8 BIRDS OF OHIO. 



so well settled, no longer do so. Remembering the almost 

 total lack of information regarding the southward migra- 

 tions of many species at that time, we can readily under- 

 stand how even such keen observers as Drs. Wheaton and 

 Kirtland should have been led to regard as breeding within 

 the state some species which were found in late July. Now 

 we know that they are the vanguard of the southward mov- 

 ing host. We also know that the presence of individuals of a 

 species in summer is not prima facie evidence of its breeding, 

 because many unmated birds wander about considerably, and 

 wounded water-birds may be unable to complete their jour- 

 ney and yet be unable to breed where they are obliged to 

 remain. Nor does the author regard the presence of young 

 which the parent or parents are still feeding positive evi- 

 dence of breeding, if the occurrence lies close to the state 

 border, because it is well known that many young- birds 

 which are still largely dependent upon their parents for 

 food are able to fly considerable distances. Such evidence, 

 however, would be strongly probable of breeding. It 

 should not be necessary to actually find a nest with either 

 eggs or young to establish a breeding record. The contin- 

 uous presence of an evident pair of birds during the season 

 when they would normally breed, in any given restricted 

 region, ought to be taken as clear evidence of the breeding 

 of that pair. It is frequently not possible to find the nest 

 and examine its contents. 



The presence in the north of individuals of a species whose 

 normal range lies well south of such occurrence does not in- 

 dicate that the species breeds in that northern region. Dur- 

 ing the migrations and after the breeding season individuals 

 may wander considerable distances from their normal breed- 

 ing places. While the conclusions here reached are by no 

 means to be considered final, they are at least conservative. 

 It may very likely be that some of the warblers supposed 

 to cross Lake Erie to breed will yet prove summer residents 

 on this side. In editing the notes contributed on the breed- 

 ing of our birds some records have been withheld because 

 of the lack of positive evidence. 



