I96 General Notes. \_k$\ 



8, 1880, and another occurrence which I have not jet had opportunity to 

 investigate is recently reported to me from the eastern part of the county. 



Sylvania pusilla. Wilson's Warbler. — Two male specimens shot 

 near Gaines and brought in to Mr. Ernest H. Short of that place. May 

 28, 1897. Now in his collection. 



Parus bicolor. Tufted Titmouse. — I prize nothing which I have in 

 my collection more highly than I do a fine male of this species, which 

 was taken just south of Holley, March 17, 1889, by Mr. Fred C. Lusk. 

 This bright bird would be a charming addition to our regular avifauna, 

 but I know of no other records of its occurrence in this or adjoining 

 counties. 



In the foregoing notes, I have only made mention of some of the rarer 

 birds which have been taken in Orleans County, but there yet remain 

 unreported several unusual occurrences for this section which should 

 become matters of record, and which, at some later day perhaps, I may 

 report to your valuable journal. Some of these occurrences are fully as 

 rare as any mentioned above, but as yet lack the authentic and complete 

 corroboration which I hope to attach to them after further investigation. 

 — Neil F. Posson, Medina, N. V. 



Late Migrants and Stragglers in Eastern Massachusetts. — Many 

 birds stayed unusually late in Eastern Massachusetts this autumn, owing 

 very likely to the mild weather which Ave enjoyed during October and 

 most of November. Bluebirds, Chipping Sparrows and Field Sparrows, 

 which generally disappear in the first week of November, were seen as 

 late as the 13th of that month. The Blackbirds also prolonged their stay 

 longer than usual ; I saw a flock of at least thirty Cowbirds in Belmont 

 associated, up to Nov. 13, with over two hundred Red-wings and some 

 Rusty Grackles. The last Cowbird was seen on Nov. 21 ; on Nov. 13, I 

 saw three Bronzed Grackles. On Nov. 1 Mr. Faxon and I saw a Lincoln's 

 Finch, and on Nov. 5 I saw an immature White-crowned Sparrow. The 

 height of the migration of both of these birds is about Oct. 1, and the 

 latest dates hitherto noted for either are from a week to ten days earlier 

 than those above recorded. On Nov. 3, I saw a Black-throated Green 

 Warbler in Cambridge. 



There have been also three interesting stragglers in this vicinity during 

 November. On the 2d of November I found a female Wilson's Blackcap 

 in Belmont; the bird stayed in the same locality till Nov. 20, and uttered 

 when startled a curious wren-like kek, kek, which I have never before 

 heard. Believing that the bird would eventually starve or freeze to death, 

 I asked a friend on the 20th to shoot it. 



On Nov. 5th I saw a European Goldfinch (Cardttelis) in Arlington. 

 The bird behaved like any wild bird. On Oct. 26, and again on Nov. 17, 

 I saw in Belmont a Mockingbird. I placed food near the spot where I 

 saw the bird, but have not since seen it. — Ralph Hoffmann, Belmont, 

 Mass. 



