281 



May 9; Williamstown, Iowa, May 5; Waukon, Iowa, May 12; Dnrand, 

 Wis., May 13; while on May 16 about two hundred Ruby-crowns were 

 seen at White Earth, Minn. 



In the fall of 18S5 the record was more regular than that for the 

 spring migration. " Firsts" were seen September 27 at Griunell, Iowa, 

 and Mount Carmel, Mo. At Saint Louis, Mo., the first was seen Octo- 

 ber 5; at Emporia, Kans., October 6 ; at Bouham, Tex., October 14, and 

 at San Angelo, Tex., October 17. "Lasts" were reported at Griunell, 

 Iowa, October 10; Iowa City, Iowa, October 10, and Mount Carmel, 

 Mo., October 12. At Saint Louis, Mo., where they were most numerous 

 October 10 and 11, the last was seen October 23. 



751. Polioptila ceerulea (Linn.). [27.] Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. 



The southern half of the Mississippi Valley is the summer home of 

 this species, and a few may linger in winter on our extreme southern 

 border, but the bulk deserts the United States for a warmer climate. 

 They have been known to occur in Minnesota, but very rarely. The 

 most northern record received in 1881 was from Laporte City, Iowa 

 (lat. 12° IS 7 ). Their dispersion in the West is a little peculiar. In Kan- 

 sas all the observers gave them as common in migration,, but few re- 

 maining to breed, while in Nebraska they were considered rather rare. 

 Where, then, do these abundant migrants breed? 



Returning, it enters the eastern part of the Mississippi Valley in early 

 March, but in western Texas is somewhat later. In the spring of 1881 

 it was seen at latitude 35° April 1, and the middle of the month at 

 latitude 30°. The fact that these birds were near their journey's end 

 did not occasion any decrease in their speed, for they pushed right on, 

 and in a few days (by April 28) had reached the limit of their north- 

 ward journey in northern Illinois and central Iowa. 



In Texas there is a decided difference between their migration in the 

 eastern and western parts of the State. At Gainesville, Tex., they ap- 

 peared March 22, and more than a hundred were seen at Caddo, Ind. 

 Ter., March 25. These two stations are near the valley of the Eed 

 River. Much farther south, in western Texas, they appeared later, ar- 

 riving at San Angelo and Mason April 6 and 7. In the northern part 

 of their range the species may be considered as having completed its 

 migration and settled down to summer work about May 10. 



In the fall of 1881 the bulk of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers was reported 

 as leaving Des Moines, Iowa, August 26, and the last, three days later. 

 The last was reported from Mount Carmel, Mo., September 6, and from 

 San Angelo, Tex., October 5. 



In the spring of 1885 it arrived at San Angelo, Tex., March 15; 

 Gainesville, Tex., March 23; Houma, La., March 31 ; Corinth, Miss., 

 April 7, and Saint Louis, Mo., April 8. An early migrant was seen at 

 Peoria, 111., April 13. The bulk reached Saint Louis, Mo., April 17, 

 and the first was reported from Paris, 111., the same day. April 18 they 

 were seen at Emporia and Manhattan, in Kansas. Between April 20 



