General Notes.
Dendrœca palmarum at Sing Sing, New York.—On April 29, 1882, while collecting at this place, I killed a specimen of the true D. palmarum. The bird is unusually yellow beneath, but Mr. Robert Ridgway, who kindly compared it, says: “We have several specimens from Wisconsin and Illinois which will match it.” It was busily engaged, when captured, in catching winged insects in a low swampy thicket.—A. K. Fisher, M. D., Sing Sing, N. Y.
Nest and Eggs of Setophaga picta—a Correction.—Mr. W. E. Bryant has kindly called my attention to the fact that he described two nests and sets of eggs of the Painted Redstart in Vol. VI of this Bulletin (pp. 176, 177). The clutch found by Mr. Stephens and mentioned by me in the last number of the Bulletin (Vol. VII, July 1882, pp. 140, 141) is, therefore, the third, instead of the first authentic one known. I take this opportunity for correcting the mistake, and at the same time tender my apology to Mr. Bryant for the inadvertent oversight of his note.—William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.
The Summer Tanager (Pyranga æstiva) in New Brunswick.—While staying at Grand Manan, N. B., in June, last year, I saw in the possession of Mr. J. F. C. Moses a Summer Tanager which had been taken there a few weeks before. It was shot at North Head, Grand Manan, about the 12th on 14th of May, 1881, by a boy who brought it in the flesh to Mr. Moses, by whom it was mounted. The bird—which was undoubtedly a male, though dissection had been neglected—was in full plumage, and showed no signs of previous captivity. Indeed in that thinly settled region the capture of an escaped cage bird would be an unlikely event. The specimen is now in the collection of Mr. George A. Boardman.
This adds another case to the list of southern birds that have occasionally found their way to the neighborhood of the Bay of Fundy. The causes of their coming still remain hidden, and more light is needed before the facts can be satisfactorily explained.—Charles F. Batchelder, Cambridge, Mass.
The Evening Grosbeak in New York.—Mr. Charles F. Earle writes me from Syracuse, N. Y., July 11th, as follows: “On the 8th of the present month I saw a male Evening Grosbeak (Hesperophona vespertina) near Marcellus Station, Onondaga County, N. Y. Being engaged in fly-fishing at the time, I was unable to secure the bird; but there is no question of the identification, as I had a good view of it at reasonably close quarters.”—Elliott Coues, Washington, D.C.
The Black-throated Bunting in Florida.—Neither Professor Allen in his “Winter Birds of East Florida,” nor Mr. Maynard in his work on the birds of Eastern North America, includes the Black-throated Bunting (Spiza americana) as an inhabitant of Florida; hence the following note of its capture there may be worth recording. While walking along the fence row of an old field near Fernandina on April 22d, 1881, looking for Shrikes and Ground Doves, I heard the familiar note of this well-dressed Bunting in a small tree near the fence. He was immediately secured, but although I afterwards searched diligently for others, none were found.—C. W. Beckham, Bardstown, Ky.
Distribution of the Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus.)—During a recent trip to Charlottesville, Albemarle Co., Virginia, I was much surprised to find the Fish Crow exceedingly common—quite as numerous, in fact, as the Common Crow (C. frugivorus). The locality in question is entirely surrounded by mountains—Monticello and Ragged Mountains to the east and south, the Blue Ridge only about twelve miles to the westward—and is distant at least sixty miles from the nearest tide water.—Robert Ridgway, Washington, D. C.
The Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoïdes forficatus) taken in Southern Michigan.—Two fine specimens, male and female, of the Swallow-tailed Kite, were taken near this place, June 19, 1882, by Mr. Charles Chittenden. When first discovered by him they were foraging about his dove house, and causing a great commotion among the inmates.
