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HARVARD UNIVERSITY

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MUSEUM or COMPAEATIVE ZOOLOGY.

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HiPIBWa ■»■"■

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

OOBSECTICCT ACADEMY

OF

ARTS AND SCIENCES.

VOLUME lY.

NEW HAVEN:
PUBLISHED BY THE ACADEMY.

'''"1877-1882.

THE TUTTLE, MOREHOUSE & TAYLOR PRESS.

u

CONTENTS

PAGE

List of Additions to the Library, v

Art. L — Review of the Birds of Connecticut, with

REMARKS ON THEIR HABITS. By C. HaRT MeRRIAM, . 1

Art. IL — List of Writings relating to the Method
OF Least Squares, with historical and critical
NOTES. By Mansfield Merriman, .. 151

Art. in. — Ventral Fins of Ganoids. By James K.

Thacher. With plates 1 and 2, 233

Art. IV. — Some interesting new Diptera. By S. W.

Williston, 243

Art. V. — On the species of Pinnixa inhabiting the
New England Coast, with remarks on their early
stages. By S. I. S:mitii, 24*7

Art. VI. — Occasional occurrence of tropical and sub-
tropical species of Decapod Crustacea on the
Coast of New England. By S. I. Smith, 254

Art. VII. — On the Amphipodus genera, Cerapus, Un-

CIOLA, AND LePIDACTYLIS, DESCRIBED BY ThoMAS SaY.

By S. I. Smith. With plate 2a, 273

Art. VIII. — New England Annelida. Part I. Histor-
ical Sketch, with annotated lists of the species
hitherto recorded. By A. E. Verrill. With

PLATES 3-12, 285

Art. IX. — The North American Species of Conops.

By S. W. Williston, 325

OFFICERS OF THE ACADEMY, 1881-82.

' President.
DANIEL C. EATON.

Vice-President.
ADDISON E. VERRILL.

Corresponding Secretary.
ADDISON VAN NAME.

Pecording Secretary.
LEONARD WALDO.

Librarian.
ADDISON VAN NAME.

Treasurer.
HENRY C. KINGSLEY.

Publishing Committee.
HUBERT A. NEWTON, ELIAS LOOMIS,

GEORGE J. BRUSH, ADDISON E. VERRILL,

CHESTER S. LYMAN, WILLIAM D. WHITNEY,

ADDISON VAN NAME.

Auditing Committee.
ADDISON E. VERRILL, HUBERT A. NEWTON,

ADDISON VAN NAME.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY

OF THE

Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences,

By Gift and Exchange, from June 1, 1876, to Dec 31, 1877.

1. From Societies and Institutions in the United /States.

Albany. — N. Y. State Library. 5Sth, 59th annual report, 1875-76. 8°.

N. T. State Museum of Natural History. ^ 26th annual report, 1874. 8°.

American Association for the Advancement of Science. Proceedings. 24th meeting,

at Detroit, 1875; 25th, at Buffalo, 1876. Salem, 1876-77. 8°.
Ann Arbor. — Scientific Association. Constitution and by-laws with proceedings for

year ending May 1, 1876. 8°.
Boston. — Amateur Scientific Society. Science observer. No. 1-5. 1877. 8".

American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Proceedings. Vol. 11-13, pt. 1,

1875-77. 8°.

Society of Natural History. Memoirs. Vol. 2, pt. 4, no. 5, 1877. 4°.

Proceedings. Vol. 18, pt. 3-4; 19, pt. 1-2; 1876-77. 8°.
Crosby, W. 0. Report on the geological map of Massachusetts, 1876. 8°.
Buffalo. — Society of Natural Sciences. Bulletin. Vol. 3, no. 3-4, 1876-77. 8°.
Cambridge. — Museum of Comparative Zoology. Memoirs. Vol. 2, no. 9; 4, no. 10;
5, no. 1: 1876-77. 4°.
Bulletin. Vol. 3, no. 15-16, 1876. 8'.
Annual report, 1876. 8°.
Davenport. — Academy of Natural Sciences. Proceedings. Vol. 1, 1867-76. 8°.
Madison. — Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. Transactions Vol.3,
1875-6. 8°.

Minnesota Geological and Natural History Survey. 4th, 5th annual report, 1875-6.
St. Paul, 1876-77. 8°.

Poughkeepsie. — Society of Natural Science. Proceedings. Vol. 1, fasc. 3. 8°.

Salem.— ^ssea; Institute. Bulletin. Vol. 7, no. 8-12 ; 8; 9; 10, no. 1-6; 1875-77. 8°.

San Francisco. — California Academy of Sciences. Proceedings. Vol. 5, pt. 3,
1875. 8°.

Savannah. — Georgia Historical Society. Proceedings at the dedication of Hodgson
Hall, Feb. 14. 1876. 8°.

Washington. — Bureau of Education. Report of the commissioner of education for
1875. 8°.
Public libraries in the United States of America, their history, condi-
tion and management. Special report, 1876. 2 pts. 8°.

U. S. Entomological Commission. Bulletin. No. 1-2. 1877. 8 .

vi Additions to the Library.

Washington. — U. S. Geological Exploratioji of the Fortieth Parallel.

Vol.2. Hague, A. and Emmons, S. F. Descriptive geology. 1877. 4°.
Vol. 3. Hague, J. D. Mining industry. 1870. 4", and atlas, f°.
Vol.6. Zirkel, F. Microscopical petrography. 1876. 4°.
U. S. Naval Observatory. Astronomical and meteorological observa-
tions, 1874. 4°.
Newcomb, S. Investigation of corrections to Hansen's tables of the
moon. 1876. 4°.

Surgeon GeneraFs Office. Medical and surgical history of the war of

the rebellion. Part 2, vol. 2 : Surgical history. 1876. 4°.

U. S. Treasury Department. Annual report of the operations of the

U. S. life-saving service for 1876. 8°.
Worcester. — America'/!, Antiquarian Society. Proceedings. No. 66-69, 1876-77. 8°.

2. From Societies and Institutions in foreign countries.

Amsterdam. — K. Akademie der Wetenschappen. Verslagen en mededeeliugen. Afdeel.
natuurkunde, 2. reeks, deel 8-10, 1874-77. 8°.
Jaarboek, 187.S-75. 8 '.

K. zoologisch Genootschap " Natura Artis MagistraJ^ Bijdragen tot de dier-

kunde. Aflev. 1-9, 1848-69. 4°.
Nederlandsch tijdschrift voor de dierkunde. Deel 1-4, 1864-74. 8°.
Augsburg. — Naturhistorischer Verein. Bericht, 21, 24, 1871-77. 8°.
AuxERRE. — Societe des Sciences HMoriques et Naturelles de F Yonne. Bulletin. T. 30,

1876. 8°.
Bamberg. — Naturforschende Gesellschaft. Bericht, 10-11, 1871-76. 8°.
Belfast. — Natural History and Philosophical Society. Proceedings, 1875-6. 8°.
Berlin. — Afrikanische Gesellschaft. Correspondenzblatt. No. 1-16, 18-19, 21, 1873-

77. 8°.
Bologna. — Accademia delle Scienze delF Instituto di Bologna. Rendiconto, 1875-77. 8°.
Bombay Branch of the Boy al Asiatic Society. Journal. No. 27-34, 1870-76. 8".

Geographical Society. Transactions. Vol. 19, pt. 3, 1874. 8°.

Bordeaux. — Societe Linneenne. Actes. T. 31, livr. 1-3, 1876. 8°.

Societe des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles. Memoires. 2. ser. t. 1, cahier

2-3. 1876. 8°.
Bremen. — Naturwissenschafilicher Verein. Abhandlungen. Bd. 4, Heft 4; 5, Heft 1-2;

1875. Beilage do. No. 5. 1875. 4".
Brunn. — Naturforscher Verein. Verhandlungen. Bd. 13-14, 1874-75. 8°j

Katalog der Bibliothek. 1875. 8°.
Bruxelles. — Aca.demie Royale des Sciences des Lettres et des Beaux-Arts de Belgique.
Memoires. T. 41, 1875-76. 4'.
Memoires couronnes et memoires des savants etrangers. T. 39, pt. 1,

1876. 4°.
Memoires couronnes et autres memoires. T. 24-26, 1875. 8°.
Bulletins. 2. ser. t. 38-40, 1874-5. 8°.
Annuaire, 1875-76. 8°.

Societe Entomologique de Belgique. Annales. T. 17-19, 1874-77. 8°.

Societe Malacologique de Belgiqve. Annales. T. 8-10. 1873-5. 8°.

Proces-verbaux. T. 4-5, 1875-76. 8°.

Additionti to the Library. vii

Budapest. — K. ung. Central- Anstalt fiir Meteorologieund Erdmagnetismus. Jahrbiicher.

Bd. 4, 1874. 4-\
Calcutta. — Asiatic Society of Bengal. Journal. Yol. 44, pt. 2. no. 3 (continuation)
and extra no. ; 45, pt. 1-2 ; 46, pt. 1, no. 1, pt. 2. no. 1 ; 1875-77. 8°.
Proceedings, 1876, 1877, no. 1-5. '%'=.

Government of India.

Report of the meteorological reporter to the government of Bengal,

1867-1874. f".— Administration report do., 1870-1875. i".
Blanford, H. B. Report on the meteorology of India in 1875. Calc,

1877. f".
"Willson, W. G. Report of the Midnapore and Burdwan cj^clone, Oct.

15 and 16, 1874. Calc, 1875. T.
Elliott, J. Report of the Vizagapatam and Backergunge cyclones of

October, 1876. Calc, 1877. T.
Indian meteorological memoirs. Vol. 1, pt. 1, 1876. f°.
Catania. — Accademia Gioenia di Scienze Natwrali. Atti. 3. ser. t. 6, 9, 10, 1870-

76. 4°.
Chemnitz. — Naturwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft. Bericht, 5, 1873-74. 8°.

Kramer, F. Phanerogamen-Floravon Chemnitz undUmgegend. 1875. 4°
Cherbourg. — Societe Nationale des Sciences Natur elks. Memoires. T. 19, 1876. 8°.
Christiania. — Kong. Norske Universitet. Universitetsprogrammer, etc. viz:

Kjerulf, T. Om Skuringsmserker, etc. 11. Sparagmitfjeldet. 1872. 8°.
Postola Sogur, udgiv. ai C R. Unger. 1873. 8°.
Hertzberg, E. Grundtrtekkene i den asldste uorske Proces. 1874. 8°.
Caspari, C. P. Quellen zur Geschichte des Taufsymbols und der Glau-

bensregel. III. 1875. 8°.
Sars, G. 0. On some remarkable forms of animal life. II. 1875. 4°.
Schiibeler, F. C. Die Pflanzenwelt Norwegens. Specieller Theil.

1875. 4°.
Siebke, N. Enumeratio insectorum Norvegicorum. Fasc. 1-4, 1874-77.

8°.
Broch 0. J. Kongeriget Norge og det norske Folk. 1876. 8°.

Videnskabs-Selskab. Forhandlinger, 1872-75. 8^

Chur. — Naturforschende Gesellschaft Gruhiindens. Jahresbericht. N. F. Jahrg. 19,
1874-75. 8°.
Husemann, A. and Killias, E. Die arsenhaltigen Eisensauerlinge von
ValSinestra. 1876. 8°.
Copenhagen. — Kongelige Danske Videnska: ernes Selskah. Oversigt over Forhandlinger.

1875, no. 2-3; 1876, no. 1-2; 1877, no. 1. 8".
Danzig. — Naturforschende Gesellschaft. Schriften. N. F. Bd. 3, Heft 4 ; 4, Heft 1 ;

1875-6. 8°.
Dorpat. — Gelehrte Estnische Gesellschaft. Verhandlungen. Bd. 8, Heft 3-4, 1876-7. 8°.
Sitzungsbericht, 1875-76. 8°.

Naturforscher Gesellschaft. Sitzungsberichte. Bd. 4, Heft 2, 1876. 8".

Archiv fiir die Naturkunde Liv.— Ehst-und Kurlands. 1. Ser. Bd. 7^
Heft 5; 8, Heft 1-2; 2. Ser. Bd. 7. Heft 3; 1876-77. 8°.
Dresden. — Kais. Leopold- Carotin. Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher. Leopoldina.
Heft 11, 1875. 4°.

viii Addltioits to the Library.

Dresden. — Naturwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft Isis. Sitzungsberichte, 1876. 8".

Verein fiir Erdkunde. Jahresbericht, 13-14, 1877. 8".
'D'U'BLm.— Royal Geological Society of Ireland. Journal. Vol. 14, pt. 3-4, 1875-77. 8°.

University Biological Association. Proceedings. Vol. 1, no. 2, 1874-5. 8°.

Edinburgh. — Geological Society. Transactions. Vol. 3, pt. 1, 1877-8.

Emden. — Naturforschende Gesellschaft. Jahresbericht, 61, 1875. 8°.

Frankfurt a. M. — Neue Zoologische Gesellschaft. Der Zoologische Garten. Jahrg.

16, no. 7-12; 17; 18, no. 1-3; 1875-77. 8°.
Freiburg i. Br. — NaturforscJiende Gesellschaft. Berichte. Bd. 6, Heft 4 ; 7, Heft 1 ;

1876-77. 8\
(tEN^ive. — Institut National Genevois. Bulletin. T. 20, 1876. 8".
Memoires. T. 13. 1877. 4°.

Societe de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelk. Memoires. T. 24, pt. 2 ; 25, pt.

] ; 1875-77. 4°.
Giessen. — Oherliessische Gesellschaft. Bericht, 15-16, 1876-77. 8°.
Glasgow. — Philosophical Society. Proceedings. Vol. 10, 1875-77. 8°.
Halifax. — Nova Scotian Institute of Natural Science. Proceedings and transactions.

Vol. 4, pt. 1, 1874-75. 8".
Halle. — Natwrforschende Gesellschaft. Abhandlungen. Bd. 13. Heft 3, 1875. 4'^.
Bericht, 1875. 4°.

Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein fiir Sachsen und Thiiringen.

Zeitschrift der gesammten Naturwissenschaften. N. F. Bd. 11-12,
Berlin, 1875. 8°.
Hamburg. — Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein. Abhandlungen. Bd. 6, Heft 2-3, 1876. 4°.

Uebersicht, 1873-74. 4°.
Harlem.— ifw^ee Teyler.— Archives T. 1-2, 4, fasc. 1, 1867-76. 8°.
Heidelberg. — Naturhisiorisch-rnedicinischer Verein. Verhandlungen. N. F. Bd. 1,

Heft 5; 2, Heft 1: 1877. 8°.
Helsingfors. — Societas Scientiarum Fennica. Acta. T. 10, 1875. 4°.
Ofversigt, 17, 1874-5. 8°.

Bidrag till kannedom af Finlands natur och folk. Haft. 24, 1875. 8°.
Observations meteorolgiques, 1873. 8°.

Societas pro Fauna et Flora Fennica. Meddelanden. Haft. 1, 1876. 8°.

Hermannstadt. — Siebenbiirgischer Verein. Verhandlungen. Jahrg. 26-27, 1876. 8°.
Hobart Town. — Royal Society of Tasmania. Monthly notices for 1874. 8°.
Kiel. — Verein nardlich der Elbe zur Verbreitung naturwissenschaftlicher Kentnisse.
Mittheilungen. Heft 1, 4-7, 9, 1857-69. 4° and 8°.

Natnirwissenschaftlicher Verein fiir Schleswig-Holstein. Schriften. Bd. 1 , Heft

3; 2; 1875-77. 8°.

Universitdt. Schriften. Bd. 2-23, 1855-76. 4°.

Volbehr, F. Die Binweihungsfeier des neuen Universitats-Gebaude zu
Kiel. 1876. 8°.
Klagenfurt. — Natwhistorisches Landes-Museum von Kdrnten. Jahrbuch. Jahrg.

20-24, 1873-6. 8°.
Konigsberg. — Konigl. physikalisch-okonomische Gesellschaft. Schriften. Jahrg. 16,

1875-6. 4°.
Krakau. — K. k. Sternwarte.. Materialy do Klimatografii Galieyi. Rok 1875. 8'.

Additions to the Library. ix

Lausanne.— S^ocieCe Vaudoise dcs Sciences Naturelles. Bulletin. 2. ser. no. 76-77,

1876-7. 8°.
IjE^ds.— Geological and Polytechnic Society of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Proceed-
ings. N. S. pt. 2-3, 1875-6. 8°.
ljY,\¥zm.—Astronomische Gesellschaft. Vierteljahrsschrift. Jahrg. 10, Heft 4; 11; 12,
Heft 1-2; 1875-77. 8".

Naturforscheiule Gesellsch'ft. Sitzungsberichte. Jahrg. 2-4, no. 1, 1875-77. 8°.

Liverpool. — Literary and Phdosophical Society. Proceedings. No. 15-17, 30, 1860-

76. 8°.
London. — Geological Society. Quarterly journal. Yol. 33, 1877. 8°.
List, Nov. 1, 1877. 8°.

Linnean Society. Journal. Zoology, no. 65-71, 1876-77; Botany, no.

89-92, 1877. 8=.

Mathematical Society. Proceedings. No. 34. 87-121. 1871-77. 8°.

Royal Historical Society. Transactions. Vol. 1-6, 1873-7. 8°.

Royal Society. Philosophical transactions. Vol. 163, pt. 2, 164-166, 1872-

77. 4".

Proceedings. Vol. 20-25, 1872-7. 8°.
List of feUows, etc., 30 Nov. 1876. 4°.
Lyon. — Societe Wtltudes Scientifiques. Bulletin. No. 1-2, 1874-77. 8\
Madrid. — Observatorio. Anuario, 11-14, 1871-76. 8°.

Observaciones meteorologicas, 1869-73. 8°.

" '• en la peninsula, 1869-70. 8°.

" " de provincias, 1871-73. 8°.

Manchester. — Literary and Philosophical Society. Memoirs. 3. ser. vol. 5, 1876. 8°.
Proceedings. Vol. 13-15, 1873-76. 8°.
Catalogue of the books in the library. 1875. 8^.

Scientific Students Association. Annual report, 1875-76. 8".

Mauritius. — Royal Society of J rts and Sciences. Transactions. N. S. vol. 9, 1876. 8".
Metz. — Academic. Memoires. Annee 56, 1874^5. 8°.
Mexico. — Miiseo Naciqnal Anales. T. 1, entrega 1, 1877, f°.

Observatorio Central. Boletin meteorologico. Marzo, 1877. 8".

Registro meteorologico. Aliril-Junio, 1877.

Boletin del ministerio del fomento. T. 1, no. 1-75, 1877.

Sociedad de Geographia y Estadistica. Boletin. 3. epoca, t. 3, no. 1-2,

1876. 8°.

Chavero, A. Calendario Azteca. 2. ed. Mexico, 1876. 8' .
Milan. — R. Ristitv,to Lornbardo. Rendiconti. 2. ser. vol. 7, fasc. 17-20; 8; 1874-
75. 8°.

Societdltalianadi ScienzeNaturali. Atti. Vol. 17, fasc. 4; 18; 1875-76. 8°.

Montpellier. — Academic des Sciences et des Lettres. Memoires. Section des sciences,
t. 8. fasc. 3-4, 1875-6. Section des lettres, t. 6. fasc. 1, 1876. 4°.
Moscow. — Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes. Bulletin, 1875. 8°.
MuNCHEN. — Konigl. Bayerische Akademie cler Wissenschaften. Sitzungsberichte.

Philosoph.-philolog. und histor. Classe. 1874, Bd. 1, Heft 4; 2; 1875,

Bd. 1-2; 1876, Heft 1-5. 8°.
Mathemat-physikal. Classe. 1874, Heft 4, 1875, 1876, 1877, Heft 1. 8°.
Almanach fiir 1875. 8\

X Additions to the Library.

MuNCHEN. — Konigl. Bayerische Akademie der Wissenscha.ften.

Biichner, L. A. Ueber die Beziehungen der Chemie zur Reclitspflege.

1875. 4°.
Bursian, C. Ueber den religiosen Charakter des griechischen Mythos.

1815. 4°.
Erlenmeyer, E. Ueber den Einfluss des Freih. Justus v. Liebig auf die

Entwicklung der reinen Chemie. 1874. 4°.
Giimbel, C. W. Diegeognostische DurchforschungBayerns. 1877. 4°.
Liliencron, Freih. R. v. Ueber den Inhalt der allgeraeinen Bildung in

der Zeit der Scholastik. 1876. 4°.
Prantl, C. V. Verstehen und Beurtheilen. 1877. 4°.
Trumpp. E. Nanak, der Stifter der Sikh-Religion. 1876. 4°.

Sternwarte. Annalen. Bd. 20-21, 1874-76. 8°.

Meteorologische und magnetische Beobachtungen, 1876. 8°.
Napoli. — R. Instituto d^Incoraggiamento alle Scienze Naturali, etc. Atti. 2. ser. t. 13,
14, pt. 1, 1876-77. 4°.
Relazione. 1877. 4°.
Neu-Brandenburg. — Verein der Preunde der NaturgescMchtein Mpxkknhury. Archiv.

Jahrg. 30, 1876. 8".
Neuchatel. — Societe des Sciences Naturelles. Bulletin. T. 10, cahier .3, 1876. 8°.
Oxford. — Raddiffe Observatory. Results of astronomical and meteorological observa-
tions. Vol. 25-26, 1865-6. 8".

Raddiffe Library. Catalogue of books on natural science, to Dec, 1872. 4°.

Paris. — Societe d'' Acclimatation. Bulletin mensuel. 3. ser. t. 3, livr. 3-12 ; 4, livr.
1-4; 1876-77. 8°.

Societe Geologique de France. Bulletin. 3. ser. t. 1, no. 6; 2, no. 6, 8; 3^

no. 3, 7, 9-12; 4, no. 2-12; 5, no. 1-6; 1873-76. 8".
Pesaro. — Osservatorio Meteorico e Magnetico Valerio. Bulletino mensile. 2. ser.

vol. 1, pp. 1-32, Luglio-Agosto, 1875. 8°.
Pisa. — Societd Toscana di Scienze Naturali. Atti. Vol. 2, 3, fasc. 1, 1876-7. 8°.
Prag. — Konigl. Bohmische Akademie der Wissenschaften. Abhandlungen. 6. Folge,
Bd. 8, 1877. 4 .

Sitzungsberichte, 1875-76. 8°.
Jahresbericht, 1876. 8°.
K. k. Sternwarte. Astronomische, magnetische und meteorologische Beobach-
tungen. Jahrg. 36, 37, 1875-76. 4^
PULKOWA, — Nicolai Hauptsternwarte. Jahresbericht, 1875-76. 8°.
Regensburg. — Zoologisch-mineralogischer Verein. Correspondenz-Blatt. Jahrg. 29,
1875. 8".

Historischer Verein vom Oberpfalz und Regensburg. Verhandlungen. Bd. 31,

1875. 8°.
Rio Janeiro. — Museu Nacional. Archives. T. 1, pt. 1, 1876. 4\
Roma. — R. Accademia dei Lincei. Atti. 2. ser. vol. 1-2. 3. ser. Transunti, vol. 1 ,
fasc. 3-7. 1873-77. 4".

R. Comitato Geologico d'ltalia. Bolletino. 1875, no. 5-12. 8 \

Societd Italiana delle Scienze. Memorie. 2. ser. t. 1-2 ; 3 ser. t. 1-2. Modena

and Firenze, 1862-76. 4°.

Additions to the Library. xi

Rotterdam. — Bataafsch Genootschap der proefondervindelijke Wijshegeerte. Nieuwe

Verhandelingen. 2. reeks, deel 2, stuk 2, 1876. 4°.
St. Gallen. — Naturwissenscliaftliche Gesellschaff. Bericht, 1874r-5. 8".
Santiago. — Universidad de Chile. Anales. Apendice, 1873; t. 45-46, 1874. 8^.
Anuario estadistica de la republica di Chile. T. 1.5, 16. 1875. 4''.
Estadistica eomercial " " 1874. 4".

Memorias presentadas al congreso nacional en 1875, viz:

Relaciones esteriores e colonizacion ; interior ; justicia, culto e instruc-
cionpublica; hacienda; guerra i marina. 6 v. 8°.
Sesiones de la camara de senadoies en 1874. 2v. 4°.

" " " de diputados " 4°.

Cuenta Jeneral de las entradas 3- gastos flscales en 1874. 4".
Anuario hidrografico de la marina de Chile. Afio 1, 1875. 8°.
Lei de presupuestos para 1875. 8°.
Lei de elecciones 12 Nov., 1874. 8°.
Lei explicativa " '■ 8°.

Constitucion politica de la republica de Chile. 1874.
Barros Arana, D. Bon Miguel Lui.s Amunategui, candidate a la presi-
dencia de la republica. 1875. 8°.
St. Petersburg. — Eortus PetropoUtanus. Acta. T. 5, fasc. 1, 1877. 8°.

Kais. Akademie der Wissenschiften. Repertorium fiir Meteorologie. Bd. 5

Heft 1, 1876. 4".

Pkysikalisches Centralobservaforium. Annalen. Jahrg. 1874-75. 4".

Schweizerisdie naturforschende Gesellschafl. Verhandlungen. 58. Jaliresversamm-

lung in Andermatt, 1875. Luzern, 1876. 8°.
Stockholm.— .S'owg'. Svenska Vetenskaps Akademien. Handlingar. N. F. Bd. 11, 13,
14, 1872-75. 4°.
Bihang till handlingar. Bd. 3, 1875. 8°.
Ofversigr. Arg. 32-33, 1875-76. 8".
Meteorologiske jagttagelser. Bd. 15-16, 1873-74. 4°.
Stuttgart. — Verein fiir vaterlllndische Naturkunde in Wiiritemherg. Jahreshefte.

Jahrg. 32-33, 1876-77. 8° and 4°.
Sydney. — Gove^-nment Observatory. Results of meteorological observations. 1874. 8°.

Russell, H. 0. Climate of New South "Wales. 1877. 8°.
Toronto. — Meteorological Office of the Dominion of Canada. 5th, 6th annual report,

1875-76. 8°.
Toulouse. — Academie des Sciences. Inscriptions et Belles- Lettres. Memoires. 7. ser.
t. 7, 1875. 8°.

Societe d^Histoire Naturelle. Bulletin. Annee 10, 1875-76. 8°.

Upsala. — Regia Societal Scientiarum. Nova Acta. 3. ser. vol. 10, fasc. 1, 1876, 4°.

Ohservatoire de V Universite d'' Upsal. Bulletin meteorologique mensuel. Vol.

7, 1875. 4".
WiEN. — Anthropologische Gesellschafl. Mittheilungen. Bd. 6, no. 6-10; 7, no. 1-6;
1876-77. 8°.

Kais. Akademie der Wissenschaflen. Sitzungsberichte. Mathemat.-natur-

wiss. Classe. Abth. 1, Bd. 72-74, Heft 2, 1875-76. 8°.

K. k. Central- Anstalt fiir Meteorologie und Erdmagnetismus. Jahrbiicher.

N. F. Bd. 11, 1874. 4°.

xii Additions to the Lihrary.

WiEN. — K. k. geologische Rdchsamtalt. Abhandhmgen. Bd. 7, Heft 4; 9; 1877. 4".
Jahrbuch. Bd. 26, 27, no. 1-2, 1876-77. 8°.

Verhandlungen. Jahrg. 1874, no. 14-15, 1875, 1876, 1877, no. 1-10. 8°.
Catalog der Ausstellungs-Gegenstande bei der Wiener Ausstellung,
1873. 8".

K. k. Zoologisch-botanische Gesellschaft. Verhandlungen. Bd. 25-26, 1875-

76. 8°.

Oesterreichische Gesdlsclicift fiir MeAeorohgie. Zeitschrift. Bd. 11, 12, no.

1-13, 15-22, 1876-77, 8".
WiJRZBUBG, — Physikalisch-medicinische Gesellschaft. Sitzungsberichte, 1874-76. 8°.
Zurich. — Naturforschende GeseUschaft. Vierteljahrsschrift. Jahrg. 17-20, 1872-75. 8°.

3. FroDi. other sources.

Macedo, J. M. de. Brazilian biographical annual. Rio de Janeiro, 1876. 3 v. 8 ".
The empire of Brazil at tlae universal exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. Rio de

Janeiro, 1876. 8°. From the Brazilian Centennial Commission.

Mines and mineral statistics of New South "Wales. Sydney, 1875, 8°.
Annual report of the department of mines of New South Wales for 1875. 4.
New South Wales, its progress and resources. Sydney, 1876. 8\
Robinson, C. New South Wales, the oldest and richest of the Australian colonies.

Sydney, 1873. 8°.
Reid, G, H. Essay on New Sontli Wales, Sydney, 1876, 8°.

From the New South Wales Centennial Commission.
International exhibition of 1876. Portuguese special catalogue, etc. 5 pamph. 8°,

From the Portuguese Centennial Commission..
Crepin, F, Materiaux pour servir a I'histoire de roses. Fasc. 3. Gand, 1874—5. 8°.

Observations sur quelques plantes fossiles, Gand, 1875. 8°.

From the Author.
Haughton, S. On the tides of the Arctic seas. Pt, 4-6. Lond., 1875. 4".

From the Author.
Law, J. Principes de I'elevage des animaux domestiques. Traduction par M. Louis

Quaedvlieg. Bruxelles, 1874, 8^. From the Translator.

Moseley, H. N. On the structure and relations of certain corals, Lond,, 1876, 4°,

On a young specimen of Pelagonemertes Rollestoni, Lond,, 1875. 8°.

From the Author.
Preudhomme de Borre, A, Notes sur des empreintes d'insectes fossiles. Bruxelles,

1875. 8°. From the Author.

Ulrich, A, S. Pathologic und Therapie des muskularen Ruckgratsverkrummungen,
Bremen, 1874, 8'. . From the Author.

I. A REVIE^y of the Birds of Connecticut, with Remarks on
TiiEiK Habits. By C. Hart Merriam.

Bead June 20, 1877.

The little State of Connecticut, forming, as it does, the southwest-
ern corner of New England, and lying between the forty-first and
forty-second parallels (exactly 41° to 42° 3' N.), and extending, in an
east and west direction, from the meridian 71° 55' to 13° 50' west lon-
gitude, contains an area of but 4,674 square miles. Nevertheless it is
highly jH'obable, so favorably is it situated, that no equal area in the
country can boast a greater number of species of birds than may be
found within its limits. Indeed, nearly half the total number of
species in the United States have already been detected inside its
borders, and it is certain that future investigation will decidedly
increase this number.

Zoologically speaking, Connecticut l)elongs to that division of
country known as the Alleghanian Fauna. Still, as Mr. Purdie has
said,* its southern border has an evident tinge of the Carolinian, and
I may add that this " tinge" runs up the valley of the Connecticut
River, extending completely through the State, and even into Massa-
chusetts.

Some years ago Prof. A. E. Verrill stated that whenever such
birds as the Crossbills, the Spruce Partridge and tlie Canada Jay
" breed abundantly in any region, it may safely be considered as
belonging to the Canadian Fauna."f With equal truth it may be
said that whenever such birds as the Worm-eating, Blue-winged Yel-
low, and Hooded Warblers, together with the Large-billed Water
Thrush and Yellow breasted Chat, breed regtilarly and in considerable
numbers, the region may safely be included in the Carolinian Fauna.
That these species ai*e so found in southern Connecticut — notably
about the mouth of the Connecticut River — is noAV too well known
to need further contirmation.

The dividing lines between the several fjxunse are always more or
less irregular, and never very sharply defined. The distribution

* Am. Nat., vol. vii. No. 11, p. 693, Nov., 1873.
f Proceed. Essex Inst., vol. iii, p. 138. 1863.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 1 July, 1877.

2 C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connectimtt.

of those species by which the diiferent faunjB are distinguished, is
unquestionably governed, in great measure (as shown by Professor Ver-
rill),* by the temperature during the breeding season^ of the regions
in which they commonly breed. Hence the dividing lines between
faunoe do not follow, when placed on the chart, such smooth, regular
curves as serve to represent the isothermal lines (which show the
average temperature for the entire year), but more nearly coincide
with lines drawn to indicate the avei-age temperature during the
months of April, May, and June, — the period in which the great
majority of singing birds breed. It has been stated by Professor
Verrill that " a line drawn upon the map of Eastern North America
representing the mean temperature of 50° F., during these three
months, will coincide with the soiithern boundary of the Canadian
Fauna, as previously determined from the examination of the birds
breeding in that sub-division. Another line representing the tem-
perature of 65° will represent the southern boundarj^ of the Allegha-
nian Fauna,"* as distinguished from the Carolinian.

The fact that, during the thirty-four years that have elapsed since
the publication of Linsley's " Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut^''
no enumeration of the birds of this State has appeared, is sufficient
excuse for the present attempt. Moreover, the Connecticut Acad-
emy resolved, some time since, to ])ublish a series of j)apers on the
fauna of this State, and Professor Verrill did me the lionor to request
that I should prepare, as the first of this series, " A Review of the
Birds of Connecticut," which I have done as well as the limited
time at my disposal would permit.

In the year 1861, Dr. William Wood, of East Windsor Hill, Conn.,
published, in the Hartford Times, a series of twenty-one admirable
and most interesting articles on our " Birds of Prey," and it is much
to be regretted that he did not, in like manner, take up the remaining
groups. A few brief notices of the occurrence of some of the rarer
species within our limits have, from time to time, appeared in the
American Naturalist and Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club,
but nothing like a systematic list of the birds of the State has been
attempted.

My object has not been to give the largest possible number of
species, but to represent faithfully our true knowledge of the Avi-
fauna of Connecticut. An acknowledged fault with most local lists
is that their authors include, not only those species which have
actually been detected, but also those which, from their occurrence

* Am. Jour. 8ci. and Arts, vol. xli, p. 249, (Second Scries,) 1866.

C. 11. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 3

in neighboring districts, may, at some future time, be looked for
with a degree of success directly proportionate to the ornitho-distri-
butional knowledge of the writer. In the preparation of the follow-
ing list I have scrupulously examined the evidence on which each
species stands, and have rigorously excluded all those whose occur-
rence rests on insufficient proof

In a note, under each genus or family, will be found those species
which should, and probably do, occur, but which, owing to the small
number of collectors in this State, have not as yet been detected.
Information has been solicited from all, so far as I have been able to
ascertain, who are familiar with our birds — whether active collectors
or not — and I take this means of expressing my thanks and gratitude
for the many favors received, believing, at the same time, that they
should not be regarded as mere personal favors, but as real contribu-
tions to science, for in preparing this list I act but as the exponent
of the present state of our knowledge concerning the birds of Connec-
ticut. I am indebted to my friends, Mr. George Bird Grinnell, Mr.
A. J. Dayan, Prof Wm. D. Whitney, Dr. Wm. H. Hotchkiss, Mr.
Thomas B. Osborne, Mr. E. B. Wilson, Dr. F. W. Hall, Walter R.
Nichols, the Stadtmtiller Brothers, Kobert F. Morris, and Fred. Sum-
ner Smith, for information relating to species found in the immediate
vicinity of New Haven ; to Capt. O. N. Brooks, of Faulkner's Island
Light, for a list of the water birds of that portion of the Sound ;
to Messrs. W. W. Coe and John H. Sage, of Portland, Erwin
I. Shores, of Suffield, and J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn., for notes
on the species observed in the Connecticut Valley ; to Dr. William
Wood, of East Windsor Hill, Conn., for valuable information on the
time of occurrence and relative abundance of many of the rarer
species — especially in regard to the Hawks and Owls ; to Prof G.
Brown Goode, of Middletown, Conn,, not only for throwing open for
my inspection the cases of birds contained in the Museum of Wesleyan
University, but also for laboriously searching the Museum Catalogue
for records of the capture of the rarer species within the State ; to
Josiah G. Ely, Esq., for notes on the rarer species found about Lyme,
New London County, Conn. ; and to Drs. D. Crary and D. Crary, Jr.,
of Hartford, Conn., for information concerning the less common birds
of that vicinity. To each of these gentlemen due credit is given under
the species to which their notes ])ertain. I am also under obligations
to Mr. Rol)ert Ridgway, of the Smithsonian Institution, Dr. Thomas
M. Brewer, of Boston, and Mr. William Brewster, of Cambridge, for
the identification of birds and eggs, and for otlier information.

4 (J. H. Merrlara — Birds of Connecticut.

My thanks are especially due to W. W. Coe, John H. Sage, Ei win
I. Sliores, Thomas B. Osborne, Capt. (). N. Brooks, and the Stadt-
niiiller Brothers, for phieing their manuscript notes at my disposal ;
also, to Professors A. E. Verrill, Sidney I. Smith, and Franklin
B. Dexter, for the use of books not in the College Library ; and
to Dr. William H. Hotchkiss for aid in the preparation of the special
lists appended to this paper, as well as for much kindly assistance
rendered from time to time during the progress of the work.

Numerous references have been made to the writings of others,
and I hold myself i-esponsible for all dates and statements of any
kind, where the contrary is not expressly stated. Neither have
quotations been omitted, when they seemed desirable, either for the
value of the facts they contain, or for their antiquity; and, as a
rule I have taken pains to refer to the older and less accessible
works, rather than to those with which we are all familiar.

Although Ornithology, as a science, is, in this country, of compara-
tively recent date, still that the birds of New England early attracted
the attention of our forefathers is evident from their writings. In
the year 1616, Capt. John Smith said that there were, in New Eng-
land, " Eagles, Gripes, diners sorts of Haukes, Cranes, Geese, Brants,
Cormorants, Ducks, Sheldrakes, Teale, Meawes, Guls, Turkies, Diue-
doppers, and many other sorts, whose names I knowe not."* And a
few years later (1622) one William Hilton writes that the land
" affoords beasts of diuers sorts, and great flocks of Turkies, Quailes
Pigeons and Patriges : many great lakes abounding with fsh, fowls,
Beuers and Otters. The sea affoords us as great plenty of all excellent
sorts of sea-fish, as the riuers and lies doth varietie of icild fowls of
most vseful .sor^s."f And there are numerous others of a like nature,
some of which have been rejjroduced under the species to which they
refer.

It is worthy of note that many birds once common along the coast,
and some throughout the greater ])art of New England, are now
either extremely rare or not to be met with :it all within its limits,
while a few species have unquestionably increased in numbers since
the country has become settled. Among the former class may be
mentioned the Great Auk {Alca impennis), the Crane {Grus Cana-
densis, and perhaps G. Americana also), the S^van (Cygnus Ameri-
canus, and perhaps C. buccinator), the Wild Turkey (Ifeleagris gallo-
pavo), the Pinnated Grouse or Prairie Chicken (Cupidonia cupido),

* A Description of New England, by Capt. John Smith, p. 16. 1616.
f New England's Trials, p. 14. 1622.

C. H. Merriaui — Ulnla of Connecticnt. 5

the Swallow-tailed Kite {Ncmclerus fo7-Ji<'atns) , the Raven (Corous
corcw) now common only in northern New England, the Mockino--
l)ird {Mimus polyglottus), and many others. That these birds were
eommon here two or three hundred years ago is clear from the
numerous references to them in the writings of the time. And durino-
this period many otliers have greatly decreased in numbers — such as
the Pigeon {Ectopistes migrator la), Pileated Woodpecker {Ilijloto-
mas pileatus), black-birds, water fowl, and waders of all descriptions.*
The disappearance of some of these birds is readily accounted for by
the advance of civilization with its concomitant evils — destruction
of forests, increased use of fire arms, etc. — but in other cases the
cause is less easily ex])lained.

