General Notes. 75 



ing buds, and large numbers gathered about the small hummocks 

 in swampy places, where the presence of open water seemed to 

 cause the snow to melt as rapidly as it fell, leaving the hummocks 

 bare.- JUNIUS HENDERSON. 



Unusual Birds at Oberlin, O. — During the unusually tardy migra- 

 tion season just closed there have been several notable occurrences 

 at Oberlin. It is not easy to account for these, since some of them 

 are of birds of more southern distribution. Possibly the lateness 

 of the migrations resulted in an unusually strong current of mi- 

 gration when it did begin, and that current carried these southern 

 birds with it north of their usual range. 



Semipalmated Sandpiper (Ereunetes pusillus). — May 16. Not be- 

 fore noted in spring. 



Semipalmated Plover (.-Egialitis semipalmata). — May 14, 16, 19. 

 Seldom seen in spring. 



Sanderling (Calidris arenaria). — May 19. Generally not present 

 in spring. 



Prairie Warbjer (Dendroica discolor). — May 14. Only one other 

 county record. 



Hooded Warbler (Sylvania mitrata). — Only one other county 

 record. 



Kentucky AVarbler (Geothlypis formosa). — May 12. The first 

 specimen captured in the county. There have been three other re- 

 ports of occurrence, but no other captures. 



Brewster Warbler (Helminthophila leucobronchialis). — See arti- 

 cle on another page. 



There were some unusual occurrences earlier in the season. 



Old-squaw (Harelda hyemalis). — March 11 and 12. Oberlin wa- 

 ter-works reservoir. A male and female in full breeding plumage. 



Canvas-back (Aythya vallisneria). — March 13 to 18. A flock of 

 four males and one female were present for six successive days on 

 the water-works reservoir, and apparently spent the night as well 

 as the day on the water. 



Loon (Gavia imber.) — April 17 to 22. A male in full breeding 

 plumage occupied the Oberlin water works reservoir for six suc- 

 cessive days. For three days he practiced trying to rise high 

 enough to clear the dwelling houses which nearly surrounded him, 

 loudly calling after each failure. He finally cleared the dwellings, 

 and was last seen heading for lake Erie. LYNDS JONES. 



