100 NEBRASKA ornithologists' UNION 



when the writer left the city. They appeared to pair early in May and 

 Avere usually seen thereafter, a male and a female together. Other 

 flocks were reported during- the Avinter and on Ajiril 6 the timber along 

 Salt Creek south of the city was alive with the birds — during the whole 

 day spent in exploring along the creek for a distance of two miles, they 

 were rarely out of sight or hearing. 



The Turnstone was first seen and collected on the Salt Basin near 

 Lincoln on May 16, 1895. Since then it has been noted on the follow- 

 ing dates: May 25, 1895; May 23, 1896; April 30, 1898; May 22, 1899; May 

 10, 1900. It has not so far been seen in the Fall. 



On the 29th of June, 1900, Mr. J. S. Hunter and the writer visited 

 Salt Lake and the "Sloughs" near it, west of Lincoln, and observed the 

 following species: one Euddy Duck on the lake, probably a crippled 

 bird; a male Spoonbill, the mate of which was doubtless on her nest 

 in the vicinity; a flock of six Hooded Mergansers, which arose from the 

 lake and flew close over our heads; three Yellow-legs, on the shore of 

 the lake; a Gull, without much doubt the Eing-billed, flying over the 

 water; two Baird's Sandpipers, about a pond on the "Slough;" three Blue- 

 winged Teal, on the "Slough;" and a flock of Yellow-headed Blackbirds, 

 at the same place. Of all these, only the Spoonbill and Blue-winged Teal 

 have ever been known to breed here, though It is i)robable that the 

 Yellow-headed Blackbird does so in the vicinity, and that the Mer- 

 gansers raised their young here this season. 



EOBT. H. WOLCOTT, Lincoln. 



NOTES ON SOME OF THE RARER BIRDS OF GAGE COUNTY 



Japanese Eing-necked Pheasant (Phasiauvs toniuatus). A nuile speci- 

 men of this beautiful bird was shot near Barneston, Nebraska, Decem- 

 ber 3, 1900. It was in thick brush when shot, the man having no idea 

 of what he was shooting other than that it was a bird of some kind. 

 It was brought here for mounting, and on skinning it, a small amount 

 of what greatly resembled artichoke was found in its crop. 



Townsend's Solitaire (MyaiJestes toicnsendii). On March 28, 1899, a speci- 

 men of this bird was shot near Beatrice. It was a female, and its stom- 

 ach contained a few hard seeds. 



Bohemian Waxwing (Avuwlis yarrulus). A large flock of this some- 

 what rare bird Avas seen January 9, 1899. 



Arctic Towhee (Plpilo macnlatus arcticus). I shot a lone specimen of 

 this western bird near Beatrice, October 14, 1899. It was feeding on 

 sunflower seeds. 



Pine Siskin (Sphms pinus). Saw a pair of this species April 23, 1899. 



Eedpoll {AcantMs Unaria). February 20, 1899, an immense flock num- 

 bering at least tAvo or three hundred individuals was seen, they remain- 

 ing the greater part of the day feeding on sunflower seeds. 



Arkansas Flycatcher (Tyranmis verticalis). A pair of these birds was 

 first observed May 5, 1900. Later several other pairs wei-e found, one 



