PTT Pree eRe eee Re reer p pees CORNELL LAB of ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY at Sapsucker Woods a Illustration of Bank Swallow by Louis Agassiz Fuertes wii ALEXANDER WILSON THE FATHER OF AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. From a drawing in the possession of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, formerly the property of George Ord. THE BIRDS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA oe LABORATORY OF ORNITHOLOGY 459 SAPSUCEL® WOCDS ROAD NEW JERSEY [HACA. NEW YORK 14890 WITH INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS ON GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND MIGRATION PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE DELAWARE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB BY WITMER STONE Conservator Ornithological Section Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA DELAWARE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB 1894 Orn: Hy QL GbY S3/ Soon after the organization of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club in 1890, steps were taken to compile from the field notes of the members a list of the birds known by them to occur in the vicinity of Philadelphia, to serve as a nucleus for a future publication. At a meeting of the Club held on February 2, 1892, a committee of three was appointed to take the matter in hand and to prepare a work, which should embody in a compact form, all the important results of the Club’s ornithological investigations, in connection with a correct list of the birds to be found in the Delaware Valley and along the New Jersey seacoast. The Committee entered immediately upon its duties, and it was agreed that the preparation and editing of the work should be en- trusted to Mr. Stone, he having already collected a large amount of data, while the other members should confer with him and examine and revise the manuscript as the work progressed. The Committee issued two circulars to ornithologists and sports- men, calling for information, and received a large number of replies. From time to time it reported progress to the Club, delaying a final report, with the object of obtaining as much information as possible upon the work in hand. At a meeting of the Club held May 17, 1894, the final report was submitted, and the committee was continued with full authority to proceed with the publication of the work, which is herewith pre- sented. GerorGE Spencer Morris, SamuEL N. Ruoaps, Committee. Witmer Stone. PHILADELPHIA, November 1, 1894. (iii) PREFACE. Tue object of the present publication is to provide the members: of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, as well as other orni- tholigists of Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with a summary of our present knowledge of the birds of this district with regard to their abundance, distribution and time of occurrence; as well as to furnish a work of reference for ornithologists in general on the birds of these States. No attempt is made to describe birds nor to treat of their habits, these matters being fully considered in the more general works on North American Ornithology to which the present volume should be considered supplementary—treating only of the status of the various species of birds as members of the Fauna of Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We have endeavored to make the work as complete as possible, and besides presenting a large amount of hitherto unpublished matter, have brought together in one volume all the more important infor- mation contained in the various published lists and scattered notes on the birds of this district. Recognizing the importance of a knowledge of the subjects of geo- graphical distribution and migration of birds to the ornithologist of to-day and the increased value which attaches to his observations from the possession of such a knowledge, we have prepared a brief general outline of these subjects and a more detailed treatment of them with reference to the region under consideration. These chap- ters will, we hope, prove of value in turning the attention of begin- ners in the study of our birds, to these important lines of investiga- tion. In compiling the main portion of the work, the author has to express his thanks to the members of the Delaware Valley Ornitho- logical Club for their valuable assistance in placing their notes and collections at his disposal; and especially is he indebted to Messrs. George 8. Morris and Samuel N. Rhoads, his fellow-members of the (v) vi PREFACE. Committee on Publication, who have continually aided him with their assistance and advice. To Dr. C. Hart Merriam his thanks are also due for the permission to examine the lists of birds, known to breed at various points in Penn- sylvania and New Jersey, which have been compiled by correspond- ents of the U. S. Department of Agriculture: to Dr. Edward J. Nolan, Librarian of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel- phia, for permission to publish the portrait of Alexander Wilson, which appears as a frontispiece; also to Dr. J. A. Allen and Mr. Frank M. Chapman, of the American Museum of Natural History, Mr. Robert Ridgway of the U. S. National Museum, and to the many correspondents in various parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey—especially Messrs. August Koch, Josiah Hoopes, Philip Laurent, Prof. H. J. Roddy and Dr. J. W. Detwiler, who have so courteously rendered their assistance in the preparation of the pres- ent volume. WItTMER STONE. Acapemy or Natura Sciencss, Philadelphia, November 6, 1894. CONTENTS. PAGE REPORT OF PUBLICATION COMMITTEE ........+..6.2. iii PREP AGB: 0: cc) 0! od cel (al he) wee SP tk see PAO AIS. & Se. Geach Vv Part I. GreoorarHicaL DisTRIBUTION OF BIRDS. ....... 3 Faunat AREAS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY: @ © @ BH GRR GON kw eee Ke a ws q WANTER; BIRDS). © se 6. Bow 3) Kd ewe we a 1B Brrp MIGRATION. .... 1... ee eee ee ee ee) 18 MIGRATION IN THE VICINITY OF PHILADELPHIA .... 19 Brirvs FOUND WITHIN TEN MILES OF PHILADELPHIA... 28 Part II. InrrRopuctory EXPLANATIONS. -....- eee ees. 85 ANNOTATED List OF BrrDS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND New JERSEY, ... «2. -ee ee ee es 88 ACDDENDEBs, 2A ia oe Wk BAe eee ROE a Oe A act 152 BIBLIOGRAPHY .. 1... 2.2. ee ee eee ew ew ew ~ 158 ENDER? e050) ye) hae eS relat Site Season on apn Gl teow ATE PART I. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BIRDS AND BIRD MIGRATION. CONSIDERED IN GENERAL AND WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY. I. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BIRDS. GENERAL LAWS OF GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.* Tue true home of a bird is the locality where it breeds; where the food and surroundings are best suited for its existence, and where it would probably remain permanently were it not for the changes due to the approach of winter, which drive it southward to a more con- genial clime until the return of spring makes its home once more habitable. In the wide extent of country through which a bird passes during its migrations, it is but a transient visitor, and is obviously not to be considered as one of the species native to that section. It is evident then that all study of the distribution of bird life, and the laws which govern it, must be made during the breeding season, when all birds may be considered at home. The distribution of birds, it should be remembered, is subject to the same general laws that govern the distribution of other animals, as well as plants. That is to say, where the conditions of climate and environment are suitable to the existence of certain species of birds, there we shall find certain species of mammals and plants; and where the character of bird life is decidedly different, there we may confidently expect a different flora. It can thus be easily seen how intimately related are the studies of the distribution of animals and plants, and how much aid they are likely to prove to one another. The distribution of life is dependent either directly or indirectly upon climate, the differences in the tropical, temperate and polar faunas * The following papers should be consulted for a full discussion of this ques- tion: J. A. Allen, ‘On the Mammals and Water Birds of East Florida * * * And a Sketch of the Bird-Faune of Eastern North America.’—Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., II., p. 161. Dr. C. Hart Merriam, “ Results of a Biological Survey of the San Francisco Mountain Region and Desert of the Little Colorado, Arizona” (Part I.).—North Amer. Fauna, No. 3. J. A. Allen, “ Origin and Distribution of North American Birds.”