The Short-tailed Tern (Hydrochelidon fissipes) in Massachusetts. 
— In view of the fact that the Short-tailed Tom has heen heretofore con¬ 
sidered a rare visitor to Massachusetts, it may be of interest to state that 
during a week spent on the island of Nantucket in August, 1878, a large 
number of specimens were observed by the writer. On August 16 no less 
than eight individuals were seen in the harbor near the town, and several 
were shot and examined. On every subsequent occasion when the shores 
of the island were visited small companies of these Terns were seen, 
sitting on the sand-bars, or fishing among the other and commoner species. 
They associated most commonly with the Wilson’s and Roseate Terns, and 
procured their food in the same way, hovering over the “ schools ” of blue- 
fish and pouncing upon the small fry which these voracious creatures drove 
to the surface. The stomachs of all the specimens which were dissected 
contained the macerated remains of small fishes only. In no case were 
any insects detected. — William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass. 
Bull N. O.O. 3,Oct., 1878, p. JfO 
A large flight of S hort -tail Tern passed Chatham, Mass., 
during the past week.— F. B. WSept. 10, 1885. 
O.&o. X. Oct. 1885. p. 
A Black Tern in nearly full plumage was taken by 
\. yi. Tufts, at West Gloucester, Mass. July 22,1888. 
O.& o. Xlll.Sept. 1888 p.144 
TWO Black Terns have been 
Mass., this season. 
taken at Framingham, 
O 
&0. XIV. Sept. 1889 p.143 
While collecting at Ipswich Beach on 
August 26, I succeeded in obtaining a fine 
specimen of the Black Tern $. This 
bird is quite rare in this locality, and was 
probably driven here by the severe north¬ 
east storm which was raging at the time. 
I noticed several more of the same species 
but was unable to obtain them. I present¬ 
ed this bird to the Salem Museum, for 
which I am collecting. <2- Qa***w. 
O.feO.Vol.17, S«pt.l862 p.140 
27 
