48 Bulletin 1, Biological Society of Washington, 1918. 



incursion of maritime species is undoubtedly that referred 

 to by Haley, who says "during a violent easterly storm a 

 few years ago, the Potomac was covered with multitudes of 

 Mother Cary's chickens (Thalassidroma leachii) which had 

 been forced out of their usual course by the gale. 31 



In the bulletin of the National Institute also are earlier 

 records (all in 1842 and 1843) for the surf scoter (Second 

 Bui., p. 148), the double-crested cormorant, old squaw 

 (Third Bui., p. 262), snow bunting (Third Bui., p. 224), and 

 yellow rail (Third Bui., p. 320) than are cited in later pub- 

 lications, and the only record for the ivory gull (Second 

 Bui., p. 134). 



Of birds which once frequented the District but which now 

 are gone we may mention : the passenger pigeon, now wholly 

 extinct, the sandhill crane, Carolina parakeet, and prairie 

 chicken.' 2 The wild turkey and the ruffed grouse no longer 

 find congenial haunts within the District, but occur spar- 

 ingly in some of the wildest adjoining territory. Practically 

 the same is true of the pileated woodpecker, although this 

 species being of a more roving disposition may, occasionally, 

 be detected within our limits. The wood duck, once a 

 breeder within the District, now nests only in the more 

 secluded parts of nearby stream valleys, but still occurs 

 within the District during migration. These species have 

 been driven away, either by direct persecution by man, or 

 by the destruction of habitats essential to their welfare. 

 Another bird, the black-throated bunting or dick-cissel, has 

 departed for reasons of its own. Much territory here is 

 suited to its needs, but the bird has withdrawn from much 

 of its former eastern range, including the District of Colum- 

 bia. On the other hand, certain species have become more 

 common in recent years. Among them we may mention the 

 crow blackbird, orchard oriole, Cape-May warbler, butcher- 

 bird, robin, and the mockingbird. To replace the lost black- 

 throated bunting another finch, Bachman's sparrow, is 

 gradually occupying this region as a breeding home. The 



31 Washington Described, 1861, p. 27. 



32 In the National Museum is a specimen of prairie chicken that was 

 taken in the Custis Spring marsh March 13, 1885. This isolated occurrence 

 is rather mysterious. 



