BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 297 



The frequency with which the Oven-bird sings at night has already been 

 noted (see page 46). 



On July 28th, 1904, I found an Oven-bird in some bushes on a bare hill- 

 side near the sea at Ipswich, a region far from the breeding haunts of this com- 

 mon species. It was evidently one of the early migi'ants from the north, and 

 during the previous night, which I had spent on the beach, the voices of numer- 

 ous small birds flying over could be heard with frequency from shortly after sun- 

 set to just before sunrise. We often do not appreciate how early the southern 

 migration begins (see page 28). 



286 [67s] Seiurus noveboracensis (Gmel.). 

 Water-Thrush. 



Common transient visitor; May 10 to 24 ; August 11 to September 22. 



The Water-Thrush is common during the migrations near the upper reaches 

 of the Ipswich River, and near all fresh-water swampy ponds and rivers. I have 

 also seen it in the bogs of the sand dunes, on the islands in the salt marshes, 

 and once walking on the eel-grass at low tide in one of the little creeks. 



[677] Geothlypis formosa (Wils.). Kentucky Warbler. Dr. Holder' includes this bird 

 in [lis Lynn list for 1846, stating that there is a specimen in the collection of the Lynn Natu- 

 ral History Society As there is no other record of this bird for the State, and as I was unable 

 to find this specimen in a recent examination of the battered remains of this collection, I have 

 omitted the bird from the list. 



287 [678] Geothlypis agilis (Wils.). 

 Connecticut Warbler. 



Rare autumnal transient visitor; September 17. 



There are three of these Warblers in the collection of the Peabody Acad- 

 emy and one in that of the late Dr. J. A. Jeffries. The latter is a male taken 

 at Swampscott, September 17th, 1887. The dates of the others are not given, 

 with one exception. This bird was taken in September, 1856. 



' J. B. Holder: Catalogue of Birds Noticed in the Vicinity of Lynn, during the Years i844-'5- 

 '6, p. 2, 1846. 



