Bird-Lore's Sixth Christmas Bird Census BIRD-LORE'S sixth Christmas Bird Census has brought returns from a larger number of observers than any of the five which have pre- ceded it. From numerous localities the report comes of the presence of a comparatively small number of winter birds. Whether this state of affairs is due to purely local conditions or to an actual decrease in bird -life, cannot be determined from the report of one, but of many observers, whose labors should not be confined to one season but should extend over several. In these annual censuses, therefore, we are gradually accumulating a mass of exact information, interesting in itself, and in the aggregate affording a definite basis for comparison with results obtained in succeeding years, and having, consequently, a real scientific value. Millbrook, Ontario. — Time, 8.30 A. m. to 11.45 A - M - Bright, two inches of snow; no wind ; temp., 30 . Great Blue Heron, 1 ; American Woodcock, 1 ; Ruffed Grouse, 3 ; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 5; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Chickadee, 10; Brown Creeper, 1. Total, 9 species, 27 individuals. — Samuel Hunter. Reaboro, Ontario. — Time, 10.40 a. m. to 12.45 p - M - > 2 -45 p. m. to 4.55 p. m. Sky a little dull; ground covered with snow, snowing in forenoon; wind west; temp., about' 32 . Ruffed Grouse, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Chick- adee, 24. Total, 4 species, 32 individuals. — E. Wellington Calvert. Queenston, Ontario, Canada. — December 23; time, 8 a.m. to 1.30 p. M. Cloudy, light rain and snow; ground partly covered with snow; moderate west wind; temp., 32 . Herring Gull, about 75 ; other Gulls, probably Bonaparte's, 5 ; Crow, about 50 ; Blue Jay, 2; Junco, 1 ; Chickadee, 18. Total, 6 species, 151 individuals. Other than Gulls and Crows, there seemed to be fewer birds than usual, in this locality notwithstanding the very open winter we have had thus far. — Harry H. Larkin. South Portland and Cape Elizabeth, Me. — Time, 8 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Clear, ground partly covered with snow ; wind southwest; temp., 18 . Herring Gull, 125; Ruffed Grouse, 1; Crow, 3; Purple Finch, 15; Northern Shrike, 3; Myrtle Warbler, 13; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 12; Robin, 2. Total, 8 species, 173 individuals. — Louis E. Legge. Farmington, Strong and Temple, Maine. — Time, 7 A. M. to 6 p. m., less one hour in p. m. Clear till 9 a. m.; sky thinly veiled with snow-haze balance of day; "mare's tail" clouds; about a foot of heavily crusted snow; temp, at starting, 2 ; at return, 16 . Ruffed Grouse, 3; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 3; Blue Jay, 7; Ameri- can Crow, 1 (heard); Redpoll, 16; American Goldfinch, 2; Tree Sparrow, 4; White- breasted Nuthatch, 11; Chickadee, 34; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, n species, 85 individuals. — LeRoy Melville Tufts. Cornish, N. H. — Time, 10 a. m. to 11 a. m. Distance covered, one-half mile; open fields edged with bits of woodland; temp., 20 , no wind, partially cloudy; thin covering of snow, except on south slopes where there are many bare patches. Pileated Woodpecker, 1; Chickadee, 14; Blue Jay, 1; Tree Sparrow, 15; Goldfinch, 20; Snow-Bunting, about 300. Total, 6 species, about 350 individuals. — L. A. Parrish. Wilton, N. H. — Time, 8.45 a. m. to r 1 .45 a. M. Clear, ground lightly covered with snow in patches; wind west, light; temp., 20 to 40 . Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, (14^
