AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 213 



A DAY IN MAY. 



In May, 1900, the writer was living at the southern portion 

 of the White Mountain System, and in one of the lines 

 followed by the birds during their migrations. It was my de- 

 light to recognize seventeen of the forty-three warblers mentioned by 

 Chapman, including the Cape May and Blackburnian, the latter being 

 numerous; others would doubtless have been recognized by older 

 students. Now my purpose in writing this article is to give one day's 

 observation — not of a close student, but of one snatching a few mo- 

 ments at a time from household cares. My note book records a trip 

 to the mill, a five minutes walk from the parsonage. It was a veritable 

 paradise for birds, the banks of the stream were lined with alders 

 where some rare warbler might flash into sight at any moment. On 

 the little beach it was entertainment enough to watch the Spotted 

 Sandpipers as they ran rapidly along, bobbing, bowing, teetering in 

 their characteristic, energetic manner, but not only these made the 

 morning bright, for several Catbirds ever restless and lively were 

 flitting about, now eyeing me with inquiry then dashing into the thicket. 



But, see that bird in his flaming plumage — beautiful enough in his 

 dress suit of orange and black to satisfy the most fastidious lady love 

 — the Baltimore Oriole. Hark! "Chebec, chebec, chebec," and a 

 little bright eyed, olive colored bird murderously sallies after a pass- 

 ing insect. "Kong-quer-ree, kong-quer-ree" and I turn to see a flock 

 of red wings in the now marshy pasture and as I watch them spread 

 their wings showing their crimson epaulets as kong-quer-ree sounds 

 through the air we can wellbelieve that "all's well." 



Ha! A warbler with yellow patches and black zouave jacket. Glad 

 to see you. But what are you, with buffy throat lightly streaked, 

 white sides and belly, with uniform tawny back, why should you be so 

 shy my little veery? 



But time forbids a longer lingering in this enchanted spot, and I 

 must back to my duties go. What is this playing hide and seek in my 

 syringa bush? Ah! I see you my little black-masked friend. Thanks, 

 for this is my first acquaintance with you- Time for baby boy to have 

 his nap, and as I lay him down I look out and see on an apple tree by 

 the window a Parula in company with a Blackburnian Warbler. Sure- 

 ly, I need not go far from home when I have such of the elite as 

 these. "Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee," can you not find enough 

 to eat that you must come for the suet that hangs in the tree? And 

 who is this in company with you my merry little Chickadee? A gay 

 cavalier with a slaty blue head and yellow breast heavily streaked with 

 black, also another that must be a knight with his black forehead and 

 cheeks, chestnut crown and chestnut-rufous sides, throat and upper 

 breast, and two white wing-bars, by name Magnolia and Bay-breasted. 

 Well, this must be my reception day, for within ten minutes in addition 

 to these already mentioned, the following warblers were seen. Black 

 and white. Summer Yellow bird and Chestnut-sided have all called on 

 me in the old apple tree. Twenty-four difi'erent species complete the 

 day's record, and in closing I wish all readers of this article may en- 

 joy a similar experience on a day in May. 



Nellie Moore Mason, Vermont 



