Vol. XIV 
‘Bay General Notes. 411 
early winter. This summer three Murres were observed early in July. 
One was captured alive by Chas. M. Clarke on July 8, but died in a few 
days, and the others were found dead by Mr. Edwin Beaupre, Jr., and a 
friend, about a week after this date. All three birds died of starvation, 
without doubt. 
The Knot (Zringa canutus), reported as very rare in Ontario, visits 
Kingston from time to time, and on June 2, 1897, Mr. Edwin Beaupre and 
I saw several on Amherst Island, one of which was secured. The one 
shot by Mr. Beaupre was with a large flock of Golden Plovers. 
Mcllwraith in his excellent work, ‘Birds of Ontario,’ reports the Bar- 
tramian Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) as seldom seen in Ontario. 
This bird has of late years taken possession of Simcoe Island, Wolte 
Island, Amherst Island and many of the fields between Lansdowne and 
Napanee, a distance of fifty miles, and is found breeding freely. It is not 
disturbed by the farmers and appears to be steadily increasing in numbers. 
The Black Tern (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis), not reported in 
the east of Ontario, breeds at Kingston and Lansdowne. The Rev. C. J. 
Young has taken eggs at Lansdowne, and this year I found several pairs 
breeding in Cataraqui Marsh. Have observed the bird regularly for many 
years. 
The White-rumped Shrike reported as rare by McIlwraith in the east of 
Ontario, is abundant about Kingston, probably owing to the fact that 
several varieties of thorns are common here.—C. K. CLARKE, M.D., 
Kingston, Ontario, Can. 
Rare Birds taken in Toronto and Vicinity.— Ammodramus leconteii. 
LEcONTE’s SPARROW. — A male specimen was given to me as an Acadian 
Sharp-tailed Sparrow, taken May 5, 1897, in Toronto. This is the first 
one known to have been taken in Ontario. 
Colymbus holboellii. HoLB@Lvi’s GREBE. — Six specimens have been 
taken in Toronto between April 26 and May 1, three of which are now in 
my collection. 
Lagopus lagopus. WuiLLow PTARMIGAN.—While visiting a taxidermist 
shop in Toronto my attention was drawn to this specimen, which was 
taken in Whitby, thirty miles east of Toronto on May 15, 1897. Having 
a friend there I wrote to him, and he got for me the particulars about the 
bird, which is now in my collection. It is in its winter plumage, with 
the exception of a few brown feathers which are appearing about the head 
and neck. The tail-feathers have a slight brown tinge. Sex not given. 
Ardetta neoxena. Cory’s LEAST BITTERN.—A male was taken in 
Toronto May 14 by G. Pearce. The plumage shows traces of albinistic 
markings, as follows : one white feather on the abdomen near the vent, and 
four white feathers on the inside ofeach tibia. It is now in my collection. 
The female was taken in the same locality by the same person on 
June 30, 1897,—a very fine specimen with plumage normal and no 
traces of albinism. 
