Sept. 1885.] 



AND OOLOGIST. 



135 



breeding once. May bs taken any month of the 

 year iu deep woods some seasons. A bcautirul 

 and vivacious species. Sliy and difficult to kill. 



\S~). [375.] Melanerpes eri/throcephalus (Linn.) 

 Sw. Red-headed Woodpecker. A resident in 

 extremely open seasons, but usually only seen 

 from April 15th to October 30th. Nests abun- 

 dantly in certain sections, but not nearly so com- 

 mon as formerly. 



130. [378] CWrf^te? «w?Y(tos (Linn.) Sw. Yel- 

 low-shafted Flicker. An abundant species nine 

 months of the year. It has been reported every 

 month of the twelve, but is rare in Winter. Often 

 arrives by Feb. 30tb, however. Nests in abundance. 



137. [382.] C'cryk dlcyon (Linn.) Boie. Belted 

 Kingfisher. A well known bird, nesting abun- 

 dantly. Common from March 15th to Oct. 10th. 

 Often seen in midwinter when streams are open. 

 Arrives genei'ally aljout March 10th. Not rarely 

 seen in early December. 



138. [387.] Coeeyzus americanun (Linn.) Bp. 

 Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Although not considered 

 rare in many parts of the State, this species is 

 never common here, and has only been captured 

 a few times in the county. I have never taken it. 



139. [388.] Coeeyziis erythrophtludmm (Wils.) 

 Baird. Black-billed Cuckoo. A common species 

 about four months of the year. Arrives about 

 May 15th, rarely earlier. Departs in late Septem- 

 ber. Nests abundantly. 



140. [395.] Asia americanus (Stoph.) Sharpe. 

 American Long-eared Owl. I think this species 

 may be considered a resident, but am not positive. 

 It is not rare in certain sections during Spring 

 and Summer. Nests have been taken in the 

 county. Six fresh eggs were taken as early as 

 April 27th liy Mr. Chambers. A nest containing 

 five young was also secured May 22d. The young 

 were ready to flutter from the nest, but an eflort 

 to raise them failed, all dying after a few days. 



141. [396.] Asia accijyitrinus (VaW.) Newton. 

 Short-eared Owl. A rare species generally. Only 

 taken a few times. Sometimes found in woods, 

 more often on prairies. 



143. [397.] Strix ncbulosa Forst. Barred Owl. 

 A common species in sections. No record of egg 

 capture, but they certainly nest here. A resident 

 undoubtedly. Have kept specimens alive until 

 quite tame. Live entirely on meat. 



143. [401.] Nydale acadica Gmel. Brd. Saw- 

 whet Owl. A rare species. Only one capture to 

 my knowledge. More abundant to the north. 



144. [403.] Scops asio (Linn.) Bp. Little 

 Screech Owl. Not a rare bird in certain quarters. 

 Have twice taken it, and know of other captures. 

 Mr. Chambers secured a nest containing five fresh 



eggs in early May, 1878. The nest was in a hol- 

 low eighteen inches deep, in a dead stub. 



145. [405.] Buhovir(iinianiix((im.)Ti\>. Great 

 Horned Owl, Our most abundant resident among 

 tlie Raptores. Nests in hollow trees and in old 

 nests of the Red-tailed and Red-shouldered 

 Hawks. Messrs. Syke and Chapin, who have 

 found a great many nests, have taken eggs as 

 early as Feb. 13tli, but the most eggs are taken in 

 early March. The young fly in April. A pair of 

 Owls frequently become attached to a piece of 

 woods and build in one situation for several suc- 

 cessive seasons. Two eggs is the usual number, 

 sometimes three, and rarely only one. The nests 

 are discovered by thumping on the trunks of the 

 trees, when if occupied, the bird will leave the 

 hollow or old Hawk's nest. 



140. [400.] Nyctea scandkn (Linn.) Newt. 

 Snowy Owl. A rare and irregular Winter visit- 

 ant. This species, unlike nearly all the others 

 of the family, is never very fierce when confined 

 and I have frequently stroked the head and back 

 of a newly captured specimen, which would not 

 have been possible in the case of the last named 

 or any of the larger Owls of my acquaintance. 



147. [430.] Tiiiminciihts uparveriiis (Linn.) 

 Vieill. Sparrow Hawk. Abundant during mi- 

 grations. Spring and Fall. Usually appears about 

 March loth. Again appears in September and 

 October. A few remain to breed The nest is 

 placed in a hollow stub or dead limb, and is very 

 difficult to secure. The eggs are rarely taken. 



148. [435.] Pandion haluvctus caroUnemis 

 (Gm.) Ridgw. American Osprey. Fish Hawk. 

 Only once captured to my knowledge in the 

 county. A fine specimen was brought me April 

 13, 1885, which was shot within the city limits. 



149. [430.] Circus hudsoniiis (Linn.) Vieill. 

 Marsh Hawk. Arrives usually from March 10th 

 to 30th. Sometimes a little earlier in advanced 

 seasons. Few pass north of us, the marshes in 

 our neighborhood offering inducements to the 

 birds, of which they avail themselves in numbers. 

 The last to leave us do not take their departure 

 until early November. Breeds abundantly in 

 sections covered by bushes and small trees, rank 

 grass and marshy tracts. 



150. [431.] AccipUer cooperi Bonap. Cooper's 

 Hawk. An abundant Spring, Summer and Fall 

 species. It is quite probable that a few birds oc- 

 casionally straggle into our county in Winter, or 

 perhaps remain during the season. Once saw a 

 specimen in January. Usually appears, however, 

 about March 10th, but often by the first of the 

 month. Departs generally in late October. Nesls 

 usually in White-oak Trees, but also occupies 

 Black-oak, Beech and Maple. 



