— -1879.[ Pall [ Brewer. 
variety! The first one was taken Oct. 26, when a number were 
noticed. Between then and Dec. 1, eleven were taken. Mr. Jeffries 
infers that this species is a late fall migrant, only a few spending the 
winter here. It arrives in force during the first week in November, 
when P. savanna are fast disappearing. Mr. Jeffries regards it as 
a northern race of P. savanna. Mr. John A. Jeffries has added an 
example to our New England collection. 
Crythagra butryacea Linn. I do not mention the name of 
this South African species because I believe it entitled to a place in 
my catalogue. J regard its presence in midwinter on the bleak sea- 
coast of Massachusetts as wholly and purely accidental, and not 
likely to be repeated. It was shot early in February, 1879, at South 
Scituate, by Mr. Willie Borland, and when taken had all the 
appearance of a wild bird. Its plumage was clean and fresh, and 
the bird was in good condition. Undoubtedly it had once been a 
eaged bird, but this must have been some time since, long enough to 
have enabled it to assume a new unsoiled plumage, and to demon- 
strate its ability to take care of itself during one of our severest- 
winters. 
Chrysomitris elegans Linn. This species stands in a very 
similar position to the preceding. It is a common bird of Europe, 
and is not known to occur in this country. Its abundance as a caged 
bird may eventually lead to its introduction as a resident species, but 
I am not aware that such is at present the case. This individual was 
shot near this city in the spring of 1878 by Mr. C. F. Rice, but I do 
not regard it as entitled to a place in our catalogue of recognized 
New England species. When taken it was in company with a flock 
of the common American goldfinch. 
Nyctale Richardsoni Bonap. This owl is generally regarded 
as a rare visitant to New England. Certainly there are so few 
records of its appearance that I feel justified in mentioning two re- 
cent instances. Mr. Harry Merrill, writing February 14, 1879, 
informed me that he had recently procured an example of this 
species in the neighborhood of Bangor. It was kept alive for 
1 In the May (1879) number of Lippincott, Mr. N.C. Brown contributes some 
very interesting notes on Beach-birds, in which he mentions meeting with several 
of this species in October, 1876, as they were running on the open sand in a depres- 
sion between two hillocks. They were loath to take wing, but ran and dodged in 
the grass, like the Savannah Sparrow. In all, he writes me, he had secured ten 
examples. 
