Notes on the Birds of February and March, 1902 65
cheerful and contented as ever. They took up their abode in a thicket of seed-beating bushes which furnished them with food.
At first I was puzzled by the Tree Sparrow. not ltaving seen it before- I thought it some large kind of Chipping Sparrow. but a closer View. re- vealing a small dark spot on the throat, and other characteristics. served to change my opinion. While watching a flock of them in a meadow. I heard their soft, sweet, twittering song.
At the end of March I was able to add to my list the Red -\vinged Blackbird. Purple Gtackle. Flicker, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron. Meadow-lark, Phtebe. and the Field. Fox. and Vesper Sparrows.
The Purple Grackles came in tremendous flocks—in one I think there must have been a million or so of birds. The sound made by their Chatter- ing and the movement of so many wings resembled that made by the wind rushing through the dried leaves of an oak.
I saw my first Fox Sparrows and Meadow-larks on March 8, Although the Sparrows did not sing. I had an opportunity of seeing their peculiar habit of scratching with both feet at once. The flock contained seventeen birds. besides three of their cousins. the Juncos. These little birds acted as sentinels. one always being on guard, and whenever I approached too near it would fly up. flirt its gray and white tail. give a sharp Whip." and the whole flock would take the alarm, The Meadow—larks were busily explor- ing a snowy corn—field for their dinners, now and then giving a shrill. pierc- ing whistle.
In the Phtebe I had a good example of protective coloring. While in a swampy piece of woodland. I saw a bird fly into some alder bushes. but on investigation I could see nothing of it. For quite a while I examined the bushes, until a Phoebe flew from its perch, secured a fly. and returned. It had been sitting in plain view all the time, but, because its color blended so well with that of other objects. I was unable to detect it.
Next year I hope to be more suCCessful in my observations, but, in the meantime. I intend to improve my knowledge of birds in every possible way. and I advise other bird-students to do the same.
The Prize Competition
Prizes lot the best three essays on February Bird»Liie have been awarded as follows : First prize, Anna D. White, Lansdowne. Pennsylvania: second prize. Henry Darling. Rockland. Massachusetts: third prize. Carl Lawrence. Groton. Massachusetts. Master Lawrence illustrates his article with several photographs made by himself. '
