General Notes. 
I2 5 
the Massachusetts seaboard, I have the following specific reports from 
Nantucket and Rye Beach. N. H. At the former place Mr. H. S. Sweet 
saw no less than fifty, individuals on August 22. They were flying over 
Miacomet Pond, and as they passed his point of observation on their way 
seaward, were accurately counted. 
A flock seen at Rye Beach by my friend Mr. H. M. Spelman, on August 
24. was nearly as large, the number of birds being estimated at about forty. 
They appeared on a small sheet of brackish water locally known as the 
“ Eel Pond,” where they stayed several days. They were very shy but 
Mr. Spelman succeeded in killing four specimens. 
While it is not unlikely that their appearance in such large numbers is 
exceptional, there can no longer be any question that the Black Tern is 
of regular and not uncommon occurrence during August and September 
at most suitable points on the New England coast south of Portland, 
Maine. — William Brewster, Cambridge , Mass'. 
Notes on Leach’s Petrel (Cymochorea leucorrhoa.') — Under date of 
July 29, 1880, Mr. Manly Hardy of Brewer. Maine, gives me the following 
notes on Leach’s Petrel. The facts regarding incubation, are I think, new, 
and go to show that, as with the Phalaropes, the female Petrels have 
strongly imbibed the spirit of the nineteenth century. 
“ I have lately had quite a number of Leach’s Petrels taken on the nests 
and find some things which are not mentioned in such books as I have 
access to. In the first place, the males do-most, if not all, of the incubating. 
In a number received the 1st of June, five out of six were males. Think- 
ing that, like Pigeons, the males might perhaps all sit at the same time, 
I had another lot sent me about June 15, and again, of twelve specimens 
seven proved to be males. A careful examination showed that while the 
under plumage of the females was in every case perfect, each male had 
on the lower part of the breast a bare spot large enough to cover the egg. 
“ Some writers mention their ejecting oil when irritated. I find that 
either sex can eject at least one-eighth their bulk of very pure reddish oil, 
and that it is given forth equally freely when the bird is killed by chloro- 
form. I think that it is probably intended to serve as food for the voung.” 
— William Brewster, Cambridge. Mass. 
Birds and Windows. — The library building of the Rochester Uni- 
versity — across the street from us — has very clear windows opposite one 
another, and during the year, especially in the spring and autumn, many 
birds are killed by flying against them. The greater part are found on the 
north side. Most of the birds are small ; but lately two Robins and one 
Golden-winged Woodpecker were found among them. Curiously enough 
there are no English Sparrows among the slain, they probably being 
sufficiently acquainted with windows to avoid them. — Frederic A. Lucas, 
Rochester. N. T. 
Notes on Birds Rare or Accidental on Long Island, N, Y. — 
1. Mimas polyglottus. Mockingbird. Two specimens taken : a 
young bird, on October 1, 1880; an adult on October 2, 1880; both cap- 
ured at Fort Hamilton. 
