Notes from Field and Study made it necessary for the student to be- come familiar with the bird he or she had been assigned, and a personal knowledge of the subject was acquired. The Free Library was besieged, and all books on birds were brought out of their seclusion and put once more into circulation Many new works were sought at the book-stores, and bird-literature is still in demand. The second evening was devoted to Crows, Robins, Bluebirds, Song Sparrows, Jays and Blackbirds — all birds that are to be found at that season of the year. Then came the Sparrow family, with the Junco, Finches, Cross-bills, Nuthatches and Wood- peckers, that are abundant in early April. Then the Flycatchers and Thrushes, and finally an evening was devoted to the Warblers, some twenty fine specimens being shown in skins. Within the ne.xt week, members had identified the Mourn- ing, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue. Black and White, and other spring mi- grants and resident birds that were found in the shaded streets and parks. Excur- sions were made into the highlands and country, and incidentally a love of flowers and nature was imbued. The beautiful pictures furnished the academy through the regents by the Mu- seum of Natural History were shown on the first of June, and as each bird was pic- tured, its haunts and habits were com" mented upon. On the gth a party of over sixty people took the delightful sail down the Hudson, and journeyed to the Museum of Natural History, where Mr. Chapman directed them to the case of birds which he has arranged purposely for bird-stu- dents. A beautiful case of water-birds. land-birds and two ' seasonal ' cases, all of the birds found within fifty miles of New York City, were of special interest to the class, and much time was spent in this room. Since the close of study it is a sub- ject of remark that more birds have been named and noted in the past few weeks than ever before, and it is no uncommon sight to see gray-haired students in the yards and country roads, opera glass in hand, watching for some feathered mystery to appear. Red-eyed, Warbling and Yel- low-throated Vireos are especially attrac- tive, and their strong, clear notes may be heard all day long, and many of their cup- shaped nests have been discovered. Thus a new interest in outdoor life has been unfolded and a new pleasure found. Cowbird in a Dove's Nest On May 25, 1899, at Rock Hill, Pa , I found fifteen or more Doves' nests in one orchard While looking for a suita- ble place in which to put my camera, I noticed a Cowbird flutter off a large Crackle's nest, and on examination found the nest to contain only a Cowbird's egg. Three days later I discovered that a Dove had deposited two eggs in this nest. Circumstances now prevented me from visiting the nest for three weeks, when I found a Cowbird ready to fly YOUNG COV/BIRD AN"D TWO DOVE S EGGS IN OLD crackle's NEST Although I watched the nest for some time to see how the Doves would feed the young Cowbird, they did not return, and I regret to say I did not succeed in learning the outcome of this interesting case — Chas. D. Kellogg, riiihidclphia.
