

16 
BRisto. CouNTY ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB.—A number 
of gentlemen interested in the study of Bird Life, assem- 
bled at the residence of Mr. F. H. Carpenter, at Rehoboth, 
Mass., on December 24, 1885, and formed an association 
for conjointly observing the Ornithological phenomena of 
Bristol County, Mass. Mr. Chas. H. Andros, of Taunton, 
Mass., as chairman called the meeting to order. Mr. Car- 
penter presented a form of constitution and by-laws, which 
after some deliberation was accepted. It was voted that 
the association be called The Bristol County Ornithological 
Club, its membership to be limited. Frederick M. Merck, 
of Attleboro Falls, was elected President, and Mr. F. W. 
Andros, of Taunton, Secretary. Hilton B. Reid, ©. H- 
Andros and F. H. Carpenter were chosen a committee to 
arrange a system of observance on migration.—F’. W. A. 
A Hysrip Duck. I purchased in the Chicago market a 
fine specimen of a duck which was very evidently a hybrid 
betwixt the common Mallard, (Anas boscas), and the black 
Mallard, (Anas obscura.) It was shot at Fountain Bluff, 
Ill., and shipped here with a large quantity of other ducks. 
The hybrid has the top of the head the characteristic green 
of the common Mallard, whereas the balance of the head 
and neck are marked similarly to the ordinary black Mal- 
lard, and the body has the coloring of both species about 
evenly divided. This is the first hybrid of the kind I have 
met with. Iybrids betwixt the Mallard, (Anas boscas,) and 
the Pintail, (Dasila acuta,) are not very infrequent. I have 
three such hybrids in my collection, and have seen several 
others.—G. Frear Morcom in American Field. 
CONTINUED LAYING OF THE FLICKER. May 6, ’83, I dis- 
covered in a hole two eggs of the Golden-winged Wood- 
pecker. I took one, leaving the other as a nest egg, and 
continued to do so day after day, until she had laid seven- 
ty-one eggs. The bird rested one day when she had laid 
thirty-six eggs, and another when she had laid fifty-three 
eggs, thus taking her seventy-three days to lay the seventy- 
one eggs. I have the whole set in my collection. Has any 
one ever heard of as large a number of eggs being taken 
from one bird? 
ALBINO Rogpin. Oct. 21, ’85, I had a white Robin sent to 
me. It had the red breast, but all the other parts were 
white, tinged with yellow above.—Chas. L. Phillips, Digh- 
ton, Mass. 
THE KILLDEER PiLoverR. This bird is a common sum- 
mer resident with us, arriving early in April and remains 
until most of our feathered tribe have sought warmer 
climes. In this locality it generally resorts to low wet pas- 
ture land, but occasionally is seen on the upland, especially 
in the “tussock” grass. It sometimes prefers to breed on 
higher ground. I found one nest last spring, May 23, in a 
pasture well up on high ground. The nest was placed 
against the roots of a dead Elm stump, and was composed 
of loose material, such as dead grass and stalks and twigs. 
After the manner of the Spotted Sandpiper, the nest con- 
tained three eggs, which were to my eye, the same in color 
and marking as those of the ‘* Tipup,” excepting they were 
larger. These Plover prefer to fly on rainy or wet days, 
and are hard to approach at such times, as they are shy 
and easily take wing. Many times when the water clouds 
darkened the heavens have I heard the Killdeer far up in 
the air uttering its plaintive cry. In the fall they resort to 
plowed fields and stubble, where they feed. On the discoy- 
ery of its nest it endeavors to decoy away the intruder 
by feigning lameness, taking the inexperienced collector 
away from its home.—Benj. I’, Hess, Phanix, N.Y. 
Biack GuitLemot, (Uria grylle.) A specimen of the 
above was shot in Narragansett Bay, near Bullock’s Point, 
R. I., by Mr. 8. W. Thayer of Pawtucket, and ‘sent to me, 
This is the only one of this species I have seen from that 
locality.—/’. B. W. 
ORNITHOLOGIST 
[Vol. 11--No. 1 

BARNACLE GoosE, (Bernicla leucopsis.) A Barnacle 
Goose was shot November 1, ’85, at North Chatham, Mass., 
and mounted by N. Vickary. 
GosHawk, (Astur atricapillus.) Mr. F. W. Kendall, of 
Bridewater, Mass., reports a specimen of the Goshawk 
taken Noy. 30,’85, and says it is his first record for that 
locality of that species for fifteen years. Report has been 
received of another capture of the above at Taunton, Mass., 
in December, ’85; an adult. 
THE OcCURRENCE OF THE SEA Dove AT REHOBOTH, 
Mass.—A specimen of the Sea Dove, (Alle nigricans) was 
shot in a small fresh water pond about a quarter of a mile 
from my house, on November 25, 1885. Probably the 
storm of the previous days had blown the little fellow in- 
land from his usual habitat. This is the first occurrence I 
have noted of this species at this place, but several hunters 
assert that during a severe winter several years ago the 
‘Little Auks were quite frequently shot.” They were, I 
presume, this species, as it is not very uncommon for them 
to occur inland during boisterous weather.—/’. H. C. 
ANOTHER OCCURRENCE OF THE DOVEKIE INLAND.—Mr. 
E. A. Capen, of Canton, Mass., writes that he captured 
alive a fine specimen of the Dovekie at the above locality 
on November 26, 1885. The close proximity of the two 
dates of capture would more strongly indicate the reason 
of their occurring inland being due to the violent storm on 
the coast just previous to the above dates. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 
ORNITHOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY. 
Editor O. and O.—Sir: Noticing you have embraced in 
this magazine, the science of Entomology, allow me to sug- 
gest some methods I have pursued in combining the two 
studies of Ornithology and Entomology. Not being an en- 
thusiast in the latter science, I confined myself to observ- 
ing what insects I find upon dissection of my ornithological 
specimens and noting down the variety; then devoting 
some little time to collecting such in the field in perfect 
condition, I preserve them and thus have a cabinet illustra- 
tive of the food of birds; of course, labeling them—beside 
the name of the insect—with a reference number duplicated 
ina book, giving a list of the birds in whose stomachs it, 
or rather its species, has been found. 
Have noticed as a fact that the different species of birds 
feed principally upon distinct varieties of insects, showing 
one of Nature’s great laws in the restriction of a too great 
abundance of life. Another interesting phenomenon to ob- 
serve, is to note what varieties of insects are unusually 
abundant in a locality, and in connection also, what species 
of birds are more common than at other times. There may 
be a few obstinate examples, like the Potato Beetle, and 
Kansas Grasshopper, which, in company with the “Johnny 
Bull” Sparrows, should be transported to stock the undis- 
covered continent of the North Pole.—J. R. C. 
Apo.Loay.—As this magazine did not come under the su- 
pervision of the present editor until the latter part of the 
previous month, and as the manuscript for publication was 
not received until fully a week later, this number is delayed 
by circumstances beyond his control. 
REcEIVED.—A. L. Brown, Walter Howie, H. H. Brimley, 
Geo, P, Elliott, W. Otto Emerson, F’. M. Merck, A. M. Inger- 
soll, Philo W. Smith, BE. M. Hasbrouck, Georye H. Center, 
Harry G. Parker. 
We thank our friends who have favored us with their con- 
tributions, and hope they will bear kindly with the delay of 
the appearance of their articles. 
