THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 
95 
ways, the Dowiteher or Red-breasted Snipe ( Macrorhampus sc-olopaceus), 
and the Bartram’s Sandpiper ( Bartramia longicauda), a bird of the grassy- 
uplands, rather than the marshland. 
Coming to the Land Birds ; the Hairy Woodpecker ( Dryobate <> villosus) 
recalls our Great Spotted Woodpecker ( Picus major). 
The Night Hawk (Chordeiles virginianus), so similar in appearance 
to our Night Jar (Capri mulgus europaeus), has the habit of flying in broad 
daylight, even soaring above the buildings in the heart of cities ; his down¬ 
ward swoop, culminating in a loud “ drone," being very characteristic. 
The essentially new world family lcteridae is represented by the Cow- 
bird ( Molothrus ater), that constant companion to grazing horse or cattle, 
and sly shoulderer of family cares on to others more conscientious ; the 
Brewer’s Blackbird ( Scolecophagus cyanocephalus), typical of the North 
West; and the Red-Winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phaenicus fortis), a sure 
denizen of every willow and reed bordered slough, whose oft repeated 
“ Keroncher-reeee-er " denotes from afar the existence of a swamp. 
The Tyrannidae, replacing the PalaearcticMusciparidae, are represented 
by the Chebee or Least Flycatcher ( Epidonax minimus) , whose vivacious 
actions enliven his woodland haunts, and the Wood Peewee ( Myiochanes 
virens Richardsoni) , who calls plaintively from some dead bough high up 
in the glade, where he keeps watch for passing insects. 
The group popularly known as Sparrows—of almost as many genera 
as species—belonging to the family Fringillidae, is the most successful 
of all land birds in point of numbers and distribution, a representative 
species inhabiting every type of environment. On the plains are the 
Savannah Sparrow ( Passerculus sandmchensis alaudinus) and Tree-Spar¬ 
row (Spizella monticola ockracea). In the brush-land we find the Lincoln 
Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) and Clay Coloured Sparrow ( Spizella pallida), 
while in the woods the White-Throated Sparrow ( Zonotricliia albicollis) 
will be seen scratching among the dead leaves, or his clear, ringing song 
fills the spaces. The wooded borders of the swamp will harbour the 
Chippy Sparrow ( Spi ella socialis and the dusty trail attracts the Vesper 
Sparrow ( Praecetes gramineus confinis), who flits ahead, labelled by his 
white outer tail feathers. The Song Sparrow (Melospiza cinerea), in his 
20 odd forms, is the most successful and ubiquitous of them all ; his cheery 
lilt and confiding ways appealing to everyone. 
The well-known Prairie Chicken (Pedraecetes phasianellus campestris), 
famous for his spring dancing, is found all over the plains and into the 
brush country; the Ruffled Grouse (Bonasa umbel/us togata) haunts 
the dense woodland thickets, whence, comes during the spring and sum¬ 
mer the muffled tattoo of his remarkable " drumming." 
The busy inquisitive little Chickadee (Penthestes atricapillius) with his 
pleasing " Chicka-dee-dee-dee," is a real companion, remaining steadfast 
and true all the year round, and coming for his meals of fat or suet, as 
often as a supply is forthcoming, in the coldest weather. 
Last in this review, but not least, is the Bluebird (Sialis arctica), one 
of the first to announce the arrival of spring, his bright colour in vivid con¬ 
trast to the sombre hues of the passing winter, his gentle voice redolent 
with faith and hope for the coming season. 
Mr. Miller Christy complimented Mr. Hardy on his skill in making 