—The Auk, 1893, p. 97. (3) 4 being well known instances. In different continents or countries far separated, the faunas and floras are usually radically different, being derived from different stocks; but in them all successive climatic zones of life will be experienced in passing in a general north or south direction. A careful study of the breeding ranges of the birds of Eastern North America has clearly demonstrated this as regards our con- tinent. The northern and southern limits of the breeding ranges of the various species fall along certain more or less distinct lines, where there are likewise decided changes in the flora as well as in the climate and general character of the country. In this manner the continent may be separated into several parallel zones, each of which marks the northern and southern limit of the breeding range of certain species. Besides the Tropical Realm which reaches the coast of southern Florida, and the cireumpolar Arctic Realm, five life zones are clearly marked in eastern North America. These are known as the (1) Louisianian, (2) Carolinian, (3) Alleghanian, (4) Canadian, (5) Hud- sovian. Now it must not be supposed that the boundaries of these zones compare in any way with the regularity of the parallels of latitude, for they are, on the contrary, exceedingly broken and ir- regular. This is of course due to the topography of the country, as the elevated mountain ranges and plateaus, having of necessity a cooler climate than the surrounding lowlands, carry a more northern fauna and flora far southward, while on the other hand low open river valleys are always milder in climate, and thus furnish avenues by whick the southern animals and plants extend their distribution northward. We therefore find the boundaries of these “ life zones ” extending up and down in a zig-zag manner as they follow the vary- ing irregularities of the land. These irregularities of surface fre- quently make the lines of separation between one zone and another all the more strongly marked, since on the precipitous side of a mountain the change of climate as one ascends is much more rapid than is experienced in traveling northward on the level. The change in the vegetation is similarly sudden, the line between the coniferous and deciduous forests being usually quite apparent, and with the change in vegetation comes a corresponding change in the birds and other animals. Of the four life zones already mentioned, three pass through Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Carolinian Zone occupies the 5 whole of southern New Jersey and extends northward in a contin- ually narrowing strip along the whole coast, terminating in narrow offshoots into the valley of the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers. In Pennsylvania it occupies the whole south-eastern corner of the state and pushes up the valley of the Susquehanna, following its tributaries into the low ground between the first ridges of the Alleghanies. To the southward the Carolinian Zone sweeps along parallel to the mountains, and, rounding their southern extremity, bends north again, spreading over the upper Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, and again enters Pennsylvania in the south-western counties. The same species of birds are found breeding throughout this area, though the presence, or, at least, abundance of certain species at par- ticular localities is often dependent on the local environment. Gen- erally speaking, however, a list of the breeding birds of any locality within the zone will correspond very closely with a similar list from any other station within its boundaries. Certain birds do not range north of the Carolinian Zone, and are, therefore, useful in determining more exactly its northern boundary. Such are the Acadian Flycatcher, Cardinal, Worm-eating Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, and others. The presence of any of these during the breeding season indicates a Carolinian element in the fauna of the locality. The Alleghanian Zone, lying immediately north of the Carolinian, embraces all of the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey not in- cluded in the latter, except the tops of the higher mountain ranges and portions of the elevated table land in the north central part of Pennsylvania. Generally speaking, this includes the entire breadth of the Appalachian mountain system in these two states, except the highest ridges already alluded to. The Alleghany Mountains (ex- cept the high ridges) to their southern extremity belong to this zone, and to the north it includes most of New York and New England and the valley of the St. Lawrence, as well as southern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Alleghanian Zone forms the northern limit to the range of the following species, which occur regularly within its boundaries, though they are much more abundant in the Carolinian Zone, 7. e., the Wood Thrush, Brown Thrasher, House Wren, Field Sparrow, Chewink and Dove. 6 The Chestnut-sided Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Least Fly- catcher, Wilson’s Thrush and Savanna Sparrow are also found breeding in the Alleghanian Zone, none of which occur, except as migrants, in the Carolinian Belt. The Scarlet Tanager, Black and White Warbler and Redstart are also characteristic species of the Alleghanian Zone, and, though they breed also in the Carolinian, are less abundant there. The Canadian Zone occupies in Pennsylvania only the tops of the highest mountains and the elevated plateau region, where the deep hemlock forests, with their cold brooks and dense shade, still remain undisturbed. The passage from the Alleghanian to the Canadian Zone is here, as a rule, remarkably distinct, as the more northern birds keep strictly to the virgin forest, the cool shade of which affords them a congenial summer home. Where the forest has been re- moved the Canadian species for the most part disappear, and, judg- ing from present indications, it would seem that this element in our fauna, which once undoubtedly extended over a much greater area than at present, may soon almost entirely disappear, as the lumber- men year by year encroach upon the forest tracts. The Canadian Zone, as exhibited in the Alleghanies, consists of a series of isolated patches or ‘‘islands,’’ which are quite separated from the main portion of the zone in the north, the elevation above the sea level in the isolated portions producing climatic conditions similar to those experienced in the lowlands at more northern lati- tudes. In addition to the mountain tops of Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina, the Canadian Zone includes the Catskills and Adirondacks, while the main portion of the zone stretches from the White Mountains and Maine north to southern Labrador and New- foundland, and northwest to southern Alaska. Between the Cana- dian and the Arctic lies the Hudsonian Zone. Birds which characterize the Canadian Zone in the breeding season are the Canadian, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian and Magnolia Warblers, the Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Hermit and Olive- backed Thrushes. Many other species breed regularly in the more northern portion of the zone, such as the White-throated Sparrow, Three-toed Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, etc., but none of these have yet been found breeding either in the Pennsylvania mountains or farther south. FAUNAL AREAS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY THEIR PHYSICAL FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTIC BIRDS. The three great faunal zones which pass through Pennsylvania and New Jersey may be divided into several well-defined regions, which differ more or less in their physical features and consequently in the character of their bird life. In southern New Jersey two principal regions may be recognized, the Maritime Marshes and the Pine Barrens, with their Cedar Swamps, while as we pass westward through Pennsylvania there are the valleys of the Delaware, Schuylkill and Susquehanna—all of these are included in the Carolinian Zone. Farther north and northwest, between the large river valleys, are the Interior Uplands, where the Carolinian birds begin to disappear. Then follow the Blue Mountain range and the various detached ridges and foot hills of the Appalachian system, where the Alleghanian element is first met with, and finally the Alleghany mountain proper, capped with the deep Canadian hemlock forests. The Maritime Marshes.—The great salt marshes of New Jersey stretch along the coast for one hundred miles, from Cape May to the head of Barnegat Bay, averaging about two miles in width in the lower portion and gradually narrowing northward. On the ocean side they are bordered by a narrow line of sand-hills which separates them from the low, shelving beach. Several large bays and sounds intervene between the marshes and the sand-hills, communicating with the ocean by narrow inlets. At several points the bays stretch back and carry the marshes several miles inland, as along the Great Egg Harbor and Mullica Rivers. The coast sand-hills sometimes become wide enough to support a scanty growth of Pines (Pinus rigida), and Scrub Oaks (Quercus ilictfolia and Q. nigra), in which the Fish Crows and Fish Hawks nest, while everywhere they are covered with a thick growth of Bay-berry (Myrica certfera), and in this shelter a few Song Sparrows and Maryland Yellow-throats spend the summer, The marshes themselves present throughout an even expanse of green sedges and marsh grasses, with a thick carpet of Salicornia. Everywhere thoroughfares and creeks of varying width wind their way in and out in an endless tangle, and at low tide their muddy banks and exposed flats form favorite feeding grounds for the migrat- ing “shore birds ” and the Clapper Rails which nest on the marshes. 