Jan., 1915 
BIRDS OF THE BOSTON MOUNTAINS, ARKANSAS 
47 
Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. Notwithstanding that no previ- 
ously published record for this species has existed for the state, it occurred 
very commonly in migration during my stay. The vernal transit was covered 
between May 5 and 11. On its return southward I found it present from Sep- 
tember 8 to 16. Brushy edges of clearings and orchards were where it was 
usually to be found. 
Cyanocitta cristata cristata. Blue Jay. Really abundant during late 
summer and early fall. Toward the end of October the Blue Jay suddenly 
disappeared so that after the first of November, and until well into March, not 
a single bird could be found. A comparatively limited number were present 
during the nesting season. They were observed to gather into large flocks 
when preparing for departure to lower altitudes. 
Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Crow. A few crows could be 
seen on nearly any day through the year, but never were observed to assemble 
into large flocks. It is the northern form that occupies the Ozark plateau. 
Molothrus ater ater. Cowbird. Straggling flocks of this species passed 
over the range during several days in November, 1913 ; a lone bird was seen 
December 8, 1913. In 1914 it reappeared March 22, flocks passing for a week or 
more. No cowbirds were otherwise observed ; nor did I ever find its eggs in 
nests of various small species of birds examined. 
Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. A single bird 
flushed from a copse, November 28, 1914, but not secured, was the only instance 
that I can recall near the top of the range. It is possible that this individual 
belonged to variety fortis. 
Sturnella magna magna. Meadowlark. A typical adult of this form was 
shot as it perched on a stump in a clearing at the very top of the range, March 
27, 1914. The region is not at all suited to the genus. Otherwise both magna 
and neglecta might be expected. 
Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. Reached the region as early as May 3 ; 
but only a small proportion remained to breed. The few that did so were not 
conspicuous except during the period when the chinquapin was in bloom, 
after the middle of June. The flowering aments of this tree are very fragrant 
and contain much nectar, and are resorted to by innumerable small insects ; 
these latter attracted the Oriole. 
Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole. Not known to have nested in the 
mountains ; and apparently uncommon even as a transient. On April 29, 1 914, 
a flock of eight or nine birds alighted for a few minutes in trees near the house 
where 1 resided. 
Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Grackle. Common enough as a tran- 
sient for the first ten days in November, and again from March 8 to April 24; 
but as it seldom alighted I found considerable difficulty in shooting the few 
examples obtained. 
Passer domesticus domesticus. English Sparrow. A small number were 
ever present in the town of Winslow ; but the species was of irregular occur- 
rence elsewhere. Roving individuals, sometimes alone, often in small flocks, 
could sometimes be seen inspecting barns or outbuildings, even alighting and 
spending a few minutes in the yard, but eventually departing. 
Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. Purple Finch. A common winter vis- 
itant ; arrived by November 24, and remained until at least April 20. Until 
the winter was well advanced the flocks kept closely to the deeper ravines 
