123 



31st fco the last, of October. The 2iul of Jiil.v, 1873, I obtained several 

 specimeus of this species near Chicago. From the condition of the 

 abdomen and ovaries of one specimen, and the presence of several 

 recently fledged yonng. I came to tlie conclusion that they hud nested 

 in the vicinity. It is barely possible, however, that these birds were 

 unusuallj' early arrivals from more northern breeding grounds, al- 

 though the arrivals from the north generally begin about the last of 

 the month. My suspicions that the species either breeds in this state, 

 or at no far distant point, were strengthened the following season 

 when several females examined the last of May contained eggs which 

 would have been deposited within a short time. 



202. M meloda var. eireumcincta Bidg. Westkkx PirixG 

 Pi.ovKR. Very common summer resident along the Lake shore, 

 breeding on the flat, pebbly beach between the sand dunes and shore. 

 Arrives the middle of April and proceeds at once to breeding. 



From a specimen shot the 24:th of April, 187G, at Waukegan, I ob- 

 tained a perfect egg, and the abdomen of several females obtained the 

 same day exhibited unmistakable signs that they were already breed- 

 ing, as did, also, the actions of the birds. Some thirty pairs were 

 breeding along the beach at this place, within a space of two miles, 

 and I afterwards found the birds as numerous at several points along 

 the shore. Every eflbrt was made to discover their nests without 

 success, although the birds were continually circling about or stand- 

 ing at a short distance uttering an occasional note of alarm. The 

 first of July, the year previous, Dr. Velie obtained young but a very 

 few days old, at this same locality, showing that there is consiilerable 

 variation in the time of breeding. This was also shown by specimeus 

 obtained the last of Ma}', — and which I think were later arrivals than 

 those found breeding iu April, — having tiie ova just approaching 

 maturity. 



Departs the last of Septemlier. The larger portion of the speci- 

 mens examined show the complete ring of eireumcincta, while others 

 exliibit but little more black than in meloda, or have the com|)lete 

 ring of the former indicated by faint black tips to the feathers across 

 the breast. 



Family HJEMATOPODID^. 

 Genus Strepsilas Liim. 



203. S. interpres (LtH»..)' Tuuxsroxi':. Common migrant along 

 Lake Miehigan. Arrives May loth iu full breeding plumaiie anti is 

 found until the rtrst week in June. Returns early in August, still iti 

 breeding plumage, which is exchanged for that of winter during the 

 last of the month. Departs about the 20tli of September. Wiiile 



