^''igo?^] General Notes. 325 



8, 1890, wliile he and I were duck hunting about three miles south of Sand- 

 wich on the Canadian side of the Detroit River. From that date I have 

 observed it every year and in uniform nmiibers. It congregates about 

 the sewer outlets along the river frontage of Detroit, being most abundant 

 along the western portion. It is fearless and frequently comes within 

 twenty feet of the observer. Whenever possible I have examined it 

 through the transit telescope in the hope of discovering a Ivittiwake 

 (Rissa tridactyla). The ringed bill, combined with its lesser size as com- 

 pared to the equally common Herring Gull, renders identification easy and 

 further verification has come to light from time to time in the form of 

 mounted specimens. It is abundant at times in spring, less so in fall, 

 and a few remain all winter. During the exceptionally mild month of 

 January, 1890, it was noted daily on the lower St. Clair River, which is all 

 I know of it in that locality from personal observation. In February, 

 1892, an adult bird passed over my head in Ecorse To\raship, several 

 miles inland, and none have since been seen in a similar locality during the 

 winter months. 



Sterna forsteri. Forster's Terx. — The specimen recorded by Messrs. 

 Swales and Tavemer was taken on the Canadian side of the Detroit River 

 just below Sandwich. It should be recorded for the upper Detroit River 

 and, of course, is not a Michigan record. 



Sterna caspia. Caspian Terx. — I have not seen this species along the 

 Detroit River Ijut believe numbers pass through this channel every year. 

 The large flocks seen December 1 and 2, 1907, on the Michigan side of the 

 St. Clair Flats were all flying across Lake St. Clair toward the Detroit 

 River. They were in compact flocks and moving rapidly mthout a pause to 

 feed. 



Phalacrocorax dilophus. Double-crested Cormoraxt. — In March 

 and April, 1892, to and inclusive of 1894, I spent a part of my noon hours 

 watching the migration of water fowl from the city docks and cormorants 

 were frequently noted, sometimes in small flocks of seven or eight but 

 usually singly or in pairs, always passing up the river. This is the only 

 place where I have seen them in spring. November 6, 1S92, one passed 

 my decoys off Sugar Island, lower Detroit River, and three were perched 

 on a rocky point of Celeron Island Novemter 12, 1903. 



Chaulelasmus streperus. Gadwall. — Before the sale of game was 

 prohibited in the State I closely watched the city markets, and despite 

 the reputed rarity of the Gadwall four were noted there in late April, 1893;. 

 all claimed to have been taken on the St. Clair Flats. None seen elsewhere. 



Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. — A male and two females were for sale 

 in the city market in April, 1894, and a male in September, 1895. None 

 seen elsewhere but several reported from the lower Detroit River. While 

 on the subject of ducks I wish to state that none of the Scoters found their 

 way to the city markets, though most of the old duck hunters claim to 

 have shot them. The probable reason is the fact that Scoters are locally 

 regarded as unfit for food. 