Few people, living away from the coast, have any idea that hun-
dreds of thousands of birds are killed each veJ^r, durino- mi^i-rations
by flying against lighthouse towers. Capt. O. N. Bi-ooks, of P\aulk-
ner's Island Light, tells me that between two and three hundred dead
birds were picked up at the foot of the tower on the morning of May
16th, 1877, and that at the same time thousands of living ones
stopped at the Island, devouiing all the tender plants and newly
sown seeds in his garden. Dui-ing the same night about three hun-
dred birds killed themselves against the light at the entrance of New
Haven Bay, and the daily papers stated that over seven hundred
were picked up on the decks of one of the New York steamers.
When w^e take into consideration the number of light-houses and
steamships along our whole coast it becomes clear that the number
of birds that perish annually by this means is simply innnense.
Nearly all our common, and many rare, migrants are found among
the dead, but the Maryland Yellow-throats {Geothh/pis trlchas)
greatly predominate, constituting full one third of the total number
examined. It is lamentable that this wholesale slaughter of our
song-birds seems to be unavoidable.

The nomenclature and arrangement of S])ccies adopted in the pres-
ent paper is that given in Cbues' " Key to North American Birds "
with such corrections as have since appeared in his " Birds of the
Northwest" and elsewhere.

* See also an interesting article by J. A. Allen in Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. i
No. 3. Sept. 1876.

C. H. 3Ierriatn — Birds of Connecticut.

A. General List, giving times of occurrence and relative abundance
of the species ; together vtith notes on the habits and distribution
of some of the less common forms.

Family, TURDID^.

1 . Turdus migratorius Liime. Robin.

An abundant summer resident; breeds abundantly, and several
times during the season. A few winter. The summer residents
arrive during the middle and latter part of February (Feb. 18, 1876;
Feb. 27, 1875), and remain in considerable numbers till near the close
of November.

2. Turdus mUStelinus Gmelin. Wood Thrush.

A common summer resident ; breeds. Arrives about IMay 3d
(common before the lOtli), remaining till October. Mr. John H. Sage,
of Portland, Conn., informs me that he and Mr. J. N. Clark, and
also Mr. W. W. Coe, have found its eggs " covered with fine black
specks." Mr. Fred. Sumner Smith, of this city, has recently shown
me a large egg of this species which is marked with a few small,
brownish-red spots. On sending the egg to Dr. Brewer, I received
the following: "The spots I never noticed before, but any Q^g,
always excepting a woodpecker's, is liable to be marked by minute
effusions of colored lymph of the parent, in its exclusion." Mr.
Smith tells me that the nest, which contained these speckled eggs,
was placed on a railway bridge, and within six inches of the rail.
A number of trains pass daily over this bridge.

3. Turdus Pallasi Cabanis. Hermit Thrush.

Common during its migrations, particularly so in the fall. Arrives
from the South before the middle of April (April 7, 1877, Coe; April
6, 1875, Sage; April 13, 1874, Sage; April U, 1876, Osborne; April
16, 1877, April 19, 1875), remaining till early in May; on their
return are with us from early in October till the latter part of Novem-
ber (Nov. 14, 18, 20, 1875). The woods abound with them during
the middle and latter part of October.

4. Turdus SwainSOnl Cabanis. Olive-backed Thrush.

Common during its migrations, but never so abundant as the last.
It is met with in spring from ]May 10th to 26th, and in autumn from

C. IT. Merriain — Sirds of Connecticut. 7

Sept. 4th (1874, Hall) to Oct. 13tli. In the fall it is not uncommonly
found in flocks of a dozen or fifteen in low swampy woods where
there is an abundance of undergrowth.

4«. Turdus SwainSOni, var. Aliciae (Baird) Coues. Gray-cheeked Thrush.

Occurs, during migrations, with the foregoing, and is more common
in the vicinity of New Haven — judging from the proportionate num-
ber of skins in private collections about here. Near Portland, Conn.,
on the contrary, the true Swainsoni type seems to predominate — as
shown by specimens in the cabinets of W. W. Coe and John H. Sage.

5. Turdus fuscescens Stephens. Wilson's Thrush.

A summer resident; breeds. Arrives early in May (May 8). Com-
mon in the immediate vicinity of New Haven, especially during the
spring migrations.

6. MimUS polyglottUS (Linne) Boie. Mocking-bird.

A rare summer visitant ; used to breed here and may occasionally"'^
do so now. Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell has taken it near Milford, Conn.
Mr. Erwin I. Shores wiites me, on the authority of Milton Lester,
that it has been killed at Suftield, Conn. Mr. J. N. Clark thinks that
it bred pretty regularly at Saybrook, Conn., many years ago ; and I
am informed by Mr. Osborne that he saw one above the Whitney
Lakes, near New Haven, May 30th, 1877. Also taken late in the fall
of 1874, by Ml*. William Brewster, near Concord, Mass.f "Stratford
and New Haven," Linsley.

There can be little doubt but that Mocking-birds were once com-
mon in Connecticut, lihode Island, and Massachusetts, if not still
farther north. In an appendi.x; to the Mass. Agricultural lle})ort for
1863, Samuels gives it as a "rare summer visitant," stating that it
"occasionally breeds;" and in 1864 Allen says that they "have been
known to breed in Springfield several times within five years, and in
18G0 two pairs nested here. June 20th, 1860, I found a nest contain-
ing three freshly laid eggs Locality, a sandy field growing

up to pitch pines, in one of which the nest was placed, about three
feet from the ground."^

* A Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut, arranged according to their natural
families ; by Rev. James H. Linsley, published in Am. Jour, of Sci. and Arts,
vol. xUv, No. 2, p. 255. April, 1843.

f Rod and Gun, vol. v, No. 24, p. .S70, Mar. 13, 1875.

X Catalogue of the Birds found at Springfield. Mass., by .T. A. Allen, pp. 67-S. 1 804.

8 C. H. Merriatn — Birds of Connecticut.

7. Mimus Carolinensis (Limie) Gray. Cat-bird.

An aluuidaiit sujiimor resident, arriving early in May (May 4, 1877,
Portland; May 5, 1874, Sage; May 6, 1876, C. H. M., and 0, 1877,
E. E. Wilson), and remaining till November (Nov. 4, 1874 and
1875); breeds.

8. Harporhynchns rufus (Linne) Cahanis. Brown Thrush; "Thrasher."
A common summer resident ; breeds. Arrives during tlie last of

April or first of May (April 30, 1876, Osborne; May i, 1877) depart-
ing early in October (Oct. 2).

Family, SAXICOLID^.

9. Sialia Sialis (Linne) Hakieman. (Common J^hiebird.

Resident; abundant during summer ; l»reeds in holes in trees and
posts, etc. They arrive early in February (Feb. 8, 1876), remaining
till about the middle of November (Nov. 13, 1876). Have found it
singing as early as March 5th. Though generally evenly distributed
and everywhere a common si>ectes, Mi\ Shores " could not find it in
1872" about Snffield, Conn.* A few small flocks frequently winter
in secluded spots.

Family, SYLVIID^.

1 0. ReguluS calendula (Linne) Licht. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Common during its migrations. Arrives about tlie middle of April

(April 11, 1875, Sage); remaining till the middle of May (16,
Osborne). Have taken it in the fall from Oct. 13th to Nov. 24th.

1 1 . Regulus satrapa Liehtenstein. Golden-crested Kinglet.

A winter resident ; have seen it at repeated intervals from Oct. 13th
till spring (May). Commonly found, with the preceding, associated
with small flocks of chickadees (P(^r?ysa^ric«jt?i7/</s), and frequently ac-
companied by a few nuthatches of both species [Sitta Carolinensis
and S. Canadensis).

12. Polioptila Caerulea (Linne) Sclater. Bhie-gray Gnatcatcher.

A rare summer visitant. " Stratford," Linsley. " Two were shot
at Wauregan (Windham County), Conn., by Mr. C. M. Carpenter, —
a male in 1874 and a female in 1876. Three or four were seen by me

* MS. notes of Krwin I. Shores, Esq.

(J. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 9

at Providence, K. I., May 23<1, 1875."* Mr. Jencks writes me that
tlie Connecticut record is a mistake, as all the specimens were taken
near Providence, R. I.

Mr. William Brewster thus s])eaks of their habits and appearance
in the south : "When seen one hundred feet or more above the earth
they remind one more of insects than of birds, so active, and so very
frail and slender do they seem. In motions, they bear, perhaps, a
greater resemblance to the Redstart [Setophaga ruticilla) than to
any other bird, like him launching out frequently after insects and
alighting with spread tail and drooping wings. They have withal
an impertinent, quizzical air, savoring strongly of Cat-bird ways;
the song is indeed quite that of the latter bird, but in miniature (if I
may apply such an expression to sound), a quaint mocking little
strain, continued half a minute or more at a time, and full of mewings
and harsh chatters, with an occasional full round note, but altogether
so feeble as scarcely to be audible at twenty yards' distance. The
note used by both sexes is a harsh but rather faint lisp."f

Family, PARID^.

13. Lophophanes biCOlor (Linne) Bonaparte. Tufted Titmouse.

A rare visitor from the south. " New Haven," Linsley. Josiah G.
Ely, Esq., writes me from Lyme, New London Co., Conn., that he
shot a Tufted Titmouse, Feb. 27th, 1872, in that vicinity (the ground
being covered to a considerable depth with snow), and saw another
in Jan., 1874. They were found flitting about among dense hemlocks
in a very wild portion of country. It has also been taken near Hart-
ford, Conn., by Dr. D. Crary, but must be regarded as accidental,
though a common resident in northern New Jersey (Elizabeth,
1871-72). Also breeds on Long Island "seeking retirement in the
lonely part of the woods among the heavy timbei"."J It has been
found as far north as New IIampshire.§

14. ParUS atricapillus Linne. Black-capped Cliickadee.

A common resident; breeds in holes in trees. Gregarious except
during the breeding season.

* Mr. Jencks to H. A. Purdie, see Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club,
vol. ii, pp. 20 and 21. Jan. 1877.

\ Annals Lyceum Nat. Hist. N. Y., vol. xi, p. 1^2, June, 1875.

X Birds of Long Island, J. P. Giraud, Jr. p. 78. 1844.

§ Belknap's History of New Hampshire, vol. iii, p. 17.S. 1792.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 2 July, 1877.

1 G. II. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

1 5. Parus HudsoniCUS Forster. Iludsonian Chickadee.

A rare accidental visitor from the north. In the July (1876) num-
ber of the Bulletin Nuttall Ornith. Club, I called attention to the first
instance of the capture of this northern chickadee in Connecticut :
"On Nov. 13, 1875, Mr. Robert Morris, while shooting in a wooded
ravine a few miles from town [New Haven], killed a female Hudsonian
Titmouse {Parus Hudsotiicus). The specimen is now in the collec-
tion of Mr. Thomas Osborne of this city." Its occurrence so far south
must be regarded as purely accidental. Mr. Wm. Brewster took a
specimen at Concord, Mass., Oct. 30, 1870.* This was supposed to be
the most southern, and only Massachussetts, record, but as long ago
as 1839, Peabody tells us that it " has been found by S. Eliot Greene,
Esq., near his house in Brookline."f

Family, SITTID^E.

1 6. Sitta Carolinensis (Gmelin) Latham. White-bellied Nuthatch.

Resident ; l)reeds. Not particularly abundant immediately about
New Haven, especially in summer. Its nest, however, has been
taken within city limits by the Stadtmiiller Brothers.

17. Sitta Canadensis Linne. Red-belUed Nuthatch.

A tolerably common winter resident, arriving about the middle of
October (Oct. 13, 1875, abundant), and remaining till after the middle
of April (April 19, 1876, Osborne).

Family, CERTHIID^.

18. Certhia familiaris Linne. Brown Creeper.

A rather common resident ; breeds. Particularly abundant in Avin-
ter, when it may frequently be seen running about on the elms in the
heart of the city.

Family, TROGLODYTID^.

1 9. Troglodytes aedon Vieillot. House Wren.

A summer resident ; breeds. Not abundant. Arrives late in April
or early in May (Apr. 27, 1869, Hartford; 27, 1877, Portland; May

* Am. Nat., vol. vi, No. 5. p. 306. May, 1872.

f A Report on the Ornithology of Massachusetts, by Wm. B. 0. Peabody. p. 402.
1839.

C H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 11

2, 1863; 3, 1876; 4, 1861, 1873, all Portland, Conn., Jno. H. Sage),
remaining till late in October (Oct. 26 and 30, 1875).

20. Anorthura troglodytes, var. hyemalis (Vieiii.) Coues. Winter

Wren.
A winter resident ; rather common during migrations. Have seen
it early in October (Oct. 2d), and secured a specimen on the 24th of
November, 1875. Mr. Grinnell has taken it every month during
winter.

21. Telmatodytes palustris (Wilson) Baird. Long-billed Marsh Wren.

A common summer resident ; breeds abundantly in the brackish
water marshes bordering the Quinnipiac river, near New Haven.
Mr. A. J. Dayan and myself found dozens of completed nests, a few
of which contained from 1 to 5 eggs each, on the 7th of June, 1876.
Also breeds in suitable fresh water marshes throughout the State.

22. Cistothorus Stellaris (Licht.) Cabanis. Short-billed Marsh Wren.

A rather rare summer resident; breeding in suitable localities along
our southern border and in the Connecticut Valley. " New Haven,"
Linsley. Dr. Wood tells me that it is not common about Hartford,
Conn. ; and Mr. Erwin I. Shores writes me that it breeds in a marsh
near Southwick (or Congannick) Ponds, in the town of Suffield,
Hartford Co., Conn, (close to the Massachusetts border). Mr. J. G.
Ely, of Lyme, Conn., writes me that the Short-billed Marsh Wren
breeds abundantly in that vicinity.

Note. — The Great Carolina Wren, Thryothorus lAulomcianus
(Latham) Bonap,, has been known to breed in Massachusetts* and on
Long Island, and doubtless occurs, as a rare summer resident from
the South, in the Connecticut Valley, and along our southern border.

Family, ALAUDID^.

23. Eremophila alpestriS (Forst.) Boie. Homed Lark.

A winter resident, occurring along the shore, and also in barren,
sandy, tracts, throughout the State. Mr. Dayan, Mr. Osborne, Mr.
Grinnell, and myself, have seen it here in fall (Nov. 18, 1874, C. H.
M.) and winter, and Mr. W. W. Coe has found it at Portland, Conn.,
as late as March 26, (1875).

*Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. i, No. \\ p. 76. Sept. 1876.

12 C H. Merriaiii. — Jilnls of (UymicHlcut.

Family, MOTACILLID.^.

24. Anthus Ludovicianus (Gmelin) Licht. Titlark.

Common along the coast during migrations. Have taken it as late
as Nov. 14. It passes north in the month of Maj' (Dr, Wood). Dr.
Brewer says that he has " found it, sometimes iu large flocks, in open
country near the coast, in Massachusetts, in midwinter."*

Family, SYLVICOLID^.

25. Mniotilta varia (Linne) Vieillot. Black-and-white Creeper.

A summer resident ; breeds. Particularly abundant dui'ing migra-
tions. Arrives late in April or early in May (April .'50, 187*7, May 2,
1876), remaining till October (Oct. 2). Mr. J. II. Sage writes that,
in company with Mr. J. N. Clark, he took a nest containing five eggs
of this species, at Saybrook, Conn., May 30, 1877. I shot it at New
Haven on June 23, and have seen several others during the breeding
season. Mr. Sage also took another nest containing five eggs
(" yoiing well developed"), at Portland, Conn., June 12, 1875.

26. Parula Am.ericana (Linne) Bonap. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler.

A summer resident ; breeds. One of our commonest migrants.
Arrives early in May (May 2d, Osborne). In the fall it is very abun-
dant during the middle and latter part of September, and I have taken
it as late as Oct. 13th. Mr. W. W. Coe showed me a number of their
beautiful hanging nests, composed entirely of ZTsnea, which he had
found about Portland, Conn. It has also been fouiul breeding near
New Haven (Maltby Park — Stadtmtiller Brothers).

27. Helmitherus vermivorus (Gmelin) Bonap. Worm-eating Warbler.

A rare summer resident ; breeds. As long ago as the year 1843, Dr.
J. D. Whelpley observed this species at New Haven (Linsley), and it
has since been taken in this vicinity by several collectors. In the
"Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club," (vol. ii, No. 1, Jan., 1877, p. 21), Mr.
H. A, Purdie states that " Mr. Shores shot a male at Suffield (Hart-
ford County), Conn., August 22, 1874. This is, I think, its most
northerly record in the Atlantic States yet noted." Also, in the
American Natiiralist for Nov., 1873 (vol. vii. No. 2, p. 692), the same
author remarks that Mr. J, N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn., writes him
that he has taken "in the nesting season, Helmitherus vermivorus,

*Bull. Nutt. Ornith. (Uub, vol. i. No. 4, p. 92. Nov. lS7(i.

(L IT. Meri'i<ini — Birds of Connecticut. ] 3

but as yet has failed to find the nest." Mr. Clark tells me he lias
seen as many as five individuals in a single day. Mr. Thomas
Osborne, of New Haven, has a mounted specimen in his cabinet, pro-
cured May IV, 1875. Two or three others sj^ecimeiis were shot near
here in May, 1875, and Mr. George Bird Grinnell tells me that he
has known of the capture of several in this vicinity.

So little is really known concerning the habits of this rare warbler,
that I take great pleasure in quoting the following interesting account
of it from the observations of my friend, Mr. William IJrewster, of
Cambridge, " On the Birds of Ritchie County, West Virginia." Mr.
Brewster writes that it is " most partial to the retired thickets in tlie
woods, along water courses, and is seldom or never found in the high
open groves. They keep much on the ground, and walk about rather
sh>wly, searching for food among the dried leaves. In general
ap{tearance they are quite unique, and I rarely failed to identify one
with an instant's glance, so very peculiar are all their attitudes and
motions. The tail is habitually carried at an elevation considerably
above the line of the back, which gives them quite a smart, jaunty,
air, and if the dorsal aspect be exposed, in a clear light, the peculiar
marking of the crown is quite conspicuous. Seen as they usually are,
however, dimly flitting ahead through the gloom and shadow of the
thickets, the impression received is that of a dark little bird which
vanishes unaccountably before your very eyes, leaving you quite
uncertain where to look for it next : indeed, I hardly know a more
difficult bird to procure, for the slightest noise sends it dai-tino- ott'
through the woods at once. Occasionally you will come upon one
winding around the trunk of some tree, exactly in the manner of
Mniotilta varia, running out along the branches with nimble motion
peering alternately under the bark on either side, and anon returning
to the main stem, perhaps the next instant, to hop back to the ground
again. On such occasions they rarely ascend to the height of more
than eight or ten feet. The males are very quarrelsome, chasino- one
another through the woods with loud, sharp, chirpings, careerino-
with almost inconceivable velocity up among the tops of the hiohest
oaks, or darting among the thickets with interminable doublino-s until
the pursuer, growing tired of the chase, alights on some low twio- or
mossy log, and, in token of his victory, utters a warble so feeble that
you must be very near to catch it at all, a sound like that produced
by striking two pebbles very cpiickly and gently together, or the
song of ISpizella socialis heard at a distance, and altogether a very
indifferent performance."*

* Annals Lyceum Nat. Hist. N. Y., vol. xi, pp. 1.S4-5. June, 187.5.

14 C. II. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

28. Helminthophaga pinus (Linne) Baird. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler.
A summer resident in soutliern Connecticut and in the Connecticut

Valley; breeds. Not common at New Haven. Mr. L, C. Bragg
took a female May 12, and I captured a male on the 24th, 1876. Mr.
J. N. Clark finds it breeding regularly, and in considerable numbers,
at Saybrook, Conn.* Mr. W. R, Nichols shot one at Branford, Conn.,
May 12th, 1877. On the 23d of June last (1877) while collecting with
Mr. Wm. H. Taylor, in a piece of woods within a mile of the city of
New Haven, I succeeded in shooting a fine adult male of this species,
which Prof. Wm. D. Whitney was kind enough to mount for the
collection of New England birds now on exhibition in the Peabody
Museum of Yale College. The bird kept flitting about so actively in
the dense undergrowth that it was with ditticulty secured. It unques-
tionably had a nest in the immediate vicinity.

29. Helminthophaga Chrysoptera (Liune) Cabanis. Blue Golden-
winged Warbler.

A rather rare summer resident ; breeds in the northern part of the
State. Mr, Walter R. Nichols shot one near New Haven August, 24,
1876, and Mr. Osborne tells me that he saw one in May, 1875, killed
by a friend of his. I have not yet met with it. The finest specimens
of this beautiful warbler that I have ever seen are in the cabinets of
Mr. Coe and Mr. Sage, of Portland, Conn. They were taken in that
vicinity. Mr. Sage informs me that he has seen it from May 11th,
(May 11 and 27, 1876) to the 30th, (May, 30, 1877, Saybrook).
Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn., tells me that he has seen but one
specimen there. Mr. Erwin I. Shores writes me from Sufiield, Conn. :
"Not common; breeds. On July 7th, 1876, I obtained a female and
three young just able to fly. Have taken it at two other times."
Dr. Crary has taken it near Hartford.

30. Helminthophaga ruficapilla (Wilson) Baird. Nashville Warbler.
A summer resident; abundant spring and autumn migrant. Arrives

early in May. Breeds sparingly throughout the State.

31. Helminthophaga peregrina (Wilson) Cabanis. Tennessee Warbler.

A rather rare migrant. Two specimens were taken near New
Haven during the latter part of May, 1876 (May 24, Osborne; May
26, Bragg), Mr. Erwin I. Shores shot one near Suffield, Conn., June 8,

* Am. Nat., vol. vii, No. II, p. 692. Nov. 1873.

C. II. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 15

1875, which is so late one might almost suspect it of breeding within
our limits. Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, has a specimen in his
cabinet in unusually high plumage ; it is a rare bird there. I am told
by Mr. Clark and others that its note is peculiarly loud and clear,
serving to distinguish the species when some distance away.

Note. — The Orange-crowned Warbler, HelminthopJuiga celata
(Say) Baird, has been taken both in Massachusetts* and Rhode
Island,! and also in New York State (by Mr. E. P. Bicknell, and but
a few miles from our western border)^ and unquestionably occurs
within our limits.

32. DendrCBCa aestiva (Gmeliu) Baird. Yellow Warbler.

A common summer resident ; breeds. Arrives about the first of
May (May 7, Osborne; May 4, 1874, and May 5, 1873, Portland,
Conn., Sage).

33. Dendrceca Virens (Gmelin) Baird. Black-throated Green Warbler.

A summer resident; very abundant during its migrations. "Arrives
about May 1st, remaining through the month (May 23) ; have taken
them in the fall, from September 15th to October 18th. Mr. W. W.
Coe tells me that they remain through the entire summer in dense
swamps about Portland, Conn., and doubtless breed, though he has
not yet taken the nest. I am also informed by Mr. J. N. Clark that a
few breed at Saybrook, where he has found two nests after the young
had hatched. I am surprised at this, for it is the last place in the
State where they ought^ theoretically^ to breed.

34. DendrCECa Caerulescens (Linne) Baird. Black-throated Blue Warbler.
A summer resident. Common spring migrant ; Mr. Osborne and

myself have also taken it here in autumn (October 7, 12, and 19).
Arrives about May 10th; breeds sparingly in the northeastern part
of the State (Eastford), where two nests were found in June (8 and
13, 1874,) by the Rev. C. M. Jones. §

35. Dendrceca Caerulea (Wilson) Baird. Ca?rulean Warbler.

A very rare summer visitant from the Southern and Central States.
This rare warbler was observed at Stratford, Conn., by Linsley, as

* Bull. N>itt. Ornithol. Club, vol. i, No. 4, p. 95. Nov. 1876.

f Ibid, vol. ii, No. 1, p. 21. Jan. 1877.

X In letter from E. P. Bicknell.

§ Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. i, No. 1, p. 11. April, 1876.

16 (J. II. Merriam — Birds of (Jonnecticut.

long ago as April, 1841. H. A. Purdie says, "a male was obtained
by Mr. Shores at Suffield, June 12, 1875,"* Mr. Shores writes rae
that he " obtained it purely by accident while trying to shoot a
Warbling Vireo ( Vireo gilvus).'''' So far as I am aware these two are
the only instances of its capture within the State.

36. Dendroeca COronata (Linne) Gray. Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Very common during migrations. Have taken it as early as April
18th (ISYS). In the fall it may be seen from the last of September
till the first of November, some remaining still later (Nov. 15), and
Mr. Gi'innell informs me that he has taken it eveiy month during the
entire winter,

37. Dendroeca Blackburniae (Gmelin) Baird. Blackbumian Warbler.

Common during the migrations, being particularly abundant in
spring. A few sometimes breed. Arrives about May 9th, remaining
till the last of the month (May 27). Also occurs from the middle of
September till early in October (Oct. 8). In the spring great num-
bers of them frequent the elms in the heart of the town. Mr. Josiah G.
Ely writes me, from Lyme, Coim., that he " shot a female Black-
bumian Warbler in July, 1873, with its belly minus of feathers. It
evidently had a nest somewhere in that vicinity."

38. Dendroeca striata (Porster) Baird. Black-poll Warbler.

One of our most abundant migrants. Arrives from tlie south about
May 13tli, remaining till the last of the month (May 30 ; June 2, 1872,
Portland, Conn,, Sage). In tlie autumn they are quite numerous by
Sept. 10th, and their number does not decrease much till after the
middle of October — some staying till the last of the month (Oct. 26).

39. Dendroeca castanea (Wilson) Baird. Bay-breasted Warbler.

Sometimes quite abundant during the spring migration (1876, for
example) ; at other times extremely rare, if occurring at all. Arrives
about the middle of May, remaining till the last of the month, Mr^
Osborne has seen it in fall (Sept. 30 and Oct. 17, 1876), Mr, Shores
gives it as "rare," never having taken "but two specimens," at
Suffield, Conn.f

* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. ii, No. 1, p. 21. January, 1817.
•j- MS. notes of Erwin I. Shores.

C. H. Merriii.iu — Jiirds of Coiinecflcat. 17

40. Dendroeca Pennsylvanica (Linne) Baird. Chestnut-sided Warbler.
A summer resident ; breeds. Very abundant during migrations.

Arrives eai'ly in May (7), the greater number passing north before
the first of June.

41. Dendroeca maculosa (Gmelin) Baird. Black-and-yellow Warbler.

A common spring and autumn migrant. Arrives about May 12th,
remaining till June 1st. Have taken it in the fall, from the middle
of 8ei)tember to October 1st, and it probably remains still later.*

42. Dendroeca tigrina (Gmelin) Baird. Cape May Warbler.

A rather rare migrant, though a few are taken every season. Have
known of its occurrence from May 10th, (Osborne) to the 25th. ^Ir.
Shores writes me that it is generally rare about Suffield, Coini., but
that it was not uncommon there in the spring of 1876.

43. Dendroeca discolor (Vielllot) Baird. Prairie Warbler.

A summer resident ; not common about New Haven. Breeds spar-
ingly. 3Ir. Dayan has taken it on May 13th and Sept. 15th. Mr. W.
W. Coe tells me that it breeds near Portland, Conn., but is rather rare.
I shot one near New Haven, May 14th, 1877. I am informed by Mr.
E. I. Shores, of Suffield, that it is not rare about Enfield, Conn. INIr.
J. N. Clark tells me that it breeds plentifully about Saybrook, Conn.

44. Dendroeca dominlca (Linne) Baird. Tellow-throated Warbler.

A rare accidental visitor from the south Dr. Daniel Crary, of Hart-
ford, Conn., writes me that during fifteen years of bird collecting in
that vicinity (in the Connecticut Valley) he has secured several speci-
mens of this rare species. Dr. E. L. R. Thompson also assures mi^ that
he has seen it about New Haven. Coues, in his "List of the Birds
of New England," states, and very properly too, that " there is no
good evidence," that this species " ever straggles as far north as
New England,"! '^^^t, for some unaccountable reason, in his " Birds
of the Northwest" (p. 66) disregards his former correct statement
and says that the bird occurs "north to Connecticut (Linsley)." A
glance at Linsley's catalogue shows that he did not know of its
occurrence in this State.

*For an interesting account of the habits of this bird, see an article by William
Brewster, in Bull. Nutt Ornith. Chib, vol. ii, No. I, pp. 1-7. Jan., 1877.
f Proceed. Essex. lust., vol. v, p. 270.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 3 July 1877.

18 G. IT. Merrlaia — Birds of Connecticut.

45. Dendroeca palmarum (Gmelin) Baird. Red poll Warbler.

A common spring and autumn migrant. Arrives, in spring, about
the middle of April (13, IS'/'T; 18, 1875), usually remaining but a few
days ; in fall I liave taken it from Oct. 18tli to Nov. 4th. But few were
seen this spring (1877), and they straggled along in the most unaccount-
able manner. I shot one as late as May 5th ! Along Avith D. pintts and
D. corouata it may be seen, in spring, long before the hosts of other
warl)lers make their appearance. It is also one of the last to depart
in the fall, at which time it is found along fences, and among low
bushes, by the road-side, and in open fields. In early spring, before
the snow has quite all disappeared, large numbers of them may some-
times be seen, in company with the English Sparrows, running about
on the plots of bare ground, and the roots of the elm trees, in the
City Green^ in the heart of New Haven. In fact they seem to pay but
little attention to the weather, as may be seen from the circumstance
that they were really abundant on the 18th of April, 1875, at a time
when the ground was covered with snow nearly a foot deep, with
only here and there a bare spot ; while none were seen this season
(1877) till April 13th, notwithstanding the fact that the ground had
been bare since the latter part of March, and the weather unusually
mild. Apparently in great haste to reach the breeding grounds,
their stay with us, in spring, is generally brief — a few days and all
are gone. During the autumnal migrations, however, the case is
cpiite different. Having safely accomplished a long and perilous
journey to the far north, and having successfully struggled with the
elements and the hungry animate Avorld in rearing and providing for
a family of children, its anxiety is over, and now it lingers, for two
or three weeks, in its favorite haunts by the road-side, before taking
its final departure for Cuba or the Bahamas ; or, perchance, it may
not pass beyond our own limits, but, finding some suitable spot in
the Gulf States, concludes to go no farther, and winters there.

The abundance of this species during its migrations varies con-
siderably in difterent years. Thus in the spring of 1875 they were
very numerous, while this season (1877) less than half a dozen
were seen. This remark applies with equal force to D. pinus and
several other species.

46. DendrCBCa pinus (Wilson) Baird. Pine-creeping Warbler.

A summer resident ; toleral)ly common during migrations. It
breeds in pines, and is more often heard than seen. Arrives before the

C H. Merriant — Birds of Connecticut. 19

middle of April* (April 14, and probably earlier) and departs in Sep-
tember (Sept. 29, 1875, Sage). They are so partial to the tree whose
name they bear that, in speaking of their habits in the " Pine-barrens"
of South Carolina and Georgia, I remarked that "it was very appro-
priately named the^>/»e-creeping warbler, as I never, except on one
occasion, saw it alight, even for an instant, on anything but a pine
tree ; here it w^ould sit by the hour and warble out its sweet song."f
I might also state that at sucli times it is generally so concealed
among the branches that one may not unfrequently spend half an
liour in vainly endeavoring to " get a shot " — the bird, meanwhile,
uttering, at intervals, its characteristic note, which is not unlike a
certain strain in the pleasant and perplexing song of the common
field-sparrow {Sjnzella 2)>'sill'i)- On referring to my MS. notes on
the birds of Central Massachusetts, I find the following : "Seldom
found except in pine woods, where a few were found breeding on
.Tune 25th, 1874." Here, however, though evidently preferring sim-
ilar tracts, they may be met with, especially during the migrations,
in a variety of situations. In the spring of 1875, for example, they
were frequently seen in the City Green hopping about on the ground
in company with D. palmarum. and the English Sparrows, and run-
ning up and down on the trunks of the large elms searching for
insects. Mr. C. -T. Maynard, in his beautiful, but lamentably incom-
plete, work on the "Birds of Florida," says: "While walking in
the piny woods of Florida one will suddenly observe that the trees
over his head are filled with birds, where but a moment before not a
living thing was to be seen ; and his ears will be saluted by a variety
of sounds. Beside the loud, harsh notes of the woodpeckers and
nuthatches, and the mellow whistle of the bluebirds, the slowly
given trill of the pine warblers will occasionally be heard. There
are hundreds of these little birds in every passing flock, yet but few
of them ever sing. They are extremely active, now searching for
insects among the swaying foliage of the pines high overhead, then
clinging to the brown trunks to peer into the crevices of the bark, or

alighting on the ground Of all the thousands of this species

which spend the colder season in Florida but few remain to breed,
and l)y the middle of March the greater portion leave for the North.
They arrive in New England in early April, and by the first of May

* Dr. J. A. Allen stated, in the "New England Farmer" for 1861 (p. 540): "The
present year [1861] I observed them the 4th of April, at which time a recent snow
covered the gronnd to the depth of several inches."

f Am. Nat., vol. viii. No. 1, p. 7. Jan. 1874.

20 C. II. Merriaiii — Birds of Connecticut .

begin t^ construct their nests, whicli are commonly placed in a fork
ol' the topmost limb of a pine tree."*

47. Siurus auricapillus (Linne) Swainson. Golden-crowned Thrush;

" Oven Bird."

A common summer resident, arriving early in iMay (May 3), and
remaining till the latter part of 8e{)tember. Breeds abxmdantly. Its
characteristic loud, but not particularly pleasing, note frequently
annoys one while listening for the softer tones of some of the rarer
warblers.

48. Siurus naevius (Boddaert) Coues.f {Novehoracensis oi A\\i\\ors.) Water-

Wagtail; Water Thrush.

Rather common during migrations. Possibly a few occasionally
remain and breed. Arrives early in May. Have taken it in spring
from May 5th to 27th ; and in fall from Sept. 28th to Oct. 18th. Mr.
Gentry, in his late work on the " Birds of Eastei-n Pennsylvania," says
that it " cannot be considered either abundant or rare." The same
remark applies here in spring, when they frequent their favorite haunts
near some small stream or swampy place in woodland. In the fall,
however, they sometimes congregate in rather large Hocks and may
then be seen on hill-sides away from water.

49. Siurus motacilla (Vieillot) Cones. (Ludoviciamis of Authors.) Large-

billed Water Thrush.

Not rare in southern Connecticut, where it breeds regularly, and
probably in considerable numbers. Arrives earlier than either of the
other species. I shot a fine male on the 2Vth of April, 1877. That
they also breed very early is shown by the fact that a female, con-
taining an egg ready for the nest, was shot by my friend, Mr. Dayan,
on the 17th of May, 1876; and Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn.,
tells me that the young are generally hatched before May 25th. The
fact of its breeding regularly in southern New England has now
become so well established that it would be superfluous to cite the
numerous published records of its capture.

In habits it seems to agree with S. ncBviiis — at least in its fondness
for shaded streams. Its note is peculiarly loud and clear, and does

* The Birds of Florida. By. C. J. Maynard. Part II, p. 49. Salem, 1873.
\ For the nomenclature of this genns, see Cones, in Bulletin of tlie Nuttall Ornith.
Clulj, vol. ii, No. 2. April, 1877.

C. II. Merriain — lilrds of ConneHiciit. 21

not resemble that of 0113- other hird I have ever heard. Dr. F. VV.
Hall shot a pair in jMaltby Park (near New Haven) June 10th, 1S74;
tlu-y had eA'idently bred there. W. R. Nichols and Thos. B. Osborne
saw several specimens on the '2d of May, one of which they secured ;
and on the loth I saw still another. T am informed by INIr. J. N.
Clark, of Saybrook, that a favorite site for their nests is amoni>- the
upturned roots of a fallen tree.

In writing of the habits of this species in West Virginia, Mr*
Brewster says: " While the northern Water Thrush [«S'. ncp.irhiii] was
confined to the muddy banks of the creek — and I will remark en
pasi^ant that I never saw one other than in a mixddy locality — this
species seemed to delight in the pel)bly streams of the hills ; just such
streams as in the New England mountains would be called good
trout brooks, overshadowed l>y mighty forest trees, frequently choked
u]) by fallen logs, and abounding in beautiful cascades, still, deep
pools, and w^ild rocky ravines. In the deepest, darkest retreats you
were most likely to find him, and here, on several occasions, 1 was
fortunate enough to hear his song. It is somewhat like that of S.
Noiiehordcensis \^S. turvius], being quite as loud, almost as rapid, and
commencing in nearly the same way, but lacking the beautiful cres-
cendo termination, and, altogether, a less fine performance. Repre-
sented by words, it would be nearly as follows : ^:)S'3^^r,/>.se?Ar, ^:)e>'s^e.ser.
This is usually uttered several times in succession from some shelving
rock, or fvllen log overhanging the stream ; the bird in the inter-
vals between each repetition tilting its body incessantly, and looking
nervously about as if he didn't half like your appearance and had a
good mind to be oif, and this expression, in the majority of cases,
soon finds vent in action, for he is a very shy little fellow the moment
he begins to suspect that he is wanted to grace your cabinet. Come
upon him suddenly, liowever, as he is running nirablj^ along the mar-
gin of some quiet ])Ool or ripjiling eddy, and at times he will seem to
]>ay little regnrd to your ])resence, and you may have a fine (rhance
to observe his motions and sandpiper-like ways, as he wades knee
deep into the water, or splashes through it in hot juirsuit of some
aquatic insects."*

50. Oporornis agilis (Wilson) Baird. Connecticut Warbler.

A rai-e spring and autumn migrant. The only specimen that I have
ever seen alive was a female, which I shot near New Haven, Oct. 2d

* Annnls Lyceum Nat. Hist. N. Y., vol. xi, pp. 13G-.''.7. .June, 187.5.

22 C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

1875. Nearly four years ago Mr, IT. A. Purclie called attention to
the fact that it had been ohtained, in September, at Sayl)rook, Conn.,
by Mr. ,1. N. Clark;* and iMr. Clark has recently informed me that
he has taken several specimens there in fall, and one " fuU-pluraaged
male in spring." This last is the finest specimen I have ever seen,
and, at first sight, 1 mistook it for the Mourning Warbler [GeotJilypis
Philadelphia), the male of which it closely resembles, both in the
deep ash of the throat and breast (which is almost black where it
joins tlie yellow below), and in the shade and limited extent of the
yellow of the belly. The ring around the eye, however, is well
marked, and pure white.

As its name indicates, this species was first discovered in Connecti-
cut, and by the distinguished Ornithologist, Alexander Wilson. He
met with it but once in this State, but afterwards found it in
Pennsylvania, and says, " It was found, in every case, among low
thickets, but seemed more than commonly active, not remaining for a
moment in the same position."! Its habits are siach as to render it
nnlikely to be observed unless present in consideiable numbers.

51. OpororniS formOSUS (Wilson) Baird. Kentucky Warbler.

A rare summer visitor from the South. Mr. Erwin I. Shores, who
has favored me with so many valuable notes concerning our i-arer
birds, writes that he " obtained a male of this species at Suftield,
Coini., Aug. 16th, 187(),"J thus adding another bird, not only to the
Avi-fanna of Connecticut, but also to New England. I am aware that
Dr. Coues, in his " Birds of the Northwest" (p. 73), states that the
species occurs "north to the Connecticut Valley," but on what
authority I am unable to surmise. Perhaps the learned Doctor's
knowledge of the distribution of birds, and of that something in their
hearts which ofttimes causes those inexplicable peregrinations, together
with his marvelous power of intuition, told him that it did occur in
the Connecticut Valley, and had long been waiting to be discovered
by Mr. Shores. Indeed, nearly ten years ago, l^r. Coues prophesied
that " the occurrence of this sjjecies as a rare or casual summer visitor
in southern New England is to be confidently anticipated,"^ and it
is an old saying that probabilities become facts if only given time
enough.

