On Birds observed in Amelia County, Virginia. 85 



I have noticed, that in all the specimens I have taken, the iris 

 of the male was fawn colour, and that of the female the colour 

 of the inside of a pomegranate. 



Centurus carolinus (Bonap.) Red-beUied Woodpecker. — 

 This bird remains all the year, and is not uncommon at any time. 

 It is found chiefly in the deciduous forests, where there are large 

 trees, and is seldom met with among the large bushes or smaller 

 trees by the road-side, as P. villosus, and P. pubescens often are. 

 Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Swains.) Red-headed Wood- 

 p)Gcker. — This is the handsomest of the Virginia woodpeckers, 

 and not very common. It is a summer bird, the earliest arrival 

 I have noted is the 10th of May. On the 19th of September, 

 1877, my house was visited by quite an incursion of them ; they 

 were principally young birds, and remained for two or three 

 days ; and were, during that time, more numerous than all the 

 other birds put together. I suppose they were the northern con- 

 tingent going south. This woodpecker may often be found on 

 single trees, away from the forest, or any other timber ; indeed, 

 it almost seems to prefer trees that are thus dotted about the 

 open country, to masses of woods. 



CoLAPTES AURATUS (Swains.) Golden-wlnged Woodpecker. — 

 It is locally known as the "yucka." It is found all through the 

 year, but I believe migrates partially. Their courtship in sprino- 

 is very amusing. They may be seen, I think, more frequently on 

 the ground than other woodpeckers, and I have often seen them 

 perched crosswise on a bough, as birds generally do, instead of 

 lengthwise, or on the stem in the more approved woodpecker 

 fashion. 



Syrnium nebulosum (Aud.) Barred Owl. — This is a rather 

 common species, about equally so with B. virginianus. They 

 much frequent the woods round my house, and in spring make 

 the most unearthly noises at night, laughing, screaming, and 

 caterwauling at each other, like demons or madmen. Their 

 usual note is in a higher tone than that of the great owl, and 

 resembles " huh, huh, hoo, hooo, hooo." They often hoot in the 

 day-time, and even come out about 4 p.m., if rain is threatenino-. I 

 have often sat near a tree on which the young were perched, and 

 watched the proceedings of the parents. The male always seemed 

 more anxious and bolder than the female. I have never found 



