Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley. 35 



the 12th was the height of the season for males, but not yet the bulk of the 

 females. May 19.— The height of the season is past, but yet no signs of 

 building. 



Rusty Blackbird (S. ferrugineus). St. Louis— Transient. On December 28 

 first saw about thirty resting on a high tree. Not usually found here in 

 Winter. On March 14 there was quite a number in small flocks in the low- 

 lands. Last seen on April 13. Jefferson — Probably seen, but not certainly 

 identified. 



Purple Grackle (Q. purpureus aenens). St. Louis — Summer sojourner. Saw 

 four on January 18 and two more on the 29th. On March 14 the first of 

 Summer sojourners came ; a very few among the other blackbirds in the low- 

 lands. March 16 — First seen in Missouri. On April 15 they were mating 

 but still going to the common roosting place. April 22 — At this date they 

 were carrying building material. Jefferson — Summer sojourner. First saw 

 one on March 25. March 31 — Seen seven times this Spring, ten birds in all. 

 In the afternoon of April 4 I saw the first flock, numbering eleven, and later 

 another flock migrating. On April 9 they began building in my yard. April 

 21— Two small flocks were seen, but not yet mated. 



Common Crow (G '. frugiwrus). St. Louis — Resident. Roosting by thousands 

 in Winter among the willows opposite St. Louis. On March 14 only a few 

 were seen in the lowlands, where they had been very numerous two weeks 

 before. Jefferson — Winter sojourner. About half a dozen wintered with us 

 and were seen every few days. A few more pissed through in early Spring, 

 but no larger flock than a dozen was seen at any time. Two full sets were 

 found on April 7. 



Blue Jay (G. cristata). St. Louis — Resident. Generally found in troops of 

 from five to seven. On April 27 twenty were seen in a flock on wing and 

 again on May 1. Jefferson — Resident 



Shore Lark (E. alpestris). St. Louis— Resident. On February 24 they were 

 the most conspicuous of our birds ; mating and singing. They are often seen 

 now in the air, singly, with a hovering flight, as if uncertain what direction 

 to take, and making an inquiring call as if in search of somebody. They rise 

 to a height of several hundred feet, drift slowly along for a mile or so and 

 then after a few minutes return to the very spot they had left. Jefferson— 

 Usually Summer sojourner and sometimes a Winter sojourner in small num- 

 bers. The first for 1883 came on February 24. By April 4 all migrants had 

 left. 



Kingbird (T. Carolinensis). St. Louis. — Summer sojourner. First saw a 

 silent one on April 18 — a beautiful bird— and on April 20 a second one was 

 seen. April 29. — Begins to be conspicuous, and by May 1 it was increasing 

 slowly. Jefferson — Summer sojourner. On May 6 first saw only one, and 

 on the 7th three more, but silent. May 10. — Bulk of the species and almost 

 the height of the season — a great increase. May 12. — Height of the season 

 By the 19th the height had passed. 



Great-crested Fly-catcher (31. crinitus). St. Louis. — Summer sojourner 

 First saw two on April 17 ; they were silent. On April 20 the bulk of the 

 species came; noisy Jefferson.— Summer sojourner. First saw one on May 12, 

 and on the 19th one more. Only about a dozen seen during the whole Summer. 



Phoebe Bird (S. Fuscus). St. Louis. — Summer sojourner. First saw a pair 



