ii8 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



Can anybody explain why White-breasted Nuthatches come every 

 other winter to Central Park? I have studied them there for three 

 winters, and they were present in 1900-01 and they are here this winter, 

 but not last. 



A friend of mine has had the same experience. White-throated Spar- 

 row^s are much less numerous this winter than in the two previous ones. 



I saw a Winter Wren and a Carolina Wren on Dec- 2d and Red-head- 

 ed ducks. Chas. H. Rogers, N. Y. City. 



While skating, I noticed a lot of Red Crossbills feeding on the seeds 

 of some low bushes- I crept right up to them and they were so busy 

 that they didn't notice me, and I touched one with a short stick. A 

 boy could have killed a lot of them if he wanted to, because they were 

 so tame. I know a man who caught one in his hand. 



Stafford Francis, Exeter, N. H. 



I like American Ornithology fine. It is the paper for every true bird 

 lover. Edgar Boyer, Grand Pass, Mo. 



I saw in your department that a Massachusetts boy had a record of 

 ninety-three birds, and that two other lads had exceeded this number, 

 the largest being one hundred and fourteen. I now send in my list 

 which is one hundred and twelve — just between the two highest, and I 

 hope that Massachusetts will at least have second place. I hope to see 

 other records in the magazine. Peirce H. Leavitt, 



Cambridge, Mass. 



TO AN EAGLE. 



Oh, Eagle, with thy mottled breast, 

 On wings untiring never rest. 

 High up into the air you fly. 

 Yea, almost to the azure sky- 



From mountain crag, and lofty peak. 

 We hear your wild untamed shriek, 

 We wish a long, long life to you. 

 The noblest bird we ever knew. 



Peirce H. Leavitt. 



NUMERICAL ENIGMA. 



At the evening 6, 2, 8, 7, there was a 10, 8, 9, 6, in the green 1, 2, 3, 

 4, 9, broken only by a great grey owl which 10, 3, 2, 5, 11, 4, from the 

 branches of a tall 5, 7, 11, 11. My footsteps made no sound, for a 12, 



