In the May-June, 1915, number of Bird-Lore, I note that Mr. Ridgway classes the Upland Plover as a “species verging toward extermination,” speaking of it as now very scarce in southern Illinois. This bird of the prairies is still to be found in southeastern Nebraska, and I believe it could not be called very scarce in that locality. On June 27, 1915, in Pawnee County, Nebraska, I saw a flock of nine of these birds; on July 11, in Gage County, I noted one; on July 12, in Gage County, I noted eight; on July 23, in Thayer County, I noted one; and on August 1, in Nuckolls County, I saw a flock of ten.
Mr. Ridgway’s description of the song of the Upland Plover is a fitting one. Its peculiar, mournful whistle is “one of the most thrilling of bird songs.”—Howard Paret, Kansas City, Mo.
A Gannet Over the Hudson River
On October 16, 1915, I was crossing the Dyckman Street New York Ferry and observed a Gannet, which passed quite close to the ferry-boat, winging its way steadily southward toward New York Bay. It is so unusual and remarkable to find this bird away from the coast as to be worthy of record.—J. T. Nichols, Englewood, N. J.
The preceding note from Mr. Nichols prompts me to add that one afternoon during the first week in August, 1915 (I failed to record the exact date), I saw from the Fort Lee (130th Street) Ferry at least a score of Petrels coursing low over the water and flying down the river. They were on the east side of the river, from which I had embarked, and as the boat carried me out of vision, Petrels were still passing. Doubtless they were Wilson’s Petrels which, in their search for food, had gone far above their usual limits in the lower harbor.—Frank M. Chapman, Englewood, N. J.
On January 8, Walter and Robert Kirk, farmer boys living near here, captured a Starling which has taken refuge in their barn. I was unable to identify the bird from their description of it over the telephone, but when it was brought to me I readily identified it, as I had been watching its progress west. Needless to say, I was somewhat surprised to see it here. Bird-Lore Christmas census for 1914 reports it for West Chester and White Marsh Valley, Pa.
So far as I know, this is the first record of the Starling for Ohio, and it may be the first west of the Alleghany Mountains. This seems a long ‘jump’ westward for any bird in so short a time, especially considering the mountains it would have to cross.
I have no doubt as to the identity of the bird, but have taken photographs in case of any question.—Sheridan F. Wood, West La Fayette, Ohio.