OUR BIRDS IN SUMMER 249 



ing city of South Bend, where on cloudy afternoons he saw Night- 

 hawks flying above the buildings. No doubt the species may be 

 seen frequently in any city. 



The total records of the Hummingbird for two summers 

 were 9, showing that this species may be placed among those that 

 are very rare. Probably the observer who would frequently visit 

 flower beds would make more records than one who made no 

 special effort to do so. But the average person, and even the 

 careful observer, may not see a Hummingbird except on rare 

 occasions, covering a long period of time. 



Like the Nighthawk, the Purple Martin is a species that is 

 an inhabitant mostly of towns and is rarely seen in the country. 

 The records of two summers show 14 for 1912 and 7 for 19 13. 

 This species can easily be attracted in the country if there are 

 suitable nesting places for it. Both the song and habits of the 

 Martin are very pleasing to all bird-lovers. 



Species that were not seen in June, 19 13 were: Yellow Warbler, 

 Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Bittern, Wood Thrush, Cardinal, 

 Red-shouldered and Sparrow Hawks, Marsh Wrens, Chickadee. 

 Most of these species are locally distributed — in deep woods or 

 their vicinity, and may not be observed elsewhere in June. The 

 Redstart was not found in July either, reappearing on Aug. 29. 



The only record of the Blue Jay after July 27, 19 13, when the 

 writer left St. Joseph Co., Ind. for Van Buren Co., Mich. — where he 

 stayed until Aug. 23 — was on Aug. 11. Even this record would 

 not have been made if he had not taken a long walk some six miles 

 away from Bankson Lake, his summer resort. Other summers 

 this species was present in the oak grove near the lake. 



The absence of the Maryland Yellowthroat in the vicinity 

 of Bankson Lake, from July 4 until the writer left the Lake (Aug. 

 23), was remarkable. In other summers the note of this species 

 was common in marshy places. A very dry season, in 19 13, may 

 have had something to do with the scarcity of the Maryland 

 Yellowthroat. 



Among some rare species seen this summer were: Acadian 

 Flycatcher, Veery, Cardinal, Grasshopper Sparrow, Dickcissel, 

 Sandhill Crane and Ovenbird. The only record of the Acadian 

 Flycatcher that the writer has ever made was on July 13. The 

 bird was found in deep woods not far from Bankson Lake. The 

 Veery was still in song on July 25, when the bird was found at 



