140 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



as a straggler. One was captured a few years since in the neighborhood 

 of Chester village, in Hampden County. Nature has supplied it with 

 clothing remarkably well adapted to a cold climate. It is strictly a 

 northern animal, and is found as far north as GG°." The present 

 specimen is a female: it was captured late in the fall of 1859, and was 

 evidently a full grown and perfect specimen. It is a valuable addition 

 to the cabinet. 



W. II. Floyd, of Weston, presented a fine specimen of the Ermine 

 (Putorius noveboracensis.) This specimen is in a somewhat remarkable 

 dress. The winter dress of the ermine is a pure white, but the present 

 specimen is about two-thirds pale yellow. 



Mr. Floyd has also presented the following specimens : A male and 

 female of the Least Weasel (Putorius pusillus) ; (the male is in the 

 summer dress and the female in the winter dress ;) and a specimen 

 of the Skunk {Mephitis americana). 



Maj. James S. Grennell, of Greenfield, has presented a specimen 

 of an albino Woodchuck (Actomys utonar). This albino is very rare. 



Maj. Grennell also presented an albino Red Squirrel (Sciurus hud- 

 sonius). This is also a very rare albino, and the donation of these 

 specimens may be justly called valuable. 



Mr. E. S. Wheeler, of Berlin, has presented the following speci- 

 mens: A fine specimen of Ermine (Putorius noveboracensis), winter 

 dress, and three specimens of the Flying Squirrel (Pteromys voluceUd). 



Mr. Wheeler has sent us many other specimens, some of them dupli- 

 cates, and some too long killed to be mounted. His interest in the 

 cabinet has been a means of the acquisition of some of its most valuable 

 specimens in every department, and we take this opportunity to return 

 thanks. 



Other individuals have sent specimens, but sufficient care was not 

 taken in the forwarding of them to the cabinet in season to have them 

 prepared. 



Ornithology. — Many additions have been made to this department 

 during the [>a<t year, and acknowledgments are due for donations of some 

 rare and valuable specimens. 



\\ . II. W. Perky, of Framingham, presented twenty-seven skins of 

 Massachusetts birds. Hi- donation consists of: — 



Two specimens of the Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteus lineatus), male 

 and female. 



A specimen of the Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyyus erytkrophtkalmus). 



A specimen of the King Bird (Tyrranuus carolinensis), male. 



A specimen of Pewee (Sayonis fuscus). 



A specimen of the Wood Pewee (Contopus virens), female. 



