12 



ORNITHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 9-No. 1 



along the hall. Where practicable, the 

 history of each group is shown by the 

 nest, eggs, young and sketches of the 

 birds, being placed along with the speci- 

 men in full plumage. In the centre of 

 every alcove stands themost striking rep- 

 resentative of the family, and, as far as 

 possible, the popular name of the bird is 

 added to the scientific. The hall, though 

 open to the public, is as yet by no means 

 complete. 



A fine sj>ecirnen of the European Gold 

 Finch was taken in company with a pair of 

 our natives at Falmouth, Mass., May 1, '83, 

 by F. J. C. Swift. 



W. J. B. Williams, Cambridge, JSF. Y., 

 found on' May 27th, a Bluebird's nest con- 

 taining seven fresh eggs which are now in 

 his collection. 



Wm. Hyde, Pawtucket, B. I., lately 

 brought us a set, eight in number, taken 

 by him in May, '82. It is now in our pos- 

 session. 



Our Former Editor. 



We congratulate our predecessor on his 

 elevation to the position of Editor in Chief 

 of Cotton, Wool and Iron, and Boston 

 Journal of Commerce. In its special 

 sphere this is the leading paper of the 

 world. Mr. Wade's many friends among 

 the readers of the O. and 0. will look upon 

 his prosperity with much satisfaction. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



Correspondents making inqu 

 and to the point. 



are requested to be brief 



Specimen January Number.— We have received many 

 letters from old supporters of the O. and 0., and from some 

 who are just becoming acquainted with the magazine, ex- 

 pressing the pleasure it has given them to see it in its new 

 and enlarged form. Their appreciation will he an encour- 

 agement to us in our efforts to make the magazine all that 

 its best friends would desire it to be. This issue (which is 

 sent to every subscriber on our lists) is, for the most part, 

 the same as the specimen, and must be considered as the 

 permanent form of the January number. A few of the 

 specimens, still in the hands of the publisher, will be for- 

 warded to any address sent us by Subscribers. We are 

 pleased to report a large number of new names on our sub- 

 scription lists— still there is room for more. 



In our endeavor not to overlook any person known to he 

 interested in Ornithology, it has probably happened that 

 duplicate copies have been sent to many. Such of our 

 friends as have copies they do not require, will oblige by re- 

 mailing them to any of their acquaintances interested in 

 the subjects treated. Our thanks are due to many friends 

 who have sent us lists of parties to whom to send the speci- 

 men number. This is the best means of reaching those in- 

 terested in our subjects, and will be continued as opportu- 

 nity may present. 



Evening Grosbeaks.— E. S. Stebbins, Minneapolis, 

 Minn., reports having seen a fiock of about fifty Evening 

 Grosbeaks, on Nov. 7th. He says: "This Grosbeak is 

 always with us in Winter, often coming within the built up 

 portion of the city, but I have never seen them so early 

 before." 



Albinos.— S. W. Comstock (Greenfield, N. H., Society) re- 

 ports several varieties having been noted at Greenfield. As 

 Albinos are freaks of nature not uncommon, we think it 

 well only to place on record such as have some unusual fea- 

 ture. Full identification is also advisable. 



Large Sets of Eggs.— Howard H. McAdam, Oak Bay, N. 

 B., says : *' I have taken the following large sets of eggs : 

 5 eggs Black Snowbird, 5 Song Sparrow, .6 Carolina Wax- 

 wing, 6 Goldfinch. I also took a set of White-throated 

 Sparrow and Traills Flycatcher, rare nests here. Snowbirds 

 unusually plentiful this season; I have taken thirteen sets." 



Clarke's Crow. — Dr. J. G. Coopzr, Haywards, Cat., says : 

 "The occurrence of Clarke's Crow at Vermilion, Dak., 

 given in O. and O., (VTIL, p. 84,) show that they rarely 

 straggle over 200 miles east of the mountains. This is al- 

 most the same distance east as I shot two in Oct., '57, in 

 Nebraska, as given in Baird, Cassin and Lawrence's report, 

 (P. R. R. Rep. IX.) As I saw none between there and Fort 

 Laramie, I supposed they got lost in the fogs then common." 



C. C. Richards, Norwich, Conn. Does our correspondent 

 refer to the Ruby-crowned, or the Golden-crested Kinglet ? 

 Read the descriptions of both given in " New England Bird 

 Life," Part I., pp. 71-70. 



Cleaning White Feathers. Mrs. Morse, Franklin, 

 JV. H., writes : *' I would say, for the benefit of amateurs, 

 that a Taxidermist of special note in this State taught me 

 the use of Calcine for cleaning blood from white feathers, 

 and I have always found it the best of anything so far. 

 Sprinkle it on and brush, with the fingers, sometimes work- 

 ing it over several times. Such manipulation has always 

 proved successful for blood stains on the choicest of birds." 



Allan Woodbury, Inylewood, III., writes: "Here is a re- 

 ceipt I used with good results— Four ounces of white soap 

 cut fine and dissolved in four pints of hot water, adding a 

 few drops of Aqua Ammonia. Apply the solution to the 

 feathers with a soft sponge, afterwards wash with clean hot 

 water. Dry with Plaster of Paris, keeping the feathers in 

 motion." 



The above are selected from numerous replies to our 

 question, for which we thank our correspondents. 



Artificial Stump. Boil papier mache to a fine pulp; 

 add a weak solution of glue and flour ; mix well and place 

 on a sieve to drain. When well drained and about the con- 

 sistency of dough, it is ready for use. Make base of wood 

 or other material ; give coat of glue and cover with prepa- 

 ration. For rocks it can be moulded as desired, and when 

 dry covered with glue and mica sand. Stumps should be 

 painted with burnt umber and decorated with natural moss. 

 The base can be covered with either Moss, Shell Sand or 

 Smalts. A little experience and ingenuity will produce 

 fine effects. 