8 In addition to the Rails, the most characteristic summer birds of the marshes are the Sharp-tailed and Seaside Sparrows, which breed everywhere in abundance. These three birds constitute the entire bird life of the salt marshes in summer, with the exception of a few Herons which resort there to feed. Nearer the mainland, however, where the water is not so salt and patches of cat-tails occur, Marsh Wrens, Red-winged Blackbirds and other species may be found breeding. The Common Tern and Laughing Gull used to share the marshes with the Rails and Sparrows during the breeding season, but along with the Piping Plovers, Least Terns and Skimmers which used to breed regularly along the New Jersey coast, they have almost en- tirely disappeared, and only a few pairs are now to be seen during the summer. The Pine Barrens.—Behind the marshes and occupying all of southern New Jersey, south of a line from Long Branch to Salem, lies the characteristic Pine Barren Region—the northern extremity of the great Atlantic Plain. This is a low, flat, sandy district, varied here and there with outcrops of yellow gravel and with numerous swamps scattered about throughout its extent. Some portions are mere dry wastes of loose sand supporting a scant growth of low Pines and Scrub Oaks, while in other sections are vast forests of tall Pitch Pines (Pinus rigida). Were and there are open cranberry bogs and small tracts of cultivated land. In the forests the Pine Warbler is the most characteristic species of bird, while several species of Woodpeckers and the Great Horned Owls here find a congenial home. In the lower scrub growth, es- pecially on the borders of the swamps, Chewinks and Prairie Warblers abound, together with Wood Pewees and Kingbirds. The Cedar Swamps.—The swamps, however, harbor the great- est variety of birds, and furnish a most interesting field for the ornithologist. These swamps are generally covered with a dense growth of White Cedar (Chamecyparis thyoides), mingled here and there with patches of Red Maple, Pepper Bush (Clethra alnifolia), Magnolia (M. glauca) and Holly, making an almost impenetrable jungle. Here and there occur shallow ponds or lakes, which seem to have overflowed considerable areas of older thickets. The dead and rotten branches of the submerged trees and bushes everywhere raise their gaunt shapes from the dark water stained with the accumu- 9 lated vegetable matter, and upon them hang dense festoons of the gray beard-moss (Usnea barbata). Here the Parula Warblers abound, darting about among the tufts of moss in which their dainty nests are so securely hidden. Were, too, the clear note of the Hooded Warbler is heard throughout the nesting season, though this species is perhaps more plentiful in the holly thickets on the edge of the swamps. Cardinals and Catbirds are also at home in these thickets, and the anxious cries of the Carolina Chickadee frequently greet the ear. Probably the most characteristic bird of the swamps, however, is the White-eyed Vireo, whose clear and somewhat monotonus song is heard continually. It is in the Pine Barren Region of New Jersey that an occasional Blue-gray Gnatcatcher or Mockingbird is most likely to be found, though both these birds are very scarce in this state, as well as in Pennsylvania. The Lowlands of Pennsylvania.—South-eastern Pennsylvania is cut off sharply from the mountainous parts of the state by the Kittatinny or Blue Mountain, which extends in a nearly straight line from the Delaware Water Gap to the middle of Cumberland county, where it bends to the southward and crosses the Maryland boundary. The country to the south of this ridge is an undulating slope, com- prising the valleys of the Delaware, Schuylkill and Susquehanna, and the slightly more elevated ground between them. North of these valleys, and immediately below the Blue Mountain, there is also a long valley extending diagonally across the state from north-east to south-west. The lower end of this valley—Cumberland Valley—is bounded on the south by another ridge, known as the South Moun- tain, and the same ridge reappears between Reading and Easton. In the intervening part, however, the more northern valley passes imperceptibly into the lowlands to the south. Besides the South Mountain and its eastern extension the prin- cipal elevations in south-eastern Pennsylvania are the Welsh Moun- tain, Copper Mine Ridge and North Valley Hills, in Lancaster and Chester counties. The greater part of New Jersey, north of the Pine Barrens, is identical with this portion of Pennsylvania in its fauna. The characteristics of the several divisions of this region are as follows: The Delaware Valley—The country lying on each side of the Delaware River, including in New Jersey a narrow strip bounded on 10 the east by the Pine Barrens and stretching from Bucks to Chester county in Pennsylvania, and drained by the Delaware, Schuylkill and Brandywine, has quite a uniform bird fauna. It consists mainly of an open farming district, with interspersed patches of oak and chestnut woodland and occasional clumps of Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), while on some of the steeper banks of the rivers and creeks, on the Pennsylvania side, are scanty growths of Hemlock. The flat meadows below Philadelphia contain numerous open swamps and patches of woodland composed of Oak, together with Sweet Gum, Magnolia and Pepperbush, which recall the New Jersey swamps. Asa complete list of the birds which breed in the Delaware Valley will be found elsewhere, it is only necessary in this connection to mention the regular occurrence in suitable localities throughout this district of such distinctively Carolinian species as the Turkey Vul- ture, Barn Owl, Acadian Flycatcher, Cardinal, Rough-winged Swallow, Blue-winged Warbler, Kentucky. Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Carolina Wren and Tufted Tit- mouse. An occasional pair of Redstarts and Least Flycatchers remain here to breed, though the majority of them do not summer south of the Alleghanian zone. The Susquehanna Valley.—The valley of the Susquehanna, stretch- ing back from Chesapeake Bay, enters Pennsylvania in York and Lancaster counties and carries many southern plants and birds north- ward in abundance which are rare or unknown in the higher ground on either side. The deep hemlock woods which cover the steep and rocky banks of the river remind one strongly of the mountain forests of the Alleghanies, but we find no trace of mountain birds to com- plete the resemblance, although a few northern species of plants do occur.* The character of the bird fauna, though practically identi- cal with that of the country to the east, is probably rather more Carolinian. No species occur, so far as is known, which are not also found in other portions of southeastern Pennsylvania, but the dis- tinctively Carolinian species are much more abundant than else- where. Carolina Wrens seem to almost entirely replace the House Wrens, and their loud whistle is continually to be heard. Cardinals, Kentucky Warblers, Blue-winged Warblers and Worm-eating Warb- lers abound, and Louisiana Water-Thrushes occupy the shaded rocky * Sambucus pubens, ete. Il ravines of the rapid tributary streams, while Turkey Vultures breed among the rocks and congregate in numbers on the low sandy islands. The Interior Uplands.—The bird fauna just described as charac- terizing the lowlands of south-eastern Pennsylvania extends also along the valleys between the Blue Mountain and South Mountain, and some of the species penetrate even farther, following the course of the larger rivers, and lend a Carolinian tinge to the fauna of the valleys lying to the north of the Blue Mountain. Generally speak- ing, however, the Carolinian element is not nearly so strongly marked in the valleys north of South Mountain and its eastern spurs, nor in the higher ground forming the water-sheds between the drainage of the Delaware, Schuylkill and Susquehanna. The first appearance of Alleghanian species, such as the Chestnut- sided Warbler, and the increase in the numbers of species which are more characteristic of the Alleghanian than of the Carolinian zone, as, for instance, the Scarlet Tanager, Black and White Warbler, etc., is noticeable on the Welsh Mountain and Copper Mine Ridge in Lan- easter county, and also in the eastern continuation of South Moun- tain between Reading and Easton. The Appalachian District—Between the Blue Mountain and the main crest of the Alleghanies is a series of sharp mountain ridges, eut and broken by river valleys, mainly those of the Susquehanna and its tributaries. This region is Alleghanian in its fauna, and with it is to be con- sidered the northwestern mountainous part of New Jersey. As has already been said, a few Carolinian birds are to be found in some of the valleys, especially the broad valley of the Susquehanna, but generally speaking the region is truly Alleghanian and is character- ized by the occurrence in summer of such species as the Chestnut- sided Warbler, Purple Finch, Savanna Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, ete., which are not known as breeders in the Carolinian Belt. The Alleghany and Pocono Mountains.