ORNITHOLOGIST 
—AND— 
OOLOGIST. 
Single Copy 

$1.50 per FRANK B. WEBSTER, PusBLisHER. 
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 15 Cents. 
No. 1: 
VOL... XI. 
BOSTON, MASS., JANUARY, 1886. 

Fall Migration in Bristol County, 
Mass.—1885. 
BY CHARLES H. ANDROS. 
The months of September and October were 
not materially different from those of the preced- 
ing year. November was on the whole warmer 
and with more rain than usual, though the latter 
month does not have so much effect upon migra- 
tion as the two former; still important changes 
occur worthy of notice. One species of bird 
almost universally known, remained with us long 
beyond its alloted date of departure, and was 
then only driven towards warmer climes by a 
cold wave. 
The bird to which I have reference is the 
White-breasted Swallow, (Zachycineta bicolor), 
which was last seen personally October 7th. Re- 
ports were brought in, however, of their being 
observed fully a week later. Its near relative, 
the Barn Swallow, on the contrary, departed 
earlier than usual, which goes to show that some 
birds, though they may be of the same kindred, 
have more animal heat than their congeners. This 
is shown by the Bluebird or the Robins which re- 
main through the winter in deep and secluded 
swamps, venturing out in “warm spells,” while 
the greater balance of their numbers start south- 
ward. Most species became gregarious in latter 
August, and I will endeavor to show when they 
commenced their southern journey. 
Aug. 14; slightly cooler weather. Barn Swal- 
lows have begun to flock together, while Balti- 
more Orioles, which have kept themselves from 
view during the ‘‘hot spells,’ are once more 
about the houses. 
Aug. 20; Crow Blackbirds are becoming gre- 
garious, and Orioles are caroling in the tall elms 
as in early June. 
Aug. 22; W. B. Swallows and Purple Martins 
are commencing to flock. 
Aug. 23; this morning I was the witness of a 
spectacle of which I have often heard, but never 
shortly after dawn, I saw several Robins, which by 
their actions were in great distress. On looking 
about to see the cause of this outery, I perceived 
in the top ofa tall elm a Purple Grackle, who ap- 
appeared busy over something which he held in 
his claws. On nearer investigation I found this 
to be a young Robin, which he was devouring 
with great eagerness. The glutton was evidently 
satiating his hunger, and by the time the tender 
morsel was in his stomach he must have been de- 
cidedly replete. For such feats of cannabalism 
he merits a good dose of the leaden pellets wher- 
ever he is met. 
Aug. 24; Purple Martins are now very common. 
Aug. 30; Baltimore Orioles still remain 
common. 
Sept. 3; weather cool and fair with light N. E. 
wind. The last Kingbird was seen to-day. Small 
flocks of Purple Grackle are occasionally seen, 
and great numbers of Cliff Swallows are passing 
over, taking a south-easterly direction. A single 
Nighthawk is also seen. 
Sept. 4; fair with light wind blowing from the 
north. Red-eyed Vireos and Black-and-White 
Creeping Warblers are common. This brings to 
mind the fact that a female of the latter species 
was seen on the side of our house Aug. 7th, where 
it had hopped from a spreading horsechestnut. 
This seems rather confidential for a bird which, 
though not strictly woodland, yet does not often 
venture into our populous cities. 
Sept. 6; saw to-day an immense flock of Cliff 
Swallows flying in a southerly direction. They 
were the last seen. 
Sept. 8; the last Wood 
virens), was seen to-day on an old oak stub. I 
dissected a Goldfinch and found the stomach to 
contain small milky seeds, probably from the fir 
cones, on which they are at present feeding to a 
large extent. 
Sept. 9; strong southerly wind. Great numbers 
of Purple Martins passed over, taking asoutherly 
direction. The flight was quite steady for as 
much as forty-five minutes. 
Pewee, (Contopus 

had noted before. Looking from my window 
Copyright, 1886, by FRANK B. WEBSTER. 
