USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > The history of Bucks County, Pennsylvania : from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time > Part 86
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35. Ruby-throated Humming Bird, (Trochilus Colubris.) Common ; this is the only species of Hum- ming Bird (a numerous family) perhaps properly resident in the United States east of the Missis- sippi river.
36. Chimney Swallow, (Chaetura Pelas- gia.) Abundant ; migratory.
37. Whippoorwill, (Anthrostomus Voci- ferus.) Frequent ; breeding here.
38. Night Hawk, (Chordeiles Popetue.) Common ; breeding here.
39. Common Belted Kingfisher, (Ceryle Alcyon.) Frequent along streams.
40. Kingbird, Bee Martin, (Tyrannus Carolinensis.) Common through- out the county.
41. Great-crested Flycatcher, (Myiar- chus Crinitus.) Common; breeding here.
31
BIRDS OF BUCKS COUNTY.
42. Pewee, (Sayornis Fuscus.) Common ; breeding here.
43. Wood Pewee, ( Contopus Virens.) Common; breeding here.
44. Olive-sided Flycatcher, (Contopus Borealis.) Very rare; belongs far- ther north.
45. Trail's Flycatcher, ( Empidonax Trail- lii.) Seen occasionally.
46. Least Flycatcher, (Empidonax Mini- mus.) Common; breeding here.
47. Small Green-crested Flycatcher, (Empidonax Acadicus.) Occasion- ally seen.
48. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Empid- onax Flaviventris. ) Frequent; breed- ing here.
49. Wood Thrush, (Turdus Mustelinus.) Abundant throughout the county.
50. Hermit Thrush, (Turdus Pallasii.) Frequent.
51. Wilson's Thrush, (Turdus Fusce- scens.) Frequent throughout the county.
52. Olive-backed Thrush, ( Turdus Swain- sonii.) Frequent.
53. Robin, (Turdus Migratorius.) Abund- ant and occasionally, in mild win- ters, some remaining with us throughout the year.
54. Blue Bird, (Sialia Sialis.) Abund- ant ; the earliest of the migratory birds here in the spring.
55. Ruby-crowned Wren, (Regulus Cal- endula.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
56. Golden-crested Wren, (Regulus Sat- rapa.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
57. Tit Lark, (Anthus Ludovicianas.) Oc- casionally seen in the winter.
58. Black and White Creeper, Mniotilta Varia.) Frequent ; brecding here.
59. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, (Pa- rula Americana.) Frequent; breed- ing herc.
60. Maryland Yellow Throat, (Geoth- lypis Trichas.) Frequently seen.
61. Morning Warbler, ( Geothlypis Phila- delphia.) Occasionally seen.
62. Connecticut Warbler, ( Oporornis Agilis.) 'Occasionally seen.
63. Kentucky Warbler, (Oporornis For- mosus.) Very rare herc.
64. Yellow-breasted Chat, (Icteria Viri- dis.) Occasionally seen.
65. Worm-eating Warbler, (Helmitherus Vermivorus.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
66. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler, (Hel- minthophaga Pinus.) Frequent; breeding here.