—On the main Alleghany mountain, extending from Susquehanna to Lycoming county, Pa., and thence southwards to Somerset county, on the plateau region of north-central Pennsylvania and on the Pocono Mountain plateau, which occupies the north-eastern corner of the State, there probably existed a bird fauna almost the same as that of the Catskills in New York, and decidedly Canadian in its affinities. Now, however, the rapid destruction of the primeval hemlock 12 forest, which formerly covered these mountains, has in most places driven away the more characteristic Canadian birds which were wont to breed in the cool dark woods and deep rhododendron swamps. Regarding the disappearance and present extent of the hemlock forest, Mr. Dwight says:* ‘‘ There was a time when the mountains of Pennsylvania were clothed with unbroken forest, the cool re- cesses of which afforded refuge for many species now found in re- duced numbers in the few tracts of timber still untouched by the axe. At the present time the plateau region is in many places covered with farms, which often extend to the very crest line, and there is little suggestive of the top of a mountain range. Bits of the original forest, however, still remain in many places, and on North Mountain (which includes a large section of plateau in or adjacent to the south- ern part of Sullivan county) is found what is said to be the largest body of timber remaining uncut in the whole State.” As regards the general character of these forests, we cannot do better than to quote from Mr. Dwight’s description of North Mountain. He says: ‘The forest is truly primeval ; the hemlock, the yellow birch and the maple are the characteristic trees, and attain great size. The hemlocks are scattered in considerable numbers through the forest, and tower above it, their huge trunks often four or five feet in diameter, marking them out as giants among their lesser brethren. The underbrush is often dense, and everywhere great logs, covered with moss, lie mouldering. Here and there you hear clear cold brooks that seem to imitate the song of the Winter Wren that is almost constantly heard along them. The drawling song of the Black-throated Blue Warbler and the sprightly one of the Canadian Warbler is heard on every hand. High up in the hemlocks the drowsy sounds of the Black-throated Green Warbler are heard, and the lively chatter of the Blackburnian Warbler catches the ear.” Among other species which breed in these forests are the Cross- bill, Snowbird, Magnolia Warbler, Small-billed Water-Thrush, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet (?), Olive-backed Thrush and Hermit Thrush. WINTER BIRDS. As all species have certain limits within which they find a nesting ground suitable to their requirements, so also they have more or less * The Auk, 1892, p. 129. 13 definite winter habitats. The boundaries of the latter are, however, influenced to a considerable extent by the severity of the season and the abundance of suitable food. When the crop of berries has been large and the weather during the early part of the season compara- tively mild, many birds will winter farther north than they usually do, and will often brave very severe weather later in the season. Heavy snow storms, which completely cover the ground, and with it the food of many species of birds, cause a sudden migration farther south, where the ground is more open. It is on such occasions that we are favored with flying visits from Redpolls, Snow Buntings and other birds of the far north. The distribution of birds in the Delaware Valley during the winter months is by no means uniform, some localities being much more frequented than others. The vicinity of the tide-water creeks on the New Jersey side of the river seems to furnish the most favorable win- ter quarters, while some of the dry uplands in Pennsylvania are nearly destitute of birds during the winter season. About Philadel- phia the Song Sparrows and Tree Sparrows are universally distri- buted in low swampy tracts, the latter species usually in large flocks. On the river marshes quite a number of Swamp Sparrows also asso- ciate with them. Large flocks of Snowbirds, as well as flocks of Goldfinches, Purple Finches and a few Pine Finches are always pres- ent. White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Tits are generally distributed through woodland and orchards, and in sheltered thickets occur Cardinals, White-throated Sparrows, Carolina Wrens and Winter Wrens. Golden-crowned Kinglets also winter regularly in many places, and Cedarbirds and Blue Jays are generally to be found. Crows are very abundant all winter in immense flights, passing to and from their roosts in the evening and early morning. Hawks, too, occur in larger numbers in winter than at other seasons, and, though pretty generally distributed, the river meadows of Delaware county seem to be their great rendezvous. Here, on any winter morning, large numbers may be seen perched upon the solitary trees which dot the meadows, or lazily flapping out from the patches of woodland where they have roosted during the night. All the summer species are present, and in addition the Pigeon Hawk, Peregrine and Black Hawk. None of these, however, are very plentiful, and the Black Hawk is seldom seen far from the river meadows. Some other birds are also nearly or quite restricted 14 to these meadows during the winter. Meadowlarks occur there regularly in flocks, while over most of the higher ground a few miles back they are absent from November to March. A few Rusty Grackles sometimes winter with the flocks of Sparrows which fre- quent the marshes, and now and then flocks of Tit Larks, Horned Larks or Snow Buntings may be found there, though they are very erratic in their movements. Robins and Bluebirds usually winter in small numbers in sheltered spots in the vicinity of Philadelphia, and now and then one or two Flickers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Red- winged Blackbirds or Purple Grackles are seen, and more rarely Red- polls, Crossbills and Northern Shrikes. On the New Jersey tide-water creeks, as already mentioned, birds are very numerous. Cardinals are very plentiful here all winter, and an occasional Hermit Thrush is found. Myrtle Warblers are also of regular occurrence in winter in New Jersey, frequenting the Pines and Cedars. In the vicinity of Cape May, and on the eastern edge of the Pine Barrens, several species winter which have not been found farther north in the state at this season, or which only occur as stragglers. Fox Sparrows, Long and Short-billed Marsh Wrens and Cowbirds have been taken in the depth of winter, and Meadowlarks, Red- winged Blackbirds, Savanna Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows and Vesper Sparrows occur in abundance. A few Turkey Vultures are also gen- erally to be seen in southern New Jersey throughout the winter, On the salt marshes, from Atlantic City southward, a few Sharp- tailed Finches manage to survive the winter, while on the sand hills, all along the coast, Ipswich Sparrows occur, though not plentifully. Among the waterbirds, Scoters and Herring Gulls are present all winter along the shore line, while Loons and several species of Ducks inhabit the bays. Canada and Snow Geese occur regularly in Dela- ware Bay, and a few Little Auks, Briinnich’s Murres and Razor- billed Auks enter the mouth of the river from the ocean, and nearly every winter one or two are taken as far up as Chester. II. BIRD MIGRATION. GENERAL DISCUSSION OF MIGRATION.* THE semi-annual migration of birds, north-ward in the spring, and south-ward in the fall, is familiar to all who have paid any attention to ornithology. Only a very small proportion of our birds remain with us throughout the year, and, although we have quite a number of species present through the winter, after our summer species have left us, the greater number are visitors from farther north. According to the character of their migration, the birds of any locality are generally arranged under four heads: Residents, are those which are present throughout the year. In many cases however, these are more numerous in summer than in winter. Summer Residents; those which breed at the locality under con- sideration, arriving from the south in the spring and returning again in the fall. Transient Visitants breed farther north and winter farther south, passing through the specified locality on their migrations. Winter Visitants occur during the winter, arriving from the north in the fall and returning again to their breeding grounds in the spring. The habit of migration, probably, originating in the seasonal change of climate and failure of the supply of suitable food, has * Every one interested in this subject should consult Mr. William Brewster’s instructive paper on “ Bird Migration” (Memoirs of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, No. I. Cambridge, Mass., 1886. Published by the Club.), which is w most valuable review of the subject, based upon the author’s extensive expe- rience. The observations of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, so far as they go, coincide entirely with Mr. Brewster’s statements, and in the pres- ent chapter several direct quotations or abstracts have been taken from his paper as most clearly explaining the points under discussion. Another valuable paper which should be consulted is ‘Report on Bird Mi- gration in the Mississippi Valley, by W. W. Cooke (Edited and Revised by Dr. C. Hart Merriam), U. 8. Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Economic Orni- thology, Bulletin No.2. Washington, 1888.” (15) 16 come to be a more or less hereditary habit, though the original causes still undoubtedly exert a very strong influence. Dr. C. Hart Merriam,* in treating of the subject, gives the following as the most potent causes of the spring migration of birds: 1. The food supply fails. 2. The climatic conditions become unsuited to their needs. 38. The approach of the breeding season gives rise to physiological restlessness. 4. The birds inherit an irresistible impulse to move at this particular time of year. The fall migration is evidently due to similar causes, with the ex- ception, of course, of the third. Birds may be arranged in two groups, according to their manner of migration, viz.: day migrants and night migrants. The former include the Doves, Hawks, Hummingbirds, Chimney Swift, Night- hawk, Horned Lark, Crows, Jays, Grackles, Blackbirds, Swallows, Cedarbird, Tit Lark, Bluebird and Robin, and perhaps a few others. The night migrants include the Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, Fly- catchers (except the Kingbird), Meadowlark, Orioles, most of the Finches, the Vireos, Tanagers, Warblers, Wrens, Creepers, Nut- hatches, Titmice and most of the Thrushes. Among the water birds, the Bittern, Woodcock, Wilson’s Snipe, Spotted Sandpiper and the Rails migrate exclusively by night, while the other species seem to move by day or night, according to circum- stances, most diving birds migrating along the coasts by day but making their overland journeys by night.t From an examination of the foregoing lists it will be seen that the more timid, shelter-loving birds migrate at night, and the bolder spe- cies, which are strong of flight or which associate in flocks, migrate by day. The reasons for this can easily be seen in the following quotation from Mr. Brewster’s paper on Bird Migration: ‘ Timid, sedentary, or feeble-winged birds migrate by night because they are either afraid to venture on long, exposed journeys by daylight, or unable to continue these journeys day after day without losing much time in stopping to search for food. By taking the nights for trav- eling they can devote the days entirely to feeding and resting in their favorite haunts. Good examples are Thrushes (except the Robin), Wrens, Warblers and Vireos. Bold, restless, strong-winged birds migrate chiefly, or very freely, by day because, being accus- tomed to seek their food in open situations, they are indifferent to concealment, and being further able to accomplish long distances rap- * Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, p. 1, footnote. + Brewster. 17 idly and with slight fatigue, they can ordinarily spare sufficient time by the way for brief stops in places where food is abundant and easily obtained. * * * Excellent examples are the Robin, Horned Lark and most Icteridez. Birds of easy, tireless wing, which habitually feed in the air or over very extensive areas, migrate exclusively by day, because, being able either to obtain their usual supply of food as they fly, or to accomplish the longest journeys so rapidly that they do not require to feed on the way, they are under no necessity of changing their usual habits. The best examples are Swallows, Swifts and Hawks. Nocturnal and crepuscular birds, at least migratory species, are all strong-winged and accustomed to seek their food over wide areas. Hence, like Swallows, Swifts and Hawks, they migrate during the hours of their habitual activity.” Day migrants perform their journeys either as scattered individuals or in compact flocks, there being comparatively little mixture of species. As regards night migrants, however, the case is different. All the species which are migrating on any particular night, being _ attracted by each other’s notes,* become more or less mingled together in an immense column, not forming a compact flock but com- posed of individuals and small bunches flying sufficiently near to one another to be guided by the chirping of those just ahead. Observa- tions made from lighthouses seem clearly to show this to be the nature of the night migrations, and it is really most natural, being merely a continuation of the actions of these same birds while feed- ing in the woodland during the day; when they go shifting from tree to tree, the various species intermingled and all slowly following the lead of those just ahead of them. The leaders of these migratory flights are probably old birds which have had the experience of pre- vious migrations and have thoroughly learned the route of travel. The experience of most of the leading ornithologists of this country, however, seems to show that the old birds of most if not all species migrate southward before their young, leaving the nesting-ground soon after the moult is completed and entrusting their young to the guidance of later migrants, often belonging to quite different species. Migrating birds seem to follow the same course year after year, so that it is possible to map out pretty exactly their principal lines of flight, and this has been actually done in Europe, where the matter *Birds migrating by night keep up a continual chirping, a kind of calling and answering as it were, to avoid being separated from each other. This can often be distinctly heard as they pass overhead. 18 has been carefully studied. These lines of flight follow the courses of rivers, valleys, mountain chains, or coast lines, which, to the eyes of the migrants, flying high in the air, are distinctly outlined for many miles, provided the night be clear, and thus form easily recognizable landmarks. It follows from this that observers situated on the regular lines of flight, as, for instance, in a large river valley, are liable to see many more migrants than will be found at points on either side of them. Some transient species, indeed, will likely occur regularly at the former locality which will seldom or never be seen at the latter. The summer resident birds also arrive in the lowlands (along lines of flight) sooner than in the elevated regions of the same latitude, pushing up the river valleys where the signs of spring first appear, and spreading out into the hills and mountains as the climate there becomes congenial. The influence of meteorology upon bird migration is a matter of great importance, but which requires much careful investigation. In general, it may be said that the bulk of migration occurs on clear nights, and that birds do not start to migrate in stormy or cloudy weather, though they are frequently overtaken by storms while on the wing, and it is at such times that they become bewildered and fly against the lighthouses, where so many annually kill themselves. In the spring, warm weather hastens migration and cold weather retards it, while in the fall the reverse is the case, though the migra- tion is more irregular and lagging and lasts for a longer period than in spring (@. e., so far as each species is concerned). During migrations the flight of birds is by no means continuous, and although some migration probably occurs on every clear night, the numbers which start during or immediately after a hot spell (2. ¢., in spring) are enormous compared with those migrating in cooler weather. Thus, instead of a uniform flight of birds we have a series of ‘‘ waves” or ‘‘rushes”’ with corresponding rests or lulls between them. During these waves, which seem to occur on the night following the sudden change of temperature and generally continue on the fol- lowing night, the increase of birds at a given station is clearly apparent, and to record the time of occurrence and duration of the waves is an easy matter. While each species has a certain average time of arrival at a given station, the exact date, especially when it first arrives in abundance, is dependent upon the weather. Some- 19 times a sudden rise in temperature with its accompanying bird-wave will bring a species a week or more earlier than the average time, or a cold, wet spell of weather will delay its arrival correspondingly. MIGRATION IN THE VICINITY OF PHILADELPHIA. The spring migration in the vicinity of Philadelphia begins early in February