No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE ORNITHOLOGIST. 203 



came to a bird table where only peanuts were put out. The 

 tree sparrows all appeared to be as fond of them as the 

 others. 



It is hoped that some legislation will be passed by the 

 Legislature of 1913 which will enable towns to employ bird 

 wardens whose duty it will be not only to enforce the law, 

 but also to instruct and advise people who wish to protect 

 birds on their own grounds. 



Bluebirds, Robins and Other Summer Birds seen in Winter. 



On Feb. 20, 1910, Mr. Arthur P. Stubbs of Lynn wrote 

 me that a friend of his, a farmer living near the line between 

 Swanipscott and Salem, had reported a few bluebirds about 

 his farm buildings at times all wnnter, and had seen them 

 within a week. Mr. Stubbs wrote again on Jan. 3, 1912, 

 saying that he saw a bluebird January 2. He stated that he 

 saw three great blue herons at F^orest River, Salem, on Dec. 

 13, 1911, and a kingfisher at the same place and date. 



We have received reports of bluebirds from eastern or 

 southeastern Massachusetts nearly every winter since 1900, 

 but have not been able to verify them. Bluebirds are not un- 

 commonly seen in parts of Rhode Island and Connecticut, 

 where they probably winter (see page 204). 



The conditions regarding the wintering of the robin in the 

 north during the winter of 1911-12 were peculiar. The 

 weather being mild and open until January in the north and 

 colder than usual in some parts of the south, robins remained 

 in the north in considerable numbers and were overtaken by 

 freezing snowy Aveather. I have been unable to learn, how- 

 ever, that any were killed by cold or starvation. 



Apparently, it is not uncommon for robins to spend a part 

 of the New England winter in the cedar swamps or in groves 

 of Virginia juniper, — the so-called red cedar. The " Provi- 

 dence Journal " states that over 200 robins passed the winter 

 of 1911-12 on the farm of Dr. H. M. Howe of Bristol Neck, 

 R. L, where they fed very largely on the berries of the juni- 

 per, although they were believed to have eaten some grain 



