IJBRARY 
 
\ 
 
 v^O- 
 
 THE BIRDS OF 
 
 BERKSHIRE COUNTY, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS 
 
 BY WALTER FAXON AND RALPH HOFFMANN 
 
THE BIRDS OF 
 
 BERKSHIRE COUNTY, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 By WALTER FAXON 
 
 AND 
 
 RALPH HOFFMANN. 
 
IIBRARV 
 
THE BIRDS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 Berkshire is the westernmost county of Massachusetts and 
 extends across the state, from Connecticut on the south to 
 Vermont on the north. Its western border is formed by the 
 JSTew York line, and on the east it is bordered by the counties 
 of Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire. Its length from north 
 to south is about fifty miles ; its width, though fairly constant, 
 varies from twenty- four to fourteen miles. The extremes of 
 latitude are 42 2' N. and 42 44' JS"., and it is comprised be- 
 tween the meridians 73 W. and 73 30' W. 
 
 With the exception of Worcester and Barnstable counties, 
 none of the political divisions of the mainland of Massachusetts 
 possess such a marked topographical individuality as Berk- 
 shire county. " The Berkshires " constitute a well-defined re- 
 gion one which, from its natural beauty, is constantly becom- 
 ing more widely known and loved, and it is partly on account 
 of this ever increasing popular interest in the region, that the 
 authors have felt justified in presenting in this paper their 
 knowledge of the avifauna of Berkshire. 
 
 Two ranges of hills, running north and south, and separated 
 by valleys of varying width, constitute the most marked feature 
 of the topography of Berkshire. Along the western, or New 
 York, border, run the Taconics, a series of more or less isolated 
 hills, through which comparatively deep side valleys have been 
 worn. This range includes Berlin Mountain (2804 feet) on the 
 north, Potter Mountain (2410 feet), Perry's Peak (2077 feet), 
 and the great mass of Mount Everett, better known in Berk- 
 shire as the Dome (2624 feet), which occupies the southwestern 
 corner of the county. The eastern half of the county, as well 
 as the western part of the adjoining counties to the eastward, 
 is occupied by a broad mass of rugged upland, including a 
 comparatively broad watershed, with a steep western and a long 
 eastern slope. This rugged mass forms the greater part of the 
 "Berkshire Hills," so called. On its summit lie the "hill 
 
 M188177 
 
towns," and it is here (and in one other circumscribed region) 
 that the naturalist finds the most characteristic, and therefore 
 the most interesting, part of the field. The general altitude of 
 the upland, to which, for convenience, the name Hoosac Plateau 
 may be given, falls from about 2000 feet in the northern 
 towns, Florida, Savoy and Windsor, to about 1500 feet in the 
 southwestern towns, Sandisfield and New Marlboro. The 
 peaks rise above the general level to the height of 2400 feet 
 and once to 2840 feet in the north, and to 1700 or 1800 feet 
 in the south. 
 
 This plateau, however, yields in interest, even to the natural- 
 ist, to the noble mountain mass that rises in the northern end 
 of the county, between the Taconics and the Hoosacs. No 
 mountain in Massachusetts equals Saddle Mountain in altitude, 
 beauty or interest. Its highest peak, Mount Greylock, rises 
 3505 feet above the sea, and 2700 feet above the valley directly 
 below it. Its more inaccessible slopes are clothed with the 
 few remaining patches of primeval forest in the state, and, 
 since much of this forest is spruce, the list of birds found on 
 the mountain includes many which, until recently, were not 
 known to breed in any other part of the state. 
 
 A few words concerning the streams which drain the 
 county. For three-quarters of its length, Berkshire is drained 
 by the Housatonic and its tributaries. This river draws its 
 source partly from two lakes which fill part of the comparatively 
 broad valley about Pittsfield, and partly from streams flowing 
 down the steep western slope of the Hoosac Plateau. Except 
 for a few miles in the town of Stockbridge, the Housatonic 
 flows south, and through the lower part of its course it is 
 bordered by wide alluvial meadows, which, with the river's 
 fringe of tall willows, constitute one of the chief charms of this 
 part of Berkshire, their peaceful aspect serving as a foil to the 
 rugged nature of the hills. The northern end of the county is 
 drained by a much smaller stream, the Hoosac, a tributary of 
 the Hudson little more in reality than a mill brook. Its 
 valley is narrow, its course swift ; only at the edge of the 
 county in Williamstown does it flow more gently through 
 comparatively broad, flat meadows. The eastern edge of the 
 
county in other words, the eastern slope of the Hoosacs is 
 drained by the upper waters of certain tributaries of the Con- 
 necticut River. Thus, in the extreme south-eastern part of the 
 county, the Farmington River forms, for a few miles, the 
 boundary of Sandisfield, and near the north-eastern corner, the 
 Deerfield skirts the eastern side of the township of Florida, 
 while the intermediate eastern border- towns are drained by 
 branches of the Westfield River. 
 
 The largest lakes of Berkshire are the two alluded to above 
 Onota and Pontoosuc, with and area of 683 and 575 acres re- 
 spectively and Great Pond in Otis. The first two are in the 
 highway of migration and are visited annually or irregularly 
 by many water birds. The other bodies of water are chiefly 
 mountain ponds either natural glacial lakes, or artificial reser- 
 voirs formed by damming the brooks. The southern* half of 
 the Hoosac Plateau abounds in these small bodies of water. 
 The upper part of the Hoosac River has also been dammed 
 and a long pond, known as the Cheshire Reservoir, has been 
 thus formed. 
 
 The absence from any region of extensive flats, marshes, or 
 swamps has a marked effect on the bird population of that 
 region. The reeds at the heads of some of the lakes, and a 
 few small swamps on the upland, have been the only spots in 
 which the few rails, gallinules, bitterns and ducks in the fol- 
 lowing list have been found in the breeding-season. 
 
 There is, as is well known, an intimate connection between 
 the vegetation of a region and its insect and avine fauna. The 
 presence in any hill town of a thick spruce wood or a fir swamp 
 is an unfailing index to the ornithologist. In the former, 
 Black-and-Yellow Warblers and Golden-crowned Kinglets will 
 be found ; in the latter, White-throated Sparrows. It is the 
 presence of this spruce and fir that marks the limits of what is 
 known to ornithologists as the Canadian faunal region. The 
 well drained slopes of the Taconics, and the valley of the 
 Housatonic, offer no congenial home to the above-named birds. 
 It follows that the Canadian birds are restricted in Berkshire 
 to the Hoosac Plateau and to Saddle Mountain, occurring in 
 scattered colonies from Becket northward, and in a continuous 
 
6 
 
 belt over the greater part of Saddle Mountain. On the slopes 
 of the Taconics and on the western slope of the Hoosacs, there 
 are tall forests of deciduous trees, oaks, chestnuts, maples, and 
 birches, with an admixture of hemlocks. In the valley, too, 
 there are scattered groves of similar trees, and large patches of 
 young or old white pine. In the town of Sheffield, the flora 
 has a more southern aspect ; a few savins (Juniperus virgin- 
 iana) occur, gray birch (Betula populifolia) covers the dry 
 plains, and in the open fields beard grass (Andropogon) and 
 bush-clover (Lespedezd) abound. A noticeable feature of the 
 Berkshire flora, however, even in these dry fields, is the 
 absence of pitch pine (JPinus rigida), which nowhere occurs in 
 the groves so characteristic of Eastern Massachusetts. 
 
 The undergrowth and shrubbery of a region often exert as 
 important an influence on life as the trees. On the slopes in 
 the Housatonic basin, mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia] covers 
 acres of mountain-side, while on the ill-drained Hoosac Plateau 
 the roads are bordered for miles by tall willows (Salix discolor, 
 8. rostrata, etc.). In the laurel tracts, the characteristic song 
 of the Black-throated Blue Warbler is continually repeated, 
 while in the bushy willows the emphatic qneequee of the 
 Alder Flycatcher is a characteristic sound. 
 
 The Housatonic Valley continues from Southern Berkshire 
 through Western Connecticut to Long Island Sound, reaching 
 in its lower course a region in which there is a strong admix- 
 ture of so-called Carolinian birds birds, that is, which are 
 common from Southern Connecticut southward, and but rarely 
 found outside this region. The Southern Water-Thrush and 
 the Orchard Oriole are two Carolinian birds. Since there is no 
 barrier between the region where these birds abound and 
 Southern Berkshire the Housatonic Valley in fact affording 
 an easy passage northward their presence in small numbers in 
 the county was to be expected. In fact, the Southern Water- 
 Thrush has been found breeding in Sheffield, and the Orchard 
 Oriole occurs regularly, though sparingly, in the valley as far 
 north as Lanesboro. 
 
 Altitude has as marked an influence on the flora and fauna 
 as latitude. It is this fact that gives Grey lock its great interest 
 
in the eyes of naturalists. Rising as it does far above the sur- 
 rounding country, it has the character of an island of northern 
 vegetation a bit of the Green Mountain thrust to the south- 
 ward, just as the low, sterile plains of the southern Berkshire 
 towns present the characteristics of Connecticut fields pushed 
 northward. Greylock is clothed to the very summit with fairly 
 tall trees, so that it lacks the Alpine aspect of extremely lofty 
 mountain tops. Nevertheless, there has been found on the top 
 of Greylock, on several occasions, a bird whose normal habitat 
 is the edge of the tree line of the loftier northern mountains. 
 This bird is the Bicknell's Thrush, found on Slide Mountain in 
 the Catskills, and some of the higher peaks of the Adirondack's, 
 the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the White Mountains 
 of New Hampshire but nowhere else, as far as is known, in 
 Massachusetts. Besides this interesting bird, a number of Cana- 
 dian birds which occur only sparingly elsewhere in the county, 
 are either common or abundant on Greylock. Such are the 
 Winter Wren, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Mourning Warbler, and 
 Brown Creeper. 
 
 Besides Bicknell's Thrush and the Southern Water-Thrush 
 species found only in these isolated spots at the two extremes 
 of the county a third bird has been found in Berkshire which 
 as far as is now known, breeds nowhere else in the state. In 
 two limestone cliffs in North Adams, two pairs of Rough- 
 winged Swallows have reared their young, probably for an in- 
 definite number of years. This swallow is a characteristic Car- 
 olinian bird, found from southwestern Connecticut southward. 
 Its breeding so far north as northern Berkshire seems to depend 
 upon the presence of the limestone cliffs. 
 
 . Geographically considered, Berkshire County belongs more 
 properly to New York and Vermont than to Massachusetts. 
 This is shown in the flora by the presence of necklace poplar 
 (Populus monilifera) along the streams, and the rich spring 
 flora including Dicentra^ Hydropliyllum, Viola canadensis, 
 etc., in the woods. The presence of several western birds is in 
 keeping with this feature of the flora. The Red-headed Wood- 
 pecker occurs here and there, the Migrant Shrike has been 
 found nesting in Williamstown, and the Prairie Horned Lark 
 breeds regularly in several of the northern towns. 
 
It remains to say a few words concerning the manner in 
 which this list has been prepared, ^either of the authors, un- 
 fortunately, is a resident of the county. The information which 
 they have obtained concerning the birds is the result of several 
 summers' study in various parts of the county, particularly at 
 North Adams and Stockbridge, and of visits made to the same 
 places in winter. Repeated visits have also been made in the 
 spring and autumn, especially to Lanesboro, where the broad 
 valley serving as a highway for migrating birds, offers excep- 
 tional facilities for the observation of transients. It is clear to 
 any one conversant with the problems of the distribution of birds, 
 that nothing short of long residence, winter and summer, in a 
 region, justifies an observer in speaking with any degree of 
 positiveness of its avine inhabitants. JSTo one can feel more 
 keenly than the authors of this list the scantiness of the material 
 they have to offer. This is especially true of the larger spring 
 and autumn migrants, the water fowl, and of the winter strag- 
 glers, the northern hawks and owls, The authors have of 
 course supplemented their personal knowledge with whatever 
 trustworthy information they could obtain from others. They 
 are particularly indebted to Mr. E. T. Fisher, for the use of 
 his notes made in Lanesboro. 
 
 The bibliography at the end of the paper will show the pub- 
 lished sources of information available for the purposes of this 
 list. 
 
 If a bird's occurrence in the county is positively affirmed, 
 and no authority is given, it is to be assumed that the authors 
 themselves have found the bird in the county. In other cases 
 the name of the observer follows the record. 
 
 The authors have not attempted to give any account of the 
 life of the birds listed, unless such information applies particu- 
 larly to Berkshire County. It has not seemed desirable to re- 
 peat here facts already available in a number of manuals of 
 ornithology. Occasionally, however, the authors have inserted 
 some items of general import which have not found their way 
 into the manuals. 
 
 Meagre as the results may be, the authors feel that the fairly 
 complete list of summer residents justifies publication, and they 
 
venture to hope that some resident of the county may be 
 stimulated to make careful and continuous observations over 
 an extended period. 
 
 1. SIALTA SIALIS (Linn?). 
 
 BLUEBIRD. 
 
 The Bluebird is a fairly common summer resident in Berk- 
 shire, generally distributed throughout the county, though no- 
 where abundant. It arrives during the first half of March 
 (March 10-19, Williamstown, Dr. Emmons), and departs for 
 the south in October, a few lingering through the early days of 
 November (November 2, 1891, North Adams). 
 
 The Berkshire Bluebirds, in common with the rest of their 
 kind, suffered Jamentably from the effects of the winter of 
 189495 in the south. Their recovery, however, was quick ; 
 by the third summer (1897) they had, to all appearances, re- 
 gained their normal numbers. 
 
 2. MERULA MIGRATORIA (Linn.). 
 
 AMERICAN ROBIN. 
 
