FIELD AND FOREST. 5 1 



Field Notes on some of the Birds of the District of 

 Columbia. 



It was the intention of the writer to present the Catalogue of Birds, 

 which was published in the March and April Nos. of Field and Forest, 

 with such notes of his as would throw any additional light on the 

 subject as presented in Drs. Coues and Prentiss' List. 



Such opportunity was not afforded, however, it being desired that 

 the Catalogue of Birds should correspond with the already published 

 List of Plants. 



Dendrceca ccericlea is undoubtedly a visitant to the District as a 

 specimen was seen and identified at Arlington in the latter part of 

 May of this year. 



Siurus ludovicianus breeds in this locality and is more or less common 

 all during the whole summer. Specimens shot June 16. 



Chondestes grammica is the latest addition to the Catalogue. A pair 

 of lark finches were seen and identified by Mr. Ridgway in the Smith- 

 sonian grounds this summer. They were twittering in the usual man- 

 of the species and were unmistakable. About the same time that 

 they were seen by Mr. Ridgway a specimen was shot (August 25) at 

 Four Mile Run, Va., by Mr. W. F. Roberts, and is preserved in his 

 cabinet. 



Mention has been made by Prof. Baird in Pacific R. R. Report, 

 Vol. IX., of specimens of Pipilo erythrophthalmus, with white spots on 

 the scapulars. Two such individuals have been obtained in the District 

 by the writer. One specimen shows several small white dots on the 

 scapulars. In the other specimen the scapulars are marked with nu- 

 merous long narrow white streaks. Both specimens have concealed 

 white spots in the black of the throat. Both specimens are male 

 birds and show unusual variation in eryphrophthahnns j indeed the 

 latter specimen could be very readily mistaken for var. arcticus. 



Strix flammea, although not a common bird in the District, is occa- 

 sionally seen flying over the marshes. A few years ago a family of 

 barn owls were destroyed in one of the towers of the Smithsonian, 

 where they had lived and raised several broods. 



Florida ccerulea, although usually rare in the District, is at some 

 seasons extremely abundant. In August, 1875, a g rea t number were 



