BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
441 
Botaurus lentiginosus. American Bittern (55, 56). Occasionally seen during the 
winter in the valley ot the Delaware. 
Botaurus exilis. Least Bittern (56, 57). Breeds annually, but is not abundant, 
in the meadows along the Delaware river in Bucks county and on the opposite 
shore (New Jersey). 
Aide a herodias. Great Blue Heron (57 , 58, 59). Not uncommon during the 
winter.* 
Nycncorax violaceus. Yellow-crowned Night Heron (66). “Stragglers noted in 
Delaware \alley, near Bristol, within three years. For several years Nycticorax 
violaceus was to be iound in the woods reaching nearly to the river, on the McCall- 
Cadwallader properties, just beyond the then limits of Trenton, N. J. This was in 
1860-65; since then they have disappeared from that neighborhood. I have twice 
shot specimens on the meadows below Trenton ; one specimen of which I gave to 
the late John Cassin, of Philadelphia, then our leading ornithologist. In the summer 
of 1875, James Allinson, living near me, just out of Trenton, N. J., brought me a 
specimen that had been killed on his farm. 1 do not think he preserved it.” 
Rallus elegans. King Rail (67, 68). “ A regular summer resident near Bristol, 
Pa. Have found several nests.” 
Fulica americana. Coot (74, 75). “A pair of Coots nested near the mouth of 
Crosswick’s creek in the summer of 1889. This is in Burlington county, New Jersey, 
directly opposite Penn’s Manor, Bucks county, so I doubt not they are to be found 
nesting in Pennsylvania also ; but, of course, only rarely.” 
Totanus solitarius. Solitary Sandpiper (90, 91). “Have positive knowledge of 
at least one nest on Jersey shore of Delaware river.” 
Strix pratincola. Barn Owl (144, 145, 146). “Still found near Bristol. Breeds 
in hollow trees ; preferably single trees in open fields.” 
Surnia ulula caparoch. Hawk Owl (159). “Have seen two specimens taken in 
the valley of the Delaware. One was caught in Mercer county, New Jersey, in 
a barn, in December, 1858 (or January, 1859), and identified by myself. In 1861, I 
saw a specimen in the flesh, at Rutger’s College, New Brunswick. Some one 
brought it in to the late Prof. George H. Cools, State Geologist. The late George 
Collins, of Trenton, N. J., taxidermist, had a specimen brought to him in winter of 
1876-77 (or in 1877-78). It was at a time when an unusual flight of Snowy Owls 
occurred. The specimen \\ r as shot on the sea coast and brought to Mr. Collins with 
several owls. All these specimens were sent to England.” 
Agelaius pheeniceus. Swamp Blackbird (210, 211, 212). Not an uncommon fea¬ 
ture of the midwinter landscape in Bucks county.f They were even abundant in 
January, 1891, along the river at Bristol, Pa. 
Quiscalus quiscula. Crow Blackbird (219-224). Not as rare in winter, in Dela¬ 
ware valley, as stated of it, in the interior counties. 
Spizella socialis. Chippy (238, 239). A few remain during the winter. 
Melospizageorgiana. Swamp Sparrow (243). Breeds abundantly in Bucks county 
along the river, and many remain throughout the year. 
Habia ludoviciana. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (246, 247). There is a large colony 
of these birds in Buckscounty, where they breed ; and on the Jersey shore opposite, 
they are even more abundant. They appeared about 1880 in numbers, remaining to 
breed and have yearly become more abundant. 
Mniotilta varia. Black and White Creeper (273). This w r arbler can safely be 
stated to arrive as early as April 1st and to remain until late in November. Dr. 
Joseph de B. Abbott, of Bristol, is confident he has seen this bird in midwinter. 
Setophaga ruticilla. Redstart (302). Breeds in Rocky Woods, Bucks county 
(near Bristol), and abundantly in New Jersey. 
♦Solitary individuals of this species are not unfrequently to be met with, in suitable localities, during 
mild winters, especially early in the season, in different parts of the state.—B. H. Wakken. 
f Birds of this species have been observed by me in midwinter (1888 and 1890) in company with different 
kinds of sparrows, near Jenkintown, Montgomery county, also in the vicinity of Doylestown and Quaker- 
town, Bucks county.—B. H. Warren 