 Abundant summer resident, arriving March 8 ('Forest and 
 Stream,' X. 1878, 297) to March 20 (Dewey). Departs in No- 
 vember. Although not so often seen in winter as it is near the 
 sea-board of Massachusetts, the presence of the Robin in 
 sheltered places in Berkshire in February and even in January 
 is attested by both Dewey and Etnmons. 
 
 3. HYLOCICHLA MUSTELINA (Gmel.). 
 
 WOOD THRUSH. 
 
 Fairly common summer resident, mostly found at the lower 
 levels, and even there unequally distributed. One found breed- 
 ing at so high a level as 2400 feet (Grey lock mountain). Ar- 
 rives from the south about May 10. (See below, under Hermit 
 Thrush). 
 
 4. HYLOCICHLA GUTTATA PALLASII (Cab.). 
 
 HERMIT THRUSH. 
 
 Prior to the winter of 1894-95, the Hermit Thrush was a 
 common summer resident at a level of 800 feet above the sea 
 
10 
 
 and upward to about 2900 feet on the higher mountains. The 
 destruction of this species in its winter quarters during the 
 storms of January and February, 1895, must have been appal- 
 ling, for since that time it has become a comparatively scarce 
 bird on its former breeding-grounds. Up to this time (1899) 
 there appear no signs of its regaining its normal status. Some 
 curious local changes in the bird distribution, consequent upon 
 the decimation of the Hermit Thrushes, were noted by us. The 
 Wood Thrushes of the Grey lock Notch, previously found in 
 any numbers only in the deciduous woods at the lower end of 
 the Notch as high, say as 1000 or 1200 feet, in the summer of 
 1895 invaded the higher levels, supplanting the Hermits in the 
 spruce pastures up to an altitude of 1800 feet.* This 
 would seem to show that competition is a factor concerned in 
 the distribution of closely allied species on mountain sides, as 
 well as temperature, vegetation, etc. It will be interesting to 
 observe whether the Hermits recover their territory at. some 
 future day. 
 
 The Hermit Thrushes arrive in Berkshire early in April 
 (April 6, Stockbridge) ; the most of them depart by the first 
 week of November. 
 
 5. HYLOCICHLA TJSTULATA SWAINSONII (Cab.}. 
 
 OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. 
 
 Not uncommon summer resident on the Greylock range, 
 from 2800 feet up to the summit, 3505 feet ; met with sparing- 
 ly on this range in summer in certain dark ravines as low as 
 900 feet. It also breeds commonly on the Hoosac Plateau 
 in the townships of Florida, Savoy, Windsor, and Peru (alti- 
 tude 1800-2000 feet). In the low country of Berkshire it is 
 known only as a spring and autumn migrant. Our earliest 
 date for the spring arrival in Berkshire is May 3, 1899 (Lanes- 
 boro), bat it does not reach us in any numbers before the 12th 
 or 15th of May. From that time it may be found in deep 
 
 *See F. H. Allen, in St. Johnsbury Caledonian, September 11, 1896, who 
 noticed a similar increase of Wood Thrushes at the expense of Hermit 
 Thrushes at Willoughby Lake, Vermont, during the summer of 1896. 
 
11 
 
 woods, often practising its pensive ditty in subdued undertones, 
 till toward the first of June, when it retires to the spruce for- 
 ests of the mountains, or the regions further north. 
 
 6. HYLOCICHLA ALICLE Baird. 
 
 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. 
 
 Kare transient visitant, latter half of May and September. 
 
 6a. HYLOCICHLA ALICIJE BICKNELLI Ridgw. 
 BICKNELL'S THRUSH. 
 
 This bird is a very rare summer resident near the summit of 
 Greylock Mountain (altitude 3505 feet). On the 6th day of 
 July, 1888, the senior author of this paper shot a male there 
 as recorded in the "Auk," YI. 1888, 106. [Brewster, 2d ed. 
 Minot's Land Birds and Game Birds of New England, 1895, 
 p. 466]. This bird had been observed singing on the same 
 spot for four days before it was shot, and on dissection the 
 condition of its organs clearly indicated a breeding bird. An- 
 other male was found near the same place, in full song, on the 
 29th and 30th of July, 1895 (Faxon, Auk, XII. 1895, 392). 
 Yet again, a pair was found (the male in full song) near the 
 top of the mountain on the 18th and 19th of June, 1896. 
 
 7. HYLOCICHLA FUSCESCENS (Steph.). 
 
 VEERY. 
 
 The Yeery, or Wilson's Thrush, is the most abundant of the 
 Hylocichlse in Berkshire County, being generally distributed 
 in summer both in the low country and in suitable locations at 
 hi^h levels where the ground is damp and affords a bushy 
 undergrowth. On one occasion we detected a pair of Yeeries 
 in the breeding-season nearly up to the summit of Greylock, 
 where the song of the male formed part of a trio with the 
 Olive-backed and Bicknell's Thrushes. 
 
 Arrives May 3 to 10, but does not sing freely till the middle 
 of May. Withdraws to the south early in September ; seen 
 once in Stockbridge as late as the 17th of that month. 
 
12 
 8. EEGULUS CALENDULA (Linn.). 
 
 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. 
 
 Eather common transient visitant in the spring and autumn. 
 Arrives in April and lingers into May (13th, North Adams) 
 again in the autumn from the 23d of September through Octo- 
 ber, on its southward journey. 
 
 9. EEGULUS SATEAPA Licht. 
 
 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. 
 
 Not uncommon permanent resident in the spruce forest of 
 Saddle Mountain and the Hoosac Plateau from Becket north- 
 ward. Earely found elsewhere except as a winter visitant, in- 
 vading the ralley country as early as the llth of September. 
 There is a pair in the possession of Mr. J. M. Stevenson of 
 Pittsfield, labelled, "Great Barrington, July, 1886, Mr. 
 Sclmrr." 
 
 10. PAKUS IIUDSONICUS Forst. 
 
 HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE. 
 
 Eare winter visitant. Greylock Mountain, December, 1889 
 (Faxon, Auk, VII. 1890, 408). 
 
 11. PARUS ATRICAPILLUS Linn. 
 
 CHICKADEE. 
 
 Permanent resident. Common. 
 
 12. SITTA CANADENSIS Linn. 
 
 RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. 
 
 Not uncommon permanent resident in the spruce belt of 
 Saddle Mountain and of the Hoosacs (Florida, Savoy, Hins- 
 dale), varying in numbers different years. We have also found 
 one in summer in the Ice Glen, Stockbridge. In the low 
 country at large this species is known only as a spring and 
 autumn migrant or winter visitant. 
 
 13. SITTA CAROLINENSIS Lath. 
 
 WHITE-BELLIED NUTHATCH. 
 
 Permanent resident. Not uncommon. 
 
13 
 
 14. CERTHIA FAMILIARIS AMERICANA (Bonct/p.}. 
 
 AMERICAN BROWN CREEPER. 
 
 Breeds in considerable numbers in the coniferous forest on 
 Greylock Mountain. We have also found it on one occasion 
 in the township of Savoy in summer (July 3, 1899, altitude, 
 2000 feet). In most parts of the county it is only a winter 
 visitant, arriving from the north about the 23d of September. 
 
 } 5. ClSTOTHORUS PALUSTRIS ( WUs.). 
 LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. 
 
 Yery rare summer resident. July 17, 1897, the junior author 
 heard one or two singing in the marsh at the upper end of 
 Pontoosuc Lake, Lanesboro. There were none there in 1898 
 and 1899. 
 
 16. ClSTOTHORUS STELLARIS (Licflt.). 
 SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. 
 
 The Short-billed Marsh Wren is a summer resident in Berk- 
 shire county of local distribution. We have observed it in 
 Stockbridge, Lenox, and Lanesboro, and it is included in Chad- 
 bourne's list of the birds of Williamstown (1858). Arrives 
 May 14 (Lanesboro). Have seen it as late as the 2d^of October 
 (Lanesboro). 
 
 17. ANORTHURA HIEMALIS (VieilL). 
 
 WINTER WREN. 
 
 Chiefly a spring and autumn migrant, though many breed on 
 Greylock Mountain, and we have detected a few in summer in 
 Great Barrington, Stockbridge, Lanesboro, Becket, and Wash- 
 ington, where they presumably breed in cool, shady swamps. 
 On Greylock the Winter Wren breeds at an elevation of 2000 
 feet and upwards. We have noted the spring arrival of the 
 Winter Wren as early as April llth (Pittsfield) ; it lingers on 
 Mt. Greylock so late as October 26, but we have no winter 
 record for the county. It is a very rare winter bird even on 
 the sea-board of Massachusetts. The autumnal passage of mi- 
 grants sets in by September 15. 
 
U 
 
 18. TROGLODYTES AEDON Vieill. 
 
 HOUSE WEEN. 
 
 A fairly common summer resident in some parts of the 
 county, although nowhere abundant. More common in the 
 southern part of the county (Sheffield, etc.) than in the north- 
 ern and hill towns. Generally found near farm-houses, though 
 a few breed in wild forest sprout-land, in the dead stubs, re- 
 mote from houses. Arrives about the 1st of May. Seen up 
 to September 24. 
 
 19. HARPORRHYNCHTJS ETJFUS (Linn.). 
 
 BROWN THRASHER. 
 
 Summer resident, not very rare, yet not nearly so common 
 as in the eastern part of the state. 
 
 20. GALEOSCOPTES CAEOLINENSIS (Linn.). 
 
 CATBIRD. 
 
 Common summer resident, except in the more heavily 
 forested districts. Arrives May 1 (1899, Lanesboro), May 6-8 
 (1831-33, Williamstown, Emmons). Departs in early October. 
 
 21. MIMUS POLYGLOTTOS (Linn.). 
 
 MOCKINGBIRD. 
 
 Very rare, perhaps accidental, summer visitant. Mr. R. T. 
 Fisher tells of one that he used often to visit in order to enjoy 
 its song, near the Cheshire Reservoir, through July, 1896. 
 This is the only definite record we have. 
 
 22. ANTHUS PENNSILVANICUS (Lath). 
 
 AMERICAN PIPIT. 
 
 Transient visitor in the spring and autumn, more common 
 in autumn than in the spring. Our only spring records are 
 May 4, 9, 1899 (Lanesboro). Autumnal migration begins 
 September 22. 
 
 23. HELMINTHOPHILA EUBRICAPILLA ( Wils.). 
 
 NASHVILLE WARBLER. 
 
 Abundant migrant and common summer resident, more com- 
 mon at high levels than in the low country. Arrives about 
 May 1, departs toward the end of September. 
 
15 
 
 24. HELMINTHOPHILA PEREGRINA (Wils.). 
 
 TENNESSEE WARBLER. 
 
 Rare spring migrant, May 1324; found in apple orchards 
 and also along water courses (Lanesboro, North Adams). Prob- 
 ably many more pass through Berkshire than through the 
 eastern counties of Massachusetts. Although one was dis- 
 covered on Mt. Greylock on the 15th of July (see "Auk," VI. 
 1889, 102), there is no satisfactory evidence of its breeding in 
 the county or state. Doubtless passes through the county on 
 its way south in the fall, although as yet we have no autumn 
 record. 
 
 25. MNIOTILTA VARIA (Linn.). 
 
 BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. 
 
 Not uncommon summer resident. Earer in the more ele- 
 vated parts of the county. Seen as late as September 27. 
 
 26. COMPSOTHLYPIS AMERICANA TJSNE^E 
 
 NORTHERN BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER. 
 
 Summer resident, not common, and local, its distribution 
 controlled by the .growth of Usnea. Rare on Greylock but 
 often met with elsewhere in small numbers in elevated, swampy 
 regions. Arrives May 3 (1899, Lanesboro). 
 
 27. DENDRCECA ^ESTIVA (Gmel.). 
 
 YELLOW WARBLER. 
 
 Summer resident. In Berkshire County this bird is almost 
 exclusively found in the low country which has been brought 
 under cultivation. In such places it is a common tenant of the 
 willowed banks of streams and ponds. Arrives about the first 
 of May. Departs about the eighteenth of August. 
 
 28. DENDRCECA PENNSILVANICA (Linn.). 
 
 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. 
 
 Abundant summer resident, May 2-September 19. 
 
16 
 
 29. DENDECECA BLACKBUENI^E (GmeL). 
 
 BLACKBUENIAN WAKBLEE. 
 
 The Blackburnian Warbler is an abundant summer resident 
 of the spruce forest of Mt. Greylock, and is also fairly common 
 in the breeding season in the townships of the Hoosac Plateau, 
 from Becket northward. In the low country it is chiefly met 
 with during the migration periods, although it breeds dis- 
 persedly throughout the county, in hemlock and white pine 
 woods, even to the southern border (Sheffield). This most 
 beautiful of all the warblers reaches Berkshire County from the 
 south early in May (May 2, 1899, Lanesboro). We have seen 
 it as late as September 25. 
 
 \ 
 
 30. DENDECECA VIEENS (GmeL). 
 
 BLACK-THEOATED GEEEN WAEBLEE. 
 
 Common summer resident of the spruce and pine tracts. 
 Extremely abundant on Greylock ; together with the Black- 
 burnian, it is the most numerous warbler in the spruce region 
 of the mountain. Observed at North Adams as late as Octo- 
 ber 19. 
 
 31. DENDECECA MACULOSA (GmeL). 
 
 BLACK AND YELLOW WAEBLEE. 
 
 Common summer resident in spruce regions from Becket 
 northward. Perfers somewhat open pasture-lands, growing up 
 to spruce. Arrives early in May (May 5, 1899, Lanesboro), de- 
 parts in September. Latest seen, October 1 (Lanesboro). 
 
 32. DENDECECA COEONATA (Linn.). 
 
 TELLOW-EUMPED WAEBLEE. 
 