* Am. Nat., vol. vii, No. 2, p. 693, Nov. 187.3.

f American Ornithology. Vol. ii, p. 100. Pldinbiirgh. 1831.

\ MS. notes of Erwin I. Shores.

§ Proceed. Essex Inst., vol. v, p. "269. ISOS.

1

C. II. Merrlaui — Birds of (Jonnectlcut. 2^

Its nest was found at Sing Sing, Westclieter Co., N. Y., in June,
1875, by Mr. A. K. Fisher,* and Mr. E. P. Bicknell writes me that
he secured a male at Riverdale, in tlie same county, May 30, 1876.
Giraud found it on Long Ishmd many years ago.f Wilson says, "Tliis
si>ecies is sehlom seen among the high branches, hut loves to frequent
low bushes and cane swamps, and is an active, sprightly bird. Its
notes are loud, and in threes, resembling tu^eedle, tweedle, tictcdle. . .
... It appeared to me to be a restless, lighting species, almost
always engaged in pursuing some of its fellows ; though this might
have been occasioned by its numbers, and the i)articular season of
spring, when love and jealousy rage with violence in the breasts of
the feathered tenants of the grove ; who experience all the ardency of
those passions no less than their lord and sovereign man, "J

Since writing the above I learn from Mr. J. G. Ely of Lyme, Conn.,
that he has "shot one Kentucky Warbler."

52. Geothlypis trichas (Lhme) Cabanis. Maryland Yellow-tliroat.

A common summer resident, breeding plentifully. Arrives early in
May (May 5), remaining till late in the fall (Nov. 1st, 1870).

53. G-eothlypis Philadelphia (Wilsou) Baird. Mourning Warbler.

A rather rare migrMit, but probably more abundant than commonly
supposed — not coming till after most of the warblers are gone. Have
only seen it in spring. Mr. Bragg shot a male on May 24th, 187*>, in low
bushes. On the following day Mr, Uayan secured two males; and I
saw several on the morning of the 27th. Mr. Thomas Osborne has
seen it as early as May loth (May 15 and 17, 1876). I shot a beautiful
male near Savin Rock, Conn,, May 25th, 1877. Mr. Grinnell tells me
that he killed a pair ( <? and 9 ) late in ^Nlay, ] 875, near Milford, Conn.
Mr. J. N. Clark, also, has killed it, late in May, at Saybrook, Conn.
At Easthampton, ^lass,, in the spring of 1874, I shot two specimens :
" The first. May 27th, in a brush-heap ; and the other, May 28th, on a
large birch tree." Large numbers of them breed regularly, in suitable
localities, in Lewis and Herkimer Counties, in northern New York,
It also breeds al)uiidantly about Umbagog Lake, Oxford Co., Maine
(Brewster), and in Minnesota (T. Martin Trippe), even as far west as
"the Red River, between Dakota and Minnesota" (Coues).

* Am. Nat, vol. ix, No. 10, p. 573. Oct., 187.5.

f Birds of Long Island. By ,J. P. Giraud. Jr., p. 50. 1844.

; Wilson's American Ornithology. Vol. ii, p. 151-2. 1331.

24 6'. // Merriaui — Birds of Connecticut.

Regarding its song, Samueb, in his " Birds of New England," says,
" Its note was a simple chirp, with a warbling termination like the
syllables chirpchree, chirpcliree, uttered in a soft, pensive tone" (p.
207). I am perfectly familiar with the song of the bird in question,
but never heard it utter a note that could, by any legitimate stretch
of the imagination, be construed into Samuels' '•'■ chirpchree.'''' Its
common song consists of a simple, clear, warbling whistle, resembling
the syllables ''trite., Hriibe., ''triie, Hru, Hod, the voice rising on the
first three syllables and falling on the last two. Sometimes, when
otherwise occupied, the first, or first two, syllables are omitted. All
through the breeding seas(,)n, and till late in July, they have a very
characteristic habit of perching, at frequent intervals during the day,
on some branch, generally a dead one, and commonly ten or fifteen
feet from the ground, and singing for half an hour at a time.

54. Icteria virens (Linne) Baird. Yellow-breasted Chat.

A common summer resident, breeding in dense undergrowth.
Arrives before the middle of May (May 18, 1876, Osborne; U, 1877).
Extends up the Connecticut Valley to Massachusetts ("not rare" at
Suflield).* Given by Emmons, in 1833, as an "occasional visitant"
in Massachusetts.! Their loud, ringing, notes surpass those of the
Catbird and almost equal the richly varied song of the Brown
Thrush [Hiirporhynehus riifus). Its habits so closely resemble those
of its western congener (var. lovigicaicda) that I take the liberty to
quote the following brief extract, relating to some of the peculiari-
ties of that biid, from my report on the Mammals and Birds collected
by the U. S. Geol. Survey of the Territories in the year 1872 : "They
are shy, suspicious creatures, and, although when disturbed they flit
about in a scolding, angry manner, generally manage to keep out of
sight. You hear them in the bushes imitating the mewing of a cat,
the shrill notes of the Jay, sometimes singing like a Catbird, and
again they sing sweetly in their own peculiar manner. They have a
strange habit of elevating themselves in the air to the height of
thirty or forty feet, then, poising for a moment, descend again to the
bushes. During the descent they jerk themselves about in the air,
at the same time uttering clear, ejaculated notes, which can be heard
for quite a distance, and are not altogether unpleasant to the ear."J

* MS. notes of Erwin I. Shores, Esq.
f See Hitchcock's Report, p. 547. 18:>.3.
X See Hayden's Report for 1872, p. 675.

C. H. Merriar)% — Birds of Gonnectietit. 25

Wm. Brewster, Esq., speaking of its habits in West Virginia,
remax-ks that they arrived there abont May 1st, "and for a feAV days
were silent, but soon became very noisy, especially when their
retreats were invaded. Their notes are so varied as almost to defy
description. What I took to be the song of the male was a series of
about eight very loud bell-like whistles, commencing quickly, and
becoming slower and more emphatic toward the end, then, after an
interval of a few seconds, would follow a scolding chatter, to be
immediately succeeded by a single very clear note, then the series of
whistles again, but all these notes were varied to an almost infinite
extent. All this time the bird would be dodging through the bushes
ahead, keeping always in the thickest places, and perhaps, after a
moment of silence, would suddenly strike up directly behind you.
In this way I have frequently pursued one for fifteen or tAventy
minutes without so much as getting a glimpse at him. Several times,
however, when I came upon him suddenly, he would put on a very
innocent and injured air and vociferate his notes directly at me, as if
to dispel any possible suspicion, on my part, that he had been running,
or, to speak more literally, flying away."*

55. MyiodioCtes mitratUS (Gmelin) Audubon. Hooded Warlilor.

A summer resident, breeding in the Connecticut valley and along
our southern border. Although breeding abundantly at Saybrook,
Conn., according to Mr. J, N. Clark (recorded by H. A. Purdie),f T have,
as yet, seen but a single specimen from tiiis vicinity. An adult female
was shot at Hamden (near New Haven) June 2, 1874, by Di-. F, W.
Hall. It was evidently breeding. Still it was fowid here in June,
by Dr. Whel])ley, as long ago as 1842. J Mr. Clark writes me from
Saybi-ook : " The Hooded Warbler is very abundant here in dense
woods, breeding everywhere in suitable places, always in a low
Laurel (Kalmia) bush." Mr. E. I. Shores has taken it at Suftield,
Conn., near the Massachusetts border, but in the Connecticut Valley.

My friends, Messrs. John H. Sage of Portland, Conn., and Eugene
P. Bicknell of Riverdale, Westchester Co., N. Y., have recently
called my attention to an interesting state of j)lumage, in the female
of this species, which was alluded to by Wilson§ and Nuttall,|| but

* Aun. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., vol. xi, pp. 137-8. June, 1875.
t Am. Nat., vol. vii, No. 11, p. 692. Nov., 1873.
X Linsley's Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut, p. 257. 1843.
§ American Ornithology, vol. ii, p. 136. 1831.
II Manual of Ornithology. Vol. i, p. 374. 1832.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 4 .July, 187 7,

26 G. H. Merriam — Birch of Connecticut.

has since been denied by both Coues* and Baird,f wlio positively,
assert that the female has no })lack on the head. Concerning it, Mr.
Sage favors me with the following note : " When collecting at Say-
brook, Conn., with Mr. J. N. Clark, May 30th, ISVV, he shot a female
M. mitratus in a plumage not mentioned in our Ornithological works,
and thinking a description would be interesting, I send the following:
Bill black. Feet flesh-color. Head and fore part of l)reast black (but
not so pure as in the adult male), with slight indications of black on
the throat. A broad patch on the forehead, extending down on the
cheeks, with the under parts briglit yellow. Ear-coverts tinged with
olive. Upper parts olive-green. Wings iinmarked. Greater part of
inner webs of outer three tail feathers white. The ova oi' this speci-
men were large. We took the nest with four eggs."

I have lately seen, in the cabinet of Mr. Sage, the bird from which
the above description was taken, and have now before me another
female (killed by Dr. ¥. W. ?Iall, near New Haven, June 2, 18V4)
which agrees well with the description of Mr. Sage's specimen, but
has the crown of the head, or " hood," deep black — as rich as in the
male. The lores also, in this specimen, are black, and the auriculars
lack the olive tinge, being bright yellow. Since the birds from
which Prof Baird and Mr. Ridgway, and Dr. Coues, took their
descriptions were dried skins, and not " in the flesh," it is not so
surprising that the mature females were mistaken for young males.
From the limited amount of material I have been able to examine,
and from the notes given me by Mr. Sage and Mr. Bicknell, I am
inclined to believe that the female bird, like the male, is several
years — at least three — in attaining its full plumage ; and that the two
sexes, when fully adult, can only be distinguished by the fact that,
in the female, the throat, though strongly tinged with black, is never
pure hlach as in the male.

56. Myiodioctes pusillus (Wilson) Bonaparte. Green Black-capped

Fly-catching Warbler.

A tolerably common spring migrant, arriving a1)Out the middle of
May. Have not taken it later than the 25th. This species is by no
means so common here as it seems to have been formerly.

X Coues' Key to N. Am. Birds, p. 109. 1872.

§ Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, History N. Am. Birds, vol. i, p. P.M. 1874.

C. H. Merriani — Blnh of Connectlcnt. 27

57. Myiodioctes Canadensis (Linue) Audubon. Canadian Fly-catching

Warbler.

Common during the migrutions. Arrives early in May. Have
taken it from the 6th to tlie 29th. ^Mr. W. W. Coe informs me that
it doubtless breeds al)out Portland, Conn., as he has seen it tliere
throughout the summer.

58. Setophaga ruticilla (Linne) Swalnson. Redstart.

A common summer resident ; breeds. Arrives early in IVfay. Have
taken it from May 8tli to Septend)er 22d. Mr. Stadtmiiller lias a
very beautiful nest of this species wliich "was placed in the fork of
an oak tree about fifteen feet from tlie ground. It was built of grass
and bits of paper, and covered with cotton all over outside, and lined
with a few horse hairs."* It containc^d four eggs, June 10, 1874.

Family, TANAG-RID^.

59. Pyranga rubra (Linue) Vieillot. Scarlet Tanager.

^\ sunnner resident ; not uncommon. Most frequent during the

spring migrations; breeds. Arrives about May 10th, after which

date they are common till the first of June. Took a female Sept,
nth, 1875.

60. Pyranga aestiva (Linue) Vieillot. Summer Redbird.

A rare summer visitant from the South. '• Stratford and New
Haven, Linsley," and in a foot-note he further states that "The Sivm-
mer IJedbird is more rare than the Scarlet Tanager, though I have
taken both here [Stratford] during the season of cherry blossoms."f
In the bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club for Jan., 1877
(vol. ii. No. 1, p. 21), Mr. Purdie says, " Mr. Jencks informs me that
a male was shot, a few years since, on Ten-mile River, six or eight
miles northeast of Providence," R. I. I have never met with it except
in Florida, where it has a very pleasant song. Dr. Thompson, of this
city, informs me that he shot one near New Haven, in summer, about
five years ago ; and I am told by Prof. Wm. D. Whitney that a
friend of his, who was perfectly familar with the species, saw two
individuals, at different seasons, in Hillliouse Avenue, New Haven.

* MS. notes of the Stadtmiiller Brothers.

f Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No, 2, p. '26L April, 1843.

28 C. II. Merriam — Birds of Connecticxit.

Mr. Erwin I. Shores writes me that he killed one at Suffield, Conn,
(in the Connecticut Valley) July 21st, 1876. Does it not sometimes
breed here?

Family, HIRUNDINID^.

61. HirundO horreorum (Bartou.) Bam Swallow.

A common summer resident, breeding abundantly under the roofs
of barns. Arrives during the latter part of April (Api'il 21, 1877),
remaining till September. Under the head of this species, Peter
Kalm wrote, from Raccoon, New Jersey, in 1750 : " I observed them
for the first time on the 10th of April [new style) ; the next day in
the morning, I saw great numbers of them sitting on posts and planks,
and they were as wet as if the}'^ had been just come out of tlie sea,"
and the translator of his " Travels," John Keinhold Forster, F.A.S.;,
puts in a foot-note, saying: "It has been a subject of contest among

naturalists, to determine the winter-retreat of Siimllows The

question must therefore be decided by facts ; nor are they wanting
here: Dr. Waller ms, the celebrated iSicedish Chemist, wrote in 1748,
September the Gth, O. S., to the late Mr. Klein., Secretary of the City
of Dantzick : ' That lie has seen more than once Sicalloios assembling
on a reed, till they were all immersed and went to the bottom ; this
being preceded by a dirge of a quarter of an hour's length. He
attests likewise, that he had seen a Swalloto caught during winter
out of a lake with a net, drawn, as is common in northern countries,
under the ice : this bird was brought into a warm room, revived,
fluttered about, and soon after died. Mr. Klein applied to many
Fermiers ge7ieraiix of the King of Prussians domains, who had great
lakes in their districts All the people questioned made affi-
davits upon oath before the magistrates."

" Mrst, The mother of tlie Countess Lehndorf said, that she had
seen a bundle of Swallows brought from the Frith-Haff (a lake com-
municating with the Baltic at Pillau) Avhich when brought into a
moderately warm room, revived and fluttered about. Secondli/,
Count Schliehen gave an instrument on stamped paper, importing,
that by fishing on the lake belonging to his estate of Gerdauen. in
winter, he saw several Swalloios caught in the net, one of which he
took up with his hand, brought it into a warm room, where it lay
about an hour, wdien it began to stir, and half an hour after it flew
about in the room. Thirdly^ Fermier general (Anittna^i) Witkoioski
made affidavit, that in the year 1740, three Swallo'ws were brought

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 29

up with the net in the great pond at Didlacken ; in the year 1741, he
got two Swallows from anotlier part of the pond, and took them home,
(they all being caught in his presence) ; after an hour's space they
revived all in a warm room, fluttered about, and died three hours
after. 4thli/, Amtmau. Bonhe says, that having had the estate
Kleskoic in farm, he had seen nine Swallows brought up in the net
from under the ice, all which he took into a warm room, where he
distinctly observed how they gradually revived ; but a few hours
after they all died. Another time his people got likewise some /Sical-
loics in a net, but he ordered them again to be thrown into the water.
bthly, A^idreio Jtiutta, a master fisherman, at Oletsko, made affi-
davit, 1747, that 22 years ago, two Swallows were taken up, by
him, ill a net, under the ice, and being brought into a warm room,
they flew about. dthli/, Jacob Kosiulo, a master fisherman, at
Stradauen, made affidavit, that in 1736, he brought up in winter, in
a net, from under the ice of the lake at Raski, a seemingly dead
Swallow, which revived in half an hour's time, in a wai'm room, and
he saw, a quarter of an hour after, the bird grow weaker, and soon
after dying. ^tJdy, I can reckon myself among the eye-witnesses
of t\\\'!i. paradoxoii of natural history. In the year 1735, being a
little boy, I saw several Stoallows brought in winter by fishermen,
from the river Vistida, to my father's house, where two of them were
brought into a warm room, revived, and flew about. I saw them
several times settling on the warm stove (which the Northern nations
have in their rooms) and I recollect well that the same foi-enoon they

died, and I had them, when dead, in my hand In January

[1754] the lake o^ Lyhshau, belonging to these estates, being covered
with ice, I ordered the fishermen to fish therein, and in my presence
several Sicallotos were taken; which the fishermen threw in again ;
but one I took up myself, brought it home, which was five miles from
thence, and it revived, but died about an hour after its reviving.

These are facts, attested by people of the highest quality It

is therefore highly probable, or rather incontestibly true, that Swal-
loics retire in the Northern countries during winter, into the Avater,
and stay there in a torpid state, till the return of warmth revives
them again in spring."*

Nut many years ago 1 brought upon myself the everlasting
odium of an old lady, in the northern part of New York State,
by presuming to question her statement that she had seen. " with

* Peter Kalm's Travels into North America, vol. ii, pp. 140—14. 1771.

30 C. II. Merrlam — Birds of Connecticut.

her own eyes," a number of Swallows that had been exhumed,
in a torpid state, from the muddy bottom of a pond in the neigh-
borhood of her dwellino-. She further stated that, on taking
them into the kitchen, " they soon came to life and Hew about the
room," but whether this premature "thawing out" was followed, like
the cases above recorded by Forster, by an equally speedy death, I
do not remember.

62. Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot) Cabanis. White-bellied Swallow.

A common summer resident, breeding in holes in trees (generally
standing in or about ponds). The earliest to arrive and last to depart.
Mr. Grinnell has observed it as early as April 7th, and I liave found
it quite common by the 1 3th.

In looking over Mr. W. W, Coe's note book I find the following
interesting item : " While collecting in the vicinity of Portland, Conn.,
June 14th, 1S73, I found, in the same tree, three Bluebird's eggs and
four White-bellied Swallow's eggs, and tliereby hangs a tale : in cut-
ting away the hole to take out the Bhiebird's eggs, 1 noticed a white
feather sticking \i\) through the nest. Never having seen feathers in
a Bluebird's nest, and knowing that the White-bellied Swallows
build theirs almost entirely of them, I thought the Bluebirds might
have driven otf the Swallows and appropriated the nest to their own
use. On removing the Bluebird's nest I found this to be the case,
for, underneath it was the nest of the White-bellied Swallow complete
and containing four fresh eggs — the eggs of both are now in my
cabinet."*

63. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say) Sclater. Cliff Swallow; Eave Swallow.

A common summer rcsi<k'nt, breeding abundantly under the eaves
of barns. Arrives about \\)Y\\ 20th (April 15, 1S77, Osborne ; 21,
1877, A. J. Dayan), remaining till Se])tember. Professor Verrill, some
years since, showed conclusively that the CliiF Swallow had not, as
formerly sup[)Osed, immigrated from the West, but was actually
known in New England as long ago as the year 1800 — long before
its discovery in the West. He also states that a large colony of
them was known to breed at Windsor, Conn., in 1830.f

* MS. notes of W. W. Goe.

f Proceed. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist, vol. ix, p. 276, .Tiily 1, 1863.

C. H. MeTrUim — Birih of Connecticut. 31

64. Cotyle riparia (Linne) Boic. Bank Swallow.

A comnioii summer resident, breeding in colonies in holes in
banks, generally near some pond or river. Arrives early in May
(April 21, 1877, A. J. Dayan). Williams, writing of tlie Swallows
of Vermont, in 1794, relates tlie following, Avhich I transcribe for
wliat it is worth: "The usual times of the appearance and disapjiear-
ance of these birds, serve to mark the temperature of the climate,
with as much precision, as any of the phenomena of nature. But
they do not seem to be properly birds of passage. At iJunby in this
State, the inhabitants rejiort, that some of them were taken out of a
pond in that town, some years ago. A man was employed in the
winter, to procure the roots of the pond lily, for medicinal purposes.
Among tlie mud and roots whicli he threw out, several swallows were

found enclosed in the mud ; alive, but in a torjiid state It has

been doubted by some able naturalists, whether it is possible for the
Swallow to live in such a situation. I saw an instance which puts
the possibility of the fact beyond all room for doubt. About the
year 1 760, two men were digging in the salt marsh, at Cambridge, in
Massachusetts : on tlie bank of the Charles River, about two feet
below the surface of tlie ground, they dug up a Swallow, wholly sur-
rounded and covered with mud. The Swallow was in a torpid state
l)ut being held in their hands, it revived in about half an hour. The
]»lace where this Swallow was dug up Avas every day covered with
the salt water, which at every high tide, was four or five feet deep.
The time Avhen this Swallow was found was the latter part of the
month of February,"*

65. Stelgidopteryx SerripenniS (Audubon) Baird. Rough-winged

Swallow.

A rare summer visitant. " A female of this species was shot at
Suflield, Conn., by Mr. Shores, June (ith, 1874."f ]Vly friend, Mr.
Eugene P. Bicknell, informs me that he has found it in nuniliers at
Riverdale, N. Y., within a few miles of the Connecticut line, and that
it breeds there — sometimes placing its nest " under a bridge."

66. Progne purpurea (Linne) Bole. Purple Martin.

A summer resident, l)reeding in " Martin Boxes" in villages.
Arrives during the middle or latter part of April (April 17, 20, 25,

* The Natural and Civil History of Vermont. By Samuel Williams, pp. 11 5-1 0.
Printed at Walpole, N. H. 1794.

•f Purdie in " Nuttall Ornith. Bulletin, vol. ii. No. 1, p. 21. Jan. 1877.

32 C. H. Merriam — Birds of ConneeticKt.

1877). A large colony of them is located over the First National Bank,
in the center of New Haven. They are abundant at Guilford, Conn.,
and a single pair breeds on Faulkner's Island, occupying a house
erected for them by Capt. Brooks.

Family, AMPELID^.

67. Ampelis garrulus Linne. Bohemian Waxwing-.

A rare, almost accidental, winter visitant. On the 11th of
February, 1875, Prof. S. I, Smith saw a large Ampelis wliicli he
thinks was, without doubt, A. garrvhis. It was in the old wooded
cemetery in New Haven. Prof. Smith is fiimiliar with the bird in
question, having seen it in Maine. A number of cases of its occur-
rence in Massachusetts have been recorded, but the only instance
of its capture in this State is that given by J. A. Allen. " It has
been taken in Connecticut [near Hartford] by Dr. Wood,"* and the
Doctor tells me that he shot them by accident, when firing into a
flock of Cedar Birds. " Several were shot on Long Island in 1830
and 1832."f

68. Ampelis Cedrorum (Linne) Sclater. Cedar Bird; Cherry Bird.

A resident. Generally common. Breeds in orchards and low
thickets. Gregarious. Almost the only bird that feeds, to any great
extent, on canker worms.

Family, VIREONID^.

69. Vireo olivaceus (Linne) Vieillot. Red-eyed Vireo.

An abundant summer resident, breeding chiefly in high woodland.
Arrives during the first week in May (May 6), remaining as late as
the first of October (Oct. 2). Superfluously noisy,

70. Vireo gilvus (Vieillot) Bonaparte. Warbhng Vireo.

A common summer resident, breeding in orchards. Arrives before
the middle of May (May 7, 1876, Osborne; 12, 13, 14, 1877.) Cones
thns briefly alludes to the habits of this pleasing little songster : " Not
born to ' waste its sweetness on the desert air,' the Warbling Vireo
forsakes the depths of the woodland for the park and orchard and

* Notes on some of the Rarer Birds of Massachusetts, p. 25. 1869.
f (Hraud's Birds of Long Island, p. 165. 1844.

C. H. Merrimn — Birds of Connecticut. 33

shady street, where it glides through the foliage of the tallest trees,
the unseen messenger of rest and peace to the busy, dusty haunts of
men."

71. Vireo flavifrons Vieillot. Yellow-throated Vireo.

A tolerably common sunnner resident; particularly abundant in
spring and fall. Arrives early in May (May 0), remaining till after
the middle of September (Sept. 15, 17, 18V5).

72. Vireo SOlitariuS (Wilson) VieiUot. Blue-headed, or Solitary Vireo.

Not uncommon during the migrations. A few breed. Arrives
during the first week in May (May 2, 18V6, Osborne; 0, 18V5,
C. 11. M. ; May 5, 18*77, Nichols). Have taken it as late as
Oct. 13th. A nest of this species, found June 18th, 1875, near New
Haven (Beaver Swamp), by the Stadtmtillers, "was out on the limb
of a Chestnut tree about 30 feet from the ground, and was constructed
of the bark of different kinds of trees, lined with grass. Moss and
caterpillars' silk were plastered outside. It contained four eggs,
which were two-thirds hatched."*

73. Vireo Noveboracensis (Gmelin) Bonaparte. White-eyed Vireo.

A summer resident, but not particularly common except along-
southern Connecticut, and in the Connecticut Valley, where it is
common all the way up to the Massachusetts line (Suftield, E. T.
Shores). Arrives before May 10th (May 7, Osborne).

Note. — IVreo Philadelp/ilcus Cassin, undoubtedly occurs within
our limits, as a rare, or accidental, visitant, Init as yet no recoid of
its capture has appeared. On Sept. 7lh, 1875, Mr. William Brewster
" sliot a female of this beautiful little species in Cambridge, Mass."f

Family, LANIID.^.

74. Collurio borealis (Vieillot) Baird. Butcher Bird; Slirike.

A somewhat irregular winter resident. Arrives in October or
November (Oct. 29, 1876, S:ige;) remaining till the latter part of
March (March 24, 1876, Osborne). Very abundant some years, and
equally scarce in others. Mr. Maynard says, " when the Lesser Ked-

* MS. notes of the Stadtmuller Brothers,
f Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. i. No. 1, p. 19. April, 1876.
Tbans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 5 July 1877.

34 C. IT. Merriam- — Birds of Connecticut.

polls or the Pine Finches are common, the Shrikes follow them and
prey upon them." During the winters of 1874-5 and 1875-6, when
thelled-polls [^-Egiothus I'maria) and the Pine Finches (C/iri/somitris
pint(s) were here, Butcher Birds were notably scarce ; while during
the past winter (1876-7) Shrikes have been uncommonly plenty, but
neither of the other birds were seen at all. It is but fair to state,
however, that during the hrst two winters mentioned neither the
Linnets nor Finches were here in large enough numbers to have afforded
the Butcher Birds a reliable source of diet. Last winter the English
Sparrows supplied all deficiencies and it was no uncommon thing to
see a Butcher Bird flying across the street with one in its talons.
The "poor sparrows," unused to danger of any sort, were utterly
helpless, and at one time it seemed as if we were actually going to be
rid of the little pests, but warm weather came to their relief, driving
the intruders back to their boreal homes, and now the sparrows are
apparently as numerous as ever they were. Mr. Nichols shot one
Jan. 13th, 1876, whose stomach contained grasshoppers! Where
could it have found them at that season ?

75. Collurio Ludovicianus (Linne) Baird. Loggerhead Shrike.

A rare visitor from the South and West. Mr. W. W. Coe has a
fine specimen of this species in his cabinet, which he shot near Port-
land, Conn., in Nov., 1876. Franklin Benner, Esq., writes me that he
" saw a Shrike of some species at Mt. Carmel [near New Haven] May
24th, 1873," which, if he was not mistaken in the bird, could hardly
have been the noi-thern Butcher Bird, and might have been this
species.

Family, FRINGILLID^.

76. Pinicola enUCleator (Linne) Cabanis. Pine Grosbeak.

An irregular winter visitant. They were here through the months
of Feb. and Dec, 1875, and during Jan. and Feb., 1876, but none
were seen last winter. Messrs. Coe and Sage, of Portland, Conn.,
tell me that it is found there regularly e^iery vinter, though the red
males are not always seen, and that they have observed it as late as
March 12th (1873), and as early as Nov. 24th (1875, and 25, 1874).

77. CarpodaCUS purpureUS (Gmelin) Gray. Purple Finch.

Resident, breeding abundantly. Gregarious. Mr. Grinnell in-
forms me that he has taken it during every month of the year. Dr.

C. H. Merriam — liirds of Connecticut. 35

Wood, of East Windsor Hill, tells me that they were almost unknown
here twenty years ago, and have gradually become common since.
I am likewise informed by Mr. Clark, of Saybrook, that the l^ird has
only recently become a common species in that vicinity.

78. Loxia leUCOptera Gmelin. White- winged Crossbill.

An irregular winter visitant. They were not uncommon during
the months of Jan., Feb. and March, 1875.

79. Loxia CUrvirOStra, van Americana (Wilson) Cones. Red Crossbill.

An irregular winter visitant, like the last, and more frequently seen.
Linsley gave it in his list, stating that it had "been repeatedly seen
in Trumbull, in this [Fairfield] county, by a Mr. Beers." Mr. W. \V.
Coe has taken a number of this, as well as the preceding species,
about Portland, Conn. A few were seen about New Haven early in
Dec, 1876. It has been known to breed near New York City.*

80. ^giothus linaria (Llnne) Cabanis. Red-poll Linnet.

Also an irregular winter visitant. They were quite common here
during the month of March, 1875 (and Mr. Sage saw a flock at Port-
land, Conn., March 31), but none were seen in the winters of 1875-6
and 1876-7. Mr. W. W. Coe took it at Portland, Conn., March
22d, 1873, and saw there large flocks of them (including many highly
plumaged males) in March, 1875. f

81. Chrysomitris pirrns (Wilson) Bonaparte. Pine Finch; Pine Linnet.

An irregular fall and winter visitant. Quite common from Oct.,
1874, till March, 1875. Also seen in Oct., 1875. Linsley says : "I
took one specimen from a large flock, which was here in my yard
[Stratford, Conn.] as late as Nov. 7th, 1840." \\\ March and April,
1873, I found them extremely abundant near the boundary line
between Georgia and South Carolina, notwithstanding the statement,
in Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway's great work, that : " according to
Dr. Cones, this species occasionally strays as far to the South as the
Carolinas, but it is not common there," (p. 481). This ease simply
afibrds another example of their irregular migrations.

* Am. Nat., vol. x, No. 4, p. 237. April, 1876.
\ MS. notes of W. W. Coe, Esq.

36 C. H. Merridni — Birds of Connecticut.

82. ChrySOmitris tristis (Linne) Bonaparte. Common Yellowbird.

Xn alnindant resident, breeding late. Common everywliere, and is
gregarious.

83. Plectrophanes nivalis (Linne) Meyer. Snow Bunting.

A common winter visitor, generally seen during snow-storms.
Linsley, in his " Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut," so frequently
cited, says, " Large flocks of the Snow Bunting were repeatedly seen
here in the winters of 1840, 1841 and 1842. Previous to that period,
I had not seen o)ie here in eighteen years.'''' (p. 261, foot-note).

84. Plectrophanes Lapponicus (Linne) SelleJ^ Lapland Longspur.

Occurs as a winter visitant, along wnth P. nivalis., though no
record of its capture lias yet been published. M}^ friend, Mr. Geo.
B. Grinnell informs me tliat he has seen half a dozen specimens,
killed near the Connecticut River (Portland, Conn.), by j\Ir. W. W.
Coe. Mr. Walter P. Nichols has taken it near New Haven, and Mr.
Erwin I. Shores " obtained a male out of a flock of P. nivcdis, in Nov.,
1874" at Suftield, Conn. Mr. Coe has taken it as late as March 16th,
{1S15).

85. PasserCUlus princeps Maynard. Maynard's Sparrow.

Probably occurs quite regularly along the coast in Nov. and Dec.
(and perhaps also in March) in such sparing numbers as to escape notice.
The only specimen of this beautiful bird yet taken in this State, so far as
I am aware, is the one shot by myself while collecting invertebrates,
at low water, with my friend, Mv. S. F. Clark. "On Nov. 4th, 1875,
while collecting along the beach at ' South End,' a few miles below
New Haven, I was fortunate enough to secure a fine sj)ecimen of the
Ipswich Sparrow [Passercidtts princeps Maynard). The specimen
was a female, and in excellent condition. Its mate was seen, but
escaped capture."* The day was cold and chilly, with occasional
flurries of snow.

86. PasserCTllus Savanna (Wilson) Bonaparte. Savanna Sparrow.

An abundant summer resident, breeding in open fields and pastures.
Arrives early in April, remaining, in large numbers, till after the
middle of November.

Bull. Nutt. Ornithol. Chib, vol. i, No. 2, p. 52. July, 1876.

C. IT. Merrkun — Birch of Connecticut. SV

87. Pooecetes gramineUS (Gmelin) Baml. Bay-winged Bunting; Grass
Fincli.

A common summer resident, breeding abundantly, like the last, in
open fields. Arrives early in April (April 6, 1875 and same date
1877, Hage) ; remaining till about the middle of November.

88. CoturniculuS passerinUS (Wilson) Bonaparte. Yellow-winged
Sparrow.

A common summer resident in some parts of Connecticut (notably
in the Connecticut Valley and along our southern border) ; not found
at all in others. Arrives early in May. Frequents dry, sandy, treeless
wastes. Ijinsley found it breeding here and at Stratford. " In the
vicinity of Hartford, Conn., this bird appears also to be a not uncom-
mon summer resident."* Mr. Purdie states that " at Saybrook,
Conn., its notes were to be heard in every field. "f I have taken it
near Savin Rock (May 29, 1877), and Mr. (4rinnell tells me it is not
uncommon about Milford, Conn. It also breeds about Portland,
Conn. (Coe and Sage). I am informed by Messrs. Grinnell and Clark
that it builds a beautiful covered nest, not unlike that of the Oven
Bird {/Sim'n.<! auricapilhis). Mr. Ei-win I. Shores writes me that he
has taken it at Enfield, Conn., in the northern part of the State, but
in the Connecticut Valley, in July (July (5, 1874).

89. CoturniculuS Henslowi (Audubon) Bonaparte. Henslow's Sparrow.
A rare summer resident. I am very glad to be able to include this

species on the strength of a specimen just received from my friend
Dr. F. W. Hall. He shot it at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Conn.,
July 18th, 1873, and it is in the worn breeding plumage. I had
searched in vain for it in the many collections of the birds of this
State to which I have had access, and had i-eally despaired of finding
it at all. Many specimens have been t:iken in Massachusetts and it
doubtless occurs regularly in the Coimecticut Valley, if not in other
parts of the State. Giraud says that on Long Island '• it is not so
rare as is generally supposed. In general, it frequents the low, wet
meadows, and })asses most of its time on tlie ground among the tall
grass, and is exceedingly difficult to flush, even when pursued with
<logs ; it will not fly until nearly within their reach, when it starts
from the ground, moves on only a few- yards, and again drops amono-
the grass."J

* Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, vol. i, p. 554.

f Bull. Nutt. Ornitb. Club, vol. ii, No. 1, p. 17. January, 1877.

J Giraud's Birds of Long Island, p. 104. 1844.

38 (J. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

90. Ammodromus maritimus (Wilson) Swainson. Seaside Finch.

A common suiimaer resident, breeding abundantly in tlie salt and
brackish water marshes near the coast. Remains into September.

9 1 . Ammodromus caudaCUtuS (Gmelin) Swainsou. Sharp-tailed Finch.
A common summer resident, like the last, and breeds in the

same situations. Arrives about the middle of April (Apr. 14, Os-
borne). Their eggs are laid during the last of May and first of June.
Mr. Dayan found a nest containing four fresh eggs on May 31, 1876,
at Savin Hock, and on the Vth of June both species were breeding
abundantly. We Ibund great numbers of both along the Quinnipiac
River, and so I'ar inland that the water was almost, if not quite, fresh.
In some particular spots the niaritinms outnumbers the cavdacutus,
l)ut on the whole the latter greatly predominates.

92. Melospiza palustris (Wilson) Baird. Swamp Sparrow.

A common summer resident, breeding plentifully. Arrives early
in April, remaining till late in November (Nov. 20).

93. Melospiza melodia (Wilson) Baird. Song Sparrow.

An abundant resident ; particularly numerous from February to
December, but not uncommon nil through December and January.
Tn the winter season they frequent old fences alongside which a
copious growth of brushwood has sprung up; also found in back-
yards in the city. Mr. W. W. Coe, of Portland, Conn., found a
Song Sparrow's nest in a hole in a tree ten feet from the ground
(early .June, 1873).*

94. Melospiza LinCOlni (Audubon) Baird. Lincoln's Finch.

A rather rare siimmer resident. Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn,,
showed me a mounted specimen of this species which he had shot in
a l>rush heap in his garden in the spring of 1875. He thinks he saw
another a few days before, but it was very shy and he did not kill it.
Mr. Erwin I. Shores, of Suffield, Conn., writes me that it is ''■not
rare" in that vicinity, where he took one specimen in 1874, and three
more this spring (1877). Mr. Shores says that on May 23, and again
on June 2d, he "saw one with small twigs in its bill," hence,
although he did not actually find the nest, there can be no reasonable

* MS. notes of W. W. Coe.

G. H. Merriam — BinU of (Jounectirut. 39

doiil»t of its breeding. ITe further states: " Tliere is a small ])iece of
woodlaiul ill this place where surely tliey cannot l»e considered rare.
Have seen several that I've not been able to shoot. fhey are very
shy. You just barely get a glimpse of oik; and have just time to get
an idea of what it is, when down he goes into the thick shruld)ery,
and no amount of })atieiit waiting will tempt him to come in sight
again. Provoked, you determine to kill every one that comes in
sight, and after the slaugliter of half a dozen innocent Song or Swamp
Sparrows, you conclude that tliat won't do. Tlien^ perhaps, alnu)st
the first bird you leave will be Ijiiicolii's Sparrow. I think they are
much more common than generally supiwsed, but are so shy, and
inhabit such bushy pastures, that they are hard to fiink"* J. (t.
Ely, of Lyme, Conn., "took three this s})ring" (1877).

95. JunCO hyemalis (Linne) Sclater. Slate-colored Snowliird.

A common winter resident, arriving, from the north before the
middle of October (Oct. 8, 1876, Osborne), and remaining till the
first week in May (last seen jVIay 2, 1877, Osborne ; May 3, 1876).

96. Spizella monticola (Gmelin) Baird. Tree Sparrow.

A common winter resident, but more numerous in spring and fall.
Arrives from the north about the last of October (Oct. 28, 1875),
and remains till near the middle of A])ril (A|tr. 12, Osborne).

97. Spizella SOCialis (Wilson) Bonaparte. Chipping Sparrow.

An abundant summer resident, arriving as early as the latter jjart
of B'ebruary (Feb. 23, 1877, G. B. Grinnell), and remaining, in num-
bers, till the last of November. Sometimes places its frail nest on
the ground, as well as on trees and bushes (Coe). A few sometimes
spend the winter with the ICnglish Sparrows about town. They
often awake in the night, sing once, and go to sleep again. Scarcely
a night passes (in June and early July) but that I hear one sing
several times — generally about midnight.

98. Spizella pusilla (Wilson) Bonaparte. Field Sparrow.

An abundant summer resident, generally l>reeding in open fields.
Arrives early in April (Apr. 6, 1877, Portland, Conn., Sage), remain-
ing till December (have taken it all through November and on Dec.

* MS. notes of Erwin I. Shores.

40 C. H. 3Ierriam — Birds of Connecticut.

2, 18V5). They are untiring songsters, particularly in early spring,
and may be found everywhere except in dense woods. Tlie song of
the Field Sparrow is loud, clear, and pleasing, and he may consider
himself fortunate, who has mastered its numerous variations. Minot
says of it, " No sounds are more refreshing, on a warm afternoon of
early summer, than those which they produce." It nests both on the
ground and in low bushes.

