An April Day's Migration IW 



passed call of rich bugle-like notes. Flocks, ordinarily of 

 about twenty individuals, were seen, soaring at great heights 

 and drifting northward, or flying lower in a more or less di- 

 rect line. During the day more than a dozen flocks were seen, 

 and in the evening several were heard to pass in rapid suc- 

 cession, indicating that in the darkness soaring is replaced by 

 direct flight. 



Four flocks of scores of silent, silvery Snow Geese were 

 seen ; three were of the Lesser, and one of the Greater. In 

 two of the flocks a few dark,' immature birds contrasted 

 sharply with the white adults. A half-dozen flocks of 

 honking Canadas were seen, and one flock of Hutchins' 

 passed as did geese intermediate in size, the White-fronted 

 Geese. 



Many flights of Ducks were seen, but from the usual dis- 

 tance only a few sorts (Mallards, Pintail, Teal and Scaup) 

 could be recognized. At a near-by lake I identified with the 

 help of binoculars the following species : Hooded Merganser, 

 Mallard, Gadwall, Baldpate, Green-winged Teal, Shoveller, 

 Pintail, Redhead, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup Duck, Ring- 

 necked Duck, Golden-eye and Buffie-head. 



Only a few of the land birds enjoyed on that memorable 

 day will be mentioned. Western Meadowlarks proclaimed in 

 matchless tones from every side that they were "at home." 

 During the early morning their songs had the distant drum- 

 ming of the prairie chicken as an accompaniment. During 

 most of the day the meadowlarks supplied the accompaniment 

 for the songs of tourists. Flocks of Chestnut-collared Long- 

 spurs passed at frequent intervals, singing loudly as they 

 flew. Many great bunches of Thick-billed Redwings passed 

 with jingled commotion. Fully a dozen loose groups of large 

 hawks were seen making good headway northward. The 

 Swainson's Hawk appeared most numerous, but the Western 

 Red-tailed and Marsh Hawk were scarcely less plentiful. 