with the arrival from farther south of scattered bunches of Robins, Bluebirds, Purple Grackles, and a few other species which often occur in small numbers during the winter. About the middle of the month, on the first clear spring-like day when the temperature rises to 60° or 70° F., a well marked wave takes place. Purple Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins, Bluebirds and a few Flickers are the principal species, the Grackles being the most numerous. The greater part of these early migrants seem to pass farther north. From the time of occurrence of the first well-marked wave, the species above mentioned continue to pass in increasing numbers dur- ing favorable weather, but there is usually no other decided wave until about the middle of March. During this month, in addition to the species already mentioned, the principal migrants are the Meadowlark, Pewee, Field Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Cowbird, Dove, Canada Goose and Killdeer Plover, together with a few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Savanna Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, Myrtle Warblers and Rusty Grackles. None of these birds, however, arrive—at least in abundance—before the middle of the month. Up to April 1 no migrants have been recorded in the records that we have examined which do not occur occasionally in winter, either at Philadelphia or a little farther south in New Jersey, except the Canada Goose and Chipping Sparrow, which latter species has been once or twice noticed during the last week of March. After the first of April, however, the strictly summer species and transients begin to arrive. There are generally several well marked waves during the month, their most characteristic species being the Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chipping Sparrow, Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, Myrtle Warbler, House Wren, Thrasher, Chewink, Black and White Warbler, Maryland Yellow- throat and Solitary Vireo. A number of other species sometimes arrive during the last week of April, when there often occurs a wave which seems to be a fore- 20 runner of the great ‘Thrush and Warbler waves” of May, and which brings the first stragglers of many species which are really character- istic of the latter month. The following list includes such species as have been noted—gen- erally in small numbers—from April 20 to 30 in the vicinity of Philadelphia, but which do not arrive in force until May: Kingbird, Black-throated Green Warbler, Crested Flycatcher, Parula Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Water-Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Catbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Wilson’s Thrush, Yellow Warbler, Wood Thrush. About the first of May the species just mentioned, together with many Warblers, etc., arrive in abundance and form the first great “Warbler wave.”” Thousands of Thrushes, Warblers and Vireos, pass through at this time and the woods seem fairly alive with birds. Several other waves occur during during May, which are mainly characterized by Warblers, and indeed, for the first three weeks of the month these birds seem to be passing almost continuously. By the 20th of the month, however, the migration begins to wane, and although stragglers of many species are seen until the 30th, and some Blackpoll Warblers linger as late as June 6, there are rarely any migratory waves after May 20. As regards the departure of the winter birds, the records of the Club show that the Herring Gulls leave the Delaware River about April 4, and they seem to desert the meadows at Atlantic City, N. J., about the same time. Winter Wrens,* Fox Sparrows and the bulk of the Snowbirds generally leave Philadelphia by April 15, while the Brown Creepers and Golden-crowned Kinglets stay a few days later. Most of the White-throated Sparrows have departed by May 1, but a few occur regularly as late as the 16th of the month, and one was seen in 1888 on May 27. The straggling Snow-Birds have usually left by May 1, but occasionally one is seen a few days later; May 10 being the latest date recorded. The first evidence of the fall migration in the vicinity of Phila- delphia is seen during the last week in July, or, perhaps, earlier, when the old birds of several species leave their breeding grounds * One has been recorded as late as May 5. 21 and apparently pass slowly southward. By the middle of August most of the Swallows, Kingbirds and Orioles have disappeared from the interior, and begin to congregate along the river valleys, coast lines and other avenues of migration, whence they pass southward gradually as they are joined by flocks from farther north. Immense congregations of Kingbirds and several species of Swal- lows are familiar sights at this time along the New Jersey coast. Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins and Bluebirds collect in flocks by August 1, or earlier, but they do not apparently journey southward till later in ihe season. The pioneer migrants from the north reach Philadelphia during the first week of August, the Water- Thrush and Redstart being the earliest to arrive. During the latter part of the month—August 20-31—many other species arrive, such as the Canadian, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Magnolia, and Wilson’s Warblers, and the Wilson’s Thrush. None of these birds, however, are abundant at this time, and seem to pass through quickly. The majority of these August Warblers that have been collected seem to be old birds, while the large majority of those which pass through later are, as is generally known, birds of the year. The bulk of the Warblers, Vireos, Tanagers and the Thrushes, which characterize the May migration in spring, pass through in the fall from September 10 to October 1, and by the end of the first week of the latter month nearly all the stragglers have disappeared. The October birds correspond in general to those of the April migration, occurring, of course, in inverse order, and by November 1 only a few Hermit Thrushes, Fox Sparrows, Field Sparrows and Myrtle Warblers are left of the migrating birds, while all the winter visitants have arrived in force. The Snowbirds begin to arrive as early as September 27, though they are not common before the middle of October. The first White-throated Sparrows are seen about September 20, while on the coast the Herring Gulls arrive at Atlantic City about October 1. Such is a brief outline of the spring and fall migrations in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Study of Migration in the Delaware Valley—Methods and Results. —The general subject of bird migration having always been a matter of deep interest to the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club and of great importance in the study of ornithology, we feel justified in adding a few extracts from the records of the Club, which serve to further illustrate several important points. and time of occurrence of bird-waves during several years, the data collected by the Club show a remarkable correspondence, as also a similarity in the species of birds which composed the several waves. This can readily be seen from the following comparison of the waves of 1890 and 1891, the date of each wave being given, followed by the most characteristic species. 1890. Feb. 12-14. Purple Grackle. Robin. Bluebird. Red-winged Blackbird. Flicker. Feb. 26-27. Same. April 3-4. Flicker. Chipping Sparrow. April 12-14. Chipping Sparrow. Hermit Thrush. Myrtle Warbler. (Thrasher.) (Barn Swallow.) (House Wren.) April 22-23. Chimney Swift. Hermit Thrush. (Black and White Warbler.) 22 1891. Feb. 18-19. Purple Grackle. Robin. Bluebird. Red-winged Blackbird. Flicker. Feb. 23-25. Same. April 5. Flicker. (Chipping Sparrow.) * Myrtle Warbler. Pewee. April 12-14. Pewee. Chipping Sparrow. Hermit Thrush. Barn Swallow. (Thrasher.) April 18-19. Chimney Swift. Barn Swallow. Hermit Thrush. (House Wren ) (Maryland Yellow-throat.) April 23. Thrasher. Myrtle Warbler. House Wren. Black and White Warbler. Maryland Yellow-throat. (Wood Robin.) (Black-throated Blue W.) * Species in parentheses were migrating during the wave, but only in small numbers. As regards the number 23 April 26-27. April 27-28. Myrtle Warbler. Wood Robin. Maryland Yelluw-throat. Oven-bird. Black and White Warbler. (Black-throated Blue W.) (Tanager.) April 30-May 1. May 2. May 4-5. May 10-11. May 9-10. May 18. May 18-19. The May waves were composed of the various Warblers, Vireos, Thrushes, etc., and a list of the species is unnecessary. It will be noticed that the migration up to the middle of April was almost parallel, then the season of 1891 was earlier, until May, when the season of 1890 was in advance, as the wave of May 10-11, 1890, was the last large one, while in 1891 the corresponding wave (as re- gards size and species) was the movement of May 18-19. In the investigations of bird migration carried on by the Club dur- ing the past three years, the observers have been stationed im- mediately around Philadelphia, so that the time of arrival of the various species at the different stations has not been in any regular order—t. e., the records of one locality uniformily earlier than those of another—as would have been the case had the observers been located at different points along the Delaware Valley. Nevertheless the records from the more southerly stations averaged* earlier than those from farther up the valley, and likewise the arrivals at stations situated close to the river are generally earlier than at those farther back on the higher ground. This may be seen from the accompanying table of first arrivals of twenty species at five stations during the spring of 1890. * For example, taking the twenty birds given in the table, in fourteen cases Tinicum was the first station to report, in one case it was the second, in two cases the third, in two the fourth, and in one it was the last. Summing up the arrivals at the other stations, we have T. H W. O. G Ist. 2 ee he ew eo ow A 9 5 4 1 OO ee oe a cee ety ed 5 5 3 3 SOs eR a 2 2 6 5 5 AUD, Sse ee, ohn Aap a 2 3 3 6 2 Sth seca we ee ee 1 1 2 9 Which by averaging will place the stations in the above order. 