THE OOLOGIST. 



Vol. 4, No 1. ALBION, N. Y., JAN. & FEB., 1887. ] iJ-^.TvK:, 



25c. Per Year. 



BIRDS OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENN. 



Prepared by C. J. Pennock, Kennett Square 



The accompauying list of birds of Chester county is compiled from the writer's ob- 

 servations and the lists of the late Vincent Barnard, the venerable Ezra Michener, M. D., 

 and that of Dr. H. Warren. It is designed to embrace, as nearly as possible, a complete 

 list of species known to have been found within our limits: a few, as noted, are now ex- 

 tinct; several others noted as stragglers occur so seldom that the ordinary observer will 

 perhaps never meet with them. 



It was prepared originally for the Penn'a Board of Agriculture and appeared in their 

 29th and 30th report, issued in March, 1886, The entire list has been revised and new 

 notes and observations added, up to December 1st, 1886. In the original list the names 

 and arrangement of species was according to Dr. Coues' Check List, but at the suggestion 

 of the compiler, thereby making the list of greater value in the future, the publisher of 

 The Oologist has transposed it to correspond with the new A. O. U. List. The brief 

 notes on food supply was intended as an index of the value of the species to the agricul- 

 turist. As it now appears, several species are given as summer resident that originally 

 were recorded as probably breeding or migrant, from the fact that they have been found 

 nesting during the past season. 



Species in the following list marked B. , M,, or W., indicate that the observation on 

 its occurrence was by Vincent Barnard, Ezra Michener, M. D., or Dr. Warren, re-^pect- 

 ively. 



Barnard's list appeared in 1860, and comprised one hundred and ninety-one species. 

 Michener's first list, in 1863, did not include aquatic birds, and numbered one hundred 

 and iifteen. His second list comprised two hundred and thirty-two species, several of 

 which he believed would be found within our limits; unfortunately, he does not designate 

 which these are. 



Dr; Warren's list of 1879 is the most valuable for present reference, as each species 

 has his record or authority for its occurrence. It contains two hundred and eighteen 

 species. 



1. Coly^nbus Jiolb(eUn (HolhosWs grebe). A rather rare fall and spring visitor. 



3. Colymbus cmritus (horned grebe). Earely met with as a migrant. 



3. Podilymbus podiceps (pied-billed grebe — "hell-diver"). A rather common 

 migrant. 



4. JJrinator imber (loon). Occasionally met with as a migrant. 



5. Lartis pliiladelpMa (Bonaparte's gull). Several specimens have been taken with- 

 in our limits. 



6. Sterna Mrundo (common tern). According to Dr. Warren, Mr. C. D. Wood 

 has prepared specimens taken in the county. 



7. Sterna fitUginosa (sooty tern). At least three instances of its capture are on 

 recor I from our county. 



8. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (black tern). Dr. Warren records the capture 

 of a male and female. 



9. Pufflnns major (greater shearwater). ' ' This powerful bird, despite its strength 

 and endurance of wing, was storm -stranded within our borders and perished during a 

 severe storm of wind, rain, and sleet." — (Michener.) 



10. Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Leach's petrel). As far as I know. Dr. Warren's 

 record of a single specimen is the only instance of the taking of this bird witliin the 

 limits of our county. 



11 Merganser amerieanus (American merganser). Occurs occasionally late fall and 

 early spring along the streams. " Common " (W.) 



12. Merganser serrator (red-breasted merganser). Given in Michener's list. 



13. LopTiodytes eucuUatvs (hooded merganser). Karely met with. Bernard says, 

 " Frequent." According to Warren, " Rare." 



14. Anasbosclias {m.&\\SiS&). A not very common migrant. (M. & W.) 



