Notes on Certain Water Birds in Mass, 
George H. Mackay. 
Through the courtesy of my friend Mr. J. R. Kendall of 
Jamaica Plain, Mass., I am able to contribute the following 
interesting data concerning the recent occurrence of tbfe Red 
Phalarope ( Phalaropus lobatus) off the coast of Massachusetts, 
On May 25, 1894, about ten thousand (as carefully estimated) 
, idermists. The remainder were not preserved. All of those sent 
to the above gentlemen proved to be Northern Phalaropes, and were 
all females. There is every reason for believing that this entire 
body of birds were of this species. This gathering of birds 
appears to have been the largest ever noted in this vicinity. I 
understand they were also observed in large numbers at Annis- 
quam at about the same time. 
On May 30, with the wind south and fresh, my friend Mr. 
J. R. Kendall observed two thousand (estimated) around the 
‘Pigs,’ where they were still lingering, the others having departed. 
They kept up a continual twittering. lie again visited the 
same locality on June 3, at my request, and sailed over the adja- 
cent water, but failed to observe any birds, all having apparently 
departed. On that day the wind was west, a fresh breeze. The 
day before the wind was strong southwest. 
I am inclined to the belief that Phalaropus lobatus , as also 
Crymophilus fulicanus , exist in enormous numbers, owing to 
the fact that they seldom approach the shores m numbers, or 
pass over the land to any extent, as far as I am aware, during 
their migrations. They consequently are not subject to the 
contingencies which affect other birds. It will be recalled 
that a very large flight of Red Phalaropes (see Auk, Vol. IX, 
P'tl6 Oologist. 1634. Northern Phalarope. By C[harles] C. T[rembly]. Ibid.. 
p. 236. — Striking an electric light tower at Utica, N. Y. Attk,Vll. Jan. 1SS0. p. Sat. 
£ftr/ 7 ?7 2<i.4\r. 
Capture of the Northern Phalarope near Springfield, Mass. — A Northern 
Phalarope ( Lobipes lobatus) was captured on the Connecticut River near 
Springfield, Mass., on September 23, 1909. — Robert O. Morris, Spring- 
field, Mass. 
A Ok 27. JMX-IOIO p. 79. 
