X913 J Allen, An Essex County Ornithologist. 23 



notes two, however, thai were killed on the Salisbury marshes October 5, 



1SSS. 



18. Ixobrychus exilis. Least Bittern. — Records for this elusive 

 bird are few in the northeastern extreme of its range. Mr. Damsell's 

 notebooks record it twice in fall: September 21, 1887, and September 1, 

 1888. 



19. Herodias egretta. American Egret. — A 'white heron ' shot 

 September 19, 1887, is recorded, together with measurements of the bird. 

 The wing, 16 inches, and tarsus, 6 inches, indicate that it was H. egretta. 

 The notebooks also record another white heron at Salisbury, August 5, 

 1907. 



20. Rallus elegans. Kino Rail. — A specimen is noted on August 14, 

 1902. 



21. Gallinula galeata. Florida Gallinule. — Most of the few 

 records for Essex County are of October birds. Mr. Damsell's collection 

 contained two birds, one taken September 14, 1887, the other October 3, 

 1903. 



22. Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalarope. — Data on the occur- 

 rence of these birds are always interesting. I find one spring record, May 18, 

 1904; and one of a bird 'in full plumage' (and so perhaps a care free 

 female) on July 31, 1905, a rather early date. 



23. Recurvirostra americana. American Avocet. — The collec- 

 tion contains a fine adult female of this species, taken May 23, 1887, doubt- 

 less on the Salisbury marshes. That it was a locally obtained specimen 

 there can be no doubt, as it was skinned, sexed and measured by Mr. 

 Damsell. His notebook simply makes record of it as the first of its kind 

 observed, for in these earlier days of his collecting he seems not to have 

 been aware of the rarity of his capture. The specimen has been acquired 

 by the Boston Society of Natural History for its New England Collection. 

 There are but three other instances on record of the appearance of this 

 species in Massachusetts, one of which is indefinite and the others of fall 

 birds. That this straggler should have appeared in spring is therefore of 

 unusual interest. 



24. Philohela minor. Woodcock. — The notebooks contain a num- 

 ber of records of late fall birds, as follows: November 20, 1886, December 

 10, 1887, November 21, 1880, November 18, December 6, 1890, Novem- 

 ber 30, 1893, December 5, 1903. 



25. Gallinago delicata. Wilson's Snipe. — Dr. Townsend indicates 

 that this bird is occasional in winter in Essex County. Mr. Damsell notes 

 one November 24, 1896, at Amesbury; and records one shot at Newbury- 

 port on February 8, 1889. 



26. Micropalama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. — The notebooks 

 extend somewhat the limits of the fall migration of this species as recorded 

 for Essex County, viz., July 22 to September 16. Thus I find entry of 

 specimens shot September 15, and 17, 1893, and October 2, 1895. 



