several nests. They always build their 

 nests in the highest pines that they can 

 rind, and it is nearly impossible to get 

 the eggs. The nests are composed of 

 coarse twigs with a lining of mud, then 

 lined with finer material. The nests are 

 made so thick that ordinary shot will 

 not penetrate them. 



Ceryle aleyon (Linn.), Belted King- 

 fisher. — This is the only representative of 

 this class in this locality. Their clear, 

 crackling sound may be heard along any 

 of our small streams, A pair builds in 

 a bank near here occupying the same 

 hole every Spring. The Kingfisher can 

 not lie surpassed in beauty of dress by 

 any bird in this locality, according to 

 my notion. 



ArJea herodias (Linn.), Great Blue 

 Heron.— I am not aware of any of these 

 Herons building here, but think that 

 they do; because in the spring pairs and 

 trios may oecasionly be seen, lazily flap- 

 ping toward some pond or river in search 

 of food. 



Ardea candidissima (GmeL), Snowy 

 Heron. — Last spring I remember a sight 

 that was worth seeing — a whole flock of 

 Snowy Herons feeding along the side of 

 the Roanoke river, and as I approached 

 them, they arose in one grand column, 

 forming a magnificent scene of snow- 

 white forms ascending to a dizzy height. 

 I do not know if they breed here. 



Falco columbarius (Linn.), Pigeon 

 Hawk. — This diminutive Hawk is seen 

 only occasionally. I have information 

 at hand, that about thirty years ago a 

 nest of this species was found here 

 which contained young; but I do not 

 know with certainty whether they breed 

 here or not. 



Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.), Whip- 

 poor-will. — The lonesome cry "whip- 

 poor-will" may be heard all through the 

 spring and summer until about the mid- 

 dle of June. I have never found any 

 nests of this species. 



Antrostomus carolinensis (GmeL), 

 Chuck-will's-widow. — This species is 

 much more common than the last 

 named. They arrive about the middle 

 of May and proceed to make arrange- 

 ments for housekeeping. The nest .'s 

 always a place cleared of leaves and 

 slightly depressed in the ground, and 

 situated near some old log or stump. 

 The eggs, always two in number, are 

 beauties indeed. They are pure or 

 creamy white, thickly marked and 

 blotched with lilac and grey. Usual 

 size L40xl.C8. 



(To be continued.) 

 J. W. P. Smitiiwick, Sans Souci, X. C. 



(Continued from 1st page.) 

 with to prevent them from coming to 

 pieces. 



liefer to your works on oology and be 

 well posted on the time when each 

 species begins to build, and by so-doing 

 you will be able to obtain fresh eggs. 



Never take a set unless you have 

 means to indentify it and if you do take 

 it, keep it apart from your identified 

 specimens. 



When you go collecting always carry 

 a note-book to note down every thing 

 concerning the nests you find, their sit- 

 uation, etc. 



Always have a nice cabinet for holding 

 ! your eggs. Spool cotton cabinets serve 

 the purpose very well for small eggs, 

 and are cheap. 



The way I save many climbs is; I have 

 a little looking-glass fixed on the end of 

 a pole at right angles, and hold it over 

 the nest. If there are any eggs you will 

 be sure to see them in the glass. 



it is a good plan to have an egg 

 register to register all the sets you take 

 in, with number of eggs in each set, 

 their si^e and a full description of the 

 nest. 



Never strive to outdo another collector 

 ! in collecting the most eggs regardless of 

 ! what species they are. But strive to 

 make your collection a scientific one. 



Two sets of each species every season 

 is enough to suffice the wants of any 

 true oologist, indeed every body should 

 limit their number to two sets. 

 J. W. P. Smithwick, Sans Souci. N. ('. 



