29 
dates. There were, to besure, a few records of apparently irregular oc- 
currences; asingle Bluebird was seen at Newton, Iowa (lat. 419 42’), but 
none afterwards for three weeks; a few Canada Geese were reported at 
Osceola, Ill. (lat. 41° 15’), February 20, and a few Ducks and Geese at ’ : 
Linwood, Nebr. (lat. 41° 22’), between February 20 and 25. The weather : | 
reports show that this warm wave was felt even beyond latitude 419°, 
but such cold weather had preceded it that it could not break the bands ' 
of winter and produce a condition of affairs that should invite birds to 
farther migration. 
Third wave-—A sudden rise of temperature at Saint Louis on Feb- 
ruary 25 and 26, again started the migrating hosts northward. There 
was not much of a “ bird wave,” but great movements of Geese took 
place on the first day, and of Ducks on the second. Red-winged Black- 
birds and Robins increased, and the first Snow Geese appeared, together 
with the first Turkey Buzzard, Sparrow Hawk, Rusty Grackle, and 
Ruddy Duck. The first frogs and mosquitoes were noted. 
Although the Signal Service reports show that this warm wave was 
quite extended and powerful, yet it was of too short duration to cause 
much movement among birds. The scouts of some: of the hardier 
species moved a little farther northward, keeping mostly along the 
larger rivers. Robins and Bluebirds advanced up the Mississippi river 
to Quincy, Il. (lat. 39° 55’); Bluebirds and Canada Geese were seen at 
Richmond, Iowa (lat. 41° 26’), while large flocks of Robins and Bluebirds 
appeared at Hillsborough, IIL. (lat. 39° 12’), and also at Griggsville, 
Ill. (lat, 39° 43’), ; 
Until March 1 winter reigned supreme over all the land north of 
latitude 40°, and from February 27 to March 9 its icy fingers again 
closed around Saint Louis, driving all the Ducks south on March 2, and 
bringing on a “second winter.” 
The next period has been marked “ Indeterminate” in the record. It 
is neither a stand-still nor a period of much movement. It extends 
from March 9, when the “second winter” was brought to a close by a 
south wind, to March 16. During this time there was a continual 
though slight northward movement at Saint Louis, and much movement 
in the region just north of it; and, what was of more importance, a gen- 
eral advance in the line of open water, inviting a forward march and 
preparing the way for the immense movements of the following week. 
At Saint Louis the arrivals were as follows: 
March 9 the first Ducks returned and passed north, followed two days 
later by large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds (both male and female), 
Purple and Rusty Grackles, and the first individuals of the Killdeer 
(Higialitis vocifera), Meadowlark (Sturnella), and Flicker ( Colaptes) , 
On March 12 came the first Snipe (Gallinago), and on the 16th the first 
Cranes (Grus menicana). 
Thus, there was little change in the Species present at Saint Louis, 
but a great increase in the number of individuals. This increase was 
