damaged by the nipping easterly winds, but this occurs only in unfavorable seasons; and even if the tree never flowered at all, its lovely foliage would still make it one of the most beautiful evergreens of which our gardens can boast. A plant of the variety Donkelarii has stood out for twelve years in a garden at Forest Hill with a northern aspect, without the slightest protection during the severest winters, and now forms a good-sized bush, densely clothed with magnificent foliage. The Camellia ought to be planted out in every garden, and with a little attention for the first year or two, it would prove quite hardy, at least in the more southern counties, and each season it would increase in attractiveness."

The climate of the south of England is far more congenial to the introduction of foreign trees and shrubs than that of the northern counties, not from the greater severity of the winters in the north, for the minimum temperature of the year is often as low in Kent or Hampshire as in Yorkshire or Northumberland, but from the shorter and cooler summers. Many plants absolutely require a considerable period of high temperature to enable them to ripen their wood sufficiently to withstand the winter frosts, and especially to induce them to flower. In many parts of Scotland, however, the climate is as favorable to horticulturists as in any district in England. In the Duke of Sutherland's estate at Dunrobin, on the east coast of Sutherlandshire, Hydrangeas, myrtles, and other half-hardy plants, grow as freely and as unchecked out of doors as they do in Devonshire or Cornwall. The equalizing effect of the Gulf Stream on the temperature is no doubt the cause of this special immunity from frost. The proximity of the sea-coast is not generally favorable to the growth of trees and shrubs, not so much from the saltness of the air as from the prevalence of high winds, which are very injurious to growing vegetation. Young and tender shoots which will bear a moderate amount of cold, will sometimes be scorched as if by fire by a tempestuous night. The Quarterly Journal of Science.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOOSE IN NEW

ENGLAND.

BY J. A. ALLEN.

IN consequence of their large size, the value of their flesh, and the pleasure attending their chase, the different members of the deer family (Cervidae) are among the first to disappear before the progress of civilization in a newly settled country. The moose (Alce malchis), like the caribou (Tarandus rangifer), doubtless once existed in Southern New England, though I have seen no record of its occurrence in the southeastern portions since the settlement there of Europeans. It probably remained in the mountainous districts till a later period, but for many years has been extinct in Massachusetts, Southern Vermont and New Hampshire, and Southern Maine.

In answer to my inquiries to my inquiries in respect to its present southern limit in Maine, Mr. J. G. Rich, the well-known hunter and trapper, writes me in substance as follows: "Although now scarce in that state, it is first met with on the Penobscot at about eighty miles above Bangor; on the Kennebec north of the Forks in Somersett county; at Kennebago Lake, and to the northward of Rangely Lake in Franklin county; and north of the Agiscohas Mountain on the Margalloway River, in Oxford county." A few also exist in the extreme northern parts of New Hampshire and Vermont. and in the Adirondacks of New York. As the experienced hunter finds it a not very difficult animal to capture, the moose unless protected by law, must soon become extinct throughout the New England States. The legislature of Maine has already passed a stringent game law for their protection, which it is to be hoped may be carefully enforced.

Mr. Rich's long experience as a trapper and hunter in the Maine woods, has rendered him thoroughly familiar with the

habits of the moose and the other large mammals of this region; and some years since (in 1860) he published an interesting series of articles in the now defunct "Bethel Courier," on the "Wild Animals of Maine," in which he brought together facts of great value to the naturalist, including the most complete history of the moose yet extant. It is to be hoped that he will be able to soon reissue these valuable sketches in a more permanent form.

NOTES ON CERTAIN INLAND BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY.

