THE BIRDS OF WAYNE COUNTY. 339 



The Robin has been ascertained to feed upon the fruits of the following plants 

 and trees, the three first mentioned, at the season of their abundance, entering 

 regularly and largely into its diet: elder (Sambucus Canadenst's), poke-weed 

 '(Phytolacca dacandra), dogwood ( Cornus florida}, laurel oak (Qu?rcus imbricarta), 

 bass wood (Tilia Americana}. 



During the course of the writer's investigations in the County, 'two Robin roosts 

 yyere discovered. One of these was in a thick, bushy swamp along the Pittsburg, 

 Fort Wayne and Chicago R. R. track, about two miles southwest of Wooster ; but 

 was seldom observed to be occupied. The other roost was situated in the northern 

 portion of the city of Wooster, where, along parts of two streets, the birds made 

 use of the thick foliaged maple trees. This roost, like the first, was the rendezvous 

 for a comparatively small number of birds, which resorted thither more or less ir- 

 regularly from 1891 to 1893, inclusive. It was first discovered in 1891, when on April 

 12, between six and seven o'clock in the afternoon, 494 birds were counted as they flew 

 in from the southern part of the city. This was, of course, the census from only one 

 direction, circumstances preventing more extended observations. Although no 

 birds were seen to enter the roost again that year, some may very probably have been 

 present. During the next year the Robins were noted at the roost on but a single 

 occasion, a few being seen July 17. 



In 1893, however, the roost was used with apparently considerable regularity, 

 both in the spring and after the close of the breeding season. Although similar gath- 

 erings in both summer and winter are, of course, well known to take place, the fact 

 that the Robin resorts to roosts in the spring, before, and even for a while during 

 Ihe breeding season, is alluded to by neither Mr. Brewster, 1 Mr. Torrey 2 nor Mr. 

 Widmann. 3 Mr. Brewster states that none were seen at the roosts earlier than June 

 ii, and is inclined to consider this exceptionally early. Small numbers of birds 

 "were, however, seen to enter this Wooster roost every few days from March 27 to 

 May 15, after which date none were noticed until August 8. From August 8 to 

 August 31, the flight was almost nightly observed, the number recorded gradually 

 increasing, reaching its maximum towards the latter part of the month. 



Throughout this period the largest number seen on any one evening was 265, 

 but since the count was made from a single point, this number probably represents 

 only a fraction of the total number of birds which daily resorted to the roost. None 

 were noted on any occasion earlier than 6.36 P.M., and by 7.15 all had passed; the 

 bulk being seen usually between 6.50 and 7.05 P. M. The time utilized by the birds 

 was thus between sunset and dusk. In passing over the city most of the earlier 

 comers flew quite high, only descending as the roost was neared ; but a little later the 

 flight was lowered so as barely to clear the house-tops ; while the last flew close to 

 the ground, passing chiefly through openings between the buildings. 



The Robin commences to sing within a few days after its arrival, and continues 

 in full song until late in June. Through July it sings regularly, though less fre- 

 quently, and subsequently is heard more or less intermittently until towards the last 

 of August. Then it is usually silent till late in September, when for a brief period 

 its song is again resumed. The latest record of song is October 19 (1892). The fol- 

 lowing data indicate the time at which on several days the first note of the Robin, 

 was heard : 



May 8(1891) at 4.03 A.M.; 

 May 22 (1890) at 3.55 A. M. ; 

 May 27 (1890) at 3.25 A. M. ; 

 July 28 (1892) at 4.00 A. M. 



* ^u~ V'IA, A ^yw, pp. 360 etseq. 



2 The Footpath Way, 1893, pp. 153 et seq. 



* Auk XII, 1895, pp. i et seq. 



