Pent lLHOLOGIST 
—AND— 


_OOLOGIST. | 
FRANK B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER. 

$1.50 per Single Copy 
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 15 Cents. 
ViOTs. o1. 
Noeenu: 

Some Ornithological Explorations in 
the Dead River Region of Maine. 

BY F. H. CARPENTER. 

(Continued from Page 147.) 

58. Melospiza fasciata, (Song Sparrow). This 
species was observed under about the same con- 
ditions as the Grass Finch, except it was noted 
further north, being seen in the scrub “ plains” 
below Eustis. 
54. Passerella iliaca, (Fox Sparrow). Observed 
in September in its southward migration. They 
were in no hurry, asa flock remained about the 
camps at Seven Ponds over a week, and we left 
them there when we came away. None seen 
in June. 
50. Molothrus ater, (Cow Bird). Mr. Freeborn 
informs me that this species is to be met with 
every summer. I saw a female in front of the 
Mt. Abraham House at Kingfield, amongst the 
crab-apple trees, with evident designs against a 
nest of the Yellow Warbler. 
56. Ageleus pheniceus, (Red-winged Blackbird). 
Very locally distributed. A few were nesting 
along the Sandy River, and a small colony held 
possession of a marsh near New Portland. Several 
large flocks were seen in August. 
57. Scolecophagus jerrugineus, (Rusty Black- 
bird). This species was seen at both Tim and 
Seven Ponds. At Flagstaff Lake they were ob- 
served in small flocks in September. Along Dead 
River just below Stratton they nested, evidently in 
considerable numbers, but I was unable to find 
only two nests. According to Mr. Samuels, who 
affirms to have found nests on the Magalloway 
River, they are “‘large structures and can be seen 
at a considerable distance.” Such is not the case 
at this place, as they nested in the small hemlocks 
and were very effectually hidden from view. In 
my own experience during the ascent of the 
Magalloway in 1884, I could not discover their 
conspicuous nests. Their eggs present more of a 
contrast with Quiéscalus than one would suppose, 

BOSTON, MASS., NOVEMBER, 1886. 

being blotched, with none of the lines so charac- 
teristic of many of the Jeteride. 
58. Quiscalus purpureus, (Purple Grackle). A 
few seen at North Anson in the village streets. 
They evidently bred in the vicinity, but we did 
not remain a sufficient length of time to investi- 
gate. 
59. Corvus fragivorus, (Common Crow). Nested 
in the small hardwood forests of the valley of the 
Carribossett river. In autumn and late summer 
they assembled in immense flocks on the cleared 
fields, often keeping company with a flock of 
sheep for a whole day. None were observed in 
the interior of the evergreen forests. 
60. Cyanocitta cristata, (Blue Jay). This species 
was as noisy and self-assertive as ever, in this 
wilderness. In spring it kept more to the woods, 
where they were to be met with in jovial bands 
of a dozen or more, although it was in the breed- 
ing season, when well regulated families should 
be in pazrs, In latter summer they were very 
gregarious, keeping in large flocks, and they pre- 
sented a very pretty sight when flitting about 
some forest edge, apparently discussing matters of 
moment to their interest. Theirnests were found 
in June and were placed at a considerable height 
in the spruce and hemlock, and resembled the 
well known type of this species. 
61. Perisoreus canadensis, (Canada Jay). Com- 
mon throughout the entire wilderness north of 
Dead River. I do not hesitate to ascribe it as 
breeding in this region, having shot in June 
young birds of the year, and found about the 
camps at Seven Ponds old nests which were with- 
out doubt constructed by this bird. It may not 
be out of place to mention two sets taken in the 
Parmachenee country. <A set of three taken from 
a nest ten feet up in a spruce, March 28, 1881. 
This set bore some resemblance to those of the 
Blue Jay, but were lighter in color and more 
elongated. They are in the possession of my 
friend Dr. E. A. Patton of Minneapolis. The 
second set was taken three days later in the im- 
mediate vicinity of theformer. It contained four 
Copyright, 1886, by Eaton Curr and F, B. WEBSTER. 
