Occurrence of Ammodramus caudacutus nelsoni in Massachusetts. — 
The Nelson’s Finch was originally described by Mr. Allen, from near Chi- 
cago, and has been supposed to be strictly confined, in the breeding season, 
to fresh water marshes. Recently Mr. Ridgway has called my attention 
to specimens of this race from the salt marshes of Cambridge, Mass., 
which raise some interesting questions in regard to this form. The spec- 
imens are three in number, collected by myself as far back as 1871. Two 
were taken October 7, and their occurrence at this season, though interest- 
ing as adding a new bird to the Massachusetts list, need not occasion sur- 
prise, since the bird has been taken frequently near Sing Sing, New York, 
by Dr. Fisher, and is known to occur elsewhere on the Atlantic coast 
during the fall migrations. 
The third specimen, however, occupies a different status. It was taken 
3 1 3 the lateness of which date would seem to preclude the possi- 
bility of it being a migrant. In fact, if I am not mistaken, I took eggs, 
supposed then to belong to caudacutus proper, on the very day in question. 
The specimen appears on comparison to possess all the characteristics 
of the inland race, and though not so typical as some examples from Chi- 
cago, is scarcely to be distinguished from others. 
The occurrence of this single specimen on the coast at this season may 
of course be entirely accidental. The bird may have drifted in, and finding 
the locality to its liking, may have remained to breed, mating perhaps 
perforce with one of the coast form. Those having Sharp-tailed Finches in 
their collections will do well to examine their series thoroughly with a 
view to the elucidation of the status of the two forms. — H. W. Henshaw, 
Washington , D. C. 
Auk, 8. Oct., 1886. p. L/ frip . 
Ararao dr araus 0 . no 1 son i . 
Saugus and Revere Marshes, Mass. 
1091. Oct. 8. See Journal. 
TTT-cljs'-j t-y Tfotr&rf O 77Tarr/s. 
Ammodramus nelsoni subvirgatus. On the sixth of October last, an 
Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow was taken in Longmeadow, near Spring- 
field. This is the first time the presence , of one here has been proved, 
but I believe that its appearance in this vicinity is not so rare as is sup- 
posed. Robert O. Morris, Springfield, Mass. 
Ank 30. Jan -1900, lb £4*. 
