iSqi.] Loomis on Bii'ds of Chester Couuty. South Carolina. '[fi'l A FURTHER REVIEW OF THE AVIAN FAUNA OF CHESTER COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA. BY LEVERETT M. LOOMIS. ( Continued from p. ^q. ) i86. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. Brewer's Blackiukd. — As has al reach' been reported (Auk, Vol. IV, Jan., tSSy, p. 76), three males and two females were captured Dec. 9 and 10, 1SS6. These birds were a part of a little troop of over a dozen that were then occupying a field in the outskirts of the town of Chester. The weather at the time was ex- ceedingly rigorous— the opposite of that prevalent the past seasons. None have been observed since. 1S7. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzi:d Grackle — At the outset of mj ornithological study it so happened that the Crow Blackbirds taken were typical quiscula. As this was the form ascribed to the region bv the books, a thorough investigation was not then deemed necessary. Subsequently the continued recurrence of birds essentially Western in- duced further inquiry, and the outcome was the discovery of ctneus in November, 1SS7 (Auk, Vol. V, Jan., iSSS, p. 113). Since then, whenever the opportunity has offered, the matter has been diligently followed up, and the result, though perhaps fortuitous, indicates a superiority of num- bers for cenens. While Crow Blackbirds appear in the migrating seasons in vast droves, conveying an impression of extreme abundance, their dispersion is not general. A migration maybe worked through without many being actually met with, although multitudes may be reported from adjoining neighborhoods. As at present advised, the Bronzed Grackles arrive about November i, and during this month their southward migra- tion is at its height. In the depth of winter occasional flocks are seen. Usually they are of small extent. In February the movement northward is in full progress, and it continues on through March. I have no know- ledge of their breeding here. 149. Calcarius pictus. Smith's Longspur.—Since the one was killed with a stone in December, 1880, a second specimen has been secured. This bird—an adult female—was shot Feb. 9, 18S9. I have several times thought I have seen stray individuals passing overhead, but my acquaint- ance with this species is too limited to speak with certainty. 64. Ammodramus savannarum passerinus. Grasshopper Sparrow.— While later observations show that this Sparrow occurs in every month of the year, yet it is not truly a 'permanent resident'. The birds of Decem- ber and January are rare stragglers that have tarried behind after mild autumns, or have been tempted from the south, presumably from the lower part of the State, by the clemency of the weather. Ordinarily they appear in force about the beginning of the second week of April, although 1 68 LooMis on Birds of Chester County, Soatli Carolina, [April adventurous scouts sometimes arrive as early as February. From the first coming of the bulk in April, onward into September, they are very common ; afterwards there is a diminution in their forces, and toward the close of October only stragglers are to be found, which sometimes lino^er on into November. My dates for the first two winter months are Dec. 5, 14, 1S85; Jan. 22, 1S87 ; Dec. 25, 1SS9; Jan. 2, 1S90. The song period lasts without interruption for about five months. 151. Ammodramus leconteii. Leconte's Sparrow. — The statement in my second list, that Leconte's Sparrows were common "winter resi- dents," was fully borne out from the time of their discovery in November, 1S81, to the close of the season of 1S84-85. Since then they have been almost wholly absent. In the two winters immediately following not a single example rewarded my search. Individuals were captured March 2 and 3, 1888; Dec. 25, 1888; Dec. 19, 1S89. Except one other, seen Dec. 21;, 1889, these were all that fell under my observation during this interval. Explanation of their absence is to be sought, I think, not in their failure to journey southward, but in the transposition of the local centre of abundance to some other quarter not far remote. The weather can hardly be said to have exerted a governing influence over their move- ments, for the meteorological conditions in these years have varied greatly, ana seasons have been not unlike those during the periods of greatest abundance. The presence of the two in March, 1S88, is significant. The distribution of these Sparrows, hereabouts, appears to be very restricted. I have thus far discovered them only in a narrow stretch of country, about three miles in length, lying east of the town. The earliest record I have is Nov. 11, iSSi, and the latest March 30, 1885. The average dura- tion of their sta^', so far as ascertained, in the years of abundance was above four months. 