258 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



proper course seemed to be, to give the names of all which have ever 

 been seen here, leaving it to future observation to determine whether 

 our State is their resting-place or their home. 



In explanation of the difficulty alluded to, I may mention one or two 

 facts which were con)municated to me by Dr. Thomas M. Brewer of 

 Boston, whose unwearied and successful researches will soon extend 

 our knowledge of this subject much beyond its present bounds ; and to 

 whom, in connection with some other gentlemen, whose names will 

 appear in the course of the report, I am happy to acknowledge my 

 great obligations. He informs me, for example, that a Purple Galli- 

 NULE, Gallinula inariinica, was shot in Stoneham on the 27th of No- 

 vember, 1837. This is a bird belonging to tropical America, and 

 usually passes its winters near the Gulf of Mexico ; and yet, when 

 taken, instead of appearing exhausted, like a lost wanderer from its 

 usual haunts, it was in good flesh, and evidently had been lately feed- 

 ing. Mr. Cabot also states that a Florida Gallinule, G. galeata, 

 was shot in Fresh Pond several years ago. This last incident is not 

 wholly unprecedented, the same bird having been found near Albany, 

 in the state of New York. The visit of the beautiful Purple Galli- 

 nule, is, I believe, entirely without example. But I can no more regard 

 them as our birds, because they have been thus found once or twice 

 within our borders, than I can regard the Stormy Petrel as a land bird, 

 from the circumstance of having met with it in Springfield, seventy 

 miles from the sea. I learn also from Dr. Brewer, that three specimens 

 of the Little Corporal, Falco temtr arms , were lately killed in Stone- 

 ham and brought to the Boston market. This is a bird discovered by 

 Audubon, and so rare, that even Nuttall professed to know nothing of 

 it from personal observation. The same gentleman has also obtained 

 in Boston harbor, the Pomarine Jager, Larus pomarinus, a bird so 

 rare, that the indefatigable Audubon himself never encountered it 

 within the limits of the United States. 



It is well known that some birds, for obvious or unknown reasons, 

 change their favorite resorts, at times withdrawing from places where 

 they have been common, and appearing in other places where they 

 have not been seen before. Of this singular migration, the Cliff 

 Swallow, Hinmdo fulva, is a remarkable example. It is well known 

 that the Chimney swallow came from the wilderness in the same man- 

 mer ; but in that case, the reason was manifest; it was because, in 

 cities and villages, chimnies are always to be had, while trees, hollow 

 from the top, are not common, even in our ancient woods. No simi- 



