BIRDS OF MAINE. 139 



Family H^MATOPODID^E. Oyster-catcliers. 

 Genus H^MATOPUS Linnseus. 



19. (286). Hctmatopus palliatus Temm. American Oyster- 

 catcher. 



Accidental, a specimen having been taken near P^astport, Wash- 

 ington County, by Mr. Boardman. (Cf. Smith, Forest and Stream, 

 Vol. 20, p. 45). I am informed by Mr. Boardman that this bird 

 was really taken on Canadian soil, and consequently is not a bird of 

 the state. 



Family TETRAONIDtE. Grouse, Partridges, etc. 

 Genus BONASA Stephens. 



20. (300). Bonasa umbellus (Xoui.). Ruffed Grouse. 

 While this species has been given in every previous state and 



county list pubUshed, yet there is no positive proof that specimens 

 have actually been taken in the state. Nearly all records of this 

 bird are referable beyond doubt to the Canadian Ruffed Grouse. 

 It has been deemed advisable to refer this species to the hypothet- 

 ical list until satisfactory proof of its presence in the state has 

 been adduced. 



Family FRINGILLID^E. Finches, Sparrows, etc. 

 Genus GUIRACA Swainson, 



21. (597). Guiraca cffirulea (Linn.). Blue Grosbeak. 



In New England Bird Life the author states that this species 

 was recorded as being found near Calais by Mr. Boardman (Proc. 

 Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., 9, 18G2, p. 127), and also that it is 

 included in Herrick's "Catalogue of the Birds of Grand Menan." 

 It is very probable, in view of later developments, that both of 

 these instances refer to one specimen which was taken at Grand 



The American Barn Owl, Strix praiincola Bonap., lias not a particle of right to be 

 rated as a Maine bird. Smith's List cited it, apparently upon the evidence of the 

 notorious "Falmouth specimen." 



The Boat-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus major VieilL, is given in Smith's List as being 

 seen by him at Second Lake, Washington Count}', but personally I must confess 

 that I doubt this record, and until a specimen has been taken within our limits, 

 1 must decline to recognize this species as a bird of Maine or even New England. 

 It is apparently not even entitled to a place in the hypothetical list. 



