20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



was first described in Guthrie's Geography under the name 

 Banded-tail Tern, Sterna "philudelphui. It was evidently cap- 

 tured in this vicinity, as the specific name would indicate. 



Ring-billed Gull, Lams delawarensis (Ord). Described as 

 the Toothed-bill Gull by Ord in Guthrie's Geography. In a 

 foot-note he adds: "This is a beautiful Gull, and was discov- 

 ered on the Delaware below Philadelphia." 



Canvas-back Duck, Aythya raUisneria (Wils. ). This duck is 

 first described by Wilson as a distinct species under the name 

 Anas valisineria.* With a reference to a Peale's Museum speci- 

 men, a lengthy description of the bird and its habits follows: 

 American Ornithology, vol. viii, p. 103. The type may have 

 come from the near-by Chesapeake, but I have included it in 

 this list, for Wilson speaks of a pair which he bought in the 

 Philadelphia market which had been shot at Egg Harbor, N. J. 



Ruddy Duck, Erismatara rubida (Wlls. ). "This very rare 

 Duck was shot some years ago on the river Delaware, and ap- 

 pears to be an entire new species. The specimen here figured, 

 with the female that accompanies it, and which was killed in 

 the same river, are the only individuals of their kind I have 

 met with. They are both preserved in the superb museum of 

 my much-respected friend, Mr. Peale of this city." American 

 Ornithology, vol. viii, p. 128. 



Long-billed Curlew, Numcnius ionyiroslris (Wils. ). This bird 

 is first clearly distinguished by Wilson as a distinct species from 

 the European Curlew. "The Curlews appear in the salt 

 marshes of New Jersey about the middle of May on their way 

 to the north, and in September on their return from their breed- 

 ing places." American Ornithology, vol. viii, p. 23. 



Wilson's Snipe, Gallinago delicala (Ord). \A'ilson did not 

 clearly distinguish this bird as a distinct species from the com- 

 mon Snipe of Europe. He speaks of its arrival in Pennsylvania 

 and its frequenting the low grounds along the Delaware and 

 Schuylkill. Ord recognized it as a distinct species from the 



* As Dr. Trotter points out, Wilson consistently misspells this word, and if 

 we are to follow original spellings to the extent of " }>ejisilranica'' and 

 " hiemalis," it would seem that wemnst lollow the habit of the duck and swallow 

 OMT valmneria even though it be with less of a relish than he experiences. — W.S. 