The female was shot and instantly killed, while her mate, who was only slightly wounded, was secured alive. The latter is now in the possession of Dr. N. Paquette of Petersburg. They were properly identified by comparison with a nicely mounted specimen in my collection, which came from Georgia. As far as I am aware this is the first recorded capture of this species within the State. Dr. Morris Gibbs in his List of the Birds of Michigan, 1879, admits it on the authority of Hon. D. D. Hughes of Grand Rapids, but cites no recorded example having been taken.—Jerome Trombley, Petersburg, Munroe County, Michigan.
Garzetta candidissima at Nantucket, Massachusetts.—Visiting the above-named island, Aug. 12, 1882, I saw in the shop of Mr. H. S. Sweet, a mounted specimen of the Little White or Snowy Egret, which he said was shot near the southwest shore, at Hummock pond, last March, by one of the men of the Life-saving Station. A straggler to New England, the species has occurred far less frequently than its larger relative the White Heron (Herodias egretta), and this capture in early spring is remarkable.—H. A. Purdie, Newton, Mass.
The Snow Goose (Chen Hyperboreus) at Sing Sing, New York.—On the morning of April 9th, 1882, a large flock of two or three hundred Snow Geese visited this place. They alighted several times at the mouth of the Croton, where it empties into the Hudson, but being disturbed by the gunners, who were anxious for a shot at them, they at last flew farther up the river. I examined them by the aid of a powerful field-glass, at a distance of a few hundred yards, and being on elevated ground I could look down upon the flock and easily distinguish the black wing-tips of the adults as they flew. A few days previous I saw a single individual flying, who seemed to be taking the lay of the country. I was informed that the flock again passed down the river on the night of the 10th.—A. K. Fisher, M. D., Sing Sing, N. Y.
Note on the Long-tailed Duck.—On February 5, 1881, one of my friends procured a male specimen of the Long-tailed Duck (Harelda glacialis), at Latrobe, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania. The bird was shot on the only unfrozen spot noticed on the creek at the time—it was during the coldest “snap” of the season—and was in a very emaciated condition. The occurrence of this species so far inland (west of and near the mountains) is noteworthy. It was altogether unknown to the gunners thereabouts, and was brought to me for identification.—Chas. H. Townsend, Acad. Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia.
Lomvia Arra Brünnichi and L. Troile in New England.—Mr. Merrill’s note on these birds in the July number of this Bulletin (p. 191) was a timely correction of a long established error, for the common Murre found in winter off the New England coast is, as he has stated, Lomvia arra brünnichi, and not L. troile. At different times during the past ten years I have examined specimens from various points along the shores of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, and all of the numerous birds that have come under my notice have proved to be Brünnich’s Guillemots. Indeed the example of L. troile mentioned by Mr. Merrill is the only New England one of which I have any knowledge. Dr. Coues says that the young of L. troile in their first winter plumage “are colored precisely like the adults, but may be always distinguished by their much shorter and slenderer bills which are in great part light colored (yellowish).”[[123]] If the latter peculiarity be constant it will afford a ready mark of distinction between young of the two species, for the bill in young brünnichi, so far as I have seen, is invariably black.—William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.
Rare Warblers in Massachusetts.—In the wonderful flight or bird wave, especially of the Mniotiltidae, that took place with us May 21 and 22 last, and for some species continued during a few succeeding days, three Mourning Warblers, all males, were shot near Fresh pond, Cambridge. These, in the flesh, were kindly shown me by Mr. C. J. Maynard.
At Framingham,[[124]] on the above-named dates, Mr. Browne and myself identified twenty species of Warblers—among them specimens of the Cape May, Tennessee, and Bay-breasted; of the last two several were obtained in Eastern Massachusetts. Among New England Warblers, collectors here consider Geothlypis philadelphia to be the rarest, and Dendrœca tigrina next in scarcity. Helminthophila peregrina and Dendrœca castanea follow, though in the fall migrations this latter species occurs in moderate numbers with more or less regularity.—H. A. Purdie, Newton, Mass.
The Unusual “Wave” of Birds during the Spring Migration Of 1882.—A note by Dr. Coues in the July Bulletin[[125]] describes the remarkable “tidal wave” of our smaller birds that occurred at Washington, D.C., during the spring migration this year, and it may be worth while to throw a little light upon its further course.