188. Peucaea aestivalis bachmanii. Bachman'.s Sparrow. —It is only of recent years that I have become aware of the existence of this species in this locality. As so much time has been devoted of late to other fields during summer, I am not able to throw much light upon its abundance or upon the times of its arrival and departure. It appears, however, to be a regular visitant, coming soon in the spring and spending the breed- ing season. Marcii 21, 18SS, is the earliest date of its appearance I have memorandum of. 153. Habia ludoviciana. Rose-breasteu Grosbeak. — In fall Rose- breasted Grosbeaks are apparently of but casual occurrence. In spring they visit us regularly, the first males arriving shortly after the 15th of April. Loiterers tarry behind until about the middle of May. In some years they are decidedly common. They are found singly and in small companies. My previous assertion as to their partiality for high ground does not hold good. If latest experiences were taken as a criterion, the contrary rather would be found to be true. On their northward journey they are inclined to be musical. 152. Spiza americana. Dickclssel.—I entered this Finch as a ''sum- mer resident" in the second list on the strength of its having been ob- >S9'1 LooMis OH Birds of Chester Coiiiily. South Carolina. I 6a served commonly in certain restricted situations near the town in 1883 and 1S84. I supposed then that previously it had heen overlooked, but I am now constrained to believe that its appearance was sporadic, as it has not been seen since in the six years that have elapsed. It is remark- able that it should come so abruptly, be common for two seasons, and then utter!\- abandon the locality. 56. Vireo solitarius. Blue-headkd Virko.—The Blue-headed V'ireo is a regular, but not common migrant. In spring it occurs in April (4 to 21). In fall, it returns about the middle of October— 15th the earliest date— and abides until November. Laggards sometimes linger on into this latter month. These Vireos sing finely in April, and occasionally, though imperfectly, in autumn. While uttered with equal force and unction, the musical efforts of the vernal performers (intermediates) seem to lack the penetrating power peculiar to alticola as heard in its mountain home. Still they may not attain their complete song when migrating. All the spring specimens that have been taken are intermediate between solitarius and alticola (their upper parts beyond the rump being stronglv washed with plumbeous), while the majority of the autumnal ones are typical solitarius. Taking the Pickens examples (Auk, Vol. VII, p. 126) as a basis of comparison, I am impelled to rank these intergrades with solitarius. The uniform deep black of the bill in adult alticola seems to be a more potent character in the discrimination of the two forms than the variable plumbeous veiling of the upper portions, which, however, in ex. tven^e alticola is always diagnostic. In Chester specimens—both in spring and fall—the lower mandible invariably displays plumbeous. In some the pkitnbeous predominates, the tip only being black. The black of the whole bill is of a slaty cast, not an intense black as in the mountain race. Mr. Ridgwa}' has informed me that the examples of solitarius which have passed under his notice have invariably had the basal half, at least, of the lower mandible plumbeous. 1S9. Helinaia swainsonii. Swainson's Warbler.—A male was taken Aug. 30, 18S7, in the neighborhood of the town (Auk, IV, 347). Whether this individual was simply an estray from the seaboard or a transient from an inland habitat can only be surmised. It is worthy of note that a terrific storm prevailed ten days before along the coast of North Carolina, and that the largest flock of Ricebirds — chiefly coastwise migrants in South Carolina at this season—ever witnessed here in the southward migration was met with Aug. 22—two days after the storm. 26. Helmitherus vermivorus. Wurm-eating Warbler. — This Warbler has been noted from July 25 to October 6, and from April 19 to May 12. So far as known, it does not breed. It appears to be more num- erous in some years than in others. Viewed in the most favorable aspect, it does not reach higher rank in the scale ofabundance than tolerably com- mon During its transits it is seen at intervals rather than continuously. 190. Helminthophila pinus. Blue-winged Warbler.