Oj, . . /? $!'/ id -scientific Monthly (Toledo ,0. ) ,Vol. I, Mo. 5, P e b ,,^f CF SOME J3IRDS OBSERVED IN . THE MINNEAPOLIS,. MINN., NOT ENUMERATED IN DR. HATCH'S LfXT. . r BY THOMAS'S. ROBERT-. [Communicated by Robert Rid fuscescens. Probably common. "egiilus satrapa. Occasional, during migrations. 3. Sitta Canadensis. Rare. 4. Cistothorus stellaris. Rare summer resident. 5. * Helminthophaga chrysoptera. Rare summer resident. 6. Helminthophaga per egrina. Abundant during spring migrations of 1875. Dendroica blackburnice. Occasional during migrations. Dendroica striata. During migrations. ). Dendroica tigrina. During both spring anjd fall migration s. (Five ens taken.) 10. Myiodioctes Canadensis. During migrations, r^t Coturniculus passer inus. Common. 12. Eitspiza Americana. Abundant during the summer of 1874, but none sited us in 1875. 13. Zcnotrichia querula. While riding through an open, scrubby section of nint'ry some seven or eight miles from Minneapolis, on the 9th of Mr.y, 1874, I mi w large numbers of this species. Twj(were shot, one of which is in the pbs- ssion of Dr. P. L. Hatch, On the 1 6th of the same month **T obtained the st specimen that has been seen in this locality, although constant and thor- j scare the little fool away by making the whistle scream, but he wouldn't .care. When 'the train was within ten rods of the calf the cow made a rush for ior silly child, caught him on her horns, and bore him away in safety. 2 48,3342 O v *^w w THE SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY. BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE VICINITY OF OAKLAND, CAL.\ DECEMBER 23, 1872. . NELSON OF CHICAGO. The following observations were made during a day's collecting, in the [ vicinity of . Oakland. Cal.1 where myself and friend, Mr. W. Wentw.orth, were ^ stopping for a few days, the last of December, 1872. t The principal portion of the day was spent on an arm of San Francisco ) Bay and the adjacent marshes, which are extended along south of Oakland. A dense fog covered the bay early in the morning and confined us to the shore. The time was pleasantly spent, however, in examining the town, which is pleas- antly situated on a slope commencing at the bay, on the south and west, rising-gradually to slight hills, just back of town, and a few miles to the north increasing to a low range of mountains. The only timber to be seen was the belt of oaks extending along near the bay, and in the midst of which, the town is situated. It seemed very curious to us to see the plants in the gardens full of blos- soms at this season of the year, and as though to mimic summer still closer, st Anna Humming Birds (Calypte Anna) were darting about among the flowers. As we proceeded toward the outskirts of the town a small flock of Pi finches (Carpodacus fyntalikar rhodocolpus) lit in an oak and looked unsus- 2 piciously at us as we passed underneath. On the edge of the town we found a small lake made by building p. across the outlet of an arm of the bay, which extended back a mile or more from the main body of water. This lake appeared to be the home of numerou- water fowl, notwithstanding there were several residences on its banks and I much frequented road extending along one side. On two oak trees near the lake several White Pelicans (Pekcanus trader- hvnchus) were pluming themselves. In the centre of the lake a large flock o. ducks were splashing about, seeming to well understand that they were unde:' the protection of the law. On the shore near by a flock. of Semi-palmated S pipers (Ereunetes pusillus) ran nimbly about, and on the opposite shore a Whit- Heron ( Ara a egretta var. Calif ornica) stalked sedately along. The fog showing signs of dispersing, we hastened back to our boat. As we walked out on the wharf we saw several grebes (including the two species Podi ceps occidentalis and P. Auritus var. Calif or nic us] swimming near. Observing tha they had not seen us, we concealed ourselves and watched their movements They appeared to be intently soanning the surface of the water about them, which was soon explained by the movements of one of the grebes. A school of minnows passing near them was at once seen, when the grebe quietly disar - peared and suddenly there was a great commotion among the minnows. It evident from the manner in which they leaped from trje water and darted about that they well understood their danger. Presently the grebe reappeared with a struggling victim which he quickly swallowed, ano^, noting the direction taken v/ THE SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY: ;* A . * .* the survivors, was soon among them again. Once the grebe followed its prey so close to the wharf that we could see both. At first the minnows tried to escape by scattering and darting down into deep water, but the grebe singled out one and gradually drove it toward the surface, all the time drawing nearer, and just as the minnow was about to leap from the water it was caught. The fog being now nearly gone we pushed off in our boat. As we rowed out from shore immense, numbers of ducks arose from the water, in every direc- tion, and after wheeling about a few times the most of them started off. When they circled by we recognized several species. The Scaup Duck (Fulix affinnis) and Widgeon (Mareca Americana) appeared to be the most numerous. There were also many Buffie-heads (Bucephala albeola) and Gd.dwaills-(C/?an/e/asmus streperus,) while from the marsh came the familiar u quack " of the Mallard (Anas boschas.) Just in advance we noticed several large waders on a point of land and rowed over near them. They proved to be Willets ( SympJiemia semipalmata,) which on our approach seemed to appoint themselves a special committee of investigation, hovering overhead