Notes from Manhattan, Kan.
Of five nests of the Ground Robin found by me last Spring only two were on the ground. One was six feet above ground in a greenbrier (Smilax.)
Last Spring the Harris Sparrow remained with us until the latter part of May. During May I found in nests of other birds several parasitic eggs which did not resemble those of the Cowbird in shape, size or color. They were much smaller, elongated in shape, and the markings were lighter. I found many Cowbirds’ eggs later but none like these. The query presented itself whether the Harris Sparrow could have laid these.
Oct. 1, 1882.—Saw a Mourning Dove sitting on two eggs, apparently fresh.
Dec. 30.—Saw thousands of Bluebirds and Robins in the woods. Saw two Ground Robins, (Pipilo erythrophthalmus.)—D. E. Lantz.
Clark on “Gull Island.”—This young Tern was about two-thirds grown, without feathers, only sprouting quills, and was covered with thick gray down, and the fish, a Herring, was fully as long as the bird, and very nearly as heavy, and was about half swallowed. They lay on the ground, the bird flat on its side, and I supposed it was dead, but lifting it up and removing the fish I found the bird was all right and ready for another. The head of the fish was partly digested. I would not suppose it possible for a Roseate Tern to have captured or carried to land so large a fish—much less such a little fellow attempt to deglutinate so immense a morsel proportionably.—John N. Clark, Old Saybrook, Conn.
Naturalist Manual.—We have received from the author, Oliver Davie, of Columbus, Ohio, a small 8vo. book of 125 pages with the above title. It is a compilation from the best sources, chiefly Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, and is intended for collectors of Birds, Nests and Eggs, with full instructions how to collect and how to preserve them. It is a most excellent plan partially carried out, being from Turdidæ to Tanagridæ. It is just the book for young ornithologists and those working in the field, and equally valuable as a book of reference for any devotee to the science. We hope Oliver will get encouragement enough to complete the work at no distant day.
We also received a fine cabinet photograph of two Golden Eagles, mounted by Mr. Davie.