J^ote0 from JFielD anU ^tuDp 



Long Island Notes 



In this section of Long Island, where 

 the native trees are almost entirely pine, 

 and running water is absolutely lacking, 

 most of the smaller birds — Thrushes, 

 Warblers, Vireos, Flycatchers, etc. — do 

 not remain to nest, though a few species 

 seem just suited and stay by the hundred. 

 But the migrations of May, 191 2, brought 

 for a few days at least, such a plenty of 

 birds as must have delighted any student. 



The first week of the month was very 

 wet and stormy, probably seriously 

 delaying the migrants, but between May 

 9 and II there came a flight quite worthy 

 of note. Especially in the village were 

 the birds plentiful, where many maples 

 and other deciduous trees have been 

 cultivated for years, and among the 

 earliest to attract notice were a number 

 of Scarlet Tanagers — full colored males — 

 who rambled about on at least two days 

 in couples, trios, and even, on one occasion, 

 in a quartet, a beautiful sight. On another 

 day I saw three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks 

 (males), a Baltimore Oriole, a Catbird, a 

 Hummingbird, several Red-eyed Vireos, 

 and Warblers — ! The Pine, Black- 

 throated Green, and Yellow-rumped War- 

 blers were already here, and these three 

 days added in quantity the Parula, 

 Black-and-white and Black-throated Blue, 

 and in fewer numbers the Redstart, 

 Maryland Yellowthroat, Magnolia, Chest- 

 nut-sided, Yellow, Blackpoll, Louisiana 

 Water-Thrush and Oven-bird. No doubt 

 I missed many others, for it was often 

 impossible to recognize one before a new 

 song or flick of color on a near-by branch 

 made it difficult to keep my attention on 

 the first. 



One little corner was almost ideal: 

 about a quarter of an acre not far from 

 the main street, but so surrounded by 

 hedges and tall pines that it was quite 

 shut off from people and houses. It 

 seemed to have been an old-time lawn 



from the bright-colored shrubs along 

 one side, then a few small fruit trees and 

 on the north side of the lot, against a 

 perfect background of pines, a big cherry 

 tree in full blossom. That cherry tree was 

 the Warblers' harbor, and I had only to 

 wait quietly under a near-by pear tree 

 and look and listen as they approached 

 from every side. 



That certainly was the great migration 

 of the season. By May 12 it was mostly 

 over, and by May 17 few except those 

 intending to nest here were to be found. 

 By the latter date the Prairie Warbler 

 had become noticeable, and now these 

 are plentiful, particularly in a tract that 

 once was thick with second-growth pine, 

 but in May, 1911, was severely burned. 

 The big brakes and quick-growing under- 

 brush have already covered the ground, 

 but the stark, ragged trees above, some 

 still showing green along the higher 

 branches, others dead to the very tops, 

 all still black with the smut of burning, 

 offer a sad apology for the grace and 

 beauty of thirteen months ago. 



The Yellowthroats also have remained 

 in numbers, generally choosing quarters 

 where the masses of low scrub-oak and 

 the woods are trying to overcome each 

 other. Beyond these two I know of no 

 other Warblers now here. 



The Pine Warbler was an early arrival, 

 my first date being April 21, the last 

 May 17. During most of that time they 

 were present in considerable numbers, 

 and their song was so exactly like that of 

 the Chippy that by song alone I never 

 felt certain which bird I heard. 



Since May 15, a Great-crested Fly- 

 catcher has been in the neighborhood; 

 later still a few Pewees arrived, and toward 

 the middle of June a Kingbird showed 

 himself occasionally. 



By the middle of May also, and since. 

 Brown Thrashers have been nearly as 

 al)undant as the Chewinks, and from late 

 April till late in May, Goldfinches were 



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