 Extremely abundant during the vernal and autumnal migra- 
 tions (April, May, September and October), a few remaining 
 through the summer to breed. The breeders for the most part 
 seek the spruce forest of Mt. Greylock and the Hoosac Plateau, 
 though we are disposed to think from our observations that a 
 few breed even in the valley towns (Pittsfield, Stock bridge), in 
 white pine groves. Prodigious numbers of Yellow-rumps 
 
17 
 
 passed through Berkshire in the spring of 1899. The wave 
 was at its height from the 3d to the 12th of May, ebbing slow- 
 ly to its subsidence on the 24th. Most of the females passed 
 during the latter half of the month, when on certain days they 
 preponderated heavily over the males. 
 
 The autumnal passage ends about November 1. 
 
 33. DENDR<ECA PALMARUM (Gmel.). 
 
 RED-POLL WARBLER. 
 
 Rare transient visitant in September and October. Septem- 
 ber 20, 1892 (Stockbridge), September 23-25, 1899 (Lanes- 
 boro), September 29, 1898 (Lanesboro), October 1, 1898 (Lanes- 
 boro), October 2, 1898 (Lanesboro), October 22, 1891 (North 
 Adams). The last is an exceptionally late date for this bird. 
 The specimen was shot and is now in Mr. William Brewster's 
 collection. 
 
 33$. DENDRCECA PALMARUM HYPOCHRYSEA Ridgw. 
 
 YELLOW RED-POLL WARBLER. 
 
 Common spring and autumn transient. Comes in April ; by 
 the first week of May most of them have passed on to the 
 north, although we have seen a single one as late as the 14th 
 of that month (Stockbridge). The autumnal passage occurs 
 from September 29 to October 22. 
 
 34. DENDRCECA CASTANEA ( Wils.). 
 
 BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. 
 
 Rare spring and autumn migrant. May 13-22, September 
 7-17 (Lanesboro, Dalton). 
 
 35. DENDROSCA STRIATA 
 
 BLACK-POLL WARBLER. 
 
 Common transient visitant, May 17 to June 7, September 
 7 to October 23. We once found a loiterer in Lenox on June 
 14. Dr. Brewer says that the Black-poll Warbler " has been 
 seen in North Adams in August, with young so immature that 
 they must have been of local origin" (Bull. Nuttall Orn. Club, 
 
18 
 
 III. 1878, 139). We have been unable to find it in the breed- 
 ing season, even on Greylock. 
 
 36. DENDROZCA VIGORSII (Aud.). 
 
 PINE WARBLER. 
 
 Yery rare summer resident. North Adams, May 22, 1889, 
 one female shot, with eggs nearly ready to lay (Auk. XII. 1895, 
 89); Stockbridge, July 7, 1895, one male; Lenox, July, 1898, 
 several males together ; all of these in white pine groves. The 
 Pine Warbler appears in Chadbourne's list of Williarnstown 
 birds, 1858, on the authority of A. Hopkins. 
 
 37. DENDRCECA OERULESCENS (GmeL). 
 
 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. 
 
 Common summer resident on the Taconic, Greylock -and 
 Hoosac ranges. Found more rarely in summer in favorable 
 localities in the low country. Yery abundant on the Taconic 
 Mountains near the southern border of the county, in mixed 
 deciduous woods, with dense undergrowth of mountain laurel 
 (Kalmia latifolia). Arrives May 5 (Lanesboro). 
 
 38. DENDRCECA TIGRINA (Gmel.). 
 
 CAPE MAY WARBLER. 
 
 Rare spring (and presumably autumn) transient visitant. 
 May 2, May 7, May 14 (female), (Lanesboro). No autumn 
 record. 
 
 39. SITJRUS AUROCAPILLUS (Linn.). 
 
 OVEN-BIRD. 
 
 Common summer resident ; arrives May 6 (Williamstown, 
 Emmons) to May 10; last seen, September 27. 
 
 40. SIURUS MOTACILLA ( Vieill.). 
 
 SOUTHERN WATER-THRUSH. 
 
 Yery rare summer resident. The sole record is Sheffield, 
 June 11, 1896, a pair feeding fledged young (Faxon, Auk, 
 XIII. 1896, 344). 
 
19 
 
 A Water-Thrush was observed in the township of Washington on the 
 28th of June, 1899, but we are uncertain whether it was the northern or 
 southern species. 
 
 41. SIURUS NOVEBORACENSIS (Gmel.). 
 
 NORTHERN WATER-THRUSH. 
 
 Common transient visitant, May 1-June 2, and August- 
 September. Although one individual was seen in Sheffield as 
 late as the 17th of June (Faxon, Auk, VI. 1889, 46) there is 
 no evidence of its breeding in the county. 
 
 
 42. GEOTHLYPIS TRIOHAS (Linn.]. 
 
 MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. 
 
 Common summer resident, not only in the valleys, but in the 
 deforested wet grounds of the highlands, as, for instance, on 
 the Hoosac Plateau. Arrives May 7 (Lanesboro). 
 
 43. GEOTHLYPIS PHILADELPHIA ( Wils.). 
 
 MOURNING WARBLER. 
 
 Summer resident of very restricted range, breeding in con- 
 siderable numbers in the sprout-lands of the Greylock Moun- 
 tain system. Outside of this range we have found the Mourn- 
 ing Warbler in the breeding-season in but two localities, and 
 those not far off, viz. on the hills on the opposite side of the 
 Hoosac River in North Adams, and, in the same direction but 
 much higher up, on the Hoosac Plateau near the boundary 
 separating North Adams from Florida. In each of these 
 places only one or two pairs were detected. 
 
 The breeding birds reach Mount Greylock by the 14th of 
 May. Transient birds are not often seen, but these probably 
 arrive at a later date. In Eastern Massachusetts, where the 
 Mourning Warbler is known only as a migrant on its way to 
 and from more northern breeding-grounds, the vernal passage 
 falls between May 21 and June 6, oftenest after May 26. We 
 therefore incline to think that the individuals rarely seen in 
 Berkshire to the south of Greylock during the last week of 
 May (e. g. Lanesboro, May 27, 1899) are birds bred to the 
 north of Massachusetts rather than members of the Greylock 
 colony. 
 
20 
 44. GEOTHLYPIS AGILIS ( Wils.). 
 
 CONNECTICUT WARBLER. 
 
 Very rare transient in the autumn. Lanesboro, September 
 21, 24 ; Sheffield, September 26 ; North Adams, September 28. 
 
 45. ICTERIA VIRENS 
 
 YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 
 
 A not rare summer resident in the Housatonic valley at 
 Sheffield. We have found it also in a few localities in Stock- 
 bridge and Lenox. To the north of this we have not met with 
 it until North Adams is reached, at the northern end of the 
 county. Here, on the verge of the Hoosac valley, on the lower 
 slopes of the Greylock mountain range, there is established a 
 little colony of Chats, about four pairs breeding within at area 
 two miles square. On the 16th of June, 1896, we discovered 
 a pair settled in Pownal, a southern border town of Vermont. 
 These were probably an overflow from the Greylock colony. 
 
 46. SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA (Linn.). 
 
 AMERICAN REDSTART. 
 
 Common summer resident, but not so abundant as in the 
 eastern counties of Massachusetts. Rarer at high levels than 
 in the low country. Arrives from the south May 3 (1899, 
 Lanesboro). Seen as late as September 26. 
 
 47. WILSONIA CANADENSIS (Linn.). 
 
 CANADIAN WARBLER. 
 
 Common summer resident of the higher parts of the county, 
 and also found in shady swamps in the valley regions. May 
 ll-Septembe*r 26. 
 
 48. WILSONIA PUSILLA ( Wils.). 
 
 WILSON'S WARBLER. 
 
 Fairly common transient visitant in the well watered valley 
 country, May 6-28, September 8-27 (Lanesboro). Fond of 
 willows along the borders of ponds arid rivers. 
 
 The Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia mitrata (Gmel.), should be looked for, 
 especially in the southern part of the county, in the mountain laurel tracts 
 
21 
 
 Mr. J. B. Grimes, a trustworthy observer, in our estimation, .assures us 
 that he used to find this bird in the breeding-season in a certain place near 
 Pittsfield, a good many years ago. The locality is now built up. 
 
 49. YIREO NOVEBORACENSIS (Gmel.\ 
 
 WHITE-EYED VIREO. 
 
 Very rare summer resident. Sheffield, June, 1888, and 
 June 10, 1896. One pair on each occasion. 
 
 It is included in Chadbourne's Williamstown list published 
 in 1858. 
 
 50. YIREO SOLITARIUS ( Wils.). 
 
 SOLITARY VIREO. 
 
 Not uncommon summer resident. Much reduced in num- 
 bers since the winter of 1894-95, when myriads must have 
 perished in the south. 
 
 51. YIREO FLAVIFRONS Vieill. 
 
 YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 
 
 Summer resident, not common, but widely dispersed through 
 the valley towns. Generally met with in the shade-trees along 
 village streets. We have found a few in such situations in the 
 following towns : Sheffield, Stockbridge, Lenox, Pittsfield, 
 Lanesboro, North Adams, and Williamstown. 
 
 52. YIREO GILVUS ( Vieill.). 
 
 WARBLING VIREO. 
 
 Locally common summer resident. Almost exclusively 
 found in the shade-trees by the roadsides, especially in the vil- 
 lages. Arrives May 2, departs September 18 (Lanesboro). 
 
 53. YIREO OLIVACEUS (Linn.). 
 
 RED-EYED VIREO. 
 
 Abundant summer resident. Arrives May 10. Seen as 
 late as October 1. 
 
22 
 54. LANIUS LTJDOVICIANUS MIGRANS Palmer. 
 
 MIGRANT SHRIKE. 
 
 The only records for this bird are the following by S. G. 
 Tenney, in Amer. Nat., XXI. 1887, 90 : Nest found in Wil- 
 liamstown, May 10, 1883, with six eggs ; another a few days 
 later, one-quarter of a mile distant from the first one, with 
 two eggs (apparently deserted) ; third nest found in the spring 
 of 1886, within 150 feet of the first nest. [Auk, VI. 1889, 
 180; Brewster's ed. Minot's Land-Birds and Game-Birds of 
 N. E., 1875, p. 470 ; Palmer, Auk, XV. 1898, 249.] 
 
 Mr. Tenney writes us that these nests were built at a height 
 of six to eight feet above the ground, two of them in thorn- 
 apple trees (Cratcegus), one in an elm. They were lined with 
 sheep's wool. 
 
 55. LANIUS BOREALIS Vieill. 
 
 NORTHERN SHRIKE. 
 
 Winter visitant, not common. Have seen it at North 
 Adams as early as October 17. 
 
 56. AMPELTS CEDRORUM ( Vieill.). 
 
 CEDAR WAXWING. 
 
 Abundant summer resident. Arrives May 22 (1889, North 
 Adams), May 24 (1899, Lanesboro). Roving flocks are some- 
 times met with in late winter or early spring, but these birds 
 do not remain through to the breeding season (Emmons, Amer. 
 Journal Sci., XXVI. 1834, 208.) 
 
 57. AMPELIS GARRULUS Linn. 
 
 BOHEMIAN WAXWING. 
 
 One specimen, a male, shot in Williamstown village, is now 
 in the Williams College museum (No. 103) in Jackson Hall. 
 (Chadbourne, Williams Quarterly, V. 1858, 345; Brewster, 
 Auk, I. 1884, 10.) 
 
23 
 58. PROGNE SUMS (Linn.). 
 
 PURPLE MARTIN. 
 
 Not common summer resident, breeding in small numbers in 
 the northern part of the county, at North Adams, etc. 
 
 59. HlRUNDO ERYTHROGASTRA 
 BARN SWALLOW. 
 
 Abundant summer resident. Most numerous of the Hirun- 
 dinidtie. Arrives about April 19 (Williamstown, Emmous). 
 By September 7 they are gone. 
 
 60. TACHYCINETA BICOLOR ( Vieill). 
 
 WHITE BELLIED SWALLOW. 
 
 Abundant transient visitant ; not very common summer 
 resident, breeding in North Adams, Cheshire, Lanesboro, Pitts- 
 field, Biicket, Sheffield. Yast numbers collect at the head of 
 Pontoosuc Lake during the vernal migration, where we have 
 seen them take their departure for the north as late as the 22d 
 of May. After sitting toward the close of day upon the low 
 bushes that protrude above the surface of the lake, at half past 
 seven o'clock, myriads at once soared into the air, parting to 
 form two flocks, one of which took a course due north, while 
 the second struck off to the W. N. W. 
 
 61. PETROCHELIDON LUNIFRONS (Say). 
 
 EAVE SWALLOW. 
 
 Abundant summer resident. Next to the Barn Swallow the 
 most numerous of the family. According to Professor Eminons 
 this bird first appeared in Williamstown in the year 1825. Ar- 
 rives about April 29 (Williamstown, Emmons), departs at the 
 end of August. 
 
 62. CLIVICOLA RIPARIA (Linn.). 
 
 SAND SWALLOW. 
 
 Fairly common summer resident, though of necessity more 
 or less local in its distribution. 
 
24 
 63. STELGIDOPTERYX SERRIPEXNIS (And.). 
 
 ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. 
 
 Very rare summer resident. We know of but two pairs, 
 breeding in two limestone cliffs in North Adams (Faxon, 'Auk,' 
 XII. 1895, 392). This is the only place in the state where this 
 swallow is known to breed. It is somewhat strange that the 
 nearest known breeding station to the southward is the extreme 
 south-western corner of Connecticut. The young quit the nest 
 during the first week in July. 
 
 61. . PlRANGA ERYTIIROMELAS Vieill. 
 SCARLET TANAGER. 
 
 Common summer resident, May 10-September 23. Very 
 common in the region about Grey lock Mountain. 
 
 t)5. CoCCOTIIRAUSTES YESPERTINUS (OoOJ}.). 
 EVENING GROSBEAK. 
 
