90 Hay 071 Birds of the Lower Mississippi. 



The nomenclature adopted is that of Mr. Robert Ridgwa} . 

 issued b\ the U. S. National Museum. 18S1. 



1. ' Hylocichla miistelina (Gtnel.) Bai'rd. Wood Thrush. — This 

 species was seen and specimens were shot at Memphis and at Vicksburg. 

 Its song was frequently heard; and it would appear to be quite common. 



2. Mimus polyglottus (Z,/««.) Boie. Mockingbird. — Very abun- 

 dant at all points visited. At the time we were at Vicksburg, July i. the 

 young had no.t.yet left the nest, as negro bojs were offering them captured 

 in their nests for sale. In the "History of N. A. Birds" Dr. Brewer has 

 stated that the Mockingbird in the South nests early in April, and that the 

 young birds appear a month later. If this is the case these birds must 

 remain in the nest six weeks or two months. I was informed that u law 

 in Mississippi prohibits the keeping of these birds in confinement. 



3. Galeoscoptes carolinensis {Li)i)i.) Cuban. Catbird. — This bird 

 was quite common at Memphis. I did not note it at any point farther 

 south. 



4. Harporhynchus ruf us (/,/;/ ;/.) Caban. Brown Thrush. — A sin- 

 gle specimen seen at Jackson. 



5. Sialia sialis {Linn.) Haldem. Bluebird. — Seen in considerable 

 numbers at Memphis, Vicksburg, and Jackson. 



6. Lophophanes bicolor {Ltn?i.) Bonap. Tufted Titmouse. — Spec- 

 imens of this species were obtained at Memphis and at Jackson. It may 

 be worth noting here that it occurs as tar north as Indianapolis, and I ha\e 

 seen it here during the present winter. 



7. Parus carolinensis. ^/<^r/. Carolina Chickadee. — Seen only at 

 Memphis. 



8. Thryothorus ludovicianus {Gm.) Bona p. Carolina Wren. — 

 We observed this active bird at Memphis and at Jackson, at both of which 

 places it appeared to be very abundant. 



9. Mniotilta varia {Linn.) Vi'eill. Black-and-white Creeper. — 

 Observed at Memphis and Jackson. It will probably be found to breed at 

 both these points. 



10. Protonotaria citiea. {Bodd.) Bai'rd. Prothonotary Warbler. — 

 Specimens of this species were shot at Memphis, and others were seen at 

 Jackson. 



11. Parula americana {Li>i>i.) Bp. Blue Yellow-backed War- 

 bler. — This was found to be one of the most common of the smaller birds 

 at Memphis, Vicksburg, and Jackson. We were constantly shooting them 

 while hunting for other species. In the "History of N. A. Birds" it is 

 said to be nowhere abundant; but a da\'s liunt in the Mississippi lowlands 

 would. I think, convince any otnithologist that this is an error. 1 have 

 no doubt whatever that it breeds all through the South, although we found 

 no nests. Audubon was probably correct in saying that it breeds in Lou- 

 isiana, however much he ma\- have erred in regard to the strnctuie of the 

 nest. 



