swans, with a single young, are spending the winter on Bayou Sara creek, near St. Francisville. This was the latest society note in birddom received by the State Department of Conservation from Edward Butler of West Feliciana parish, who is a noted bird observer and wild life protectionist of that section.

The occurrence of a single individual of this species of waterfowl today is more than worthy of record, but the observation of a pair, with a cygnet in the characteristic gray plumage of the young, is a positive sensation in the bird world. The last trumpeter swan observed since Ernest Thompson Seton saw seven in the Saskatchewan in 1907, was when a big gander visited the Louisiana state wild life refuge in the winter of 1915. It flew down to the preserve with a flock of Canada geese and in the spring went North with the wedge of geese.

The officials of the Department of Conservation held high hopes that it would return the following winter with a Mrs. Swan and possibly a pair of cygnets. But contrary to these expectations the lone, and supposedly last members of its race, returned to the refuge unaccompanied by others of its species, and took up its winter residence on Fearman lake. During the month of February a resident of Abbeville passing through the refuge on a dredgboat shot the bird "for curiosity" and taking it home enjoyed a dinner of "roast goose."

This was the last record of a trumpeter swan being seen until Mr. Butler's startling news reached the office of the department Friday morning. "No doubt you will be interested in learning that three trumpeter swans have been on Bayou Sara creek since late December," he wrote. "They are a pair with one young, the latter showing gray plumage. Every effort has

been made to keep them from being molested and it is gratifying to know that nearly everyone seems to be interested in their welfare. They are usually found below the bridge, but when disturbed by people passing too near, they go in the dircetion of the Mississippi river."

The appearance of these rare and interesting birds in the West Feliciana country calls to mind the fact that it was in this part of Louisiana, and particularly along Bayou Sara creek, that the great Audubon spent the most successful periods of his career as an artist preparing the drawing of wild birds that afterwards won him fame and renown as the foremost bird artist of his time. Special efforts will be made by the Department of Conservation to see that these birds receive proper protection during their stay in Louisiana. They are also protected by the federal migratory bird law."

A Soldier's Birds

My year in France is up today, during which I have gone through every American offensive and have finally landed in a hospital with a "snoot full" of gas. I had a letter today from Lawton Graham, who suggested that I write you of what bird observations I had made over here. When I began to sum up the year, I found that I had learned nothing of birds.

Only at one place where I have been there has been an abundance of bird life. When we took our first permanent sector last spring, it was near the frontier, where the last foot hill of the Vosges levels into the rolling country of French Lorraine. On this same hill some one had built a small single room hut just at the edge of a pine forest. It must have been the haunts of some artist for it was made of colored tile and plaster and roofed with red tile. The outside walls were

covered with paintings of flowers, butterflies and birds, a huge fresco of roses hung above the door. From here I had a good view. The lines extended for miles and one could see nine towns, three within the Huns lines and five within ours.

The first night and day proved that I was in a paradise of birds. The fields below were fairly covered with crows and magpies, who paid little or no heed to the occasional roar of our guns. Overhead a pair of hawks circled and flew upward until they were faint specks in the sky. Occasionally I would find myself in the midst of a flight of darting swallows, that passed so close that I was kept dodging. A chickadee peeped at us inquisitively from behind a tree and gaining confidence mounted quickly to the top, to peer and search in that busybody way he has. I knew then, that I was going to like that sector. And I did.

I proceeded to become acquainted with all my feathered neighbors I found the chickadee had his home in a shell torn atub nearby and visited him until seven ugly youngsters lined up at "right dress" outside the door. I learned that I had only to lie down in the fields below and the sky larks would mount straight into the sky and burst into a song more melodious than any opera house can boast.

That spring, three pair of field sparrows raised young before my shack, a wren picked out the gallery of my dugout for a place to raise six healthy youngsters. At night I could hear the far away notes of a Whippoorwill, but never saw or flushed one during my stay. There were dozens of kinds of birds that I learned by sight but we had no way of learning the names of them.

Last June we bad our quiet sector farewell. As we passed through the

town, where battalion headquarters had been, the swallows seemed to envelop us with their queer unguided flight. The little clay daubs under the eaves had done their work well and the world seemed alive with them. Away up in the sky four dim specks were circling.

Way off to the left a gun cracked, and that reminded us that there was a war. But it was now over and we hope to it that it is the last. But I would like to spend that spring over with a book on French birds. If any one knows of one or of a French or nithologist, I would appreciate the where and how of it.

Lieut. C. R. M. Leudon.

In a late number of the Oologist I noticed an account of a Ruby-crowned Knight seen in Pennsylvania on Dec. 14, 1916. Is not the sight of one in Northern Minnesota on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 29, at a latitude of 48 deg N. quite as rare? Especially so when you consider that Montgomery Co., Pa., lies at 40 deg. N. Lat. and is near the coast and East of the mountains. The one I saw above referred to was entirely alone and would indicate that they linger along until the severe weather set in to drive them South almost by force. I don't blame them for not wanting to leave the north with its rigorous healthy climate until nature forces it to. The weather four days after Thanksgiving dropped to 6 deg. below zero and the river and the land took on its blanket of snow and ice.

Red Lake Falls, Minn.
L. E. Healy,

I had the good fortune to see a Blue Grosbeak near our town last June. This is the first record for our County (Geauga) and so far as I know for this part of the state.

F. E. Ford,

WANTED-Volumes 1 and 2 of Thorburn's British Birds. Very handsome price will be paid for these two volumes. ANSEL B. MILLER, Springs, Pennsylvania.