24 | c Ss s § s | 8 § g 8 § : 8 8 3 § > 8 & 38 > & = & Ry = S & Hermit Thrush ...... Apr. 5] Apr. 9] Apr. 12 | Apr. 10} Apr. 13 Ruby-crowned Kinglet. . . | Apr. 11] Apr. 10} Apr. 12] Apr. 12 | Apr. 12 Brown Thrasher. ..... Apr. 3 | Apr. 14) Apr. 13 | Apr. 13) Apr. 30 House Wren... ....., Apr. 12 | Apr. 20 | Apr. 12 | Apr. 27] Apr. 30 Yellow Palm Warbler. . . . | Apr. 12] Apr. 12] Apr. 13] Apr. 23 | Apr. 27 Chewink. .. . ... | Apr. 27} Apr. 23 | Apr. 26 | Apr. 26] May 1 Black and White Warbler .. | Apr. 27 | Apr. 23 | Apr. 24 Apr. 27 | Apr. 30 Kingbird s 4... ka . . | Apr. 26] Apr. 30] May 5); May 7 | May 14 Crested Flycatcher .. . . . | Apr. 30] Apr. 30] May 5]|May 7| May 14 Maryland Yellow-throat . . | Apr. 24| Apr. 24] Apr. 24] Apr. 27 | Apr. 30 Wood Robin... 1.2... May 1{| Apr. 30] Apr. 30 | Apr. 25 | Apr. 30 Indigo-bird. .... 2. May 10} May 1|May 7|May 7 | May 10 Hummingbird... .... May 1), May 7| May 10! May 10| May 7 Baltimore Oriole... . .|May 1)]May 1|May 4;May 1]/May 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak . . | May 1|May 4]May 1]|May 1) May 10 Redstart... 2... 2 oe May 1|May 4;May 1/May 1] May 3 Black-throated Blue W... .|May 1]! May 4|/May 1)|May 4] May 3 Scarlet Tanager. . . -|May 1|/May 9/May 9|]May 3)May 4 Biackpoll Warbler .. . . .|May 4]May 6|May %| May 11| May 7 Canadian Warbler. . .. {May 11) May 9] May 11 | May 11] May 10 Most of the earliest arrivals were reported from a tract of marsh and woodland situated at Tinicum, immediately on the Delaware river, ten miles below Philadelphia. The next reports generally came from the vicinity of the tide-water creeks near Haddonfield, N. J., five miles from the river and eight miles southeast of Philadelphia. The other three stations were all situated on higher ground, from four to eight miles back from the river. Of these Wynnewood gen- erally furnished the earliest records, probably partly on account of the valleys of the Darby Creek and Schuylkill River leading directly towards it. Olney and Germantown were usually the last stations to report an arrival, being situated farthest up the river as well as back from it. The thickly built portion of Philadelphia intervening di- rectly between these stations and the river, to the south, may also. have affected the arrival of migrants—especially at Germantown. The full records of the spring migration at these stations show that. those species which exhibit the greatest diversity in time of arrival are the migrants of early spring, many of which often occur in, win- ter in small numbers, so that a few stragglers would be very likely to reach one station or another before any general migration took place. 25 On the other hand, those species which show the greatest uni- formity in time of arrival are the May migrants from farther south, especially such as were abundant the first day on which they were seen. The time of arrival of a species at the same station for a number of years varies within certain limits according to the state of the weather, temperature, etc., as has already been stated, though the variation is often comparatively slight, especially in the case of spe- cies arriving after April 1, as may be seen from the following table, which gives the date of first occurrence of fifty species at German- town, Pa.,, for eight consecutive years: 1885. | 1886. | 1887. | 1888. | 1889. | 1890. | 1891. | 1892. Flicker . |Apr.10/Mar.24|Mar.26|Mar.30|Mar.28|Mar.26/Mar.30/Apr. 2 Chimney Swift . . |Apr.22)Apr.23]A pr.22|A pr.20| Apr.15/A pr.22|A pr.16/Apr.27 Hummingbird . . |Apr.29|/May 12|May 12/May 14)... |May 7/Mayll|. . . Kingbird. . . . .|May 6/May1l)May 7|May 6/May 6|May14/May 1|May 4 Crested Plyeatcher. May 2/May12/May 3/May 1|May 8/May 1)Apr.30|May 3 Pewee. . . . . . {Apr. 3/Mar.20/Mar.21)Mar.22|Mar.27|Mar.27|Mar.31/Apr. 3 Wood Pewee . .|May 6|May 15)Apr.30|/May 13/May 12/May 14|May 6|May 17 Acadian Flycatcher|May 15|May 6|May &/May 2/May10]. . . |Apr.25)... Red-winged Black- birds @ & & a % Mar. 4|/Feb.19)Feb. 19|Feb. 21/Mar.13/Mar.12|Feb. 25|/Mar. 9 Meadowlark . . .|. . |Feb.10)Mar.19/Mar.21/Mar.14|Mar.12)Feb. 23|Mar.17 Baltimore Oriole .|May 5!May 4/May 2/May 2/May 7|May 1)/May l1|May 3 Purple Grackle. . |Mar.16|Mar. 7/Feb.19/Feb.21/Mar. 2|Feb.13|Feb.18|/Mar. 6 White-throated Sparrow. . |[Sep. 17/Sep. 21/Sep. 24/Sep. 24/Sep. 22/Sep. 21]. . . |Sep. 22 Chipping Sparrow.j|Apr. 8]/Apr. 9/Apr. 8|Mar.31|Mar.29}Apr. 8)Apr.13/Apr. 4 Field Sparrow . .|Apr.11|Apr. 7|Apr. 9|Apr. 2|Mar.29|Mar.13|Mar.15|Mar.26 Snowbird . . . . /Oct.12/Oct. 2)Oct. 6|Sep.29|Sep.27, Oct. 4/Oct. 1]. . . Chewink. . . . . |Apr.22/Apr.23,Apr.27/Apr.18)Apr.11/May 1/Apr.18}Apr.24 Indigo-bird . . .|May16|/May11/May 7/May 12/May 12|May10)/May 8|/May10 Scarlet Tanager. .|May 9/May12)/May 5/May 8/May 9/May 4/Apr.28|May 3 Barn Swallow . . |Apr.22|Apr.19]Apr.21)Apr.12/Apr.22/Apr.19|A pr.19] A pr.24 Red-eyed Vireo. .|May 7\May1l|May 4/Apr.29)May 5/Apr.30|/May 2|/May 3 Black and White Warbler. . |Apr.30|May 4/Apr.27/Apr.21/Apr.20/Apr.30/Apr.24|May 1 Parula Warbler. .|May 2/Apr.22|May 5|May 1/Apr.27/Apr.30/Apr.19/Apr.30 Yellow Warbler .|May 6/May 4|May 2/May 5)May1l|May 1)/May 8/May 4 Black-throated Blue Warbler. .|May 9/May1l|May 5|May 1|/May 5/May 3\Apr.28/May 2 Myrtle Warbler. .|May 2/Apr.10|May 2|Apr.25/Apr.20/Apr.27/Apr.18/Apr. 7 Magnolia Warbler.|May 16|May 16/May13|May 6/May10|May11|May 9/May 3 Chestnut-sided Warbler. . . .|May10|/May16/May 6/Apr.30|May 9|May 2/May 2|May 3 Bay-breasted Warbler. . . .|May19/May1l). . . |May15)May 10)May 11/May 10}. . . Blackpoll Warbler.|May 10|May 7|/May 5|/May 10/May10|May 7|May11/May 7 Blackburnian Warbler. ... . [May 11|May 13|May 1|May 10]Apr.28|Apr.24|May 12 26 1885. | 1886. | 1887. | 1888. | 1889. | 1890. | 1891. | 1892. Black-throated Green Warbler |May 2/May11|May 5/Apr.26\May 5|May 2)Apr.19/Apr.30 Yel. Palm Warbler.|. . .|. . . |Apr.13/Apr.18/Apr.11/Apr.13/Apr.12]. . . Oven-bird . . . . |Apr.30)May 3]/Apr.29)Apr.30|May 3)May 3/Apr.29)Apr.30 Water-Thrush . .|. . .|May10|/May 6/May 4|/May 5|May 5/Apr.19|May 4 Maryland Yellow- throat... . . |Apr.29/Apr.24/Apr.28/Apr.30|May 6/Apr.30|/May 1|May 3 Chat ..... ./May 2/May12|May 5/May 5/May11|May 5/May10|/May 3 Canadian Warbler./May 19]. . .|May 5/May13]. . . |May 10/May 12/May 15 Redstart. . . . .|May 2|May 4/May 3/May 1|May 4|May 3/Apr.29/Apr.30 Catbird . . . . ./May 2|May 4/May 3/May 5/May 5/May 5/May 4/Apr.30 Brown Thrasher . |Apr.24|Apr.25/Apr.28/A pr.15/Apr.22|Apr.30|Apr.19|Apr.30 House Wren. . . |May 3/Apr.27|Apr.24/Apr.28/Apr.14/Apr.30|Apr.19|May 5 Winter Wren. . . . |Sep. 25/Sep. 27/Sep. 24/Sep. 22/Sep.19]. . .]... Brown Creeper. .|. . . |Sep.20/Oct. 8/Sep.29/Sep. 20/Sep. 24)... aa Wood Thrush . .|May 2/May 1/May 1/May 1|May 3]/Apr.30|Apr.23/May 2 Wilson’s Thrush .|. . .|May11/Apr.25/May 3/May 6|/May 2)/Apr.28|May 4 Olive-backed Thrush . . . .|Maylil|May17|/May 5/May 4|May 6/May 3/May 4/May 5 Hermit Thrush . . |Apr.13/Apr. 7/Apr. 9|Apr. 3/Apr.10/Apr.13/Apr.12|Apr. 3 Robin. . . . . . |Mar. 7/Mar.10/Feb. 28/Feb.19|Mar. 7/Feb.26|Feb. 24|Mar. 9 Bluebird. . . . .'Mar.18'. . . 