menclature, I give the species in the order of the 
Nomenclature of North American Birds, by Robert 
Ridgway, and desire to inform the reader that the 
purpose of this paper is to present the personal ex- 
periences with the birds in the field and forest 
rather than a mere scientific list; recognizing but 
one law, as an wltimatwm—a truthful record of 
bird-life as observed in this wild mountain region. 
1. LHylocichla alicie, (Grey-cheeked Thrush). 
Two specimens of this species were secured in 
June, 1883. They may have been common, but 
could not be distinguished from the Olive-backed 
Thrush unless taken in hand. Some ornitholo- 
gists decline to recognize this species as distinct 
from JT. ustulata swainsona, the writer considering 
it a debatable question. Both specimens alluded 
to above were taken along the alder fringed banks 
of the Carribossett river, and were evidently mi- 
grating in company with others of same species 
or the Olive-backed variety. 
2. Hylocichlu ustulata swainsoni, (Olive-backed 
Thrush). Fairly common. More often observed 
in the hard wood forests around the cultivated 
fields of the southern portion of Franklin county, 
than in the dense spruce tracts further north, 
while in Somerset county they were more common 
in the northern portion. A nest containing three 
eggs was brought to me while at Flagstaff, “Taken 
from among the roots of an overturned spruce 
about as high as my head,” was the ill-constructed 
phrase of the youth who secured them for me. 
3. IHylocichla unalusee pallasi, (Hermit Thrusn). 
One of the typical birds of the dense forests of 
Maine, the Hermit Thrush was commonly found 
in this region. In the spring this species is more 
conspicuous, as at that period of the year it bursts 
forth into song, but during the latier part of 
summer when passing through the woods I have 
seen many of these birds sitting on the limb. of 
some spruce tree, motionless and alone, scarcely 
flying out of reach when approached. Owing to 
such demeanor they were easily overlooked, even 
by the few who penetrate the vast silent forest 
they inhabit. A nest was found containing 
young, in the alder swamp near Tim Pond. It 
was placed on a dry mound, in a heap of rubbish 
left by the spring flood. The nest was a frail af- 
fair, but could not be examined, owing to its con- 
tents. Thesong of the Hermit Thrush is exquisite, 
and during the first part of June it was heard at 
morning and evening. The song of birds is about 
the only part of their life habits which can not be 
given on paper, and I have noticed that scarcely 
lo two persons interpret a song the same, both 
will have a different rendering of the same song, 
this may be in part due to the state of the feelings 
ORNITHOLOGIST 
[Vol. 11-No. 8 

of the hearer; in my own case it has been very ap- 
parent with the song of the species under con- 
sideration. When after a hard day’s tramp, I 
have lain wrapped in my blanket under the 
friendly protection of a wide branching hemlock, 
listening to my guide as he related some tradition 
handed down from the days when his ancestors’ 
wigwams stood on the banks of the fair Penobscot 
until drowsy nature nearly asserted herself, then 
the vesper song of the Hermit Thrush distinctly 
uttered far up on the mountain side, would fill the 
air with its sweet strains, and at its cadence both 
of us, stoical half-breed and tired civilian, would 
under the influence repose into a dreamless 
slumber; yet on the morrow morn, when standing 
in the bow of the frail birch-bark canoe, held 
tremblingly among the rushing rapids of Spencer 
stream by the brawny arm of my companion, 
with nerves strung to high tension, as I endeay- 
ored to bring to net a vigorous two pound trout 
with an eight ounce split-bamboo for my rod, and 
when successful and the toothsome fish lay in the 
canoe, then the matin hymn of the Hermit Thrush 
as it sounded clear on the morning breeze seemed 
to my ear like the triumphant peean of victory, 
but perhaps the critic, unmoved by surrounding 
circumstances, could have perceived no variation 
from the notes uttered at eventide. 
4. Merula migratoria, (American Robin). At 
present a common summer resident in all settled 
portions of the counties. Breeds commonly. I 
was informed on good authority that their occur- 
rence in the northern portion is recent, they ap- 
pearing within a few years in much larger 
numbers than natural increase could account for, 
therefore the conclusion remains that they must 
have ‘emigrated northward” from some former 
breeding locality. Since the writer’s experience 
the Robins have penetrated some twenty miles in 
the wilderness and nested at both of Kennedy 
Smith’s camps at Tim and Seven Ponds, increas- 
ing in numbers each season. 
5. Galeoscoptes carolinensis, (Catbird). I was 
shown the skin of this species by a gentleman in 
Farmington, who secured it in that town. I did 
not see it at all north of that latitude. 
6. Sialia sialis, (Bluebird). In the southern por- 
tion of both counties a few birds of this species 
were seen around the houses, and occupying boxes 
erected for their use. 
7. Regulus calendula, (Ruby-crowned Kinglet). 
This species was not common. During the winter 
I did not observe it at all. Saw it only in the 
evergreen woods about Eustis. 
8. Regulus satrapa, (Golden-crowned Kinglet). 
Saw this dainty little creature at all seasons of 
