SURVEY OF MINNESOTA. 231 



locality; and thus tlie comparatively small number of specimens 

 collected is more significant. 



The smaller shrikes, so abundant here, or many of them, seem 

 to partake of the characteristics of both varieties, viz : ludovicianus 

 and excubitoroides. The three in the museum seem to me to nearly 

 accord with the descriptions of ludovicianus. They all, together 

 with two in my own collection, have the two inner tail feathers 

 black to the bases; but another, which also possesses several other 

 resemblances to excubitoroides, has evident white patches on all the 

 tail quills. Again a number of these birds in the possession of 

 Mr. T. S. Roberts agree inMisagreeing with every description of 

 either variety. 



I draw from these facts the inference that the variety ludovi- 

 cianus predominates over the other, but that the types are mingled 

 and blended so as to bafSe any accurate identification. 



The nesting of these birds may be easily observed in many parts 

 of the suburbs, but the nests are often mistaken for those of the 

 more northern Butcher Bird. 



Perhaps the Red-bellied Nuthatch may be less rare during mi- 

 gration than supposed, if searched for in suitable localities. 



The bird-fauna of the State has received one addition in the 

 tern Sterna caspia (Thalassus c. Boie.) This is the largest of the 

 terns, and is a very beautiful and striking bird. The only speci- 

 men as yet identified from this State, as far as I am aware, was 

 secured at Long Lake by Will Secombe, of Minneapolis, by whom 

 it was presented to the museum. 



The English House-Sparrow was simultaneously observed by 

 Mr. Roberts and myself during the early part of the winter about 

 the streets of the city, and I learn from that observer that they 

 have survived our severe weather as yet. 



The fact that birds are often infested by intestinal worms par- 

 ticularly the Tape Worm, (Taenia) has attracted so much notice of 

 late that I mention the collection of a variety of these parasites 

 from the solitary Tattler ; also a quasi-parasitic colony of crusta- 

 ceans found upon a goose. I received from Mr. Roberts several 

 specimens of crustaceans collected from Hutchins' goose, found 

 deeply imbedded in the feathers near the skin. These proved to 

 be miniature Sand Fleas (fresh water.) Of course it is hardly to 

 be supposed that this was more than an accident. I cannot 

 account for this except by supposing it to be the result of the pro- 

 clivity of these fleas (so often noticed) to wedge themselves in the 

 thick masses of leaves upon the Bladder-wort and other water 

 plants. 



i?ltAESH COLLECTION" 