As Dr. Coues says, the vast number of birds was doubtless due to the cold and rainy weather that prevailed, checking the progress of the migration beyond the latitude of Washington. When the weather changed, the gradually accumulated throng was let loose, and rushed in a great wave towards the northern breeding grounds. In the vicinity of New York, as I learn from my friend Mr. J. Dwight, Jr., after prolonged cold and wet weather a change came on the morning of May 20, and with the pleasant weather the rush of birds began. Almost all the Warblers and Thrushes were in great numbers, and continued very abundant at least throughout the following day. In the latitude of Boston birds had been unusually scarce for some days. The change to clear and warmer weather took place about noon of the 2lst, and before the rain ceased the rush of birds had begun. All day long the smaller birds came in unheard of numbers, stopping awhile to feed, and then hurrying on. The next morning the host was even greater, and the trees fairly swarmed with Warblers. Before noon of that day most of the birds had passed on, but for a day or two afterward the number of loiterers was sufficient to be noticeable, compared with ordinary migrations, though they seemed but a few stragglers after the army that had swept over the country during the previous days. Almost all the species of Warblers that occur in the spring migration through New England were observed. Among the rarer ones were Helminthophila peregrina, Dendrœca tigrina, D. castanea, and Geothlypis philadelphia. A White-crowned Sparrow was also shot in Cambridge.
Dr. Coues suggests that the cold wave spoken of by Mr. King[[126]] was the cause of this accumulation of birds. Such could hardly have been the case, as that occurred on the 21st and 22d, whereas by that time the accumulated hosts had reached Massachusetts.
It would be interesting to hear further of the course and magnitude of this “bird wave” as observed at other points.—Charles F. Batchelder, Cambridge, Mass.
Birds new to or rare in the District of Columbia.
1. Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewicki). An adult ♂, taken at Arlington, Virginia (immediately opposite Washington), April 10, 1882, by W. Palmer, is in the collection of the U. S. National Museum (No. 86,218).
2. Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendrœca dominica). The National Museum also possesses a fine young ♂ of this species, taken at Arlington by Mr. Palmer, September 7th, 1881 (No. 84,858).
3. Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus). Several specimens of this irregularly distributed, and everywhere more or less local, species, have within the last few years been taken in the vicinity of Washington, and are now in the collection of the National Museum. Most if not all of them were obtained in winter.
4. Sharp-tailed Finch (Ammodromus caudacutus). In the mounted collection of the National Museum there is a fine adult of this species labeled, “Washington City, September, 1862; C. Drexler.” (Nat. Mus. Catal. No. 25,905.)—Robert Ridgway, Washington, D. C.
Notes on Some Birds and Eggs From the Magdalen Islands, Gulf of St. Lawrence.—The following notes, made by Mr. M. A. Frazar during a collecting trip to the Magdalen Islands in June and July, 1882, seem of sufficient importance to merit publication, although many of them are not absolutely new. Some of the points which they cover, however, have been previously involved in more or less obscurity, while the others will be none the worse for fresh data. The specimens described, and most of those mentioned, are now in the writer’s collection, and the descriptions are on his authority.
1. Dendrœca striata. Black-poll Warbler.—A set of three fresh eggs, identified by the capture of the female parent, was taken June 23. The nest was built in a low, thick spruce which stood on the edge of a swamp, near a brook. It was placed on a horizontal branch at a height of about three feet, and was well concealed by the clusters of densely-imbricated needles above. Externally it measures 5 inches wide by 2.50 inches deep; internally 1.80 by 1.50 inches. The walls in places are 1.50 inches in thickness. The main body of the structure is composed of Usnea moss, weed-stalks, and dry grasses, closely matted and protected outwardly by coarser stalks and a few dead spruce twigs. The lining is of slender, black moss-stems (which curiously resemble horse-hair), cows’-hair, and a few feathers. The whole affair is remarkably solid and bulky for a Warbler’s nest.
