Nov. 1886.] 

AND OOLOGIST. 

added to its rolling flight make it a conspicuous 
feature of the woods. It can use its feet in a 
powerful manner, and I have watched it on one 
occasion strip the bark from a lightning scathed 
hemlock with the cleverness of a professional 
“Heeler” at the lumber camp. Two nests were 
found near Tim Pond, but no eggs were secured, 
but a set of five in my collection were taken in 
this vicinity by hands, now forever at rest. All 
nests were in the decayed tops of spruce trees. 
75. Colaptes auratus, (Yellow-shafted Flicker). 
Common around the farms at Eustis and Stratton 
as well as farther south. Nesting habits as else- 
where ; seen in large flocks in the pastures in 
September 
76. Ceryle aleyon, (Belted Kingfisher). Nested 
in the banks of the Sandy River. Saw a pair 
each year in August about Tim Pond. Also saw 
several while fishing on Tim Brook in the woods, 
far from any congenial nesting site. They evi- 
dently had an epicure’s taste for fingerling trout. 
(To be Concluded.) 

Notes on Some Birds of the Great 
Smoky Mountains. 

BY ARTHUR LEMOYNE, M. D. 
(Continued from page 148.) 
POLIOPTILA CQZRULEA. 
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher. 


This species is common in certain districts, but 
not very evenly dispersed, seeming to prefer the 
hard wood growth of the lower table-lands about 
the cultivated farms. I could find none at higher 
altitudes among the black growth on the moun- 
tain sides. It was first noted in Monroe County 
as early as March 30th, but it usually does not ar- 
rive until the first week in April. The first ar- 
rivals are quickly followed by the bulk of the mi- 
grants and they speedily betake themselves to 
their favorite haunts, to which they limit their 
movements. The greatest altitude at which they 
were found was about 1,800 feet, though they 
might have occurred at a greater height had their 
desired environs there flourished. 
They nested along the small streams in greater 
numbers than elsewhere, the old lichen-covered 
branches of the oaks, giving them protection by 
reason of strong similarity in outward appear- 
ances of both nest, and the foundation upon which 
it was’placed, 
The musical abilities of this bird have, with a 
few exceptions, been ignored by writers. Mr. C. 
J. Maynard gives the first mention of it that has 
fallen to my notice. I have frequently heard the 
low yet distinct warble of the males, during the 
mating season ; at other times I have never heard 
any song. The song of this Gnatcatcher varies 
in both volume and note, sometimes it is so faint 
as to require close attention to catch the strain 
and at other times a different song would be 
given in louder tones. This latter, as nearly as I 
can express it, seems to my ear like twing-twing- 
twing-twing, ree-ree-vee-ree. The first half in a 
rising scale and the latter descending. This is 
followed by the low jumble of indescriable war- 
bles which defies any representation. 
Without any exceptions I have always found 
the nest completed and first set of eggs deposited 
by the second week in May. The nests are great- 
ly alike in composition, being large examples of 
the Ruby-throat Hummer. The set of eggs I find 
to be usually four. 
DENDROICA DISCOLOR. 
Prairie Warbler. 
This dainty little warbler was heard for the 
first time in 86 on April 12th, for be it known 
the curious ‘“‘breezy” note of this bird may be 
heard for days before the vocalist is seen, unless 
especial attention is given to the game of hide 
and seek. It loves the scrub and second growth, 
and I never found them as plenty as in the small 
growth which followed a burnt tract of woodland 
in Blount County. Every clump of bushes con- 
tained one of these birds, and their curious song 
—if it can be called such—was heard on every 
hand. I hope I may be pardoned when I affirm 
that these warblers remind me of some insects. 
They are heard at best on sunny days and in sun- 
ny spots, while their notes resemble the buzzing 
of some large locust. None of these birds are 
found in the swamps or the evergreen growth 
of the mountains. Sunshine and heat seem to be 
necessary to their vitality. As may be assumed, 
from the habits of the bird its nest is one of the 
“finds” of red letter days of collectors. 
During the third week in May I observed a 
pair of these warblers frequenting a patch of 
wild rose and thorn bushes, and when a little 
later I heard the male singing from a red maple 
which grew in the center of the thicket, I felt 
sure his mate was engaged in incubation, so ac- 
cordingly I proceeded to search for the nest. My 
first skirmish with a refractory thorn bush be- 
trayed my hostile design, and the male hushed 
his vocal efforts and darted to cover. My pro- 
cedure was slow if not sure, but the nest was 
found snugly placed at the intersection of several 
branches of a wild rose bush. It was exceedingly 
pretty and substantial, and the four eggs which 
it contained were to my eye very beautiful, be 
