‘Revival of the Sexual Passion in Birds in Autumn.’ — In addition to 
the notes.of Messrs. Brewster and Chapman which have lately appeared 
in ‘ The Auk’ on the above subject the following observations may be of 
interest. From my Journal for September 2, 1898, Jamestown, R. I., I 
copy the following: — “This morning a number of Purple Martins 
(Pro erne sub is ) were seen alighting on the rigging of the small boats 
anchored in the harbor, they being not uncommon here early in Sep- 
tember; later in the morning they were in good numbers (15 or 20 birds) 
along the roadsides in company with the Tree Swallows. The Martins 
almost always alighted on the cross bars of the telegraph poles, rather 
than with the Swallows on th§ wires. While I was watching two birds, 
supposedly young, they were seen a number of times to go through the 
actions of copulation.” 
Another record was made on September 15, 1898. — “While sitting in 
the blind (Jamestown, R. I., Round Marsh) a Sharp-tailed Sparrow 
(Ammodramus caudacutus) came and lit near by and performed some 
interesting antics. The bird would now and then utter a few hurried 
notes, run a few feet and jump excitedly into the air. The bird also 
from time to time (five times) went through the actions of copulation 
on a little, cropped off tussock of grass about the size of its body. I was 
within a few feet of the bird, being protected by the blind, and am posi- 
tive that its actions were those of copulation. Possibly this bird was 
mentally deranged. I took the bird and found it to be a young male, its 
sexual organs of normal size for that time of season. Two interesting 
questions present themselves. Is the accompaning non-enlargement of 
their sexual glands due to their being still non-functional, or is the pas- 
sion caused by simple sensory, nervous excitement ? Is the autumn song 
period, of some species, correlated with this passion ? 
The species of birds that have now been recorded, as far as I know, as 
showing this autumn habit, include the Bluebird, English Sparrow, 
Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow, Eave Swallow, Barn Swallow (?), Purple 
Martin and Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and I have no doubt that further obser- 
vation will add many other species to the list. — Reginald Heber 
Howe, Jr., Long-wood, Mass. Aukj Xvl> j ulyj ^ 
