Michigan Ornithological Club 11 



some sections the Bobolink is known only as the Skunk-head 

 Blackbird, while the Towhee or Chewink is called Bobolink. 

 More than thirty different names are recorded for the Flicker or 

 Golden-winged Woodpecker, and doubtless half of these might 

 be found in regular use in one part or another of Michigan. There- 

 fore, while learning to name birds properly yourself, try to find 

 out what other people call them, and do a little missionary work 

 as you have opportunity. 



As soon as you know common birds well you can begin to be 

 of real use to others by adding to the common store of knowl- 

 edge. We want to know all sorts of things. Though not among 

 the most important facts, yet it is desirable to know when the 

 various species arrive from the South, how long they stay, 

 whether they nest here or go further North, when they leave 

 for the South again, and a host of related facts. The novice 

 should let dates of "departure" alone; anyone with moderate 

 knowledge, who is in the field every day or two, may make 

 valuable records of arrivals, but it takes some experience to 

 detect absences promptly. 



We cannot know too much of nesting habits, but among the 

 points on which our information is very meagre are the period of 

 incubation and the length of time the young stay in the nest or 

 remain under the parents' care. If this work is to be done prop- 

 erly the observer should not only keep a model note-book, but 

 he should be provided with a small mirror wired to the end of a 

 light rod (a jointed fishing-rod is the thing), in such a way that 

 the mirror can be bent at any angle and the observer can look 

 into a nest a dozen feet above his head, or in the tangle of a 

 thicket, without disturbing the nest in any way or jeopardizing 

 comfort or clothing in the effort to get closer. The number of 

 broods reared by some species is still in doubt, and any fact 

 bearing on this point should be noted. Disaster often overtakes 

 the first nest and a second or third attempt may be made, thus 

 delaying the appearance of the young far beyond the usual time, 

 and misleading any but the most careful observers. 



Perhaps there is no subject which offers a more fruitful field 

 for the careful student than a study of the mortality of the dif- 

 ferent species during nesting-time. Let someone keep watch of 

 a limited number of nests of the Robin, Blue Jay, Catbird, Song 

 Sparrow, Phoebe, or other common species, and note the success 

 or failure of each family, as shown by the number of healthy 