67. Golden-winged Warbler, (Helmin- thopaga Chrysoptera.) Occasionally seen.
68. Nashville Warbler, (Helmintho- phaga Ruficapilla.) Occasionally seen in the spring and autumn.
69. Tennessee Warbler, (Helminthophaga Peregrina.) Rare; in spring.
70. Oven Bird, Golden-crowned Thrush, Seiurus Aurocapillus.) Common ; breeding here.
71. Water Thrush, (Seiurus Novebora- censis.) Frequently breeding here.
72. Large-billed Water Thrush, (Seiurus Ludovicianus.) Very rare.
73. Black-throated Green Warbler, (Den- droica Virens.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
74. Black-throated Blue Warbler, (Den- droica Canadensis.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
75. Yellow-rumped Warbler, (Dendroica Coronata.) Common in spring and autumn migrations.
76. Blackburnian Warbler, (Dendroica Blackburnic.) Common in spring and autumn.
77. Bay-brested Warbler, (Dendroica Castanea.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
78. Pine-creeping Warbler, (Dendroica Pinus.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
79. Chestnut-sided Warbler, (Dendroica Pennsylvanica.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
80. Blue Warbler, (Dendroica Cærulea.) Frequently seen in spring and au- tumn.
81. Black-polled Warbler, (Dendroica Striata.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
82. Yellow Warbler, (Dendroica Aestiva.) Common; breeding here.
83. Black and Yellow Warbler, (Den- droica Maculosa.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
84. Cape May Warbler, (Dendroica Tigrina.) Occasionally seen in spring and autumn.
32
BIRDS OF BUCKS COUNTY.
85. Yellow Red Poll, (Dendroica Palma- rum.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
86. Yellow-throated Warbler, (Dendro- ica Superciliosa.) Occasionally seen in spring and autumn.
87. Prairie Warbler, (Dendroica Disco- lor.) Rare; seen in spring and autumn.
88. Hooded Warbler, (Myiodioctes Mit- ratus.) Occasionally seen in spring and autumn.
89. Green Black-cap Flycatcher, (Myio- dioctes Pusillus.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
90. Canada Flycatcher, (Myiodioctes Ca- nadensis.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
91. Red Start, (Setophaga Ruticilla.) Common in spring.
92. Scarlet Tanager, (Piranga Rubra.) Common ; breeding here.
93. Barn Swallow, (Hirundo Horreorum.) Abundant.
94. Cliff Swallow, (Hirundo Lunifrons.) Frequent; breeding here; building their nests of mud under the eaves of buildings.
95. White-bellied Swallow, (Hirundo Bicolor.) Frequent ; breeding here.
96. Bank Swallow, (Cotyle Riparia). Occasionally seen along the Dela- ware.
97. Rough-winged Swallow, (Cotyle Ser- ripennis.) Occasionally seen.
98. Purple Martin, (Progne Purpurea.) Common ; breeding in boxes, etc. ; returnlng season after season and occupying the same location.
