Notes. 21 



there was nothing in the weather to prevent our hardier birds 

 from remaining with us, nor anything to drive those south- 

 ward which remain well northward by preference. On the 

 14th the storm which had been raging in the north and west 

 came down upon us in the shape of dust snow, with rapidly 

 falling temperature. On the day before, indeed as late as 

 11 o'clock, the temperature was above JO° . The fine snow 

 penetrated almost like spray, leaving nothing uncovered. 

 For the next eight days the temperature scarcely rose above 

 zero even during the day. The snow-covered land offered 

 but poor living for the beasts and birds that chose to re- 

 main. Some birds came to us from the north, and some 

 which should have gone south remained. The mild weather 

 which followed afforded such relief that all remained until 

 now. The records which follow are those most worthy of 

 notice. 



Cardinal {Cardinalis cardinalis^) Hitherto the Cardinals 

 have been well distributed in the river gorges and heavier 

 woods, two or three in a place in company with the other 

 winter troops. This winter they seem to have a community 

 of interests, and must be looked for in special places only 

 and in considerable numbers. Thus far we have discovered 

 but two companies, one of 14 and one of 19 individuals. 



Old-squaw {Harelda hyemalis). To my knowledge this 

 is the second winter record for this duck for this county. 

 The cold weather did not continue long enough to cover 

 the lake with ice, so this species and the American and Red- 

 breasted Mergansers were able to find food enough without 

 going further south. 



Brown Creeper {Certhia familiaris fused). The several 

 records for the present winter, with those of previous win- 

 ters, establishes this species as a regular winter resident. It 

 is not common, but may be found in twos and threes in 

 favorable places. 



Red- breasted Nuthatch (Si I la canadensis). Like the pre- 

 ceding species, the experiences of this winter make it cer- 

 tain that this bird winters regularly in our county in small 



