130 Wood and Tinker, Rarer Birds of Michigan. \_AptU. 



Sterna hirundo. Wilson's Tern. — In Cook's list of Michigan 

 birds, this species is not given from Ann Arbor, but A. B. Covert 

 in 1881 recorded the species as "A common migrant." Since 

 that time the records of its occurrence here have been very meager, 

 only three previous to 1905. The only specimen from Ann Arbor 

 in the Museum was taken May 16, 1891. From 1905 to the 

 present time it has been seen every year, migrating up the Huron 

 River. Our earUest spring record is that of April 12, 1908, when 

 13 were observed at Fourmile Lake. The latest spring record is 

 that of May 23, 1903, when seven were recorded at Portage Lake by 

 Wood. It is possible that the species may breed around some of the 

 lakes of the County, as one was noted at Portage Lake on June 27, 

 1909, but of this nothing positive has been ascertained. Our ear- 

 liest fall record is September 1, 1908. 



Hydro chelidon nigra surinamensis. Black Tern. — Covert ap- 

 parently found the s])ecies quite abundant for he gives it in his 

 list as "Migrant, quite common." Since that time, however, we 

 can find but few records for this vicinity. Wood took a fine speci- 

 men near Saline, Washtenaw Co., on May 19, 1892, and May 21, 

 1903, he recorded them at Portage Lake. May 19, 1907, one was 

 observed migrating up the Huron River toward Portage and Zukey 

 Lakes. June 27, 1909, Mr. Wood noted a pair at Portage Lake. 

 They have occasionally been seen during the summer about Bass 

 Lake, just to the northeast of Portage, and may possibly breed in 

 the extensive marshes about that lake. 



Mareca americana. Baldpate. — In 1881, Covert speaks of 

 the species as a "Common migrant." However for the past thirty 

 years there have been but very few records for the County. In the 

 Museum collection there is a specimen labelled "Ann Arbor, 

 spring 1886, M. M. Bigelow." Two fine specimens — a male 

 and female — were taken by Edward Campbell at Pleasant Lake 

 on April 17, 1909. 



Spatula clypeata. Shoveller Duck. — Covert gives the species 

 in his list as "Summer resident." Dr. J. B. Steere in Cook's list 

 says "A questionable summer resident." Since 1881 we have had 

 very few records and the species is certainly rare here at the present 

 time. It has not been known to breed within the County during 

 the past fifteen years. It is questionable whether the species should 