99. Cedar Bird, (Ampelis Cedorum.) Common.
100. Wax-wing, Bohemian Chatterer, (Ampelis Garrulus.) Very rarely seen.
101. Butcher Bird, The Great Northern Shrike, (Collyrio Borealis.) Fre- quently seen.
102. Red-eyed Flycatcher, ( Vireo Oliva- ceus.) Common.
103. Warbling Flycatcher, ( Vireo Gilvus.) Frequently seen.
104. White Flycatcher, ( Vireo Novebora- censis.) Common.
105. Blue-headed Flycatcher, ( Vireo So- litarius.) Frequently seen.
106. Yellow-throated Flycatcher, ( Vireo Flavifrons.) Frequently seen.
107. Cat Bird, (Mimus Carolinensis.) Common.
108. Brown Thrush Thrasher, (Harpo- rhynchus Rufus.) Common.
109. Great Carolina Wren, (Thriothorus Ludovicianus.) Occasionally seen.
110. Bewick's Wren, (Thriothorus Be- wickii.) Rarely seen.
111. Long-billed Marsh Wren, ( Cistothorus Palustris.) Frequently seen along the Delaware.
112. Short-billed Marsh Wren, (Cisto- thorus Stellaris.) Occasionally seen along the Delaware.
113. House Wren, (Troglodytes Aedon.) Common; raising two broods in a season.
114. Wood Wren, (Troglodytes American- us.) Rarely seen.
115. Winter Wren, (Troglodytes Hyema- lis.) Occasionally seen.
116. American Creeper, (Certhia Ameri- cana.) Occasionally seen.
117. White-bellied Nuthatch, Sapsucker, (Sitta Carolinensis.) Common.
118. Red-bellied Nuthatch, (Sitta Cana- densis.) Frequent.
119. Blue-grey Flycatcher, ( Polioptila Cærulea.) Occasionally seen.
120. Tufted Titmouse, (Lophophanes Bi- color.) Frequently seen.
121. Black-cap Titmouse, ( Parus Atricap- illus.) Occasionally seen.
122. Shore Lark, Sky Lark, ( Eremophila Cornuta.) Frequent in winter.
123. Pine Grossbeak, (Pinicola Canaden- sis.) Occasionally seen.
124. Purple Finch, Carpodacus Purpure- us.) Frequent in the spring mi- gration.
125. Thistle Bird, Salad Bird, (Chryso- mitris Tristis.) Abundant in the summer season.
126. Pine Finch, (Chrysomitris Pinus.) Occasionally seen.
127. Red Crossbill, (Curvirostra Ameri- cana.) Occasionally seen.
128. White-winged Crossbill, ( Curvirostra Leucoptera.) Occasionally seen.
129. Lesser Red Poll Linnet, (Aegiothus Linaria.) Occasionally frequent in early spring.
130. Snow Bunting, (Plecthrophanes Ni- valis.) Occasionally seen in the winter.
131. Lapland Long-spur, (Plecthrophanes Lapponicus.) Very rare.
33
BIRDS OF BUCKS COUNTY.
