The Natural History of Chautauqua 



and more valuable native birds. The cowbird should be ex- 

 terminated. 



50. Red-winged Blackbird. Abundant summer resident; arrives 



March 2Oth, leaves Nov. loth. Breeding season May 3~June 15. 

 Nests along the lake-shore, in the cat-tail swamps; not on the 

 Assembly Grounds. The females and young are gray and streaky, 

 with no black or red shoulders. 



51. Meadow-lark. Common summer resident, coming early in March 



and remaining until late November. Breeding season, May 10- 

 July 10. In the open fields, on the Golf Links, and along road- 

 ways. A valuable bird, with a sweet clear whistle, and beautiful 

 protective coloration. 



52. Orchard Oriole. Rare summer resident ; comes in early to middle 



May, departs in August. Breeding season, late May and early 

 June. Occasionally seen on the Assembly Grounds. 



53. Baltimore Oriole. Common summer resident; arrives May 2-5, 



and leaves about the first of Sept. Breeding period, May 15- 

 June 15. Weaves a pensile nest in the terminal twigs of high 

 trees. Fairly common on the Grounds, also in neighboring farm- 

 yards. 



54. Bronzed Crackle or Blackbird. Abundant summer resident; 



comes March 12-30, leaves Nov. 10. Breeding season, April 20- 

 June i. Common on the Grounds, especially along the lake 

 shore at early morn, when they feed upon snails, dead fish, etc. 

 Large flocks seen flying to the rookeries at sundown. 



22. SPARROW FAMILY 



55. English Sparrow. A sturdy and permanent immigrant, ousting 



the native birds, and in many ways a pest. His food habits prove 

 him to be an enemy of the farmer; his pugnacity and mobbing of 

 native birds has had a disastrous effect upon the bird life of 

 Chautauqua. He should be trapped until greatly reduced in 

 numbers. 



56. Goldfinch. Common summer resident; in many parts of western 



New York resident throughout the year. Breeding season, July 

 5-August 10. Also called Wild Canary and Thistle Bird. Un- 

 dulating flight; sweet call-note during flight. 



57. Vesper Sparrow. Common summer resident; arriving the first 



of April and leaving the first of November. Breeding season, 

 May 2-June 30. On ground and in low bushes ; white outer tail 

 feathers. In the open places, not in the groves. 



58. Savannah Sparrow. Fairly common summer resident; comes 



20 



