DELAWARE VALLEY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 5 



hudsonius), Willet {Symphemia semipalmata), Sanderling {Caiidris 

 arenaria), Lesser Yellow-legs {Toiatuis flavipes), Least and Semi- 

 palmated Sandpipers ( Tringa mmutilla and Ereutietes pusillus) and 

 Ring-necks {Aegialitis semipalmata) were the most plentiful species, 

 occurring regularly in flecks of 25 to 50. Robin-Snipe (Tringa 

 canutus), Black-bellied Plover (Squatarola squaiatola) and Yellow-legs 

 {Totanus melanokuciis^ were less abundant. Dunlin {Tringa alpina 

 pacifica) and Dowitchers {Macrorhamp/uis griseus) were not observed 

 during his visit (Aug. 4-18, 1899). The Black Terns {Hydrochelidon n. 

 surinamensis . were abundant in flocks of about fifty, and were ob- 

 served feeding like swallow? over the meadows, probably on grass- 

 hoppers. Laughing Gulls {Larus atricilld) and Terns {Sterna 

 hirundo) were more plentiful than last year, but no Egrets {Ardea 

 caerulea) were seen. 



Dr. Prendergast supplemented Mr. McCadden's remarks and ex- 

 hibited a Ring-billed Gull {Larus deiawarensis) in immature plumage 

 secured at Stone Harbor, Oct. 3d, a remarkably early date. 



Mr. Stone exhibited another specimen taken at Atlantic City, N. ]., 

 June 20, T900 ; also an unusual date. 



Dr. Flughes described several trips to the Delaware river marshes 

 below Philadelphia during the spring. Three nests of the Virginia Rail 

 {Rallus virginianns) were found June 3, 11, and July i, containing 

 eight, seven and nine eggs respectively ; three of the King Rail {R. 

 ekgans), June 11, contained eight, nine and ten eggs, and one of the 

 Least Bittern {Ardetfa exilis), June 3, contained two eggs. Swamp 

 Sparrows {Melospiza georgiana) and Marsh Wrens {Cistothorus palus- 

 tris) were breeding abundantly. Dr. Hughes thought that careful 

 search would show that the Rails were more abundant breeders in this 

 vicinity than had generally been supposed. 



November 15, /poo.— Thirteen members present. 



The resignations of Messrs. J. VV. Tatum and W. L. Whitaker from 

 Active Membership were accepted with regret. 



Mr. A. C. Emlen spoke of a "Trip to Chincoteague, Va.," Aug. ist, 

 1900. He noted large numbers of Sanderling {Caiidris arenaria) and 

 Lesser Yellow-legs {Totafius fiavipes). Pectoral Sandpipers {Tringa 

 maculata). Curlews {Nunienius hudsonius) and Dowitchers {Macro- 

 rhamphus griseus) were also taken. Piping Plover {^gialiiis meloda) 

 were breeding on the beach, and Killdeers (^. vocifera) were asso- 

 ciated with the Yellow-legs. A few weeks later Robin Snipe ( Tringa 

 canutus) and Greater Yellow-legs {Totanus melanoleucus) were abund- 