—A male was obtained April 30, 1S87. This is the only instance of its capture in this vicinity. I^O LooMis 6>// Birds of Ckcs/er County, Sotttk Carolina. [April 191. Helminthophila chrysoptera. Golden-winged Warbler.— The following are the only data I possess of its occurrence : a male, Sept. 13, 1S86; a female, Aug. 20, a male, Sept. 22, 1S87; '^ male, Aug. 28, 188S. 192. Helminthophila celata. Orange-crowned Warbler. — Two have been taken : a male, Oct. 21, iSS7,and a female, April 24. 1889. This one alone of the HclmintJiophilcv has been procured during both migra- tions. 144. Helminthophila peregrina. Tennessee Warbler.—The summary of later specimens secured, given below, shows that this member of the genus is not wholly uncommon here. Whether it is as plentiful every fall, can be satisfactorily determined only by a continuance of the method- ical study of woodland Warblers conducted during the seasons when the specimens were taken. It has not been detected in spring. 1SS6 : Sept. 8, one ; 9, two ; 28, one ; Oct. i, one ; 2, two ; 6, one ; 9, one. 18S7 : Oct. 4, two; 5, five; 6, one; 15, one. i888: Oct. 3, one; 8, two; 9, one. 31^. Dendroica tigrina. Cape May Warbler.—Cape May Warblers are not common in this vicinity. April 15 to May 3, and October 4 to 26, are the limits within which they have been obtained. In autumn they become extremely fat. Two females, shot Oct. 4, 18S8, were so obese that I was completely puzzled for a moment as to what they really were. 34. Dendroica maculosa. Magnolia Warbler.—Migratory; rather common. Journeying northward, they pass through during the first two weeks of May. Coming southward, they reappear in September—Sept. 3, the earliest instance. Until the closing week of this month they are seen but infrequently, the main body not arriving until about Oct. i. Be- fore the end of a fortnight all disappear. In song during their spring visitations. 193. Dendroica caerulea. Cerulean Warbler.—The work of recent years has proved that this bird is a regular migrant, though rather rare. It has occurred in spring from April 13 to 30, and also late in summer and in fall, Aug. 8 to Oct. 22. Its presence so soon in August leads to the inference that it breeds near at hand in the mountains. 33. Dendroica pensylvanica. Chestnut-sided Warbler.— In spring thev pass quickly, appearing the last week of April and disappearing by the 15th of May. They do not seem to be very common during this mi- gration. Returning, the first reach here about the middle of August — i6th and 17th in 18S7. Their stay is prolonged, normally, until about the second week of October—Oct. 19, 1887, latest record. During the south- ward passage they become very common, especially in September. Ex- cept in spring, only those in the incomplete attire of the young have been procured. On the way north they sing somewhat. 194. Dendroica castanea. Bay-breasted Warbler.—Has been taken but twice: May 14, 1SS7 ; May 5, 1888. Both were males. 31. Dendroica blackburniae. Blackburnian Warbler. — Rare dur- ing the northward movement; very common in the southward. The former progress apparently takes place at theend of April and during the 1S91.I LooMis oti Birds of Chester County, South Carolina. 17 1 early part of May^ and the latter, from about the beginning of the second week of August to about the middle of October - A.ug. 8, Oct. 21, the extremes noticed. The greatest rush usually occurs during the fortnight centring around October i. These late comers are supposed to be North- erners. Individuals often grow exceedingly fat in autumn. They sing while northbound. 195. Dendroica dominica albilora Sycamore Warblek.—The Dcti- (Iroica dontiuica-albilora group is represented in this section by both dominica proper and albilora. The two forms, in fall at least, are about equally numerous. Collectively, they are rather common, especially dur- ing the migrations. The term of sojourn extends from the end of March (the precise time varying in different years) to about the first of October (March 22-Oct. 4). It has not been ascertained whether true albilora breeds here; for the exact status of the breeding birds yet awaits determi- nation. The breeders leave early, and a period of absence intervenes be- tween their going and the coming of the August and September migrants. As would naturally be anticipated, the locality furnishes a goodly supply of intermediates. 28. Dendroica virens. Black-throated Green Warbler. — A spring and autumn migrant; tolerably common. March 3i-May9, Sep- tember 20-October 24, are the earliest and latest dates of its capture. It is eminently an October Warbler during fall. In full song in spring. 196. Dendroica kirtlandi. Kirtland's Warbler.