ORNITEPHOLOGIST 
—AND— 
OOLOGIST. 
$1.50 per 


FRANK B. WEBSTER, PUBLISHER. Single Copy 
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 15 Cents. 
VOL, X1. BOSTON, MASS., MARCH, 1886. No. 3. 
Birds of the Sea Islands. 
Corrections and Additions to My Previous List. 
BY WALTER HOXIE, FROGMORE, 8. C. 
I have had so much interesting correspondence 
in regard to two of the birds in my list of the 
“ Birds of the Sea Islands,” that I think the read- 
ers of THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND OOLOGIST may 
be interested to know the conclusions at which 
we have now arrived. 
But first let me recur to the Red-shouldéred 
Blackbird, which I mistook for car gubernator, 
Two of my correspondents referred it to moulting 
plumage, and I now find they are right. I have 
this winter obtained two specimens in just that 
stage of moult. Both show indications of ‘‘pin- 
feathers” at the border of the red patch. 
The Small-headed Flycatcher, proves to be a 
female Pine Creeping Warbler in peculiar plum- 
age. “It would puzzle any ornithologist,” says 
one of my kindest critics. 
I have not taken a Bachman’s Warbler this 
year, but Iam firmly convinced that I have done 
so in past years, as the following circumstance 
will show. While in Savannah, last fall, Mr. G. 
Noble was showing me the colored plates in 
Studer’s Ornithology, (1 think that is the title of 
the work,) and as he turned the pages rather 
rapidly to find some particular figure to which 
he wished to refer, I stopped him at once with 
the exclamation, ‘There is a  Bachman’s 
Warbler.” 
There was no name as a guide, and we were 
not speaking or thinking of the bird; so I had no 
possible context in picking out this particular 
figure at the first glance, from among a dozen or 
so other small birds. A reference to the index 
proved that I was right, and my conviction is the 
same now, or even possibly stronger than when I 
wrote my list. Mr. Noble thinks he has seen the 
bird near Savannah. 
I secured a Wood Duck on Edding Island, 
Nov. 27, 1884, and in the following month an- 
other. This species seems to be only a straggler 
here, though not uncommon in the fresh water 
further inland. A Woodcock was killed by a 
negro on Edding Island, Dec. 3, 1884, and tie 
following week I took another and saw several 
more, the latter being always the easier operation. 
Both specimens were abnormally large. I have 
seen none this year as yet. 
Took a Ring-billed Gull, Feb. 22, 1885. They 
were quite rare last winter, but the present sea- 
son they seem to be more plenty. 
Just after the great cyclone of Aug. 25, 1865, I 
took a Bridled Tern. It was a male in immature 
plumage. Measurements, 13.50x30.20 inches. 
Fork of tail 2.50 inches deep. Bill and feet 
blackish; inside of mouth pale flesh color. Stom- 
ach empty. It was in company with several 
Short-tailed Terns, and its graceful and more 
elaborate style of flight at once distinguished it 
from the others. It unfortunately dashed up 
close to the gun when shot, and was somewhat 
mutilated about the head, but made a passable 
skin. 
October 25, 1885, I secured a Northern Phala- 
rope. It was a male measuring 7.25x12.68 inches. 
Bill bluish-black. Legs bluish, on the inner side 
yellowish-white, as were also the inner membrane 
of the feet: but the toes were the same color as 
the legs. Iris, hazel. The bird was swimming 
in a brackish pond, and when first seen through 
the weeds I mistook it for a Grebe. I shot a 
Snipe and Yellow Legs, and then seeing that the 
supposed Grebe did not move I gave it a charge 
of No. 8s, and was much astonished to find what 
a prize I had secured. 
Dec. 28, 1885, I took a Junco, the first I ever 
heard of so far from the mountains, though I am 
told they are quite common about Augusta, Ga. 
Coots have been plenty this past fall, in a fresh 
pond on Edding Island. Previously I had never 
secured but one specimen in this vicinity. Cat- 
birds, which were so common last year (their first 
appearance) just showed themselves the first of 
the season, and have not been seen since. Their 

Copyright, 1886, by EATON CuiFF and F. B. WEBSTER. 
