36 THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 



A large Blue Heron was brought in that was found dead by the roadside 

 about five miles out in the country. It had broken its neck by striking a 

 band of telephone wires. It was a magnificent specimen of an immature 

 bird. 



In regard to the birds that are of interest because of extending their 

 range, I am sure that we have many more Cardinals nesting here than 

 formerly. Ten years ago it was a rare occasion when one saw a Cardinal 

 For the last three or four years we have had several pairs nesting in the 

 town. We always have numbers of Dickcissels in the open country here. 

 They are among the most abundant birds that frequent the hedge rows 

 along the roadsides. I have found the Yellow-Breasted Chat nesting in 

 but one locality in this area, but have not been able to visit the spot in recent 

 years. 



Odin : Mr. C. B. Vandercook writes : 



"In view of the fact we have had the mildest winter for a long time, 

 bird life has been scarce. I missed the large flocks of Prairie Horned Larks, 

 Purple Finches and Siskins which usually are here every winter. I saw 

 my first Bluebird for the year Jan. 5th, met three individuals which finally 

 passed on north ; also saw six Meadowlarks the same day. I saw a Robin 

 Jan. 7th, one male Bewick's Wren Jan. 13. On Feb. 2nd I saw 4 Robins, 3 

 Bluebirds and they remained. Feb. 12th the first Killdeer was heard, and 

 has been heard frequently ever since. March 2nd 2 Bronzed Grackles 

 were seen and since have become common. March 6th I saw two Finches, 

 both males, and one Fox Sparrow. Bluebirds, Robins, Meadowlarks and 

 Grackles are now common, (March 13). Other spring arrivals will soon 

 appear as insect life is visible; some dandelions are in bloom and every- 

 thing begins to look spring like. 



I never have had the good fortune to observe the Shrike impale any of 

 its victims. I have seen them catch grasshoppers and devour them, but 

 never as yet a bird or mouse, although I have found quite a few Field 

 Sparrows, short-tailed meadow mice, shrews and grasshoppers impaled on 

 thorns and barbed wire fences, which I supposed the Shrike had placed 

 there. In catching grasshoppers I have seen them hover in the air a few 

 feet above ground and apparently drop down all at once and then fly 

 away to a convenient perch and hold the victim by one foot and pick it to 

 pieces with their bills. Several farmers claim to have seen them catch mice. 

 I am enclosing the statement of one such person whom I believe to be a 

 reliable observer. 



The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a very rare bird with me, it being seen 

 more during spring migration than any other time. I have only found it 

 here twice during the breeding season, so I can offer no information. 



I have never observed the Horned Lark delivering his arrival song. 

 The only notes I have been favored with are the ones uttered while perched 

 upon a clod of earth or while flying from one place to another and while 

 feeding in a flock in the winter." 



My friend, Mr. W. J. West has the following to say about Shrikes: 

 'T have observed Shrikes catch mice by pouncing or dropping on them 

 similar to the habit of the hawk and then fly to a near by thicket or brush 