The eggs are white, with brown specks scattered over the general surface of the shell and numerous spots and blotches of reddish-brown and lavender about the larger end. They measure respectively .75 × .56, .76 × .56, and .75 × .57.
2. Pinicola enucleator. Pine Grosbeak.—The Pine Grosbeak was apparently rare among the Magdalens for Mr. Frazar met with only five individuals, four of which were secured. The first pair, taken June 18, on Amherst Island, evidently had a nest among some low spruces, for both birds showed unmistakable signs of anxiety when the spot was approached, and the female proved, on examination, to be incubating. The female of the second pair, shot June 29, on Grindstone Island, had laid all her eggs but one, which, although in the oviduct and of full size, was unfortunately without a shell. Mr. Frazar searched long and carefully for both nests but without success.
Our knowledge respecting the breeding of this Grosbeak, as found in America, is so very imperfect that the above data are both interesting and valuable. The inference is that the eggs are laid late in the season, a fact which the analogy furnished by kindred species would scarcely have suggested.
3. Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill.—Mr. Frazar met with these Crossbills on all the islands of the Magdalen group, where they were among the most abundant of the land birds. At the time of his arrival (June 6) they had already collected in large flocks which were composed chiefly of young birds and females, a company of fifty or more often containing only one or two males in red plumage. The latter were also found singly, and from the fact that such individuals were often in full song Mr. Frazar inferred that they might still be in attendance on sitting mates, or unfledged young. The average development of the numerous young birds collected would indicate, however, that the regular breeding season was somewhat earlier, although none of them could have been hatched much before the middle of May. Assuming, then, that the past season was not an exceptionally late one, the proper time to look for fresh eggs in this locality would be not far from May 1.
As I can find no detailed description of the first plumage of this species I append the following:—
Juv., first plumage (♀, Magdalen Islands, June 14, 1882. M. A. Frazar). Entire plumage of head and body thickly streaked with dull black on an ochraceous ground; greater and middle wing-coverts, with the tertials, broadly tipped with fulvous-white; primaries and rectrices black, edged with pale fulvous.
A male (June 26) somewhat older, but still in first plumage, differs from the specimen just described in having the dark streaks broader and blacker, the wing-bands nearly pure white, and the under parts less strongly ochraceous.
4. Ægiothus linaria. Common Red-poll.—In his list of the birds of the Magdalen Islands,[[127]] Mr. Cory included this species “with great hesitation,” a single specimen, so badly mangled that it could not be positively identified, being the only one which came under his notice. Mr. Frazar, however, found it abundant on both Amherst and Grindstone Islands where many large flocks were seen feeding among the spruces. Owing to lack of time and the pressure of other duties he secured only two specimens, but as these are both in first plumage the breeding of the species there may be considered assured. The following description is taken from the younger of the two examples just mentioned.
Juv., first plumage (♂, Magdalen Islands, June 29, 1882. M. A. Frazar). Entire plumage of the head and body, excepting the throat, cheeks, and abdomen, thickly and coarsely streaked with dull black on a pale ochraceous or brownish-white ground; tips of the greater and middle wing-coverts with the outer edges of the tertials, ochraceous-white; throat black; cheeks brownish-ochraceous; center of the abdomen brownish-white and immaculate; no red on the vertex.
5. Falco columbarius. Pigeon Hawk.—A set of four eggs from Amherst Island was taken under the following circumstances: Mr. Frazar was passing a spruce-clad knoll surrounded by a boggy swamp, when he noticed a pair of Pigeon Hawks circling above the trees. Approaching, he quickly discovered their nest, built in a dense spruce at the intersection of a horizontal branch with the main stem and at a height of about ten feet. As he climbed the tree the Hawks, now thoroughly alarmed for the safety of their charge, dashed wildly about his head, frequently passing within a few feet and uttering shrill screams of anger or dismay. After taking the eggs he made a close examination of the nest, which was found to be very bulky—in fact “as large as a Crow’s,” and composed chiefly of bark with some coarse sticks surrounding the exterior, and a neat, soft lining of finer bark and horse-hair. From its general appearance he felt convinced that it was constructed by the Hawks themselves. This was June 9; returning five days later he found both birds flying about the knoll and their actions indicated that they had built another nest somewhere near, but it could not be found. As he was then on the point of leaving the island he shot the male, a fine adult specimen which accompanies the eggs.
