  Notes and observations upon bird life within our State are earnestly desired from all our readers for publication in this column, and should be sent to Louis E. Legge, 22 Dow street, Portland, Maine. We note with much satisfaction the increasing frequency with which the members of our society report to this Journal their ornithological observations. This is an important part of our duties, one to another, and should be shared in by all interested in bird life. The Journal's columns are always open to contributors of items of general interest relating to Maine birds, and we trust our members will, though this medium, disseminate such knowledge as they personally possess. Birds at Grand Manan.—Allan L. Moses sends from Grand Manan a list of birds seen there in March, April and the early part of May. Among the most interesting notes are a thousand Northern Phalaropes, a large flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks April 6th, Sparrow Hawks abundant on the same day, a Sora Rail heard on April 21st, a large flight of Ruby-crowned Kinglets from April 23rd to 25th. Mr. Moses reports on March 6th a Wilson's Phalarope, the only time he has seen it there. He records for the first time on the island an Ipswich Sparrow on March 26th. A Little Blue Heron was seen April 17th, this being the fourth time it has been recorded at Grand Manan. Brunnich's Murre was seen March 31st, Dovekie May 4th, Pigeon Hawks common after May 7th, Yellow Palm Warblers common after April 14th, Myrtle Warblers common after April 17th, Redpoll April 22nd, American Pipit May 11th.—Louis E. Legge, Portland. Mourning Doves.—March 19th, I discovered a pair of Mourning Doves in the old Deering Golf Links, near the junction of Falmouth Street and Deering Avenue. My attention was first called to them by their size, and their peculiar movement on the ground. They were feeding quite close together, and finally I succeeded in making them take wing, when I at once discovered Bohemian Waxwings in Bangor.—The flock of Bohemian Waxwings, which has been seen about the streets of Bangor since early in February, had not left us March 30th, 1909. I had not seen them until that date, although I had made many efforts to do so. I was walking down Court Street, near my own home, when I heard the note which I knew to be a Waxwing note, but enough different from that of the Cedar bird so that I at once guessed that I was at last to see our own rare visitors. I discovered a good sized flock among some apple trees in a neighbor's yard. For a good half hour I watched the birds at close quarters. They were busy with the old fruit on the trees and flying back and forth to the ground, the snow under the trees often being thickly dotted with them. They did not seem to mind at all my close proximity, neither did they mind some chattering English Sparrows who came around to see what was going on. But the strident note of a crow seemed to disturb their nerves somewhat. At his near call they would rise and fly off a short distance, but would soon return again to the same trees. A couple of White-breasted Nuthatches and a Chickadee, seemed to be on very friendly terms of companionship with them. I had ample opportunity to observe all the distinguishing features of the Bohemian Waxwing, the shape of the crest, the white on the wings, the chestnut coloring of under tail coverts and forehead, which in the sunlight looked almost a rich orange. I think I never enjoyed a more interesting and beautiful bird sight.—Bertha L. Brown, Bangor. Phillips Bird Notes.—I had never been able to find the Fox Sparrow in spring until last year. This spring I have found this Fox Sparrows Sing in Bangor.—The 2nd of April I was delighted to hear again the inspiring song of the Fox Sparrow. I rushed out of doors with my glasses, and sure enough the little fellow was perched on a high branch of a young birch tree in our garden, his cinnamon back gleaming in the sunlight, and his joyous notes fairly crowding from his bursting little throat. This is the earliest spring record that I have of the Fox Sparrow. I first learned to know the song five years ago. Since then, every spring, numbers of the birds have visited our grounds, scratching among the leaves on the hillside, and singing exuberantly in the trees, generally staying with us about ten days or two weeks in April. As yet my little songster seems to be alone, but I hope soon to welcome his friends. Some bird books say the Fox Sparrow sings only on his northern breeding grounds; but I and several of my bird-lover friends know very well that of late years, at least, they sing around Bangor. In our own garden, and also in another garden somewhat similarly situated in another part of the city, we enjoy their most beautiful ringing song every April.—Bertha L. Brown, Bangor. More Bohemian Waxwings.—Mrs. Elizabeth H. Marks, of Yarmouth, writes that Miss Ellen F. Paine, of Bangor, reports a Killdeer Plover.—Sunday, April 4th, while out for a walk looking for birds, I was very much gratified to see a Killdeer Plover. It was in fine plumage and was a beautiful bird.—H. W. Jewell, Farmington. Spotted Sandpiper Lights in Bushes.—While out looking for birds back of the depot here at Farmington, I saw a Spotted Sandpiper fly and light on a bush which hung out over the water. They have done this before when I have been at the same place. There is a small creek back of the depot and a sewer runs into it from the village. The Sandpipers were here picking up bugs and worms from the mud on the banks of the creek.—H. W. Jewell, Farmington. An Albinistic Hermit Thrush.