MIGRATION OF OUR BIRDS 169 
warm in March, making the early arrivals among the birds unpre- 
cedently numerous. 
The Song Sparrow’s early arrival, on March 5, was duplicated 
only once in six. years—in 1910. Both of these dates occurred in 
springs that followed mild weather. My observations for the 
last two years show that this species, in small numbers, remains 
with us through mild winters. The records of the Song Sparrow 
made during those seasons were few, and doubtless the regular 
appearance of the species in March indicates that they were not 
residents but migrants. 
The hardy Meadowlarks seldom arrive north later than 
March 1o, the date of migration for the present year. They have 
appeared at Notre Dame even in mid-winter, last December 
and January it being my good fortune to make records of the 
species. I have also three records, in different years, that are 
earlier than March tro. 
Among the first spring migrants, the Killdeer may be placed 
with certainty. Six years show that the period of arrival for the 
species fell within ten days, no date being later than the 14th of 
the month. Such great regularity in the time of returning is 
extremely rare among March migrants. 
The Purple Finch’s early date in March is quite a month 
ahead of the time of arrival in 1909, and almost a month earlier 
than in 1911. These years and the present year are the only ones 
in which the species was recorded. Such great disparity in dates 
of migration seems inexplicable. But this species is rather locally 
distributed, and even in a small area it may easily be overlooked 
by other than careful observers. 
The date of arrival for the Bluebird is one of the latest I have 
recorded—only one other being later. In six years, the migration 
of this species occurred three times both in February and in March. 
This would seem to indicate disparity, yet when the two sets of 
dates are looked at sparately, there is not wanting an element 
of regularity. 
Most of the Robin’s dates of migration occur in March, 
there being only one record for February in six years. Among the 
March dates, the 13th of the present year is very close to two 
others—March 9g and 14. I have always striven to see the Robin 
on the first day of its arrival, but when other observers have been 