99. Zonotrichia albicoUis (Gmeliu) Bonaparte. White-throated Sparrow.

Abundant during the migrations, sometimes remaining all winter.
Arrives from the north about Se[)t. 22d, remaining through Novem-
ber. Ketunis in April and departs about May 20, at which date it
was last seen, both in 1876 and 1877. During the winter of 1874-5
they were very numerous all about the city, as well as in the sur-
rounding country. Mr. Erwin 1. Shores, of Suffield, Conn., writes me
that on May 15, 1877, they were extremely abundant in the woods
in his vicinity — outnumbering all the other species together.

1 00. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.) Sw. White-crowned Sparrow.

An irregular migrant ; sometimes quite common. (Nov. 28 and
Dec. 5, 1874; Oct. 25, 1877, common.) Mr. Dayan shot a beautiful
specimen May 10, 187(3. Mr. Osborne saw it on May 15, 1877.
Mr. W. W. Coe shot one at I'ortland, Conn., .March 20, 1875.

101. Passer domesticus Brisson. Enghsh Sparrow ; House Sparrow.

Introduced. An abumlaiit resident in all the larger, and most of the
smaller, towns throughout the State. The opening sentence, under
the head of this species, in II. PI Dresser's magnificent work on "The
Birds of Europe," shows that its habits have remained unchanged, in
one respect at least, notwithstanding the great distance it has been
carried, and the varied conditions to which it has been subjected :
'* Throughout Europe the House Sparrow is very generally distri-
buted almost wherever there are human habitations (except in the
extreme north) ; for it follows the footste|)S of man almost like a
domestic animal, and where he fixes his habitation there the Sparrow
also takes up its abode." Their pugnacity seems to vary in dilferent
parts of the country and at difierent times of the year. In New
Haven their attitude toward other species is not generally oftensive,
and they are commonly seen on the friendliest terms with the Chip-
ping Sparrows, throughout the entire season. In early spring I have

C. 11. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 41

observed them feeding quietly with tlie Ked-poll Warblers {Dendrcaon
jvduutrum) on the City Green, and in fall it is no i;ncommon thing to
find them associated with Passerella iliaca, Zonotrichia alhicollis,
Melospiza melodia, and Spizella socialis and pusilla, without showing
the slightest sign of animosity. In New York and other cities, how-
ever, they are sometimes quite belligerent, attacking and driving off
the birds that once occupied the same ground. This is especially
noticeable in spring, when they appropriate the houses put up for
IMuebirds, Wrens, and other species. That they do some good in
destroying injurious insects is certain. "In open places where there
are a few trees in the towns, such as tlie gardens in the squares or in
the parks, it is eminently useful in ridding the foliage of the insects

which would otherwise destroy the leaves and tender shoots ;

and destroys myriads of the small smooth caterpillers and larvje
which feed on the buds of the trees, and is one of the best guardians
of the orchard."* A few days ago my attention was attracted by
the peculiar actions of one of these Sparrows. It was hopping along
on the uppermost rod of a fence, and whenever it came to a post
(into which the fence rods were inserted) it would stand on tip-toe
and peep up under the ornamental top-board of the post, as if look-
ing for something. On coming nearer I discovered that the bird
was searching for moths, of which it secured one or more at each
post, and, after proceeding in this manner for several rods, it flew
away, evidently having had enough for one meal. In passing the
fence since, I have, on several occasions, seen a Sparrow, apparently
and probably the same individual, going through with precisely the
same procedure, and with the same result. Do not cases like the
above go far to prove that many birds are highly intelligent and pos-
sess a good degree of memory ? The Sparrow in question discovered
a moth, doubtless by accident, concealed beneath the overlaping edge
of the top-board of a fence-post. Was he content with simply gob-
bling this one up '? By no means ; if there is one there may be
more, and sure enough he soon spies another, and, going to the next
post, still another, and so on till he is satisfied. Next day, when
searching for breakfast, does he forget yesterday's experience ? Not
at all; he returns to the fence-posts and readily secures another
meal. The chance finding of the first moth has led to the knowledge
that similar insects take refuge, by day, in certain places ; and in the

* A History of the Birds of Europe, including all the species inhabiting the West-
ern Palsearctic Region. By IT. E. Dresser. Part XLVIII, March, 1876.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 6 July, 1877.

42 G. M. Merriam — Birch of Connecticut.

establisliment of a regular habit ol' searching for them. In spring,
when the trees are in flower, and the swollen buds give place to tender
green leaves, the House Sparrows join the early Warblers in running
about among the branches in pursuit of one another as well as of the
small beetles that come there to feed upon the iresh foliage. But so
ftir as the accomplishment of the object for which they were im-
ported, viz., tlie extermination of the canker worm {Anisopteryx
vernata and A. pornetarici) in our larger towns and cities, they have
most signally failed. That they occasionally devour the full-grown
moth can not be doubted ; neither do I feel justified in denying that
they sometimes eat the worms themselves, though I have never seen
them touch one — not even when hopping about in the midst of
hundreds of canker worms. They seem to prefer the small beetles
and seeds abounding in the horse droppings about the streets. It is
true that there was a great diminution in the ranks of the canker
worms soon after the introduction of the House Sparrows, but I am
informed that this was due to a parasite {Platygaster) which preyed
upon and destroyed great numbers of the worms by depositing its
eggs in the eggs of the canker Avorra moth, and not, as generally
supposed, to the Sparrows. It may, perhaps, be considered as some-
what of a digi'ession in a mere local list like this, to devote so much
space to the biography of a species, but I believe that notes record-
ing actual observations on the habits of any bird should always
prove acceptable, especially when there is difference of opinion, result-
ing in controversy, regarding the merits of a sjiecies, for in this way
the possibility that individuals, or colonies, may differ in habits in
different localities, or at different seasons, is suggested, and warns us
not to be too dogmatic in our statements, or too hasty in drawing
conclusions.

For abundant and unquestionable evidence of the pugnacity and
disao-reeable qualities of this bird, in some sections, see the writings
of Cones, Gentry, and others. Velmont de Bomare, writing in 1791,
says: " In Brandebourg, in order to diminish the ravages committed
by Sparrows, a price is set on their heads, and the peasants are com-
pelled by law to bring in a certain number yearly ; in each village
there are Sparrow hunters wdio sell the birds to the peasants to ena-
ble them to pay their tribute. ... It follows the farmer while sow-
ing, harvesting, threshing, or feeding his poultry ; it enters the Dove-
cot, and with its bill pierces the throats of young pigeons, to obtain
the grain in their craw."*

* Quoted by Charles Pickering in Proceed. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. xi, p. 158,
April 17, 1867.

C. H. Merriam — Birds of (Jon)iecticvt. 43

The English House Sparrow was first introduced into New Eng-
hind, so far as I am aware, in the fall of 1858, when " Six birds were
set at liberty in a large garden" in the city of Portland, Maine.
"They were introduced into Boston by the city government in
1868,"* and have since spread over the greater part of New England.

102. Passerella iliaca (Men-em) Swainson. Fox-colored Sparrow.

Common during the migrations, arriving from the North during
the middle or latter part of October (Oct. 10, 1876, Osborne; 23,
1877), and remaining about a month (Nov. 20). Have taken it, in
sjiring, from March 6th to April 1 9th. Gregarious. The largest and
surely one of the handsomest of our Sparrows. Speaking of its song.
Dr. Brewer says : " His voice is loud, clear, and melodious ; his notes
full, rich, and varied ; and his song is unequalled by any of this
family that I have ever heard."

103. Euspiza Americana (Gmelin) Bonaparte. Black-throated Buutiug.

Dr. Linsley, in his *' Catalogue,^'' takes particular pains to state
that this species was " very common" at New Haven (p. 201), but I
have never seen it here and can iind no other record of its capture in
this State. It must be regarded as very rare in New England,
although several have been taken, breeding, in Massachusetts. Its
former abundance and present scarcity in this section affords another
excellent example of the irregular migrations of birds. Giraud gave
it as breeding commonly on Long Island,f but says the eggs ai'e
" white, speckled with black," whereas they are blue, unmarked.

1 04. G-Oniaphea Ludoviciana (Linne) Bowditch. Rose-breasted Trros-

beak.

A common summer resident, breeding in dense undergrowth.
Arrives before the middle of May (May 11, 1874, Portland, Conn.,
Sage), and I shot a female as late as Nov. 25th, (1874), in the city.
I am informed by Prof. G. Brown Goode, of Middletown, Conn., that
he knew an individual of this species to live eighteen years in confine-
ment. Mr. J. Hammond Trumbull tells me that it was almost
unknown about Hartford, Conn., thirty-five years ago.

Note. — G. ccervlea probably occurs as an accidental visitant from
the South. It has been taken on the Island of Grand Menan,J and

* Birds of North America, Baird, Brewer & Ridgway, vol. i, p. 52G, 1874.

f Birds of Long Island, p. 100. 1844.

X Ilerrick's Partial Catalogue of the Birds of Grand Menan, p. 8. 1873.

44 G. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

Mr. Boardman states that it was " common in the spring of 1861" in
the vicinity of CaLais, Maine !*

105. Cyanospiza Cyanea (Linne) Baird. indigo Bird.

A common summer resident, breeding, like the last, in thick patches
of bushes. Arrives before the middle of May (May 14, 18*74, J. H.
Sage; 14, 1876, Osborne; 14, 1877, C. H. M. ; also May 9, 1875,
Sage), remaining into September.

106. Cardinalis VirginianUS (Brisson) Bonaparte. Cardinal Grosbeak.

A rare and accidental summer visitor from the South. Mr. Thomas
Bostwick of this city found one lying dead during the summer of
1874, and Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell, who examined the specimen, tells
me that its bill and feet, as well as the plumage, proved it to be a
wild bird. Numerous specimens have, from time to time, been taken
or seen along the Connecticut Valley, and it is highly improbable
that they were all escaped cage birds. My friend, Mr. E. P. Bicknell,
has taken a nimiber of individuals about Riverdale, Westchester Co.,
N. Y., and it is certain that most, if not all, of them were wild.

Regarding the age to which our small birds attain, it is worthy of
mention that my grandmother kept a Cardinal Bird caged for twenty-
one years — it was noisy to the last. Its colors began to fade several
years before its death, till finally it looked very like a worn female.

It winters as far north as southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania
(Turnbull).t

107. Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linne) Vieillot. Chewink; Towhee

Bunting.

A common siunmcr resident, breeding on the ground, in under-
growth, and in the woods. Ai-rives early in May (May 1, 1876,
Osborne ; 4, 1877), remaining till November (Oct. 28, Nov. 8.) Mr.
J. H. Sage has a fine male in his cabinet which was shot near Port-
land, Conn., Jan. 22d, 1876 ! A characteristic nest, found May 24th,
1874, "under a Vii-ginia Juniper," by the Stadtmiiller Brothers,
" was composed externally of cedar bark, lined with grass and horse
hair."t

* Proceed. Bost. Soc. Nat Hist., vol. ix, p. 127. 1862.

f The Birds of p]astern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. By Wm. P. Turnbull, LL.D.
p. 24. 1869.

jj. MS. notes of the Stadtmiiller Brothers.

G. H. Merriarti — Birds of Connecticut. 45

Family, ICTERID^.

108. Dolichonyx Oryzivorus (Linne) Swainson. Bobolink; Eoed-bird,
Rice-bird.

A common summer resident, bi-eeding in meadows. Arrives before
tlie middle of May (May 7, 1876, Osborne; same date at Portland,
Sage; May 12, 1877).

1 09. Molothrus pecoris (Gmelin) Swainson. Cow-bird.

An al)undant summer resident, arriving in March or early in April
and remaining till November (Nov. 4, 1874). Sometimes winters.
Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell writes me that he took it twice in mid-winter
(Jan. 15, 1874, and Jan. IG, 1875).

110. Agelaeus phceniceUS (Linne) Vieillot. Red-winged Blackbird.

A common summer resident, breeding abundantly in swampy
places. Sometimes winters. Arrives during the latter part of Febru-
ary or early in March (March 4), remaining till late in the fall.
Though generally choosing clumps of bushes for their characteristic
nests, they sometimes place them on the ground. On the 6th of
June, 1876, Mr. Dayan and myself, while collecting on a part of the
Quinnipiac marshes where there were no bushes, found several nests
containing fresh eggs. The nests were extremely shallow— very
unlike those commonly found in bushes — and were placed on the
bare ground, in the grass, with no attempt at concealment. I am
informed by Mr. Grinnell that he has taken it in January (Jan. 15,
1874, and Jan. 16, 1875). This is the bird concerning which Josselyn
wrote (in 1G75) that there were, in New England, " Starlings black
as Havens with scarlet pinions."* Mr. W. W. Coe once wounded
one of these birds (probably striking it in the head) which " started
into the air and kept going up — uj) —up — sailing in larger circles —
still ascending till lost to sight. "f

111. Sturnella magna (Linne) Baird. Meadow-lark.

Resident, but particularly abundant from early spring till late in
the fall. A few small flocks winter along the coast. The llev. Mr.
Peabody observes that this bird " has few enemies excepting Hawks,
snakes, and young sportsmen,"

* An Account of two Voyages to New England, p. 100. 1675.
f MS. notes of W. W. Coe.

16 C. H. Merriatn — Birds of Connecticut.

112. Icterus Spurius (Linne) Bonaparte. Orchard Oriole.

A common summer resident, breeding chiefly in orchards. Arrives
during the first week in May (May 7, 1876, Osborne).

113. Icterus Baltimore (Linne) Daudin. Baltimore Oriole.

A common summer resident, breeding plentifully in the city as
well as country throughout the State. Arrives about May 10th.
Have taken it on the 8th, and Mr. Osborne saw one as early as the
6th (1876), while this year (1877) it did not come, in any numbers,
till the 13th, when the whole country was literally " alive with them."
Mr. J. II. Sage saw it at Hartford, May 6th, 1868 and Vth, 1872 ; also at
Portland, Conn., May 7th, 1876, and ]\Iay 10th, 1874 and 1875.

114. ScoleCOphagUS ferrugineuS (Gmelin) Swainson. Rusty Grackle.

Abundant during the migrations, sometimes wintering. Arrives
before the middle of February ((Trinnell) remaining through March
into April (April 19, Osborne). In the fall it returns before the
middle of September (Sept. 11, 1S75 several flocks seen), remaining
into November. Mr. Grinnell informs me that he took it, at Milford,
Conn., Jan. 16th and 29th, and Feb. 6th, 1875.

115. Quiscalus purpureas (Linne) Licht. Crow Blackbird.

A common summer resident, breeding in evergreen trees in the
city, as well as outside. Arrives about March 1st, though a few are
generally seen in February (Feb. 13, 1876). Departs in November.

Such was the abundance, in early colonial times, of some of our
commoner, and at present harmless, birds, that " premiums were paid
by the local governments for the destruction of many of these species,
and not without cause."* The town of Lynn, on Mai'ch 8th, 1697,
voted " that every liouseholder \\\ the town, should, sometime before
the fifteenth day of May next, kill or cause to be killed, twelve black-
birds, and bring the heads of them, at or before the time aforesaid, to
Ebenezer Stocker's, or Samuel Collins's, or Thomas Burrage's, or
John Gowing's, who are appointed and chose by the town to receive
and take account of the same, and take care this order be duly prose-
cuted ; and if any householder as aforesaid shall refuse or neglect to
kill and bring in the heads of twelve blackbirds, as aforesaid, every

* J. A.. Allen in Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. i, No. :■!, p. 54. Sept., 1876.

C H. Merriam — Birds of Connectictit. 47

such person shall pay three pence for every blackbird that is wanting,
as aforesaid, for the use of the town."*

Peter Kalm, in his " Travels into North America," thus speaks of
their depredations : " A species of birds, called by the Swedes, maize-
thieves, do the greatest mischief in this country. They have given
them that name, because they eat maize, both publicly and secretly,
just after it is sown and covered with ground, and when it is ripe.
The English call them blackbirds. There are two species of them,
both described and drawn by Catesby.f Though they are very dif-
ferent in species, yet there is so great a friendship between them, that
they frequently accompany each other in mixed flocks. However, in
Pennsylvania, the first sort are more obvious, and often fly together

without any of the red-winged stares Their chief and most

agreeable food is maize. They come in great swarms in spring, soon
after the maize is put under ground. They scratch up the grains of
maize and eat them. As soon as the leaf comes out, they take hold
of it with their bills, and pluck it up, together with the corn or grain ;
and thus they give a great deal of trouble to the country people,
even so early in spring. To lessen their greediness of maize, some
people dip the grains of that plant in a decoct of the root of the
veratrum alhum, or white hellebore, (of which I shall speak in the
sequel), and plant them afterwards. When the maize-thief eats a
grain or two, which are so pi-epared, his head is disordered, and he
falls down : this frightens his companions, and they dare not venture
to the place again. But they repay themselves amply towards
autumn, when the maize grows ripe ; for at that time they are con-
tinually feeding. They assemble by thousands in the maize-fields,
and live at discretion. They are very bold ; for when they are dis-
turbed, they only go and settle in another part of the field. In that
manner, they always go from one end of the field to the other, and
do not leave it till they ai'e quite satisfied. They fly in incredible
swarms in autumn ; and it can hardly be conceived wdience such
immense numbers of them should come. When they rise in the air
they darken the sky, and make it look quite l)lack. They are then
in such great numbers, and so close together, that it is suprising how
they find room to move their wings. I have known a person shoot a
great number of them on one side of a maize-field, which was fi\r
from frightening the rest ; for they only just took flight, and dropped

* History of Lynn, by Alonzo Lewis and James R. Newhall, p. 298.
f See Catesby's Nat. Hist, of Carolina, vol. i, tabs. 12 and 13.

48 C. If. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

at about the distance of a musket-shot in another part of the field,
and always changed their place when their enemy approached. They
tired the sportsinan, before he could drive them off the maize, though
he killed a great many of them at every shot. They likewise eat the
seeds of the aquatic tare-grass (Zizania aguatica) commonly late in
autumn, after the maize is got in. I am told, they likewise eat buck-
wheat, and oats. Some people say, that they even eat wheat, barley,
and rye, when pressed by hunger ; yet, from the best information I
could obtain, they have not been found to do any damage to these species
of corn. In spring, they sit in numbers on the trees, near the farms;
and their note is pretty agreeable. As they are so destructive to
maize, the odium of the inhabitants against them is carried so far,
that the laws of Pennsylvania and Hew Jersey have settled a pre-
mium of three pence a dozen for dead maize-thie\es. In Neic Eng-
land^ the people are still greater enemies to them; for Dr. Franklin
told me, in the spring of the year 1750, that, by means of the pre-
miums which have been settled for killing them in Nev^ England, they
have been so extii'pated, tliat they are very rarely seen, and in a few
places only, liut as, in the summer of the year 1749, an immense
quantity of worms appeared on the meadows, which devoured the
grass, and did great damage, the people have abated their enmity
against the maize-thieves ; for they thought they had observed that
those birds lived chiefly on these worms l)efore the maize is ripe, and
consequently extirpated them, or at least prevented their sjireading
too muel). They seem therefore to be entitled, as it were, to a
reward for their trouble."f

Note. — The Boat-tailed Grackle ( Quiscahis major, Vieillot) has
been accredited to New England by Linsley and others, but an
imusually large Crow Blackbird was probably mistaken for it.*

Family, CORVID^.

116. CorvUS Americanus Audubon. Common Crow.

An abundant resident ; generally lays five eggs and sometimes six
(Coe). On the 25th of January, 1875, I saw a fiock of several hun-
dred Crows near New Haven. " It is related of a certain ancient
philosopher, walking along the sea-shore to gather shells, that one of

* Teter Kalm's Travels into North America, vol. ii, pp. 73-78. 1771.
f See Coues' Birds of the Northwest, p. 204. 1874.

C. H. Merrian) — Birds of Connecticut. 49

these unlucky birds, mistakiuo- liis bald head for a stone, dropped a
shell-fish upon it, and thus killed at once a philosopher and an
oyster."*

117. Corvus OSSifragUS Wilson. Fi.sh Crow.

This species must be regarded as a rare summer visitor so far
north as this State, although it has been seen in Massachusetts by
Mr. William Brewster, who writes: " On the morning of March 16tli,
1875, I saw a bird of this species flying swiftly over our place in
Cambridge. It was pursued by at least twenty-five or thirty of our
common species ( Corvus Amerieanns), and at eacli renewal of their
attacks gave utterance to its peculiar and unmistakable notes."f
Linsley gave it as occurring at " Stratford," C'onn.J

118. Cyanurus cristatUS (Linne) Swainson. Blue .lay.
An abundant resident ; frequently seen about the city.

Family, TYRANNID.^.

119. TyrannUS Carolinensis (Linne) Temminck. King-bh-d; Bee-bird.

A common summer resident, arriving early in May (Mr. Dayan
informs me that he saw one as early as April i;^, 1877). Departs
about the middle of September (Sept. 15) or later. Mr. Sage has
twice seen it at Portland, Conn., as early as May 7th (1804 and 1876)
and once on the first (1877), but it generally comes on the 10th.

The habit, so characteristic of this species, of attacking, and driving
away from the vicinity of its nest. Hawks, Crows, and other large
birds, early attracted attention, for we find, in Josselyn's Voyages to
New England (published in 1675, }). 96), the following account of it:
"There is a small Ash-color Bird that is shaped like a Ilawke witli
talons and beak that falleth upon Croioes, mounting u]) into the air
after them, and will beat them till they make them cry."§ The
description of the bird would fit a Shrike even better than the one in
question were it not that it "falleth upon Crows" which pastime this
bird is not supposed to indulge in ; still I have seen a Northern

* Nnttall's Manual of Ornithology, vol. i, p. 211. 1832.
f liull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. i, No. 1, p. 19. April, 187fi.
\ Km. Jour. Hci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 2G0. April, 1843.
§ Reprinted in Collections of the Mass. Historical Society, vol. iii, 3d series, p. 27.5.
1833.
Traks. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 7 July, 1877,

50 C H. Merriam — Birds of Cormecticiit.

Butcher Bird chase a Barred Owl for the sjiace of lialf an hour,
closely following him to and fro through the woods, till I })ut an end
to his misery by shooting both.

1 20, MilvuluS forficatUS (Gmelin) Sw. Swallow-tailed Flycatcher.

An extremely rare accidental visitor. The only record of its
capture in this State is that recently published by Mr. H. A. Purdie :
" Mr. Jencks informs me that a s])ecimen of this species was shot by
Mr. Carpenter, at Wanregan, Cloim., about April 27, 1870. The
bird first attracted Mr. Car|)enter's attention by its opening and
closing the tail while Hying about a small sheet of water in (piest of
insects. Tlie only other Eastern ITnited States capture of this spe-
cies, is a male taken at Trenton, New Jersey, a few years ago, as
recorded by T)r. C. C. Abbott."* Dr. Abbott's specimen was shot
on the 15th of April, 1872, and " when captured, was busily engaged
in picking semi-dormant insects from the bark of the trees ; cree])ing
about very much as is the custom of (Jerthia familiaris, and all the
while opening and shutting the long scissor like tail."f Its i)ro])er
habitat is the lower part ol' the Mississippi Valley and Texas, thence
southward into South America.

121. Myiarchus CrinitUS (Linnr) Cahanis. Great-crested Flycatrhor.

A common summer resident, generally placing its well-known
snake-skin-lined nest in the hollow limb of some old ai)ple tree, or
rotten fence-post. Arrives early in May (May 8, 1873, Hartford,
Sao-e), and Mr. W. W. C'oe has taken its nest (four eggs) as late as
June 18th, (1873). The history of this bird affords us a reniMrkably
o-ood example of the change in habitat of a species during a compara-
tively brief period of years.

Mr. T, Martin Trippe, in one of his interesting articles on "The
Irregular Migrations of Birds,";}; thus details his experience with the
bird in question : " In a series of several years close observation at
Orange, New Jersey, I searched for the Great-crested Flycatcher
[Myiarchus crinitiis), year after year, but all in vain ; and what made
the fact very singular was, that twelve or fifteen miles oft*, 1 had
seen the bird sufficiently often to convince me that if not common,
it was by no means rare. Yet for some inexplicable reason it did not

* Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club, vol. ii, No. 1, p. 21, Jan., 1877.
\ American Naturalist, vol. vi, No. fi, p. :!G7, June, 1872.
X Am. Nat, vol. vii, No. 7, p. :?90-91, July, 1873.

C. H. Merriani — Birds of Connecticut. 51

inhabit tlie country innncdiatcly about Orange, for, althougli in the
woods nearly every week for years, I never saw it until, after 1 had
almost despaired of ever finding it, I did succeed in shooting a single

specimen. This was in the i'all ; the next spring I saw a paii' ,

and, aftei- au absence of two years, returning to Orange, I strolled
through the woods, my old hunting grounds, and, to my'suri)rise,
almost the first bird I saw was the Gi'eat-crested Flycatcher. Sub-
sequently I scarcely ever took a walk through the woods without
seeing or hearing it." A precisely i)arallel case occuri'ed in the
vicinity of my home in Lewis County, northern New York. There,
prior to tlie year 1870, they were unknown, at least so far as I can
ascertain, and it is safe to say that they were extremely rare. In
1S70 my cousin, Mr. C. L. Bagg, shot one specimen, the first we had
ever seen. During the next season I shot a pair. I was away from
home in ISV'i, but Mr, I>agg informs me that he took several Great-
crested P^'lycatchers that year, and that they were quite common.
In August, 1873, I shot eight in about an hour's time, and since then
they have been one of our commonest species, breeding abundantly
in tlie tall maple and birch forests, where their characteristic, but
rather harsh cry, may be heard at any hour of the day throughout
the entire season.

IJegarding its former scarcity in Connecticut, Linsley said "a
specimen of the Great-crested Fly-catcher was shot by me in the
spring of 1838, in my front yurd, the only living individual of this
bird I have ever seen in this State,"* and Nuttall observed that it
was " nearly unknown in New England. "f That it is now really a
conunon l)ird in southern Connecticut, at least, is certain. However,
we must take into consideration the fact that these gentlemen (Nutt-
all and Linsley) were probably not familiar with its characteristic — I
may even say diagnostic — note, and my experience with the bird has
])een that it is rarely seen, unless, guided by its note, it is persist-
ejitly followed np, and even then one is often at his wits end to get
a shot, so well does tlie bird keep concealed amongst the foliage.
And surely it is not particularly conducive to tranquillity of mind to
stand, up to one's knees in water, amidst myriads of mosquitoes, in a
hot day in summer, gazing intently up into a tall tree, where, directly
overhead, the cry of the Great -crested Flycatcher is constantly
heard, and yet the most careful search fails to reveal the exact where-

* Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 259, April, 1873.
f Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and Canada. By Thomas
Nuttall. Vol. i, Land Birds, p. 271, 1832.

52 C. H. Merriain — Birds of Connecticut.

aljouts of its author ; aiul, when one's neck is nearly broken, to hear
the cry again, this time issuing from another and still deeper portion
of the swamp.

In support of this view I now propose to bring forward pretty con-
clusive proof: Mr. W. W. Coe, who early became familiar with
the note of this species, tells me that it has been a common bird in the
vicinity of Portland, Conn., for at least fifteen years — ever since he
commenced collecting birds. Prof. William D. Whitney, of New
Haven, on inquiry, informs me that he has known the bird for at
least thirty years, and that he has always regarded it as conmion.
His obsei'vations extend over portions of Massachusetts (about North-
ampton) as well as Connecticut. Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn.,
says that it was not rare, about the mouth of the Connecticut, twenty-
five years ago; and Dr. Wm. Wood, of East Windsor Hill, Conn.,
tells me that it has bred regularly, and has not been uncommon, in
that vicinity, for the last twenty-five or thirty years.

In the face or these facts what is to be done ? For my own j)art,
I am willing to admit that in northern New York the bird may not
have been rare prior to the year 1870 (although I feel i)retty sure
that this was not the case), and that it escaped notice because I was
then unfamiliar with its note. In New Jersey, however, a similar
supposition will not hold, for Mr. Trippe was familiar with its note
and habits, from observations in a neighboring district, and asserts
positively that it suddenly became abundant in a locality where
before it was nearly, if not quite, unknown. Hence it is only fair to
conclude that, while some of the supposed cases of change of habit
may be explained on the ground that the observers were not suffi-
ciently familiar with the bird, yet there are others concerning which
the proof is ample, and the cause of the change only remains to be
accounted for. Whether this be due to changed conditions in the
physical features of the country (such as the cutting away of timber,
drying up of streams and swamps, etc., for example), or to an increase
in some species of insects on which the bird feeds (caused perhaps by
the abundance of some particular food-plant — due, may be, to altered
climatic conditions), or to an actual increase in the number of birds
themselves, I will not take upon myself to decide, so imperfect is the
present state of our knowledge on these points.

122. SayorniS fuSCUS (Gmelin) Baird. Pewee Flycatcher ; Phoebe-l)ird.

A common summer resident. Comes very early : Dr. F. W. Hall
tells me he saw it on Feb. 25th. 1876, and Mr. Osborne saw one March

C. H. Merrkun — Birds of Connecticut. 53

11th of the same year. I first noticed it on the 24th of March this
season (1877), and Mr. Sage found it at Porthxnd, Coiui., on tlie 30th.
In tlie fall it remains till, or after, the middle of October (Oct. 7,
1874; Oct. 13, 18, 1875). Breeds abundantly under the gable-ends,
or on exposed beams, of houses and outbuildings, in old sheds, and
under bridges. The primitive habit of building on the side of some
rocky cliff is still adhered to in some parts of the State, and the most
beautiful nest I have ever seen was found by Prof. Daniel C. Eaton
and myself, while botanizing near Mt. Carmel, on the 23d of May,
1875. It was placed in a small wedge-shaped niche in the face of
the rock, and its exterior was composed entirely of delicate green
mosses. It contained five ])iire white, unspotted, fresh eggs. An-
other beautiful nest, similarly placed, was found on the " Hanging
Hills of Meriden," by my friend, Mr. William H. Patton, on the 12th
of May, 1877. It contained four fresh eggs, one of Avhicli is distinctly
sprinkled, chiefly at the larger end, with small brownish-red spots.
It also breeds on the faces of Pine and West Rocks near New
Haven.

123. ContopUS borealis (Swaiuson) Baird Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Hare ; prol)ably a few sometimes breed in the more northern and
hilly portions of the State, as they are known to do in Massachusetts.
Not previously recorded from Connecticut, except by Linsley, who
gave it, with a query, from Stratford. On the 18th of October, 1875,
attracted by its characteristic note, " which is a short whistle resemb-
ling the syllables 0-vjhe6, 0-whe6, O-ioheb^'' uttered several times in
succession, " with the accent on the ?oAc', and the voice falHng on the
last (>,"* I caught a momentary glimi)se of one, perched on the top of
a tall tree ; l)ut the bird was very shy and I did not succeed in getting
a shot. Mr. Erwin I. Shores writes me that he took a male at Suf-
field, Conn., August 5, 1874. This is strong evidence of their breed-
ing in the hills about that portion of the State, for migrants would
hardly appear in Connecticut during the^'rs^ of August. On turning
to my manuscript notes on the birds of Easthampton, Mass., I find the
following : " lireeds. Not so rare as it should be. P^'our specimens
procured : one shot Sept. 10, 1873, and another May 23, 1874, in a
small grove of pines northwest of town ; two shot May 28, 1874, on
, Mt. Nonotuck [part of Mt. Tom], where they appear to be <pxite
common. Their alimentary tracts contained coleopterous insects,

* Am. Nat., vol. vii, No. 12, p. 750, Dec, 1873.

54 C. H. Mcrriaiit — Jiirds of Comiecticut.

wasps, Mild liuiiibk'-befs." In Prof. Whitney's private collection, luid
in the heautiful cabinet of mounted birds presented by him to the ]\'a-
liody Museum of Yale College, are two or three specimens of this bird,
which he killed in the vicinity of Northampton, Mass., some years ago
— one as late as June 4th, (184(5). Mr. Kuthveii Deane writes: "Dur-
ing the past three or four years I have observed each year several
specimens of this beautiful Flycatcher in the vicinity of Cambridge,
Mass., and, although I consider this a rare bird with ns, T am inclined
to think a few breed within the limits of the State every year."*
The species was described liy Nuttall, from specimens taken in the
vicinity of Cambridge, " in the woods of Hweet Auburn," in June,
l!s;}0 and 18;U, and it has since been observed in eastern Massachu-
setts by Audulton (1832), Welch (1858), Brewster, Maynard, Cabot,
Minot, and others. Nuttall says that his friend, W. Cooper, Esq.,
"received this bird likewise the preceding summer from the vicinity
of Capo May, and Egg-harbor, in New Jersey,"f but Turnbull gives
it as " very rare" in eastern l*ennsylvania and New Jersey, and
states that it only occui-s as a migrant, l)eing " generally seen early
in May on its way north, . . . returns in September."^ The occur-
rence in New Jersey, in "summer" (the month is, unfortunately, not
stated) would indicate its breeding there, which hardly seems cred-
ible from what is now known concerning its distribution, though it is
true that the "Pine-barrens" would afford it many congenial spots
for nesting. Concerning their habits in th(> Adirondack region, in
northern New York, where they breed plentifully, I have already
observed that " they all seemed to have the same habit of choosing a
large hemlock tree with a few dead branches on top, and were sure
to light on the uppermost twig."§ Messrs. Maynai'd and Brewster
gave it as " quite common and breeding at Umbagog," Maine,
where " it has the habit of perching on dead stubs on the edge of
cleanngs."! Professor Verrill gave it as a "summer visitant, not
very common,"!^ at Norway, Maine (about forty miles south of

* Am. Nat., vol. viii, No. 5, p. 308. May, 1874.

f Manual of Ornithology, p. 284, 1832.

:{: The Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, by William P. Turnbull,
18G9.

§Am. Nat., vol. vii, p. 750, Dec, 1873.

II A Catalogue of the Birds of Coos Co.. N. II., and Oxford Co., Me., by C. J. May-
nard, with notes by William Brewster. From Proceed. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. *
xiv, p. 21, Oct. 18, 1871.

T[ Catalogue of the Birds found at Norway, Oxford Co., Me., by A. E. Verrill.
From Proceed. Essex Institute, vol. iii, p. 144, May, 18G3.

C. IT. Merridm — Birds of Connertic/tit. 55

Umbagog), and Prof. Charles E. Hamlin also observed it, in Ken-
nebec Comity, in tlie same State.* Dr. W. H. Gregg found tliat it
was " not a very common s])ecies" near Elniira, Chemung Co., south-
ern New York, " where he met with only two specimens during sev-
eral years of bird collecting."f In central Ohio it is, according to the
high authority of Dr. J. M. Wheaton, a "rare migrant."! The
record of its occurrence in tl.e east, south of New Jersey, is not well
authenticated. My friend, Mr. E. P. Bicknell, informs me that he
lias taken several specimens "and saw six or seven individuals be
tween August 21st and Sept. 26th, 1876, at Riverdale, Westchester
Co., N. Y.

Now, on the other hand, on going northward, we find it breeding
at Randolph, Vermont (Chas. S. Paine),§ and Mr. Osborne has seen
it about Mt. Washington. " Audubon found it in Maine, on the
Magdeline Islands, and on the coast of Labi*ador,"|| as mentioned by
Di\ Brewer, who further states that " Mr. Boardnian reports the
Olive-sided Flycatcher as having of late years been very abundant
during t'ne summer in the dead woods about the lakes west of Calais
[eastern Maine] where formerly they were quite uncommon," and
that he is informed by Mr. Hoy " that this species used to be
quite common near Racine [Wisconsin], frequenting the edges of
thick woods, where they nested."

From the above references it wall be seen that the Olive-sided
F'lycatcher belongs, in the east, to the Canadian fauna, while it occa-
sionally extends down into the Alleghanian, and, if C^ooper's record
can be relied on, stragglers have been known to breed in the Caroli-
nian. Going westward, however, the case is quite difterent, and we
find (Jovtopus horealishYeQi\m\x, in numliers from the "Cumberland
House, on the Saskatchewan, in latitude 54°,"^ where it was obtained
by Sir John Richardson, and described by Swainson in 1S.31 (this
description having priority over Nuttall's, which was not published
till 18.S.3), to Camp Bowie, Arizona, latitude .32°, " within one hundred
miles of Mexico," Avhere both "young and old were secured in

* Report Sect. Maine Board Agriculture, p. 170, ]865.

f Catalogue of the Birds of Chemung Co., N. Y., by W. It. Gregg, M.D. From
Proceed. Elmira Academ_y of Sciences, 1870.

X The Food of Birds as related to Agriculture, by J. M. Wheaton, M.D. From
Ohio Agricultural Report, p. 8, 1874.

§ Appendix to Zadock Tliompson's History of Vermont, p. 21. ISC'?.

II History N. Am. Birds, Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, vol. ii, p. 354.

^ Cones, Birds of the Northwest, p. 244. 1874.

56 C. H. Merriarn — Birds of Connecticut

August," by my friend, Mr. H. W. Henshaw, who, in his recent excel-
lent work on the birds of that region, observes that " Its favorite
perching places are the tops of tlie high pine stubs. From these sta-
tions it makes frequent sallies after passing insects, and seems rarely
to miss its prey. When thus engaged, the clicking noise of its bill
may be heard quite a distance. About the first of June, in southern
Colorado, they had all mated, and each pair maintained a most
jealous watch over the neighborhood chosen as its summer residence,
never allowing the intrusion of the larger birds to pass unnoticed.
The loud call notes of the male are, at this season, almost incessantly
repeated."* Mr. Henshaw also states that " specimens were taken
near Camp Apache [Arizona] in July, which doubtless were ])reed-
ing," and that he " found it almost as numerous in eastern Arizona,
quite far to the south, as in Colorado."

Numerous specimens have been taken in C-olorado l)y Allen, f Hen-
shaw, Aiken, Trippe, and others. Regarding its occurrence at Idaho
Springs, Colorado, T. Martin Trippe writes Dr. Cones that "It is
quite uncommon, only three or four pairs having been observed
throughout the summer, and these at widely different points, each pair
apparently monopolizing a wide range. It keeps in the tops of the
trees, and is an active flycatcher ; its noise is loud and distinct ; and
its nest is placed in the to]) of a pine, and jealously guarded from all
intrusion with as much fierceness and energy as the Kingbinrs."!
It is given by Snow as " rare in western Kansas."§ Notices of its
occurrence in Utah have been published by Allen " several seen
among the cottonwoods along Weber River", || Henshaw,!^ Ridgway
"breeding in Parley's Park, Wahsatch Mts.",** Nelson (who
" obtained one specimen from the top of a dead pine," among tlie
mountains, thirty miles south of Fort l)ridger),ff and myself ;J.|

* Report upon the Ornithological Collections made in portions of Nevada, Utah,
California, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizonia, during the years 1871, 1872, 1873
and 1874. By H. W. Henshaw. Forming Chapter III of the Zo(")logical Volume
published under the direction of Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, in charge of tlie Geographi-
cal and Geological Explorations and Surveys west of the 100th meridian, p. 3.50.
Washington. 1875.

f Bulletin Museum Oomp. Zool. Cambridge, vol. iii, No. f>, p. 1.58. 1872.

X In Cones' Birds of the Northwest, p. 245. 1874.

§ Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas. By F. 11. Snow. 3d ed., p. 8. 1875.

II Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Cambridge, vol. iii. No. C, pp. 109, 179. 1872.

^ Report upon Ornithological Specimens, pp. 22, 46. Wash. 1874.

** Bull. Essex Inst, vol. vii. No. 2, p. 33. Feb., 1875.

■j-f Proceed. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. xvii, p. 344. Jan., 1875.

:{::{; Sixth Annual Report U. S. Geol. Survey of the Territories for the year 1872.
p. 691.

