THE BIRDS OF WISCONSIN. 
131 
of a moment's consideration, and do not think the species 
ever even straggles to our border. 
Branta leucopsis (Bcchst.J. BARNACLE GOOSE. 
In the Wisconsin Agricultural Report, 1852, Dr. Hoy 
reports having seen a barnacle goose in Racine harbor in 
December, 1850. The bird referred to by Dr. Hoy, we per- 
sonally and positively know, was Chen cwrnlescens, a bird at 
that time, of course, unknown to the doctor. 
Tringa ferruginea Briinn. CURLEW SANDPIPER. 
Given in Barry's list of 1854 as "at one time quite common" 
in the vicinity of Racine, but "has entirely disappeared." It is 
almost unnecessary to state that this must be an error. He no 
doubt refers to some other wader, possibly to Micropellet ma 
himantopus, as this species is not included in his list, although 
given by Hoy two years previous from the same locality. 
Catliarista urnba (Yicill.J. BLACK VULTURE. 
We do not consider the records of this species for Wis- 
consin sufficiently authentic to warrant us in giving it a place 
at the present time. Will no doubt straggle to the state some 
time, via the Mississippi River. 
Ictinia mississippiensis (Wils.). MISSISSIPPI KITE. 
From the fact that no specimen of this bird has ever, to 
our knowledge, been actually taken within the borders of the 
state we must place it among those which will some day 
without doubt be added to our list. The A. O. U. Check- 
List and other works of authority give the species as casual 
in Wisconsin, doubtless on the authority of Dr. Hoy's note of 
having "seen" a specimen in 1846. Thure Kumlien was sure 
of having seen it, and we are equally sure ourselves. It is 
remarkable that all the birds "seen," though ranging in time 
from July, 1846 (Hoy) to August, 1870 (L. K.) should have 
been on Rock River, within a few miles of the same place. Dr. 
Hoy's surmise that it is occasionally met on the Mississippi 
River, is possibly correct. Mr. Skavlem, of Janesville, is quite 
positive that he shot a specimen of this kite when a boy, many 
years ago in Rock County, but prefers that he be not made 
responsible for the record, as there is possibly a doubt, 
although he admits that he is himself positive in regard to the 
identification. A specimen mounted for the Oshkosh Normal 
