SECRETARY'S REPORT. 143 



David and Daniel Pariiam presented a specimen of the Raven 

 (Corvus carnivorus), killed in Tyngsborough. This is a very care bird 

 in this State, and is rare east of the Mississippi River. 



Elijah C. Howard presented a specimen of the Great Blue 

 Heron (Ardea herodias), female. 



E. S. Rand, Jr., presented a specimen of the Least Bittern (Ardetla 

 exilis). Rare in this State. 



A specimen of the Night Heron (Nyctiardea gardeni), male, complete 

 plumage. 



Nathan Robbins presented a specimen of the Bittern (Botaurus 

 lentiginosus). 



H. E. Cox presented a specimen of an albino "Woodcock (Philohela 

 minor). 



Capt. E. W. Gardner presented a specimen of the Coot (Fulica 

 americatut). 



W. Mason presented a specimen of the common Gannet {Sulci 

 bassana), young female. 



John Brooks presented a fine specimen of the Great Northern 

 Diver ( Colymbus glacialis), male, in complete plumage. 



Mrs. P. B. Clark presented a specimen of the Little Auk (Mergulm 

 alio). 



There have been a great many other specimens donated to this depart- 

 ment, but in a great many cases the birds were kept too long before they 

 were forwarded. In other cases there were many duplicates sent, for 

 instance, as many as twenty specimens of the Gos Hawk (Astur 

 atricapiUus) were received. But a very few of them were desirable as 

 cabinet specimens, merely the adult and immature plumages. 



Oology. — During the past year the foundation has been laid for a 

 collection in this department of Natural History in the State cabinet, 

 principally the donation of W. H. Floyd, of Weston. This department 

 should be as complete as possible, embracing eggs and nests of all Massa- 

 chusetts birds. Though not so useful perhaps as the other branches to 

 the farmer, no collection of Natural History could justly be considered 

 complete without this department being fully represented ; it is to be 

 hoped, therefore, that during the coming year our farmers and students 

 of Natural History will build up this department and make it like the 

 other branches, creditable to the State. 



Mr. Floyd's donation consists of — 



Duplicate nests and eggs of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccygus 

 americaiiiis). 



Duplicate eggs of the Yellow-winged Woodpecker ( Colaptes auratus). 



Duplicate nests and eggs of the Chimney Swallow (Chaetura pelasgia). 



