Page:Condor17(1).djvu/52

 Jan., 1915 BIRDS OF THE BOSTON MOUNTAINS, ARKANSAS 51 about homesteads in the mountains; yet there is little doubt that a considerable number yet nest in hollow limbs or tree trunks. The earliest date of arrival was March 26; none were seen after September 28.. Young were on the wing by July 18. Petrochelidon lunifrons ltmifrons. Cliff Swallow. A small flock was seen near the end of April, 1913, circling about over an orchard. Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. Observed on the following dates only: a flock of five October 3. 1913; the next spring, a pair on April 20. Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. This species has been reported to breed in northern Arkansas; but I was unable to find it nesting, or even to see any birds during June, July and August. I began to notice large flocks as September advanced; and from then until cold weather set in, they were much in evidence. Cedarbirds are very fond of pokeberries, and many of the birds had the plumage stained in great or lesser degree with the juice of the berry. The chin and throat feathers are evidently the last part of the plum- age of the Waxwing to be acquired after molting. Such examples as were taken during September and October, all had these parts scantily feathered, or with the new feathers yet in the sheaths. Lanius ludovicianus migrans. iIigrant Shrike. I came upon a shrike iIy 27, 1914, as it was catching some large insect upon the ground in an )pen woodland. It was rather shy, and I was unable to obtain it; which is some- what regrettable seeing that i't was the only time I met with the species in the mountains. However, examples examined by the Biological Survey, secured by various collectors from many parts of the state, including the lowlands, were determined as migrans. So under that form I list it. Vireosylva olivacea. Red-eyed Vireo. By far the most abundant mem- ber of the group found in these mountains, and the commonest arboricole bird during late spring and early summer. Arriving by April 16, nest building was soon in progress, and almost completed structures were found May 8. Re- turned southward after the middle of September, the last loiterers being seen on the 22nd. Vireos1va philadelphica. Philadelphia Vireo. Four species of vireo in considerable numbers were observed in a single tree at the same time, on April 30, 1914. Three or four of these individuals were philadelphica. They were actively hunting through the topmost foliage of the tree along with a greater number of flavifrons; while in the lower foliage foraged olivacea and griseus. An addition to the state list. Vireosylva fillva fillva. Warbling Vireo. While previous knowledge of the distribution of this vireo within the state during the nesting period was limited to the immediate vicinity of the Mississippi river, it must in reality oc- cur at that time over most of the state, as I found it throughout the summer months to the very top of the range. However, it vas much more abundant in migration, especially during the autumnal transit. The extreme dates for arrival and departure were April 27 and September 9. Lanivireo fiavifrons. Yellow-throated Vireo. This species and the Ceru- lean Warbler arrived within a few days of each other; each was partial to the same character of woodland, and both haunted the top-most foliage of trees. The Yellow-throated Vireo was common almost immediately after its initial appearance, which was as early as April 18; nidification proceeded at once,