370 General Notes. [^\ k 



It may be added that it seems a little singular not to RndCcereba Jlaveola 

 Vieill. anywhere cited in Volume XI of the 'Catalogue.' — J. A. Allen, 

 Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York City. 



Stray Notes from the vicinity of Muskeget Island. Massachusetts. — 



Charadrius squatarola. — Tuckernuck Island, May 10, 1893. While in 

 my stand today, which faced a large sand flat recently exposed by the re- 

 treating tide, I perceived Black-bellied Plover picking up some large worms 

 which they held wriggling in their bills before swallowing. Never before 

 having seen them eat such, I secured several for identification. They are 

 locally known as 'cod worms,' and resemble a centipede, being flat to oval, 

 their sides being fringed with legs. In color they vary from a blood red to 

 a dirty brown. They are from four to six and a quarter inches long. 

 These worms first make their appearance on the flats in shoal water during 

 the latter part of March, and they disappear early in June. Mr. Samuel 

 Henshaw of the Boston Society of Natural History has kindly identified 

 them as Nereis, the clam worm of the fisherman. 



Somateria dresseri. — Muskeget and Tuckernuck Islands, March 30 and 

 31, 1893. Almost all the American Eiders which have been living in these 

 waters, and which I estimate at about six hundred, departed on these dates. 



iEgialitis meloda. — While walking along the shore of Muskeget Island, 

 March 26, 1893, I saw a Piping Plover and heard it whistle. On the 29th 

 I saw two near where I saw the first. These dates are earlier than I have 

 before remarked. 



Tachycineta bicolor. — At Muskeget Island, March 26, 1S93, I saw a 

 White-bellied Swallow apparently flying due north on migration ; it was 

 at an elevation of about, sixty feet. 



Circus hudsonius. — Muskeget Island, March 26, 1893, I saw a Marsh 

 Hawk in the red plumage, apparently flying on migration northward, at 

 an elevation of about ninety feet. 



Branta bernicla. — Muskeget and Tuckernuck Islands, March 26, 1S93. 

 I estimate the number of Brant living in these waters at this date at about 

 six hundred. Two wing-tipped birds I have in confinement eat with 

 avidity the alga Ulva lactuca. They also eat Zostera marina, preferring 

 the white portion farthest from the extremity of the blade. They cut this 

 up by chewing first on one side and then on the other of their mandibles 

 which cuts the grass as clean as if scissors had been used. The motion 

 reminds one strongly of a dog eating, the bird turning its head much in 

 the same way. The}' are fond of whole corn and common grass. These 

 confined birds drink after almost every mouthful from a pan of fresh water. 

 The wild birds living in this neighborhood have no opportunity of obtain- 

 ing fresh water. 



Asio accipitrinus. — At Muskeget Island, March 27, 1S93, I saw a Short- 

 eared Owl, which appeared to be domiciled. 



Numenius hudsonicus. — Nantucket Island, July 17, 1S93. The first 

 Jack Curlew were observed today. They were at the western extremity 



