August, 1885.] 



AND OOLOGIST. 



119 



called polyaudrous. There are certainly many 

 more males seen than females, and the commonly 

 observed practice of several males perched to- 

 gether alone is not evidence of polygamous pro- 

 pensities. I think we may class them with a still 

 more socially detested sect and compare them 

 with the Oneida Community, whore common 

 rights of all are the distinguishing features. 



107. [2(51.] Aijiiii'iisphamceus (Linn.) Vieill. 

 Ked-winged Blackbird. Occasionally obsorVcd 

 in February — once on the 8th of the month. 

 Usually observed in early March. Remains until 

 November. It is always gregarious, appearing 

 ill Hocks in Spring and associating in large num- 

 bers during the breeding season. In early July 

 the small Hocks begin to form composed of the 

 young of the year and those birds which are 

 through with the nesting duties. By August 15th 

 iumiensc flocks are found and continue to in- 

 crease until the birds leave us for the south. 

 More eggs can be taken of this bird than of any 

 species of my acquaintance during the season for 

 nesting. 1 feel contident that I can collect one 

 hundred eggs a day for several days during the 

 height of the nesting .season. 



108. [263.] Stiirnellit mai/mt (L\nn.) Swains. 

 Meadow Lark. A common Summer resident, 

 known and apiireciated by all. Abundant from 

 JIareh 20th to October 20th. Observed as early 

 as February 20th. Occasionally recorded in the 

 dead of Wintei'. Usually depart in November, 

 however. 



109. [270.] Iiirnin npitrius (Linn.) Bp. 

 Orchard Oriole. A beautiful singer and quite 

 abundant from May 10th to August 30th. Ar- 

 i-ives from May 1st to 13lh. Karely scon late in 

 Summer because of its retiring nature and silence. 

 A great musician during May and June while 

 nesting, and scarcely rivalled by any bird of my 

 acquaintance in .song. 



110. [271.] Ictertm r/idbula (Linn.) Cones. 

 Baltimore Oriole. A brilliant plumed, gay- 

 siuging species. Abundant from May 10th to 

 July 10th. Scarce after the nesting season and 

 rarely seen or heard excepting in early morning. 

 Arrives about May 1st as a rule, occasionally as 

 early as April 20th. Sometimes not till May 9th. 

 Breeds abundantly. 



111. [273.] StMlccophagus fevvuyineus (Gm.) 

 Swains. Ru.sty Blackbird. Abundant as a mi- 

 grant only. Observed by March 9th one season, 

 — usually arrives about March 25tb. Abundant 

 by April 1st as a rule. All have disappeared 

 generally by Ajiril 38th. Sometimes stragglers 

 may be seen in May. They appear again in Oc- 

 tober and often remain as late as November 10th, 



and stragglers may seen in late November. 

 Sometimes found in straggling flocks by them 

 selves, but more often in company with other 

 members of the family. 



112. [378,] Quiscalus purpiireus (Bartr.) 

 Licht. Purple Grackle. An abundant Summer 

 resident, and with us seven months of the year. 

 Like the other members of the family it often ar 

 rives before the snow is off the ground, and I 

 have met with males, which precede the femaUs 

 neai-jy a week, when the mercury was ten de- 

 grees below zero. Their apiJearancc occ\ns as 

 early as February 28th some seasons, but usually 

 they may be looked for about March 15th. 

 Breed abundantly, in new sections in holes in 

 stubs and dead trees, in orchards and groves and 

 shade trees in regularly constructed nests. De- 

 part usually about October 15th to 20th, but 

 many remain well into November. 



113. [280.] C'omis eonix ainnmriiti (Barlr. ) 

 Hidg. American Raven. Once abundant, but 

 now very rare and only occasionally seen in un- 

 settled di-stricts where heavy swamps are found. 



114. [282.] Corvua frvgivorus Bartr. Com- 

 mon Crow. An abundant species eight months 

 of the year. Found throughout the year .some 

 times; a condition which does not appear to de- 

 pend entirely on the mildness of the season. 

 Generally appears in late February and departs 

 in early November, but stragglers are seen as 

 late as December 20th. Breeds abundantly. 

 Formerly very rai'c indeed, and only common 

 wilhin the last ten years. More abundant each 

 Spring. 



115. [289.] Cyanocittaerintata {hmn.) Strickl. 

 Blue Jay. An abundant resident. Not so com- 

 mon in severe weather, however. 



116. [300.] Emmphihu(lpcslri.f(Ym-ii\.) Boie. 

 Shore Lark; Horned Lark. An abundant resi- 

 dent, but not common in severe Winters. Nesis 

 earlj', often ere the snow has all disappeared. 

 Took a set of four eggs April 15th, 1869, when 

 the weather was quite rigorous. The nest was 

 compactly built of wool and very warm, and was 

 situated in a valley and protected from the winds. 

 A second brood is undoubtedly raised, as nests 

 are often found in May and even June. 



117. [304.] Tyrannus caroliMnsit (Linn.) 

 Temm. Kingbird; Bee Martin. An abundant 

 resident during May, June, July, Augu.st and 

 September. Arrives generally about April 38tb, 

 sometimes by the 33rd, of the month, and again 

 not till May 6th. Nests with us in great num- 

 bers. Departs from September loth to October 

 10th. Stragglers may be observed sitting on old 

 fences even later, but the first cold snap generally 

 causes them to leave for more congenial quarters. 



