DISTRIBUTION OF OUR BIRDS 1 83 



the 25th, when daily observations were made up to the 28th. In 

 May there was one long interval of absence between the 3rd and 

 13th. Two more records were made in this month — on the 14th 

 and the 1 8th. I have never heard the famous hymn-like note of this 

 thrush. 



The White-throated Sparrow arrived late this Spring — April 

 23; and after the 25th it was seen daily. In May this sparrow was 

 observed irregularly until the 25th, and the total for the month was 

 15 records. While on a visit to Michigan City, Indiana — May 10- 

 12 — I found the White-throated Sparrow the most abundant 

 species in Washington Park near the Lake. 



The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker first appeared on April 2, and for 

 most of this month it w T as very regularly distributed. The five 

 records in May were all scattered, the two last occurring on the 

 1 6th and 24th, and the latter being a late date for the species. 

 As compared with last Spring, I think the sapsucker was less abun- 

 dant this year. 



The Towhee was first observed on April 15 — which was late — 

 and next on the 17th; after the 24th records were made daily, 

 amounting in all to ten. This species was quite regular in May, 

 totalling 23 records. In Spring the Towhee does not retire to deep 

 woods, as it does in summer. 



The Chipping Sparrow was unusually early in its time of 

 arriving this spring. The first record was made on April 4, followed 

 by 5 scattered records up to the 19 th. From the 21st to the 30th 

 this sparrow was seen daily. The May records totalled 27, which 

 show that this species is one that is exceptionally abundant during 

 the nesting season. Some friends of mine who are expert orni- 

 thologists tell me that the Chipping Sparrow, strangely, is an 

 exceedingly rare species in the Chicago area. 



Our most common swallow is the Barn. This year it arrived 

 on April 23, which is a little late, and appeared daily until the 30th. 

 The records for May were all irregular, the species not being seen 

 on any two consecutive days. The total for the month was 14 

 records. These observations were all made in the vicinity of no 

 barn. 



Some springs the Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a rare species, but 

 this year for a while it was abundant. It arrived on April 16, and 

 was recorded on ten days in that month. From April 27 until May 

 11, this kinglet was seen daily, and this was also the period of its 