 This western bird appeared in Berkshire County in consider- 
 able numbers in the winter of 1889-90, during that wonderful 
 eastward migration which reached even the Atlantic coast.* 
 
 WQ were not so fortunate as to be in Berkshire County durinw 
 
 ./ ft 
 
 the incursion, but we received trustworthy reports of its pres- 
 ence in Williamstown, Adams, Lanesboro, Lenox, and Sheffield. 
 Mr. W. A. Jeffries of Boston has a specimen killed in Lenox, 
 March 25, 1890. Mr. Koland F. Smith of Sheffield has one 
 that he secured out of a flock in Sheffield daring the same winter. 
 
 06. PJNICOLA ENUCLEATOR CANADENSIS (Cab.). 
 
 CANADIAN PINE GROSBEAK. 
 
 Irregular winter visitant. 
 
 *See A. W. Butler, 'Auk,' ix. 1892, 238-247, x. 1892, 155-157, aud 
 William Brewster in Minot's ' Land-Birds and Game-Birds of New Eng- 
 land/ 2d Ed., 1895, pp. 470, 471. 
 
25 
 67. CARPODACUS PURPUREUS (Gmel.). 
 
 PURPLE FINCH. 
 
 Common summer resident ; rare in winter (teste Mr. R. T. 
 Fisher). 
 
 68. PASSER DOMESTICUS (Linn). 
 
 HOUSE SPARROW. 
 
 Permanent resident, abundant in the larger cities and towns, 
 not uncommon in farming country of the lowlands, but not 
 encroaching upon the higher regions of the county. Even at 
 North Adams, where a populous city abuts abruptly upon the 
 slope of Greylock, the House Sparrows do not ascend above a 
 a level of 1080 feet, the city lying at a level of 680 feet. They 
 appear not yet to have invaded the Hoosac Plateau. The 
 House Sparrow is as yet the only foreign bird that has taken 
 an assured place in the fauna of the county. 
 
 69. LOXIA LEUCOPTERA (Gmel.). 
 
 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. 
 
 Irregular winter visitant. Greylock Mountain, December 
 15, 17, 1889 ; October 22, 25, 1891. Abundant in Northern 
 Berkshire during the winter of 1899-1900. 
 
 70. LOXIA CURVIROSTRA MINOR (Brehm). 
 
 AMERICAN CROSSBILL. 
 
 Found at all seasons, but very irregular in its occurrence, 
 especially in summer. In the year 1895 the Crossbills were 
 abundant throughout the summer in the region about Greylock 
 Mountain. 
 
 71. ACANTHIS LINARIA (Linn.). 
 
 REDPOLL. 
 
 Irregular winter visitant. 
 
 72. ASTRAGALINUS TRISTIS (Linn.). 
 
 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 
 
 Abundant summer resident. Hare in winter. 
 
26 
 
 73. SPINUS PINUS ( 11%.). 
 PINE SISKIN. 
 
 Irregular winter visitant; arrives September 24. On Grey- 
 lock Mountain it is frequently seen in the summer. Probably 
 breeds among the higher mountains. 
 
 74. PLECTROPHENAX NIYALIS (Linn.}. 
 
 SNOW BUNTING. 
 
 Irregular winter visitant, not abundant. November-March. 
 Have taken it on the summit of Greylock, November 1, and 
 on the mud-flats of Pontoosuc Lake, Lanesboro. 
 
 75. POCECETES GRAMINEUS (GmeL). 
 
 BAY-WINGED SPARROW. 
 
 Common summer resident. Arrives April 8 (Stockbridge) ? 
 seen up to October 23 (North Adams). The Bay-wings were 
 quite scarce in Berkshire in the summer of 1899. They must 
 have perished in great numbers daring the preceding winter. 
 
 76. PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS SAVANNA ( Wils.). 
 
 SAVANNAH SPARROW T . 
 
 Common summer resident usually, though scarce in the 
 summer of 1899, like the preceding species. 
 
 77. AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM PASSERINUS ( Wils.}. 
 
 GRASSHOPPER- SPARROW. 
 
 Summer resident, of local distribution. We have found a 
 good many in Sheffield, and scattered colonies in Great Bar. 
 ington, Stockbriclge, Lenox, Pittsfield, and North Adams. 
 
27 
 78. AMMODRAMUS IIENSLOWII (A.ud.). 
 
 HENSLOW'S SPAKROW. 
 
 Summer resident, locally distributed through the county. 
 We have observed it in considerable numbers in the towns of 
 Sheffield, Tyringharn, Otis, Stockbridge, and Lanesboro, and 
 Mr. William Brewster has recorded it from Adams ('Auk,' I. 
 1884, 7). It arrived at Lanesboro in 1899 on the 13th day of 
 May. 
 
 79. ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS (FoTSt.). 
 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. 
 
 Common transient visitant in the valley country, May 8-25, 
 September 23-October . Found mostly along road-sides and 
 bushy fence-lines, whence its dreamy song often greets the 
 passer-by during the May migration. 
 
 80. ZONOTRICHIA ALBICOLLIS (GmeL). 
 
 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 
 
 The White-throated Sparrow breeds in considerable numbers 
 on the Greylock Mountain range and on the Hoosac Plateau 
 from Becket northward. In the low, valley country of Berk- 
 shire it is rare in summer (Stockbridge, Lanesboro) but abund- 
 ant in the spring and fall, during the seasons of migration. 
 
 81. SPIZELLA MONTICOLA (Gmel.). 
 
 TREE SPARROW. 
 
 Common migrant in the spring and autumn. Not common 
 in winter. Arrives from the north October 23 (North Adams). 
 
 82. SPIZELLA PUSILLA ( Wils.). 
 
 FIELD SPARROW. 
 
 Common summer resident. 
 
 83. SPIZELLA SOCIALIS ( Wils.). 
 
 CHIPPING SPARROW. 
 
 Abundant summer resident. 
 
28 
 Si. JUNCO iiiEMALis (Linn.). 
 
 SNOWBIRD. 
 
 Abundant transient in the spring and autumn, and a fairly 
 common summer resident in the mountainous parts of the 
 county, -breeding on the mountains even to the southern border 
 (Mount Everett). According to Mr. R. T. Fisher it is some- 
 times found in winter. 
 
 85. MELOSPIZA GEORGIANA (Lath.). 
 
 SWAMP SPARROW. 
 
 Rather common summer resident, found both in the high 
 and low country, but locally distributed on account of its love 
 for marshy districts. 
 
 86. MELOSPIZA LIXCOLNII (And.). 
 
 LINCOLN'S SPARROW. 
 
 Transient visitant in the spring and autumn, more numerous 
 in the autumn,' when it is a fairly common bird in the Housa- 
 tonic Valley (Lanesboro, Pittsfield, Sheffield). We have seen 
 as many as ten in a single day (October 1, 1898, Lanesboro). 
 It is seen in May (14th-17th) and in the autumn from Septem- 
 ber 19 through early October. Found oftenest, though by no 
 means exclusively, near swampy or marshy land. 
 
 Near Boston, where observations cover a long series of years, 
 spring dates for Lincoln's Sparrow cover the interval from May 
 7 to June 1, autumn records extending from September 12 to 
 October 10 ; once we saw a single individual in Belmont on 
 the first day of November. 
 
 87. MELOSPIZA MELODIA ( Wils.). 
 
 SONG SPARROW. 
 
 Abundant summer resident. Mr. R. T. Fisher informs us 
 that a few Song Sparrows may be found in winter at the 
 Cheshire Reservoir. A record for spring arrival at North 
 Adams, viz. March 10, 1878, is given in ' Forest and Stream,' 
 X. 1878, 297. 
 
88. PASSERELLA ILIAC A (Merr.). 
 
 FOX-COLORED SPARROW. 
 
 Common transient visitant, March-April, October-Novem 
 ber. Arrives from the north in autumn, October 21 (North 
 Adams). 
 
 89. PIPILO ERYTHROPHTHALMUS (Linn.). 
 
 TOWHKE. 
 
 Summer resident, not rare, though not nearly so common as 
 in the eastern counties of Massachusetts, and more local in its 
 distribution. We have found it lingering on Mount Greylock 
 in the autumn as late as October 22. 
 
 The Cardinal Grosbeak, Cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.), is entered with a 
 query in the Catalogue of the Birds of Williamstown (Williams Quarterly, 
 1858, p. 358). We know of no positive record for the county. For Hamp- 
 den and Hampshire County records, see Allen, Amer. Nat., in. 1870, 635. 
 
 90. ZAMELODIA LUDOVICIANA (Linn.). 
 
 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 
 
 Fairly common summer resident. Arrives about the 10th 
 of May. We have seen it in the autumn up to October 2 } 
 though most of them leave early in September. 
 
 91. PASSERINA CYANEA (Linn.). 
 
 INDIGO BIRD. 
 
 Abundant summer resident. Arrives May 10-14. Departs 
 early in October. 
 
 92. SPIZA AMERICANA (Gmel.). 
 
 BLACK-THROATED BUNTING. 
 
 Found breeding in Williamstown some time prior to 1858, 
 by Mr. Archibald Hopkins, who sent the eggs to Dr. T. M. 
 Brewer (Williams Quarterly, 1858, p. 357 ; Baird, Brewer and 
 Kidgway, Hist. N. A. Birds, Land Birds, II. 1874, 67; Stearns 
 and Coues, New England Bird-Life, Part I. 1881, p. 280)- 
 Wo have no reason to think tli.it the Black-throated Bnntino- 
 
30 
 
 now exists in Berkshire county. As is well known, this bird 
 long ago abandoned its former breeding grounds in the eastern 
 states. 
 
 93. DOLICHONYX ORYZIVORUS (Linn.). 
 
 BOBOLINK. 
 
 Very common summer resident. Arrives May 1 (1899, 
 Lanesboro) May 12 (1889, North Adams). Ceases from song 
 about July 10. Last seen September 12. 
 
 94. MOLOTIIRUS ATER (Bodd.). 
 COWBIKD. 
 
 Fairly common summer resident, but not so common as in 
 the eastern part of the state. 
 
 95. AGELJEUS PIKENICEUS (Linn.). 
 
 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 
 
 Common summer resident. Arrived in Williamstown March 
 23, 1831, March 21, 1832, March 20, 1833. Appeared in 
 February, 1830. Emmons. We have seen transient flocks at 
 Pontoosuc Lake as late as Nov. 11, but the native birds abandon 
 their breeding-grounds as early as August. 
 
 96. STURNELLA MAGNA (Linn.). 
 
 ME A DOW- LARK. 
 
 Common summer resident of the low country. Arrived at 
 Williamstown March 13, 1831, March 12, 1832, March 13, 
 1833. Emmons. Observed at North Adams as late as Octo- 
 ber 23. 
 
 97. ICTERUS SPURIUS (Linn.). 
 
 ORCHARD ORIOLE. 
 
 Not uncommon summer resident in the southern part 
 of the Housatonic Yalley at Sheffield, and breeding northward 
 in small numbers as far as the upper end of Pontoosuc Lake, 
 in Lanesboro. Arrives May 12 (1899, Lanesboro.) 
 
31 
 
 98. ICTERUS GALBULA (Linn.). 
 
 BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 
 
 Common summer resident in the low country. Arrives May 
 7 (1899, Lanesboro) to May 12 (1831, Williamstown, Eminons). 
 Departs about the last of August. 
 
 99. SCOLECOPHAGUS CAROLINUS (Jfull.). 
 RUSTY GRACKLE. 
 
 Transient visitant in the spring and autumn, abundant in 
 the autumn. 
 
 100* QUISCALUS QUISCULA ^ENEus (Ridgw^]. 
 
 BRONZED GRACKLE. 
 
 Common summer resident. 
 
 101. CORVUS AMERICAN US Aud. 
 AMERICAN CROW. 
 
 Common permanent resident, but not so abundant in winter 
 as in summer. 
 
 102. CORVUS CORAX (Linn.). 
 
 RAVEN. 
 
 There are two Kavens, killed in Williamstown, in the 
 museum of Williams College. One of these is No. 358, "Wil- 
 liamstown, Don. F. B. Cole, 1877." The other is merely 
 labelled u Williamstown, Mass/', without catalogue number. 
 It is the first of these, probably, that was recorded by Tenney 
 in the American Naturalist, Vol. XI. April, 1877, p. 243 [Allen, 
 Bull. K O. C., II. 1877, 74, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., I. 
 1886, 249; Stearns and Coues, N. E. Bird-Life, Part I. 1881, p. 
 313 ; Faxon, Auk. YI. 1889, 100] as obtained in Williamstown 
 " some time since." Both specimens were noticed by Mr. 
 William Brewster in the 'Auk,' Yol. I. 1884, p. 10, where 1877 
 is inadvertently given as the date of capture of one of them, 
 instead of the date of donation to the museum. Certain local 
 names that still survive would seem to show that the Raven used 
 to breed in Berkshire. An inaccessible cliff on the eastern side 
 
32 
 
 of Ragged Mountain, a spur of Greylock, in Adams, has been 
 pointed out as a former breeding-place of the Raven, and it is 
 still called by many of the farmers in the neighborhood the 
 u Raven Rocks." The Ravens, however, were probably exter- 
 minated from this region long ago. They do not appear in 
 Chadbourne's list of Williamstown birds which was published 
 in 1858 ; nor in the catalogue of birds published in 1833 by 
 Dr. Emmons, a resident of Williamstown, does the Raven 
 figure, save dubiously, as a bird of Massachusetts. 
 
