62 
ORNITHOLOGIST 
[Vol. 17-No. 4 
ce, and, -when wounded too sorely to fly, 
will 'always attempt to escape capture by this 
means, sometimes successfully. Its stiff tail is 
helcnup when swimming, “so that this Duck 
does riot slope down behind as most do on the 
waterA Trim and jaunty of form, and taste- 
fully yet modestly clad in a suit of warm, 
brownish \ed, it is without doubt a beautiful 
bird. In the fall, however, its plumage is not 
so bright as at the other season. 
W. E. Clyde Todd. 
Dept, of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 
\ 
Humbug. 
About a year ago I saw quite a number of 
articles in different papers ab\ut the wonder- 
ful destructive Gypsy Moth, and what damages 
it was doing in Malden and surrounding towns. 
As I am somewhat interested in entomology I 
thought I would like to pay a visit to the head 
quarters of that wonderful insect. 
I called on a friend and made my business 
known to him, and was shown around several 
gardens and was imformed they had done a 
great deal of damage; but I must say I wap 
unable to find one single leaf that had been 
troubled by those $75,000 moths. 
I was very anxious to procurer* a few speci- 
mens. After riding around some two hours we 
brought up at the police station and were 
introduced to the chief. I Aiade my business 
known to him and he did not have to hunt 
long, but within ten feq£ of the station door 
we'found them on a large cherry tree. I col- 
lected a few specimens and returned home feel- 
ing well satisfied that I had seen the greatest 
humbug which ever invested Malden. Some 
weeks after this, I saw some three or four men 
showering some trees in an orchard. I made 
inquiries as to what tree they found them on. 
It was pointed out to me. I examined this 
tree, and am sorry to say not a sign of a 
moth could be found. 
I think if the state would appropriate a few 
hundred dollars to purchase insect pins, and 
distribute them among the school children, 
and offer a few dollars reward for the one that 
would collect the most, it would do more than 
all the army now in camp at Malden at three 
dollars a day, and roast-beef. 
Entomologist. 
Birds Singing on Their Nests. 
In the March O. & O., I noticed an/article by 
Mr. Henry Hales, relative to birds singing on 
their nests, etc. Deferring to same, I will say 
I consider it rare with most birds but not so 
with the Vireo. It seems to be a trait peculiar 
to that family. I have observed both Cassius 
and the Western Warbling Yireo singing on 
their nest and in this way discovered them. 
It is nothing uncommon for a bird to sing 
near its nest, and by careful attention you 
will sometimes hear the 9 answer from the 
nest. 
This subject is an interesting one and might 
be a help to many students of bird life, in 
assisting them to find the oological treasures. 
Let us hear from others in regard to birds 
singing on their nests. Clyde E. Kelley . 
Salem, Oregon. 
The Phoebe, North of Washington, 
D. C., in Winter. 
It is reported in the January O. & O. that a 
Phoebe was seen near Washington, on Decem- 
ber IS, 1891. On November 28 and 29, 1810, 
I was surprised to see one here. But I was 
still more surprised to see one on the 4tli and 
•9tli (and several times after that) of January, 
1891. This is about twenty miles north of 
Washington. Harold B. Stabler. 
Sandy Spring, Md. 
Early Ajikivai.s. — Feb. 14, Phoebe ( Say - 
ornispheebe)-, March 6, Robin (Merida nngra- 
oria); Maro&S, Flicker (Colaptesavratm). A. 
Farmer. Amoskeag, N. H. 
The flight of Yellow-rump Warblers passed 
here in February. W. P. Hadley, Arlington, 
Mass. 
On Feb. 26, 1892, a black English Sparrow 
was taken by C. E. Brown at Beverly, Mass. 
It was all black except a small buff spot on 
each cheek. The specimen goes to the Pea- 
body Academy of Science, Salem, Mass. 
March 3, 1892, A.M. Bright, clear. Ducks 
and Geese have been on the move for the last 
ten days. This morning Bluebirds, Robins 
and Meadow Larks came. My dear feathered 
friends are returning one by one from the 
sunny South. Afternoon, \sky overcast. 
March 4, Blackbirds reported moving m arge 
flocks. Golden- winged Woodpeckers here. 
During the morning, raining. Afternoon, sky 
overcast. Carl Fritz Henning, Boone, la. 
ORNITH 
62 
ence, and, when wounded too sorely to fly, 
will always attempt to escape capture by this 
means, sometimes successfully. Its stiff tail is 
held up when swimming, “so that this Duck 
does not slope down behind as most do on the 
water.” Trim and jaunty of form, and taste- 
fully yet modestly clad in a suit of warm, 
brownish red, it is without doubt a beautiful 
bird. In the fall, however, its plumage is not 
so bright as at the other season. 
W. E. Clyde Todd. 
Dept, of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 
* 
O.ft o. Vol. 17, April 1892 p. 61-62 
