i8o Bird- Lore ning of the regular nightly retirement into the trees. The move- ment, once started, became contagious, and the Crows arose steadily section by section. The bare branches of the trees which stood out clearly against the western sky but a minute before seemed to be clothed in thick foliage as the multitude of birds settled down. After all had apparently entered the roost, we shouted again and the roar of wings was simply deafening ; another shout brought the same result in undiminished force, and even then, probably not half the birds took wing. They soon settled down again, and we were glad to leave them in peace. So far as we could learn they are but little molested,- and let us hope that this may continue. Many of the large roosts farther north in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, seem to be rapidly decreasing in size, owing to thoughtless persecution, and eventually the poor birds may be driven to roost in scattered detachments, as would, indeed, seem best for their preservation ; but if this comes to pass, one of the most impressive phenomena of our bird-life will have disappeared. Winter Bird Notes from Southern New Hampshire BY WILLIAM EVERETT CRAM Illustrated by the author ANUARY I, i8g8. Northern birds have, as a rule, been decidedly rare this winter. In November, Goshawks were fjuite abundant, and a few Snowy Owls were also to be seen at that time. As I was returning from a tramp just at dusk one evening, one of the great white fellows came sailing by only a few yards from the ground. His man- ner of sailing and something in the set of his wings re- minded me strongly of an Eagle flying before the wind ; there were evident the same power and swiftness without visible effort. He came from the northeast on the wind of a rising storm, and had evi- dently but just arrived, being in much more perfect plumage than is usual in November, appearing, at the distance of only a few yards, absolutely white, with his big yellow eyes burning among his snowy feathers. Snow Buntings were also common in November, and Horned Larks during the first part of the month. I noticed a large flock of the latter one morning feeding in the stubble and, observing that they were moving towards me, crouched motionless until they came up and surrounded me, gathering seeds in the earnest, industrious