 Allen (Bull. Essex Inst., x. 1878, 33, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., i. 
 1886, 266) says that the Canada Jay, Perisoreus canadewis (Linn.), doubtless 
 occurs as an occasional winter visitor in Berkshire County an a priori asser. 
 tion backed by no definite record. In a note printed in the Auk, Vol. ix. 
 1892, p. 395, R. O. Morris and W. W. Colburn aver that a Canada Jay was 
 "observed" by them on Greylock Mountain, June 18, 1892. We have 
 learned from Mr. Morris (per litt.) that this bird was identified by ear alone, 
 an identification hardly entitled to credit. 
 
 103. CYANOCITTA CRISTATA (Linn.}. 
 
 BLUE JAY. 
 Common permanent resident. 
 
 104. OTOCOBYS ALPESTRIS (Linn.). 
 
 HORNED LARK. 
 
 Rare [spring and ?] autumn transient visitant. Pontoosuc 
 Lake, Lanesboro, Nov. 13, 1899. We have seen a female that 
 was killed in Dal ton (no date). 
 
 104&. OTOCORYS ALPESTRIS PRATICOLA Ilensh.. 
 
 PRAIRIE HORNED LARK. 
 
 Rare summer resident, Williamstown, North Adams, Lanes- 
 boro, Pittsfield. There are reasons for believing that the 
 Prairie Horned Lark has extended its breeding range eastward 
 in recent years. Our earliest knowledge of its breeding in 
 Massachusetts dates back only to 1890, in which year specimens 
 were secured in the breeding-season in Williamstown and 
 North Adams (Faxon, Auk, IX. 1892, 202). A nest and eggs 
 were found near Pittsfield by Mr. C. H. Buckingham, July 10, 
 1892 (Brew&ter, Auk, XI. 1894, 326). The first account of its 
 
33 
 
 breeding in New England was published in the Ornithologist 
 and Oologist, Vol. XIY., p. 87, June, 1889, where, Mr. C. H. 
 Parkhill records it as nesting in Cornwall, Yt. In 1891 it was 
 observed in June and July at Franconia, N. H. (Faxon, Auk, 
 IX, 1892, 202). Within twenty-five miles of the Berkshire 
 boundary, near Troy, 1ST. Y., the Prairie Horned Lark was re- 
 corded as breeding as long ago as 1881 (Park, Bull. Nuttall 
 Orn. Club, YI. 1881, 177; Auk, Y. 1888, 111). 
 
 In its song-flight this little lark emulates the renowned Sky 
 Lark of Europe. We have seen it soaring up until it became 
 a mere speck to the eye ; but its Right-song is wretched failure, 
 consisting of a series of formless splutterings and chipperings, 
 of little if any musical value. 
 
 After a dry summer, like that of 1899, the receding waters 
 of Pontoosuc Lake leave at its upper end extensive mud-flats 
 exposed to the sun and air. Here, drawn by an abundance of 
 food, the larks assemble in flocks during the autumn. On 
 several occasions' in early November, we have estimated the 
 number thus congregated to be as great as seventy. The flocks 
 are made up almost wholly of the Prairie Larks (O. a. prati- 
 cola), though now and then one discerns a few of their yellow- 
 browed relatives, 0. alpestris, accompanied by Snow Buntings, 
 that have come down from the north to take potluck with their 
 southern cousins on the Pontoosuc flats. 
 
 Possibly a few Prairie Horned Larks may pass the winter in 
 Berkshire, if the season be mild and open. We have found a 
 family of live feeding in upland fields on the second of 
 December. 
 
 105. EMPIDONAX TRAILLII ALNORUM Brewst. 
 
 ALDER FLYCATCHER. 
 
 Common summer resident, found in wet ground, among 
 growth of alder and willow, throughout the whole length of 
 the county. Song, que-quee, uttered in quick, irritable tones 
 sometimes a more drawled-out queah. Call-note, a loud pip 
 Arrives May 16, (1889, North Adams), May 22, (1899, Lanes- 
 boro) ; very abundant about May 28, when the number of 
 natives is augmented by many transients on their way north. 
 
34 
 106. EMPIDONAX MINIMUS Baird. 
 
 LEAST FLYCATCHER. 
 
 Common summer resident, found in orchards and groves, 
 seldom in the wet swamp land frequented by the Alder Fly- 
 catcher. Song, a quickly uttered che-lec ; call-note, a sharp 
 whit. 
 
 107. EMPIDONAX FLAVIVENTRIS Baird. 
 
 YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. 
 
 Rare spring (and presumably autumn) trans-lent visitant. 
 May 25- June 1 (Lanesboro). We have no autumn records. 
 There is no reason to suppose that the Yellow-bellied Fly- 
 catcher breeds in Berkshire County, although it is said to do 
 so in Mr. Allen's Revised List of the Birds of Massachusetts 
 (Bull. Amer. Mus. JS T at. Hist., I. 1886, 248). This assertion 
 rests on -Mr. Brewster's identification of a pair found on Grey- 
 lock, June 28, 1883 (Auk, I. 1884, 12, 15). Mr. Brewster 
 tells us that the birds were identified on that occasion not by 
 sight but by the call-note, which resembles that of the Wood 
 Pewee so closely that the two might easily be confounded. 
 
 108. HORIZOPUS VIRENS (Linn.). 
 
 WOOD PEWEE. 
 
 Common summer resident, arrives May 14-23 (Lanesboro). 
 Observed up to September 20. 
 
 109. JNVlTALLORNIS BOREALIS (Swains.). 
 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. 
 
 Summer resident, of restricted range in Berkshire County, 
 the only place where we have found it in any numbers being 
 Greylock mountain and its spurs. Have detected a few in 
 other places in the northern half of the county, as, Lanesboro, 
 Savoy, and Hinsdale. Arrives on Mt. Greylock May 13. 
 
 110. SAYORNIS PHOZBE (Lath.). 
 
 PHCEBE. 
 
 Common summer resident. Arrived at Williamstown March 
 
35 
 
 23, 1831, March 20, 1832, March 20, 1833 (Emmons). We 
 have seen it at North Adams as late as October 26. 
 
 111. MYIAKCHUS CRINITUS (Linn.). 
 
 CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 
 
 Summer resident, not generally common, although distrib- 
 uted through the whole length of the county. May 11-Sep- 
 tember 12. 
 
 112. TYRANNUS TYRANNUS (Linn.). 
 
 KINGBIRD. 
 
 Common summci resident. Arrives during the first week in 
 May (1st to 4th, Williarnstown, Emmons; 1st, 1899, Lanes, 
 boro). Departs during the first week of September. 
 
 113. TROCHILUS COLUBRIS (Linn). 
 
 RUB Y-TH UO A TED H UMMING-BIRD . 
 
 Fairly common summer resident. Arrives early in May 
 (May 3, 1899, Lanesboro). Seen up to September 20. 
 
 114. CH.ETURA PEL AGIO A (Linn.). 
 
 CHIMNEY SWIFT. 
 
 Abundant summer. Resident arrives during the latter half of 
 April. The native birds mostly leave by the first of Septem- 
 ber, but small flights, presumably from regions further north, 
 are often seen throughout the month of September. 
 
 115. CHORDEILES VIRGINIANUS (Gmel.). 
 
 NIGHTHAWK. 
 
 Not common summer resident. Sometimes abundant as a 
 bird of passage at the end of May, and in September. Arrives 
 May 12-24. 
 
 116. ANTROSTOMUS VOCIFERUS (Wils.). 
 
 WHIP-POOR-WILL. 
 
 Summer resident. Not rare in some parts of the county. 
 We have heard it singing even in the autumn, September 8 
 and September 9. 
 
36 
 
 117. COLAPTES ATJRATTTS LTJTEUS 
 NORTHERN FLICKER. 
 
 Common summer resident. Arrives April 10-12 (Williams- 
 town, Emmons), departs in October (October 24, 1891, North 
 Adams). 
 
 118. MELANERPES ERYTHROCEPHALUS (Linn.). 
 
 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 
 
 Very rare summer resident. Williamstown (Chadbourne), 
 Lanesboro, Lenox, Stockbridge. 
 
 There is no definite record of the presence of the Red bellied Wood- 
 pecker, Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.), in Berkshire County, In his Report 
 on the Ornithology of Massachusetts, 1839, p. 336, W. B. O. Peabody says -. 
 "Professor Emmoiis tells me that he has shot the bird in the season of in- 
 cubation." Turning to Emmons's Catalogue of the Birds of Massachu- 
 setts, 1833, p. 546, we rind this species listed as an occasional visitant to 
 Massachusetts, with the remark that it is common near Rochester. N. Y., 
 and takes the place of the Flicker in the western part of New York state. 
 On this insufficient evidence, this bird figures in subsequent works as 
 breeding in western Massachusetts according w Dr. Emmons (Allen, Proc. 
 Essex Inst., IV. 1864, 53 ; Coues, Proc. Essex Inst., V. 1868, 262 ; Stearns 
 and Coues, Xew England Bird Life, Part II., 1883, p. 79). 
 
 119. CEOPHLOZUS PILEATUS ABIETICOLA Bangs. 
 
 NORTHERN PILEATED WOODPECKER. 
 
 Very rare permanent resident. Williamstown (J. Darby, 
 Chadbourne's List, 1858; June, 1883, Brewster, Auk, I. 1884, 
 9), North Adams (May, 1889), Lanesboro (July, 1890, R. T. 
 Fisher), Pittstield (November, 1899). Old peck-holes, the work 
 of Pileated Woodpeckers, are often met with in the heavily 
 forested spruce districts. Doubtless this bird was once -com- 
 moner here 'than it is now. 
 
 120. SPIIYKAPICUS YARIUS (Linn.). 
 
 YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 
 
 Yery rare summer resident, common during the migration- 
 time. Breeds in small numbers on Greylock ; we have also 
 seen one in Peru, on the Hoosac Plateau, June 25-29. 
 
 There is no valid record, so far as we are aware, for either of the three- 
 toed Woodpeckers, Pico/dcx are^'ras (Swains.) and P. amene-umot Brebm, in 
 
37 
 
 Berkshire County, Mr. Brewster not insisting on the value of the evidence 
 adduced in the Auk, Vol. I. 1884, p. 12 (foot-note). 
 
 121. DRYOBATES PUBESCENS MEDIANUS (Swains. \ 
 
 DOWNY WOODPECKER. 
 
 Common permanent resident. 
 
 122. DRYOBATES VILLOSUS (Linn.). 
 
 HAIRY WOODPECKER. 
 
 Not uncommon permanent resident. 
 
 123. CERYLE ALCYON (Linn.). 
 
 BELTED KINGFISHER. 
 
 "Rather common summer resident. 
 
 124. COCCYZUS AMERICANUS (Linn.). 
 
 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 
 i 
 
 Rather rare summer resident, but distributed throughout 
 the county ; more frequently met in the low than in the high 
 country. Seen as early as May 14, and as late as Sept. 26. 
 
 125. COCCYZUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS (Wils.). 
 
 BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 
 
 Rather common summer resident. Arrives May 15 (1889, 
 North Adams; 1899, Lanesboro). Last seen September 14. 
 
 126. MEGASCOPS ASIO (Linn.). 
 
 SCREECH OWL. 
 
 Not rare permanent resident. 
 
 127. BUBO VIRGINIANUS (Gmel.). 
 
 GREAT HORNED OWL. 
 
 Rare permanent resident. Nest with young found in Stock- 
 bridge, April 8, 1893 (Hoffmann, Auk, XII. 1895, 88). 
 
 128. NYCTEA NYCTEA (Linn.). 
 
 SNOWY OWL. 
 Rare and irregular winter visitant. 
 
38 
 
 129. SURNIA ULULA CAPAROOH (Mull.). 
 AMERICAN HAWK-OWL. 
 
 Rare, irregular winter visitant. Williamstown (Cbadbourne's 
 list, 1858). " Several taken in Westfield and also in Berkshire 
 County, among the Green Mountains." Brewer in Baird, 
 Brewer and Ridgway's Hist. IS". A. Birds, Land Birds, 111. 
 1874, 77. 
 
 130. Asio WILSONIANUS (Less.}. 
 
 AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL. 
 
 Permanent resident. There is a specimen in the collection 
 of the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield, taken in Hulbert's 
 Swamp, Lanesboro, April 17, 1879. One in the collection of 
 P. H. Miller of Binsdale was killed in Hinsdale, October 23, 
 1899. According to H. H. Rudge of Great Barrington and 
 R. F. Smith of Sheffield, this owl is not very rare in southern 
 Berkshire. \ 
 
 131. Asio ACCIPITRINUS (Pall.}. 
 
 SHORT-EARED OWL. 
 
 A specimen preserved in the collection of the Berkshire 
 Athenaeum, was killed near Pontoosuc Lake, April 30, 1879 ; 
 another in the collection of P. PL Miller of Hinsdale, was 
 taken in Hinsdale October 28, 1898. 
 
 132. SYRNIUM NEBULOSUM (ForstJ). 
 
 BARRED OWL. 
 
 Not uncommon, permanent resident in the timbered districts- 
 
 133. NYCTALA ACADICA (GmeL). 
 
 SAW-WHET OWL. 
 
 Rare, chiefly as a winter visitant. A few without doubt 
 breed in Berkshire as we once found three together in Stock- 
 bridge on the 4th of July, 1897. 
 
 134. CATHARTES AURA (Linn.}. 
 
 TURKEY VULTURE. 
 
 Accidental visitant. One was shot in Williamstown by 
 Alfred J. Rowell, January 9, 1891. Mr. Rowell told us that 
 
39 
 
 the bird was first seen about the place the day before he shot 
 it. This specimen is now in Mr. William Brewster's collec- 
 tion. 
 
 135. CIRCUS HUDSONIUS (Linn.). 
 
 MARSH HAWK. 
 
 Not rare summer resident in the low country. 
 
 136. ACCIPITER VELOX ( Wils). 
 
 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 
 
 Not common summer resident. Like most of the hawks, 
 more abundant during the spring and fall migrations. Arrives 
 at Williamstown March 20-23, according to Emrnons. Seen 
 once by us as late as December 1, on Greylock mountain. 
 
