Birds and Seasons 69 



after the first column of names, that is "Date," "Start," etc. Knowing this, one may leave 

 the needed number of pages before entering the second column of birds' names. 



Such a record should begin first with a list of Permanent Residents following "Re- 

 marks" ; then should come Winter Residents, and migrants may be added as they are 

 observed. Of course as the season advances less pages should be left. When the migra- 

 tion is ended a new series of records should be begun, beginning with "Date," "Start," 

 etc., then entering the Permanent Residents and after them the Summer Residents. 



These roll books are easily kept and their contents form graphic records of the rise and 

 fall of the migration, showing when a species was first observed, when it was most numer- 

 ous, and, if transient, when it was last seen. 



If possible the approximate number of birds seen should be given, and in recording 

 other details noted above a simple system of abbreviations may be employed. For instance, 

 a number enclosed in a circle implies that the birds seen were in a flock; S indicates sing- 

 ing; the signs, c? or ?, male or female respectively, while an asterisk refers to your journal 

 of the same date wherein you may enter some observation at length. Whatever system 

 of abbreviations is adopted, however, should be fully explained in the opening pages of 

 your roll book. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SEASON'S READING 



Thoreau : 'Spring,' in 'Walden,' 'Early Spring in Massachusetts.' Burroughs: 

 'The Return of the Birds' and 'Spring at the Capital' in 'Wake Robin,' 'April' 

 in 'Birds and Poets,' 'A Spring Relish' in 'Signs and Seasons,' 'Spring Jottings' in 

 'Riverby,' Torrey : 'A Bird-Lover's April,' 'A Month's Music' in 'Birds in the 

 Bush,' 'A World of Green Hills,' 'Spring Notes from Tennessee.' Flagg: 'April' 

 in 'A Year with the Birds.' BoUes: 'Land of the Lingering Snow.' Keeler: 'April 

 in Berkeley,' 'Berkeley in May' in 'Bird Notes Afield.' Wright: 'A New England 

 May-Day' and 'When Orchards Bloom' in 'The Friendship of Nature.' Crockett: 

 'April' and 'May' in 'A Yearbook of Kentucky Woods and Fields.' Parkhurst: 

 'April' and 'May' in 'The Birds' Calendar.' 



What bird is this ? 



Field Description.— Length, 6.25 inches. Upper parts brownish; wings and tail darker: outer tail-feathers 

 tipped with white; a whitish line over the eye; under parts whitish, with dark streaks. 



The species figured in February is the Pine Finch. 



