SUPPLEMENT TO BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY 87 



120 [256] Helodromas solitarius solitarius (Wils.). 



Solitary Sandpiper. 



Not uncommon transient visitor. April 30 to May 30; July 9 to October 14. 



My record for April 30 is of a bird seen by me in Ipswich, in 1905. The 

 May 30 record was of a bird seen in Wenham by Mr. Ralph Hoffmann in 1907. 

 The early July records are by Mr. A. P. Stubbs of several birds seen in Lynn 

 in 1916. 



121 [258] Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus (Gmel.). 



Willet; "Humility." 



Uncommon transient visitor. May 13 to June 4 (June 17) ; August 4 to 

 September i. 



The striking black-and-white wing feathers make it easy to recognize this 

 bird even when it flies over at a considerable height. It is probable that the notes 

 on occurrence given above should now be transferred to the Western Willet as 

 will be stated under that subspecies. 



*i22 [258a] Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus (Brewst.). 

 Western Willet. 



It is believed that most, if not all, of the Willets of the Essex County coast 

 belong to this western subspecies, as the eastern form may not now breed north of 

 Virginia, although, within a few years, a summer resident of Nova Scotia. It is 

 possible, of course, for Virginia birds to wander north after the breeding season. 



In the winter plumage, which is assumed in summer, this form can be dis- 

 tinguished from the eastern form only by its slightly larger size. In nuptial 

 plumage it is paler above, the breast less heavily streaked and more suffused with 

 buffy, and the middle tail-feathers lack black bars. 



123 [260] Machetes pugnax (Linn.). 

 Ruff. 

 Accidental visitor from the Old World. 

 The single record of 1871 remains unique. 



