VoL l™ V ] General Notes. 353 



torquata and alcyon, the African maxima being considered a Megaceryle. 

 It is a question whether M. alcyon is not actually the most distinct species 

 of the genus, differing as it does in its small size, slender bill, and pointed 

 wing, and in certain details of coloration. This fact also weighs against 

 the recognition of Streptoceryle. 



As further bearing on this question, the case of Chloroceryle is worthy 

 of attention. C. amazona differs from its three congeners in its distinct 

 crest, nearly even tail, relatively longer second toe, eighteen (instead of 

 fourteen or fifteen) secondaries, and in its larger size. While absolute 

 consistency in our classification is probably impossible of attainment, yet 

 in this particular case the proper course seems clear, namely that if 

 Streptoceryle be recognized, then Chloroceryle must also be divided. In its 

 coloration, eutaxic wing and scaleless tarsus, C. amazona agrees with the 

 three other species of the genus, and as in the case of Megaceryle, it 

 seems far better to leave this natural genus intact. — W. DeW. Miller, 

 American Museum of Natural History, New York City. 



The Sapsucker Wintering in Central Maine. — Inasmuch as the 

 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a bird of evil repute the facts about to be 

 recorded may not be particularly welcome but as the couplet 



" In men whom men condemn as ill 

 I find so much of goodness still," 



may be true also of ' our little brothers of the air ' I wish to speak a good 

 word for this much maligned bird. 



The Sapsucker is a bird which is not common in our locality. Previous 

 to the winter of 1911-1912 I had seen it only rarely, during migrations, 

 the dates being April 17-19 and October 3-5. Therefore I was much 

 surprised on December 11, 1911, to observe one of these birds in our apple 

 tree in company with a Downy. At first I thought it simply a tardy 

 migrant, but when its visit was repeated on the 13th, 14th and 15th of the 

 month, with snow falling on the last day, my curiosity was aroused to see 

 whether it would winter with us. The nearest approach I could find to a 

 statement of its wintering in our latitude was in an article which appeared 

 in the ' Lewiston (Maine) Journal,' under date of April 21, 1898, in which 

 the writer says that the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, " is said to be migratory, 

 but if he is, he frequently stays with us very late and returns very early," 

 but this statement seems too indefinite to prove the point in question. 



My observations were made from the windows of my home and the trees 

 which the bird visited so regularly were sufficiently near to allow most 

 excellent views of him in all positions. He appeared on the 18th, 19th, 

 and 30th of December and on New Year's Day he spent nearly the entire 

 forenoon in the apple trees near the house, lunching from the frozen fruit 

 which had been left on the trees and hunting over the trunks and branches. 



On January 2, he evidently came as soon as it was light and remained until 

 nearly dark, putting in a nine-hour day of hard work without intermission, 



