BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS, ETC. 81 



State that have not been noticed at Springfield. The list 

 will be seen to consist mainly of those Water Birds that 

 frequent the coast and are not found far inland, with a few 

 rare or accidental visitors. No species is admitted of 

 which there is not good evidence of its capture in the 

 State ; and when the species is extremely rare, the author- 

 ity is cited on which it is inserted. Consequently some 

 species that have been attributed to Massachusetts, from 

 their occurrence in adjoining States, though probably to 

 be found here as rare visitors, and are thus mentioned, are 

 not counted as a part of the list ; very careful observers 

 will, doubtless, yet detect most of them here. 



1. Catkartes atratus Less. Black Vulture. Acciden- 

 tal. One was obtained in Swampscott. in November, 1850. 

 (S. Jillson, Proc. Ess. Inst., Vol. I, p. 223 —Brewer's N. 

 Am. Oology, pt. I, p. 5.) Another was taken the past 

 season, Sept. 28, at Gloucester, by Mr. William Huntsford. 

 (A. E. Verrill.) 



2. Cathartes aura 111. Turkey Vulture. Accidental. 

 Two were taken in the State in 1863. (E. A. Samuels, 

 Agr. Mass., 1863, Secy's Rep , App , p. xviii.) 



3. Falco candicans Gin. Jer Falcon. Accidental in 

 winter. One was shot at Sekonk Plains, about 1840. (S. 

 Jillson, Proc. Ess Inst., vol. I, p. 226.) Has been seen 

 here by Nuttall and others. 



4. Aquila canadensis Cass. Golden Eagle. Extremely 

 rare ; but few recorded instances of its capture in the 

 State. (Lynn, S. Jillson, Proc. Ess. Inst., vol. I, p. 203. 

 Lexington, Dr. Kneeland, Proc. B. S. N. Ii., vol. v, p. 272. 

 Near Boston, Brewer, N. Am. 061,. pt. I, p. 45. — Upton, 

 Agr. Mass., 1859, Secy's Rep., p. 141.) 



5. Syrnium cinereum Gmelin. Great Cinerous Owl. 

 Occasional in winter. (Marblehead, February, 1831, and 

 January, 1835 ; S. Jillson, Proc. Ess. Inst., vol. I, p. 204.) 

 Seven were taken in the State during the year ending- 

 February, 1843. (Dr. S. L. Abbot, Proc. B. S. N. H., vol. 

 i, pp. 57 and 99.) Two specimens in the Mus. Comp. Zo- 

 ology were obtained in 1848, in the Boston markets, and 

 were probably killed in the State. 



The Hawk Owl ( Surnia idida Bon.) is said by Prof. 

 Emmons to have been seen in autumn. Though T have 



ESSEX INST. PROCEED. VOL. IV. K. 