The latter, now before me, are almost perfectly elliptical in shape, and measure respectively 1.57 × 1.27, 1.55 × 1.23, 1.59 × 1.24, and 1.56 × 1.25. The ground-color, in three of them, is apparently pinkish-buff, but this is almost wholly overlaid by numerous, nearly confluent blotches of dilute chocolate and purplish-brown which, with a few black spots and dashes, are uniformly spread over the entire surface of the shell. The fourth specimen has some immaculate spaces of creamy-buff about the smaller end, although the markings elsewhere are even denser than in the other three. The general coloring of these eggs is extremely rich and handsome and, excepting in size, they bear a close resemblance to the notoriously beautiful egg of the Duck Hawk.—William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass.
Second Addendum to the Preliminary List of Birds ascertained to occur in the Adirondack region, Northeastern New York.[[128]]
186. Telmatodytes palustris. Long-billed Marsh Wren.—Dr. A. K. Fisher writes me that he took a nest and three eggs of this species at Lake George, in Warren Co., August 2, 1882.
187. Passer domesticus. House Sparrow.—Common in the villages along the outskirts of the wilderness, on both sides of the Adirondacks.
188. Squatarola helvetica. Black-bellied Plover.—Occurs along Lake Champlain during the migration.
189. Charadrius dominicus. Golden Plover.—Very common about Lake Champlain during October in some seasons.
190. Ægialites semipalmatus. Semipalmated Plover; Ring-Neck.—Abundant along Lake Champlain during the fall migration, arriving about the middle of September.
191. Tringa canutus. Knot; Robin Snipe.—Occurs during the migrations.
192. Actodromas minutilla. Least Sandpiper.—Very abundant about Lakes George and Champlain during the fall migration.
193. Pelidna alpina americana. Red-backed Sandpiper; American Dunlin.—Occurs during the migrations.
194. Limosa fœda. Marbled Godwit.—Sometimes tolerably common about Lake Champlain in October.
195. Bartramia longicauda. Field Plover.—Breeds in dry fields bordering the Adirondacks, on both sides of the mountains.
196. Numenius longirostris. Long-billed Curlew.—A specimen was shot near Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain, several years ago.
197. Rallus virginianus. Virginian Rail.—Tolerably common about the borders of the wilderness.
198. Chaulelasmus streperus. Gadwall.—Rare. Mr. Henry Prentiss shot one on Lake Champlain in April, 1882.
199. Dafila acuta. Pintail.—Rather rare. Occurs both in spring and fall.
200. Mareca americana. Baldpate.—Rare along Lake Champlain.
201. Fuligula marila. Scaup Duck.—Occurs during the migrations, but is not common.
202. Fuligula affinis. Little Black-head.—Tolerably regular fall migrant. Taken on Lake Champlain.
203. Fuligula vallisneria. Canvas-back.—Rare fall migrant.
204. Fuligula americana. Redhead.—Rare. Has been killed on Lake Champlain in November.
205. Larus glaucus. Glaucous Gull; Ice Gull.—I have seen a specimen of this boreal species that was killed while feeding on carrion, in the town of Bangor in Franklin Co., about two years ago.—C. Hart Merriam, M.D., Locust Grove, N. Y.
