94 



THE OOLOGIST. 



of the amonut of food . required to satisfy 

 their Imnger. We can't estimate the 

 amount of good they do the farmers in 

 the number of injurious insects they 

 destroy in one season. Still ths Robin has 

 a good many enemies among the human 

 family, because they think he helps him- 

 self too freely to their cherries, strawberries 

 and other small fruits. A good many 

 have been destroj'ed because of these pro- 

 pensities to take fruit. We believe thai 

 they pay back more than an hundred-fold 

 for the fruit destroyed, by the good they 

 do in keeping under subjection our insect 

 enemies. 



Let us then befriend the Eobiu and do 

 all we can to raise him in the estimation 

 of those who wish to injure or destroy him. 

 It is true that we have laws to protect our 

 feathered friends. Then let us see that 

 they are enforced, when reason fails to 

 produce a sentiment in favor of protection. 

 Let us be ready to give hini a hearty 

 welcome when he again visits ns the 

 coming Spring. 



Eewin G . Wakd, Palmer, Mass . 



Davie's Egg Check List. 



From present indications this invaluable 

 work will be mailed to advance purchasers 

 sometime during the month of May. 



Under date of April 20th Mr. Davie 

 writes: — "At this writing the book is in 

 type as far as the Yellow-throated Warbler, 

 G63 A. O. U., and this A. M. I received Mr. 

 Norris' introduction. 



The work will contain a complete analyti- 

 cal Index — every common name given to 

 each species will be given. I have this big 

 job complete as far as Shrikes and my i^re- 

 face is written. 



In regard to the price of my book you 

 may state that to those who have ordered 

 of you or who may send you their orders 

 for the work before it is out of press, which 

 will be in the first part of May. The price 

 will be (mly $1.00, after that time the ^jrice 

 will be advanced to $1.25 in paper cover 

 and $1. 75 in cloth binding. This is final 

 on the retail prices. 



Very truly, Oliver Davie". 



The Crow in the North. 



BY AYE C. CAYE, EIVEESIDE, N. B. 



Mr. Willard N. Clute in the March 

 OoLOGisT enquires about the Crows' north- 

 ern range in Winter. 



In this locality the immense flocks which 

 congregate in the Autumn, gradually 

 dwindle away, until in December only a 

 few of their dusky forms may be seen in 

 the Winter landscape, flying high overhead 

 or searching the snow-covered fields for 

 the wherewithal to satisfy their cravings of 

 hunger. I should judge that fully seven- 

 eights of our whole crow population leaves 

 us in Winter, probably seeking a more 

 congenial climate. 



Their return in the Sping varies accord- 

 ing as the season is cold and stormy or 

 bright and beautiful. 



The latter part of March usually ushers 

 in many forerunners of the sable bfind. 

 B fore the sweet-scented May flowers show 

 their pink cheeks among the mossy hillocks, 

 the Crow is to be seen almost everywhere. 

 As the Albert County Express puffs along 

 through the broad meadows which border 

 our sea line, hundreds of these birds give 

 her a discordant greeting from their hoarse 

 throats; on both sides the extending acres 

 are littarally j)eppered with their black 

 forms. 



When tlie sun drives his flashing span 

 over the western hills, and the shadows 

 flutter to and fro across evening's calm 

 face, the Crow bethinks him of his favorite 

 roosting place, out en Grindstcne Island. 

 This island is thickly, wooded with spruce 

 and fir, the only mask of civilization being 

 the tall white spire of the lighthouse. 



For two hours every evening an irregular 

 procession of Crows, almost numberless, 

 may be seen leisurely flying hither. Do 

 they have select roosting spots in every 

 place? In nesting time the same thing 

 occurs — the larger number probably being 

 male, while the females guard their 

 speckled treasurers in the lonely forests 

 among the hills. 