 137. ACCIPITER OOOPERII (Bonap). 
 
 COOPER'S HAWK. 
 Hare summer resident. 
 
 138. ACCIPITER ATRICAPILLUS ( Wils). 
 
 AMERICAN GOSHAWK. 
 
 Rare, irregular winter visitant. We have seen two speci- 
 mens taken during the autumn of 1897, one in New Lenox, 
 one in Richmond. Mr. R. T. Fisher of Lanesboro informs us 
 that he has twice met with this species in winter. 
 
 139. BUTEO BOREALIS (Gmel). 
 
 RED-TAILED HAWK. 
 
 Not rare permanent resident. Affects the wilder parts of 
 the county. 
 
 140. BUTEO LINEATUS. (Gmel.). 
 
 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. 
 
 Not uncommon permanent resident. The commonest Buteo 
 in the cultivated districts. 
 
40 
 
 141. EUTEO LATISSIMUS ( 
 BKO AD-WINGED HAWK. 
 
 Rare summer resident. Eggs secured by Mr. Archibald 
 Hopkins near Williamstown were identified by Dr. T. M. 
 Brewer as belonging to this species (N. A. Oology, Part L, 1857, 
 p. 31 ; cf. Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, Hist. E". A. Birds, 
 Land Birds, III. 1874, p. 261). Mr. R. T. Fisher informs us 
 that a pair of Broad-winged Hawks has twice nested near the 
 Cheshire Reservoir. We have seen a specimen killed in Dalton, 
 April 21, 1898, but have met with it alive in Berkshire only in 
 September. From advices received, we believe that this hawk 
 is a tolerably common summer resident on the eastern slope of 
 the Green Mountains, in the adjoining counties of Hampshire 
 and Hampden. 
 
 142. ARCHIBTJTEO LAGOPUS SANCTI-JOHANNIS (Gmel.). 
 
 AMERICAN BOUGH-LEGGED HAWK. 
 
 Rare spring and autumn migrant, and probably winter resi- 
 dent. Mr. J. M. Stevenson of Pittsfield has a specimen (in 
 the light phase) killed in Great Barrington, in 1887, by Mr. T. 
 A. Schurr, in the month of May, if the label is trustworthy. 
 
 143. AQUILA CHEYSAETOS (Linn.}. 
 
 GOLDEN EAGLE. 
 
 Very rare permanent resident. It is included in Chad- 
 bourne's list of Williamstown birds, published in 1858, and 
 there is a pair killed in Williamstown the male in November, 
 1870 in the museum of Williams College. Mr. William 
 Brewster reports seeing one circling over Mt. Greylock in 
 June, 1883 (Auk, I. 1884, 10). Mr. R. T. Fisher tells us of 
 one that was trapped on Potter Mountain, Lanesboro. 
 
 144. HALI^EETUS LETTCOCEPHALUS (Linn.). 
 
 WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 
 
 Rare summer resident. Mr. R. T. Fisher once found a nest 
 of this eagle near the Cheshire Reservoir. More common in 
 the spring. 
 
41 
 
 145 FALCO PEREGRINUS ANATUM (Bonap.). 
 
 AMERICAN PEREGRINE FALCON. 
 
 Very rare summer resident. We have discovered two eyries 
 of this falcon in Berkshire, one in Sheffield (Faxon, Auk, VI. 
 1889, 44), one in Great Barrington both among cliffs of the 
 Taconic mountain-range. 
 
 146. FALCO COLUMBARIUS (Linn.). 
 
 PIGEON HAWK. 
 
 Transient visitant (Emmons, Chadbourne). 
 
 147. FALCO SPARVERIUS Linn. 
 
 AMERICAN SPARROW-HAWK. 
 
 Not very rare summer resident. 
 
 148. PANDION HALIAETUS CAROLINENSIS (Gmel.). 
 
 AMERICAN OSPREY. 
 
 Rather common transient visitant in the spring and autumn. 
 Perhaps some stay through the summer ; we have seen it in 
 Sheffield as late as June 11. 
 
 149. ECTOPISTES MIGRATORITJS (Linn.). 
 
 PASSENGER PIGEON. 
 
 The Passenger Pigeon is now practically exterminated from 
 Berkshire County. Its former abundance may be surmised 
 from the following extract from the journal of Richard Hazen, 
 as quoted in Belknap's History of New Hampshire, Vol. III. 
 1792, p. 171. Hazen surveyed the state line between Massa- 
 chusetts and New Hampshire, in 1741, and the region of which 
 he speaks is, according to Belknap, west of the Connecticut 
 and east of the Deerfield River, in the adjoining county of 
 Franklin. 
 
 " For three miles together, the pigeons' nests were so thick 
 that five hundred might have been told on the beech trees at 
 one time ; and could they have been counted on the hemlocks 
 as well, I doubt not but five thousand at one turn round." 
 
42 
 
 According to Dewey they came annually in large flocks from 
 the south-west to rear their young, as late as 1829 (History of 
 Berkshire, p. 37). The time of their arrival in spring is said 
 by this writer to have been between March 10 and April 5, 
 commonly about April 1. In 1834, Dr. Ernmons speaks of 
 them as irregular both in the time of their appearance and the 
 length of their stay in Berkshire County, giving March 24 as 
 the date of their arrival at Williamstown in 1831, March 22, 
 in 1833 (Amer. Journ. Sci., XXVI. 1834, 208). 
 
 150. ZENAIDURA MACRURA (Linn.). 
 
 MOURNING DOVE. 
 
 Summer resident, not uncommon in the southern part of the 
 county, in Sheffield. We have also found it in New Lenox 
 and it figures in the Williams College list of the birds of Wil- 
 liamstown, (1858). 
 
 The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo Linn.) was long ago exterminated 
 from Berkshire County. Chester Dewey spoke of it as extinct as long 
 ago as 1829 (History of the County of Berkshire, p. 37). As is well known, 
 a few survived on Mt. Holyoke and Mt. Torn, near the Connecticut River, 
 until within the forties. 
 
 151. BONASA UMBELLUS (Linn.). 
 
 HUFFED GROUSE. 
 
 Common permanent resident. 
 
 151&. BONASA UMBELLUS TOGATA (Linn.). 
 CANADIAN RUFFED GROUSE. 
 
 Three Kuffed Grouse killed in North Adams (one on Grey- 
 lock Mountain, two near the village of Blackinton) are nearly 
 typical examples of the Canadian race. Mr. Hoffmann's record 
 in the Auk, XII. Jan. 1895, 88, and Mr. Brewster's in the 
 second edition of Minot's Land-Birds and Game-Birds of New 
 England, 1895, p. 406, rest solely upon these three specimens. 
 Whether this is the only form found in Northern Berkshire we 
 do not know, nor do we have any means of knowing how far 
 southward the Canadian Ruffed Grouse may extend on the 
 higher mountain ranges of the county. In the specimens ex. 
 
4:3 
 
 amined which were killed in the southern part of the county, 
 in Lee, Great Barrington, and Sheffield, the characters of the 
 true umbellus preponderate, as in specimens from Eastern 
 Massachusetts. The proportion of gray-tailed birds, however, 
 seems to be greater than among eastern examples. 
 
 152. COLINUS VIRGINIANUS (Linn.). 
 
 QUAIL. 
 
 Permanent resident. The Quail is not a common bird in 
 any part of Berkshire County. We have found a few in Shef- 
 field, Fittsfield, and Williarnstown. Quite a number were 
 noted in Stockbridge in 1892, though none were observed there 
 the following summer (Hoffmann, Auk, XII. 1895, 88). In 
 Minot's Land-Birds and Game-Birds of New England, 1877, p. 
 396, the' presence of a covey of Quail in the Berkshire Hills 
 is noted as accidental (cf. Brewster, Auk, I. 1884, 6 ; Faxon, 
 Auk, YI. 1889, 99). The gunners' practice of .introducing 
 this bird by artificial methods makes it impossible to determine 
 its natural distribution in the county. It is included in the 
 Williams College list of Williamstown birds, published back in 
 1858. 
 
 153. JGIALITIS VOCIFEEA (Linn.). 
 
 KILDEEE PLOVEK. 
 
 The Kildeer was> formerly common in Berkshire County, ac- 
 cording to Professor Dewey (Hist. Berkshire, 1829, p. 37). It 
 is now very rare. We observed one in Stockbridge, August 
 17 and 25, 1893, another in Lanesboro, September 25, 1899, 
 but have not found it here during the breeding season. Its 
 time of arrival at Williamstown in the early thirties is given 
 by Dr. Emmons as April 13-14. 
 
 154. ^EGIALITIS SEMIPALMATA Bonap. 
 
 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. 
 
 Hare transient visitant. One seen at the Clarksburg Reser- 
 voir, July .20, 1895. Two at Cheshire Reservoir late in August 
 (R. T. Fisher). One on the banks of^ the Hoosac River 
 (Emmons). 
 
44 
 
 Mr. J. H. Wood of Pittsfield tells us that he has seen the American 
 Golden Plover, Charadrius dominions Mull. , at Onota Lake. 
 
 155. NlJMENIUS LONGIROSTRIS (Wife.). 
 LONG-BILLED CURLEW. 
 
 Accidental visitant. Included here on the testimony of Dr. 
 Emmons (Catalogue, 1833, p. 550), who says that this bird has 
 been found " rarely, on the Hoosic." 
 
 156. SYMPHEMIA SEMIPALMATA (Gmel.). 
 
 WILLET. 
 
 Accidental visitant. Sole record, Williamstown, A. Hopkins 
 (Williams Coll. List, 1858). 
 
 157. TOTANUS MELANOLEUCUS (Gmel.). 
 
 GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. 
 
 Not rare transient visitant in the spring and autumn. 
 158. TOTANUS FLAVIPES (Gmel.). 
 
 LESSER YELLOW-LEGS. 
 
 Transient visitant. Clarksburg Reservoir, July 20, 1895 ; 
 Fontoosuc Lake, September 26, 1899. 
 
 159. HELODROHAS SOLITARIUS ( Wils.). 
 
 SOLITARY SANDPIPER. 
 
 Common transient visitant, May 4-J3, July 20 . We have 
 two summer records earlier than July 20, viz : Stockbridge, 
 July 14, 1898, and Becket, July 8, 1893 (Hoffmann, Auk, XII. 
 1895, 88). According to Mr. K. T. Fisher, the Solitary Sand- 
 piper breeds in Berkshire County, as he has found it with 
 young still in the down, near the boundary of North Adams 
 and Williamstown. 
 
 160. ACTITIS MACULARIA (Linn.). 
 
 SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 
 
 Common summer resident. 
 
45 
 161. BARTRAMIA LONGICAUDA 
 
 BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER. 
 
 Transient visitant in the spring and autumn. According to 
 the testimony of local sportsmen, a few remain through the 
 summer to breed in the uplands of the northern towns of the 
 county. 
 
 162. ERETJNETES PUSILLUS (Linn.}. 
 
 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. 
 
 Transient visitant, July, August. " Not uncommon " (R. T. 
 Fisher). 
 
 163. TRINGA MINUTILLA Vieill. * 
 
 LEAST SANDPIPER. 
 
 Transient visitant, May (13, Lanesboro), July, August. 
 
 164. TRINGA MACIJLATA Vieill. 
 
 PECTORAL SANDPIPER. 
 
 Transient visitant. One at the Clarksburg Reservoir, July 
 20, 189.5. According to Mr. R. T. Fisher it is sometimes 
 common in the autumn. 
 
 165. GALLINAGO DELICATA (Ord). 
 
 WILSON'S SNIPE. 
 
 Rare transient spring and autumn visitant. There is one 
 record of the Wilson's Snipe wintering in Berkshire, a speci- 
 men having been shot in Hancock, February 2, 1897 (Hoag, 
 'Osprey,' Vol. I. 1897, p. 122). 
 
 166. FHILOHELA MINOR (Gmel.). 
 
 AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 
 
 Not rare summer resident; common in migration. Appar- 
 ently decreasing in numbers. Arrives at Williamstown April 
 1-4, according to Emmons. We have found it in summer at 
 as great an altitude as 1800 feet (Savoy Hollow, July 3). The 
 contents of a gunner's bag, as revealed in the columns of 
 1 Forest and Stream,' will give the best conception of the status 
 
46 
 
 of the Woodcock as a summer resident of Berkshire, at least as 
 recently as 1874. On July 4 of that year nine were killed by 
 two gunners near Pittsfield, and on the 20th of the same month 
 sixteen were bagged on the hillsides in Great Harrington 
 (Forest and Stream, II. 1874, 394). 
 
 167. RALLUS YIEGINIANUS Linn. 
 
 VIRGINIA BAIL. 
 
 Rare summer resident (Stockbridge, Lanesboro). 
 
 Some years ago Dr. C. W. Snyder killed a rail in Sheffield that must 
 have been either a King Rail (Rallus dec/cms Aud.) or a Clapper Rail 
 (Rallus crepitans Gmel.). The bird was unfortunately destroyed in an at- 
 tempt to mount it. Dr. Snyder at the time supposed it was a female Clap- 
 per Rail, and his description of the specimen from memory fits the Clapper 
 Rail better than the King Rail, although the latter is the species one would 
 expect to find in Southern Berkshire. 
 
 168. PORZANA CAROLINA (Linn.). 
 
 SORA RAIL. 
 
 Rare summer resident (Stockbridge, Lanesboro). 
 169. GALLINULA GALE ATA (Lie/it.). 
 
 FLORIDA GALLINULE. 
 
 Yery rare summer resident. One or two pairs breed every 
 year in Lanesboro. We found a nest with seven eggs there, 
 July 17, 1897. Arrives May 7, (1899). 
 
