250 



Kansas ; although seen quite often in Nebraska, it is not known to nest 

 there. Its stay at Saint Louis was unusually short, lasting only from 

 May G to May 15, while in 1883 it arrived April 27 and left May 24. 



In the spring of 1885 the Ohestnut-sided Warbler was one of the few 

 species seen at Mount Carmel, Mo., before its arrival was noted at 

 Saint Louis. Although Mount Carmel is only a few miles north of 

 Saint Louis, and not many miles west, yet comparison of an extensive 

 series of notes from the two places shows that the arrival of birds at 

 Mount Carmel averages several days later than at Saint Louis. The 

 cause of this is not difficult to determine. The Mississippi Elver is the 

 great highway of travel for the birds as they come from the south, but 

 when they reach Saint Louis the ranks divide, and those which choose 

 the valley of the Missouri Eiver move for several days in a westerly 

 direction, following the course of the river.* At Pierce City, Mo., 

 another cause operates to make their arrival still later. Of all the 

 stations in the Mississippi Valley, this is almost the only one where the 

 influence of mountains is felt as a factor in the stud.y of migration. The 

 Ozark Mountains stretch to the south of Pierce City, forming a broad 

 and high barrier to the northward progress of migrating birds. f In 

 the case of some of the larger birds and those possessing great power 

 of flight, the retardation due to the mountains is scarcely noticeable, 

 but with the Warblers a marked effect is perceived. Pierce City is 

 about 150 miles farther south than Saint Louis, and yet the average 

 date of the arrival there of fourteen species of Warblers was eleven 

 days later than at Saint Louis. The Chestnut-sided Warbler reached 

 Mount Carmel, Mo., April 23, and Saint Louis, Mo., April 29, and 

 it was recorded May 4 and 5 at Paris, 111., Chicago, 111., Grinnell, 

 Iowa, and Ripon, Wis. May 15 and 16 another wave of migration 

 brought it to Waukon, Iowa, Lanesboro, Minn., Lake City, Minn., New 

 Eichmond, Wis., and Elk liiver, Minn. A single bird was seen at White 

 Earth, Minn., May 17. The bulk was present at Saint Louis from May 

 5 to May 12, and the last departed May 18. 



In the fall of 1885 the last was seen at Grinnell, Iowa, September 10. 

 At Saint Louis, Mo., only a single bird was noted during fall migration, 

 and that was seen September 23. 



660. Deudroica castanea (Wils.). [100.] Bay-breasted Warbler. 



Like the Chestnut-sided, this Warbler is an eastern species, which 

 reaches only to the edge of the plains. It has been found in Nebraska, 

 but is not yet known as a bird of Kansas. It winters south and breeds 

 north of the United States, but is common in the Mississippi Valley in 

 spring and fall, and a few are said to breed at Portage la Prairie, Man- 

 itoba. Mr. Nehrling states that in southeastern Texas, near Houston, it is 



[* Moreover, the altitude of Mount Carmel is considerably greater than that of Saint 

 Louis.— C. H. M.] 



[t Pierce City is in the midst of the Ozark Hills, at an elevation of nearly twelve 

 hundred feet, vrhile Saint Louis is little over 400 £eet.-*-C. H, M.} 



