THE COLLECTORS' MONTHLY. 



L9 



Of the two, I think the King rail more 

 retiring. The Virginia may be seen fly- 

 ing over the tops of the rushes, with legs 

 dangling, when suddenly it disappears. 



During the latter part of the season, 

 these birds, together with others of their 

 nature venture out to the edge of the 

 reeds quite frequently, probably because 

 they are obliged to do so in order to get 

 the insects, which the low stage of water 

 affords them. Yours truly, 



Geo. A. Morrison. 



The Black Pewee. 



• [For^tbe Collectors' Monthly.] 

 The Black Pewee (Sayornis nigricans) 

 resembles Junco hyemalis in general color, 

 and his eastern brother Sayornis phoebe 

 in habit. In this locality, (San Bernar- 

 dino, Co., Calif.,) he is very abundant. 



A pair can be found near every farm 

 house or bridge over running water. He 

 is not at all shy, and will sit perched on 

 a limb within a few feet of you. There is 

 a dead tree near the window of the room 

 where I am at work every day, and at al- 

 most any time 1 can see Mr. or Mrs. 

 Pewee perched on one of the limbs, keeping 

 a sharp lookout for any insect that hap- 

 pens to pass, when they see one they 

 dart after it, and seldom come back to 

 the limb with out it. They begin nest- 

 ing about the 1st of April and lay two 

 and sometimes three sets in a season. 

 Their nest is like that of Sayornis 

 phoebe. The eggs are from three to five 

 in number, usually pure white, but often 

 spotted with brown. The eggs are about 

 77 x 57 in size. They generally lay in 

 the same nest, all the sets of a season 

 and if the nest is not destroyed, they 

 will occupy it the next year. 



Ed. Wall. 

 San Bernardino, Cal. 



Notes on the Birds of Long Island. 

 I'Y \V. \v. Wobthdjgton. 



[All articles by Mr. Worthington are original 

 and written expressly for the Collectors' Monthly. 

 — Ed.] 



(70) 173. Branta bernicla. 

 Brant. (595.) 



Above bluish-brown, with pale edgings to the 

 feathers. Head and neck and npperbreast black. 

 A few white spots on the sides of the neck. Under 

 part gray, fading- into white on the abdomen 

 and tail coverts. Rump, tip of wings, bill and 

 feet black. Length 23 inches. 



A regular spring and autumn migrant, 

 sometimes remaining throughout the 

 winter. Much sought after, and soon 

 become very shy and difficult to approach . 

 Breeds in the arctic regions, nesting on 

 the ground near water. Nest of sea w eed, 

 feathers and down. Eggs four to six, 

 grayish white, and measure about 3x2 

 inches. 



(SO) 174. Branta nigricans. 

 Black Brant. (596.) 



Very similar to the preceding, but larger, and 

 has no white on the lower eye lid. Length 29 

 inches. 



Recorded as a rare straggler to the 

 east coast of U. S. and possibly occurs 

 as an accidental visitor to Long Island. 

 Breeds in the far north. Nest made of 

 weeds etc., lined with down. Eggs five 

 to seven, of a grayish white, and about 

 2% x 1% inches. 



(SI) 175. Branta levcops&s. 

 Barnacle Goose. (597.) 



Throat, cheeks, and forehead white. Crown, 

 lower neck, rump, tail, bill and feet black. Wings 

 bluish gray. Beneath bluish, white. Length 2S 

 inches. 



Possibly occurs as a rare straggler 

 from Europe, where it breeds in the far 

 northern parts. Nests on the ground. 

 Eggs whitish, and about 3% x 2^ inches. 



