210 
Loomis on Birds of South Carolina. 
of about “ seven hundred ” feet above tide water. The general 
surface of the county is a rolling upland, with regions entirely level, 
as in the case of many of the high “ black-jack ” lands, which, from 
the underlying aphanitic porphyry, constitute a notable feature in 
the geological formation of the State. The geology of the county 
may be briefly described as follows : About one half gneiss and 
granite, and nearly equal parts of the remainder mica slate, talcose 
slate, and aphanitic porphyry. Between one fourth and one sixth 
of the county is in primeval forest, the timber being chiefly decid- 
uous trees, interspersed here and there with groups of large pines. 
The neglected “ old fields” are overgrown with red cedars, scrubby 
“ black-jacks,” and stunted pines. 
The Catawba and Broad rivers bound the county on the east and 
west ; the water-shed dividing it nearly in the centre. Numerous 
large creeks, with their endless tributary “ branches ” and springs 
flowing from every valley, empty into these rivers. 
The following list embodies the results of my observations during 
the past three years in Chester County. The absence of many 
birds known to be Carolinian, such as Strix flammea americana , 
Nauclerus furcatus, Aix sponsa, etc., will be noted ; but as no speci- 
mens have been actually taken by myself, they have been rigidly 
excluded. 
* 1. Turdus migratorius. Robin. — Resident. Abundant in winter, 
from October to April ; very abundant during its migrations in Novem- 
ber, February, and part of March. Not common in summer. 
*2. Turdus mustelinus. Wood Thrush; “Thrush.” — Sum- 
mer ; rather common ; common during its migrations. 
3. Turdus pallasi. Hermit Thrush ; “ Thrush.” — Winter ; 
very common. Specimens taken as late as the 21st of April. 
4. Turdus swainsoni. Olive-backed Thrush; “Thrush.” — 
Migratory. Rather common. 
5. Turdus fuscescens. Wilson’s Thrush; “Thrush.” — Mi- 
gratory. Rather common. 
* 6. Mimus polyglottus, Mocking-Bird. — Resident. Common 
in winter ; very abundant in summer. 
* 7. Mimus carolinensis. Catbird. — Summer ; abundant ; very 
abundant during its migrations. 
* 8. Harporhynchus rufus. Brown Thrush ; “ Thrasher.” — 
Resident. Common in summer ; not very common in winter ; most 
numerous during its migrations. 
* 9. Sialia sialis. Bluebird. — Resident. Abundant in winter ; 
very common in summer. Eggs taken March 21. 