 170. FULICA AMERICANA Gmel. 
 
 AMERICAN COOT. 
 
 Transient visitant in the autumn. Perhaps some pass 
 through in the spring, but all that we have seen have been in 
 the autumn. 
 
 171. ARDEA HERODIAS Linn. 
 
 GREAT BLUE HERON. 
 
 Not common ; chiefly in the spring and autumn. We have 
 seen it occasionally in summer, our earliest summer date being 
 July 20. Latest autumn record November 26. Mr. R/ T. 
 
47 
 
 Fisher says he has found it all through the summer at the 
 Cheshire Reservoir, and that he has seen quite immature birds 
 there. We have no positive evidence of its breeding within 
 the county. 
 
 172. BUTOKIDES VIKESCENS (Linn.). 
 
 GREEN HERON. 
 
 Summer resident. Not abundant. 
 
 173. NYCTICORAX NYCTICORAX N^VIUS (Bodd.). 
 
 AMERICAN NIGHT HERON. 
 
 Summer resident. Not common. 
 
 174. BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS (Montag.). 
 
 AMERICAN BITTERN. 
 
 Not common summer resident. Found in -the interval 
 marshes of the Housatonic and Hoosac Valleys. Seen as late 
 as September 29, at Lanesboro. 
 
 175. BRANTA CANADENSIS (Linn.}. 
 
 CANADA GOOSE. 
 
 Common transient spring and autumn visitant. 
 
 176. ^Ex SPONSA (Linn.). 
 
 WOOD DUCK. 
 
 Not rare summer resident, but much less common than it 
 used to be. 
 
 177. ANAS BOSCAS Linn. 
 
 MALLARD. 
 
 Rare transient visitant. We have seen one that was killed 
 in Sheffield by F. K. Shears. Dr. Charles W. Snyder informs 
 us that he has shot five Mallards (at four different times) on 
 one pond in Sheffield. Mr. J. H. Wood also tells us that this 
 duck is occasionally taken on Pontoosuc Lake. 
 
48 
 178. ANAS OBSCURA Gmel. 
 
 BLACK DUCK. 
 
 Tolerably common summer resident More common during 
 the spring and autumn. 
 
 179. NETTION CAROLINENSE (Gmel.). 
 
 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. 
 
 Transient visitant. 
 
 180. QlJERQUEDULA DISCORS (LluU^]. 
 
 BLUE- WINGED TEAL. 
 
 Transient visitant in the autumn. 
 
 181. SPATULA CLYPEATA (Linn.). 
 
 SHOVELLER DUCK. 
 
 Extremely rare spring [and autumn?] transient. Mr. J. M. 
 Stevenson of Pittsfield has a female specimen shot by T. A. 
 Schurr on the Housatonic River, Great Barrington, in March, 
 1887. Dr. Charles W. Snyder informs us that he once killed 
 a female Shoveller in Sheffield. 
 
 182. DAFILA ACUTA (Linn.). 
 
 PINTAIL DUCK. 
 
 Mr. C. P. Taylor of Hinsdale informs us that he once shot 
 this species. He has favored us with a description of the 
 specimen killed. 
 
 Mr. J. H. Wood tells us that he has taken the Redhead, Nyroca ameri- 
 cana (Eyt.), on the lakes in Pittsfield. 
 
 183. CLANGULA CLANG ULA AMERICANA (Bonap.). 
 
 AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. 
 
 We have seen two specimens shot in Sheffield by F. K. 
 Shears and R. F. Smith. J. H. Wood also tells us that he has 
 found this species on Pontoosuc Lake. It is included in the 
 Williams College list of the birds of Williamstown. 
 
49 
 184. CHARITONETTA ALBEOLA (Linn.). 
 
 BUFFLE-HEAD DUCK. 
 
 Eare transient visitant. Williamstown (A. Hopkins, Chad- 
 bourne's List, 1858, p. 358), Pittsfield (teste J. H. Wood), 
 Sheffield (three killed, out of a flock of five, teste Dr. Charles 
 W. Snyder). 
 
 185. HARELDA HIEMALIS (Linn.). 
 
 LONG-TAILED DUCK. 
 
 Rare transient visitant. A female was taken in Lanesboro 
 in the month of March by Mr. R. T. Fisher. Dr. Charles W. 
 Snyder informs us that he has shot one in Sheffield. 
 
 186. (EDEMIA DEGLANDI Bonap. 
 
 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. 
 
 Mr. R. T. Fisher tells us of a flight of White-winged Scoters 
 at the Cheshire Reservoir in the autumn of 1895. There is a 
 male in the collection of R. T. Smith of Sheffield, killed by 
 him in that town. 
 
 187. MERGANSER AMERICANUS (Cass.). 
 
 AMERICAN GOOSANDER. 
 
 Not very rare transient spring and autumn visitant. We 
 have seen a good many that were shot on the Housatonic River 
 in the southern part of the county (Sheffield, etc.), where it 
 appears to be not uncommon during the spring migration ; 
 Cheshire Reservoir, latter part of February and in March, and 
 again in October (teste R. T. Fisher) ; Fontoosuc Lake (teste 
 J. H. Wood) ; Williamstown (Chadbourne's List, 1858, p. 358). 
 
 188. PHALACROCORAX AURITUS (Less.). 
 
 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. 
 
 Accidental visitant. There is a mounted specimen in the 
 Young Men's Christian Association's rooms in Pittsfield, killed 
 by a Mr. Tucker on Pontoosuc Lake in the autumn of 1897. 
 
50 
 
 189. PETREL SP. 
 
 A small petrel was shot on the Ashrnere Reservoir, Hins- 
 dale, about October 19, 1894, by C. P. Taylor. Some of the 
 feathers from this specimen were examined by the junior 
 author, but there were not enough for an accurate determina- 
 tion of the species. It was most likely Leach's Petrel, Oceano- 
 droma leucorrhoa (Vieill.). 
 
 190. STERNA HIRUNDO Linn, f 
 
 COMMON TERN? 
 
 Mr. C. P. Taylor tells us that he once shot a Common Tern 
 on Ashmere Reservoir. The specimen was mounted, but has 
 since been lost sight of. Mr. J. II. Wood, too, assures us that 
 "Mackerel Gulls" have occasionally been shot in the neighbor- 
 hood of Pittsfield. 
 
 191. STERNA FULIGINOSA Gmel. 
 
 SOOTY TERN. 
 
 Accidental visitant. One record only ; Williamstown, near 
 the Hoosac River, September, 1876. Tenney, Amer. Nat., 
 XI. April, 1877, 243 [Merriam, Trans. Conn. Acad., IY. 1877, 
 134; Allen, Bull. N. O. C., II. 1877, 74, Bull. Essex Inst, X. 
 1878, 30, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., I. 1886, 227; Chad- 
 bourne, Journ. Boston Zoolog. Soc., I. 1882, 34 ; Stearns and 
 Coues, N. E. Bird Life, Part II. 1883, 374]. 
 
 192. LARUS PHILADELPHIA (Ord). 
 BONAPARTE'S GULL. 
 
 Rare transient visitant in the spring and autumn. We have 
 seen one that was killed out of a flock of seven on Pontoosuc 
 Lake, by Mr. Harvey of Great Barririgton, in November, 1893; 
 another shot on a pond in Dalton in the spring. Another, now 
 in Mr. C. F. Batchelder's collection in "Cambridge, was shot on 
 Pontoosuc Lake, November 4, 1894, by W. E. Clogher. May 
 29, 1898, we saw what must have been either a Bonaparte's 
 Gull or a Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla Linn.), flying over 
 
51 
 
 > 
 
 Pontoosuc Lake. Mr. R. T. Fisher, a resident of Lanesboro 
 tells us that Bonaparte's Gull is the only gull he has ever seen 
 in Berkshire. 
 
 193. LARUS ARGENTATUS Brunn. 
 
 HERRING GULL. 
 
 After much questioning of competent observers resident in 
 the county, we are led to believe that the Herring Gull is an 
 extremely rare bird in Berkshire. "We have advices, however, 
 from trustworthy sources, of the presence of a pair on the Mill 
 Pond in Sheffield some years ago. The precise date of their 
 occurrence there we have not been able to obtain. 
 
 194. GAVIA IMBER (Gunn.). 
 
 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 
 
 Transient visitant in the spring and autumn. Not uncom- 
 mon on the larger ponds during the month of May, to the end, 
 and again in September and October (teste R. T. Fisher). We 
 once found one in the Clarksburg Reservoir on the 13th of 
 June (1896), but have no positive evidence that it breeds 
 within the limits of the county. 
 
 195. PODILYMBUS PODICEPS (Linn.). 
 
 PIED-BILLED GREBE. 
 
 Summer resident of very local distribution. Breeds in con- 
 siderable numbers at the upper end of Pontoosuc Lake and the 
 Cheshire Reservoir. The Pied-billed Grebes appear on their 
 breeding grounds as soon as these are freed from ice. The 
 time of their arrival varies therefore in different years, in ac- 
 cordance with the progress of the season. In the neighborhood 
 of Boston they may come as early as the 22d of March, as they 
 did in 1894, or, when the ice lingers late in the ponds and 
 marshes, their arrival may be deferred even to the'middle of 
 April. We unfortunately lack data bearing on the precise 
 time of arrival of these birds in Berkshire County. Since the 
 ponds open, as a rule, much later than they do on the sea- 
 board, it may be assumed that the Berkshire grebes are more 
 
52 
 
 tardy in their arrival. In the backward spring of 1899, Pon- 
 toosuc Lake was not wholly clear of ice till April 27. On the 
 1st of May we found the grebes in full numbers in their 
 breeding-haunts at the head of the lake. No sooner have they 
 come than their lusty notes strike the ear of all who are curious 
 of such things. The cry of tenest heard is a loud cuckoo-like 
 cuck-cuck-cuck-cuck, KOW, KOW, KOW, the last notes pitched 
 lower than the preliminary ones. They also at times shout in 
 a still louder voice, wah-hoo^ wah-hoo, the voice falling about 
 an octave between the two notes of each wah-hoo. This cry 
 strongly suggests the call of a Loon. These grebes have, 
 besides, an alarm note, toot, toot, toot, which reminds one of 
 the whistles that bicyclists were wont to cany some years 
 ago. These various sounds, together with sundry low comfort- 
 able murmurings, make up the musical repertory of the grebe. 
 During the months of September and October the number of 
 grebes native to these waters is visibly augmented by transient 
 migrants. This increase is especially apparent about October 
 1. By the end of October most of them have departed for the 
 south. Our latest autumnal record for this grebe in Massa- 
 chusetts is October 30, 1898, Lexington. We have found the 
 nest of the Pied-billed Grebe with eggs as early as April 27 
 and as late as June 28 (in eastern Mass.). 
 
 196. COLYMBUS HOLBGELLII 
 
 Accidental visitant. From a letter written by Mrs. Eliza- 
 beth M. Rowland of Lee to Mr. Bradford Torrey, March 27, 
 1893, we learn that a Holboll's Grebe, in breeding plumage, 
 was captured alive on the snow, in Tyringham, on the 19th of 
 March, 1893 ; that another was reported as captured in Tyring- 
 ham on the same day and released ; and, finally, that another, 
 in winter plumage, was found dead in the town of Lee on the 
 21th or 25th of the same month. The latter was skinned and 
 preserved. 
 
 Mr. T. A. Schurr, a taxidermist of Pittsfield, tells us that a 
 specimen of this species was brought to him alive by A. Bur- 
 
53 
 
 bank on the 21st of December, 1893. HolbolPs Grebe is listed 
 with a query in Prof. Chadbourne's catalogue of the birds of 
 Williarnstown, 1858, p. 358. 
 
 197. UEIA LOMVIA (Linn.). 
 
 Accidental visitant. Roland F. Smith of Sheffield has a 
 mounted specimen that was found and killed on the ice by 
 boys, in the winter, somewhere between Great Barrington and 
 Egremont. Another was killed on Onota Lake on the 30th 
 of November, 1899. The head and feet of this specimen 
 were sent to us for identification. From a letter from Dr. 
 Charles W. Snyder, we learn that he once shot a " Guillemot " 
 probably this species in southern Berkshire. 
 
 INTRODUCED SPECIES. 
 
 The European House Sparrow, Passer domesticus (Linn.), 
 is the only introduced species that has become firmly established 
 in Berkshire. Several kinds of game birds have from time to 
 time been turned out in various parts of the county, but none 
 of them as yet appear to be naturalized. According to Mr. 
 William Biewster (Bull. Amer. Mils. Nat. Hist., I. 1886, 269- 
 270) the Prairie Hen, Tympanuchus americanus (Reich.), has 
 been thus introduced, and Dr. W. H. Wentworth of Pittsfield 
 tells us that attempts have been made to add the European 
 Quail, Coturnix coturnix (Linn.), Common Pheasant, Phasi- 
 anus colcliicus Linn., and Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus 
 torquatus Gmel., to the fauna of the county. Partridges from 
 California were turned loose in Greylock Notch, about ten years 
 ago. During the winter following their liberation they were 
 fed by a kind-hearted farmer in the Notch, but they failed to 
 secure a permanent hold in that region. 
 
54 
 
 SPECIES INCORRECTLY ASSIGNED TO 
 
 BERKSHIRE, THROUGH ERRONEOUS 
 
 DETERMINATIONS. 
 
 " MUSCIOAPA MINUTA 17^,9." 
 "SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER." 
 
 Peabody (Rep. Orn. Mass., 1839, p. 297) was told by Dr. 
 Emmons that this apocryphal species was common in Berkshire. 
 It figures nominally, too, in Chadbourne's Catalogue of the 
 Birds of Williamstown (Williams Quarterly, V. 1858, 357). 
 The bird referred to in each case was probably Em/pidonax 
 minimus. 
 
