Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology. n 



1. Colymbus holboellii. HoLBceLL Grebe. — A tolerably common 

 winter visitor. A bird that had recently been shot, was found on Second 

 Beach, May 2, 1899. Many others washed ashore at earlier dates. The 

 foot of a specimen (No. 118 of my collection) found dead on the beach at 

 Brenton's Cove, Narragansett Bay, January 21, 1900, agrees with the 

 measurements of the Crested Grebe given in Coues' "Key to North Ameri- 

 can Birds," 1872, page 336. My specimen measures: tarsus, 61 mm.; 

 middle toe with claw, 73 (tarsus equals middle toe without claw). 



2. Colymbus auritus. Horned Grebe. — A common winter resident. 

 Some seen in May were in breeding plumage. 



3. Gavia imber. Loon. — An abundant winter resident. 



4. Gavia lumme. Red-throated Loon. — An uncommon winter 

 visitor. 



5. Uria lomvia. Brunnich Murre. — Probably a regular winter visi- 

 tor. 



6. Alca torda. Razor-billed Auk. — A rare winter visitant. An 

 immature specimen from Newport, mounted by Mr. Clarke, in December, 

 1899, is in the Smith Collection of Rhode Island birds at the Museum of 

 Natural History in Roger Williams Park, Providence, R. I. Adult and 

 immature birds, also taken off Newport, w^ere mounted by Mr. Clarke, in 

 December, 1901. 



7. Alle alle. Dovekie. — A rare winter visitor. One was taken off 

 Newport, in December, 1899. 



8. Rissa trydactyla. Kittiwake. — A tolerably common winter visi- 

 tant off the coast ; occasionally seen on Narragansett Bay, and surprisingly 

 tame. 



9. Larus glaucus. Glaucous Gull. — Two, adult and young, spent 

 the day of March 10, 1900, in a cove at the Life-Saving Station. The im- 

 mature bird appeared to be entirely white. In December, 1901, Mr. 

 Clarke mounted one that was taken off Newport. It was in the plumage 

 described by Richardson as Larus hutchinsi. This is the first authentic 

 record for the State. 



10. Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull. — A rather rare 

 winter resident. Single birds have remained for long periods about Goat 

 and Coaster's Harbor islands ; but the species is rare in Narragansett Bay. 



11. Larus argentatus. Herring Gull. — An abundant winter resident. 

 August 4 to June 12. In the fall of 1899 a young one was seen August 

 4 ; no others until September 4, when several young birds appeared ; 

 the first adult was seen September 11 ; and both young and adult birds 

 were abundant September 12. In 1900, two young and six adults were 

 seen August 31 ; about forty adults September 8 ; and about 200, mostly 

 adult, September 25. In 1901, one adult and four young appeared 

 September 13. In the spring of 1899, the last flock of Herring Gulls was 

 noted May 6. In 1900, twelve were seen with the Common Terns feeding 

 about the fish-traps in Sakonnet River, east of Third Beach, June 12 ; 

 and Mr. Philip Peckham., Jr., saw one there a few days later. On May 



