iSS6.] DuTCHER, Bird Notes frotn Long Tsla?id, N. T. zir^cj 



Harlequin Duck which I have is a male and was alone when 

 shot. It was killed in the latter part of January, 18S3, in the 

 South Bay, opposite Fire Island Inlet. The bay was frozen over 

 at the time, except a few air-holes. It was killed by Capt. 

 Samuel Hulse, who is about fifty-five years of age, and has 

 always followed the bay. He says it is the only one that was 

 ever seen here, to his knowledge." 



Mr. George E. Post, of Greenport, writes: "My Harlequin 

 Duck I think is by no means common. They are here only in 

 very cold winters, and even then only a few. The one I have 

 was shot on the shore of Long Island Sound, near the village of 

 Southold. I think it is a male." 



Giraud says of this species: "On the shores of Long Island I 

 have known the young only to occur, although some of our most 

 experienced bay-men say that a number of years since the oc- 

 currence of the adult was not unusual."* 



It is probable, owing to the marked appearance of this bird, 

 that almost all that are shot in this locality, where it is so rare, 

 are preserved, and we therefore in the above records have 

 approximately its numbers in the waters that surround the 

 island. 



4. Ardea candidissima. Snowy Heron. — Although these 

 birds are not uncommon on Long Island in the summer months, 

 I do not recall any published notes of their breeding. Mr. L. S. 

 Foster and the writer visited a very extensive pine and cedar 

 swamp on Great South Beach, oft" Sayville, Suflblk Co., May 

 30, 1S85, and while there saw three individuals of this species. 

 One was alone, but the others were mated and undoubtedly were 

 preparing to breed. They were watched for some time and were 

 always flying to or from a pine tree in the swamp. All their 

 actions indicated that they were nest building. The one first 

 seen was carrying a long stick in its bill. 



5. Crex crex. Corn Crake. — In the shop of Messrs. Lucas 

 & Buck, of Sag Harbor, I found a mounted specimen of this 

 species, which I purchased. They bought it about August 15, 

 1S85, while in the flesh, from a farmer residing near Amagan- 

 sett, Suffolk Co. It was, when shot, on an upland or dry 

 meadow, in company with some Meadow Larks {Sh/r;/r//a 

 magna). The sex was/not ascertained. 



* Birds of Long Island, p. 337. 