C. IT. 3ferri(un — Birds of Connecticut. 5l

and it was taken in Nevada l)y BischofF (recorded by Henshaw), and
Ridgway,* who writes me as follows : " Altliongh I found it at very
few localities, I am certain of its occurrence wherever suitable localities

exist It there inhabits the coniferous woods at an altitude

of from about 8,000 feet up to timber line, and 1 noticed that it pre-
ferred localities where the trees had been deadened by fire. The
only places, in Nevada, where I met with this bird, were the pine
woods of the East Humboldt and Ruby Mountains." Concerning its
occurrence in California, Dr. Cooper says : " It seems to be resident
in most ])arts of the State where it is found, but not occuri-ing south
of ^lonterey, where Dr. Gambel found young in July. I found them
rather common in tlie Coast Range toward Santa Cruz, where they
had nests in May, l)ut I could not examine any of these, their loca-
tion being generally on a high inaccessible branch. I also found this
bird at Lake Tahoe in September. It is rather silent, keeping mostly
on tops of the trees, and catching passing insects."f Mr. Ridgway
also found it breeding in California, " on the eastern slope of the
Sierra Nevada." J In Oregon and Washington Territory it is,
accoi'ding to Dr. Coo])er, " a much more abundant bii-d near the
Columbia River and throughout the northern Rocky Mountains.
There they migrate, remaining at the Lower Columljia from May to
October."! Dr. Brewer writes : " In Washington Territory this
bird appears to be somewhat more common than in other portions of
the United States. Dr. Suckly obtained a specimen at Fort Steila-
coom, July 10th, 1 856. It was not very abxindant about Puget Sound,
and showed a preference for shady thickets and dense foliage [contrary
to its iisual habit], wdiere it was not easily shot." "A single speci-
men," continues Dr. Brewer, "was taken, Aug. 29th, 1840, at Nenor-
talik, (Greenland [by Reinhardt], and sent to Copenhagen. "§ Hence
the distribution of this beautiful and interesting Flycatcher aftbrds
an excellent illustration of tlie manner in which some species that are
confined, during the breeding season, to the Canadian and AUegha-
nian faun;e in the Eastern Province, are found, dui'ing the same period,
in the far West, extending from the Saskatchew\an, in British
America, almost, if not quite, to Mexico.

* Bull. Essex. Inst., vol. vii, No. 1, pp. 21, 38. Jan., 1875.
f Ornithology of California, vol. i, p. .324. 1870.
X Bull. Essex. Inst, vol. vi, No. 10, p. 174. Oct., 1874.
^ Baird, Brewer and Ridoway, Birds N. Am., vol. ii, ]>. ."550. 1874.
Tr.vns. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 8 July, 1877,

58 C H. Merrlam — Birds of Connecticut.

124. ContopUS virens (Linne) Cabauis. Wood Pewee.

A common summer resident, generally placing its beautiful lichen-
covered nest astride the horizontal branch of some tall birch, or maple,
in deep forests, but sometimes choosing an orchard or garden, in close
])roximity to occupied buildings. Arrives before the middle of May
(May 10, 1876, Osbortie), remaining through September. It is one of
the few birds that may be found alike, during the breeding season, in
the lieart of the city, near the farm house, and in the darkest swamjis
and most secluded forests, far from the habitations of man. Its
mournful note may sometimes be heard at all hours of the night.

125. Empidonax AcadlcUS (Gmelin) Baird. Acadian Flycatcher ; Small

Green-crested Plycatclier.

A rare summer visitant from the Middle States ; may breed in the
Connecticut Valley.

It affords me great pleasure to be able, through the kindness of
Mr. Erwin I. Shores, to replace this species among the birds of New
England. As is well known, it was formei'ly included in all New
England lists, but, as shown by Dr. Coues, Mr. H. W. Henshaw, and
others, the records were founded on erroneous identifications — the
bird having been mistaken for E. w.inimus or Traillii^ genei'ally the
forme]'. In a letter to Dr. Coues, Dr. Brewer says " I do not think
the bird occui's in New England, even in the Connecticut Valley,"*
and Mr. William Brewster, of Cambridge, the highest authority on
the Birds of New England, has expressed similar views. Hence it
was with a peculiar sense of gratification that I received, a few days
since, an unmistakable example of this species, from Mr. Shores, who
states that he shot it " in Suffield, Conn., Jime 24th, 1874, in a piece
of woods known as Beech Swamp." For the benefit of those who
might not feel disposed to accept my identification in so important a
matter, and to avoid all possibility of mistake, I at once sent the bird
to my friend Mr. Robert Ridgway, of the Smithsonian Institution,
and he pronounces it to be a " typical E. Acadicus.''''

126. Empidonax Traillii (Audubon) Baird. Traill's Flycatcher.

A common summer resident, arriving early in May (May 6, 1877).
Frequents swampy lowlands, where it breeds.

* Birds of tlie Northwest, p. 2.51 . 1 874.

C. II. JSIerriani — Birds of Conuecticut. 59

1 27. Empidonax minimus Baird. Least Flycatcher.

An abundant sunmier resident, arriving early in May (May 5, 1S77),
and remaining till late in September. Breeds abundantly in gardens
throughout tlie city.

1 28. Empidonax flaviventriS Baird. Yellow-bellied Flj'catcher.

Not uncommon during migrations; arrives about the middle of
May (^lay 20, 187G), remaining till the last of the month, and Mr.
Grinnell tells me he has* seen it in early June. Have taken it in fall,
about the middle of September (Sept. 17, 1875). Not known to
bleed.

Family, CAPRIMULGID^.

129. Antrostomus VOCiferUS (Wilson) Bonaparte. Whippoorwill.

A common summer resident. Arrives early in May (May 2, 1877,
Osborne). Nocturnal, spending the day on the ground beneath some
tree, or among thick bushes. When disturbed, its flight is short and
irregular, and it may easily be shot. The Stadtiutiller Brothers have
an unusually pale set of eggs taken on jMill Rock (near New Haven)
May 30th, 1875. "They were not placed by the side of a rock or
log, as Samuels says."*

130. Chordeiles Virginianus (Brisson) Bonaparte. Night-hawk;

Bull-bat.

A common summer resident, arriving early in May (May 11, 1875,
Sage). Mr. W. W. Coe has taken its eggs as late as June 23d (1 872).
By no means strictly nocturnal like the last, but may be seen, espe-
cially in autumn, flying about high in the air and constantly uttering
its peculiar cry, at any hour of the day, though generally preferring
the twilight. Commonly roosts on old logs or horizontal limbs
(sometimes quite high u)») on which they lie longitudinally.

131. Chaetura pelagica (Linne) Baird. Chimnej' Swift.

An abundant summer resident, arriving in April or May (April
14, 1876, Osborne; April 30, 1877, May 5, 1874, Portland, Sage;
INlay 8, 1874), and remaining till late in September (Sept. 27,
Osborne) ; breeds abundantly in old chimneys. Before the days of

* MS. notes of the Stadtmiiller Brothers.

60 C. II. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

brick chimneys, and to some extent since, tliese birds used to congre-
gate in multitudes about certain large hollow trees, where they bred
regidarly, and, according to some, spent the winter also. Williams,
in bis "Natural and Civil History of Vermont," published in ] 794,
relates the followino- concerning three "Swallow trees" which came
under his observation. " The species called the house or Chimney
Swallow, has been found during the winter, in hollow trees. At
Middlebiiry in this State, there was a large hollow elm, called by the
people in the vicinity the Swallow tree. From a man who, for several
years, lived within twenty rods of it, I procured this information:
He always thought the Swallows tarried in the tree through the
winter, and avoided cutting it down, on that account. i\bout the
first of May, the Swallows cauie out of it, in large numbers, about the
middle of the day; and soon returned. As the weather grew warmer,
they came out in the morning with a loud noise, or roar, and were
soon dispersed; about hall an hour before sun down, they returned
in millions, circulating two or three times round the tree, and then
descending like a stream, into a hole about sixty feet from the ground.
It was customary for persons in the vicinity, to visit this tree, to
observe the motions of these birds. And wlien any persons dis-
turbed their operations, by striking violently against the tree, with
their axes, the Swallows would rush out in millions, and with a great
noise. In November, 1V91, the top of this tree was blown down,
twenty feet below where the Swallows entered. There has been no
a})pearance of the Swallows since. Upon cutting down the remain-
der, an immense quantity of excrements, quills, and feathers, were
found ; but no appearance or relicks of any nests. Another of these
swallow trees was at Bridport. The man who lived the nearest to
it, gave this account : The Swallows were first observed to come out
of the tree, in the spring ; about the time that the leaves first began
to appear on the trees. From that season, they come out in the
morning, about half an hour after sunrise. They rushed out like a
stream, as big as the hole in the tree would admit, and ascended in a
perpendicular line, until they were about the height of the adjacent
trees; then assumed a circular motion, performing their revolutions
two or three times, but always in a larger circle, and then dispersed
in every direction, A little before sundown, they I'eturned in im-
mense numbers, forming several circular motions, and then descended
like a stream into the hole, from whence they came out in the morn-
ing. About the middle of September, they were seen entering the
tree, for the last time," " Neither of these accounts are attended

C H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 61

with the liighest degree of evidence, which the subject may admit of:
but I am led to believe from them, that the House Swallow, in this
part of America, generally resides during the winter, in the hollow of
trees."*

The tree above described, from Middlebury, Vermont, finally blew
down, and, more than half a century (in 1852) after "Williams wrote
the account above given of it, its remains were visited by his suc-
cessor, in the historical line, Zadock Thompson, and were found
scarcely less interesting than the tree itself when inhabited by thou-
sands of Swifts. Thompson gave this account of its condition and
contents in 1852 : "The tree had rotted away, leaving little besides
the cylindrical mass, which had filled its hollow. The length of this
mass was about seven feet, and its diameter fifteen inches. Of the
materials which composed it, about one-half consisted of the feathers
of the Chimney Swallow, being, for the most part, wing and tail
feathers. The other half was made up of exuvia of insects, mostly
fragments and eggs of the large wood-ant, and a brown substance
})robably derived from the decayed wood of the interior of the tree.
This discovery at Middlebury, though interesting, would not have
been regarded as very remarkable, if the materials which filled the
hollow of the tree, had been promiscuously and disorderly mingled
together. Such a jumbled mass would be what we should expect to
find in a hollow tree which had been, for centuries, perha2)s, the
roosting place of myriads of Swallows. But this is not the case.
In their general arrangenu-nt, the larger feathers have nearly all their
quills })ointing outward, Avhile their plumes, or ends on which their

webs are arranged, point inward But this is not the most

remarkable circumstance connected with the subject. In various
parts of the mass, are found, in some cases, all the |jrimary feathers
of the wing ; in others, all the feathers of the tail, lying together in
contact, and in jirecisely the same order and position, in which they
are found in the living Swallow. In a lump of the materials, meas-
uring not more than seven inches by five, and less than tliree inches
thick, five wings and two tails were plaiidy seen, with their feathers
arranged as above mentioned, and in one of the wings, all the second-
ary quills were also arranged in their true position with regard to
the primaries. Now, we cainu)t conceive it possible that these feath-
ers could be shed by living birds, and be thus deposited. We may

* The Natural and Civil History of Vermont. By Samuel Williams, pp. 110-18.
1794.

62 C H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

suppose that the birds died tliere, and tliat their Hesli had been re-
moved by decay, or by insects, without deranging the feathers. But
in that case what has become of the skeletons? I do not learn that a
bone, beak, or a claw, has been found in any part of the whole mass.
What then has become of these ? They could hardly have been re-
moved by violent means, without disturbing the feathers. But, if
done quietly, what did it ? What insect would devour the bones, and
beak, and claws, and not meddle with the quills? Or would the
formic, or any other acid, which might be generated within the mass,
dissolve the former without aflecting the latter?"*

Family, TROCHILID^.

132. TrOChiius COlubris Liuue. Ruby-throated Ilimimingbirtl.

A common summer resident. Arrives early in May (May 5, 1877),
remaining till the middle of October (Oct. 5, 1876; Oct. 16, 1874).
They usually breed early in June, but Dr. F, W. Hall informs me
that a friend of his tmmd a nest com})leted, and containing two eggs,
as early as May 27th (1877).

Thomas Morton, in 1632, expressed his astonishment at the dimen-
sions and habits of this bird, in the following words : " There is a
curious bird to see to, called a hunning bird, no bigger than a
great Beetle ; that out of question lives upon the Bee, which he
eateth and catcheth amongst Flowers. For it is his custome to fre-
quent these places. Flowers hee cannot feed upon by reason of his
sharp bill, which is like the poynt of a Spanish needle, but shorte.
His fethers have a glasse like silke, and as hee stirres, they show to
be of a chaingable coloure : and has bin, and is admired for shape,
coloure, and size.'^f And two years later, William Wood, in his
" New England's Prospect" informs us that " The Humbird is one of
the wonders of the Countrey, being no bigger than a Hornet, yet
hath all the demensions of a Bird, as bill, and wings, Avith quills,
spider-like legges, small elawes : For colour she is as glorious as the
Kaine-bow , as she flies, she makes a little humming noise like a
Humble-bee : wherefore shee is called the Humbird."J

" The Humberd for some Queeue's rich Cage more fit,
Than in the vacant Wildernesse to sit.":):

* Zadock Thompson, Ajipendix to the History of Vermont, p. 26, 1853.

f Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii, Tract 5, p. 50.

■\. New England's Prospect, by "William Wood. p. 31, MVAi.

C. H. Merriam — Slrds of Connecticut. 63

Family, ALCEDINID^.

133. Ceryle alcyon (Linne) Boie. Belted Kingfisher.

A common summer resident about water courses and alon^- tlie
coast. Arrives during the latter part of Marcli (Mar, 29, 1S77), re-
maining into November (Nov. 13, 1875). A few sometimes winter.
One was seen near Hartford, Feb. 13, 1874, by Mr. K. C. Ilumplirey.*
Mr. Fi-ed. S. Smith, of this city, informs me that lie once found
the eggs of this species placed on a bed of fish bones, about six feet
from the entrance to the hole. This was near Lake Whitney, Conn.
In this latitude their eggs are generally deposited during tlie latter
part of May. Josselyn, in enumerating the birds of New England,
in 1675, says tliere are '•'• Kings fishers, which breed in the spring in
holes in the Sea-bank, being unapt to propagate in Summer, by
reason of the driness of their bodies, which becomes more moist
when their pores are closed by col(l."f

Family. CUCULID^.

134. CoCCyZUS erythrophthalmus (Wilson) Bonaparte. Black -billed
Cuckoo.

A common summer resident, arriving about the luiddle of IMay
(May 15, 1876), and remaining till the latter |>art of September
(Sept. 28, 1875).

135. CoCCyZUS AmericanUS (Linne) Bonaparte. Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

A common summer resident. Arrives early in May (May 7, 1876),
remaining into October (Oct. 11, 1873, shot, Hall). Both Mr. Coe
and myself have found, on the same day, and in the same Cuckoo's
nest, fresh eggs and young l)irds.

Family, PICIDJE.

136. HylotomUS pileatus (Linne) Baird. PiJeated Woodpecker.

A rare winter visitant ; it was once common throughout the State,
but is now almost exterminated and driven into the less civilized dis-
tricts. Linsley gave it from Stratford and New Haven. Mr, W. W.
Coe tells me that a specimen was killed near Portland, Conn., in

* MS. notes of John H. Sage, Esq.

f A^oyages to New England, p. 101, 1^7.').

64 C. H. Merruim — Birds of Connecticut.

Noveml)or, 18*76; and " Mr. Wm. King took a specimen, several yeai's
ago, at Suffield, Conn."* No longer ago than 1839, Peabody gave it
as residc'iit in JNIassaehnsetts, wliere it was " not nnconnnon in tlie
woodlands.^f

137. PicUS villosUS Linne. Hairy Woodpecker.

Resident, Init not common. Have taken four specimens and seen
several others in the immediate vicinity of New Haven. Found
chiefly in winter. Mr. Coe tells me that it is quite common about
Portland, ("onn.

138. PicuS pubescens Linne. Downy Woodpecker.

A common resident ; found everywliere except in open fields
devoid of stumps and fences.

139. Picoides arcticUS (Swainson) Gray. Black-backed Three-toed Wood-

pecker.

A rare winter visitor from the North. In the Museum at Middle-
town is a specimen, from the Shnrtlefl^' Collection, taken at Simsbury,
Conn,, in 1860. Dr. Wood has also taken it at East Windsor llill.
Conn.

140. SphyrapicUS varius (Linne) Baird. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.

Rare about New Haven. Hav^e seen but four individuals (Sept.
28, and Oct. 2, 18V5, and March 30, and May 3, 1876). Mr. J. N.
Clark finds it to be "abundant in fiiU" at Saybrook.J Linsley gave
it from New London, Conn. It is rare about Portland, Conn., as I
am informed by Messrs. Coe and Sage. Mr. Thos. Osborne tells me
that they were quite common about New Haven last fall (1876) and
that he secured four specimens, Mr. Orinnell says tliat it is not
uncomm.on about Milford, Conn., in fall ; and Mr. J. N. Clark, of
Saybrook, writes me that he has observed it to l)e " very common
both in spring and fall," but that he " never saw it after April till
autimin."

Though most Woodpeckers are residents where they are found at

* MS. notes of Brwin I. Shores.

•j- Peabody's Report on the Ornithology of Mass., p. .3.34. 18:!n.

X Am. Nat., vol. vii, No. 11, p. 69:i Nov., 1S73.

C H. Merriani — Birds of Connecficvt. 65

all, ill any iininlicrs, this is truly, tliougli not strictly, n migrant.*
Dr. Will. O, Ayres writes mo: " At New Canaan, Conn., I used to
find them each aulumii, though never very numerous ; I never saw
them in the si»iiiig.

141. CentuniS Carolinus (Linne) Swainson. Red-)ielliecl AVoodpecker.

A rare accidental visitor from the South. Linsley saw one "as-
cending an apple tree, on the 16th of October, 1842. "f Dr. Crary
says he has killed it near Hartford, Conn, ; and Mr. Erwin I. Shores
writes me that he "took a female, July ;30th, IS'74," at Suffield, Conn.
Girand gave it as hreeding regularly on Long Island, though not
very common. J

142. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linne) Swainson. Red-headed

Woodpecker.

A rare summer resident ; lireeds at Sayl)rook, sometimes remaining
all wiiiter.s^ Linsley gave it from Stratford, and Dr. J. D. Wheljjley
informed him that it was " rare at New IIaven"f thirty-five years
ago, and, so far as I am aware, its numbers have not increased since.
In fact, as Dr. Cones has remarked : " (comparisons of the older with
more recent local authorities indicate that the species is now nuich
less numerous than formerly.""! Dr. P". W. Hall took one at West
Haven in December, 1S72, and has seen several other specimens in
this vicinity. W. W. Coe and J. H. Sage have each taken it about
Portland, Conn., but find it rarely. Dr. Wood, of East Windsor
Hill, tells me that they were really abundant, in that vicinity, thirty-
five years ago, being more numerous than the Flicker [Colajjtes
anratus). Four years later a large flock was seen, and since then
they have been one of our rare birds. A few, however, still breed
pretty regularly in the vicinity of East Windsor, Conn. Mr. J. N.
Clark informs me that, during the latter part of September, 1872,
they suddenly became abundant in a grove of oaks near Saybrook,
Conn. The adult birds were mostly killed off by boys from the
neighborhood, while the young-of-the-year, lacking the brilliant and

* For a valuable contribution to the biography of this beautiful Woodpecker, see
an article by William ?.re\vster, in Bull. Nutt. Ornitb. Club, vol. i, No. 3, pp. GS-'IO.
Sept., 1876.

f Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 26:'.. April, 1843.

X Birds of Long Island, p. 1 79. 1844.

§ Am. Nat, vol. vii, No. 11, p. 693. Nov., 187:!.

II A List of tlie Birds of New P^ngland. [Prom Proc. Essex Inst., vol. v, p. 1 5.] ] 868.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 9 July, 1877,

66 C. H. Merr lam— Birds of Connecticut.

much prized red heads, were spared and remained through the winter
—some even breeding there the next summer (1873). ]\Ir. J. H.
Sage killed one at Hartford, Dec. 31st, of the same winter (1872).
Their food consisted chiefly of acorns. In this connection I will state
that in northern New York (Lewns Co.), where they are usually one
of our commonest Woodpeckers, they subsist almost exclusively on
beech-nuts, of which they evidently are extremely fond, eating them,
apparently with equal relish, whether green or fully matured. It is
truly a beautiful sight to watch these magnificent birds, together
with their equally abimdant cousins, the Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers
{Sphyrajnc/us varius), creeping about, after the manner of the War-
blers, among the small branches and twigs, which bend low with their
weight, while picking and husking the tender nuts — the bright crim-
son of the head, neck and l)reast, the glossy blue-l)lack back, and
creamy-Avhite belly, together with the scarcely less striking colors of
their yellow-bellied companions, contrast handsomely with the deep
green foliage.

143. ColapteS auratUS (Linne) Swainson. Golden-winged Woodpecker;

Yellow-liammer ; Iligli-liolder ; Flicker; Yaffle.

Resident; common from early April till November. A few
generally winter. It breeds in holes in old stubs and trees. The
migrants arrive during the latter part of March (March 28), remain-
ing till the middle or latter part of November (Nov. 14 and 28). My
friend, Mr. A. J. Dayan, saw one, near New Haven, on the 26th of
January, 1877. Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell tells me that he has taken it,
near Milford, Conn., in December (Dec. 25, 1876), January (Jan. 1,
1877), and February (Feb. 27, 1875). Mr. W. W. Coe writes me
that they also spend the wintei- in the vicinity of Portland, Conn,

Kalm states, in his Travels, that " this species is destructive to
maize-fields and orchards, for it pecks through the ears of maize, and

eats apples Some years ago therc^ w^as a premium of two

pence i)er head, }»aid fi-om the public funds, in order to extir]>ate this
pernicious bird."*

Family, STRIG-ID^.

144. Strix flammea, var. Americana (Andnbon) Schi. Barn Owl.

A rai'e accidental visitor from the South. Taken by Linsley at
Stratford, Conn.f Prof. J. A. Allen states that Dr. Wood " has a

* Peter Kalm's Travels into North America, vol. ii, pp. 86-7. 1771.
f Catal. Birds Comi., p. 25.3. ] 843.

C. II. Merriani — Birds of Connecticut. 67

specimen in his cabinet that was shot 'at Sachem's Head, Connecticut,
Oct. 28th, 1868.'"* Massachusetts also hiys cLaim to two specimens:
the first "was killed near Si:)ringfield, Mass., al)ont the last of May,"
1868,f and the other " was shot near Lynn, in the same State, in
1863."J

Since writing the above I have seen, in the cabinet of Capt. O. N.
Brooks, at Faulkner's Island, Conn., a mounted specimen of this
species which was killed at Madison, Conn., some years ago ; and
Dr. Wm. O. Ayres, now of Easthampton, Long Ishmd, writes me
that he found one at ILutford, Conn., about tlie year 1841. Hence
at least four have been kiUed in this State.

145. Bubo VirginianUS (Gmelin) Bonaparte. Great Horned Owl.

Resident; not rare. Breeds in suitable localities throughout the
State. It feeds on the larger game (hares, grouse, and the like), not
forgetting the poultry yard, and seems particularly fond of turkeys,
of which it seldom touches more than the head, if there are a plenty
about. Indeed I have known one to kill and decapitate three turkeys
and several hens in a single night, leaving the bodies uninjured and
tit for the table. Hence, if not so prone to select valuable fowls the
loss would not be great. Their tenacity to life is something remark-
able. A number of years ago I kept one in confinement for six or
eight months, during which time I was twice attacked by him and
bear tlie marks of his talons to this day. On both of these occasions
I kicked and pounded him with sticks till he was, as I supposed,
dead, but always on returning to skin the bird I found him sitting up
on his perch, blinking, snapping his bill, and making faces at me as
usual. Dr. Wood Avrites tliat a gentleman, while viewing one of
this species in his collection, said: "I suppose that is the kind of bird
that once scared me almost to deatl). While riding on liorseback
through a tract of large woods in New York State, one night, with a
white beaver on my liead, something, without the least noise or
warning, struck my head with such force that it took my hat, and I
supposed for a time the top of niy head oft*. I thought the devil was
after me, and the way that old horse went for the next three miles
would have astonished John Gilpin. It seemed to me my heart beat

* Notes on some of the Earer Birds of Massachusetts, p. 17. 1869. I have lately
seen this specimen.

■j- Proceed. Essex Institute, vol. v, p. 312.

X Cones' Birds of the Northwest, p. 300. 1874.

68 C II. Merriain — Hirch of Connecticut.

louder than an ordinary church bell, and 1 had to swallow fast to
keep it from coming into my throat and choking me.'"*

My friend, Mr. W. W. Coe, of Portland, Conn., has had such
remarkable success in finding the wests, and securing the eggs, of this
species, that I was induced to trouble him for an accoiuit of some of
his exploits in that direction, and he has been kind enough to favor
me with the following : " In 18G8, a farmer''s boy told me that a pair
of Great Horned Owls and their two yoiuig had taken up their abode
in a i)iece of woods near his place, and that a pair had lived there for
several years. He had often seen them when at work in the Avoods
in Avinter, and observed them one morning on the lower limbs of a
large hemlock. One sat on a branch directly above the other and
had a rabbit in its claws, upon which they both seemed to be ieeding.
He watched them for sometime and then frightened them oil'. The
bird with the rabbit carried it with him a short distance, but finally
dropped it. The boy ofi'ered to shoot one of the Owls for me, but I
told him not to do it, for I wanted to get tlie eggs, if possible, the
next year.

"On the first of May, 18(59, we went to look I'or the nest and found
it in a large chestnut tree. It contained two young Owls almost large
enough to fly. I brought them both home, stiilied one, and ke[)t the
other alive sometime, wlien it got killed while I was away. During
the latter part of March, 1870, we went again an<l found the Owls
occupying the same nest. One old bird was on, and I thought my-
self sure of the eggs this time, l)ut on ascending to the nest found
two young Owls covered with down. They were, I should think,
about two weeks old, so we left them for seed and determined to be
in time next season, but sickness and extra work forced me to neglect
it. In the following year (1872) we started out on the 2d of March
and visited the old nest, but for some reason it had been abandoned.
We then visited another piece of woods near by and soon found a
vary large nest in a chestnut tree, but it showed no sign of life.
While deliberating whether it was best to climb it or not, I gave the
tree several hard raps with a club, when off' went the old bird Avith a
hoo, hoo, hoo. My companion climbed the tree and found two eggs.
I thought they might lay again, since it was so early, and accordingly,
on the 12th of April, visited the same nest, and, on getting near, a
bird jumped u]^ from it Avhich I at first took to be the Owl, but as it
started off" I saw it was a Red-tailed Hawk, which we found had

* Hartford Times, chap, xvii, July 20, 1861.

C II. Mevriain, — Uird.-i of (Jonnecticut. 69

taken ijossossion and layed two eggs. We tlieu went to tlie old Owl's
nest, where we had found young- in 1869 and 18*70, and found tlie old
bird on. This nest now contained tw'o eggs in which the young were
well advanced — so the old birds must have laid again soon after the
first nest was robl)ed.

"About the first of March, 187o, we again visited the same place
but could not find the birds, though I noticed one of their feathers,
and, since snow had fallen a day or two before, I know they could not
be far oft! Finally, on the 13th of INIarch, I found them occupying a
nest about two miles from the old place. It was the old nest of a
lled-tailed IIawd< from which I took three eggs April 29th, 1872. The
nest now contained one young Owl, a])parently al)out five or six days
old, and one rotten egg. I think the egg had been frozen, for it was
badly cracked. I am, of course, unable to say whether or no all the
eggs above mentioned were deposited by the same pair of Owls, since
three or four old birds have l>een killed in this vicinity. However, I
am (juite sure that they all belonged to the same family. I also took
their nests in 1874 (Feb. 28), 1875 (took young in May), 1876 (Feb.
22), and 1877 (took eggs twice, Feb. 19 and Mar. 23). During the
whole time I have known of them they have not built a new nest,
but have either occupied the same one for at least three years, or
taken some vacant Hawk's nest.

"To sum up: my experience with Great Horned Owls has been
that they lay in old nests of Red-tailed Hawks, in hollow trees, and
occasionally in ledges of rocks, I never knew them to build a nest,
or to lay more than two eggs, and I have known of many nests not
mentioned above."

146. Scops asio (Liuue) Bouaparte. Mottled Owl; Screech Owl.

A common resident throiighoiit the State. It lays five eggs, in a
hollow tree, about the last of April. This is, I think, the most
nocturnal of our Owls. At least it can generally be approached in
broad day-light more easily than the other species, and seems to be
dazzled by the light. It sometimes catches fisli through a hole in
the ice, like the Snowy Owl.*

147. Otns vulgaris, var. Wilsonianus (Lesson) Allen. Long-eared
Owl.

A common resident. Its large nest is commonly placed on some
thick tree — generally a pine — but sometimes in low bushes. It is

* Bull. Nutt. Omithol. Club, vol. ii, No. 3, p. 80. Jidy, IStt.

70 C. II. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

said to take possession of the deserted nests of Crows and Hawks.
"Mr. J. S. Brandigee, of Berlin, Conn., fonnd a nest, early in April,
in a hemlock tree, situated in a thick dark evergreen woods. The
nest was flat, made of coarse sticks, and contained four fresh eggs."*
Have taken it, in company with the following species, in clumps of
low bushes near the coast.

148. Brachyotus palustris (Bechst.) dould. Short-eared Owl.

Resident about the salt marshes near the coast; also found through-
out the State. Nests on the ground. Not uncommon. In the year
1856, on the island of Grand JNlenan, "A nest of this bird was found
by Mr. C-abot in the midst of a dry, peaty bog. It was built on the
ground, in a very slovenly manner, of small sticks and a few feathers,
and ]>resented hardly any excavation. "f

149. Syrnium Cinereum (Gmeliu) Audubon. Great Gray Owl.

A rare straggler from the north. Linsley captured a specimen at
Stratford, Conn., Jan„ 6, 184;}. J

During the winter of 1852 a large Great Gray Owl was killed near
Boston, Mass., after creating some little excitement among the inhab-
itants : "A light snow fell on Sunday evening, March 21st, and the
next morning mysterious footprints were discovered in the vicinity of
Nahant street and Long Beach. They were of a shape that excited
much curiosity, and no one was able to determine what sort of a
creature had made them. But on Monday evening Mr. John Barry
shot a very large gray owl, on the marsh, near the foot of Pleasant
street, and it was concluded that the wonderful tracks were made by
him. He measured more than five feet from tip to tip of the wings."§

1 50. Syrnium nebulOSUm (Forster) Boie. Barred Owl.

A common resident throughout the State. Mr. J. N. Clark, of
Saybrook, Conn., tells me that he once found it breeding, in a hollow
tree, within twenty-five rods of the nest of a pair of Great Horned
Owls.

* Baird, Brewer & Ridgway, vol. iii, p. 22, 18'74.

\ A List of Birds observed at Grand Menan and at Yarmouth, N. S., June 16 to
July 8, 1856. Proceed. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. vi, p. 115. March, 1857.
\ Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 253. April, 1843.
§ History of Lynn, Mass., pp. 432-3, 1865.

C. H. Merriam — HircU of Connecticut. 71

Dr. Wm. Wood, of East Windsor Hill, Conn., relates the following
amusing anecdote, which serves well to illustrate " the nature of the
beast" under certain conditions, and at the same time affords us an
excellent example of conjugal affection and innate wisdom in our
own species : " A gentleman Avho fancied himself a taxidermist he-
cause, forsooth, he had seen a single specimen stuffed, determined to
allow that talent no longer to be buried, but bring it to light by
practically demonstrating to the world in general, and mankind in
particular, the way by which the feathered species can forever look
' as natural as life and a little more so.' Having obtained a specimen
of the Barred Owl that Avas only slightly Avinged, he let it loose in
the cellar till a leisure day. The bird, with only the tip of the wing
injured, and having fi-ee use of its limbs and feet, could visit any part
of her prison, and finding herself sole mistress, was not long in
appropriating anything and everything that woiild promote lier own
comfort and ease. The potato and apple bins, as well as the soap
and pork barrels were indiscriminately and alike used for places of
rest and repose. The day arrived when this nuisance could no longer
be tolerated. Approaching, with hand extended, to seize the Owl,
my friend received the benefit of her claws in and around his fingers.
Grasping the bird's leg to disengage it from its gripe, the other claw
was instantly brought in requisition and seized the other hand.
l)Oth hands being now securely held by the bird, no wonder that our
hei'o called out lustily for help when he saw the OavI expandino- her-
self almost indefinitely, and snapping her bill in anticipation of the
dainty repast which, according to appearance, she was about to SAval-
low" ! The terrified scream alarmed the Avhole household, and the
rush down the cellar stairs reminds one very forcibly of the second
and fourth illustrations in Bachelor Butterfly, on page 14th, AA'here he
jumped overboard, and, in order to save the life of the Naturalist
was followed by his omnipresent Dorothy and the whole crew. His
better half becoming alarmed for the safety of her beloved, seized the
enraged bird by the head and pulled with all the force that conjugal
fidelity or nervous excitement could arouse. The more she pulled
the deeper AA^ere the talons of the OavI inserted, as Avas evidenced by
the musical entertaimnent given by our friend, which comprised a
scale of at least tAvo octaves, Avith trills and variations that would
have astonished an Italian prima donna ! What more could be
done? The adage that 'necessity is the mother of invention' proved
true in this case, for the imminent danger, to say nothing of the ex-
cruciating pain, roused our hero to the ini]»ortance of Irvino- Avhat

72 C. H. Merriam — Birds of C(mnectlcut.

virtue tliere was in his incisors. Being blest with a good set he with
much difficulty succeeded in biting off all the claws of the Owl, and
relieving himself from his perilous position, probably a wiser man lor
his first lesson in Ornithology."*

Surely Thomas Morton, Esq., could not have been familiar with
the love calls of this species, or he would never have written: "There
are Owles of divers kindes : but I did never heare any of them whop
as oiirs doe,"f

151, Nyctea Scandiaca (Linne) Newton. Snowy Owl.

This magnificent bird seems to be a pretty J-egular winter visitant
along our coast. Linsley liad secui-ed five specimens from Stratford,
Conn., and Dr. Whel})ley had observed it at New Haven, prior to
the year 1843.| Two specimens came to my notice during the win-
ter of 1875-G (tlie first on Nov. 10), and no less than a dozen speci-
mens were killed in the immediate vicinity of New Haven in 0(^tober
(Oct. 17, Osborne), and November last (1876). They unquestionably
belonged to the immense flock of these Owls that passed through
eastern Massachusetts aboiit the same time. Over tvio himdred
specimens were shot about Boston in October and Novembei-. F"or a
detailed account of this wonderful and really ])er}»lexing migration,
consult an article by Buthven Deane, Esq., in the Bulletin of the
Nuttall Ornithological Club, No. 1, vol. ii, p. 9, for January, 1877.
Dr. Wm. Wood, of East Windsor Hili, Conn., writes that they were
unusually abundant here during the winter of 1858-9, when fifteen
or twenty were shot in Hartford County. lie further observes that
"it hunts either by day, or in the twilight, occasionally pursuing
game on the wing and securing it after the manner of the true falcons,
but generally devouring it on the spot like the Marsh Hawk. W^hen
annoyed and teased by Ci'ows it will now and then seek shelter in a
hollow tree. Some years since I was pursuing one of these birds, in
our meadows, that was followed and tormented by a great number of
Crows. It finally alighted on an apple tree about a hundred rods
distant, and in a few moments the whole tree was black with his
tormcnters, and still they came from all directions, attracted by the
noise and confusion of those diving at the Owl. Soon they began to

* Hartford Times, chap, xx, Aupjust It, 1861.

f New English Canaan, p. 4D. (Reprinted in Force's llistoricnl Tracts, Tract .5,
vol. ii.)

\ Am. .Tour. Sci. and Arts, No. 2. vol. xliv, p. 25.'1, 184:'.

C. H. Merriara — Birds of Connecticut. 73

leave, find before my arrival all was quiet. This was a mystery to
me, for I had not seen the Owl fly, and if he had, the crows would
certainly have given the alarm and followed him, yet no Owl was in
sight. Having ]»assed the tree some fifteen or twenty rods I heard a
noise, and turning about saw the Owl coming out of a hollow apple-
tree stum}) close by the tree. This was rather provoking, for 1 had
been, just a moment before, near enough to the stump to have
touched it with my gun."*

About the middle of March, 1863, "four large Arctic Owls were
shot during one week, at Nahant, and on the beaches'" ai)out Boston. f

152. Surnia Ulula, var. Hudsonia (Gmelin) Ooues. Hawk Owl.

A rare winter visitor from the North. To Dr. F. W. Hall belongs
the honor of adding this species to the birds of our State. In Nov.
1869, he saw the bird in an elm tree in an open field. Not having a
gun with him he returned for it and secured a fine specimen of the
Hawk Owl. It was mounted by the Rev. C. JM. Jones, and is now in
the cabinet of Dr. Hall. In the vicinity of Hudson's Bay, during the
winter season, the white Ptarmigan {Lagopus albus) constitutes its
chief article of diet ; and it is said to follow the hunter, pouncing
upon his game before he has time to reach it. As early as 1833 the
Hawk Owl was recorded, by Ebenezer Emmons, M.D., as a rare
" autumn" visitant in Massachusetts.J It has been shot as far South
as Haddington, near Philadelphia.§

153. Nyctale Tengmalmi, var. Richardsoni (Bonaparte) Ridgwaj.

Eichardson Owl.

An extremely rare accidental winter visitor from the North. Dr.
Wm. Wood has a fine specimen of this boreal Owl in his cabinet. It
was captured some twenty years ago, in mid-winter, near East
Windsor, Conn. The doctor gives the following account of the
manner in which he came in possession of this specimen, in one of his
interesting articles published in the "Hartford Times," Aug. 24th,
1861: "Visiting a patient some three miles from my office, I was

* Hartford Times, chap, xvi, July 6, 1861.

f History of Lynn, Mass., by Alonzo Lewis and .Tames R. Newhall, p. 473, 1865.

X Report on the Geology, Mineralogy, Botany, and Zoology of Massachusetts. By
Edward Hitchcock, Amherst. p. 546. 18,S3.

§ Birds of East Pennsylvania and New .Tersey. By William P. Turnbull, M.D., p.
41. 1869.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 10 July, 1877.

74 C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connectictd.

informed that word bad been left for me to call at a bonse near by.
On driving over and meeting tbe occupant at the gate, I inquired
wbo was sick ? After giving me an evasive answer I was invited
into the bouse. Being well acquainted with the gentleman, and
knowing that be liad quite a taste for natural history, I began to
suspect that it was not professional advice that was wanting. Leav-
ing the room for a few minutes, he returned with an Owl. This bird,
he informed me, sat upon the verandah early tbe previous morning,
and approaching cautiously, be captured it without its making the
least resistance or effoi't to escape, and put it into a cage. The next
morning, from some unknown cause, tbe bird was found dead, and
' thinking it might be something a little difterent from any in my
collection,' he saved it for me. No one biit a naturalist can imagine
the satisfaction it aiforded me wlien I beheld Ilichardson's Owl; and
I assure you that T would not only have gone three miles, but ten
times three to obtain it." Several specimens have been taken in
Massachusetts.*

1 54. Nyctale Acadica (Gmelin) Bonaparte. Acadian Owl ; Saw-whet Owl.

Resident, though rather rare, or at least not often seen, for, owing
to its diminutive size and nocturnal habits, it might be quite common
and yet escape notice. Linsley never saw " but two individuals," one
of which " was found lying upon bis back in a barn-yard in a cold
morning in JNIarcb, 1841, though still living." A s])ecimen was taken
at East Haven, Conn., Nov. 2(>tb, 1874, by Dr. F. W. Hall.

