iSo^^l Rives, Sitiinncr Birds of Weft Viri^inia. I -? C 



6. Dryobates pubescens. Downy Wo(>iji'i:(kkk. — Only observed 

 once or twice. 



7. Sphyrapicus varius. YKLLow-isKr.Liici) Woodimcckkr. — A fine 

 male specimen was taken by Dr. Braislin, June I3, 1897. 



8. Ceophloeus pileatus. Pilkated Woodpecker. — Known to the 

 residents of the region under the name of Woodcock. None, however, 

 Avere seen during either of my visits. 



9. Melanerpes .erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. — 

 Apparently not uncommon in the clearings. 



10. Colaptes auratus. Golden-winged Woodpecker. — One or two 

 noted. 



11. Chordeiles virginianus. Nighttiawk. — A few seen at evening. 



12. Chaetura pelagica. Chimney Swift. — Occasionally observed. 



13. Sayornis phoebe. Pewee. — Only once or twnce noted. 



14. Contopus borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — One or two 

 pairs were observed along the Blackwater River in June, 1S91, apparently 

 breeding. None seen last year. 



15. Contopus virens. Wood Pewee. — The notes of this species 

 were heard on one or more occasions. 



16. Cyanocitta cristata. Blue Jay. — Occasionally to be met with. 

 Not uncommon. 



17. Corvus corax principalis. Northern Raven. — We saw on sev- 

 eral occasions, last June, and heard the hoarse notes of birds which we 

 had little hesitation in referring to this species, and though, as far as 

 they w-ere concerned, we may perhaps be said like Mr. Torrey, who has 

 lately described^ so pleasantly his experiences 'In Qiiest of Ravens,' to 

 have brought back with us, strictly speaking, only interrogation points, 

 yet I think our identification was undoubtedly correct. The bird, more- 

 over, seemed to be well known to the dwellers in those parts, who 

 informed us that there were no Crows in the region. This agrees with 

 Mr. Brewster's observation that the two species do not occur together in 

 the North Carolina mountains. The Ravens, we were told, came to the 

 slaughter houses morning and evening for food, but as we were not 

 quite so confident of the regularity of this habit as our informant, we did 

 not test the accuracy of his knowledge, in the short time at our disposal. 

 I think that I also saw Ravens 'on my former visit in 1S91. 



Mr. Kirkwood, in his 'List of the Birds of Maryland,' mentions, on the 

 authority of J. H. Fisher, Jr., that during Christmas week, 1S92, about 20 

 were seen at Bayard, W. Va., but that they could not be approached 

 within rifle shot. On Dec. 6, 1S93, several were seen at the same place_ 

 Bayard is a comparatively short distance north of Davis, at a somewhat 

 lower elevation. 



18. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Crackle. — Three observed 

 together on June 12, 1S97, one of which was taken by Dr. Braislin. and 



' Atlantic Monthly, June, 1897. 



