8 THE BIRDS OF SPRINGFIELD AND VICINITY. 



the authority of Rev. W. B. O. Peabody, referred to a recent 

 visit of this "little sea bird " to this region, which he regarded 

 as a good omen. The specimen in the Science building,. 

 Springfield, was caught by a cat, in a meadow close by the 

 Connecticut river, in Agawam, September 20, 1900. 



120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swain.)- Double- 

 crested Cormorant. During the years 1887 and 1888, a 

 number were seen here in small flocks, and several were taken, 

 but with the exception of these two years it has appeared here 

 only as a rare visitor. 



129. Merganser americanus (Cass.)- American 

 Merganser. On the Connecticut river and its tributaries 

 this is the most abundant of the duck family, from November 

 1 5 until May i ; occasionally it is found on the large ponds, and 

 I have observed it here repeatedly in mid-summer, but have no 

 further evidence of its breeding. One summer, I saw one here 

 in company with a blue-winged teal. During the very cold 

 winters, these mergansers assemble in large numbers on the 

 Connecticut, in the rapid water just below the Enfield dam. 



130. Merganser serrator (I<inn.). Red-breasted 

 Merganser. Mr. E. O. Damon has taken one specimen in 

 Northampton, and I have done the same near Springfield; with 

 these exceptions, I have never known of its presence here. 



131. I^ophodytes cucullatus (I/inn.). Hooded Mer- 

 ganser. A common late autumn migrant; I have not observed 

 it here at other seasons, but it undoubtedly may be found 

 occasionally in early spring. 



132. Anas Boschas I/iun. Mallard. Rather common 

 autumn visitor, arriving about the first of November; I have 

 taken it here in the spring, but it is rare at that season. 

 Usually it may be found associating with Afias obscura, but 

 one year within my experience the mallards appeared in larger 

 numbers than the black ducks, and they then flocked by them- 



