in the Lower Hudson Valley . 
131 
on its southern migration, and becomes much more abundant than in the 
spring. On August 5, last, I noticed numbers of these birds in flocks 
of from ten to thirty individuals lining the fences along the roadside and 
outnumbering any of the other species with which they were associating. 
After September 9 none were observed. The greater abundance of 
this species in spring and late summer than in the intermediate season 
would seem to indicate a more northern range, and this, taken in connec- . 
tion with the proximity to the Connecticut State line, and the fact that the 
course of migration at this point tends towards the northeast, would ap- 
pear to render their regular occurrence there almost assured. 
Cardinalis virginianus. Cardinal Kedbird. — A male specimen 
■\yas taken on Manhattan Island in February, 1867, by Mr. George Bird 
Grinnell, it having alighted near his house during a snow-storm, and on 
October 12, 1874, I saw a pair at Riverdale, where I also observed a male 
on June 8, 1872. Mr. Akhurst tells me that on Long Island one or m.ore 
of these birds are taken almost every year, and further states that he has 
often found them about Sandy Hook, and knew of a pair breeding years 
ago near Jersey City. , 
Corvus ossifragus. Fish Crow. — As will be seen from the following 
remarks, there is no doubt that a pair of these birds have been in the vi- 
cinity during the past season. I first noticed them on February 24, being 
attracted by their small size, and for several weeks thereafter they were 
often seen, their peculiarities of note and habit at once distinguishing 
them from the common Crow. 
Their favorite resort seems to be a growth of tall and partially decayed 
locusts bordering a fresh-water p.ond, and on two of these trees, standing 
together somewhat apart from the others, the birds were to be found al- 
most every morning, but, owing to their shyness and the openness of the 
ground, I was unable to approach within gunshot. In alighting they 
usually chose the very topmost branches of the trees, and when approached 
manifested their suspicion by a restless and excited motion of the wings, 
which appeared to be more pointed than in the more stoutly built 
C. americanus. Their note was an abrupt, expressionless croak, usually 
delivered singly and at regular intervals. Though other Crows were often 
seen in the vicinity, this pair kept aloof by themselves, and several times 
I saw them chased by a clapiorous party of their larger relatives. Latterly 
they have been rarely noticed, and then always singly, thus indicating that 
they are breeding in the vicinity. 
Empidonax acadicus. Acadian Flycatcher. — Arrives the last 
week in May, and is not uncommon during the summer, frequenting cool 
shaded glens or retired woodland usually near a running stream. In any 
such favorable location in the vicinity these birds may be found every 
summer, though I have never found more than a single pair occupying 
any one locality, and know of perhaps six such pairs which are with us 
