52 Rives, Birds of White Top Mountain, Virginia. | January 
search for food. I was surprised not to find the Canada Warbler 
(Sylvania canadensis). 
The fine mountain variety of the Blue-headed Vireo ( Vzreo 
solitarius alticola) was common in the woods, and I frequently 
heard their pleasing notes, varied occasionally with the peculiar 
unmusical sounds which Vireos are in the habit of making. 
Brown Creepers ( Certhia familiaris americana) were seen 
about the hemlocks growing on the edge of a laurel brake. A 
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was noted, and a 
rather large-sized Hairy Woodpecker (probably vzllosus). he 
Red-bellied Nuthatch (.Sz¢#ta canadensis) was rather common 
although shy; its presence was often disclosed by its Gaxzk Gazxk, 
when by carefully looking for the source of the notes the little bird 
would frequently be seen hopping along some tree trunk or its 
branches after its characteristic fashion. Robins (AZerula migra- 
torta) were to be found even above 5000 feet, as not far from the 
top I caught a young bird in my hand, greatly to the distress 
of the parent bird which uttered vigorous complaints until I let it 
go. Ihada glimpse of a Ruffled Grouse (Loxasa umbellus) 
which, J believe, is not uncommon. I was unable to identify any 
Ravens, but on inquiring learned that they were often seen in 
this region, the difference between them and the Crows, which 
are also to be met with, being distinctly recognized. I noticed 
two Turkey Buzzards ( Cathartes aura) sailing about in the air 
at a considerable height. 
An animal described to me under the somewhat mysterious 
name of ‘mountain boomer,’ proved to be nothing more alarming 
than Sczarus hudsontus. It was quite common, and was an 
additional indication of the Canadian character of the fauna. 
On the day of leaving the mountain my attention was attracted by 
the melodious song of a bird whose notes I did not recognize. I 
psent some time in trying to obtain sight of it, but in vain, al- 
though at times it must have been within a short distance. It 
was not improbably the Winter Wren ( Zroglodytes hiematts), 
with whose song I had not previously had the opportunity of 
making myself familiar. 
The Balsam, its dark crest covered with conifere, of which it 
has a much more extensive growth than White Top, adjoins that 
mountain on the east, and an excursion to it might have disclosed 
other interesting species ; it seems, however, to be rarely visited, 
