26 Joint Bulletin 1 



approach. I heard one singing for several days near the upper lake, 

 and saw one in the fall with flocks of juncoes and sparrows in migra- 

 tion. 



A pair of pine warblers, with their young just out of the nest, 

 allowed us to observe them at close range near the upper lake while 

 they fed and cared for their tiny, fluffy babies. The olive-backed 

 thrush is heard every season singing during the nesting period near the 

 old notch mountain road, and the Savannah sparrow is common on the 

 hill meadows near the ponds at the Notch. The altitude here is about 

 1,500 feet. Juncoes nest*only a little way from the lake on higher land. 



We have spent several outings in the fall in this locality, and on 

 two occasions lived in tents on the hill between Plymouth Five Corners 

 and the Black river. The altitude here is 1,800 feet and it is only a 

 few minutes walk to the top or rim at a height of 2,000 feet. 



October is a most interesting month in which to observe the late 

 migrants, as well as the winter birds. The robins, bluebirds and 

 juncoes left us the last of the month; but the ever-present, happy 

 chickadee, the golden-crowned kinglet, nuthatches, pine grosbeaks, 

 crossbills and siskins, were always with us. Blue jays and partridges 

 were very plenty. 



The great horned owls calling and answering through the night 

 (and often in the daytime) and the funny laughing or barking call 

 of the barred owl, together with the sounds of the many little animals, 

 made one almost start when they spoke out too near the tent — and 

 then smile and enjoy the strange noises. 



The tone of the owls' hooting was at the same pitch as the whistle 

 of the engine on the Central Vermont railway train, which we could 

 hear very plainly. This may have been a co-incident, but it was very 

 noticeable. 



One bright, sunny morning, a pine grosbeak perched on the top 

 of a pine tree and gave us a soft rendering of his lovely song; and this 

 was the only time I have ever heard their song. 



A flock of wild geese going southward passed over the tents one 

 night, and their honk-honking could be heard along the line of flight, 

 growing fainter with their rapid progress. 



Sometimes a partridge would fly onto the tent in the early morning 

 from the pine trees overhead, and the blue jays were most inquisitive 

 neighbors. 



One of the most interesting features of these fall observations was 

 the drumming lessons of the partridges. For days the drumming was 



