Occurrence in Large Numbers of Seventeen Species of Birds. 6 r 



to fly from their original guardians, is a striking verification of the 

 old adage respecting " birds of a feather." 



$nb. Quiscalus quiscula i/eneus, Ridgw. Bronzed Grakle. 



"Sept. 11, T877 : Woods 'alive' with this species, especially 

 frequenting beech trees and the ground beneath." — Extract from 

 note-book of F. W. L., Madisonville. 



The above is a common occurrence here at the season mentioned, 

 when the species is much more numerously represented here than 

 during the summer. 



521. Loxia curvirostra minor, Brehm. American Crossbill. 



522. Loxia leucoptera, Gmel. White-winged Crossbill. I 

 am indebted to Mr. Charles Dury for a record of the abundance of 

 these species here during the winter of 1868 '69. He observed 

 them in December, and states that they were in large flocks, con- 

 taining both species, in the proportion of two of the former to one 

 of the latter species. He frequently observed them feeding on the 

 seeds of the "Horse-weed " {Ambrosia trifida), which grows in 

 abundance along our streams and in waste places 



Both species have only been taken here since at rare intervals, 

 and occurring in small numbers. 



595. Haria ludoviciana, Linn. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 

 Amongst my notes on this species, which occurs rather sparingly 

 here, though regularly, is one quoted from a letter from my friend, 

 Mr. A.W. Butler, of Brookville, Indiana. "Rose-breasted Grosbeaks 

 are here by the hundred." On writing Mr. Butler for further particu- 

 lars he responds as follows: " Referring to my note-book I find 

 that they appeared that year (1885), April 25, and were unusually 

 common from May 7th to the middle of the month. I never saw 

 so many Grosbeaks in my life before or since as I could find in one 

 morning's walk that spring." 



The year 1885, in which the above notes were made, was a 

 " locust year" here for the Cicada septemdeeim, but as the Cicadas 

 did not emerge until the last week in May and the first week in 

 June, that circumstance was evidently not accountable for the 

 abundance of the birds. Neither was this species observed feeding 

 on Cicadas when they did emerge. 



611. Progne subis, Linn. Purple Martin. "August 14, 1877 : 

 Weather remarkably cool for several days past and the Martins 

 show signs of migrating. The air to-night at 6:30 is full of them, 

 all bearing in a southerly direction. This is about two weeks 

 earlier than they usually leave." 



