152 the american midland naturalist 



Tree Sparrow 

 Spizella monticola 



The study of this, the commonest of our winter sparrows, 

 has been very interesting to me. In four winters I made but 28 

 records for the species; in four other winters I made 87 records. 

 These observations suggest a number of interesting questions. 

 First, what was the porbable cause of the great difference in dis- 

 tribution between the two sets of years? I think the Tree Sparrow 

 can never be found in abundance during winter, but is always 

 present in a few small flocks. Second, I am disposed to believe that 

 the species shuns places where snow is deep, and will therefore be 

 absent from such localities for long periods of time. I admit, 

 however, that such reasons as these do not fully account for the 

 disparity noted above. To my mind the movements of birds in 

 winter are more or less involved in mystery. How true it is that 

 science may observe and name, but many things it can never 

 explain. But this mysterious element is a lure always beckoning 

 the student to make more ardent efforts to grasp the coveted 

 knowledge. 



Chickadee 

 Penthestes atricapillus 



A very curious instance of irregularity and scarcity is found 

 in the Chickadee. In four winters, 1909-19 10 to 1912-1913, I 

 made but five records for this species; and from 19 13- 19 14 to 19 16- 

 191 7, there were 107 records in winter. Here is certainly an enigma. 

 Not only was great disparity noted between the two sets of years, 

 but between two seasons of the second set there was the same. 

 Did the Chickadee change its habits towards the end of my obser- 

 vations? Compare five records with 107, and try to explain the 

 disparity on any other supposition. In spring and summer this 

 species is absent almost continuously, returning to the deep woods 

 for nesting. Here it may be found by any observer who goes to 

 such a place. This is clear enough; but to explain the irregularity 

 of the species in the various winters it was under my observation, 

 this I cannot do. 



Snowflake 



Plectra phenad nivalis 



The records obtained in eight winters for the Snowflake are 

 interesting. For three winters the species was not found. In 1913- 



