62 Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



11 August 15, 1877, 7 A.M.: Martins still observed flying south." 

 — Extracts from note-book of F. W. L , at Madisonville. 



Following this are notes that no Martins were seen for several 

 days, until September 7th and 8th, when a few were noted, 

 apparently migrating. It may be noted in this connection that this 

 species has diminished greatly in numbers here since the advent 

 of the European Sparrow, which pre-empts nearly all the nesting 

 boxes. 



616. Clivicola rtparta, Linn. Bank Swallow. 



617. Stelgidopteryx serripennis, Aud. Rough-winged Swal- 

 low. Flocks numbering many hundreds and embracing both. the 

 above species are to be seen congregated at certain favored points 

 a'ong our rivers for several days during the latter part of August. 

 These assemblies are evidently preparatory to the southern migra- 

 tion, which occurs from September 2d to 5th, in a body. 



Their actions at these times are noticeably different from those 

 observed during the summer. They circle in clouds over a limited 

 area of water, while an audience of their fellows looks on from trees, 

 shrubs and drift, bordering the stream. The evolutions are joined 

 in from time to time by members of the audience, while individuals 

 from the moving flock take their turn at the resting places. 



These maneuvers, which seem entirely unconnected wn'th the 

 pursuit of food, are kept up at early morning, until the rising sun 

 lifts the fog from the stream, when the birds scatter in all direc- 

 tions for the day, to meet and repeat the same performance at 

 nightfall. After several days of this marshaling and gyrating the 

 main body disappears, leaving only a few stragglers to represent 

 the species for a week or more longer. My observations through- 

 out the season lead me to conclude that the Bank Swallow 

 outnumbers the Rough-winged species, in a ratio' of at least three 

 to one. 



The thought has occurred to me that the above-mentioned assem- 

 blies may serve the purpose of a "training school," in which the 

 inexperienced wings of the young of the year are put "in good 

 form" for the long journey southward. 



619. Ampelis cedroruu, Vieill. Cedar Waxwing. During 

 the winter of i865-'66, and for the two or three following seasons, 

 this species was abundant at Madisonville, alighting in flocks of 

 several hundred about residences. Their food appeared to consist 

 «;hiefly of the berries of the red cedar. In the woods the wild 



