rly every
neighbourhood, and it is astonishing under what adverse natural
conditions one may find them. As I write these lines on a dark February
afternoon, here in New York City, I can see through the window a Starling
sitting ruffled up on the bare twig of an elm tree. Every minute or two
he calls, and as he is looking this way perhaps he is growing impatient
for the little girl of the house to give him his daily supply of crumbs.
A few minutes ago there was a Downy on the trunk of the same tree, and
out over the Harlem River I see a flock of {95} Herring Gulls passing, as
their custom is in the late afternoon.

Several years ago Dr. Frank M. Chapman sent out a notice to bird students
that he would be pleased to have them make a record of the birds to be
seen in their different neighbourhoods on Christmas.

Many responded, and he published their reports in his magazine
_Bird-Lore_. This aroused so much interest that bird observers all over
the country now have a regular custom of following this practice. In the
January-February, 1916, issue of _Bird-Lore_ appears the results of the
last census which was taken on December 25, 1915. By examining this one
may get a good idea of the birds to be found in various communities at
this season. Some of the lists were very large, ninety-three specimens
being noted in the one sent by Ludlow Griscom, from St. Marks, Florida.
The largest number reported by any of the observers was 221, seen in the
neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California. The following are reports from
typical sections:

{96}

_Wolfville, N. S._--Dec. 25; 10 A. M. to 12.30 P. M. Cloudless; 5 inches
of light snow; no wind; temperature 30 degrees. Herring Gull, 2; Black
Duck, 100; Canada Ruffed Grouse, 4; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Northern Raven,
1; Crow, 6; Goldfinch, 11; Vesper Sparrow, 1 (collected for positive
identification); Black-capped Chickadee, 7; Acadian Chickadee, 2;
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5. Total, 11 species, 140 individuals. Dec. 20,
a flock of 8 to 10 American Crossbills.--R. W. TUFTS.

_Tilton, N. H._--Dec. 25; 8.20 A. M. to 12.30 P. M. Cloudy, changing to
light rain; a little snow on ground; wind light, south-east; temperature
38 degrees. Blue Jay, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Chickadee, 6;
Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2. Total, 4 species, 10 individuals. Birds seem
unusually scarce this winter.--GEORGE L. PLIMPTON and EDWARD H. PERKINS.

_Bridgewater, Mass._--Dec. 25; 8 to 10 A. M. C