120 C. IT. Merriam — Blnls of (Jon)ieeticut. 



of the Purple Galliuule was shot at ' Ileniy's Pond,' 'South-end,' 

 Rockport, Mass., on April 12t]i, [1SV5] by Mr. Robert Wendell."* 



228. Fulica Americana Gmelin. Common Coot; Mud Hen. 



Common during the migrations, particularly in foil. May breed. 

 Linsley took five specimens at Stratford, remarking that it was " by 

 no means common" there. Last October (1876), my friend, Mr. A. J. 

 Dayan, shot several on Lake Whitney, and ascertained that no less 

 than tifty specimens were kille(l there during that month ! 



Family, ANATID^. 



229. CygnuS AmericanUS Sliarpless. Whistling Swan. 



A rare, almost accidental, visitor, occurring oidy in winter. 

 Linsley mentions the occurrence of four specimens, at Stratford, 

 Conn., two of which were killed. My friend. Dr. Wm. H. Hotchkiss, 

 of this city, tells me that he was informed, by William Beers, 

 Esq., that two Swans were seen in Branford Harbor, during a severe 

 gale, about the middle of March, 1876. I take it for granted that 

 they were of this species, since there is no positive record of the 

 occurrence of the Trumpeter Swan ( (Jygu.iis buccinator) within our 

 limits. Mr. Griiniell also informs me that several Swans were seen 

 near Milford, Coini., about the same time. Swans were once common 

 in New England, during the migrations, as seen from IMorton's 

 remarks concerning them (in 1632): "And tirst of the Swanne, 

 because she is the biggest of all the fowles of that Country. There 

 are of them in Merrimack River, and in other parts of the Country, 

 greate Store at the seasons of the yeare. The flesh is not much de- 

 sired of the inhabitants, but the skinnes may be accompted a com- 

 modity, fitt for divers uses, both for fethers, and quiles."f 



Note. — The Trumpeter Swan (C'//,y>/w.s' buccinator Richardson), 

 may, and very ])i-obably does, sometimes occur within oui- limits. 

 Di". Wood, of East Windsor Hill, informs me that a hunter in his 

 vicinity, who was perfectly familiar with this bird in the Wi'St, where 

 they were common, once told liim that he h:id lieanl tlic unmistaka- 

 ble note of the Trumpeter Swan, but ilid not see the bird. A short 



* Am. Nat., vol. ix, No. 10, p. 57:^, Oct., 1875. 

 f Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii, Tract 5, p. 46. 



