MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
183 
The Hermit and Wilson’s Thrushes occur only as migrants. The under- 
brush along the edge of the forest is their favorite haunt. 
CONDITIONS IN SUMMER. 
The flora varies very little during the later part of spring, and the early 
part of summer. Some species of insects are more numerous and most of 
the fruits are ripe. Weeds have begun to seed, but the majority ripen to- 
ward the end of summer. The birds are through nesting and therefore are 
less restricted in their movements, wandering about the forest and adjacent ' 
habitats. 
CHARACTERISTIC BIRDS. 
Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.). Blue Jay. Now that the nesting season is 
over these birds devote their time to feeding and flying about. The food 
remains the same with the addition of a little fruit,. Blue berries, wild cher- 
ries, choke cherries, and a few raspberries are eaten, but all summed up, 
they constitute only a small portion of the summer food. The- habits of 
the Jay and the other birds of this habitat change so little from late spring 
to fall that there remains very little to add to their spring records. 
Melanerpes erythrocephcilus (Linn.). Red-headed Woodpecker. The Red- 
head forsakes the denser woods during the summer, choosing the oaks 
and nearby orchards. He is still one of the most abundant birds of the for- 
est and his loud, rolling call note resounds from every side. This is especially 
noticeable early in the morning and on cloudy days. 
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES. 
I 
At times, Mourning Doves are quite common, but as a rule they prefer 
the willows along the river. The Marsh Hawk is commonly seen flying over 
the forest as is also the Sparrow Hawk. Both of these birds feed on the 
grasshoppers found in the open woods, as shown by two stomachs of the 
former and four of the latter. The Sparrow Hawk feeds almost exclu- 
sively on insects during the summer; few birds and mammals are eaten, 
however. The Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos are quite common, the maple 
trees being the favorite feeding ground. In the underbrush a few Oven Birds 
are sometimes found scratching among the decaying vegetation for worms 
and insects. 
CONDITIONS IN THE FALL. 
During August and the first part of September the birds are moulting 
and remain secluded, only moving around enough to get food. They are 
rarely heard singing, about the only bird which still keeps up its singing 
during these dry hot days is the Red-eyed Vireo. With the coming of autumn, 
with its beautiful colors, the changing of the leaves and ripening of seeds, 
the birds take on new life. The Blue Jays and Red-headed Woodpeckers 
are now in lively competition with the Red Squirrels and Chipmunks for 
the ripened acorns strewn over the ground. These birds seize an acorn 
firmly in their beaks and force it deftly into some crevice where perhaps 
several other acorns may already be lying. There are no birds which could 
really be called characteristic at this season, but the two already mentioned 
are perhaps the nearest. The fall migration brings many of the warblers 
to the woods again, the same ones being observed here now as then. Small 
flocks of Wilson and Hermit Thrushes are found among the underbrush. 
