%yi] General Note.. 77 



Branta canadensis. — Ponkapog Pond, Massachusetts, Dec 5, 1893. A 

 flock of Canada Geese (^Branta canadensis), containing as near as could 

 be estimated 2000 birds, passed to-day headed towards the south. Thev 

 were separated into two lines or flocks, w-hich were about one hundred 

 and fifty feet apart. It was the largest body of these birds noted in this 

 locality for forty years. On December 10, 1894, one himdred and twenty- 

 three Canada Geese passed over towards the southwest; they were in 

 broken flocks, and all talking in a vociferous manner. I am indebted to 

 Mr. H. G. Nutter, of Boston, Mass., for tlie above. 



The first flock of Canada Geese Branta canadensis this season were 

 noted Oct. 17, — five birds. 



From the I3lh to the 20th of October, 1894, was the flight week for 

 Black Ducks {Anas odscura), about 300 birds being noted passing south, 

 the largest flock containing over fifty. 



On October 15, 1894, thirty-two Cormorants (variety not known) in 

 one flock were noted flying towards the south. — George H. Mackay, 

 Nantucket, Mass. 



Cory's Least Bittern in Michigan. — A specimen of Cory's Least 

 Bittern {Ardeffa neoxena) was taken at Fair\iew Farm (Lat. 42° 13' N.) 

 Jackson County, Michigan on August 8, 1894. The skin is now in my 

 collection. The bird, a fine male, was brought to me by a hoy who had 

 gone out with my dog and gun in quest of Waders for me. He was near 

 shore in a boat, and my dog ' Heth ' was slowly beating among the reeds 

 and cat-tails when this bird was flushed, rising in the ordinarily sluggish 

 flight of the coiTiiTion Least Bittern, and was taken on the wing. Not 

 knowing the strange garb of black and chestnut, I sent the skin to Prof. 

 Walter B. Barrows at Michigan Agricultural College. He positively 

 identified it as Ardetta neoxena. This is, with little doubt, the first and 

 only record of the species for Michigan. — L. Whitney Watkixs, Man- 

 chester, Mich. 



The Red Phalarope at Bridgeport, Conn. — Mr. J. C A. Meeker has 

 given me the skin of a male Crymophilus fulicarius (Red Phalarope). 

 The bird was found under some electric light wires on a bridge, May 20. 

 1894. Upon skinning it there was found a dark mark across the breast, 

 showing the bird had killed itself by fi^'ing against the wires. As this 

 is a very rare bird in this part of Connecticut, the record may be of 

 interest. — J. B. Canfield, Bridgeport, Conn. 



Numenius hudsonicus. — Nantucket, July 23, 1894. The first Hud- 

 sonian Curlew, or 'Jacks,' this season were seen to-day, — nine birds on 

 Eel Point. They were again observed at the same place on July 29. 

 There are fewer here this season than usual — in fact I have never known 

 so small a number. — George H. Mackay, Nantucket, Mass. 



