincoln's Sparrow {Melospiza lincolni). — Very abundant about 

 brush-piles in swampy clearings. 



Cardinal Grosbeak {^Cardiaalis XHrgi7iia7iiis). By far the most 

 numerous of the resident Fringillid(E, and one of the most abundant of 

 all birds. It was a very common thing to hear several males singing at 

 the same time, and I once saw three males and two females near together 

 on the railroad track, picking up grain scattered from the cars. 



Rose-breasted Grosbeak {^Zamelodia ludoviciana). — Exceedingly- 

 common during the greater part of the month of May. The first were 

 seen April 25. They were most numerous among the willows in the 

 swamp, engaged in feeding upon a small green beetle {Diabrotica 12- 

 viaculata) which infested the trees. They were also common in the 

 sugar-maple groves, and were in full song during their stay. 



Blue Grosbeak {Giiiraca cceriilea). — A single specimen seen but not 

 obtained (date forgotten). 



Bronzed Grackle ( ^tiiscalus furpurcus c^neus). — Very numerous, 

 breeding among the willows in the sw^mp. The " love note" of this bird 

 is decidedly more metallic and more musical than that of ^. purpureus. 



Red-headed Woodpecker {Mclanerpes erythrocephalus). — Much the 

 most numerous of the Woodpeckers. 



Barred Owl (Sirt'x nebulosa). — Exceedingly numerous, the swamp 

 resounding at night with their hootings. 



Cooper's Hawk {Accipi'ter cooperi). — Common, breeding. 



Red-shouldered Hawk {Biitco lincatiis). — Much the most numerous 

 of the Hawks. On one occasion eight adults were observed circling 

 together overhead, all uttering their clamorous cries. 



Mourning Dove (^Zenaidura carolinensis). — Abundant. All the 

 specimens shot had the ends of the toes frozen off, showing that they had 

 remained during the past severe winter. 



Wild Tmrkky li^Meleagris gallopavo america?ia) . — Common. Scarce- 

 ly a day but what one or more were seen, and on one occasion a flock of 