 EMPIDONAX VIEESCENS ( VieilL). 
 (E. acadicus auct.) 
 
 GREEN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. 
 
 In the Williamstown list, p. 3.5 f, where it probably stands 
 for E. traillii alnorum. 
 
 DRYOBATES VILLOSUS LEUCOMELAS (12 odd.). 
 
 NORTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. 
 
 u Pious canadensis" as well as ^ Pious villosus " has a place 
 in the Williamstown list, p. 358. The true Northern Hairy 
 Woodpecker is not now admitted as a Massachusetts bird. 
 
 COLYMBUS CRISTATUS Linn. 
 
 GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 
 
 Williamstown list, p. 358. This species has no valid record 
 for North America. The entry in the Williamstown catalogue 
 may have been based on a specimen of C. holbcellii. 
 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 
 
 1829. DEWEY, CHESTER. A History of the County of Berk- 
 shire, Massachusetts. By gentlemen in the county, clergy- 
 
55 
 
 men and laymen. [Edited by David D. Field. Part I. 
 written by Chester Dewey.] Pittsfield, 1829. 
 
 Part I.pp. 37, 38. Forty-four Berkshire birds noticed under 
 vernacular names. Of these about ten are indeterminable on 
 account of the nomenclature used. 
 
 1833. EMMONS, EBENEZER. A Catalogue of the Animals and 
 Plants in Massachusetts. II. Birds. By Ebenezer Emmons, 
 M. D., Professor of Natural History in Williams College. 
 E. Hitchcock's Report Geol., Mineral, Bot., and Zool. of 
 Mass., pp. 545-551, Amherst, 1833. Second ed., pp. 528- 
 534, Amherst, 1835 (also issued separately at Amherst, 1835, 
 142 pp., the catalogue of birds occupying pp. 8-14). 
 
 Contains a few special notes relating to the birds of north- 
 ern Berkshire. Dendrceca llaclcburnice and Junco hiemalis 
 noted as breeding in the mountains. In the main a merely 
 nominal list of the birds of the whole state, the status of each 
 species being indicated by conventional signs. It is worthy 
 of notice that Regulus satrapa, Sitta canadensis, Certhia 
 familiaris americana, Dendrc&ca maculosa, Zonotrichia 
 albicollis, and Sphyrapicus varius were all marked in this 
 early list as breeding in Massachusetts. Emmons's authority 
 in these cases has since been called in question, but it is now 
 well known that all of these birds do breed on Greylock, 
 within a few miles of Emmons's home. 
 
 1834. EMMONS, EBENEZER. Observations on the time of the 
 appearance of the Spring Birds in Williamstown, Mass., in 
 the years 1831, 1832, and 1833. Amer. Jour. Sci., XXVI. 
 1834, 208. 
 
 Observations on 23 species. 
 
 1839. PEABODY, WILLIAM B. O. A Report on the Ornithology 
 of Massachusetts. Boston, 1839. 
 
 Professor Emmons said to have told Peabody that the 
 Small-headed Flycatcher, Muscicapa minuta, was common 
 in Berkshire (p. 297), and that the Red-bellied Woodpecker, 
 Melanerpes carolinus, had been shot by him [in Berkshire ?] 
 in the season of incubation (p. 336). See p. 142 of this 
 memoir. 
 
56 
 
 1857. BREWER, THOMAS M. North American Oology. Part I. 
 Smithsonian Contrib. to Knowledge, Vol. XL [Washington, 
 1857.] 
 
 Record and figure of egg of Falco sparverius from Wil- 
 liamstown, p. 17, PL II. fig. 15&. Record of egg of Buteo 
 latissimus from Williamstown, p. 31. 
 
 1858. CHADBOURNE, P. A. Natural History Catalogue for 
 Williamstown, Mass. Williams Quarterly, Yol. Y., No. 4, 
 pp. 342-358. Williamstown, 1858. (List of the Birds, pp. 
 357, 358.) 
 
 Nominal list of 123 species, without annotation. Three 
 of the species are queried, three are entered erroneously. 
 
 1864. ALLEN, J. A. Catalogue of the birds found at Spring- 
 field, Mass. Proc. Essex Inst, IY. 1864, 48-98. 
 
 Icteria virens, taken in Berkshire County in the breeding- 
 season, recorded on p. 98. 
 
 1867. SAMUELS, EDWARD A. Ornithology and Oology of New 
 England. Boston, 1867. 
 
 Eggs of Falco sparverius from Williamstown, Mass., p. 22. 
 
 1874. BREWER, T. M. In Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's 
 History of North American Birds, Land Birds, 3 vols., 
 Boston, 1874. 
 
 Spiza americana breeding in Williamstown, Yol. II. p. 
 67. Surnia ulula caparoch taken in Berkshire Co., Yol. 
 III. p. 77. Buteo latissimus breeding near Williamstown, 
 Yol. III. p. 261. 
 
 1874. ANONYMOUS. In ' Forest and Stream,' Yol. II. July 30, 
 1874, p. 394. 
 
 Nine Woodcock killed in Pittsfield by two gunners on 
 July 4, 1874. 
 
 1874. SAGE, C. H. In < Forest and Stream,' Yol. II. July 30, 
 1874, p. 394. 
 
 Sixteen Woodcock bagged on hillsides in Great Barring- 
 ton, and numerous coveys of young Ruffed Grouse noticed, 
 July 20, 1874. 
 
57 
 
 1877. TENNEY, SANBORN. The Eaven and Sooty Tern in 
 Williamstown, Mass. American Naturalist, XI. April, 
 1877, 243. 
 
 1877. MINOT, II. D. The Land-Birds and Game-Birds of 
 New England. Salem and Boston, 1877. 
 
 Occurrence of a covey of Quail, Colinus virginianus, in 
 the Berkshire Hills regarded as accidental, p. 396. 
 
 1878. " YOUNG NATURALIST." In ' Forest and Stream,' Vol. 
 X., May 23, 1878, p. 297. 
 
 Flock of Goldfinches observed at North Adams, Jan. 13, 
 1878; Purple Finch, Jan. 27 (seen occasionally every winter); 
 Kobin, March 8 ; Song Sparrow, Snowbirds, and one Wood 
 Pewee [sic], March 10. 
 
 1878. B [BEWEB], T. M. In Bull. Nuttall Orn. Club, III., 
 July, 1878, 138-139. 
 
 Dendrwoa striata in North Adams in August, with im- 
 mature young. 
 
 1884. BREWSTER, WILLIAM. Notes on the Summer Birds of 
 Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Auk, I. 1884, 5-16. 
 
 Account of an ornithological exploration of Greylock 
 Mountain and its neighborhood, June 21-29, 1883. Sixty- 
 six species of birds noted. Hylocichla ustulata xwainsonii 
 and Geothlypis Philadelphia for the first time recorded as 
 summer residents of Massachusetts. 
 
 1885. SMITH, J. E. A. History of Berkshire County, Massa- 
 chusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men. 
 2 vols., New York, 1885. 
 
 Observations on a few birds, of no value, Yol. I., Chap. II. 
 p. 21. 
 
 1886. BREWSTER, WILLIAM. In letter printed in Allen's ' Ee- 
 vised List of the Birds of Massachusetts,' Bull. Amer. Mus. 
 Nat. Hist., I. 1886, 269-270. 
 
 Introduction of the Prairie Hen, Tympanuchus ameri- 
 canus, into Berkshire County. 
 
58 
 
 1887. TENNEY, SANBORN GOVE. The Nesting of Colly rio 
 ludovicianus Baird. American Naturalist, XXI. 1887, 90. 
 
 Lanius ludovicianus migrans breeding in Williamstown. 
 
 1888. FOOTE, W. H. In ' Bay State Oologist,' Vol. I. No. 2, 
 Feb. 1888, p. 12. 
 
 White-headed Eagle at Richmond Pond and Onota Lake. 
 
 1888. BREWSTER, WILLIAM. Breeding of the Golden-crested 
 Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) in Worcester County, Massachu- 
 setts, with a description of its nest and eggs. Auk, Y., Oct. 
 1888, 337-344. 
 
 Records the discovery of jRegulus satrapa on Greylock 
 Mountain in the breeding-season, by Walter Faxon in the 
 summer of 1888. 
 
 1889. FAXON, WALTER. On the Summer Birds of Berkshire 
 County, Massachusetts. Auk, YI. 1889, 39-46, 99-107. 
 
 An account of the summer birds observed at Sheffield, 
 June 17-26, 1888 (76 species), and on Greylock Mountain, 
 June 28-July 16, 1888 (80 species). Combined Sheffield 
 and Greylock lists, 9-1 species. Hylocichla alicice Mcfcnelli 
 and Helminthophila peregrina for the first time recorded 
 from the state in summer. 
 
 1890. FAXON, WALTER. The Hudsonian Chickadee (Parus 
 hudsonicus) in Yermont and Massachusetts. Auk, YII. 
 1890, 407-408. 
 
 Parus hudsonicus on Greylock in December, 1889. 
 
 1892. FAXON, WALTER. The Prairie Horned Lark (Otocoris 
 alpestris praticola) breeding in New Hampshire and 
 Massachusetts. Auk, IX. April 1892, 201-202. 
 
 Breeding in North Adams and Williamstown. First 
 breeding record for the state. 
 
 1892. ANONYMOUS. In North Adams ' Transcript,' May 26, 
 1892. 
 
 Notice of a strange bird that appeared in Williamstown 
 about the middle of May, 1892; "smaller than English 
 Sparrows and quite pretty, the male being black with a mix- 
 
59 
 
 ture of bright red, and the female being brown with a mix- 
 ture of pale red." Tame as cage-birds. [Probably Ameri- 
 can Crossbills.] 
 
 1892. MORRIS, ROBERT O. Perisoreus canadensis in Massa- 
 chusetts. Auk, IX. Oct. 1892, 395. 
 
 " While on Mount Greylock, in Berkshire County, Massa- 
 chusetts, June 18, 1892, Mr. Wm. W. Colburn and myself 
 observed the presence of a Canada Jay." See p. 138. 
 
 1893. HOFFMANN, "RALPH. In Boston Evening Transcript, 
 April 22, 1893. 
 
 Account of finding a Great Horned Owl's nest in Stock- 
 bridge, April 8, 1893. 
 
 1894. BREWSTER, WILLIAM. Breeding of the Prairie Horned 
 Lark (Otoc-oris alpestris praticola) near Pittsfield, Muss. 
 Auk. XI. 1894, 326-327. 
 
 Record of nest and eggs found by C. H. Buckingham, 
 July 10, 1892. 
 
 1895. HOFFMANN, RALPH. Notes on the Summer Birds of 
 Central Berkshire County, Mass. Auk, XII. Jan. 1895, 87-89. 
 
 Notes on 27 species. Contains the first record of Bonasa 
 umbellus togata from Massachusetts (Greylock Mountain). 
 
 1895. BREWSTER, WILLIAM. The Land-Birds and Game- 
 Birds of New England. By H. D. Minot. % Second edition, 
 edited by William Brewster. Boston and New York, 1895. 
 Dendrceca vigorsii very rare in Berkshire County, p. 122. 
 Bonasa umbellus togata from Berkshire County, p. 406 (see 
 pp. 148, 149 of this paper). 
 
 1895. BREWSTER, WILLIAM. A Remarkable Flight of Pine 
 Grosbeaks (Pinicola enudeator). Auk, XII. July 1895, 
 245-256. 
 
 Winter of 1892-93. Berkshire Co., p. 254. 
 
 1895. HOFFMANN, RALPH. In North Adams < Transcript,' 
 August 21, 1895. 
 
 Popular article on some of the birds found on Greylock. 
 
60 
 
 1895. FAXON, WALTER. The Rough-winged Swallow (Stel- 
 gidopteryx serripennis) breeding in North Adams, Berkshire 
 County. Mass. Auk, XII. Oct. 1895, 392. 
 First breeding-record for Massachusetts. 
 
 1895. FAXON, WALTER. Turdus alicice liicknelli and Otocoris 
 alpestris pratieola as summer residents of Berkshire County, 
 Mass. Auk, XII. Oct. 1895, 392-393. 
 
 1896. ALLEN, FRANCIS H. Summer Birds of Willoughby 
 Lake, [Vt.]. St. Johnsbury Caledonian, Sept. 11, 1896. 
 
 Records observations of W. Faxon and R. Hoffmann re- 
 lating to the replacement of Hermit Thrushes by Wood 
 Thrushes on the sides of Grey lock Mountain in 1895. 
 
 1895. FAXON, WALTER. The Louisiana Water-Thrash breed- 
 ing in Berkshire County, Mass. Auk, XIII. Oct. 1895, 314. 
 First record of the breeding of Siurus motaciUa in Massa- 
 chusetts, at Sheffield. 
 
 1897. HOAG, BENJAMIN. Wilson's Snipe in the Berkshire 
 Hills in Winter. ' Osprey,' Vol. I. 1897, 122. 
 
 One shot in Hancock, February 2, 1897, 
 
 1897. FAXON, WALTER. Purple Martins breeding in Elec- 
 tric Arc-light Caps. Auk, XIY. 1897, 407-408. 
 
 Thus nesting in North Adams. 
 
 1898. BREWSTER, WILLIAM. Report on the Mammals and 
 Birds. In Ann. Rep. of the Museum of Comparative Zoo- 
 logy for 1897-98, p. 27. Cambridge, 1898. 
 
 Record of Ernpidonax flaviventris taken in Lanesboro, 
 Berkshire County, by W. Faxon, June 1, 1898. 
 
 1899. ADAMS, JOHN COLEMAN. Nature Studies in Berkshire. 
 New York and London, 1899. 
 
 Notice of a few birds seen at Pontoosuc Lake, pp. 202-204. 
 Of no importance. 
 
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