[49] 



56. Branta canadensis hutchinsii. Hutchin's Goose. — 

 A goose, from its small dimensions and sixteen tail feathers 

 apparently referable to this sub-species, was taken at Cobb's 

 Island in the winter of 18SS-S9. 



57. Branta bernicla. Brant. — Common on the coast in 

 winter. More strictly limited to the salt water than the Wild 

 Goose. It is abundant at Cobb's Island where I have seen it in 

 immense flocks. The number of young birds seen in propor- 

 tion to the old varies greatly in different winters. 



58. Branta nigricans. Black Brant. — A straggler from 

 the west. Captain Crumb informs me that it is usual for one or 

 two to be obtained at Cobb's Island nearly every winter. I have 

 examined a specimen that was shot there but have not learned of 

 any very recent occurrence of the species in that locality. 



59. Olor columbianus. Wild .Swan ; Whistling Swan. — 

 Not uncommon in wintei" on the Chesapeake and the larger bays 

 and rivers of the Tidewater region ; more numerous in the mi- 

 grations. Occasionally seen in West Virginia in spring and 

 autumn. Great numbers are said to have been killed on the south 

 branch of the Potomac near Romney, Hampshire County, in the 

 autumn of 1S87. 



60. Tantalus loculator. Wood Ibis. — Two specimens of 

 this bird are reported by Dr. A. Wall to have been taken near 

 Bloomery, Hampshire County, West Virginia (The 'American 

 Field, Vol. XXII, p. 83). [In the Water Birds of North Amer- 

 ica, Vol. I, pp. 95 and 96, the late Dr. Brewer has said of the 

 Glossy Ibis ^Plcgadis falcinellus). "At very irregular periods 

 in the spring, small flocks have been seen on the coast of the 

 Middle States and on the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia," 

 and refers to the capture of a specimen near Baltimore and two 

 others in the District of Columbia, in 181 7.] 



61. Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern. — Not common sum- 

 mer resident in Eastern Virginia, some remaining during the 

 winter, as Drs. Coues and Prentiss who have found it rather 

 common about Washington record it as a resident. Mr. Freke 

 (Birds of Amelia County) says that it is not common in Amelia 

 County where he has only seen it in spring. It has been taken 

 at Cobb's Island by Captain C. H. Crumb who does not think 