WANTED-American Ornithology Vol. VI; Oologist Vol. XXVI, 1-2-4; Ornithologist and Oologist Vol. XI; Various numbers of Condor. Have duplicates of Journal Maine Ornithological Society; early Oologist; Ornithologist and Oologist; Osprey; Nidiologist, etc. H. H. JOHNSON, Pittsfield, Maine.

FOR EXCHANGE-Sets 123a-5. One runt 373d-4, 486-4, 722an/6, 1918 collected. HENRY W. DAVIS, Box 844, Atlantic City, N. J.

EXCHANGE-First class sets with data. Nothing back 1915. Would be glad to have your list and year collect. ed. HENRY W. DAVIS, Atlantic City, N. J. Box 844.

EXCHANGE-A- sets of 364, 203, 352. Desire shore birds, especially 261, 281, 277a. ERNEST All letters answered. K. SCHLEICHERT, U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D. C.

WANTED-A. L. singles, small holes, 388; 387, 622e; several each. Old U. S. postage stamps, previous to 1890, either unused or A. I. used with small cancellation. GEO. W. H. VOS BURGH, 56 Maple Ave., Columbus, Wis.

EXCHANGE-I wish to exchange a few Nature pictures for the same, or for insects, cucoons. Will also sell or buy for cash. Wish to buy good compound microscope. What have you? Write. HUBERT R. WISWELL, Westbrook, Minn.

WANTED-A mounted Albino Squirrel or skin suitable to mount. O. S. BIGGS, San Jose, Ill.

MISCELLANEOUS.

FO RSALE-A High-class collection of Squirrels which I desire to dispose of before entering the American Army. E. H. HAMILTON, 614 Walnut St., Versailles Boro, McKeesport, Pa.

EXCHANGE- -One Telescope, French make, three sliding joints, 14 1-2 in. long extended, 4 1-2 in. closed. Good for bird study. Will trade for sets. What can you offer? LEWIS LUNSFORD, 27 N. Union St., Petersburg, Va.

FOR SALE-Loggerhead Sea turtle, Embryos and hatched turtles, mixed stages $3.00 dozen, small Octopus $1.00 each. Other Maine specimens collected from Florida this past summer. H. AITKEN, Gen. Del., Philadelphia, Pa.

EXPERT FIELD NATURALIST COLLECTOR-Would travel in South America, Central America, West Indies or Eastern Countries. Expert in preparation of large and small mammal and Bird Skins. Would collect in branches of Mammaloge, Ornithology, Conchologe, Entomology and Botany for Private Collector or Institution. Parties meaning business address JOHN W. DANIELS, Jr., Western State Hospital, Staunton, Va.

EXCHANGE- Funston Perfect (animal) Smoker, 20 Onedia Jump Traps (new), eggs in sets. Want eggs in sets and singles. LYLE D. MILLER, E. Claridon, Ohio.

FOR SALE-Live pupae of moths and butterflies. Price-list on application, for delivery November 1, 1918. Also entomological supplies of all kinds, LOUIS S. KOHLER, 47 Wagner Place, Hawthorne, N. J.

FOR SALE-Two handsome Virginia Red Cedar cabinets suitable for eggs or skins. Also one smaller Walnut Cabinet, cheap. WHARTON HUBER, Gwynedd Valley, Pa.

FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE:-No. 3 Bulls eye Eastman Kodak, new and in good condition. Ask $5.00, cost $9.00. Send offers of exchange. JOHNSON NEFF, Marionville, Mo.

PERSONAL-Would like to become acquainted with active Oologist in New York City, Westchester Co., or nearby, with view to expeditions next spring. L. C. S. please write. RAYMOND FÜLLER, White Plains, N. Y., R. F. D. No. 1.

FOR EXCHANGE-Large showy India moths. Atacus Atlas. Antheraea Pernyi. Actias selene. Caligula cachara. (Selene lyna Hybrid) Also many natives. Want A No. 1 set of 288, 364. A.J. POTTER, East Killingly. Conn.

Who has skins or mounted fox squirrels, colors, Black, White, Gray, Black Yellow, Black; Cinnamon mixed with black or pure white squirrels. EARL HAMILTON, Versailles, Boro., McKeesport, Pa.

The Oologist is the best medium of exchange for Oologists Ornithologists etc., in the entire U. S.

I want to get into touch with young collector in the Ozart region for the coming summer's collecting. JOHNSON NEFF, Marionsville, Mo.

FOR EXCHANGE-One fine CONLEY 4x5 Plate Camera, 17 inch Bellows. Adopted for close up Nature Study. Want good 25-20 or 32-20 RIFLE, or Books on OOLOGY. EARL MOFFET, Marshall, Texas.

BOOKS WANTED-Orchids of New England, by Baldwin; Our Native Orchids, by Gibson; Ferns of North America by Eaton. Please state price. H. MOUSLEY, Hatley, Quebec. 1-1t.

WANTED--One B. & L. Model C. double Dissolving Lens. New or second hand stereopticon Machine in exchange for personally collected specimens of Western Birds Eggs. Mrs. A. O. TREGANZA, No. 624 E. Sixth St. South, Salt Lake City, Utah. 1-2t

AN EXPERT field naturalist and collector, would travel in South America, the West Indies, or Eastern Columbia. Am an expert in the preparation of large and small mammals and Bird Skins. Would collect in branches of Mineralogy, Ornithology, Conchology, Eneomology, and Botany for private collector or an Institution. Parties meaning business please address JOHN W. DANIELS, Jr., Western State Hospital, Staunton, Va.