The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29
BIRDS OF EARLY Spring
The Vanguard of Summers Feath-
cred Tribe Approaching.
BIueiHys, Meadow Lnrks. Gold
Huchcs, md WErbIers of All De-
scriptiOns Flying HIther From the
south to FiII the Woods and Fields
with Their NeIodiOus Notes.


The number Of species of birds on record
for the month OF April reaches an even
POO This number is easily accounted for
when we consider that quite a number Of
birds that have spent the winter here
move North during April. and that the ad-
vance guards OF our migrants and summer
residents begin to arrive This is the time
for the local observer to be on the alert
so as to find the first arrivals a few days
ahead Of existing dates, or the last strag-
glers few days behind time.
All birds being migratory, the move
ments Of all the different species have to
be watched. Those which. like the song
sparrow. are with us all winter increase
in numbers by the influx of individuals
which have wintered farther South and
later the numbers will thin out until only
these that will spend the summer with us
remain. The singing periods of birds have
also to be noted and the woods and fields
will now be found to resound with melody
Frogs are singing, the country begins
to loose its wintry aspect the early flow
ers blossom. the air gets balmy, and the
ornitholCgist gets the first touches of
spring fever.
The horned grebe, the pied billed grebe,
and the loon are numerous. single Ice
land gull was noted on the 2fst The great
til the 18th. The herring and ring-billed
gulls are common The first laughing or
black headed, gulls are recorded on the
23d, and the little Bonaparte gulls are To-
cally noted in focks all month The latest
note ! have on the gannet is the 21st,
while the double-crested cormorant occurs
all month. and white pelicans are on rec
ord at Washington, d. c.. as rare stray
glers.
The American merganser. or sheldrake.
is recorded to the 2Sth. the red breasted
mcrganser en- the 10Th. and the hooded
merganser all month. the last mallard on
the 9th. This species is the originator of
our common puddle duck. and the male is
generally called green head mallard, while
the female is called grey mallard. The
black duck. or black mallard. is here all
month and no doubt had something to do
in originating the domestic duck. The
gadwall, or grey duck proper, is quite
rare, but one is en- record as being shot
on the 4th. and a European wigeon was
taken on SinepuXent Bay on the 5th. while
its near relative, the balduate Is last re
corded on the Sth. The European teal is
on record as being taken in the District
Of Columbia, and the green wing teal and
blue-wing teal are here all month. The
shcveler, or spoon bill duck is scarce.
Inc plntal, or spTlgtatl. has been noted
until the 2Sth; wood ducks and redheads
all month but the last canyasback on the
sth the sCaup. or bay blackhead. until the
2Sth. the little or creek blackhead all
month. and the ring necked duck until the
4th The golden-eye, or whittier is re-
corded 10 the 9th. and the little buffe-
head, butter bail or dipper, is here all
month. The last old squaw. or south
southerly, is recorded on the 26th, while
all three of the scoters-the black. white
winged, and surf-are here all month, as
is also the ruddy duck co0t or greaser.
Snow goose. or common wild goose, is here
all month but is gradually thinning out
aud toward the end of the month is rather
rare. Brant have been recorded until the
18th. and swan TO the 18th.
The American bttern, or Indian hen. is
here all month. and no doubt the little bit
tern arrives from the South during this
month, but as il is quite elusive it has rot
been noted. The great blue heron or crane.
is in evidence. The first green heron. or
poke is noted on the 3D. and the first night
heron. qua or dogbird, on the LIST. The
king rail. clapper rail Virginia rail. sora
or common rail and yellow rail are all
here. but are seldom noted being very
secretive in their habits and not uarticu-