i8o Bird- Lore 



ning of the regular nightly retirement into the trees. The move- 

 ment, once started, became contagious, and the Crows arose steadily 

 section by section. The bare branches of the trees which stood out 

 clearly against the western sky but a minute before seemed to be 

 clothed in thick foliage as the multitude of birds settled down. 



After all had apparently entered the roost, we shouted again and 

 the roar of wings was simpl}^ deafening ; another shout brought the 

 same result in undiminished force, and even then, probably not half 

 the birds took wing. 



They soon settled down again, and we were glad to leave them 

 in peace. So far as we could learn they are but little molested, 

 and let us hope that this may continue. Many of the large roosts 

 farther north in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, seem to be rapidly 

 decreasing in size, owing to thoughtless persecution, and eventually 

 the poor birds may be driven to roost in scattered detachments, as 

 would, indeed, seem best for their preservation ; but if this comes 

 to pass, one of the most impressive phenomena of our bird-life will 

 have disappeared. 



Winter Bird Notes from Southern New Hampshire 



BY WILLIAM EVERETT CRAM 



Illustrated by the author 



'ANUARY I, 1898. Northern birds have, as a rule, been 

 decidedly rare this winter. In November, Goshawks were 

 quite abundant, and a few Snowy Owls were also to be 

 seen at that time. As I was returning from a tramp just 

 at dusk one evening, one of the great white fellows came 

 sailing by only a few yards from the ground. His man- 

 ner of sailing and something in the set of his wings re- 

 minded me strongly of an Eagle flying before the wind ; there were 

 evident the same power and swiftness without visible effort. He 

 came from the northeast on the wind of a rising storm, and had evi- 

 dently but just arrived, being in much more perfect plumage than is 

 usual in November, appearing, at the distance of only a few yards, 

 absolutely white, with his big yellow eyes burning among his 

 snowy feathers. 



Snow Buntings were also common in November, and Horned 

 Larks during the first part of the month. I noticed a large flock 

 of the latter one morning feeding in the stubble and, observing that 

 they were moving towards me, crouched motionless imtil they came 

 up and surrounded me, gathering seeds in the earnest, industrious 



