8 Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology. 



out of which two were taken, were seen on the 24th and 27th along 

 Easton's Beach. 



Marsh Hawk {Circus kudsoniics). — A single bird was seen on the 

 Third Beach marshes on the 26th and 27th. 



Horned Lark [Otocoris alpestris). — A large flock of over one hundred 

 birds were seen on the uplands of Sachuest Point on the 24th, 26th, and 

 27th. A male taken measured Lth. 7.00, Wg. 4.28, T. 2.81, Tar. .98, B. 

 cul. .50 or almost as small as O. a. fraticola. 



Savannah Sparrow {Amtnodramus sand-wichensis savanna). — One 

 bird was taken on the 24th on the Third Beach marshes, and another bird 

 was seen on the 26th perhaps of the same species. The only other record 

 to mj knowledge of the wintering of this species in New England, this 

 being the first for Rhode Island, is the recording of two birds at Sand- 

 wich, Cape Cod, Mass., in December, 1894 (see Auk, Vol. XII, p. 188). 



Song Sparrow {Melosfiza fasciaia). — A flock of fifteen birds were 

 seen along an old stone wall on the exposed uplands of Sachuest Point 

 on the 24th. Both the place, and the number of birds seems very un- 

 usual. 



On the afternoon of the 24th with Mr. Edward Sturtevant we at- 

 tempted to reach Cormorant Rock, but owing to increasing wind, dark- 

 ness, and rough water we were unable to land. We, however, started 

 from the rock the wintering colony of Common Cormorants {P/ialacro- 

 corax carbd) and a flock of over one hundred Black Duck {Anas obscura). 

 Boston, Mass., Feb. i, 1900. George C. Shattuck. 



Bluebirds in January. —On January 5, 1900, I went by train from 

 Providence to Wickford Junction, and saw between those points Blue- 

 birds, once surely and on two other occasions, I believe. After the first 

 two flocks, I got a seat on the other side of the car where the sun was 

 behind me and then I got the bright blue. The others v/ere identified 

 by size, shape and flight. Perhaps half a dozen in all. 

 Belmont, Feb. 28, 1900. Ralph Hoffmann. 



White-winged Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, and other Winter Birds 

 Observed. — On the morning of the 14th of January, 1900, I noted the 

 following birds at Neutaconkanut Hill, Johnston, Pine Grosbeaks 

 {Pintcola enucleator canadensis) White-winged Crossbills {Loxia leucop- 

 tera). Pine Siskins {Pinus spinas) Purple Finches {Carpodacus purpu- 

 reus) Redpolls {Acanthis liiiaria) and American Goldfinches {Astni^- 

 alinus tristis) and I think Red Crossbills {Loxia c. minor.) They were 

 feeding on birch buds and were very tame, allowing me to approach 

 within a few feet. I returned in the afternoon and secured a fine male 

 White-winged Crossbill which I believe to be the first authentic record 

 for the State. 



On January 30 I shot a female White-winged Crossbill at the same 

 locality, and on February ist and 2nd at the Country Club below Paw- 



i 



