DELAWARE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 21 



encountered at widely separated dates, but in the same identi- 

 cal spot. 



Along these steep, wooded hillsides we are almost certain in 

 summer to hear the loud, rollicking note of the Kentucky 

 Warbler. Now here is a bird that has unquestionably increased 

 in numbers in this vicinity in recent years. When I was a boy 

 I never saw the Kentucky along the Tacony, although I was 

 quite familiar with the species, for it frequented certain similar 

 valleys lying immediately to the south of Philadelphia, such as 

 the valleys of Crum Creek, Ridley Creek, Chester Creek etc. 

 It seemed then as though the great bulk of the city acted as a 

 barrier to the further progress of the Kentucky so that it did 

 not come into our more northerly valley. Be that as it may, 

 it appeared there some twenty years ago and seems to me to 

 have been steadily on the increase ever since. 



At a certain point a small stream drawls in from the north- 

 west, coming down through a charming little wooded valley of 

 its own. It is my custom in tramping up the Tacony to make 

 a detour along the course of this smaller stream, returning again 

 to the main valle3^ In doing this we first follow up a short 

 stretch of open meadow and then plunge into a fine bit of thick 

 growth some twenty feet in height, consisting of willows and 

 alders and other low trees, overhung in some places with a cur- 

 tain of wild grape vine. The ground beneath is somewhat 

 boggy, though to the left is a high and dry wood of tall timber, 

 and to the right an open hillside. On two occasions I have 

 found the White-eyed Vireo breeding in this lower growth, and 

 White-eye is a rather rare summer resident in these parts. 

 The Tufted Titmouse for some reason seems especially fond 

 of the high wood to the left. He is almost always there whistl- 

 ing or scolding, but onlj'- once have I been able to find his nest 

 in all the years that I have passed to and fro beneath these 

 stately trees. 



A short distance beyond we enter a wider piece of woodland 

 with a swampy centre through which the stream flows. The 

 spring always seems to make an early start in this protected bit 

 of marsh, and I come here to find my first Maryland Yellow- 

 throat, just as I might go to some particular spot to find the first 



