22 
BULLETIN OF THE NUTTALL 
Waiiregan, Conn., about April 27, 1876. The bird first attracted Mr. 
Carpenter’s attention by its opening and closing the tail while flying 
about a small sheet of water in quest of insects. The only other Eastern 
United States capture of this species is a male taken at Trenton, N. J., 
a few years ago. as recorded by Dr. C. C. Abbott.* Of course its appear- 
ance here is entirely accidental. 
10. Porzana jamaicensis. Black Kail. — I have lately seen a skin 
of this species belonging to Mr. Browne, of Framingham. The bird was 
picked up dead, in August, 1869, by a relative of his, on Clark’s Island, 
Plymouth Harbor, and was forwarded to him as something entirely new 
to our shores. This instance adds a new bird to the Fauna of Massa- 
chusetts. 
Of this species Mr. Clark, of Say brook, Conn., also writes me that a 
neighbor of his, while mowing at that place, July 10, 1876, swung his 
scythe over a nest of ten eggs on which the bird was sitting, unfortunately 
cutting ofb the bird’s head and breaking all but four of the eggs. The 
only previous New England record of this species is that given by Dr. 
Brewer (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVII, p. 477). 
11. Rallus longirostris. Clapper Rail. — In the Natural History 
store of Brewster & Knowlton, Boston, I recently saw a mounted specimen 
of this species. The bird was captured by its flying on board a vessel in 
the harbor. May 4, 1875. Though recorded from Maine and Connecticut, 
it being in the latter probably quite a regular summer visitor (about the 
Sound), I believe its appearance before in Massachusetts has been ques- 
tioned. 
12. Rallus elegans. King Rail. — In the collection of Mr. George 
0. Welch, of Lynn, Mass., is a mounted specimen shot at Nahant, No- 
vember 21, 1875. This is a second species new to Massachusetts, and 
has been but once or twice before recorded from any part of New Eng- 
land. 
13. Sterna fuliginosa. Sooty Tern. — Mr. Clark informs me that 
he has this species in his collection, mounted from a bird that last summer 
flew against the side of the steamboat-wharf depot at Saybrook, Conn. 
' Stunned by the concussion, it fell and was picked up. It had been 
noticed for several days flying about the mouth of the river as something 
unusual. 
14. Pelecanus trachyrhynchus. White Pelican. — At the Natural 
History store of Mr. A. J. Colburn, Boston, I saw, a few months since, a 
skin of this species, freshly made up from the flesh. The bird was shot 
at .North Scituate, October 6, 1876, by Mr. Geotge Pratt. It was a male, 
in' fine plumage and good condition. Though not new to the State, I 
think its presence with us worthy of notice. 
* Arner. Nat., Vol. VI, p. 367. 
