DISTRIBUTION OF OUR BIRDS 1 85 



reiterated strain. The note of the Wood Pewee is easily the most 

 pleasing of all our flycatcher's utterances. 



The Kingbird's latest date of migration in Spring was recorded 

 this year. It arrived on May 16, and was irregular in appearance 

 until the 27th. After this date the kingbird was seen daily. This 

 fly catcher is true to the name by which it is best known to farmers — 

 bee-martin. Recently a gardener of my acquaintance told me thr.t 

 he shot a kingbird and found parts of 25 bees in its stomach. No 

 wonder he carries a shot gun during his leisure time, looking f< r 

 bee-birds. 



The Crested Flycatcher was a little late in arriving this spring 

 , — oh May 17. Most of the dates on which the species was observed 

 in May were irregular, and the total number of records for the 

 month was seven. The loud note of the crested Flycatcher, which 

 resembles a whistle, is frequently uttered, and thus makes the pres- 

 ence of the bird known in any grove. 



The Least Flycatcher arrived on May 18, and was irregular 

 in appearance until the 25th, when the species was found daily for 

 the rest of the month. I found the Least Flycatcher breeding for 

 the first time in the Spring of 191 7. In previous years my spring 

 and summer records of the species were very few. 



A very late date of migration this spring was obtained for the 

 Baltimore Oriole, which usually arrives in the last week of April. 

 I was in Michigan City on May 10, 11, 12, but I did not find this 

 oriole while there. It was first seen at Notre i)ame on the 10th of 

 May, and next on the 12th. After the latter date, the Baltimore 

 Oriole was observed daily until the end of the month. Eight days 

 after the return of the bird, I saw a nest that was almost finished. 



The Orchard Oriole arrived the same day as the Baltimore — 

 May 10 — but was more irregular throughout the month, the total 

 number or records for this species being 10. It also seeks more 

 secluded places for nesting, usually in orchards, where the nest 

 is hidden from view. Of course the male sings joyously in the vici- 

 nity of the nest, and by careful observation of the birds the nesting- 

 site may be discovered. 



Besides the Hermit Thrush, which is always the earliest of tire 

 thrushes to arrive, records were made of the Olive-backed, Gray- 

 cheeked, and Wood thrushes. The Olive-backed returned on May 

 17 and was seen daily until the 25th. It was last seen on the 29th. 

 The Gray-cheeked was observed daily from its arrival on the 22nd 



