206 General Notes. [^^f^ 



While the large Bittern may be rare in this section, its smaller relative, 

 the Least Bittern, is quite common in suitable localities, and breeds here. — 

 G. Clyde Fisher, De Funiak Springs, Florida. 



Northern Phalarope in Bladen County, North Carolina. — On September 



22, 1909, I saw three phalaropes on White Lake. It was a little after 

 sundown and I was out on the lake, fishing, without a gun. I followed 

 them up and was certain of their identity (as to being phalaropes, that is), 

 getting within fifteen yards or so of them. The day following, September 



23, I was out on the lake in both morning and afternoon, covering the 

 lake pretty thoroughly, but none were seen. I went out fishing about 

 sundown, with gun this time, and saw five; flushed them just out of range. 

 They went off quite a distance and then circled round almost to the place 

 from which they were flushed. I paddled up quite close and killed three, 

 all of which proved to be Northern Phalaropes (Lobipes lobatus). All 

 were in fair bodily condition and were very active on the water, dodging 

 about in a most eiratic manner after food and reminding me very much, 

 in their movements, of a whirligig beetle. Occasionally one would fly a 

 few feet as if attracted by an insect or other food item. They were not at 

 all shy. They flew well and strongly, reminding me of some of the sand- 

 pipers, the flight being always near the surface. 



On the same date I saw two Black Terns {Hydrochelidon nigra surina- 

 mensis) on the lake. On the next day, September 24, I saw several very 

 light colored terns which I suppose were immature Black Terns. These 

 were fishing, a thing I have never seen Black Terns indulge in. — - H. H. 

 Brimley, Raleigh, N. C. 



Wilson's Snipe Wintering near Boston, Mass. — Mr. C. A. Clark of 

 Lynn informs me that at least seven Wilson's Snipe {Gallinago delicata) 

 are wintering not far from that city in a meadow on the northeast side of 

 Hall's Brook, which runs into Flax Pond. There have been open places 

 in the brook all winter and the birds come out of the meadow and are seen 

 "boring" into the mud with their long bills. When everything has been 

 locked in frost and snow they have been seen thrusting their long bills 

 down through the snow. The flock was first noticed by Mr. Clark on 

 November 12, 1909, and he has watched them up to date, January 22, 1910. 



I have notes of the occurrences of single snipe occasionally about brooks 

 and springs in January, but have never before heard of such a number of 

 them here in winter. The weather of the month has been very severe. — 

 E. H. I'oRBusH, Boston, Mass. 



Another Golden Eagle taken in West Florida. — On February 3, 1910, 

 an adult Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) was taken about nine miles north 

 of De Funiak Springs, Florida. This is the fourth individual of this species 

 taken in this vicinity during the past two and one-half years. (See ' The 

 Auk,' XXVII, 1910, 80.) — G. Clyde Fisher, De Funiak Springs, Florida. 