132. Savannah Sparrow, ( Passerculus Sa- vanna.) Frequent; breeding here.
133. Grass Finch, (Poocaetes Gramineus.) Frequent ; breeding here.
134. Yellow-winged Sparrow, ( Coturni- culus Passerinus.) Frequent.
135. White-throated Sparrow, ( Zonotri- chia Albicollis.) Frequent.
136. White-crowned Sparrow, (Zonotri- chia Leucophys.) Occasionally seen.
137. Snow Bird, (Junco Hyemalis.) Com- mon in winter; migrating north in spring.
138. Tree Sparrow, (Spizella Monticola.) Frequent in winter.
139. Field Sparrow, (Spizella Pusilla.) Common.
140. Chipping Sparrow, (Spizella Socialis.) Common.
141. Song Sparrow, Tomtit, (Melospiza Melodia.) Abundant.
142. Swamp Sparrow, (Melospiza Palus- tris.) Frequent along streams.
143. Lincoln's Finch, (Melospiza Lin- colnii.) Rare.
144. Fox-colored Sparrow, ( Passerella Iliaca.) Frequent in spring and autumn.
145. Black-throated Bunting, (Euspiza Americana.) Occasionally seen.
146. Rose-breasted Grossbeak, (Guiraca Ludoviciana.) Occasionally seen; breeding here.
147. Blue Grossbeak, ( Guiraca Cærulea.) Occasionally seen.
148. Indigo Bird, (Cyanospiza Cyanea.) Frequent ; breeding here.
149. Red Bird, Cardinal Grossbeak, (Car- dinalis Virginianus.) Frequent along streams.
150. Ground Robin, Tohee Bunting, ( Pi- pilo Erythropthalmus.) Frequent.
151. Boblink, Reed Bird, Rice Bird, (Dolichonyx Oryzivorus.) Frequent in spring ; sometimes breeding here.
152. Cow Bird, ( Molothrus Pccoris.) Com- mon.
153. Red-winged Blackbird, (Agclaius Phoniceus.) Abundant.
154. Meadow Lark, (Sturnella Magna.) Common.
155. Orchard Oriole, (Icterus Spurius.) Frequent.
156. Baltimore Oriole, Hanging Bird, (Ictcrus Baltimore.) Frequent. A5
157. Rush Blackbird, (Scolecophagus Fer- rigineus.) Frequent.
158. Purple Grackle, (Quiscalis Versi- color.) Frequent.
159. Common Crow, (Corvus Americanus.) Common.
160. Blue Jay, ( Cyanurus Cristatus.) Fre- quent.
161. Wild Pigeon, ( Ectopistes Migratoria.) Some seasons abundant; spring and autumn.
162. Common Dove, Turtle Dove, (Zenai- dura Carolinensis.) Common.
163. Pheasant-ruffled Grouse, (Bonasa Umbellus.) Common.
164. Partridge Quail, Bobwhite, (Ortyx Virginianus.) Common.
165. Snowy Heron, (Garzetta Candidis- sima.) Rare; occasionally seen.
166. White Heron, (Herodias Egretta.) Rare.
167. Great Blue Heron, (Ardea Herodias.) Frequently seen.
168. Least Bittern, (Ardetta Exilis.) Fre- quent.
169. Bittern, Stake Driver, (Botaurus Lentiginosus.) Frequent along streams.
170. Green Heron, Fly-up-the-Creek, (Butorides Virescens.) Frequent along streams.
171. Night Heron, (Nyctiardea Gardeni.) Rare.
172. Golden Plover, ( Charadrius Virgini- cus.) Occasionally seen in autumn. 173. Killdeer, (Aegialitis Vociferus.) Common.
174. King Plover, Semipalmated Plover, (Aegialitis Semipalmatus.) Fre- quent.
175. Piping Plover, (Aegialitis Mclodius.) Occasionally seen in summer.
176. Black-bellied Plover, (Squatarola Helvetica.) Rare, though occasion- ally seen in the county.
177. Turnstone, (Strepsilas Interpres.) Oc- casionally seen along the Delaware.
178. Northern Phalarope, (Phalaropus Hyperboreus.) Rare; occasionally seen along the Delaware.
179. American Woodcock, ( Philohela Minor.) Common.
180. English Snipe, Wilson's Snipe, (Gallinago Wilsonii.) Frequently seen in the spring.
181. Gray Snipe, (Macrohamphus Gri- scus.) Occasionally seen.
34
BIRDS OF BUCKS COUNTY.
