25 



usual birds and current movements. The records of migra- 

 tion as collated from these observations during the year may 

 be summarized briefly here. The fiscal year which this report 

 covers begins December 1, 1919. 



December, 1919. 



The first half of December was mild, with a few exceptionally 

 cold days; but the last half was cold, with occasional light 

 snows and few mild days. During the first period grass was 

 still green in many places and a few wild flowers were in bloom. 

 From the 14th to the 21st, exceedingly low temperatures were 

 recorded, ranging from 42 degrees below zero in Maine to 10 

 degrees below on Cape Cod. 



A Southward Movement of Wild Fowl. — The freezing of 

 northern waters drove the river ducks southward; many ap- 

 peared in the Carolinas, and winter species arrived in Massa- 

 chusetts waters in considerable numbers. A few Arctic and 

 sub- Arctic sea birds began to appear along the coast. Some 

 Geese, which had remained very late on Prince Edward Island, 

 began to fly south early in the month, and on the 24th a single 

 Swan was seen flying very high, moving southward over 

 Middlesex County, , Massachusetts. All through December, 

 land birds were few and far between, except in localities where 

 food was abundant and shelter excellent. There was a marked 

 absence of such northern Hawks and Owls as were numerous 

 in 1917-18. 



About December 1 an Arkansas Flycatcher was taken on 

 Cape Cod and a Crested Flycatcher was seen from the 8th to 

 the 14th in Essex County. A great flock of Cowbirds, a few 

 small flocks of Redwinged Blackbirds, and a flock of about 

 40 Mourning Doves remained through the month on Cape 

 Cod. 'Evening Grosbeaks appeared in small numbers from the 

 northwest during the month; Siskins moved southward through 

 New England, and their places were taken by Redpolls from 

 the. north. 



Movements of Grebes and Jays. — Early in the month there 

 was a flight of Horned Grebes, and a few stragglers were seen 

 until late in the month. Blue Jays and Canada Jays were re- 

 ported as very abundant on the 12th in northern Ontario — 