Mr. Coe and Mr. Sage have each fine examples of this species in
their cabinets, and the former gentleman showed me a set of five eggs
found in a bole in a tree near Portland, Conn. I)]*. Wood, of East
Windsor Hill, has several specimens taken in that vicinity, and I have
lately seen quite a number, killed about New Haven, and throughout
the State. It feeds on small birds, mice, grasshoppers, beetles, etc.
" For rearing its young tbe Saw-whet takes possession of the old nest
of a crow, or some other large bird, or of a hollow cavity of an old
tree."!

* J. A. Allen's Notes on some of the Rarer Birds of Mass., pp. 47-8. 1869.
\ Zadock Thompson's History of Vermont, pp. (ir>~7. 1842.

C. S. 3Ierrlani — Jjirds of Connecticut. lb

Family, FALCONID^.

155. Circus Cyaneus, var. Hudsonius (LmuL>) Sclil. Marsh Hawk;
Harrier; ''Mouse Hawk."

A tolerably common summer resident, especially about salt marshes,
where it breeds, placing its nest on the ground. Arrives in March
or April (April 9, 1876, Osborne), remaining into November (Nov. 6).

I take the following interesting account of the audacity sometimes
displayed by this bird, from one of Dr. Wood's articles in the Hart-
ford Times: "If once introduced to your young poultry a faithful
supervision will be exercised over them to see that none are left to
suffer from Avant of attention or hunger. I know of an instance
where the old bird returned daily, and about the same hour, until all
were taken. Coming one day when the owner was there, the Hawk
evidently intended to convince him tliat he was sole proprietor of
that brood. The cliickens having iled into the coop, he made him-
self quite at home by alighting on the shed near by and waiting for
them to appeal". The farmer caught up a stick and threw it at him,
which so enraged the bird that it Hew about his head, diving at him
and squealing at a most furious rate, when he returned again to the
shed, scolding vehemently. The farmer remarked tliat ' he was the
sauciest little thing he ever saw.' In capturing mice partly con-
cealed they sometimes ' wake up the wi'ong passenger' and get cap-
tured. An instance of this occurred in East Hartford. A Mouse
Hawk was observed sailing over some tall grass, evidently intent on
game. Poising himself for a moment by the slow, easy flappings of
his wings, he suddenly dove, and soon appeared, ascending slowly
and with difliculty. The very singular movements of the Hawk
attracted the notice of several persons Avho were talking together, and
they Avatched every motion with interest. He gradually rose higher
and higher, till his strength began to fail, when he began to descend
obli<iuely for a little way, then headlong to the ground. On arriving
at the place they found that the Hawk had seized a weasel, that had
killed its assailant by eating into the sides of the bird, Avhei-e he Avas
still at work !"

" Some years since, a student in the seminary came running up to
me in a great hurry, almost out of breath, pufling like a locomotive,
and exclaiming, ' Doc — doc — doctor, — can — you — shoot — flying ?'
I replied that sometimes I did such things. " Well, I wish you
Avould go out East and shoot a Hawk that has chased me for half a

76 G. H. Merrliitti — Birds of Connecticut.

mile, (living so close to my head that I exi)ected every moment he
would have liold of me.' Taking my gun, we walked towards the
swamp, when he informed me that ' he came out there to pi-actice
elocution, so as not to disturb any one, and before he had finished
the vowel sounds the IlaAvk came at him.' On arriving near the
place I requested him to commence his vocal exercises again, so as
to aftbrd me an opportunity for practicing on the wing. He com-
menced, and, if that was a specimen of elocution, no wonder the
Hawk drove him from the premises, for of all the earthly or unearthly
sounds ever uttered, those exceeded anything I ever heard. If blind-
fold, one would have supposed that there was a concert of Great
Horned Owls of all ages, echoing through the forest ' waugh ho !

oo, e, ah,

' Making night hideous,'

almost tempting one to think, if not to utter, the penult of the word
named. The bii'd without doubt recognized the vowel sounds, for
she soon came around, but either not liking the looks of me or my
gun, kept at a respectful distance, flying about, uttering the peculiar
cry of the Marsh Hawk. Neither the attem})ts of Audubon or Nutt-
all to interpret their song has elucidated it according to my ear. It
appears to me to sound like the male falsetto descending quickly
from high F to D, key of two sharps, with the syllables hey, ha, ha,
in compound time, accenting the first note very forcibly. The next
day we went again to the swamp, but taking the precaution to con-
ceal myself in the bushes before he commenced his elocutionary ex-
ercises, the bird dove at him as before, when he sung out lustily,
' shoot ! shoot ! shoot !' Discovering me the hawk changed her
tactics, much to the relief of ray friend, and, poising herself for a
moment, dove with so much force at my head as to make a distinct
rustling soiukI. After allowing her to repeat this several times to
see if she would really take hold of my cranium, my old gun went
ott', carrying death in its track, much to the joy of my companion,
who now, for the first time, ventured to take a full breath since com-
ing into the swamp."*

156. NaUCleruS forficatUS (Lmnc') Ridgway. Swallow-tailed Kite.

A rare straggler from the South, at present. Mr. Josiah G. Ely,
of Lyme, New London County, Conn., Avrites me that while hunting
on the 2d of July (1877), one of these magnificent birds flew over his

* Hartford Times, chap, xv, June 29, 1861.

C H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 77

lieacl, and that "there is no doubt as to its identity." Mr. W. W.
Coe, ot" Portland, Conn., tells nie that he saw a Swallow-tailed Kite in
that vicinity, during the summer of 1861. He was crossing an open
meadow when the Kite suddenly dove, close to where he was stand-
ing, and arose with a snake in its talons. This it devoured while in
the air, much to the surprise of Mr. Coe, who was not tlien familiar
witli its liahits. A specimen has also been observed in Massachusetts
<piite recently.* It has been shot on Long Island ((4iraud). The
cause of its restiicted northern range, in the eastern province, at the
present time, can scarcely depend on the temperature (as generally
supposed), for it was once not only common in New England, but
actually wintered here. Williams, writing in 1794, says that they
were then found in Vermont, and " seem to be titted by nature, to
endure all the diversity of our climate, and are to be seen in the
coldest weather ot" our winters."f The power of wing exhibited by
this s})lendid species is truly wonderful. Its swift flight and abrupt
turnings can only be compared to those of the Swallow. I have
often seen them, in Floiida, dart down and pick a wasp's nest from
the under side of a palmetto leaf, devouring the grubs it contained
while on the wing.J Dr. Coues writes thus of it: "The Swallow-
tailed Kite is a marked feature of tlie scene in the Southern States,
alike where the sunbeams are redolent of the orange and magnolia,
and where the air reeks with the pestilent miasm of the moss-
shrouded swamps that sleep in perpetual gloom. But, imbued with a
spirit of adventure, possessed of unequaled ])Owers of fliglit, it often
wanders far trom its southern home ; it has more than once crossed
the ocean, and become a trophy of no ordinary interest to tlie ardent
collector in Europe." It extends northward in the Mississippi
Valley, " where it regularly occurs above the mouth of the Missouri."
" Marked among its kind by no ordinary beauty of form and l)ril-
liancy of color, the Kite courses through the air with a grace and
buoyancy it would be vain to rival. By a stroke of the thin-bladed
wings and a lashing of the cleft tail, its flight is swayed to this or
that side in a moment, or instantly arrested. Now it swoops with
incredible swiftness, seizes without a pause, and bears its struo-glino-
captive aloft, feeding from its talons as it flies ; now it mounts in
airy circles till it is a speck in the blue ether and disappears. "§

* Rarer Birds of Mass., J. A. Allen, p. 46, 1869.

f The Natural and Civil History of Vermont, by Samuel Williams, p. 112, July 16
1194.

X Am. Nat., vol. viii. No. 2. p. 88, Feb., 1874.
§ Coues' Birds of the Northwest, p. 332, 1874.

78 C. II. Merrlata — Birds of Connecticut.

157. Accipiter fuSCUS (Gmelin) Bonaparte. Sharp-shiuned Hawk.

A common siimmei" i"esident, breeding- on trees and on high rocky
cliffs throughout the State. Mr. W. W. Coe writes me, that, of all
our Hawks, they are the latest to breed, laying their eggs, generally
five in number, in June, He has found them " in an old grey squir-
rel's nest fixed up for the occasion." Arrives in March, remaining
into November. F. W. Putnam, in 185G, gave it as " resident," but
"not abundant," in Essex County, Mass. I have no authentic
record of its occurrence here in winter. Dr. Wood writes: "Its
flight is quick, irregidar, and so rapid, that, if your gun is not cocked
it will pass out of range before you can get aim. It })ounces upon
its prey with such velocity that no time is allowed for escape.
While riding one day, one passed within a few feet of me and dashed
into a cluster of alders, interwoven with grapevines and briars, and
seized a half-grown quail, passing out with it, without scarcely check-
ing its speed. Although the hedge was Avithin twenty feet of me, it
was so thick tliat I could not discern the bird until it appeared on the
opposite side in the talons of the Hawk. When hungry and in
search of game, it knows no fear, often diving within a few feet of
you and seizing a chicken. Sometimes you will see one flying along-
very swift and low, wheeling right and left, taking a ' bird's-eye view'
of every hedge and bush, until it starts some little bird, whose fate is
surely sealed."* N uttall wi'ites : "Descending furiously and blindly
upon its quarry, a young Hawk of this species bi-oke through the glass
of the green-house, at the Cambridge Botanic Garden ; and fearlessly
passing through a second glass partition, he was only brought up by
the third, and cauglit, though little stunned by the effort. "f

158. Accipiter Cooperi (Bonaparte) Gray. Cooper's Hawk; Chicken

Hawk.

A common sunnner resident, generally placing its nest in some tall
pine or other high tree. " Their four eggs are usually deposited
about the middle of May. They frequently build a new nest every
vear but often take possession of the old nest of a Red-tailed or Red-
shouldered IlaAvk."! Arrives in March, remaining into November.
Dr. Wood writes that he knew of six of their nests in the vicinity of
East Windsor Hill, Conn., in a single season, and that he obtained

* Hartford Times, chap, x, May 25th, 1861.

f Nuttall's Manual of Ornithology, vol. i, p. 88. 1832.

X MS. notes of W. W. Coe.

G. II. Merriam — liirds of Connecticut. 79

eggs from five of them. lie says, " It is hold niid fearless, often div-
ing within a feM' rods of the farmer and seizing his chickens. If once
introduced to tlie young poultry' you may rest assured of a daily call
till all are gone, unless you are fortunate enough to secure the intru-
der. I once saw one of these Hawks seize a chicken on a very steep
side-hill, close beside the old hen. In an instant the enraged mother
flew upon the thief, and both came tumbling down the hill, clinched
together; running up, I was just about to grasp the Hawk when they
parted. It sometimes attacks full grown poultry with success. A
gentleman once informed me that, ' while standing by his wood-pile,
close by the house, one of these birds dove upon a full grown rooster,
within six; or eight rods of him. The fowl ran some two or three
rods and dropped dead. The Hawk soon returned to devour his
game, as it was too heavy for him to carry away, but his audacity
cost him his life.' "*

In the old colonial days, when every man spelled as best suited his
own fan(!y, the difterent kinds of Hawks did not pass unnoticed, for in
1632 Morton wrote : " There are Hawkes in New England of 5. sorts,
and these of all other fether fowles I must not omitt, to speake of,
nor neede I to make any A])ology for my selfe, concerning anv tres-
pass, that I am like to make upon my judgment, concerning the
nature of them, having bin bred in so genious a way, that I had the
common use of them in England : and at my first arrivall in those
parts practiced to take a Lannaret, which I reclaimed, trained, and
made flying in a fortnight, the same being a passinger at Michuelmas.
I found that these are most excellent Mettell, rank winged, well con-
ditioned, and not tickleish footed, and having whoods, bels, luers,
and all things fitting, was desirous to make experiment of that kinde
of Ilawke, before any other. And I am perswaded : that nature hath
ordained them to be of a farre better kinde, then any that liave bin
used in England. "f It seems to me that there is little doubt but that
the above remarks refer to Cooper's Hawk.

159. Astur atricapilluS (Wilson) Jardine. (ioshawk.

Rather rare, and somewhat irregular, winter visitant. Said to
breed, occasionally, as far south as INIassachusetts (Maynard and
Minot),

* Hartford Times, chap, ix, May 18th, 18G1.

t New English Canaan. By Thomas Morton, p. 49. 1G32. [Reprinted in Force's
Hist. Tracts, vol. ii, T. 5.]

80 C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

Professor Win. D. Wliitney has a finely mounted specimen, in his
cabinet, which was shot, some years ago, at Hamden Plains, near
New Haven, Conn, W. W. Coe, and Jno. H. Sage, of Portland,
Conn., have each several fine specimens taken in the State — one near
Hartford, Nov. 9th, 1867. Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell secui-ed one, late
in the fall (Nov. or Dec.) of 1876, at Milford, Conn' For several
days previous to its capture it had been in the habit of lunching on a
neighbor's chickens. Mr. Erwin I. Shores writes me that, in the
vicinity of Suffield, Conn., he has seen it " four or more times during
the last two winters." I am informed by Dr. Wm. Wood, of East
Windsor Hill, Conn., that they are really common in that vicinity
about once in ten years (he once had seven specimens, in the flesh,
on hand at one time) but are seldom seen between times. The doctor
relates the following anecdote as illustrating well the boldness and
daring often displayed by this species : An old man, over eighty years
of age, was sitting quietly in the kitchen with his maiden daughter.
The door Avas open and their quiet was suddenly broken by a hen
who rushed frantically into the room, followed closely by a large
Goshawk. There, right on the kitchen floor, and in the ])resence of
the two, the bold Hawk seized the hen. The feeble old man came
to the rescue, and, with stick in hand, finally succeeded in beating oft'
the intruder, who now made for the door. Hut it was too late — the
daughter had closed the door and actually caught the furious bird in
her hands and ])ut him to death !

Zadock Thompson says: " Its disposition is very savage, and it is
withal so much of a cannibal as sometimes to devour its own young!"*
Dr. Wni. Wood, of East Windsor Hill, writes that a specimen which
he once kept alive in a small room " refused food until the thirteenth

day, when it devoured an entire hen It died the next

night, a victim to its voraciousness."! "The poet Chaucer in allud-
ing to it says, —

' Riding on hawking by the river.
With gray Goshawk in liand.'

Falconry and haAv^king, as defined by our lexicographers, are synony-
mous, l>ut formerly birds of sport were divided into two classes, those
of falconry, and those of hawking. This bird came under the latter
class." "The Goshawk does not usually soar high, like the longer
winged Hawks, nor dart upon its prey by a direct descent, as do the

* History of Vermont, p. 62. 1842.

•f Hartford Times, chap. Lx, May 18th, 1861.

C. 11. Merriain — Blrih of Connecticut. 81

true F.ak'ons, but by u side glance. It is restless, seldom alighting
but for a moment, except to devour its (][uarry, and then it stands
almost erect. Its flight is so rapid that it can easily overtake the

swift Pigeon on the wing When looking for prey it skims

along near the surface of the groimd with great velocity, and catches
its game so quickly and easily as scarcely to be seen by the looker-on."
" The Goshawk is the nn)st daring and venturesome of any of our
diurnal bii-ds of prey. A farmer who resides a few miles Irom my
oftice, wishing to perpetuate the old New England custom of having
a chicken-pie for Thanksgiving dinner, caught some fowls, took them
to a log, severed the neck of one, and threw it down beside him.
In an instant a Goshaw^k seized the struggling fowl, and, flying ofi"
some ten rods, alighted and commenced devouring its prey. The
boldness of the attack so astonished the fiirmer that he looked on
with blank amazement. Kecovering from his surprise, he hastened
into the house and l)rought out his gun, which secured him both the
Hawk and the fowl."*

Pennant, in 17S5, tells us tliat Goshawks "are used by the
Emperor of China in his sporting progresses, attended by his grand,

falconer, and a thousand of the subordinate The Emperor

often carries a Hawk on liis hand, to let fly at any game which pre-
sents itself; which are usually Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, or
Cranes. Marco Polo saw this diversion about the year 1269."f

1 60. FalCO communis Gmelin. Peregrine Falcon ; Duck Hawk.

llesident, but rare ; breeds on Talcott Mountain, near Hartford,
Conn. Linsley tells us that, previous to the year 1K42, a specimen of
this celebrated and powerful biid was w^ounded by a gun-shot in
Stratford, [Conn.], and after he was taken so(^)n recovered, and was kept
on poultry until he became too expensive to the owner,"J who then
released him. ]\Ir. Geo. Bird Grinnell informs me that he saw, on the
23d of F'ebruary, 1876, a Duck Hawk (or Great-footed Hawk, as it is
often called), flying about the Sound, near ^Nlilford, Conn.

On the 29th of June, 1877, while enjoying the hospitality of Capt.
O. N. Brooks, at Faulkner's Island, Conn., in company with my
friend, Mr. Jno. H. Sage, the Terns breeding on Goose Island (one mile

* Dr. Wood, in Am. Nat., vol. x, No. 3, pp. 132-4. March, 1876.
f Arctic Zoology. By Thomas Pennant, vol. ii, p. 204. 1785.
X Linsley's Catal. Birds Conn., p. 250, 1843.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 11 July, 1877.

82 C. H. Merriam, — Birds of Connecticut.

distant) were observed to be in an unusual state of commotion. The
Captain remarked that they had been agitated, the day previous, by
a Duck Hawk which might still be prowling in the vicinity, and he
kindly oiFered to take us over there. We landed, and, on rounding
the island, the Falcon suddenly started from her retreat among the
rocks and weeds, which, as we afterwards discovered, was strewn
with feathers. But the captain's gun was in readiness, and, through
his kindness, the bird now graces my collection. During her brief
visit she had made sad havoc among the Terns, and her crop was
greatly distended with their remains, which had been swallowed in
incredibly large pieces — whole legs, and the long bones of the wings
were found entire and unbroken ! Indeed she was perfectly gorged,
and contained the remains of at least two adult Terns, besides a mass
of newly hatched young ! The only other great-footed Hawk that
Capt. Brooks has ever taken, he killed, at this same place, twelve
years ago. Query : did this bird come from Talcott Mountain, or
did it breed far beyond our limits ? It is said that they are able to
fly many hours without resting, and at the enormous rate of an hun-
.dred miles per hour !* They sometimes live nearly 200 years !

In the Hartford Times of June 29th, 1861, Dr. Wm. Wood, of
East Windsor Hill, Conn., published the first account of the first
Duck Hawk's nest found in New England. It was discovered by
Dr. Moses, on Talcott Mountain, near Hartford, Conn,, May 25th,
1861, and contained four young almost large enough to fly. The
finding of this nest was, at the time, of particular interest, since, as
Dr. Wood remarked, " it settled beyond dispute three points : 1st,
that they breed on clifis ; 2d, that they breed in Connecticut ; and
3d, that they nest very early" (sometime in March). f

They have since been known to breed regularly on Mount Tom,
Mass., where their eggs were first taken, April 19, 1864, by Mr. C.
W. Bennett,^ of Holyoke. Their nest was again robbed, by Mr,
Bennett, in 1866 and in 1869. Mr. J. A. Allen, in his "Notes on
some of the Rarer Birds of Massachusetts," writes : " During a visit
to this Mountain [Mt. Tom], in company with Mr. Bennett (Apr, 28,
1869), we had the great pleasure of discovering their second eyrie,
from which, with considerable difficulty, three freshly laid eggs were
obtained. Not discouraged by this second misfortune, they nested

* See an interesting Article in Am. Nat., vol. v. No. 2, p. 82, April, 1871.

+ Hartford Times, June 29, 1861.

X See Proceed. Essex Inst., vol. iv, p. 153.

C IT. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 83

again, this time depositing their eggs in the old eyrie from which all
except the last set of eggs have been obtained. Again they were
unfortunate, Mr. Bennett removing their second set of eggs, three in
number. May 23d, at which time incubation had just commenced.
The birds remained about the mountain all the summer, and from
the anxiety they manifested in August it appears not improbable
that they had laid a third time, and at this late period had undedged
young."* Mr. Harold Her rick states that it is common on the Island
of Grand Menan, N. B., where it " breeds on the cliflfs, but in such
inaccessible situations that its nest is rarely taken. Thei-e is a place
between ' Fish Head' and the ' Old Bishop' known as the ' Seven
Day's Work,' where the cliff is divided into seven strata as sharply
defined as lines of masonry. On an indentation in the face of this
cliiF, about one hundred feet from the top, and one hundred and fifty
feet from the bottom, a pair of these Falcons have had their eyrie for
a succession of years, secure alike from the assaults of the most zeal-
ous naturalist, and the small boy of bird's-egging proclivities."!

Mr. W. W. Coe, of Portland, Conn., tells me that while duck
shooting a few years since, as the birds rose at the report of his gun,
a Duck Hawk dove, struck a Teale, on the wing, and carried it ofl"!
Dr. Wood writes : " In the vicinity of their breeding places they are
a terror to the poultry as well as a dread to the farmer, for there
they usually hunt in pairs, one following directly after the other,
and if the first one misses the game, the other is sure to pick it up ;
there is no escaping the two. This is the universal testimony of all
the farmers living in the vicinity of the cliffs w^here they breed. One
of my collectors went over one hundred miles to get a nest of their
eggs, from only hearing a farmer in the vicinity of the cliff describe
their manner of hunting ; knowing from this circumstance alone that
it must be the Duck Hawk."];

161. Falco COlumbariuS Linne. Pigeon Hawk.

Resident, but rare in summer, and not often seen in winter. It is
not i;ncommon here in spring and fall. Dr. Wm. Wood tells me that
he has found it about East Windsor Hill, Conn., in May, June, and
July, but failed to discover the nest. He is not, of course, perfectly

* Notes on some of tlie Rarer Birds of Mass., p. 10-11, 1869.

\ Herrick's Partial Catalogue of the Birds of Grand Menan, p. 10, 1873.

X Am. Nat., vol. v, No. 2, p. 82, April, 1871.

84 C. H. Merrimn — Birds of Connecticut.

certain that they bi'eed there at all, though their occurrence in early
summer certainly looks like it. I have seen it, in the vicinity of New
Haven, in April, and again in August and September, and now have
notes of its presence in this State in every month of the year. In
one of his interesting articles on the " Game Falcons of New Eng-
land," Dr. Wood writes: "In May, 1860, a gentleman who resides
some five miles distant, informed me that a small Hawk came almost
every day and carried off a chicken for him — that it never missed,
for it went so like lightning that there was no escaping its grasp.
He said that it always came in the same direction fi-om a tract of
woods near his house Accompanied by my friend, we care-
fully searched the woods without finding anything except the nest of
the Red-shouldered Hawk. The next day the same little Hawk i-e-
turned and was shot, and is now in my collection, a beautiful repre-
sentative of the Pigeon Hawk. I have no doubt that it had a
nest about there, as it was the season for nesting, and it ahvays came
from, and went to, the same piece of woods, and in the same direc-
tion. If it had not yomig it must have been carrying food to its
mate while incubating. If a mere straggler it would come and go
without any definite place of resort. Our inability to find the nest
was not strange, as there were some sixty or eighty acres of heavy-
timbered oaks and pines in the tract."* Mr. Geo. A. Boardman
states that it "breeds in hollow trees,"f which would, of course,
render its nest still more difiicult to find. I am strongly inclined to
believe that a few pairs do occasionally breed in Connecticut, for,
though its nest has not yet been actually discovered, the fact that
the birds are sometimes found here throughout the entire year is
strong evidence that they l)reed, and mere negative evidence, in such
cases, amounts to little or nothing,

162. FalCO Sparverius Linne. Sparrow TIawk.

A rather rare resident ; only a few pairs breed within the State,
and it is seldom seen in winter. Mr. W. W. Coe tells me that it
breeds near Portland, Conn., and I am informed by Dr. Wood that
it sometimes breeds in the vicinity of East Windsor Hill.

Dr. Wood thus describes a novel site for a nest of this Hawk
which was found at Granby, Conn. : " A farmer made a dove house
inside of his barn with holes through the sides of the building com-

* Am. Nat., vol. vii, No. 6, pp. :U2-3, June, 187:^.

f Proceed. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. ix, p. 122, Sept., 1862.

C. IT. Merriam — JBirds of Connecticut. 86

munieating with it. A pair of cloves that had nested there were
attacked and killed by a pair of Sparrow Hawks who took posses-
sion of their nest, laid four eggs, and commenced to sit. During
incubation they found the farmer's chickens very convenient for food
— too raiich so for their own good. I saw both birds after they were
killed ; also their four eggs, two of which are now in my cabinet."*
In Elizabeth, New Jersey, several years ago, I saw a pair of Sparrow
Hawks fly up under the eaves of an old barn, and drag a couple of
Swallows out of their nests ! Mr. Sage has seen it in January (Jan.
6, 1877), near Portland, Conn., and Dr. Wood writes me that he has
occasionally taken it in winter.

" Sparhawkes there are also," wrote Morton in 1632, "the foirest,
and best, shaped birds that I have ever beheld of that kinde, those
that ai'e litle, no use is made of any of them, neither are they re-
garded, I onely tried conclusions with a Lannaret at first comming ;
and when I found, what was in that bird, I turned him going : but
for so much as I have observed of those birds, they may be a fitt
pi'esent for a prince ; and for goodnosse too be preferred before the
Barbary, or any other used in Christendome, and especially the
Lannars and Lannarets."f The above may have referred to the
Sharp-shinned Hawk.

163. Buteo borealis (Gmelin) Vieillot. Red-tailed Hawk ; Hen Hawk.

A common resident, but more numerous in early spring and during
the fall migrations than at other times of the year. The migrants
arrive eai-ly in March, and in fall, may be seen, in considerable num-
bers, in September, October, and November. On the 25th of Sep-
tember, 1875, 1 saw, near New Haven, a flock of twenty-six Red-tailed
Hawks, soaring high, and sailing slowly southward. The clay was
dear and cool, and there was little wind.

Mr. W. W. Coe, of Portland, Conn., has been remarkably fortunate
in finding the nests of this Hawk, having taken, during the past five
years, nearly forty of its eggs ! The best time to go for them seems
to be about the middle of April, but he has found nests, containing
eggs, at all dates from March 3Utli (1875) to May 23d (1873), though
the young generally hatch during the latter part of April or early in
May. The Stadtmiiller brothers found a nest, near New Haven,
April 13, 1877, containing three eggs which "were just beginning to

* Am. Nat, vol. viii, No. 5, p. 268, May, 1874.

f New English Canaan, p. 50. [Reprinted from Force's Hist. Tracts, vol. ii, T. 5.1

86 G. H. Merricmi — Birds of Connecticut.

hatch."* The Red-tailed Hawk generally lays two, frequently three,
and sometimes four, eggs. In writing of them, from Portland, Conn.,
Mr. Coe says : " Their nests are easily identified, being the largest
nests built in this locality, and the earliest. They lay in the same
nest year after year if not disturbed, and often if they are. I once
found a nest in a young chestnut, not over twenty feet from the
ground, but they commonly build high up in large trees."f

The Rev. Mr, Peabody, in his Report on the Birds of Massachu-
setts (in 1839), remarked that these Hawks, " like the Crow, seem to
have an intuitive perception of the use and reach of the gun, for if
they see a person armed, they give a scream of disgust, and sail
away far beyond his reach. "J

They are often called Hen Hawks from their frequent visits to the
poultry yard. I have also found, in their alimentary canals, the
remains of mice, snakes, and frogs.

1 64. ButeO lineatUS (Gmelin) Jardine. Red-shouldered Hawk.

A common resident, like the last, but more frequently seen in win-
ter. Also breeds in high trees. Mr. Coe writes me that it generally
lays a little later than the Red-tail, makes a smaller nest, and is more
likely to build a new one every year. He has taken their eggs from
April 16th (only one egg, just deposited) till May 19th. They
generally lay three or four eggs, and sometimes five. Dr. Wood once
found six ! I once took from the stomach of one of these Hawks a
snake {Eutainia saurita) measuring twenty-two inches in length !

A young bird, which Dr. Wood raised, became very much attached
to him. He says : " by giving a whistle he would answer with his
ka-hee^ ka-hee^ ka-hee., and fly from the tree and alight on my shoulder,
expecting his accustomed morsel. I did not confine him at all, but
allowed him to fly where he pleased, knowing that he would not go far
ofl". The domestic fowls became so well acquainted with him that
they showed no signs of fear when he alighted on a tree or post near
them. One morning he did not come at my call, nor at noon. In
the afternoon I went in search of him and whistled till my lips would
not pucker any longer, yet no bird answered to the music. The next
morning he was brought to me as a rare specimen with the following

* MS. notes of the StadtmiiUer Brothers,
f MS. notes of W. W. Coe.

± A Report on the Ornithology of Massachusetts, by William B. 0. Peabody, p.
268, 1839.

C. H. Merriatn — Birds of Connecticut. 87

sequel : ' He came and alighted on my fence within a few feet of me
when I was feeding my fowls. They Hew in every direction. Care-
fully stepping up I caught the pretty creature and thought I would
save him for the doctor. Putting him into a box, I gave him some
corn,' but he did not seem huixjry, and icould not eat a kernel.''''''*
Again, under the name of " Winter Hawk (Buteo hi/emalis),'''' the
doctor continues : " Sitting patiently upon a tree near some spring
or marshy ground, it will watch by the hour for a frog to make its
appearance, when it is immediately seized and drowned. There is a
side-hill, some few miles from my office, from which springs con-
stantly run in the coldest weather, forming quite a wet, marshy place,
offering great inducements to the Winter Hawk. Here you may see
one or more of these birds every winter, perched upon a tree near by
watching for its favorite food. I received two specimens shot from
that tree in one day."f

165. Buteo PennsylvaniCUS (AVilson) Bonaparte. Broad-winged Ilawk.

A rather rare resident, seldom seen in winter. It breeds sparingly
about New Haven, and Mr. W. W. Coe has taken quite a number of
their nests, together with several of the finest specimens of the bird
that I have ever seen, in the vicinity of Portland, Conn. He informs
me that they generally lay later than the Red-shouldered Hawks, and.
like them, often build a new nest every year.

Mr. F. W. Putnam (in 1856) gave it as a rare winter visitant so
far north as Essex Co., Mass.J

166. Archibuteo lagopus, var. Sancti-Johannis (Gmeiin) Ridgway.

Rough-legged Hawk ; Black Hawk.

A winter visitor ; not common. I saw one near New Haven, Nov.
20tli, 1875. Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell tells me that he has seen it, in
spring, near North Haven, Conn. It is sometimes quite abundant on
the low meadows bordering the Connecticut River, where, in the
vicinity of East Windsor Hill, Conn., Dr. William Wood has
secured a large number of specimens. The splendid series thus
obtained, enabled him, many years ago, to prove the identity of the
two foi-ms, lagopus and Sancti-Johannis, then considered, by our

* Hartford Times, chap, xii, June 8th, 1861.
f Hartford Times, chap, xiii, June 15th, 1861.
X Proceed. Essex Inst., vol. i, p. 203. 1856.

88 (J. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

best Ornithologists, to be specifically distinct. As long ago as 1861
Dr. Wood published the following : " The difference in size is no
more than frequently occurs in birds of the same species. The shape
and general form, the small claws, the same habits in every respect,
their arrival at the same time, associating and sailing together, the
plumage of the one running into the other as it changes, so that it is
difficult, if not impossible, to tell where the dividing line comes, some
being jet-black, othei's not quite as dark, others slightly mixed, some
more so, certainly make a strong case in favor of their identity."*
Three years later the doctor wrote J. A. Allen that he had then taken
and examined about forty specimens, and could now state positively
that : " The Rough-legged Falcon and Black Hawk are the same.'''']
Both Baird and Coues, in their late works on our birds, state that the
examination of a large number of specimens leaves little doubt as to
the identity of the two forms under consideration, each using such
language as to indicate an original discovery dependant on his own
investigations, and neither alludes to the published records of Dr.
Wood, who, long before, arrived at the same conclusion, and from a
larger amount of material, and of better quality, than is to be found
in any other collection in the world.

1 67. Pandion haliaetUS (Linne) Cuvier. Fish Hawk ; Osprey.

A summer resident, breeding abundantly along the coast, both on
the main land and on islands in the Sound. It is pax-ticularly abund-
ant during the spring migrations. It arrives late in March (March
28, 187Y), remaining through October (Oct. 23). The migrants pass
northward during the latter part of April, and return again in Sep-
tember. Mr. Fred. Sumner Smith, of this city, tells me that a friend
of his found a Fish Hawk's nest in Heron Swamp (near New Haven)
as late as July 4th, (1870). It was a small one, being little larger
than a bushel basket, was placed in a clump of thick bushes, and con-
tained three eggs. Mr. W. W. Coe informs me that they do not
breed so far up the Connecticut River as Middletovvn and Portland,
but are common at its mouth (about Saybrook), and that he has taken
their nests, along the Sound, all the way from Saybrook to New
London, Conn. " Immense numbers of them breed regulai-ly at
Plumb Island, Conn., wliere I saw, last spring, at least five hundred
nests, and over a thousand birds. There is only one small piece of

* Hartford Times, chap, xiv, June 22d, 1861.

f Allen's notes on some of the Rarer Birds of Mass., p. 14. 1869.

C. II. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 89

timber on the island, and every tree contains a Fish Hawk's nest, or
from eiglit to ten Night Herons' nests. There is quite a colony of
Night Herons there. There not l)eing trees enougli for the Hawks
to nest in, many of them huikl on tlie ground and some lay their eggs
in the sand. They occupy the same nest for years, adding a little to
it each season, till some of them, that were originally placed flat on
the ground, had become so large that I could not look into them.
Many were seven feet high and measured six or eight feet across the
top ! On the 4th of June I found both young birds and fresh eggs in
some of the nests. The Crow Blackbirds had built their nests in
among the large sticks on the sides of the Fish Hawk's nests, there
being often four or five of the former placed about the sides of one of
the latter. Besides the Fish Hawks, Night Herons, and Crow Black-
birds, many other birds breed uiion this island, among which might
be mentioned the Upland and Killdeer Plover, and large numbers of
Terns."*

The llev. Wm. 1>. O. Peabody, in 1839, thus wrote of their habits :
" The Fish Hawk is on excellent terms with the fishermen, though
they are of the same trade. Its coming announces the arrival of the
shoals of fish that crowd our rivers in the spring. Perhaps its exemp-
tion from persecution may be owing also to its well known gentleness
of (lis])Osition. Unlike other birds of prey, the Fish Hawks are
social and friendly to each other. They come to us in fiocks of eight
or ten, who build near each other, and rear their young in perfect
harmony, and this spii'it of hospitality and kindness is extended to
other birds that seem to have no claim upon them. The Crow Black-
birds are permitted to shelter in the interstices of their nests, which
are huge constructions, made of a cartload of heavy materials firmly
matted together. "f

1 68. Aquila chrysaetUS Linne. Golden Eagle.

A rare winter visitant. Dr. Wood informs me that it is sometimes
seen about Hartford, Conn. Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn.,
writes me that he sees one or two there every year, and that one
remained in that vicinity a week, about the middle of May last (1SV7).
One was secured at Deep Iviver, Conn., Nov. 13th, 1875, l)y Mr. Harry
Flint. Zadock Thompson stated that they sometimes live in Vermont,
and says that " the nest is placed upon the inaccessible shelf of some

* MS. notes of W. W. Coe.

f Pealiorty's Report on the Ornithology of Mass., p. 265. 18:!9.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 12 July, IS"??.

90 C. H. Merriaia — Birds of Co)inecticut.

rugged precipice, and consists of a few sticks and weeds barely suf-
ficient to keep the eggs from rolling down the rocks These

eagles feed upon young fawns, hares, raccoons, wild turkeys, par-
tridges, and other quadrupeds and birds, but will feed on putrid flesh
only when severely pressed by hunger."*

1 69. HaliaetUS leUCOCephaluS (Linne) Saviguy. Bald Eagle.

A resident ; not uncommon during the migrations. Saw one flying
over the city, Nov. 20th, 1875. Also observed Ave individuals during
Yoh. and March, 1.S76. They unquestionably breed about four miles
above the mouth of the Ilousatonic River, Conn., as I am told by my
friend, Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell. One was shot near the mouth of the
East Haven River in Nov., 1876, and is now in the collection of Mr.
Thomas Osborne of this city. Used to breed in suitable localities
throughout the State, and there were formerly two eyries within a
few miles of New Haven, one at Mt. Carmel, and the other on Salton-
stall Ridge. f

Linsley kept an immature specimen (called by him "Washington's
Eagle") alive for some time, concerning which he writes : " I kept him
awhile confined, but soon found it unnecessary, because if he left my
premises he would return to the stand at night. I have known him
to eat fourteen birds (mostly King-birds), and then he was satisfied
for a week. He appeared to prefer this mode of liA'ing, and paid no
attention to a daily supply. He, however, in the course of the summer,
became so mischievous among the young ducks of my neighbors, that
I was compelled to kill him. A single anecdote of his conduct may
not be uninteresting : While he had ])ossession of my front yard,
occupying the centre as his stand (the walks making a semicircle to
the door), he would remain perfectly quiet if gentlemen or ladies
entered ; but if a person with tattered garments, or such persons as
were not accustomed to come in at the front door, entered the yard,
it was actually dangerous for them, and they could only escape the
tremendous grasp of his talons by running with their full strength
and shutting the gate after them. Facts of this kind often occurred,
and T was occasionally compelled to release from his grasp such indi-
viduals as he had taken captive. With one claw in the sward and
grass, he wotild hold quietly any man with the other."

* History of Vermont, by Zadock Thompson, p. 59, 1842.

f Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts. vol. xliv, No. '2, p. 251, April, 18-io.

C. H. Merrimn — Birds of Connecticut. 91

111 1634, William Wood wrote: "The Eagles of the Countrey be of
two sorts, one like the Eagles that be in England., the other is some-
thing bigger, witli a great white head and white tayle : these bee
commonly called Gripes; these prey upon Dnckes and Geese, and
such Fish as are cast upon the Sea-shore. And although an Eagle be
counted King of that feathered regiment, yet is there a certaine blacke
Hawke that beates hiin ; so that he is constrayned to soare so high,
till heate expell his adversary."*

Family, CATHARTID^.

1 70. Cathartes aura (Linny) Illiger. Turkey Buzzard.

A rare visitor from the South, at present, although once "not un-
common"! according to Linsley, wlio further states: "I have known
it ill (Connecticut from a child, having at that period counted twenty in
a flock in Northford in the month of August." " At the South, where
they abound, it is seldom one attacks domestic poultry ; but many
years since I saw in Northford, in this State, a splendid male Turkey
Buzzard pounce down upon a chicken about three-quarters grown,
and Avithin al)ont three rods of where I was standing with two other
])ersons. As he turned his eye upon us, still standing upon the
chicken, he ai)peared so much alarmed as to be unable to rise; we all
ran upon him, and when within a few feet of him he rose, just clear-
ing our heads, and drop])ing the chicken at our feet, he hurried oftVJ
This fact is particularly interesting, since they are commonly believed
to feed exclusively on carrion. Nuttall heard that they were "ac-
cused, at times, of attacking young pigs and lambs, beginning their
assault by jncking out the eyes." l>ut that he did not believe it is
evident, for he goes on to say: "Mr. Waterton, hovvaner, while at
Demerara, watched them for hours together amidst reptiles of all
descriptions, but they never made any attack upon them. lie even
killed lizards and frogs and i»ut them in their way, but they did not
appear to notice them till they had attained the putrid scent. So
that a more harmless animal, living at all upon flesh, is not in exist-
ence, than the Turkey Vulture."§ Nevertheless, since our own mod-

* New England's Prospect, p. 30, 1 634.

f Regarding its former abundance, Mr. .J. N. Clark writes me that an old hunter
told him " that they used to be very common " about the mouth of the Connecticut,
where "he had shot a good many, but not recently."

