THE OOLOGIST. 



253* 



Space will not permit me to relate 

 even one of the many pleasurable in- 

 cidents of that fifty mile cruise down the 

 Connecticut, nor to tell you of the 

 pleasant hours subsequently spent on 

 lakes and rivers with this craft, in pur- 

 suit of both knowledge and recreation. 

 One word, however, about my outfit. 

 I usually went alone. I carried a gun, 

 hunting knife, ammunition, a rubber 

 blanket, a few canned goods and other 

 light provisions, fishing-tackle, sketch- 

 books, taxidermist's instruments, pock- 

 et drinking cup, matches, snap and 

 towels. It is well when taking a long 

 trip to carry as little as possible trusting 

 to the houses along your course for 

 meals and lodging. Still, it's sometimes 

 necessary to economize and always well 

 to be prepared for an emergency Again, 

 ' boys who cannot swim must forego the 

 pleasure of canoeing. 



In a subsequent article we will con- 

 sider the construction of another craft 

 also adapted to the needs of students of 

 natural science. In conclusion, if any 

 of the readers of the Oologist desire to 

 construct a boat similar to the one here- 

 in described, yet hud this description 

 insufficient or inadequate, the writer 

 will give them such information as he 

 is able if they will write a letter stating 

 their wants and mail it to 



"Tommy Hawk," 



Care of Dr. E, 118 South St., Hol- 

 yoke, Mass. 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Home- 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a not 

 uncommon bird hereabouts during the 

 summer; but, someway or other, like 

 certain other of our common birds it is 

 true of him that, though you see him 

 often himself, the place of his habita- 

 tion is not so frequently met with. 

 Hence it is that I have chosen to speak 

 of his majesty "at home.' 1 '' 



But perhaps you don't know where 

 he lives? Well, come with me and I 



will show you his private residence. 

 Perhaps you better put on 3 T our rub- 

 ber boots before starting, as you are 

 likely to need them. 



Two miles south, turn to your right, 

 then a mile west. Here the road skirts 

 a piece of woods. Over the fence and 

 you are in the "Peat Swamp," many 

 acres in extent, and thickly wooded, 

 Proceed straight south through the 

 woods. The laud keeps getting lower 

 and the water more plentiful, and soon 

 you come to an opening in the forest, 

 where you find a vast swampy meadow 

 entirely surrounded by woods. The 

 meadow itself is nothing more than a 

 swamp, there being water on every 

 hand, and progress is only practicable 

 along the higher elevations or by step- 

 ping from one tussock of grass to an- 

 other. 



All oA'er this swampy meadow are 

 bushes growing, which become thicker 

 and more entangled as we approach the 

 bordering woods 



Now look out. Here are numerous 

 warblers and a fine place it is to study 

 them Yellow Warblers, Chestnut- 

 Sided, and the Maryland Yellow-throat 

 breed here, and Wilson's Thrush in the 

 woods near by; while in the bushes you 

 will find an occasional Grosbeak's nest. 



As you come upon this rural resi- 

 dence of H. ludoviciana, you are quite 

 as likely to find the man of the house in 

 as the lady, for he "spends his evenings 

 at home," in short, does his share of the 

 housework. You ai'e quite as likely to 

 find the male Grosbeak on the nest as 

 the female, and how different in ap- 

 pearance, the two! The male in all the 

 rich gorgeousness of his red, white and 

 black, while the female is of a dull- 

 brown throughout. As you approach 

 the nest, either bird will not leave until 

 you almost touch the nest, when it slides 

 out and away. If it be the male, he re- 

 mains in the immediate vicinity, fliting 

 from bush to bush and offering oc- 

 casional remonstrance. If it be the fe- 



