Auk,. XIII, April, 1890, Pp./^-y 
Crex crex in Maine. — I he occurrence of Crex crex near Portland, Me., 
was noted in an editorial paragraph of the ‘ Ornithologist and Oologist,’ 
Yol. XV, p. 30, as follows: “II. II. Brock reports a specimen of the 
European Corn Crake ( Crex crex) killed by John Whiting in Falmouth, 
Me., about four miles from Portland. Another was shot at the same 
time, but was so mutilated that it was thrown away.” 
I feel that the importance of this capture demands a more detailed state- 
ment, especially in view of the fact that the above notice seems to have 
been often overlooked. The bird is an unquestionable Crex crex in 
extremely fine plumage and of typical coloration. It not only agrees 
closely with printed descriptions, but with the several European speci- 
mens with which I have compared it. The date of its capture was Octo- 
ber 14, 1889, and the locality the ‘Dyke’ Marsh in Falmouth, where so 
many other rare waders have been taken. It was shot by Mr. John Whit- 
ne y> n °f “ Whiting.” It came into my hands at once, was preserved by 
myself, and is now in my collection. Great importance should not, of 
course, be attached to the closing sentence of the paragraph above quoted, 
which was based on the statements of a gunner not skilled in identifying 
birds, though undoubtedly truthful.— Henry H. Brock, Portland , Me. 
H. H. Brock, Portland, Me., reports a specimen of 
tlie E uropean Corn Crake (Crex crex) killed by John 
Whiting at the dyke in Falmouth, Me., about four miles 
from Portland. Another was shot at the same time but 
was so mutilated that it was thrown away. He also 
reports two Great Gray Owls. 
O.&O. XV.Feb.lC90 P .*,0 
