104 THE NIDOLOGIST 
looking the fact that the concordance given under this 
species fixes the identification of the name beyond ques- 
tion. Thus Mr. Palmer’s criticisms on this point are 
wholly gratuitous and erroneous; the reference in the 
second edition is perfectly correct, and the only one 
that can be given. 
Yet it might be well for Mr. Palmer to enlighten still 
further the benighted committee and many others in- 
volved in the same deep ignorance, how it is that its 
treatment of manuscript names is ‘‘unscientific.’’ 
In the case of Collumbigalina passerina terrestris 
it is hardly worth while to waste words in argument. 
When Mr. Palmer is able to show us that all of the 
West Indian birds are identical with the the Jamaican 
formand that ¢ervestvzs is confined to the ‘‘Southeastern 
States’’--a condition of affairs the committee evidently 
satisfied itself did not exist—then Mr. Palmer will have 
grounds for his opinions. 
Very truly yours, 
New York, April 7, 1896. J. A. ALLEN. 
Whip-poor-will Calls, 
G7], HE interesting ‘* Whip-poor-will 
wy Notes’ by Mr. J. C. Galloway in the 
February NIDOLOGIST confirms what 
I heard in the notes of Whip-poor-wills at 
different places and times in Crittenton 
county, Kentucky, about five years ago. 
After I first noticed the ‘‘chuck,’’ so well 
described by Mr. Galloway, I always heard 
it sandwiched between the calls when with- 
in, say, thirty to fifty feet of the bird. 
I regret that I have been unable to find 
my notes on these occurrences, and what I 
write is from memory only. However, it 
must have been early in the season, say 
April; and I know my observations did sot 
extend over a long period, for not exceed- 
ing two years after I first heard the peculiar 
note, I removed to where I have been un- 
able to hear the plaintive call at all. I 
half-way suspect that, if not alway present, 
the ‘‘chuck’’ is at least common, though by 
no means commonly heard. 
The ‘“‘haw’”’ and ‘‘kuk’’ notes I have 
never heard. 
The Whip-poor-will has been a favorite 
‘song bird’’ with me, and I remember well 
the feeling of mingled indignation and pity 
that overcame,or to put it mildly,came over 
me when, in Red River county, Texas, I 
first heard the vastly inferior call of 
“Chuck-will-widow!” 
R. H. DEAN. 
Tennallytown, D. C. 
oo oe 
“WISH you success, and like new appearance of 
NIDOLOGIST very much. Keep it up.’’ 
Worcester, Mass. CuHas. K. REED.”’ 
“T am well pleased with the ‘Nrp,’ and look 
torward to its coming with eagerness. 
Blacksburg, Va. Harry A. PENTz.”’ 
gt EV. C. M. JONES, of Easttord, 
R Conn., sends us the following inter- 
esting note: 
“T was much pleased to obtain, in De- 
cember last, a Murre, which a man here in 
town found in his mill-pond, frozen in the 
ice, and dead. Hechopped it out and gave 
itto me. The ice had evidently frozen 
around it in the night and held it fast. It 
was resting in a perfeetly natural position, 
showing no evidence of any struggle. But, 
of course, the interesting thing about it is 
the fact of its being so far inland as the 
north-eastern part of Connecticut. There 
had been a north-east storm a short time 
before, but not very severe, and it would 
seem hardly sufficient to have driven the 
bird so far out of its way.” 
* 
* * 
THE SAW-WHET BREEDING ON LONG 
ISLAND. 
I went out ‘“‘prospecting’’ about a week 
ago and saw a Saw-whet Owl’s nest, con- 
taining five eggs. This is the first instance 
that has come to my knowledge of their 
breeding on Long Island, and I never ex- 
pected to have the pleasure of finding their 
nest, but it’s “‘the unexpected that always 
happens.’”’ 
A. H. HELME. 
Miller’s Place, N. Y. 
* 
* * 
On THE ABUNDANCE OF THE PURPLE 
FINCH. 
In the article on valuations of nests and 
eggs, in the April NipoLocrst, I read that 
the eggs of the Purple Fiuch have been 
priced at a higher figure in the new ‘‘Tay- 
lor’s Standard Catalogue’’ on account of 
their ‘‘increasing rarity.” Without finding 
any fault with the price, may I not suggest 
that possibly this evident increasing rarity 
is duein part to the shifting of their range? 
In Saratoga county, N. Y., I have for 
several years observed the apparent in- 
crease in numbers of this species. Here in 
Madison county they are one of the first 