182. Gray Back, Robin Snipe, (Tringa Canutus.) Occasionally seen on the Delaware.
183. Purple Sandpiper, (Tringa Mari- tima.) Occasionally seen on the Delaware; rare.
184. Red-backed Sandpiper, ( Tringa Al- pina.) Rarely seen along the Dela- ware.
185. Jack Snipe, (Tringa Maculata.) Oc- casionally seen along the Delaware.
186. Least Sandpiper, ( Tringa Wilsonii.) Occasionally seen along the Dela- ware.
187. Little Snipe, (Tringa Bonapartii.) Rarely seen on the Delaware.
188. Sanderling, ( Calidris Arenaria.) Oc- casionally seen along the Delaware.
189. Semipalmated Sandpiper, (Ereu- netes Petrificatus.) Occasionally seen on the Delaware.
190. Tell Tale, Stone Snipe, (Gambetta Melanoleuca.) Occasionally seen on the Delaware.
191. Yellow Legs, ( Gambetta Flavipes.) Occasionally seen.
192. Solitary Sandpiper, (Rhyacophilus Solitarius.) Frequently seen.
193. Spotted Sandpiper, (Tringoides Ma- cularius.) An occasional visitor along the Delaware river.
194. Field Plover, Bartram's Sandpiper, (Actiturus Bartramius.) Frequent ; breeding here.
195. Buff-breasted Sandpiper, ( Tryngites Rufescens.) An occasional visitor along the Delaware river.
196. Marbled Godwit, (Limosa Fedoa.) Occasionally seen along the Dela- ware.
197. Marsh Hen, King Rail, ( Rallus Ele- gaus.) Occasionally seen along the Delaware.
198. Mud Hen, Clapper Rail, (Rallus Cre- pitans.) Occasionally seen along the Delaware.
199. Virginia Rail, (Rallus Virginianus.) Occasionally seen.
200. Common Rail, Ortolan, (Porzana Carolina.) Occasionally seen.
201. Yellow Rail, (Porzana Noveborecen- sis. Occasionally seen.
202. Coot, Mud Hen, (Fulica Americana.) Occasionally seen.
203. Florida Gallinule, ( Gallinula Gale- ata.) Occasionally seen.
204. Canada Goose, (Bernicula Canaden- sis.) Occasionally seen.
205. Mallard, Green Head, (Anas Bos- chas.) Occasionally seen.
206. Black Duck, (Anas Obscura.) Oc- casionally seen, and occasionally breeding here.
207. Pintail, (Dafila Acuta.) Occasion- ally seen.
208. Green-winged Teal, (Nettion Caro- linensis.) Sometimes frequent in spring and autumn.
209. Blue-winged Teal, ( Querquedula Dis- cors.) Occasionally seen.
210. Spoonbill, Shoveller, (Spatula Cly- peata.) Occasionally seen.
211. Summer Duck, (Aix Sponsa.) One of the most beautiful of the wild ducks; frequent and perhaps breed- ing here; builds in hollow trees.
212. American Widgeon, (Mareca Ameri- cana.) Occasionally seen.
213. Big Black-head, Scaup Duck, (Fu- lix Marilla.) Occasionally seen in spring and autumn.
214. Little Black-head, Blue Bill, (Fulix Affinis.) Occasionally seen.
215. Ring-necked Duck, (Fulix Collaris.) Occasionally seen.
216. Red Head, (Aythya Americana.) Oc- casionally seen.
217. Butter Ball, Dipper, (Bucephala Americana.) Occasionally seen.
218. Golden Eye, Whistle Wing, ( Bucepha- la Americana.) Occasionally seen.
219. Harlequin Duck, (Histrionicus Tor- quatus.) Occasionally seen.
220. Long Tail, Old Wife, (Harelda Gla- cialis.) Occasionally seen.
221. Sea Coot, Surf Duck, (Pelionetta Perspicillata.) Occasionally seen. 222. Ruddy Duck, (Erismatura Rubida.) Occasionally seen.
223. Fish Duck, (Mergus Americanus.) Frequent in our ponds and river.
224. Red-breasted Merganser, (Mergu Serrator.) Occasionally seen.
225. The Great Northern Diver, The Loon, ( Colymbus Torquatus.) Oc- casionally seen.
226. The Red-necked Grebe, (Podiceps Griseigena.) Occasionally seen in the winter.
227. The Crested Grebe, ( Podiceps Crista- tus.) Occasionally seen.
228. The Horned Grebe, (Podiceps Cor nutus.) Occasionally seen.
229. The Pied-bill Grebe, (Podilym- bus Podiceps.) Occasionally seen.
35
MAMMALS OF BUCKS COUNTY.
MAMMALS.
-
BY JOSEPH THOMAS, M. D., QUAKERTOWN, PA.
THE following list of mammals embrace nearly or perhaps quite all the species known to exist or having been seen within a recent period within the limits of Bucks county. Many of them have been rendered exceedingly scarce by encroachments upon their haunts in the agricultural development of the country, while others, obnoxious to civilized man, have been vigorously hunted and destroyed, until only an occasional wary survivor remains protected in his rocky or woody solitude from the intrusion of man. Several species, such as the deer, bear, wolf, etc., now extinct in this portion of the country, were many years ago, in the early settlement of Bucks county, quite com- mon and frequently encountered.
The upper portion of the county, included within the belt of trap-rocky formation stretching across from the Delaware river to the Montgomery county line, affords still a safe retreat for such animals as the mink, weasel, foxes, racoon, opossum, and per- haps the wild cat. Even the squirrel and rabbit, formerly so numerous as to be a great annoyance to the farmer, are every year becoming fewer in numbers, while the fate of most of the native quadrupeds of the county has been to retire and succumb before the march of civilization, a few species, aliens however, have increased with great rapidity and defied man's keenest ingenuity to extirpate them. These are the rat and common mouse. They were brought to this country from Europe by the early settlers on ship-board.
