THE OOLOGIST. 



10? 



Stelgklopteryx serripennis does not 

 seem inclined to shun civilization in the 

 least. The Main street of our village 

 (Medina) crosses the canal on a bridge, 

 over which there is almost continous 

 passage; and it is in the immediate vic- 

 inity of this bridge that I find ths best 

 place for observation of serripennis, for 

 about this bridge two or three pairs 

 spend each summer, nesting in the crev- 

 ices of the stone-work which forms its 

 abutments as well as in the stone-work 

 of the tow-path. 



The nest is generally well back in, 

 and the eggs can only be secured with 

 the aid of a long-handled scoop or, per- 

 haps by loosening some of the stones 

 and removing them; aud,in either case, 

 at a great risk of breakage to the eggs. 



The Rough-winged Swallow does not 

 arrive from the South until the first 

 week in May aud departs unnoticed in 

 the fall. 



Neil Franklin Posson, 



Medina, N. Y. 



A Criticism. 



For a long time I have thought of 

 writing up a word of criticism for the 

 readers of the Oologist, and giving some 

 ideas which may cause thoughtful dis- 

 cussion among your writers. My only 

 reason for denying myself the satis- 

 faction of spreading my criticisms 

 broadcast, was the one that I might 

 cause someone a heartache, and per- 

 haps involve myself in a disagreeable 

 discussion, and also get myself disliked. 

 However, after mature deliberation, I 

 have decided to speak right out in 

 meeting, provided the editor will per- 

 mit it. And like a capable surgeon I 

 will cut deep, even if the patients do 

 service, because there is strong evidence 

 that there is more than a simple dis- 

 order here, and the sooner skilled 

 attention is given the matter the better. 

 The Oologist is a medium of com- 

 munication between us, and as such 



is to be upheld by all, and we must 

 not allow its standard to be lowered by 

 anyone either through ignorance or 

 evil intent. There are many boys who 

 send scraps of information to the Oolo- 

 GiST who exaggerate without intention; 

 stretching the truth so that it will ap^ 

 pear very bright. These bits of big- 

 talk are readily detected by anyone 

 who has collected for any length of 

 time, but are believed fully by honest-, 

 souled amateurs. 



Then again there are writers who 

 observe honestly and mean well, but 

 who from ignorance report matters 

 wrong. It is my intention to speak of 

 various cases which require correction 

 and in this connection cannot do better 

 than to call the readers notice to Mr. 

 A. C. M's article on page 54 of the 

 Feb. issue, where he refers to the 

 Goshawk in Illinois. Mr. M. says: "I 

 wish young collectors could have the 

 need of careful identification more 

 thoroughly impressed upon them, 

 know several collectors(?) who have no 

 guide but Davie's Key, and will hunt 

 in that until they find an egg nearly 

 like the one they have, and then have a 

 great find." There lies the whole 

 matter and every reader of these lines 

 will agree with me that identification 

 is the main factor of an egg collector's 

 reliability. Mr. M. is honestly incensed 

 at the assertion that the Goshawk 

 breeds abundantly (or at all) in Illinois, 

 It is a northern bird. 



By looking over the back numbers of 

 the Oologist I could bring to light 

 many ridiculous errors, but I do not 

 doubt, in fact I know that the class of 

 readers and writers has changed great- 

 ly for the better, within these last- few 

 years. However as there are many 

 unintentional errors, in your recent 

 issues I will refer to them. 



In Feb. issue a writer says that the 

 song of the Wood Thrush is usually 

 uttered from the top of some forest 

 tree. Now I believe the readers will 



