OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 27^> 



harbor ; and on the Pacific coast, almost from Alaska to the 

 southern extremity of the peninsula of Lower California. 

 It has been observed in Jamaica and also in Cuba, but is 

 unknown there during the breeding-season. On the shores 

 of Texas and California, and also along the banks of large 

 rivers situated inwardly, in the latter State. On the rocky 

 islands of California it nests. Its distribution in the west 

 is somewhat more extended than in the east. It breed's 

 about Sitka, according to Bischorl". and also along the small 

 streams in the vicinity of Nulato, as affirmed bv Dall. As 

 high as latitude 31 30' north, Col. Gravson discovered a 

 nest built on a gigantic cactus. On the banks of the Mac- 

 kenzie and Yukon Rivers, eggs have been collected by 

 different parties. From Long Island to Chesapeake, it 

 breeds in vast communities, which often number several 

 hundred pairs. Away from the sea-coast, it is only occa- 

 sionally met with on the margins of rivers and lakes. In the 

 Wind River Mountains, Dr. Hayden found it nesting on the 

 summit of high cotton wood-trees. About the lakes of the 

 Upper St. John's River in Florida, Mr. Allen found it par- 

 ticularly abundant, and noticed at least six nests within a 

 single circle of vision. On the shores of Labrador and 

 Xova Scotia, and in the vicinity of Calais in Eastern Maine, 

 it is a summer resident. Salvin believed it to nest on both 

 coasts of Central America, but more especially about Utilize. 

 On the islands of Trinidad and St. Croix, it is seen at all 

 times, except during the season of breeding. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, below the city of Philadelphia, 

 and in the south-eastern counties that border on the Delaware, 

 individuals have been occasionally observed. In the low 

 meadows and swamps near Philadelphia, its habits have 

 been observed, but more particularly in the southern coun- 

 ties of New Jersey. It arrives about the beginning of 

 March, often as late as the 2^th. when the streams which 

 it frequents are fettered with their icv bonds. Its departure 

 occurs about the 25th of September, and frequently as late 