—On the morning of May 17th, 1909, the writer saw an albinistic Hermit Thrush at Westbrook, Me. The bird was not captured. The entire head and upper part of the neck and throat appeared to be white and immaculate, and the large spots of the breast were resumed below the albinistic portion, their irregular upper border showing the irregular termination of albinistic portion. The unusual number of Hermit Thrushes seen that morning made it appear that a movement was in progress. The bird has not been seen since. Should any one see the bird, it is to be hoped that it may be reported through these pages.—Arthur H. Norton, Portland. A Robin's Strange Nesting Place.—I found a year or two ago what seemed to me to be an interesting incident, which was in the shape of a Robin's nest built on a ledge, the ledge being on a level with the surrounding land. A small bush gave protection from the blazing rays of the sun. The nest was six feet from the track (Sandy River Railroad), where four passenger trains passed, also several freight trains each day, but did not disturb the bird in the least.—H. W. Jewell, Farmington. Notes from Franklin Co.—I saw a Wood Thrush near Farmington village, May 21st. I had visited the same place the morning before without hearing it. I saw another May 24th, near my home in Avon. May 23d, I saw a Philadelphia Vireo. It was singing in a clump of small trees on a bank in a field. The same day I saw a Veery with a pure white place on its upper parts. It seemed to be on the wing near the rump, about the width of a feather, and one-half to three-fourths inches long.—Dana W. Sweet, Phillips. Late Myrtle Warblers.—On account of illness I have been unable to watch the migration of birds except from the piazza of my cottage in South Portland. As late as May 22nd, a considerable flock of Myrtle Warblers frequented the small gray birch trees which abound here. There were from twenty-five to forty individuals, in all grades of plumage. The adult males are very brilliant in slaty blue, black and yellow. This date seems to me to be quite late for so many of these birds to be in this section of the state, as they rarely nest here. A few Yellow Palm Warblers are with the Myrtles, and it is late for them to be so far south. Brown Thrashers, Catbirds, Baltimore Orioles and Yellow Warblers are quite numerous around the cottage. A large flock of Tree Swallows fly around the field all day, seeking insects in the air, but often settling down among the bayberry bushes and varying their early fare with the waxy berries.—W. H. Brownson, Portland. Highland Lake Migrants.—While I have not been out at all this spring, as is my custom, to watch for the migrants, I have seen a few on the way to my camp at Highland Lake, as noted below; March 27th, 1 Bluebird; April 11th, 5 Phoebes, 1 Pine Warbler; April 19th, 2 Yellow Palm Warblers; April 19th, 2 Vesper Sparrows; April 27th, 3 Spotted Sandpipers; May 2nd, Black-throated Green Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Barn Swallow, Blue-headed Vireo; May 9th, Kingfisher; May 15th, Catbird; May 16th, Ovenbird, Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler. Mr. Fred Frost reports seeing a flock of 42 Canada Geese going over the Western Promenade March 25th. Mr. Harry Hanson reports two Song Sparrows wintering near and about Deering Oaks. The pair were observed at various times during November, December and January—Louis E. Legge, Portland. The Warblers of North America By FRANK M. CHAPMAN. With 24 full-page colored plates illustrating male, female and young of all species, and 8 full-page plates of nests and eggs. Large 8vo. Cloth, $2.90.
ALL SENT POSTPAID. Let me quote you on any book or magazine published. My lists are free for the asking. Bird Glasses, fine pair, in case with strap, $5.00, prepaid. BENJAMIN HOAG, WANTED! Ornithological Books on American or Foreign Birds and Eggs. Offer fine list of choice sets, among them 712; 2121; 8211; 211 B111; 23014; 347 A13; 34814; 34912; 35614; 42413; 48618; 66314; 645 A15; 71516; 7541; 76313. 200 others. CHAS. S. THOMPSON Bird-Lore WANTED. Members of the Maine Ornithological Society who have copies of The Journal of Vol. 7, No. 1, March, 1905, Vol. 8, No. 1, March, 1906, or Vol. 9, No. 4, December, 1907, and who do not care to preserve them for binding, will confer a favor by sending them to the Associate editor of The Journal, Louis E. Legge, 22 Dow Street, Portland, Maine. The file is nearly exhausted for those issues and there are frequent calls for complete sets from libraries and individuals in different parts of the country. ..Standard Books on Birds.. FLOWERS, INSECTS, FISHES and all Branches of Nature.... We can furnish on orders received by mail any nature book that you may want at a price that will be satisfactory to you. We have all the STANDARD BIRD BOOKS published, and can supply them promptly. Write us for information about anything you have in mind of this description, and we will reply at once. When you are in Portland call and see what we have on our shelves. Following is a partial list of the bird books we have in stock and can furnish upon order:
Ornithologists will always be welcome at our store, and we shall be pleased to give all particulars about anything in the book line that may be desired. Our store is in Monument Square, where all the electric car lines center, and easily reached by all visitors to the city. LORING, SHORT & HARMON, Transcriber’s Note:Obvious printer errors corrected silently. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original. |
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