42 
Journal of the Mitchell Society 
[ June 
mountains of western North Carolina, and his list of birds pub- 
lished in the “Auk” contains records of 120 species. The preced- 
ing winter Charles Bachelder, also of Cambridge, made a number 
of obsen ations on the winter bird life of the mountains and this 
likewise was published in the “Auk.” One of the discoveries 
made by Mr. Brewster was the Carolina snow bird (Junco hye- 
malis Carolinensis) . J. S. Cairns, an enthusiastic student of birds 
living at Waynesville, published the results of his observations in 
the “Ornithologist & Oologist” in 1887. He enumerates 169 
varieties of birds in Buncombe County. It was he who first dis- 
covered the Cairns Warbler. 
Messrs. H. H. & C. S. Brimley, of Raleigh, were for many 
years engaged in collecting birds for scientific purposes. During 
this time and since they have gathered much valuable information 
on the nesting and migration habits of the birds which occur there. 
Between 1884 and 1891 they published in the “Ornithologist & 
Oologist” 76 articles on Raleigh Bird Life. Mr. R. B. McLaughtin 
during 1887-1888 contributed 9 articles to the same publication 
on the birds of the Statesville region. 
Additional papers on the bird life of the state to the extent of 
47 in number by various authors have been published; princi- 
pally in the “Auk” and the “Ornithologist & Oologist.” 
Thus briefly and somewhat hastily I have attempted to sketch 
what has been done in the line of ornithological study in North 
Carolina. It will be observed that the work done has been mostly 
in gathering notes on the geographical distribution, migration and 
modification of the species found in the state. Considerable 
attention has also been paid to Oology by Messrs. Brimley of Ral- 
eigh, McLaughtin of Statesville, Joseph Armfield of Greensboro 
(whose splendid collection of eggs of our native birds may be seen 
at the Museum of this College) , Dr. Smith wick of Arora and a 
few others. 
Today we know of positive records of 325 species of birds which 
have been taken in the state, some of these at least are exceedingly 
rare and may be regarded only as stragglers. Among these 
may be mentioned the Northern Phalerope taken by Dr. Bishop 
at Pea Island; the Ruff taken at Raleigh by Mr. Brimley; the 
