iSS^.l (ir/irral Xi)/rf. T)^^ 



a month of mild and rainy weather. It appears prohahle, therefore, that 

 this bird should be regarded as an early mitfrant rather than as a winter 

 resident. 



I have looked through the records in vain for specific notice of the 

 Widgeon's occurrence in New England during winter. Dr. Coues, how- 

 ever, both in his 'List of New England Birds' and in 'New England Bird 

 Life,' states, in general terms, that it is to be found at that season. — 

 Nathan Clifford Brown, Portland. Mr. 



Pelicans on the Move. — Mr. Wm. Smith, who resides at Burlington 

 Beach, at the w'est end of Lake Ontario, and who is making observations 

 for the Migration Committee of the A. (). U., reports his station being 

 visited by five White Pelicans on March 13. The wind was blowing strong 

 from the southeast, and the birds came up the lake before it, trying heavily, 

 and passing his house alighted on the ice on the bay. Thej' seemed very 

 tired, and at once squatted flat, with the head and neck drawn in and resting 

 between the shoulders, in whicli position they might readily have been 

 mistaken for chunks of ice. Mr. Smith examined them closely with his 

 glass at a distance of 300 to 400 yards and then tried to reach them with 

 the ride. Wlien the ball landed among them they jumped straight up and 

 moved 100 yards farther off. They were very unwilling to move, and 

 gave opportunity for two more long but unsuccessful shots, and finally 

 went off east down the lake again, flying low and hugging the shore for 

 shelter from the wind. The last time this species visited the Bay was in 

 the month of May, and they stayed fishing around the inlet for a day or 

 two, and two of their number were shot by a fisherman ; the other two 

 then made ofl". — T. McIlwraith. Hamiltoti. Ontario. 



Capture of Megalestris skua off the Coast of Cape Cod. Mass. — I 

 shot a specimen of the Skua Gull, on Jaeger, September 10, 18S4, about 

 eight miles east of Polluck Rip, as I was on a return trip from the fishing 

 grounds. I had been tolling the Shearwaters for some time with livers 

 taken from our freshly caught codfish, in hopes to attract the attention of 

 other birds, and at the time had at least forly of the Greater and Sooty 

 Shearwaters following; but the day was too hot and still for the birds to 

 be actively flying about, and this was the only new or difterent kind 

 called in ; but I felt more than paid for the trouble, and proud of the cap- 

 ture, which I have carefully mounted with a view to add it to my collec- 

 tion in the State House, Topeka, Kansas. I did not observe the bird 

 until it was well astern, and for fear of loosing it did not wait to note its 

 flight and actions but dropped it on sight. 



The specimen was a female, and presents the following characters : 

 Length, 22.00 in., stretch of wing. 54.00; \ving. 14.75; tail. 6.00: tarsus 

 2.40; middle toe and claw, i.So; bill, 1.95; depth at base. .75; plate or 

 cere, 103. Weight, 2 lbs. 11 oz. Color dark sooty plumbeous or slate. 

 with pale chestnut markings on neck and back, which gives that portion 

 a dull rusty look. Tail and remiges white at base, the white extend- 



