2^6 Dutcher, Rare Long Island Birds. ifulv 



any. The absence of the species probably arises from the fact that the 

 character of the country has been entirely changed by the cutting down of 

 the forests and the occupation of the land by dwellings and streets. 



Contopus borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher. — There is but one 

 specimen of this species in the collection ; it was presented by Mr. John 

 D. Hicks, who procured it a number of years since near his home in Old 

 Westbury, Queens Co. He informs me that it is the only one he recol- 

 lects ever having seen. 



Corvus corax sinuatus. American Raven. — One specimen in the col- 

 lection. Col. Pike says : "I never met with this bird. While shooting in 

 1836 at 'Comae Hill' my companion, Mr. George Bartlett, killed a fine 

 specimen and I skinned it; it is the one in the collection. Philip Brasher 

 had one in his collection that was killed in the woods near Prospect Park.i 

 This was in 1848. These are the only specimens I have ever known to be 

 killed on Long Island." 



Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — "The White-winged 

 Crossbills in the collection were killed by me in Lotts Woods, Flatlands. 

 in 1848. This year there seemed to be quite a flight of these birds, as 

 many were killed. I have seen them but once since, in 1864, when I 

 killed two near 'Cypress Hill Cemetery.'" — {Nicolas Pike, MS. notes.) 



Guiraca caerulea. Blue Grosbeak. — This wanderer from the south 

 was taken in May, 1843, at Canarsie. It is a very fine, adult, male speci- 

 men. Mr. Akhurst recollects having shot during his active collecting 

 some three or four specimens of this exotic bird, and having seen a few 

 others that he did not secure. However, it is a great many years since 

 he has seen one. 



Spiza americana. Dickcissel. — The specimen in the collection was 

 taken by Col. Pike at College Point, Long Island, in 1841. Mr. Akhurst 

 states that about that period they were very common birds, breeding 

 freely all over Kings County, in suitable localities, especially in clover 

 fields. He has not seen any for many years. 



Protonotaria citrea. Prothonotary Warbler.— In April, 1888, I re- 

 corded a specimen of this Warbler which was sent to me for identification 

 by the keeper of Montauk Light, and which I supposed was the first one 

 that had been taken in New York State. I find, however, that as early 

 as May, 1849, one was shot at Jamaica, Queens Co. It was a male in 

 full breeding plumage, and was mounted by Mr. Akhurst. It is the only 

 one he ever saw from Long Island. 



Helmitherus vermivorus. Worm-eating Warbler. — Two specimens 

 are in the collection, one presented by Mr. C. H. Baxter who secured it 

 at Newtown, Long Island, and the other by Col. Pike who shot it in the 

 Valley Grove Woods, now part of Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Mr. 

 Akhurst states that during his active collecting he secured several of 



'This specimen is now in the collection of the University of Vermont, Burlington, 

 Vt., this institution having purchased the Brasher collection. 



