V°'8,r] General Notes. 53 



date, and it rained at intervals from six o'clock a. m. until twelve o'clock 

 noon, at which time the wind ciianged to southwest and the weather 

 cleared. 



One small Hock of eight Eskimo Curlews (the only ones noted hei-e 

 for the entire season) was seen well up in the air, flying on migration, 

 headed towards the west. No birds stopped on the islands, and none 

 were killed. 



On the afternoon of August 27, a flock of twelve Plovers was seen, 

 and on the 29th, eleven' Plovers were domiciled in a certain protected 

 field on the Kimball farm. On September 17, five Plovers were noted at 

 the western end of Nantucket. The ground on the island this season is 

 in poorer condition than usual, owing to the wet weather, which has 

 enabled the grass and weeds to grow profusely; in addition to this, there 

 has been no ground burned off this year. 



I made inquiries several times in the Boston markets in order to 

 ascertain if any of the above birds had been sent in from other localities, 

 but could hear of none. Personally, I have not shot any. It is doubtful 

 if over twelve Plovers have been taken during the entire season on 

 Nantucket and adjoing islands, and not an Eskimo Curlew. 



I can but regard with solicitude the killing of these birds in such im- 

 mense numbers, as also the Bartramian Sandpipers, as they pass north- 

 ward on migration through the Mississippi Valley in the spring or. 

 their way to their breeding grounds; many of the females having eggs 

 quite well developed in their ovaries at the time. This has been going 

 on for a number of years. (I called attention to it in Auk, Vol. VIII, 

 p. 24, January, 1S91.) How long can it continue.^ It has been several 

 years since any considerable numbers of these birds have landed on the 

 Atlantic seaboard during August or September. I believe the danger 

 line has been passed long since. Protection is generally the laggard in 

 the race. Our Western Associates should look to this matter and 

 endeavor to put a stop to such annihilation if possible. — George H. 

 Mackay, Nantucket, Mass. 



The Turkey Vulture in Connecticut. — While out driving in Old 

 Lyme, Conn., August 31, I was much surprised to note a Turkey Buz- 

 zard (^Cathartes aura) in company with a Red-shouldered Hawk flying 

 around a small patch of woods. This is the first one I have seen so far 

 north as Connecticut. — Arthur W. Brockway, Lyme., Conn. 



A Black Vulture near Quebec, Canada. — On the 28th of October last 

 a Black Vulture {Catharista airata) was killed on the beach at Beauport, 

 about six miles from Qiiebec ; the bird was shot as it was flying towards 

 a carrion. The man who secured the bird thought he had shot a young 

 Eagle, but on seeing its black and unfeathered head and upper neck, I 

 ascertained it was a Black Vulture. This is, I believe, the first record 

 of a bird of this species being found so far north. It was an adult male. 

 — C, E. DioxxE, .Quebec, Can. 



