281 
May 9; Williamstown, Iowa, May 5; Waukon, Iowa, May 12; Durand, 
Wis., May 138; while on May 16 about two hundred Ruby-crowns were 
seen at White Earth, Minn. 
In the fall of 1885 the record was more regular than that for the 
spring migration. ‘Firsts? were seen September 27 at Grinnell, Lowa, 
and Mount Carmel, Mo. At Saint Louis, Mo., the first was seen Octo- 
ber 5; at Emporia, Kans., October 6; at Bonham, Tex., October 14, and 
at San Angelo, Tex., October 17. “Lasts” were reported at Grinnell, 
Towa, October 10; Iowa City, lowa, Uctober 10, and Mount Carmel, 
Mo., October 12. At Saint Louis, Mo., where they were most numerous 
October 10 and 11, the last was seen October 23. 
751. Polioptila cerulea (Linn.). [27.] Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. 
The southern half of the Mississippi Valley is the summer home of 
this species, and a few may linger in winter on our extreme southern 
border, but the bulk deserts the United States for a warmer climate. 
They have been known to occur in Minnesota, but very rarely. The 
most northern record received in 1884 was from Laporte City, Iowa 
(lat. 42°18’). Theit dispersion in the West is a little peculiar. In Kan- 
sas all the observers gave them as common in migration, but few re- 
maining to breed, while in Nebraska they were considered rather rare. 
Where, then, do these abundant migrants breed? 
Returning, it enters the eastern part of the Mississippi Valley in early 
- March, but in western Texas is somewhat later. in the spring of 1834 
it was seen at latitude 35° April 1, and the middle of the month at 
latitude 39°. The fact that these birds were near their journey’s end 
did not oceasion any decrease in their speed, for they pushed right on, 
and in a few days (by April 28) had reached the limit of their north- 
ward journey in northern Illinois and central Iowa. 
In Texas there is a decided difference between their migration in the 
eastern and western parts of the State. At Gainesville, Tex., they ap- 
peared March 22, and more than a hundred were seen at Caddo, Ind. 
Ter., March 25. These two stations are near the valley of the Red 
River. Much farther south, in western Texas, they appeared later, ar- 
riving at San Angelo and Mason April 6 and 7. In the northern part 
of their range the species may be considered as having completed its 
mnigration aud settled down to summer work about May: 10. 
Tn the fall of 1884 the bulk of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers was reported 
as leaving Des Moines, Iowa, August 26, and the last, three days later. 
The last was reported from Mount Carmel, Mo., September 6, and from 
San Angelo, Tex., October 5. 
In the spring of 1885 it arrived at San Angelo, Tex., March 15; 
Gainesville, Tex., March 23; Houma, La., March 31; Corinth, Miss., 
April 7, and Saint Louis, Mo., April 8. An early migrant was seen'at 
Peoria, Ill., April 13. The bulk reached Saint Louis, Mo., April 17, 
aud the first was reported from Paris, Ill., the sameday. April 18 they 
were seen at Emporia and Manhattan, in Kansas. Between April 20 
