242 



THE OOLOGIST. 



"which you have to endure while crawl- 

 ing' about on the island. 



Highly elated, we started back and 

 arrived at the opposite shore without 

 any mishap save the loss of our 'guide's' 

 eoat, which was lying on a seat-and got 

 over-board during a little excitement 

 caused by the boat getting jammed 

 among some rocks. 



All the eggs were those of the Black 

 Vulture, and some were highly incu- 

 bated. I think if we had arrived about 

 3 weeks. earlier we would have secured 

 a great many more eggs. However, we 

 were very well satisfied and returned 

 home with the full intention of visiting 

 "Buzzard Island" again next Spi'ing. 

 Ben Hudson, 



Columbus, Ga. 



Winter Visitors. 



When late in the autumn the decidu- 

 ous trees lose their verdant summer fo 

 liage, and the landscape appears deso- 

 late and barren, a number of northern 

 birds come to spend the rigorous months 

 of winter with us. 



Their advent is cheerfully welcomed 

 by the lover of animated nature, who 

 laments the departure of his summer 

 friends. The following species are to 

 be found in the inland districts of Bris- 

 tol County, Mass: Black Snowbirds 

 and Tree Sparrows are abundant, and 

 they usually associate with each other; 

 they are gregarious, frequenting bushy 

 pastures, cultivated fields, and if there 

 is a spot where weeds have grown, and 

 have been allowed to go to seed, these 

 birds may be found in large numbers 

 feeding on them. After a snowstorm 

 the birds under consideration become 

 semi-domesticated, hopping around the 

 veranda and even alighting on the win- 

 dow-sills, and peering curiously into 

 the apartments. At this time they get 

 a great many dainty morsels, which 

 their superior bipeds expose purposely 

 for them. When they find a sheltered 



nook on a sunny day, they emit a low 

 melodious warble. During the month 

 of August I have seen Black Snowbirds 

 among the rocky crevices, on the sum- 

 mit of Mt Washington, at an altitude of 

 6,300 ft. They probably breed on the 

 slopes of the Presidential Range. 



The beautiful Snow Bunting with his 

 white plumage, marked with gray, yel- 

 lowish brown and chocolate is usually 

 first seen, during, or just after a heavy 

 snowstorm. When snow, wind and a low 

 temperature combine to make life, to 

 the inhabitants of the temperate zone 

 disagreeable, this hardy wanderer from 

 the boreal regions is found in the great- 

 est abundance. They move rapidly 

 over the surface of the immaculate man- 

 tle of snow, in detached flocks, at times 

 uttering their low call note. 



As we ramble among the coniferous 

 trees in winter we hear a very weak, 

 squeaking note, and soon discover a 

 flock of diminutive birds around us. 

 they are all busily at work gleaning 

 their insect food from the trees. Final- 

 ly a bright-eyed little fellow comes close 

 to you, and inquisitively peers into your 

 face; his yellow and orange-crowned 

 crest is slightly erected, and you at 

 once recognize the Golden-crowned 

 Kinglet. These birds often associate 

 with the Black-capped Titmice. 



Later we may have occasion to climb 

 over a stone wall, when with a rattling 

 chatter a little brown body darts into 

 the wall, out on the other side, gives 

 you a rapid glance, and then disappears 

 again. If you remain motionless the 

 little eccentric will next appear a rod 

 or more away having wended his way 

 through the interstices of the wall. 



You will first see his head over the 

 top of a stone, next he is on top of the 

 wall in full view, with his tail in a per- 

 pendicular position. There is no doubt 

 but what you are in the presence of the 

 Winter Wren. This genial little bird 

 comes around the house, explores the 

 recesses of the wood-pile, and the pump. 



