Occurrence in Large Numbers of Seventeen Species of Birds. 63 



grape and hackberry fruit always attract them. On these various 

 berries they gorge themselves until scarcely able to fly, and may 

 be seen sitting quietly for long intervals, evidently awaiting the 

 process of digestion. I have frequently taken from six to a dozen 

 at a single discharge, as they sat in a compact flock after such a 

 repast. They were known at that time locally as <; ricebirds," and 

 much shot for the table by country boys. Since the above-men- 

 tioned dates I have noted the species regularly, but not in flocks 

 larger than from a dozen to fifty. It breeds here sparingly. 



647. Helminthophila peregrina, Wils. Tennessee Warbler. 



In 1877 I found this species literally "abundant" at Madison- 

 ville, from September 8th to 30th; and stragglers were seen until 

 October 15th."* They frequented every hedge, weed patch and 

 thicket, as well as the tops of the lower timber. 



Mr. Charles Dury also observed it in large numbers at Avondale, 

 about five miles distant. His experience coincides with my own 

 as to its comparative rarity previous to that year; and although a 

 common species since, I have not seen such a '• wave" as occurred 

 that year. 



766. Sialia sialts, Linn. Bluebird. "October 28, 1877: 

 Flock of fifteen to twenty Bluebirds seen, probably migrants from 

 north." — Note-book, F. W. L. The species is seldom seen here 

 except in pairs or single families of five or six individuals. 



*Langdon, 'Observations on Cincinnati Birds, 1 ' Journal of the Cincinnati 

 Society of Natural History, October, 1878, Vol I., p. 112. 



