AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



23 



SECRETS OF "MEADOW BROOK.'" 



HE scene of the following observations and records 

 was situated on the outskirts of the borough of Lans- 

 downe, Penn., and consisted of a long stretch of 

 beautiful meadow land intersected by a winding 

 brook, and a portion of which was covered with 

 briars and medium size trees; also two or three large 

 oaks and beeches. 



The date of my first visit to this locality was in 

 the early spring of the year 1901, and from that time 

 on I repeatedly roamed over the district looking out 

 whatever there might be to see and learn. To those not accustomed 

 to observing the many natural attractions around them, "Meadow- 

 Brook" would probably mean nothing more than a field, a stream of 

 water and some trees, but to those whose eyes and ears are trained in 

 such matters, and who are looking for what nature has in store for 

 them, a great many things of interest and instruction were to be found. 

 The writer will now record a few of his observations in the order in 

 which they occurred. The first stroll was taken in the latter part of 

 February and of course there was not so much to be seen this early in 

 the season. However, the cheering song of the Song Sparrow was 

 heard and Snow Birds were plentiful amongst last year's weed patches. 

 On March 5th I was delighted to hear the soft warbling of a number of 

 Blue Birds — dear heralds of returning spring — which had evidently ar- 

 rived but recently. They were flitting here and there and probably 

 looking for a suitable site for the nest to be built later on. '- On March 

 12th I observed Rob- 

 ins and Black Birds 

 in the vicinity and 

 welcoined them as 

 long absent friends 

 just returned. March 

 24th Pewees were in 

 the neighborhood and 

 evidently had been 

 in the habit of sum- 

 mering there. A vis- 

 it on April 5th found 

 the Red-wing Black 

 Birds again in the 

 swampy portion of 

 the meadow, and they 