X Am. .Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv. No. 2, p. S.'iO, April, 1843.

§ Nuttall's Manual of Ornithology, p. 45, 1.S32.

92 ('. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

ern .classiticatioii of the Animal Kingdom is not sufficiently plastic to
admit of grouj^ing together chickens, pigs, and lambs, under the
head of " Re})tiles," along with "lizards and frogs," and the like, and
since the word of so careful and conscientious an observer as Mr.
Linsley is unimpeachable, we are forced to admit tliat these "harm-
less animals" do occasionally visit the farm-yard with "malice afore-
thought," and that a young fowl, safely lodged in the otherwise
empty stomach, may not prove an altogether distasteful article, ex-
erting, perchance, as soothing an effect over the sluggish intellect of
one of these indolent scavengers as the most delicious morsel of pu-
trescent carrion. Indeed, Audubon says of it : " they often watch the
young kid, the lamb, and the pig, issuing from the mother's womb,
and attack it with direful success." "Any flesh that they can at
once tear with their very powerful bill in pieces, is swallowed, no
matter how fresh ; .... but it frequently happens that these birds
are forced to wait until the hide of the prey gives way to the bill."*
Mr. Grinnell tells me that one was shot at the mouth of the Hous-
atonic River, Conn., in June, 1875, by C. Merwin, of Milford Point.
Turkey IJuzzards have been observed at Saybrook, Conn., by Mr. J.
N. Clark) recorded by Purdie ;f two were taken in Massachusetts,^
and one even strayed as far to the north as Calais, Maine, where it
was captured by Mr. G. A. Boardman (recorded by Prof. A. E. Ver-
rill).§ Dr. Wood tells me that one was seen, feeding on carrion,
near East Windsor, Conn., only three years ago (IH'74). The Rev.
J. Howard Hand writes me as follows, concerning the occurrence of
Turkey Buzzards in Connecticut : "I took one s})ecimen at Cromwell,
Conn., Sept. 23d, 1S74; also one at Westbrook, Conn., Oct. 10th,
1875, and again eight sijeciniens on Oct. 18th (two days afterwards).
They are not common." Dr. Wm. O. Ayres writes me that he took
one at New Haven in 1853.

Along our eastern coast it does not breed farther north than South-
ern New Jersey; but in the West its range is much more extensive,
its northern limit being "about 53° in the region of the Saskatchewan,
where it arrives in June,"|| and was obtained by Sir John Richardson.
Dr. Coues saw it at Fort Randall, Dakota, lat. 43° 11', and I have

* Appendix to Wilson's American Ornithology, vol. iv, pp. 254 and 258, ISIU.
f Am. Nat., vol. vii, No. 11, p. 693, Nov., 1873.

\ Samuel's Descriptive Catalogue of the Birds of Massachusetts, p. .3, 18G4. [From
Agr. Mass., App., p. xviii, 1863.]

§ Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat Hist., vol. ix, p. 122, Sept., 1862.
II Coues' Birds of the Northwest, p. 380, 1874.

C. II. Merriam — Birch of Connecticut. 93

myself observed it in Tdulio, Wyoming, and Utali. It was once
common througliout New England, as attested by numerous old
writers. Josselyn must have been blessed with a keen appetite and
an admirable digestion, for he says : "The turkie-buzzard, a kind of
kite, but as big as a turkie ; brown of color, and very good meat."*

Note. — The Black Vulture, Cathartes atratus (Ray) Lesson, may
sometimes occur as a rare straggler from the South, and the Rev. J.
Howard Hand writes me that he thinks he has killed three specimens
of it at Westbrook, Conn. (Aug. 10, Sept. 12 and 21, 1874), but they
may have been young Turkey Buzzards. Unfortunately the speci-
mens were not preserved. Several individuals have been recorded
from Massachusetts,! and it has even straggled as far north as Maine
(Calais, G. A. Boardmau)| and Nova Scotia.

Family, COLUMBID^.

171. Ectopistes migratoria (Linne) Swainson. Wild Pigeon.

Sometimes quite abundant during the migrations. A few breed
(late in May). Arrives al>out the first of April (A])r. 2, 1875, Sage).
Mr. Coe tells me that numbers of them bred about Portland, Conn,
in 1875, and that a few generally nest there.

Concerning the enormous flocks of Wild Pigeons wdiich passed to
and fro over the country in former years (and which, on a smaller
scale, are still to be met with in some parts of the West), Crov. Thomas
Dudley wrote, as early as 1G:31 : " V])on the 8 of March, from after
it was faire day light, untill al)()ut S of the clock in the forenoone
there flew over all the tonnes in our ])lantacons soe many flocks of
doues, each flock conteyning many thousands and some soe many
that they ol)scured the lighte, that it passeth credit, if but the truth
should bee written, and the thing was the more strange, l)ecause T
scarce remember to have scene tenne doues since 1 came into the
country. They were all turtles as a]i]ieared by diverse of them wee
killed flying, somewhat lugger than those of Europe, and they flew
from the north east to the south west ; but what it portends I know
not."§ And in the following year (1632), Thomas Morton, of Clif-

* New England's Rarities Discovered. By John Josselyn, p. 11, 1672.
f Cones' List of the Birds of New England, p. 6, 1868 ; J. A. Allen's Rarer Birds
of Mass., p. 47, 1869; etc.

X Am. Nat., vol. iii, p. 498, Nov., 1869.

§ Reprinted in Force's Historical Tracts, Tract 4, p. 17-18.

94 C H. Merriani — Birds of (Connecticut.

ford's Inn, speaking of liis impressions of the country, when first he
landed in New England, said : " The more I looked the more I liked
it. And when I had more seriously considered of the hewty of the
place, with all her faire indowments, I did not thinke that in all the
knowMie world it could be paralel'd." " Contained within the volume
of the Land, Fowles in abundance, Fish in multitude, and discovered
besides ; INIillions of Turtledoves one the greene boughes : which sate
pecking, of the full ripe pleasant grapes, that were supported by the
lusty trees, whose fruitfull loade did cause the arnies to bend, which
here and there dis)>ersed (you might see) Lillies and of the Daph-
nean-tree, which made the Lande to mee seeme paradice, for in mine
eie, t'vvas Natures Master-peece."*

In looking over a curious old pamphlet, printed in 1630, and
entitled "New-England's Plantation. Or, a Short and trve descrip-
tion of the Commodities and discommodities of that countrey.
Written by a reuerend Diuine now there resident.", I find the follow-
ing notice of the Wild Pigeon: "In the Winter time I haue seene
Plockes of Pidgeons, and haue eaten of them : they doe flye from
Tree to Tree as other Birds doe, which our Pidgeons will not doe in
England: they are of all colours as ours are, but their wings and
tayles are farr longer, and therefore it is likely they fly swifter to
escape the terrible Hawkes in this Countrey. "f Samuel Williams,
in his Natural and Civil History of Vermont (published in 1794),
writes as follows : " In the Wild Pigeon, the multiplying power of
Nature acts with great force and vigour. The male and female
always pair: They sit alternately upon the eggs, and generally hatch
but two at a time ; but this is repeated several times in a season. —
The accounts which are given of the number of pigeons in the uncul-
tivated parts of the country, will appear almost incredible to those
who have never seen their nests. The surveyoi-, Richard Hazen,
who ran the line which divides Massachusetts from Vermont, in 1'741,
wave this account of the appearances, which he met with to the west-
ward of Connecticut river. ' For three miles together the pigeon's
nests were so thick, that five hundred might have been told on the
beech trees at one time ; and could they have been counted on the
hemlocks, as well, I doubt not but five thousand at one turn round.'
The remarks of the first settlers of Vermont, fully confirm this
account The settlement of the country has since set bounds

* Reprinted in Force's Historical Tracts, Tract 5, p. 42.

f Reprinted in Peter Force's Historical Tracts, vol. i, Tract 12, p. 11.

G. H. Merriarti — Birds of Connecticut. 95

to this luxiiriaiicy of animal life ; diminished the number of these
birds, and drove them further to the northward."*

Two centuries after Morton's description was written, Nuttall
remarks: " To talk of hundreds of millions of individuals of the same
species habitually associated in feeding, roosting, and breeding, with-
out any regard to climate or season as an operating cause in these
gregarious movements, would at first appear to be wholly incredible.

The approach of the mighty feathered army with a loud

rushing roar, and a stirring breeze, attended by a sudden darkness,
might be mistaken for a fearful tornado about to overwhelm the face
of nature. For several hours together the vast host, extending some
miles in breadth, still continues to pass in flocks without diminution.
The whole air is filled with them ; their muting resembles a shower
of sleet, and they shut out the light as if it were an eclipse. At the
approach of the Hawk, their sublime and beautiful aerial evolutions
are disturbed like the ruflling squall extending over the placid ocean;
as a thundering torrent they rush together in a concentrating mass,
and heaving in undulating and glittering sweeps towards the earth,
at length again proceed in lofty meanders like the rushing of a
mighty animated river." " Alighting, they industriously search
through the withered leaves for their favorite mast [chiefly beech
nuts and acorns] ; those behind are continually rising and passing
forward in front in such quick succession, that the whole flock, still
circling over the ground, seems yet on the wing. As the sun begins
to decline they depart in a body for the general roost, which is often
hundreds of miles distant, and is generally chosen in the tallest and
thickest forests almost divested of underwood. Nothing can exceed
the waste and desolation of these nocturnal resorts ; the vegetation
becomes buried by their excrements to the depth of several inches.
The tall trees, for thousands of acres, are completely killed, and the
ground strewed with many branches torn down by the clustering
weight of the birds which have rested upon them. The whole region
for several years presents a continued scene of devastation, as if swept
by the resistless blast of a whirlwind.'"! Wilson tells us that their
breeding places are still more extensive than the roosts, mentionino-
one in Kentucky "which stretched through the woods in nearly a
north and south direction ; was several miles in breadth, and was
said to be upwards of forty miles in extent !" " On some single trees

* The Natural and Civil History of Vermont, p. 114, 1794.
f Nuttall's Manual of Ornithology, vol. i, pp. 6.31-2, 18.32.

96 C. H. Merriam — Birds of Cotiuecticnt.

upwards of one hundred nests were found, each containing o)te young
only,"* tliough un(h>ul»tedly two eggs are always laid — the one hatch-
ing first and crowding the other out of the nest, which is, at best,
but a frail cradle, formed merely " of a few slender dead twigs, negli-
gently put together, and with so little art that the concavity appears
scarcely sufficient for the transient reception of the young,"f which,
like the eggs, may readily be seen from below, through the delicate
net-work of twigs. Wilson says it Avas dangerous to walk under
these flyiug and fluttering millions, from the frequent fall of large
branches, broken down by the weight of the multitudes above, and
which, in their descent, often destroyed numbers of the birds them-
selves ; while the clothing of those engaged in traversing the woods
were completely covered with the excrements of the Pigeons," "The
ground was strewed with broken limbs of trees, eggs, and young
squab Pigeons, which had been precipitated from above, and on
which herds of hogs were fattening. Hawks, Buzzards, and Eagles,
were sailing about in great numbers, seizing the squabs from their
nests at pleasure."^ Axidubon's description of a night passed at one
of their roosting places deserves introduction here: Reaching it
early in the afternoon, before the pigeons had come in, " many trees
two feet in diameter" were observed " broken oft' at no great distance
from the ground; and the branches of many of the largest and tallest
had given way, as if the forest had been swept by a tornado."
"Everything pi'oved," continued Audubon, "that the number of
birds resorting to this part of tlie forest must be immense beyond
conception. As the period of their arrival approached, their foes
[man] anxiously prepared to receive them. Some were furnished
with iron pots containing siilphur, others with torches of pine-knots,
many with poles, and the rest with guns. The sun was lost to our
view, yet not a pigeon had arrived. Everything was ready, and all
eyes were gazing on the clear sky, which appeared in glimpses
amidst the tall trees. Suddenly there burst forth a general cry of
' here they come !' The noise which they made, though yet distant,
reminded me of a hard gale at sea, passing through the rigging of a
close-reefed vessel. As the birds arrived and passed over me, I felt a
current of air that surprised me. Thousands were soon knocked
down by the pole men. The birds contimied to pour in. The fires
were lighted, and a magnificent, as well as wonderful, and almost
terrifying, sight presented itself. The Pigeons, arriving by thousands,

* American Ornithology, by Alexander Wilson, vol. ii, pp. 295-6. Edinburgh, 1831.
f Wilson, ibid., pp. 295-6. % Nuttall, ibid., p. 633.

C. H. Mevriaih — BinU of Connecticut. 97

alighted everywhere, one above another, until solid masses were
tbriued on the branches all around. Here and there the perches gave
way under the weight with a crash, and, falling to the ground, de-
stroyed hundreds of the birds beneath, forcing down the dense grou}>s
with which every stick was loaded. It was a scene of uproar and
confusion. I found it quite useless to speak, or even to shout to
those persons who were nearest to me. Even the reports of the guns
were seldom heard, and I was made aware of the firing only by

seeing the sliooters reloading The Pigeons were constantly

coming, and it was past midnight before I perceived a decrease in

the mnnber of those that ai"rived Towards the approach of

day the noise in some measure subsided ; long before objects were
distinguishable the Pigeons began to move off in a direction quite
different from that in which they had arrived the evening before ;
and at sunrise all that were able to fiy had disappeared. The howl-
ing of the wolves now reached our ears, and the foxes, lynxes, cou-
gars, bears, racoons, opossums, and pole-cats were seen sneaking off,
whilst Eagles and Hawks of different species, accompanied by a
crowd of Vultures, came to sujjplant them, and enjoy their share of
tlie spoil." Two farmers, " distant more than a hundred miles, had
driven uj)wai'ds of three hundred pigs to be fattened on the Pigeons
which were to be slaughtered."*

" Audubon attempts to reckon the number of Pigeons in one of
these fiocks, and the daily quantity of food consumed by it. He
takes, as an example, a column of one mile in breadth, and supposes
it passing over us, without interruption, for thi'ee hours, at the rate
of one mile per' minute. This will give us a parallelogram of ISO
miles by 1, averaging ISO square miles; and allowing two Pigeons
to the s(iuare yard, we have one billion one hundred and fifteen mil-
lions one hundred and thirty-six thousand Pigeons in one flock: and
as every Pigeon consumes fully half a pint per day, the quantity
retpiired to feed such a flock must be eight millions seven hundred
and twelve thousand bushels per day !"f

'• Indeed, for a time," Nuttall correctly remarks, " in many places
nothing scarcely is seen, talked of, or eaten, but Pigeons!"

* The Birds of America, by John James Audubon, vol. v, pp. 29-'iO.
f Wilson, ibid, Appendix, vol. iv, p. 323.
Trans. Conn. Ac.vd.. Vol. IV. 13 Aug., 1877.

98 C II. Merriain — Birds of Coiiueclicut.

172. Zeiiaedura Carolinensis (LiuiK-) Bouaparte. Carolma Dove;

" Turtle Dove."

\ ratlier coninion siinimer resident, sometimes remaining through
tlie winter (Jan. 15, 1874; 16, 1875, Grinnell). Arrives early in
May (May 5, 1875, shot, Sage). On May 24th, 1876, I found a nest
containing two fresh eggs, on a maple sapling, fifteen feet above the
ground. In the south and west they generally, though by no means
exclusively, breed on the ground.* In central Massachiisetts I have
taken it as late as the middle of November (1873). It is particularly
abundant throughout the far west, and near the Pacific coast has
been seen as far north as " lat. 49" in summer, while a few winter in
California"! about San Francisco, latitude 38°. Mr. Stadtmiiller
found a nest of this species, about t\\'elve feet from the ground, in a
pine grove, near New Haven, June 20th, 1874. "It was close to the
trunk of the tree, and consisted of a few sticks placed loosely on to])
of a common squirrel's nest, and contained one egg and one young
dove. I took the egg and four weeks later went to get the nest, but
found another egg in it."J Surely the squirrel's nest luust have been
deserted, or it would hardly have constituted a safe base for bird's
eggs.

Note. — The Wild Turkey, Mele<igris gallopavo, var. Americana
(Bartram) Cones, long since exterminated from this State, was once com-
mon here. Wild Turkies were pleuty in 1780, and occasionally seen as
late as ]790.§ Regarding their former abundance in New England,
one Thomas Morton, of Cliftoi'd's Inn, (xent., wrote (printed by
Charles Green, in 1632): "Turkies there are, which divers times in
great llocks have sallied by our doores ; and then a gunne (being
commonly in a redinesse) salutes them with such a courtesie, as makes
them take a turne in the Cooke roome. They daunee by the doore so
well. Of these there hath bin killed, that have weighed forty-eight
pound a peece. They are by mainy degrees sweeter than the tame
Turkies of England, feede them how you can. 1 had a salvage who
hath taken out his boy in a morning, and they have brought home

* Vide : Coues' Birds of the Xorthwest, p. 389, 1874; Allen, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool.,
vol. iii, No. 6, p. 170, 1872: Cooper, Ornithology of California, p. 513, 1870; Mer-
riam, Zool. Report iu Gth Annual Report U. S. Geol. Survey Terr., p. 710, 1872; Hen-
shaw, Report upon Ornithological Specimens, p. 68, 1874.

\ Cooper, Ornithology of California, p. 513, 1870.

\ MS. notes of the Stadtmiiller Brothers.

§ A Statistical Account of the County of Middlesex, in Connecticut, by David D.
Field, p. 19. 1819.

C. H. Merriarii — llirds of Coimeeticiit. 99

tlu'ir londes about iioone. I liavc asked them wliat iiuiuber tliey
t'ouiid ill the woods, who have answered neent nietawiia, whicli is a
thousand tliat day ; the plenty of them is such in those parts. They
are easily killed at rooste, because the one being killed, the other sit
fast neverthelesse, and this is no bad commodity."* Lhisley says :
"The last Wild Tixrkey that I have known in Connecticut, was taken
by a relative of mine, about thirty years since [about IHl;?], on
Totoket Mountain, in Northford. It was overtaken in a deep snow,
and thereby oiitrun. It weighed, when dressed, twenty-one pounds."|
III 1842, Zadock Thompson wrote that a few "continue still to visit
and breed upon the mountains in the southern part of the State"
(Vermont). J As late as 1833 it was "frequently met with on Mt.
riolyoke," but had " become scarce and nearly extinct" in other parts
of the State.§ Professor Wm. D. Whitney once mounted a fine
specimen of the Wild Turkey killed on Mt. Tom, Mass., Nov. 1st,
1847. It may noAV be seen in the beautiful case of birds given by
Prof. Whitney to the Peabody Museum of Yale College, and is of
))articular value as being, in all probability, the last of its race seen
in that State. In the month of October, " the Turkey Moon of the
aborigines," they used to wander far and wide in quest of food, fre-
quently assembling in vast numbers in districts where there was an
abundance. Audubon tells us that " When they come upon a river,
they betake themselves to the highest eminences, and there often
remain a whole day, or sometimes two, as if for the purpose of con-
sultation. During this time the males are heard gobling, calling, and
making much ado, and are seen strutting about, as if to raise their
courage to a pitch befitting the emergency. Even the females and
young assume something of the same pompous demeanor, spread out
their tails, and run round each other, purrinr/ loiidly, and pei"forming
extravagant leaps. At length, when the weather appears settled,
and all round is quiet, the whole party mount to the tops of the
highest trees, Avhence, at a signal, consisting of a single cluch^ given
by a leader, the flock takes flight for the opposite shore."||

Josselyn says "their eggs are very wholesome and restore decayed
nature exceedingly."^

* Reprinted in Force's Historical Tracts, Tract 5, p. 48.

f Am. Jovir. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 264. April, 184.3.

% History of Vermont, Natnral, Civil, and Statistical. By Z. Thompson, p. 1 01 . 1S42.

§ See Hitchcock's Report, p. r)49. 183.3.

II Andnbon's Birds of America, vol. v, p. 4.3.

T[ Two Voyag-es to New Enpland. p. 99. 1 ^75.

100 C. II. Merrlani — Birds of Connectinit.

Family, TETRAONID^gE.

173. Boiiasa Umbellns (Linne) Stephens. RufEed Grouse.

A common resident. ]>reeds on both East and West Rock, near
New Haven, as well as througlioiit the State. In May, 1877, Prof.
Verrill found a nest, containing twelve eggs, within ten feet of a
traveled road, near the city. In the vicinity of Easthami)ton, Mass.,
they were particularly abundant, and on one occasion I frightened
one off from an apple tree directly behind the "Town Hall." Large
numbers of them are caught in snares every fall, and the market is
well supplied with native birds. Of it, in 1632, Morton wrote :
'' Partridges, there are much, like our Partridges of England, they
are of the same plumes, but bigger in body. They have not the
signe of the horseshoe-shoe on the l)reast as the Partridges of Eng-
land ; nor are they coloured about the heads as those are; they sit on
the trees. For I have scene 40. in one tree at a time; yet at night
they fall on the ground, and sit until morning so together ; and are
dainty flesh."*

174. Ortyx Virginianus (Linne) Bonaparte. Quail; Bob White.

A common resident, breeding in thick l)nisli\vood at South End
and many other places near New Haven.

This species also attracted Morton's attention, for he says: "Tlicre
are quailes also, but bigger then the quailes in England. They take
trees also : for I have numbered 60. upon a tree at a time. The cocks
doe call at the time of the yeare, but with a different note from the
cock quailes of England."*

Note. — The Prairie Chicken, or Pinnated Grouse, Ciqyidonia
cupido (Linne) Baird, was formerly a resident of New England, but,
like the Wild Turkey, was exterminated many years ago — at least so
far as the main land is concerned, for it is said that a few still exist
on some of the islands south of Cape Cod (Naushon for examjile,
and perhaps Martha's Vineyard). However, it is pretty certain that
many years have elapsed since the last " wild chicken" was seen in
Connecticut, for even Linsley, in 1842, gave it as a bird of the past.
Nuttall, ten years earlier (in 1832), said that they were still met with
" on the brushy ])lains of l^ong Island, (Otd in similar shridil)}/ barrens

* Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii, Tract 5, p. 48.

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.. 101

in West/ord, Connecticut.''''* That our ancestors were foinl of " fowl-
intj," and that it sometimes cost them their lives, may be seen from
the foHowing: In ()ctol)er, 1636, one "Joseph Tilly, master of a bark,
came to anchor nearly opposite Calve's Island, and taking- one man
Avitli him, went on shore for the pnri)Ose of fowling. As soon as he
liad diseliarged his piece, a large numl)er of Pequots, rising from their
conceahnent, took liim and killed his companion; and then gratified
their malice by putting him to torture. They first cut off his hands
and then his feet; after which he lived three days. But as nothing
Avhich they inflicted upon liim excited a groan, they pronounced him a
stout man."f And this occurred in the town of Saybrook, Conn;, at
a time when many of our forefathers perished at the hands of the
Indians, before bringing them to sul)mission. One Thomas Morton,
writing in 16.32, speaks of the jjresence of this bird in New England
in the following language: " There are a kinde of fowles Avhich are
commoidy called Pheisants, but whether they be pheysants or no, I
will not take upon rnee, to determine. They are in form like our
pheisant-henne of England. Roth the male and the female are alike ;
but they are rough footed: and have stareing feathers about the
head and neck, the body is as bigg as the pheysant-henne of Eng-
land ; and are excellent white flesh, and delicate white mcate, yet we
seldom bestowe a shoot at them. "J The " white flesh" must have
been a mistake unless he referred to the Rufted (li-ouse which is
immediately spoken of under the name of " Partridge." Nuttall
says of its habits : " The season ibr pairing is early in the S])ring, in
March or Aj)ril. At this time the behavior of the male becomes
remarkable. Early in the morning he comes forth from his bushy
roost, and struts al)Out with a curving neck, raising his ruft", expand-
ing his tail like a fan, and seeming to mimic the ostentation of the
Turkey. He now seeks out or meets his rival, and several pairs at a
time, as soon as they become visil)le through the dusky dawn are
seen preparing for combat."§

* Manual of Ornithology, vol. i, p. 662. 1832.

f A Statistical Account of the County of Middlesex, in Connecticut. By David D.
Field, p. 3f>. 1819.

Ij. Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii. Tract .5, p. 48.

§ Nuttall's Manual of Ornithology, vol. i, pp. 003-04. 1832.

102 C H. Merrlam — Birds <\f Ccninecticut.

Family, CHARADRIID^.

175. Squatarola helvetica (Linne) Brchm. Blaek-bell led Plover.
Occurs during tlie migrations. Taken at Stratloi-d by Linslcy.

Mr. W. W. Coe has a splendid specimen of this bird, taken in fall, on
the Sound near the mouth of the Couneciicut. Dr. F. W. Hall shot
several specimens about the middle of October (Oct. 18, 1873), and
tells me that they wore remarkably tame.

176. CharadriuS fulvUS, var. VirginicUS (Bork-.j Cones. Golden

Plover.

Common during migrations. Capt. Brooks informs me that they
are " plenty at (Guilford, Conn., in spring and early fall," and that
" sometimes a few sto]) in the fall and stay a few days" at Faulkner's
Island. Linsley found it at Stratford. Mr. Coe has taken it as far
inland as Portland, Conn., on the river.

177. ^gialitis VOCifera (Linne) Bonaparte. Killdeer Plover.

A summer resident, but not very common. It generally an'ives
late in INIarch (Feb. 24, 1875, plenty by last of jNIarch ; A])ril 5, 1872 ;
Portland, Conn., W. W. Coe). Mr. Coe informs me that it breeds on
Plumb Island, and in the vicinity of Portland, Conn., where it used
to be very common.

1 78. ./Egialitis Wilsonia (Ord) Cassin. Wilson's Plover.

Not common. Linsley took it at Stratford. It has also been taken
on Long Island ((Tiraud), but seldom strays so far Nortli.

179. .(Egialitis semipalmata (Bonap.) Cabanis. Semipalmated Plover.

A common migrant. Arrives about, or before, the middle of May
(May 17, 1876, Osborne). During the latter part of May, and first
of June, they may be seen, in small flocks, running along the beach,
in search of food, as the tide goes out. Mr. W. W. Coe writes me
that he has taken it at Portland, Conn., twenty-five miles from the
Sound.

180. ^gialitis meloda (Wilson) Bonaparte. Piping Plover ; Ringneek.

A summer lesident. Linsley found it breeding at Stratford. Mr.
J. N. Clark also finds it breeding at Saybrook, Conn., and Mr. W. W.
Coe has taken it at Portland.

C. II. Merriain — Birch of Connecticut. 103

Family, H^EMATOPODID^E.

181. Haematopus palliatUS Tenmiiuck. Oj-ster-catclier.

.V r:ire migrant. Liiisley says : "The Oyster-catcher is now rare
liere, hut fifteen years since tliey were not very unconinion in
aiitunni."*

182. Strepsilas interpres (Linue) Illigcr. Turnstone.

A common migrant. Linsley gave it from Stratford, and Capt.
IJrooks writes me that it is " (jnite common in spring and lall" about
Faulkner's Island, Conn. Mr. Sage, of Portland, has a beautiful male,
which he killed at Westbrook, Conn., May 2:3d, 1877. In fall it
returns during the latter part of August (Aug. 31, 1874, F. W. Hall).

Family, RECURVIROSTRID^.

183. Recurvirostra Americana Gmeiiu. Avocet.

A rather rare migrant. Josiah G. Ely, Esq., writes me that he has
seen but one specimen of the Avocet taken on our coast. " It was
caught, in 1871, between Saybrook and East Lyme, in an old seine
strung out on the beach to dry," and was kept alive for some time by
a storekeeper.

Family, PHALAROPODID^].

1 84. Steganopus Wilsoni (Sabine) Coues. Wilson's Phalarope.

Of rare and almost accidental occurrence in New England, though
common throughout the West. Linsley says of it: "Wilson's Pha-
larope 1 have in my cabinet; it was killed in Bridgeport [Conn.] and
sent to me by a friend, and is probably one of the rarest birds in New
England. It is not only beautiful, but the great quantity of pluma<>e
on a bird so small and delicate, together with his unique bill, seems
to render it one of the most peculiar of this class of animals."f

1 85. PhalaropUS fulicarius (Linue) Bonaparte. Red Phalarope.

A rare visitor from the North. Mr. W. W. Coe has a specimen in
his cabinet, killed at Portland, Conn., in September.

* Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 265. April, 1843. f Op. eit., p. 268.

104 C. H. 3Ierrlam — Birds of Connecticut.

Family, SCOLOPACID^].

186. Philohela minor (Gmelin) Gray. Woodcock.

A resident ; common from early spring till November. A lew
commonly, if not i-egiilarly, winter in low swamps. They arrive early
in March ("Mar. 8, 1877, Middletown, Conn., killed by flying against
a telegraph wire"*), and breed very early. On the 3d of April, 1877,
my yoiing friend, Walter R. Nichols, fomid, near Branford, Conn., a
nest containing four fresh eggs. They may breed twice, for Mr.
Nichols found a second nest, in the same locality, and containing the
same number of eggs, as late as July 20th, 1877. The eggs were
partially incubated, and the old bird was shot as she left the nest.
Mr. W. W. Coe writes that he found one, near Portland, Conn., April
12, 1872, also containing four eggs: "The nest was on a bog, in the
middle of a brook which ran through a swamp. It was not more than
six inches above the water. The grass was short, aiid there were no
bushes near, so that it was very much exposed, but still hard to find,
for, although we had hunted the ground over carefully, the old bird
did not fly ofl" until my man stepped on the bog. 1 had my old dog
Dincks with me, and his nose is first class, and yet he passed within
a foot of her several times without scenting her, which satisfies me
that a bird sitting on her eggs gives out no scent, for this is not the
first time I have ti'ied it. The nest was simply a shallow hole scraped
in the top of the bog ; there was a little coarse grass, a few leaves, and
one or two of the Woodcock's feathers in it."f Mr. John H. Sage
tells me that, while collecting with Mr. W. W. Coe near Portland,
Conn.,.M:iy 80th, 1874, they flushed a Woodcock with young, one of
which she carried ofl" in her claws ! and Mr. Coe writes nae, "in regard
to the Woodcock carrying off" its young : Mr. Sage and I were not
four feet apart when the old bird got up between us, rose about three
feet, and then dove down again and picked up a young bird with her
feet, and, with hcj- tail spread and held forward under the young,
carried it off about eight rods, and came back for the others, but my
boy frightened her away."

Thomas Morton, in 1632, thus alhided to the resemblance between
our bird and the European Woodcock (Scolo2)ax rusticola) : "Simpes,
there are like our Simpes in all respects, with very little difference.
I have shot at them onely, to see what difierence I could finde be-

* MS. notes of John H. Sage. f MS. notes of W. W. Coe.

C. II. Merriaiti — Birds *>f Co)mtcticut. 105

tweoue them and tliose of my native country, and more I did not
regrard them."*

187. GallinagO Wilsoni (Temminck) Bonaparte. Wilson's Snipe.

A resident ; common dui-ing" tlie migrations ; sometimes breeds.
Ill October and Xovember (some remain into December) large num-
bers are shot on our salt marshes. Mr. W. W. Coe took it Fel). 4th,
18V2, near Portland, Conn., and thinks they sometimes winter there in
low swampy places. Arrives in March (Mar. 18, 1874, Sage). Mr. W.
W. Coe and Mr. J. 11. Sage inform me that they took a nest contahiing
three fresh eggs of this species at Portland, Conn., .May 13th, 1874.
The eggs were "fully identitied, as the parent bird was found on the
nest."f It was not prcA iously known to breed as far south as Con-
necticut. The nearest approacli to it is " a set of eggs in the Smithsou-
iaji labeled Oneida Co., N. Y."J Mr. Coe tells me that there were a
number of Snipe in the field at the time, and he thinks there were
other nests which they did not find.

1 88. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmelin) Leach. Red-breasted Snipe.

Not rare during the migrations. "Stratford," Linsley. Mr. J. H.
Sage of Portland has a specimen which he shot at Saybrook, Conn.,
Aug. 21st, 1874.

189. Ereunetes pnsillus (Linnc) Cassin. Semipalmated Sandpiper.

-V sununer resident; common along the shore during the migrations.
Mr. W. W. Coe has seen it in June. On the 20th of July, 1877, IMr.
Walter II. Nichols found, at Branford, Conn., four eggs of a small
Sandpiper. They were placed on a few straws in a slight excavation
in a corn field, about half a mile from the shore. Supposing them to
be the eggs of this species I sent one to Dr. Brewer, who writes : " In
the absence of my cabinet, for comparison, I cannot be certain, but I
have little or no doubt that it is the e^j^^y, of Ereunetes pnsillus.'''' It
is unnecessary to state that this is the first authentic record of its
breeding in southern New England. In fall, Dr. F. W. Hall has taken
it as early as Aug. 25th (1874).

* Reprinted in Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii, Tract 5, p. 47.
•)• MS. notes of John H. Sage, Esq.
\ Coues' Birds of the Northwest, p. 476.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 14 Aug., 1877.

106 (.1. H. MerrUmi — Birds of (Jonnecticut.

190. Tringa minutilla Yieillot. Least Sandpiper.

A common migrant. Maritime. Found along the shore in May
and early June, and again in August and September.

191. Tringa maculata Yieillot. Pectoral Sandpiper ; Jack Snipe.

Common during migrations. Mr. Coe tells me that it is conmioii
in fall as far up the Connecticut as Middletown. Arrives from the
north early in August (Aug. 6, 1873, Hall).

192. Tringa fascicollis Vieillot. Bonaparte's Sandpiper; Wliite-runiped

Sandpiper.

Not rare during migrations, tliougli Linsley took only two speci-
mens at Stratford, Conn. Dr. Hall has taken it late in August (Aug.
31, 1874).

193. Tringa maritima Brunnich. Purple Sandpiper.

Not uncommon during the migrations. Many winter on the islands
along the coast. Not found by Linsley. Captain Brooks writes me
from Faulkner's Island tliat " Purple Sandpipers come here in early
fall and stay till spring," and that they are common and get to be
quite tame.

194. Tringa alpina, var. Americana Cassin. Dunlin; "Ox-Bird."
A common migrant ; a few may winter.

195. Tringa SUbarquata (Guld) Temminck. Curlew Sandpiper.

A rare visiloi' along our coast. Mr. Josiah G. Ely writes me that
one was shot near Saybrook, Conn., some time ago, and I am infoimed
by Dr. D. Crary, of Hartford, that a specimen of this species was
killed, Oct. 3d, 1859, at Keeny's Cove, on the Connecticut River, in
East Hartford (Ilockanum), Conn. Also, Dr. E. L. K. Thompson, of
this city, tells me that he shot three Curlew Sandpipers on the (^uin-
nipiac River (near New Haven) in June, 1874. Dr. Wm. (). Ayres,
now of Easthampton, Long Island, writes me that lie '• killed it once
at Miller's Place, L. L, in 1839,"* and it has also been taken in jAIas-
sachusetts.f

* See also Giraud's Birds of Long Island, 1 844.

•j- Catalogue of the Birds of New England. By T. M. Brewer, p. 13. 1875.

C. IT. Merrhnii — Blnh of Cotitiecticut. 10 7

196. Tringa canutUS Linne. Red-breasted Sandpiper ; Knot.

Common during miiiiation^. Taken at 8ayl)i-ook, by Mr. Sage,
Aug. 21st, 1S74; and Mr. Coe tells me that it is found about the
Connecticut Kiver, near JMiddletown, in summer.

Note. — The Stilt Sand[ii])er, JMicrajxihinta IiinKnttojuix (liona]).)
IJaird ; and Baird''s 8and))i|)er, TriiKja Jidirdi! Coues, doubtless
occur along the coast during migrations.

197. Calidris arenaria (Linm) Illiger. Sanderling.

Occurs during migrations, and is extremely abundant in fall. Lins-
ley took it at Stratford. Mr. Grinnell informs me that they arrive
during the latter part of September, remaining late into October.
Thomas Morton wrote of them in 1632 : "SanderUngs are dainty bird,
more full bodied than a Snipe, and I was much delighted to feede
on them, because they were fatt, aiid easie to come by, because I
went but a stepp or to lor them : and I have killed betweene foure
and five dozen at a shoot which would lead me home. Their foode is
at ebbing water on the sands, of small seeds, that grows on weeds
there, and ai'e very good pastime in August."*

1 98. Limosa fedoa (Linni'O Ord. Great Marbled Godwit.

A rare migrant. Linsley found it at Stratford, Coini., in August,
1842, "in large flocks, but very shy."f Nearly an hundred years ago,
Thomas Pennant, in his Arctic Zoology, stated that "it inhabits
Hudson's Bay and Connecticut.''^

199. Limosa Hudsonica (Latham) Swainson. Iludsoniau Godwit.

A rare migrant. Taken at Stratford by Linsley. Coues suggests
that the Limosa Edwdrdsilf of Linsley (p. 267) is "])erhaps an
albino "§ of this species, but Pennant thought it was the Avocet
i^Reeurvirostra Aniericann).\ The good old preacher (Linsley), in
speaking of these birds, could not take his Lord's nanu' in vain on so
slight a provocation — hence he called them " 6^oO(?wits."

* New English Canaan, p. 47, 1(532. Reprinted in Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii,
Tract 5.

f Am. Jonr. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv. No. 2, p. 2G7, 184:^.

X Arctic Zoology, vol. ii, p. 465, 1785.

§ List of the Birds of New England. {). 4 8, ISCS.

II Arctic Zoolog}^, vol. ii, p. 502, 1785.

108 (J. IT. Merririm — Birds of Connectioiit.

200. Totanus sem.ipalm.atus (Gmelin) Temminck. Willet; Tattler.

A summer resident ; not common. Linsley tbmid it breeding at
Stratford, Conn. Mr. Grinnell has taken it, near Milford, late in the
summer, and Mr. W. W. Coe took a nest, containing three eggs, at
Madison, Conn., June 5th, 1873.*

201. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin) VieiUot. Greater Yellow-legs.

Common during migrations. Arrives in May (May 14, 1874, Sage),
remaining till June (June 1, 1877, Sage). Found both coastwise and
in the interior. I first became acquainted with it at Yellowstone
Lake, where I killed four at one shot, Aug. 23d, 1872.

202. Totanus flavipes (Gmelin) Vieillot. Lesser Yellow-legs.

A common migrant. Killed one May 7th, 1877, on a fresh water
pond near Meriden, Conn. Returns about the middle of August
(Aug. 17, 1874, Hall).

Note. — Totanus chloropUS Nilsson. Greon-shanlis.

Linsley states tliat a specimen of this rare straggler was taken at
Stratford, Conn., in tlie autumn of 1842 f This is, so far as I am
aware, the only recorded instance of its ca])ture north of Fk)rida
(Audubon sliot three on Land Key, Fla., May 28, 1832),J where its
occurrence seems to be purely accidental, its pi'oper home being in
the "Old World;" and since Dr. Coues states that it was given by
Linsley "very possil)ly through an erroneous identification,"! I do
not feel justified in including it among the species ascertained to
occur within oui' limits.

203. Totanus SOlitariuS (Wilson) Andubon. Solitary Tattler.
Common during the migrations. .Arrives early in May (May 2,

1877), frequenting muddy ponds and sluggisli streams, in small flocks
of about half a dozen. Solitary individuals may be seen as late as
early June, (Coe; June 10, Grinnell).

