OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 57 



of September. Four were seen in an oat field on September 24, 

 1902. In early August male birds are sometimes noted in the 

 process of change to the winter plumage. 



97. Molothrus ater ater. Cowbird. 



A rare summer resident in Lancaster. None have been 

 seen within the territor}- of Jefferson. ^Ir. Spaulding testifies 

 that he has not infrequently seen a bird and found the eggs. 

 I have seen a single bird or a company of several birds in pas- 

 tures near the Connecticut River in June, July, or August in 

 recent years. On September 28, igoS, fourteen were observed 

 on the Vermont side of the Connecticut River. This flock ma3^ 

 have consisted of local birds gathered for migration. 



Mr. Spaulding has twice noted a single Cowbird wintering 

 at Lancaster. One was shot there on January 18, 1895, which 

 had been observed throughout the winter to that date, feeding 

 in the streets with the House Sparrows ; and a second was seen 

 up into December, 1899, keeping about with the sparrows. 

 {Allen's Birds of New Hampshire.) 



98. Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus. Red winged 



Blackbird. 



A rather uncommon summer resident, which appears, how- 

 ever, to be steadil}^ gaining in numbers in Jefferson. It is found 

 nesting in small swampy places near Israel's River at several 

 points along its course, and a colony of perhaps a dozen pairs 

 about the shores of Cherr}^ Pond. In Lancaster small colonies 

 occupy swamp}' lands bordering the Connecticut River and its 

 tributary streams. The species is regularly present also through- 

 out the season at Fab3'an's in marshy spots near the Ammonoosuc 

 River, at an elevation of 1400 feet. One or two pairs evidently 

 breed there. A pair has also been located several seasons high 

 on a hill lying between Jefferson and Lancaster, where is but a 

 bit of a marsh with a few cat-tail flags. Indeed, wherever there 