and keeping up a continual outcry, as though warning all the inhabitants of the marsh to beware of us. After a pair of them were shot the rest left, at once, for a safer location. Pushing the boat up into a narrow strip of grass* bordering the marsh we were greatly amused by the actions of a large Rail ( ' Rallus longirostris;) as the bow of the boat was pushed up into one side of the strip of the grass the Rail with great deliberation walked out of the other side, only one or two yards in ad- vance, and after looking at us in apparent amazement for an instant, com- menced gravely walking toward a bunch of rushes a short distance away. Every step was taken very carefully, the foot being raised slowly and placed gently in advance, the bird all the time looking as though it were in deep meditation, nor did our shouts and rattling the oars about have the least effect on its pace. Landing, we started toward a distant bridge on which several Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) were standing. With characteristic shyness they declined a close intimacy and flew long before we were within gunshot. Occasionally a Wil- son's Snipe ( Gallinago Wilsoni) sprang from a muddy spot and darted away as we walked along, and from the grassy pools numbers of Mallards and Spoonbills (Spatula Clypeata) flew noisily off on our approach. A low whistling cry from a depression, to one side, attracted our attention; and on our approach we were astonished to see a large flock of Long-billed Curlews (Numenius longirostris ) and Marbled Godwits (Limosa Fe.doa) raise and fly away. After flying a short distance they turned and came near enough for us to secure a fine Curlew. A flock of large Terns were standing on a bare mud flat, but on our ap- pearance they arose and flew over, coming so near that one was winged ; not heeding the deafening cries of the wounded bird, its companions kept steadily on and soon disappeared. To our satisfaction the Tern proved to be a fine specimen of Sterna Caspia. 234. t ., . '* ..JTHE. SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY. -al Biack-DelliecT Plovers ( Squatarola helvetica) were observed on a piece of pasture land near the marsh, and after considerable effort one was obtained." In the afternoon, as the tide fell, leaving long strips of mud flats with here and there pools containing small fish and other edible matter, the water fowl commenced coming to the feast, and soon the flats were swarming with ducks, mergansers and gulls, which kept up a continual quarreling and running about, making a great noise. Among the gulls, Larus Philadelphia was the most numerous species, but Z. argentatus var. Occidentalis and Z. delawarensis var. Californicus were abuQ- dant, and several Short-billed gulls ( L. can-its var. brachyrhynchus) were ob- served, and one specimen obtained. Towards evening numbers of Goosanders ( Mergus merganser) and Scoters (Oedemia perspicillata var. trcwbridgii) came into the open water. Near sunset, several Brown Pelicans (Peleamus fuscus) c nmenced fishing near the ruins of an old wharf, which was built out in the ba . From the ap- > pearance of these birds, while standing, one would form the opinion that they must be very ungainly flyers; yet the contrary is the fact, for their movements in the air are far more light and graceful than those of many birds which look much lighter and seem more capable of easy^ flight. They first made 1 appearance from the west, and as they approached the fishing grounds they set their wings and with their head drawn back upon the body, the bill extending forward over the breast, came gliding along for a considerable distance. After circling about a short time they descended and commenced fishing., Flying along ten or fifteen yards high they carefully examined the water below. and when their prey was observed they would turn and nearly closing their wings dart down into the water and appear to strike on their breast, at the same time thrust their bill forward to capture the fish. Then rising lightly from the water they would repeat their operation. They were quite unsuspicious and allowed ' the boat to approach within gunshot, when a pair were easily brought down. The sun sinking behind hills in the direction of the " Golden Gate " warned us that it was time to turn our boat homeward, and we reluctantly bade fare- well to one of the pleasan-test days we had enjoyed for some time. A PREHISTORIC ROAD. Several years ago portions of an ancient maca- damised road were discovered on the banks of the Monongahela River, near Fairmount, West Virginia ; and, on a recent exploration by Government sur- veyors, it was traced for nearly eleven miles along the bottom land between the river and the hills. Its width is fifteen feet ; it is composed of boulders of red sandstone, which must have been brought from a distance, there being few if any boulders in or near the river. It is /supposed that the stones were broken into pieces by first heating and then throwing water upon them. The depth of broken stone is about eighteen inches. At many points there are large trees, over 150 years old, growing in the road ; showing that it was built long prior to the advent of the white man in this country. RETURN BIOSCIENCE & NATURAL RESOURSES LIBRARY TO ^^ 2101 VALLEY LIFE SCIENCES BLDG. 642-2531 LOAN PERIOD 1 12 NRLF ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS _DLJE AS STAMPED BELOW H SENT ON ILL SEP 1 4 2004 NOV 1 1 1998 U. C. BERKELEY ette i. I 2001 JECT TO BECAU. IMMEDIATELY REC'D BIOS 22 '01 -1 oo ti UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA, BERKELEY FORM NO. DDO. 50m, 1 1 /94 BERKELEY, CA 94720 PAMPHLET BINDER Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton, Calif. U.C.BERKELEY LIBRARIES