CATALOGUE.
1. The Evening Bat, ( Nycticejus Crepus- cularis.) Not frequent.
2. Red Bat, (Lasiurus Noveboracensis.) Moderately abundant.
3. Carolina Bat, (Scotophilus Carolinen- sis.) Occasionally scen.
4. Brown Bat, (Scotophilus Fuscus.) Frc- quently scen.
5. Georgian Bat, (Scotophilus Georgi- anus.) Rare.
6. Silvery-haired Bat, Scotophilus Nocti- vagans.) Rarc.
7. Little Brown Bat, ( Vespertilio Subula- tus. ) Rare.
8. Blunt-nosed Bat, ( Vespertilio Luci- fugus.) Occasionally seen.
9. Forster's Shrew, (Sorex Forsteri.) Rare.
10. Larger Shrew, (Blarina Talpoides.) Frequent.
11. Smaller Shrew, (Blarina Cinerca.) Occasionally seen.
12. Common Molc, (Scalops Aquaticus.) Common.
36
MAMMALS OF BUCKS COUNTY.
13. Star-nosed Mole, (Condylura Cristata.) Occasionally seen.
14. American Wild Cat, (Lynx Rufus.) Rare; two or three have been killed within the last ten years in Rockhill and Haycock townships.
15. Common Red Fox, or American Fox, (Vulpes Fulvus.) Common in parts of the county.
16. Grey Fox, (Vulpes Virginianus.) Rare.
17. Common Weasel, Ermine of White Weasel, (Putorius Noveboracensis.) Not common ; in snmmer brown, in winter white.
18. Common Mink, (Putorius Vison.) Occasionally seen.
19. American Otter, (Lutra Canadensis.) Very rare.
20. Skunk, (Mephitis Mephitica.) Com- mon.
21. Racoon, (Procyon Lotor.) Not un- common.
22. Opossum, (Didelphys Virginiana.) Not uncommon.
23. Cat or Fox Squirrel, (Sciurus Cine- reus.) Rare.
24. Gray Squirrel, (Sciurus Carolinensis.) Common.
25. Red Squirrel, (Sciurus Hudsonius.) Common.
26. Flying Squirrel, ( Pteromys Volucella.) Frequently seen.
27. Chipping, Striped or Ground Squirrel, Chipmunk, (Tamias Striatus.) Com- mon.
28. Woodchuck, Ground Hog, (Aretomys Monax.) Frequently seen.
29. Jumping Mouse, (Jaculus Hudsonius.) Occasionally seen.
30. Common Rat, Brown Rat, Norway Rat, (Mus Decumanus.) Too com. mon. 4
31. Common Mouse, (Mus Musculus.) Common.
32. Black Rat, (Mus Ratta.) Occasion- ally seen.
33. White-footed Mouse, (Hesperomys Leucopus.) Rare.
34. Meadow Mouse, (Arvicola Riparia.) Not uncommon.
35. Field Mouse, (Arvicola Pinetorum.) Not uncommon.
36. Musk Rat (Fiber Zibethicus.) Com- mon.
37. Gray Rabbit, (Lepus Sylvaticus.) Common.
38. Whale, (Balaena Mysticetus.) It has been known to occur near or within the limits of the county in the Dela- ware river.
39. Porpoise, (Delphinus Phocaena.) Very rarely ascends the Delaware to with- in the limits of Bucks county.
37
VARIATION OF THE COMPASS NEEDLE.
COMPASS.
