The White-Crowned Sparrow.—After walking a number of miles and visiting several places in a vain search for the White-crowned Sparrow, I gave up all hope of finding it this spring, but on May 26th I was so fortunate as to see a fine specimen of the male bird. He was perched on a post which stands at the edge of a tract of swampy land and appeared to be resting. I called the attention of my companion to him, and as he did not appear to object to our presence we took a long look at him. Should any person in this part of the state see this most interesting bird at a later date, I should be very glad to know it.—Sara C. Eastman. Portland, Maine.
Bird Notes.
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 what variety of birds they were by the heart-shaped tail and the white feathers on each side. From their action on the wing, I should imagine that they were a pair, male and female. Possibly these birds are not rare, but I never recalled seeing but one other specimen, which I shot eleven years ago, late in October.—Silas B. Adams, Portland.