184 
General Notes. 
webs of tbe primaries is the same ; but directly opposite this, on the inner 
webs, is a triangular spot of pure white. The white tip on the outer 
webs of the secondaries is much larger than usual, and the secondaries 
are wax-tipped. The greater wing-coverts are pure white, delicately 
edged with brownish-ash, and broadly tipped with the same. This patch 
of white is very conspicuous, owing to its size. The yellow band on the 
tip of the tail is more of a lemon-color, and has not that distinct dividing 
line which is usual, but rather fades into the grayish-white of the tail- 
feathers. The tail-feathers above the yellow band are broadly edged on 
both webs with brownish-ash. The quills of the primaries, secondaries, 
the primary and greater wing-coverts, and the tail-feathers, are very dark 
gray ; while the pure white patch on the sides of the under jaw, and the 
delicate crescent of white on the under eyelid, are the same as usual. 
Bill and feet normal. The peculiar markings of this specimen form a very 
beautiful bird, and, as it has been remarked, “ give it a frosty appear- 
ance.” — W. L. Walford, Minneapolis, Minn. 
First Capture of the Blue Grosbeak in Massachusetts. — Mr. 
Gordon Plummer kindly informs me, that on May 29, 1880, he took a fine 
male of this species ( Goniaphea ccerulea ) in Brookline. This forms its 
first record for Massachusetts, and the second for New England, the 
other being Calais, Me., Boardman, who records it (Proc. Bost. Soc. 
Nat. Hist., IX, p. 127) as “ Very uncertain, but common in the spring of 
1861.” Mr. Herrick also states (Bull. Essex Inst., V, p. 32) that a male 
was taken “in the spring of 1861 ” at Grand Menan, N. B. In my “ List 
of the Birds of Massachusetts,” published in 1878 (Bull. Essex Inst., X, 
pp. 3-37), I included it among the “ Species of probable occurrence,” 
remarking that it “ is surely to be added, sooner or later, to the list of 
Massachusetts birds ” ( l . c ., p. 33). 
In this connection it may be of interest to note that during the last two 
years nine species and two varieties have been added to the 316 species up 
to that time fully authenticated as birds of Massachusetts. These, with 
the four formerly occurring but now extirpated, bring the total number 
to 329 thus far identified as belonging to the fauna of this State. — J. A. 
o o 
Allen, Cambridge, Mass. 
Note on the Nesting of Hammond’s Flycatcher (Empidonax 
hammondi) in Dakota. — Among a lot of eggs received from my corre- 
spondent Mr. Agersborg was one set with the parent bird, which on exami- 
nation turned out to be of the above-named species. In reply to a letter 
asking him for further information regarding the matter, I received the 
following : “ The nest was situated on a narrow strip of grass-land, bordered 
on one side by the highway and on the other by a wheat-field ; it was not 
placed directly on the ground, but a few inches from it, either in a rose- 
bush or some coarse branching weed. It was a very loose affair, and fell 
apart by the shaking of the buggy, in which I carelessly laid it. If I 
