340 General Notes. [October 
probably have witnessed one unobserved before by ornithologists. On 
May 18, 1889, near Chelsea, Delaware Co., Pennsylvania, I observed a 
pair of Wrens diligently engaged in lugging sticks into a large hornets’ 
nest, which was hanging under the cornice of an old farmhouse. Near 
the top of the nest a cavity had been excavated, evidently by the birds, as 
the ground underneath was strewn with its fragments. I was unable 
afterwards to visit that locality, but from inquiry feel confident, they suc- 
ceeded in rearing their brood unmolested.—J. HARRIS REED, Chester, Pa. 
Birds near Springfield, Massachusetts.—Throughout the early summer 
of 1888, near the main highway between Springfield and Westfield, and 
in the immediate vicinity of three farmhouses, a male Mockingbird re- 
mained, singing incessantly. This year at exactly the same spot the bird 
has again appeared. Although I have never seen the female, still there 
is very little doubt that there is one there and that they bred there last 
year and are doing the same this year. 
On September 14, 1889, I shot and captured a Leach’s Petrel (Oceano- 
droma leucorhoa) upon the Connecticut River, four or five miles below 
Springfield. Its presence so far inland can undoubtedly be accounted for 
by the very violent northeast storm that had prevailed for the preceding two 
or three days. The bird sat upon the water and permitted me to approach 
in a boat within fifteen or twenty yards,—it would then arise and fly per- 
haps a quarter of a mile, then alight, repeating this action several times, 
until I finally shot it. 
A pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerfes erythrocephalus) have 
bred in Agawam, near Springfield, this summer; this fact may not be 
worthy of mention, but it is quite rare to find them here.—RoserT O. 
Morris, Springfield, Mass. 
Notes from Minnesota.—During a collecting trip to Madison, Lac Qui 
Parle County, Minnesota, which occupied the last three weeks in May, 
1889, I observed among others the following birds :— 
Limosa hemastica. Hupsonian Gopwit.—A dozen or more seen in 
company with the Marbled Godwit. Two specimens taken. 
Tringa fuscicollis. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER.—Very abundant, in- 
habiting muddy sloughs, associated with Pectoral and Red-backed Sand- 
pipers. A large series collected. 
Arenaria interpres. TURNSTONE.—A small flock observed, out of which 
I secured four females and one male; found with Sandpipers. 
Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni. NELSON’s SHARP-TAILED FINCH.— 
A single individual, a female, was shot on the edge of a swamp of wild © 
rice. There were no markings on the breast, and the entire under parts 
were strongly tinged with buff, in this respect resembling A. lecontezz. 
Rhynchophanes mccownii. McCown’s LonGspur.—A male was taken 
in a large field; it was in company with a large number of Chestnut- 
collared Longspurs. 
