RNITHOLOGIST 
—AND— 
OOLOGIST. 


$1.50 per 
FRANK B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER. 

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Annum. Established, March, 1875. 15 Cents. 
VOL! XI. BOSTON, MASS., SEPTEMBER, 1886. No. 9g. 


Some Ornithological Explorations in 
the Dead River Region of Maine. 
BY F, H. CARPENTER. 

(Continued from Page 113.) 

16. Mniotilta varia, (Black-and-White Creeper). 
The only individuals of this species were a few 
observed in a maple orchard at New Vineyard in 
the latter part of August. They were at the time 
evidently migrating. 
17. Helminthophaga ruficapilla, (Nashville War- 
bler). A common summer resident of the county, 
more often observed among the mixed growth of 
the Dead River valley than elsewhere, though it 
might have been overlooked in the heavily 
timbered forests of the northern portion. They 
were breeding among the scrub on the ‘‘plains” 
between Eustis and Stratton, as the actions of the 
birds testified, but diligent search failed to dis- 
cover a nest. Young birds were also frequently 
seen in August. 
18. Helminthophagu peregrina, (Tennessee War- 
bler). Although J have never seen this species in 
either Franklin or Somerset counties, yet a record 
of its occurrence a few miles over the line in Ox- 
ford county might be of interest, as the records of 
this bird are very limited. One was shot, while 
in company with several Blue Yellow-backs at the 
Upper Dam, Mooseluckmaguntic Lake. They 
kept entirely to the spruce trees and it was by the 
peculiar and differing manner of flight, that Z. 
peregrina was singled out from among his com- 
panions as a victim. 
19. Parula americana, (Blue Yellow-backed 
Warbler). This species was commonly observed 
in both spring and summer, being more conspicu- 
ous from their habit of keeping in small flocks, 
even in the breeding season. In a small spruce 
grove, which contained many old moss covered 
trees, on Kennedy Smith’s farm in Eustis, I found 
several nests of this Warbler. They were the 
usual structures, of wsnea so well known where- 
ever this species breeds, being on the whole more 
round than those observed in Massachusetts and 
more compact in structure. The nests were in 
every instance built entirely by the birds, and 
pendant from some branch entirely destitute of 
other moss. Such is not always the case in 
southern New England, the birds taking posses- 
sion of some natural branch of the hanging moss, 
which, with but a little effort, they transform into 
an apology for a nest, scarcely worthy of the 
name when compared with those from the Maine 
forests. 
20. Dendraca wstiva, (Yellow Warbler). This 
lovely Warbler was found in nearly all portions 
of the counties. It preferred the vicinity of habi- 
tations, and was not observed at all in the ever- 
green forests. Its nidification was twice observed 
at Kingfield, the nests in each instance being 
placed in a crab apple tree. 
21. Dendreca cerulescens, (Black-throated Blue 
Warbler), I had fully expected to find this species 
one of the most abundant Warblers of the region 
but such was not the case. Only three instances 
of positive identification was recorded, these be- 
ing a pair breeding on Mt. Bigelow, a male secured 
at Jerusalem and a young male seen at Stratton. 
I thought I detected the notes of this bird while 
walking along the ‘‘tote” road from Smith’s farm 
to Tim Pond, but am not positive. The nest of 
this species found at Mt. Bigelow was placed in 
the forks of a bush of the mountain blueberry, 
scarcely raised from the ground; both birds were 
at work upon it, giving it the finishing touches of 
a master hand, or bill. 
22. Dendracacoronata,(Yellow-rump Warbler). 
This well known species was found in all situa- 
tions of the northern portion of the counties; 
seeming to be about evenly distributed in both 
forests and clearings. In a birch, at the lower 
end of Beaver Bog on Hack Inlet, was found a 
nest of this species. lt was composed of fine 
grasses interwoven with a few feathers and flaxy 
shreds of some plant, with a lining of rabbit’s 
hair and feathers compactly pressed into shape. 
It contained on June 7th four fresh eggs, white 

Copyright, 1886, by Eaton Cuiirr and F. B, WEBSTER. 
