The Role of The "Accidental"

J pair breeding at Lake Forest. They seem, like the Cardinal, to be gradually extending their range to the north. 22. Sitta canadensis. RED-BREASTED NUTaATCa.--Very common during the falls of 1915, 1916 and 1921. Other years only a few have been seen. 23. Polioptila c. caerula. BLUEtGRAY GNATCATCPIER.---Some years a very common migrant during May. A male was taken May 31, 1920 in the oak scrub and later the same day and throughout June a femme was seen in the pines, generally in the same place and always uttering a plaintive call. I spent a great deal of time watching her on different occasions but if there was a nest it was never found. Dr. Elfrig reported seeing several May 30, 1921, and I intended making a search for a nest but my trip was delayed until July 24. On this date, I had just started through the oak scrub when I heard the call of the Gnatcatcher and found five in a small oak, two adults and three young. The young were almost fully grown and were catching insects for themselves but I saw the parents feed them a number of times. When the old birds approached the young opened their mouths and quivered their wings. This is a rare breeder in northeastern ILlinois but is more common in the Sand Dunes in Indiana. 24. Hyloichla g. guttara. ALASKA HERMXT TgRVSm Mr. Coale took this bird November 5, 1916, and has already reported it in 'The Auk'