34 



16. Scolopax rusticola Linn. European Woodcock. The oc- 

 casional capture of this European species on the Atlantic coast, from 

 Maine to Virginia (Loudon Count}'-, Nov., 1873, Cones, Am. Nat., X, 

 372), seems to render it probable that it will eventually be taken in 

 this state. 



17. Recurvirostra americana Gmel. Avoset. As this species 

 has been taken in one instance at Point Lepreaux, New Brunswick 

 (not Calais, Me., as generally supposed; see Brevier, Proc. Bost. Soc. 

 Nat. Hist., XVII, 1875, 452), and near Saybrook, Conn. (Merriam, Rev. 

 Birds Conn., 1877, 103), it may be fairly looked for as an accidental 

 visitor. 



18. Cygmis buccinator Rich. Trumpeter Swan. Recently re- 

 ported by Mr. Merriam (Rev. Birds Conn., 1870, 12b) as probably oc- 

 curring in the vicinity of East Windsor Hill, Conn, (within fifteen 

 miles of the Massachusetts line). In all probability it was common 

 here two hundred years ago and may still be looked for as a straggler. 



19. Anser cserulescens Pallas. Blue Goose. May be an acci- 

 dental visitor, but according to Dr. Brewer (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. 

 Hist., XVII, 1875, 452) there is no record of its actual occurrence in 

 New England. 



20. Branta leucopsis Boie. Barnacle Goose. As this acci- 

 dental visitor has been taken in southern Labrador, Maine, on Long 

 Island, and in North Carolina, and more than the "eight escaped 

 birds" have been accounted for, it seems reasonable to include this 

 species among those of probable occurrence in Massachusetts. On 

 the occurrence of this species on the Atlantic coast of North America 

 see Baird (Am. Nat., II, March, 1868, 39), Brewer (Proc. Bost. Soc. 

 Nat. Hist., XVII, 1875, 452), Lawrence (Am. Nat., V, March, 1870, 10), 

 and Lawrence and Deane (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, II, Jan., 1877, 18). I 

 understand specimens have recently been taken near Portland, Maine. 

 It has been repeatedly attributed to Massachusetts, but probably on 

 insufficient evidence. (See Allen, Proc. Essex Inst., IV, 1SG4, 88; 

 Coues, Proc. Essex Inst., VI, 18G8, 293.) 



21. Mareca penelope Ban. European Widgeon. This species 

 likewise lacks confirmation as a bird of Massachusetts, or even of New 

 England, although it has been taken on Long Island, and at various 

 points in North America. It is of course to be looked for here. 



22. Querquedula crecca Steph. European Teal. Tlie speci- 

 men recorded by Dr. Bryant (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., V, 1855, 195) 

 as taken in this state Dr. Brewer says was actually taken in North 

 Carolina and not in Massachusetts (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, II, Apr., 

 1877, 46). This leaves the species without even a New England rec- 

 ord, but it has so often been taken ou the North American coast (at 

 various points from Labrador to North Carolina) as a straggler from 

 the Old World, that its occurrence here is to be expected. 