'Feb.17 Feb.21'May 8 Feb: 23'Feb.17'Mar. 9 In cases where there is considerable diversity in the time of ar- rival of a species the earliest dates are often based upon early strag- glers, sometimes single birds, and in such cases the date of the second occurrence generally corresponds pretty closely with the first occur- rence of other years. In studying migration, complete daily lists of all the birds seen should be kept by the observer; the best results being obtained by covering, as nearly as possible, the same section of country every morning at about the same time, and recording the exact number of individuals of each species seen. With a little practice this will be found to be almost if not quite as easy as the use of such elastic and indefinite terms as ‘‘ common,”’ ‘“‘ abundant,” “ several,’”’ etc. These field notes can be jotted down in a rough note book or on printed blanks, and afterwards entered in a book with perpendicular columns for the days and a column at the left for the names of the birds. A curve of temperature variation carried along the top of the page will show the coincidence of high temperature with increase in mi- grants, and notes on the general state of the weather, etc., may be entered at the head of each daily column. When data from several different stations are to be combined for the study of migratory waves and their relation to meteorology, it 27 will be found advisable to select a few common, easily recognized species, including, of course, both early and late migrants. An idea of how the daily notes of several observers may be ar- ranged so as to illustrate graphically the progress of the migration may be seen in the accompanying cut (Fig. 1), which shows the 1890. Temperature Variation. Month Hermit Thrush Brown Thrasher, Chimney Swift. Maryland Dellor-throat oO Weo ad Ti Arush. Fig.l. Migration of Five Species, April-May, 1890. (A. = Abundant, . = Several, C.= Common.) daily variation in the numbers of five species at the five stations already mentioned. The first arrivals and decided increases in numbers (marked with heavy black squares), as will be noticed, occur on days when the temperature curve reaches the highest points. By taking the total number of individuals of any species for several successive days and plotting them in the same manner as a temperature curve we can obtain a ‘migration curve,” which will show graphically the fluctuation in the numbers of birds present. As a matter of fact the best results are obtained by adding together 28 . the daily numbers of several species which migrate at the same time, and plotting the totals. Fig. 2, A, represents such a curve, showing the fluctuation of the April migration of 1891, based upon the Flicker, Chipping Sparrow and Brown Thrasher, which were among the most numerous species moving at this time. Fig. 2, B, is a curve of temperature variation covering the same period, based upon the daily maximum temperature. By comparing the two the coincidence - t- $1213 1415 16/718 19 fio} er }12 43 [14 [15 [16 }'7 S18 J19 120 Fig. 2. A= Migration Curve, B= Temperature Curve. of a marked increase in the number of birds with a decided rise in temperature is at once apparent, the two curves being nearly parallel. It will be noticed, however, that elevations in the migration curve generally begin a little later than those in the temperature curve. This shows graphically the well-known fact that ‘“‘bird waves” occur a day or two after a decided increase in temperature. BIRDS FOUND WITHIN TEN MILES OF PHILADELPHIA. For the more especial use of the members of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, the following “local” list has been prepared 29 of such species as have occurred within ten miles of Philadel- phia. This circle forms a convenient limit for such a list, and includes most of the favorite collecting grounds in the vicinity of the city. The list has been arranged according to the time of occurrence of the species, and in the case of rarities the records upon which the entries stand will be found in the general annotated list. Doubtless many additions can be made to the list of water birds, as our opportunities for obtaining information regarding the species found along that part of the Delaware River included within the circuit have been limited, and it is reasonable to expect almost any of the coast species to occur there as stragglers. The species have been arranged in ten groups, and as no names have been repeated, some of the groups may appear misleading. For in- stance, many species are given in Group II. which might be looked for in III. The following explanation will prevent any misunder- standing by combining the groups under the more usual headings : Resident Birds, Group I. Birds which occur in the Breeding Season, Groups I., II., III. and IV. Winter Visitants, Groups V., VI. and VII. Transients, Groups VIII. and IX. (and of course many of III., IV,, etc.) Birds which occur in Wiuter, Groups I., II., V., VI. and VII. I. Resident Birds. Generally distributed all year. Abundance nearly the same More Common in Winter. all year. More Common in Summer. Red-tailed Hawk, Woodcock, Great Blue Heron, Red-shouldered Hawk, Quail, Sparrow Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Horned Owl, Blue Jay, Cooper’s Hawk, Screech Owl, Meadowlark, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Barn Owl, Goldfinch, Long-eared Owl, Downy Woodpecker, Song Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker, Cardinal, Swamp Sparrow, Crow, Carolina Wren, Field Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cedarbird, Tufted Titmouse, Robin, Bluebird. 30 II. Species which are of rare or irregular occurrence in winter, but common Summer Residents. Night Heron, Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, Kingfisher, Flicker, Pewee, III. Common Summer Residents. Green Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Hummingbird, Chimney Swift, Nighthawk, Kingbird, Crested Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Pewee, Orchard Oriole, IV. Summer Residents transients). Wood Duck, Least Bittern, King Rail, Virginia Rail, Field Plover, Osprey, Black-billed Cuckoo, Red-headed Woodpecker, V. Winter Visitants of Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Black Hawk, Pigeon Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Baltimore Oriole, Cowbird, Indigo-bird, Chewink, Chipping Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Grackle, Vesper Sparrow. Oven-bird, Maryland Yellowthroat, Blue-winged Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Chat, House Wren, Brown Thrasher, Catbird, Wood Thrush. which are rare or local (many are common as Whip-poor-will, Least Flycatcher, Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin, Scarlet Tanager, Yellow-throated Vireo, regular occurrence. Snowbird, Tree Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Finch, Purple Finch, Warbling Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Louisiana Water-Thrush, Redstart, Long-billed Marsh Wren. Tit Lark, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden- crowned Kinglet. 31 VI. Winter Visitants of irregular occurrence or rare. Little Auk, Briinnich’s Murre, Kittiwake, Arctic Tern, Leach’s Petrel, Stormy Petrel, Shoveller, European Widgeon, Canvas-back, Lesser Snow Goose, White-fronted Goose, Swan, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black Scoter, Horned Lark, White-winged Scoter, Prairie Horned Lark, Surf Scoter, Crossbill, Duck Hawk, White-winged Crossbill, Goshawk, Pine Grosbeak, Acadian Owl, Snow Bunting, Snowy Owl, Lapland Longspur, Hawk Owl, Redpoll, Barred Owl, Northern Shrike. VII. Species which occur occasionally in winter, but are mainly transients. Horned Grebe, Black Duck, Brant, Pied-billed Grebe, Baldpate, Canada Goose, Holbeell’s Grebe, Green-winged Teal, Coot, Loon, Blue-winged Teal, Wilson’s Snipe, Red-throated Loon, Pintail, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Cormorant, Redhead, Rusty Grackle, Golden-eye, Scaup, Fox Sparrow, Buffle-head, Lesser Scaup, Savanna Sparrow, Ruddy Duck, Ring-neck, Myrtle Warbler, Merganser, Old-squaw, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Merganser, Snow Goose, Hermit Thrush. Mallard, VIII. Common Transients. Common Tern, Sora Rail, Solitary Sandpiper, Bob-o-link, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Solitary Vireo, Nashville Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Water-Thrush, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, | Wilson’s Warbler, Parula Warbler, Canadian Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blackburnian Warbler, Wilson’s Thrush, Black-throated Green Gray-cheeked Thrush, Warbler, Olive-backed Thrush, Yellow Palm Warbler, 32 IX. Rare or irregular transients. Gannet, Laughing Gull, Bonaparte’s Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Least Tern, Black Tern, White Egret, Florida Gallinule, Yellow Rail, Dowitcher, X. Rare Stragglers. Black Skimmer, Caspian Tern, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Heron, Glossy Ibis, Black Rail, Clapper Rail, Purple Gallinule, Purple Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, Pectoral Sandpiper, Bronzed Grackle, White-rumped Sandpiper, White-crowned Sparrow Red-backed Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Tennessee Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Short-billed Marsh Wren, Gnatcatcher, Golden-winged Warbler Sanderling, Willet, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Turnstone, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Bicknell’s Thrush. Oyster-catcher, Summer Tanager, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Pigeon, Loggerhead Shrike, Philadelphia Vireo, Bald Eagle, Brewster’s Warbler, Swallow-tailed Kite, Orange-crowned Warbler, Fish Crow, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Yellow-throated Warbler, Sharp-tailed Finch, Mockingbird, Lincoln’s Finch, Bewick’s Wren, Black-throated Bunting, Brown-headed Nuthatch. 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