Vermont Botanical and Bird Club 13 



Baltimore oriole, catbird, screech owl, nighthawk, and summer warbler 

 have decreased. 



From this record it is seen that there are 54 different species and 

 an average of 81 pairs to 92 acres that breed at "The Highlands." 

 The number of species to the acre is greater than the average, the num- 

 ber of breeding pairs, less; the average for the state of Vermont being 

 about 95 pairs on the same area under similar conditions. There is a 

 striking uniformity both in kinds and total number of breeding pairs 

 found year after year. 



Many of the variations merely show that the bird has changed its 

 nesting site, as to an adjoining field or woodland. Before we moved 

 to the farm the house was unoccupied and around it the birds lived 

 and flourished without fear of being disturbed, and now have simply 

 moved a-field a bit. Winter birds come and find sustenance in the 

 old apple trees, and though I always. have food out for them now, I 

 cannot see that it has greatly increased their number. They have 

 never fed from the boxes after May, and this year (1914) none came 

 to feed until January 1, (1915). 



My observation of the birds that breed at "The Highlands" is that 

 they are surprisingly constant to time, place and purpose. 



WHY DOES THE GILLIFLOWER APPLE FAIL TO 



PERFECT ITS SEED? 



(abstract) 

 Henry M. Seely. 



The flower of the apple tree, after the honey bee has graciously 

 brought the fertilizng pollen from the stamens to the stigma, and has 

 thrown out the unneeded blade of the petal, becomes as all know, the 

 fruit, the Apple, Baldwin, Tinmouth, or Gilliflower. 



In this mature fruit may, by care, be traced the organs of the 

 flower, the most notable now the united sepals forming the calyx out- 

 side and the inner whorl the inclosed compound pistil, the core. One 

 will find the organs of the flower disposed in this way; the calyx, 

 having coalesced with the receptacle now envelops all, its under leaf 

 parts forming the covering skin, the limbs of the compound calyx show- 

 ing themselves at the crown or blow end of the apple, while within 

 these limbs are crowded as in a miniature bowl, the dried-up remains 



