CllAIJLKS Xkff. 
Portland, Ct., Fel). 15, 1888. 
I To be continued next week. 
ORNITHOLOfiM’M. 
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A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF PORTLAND, 
CONN., AND VICINITY. 
Written by btr. < hurlem NefI’, \vill» 
Jotting's from Ilis Journal, 
The following is not a complete list, 
hut is mostly of my own observations 
with notes from a journal kept for sev¬ 
eral years: 
Robin—one of our common summer 
residents, commencing to arrive the 
latter part of February—aie mostly 
seen in flocks about the fields and 
among the cedars or some time after 
their arrival in spring. Sometimes a 
stray one will be seen in winter—com¬ 
mence singing by four o’clock spring 
mornings—seem to sing the sweetest 
and loudest—often sing evenings until 
it is quite dark. 
Wood Thrush—a summer resident— 
commence to arrive about first of May 
—species is considered to be one of 
our finest singers—notes sound sweet¬ 
est when heard in the woods on dark, 
' cloudy, or stormy days. 
Hermit Thrush—seen here only dur¬ 
ing migrations in spring and fall—ar¬ 
rive in spring about the middle of 
April—numbers of them can usually 
be found among the hemlocks on Strait 
Hills—arc seldom heard to utter a note 
while here—appear more common here 
in fall than during their spring migra¬ 
tions. 
Olive Backed Thrush—somewhat re¬ 
sembles the Hermit Thrush—pass 
through here during migrations. 
Wilson’s Thrush—summer resident 
—appears early in May. Willow island 
has always been a favorite nesting 
place. 
Catbird — common summer resident 
—breeds here. 
Brown Thrush—summer resident — 
largest species of thrush found here — 
fine singer — song can be heard from a 
long distance during still mornings in 
May. 
Bluebird — common and well known 
summer resident — arrives early in 
spring. It is a welcome sound to hear 
their notes on a warm day early in the 
season when the ground is covered 
with snow. When first heard they are 
generally flying over high in the air — 
commence nesting early and raise two 
or three broods during the season. 
Ruby Crowned Kinglet—seen here 
only during migrations — generally 
found among the cedars—has a lively 
chattering song — one of the finest I 
have ever heard — are a tame and un¬ 
suspicious species. 
Golden Crowned Kinglet — winter 
resident, commencing to appear on the 
approach of cold weather—found among 
the cedar thickets all winter. Associ¬ 
ated with the chickadees and nuthatch¬ 
es. 
Blue Gray Gnatcatclier—rare. A 
specimen was taken here May 11. 1883, 
and is now in the possession of J. W. 
Lord. 
Black Capped Titmouse or Chickadee 
—well known bird, found here through¬ 
out the vear. During summer thev re- 
tire to the woods where they breed in 
holes in trees. In the fall when cold 
weather approaches appear in small 
flocks about our houses. 
White Bellied Nuthatch—found here 
throughout the year. It is seldom that 
] lore than two or three are seen to¬ 
gether but I once saw a flock of eleven. 
Red Bellied Nuthatch—rare species 1 
about here—only seen in winter. I | 
have a specimen taken among the hem¬ 
locks on Strait Hills, Jan. 23,1875. 
Brown Creeper—not uncommon here 
in winter — frequently seen running 
about on the maple trees through Main 
street. I once heard one sin ging one 
pleasant morning in December — has a 
very sweet wild song. 
House Wren — common summer resi¬ 
dent — arrives about the first of May_ 
breeds here. 
Winter Wren—sometimes seen here 
in fall and winter months. I once 
heard one singing near Welwyn—was 
one of the finest bird songs I have ever 
heard. 
