8 Bird -Lore 



We have six dales that seem ratlier late for certain feathered folk to stay: 

 Phcebe, November 5; Chipping Sparrow, November 13; Redstart, November 22; 

 Northern Water-Thrush, November 30; Hermit Thrush, December 27, and 

 Fox Sparrow, December 30. 



The birds seen only once were tlie Rusty Blackbird, April 7; White-crowned 

 Sparrow, May 12; Orchard Oriole, May iq; Connecticut Warbler, September 

 4; Red-headed Woodpecker, Se])tember 11; and Solitary Sandpii)er, September 



Our first ac(|uaintance with the Screech Owl was December 20 and he seems 

 willing to sla\'. 



NoTK — Mr, Iv I-'k'isrher of Brooklyn made i6g visits to the park during the year 

 and reports the birds named above, excepting the White Crowned Sparrow, American 

 Crossbill and Connecticut Warbler; but adds the Canada Goose, Turkey \'ulture, 

 Sharp-shinned Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Whippoorwill, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow- 

 bellied Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Blue Jay, Barn Swallow, White-eyed Vireo, Nash- 

 ville Warbler and Pine Warbler. This makes a total of 106 species seen in Prospect 

 Park during iqo8. — E. W. \'. 



The Comradeship of Redpolls 



By E. J. SAWYER 



Illuslrated by the author 



TWV. tamability oi the Redpoll seems to be pretty well kiu)wn, and the 

 confiding disposition of the bird in nature — one can hardly say, the wild 

 state — is indeed too characteristic to escape the notice of the ordinary 

 observer. A flock feeds beside the road just ahead of you, some of the daint}' 

 little fellows moving along in the wheel tracks a few yards away, others feeding 

 among the tall weeds, all so close that you can not but stop repeatedly to enjoy 

 their happy twittering and something so near to hand-shaking with a wild bird. 

 Often I have had these birds perch on a rod I carried. On one occasion four of 

 them sat on the pole the nearest being only four or five feet front my hands. 



Perhaps \'ou have never followed a flock from field to field, morning till sun- 

 set, day after day, and thus come to have a fellow feeling not otherwise possible. 

 After such an experience two things will ever be associated in your mind with 

 the dainty little Redpolls — their confidence in man and their fondness for each 

 other's society. I know no other birds which seem quite so much to enjoy a 

 gregarious life. When part of a flock flies up from the feeding-place the others 

 at once change their usual notes to the call always given by solitary Redpolls. 

 The flock then either circles about and returns, or is soon joined by the remaining 

 birds. When one or two members of a flock are left alone they soon fly to the top 

 of some nearby tree or tall bush and call {)itifully for their mates. If a flock flies 

 past in sight or hearing they are sure to join it with glad chirps always uttered 

 on such an occasion. 



These solitary birds will seldom stop to feed, but call and search continually 



