32 Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley. 



from their different behavior, I think that many of the old birds, which were 

 in fine plumage in February, have departed, leaving behind the young birds, 

 which will remain with us three or four weeks longer. On March 14 they 

 were found in several places, but not numerous. March 16 As numerous as 

 ever, and in large flocks ; many old birds among them. Again on the 17th 

 large flocks were seen. On March 30 they were found collected in large flocks, 

 and very much excited in spite of the cool rain, and in a place where twenty 

 wintered, I found an army of two hundred, singing, chasing, etc. On April 

 4 the bulk of the species departed, and the last one was seen on April 12. 

 Jefferson Winter and transient visitor. The first single o'nes came from the 

 north October 17, 1882, and the first flock over a hundred on October 20. 

 By November 8 they had scattered into small parties of five to eight, and 

 these nearly all left in December. Parties of from three to seven were seen 

 on January 3, 8 and 3f, and then only one bird until March 23, when one 

 flock of from eighteen to twenty appeared. Small flocks were seen until 

 April 2, they then suddenly increased, and the bulk came on April 4. I then 

 saw about one hundred and fifty in a few acres. The same day (April 4) was 

 about the height of the season, for large numbers, perhaps the bulk, left that 

 night. On April 12 only three were seen, and I thought each day would tak'e 

 away the last one, but they stayed though quiet and looking very disconso- 

 late until on April 28, when the last straggler departed. 



Song Sparrow (M.fasciata). St. Louis Winter visitant. Not many, but 

 certain to find a few along the banks of creeks. Same conditions and num- 

 bers continued all through December, January, and February. On March 9 

 they were found in a very musical mood, but in same numbers. March 13 

 New arrivals observed, and on the 14th song was heard in many places. 

 April 6 The height of the season. The bulk departed on April 8, and the 

 last one/was seen on April 9. Jefferson Summer sojourner. First saw three 

 on March 24, and during the week from March 25 to 31, seven were seen. 

 April 4 Everywhere in twos and threes ; forty to fifty seen. On April 12 

 was the height of the season ; two hundred seen. April 14 Not one-tenth 

 were left, but by the 21st they were more numerous, and in about Summer 

 numbers. 



Swamp Sparrow (M. palustris). St. Louis Winter and transient visitor. 

 On January 29 one bird was found in the same place as last Winter. March 2 

 and 8. Three birds were seen, and on the 14th they were seen several times. 

 The bulk arrived on April 4, and the height of the season was on the 9th. 

 April 17. Decreased ; one party only, but on the 20th there were small parties 

 in many places, and they were still numerous on May 2. May 5. Last. May 

 14, 15 and 17. Single young birds. Jefferson. Summer sojourner. I saw 

 the first one on April 28, but they probably came a week or more ago. 



Lincoln's Finch (M. lincolni). St. Louis. First seen on April 23. May 1. 

 They are strangely missing, but on the 14th and 16th I saw four birds. Jef- 

 lerson. Not seen. 



Fox Sparrow (P. iliacd). St. Louis. Transient. First saw two on Feb- 

 ruary 20, and on March 11 a few additional individuals. March 14. Found 

 three at one place and several at another, all singing. On April 3 was the 

 height of the season. April 5. The bulk departed, and the last one was 

 seen on April 7. Jefferson. Transient. First saw twenty-four in two places 