BY CHARLES C. ABBOTT, M.D

THE ornithological fauna of New Jersey having undergone some changes within the last few years, it may prove interesting to ornithologists to have the results of ten years constant, careful observation as to the movements of our inland birds; comprising those that are resident; those coming from the South in the spring, and visitors from the North in winter. Certain species formerly abundant are now rare; and others formerly but seldom met with, are now abundant. As an instance we will mention the Summer Red-bird (Pyrangu æstiva), which may no longer be accounted a summer resident, although prior to 1857 it was abundant; and on the other hand the Snow-bunting (Plectrophanes nivalis), which previous to 1865, was a very rare visitor, and then only during very severe winters, and since has as regularly appeared as the Junco hyemalis. They do not appear, like them, early in October, but after considerable snow boa fallen. During the winters of '67, '68 and '69, ther so abundant that hundreds of dozens killed on th of the town (Trenton, Mercer Co.), were of our markets. Every additional snow

crease their numbers. They were very fat, and, considered as delicate as the Rice bird, Dolichonyx orizivorus, in October.

It may be proper here to state that the climate, during the past thirty-eight years, has undergone no change other than a slight diminution in the quantity of snow.

are

The species to which I desire to call particular attention

1. Pigeon Hawk (Hypotriorchis columbarius). During the early autumn, when the Reed-birds (Dolichonices), have gathered in the marshy meadows, and the Red-winged Starlings (Agelaii), fairly blacken the drier lowlands; when the "Flicker" (Colaptes), is rattling off the thin bark from the hickories, and congregated Blue-birds twitter from every panel of fence; when the unsought Meadow-lark (Sturnella) challenges you to discover his retreat, with his saucy "youcan't see-me," and timid snipe (Gallinago), with a nervous "scape" endeavor to avoid the gunner's aim with a most eccentric flight,—then really are the days proper of our birds of prey, and all of our species, from the magnificent Blackhawk (Archibuteo Sancti-Johannis), to the saucy Sparrowhawk (Tinnunculus sparverius), are more or less abundant. Ever on the alert for wounded birds or rash Meadow-mice, they sail over the meadows from morning till night and add no little charm to the attractive scene; but while all this is the order of the day upon the lowlands, there is skulking along the fences of the uplands, and about the yards of the farm-houses, a shy, cunning falcon, ever watching the farmer's poultry and pouncing thereupon continually. We refer to the Pigeon-hawk (Hypotriorchis columbarius), a species numerous throughout autumn and winter, but especially interesting from the fact that it remains throughout the year quite frequently.

In May, 1863, a nest of this species, with young birds just able to fly, was found by the writer in a large sycamore, on Duck Island, Delaware River, near Trenton, N. J. In

February (22d) 1865, a nest with eggs was also found by the writer, in a large elm, on the Shabbaconk Creek, near Lawrence, Mercer county, New Jersey. Young specimens in pin-feathers have been killed, in August and November, by a cousin of the author, which were seen and identified by the latter.

New Jersey seems to be a sort of neutral ground, as well as half-way house in the matter of geographical distribution. It is the northernmost limit of the range of some; the southernmost limit of the range of others; and occasional breeding ground of many species. From unascertained, and we imagine unascertainable causes, there are many visiting species that remain or pass on, as it may happen. An ornithological note-book will for one year record probably a dozen species, of which no trace will be found during the following year, except during their passage north or south. In 1859, a cold storm overtook the Red-starts (Setophaga ruticilla) as well as many of the warblers. During the following month (June) there were more nests of warblers about Mercer county than the writer has found in the ten summers since. Since 1865, we have seen no Pigeon-hawks between the dates of March 15th and October 15th. They may have escaped our notice, but we opine not. Next summer Mercer county may have a dozen nests of this species.

2. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Centurus Carolinensis). This Woodpecker makes its appearance in April very regu larly, and reappears in equal or greater numbers in October, and some few have been met with during the winter. It seems strange that it does not breed within state limits, but it certainly does not, except in a few isolated instances; at least this is the conclusion the writer has arrived at, as in accordance with his own observations. Correspondents in

the extreme northern and southern sections of the state have written me, however, that they have found both them and their nests in May. These letters were from Sussex and Cape May counties. As it undeniably breeds in Pennsyl