30 
less apparent at Saint Louis than at more northern points. The hosts 
of birds sent south by the inclement weather did not halt, on their return, 
at their former resting places, but pushed rapidly forward and spread 
over many miles of new country. The onward movement dates from 
about March 12, and during the remainder of the “indeterminate” period 
(that is, to March 16) Ducks, Geese, Robins, Bluebirds, Blackbirds, 
Meadowlarks, and Killdeer were found over all of: northern Illinois 
and the southern edge of Wisconsin, all of Iowa and eastern Nebraska, 
while a few scouts, keeping close to the Mississippi river, followed it 
nearly to Saint Paul. The general dispersion of the birds at this time 
can be seen from the fact that seventy-two records of the arrival of 
Ducks, Geese, Robins, aud Blackbirds were received from the region 
indicated. 
Fourth wave.—At Saint Louis the first rain of the season occurred 
March 17, after a warm night (thermometer 56°), with a light south 
wind. Winter ended, and spring began with a sudden start of vegeta- 
tion and an awakening of insect life. Many birds arrived during the 
night, and others were moving all the morning. The bulk arrived of 
the Robin, Flicker, Meadowlark, Bluebird, Chewink, Purple Grackle, 
Rusty Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, and Blue-winged 
Teal. There was an increase of Wilson’s Snipe, White-crowned, White- 
throated, and Field Sparrows. The first arrivals appeared of the Phoebe 
(Sayornis phebe), Pectoral Sandpiper (Tringa maculata), Cowbird (Mo- 
lothrus ater), Field Plover (Bartramia longicauda), and the Little Yellow 
Rail (Porzana noveboracensis), while the bulk of the Tree Sparrows (Spi- 
zella monticola) departed. 
Since the movement in this wave consisted principally in an increase 
of those species which had already come in the preceding waves, and 
since few of the stations reported more than the first arrival, it is prac- 
tically impossible to work up the wave from the notes in hand. There 
seem to be intimations that the power of the wave was not great, but 
that its influence was felt more or less for a hundred miles north of 
Saint Louis and for a great distance west and southwest. 
Fifth wave.—March 22; this was next to the largest wave of the sea- 
son. The night before was warm (thermometer 53°) and cloudy, with 
alight southeast wind. The day was cloudy and threatening, with an 
increasing southeast wind. Many birds arrived during the night and 
others were moving all the forenoon. The following birds attained the 
height of the season—that is, the period of greatest abundance: Robin, 
Flicker, male Red-winged Blackbird, Purple and Rusty Grackles, Che- 
wink, transient Bluebirds, transient Purple Finches, and Song Spar- 
rows. The bulk arrived of the Shrike, Phoebe, and Wilson’s Snipe; 
and an increase was noted in the White-throated, Field, and Swamp 
Sparrows, male Cowbirds, and Red headed Woodpeckers. The first 
appeared of the Chippy (Spizella socialis), Brown Thrush (Harporhyn- 
chus rufus), Bewick’s Wren (Thryothorus bewickit), Grass Finch (Poo- 
