OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 2t 



23. Branta canadensis canadensis. Canada Goose. 

 Mr. Spaulding states that "the Canada Goose is a regular 



spring and fall migrant, being seen and heard annually," and 

 that "often small flocks remain about Lancaster for a few days, 

 feeding in the Connecticut meadows." I am informed that 

 Irving Bedell, of Jefferson, had one among his tame geese for a 

 long time, w'hich was winged from a flock that flew over. The 

 birds were loaded down with ice and flew^ very low. 



24. Botaurus lentiginosus. Bittern. 



An uncommon summer resident, breeding in the Davis 

 sw^amp, and perhaps other localities. On June 14, 1904, June 

 II, 1907, June II, 1908, and June 10, 1909, one has been heard 

 "pumping" in this swamp in precisely the same spot. In 19 10, 

 on June 9, one was seen in flight in the vicinity. In all of the 

 twelve 3'ears except three, 1899, 1903, and 1906, one or more 

 birds have been seen in various localities, either standing on the 

 shore of a pond or in flight, occasionally throughout the sum- 

 mer. Brooks's Pond, Riverton Pond, Cherry Pond, and Little 

 Cherry Pond furnish records between May 28 and September 27. 

 In 19 10 two birds were seen at Cherry Pond on August 10, one 

 was again observed there on August 17, and one on September 22. 



25. Ardea herodias herodias. Great Blue Heron. 



An uncommon summer resident, undoubtedly sometimes 

 breeding at the Meadows or about the Cherr}- Ponds. I have 

 June and early Jul}^ records in five of the years : 1903, June 22 ; 

 1905, June 2, 7, and 23 ; 1906, June 4, 16, 21, July 2 (two birds), 

 10, and 12 (three birds); 1907, June 18, 21, and 26; 1908, June 

 29. August and September furnish by far the largest number 

 of records, one or two individuals having frequently been seen 

 passing over in flight. The records extend to early October, 

 the tenth day, in 1903, being the latest. On August 7, 1907, 

 two were seen perching high on a dead tree in a recently burned- 

 over section along the turnpike near Israel's River. Their 

 forms were strikingly presented in this position. 