VARIATION OF THE COMPASS NEEDLE, BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
MAGNETIC DECLINATION, or as it is commonly called, the variation of the compass needle, may be known for any period during the last two hundred years in Bucks county, with as much precision as the instruments used by early observers would al- low. Determinations of the westerly declination before and about the year 1700 were made at Hatborough, and also at Philadelphia city, and repeated at irregular inter- vals down to the present time. These give for the city westerly magnetic variation at fourteen intervening periods, and for at least as many periods at the first-named place, but the instruments used in early days were rough in comparison with such as are now employed for like purposes. But, taking the two series here mentioned, and applying an adjustment of special utility in such calculations, the average derived is known to be less in crror than the single series of observations actually made at either of the two places. The following average values for westerly deviation of the com- pass needle, as between Philadelphia and Hatborough, were furnished by Superin- tendent C. P. Patterson, from the office of the United States coast-survey, where computations from similar records are made by Charles A. Schott, chief ofthe Comput- ing Division:
YEAR.
VARIATION.
YEAR.
VARIATION.
West.
West.
1680
8º.9
1780
2º.55
1690
8º.7
1790
2º.1
1700
8º.3
1800
1º.95
1710
7º.9
1810
2º.06
1720
7º.4
1820
2º.40
1730
6º.65
1830
2º.94
1740
5º.9
1840
3º.59
1750
5º.0
1850
4º.34
1760
4º.1
1860
5°.14
1770
3º.25
1870
5º.99
1880
6º.78
In accordance with the law inferred from computations, the variation of the com- pass necdle can be predicted for a few years beyond the present time, as appcars by the table.
Supposing a proportionate distribution of magnetism at Philadelphia, Hatborough, and Doylestown, the variation of the needle at Doylestown would be about 17' (say a quarter of a degree) greater than at Philadelphia, and about 10' (onc-sixth of a degrec) greater than at Hatborough for any period within the last two centuries. If the dis- tribution has been, as supposed, the variations for Doylestown are readily found by adding 0°.22 to each of the values given in the preceding table; we have therefore the following :
38
VARIATION OF THE COMPASS NEEDLE.
Variation of the Compass Needle at any place in Doylestown,1 supposed free from local disturbance.
YEAR.
VARIATION.
YEAR.
VARIATION.
West.
West.
1680
9º.1
1780
2º.8
1690
8º.9
1790
2º.3
1700
8º.5
1800
2º.17
1710
8º.1
1810
2º.28
1720
7º.6
1820
2º.62
1730
6º.9
1830
3º.16
1740
6º.1
1840
3º.81
1750
5°.2
1850
4º.56
1760
4º.3
1860
5º.36
1770
3º.5
1870
6º.21
1880
7º.0
The present yearly increase is eight-hundredths of a degree, or four-eighths minutes of arc. To find the variation at any other place in Bucks county, for any year between 1680 and 1880, with near approach to precision, the magnetic declination (at any time in 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, or 1880,) must be actually observed at the particular place. The difference between the variation found there, and the variation given by average in the Doylestown table for the same year, if applied to any former date, will give the variation at the place for that earlier date.
In the year 1802, or when the variation was least, the north end of the needle pointed only 2º.10' to the west of north at Doylestown, but in 1680 it pointed fully 9º west of north. This difference of about 7º measures nearly the whole of the secular swing in magnetic variation.
About 1802 the annual change, having decreased for many years, was nothing. In- crease then commenced, and in 1870 the annual rate of increase in variation was 4./7. The rate of annual change is probably again decreasing, but still it is carrying the north end of the compass needle further and further westward, and that deviation will continue until a time beyond the close of the present century.
1 The figures in this table are exactly applicable also at Allentown, Millport, Penn Haven, Wilkesbarre, and Towanda ; at all intervening places in the same direction ; and equally applicable at Mount Holly, New Jersey, and other places in that direc- tion, all, however, under the supposition of a normal distribution of magnetism.
INDEX
-
INDEX.
A.
