May 24. Green Heron (Butorides virescens).
Although situated about 20 miles north and the same distance east of Mt. Carmel, the bird-fauna was entirely the same, allowing for differences in the character of the country, the environs of Wheatland being much less varied, and therefore not such as to attract so great a variety of species. Nearly all the characteristic summer birds found further south were abundant near Wheatland, however, even Peucæa illinoensis occurring there. Among the more numerous species were the Cerulean, Blue-winged Yellow, Kentucky and Prothonotary Warblers, all of which were quite as numerous as near Mt. Carmel. At the time of my arrival, the most abundant bird was probably the Cardinal Grosbeak, it being no unusual sight to see several males at one time along the railroad track, picking up grain dropped from passing cars, while the swamp and surrounding woods were filled with their sweet but monotonous whistlings. Later in the season, however, other species became rather more numerous, it being difficult to decide between the Redstart and Red-eyed Vireo, as to first rank in point of numbers. Other species almost as well represented as those mentioned, were the Red-headed Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, and Red-winged Blackbird, and, for a brief season, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Cedarbird. Hawks were very plentiful, especially the Red-shouldered and Red-tailed, and on one occasion eight of the former (all adults) were observed soaring about, near together, uttering their clamorous cries. Barred Owls were exceedingly numerous among the trees growing in the swamp, and at night afforded much amusement by their “family squabbles.” Ducks and Geese which had been very plenty on the pond during the winter, had gone northward prior to the middle of April, except a few Mallards, Shovellers, and Blue-winged Teal, which remained until about the end of the month, as did also multitudes of Coots (Fulica americana).
The following list of course includes only a small proportion of the total number of species observed.
Gray-cheeked Thrush (Hylocichla aliciæ).—The exact date of arrival of this species was not noted, but was somewhere near the 20th of April. During the last week of April and the first three weeks of May it was very common, perhaps more so than any other of the small Thrushes. Specimens were shot May 23, and others were observed as late as the 28th of that month, the date of my departure.
Tawny Thrush (Hylocichla fuscescens).—Arrived April 21 and remained until toward the last of May. Less common than H. aliciæ but frequenting the same localities and having nearly identical manners.
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewicki).—Rather common, found only about the out-buildings of farms and in the village.
House Wren (Troglodytes aëdon).—Less common than Bewick’s Wren, and noticed only about brush-heaps and along old fences.
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea).—Very abundant among the “elbow-brushes” (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and willows in the pond, nesting in hollows of the latter.
Blue-winged Yellow Warbler (Helminthophaga pinus).—Very abundant among the undergrowth in thick woods, chiefly in the bottoms.
Golden-winged Warbler (Helminthophaga chrysoptera).—Not uncommon for a few days during the early part of May.