THE COLLECTORS' MONTHLY . 



19 



fco sit OD what she has. If bhe nest is 

 touched before any eggsare deposited she 

 will not return but will build again. < >f 

 course there are exceptions to all rules 

 but only once in my experience have J 

 known the bird to return to the nest after 

 it had been disturbed when empty and 

 bhen, she only deposited one egg. Both 

 birds assist, in making tin* nests. The 

 male bird never leaves the locality of the 

 nest while his mate is setting, unless driv- 

 en from it. The female is Hark all over 

 being a varied dull brown. The Collector 

 can go within a Few feel of her when she is 

 on the nest without peeing her, and when 



she does leave the nest under his very fin- 

 gers she goes so noiselessly as to escape 

 the notice of the u.nwatchful collector. 

 Collectors should remember that identi- 

 fication is of the first, importance and 

 when collecting eggsof this species, watch 

 for the female as she leaves the nest. 

 After she has left she will fly but a short 

 distance where the male l»ird will join her, 

 then is the time for the collector to iden- 

 tify his eggs. Liotson Bali, hot. 

 Des Moines, I own,. 



Mr. C. H. Prince, 



Panielsonville, Conn. 

 Deae Slit: — Am very much pleased with 

 last number of yourpaper, I send you a 

 few notes which, if you can use, yon are 

 welcome to. Wish to do my part tow- 

 ards keeping it up. I trust we may see 

 it enlarged, in the near future, that yon 

 may, be warranted in increasing its size. 

 Yours Truly, 



G. A. M. 



Dear Sir: — A friend of mine greatly in- 

 terested in oology and ornithology 

 showed me your Collectors Monthly, 

 which 1 considered a bright lively paper, 

 and wish you the best success in your 

 continued work. Enclosed please find 

 30 cents worth of 2 cents stamps. 

 Yours Truly, 



C. Bradley Isuam. 



Notes <Mi the Minis of Long UlMd. 



By W. \V Wi m- i him. i 



( 15.) Il's. Fregatia at/aila. 

 Man-o'-War Bird. (639.) 



Large; plumage black, with a metallic 

 gloss. Tail forked. i-Vci and gular Mac 

 orange red. Length to inches. 



Liable to occur as an extremely rare 

 st raggler From the south. Recorded from 

 Nova. Scot ia, and inland to Ohio. I '<<■< •••d- 

 I'rom the Bahamas southward. Nest 

 built of sticks, on th« ground, or low trees 

 Lays one egg, chalky white, about 2'.x 

 1 :, i inches. 



(46.) 129. Merganser awericanas. 

 American merganser. (636 • 



Head and neck dark green. Breasl and 

 under parts salmon red Hack black, be- 

 coming lend color on rump and tail. 

 Wings with a black band, and much while 

 markings, Crest not conspicuous. I rf»ngt h 

 2<> inches. 



A rare winter visitor to the east end of 

 L. I. "A common winter resident" 

 (Helme). Breeds in Northern New Eng- 

 land, in May and June. Nest made of 

 grasses, moss etc., lined with down from 



the birds breast, placed in holes in trees 

 Eggs sis to ten, buffy, or cream color, 

 and average about 2.65x1.% inches. 



(47.) 130. Merganser serrator. 

 Red-oreasted Merganser (637). 



Head and hack black, the former with 

 a greenish ejoss, and with a conspicuous 

 crest, of long slender feathers. Breast 

 light reddish brown, streaked more or 

 less with black. Collar around neck, un- 

 der parts, and much of wings, white. 

 Length 23 inches. 



An abundant migrant, and except in 

 very severe seasons a winter resident. 

 Usually seen in small flocks diving and 

 feeding near the shore, on which they 

 often crawl up to rest and preen their 

 plumage. Easily decoyed, and much 

 sought after by local gunners, although 

 their flesh has a rather rank fishy taste. 



