148 Job on Massachusetts Winter Birds. [ July 
seen in parties of more than three or four. A number were shot, 
but others kept coming. This was May 8 to 11 inclusive, 
since which time no more have appeared. 
Horned Larks came October 20, followed in three days by the 
Snow Buntings. Both of these usually retire northward early in 
March, but on May 27, 1882, I started a Horned Lark almost 
from under my feet on a rocky beach at Scituate. No nest was 
to be found, and whether it was breeding or not, I cannot say. 
Crossbills of both species arrived November 4, and were found 
sparingly until late in February. It was my good fortune a short 
time ago (May 12) to meet a flock of five or six Crossbills in a 
grove of tall pines in Brookline, from which I secured two White- 
wings (leucoptera ) , adult male and female. Upon dissection it 
was evident that they were not breeding. What could have 
brought them here at this time ? 
Ipswich Sparrows can at last be ranked almost as common 
birds upon our seacoast in the late fall. Last year I saw them 
first on October 28, in Boston Harbor, and for about a month 
found more specimens than I could possibly desire to shoot. 
The main body leaves us late in November, but stragglers are 
occasionally found during the winter. 
The first snow fell November 17. I was on an island in Boston 
Harbor the next day, where I met with an unlooked-for bird. 
As I was crossing the island I was surprised to see a shore-bird 
running over the snow, beneath which lay a mud-flat, a former 
resort for such birds. I had no difficulty in shooting the stranger, 
which proved to be a Killdeer Plover {y^gialites vociferus ) . 
The day was bitterly cold, and although these birds are known to 
linger here quite late at times, it is surprising that the delay in 
the present instance was not fatal. A week before this, — on the 
nth, — I secured a Short-eared Owl on this island, which started 
up from a potato field as I approached. 
The Pine Grosbeaks were later than the other birds in putting 
in an appearance. The first, as far as I know, came on Novem- 
ber 23 ; still they were scarce for a couple of weeks, but from 
that time up to the middle of February they were one of our most 
common birds. They then grew scarcer, but were seen until 
March 10. 
November 25 brought the Snowy Owls, which were not 
uncommon during most of the winter, especially the early part. 
