1889.] General Notes. 339 
numbers were also found dead on the ground in the vicinity of the build- 
ings frequented by them. Twenty-two nests were examined on one barn, 
about six miles northeast of this city, and thirty-seven dead birds were 
found in the nests. About two miles from this barn one hundred nests 
were examined on alarge barn and dead birds were found, one or more 
in each nest. Five or six miles northwest of the city a like condition of 
affairs was reported. An investigation in a section of country six or eight 
north and fifteen or twenty miles south of the city revealed a similar 
destruction of Eave Swallows; the ground about the barn on one farm 
was reported ‘‘covered with dead birds.” The dead specimens examined 
were exceedingly emaciated, and they apparently had starved to death. 
Their crops were empty. 
Probably the cause of this destruction was as follows. We had about a 
week of warm weather at the time the Eave Swallows came, this being 
followed by a prolonged cool period during which time but little insect 
life could be found, and the birds starved to death. The warm week early 
in the season may have served to bring the birds North in advance of 
their usual time. From whatever cause the destruction resulted, the fact 
remains that in this section of Northern Illinois over ninety per cent of 
the Eave Swallows have died. 
Probably from the same influence that proved so hostile to the Eave 
Swallows, the Purple Martin (Progze subs) has this season much dimin- 
ished in numbers. As nearly as I can judge we have not over one tenth 
of the usual number in this section. The Chimney Swifts are also pres- 
ent in greatly reduced numbers. It would be interesting to learn how 
extensive has been the destruction of these three species. —F. H. KImBaLt | 
M. D., Rockford, Illinois. 
The Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica domzinica) near Washington, 
D. C. —On July 28, 1889, while collecting at Four Mile Run, Virginia, a 
short distance from Washington, Mr. J. D. Figgins and the writer were 
fortunate enough tosecure five specimens of the Yellow-throated Warbler. 
At the same locality, on August 1, a short search revealed five more 
specimens, and on August 5, still another bird was taken, making eleven 
in all. The five taken on July 28 were in very poor condition and begin- 
ning to moult, while the other six were in full fall plumage. All were 
adults. 
Previous to the capture of the specimens just mentioned, but two Yel- 
low-throated Warblers had been recorded from this vicinity, the first 
collected in 1842, and the second taken by Mr. William Palmer at Arling- 
ton, Virginia, Sept. 7, 1881. Both are preserved in the National Museum. 
This species has been observed more or less commonly at several places 
uantico, Va., twenty- 
nine miles from here, being the nearest.—Cuas. W. RICHMOND, Wash- 
zngton, D. C. 
Troglodytes aédon, House Wren, Building in a Hornets’ Nest. — 
Among the variety of novel nesting places chosen by this little bird, I 