—The taking of a female, Oct. 11, iSSS, has previously been noticed in this journal (Vol. VI, Jan., 1889, P- 74)- The geographical position of South Carolina, midway between the Bahama Islands and the States of Ohio and Michi- gan, suggests that this bird, which was here late in the southward migra- tion, was something more than a mere wanderer. 38. Dendroica palmanim. Palm Warbler.—As a winter resident the Palm Warbler can scarcely be regarded more than a straggler. Tin'ough the past three winters only one was seen, which shows that pro- tracted mild weather does not exert a conti^olling influence over its pres- ence by causing greater abundance. In the southward migration it is abundant. The first begin to appear about the second week of September. Usually by the latter part of October the bulk have passed. In spring it remains through April,—the chief month of its northward movement, — but it does not become as plentiful then as in autumn. D. hypochrysca, in winter, is even rarer and more uncertain. In fall, also, it is rare, but during April it seems to be as numerous as, fialmarum. 40. Seiurus aurocapillus. Ovenbikd, — Migratory; common. A month, from about the middle of April to the middle of May, is consumed in the northward passage, and over two months, from the beginning week of August (7th earliest capture) to the middle of October, in the southward. A belated female, taken Oct. 29, is an extreme instance of tardiness. While passing through in spring the ordinary song notes are vigorously pronounced. 197. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis. Grinnell's Waticr-tiikush.— 172 \^oomi% on Birds of Chester County, South Carolina. [April Considered from the standpoint of the widened diagnosis of the 'Manual of N. A. Birds,' tlie prevailing Water-thrush of this locality is 7io/'f;/)/7/5. With the exclusion of a single example, all that have been taken are of medium and small size. True novehoracensis is a rara avis in this section. Intermediates are more common. Some of them are so fairly midway between the two forms as to render impracticable their being assigned to either. Migrant only ; April 28-May 2S; September 1-29. Rather common. 19S. Seiurus motacilla. Louisi.\na Water-thrush. — This species has been taken only upon three occasions, viz., Aug. 10, 1887; July 25 and 31, iSSS. 42. Geothlypis formosa. Kentucky Warbler. — It is a periodic visitant at the close of April and early in May, and again during the first part of September; but it is rather rare. Sings with effect in spring. 199. Geothlypis agilis. Connecticut Warbler. — The general rarity of spring specimens, especially enhances the value of the solitary one (a male) in my collection, labelled Maj' 10, 1889. 146. Sylvania mitrata. Hooded Warbler. — Up to the present the Hooded Warbler has not been discovered breeding, but it is expected that a thorough exploration of the river region will establish the fact. It is quite common during both migrations, having been observed from April 16 to May 6, and Aug. 6 to Oct. 17. The last date is exceptionally late, the season properly closing with September. While en route to their breeding grounds, they sing. 200. Sylvania pusilla. Wilson's Warbler.— In all these years but a single individual, shot May 10, 1S87, has fallen to my gun. 45. Sylvania canadensis. Canadian Warbler.— Rai-e or casual in fall (September) ; not uncommon at times in spring (first two weeks of May), when they render themselves conspicuous by their frequent sing- ing. 46. Setophaga ruticilla. American Redstart.—Between my latest sping (May 21) and earliest summer (July 10) record, there is a gap of but seven weeks. The July birds are few in number, and usually appear during the last week of the month. Through August decided movements take place, and about the middle of September the full tide reaches here. Then for a while they are among the most abundant of sjdvan inhabitants By the first of October a considerable decline has been witnessed, al- though they are still common. After the third week, at farthest, they are no longer seen. From about the second week of April (April 10, first) through the. third week of May, they have been met with in spring. During this vernal progress they become very common, and are not in- frequent musicians. 20. Thryothorus bewickii. Bewick's Wren.—Breeds very sparingly. They are conspicuously common (perhaps more so in certain seasons than in others) during their migrations, which occur, mainly, in the hitter part of September, in October, Februarj' (particularly the last portion) and March. In December and January, in some years, they 1S91.] LooMis