List of Additions to the Catalogue of North American Birds.—In this Bulletin for January, 1882 (page 61), there was published a list of species of birds which had been added to the fauna of North America since the publication of the last “Smithsonian” catalogue, or Nomenclature of North American Birds. I now give a list of subsequent additions for the benefit of those who, for various reasons, are not able to “keep the run” of all the new discoveries; and a supplement with each number of the Bulletin is contemplated, in order that all interested may keep posted in the matter.
The number prefixed indicates the position of each species in the catalogue in question.
2a. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola Ridgw. Willow Thrush.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. IV, 1882, p. 374. (Rocky Mountain district of U. S.)
3a. Hylocichla aliciæ bicknelli Ridgw. Bicknell’s Thrush.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. IV, 1882, p. 377. (Breeding on the Catskill Mts., New York.)
35a. Chamæa fasciata henshawi Ridgw. Pallid Ground Tit.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882, p. 13. (Interior of California.)
38a. Lophophanes inornatus griseus Ridgw. Gray Titmouse.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882, p. 344. (Middle Province of U. S.)
55b. Certhia familiaris montana Ridgw. Rocky Mountain Creeper.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882, p. 114. (Middle Province of North America.)
55c. Certhia familiaris occidentalis Ridgw. California Creeper.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. V, 1882, p. 115. (Pacific coast of U. S.)
59b. Catherpes mexicanus punctulatus Ridgw. Punctulated Wren.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V. 1882, p. 343. (California.)
69.* Motacilla ocularis Swinh. Swinhoe’s Wagtail.—Cf. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. IV, 1882, p. 414. (La Paz, Lower California; straggler from eastern Asia.)
93.* Dendrœca vieilloti bryanti Ridgw. Chestnut-headed Yellow Warbler.—Dendrœca vieilloti var. bryanti Ridgw., in Hist. N. Am. B., I, 1874, p. 218. Cf. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. IV, 1882, p. 414. (Common at La Paz, Lower California.)
122.* Geothlypis beldingi Ridgw. Belding’s Yellow-throat.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882, p. 344. (San José del Cabo, Lower California.)
144a. Vireo huttoni stephensi Brewst. Stephens’s Vireo.—Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VII, July, 1882, p. 142. (Arizona and New Mexico.)
230b. Peucæa ruficeps eremœca Brown. Rock Sparrow.—Brown, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VII, Jan. 1882, pp. 26, 38. (Kendall Co., Texas.)
297c. Perisoreus canadensis nigricapillus Ridgw. Labrador Jay.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882, p. 15. (Labrador.)
311a. Myiarchus mexicanus cooperi (Baird). Cooper’s Flycatcher.—Myiarchus cooperi Brewst. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, Oct. 1881, p. 252. (Camp Lowell, Arizona.)
354a. Caprimulgus vociferus arizonæ (Brewst.). Stephens’s Whip-poor-will.—Antrostomus vociferus arizonæ Brewst. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, April, 1881, p. 69. (Arizona.)
402e. Scops asio bendirei Brewst. California Mottled Owl.—Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VII, Jan. 1882, p. 31. (California.)
452.* Gyparchus papa (Linn.). King Vulture.—Sarcorhamphus papa Coues, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, Oct. 1881, p. 248. (Rio Verde, Arizona.)
475a. Lagopus mutus reinhardti (Brehm.). Greenland Ptarmigan.—Cf. Turner, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882, p. 229. (Greenland and west side of Cumberland Gulf.)
475b. Lagopus mutus atkhensis Turner. Atkhan Ptarmigan.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882. p. 230. (Atkha Island, Aleutian chain.)
486.* Ardea wardi Ridgw. Ward’s Heron.—Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VII, Jan. 1882, p. 5. (Oyster Bay, West Florida.)
569.* Rallus beldingi Ridgw. Belding’s Rail.—Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882, p. 345. (Espiritu Santo Island, Gulf of California.)
701.* Diomedea melanophrys Temm. Spectacled Albatross.—Cf. Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1882, p. 170. (Off coast of California, in lat. 40° 30′ N., long. 142° 23′ W.)—Robert Ridgway, Washington, D. C.