Albany, 18; Albion Knights, 19; Alricks Jacob and Peter, 24; Do., Hermanus, 25; Alricks, Hamilton, 25; Andros, Sir Edmund, 27; Visits the Delaware, do .; Andros, Governor, purchases land, 29; Ackerman, John, 35; Arrivals in 1680, 37 ; Allen, Nathaniel, 40, 144; Al- len, Christopher, 55; Assembly at Up- land, 65; Members elected to, 65; As- sembly, first provincial, 74; Atkinson, Thomas, 85 ; Andrews, Reverend Jede- diah, 154 ; Alexander, David, 326 ; Al- len, William, 332, 594; Academy, New- town, 336; Armstrong, William, 554; Apple, Andrew, 572; Allen township, 586; Arndt Jacob, 593; Allegiance, oath of, 632; Arnold, General, 632; Attor- neys, early,725-26; Alms-house, 735-36; Alice, 799; Altham, Lord, 801; Ap- prenticeship, 802; Anchor, the, 834-40 ; Archambault, Joseph, 838-52; Agri- cultural societies, 854-57; Arks, 865; Admiral,lord high, 865.
ALLEN TOWNSHIP .- William Allen's tract, 586; William Parsons, the Irish settlements of the Craigs and Hunter, church built and its early ministers, township asked for, its boundaries, 587 ; Names of petitioners, dates of organi- zation conflicting, General Thomas Craig, 588.
B.
Bucks county, 16-20; Do., Quaker coun- ty, 94; Branches of Delaware, names for, 23; Bensalem township, 26; Biles, William, 35; Do., surveyor, 40; Do., justice, 55, 835; Bliss, Samuel, 36; Britton, Lyonel, 37; Brown, George, 37; Bennet, Edward, 40; Berkely, Lord, 41, 51 ; Burlington founded, 42; Heads of familics arrive at, 42; Burnet, Governor, 44 ; Brinson, Danicl, 45; Bore, Joshua, 45 ; Budd, Thomas, 45; Brock, Jolın, 58 ; Bucks county, races that settled, 59 ; Buckman, William, 66, 85, 355 ; Bucks, the boundary of, 74; Do., a scal ordered for, 75; Beaks, William, 80; Bennet, William, 81 ; Blackshaw, Randall, 82; Bolton farm, 86, 137; Becket, Mary, 86, 107 ; Bowne, Samuel, 107; Bucking-
ham, now Bristol, 102 ; Brown, General, Jacob, 110; Bristol, 127 ; Boone, Daniel, 135; Badger, Bela, 138; Barnsley's ford, 139; Bensalem, 141-42 ; Burton, Adolphus Desart, 148; Bache, Richard, 151; Biddle, Nicholas, 151; Beekman, Robert, 182; Barge and crew, 184; Boyd, Reverend Alexander, 242, 335 ; Buckman family, 249; Buckingham, 267; Blackfan, John, 300; Brain- ards, the, 321; Brainard, David, 323; Blair, Samuel, 325; Beatty, Charles, 325-27 ; Belville, Robert B., 328, 423; Bristol borough, 339; Boyd, James, 334; Beaumont, John, 474; Browns- burg, 482; Buck, Nicholas, 542; Bedminster, 548; Brodhead, Daniel, 584; Bethlehem, 594; Benezett, John Stephen, 603; Burnside, James, 608; Benezett, Samuel, 623; Boats to be col- lected, 624; Blankets collected, 625 ; Blount, Captain, 630; British, incur- sions of, 634 ; Bucks countians join, 638; Bar of Bucks county, 728-29 ; Bristol road, 745 ; Bethlehem roads, 746 ; Ber- ing, Ann, 799; Big Ben, 800; Brown, John S., 811; Bryan, John S., 818; Brock, Thomas, 834; Beakes, Samuel, 834; Brick hotel, Newtown, 837-38 ; Beans, Thomas, 842; Bristol taverns,. 840; British officers, 849 ; Bible society, Bucks county, 853-54; Bucks county Agricultural society, 856 ; Beek's exhi- bition, 856; Bucks county, statistics of, 874.
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