THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 



141 



Queries Answered. 



Queries to be answered in these columns should be 

 written an a postal or slip of paper — never mix them 

 in your letter when writing about other matters. 



J. B. B., Wytheville, Va.— The birds, \ 

 whicli you call the " Mexican Canary" and 

 "Michigan Snowbird" are doubtless the 

 Mexican Goldfinch and Black Snowbird. '■ 



G. S., Jackson, Mich. — The difference i 

 between the American Goldfinch and 

 Summer Yellowbird has been given in back 

 numbers of the Young Oologist. The 

 latter named bird is commonly and appro- ; 

 priately called " Yellow Warbler." 



H. E. M., Phila., Pa.— In regard to 

 queries about the birds of Lorain Co. , Ohio, 

 would say that the "Butcher-bird" of that 

 locality is the White-rumped Shrike. The 

 yellow-throated Yireo doubtless breeds 

 there. 



A. V'L., Coxsackie, N. Y., wants to 

 know if the bird known as the " Hivel" in 

 his locality is not the Yellow-shafted Flicker. 



G. G. C, Minneapolis, Minn.— The 

 Crimson House Finch and House Finch axe 

 found in California and South-western U. 

 S. The former is a sub-species of the lat- 

 ter. Their eggs very closely resemble each 

 other, those of the House Finch averaging 

 the larger. Daviesin his new *'£gg Check 

 List" gives their measurements as follows : 

 House Finch, .85 by .65 ; Crimson House 

 Finch, .80 by .60. Both birds were un- 

 known to Wilson, and ai-e beyond the scope 

 of Langille's work. 



L. P. B., Spring Hill, Tenn. — " Coues' 

 Key to N. A. Birds" is the "standard 

 work " on the birds of America. 



W. E. B., Rochester, N. Y.— The egg of 

 the American Goldfinch having faint brown 

 spots is unusual. We have seen thousands 

 of their eggs, but have yet to see our 

 " first " spotted one. 



C. R. H., New London, Conn. — Many 

 collectors found white eggs of the Bluebird 

 last season. 



J. W. L., Brandon, Vt. — We are not ac- 

 quainted with birds having the local names 

 you mention. Can any of our readers in- 

 form us the correct names for the ' ' Cus- 

 tard Kingbird " and "Pump Thunder" ? 



S. W. v., Birmingham, Ct. — We can fur- 

 nish the nests of many birds at the same 

 price we charge for an egg of the same 

 species. Nests of the most common spe- 

 cies are worth not less than 10 cts. each. 



W. V. O., Providence, R. L— You will 

 flnd the tables classifying the three king- 

 doms, viz : Anitaal, Vegetable 'and Min- 



eral, in standard textbooks on Zoology, 

 Botany and Geology. Inquire at any lead- 

 ing book-store in your city. The Young 

 Oologist is sent postage paid to subscrib- 

 ers. The Young Oologist will be sent 

 one year to any publisher giving it a good 

 review. (This offer is not open to small 

 amateur sheets.) We cannot furnish raw 

 cotton; doubtless many of our Southern 

 friends can. 



Many Qukristh will find their queries 

 answered in former numbers of The 

 Young Oologist. It is folly for us to an- 

 swer the sa?7ie questions monthly. The 

 ' ' Tip-up " is a very common name in 

 many states for the Spotted Sandpiper. 



A Peacock with Queer Tastes. 



The writer and a friend while out gun- 

 ning on Staten Island — previous to the now 

 existing law— were caught in a severe storm 

 and drenched. A dangerous cold was the 

 inevitable result of the wetting ; so a 

 council of war was held as to the best 

 means of warding it off. ' ' A very hot 

 drink " was the verdict. But where could 

 such be procured? A saloon was the only 

 place known of So after a squabble as to 

 be it the cold or saloon, we chose the lesser 

 evil. Entering one on the outskirts of 

 Stapleton, we proceeded to a reai- room 

 and ordered hot lemonade, with lots of 

 ginger in it — the best preventative against 

 a cold. While awaiting its preparation, 

 our attention was attracted by the peculiar 

 actions of a fine large peacock, of stately 

 mien and brilliant plumage, in the room, 

 who apparently was in a mild state of ex- 

 citement. This excitement greatly in- 

 creased when the waiter appeared with the 

 steaming lemonade. "What's the matter 

 with the bird?" we inquisitively queried of 

 that stolid individual, who, elearly to be 

 seen, was a " niative. ' 



"He wants to be treated," answered he, 

 with a grimace. 



"Wants what?" 



"To be treated! Wants a drink." 



" You don't mean to say that the peacock 

 drinks?" 



" Yaa! Guzzles like an old toper, sir. 

 .Just try him. " 



Which we did. But being- of blue rib- 



