32 
in clouds. Most of the Ducks came from the west, being probably a 
part of the Missouri valley flight. By way of comparison, to show how 
little can be judged of the migration at one place by that of another, 
let us examine the state of affairs at Manhattan, Kans. (directly west 
of Saint Louis), in latitude 39° 12’. Here, during the first week of 
March, no arrivals were noticed. March 8 the first birds came, namely, 
Geese and Ducks—Mallards, Canvas-backs, Red-heads, and Green- 
winged Teal were particularly abundant. The first Killdeer were seen 
on the 11th; two more on the 13th, at which date Meadowlarks ap- 
peared. It seemed as if spring had really come, but on March 13 a 
polar wave arrived and all was changed. The fifth wave was not felt 
here in the least, the weather being cold and snowy. To the southwest 
still another condition of things existed. At Caddo, Ind. Ter. (lat. 
34° 11’), on March 22, the weather was hot and dry, with continuous 
south winds, more like summer than spring. Fewer birds were present 
than at any time since February 1. The commonest species was the 
Savanna Sparrow. There were no Juncos, Tree Sparrows, White- 
throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Harris’s Sparrows; Cow- 
birds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Meadowlarks, Ducks, or Geese. A few 
individuals of each of these species may still have lingered, but the 
bulk left some days previously, and none were seen on the 22d. There 
was very little vegetation, owing to lack of rain. 
The study of this fifth wave leads naturally to the following state- 
ments concerning bird wavesin general: The movements of bird waves 
are governed by those of atmospheric waves. Since a warm wave 
takes several days to pass from one end of the Mississippi Valley to 
the other, it must not be supposed that the whole of a bird wave is in- 
eluded in a single night. In the case of small waves, which are almost 
local in character, the whole effect may be felt in one night ; but waves 
ordinarily occupy the whole of two days, and often three or four. It 
must not be supposed that a bird wave consists of the same species of 
birds at all places where its effects are felt. Above, when speaking of 
the birds of the fourth wave, the species which were moving at Saint 
Louis at this time were alone referred to. The ducks which arrived at 
Heron Lake, Minnesota, March 24, were as truly a part of the “fifth 
wave ” as the Brown Thrushes and Bewick’s Wrens which came to Saint 
Louis on the 22d. For further remarks concerning bird waves the 
reader is referred to the article on the Kingbird in the systematic por- 
tion of this report. 
For the instruction of observers, a copy of the ‘ synopsis” of spring 
migration (in 1884) at Saint Louis, furnished by Mr. Widmann, is sub- 
joined. During the migration season Mr. Widmann sent reports every 
few days, but in this synopsis he has presented the substance of the 
same in condensed form and in such a graphic manner that the more im- 
portant movements of the bird waves can be seen at a glance, together 
with their relation to the lesser movements of migration. Jt is greatly 
