THE GOlihEGTOHS' fJOHTHliY. 



Devoted to Ocnitholoy, Oology and Hatural History. 



Our Birds. 



(Original.) 

 Our Birds are very numerous 



As they flit from tree to tree, 

 Or skim the glassy waters 



Of the deep and dark blue sea. 



And still there would be many more 



If they were allowed to live, 

 But they are fading fast away 



That the Naturalist may live. 



Whenever I see the Robin, 

 Or the beautiful Humming bird, 



I think of Wonderful Nature. 

 And my thoughts are turned away. 



To when I've seen the blackbirds, 

 Committing their deeds of sin, 



I liken them to the human world. 

 To many men therein, 



What better treat than a day in the 

 woods, 



Where everything is still 

 Save the murmer of the babbling brook, 



And the Blue Jays notes so shrill. 



Here, the cuckoos notes are faintly heard, 

 Sounding so lonely and clear, 



And its here, that "Our Birds in Their 

 Haunts" are found 

 In their homes and houses so queer. 



Should twilight over take us, 



There are other birds to spy, 

 Perchance we may see the Whippoorwill 



Or hear the Night Hawks cry. 



Wherever we go we'll find "Our Birds" 

 As merry, and blithe, and gay, 



As they ever are in the tropics 

 In the merry month of May. 



You may take from us our other pets. 

 Or approach with unkind words, 



But leave alone our feathered pets, 

 Our loved and cherished birds. 



Notes on the Birds of Long Island. 



By \V. W. WORTHINGTON. 



(.74) 142 Spatula clypeata; 

 Shoveller, (608.) 



Bill expanded at tip. Head green. Breast 

 white. Beneath, chestnut brown. Upper wing 

 coverts blue. Rump and upper tail coverts black. 

 Length 20 inches. 



A rare migrant. I have never met with 

 t alive. Mr. Dutcher has taken one 

 specimen. Breeds in the West, making 

 nest of weeds and .masses, and placing it 

 on the ground near water. Eggs six to 

 ten, pale grayish, or bluish green, averag- 

 ing about 2 : 1-S x 1 : 1-2 inches. 



{55) 14H Ihitihi acuta. 

 Pintail, (605.) 



Back and sides finely waved with black and 

 white. Beneath white, a narrow line of which 

 extends up each side of neck to the cro.vn. Bead 

 brown. Central tail feathers elongated. Lower 

 tail coverts black. Length 30 inches. 



A rather rare migrant at the east end 

 of L. I. I have had specimens which were 

 shot in April and February. Frequents 

 creeks and ponds containing enough 

 grass to afford concealment, amongst 

 which they feed. Breeds in the low 

 prairies of the West, and Northward to 

 Arctic countries. Nest made of grasses 

 and weeds, placed in grass or low hushes 

 near water. Eggs eight to twelve, dull 

 greenish. and about 2:1-4x1 : 1-2 inches. 



{,')<>) 144. Aixspoma. 

 Wood Duck, (613.) 



Crested. Head glossy green. A stripe back of 

 eye, and cheek purple, Lower neck purple-brown, 

 with spots of black and white. Throat, line on 

 side of forehead, line from below eye back through 

 crest, and upper eyelid white. Sides of body 

 waved with black and gray. Length 19 inches. 