204. Tringoides maCUlariuS (Linne) Gray. Spotted Sandpiper.

A common summer i-esident, arriving during the latter part of
April or first of May (May 1, 1S74, Sage). I once found its nest

* MS. notes of W. W. Coe, Esq.

f Am. Jour. Soi. and Arts, vol. xliv, Xo. 2 p. 2!;G, IsiH.
•j: Audubon's Birds of Nortli Ainerii/a, vol. v, p. ;'.21.
Proceed. Essex Inst., vol. v, p. 296, 1868.

(\ TT. Merriam — Birds of Con)t<ofh-\it. 109

within eight feet of a railroad track where trains passed every hour
of the day ! Remains into October (Oct. 0, 1874). Found wherever
there is a pond or small stream.

205. Actiturus BartramiuS (WilRon) Bonap. Bartramian Sandpiper;

" Upland Plover."

A common summer resident. Breeds in open fields away from
water. 1 am informed by Mr. Coe that large numbers of them breed
on Plum Island, oft" New London, Conn. Arrives about May 1st
(May 2, 1874, Portland, Conn., Sage).

206. Tryngites rufescens (VieiUot) Cabanis. BnfE-breasted Sandpiper.

Occurs during the migrations, but is not common. Josiah G. El}%
Esq., writes me that two were killed near Saybrook, a lew years ago,
and Dr. Daniel Crary had one in his collection which "was shot near
Hartford some years ago."

207. Numenius longirostris Wilson. Long-bllled Curlew.

Not particularly rare during migrations, l»ut excessively shy.
Linsley took it at Stratford, Conn. Ivegarding its occurrence near
Faulkner's Island, Conn., Capt. Brooks writes: "Not plenty; occa-
sionally one stops here in the fall." It was seen at Milford, Conn.,
by Mr. Grinnell, during the summer of 1873. Mr. J. N. Clark, of
Saybrook, Conn., tells me that it sometimes occurs there in the fall,
but is rare. Dr. Crary tells me that it has been taken near Hartford,
Conn.

208. NumenillS Hudsonicus Latham. Hudsonian Curlew.

A rare migrant. Taken at Stratford, Conn., by Linsley. I am
informed l)y Dr. Crary, of Hartford, Conn., that it has been killed in
that vicinity. Under date of "July 20, 1877," the Rev. J. Howard
Hand writes me, from Southam|»ton, Long T>«land : "ILave just taken
three specimens of the Hudsonian Curlew this morning."

209. NumeniuS borealis (Forstcr) Latham. Eskimo Curlew.

Not common. Occurs during migration. Taki-n at Sti-atford,
Conn., by Linsley. Mr. J. N. Clark has a fine mounted specimen in
his cabinet, killed at Saybrook, Conn., Oct. 13, 1874.

110 (', H. 3Terr!aui — Binh of Connecticut.

Family, TANTALIDAE.

210. Ibis falcinellus, var. Ordii (Bonaparte) Cones. Glossy Ibis.

A rare accitlentul visitor from the South. At Stratford, Conn., Liiis-
ley obtained five specimens of this species.* Stragglers have also
been taken in Mnssnchnsetts. There is a specimen of this species in
the Museum of Wesleyan University, at Middletovvn, Conn,, taken in
that vicinity, by Dr. Barrat about the year 1855.

211. Ibis alba (Linne) Yieillot. Wliite Ibis.

One only recorded from NcAV England. It was seen by Mr. Geo.
Bird Grinnell witliin ten miles of New Haven : "Late in the after-
noon of May 28, [isVoj I observed near Milford, Conn., a specimen of
Ibis alha. I recognized the bii'd as it Hew over me, and following-
it to a small pond where it went down, discovered it perched upon a
tree over the water. I carefully examined it with a good glass, at a
distance of about one hundred and fifty yards, and by this means was
enabled to note every detail of form and color. It was in full ])lum-
age, the white being pure, and the naked skin about the head, bright
red. After watching it for a few moments I tried to approach it,
but before I came within gunshot it fiew, uttering a hoarse cackle as
it went otf."f Two specimens have been killed on Long Island.J

Family, ARDEID^.

212. Ardea herodias Linne. Great Blue Heron.

A summer resident. Common during the migrations. Arrives
before the middle of April (Apr. 4, 1873, Coe; 12, Sage), and I
have seen it as late as Nov. 2()th (1875), along the coast. On April
17th, 1877, Mr. A. J. Dayan and I saw about a dozen of these
splendid birds on the Whitney Lakes, within a couple of miles of
New Haven, but they were very shy and remained only a few days.
Mr. Grinnell once saw a flock of twenty-eiglit flying over the Sound.
Mr. W. P. Nichols saw one near New Haven, June 2d, 1877.

* Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 266, 1843.

f Am. Nat, vol. ix, No. 8, p. 470, 1875.

X Giraud's Bird's of Long Island, p. 275, 1844.

C. II. Merriani — Birds of Ccnnecticut. 1 1 1

213. Ardea egretta (Gmelin) Gray. Great White Egret.

A rare visitor from the South. Several specimens have been taken
in Massachusetts, and I have myself seen it at the " Ox Boav" on the
Connecticut. A specimen was shot near Middletown, Conn., some
years ago, and is now in tlie ^luseum of Wesleyan University. Mr.
Grinnell has seen it on tlio marshes near Milford, Conn., in Septem-
ber. Dr. Wood tells me that, several years ago, one spent a week
on a marsh near East Windsor Hill, Conn. Mr. Fred. Siimner
Smith tells me that he saw a pair of these birds at Lake Saltonstall
(near New Haven), Conn., during the latter part of July, 1876, and
two weeks later, at the same place, saw no less than seven individu-
als feeding together. They were exceedingly shy and he could not
approach within gunshot.

214. Ardea Candidissima (Jaoqnin) Gmelin. Little White Egret.

A rare accidental visitor from the South. Seen at Stratford, Conn.,
by Linsley. Also taken in Massachusetts, and one straggler even
reached Nova Scotia ('■Jones"). Dr. Crary says that he has taken
it near Hartford, Conn.

215. Ardea CSerulea Linue. Little Blue Herou.

A very rare accidental visitoi- from the South. Linsley took it at
Stratford, Conn. Has been taken in Massachusetts. Mr. Dayan saw
a small Heron on Lake Whitney, early in April, 18*77, which he sup-
poses to have been this species. In the Cabinet of Mr. Coe, of Port-
land, Conn., is a beautiful specimen of this species which he shot in
that vicinity early in July, 1875. It was a young bird and is inire
white all over, excepting the tips of the jn'imaries, which show a lit-
tle slate-blue color. There were two of them together, but the other
escaped. Mr. Erwin I. Shores, of Suffield, Conn., writes me that one
was shot there about the middle of May by Mr. Chas. Newton. Mr.
Shores did not see the s})ecimen, but says: " Dr. Newton described
it to me as ' a small Heron blue all over,' and I have no doubt but
that it was this s{)ecies."

216. Ardea Virescens Linne. Green Heron.

A common summer resident. Breeds in several places near New
Haven — notably in "Pine Swamp." Arrives late in A]>ril or early
in Mav (^Fav -5), remaining into October, ('apt. IJrooks infoi-ms me

112 C. II. Merrlaiu — JJirds of Connecticut.

that tliey sometimes stop at Faulknei-'s Island in spring. Breeds late
in May and in eai'ly June.

217. Nyctiardea grisea, var. naevia (Boddert) Allen. Night Heron.

A common summer resident. Breeds in Pine and Heron Swamps,
near New Haven, and in several other places about the State, and on
islands oif the coast. Mr. A. J. Dayan started a small flock on Lake
Whitney, April 24th, 1877, and they alighted on a tree. On his near
approach all took flight hut one, which he brought down, and an
examination proved that it had a well marked cataract in the eye
facing the direction from which he approached. This is an interest-
ing fact in Ornithological pathology. Remains into October. Mr.
W. W. Coe, of Portland, Conn., on the 17th of April, 1872, visited a
" Heronry'''* of this species, at Rocky Hill, Conn. He writes : " Saw
iiundreds of nests, each containing from two to five eggs. Eight and
even ten nests were frequently found on one tree, and the same nest
often contained fresh eggs, eggs half hatched, and young birds.
The trees were white from the excrements of the birds, and looked as
if they had all been whitewashed ; nothing could grow under them."*

Note. — The Yellow-croAvned Night Heron [ISfyctiarded violocea)
has been taken in Massachusetts, by ]\lr. Vickery (Oct., 1802),f and
doubtless occui-s as a rare accidental visitor.

218. Botaurus minor (Gmelin) Boie. Bittern; Stake-driver.

A common summer resident. Arrives in April (Apr. 26, 1875,
Sage), remaining till November. Linsley i-elates the following amus-
ing anecdotes concerning this species: "I obtained a fine specimen
of the American Bittern two years since, which had previously given
great alarm to many of our inhabitants by its peculiarly doleful and
mournful sounds at evening. One man who was laboring nenr the
swamp, it is said, ran a mile in the greatest consternation, alleging
that ' the d — 1 was after him.' It is also stated by several of our
most respectaV)le inhabitants, that forty-seven years since, [179()] one
hundred men united in a company on the Sabbath to traverse this
swamp, and siicceeded in killing one of these same l)irds, ajid that
their sounds have not V)een heard in towm since, until the former in-
stance occurred which secured a specimen to me."J

* MS. notes of W. W. Coe, Esq.

f Allen, Rarer Hints of Massachusetts, p. .'il), 1S6!).

\ Am. Jour. Sci. and .Vrts, vol. xliv, No. li, p. 2G5, 1843.

C. II. Merrimn — Birds of Connecticut. ] 13

219. Ardetta exilis ((Tmelin) (iray. Least Bittern.

The Least Bittern seems to be, at present, a pretty regular summer
resident, though formerly regarded as an accidental visitor. Linsley
gave it from N<n-thford, Conn., without comment. It has certainly
bred here for several years past, and on June 27th, 1876, Mr. Nichols
found its nest at Branford, Conn,, containing one fresh egg. Have
seen it in Sei)tomber. They were particularly abundant throughout
the State during the season of ) 875. Mr. W. W. Coe, who has seven
beautiful specimens in his cabinet, showed me five eggs which he
took from a nest at Portland, Conn., June 14th, 1873, and says that
they breed regularly in that vicinity. Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell also
tells me that he takes two or three eveiy year (generally in August
or September). They follow up the Connecticut Valley to Massa-
chusetts (Suffield, Conn., July, E. I. Shores).

Note. — The Sand-hill Crane, Gms fJanadensis (Linne) Temm.,
though not occurring in New England at the present time, even as a
rare straggler, was once common here. Thomas Morton, writing of
the birds of New England, in 1032, says, of " Cranes, there are greate
store, that even more came there at S. Davids day, and not before :
that day they never would misse. These sometimes eate our corne,
and doe pay for their presumption well enough ; and serveth there in
powther, with turni]is to supply the place of powthered beefe, and is
a goodly bird in a dishe, and no discommodity^"* The fact that
they ate corn, and were themselves, in turn, eaten by the inhabitants,
clearly shows, as Prof. J. A. Allen has said, "that the Crane, and not
a Heron, is the bird to which reference is made."f Moreover, Samuel
Williams, more than an Innidred and fifty years later (in 1794), says
that the Sand-hill Crane (" Ardea Canadensis^'') was among the
commonest of the "Water P^owl" found in Vermont at- that time. J
Belknap also gives it, in 1792, as one of the birds of New Hampshire.§
And even so recently as 1842, Zadock Thompson wrote that the
Whooj)ing Crane, Grtis Americana (Linne) Temminck, was " occa-
sionally seen during its migrations,"! in Vermont.

*New English Canaan. Printed by Charles Greene, 1632. Reprinted in Force's
Historical Tracts, vol. ii. Tract 5, pp. ■I'l-S.

f Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. i. No. 3, p. 58. Sept., 1876.

X The Natural and Civil History of Vermont, p. 119. 1794.

§ The History of New Hampshire, vol. iii. By Jeremy Belknap, p. 169. 1792.

II History of Vermont, p. ]0:i 1842.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 15 Aug., 1877.

114 C. H. Merrlam — Birds of Connecticut.

Tlie present distribution of the Sand-liill Crane is interesting from its
peculiarity. Common tlirougliout the West, they extend northward
even into Alaska, breeding about the Yukon (Dall),* but are not
found east of the Mississippi Valley, except in Florida, where I have
seen them, both on the OcklaAvaha River,f and flying over the St.
Johns, Both Mr. GrinnellJ and myself§ found them to l)e abundant
in the Yellowstone National Park, though so wary that it was difti-
cult to obtain a shot at them. They were particularly numerous in
the Lower Geyser Basin, in August, and used to make such an
uiuiecessary amount of noise, mornings, that sleej), after daylight, was
well nigh out of the question. Showing a decided preference for the
grassy meadows (called " Parks," in the West) surrounded by heavy
forests, and mai'king, perljaps, the coni'se of some mountain stream,
which is content to check its headlong speed while ])assing through a
neighboring valley, the Sand-hill Crane, ever on the alert, keeps well
away from the trees, and at tlie approach of any suspicious object, at
once takes flight, uttering its warning cry for the benefit of those of
its kind who happen to be near. The flats which they frequent are
often studded with wooded knolls, and the best way to hunt them is
to betake one's self, in company with a good rifle, to one of these
" Islands" before the fog rises in tlie morning, and remain concealed
and perfectly quiet. When the fog lifts, the stately forms of the
Cranes may be seen scattered over the meadows, always ])eering about
in search of danger ; but at least one is pretty sure to be within rifle
range. And at the report the alarm is given and the others lose
no time in beating a hasty retreat. Their flight is heavy, and
seemingly laborious. To their edible qualities I can testify with a
good grace. The flesh is really excellent, deep red in color, and not
unlike that of the Beaver. Few birds are more diflicult to skin.

Thomas Pennant, in his Arctic Zoology (1785) says that " they
arrive in May about Severn River, Hudson's Bay. Frequent lakes
and ponds. Feed on fish and insects. Hatch two young ; and retire
southward in autumn. || I must observe, that they formerly made a
halt in the Hurons country, at the season in which the Indians set
their maize ; and again on their return from the North, when the
harvest was ready, in order to feed on the grain. The Indians, at

* Alaska and its Resources. By "William H. Dall. Appendix G, p. 583. 1810.
f Am. Nat., vol. viii, No. 2, p. 89. Feb., 1874.

:j:Lndlow's Report for 18'75. p. 87. ^ Hayden's Report for 1872, p. 702.

II Ph. Trans., Ixii. 409.

C. II. Merriimi — liirds of (Joniiecticut. 115

those times, were used to shoot them witli arrows headed witli stone ;
for Theodut,* my authority, made his remarks in that country in the
beginning oftlie last century. "f

Family, RALLID^.

220. Rallus longirostris Boddert. Clapper Rail.

Not common. Taken at Stratford by Linsley, who remarks tliat
it " breeds abundantly" there.J P'requcnts salt marshes, llecently
recorded from Massachusetts by ]Mr. Purdie. "The bird was cap-
tured by its Hying on board a vessel in tlie [Boston] harbor. May 4,
1875."§'

Several well authenticated instances of its occurrence in Connec-
ticut have recently come to my notice.

221. Rallus elegans Audubon. King Rail

Rather rare. Fouiul breeding at Stratford, by Linsley.J Frequents
J'resh-wrfter marshes. Mr. W. W. Coe has taken it at Portland,
Conn. Mr. J. N. Clark of Saybrook, Conn., has a line specimen in
his cabinet taken there in mid-whiter (Jan. 14, 1876).

222. Rallus VirginlanuS Linne. Virginia Rail.

A common summer resident, breeding plentifully in both salt and
fresh-water marshes. They are quite abundant in the brackish-water
marshes bordering the Quinnipiac River, and here my friend, Mr.
Dayan, found a nest containing seven fresh eggs and secured the old
bird, on June 7th, 187(3. Concerning the nocturnal proclivities, and
shi'ill, startling cry of the Rail, Dr. Cones thus graphically writes :
" .\t nightfall some Mallard and Teal settled into the rushes, gabb-
ling ciirious vespers as they went to rest. A few Marsh Widens had
appeared on the edge of the reeds, queerly balancing themselves on
the thread-like leaves, sea-sawing to their own quaint music. Then
they were hushed, and as darkness settled down, the dull, heavy
croaking of the frogs played bass to the shrill falsetto of the insects.
Suddenly they too were hushed in turn, frightened, may be, into
silence ; and from the heart of the bullrushes, ' crik-crik-rik-k-k-k^

* As quoted by De Buffon. f Arctic Zoology, vol. ii, p. 443. It85.

X Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 267, 184:5.

§ Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. ii, No. 1, p. 22, January, 1877.

116. (J. H. Merrlatn — Birds of Connecticut.

lustily shouted some wide-awake Rail, to be answered by another
and another, till the reeds I'esounded. Then all was silent again till
the most courageous frog renewed his pipes. The Rail are, partially
at least, nocturnal. During such moonlight nights as these they are
on the alert, patrolling the marshes through tlie countless covered
ways among the reeds, stopping to cry ' all's well ' as they pass on,
or to answer the challenge of a distant watchman. That they feed
by night as well as by day, cannot be doubted. Their habit of
skulking and hiding in the almost inaccessible places they frequent
renders them difficult of observation, and they are usually considered
rarer than they really are."*

223. Porzana Carolina (Linne) Cabanis. Carolina Rail ; Sora.

An abundant summer resident. Large numbers are killed each year
for the market. Have seen tliem as late as October (1874). Found
both in fresh and salt-water marshes where there is an abundant
growth of "• Bullrushes," " Cat tails" and the like. Linsley says of
it : " The Carolina Rail was so abundant here [Stratford, Conn.] last
Autumn, in the marshes of the Ilousatonic, that something like hun-
dreds were killed in a few hours, and tliat too for several days
together, 'i'hey were esteemed a great delicacy,"f Regarding the
difficulty of seeing tliem in their favorite l)aunts, Mr. JVIaynard
writes: "T have been in a swamp where there were literally thou-
sands of them, yet was unable to start more than two or three !"|
I have had many similar experiences. One will suffice: Well
do I remember finding a Rail's nest in a marshy swail near the
mouth of a small canon at the foot of the Wahsatcli Range, just back
of Ogden, Utah. It was early in June, and the nest, which was
large and bulky, lieing composed of coarse marsh grass, Avas hidden
in a clump of flags, whose arching blades met overhead, so conceal-
ing the enclosed treasures that they could only be seen by stoojjing
over and peering through a snnill o))ening in the side, left for the
passage of the ])arent bird. As yet but two eggs had been deposited,
and the bird stole so silently and quickly through the reeds that I
hardly felt sure it was not a snake till careful search revealed the
nest. The next thing to be done was to secure the old bird, and
with this end in view the place was visited at least once each day

* Coues, Birds of the Northwest, pp. 537-8, 1874.

•j- Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2. p. 267, April, 1843.

\ Maynard's Naturalists' Guide, pp. 145-46, 1873.

G. H. Merrhun — Birch of Connectirvt. 1 17

till tJK' middle' ofJuiif, but, notwithstaiKling the fact that I exercised
the o-reatest caution in aijproach, I never so much as caught a mo-
mentary glimpse of her form, though once or twice a shadow seemed
to flit Inirriedly by and disappear in plain sight. What made it still
more remarkable was tliat the number of eggs kept increasing day
bv day. and I always found them warm, showing that the bird had
been gone but an instant. Once, while feeling of tlie eggs, I was so
startled by her harsh ci-ackling cry, uttered suddenly at my very
feet, that I came near breaking them all, but still saw nothing of her.
The time had come when we must move camp, so on the 15th of
June I made a final eflbrt to secure the old biid. The nest now
contained twelve eggs, and T fancied I could hear the faint peephig
of a young bird in his attempt to extricate hiuiself from the shell.
Stepping back a few paces, I waited, gun in hand, for the space of
two long hours, standing first on one leg, then on the other, like a
bashful country boy, till my patience was nearly exliausted and T
was on the ,point of leaving, when something darted (piickly toward
the nest — it was enough ; the mangled remains sufficed to determine
the species. Meanwiiile tlie egg had fairly hatched, and its noisy
contents had already gained no little use of its tiny twigs. How" the
first hatched youngsters amuse themselves during tlie ten days, or
two weeks, whilst the other eggs are coming to maturity, will doubt-
less be fully elucidated by he who attempts to explain how it is
that a bird can give oi-igin, in the colarse of a couple of weeks, to a \ U.
dozen of eggs, each nearly as large and heavy as her own body. ^
Certain it is that the processes of digestion, and assimilation of nutri-
ment, must go on in them much more rapidly than in ourselves.

Wilson remarked that, " Of all our land or Avater fowl, jierliaps
none afford the sportsman more agreeable amusement, or a more
delicious repast, than tlie little bird now before us. This amusement
is indeed temporary, lasting only two or three hours in the day for
fo\;r or five weeks in each year." The mode of procedure is thus
described: "The sportsman furnishes himself with a light batteau, and
a stout experienced boatman, with a pole of twelve or fifteen feet long,
thickened at the lower eiul to ))revent it from sinking too deep into
the mud. About two hours or so before high water they enter the
reeds, and each takes his post, the sportsman standing in the bow
ready for action, the boatman on the stei'u seat pushing her steadily
through the reeds. The Hail generally spring singly, as the boat
advances, and at a short distance ahead, are instantly shot down,
while the boatman, keeping his eye on the spot where the bird fell,

lis C II. Merriiiin — Birds of Connect lent.

directs the l)oat forward and picks it up while the gunner is loading.

In this manner the boat moves steadily througli and over

the reeds, the birds flushing and falling, the gunner loading and

firing, while the boatman is pushing and picking up In

these excursions it is not uncommon for an active and expert marks-
man to kill ten or twelve dozen in a tide !"* Mr. Grinnell informs
me that the same method of hunting is practiced on the marshes
bordering the Housatonic River, Conn.

224. Porzana Noveboracensis (Gmelin) Cassin. Yellow Rail.

Not connnon. Taken at Stratford, Conn., bv Linsley. Though
one of the rarer birds, it breeds about Middletown, Conn., as I am
informed by Mr. Coe, who took it there in 1874 and 1875. Mr. Tlios.
Osborne has a specimen killed near New Haven. Mr. Grinnell favors
me with the following note concerning its occurrence on the marshes
near Milford, Conn. :

l)i:Ait Mkkriam— The specimens of P<>rzan<i Novehoracensh about
which you enquii'e were taken for the most part during tlie month of
October, 18*76, although I procured one individual as late as Nov.
10th. The securing of the first two or three was quite accidental.

I was Avorking a young setter on Snipe ( Ga^mago Wilsoni) on a
piece of wet meadow near Milford, Conn., and several times during
the early part of the day was annoyed by the pertinacious way in
which the dog would trail up some bird which neither he nor I could
start. At length during one of these performances 1 saw the pu})py
grasp at something in the bogs before him, and immediately a small
Rail rose and fluttered a few yards. Noticing its small size, and the
fact that it had some white on its wings, and seeing from its flight
that it was a Rail, I shot the bird before it had gone far, and when it
was brought by the dog I was delighted to see that it was P. Nove-
horacensis, a species which I had never before seen alive. Dux'ing
the daj'' several more individuals were secured. The next oppor-
tunity that I had of looking for these birds was, I think, Oct. 14th.
That day my bi-other and I secured eight in an hour or two. They
Avere ridiculously tame and Avould run along before the dog, creeping
into the holes in the bogs and hiding there while we tried in vain to
start them. I killed one with my dog whij), caught one alive in my
hand, and the dog brought me another, uninjured, which he had

* Wilson's American Ornithology, vol. iii, p. 115, ISol.

C H. Merriam — Jyirils of Connecticut. 119

caiiglit ill liis iiioutli. From what I saw of their habits, I am con-
vinced that the only successful Avay of collecting these birds is to
look for thera with a dog. Without one they could never be forced

from the ground. Yours sincerely,

(tko. Bird Grinnell.

225. Porzana Jainaicensis (Gmelin) (lassin. Black Rail.

An extremely rare summer resident. But three specimens of this
rare bird have as yet been obtained in New England. The second
Connecticut record is that given by Mr. H. A. Purdie, who writes :
" Of this species Mr. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn., writes me that a
neighbor of his, while mowing at that place, July 10th, 1876, swung
his scythe over a nest of ten eggs on Avhich the bird was sitting,
unfortunately cutting off the bird's head and breaking all but four of
the eggs."* I have recently seen the eggs in question, in Mi*. Clark's
collection. They agree precisely with Coues' description of the eggs
of this bird, "being creamy-white, sprinkled all over with fine dots
of rich, bright reddish-brown," and are totally unlike those of any
other species of Rail. The bird was not preserved, but there seems
to be no reasonable doubt of its identity. Mr. Purdie further states
that he has "lately seen a skin of this species lielonging to Mr.
Browne, of Framingham. The bird was picked up dead, in August,
1869, by a relative of his, on Clark's Island, Plymouth Harbor
[Mass.], and was forwarded to him as something entirely new to our
shores. This instance adds a new bird to the Fauna of Massachu-
setts."* The only other recorded instance of its capture in New
England is that given by Dr. Thos. M. Brewer: "Ilazenville, Conn.,
Batty."

226. Gallinula galeata (Licht.) Bonaparte. Florida Gallinule.

A rather common summer resident, as I am told by Mr. Grinnell,
who has taken a number of S]>ecimens about ^lilford, Conn. IVfr. W.
W. Coe has also taken it near Portland, Conn.

227. Porphyrio Martinica (Linne) Temminck. Purple Gallinule.

A rare accidental visitor from the South, A specimen of this
species was killed near Middletown, Conn., al)out the year 1855, and
is now in the Museum of Wesleyan University. It has been taken
in ^lassaeliusetts, as recorded by G. P. Whitman: "A fine specimen

* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, No. vol. ii, 1, p. 22, January, 1877.

120 (J. H. Merrhim — Birds of Connecticut.

of the Purple Galliiinle was sliot Jit ' Henry's Pond,' ' South-end,'
Kockport, Mass., on April 12th, [1875] by Mr. Robert Wendell."*

228. Fulica Americana Gmelin. Common Coot; Mud Hen.

Common during the migrations, particularly in fall. May breed.
Linsley took five specimens at Stratford, remarking that it was " by
no means common" there. Last ()ctol)er (187(5), my friend, ]\Ir. A. J.
Dayan, shot several on Lake Whitney, and ascertained that no less
than fifty specimens were killed there during that month !

Family, ANATID^.

229. Cygnus Am.ericanUS Hliarpless. whistling Swan.

A rare, almost accidental, visitor, occurring only in winter.
Linsley mentions the occurrence of four specimens, at Stratford,
Conn., two of which were killed. My friend. Dr. Wm. II. Hotchkiss,
of this city, tells me that he was informed, by William Beers,
Esq., that two Swans were seen in Branford Harbor, during a severe
gale, about the middle of March, 1876. I take it for granted that
they were of this species, since there is no positive I'ecord of the
occurrence of the Trumpeter Swan [Cygnus buccinator) within our
limits. Mr. Grinnell also informs me that several Swans were seen
near Milford, Conn., about the same time. Swans were once common
in New England, during the migrations, as seen from Moi'ton's
remarks concerning them (in 1632): "And first of the Swanne,
because she is the biggest of all the fowles of that C-ountry. There
are of them in Merrimack Iliver, and in other parts of the Country,
greate Store at the seasons of the yeare. The fiesh is not much de-
sired of the inhabitants, but the skinnes may be accompted a com-
modity, fitt for divers uses, both for fethers, and quiles."f

Note. — The Trumpeter Swan [Cygnus buccincitor Richardson),
may, and very probably does, sometimes occur within our limits.
Dr. Wood, of East Windsor Hill, informs me that a hunter in his
vicinity, who was perfectly familiar with this bird in the West, where
they were common, once told him that he had heard the unmistaka-
ble note of the Trum]»eter S^van, but did not see the bird. A short

* Am. Nat., vol. ix. No. 10, p. 57.1, Oct., 1875.
f Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii. Tract 5, p. 46.

C. II. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 121

time afterwards, however, on again meeting tlie Doctor, the linnter
said that, a few days before, he heard the Swans coming and rushed
into the house for his gun, but before he returned with it they had
passed over, between the house and barn, that lie had a good sight
at them and was confident that tliey were Trumpeters. Proof is
wanting to show that some of the birds mentioned under the last
s])ecies were not really Cygrms huecinator.

230. Anser hyperboreus Pallas. Snow Goose.

\ rare winter \isitor. Lhislcy records seven specimens from
Stratf(n-d, Conn. Mr. W. W. Coe, of Portland, has a magnificent
specimen of this species in his cabinet. It was killed on the coast
near Sayl)rook, Conn., in the fall of 1875.

Note. — The Barnacle Goose {Branta leucopsis Boie), a rare acci-
dental visitor to our coast, from Europe, is given by Linsley from
Stonington, Conn., but on insufiicient evidence. Stragglers have
been taken from South Carolina to Hudson's Bay, and a fine speci-
men of this Goose was killed on Long Island, N. Y., in October,
187(5 (recorded by Mr. Lawrence),* hence it may occur as a rare
accidental straggler.

231. Branta bernicla (Linne) Scop. Brant Goose; Black Brant.

A tolerably common spi'ing and autumn migrant, sometimes re-
maining through the winter. Linsley said : "The Brant is common
here [Stratford, Conn.] in winter" (p. 269). Captain Brooks writes
me that they are " not common" at Faulkner's Island, where he has
" only taken one." Mr. Grinnell informs me that two specimens of
this species were killed off Stratford Light, Conn., last spring (187V).
Mr. Osborne also saw three individuals near the mouth of the East
Haven River, Conn., April 14th, 1870. Dr. Wood, of East Windsor
Hill, Conn., has a fine si)ecimen in his cabinet. It was shot on the
Connecticut River, above Hartford, in the spring of 1876.

This S])ecies is fii'st recorded from New England by Thomas
Morton, who, in 1632, wrote: " There are Geese of three sorts, vize,
brant Geese, which are pide, and white Geese which are bigger, and
gray Geese, which are as big and bigger then the tame Geese of
England, with black legges, black bills, heads and necks black, the
flesh farre moi-e excellent, then the Geese of England, wild or tame,

* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. ii, No. 1, p. IS, Jan., 1877.
Tr.\ns. Conn. Acad., Vol. IY. 16 Aug., 1877.

122 C II. Merriani — Birds of (Connecticut.

yet the puvitj'^ of the air is such, that the biggest is accompted but
au indifferent nieale for a couple of men. There is of them great
abundance. I have had often 1000. before the moutli of my gunne.
I never saw any in England for my part so fatt, as I have killed
there in those parts, the fethei's of them makes a bedd, softer than
any down bed that I have lyen on : and is there a very good com-
modity, the fethers of the Geese that I have killed in a short time
have paid for all the ])owther and shott, I have spent in a yeare, and
I have fed my doggs with as fatt Geese there, as I have ever fed
upon myself in England."*

232. Branta Canadensis (Linne) Gray. Canada Goose; Wild Goose.

A winter resident, common during migrations ; they arrive in
November (Nov. 24, _18'72, Sage), some remaining through April and
sometimes even into May (May 22, 1864, Sage; May 10, IBVY, C. H.
M.). Linsley writes that "Hundreds of the common 'Wild Geese'
winter at the mouth of the Housatonic, and so near my own dwelling
that I often with my telescope present a distinct view of their eyes
to my friends who call. Birds are said to be near enough to shoot
when their eyes are visible to the sportsman. Many ai"e killed here
merely for sale by gunners, who frequently send them to New
York."! Capt. Brooks says that they occasionally stop about the
islands off Guilford, Conn., and that he killed two last November.
Mr. Grinnell tells me that generally a few still winter about the
mouth of the Housatonic River, Conn., and that over two hundi-ed
remained there last winter (1876-7). They begin to go north (some
passing nearly due east) during the latter part of March (from IVIar.
24th on), and all through April large flocks may be seen and heard
overhead. Many of these contain upwards of one hundred and fifty
birds, and I should say that they average about seventy-five. They
were particularly numerous last spring (1877), and scarcely a day
passed during April but one or more flocks were seen.

233 '(. Branta Canadensis, var. Hutchinsii (Rich.) Cones. Hutchins'

Goose ; Southern Goose.

Not common. " Stratford," Conn. (Linsley). Mr. Geo. Bird (Trin-
nell tells me that the hunters about jNIilford, Conn., all make a dis-
tinction between the common or Canada Goose and the Southern

* Force's Historical Tracts, Tract 5, (vol. ii,) p. 46.

f Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xhv, No. 2, p. 269, 1843.

C. II. Merriarn — Birds of Connecticut. 123

Goose. That the hitter does not arrive till after the Canada Geese
have all come, and tliat they do not stay long, but pass southward —
hence their name. They are also noticeably smaller than the Canada
Goose.

233. Anas boschas Linno. Mallard.

A rare migrant. Have notes of its occurrence here September 30th,
October, and November 13th, 1875, and Mr. Grinnell saw it in Octo-
ber and Novembei', 1876. Linsley gives it from Stratford. Capt.
Brooks writes me from Faulkner's Island, Conn., that they are not
abundant : " occasionally see a few with Black Ducks in the fall."

234. Anas Obscura GmeliD. Black Duck.

A resident, but most abundant during the migrations. Capt.
Brooks writes me that they "come in September and stay through
the winter. Leave in May and June." Linsley said that they
occasionally bred about Stratford, Conn. That their edible qualities
were early appreciated is seen from the writings of Thomas Morton,
who said (in 1632): "Ducks, there are of three kindes, pide Ducks,
gray Ducks, and black Ducks, in greate abundance : the most about
my habitation were black Ducks : and it was a noted custome at my
howse, to have every mans Duck upon a trencher, and then you will
thinke a man was not hardly used, they are bigger boddied, then the
tame Ducks of England : very fatt and dainty flesh. The common
doggs fees were the gibletts, unlesse they were boyled now and
than for to make broath."*

235. Dafila acuta (Liime) Bonaparte. Pintail; Sprigtail.

A rather rare winter resident. Have seen but few specimens.
Linsley foimd it at Stratford, Conn. Mr. Osborne saw one in March
(23), 1877. Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn., tells me that he
does not consider it particularly rare ; in fact that he thinks it is
rather common in spring and fall in that vicinity — about the mouth
of the Comiecticut. Dr. Wood, of East Windsor Hill, has two
specimens killed on the Connecticut River above Hartford, but they
are extremely rare there.

* New English Canaan, p. 47. Reprinted in Peter Force's Historical Tracts, Tract 5.

124 G. II. 3Ierriaiu — Birds of Co7inecticut.

236. Chanlelasmns StreperuS (Linne) Gray. Gadwall ; Gray Duck.

It occurs during the migrations ; not common. Ca])tain Brooks
tells me that they are " occasionally seen " about Faulkner's Island,
Conn., "but are not plenty." Linslcy writes: "Flocks of the Gray
Duck were here as early as August last season [1842], and were
among the best of ducks for the table."*

237. Mareca Americana (Gmelin) Stephens. Widgeon ; Baldpate.

Not particularly rare during the migrations ; may winter. Taken
at Stratford, Conn., by Linsley, and all along the coast by others,
too numerous to mention. Dr. Wood has seen three specimens,
one of which he shot, near East Windsor, Conn., but they are rare
in tliis State so far inland. Dr. Coues states that "the W^idgeon
breeds in abundance in Northern Dakota and Montana along the
banks of the streams and pools."f Thomas Morton found them in
New England in 1632, for. he writes: " Widggens there are, and
abundance of other water foule, some such as I have scene, and such
as I have not scene else where, before I came into those parts, which
are little regarded. "J

238. Querquedula Carolinensis (Gmelin) Stepliens. Green-winged
Teal.

A common migrant. Have seen it in JMarch. Taken by Linsley
at Stratford, Conn. Concerning this and the following species Mor-
ton wrote, in 1632: " Teales, there are of two sorts grecne winged,
and blew winged : but a dainty bird, I have bin much delighted
with a rost of these for a second course, I had plenty in the rivers
and ponds about my howse."

239. Querquedula discors (Linne) Stephen. Bine-winged Teal.

A rather common migrant. Mr. Dayan secured a beautiful male
of this species on Lake Whitney, September 25th, 1875. Arrives in
August (Grinnell), remaining through October (Oct. 20, 1874, Sage).

240. Spatula clypeata (Linne) Bole. Shoveller; "Spoonbill-duck."

This splendid species is a rare migrant along our shores. Linsley
" obtained two fine males " at Stratford, Conn. Mr. Grinnell informs

* Am. Jour, of Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 269, April, 1843.

f Birds of the Northwest, p. 564, 1874.

X Reprinted in Force's Historical Tracts. Tract 5, p. 47.

C H. Merrlain — Birds of Co'iinecticut. 125

me tluit he took two or three specimens about October 8th, 1875, in
the Sound near Miltbrd, Conn., and that he does not consider them
particularly rare at that season. Mr. W, W. Coe has an immature
specimen taken at Saybrook, December Sth, 1874. Mr. Robert
Morris, of this city, tells me that he has killed it late in July on the
West HaAen meadows, and has also seen it, about the same time, and
early in August, on the Quinnipiac marshes.

241. Aix Sponsa (Linne) Boie. Wood Duck ; Summer Duck.

A tolerably common summer resident, breeding in holes in trees.
Arrives in March (March 18, 1876, Osborne), frequenting fresh-water
ponds and streams, and lays in May, remaining into October. Za-
dock Thompson, speaking of its occurrence in Vermont, saj^s, " The
Wood Duck is one of the most beautiful birds seen in this State, and
is one of the very few permanent residents here."*

242. Fuligula marila (Linue) Stephens. Greater Scaup Duck ; Broad-bill;
Blue-bill.

A rather common winter resident. Taken at Stratford by Linsley.
Captain Brooks informs me that they are "plenty at Guilford, Conn."
In spring Mr. Thos. Osborne has taken it as late as May 17th, (1876).

243. Fuligula affinis Eyton. Lesser Scaup Duck ; Blue-bill.

A common winter resident. Much prized for the table. IJemains
till the middle or latter part of May (iMay 17, Osborne). Dr. Wood
of East Windsor Hill, once killed it on the Connecticut river in his
vicinity.

244. Fuligula COllaris (Donovan) Bonaparte. Ring-necked Duck.

It is not common, but may winter. Linsley took it at Stratford
Conn. Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell has secured several specimens of this
bird, in early spring, on the Sound, in the vicinity of Milford, Conn.

245. Fuligula ferina. var. Americana (Eyton) Coues. Red-head ;

Pochard.

Rare. Lindsley took it at Stratford. The Rev. J, II. Hand writes
rae that he has taken it at Westbrook, Conn,, but it is rare there,

* History of Vermont, p. 109, 1842.

126 C. H. MerriiDa — Birds of Cotiuecticut.

246. Fuligula vallisneria (Wilson) Stephens. Canvas-back Duck.

Mare. " Stratford," Conn., (Linsley), Mr. Robert Morris, of tliis
city, saw one May 7tb, 1876. I am also informed by Rev. J. H.
Hand, tbat it occurs at Westbrook, Conn., wliere it is " very rare."

247. Bucephala clangula (Linne) Coues. Golden-eye ; Whistler.

A common winter resident. Found on tlie Sound and on fresh-
water |)onds from November to April or May (April 16tli). Captain
Brooks writes, from Faulkner's Island, " only see them here in very
cold winters."

248. Bucephala Islandica (GmeUn) Baird. Barrow's Golden-eye.

A rare winter visitant from the North. I include this species on
the streno'th of a most typical (male adult) specimen in the cabinet
of Mr. John H. Sage, of Portland, Conn. It was purchased by him,
November 14th, 1867, from a man who said it was killed on the
Sound, and there seems to be no reason for doubting his statement,
especially since it has been taken as far South as New York City.*
Mr. William Brew^ster records it from Massacliusetts with the follow-
ino- remarks: " I obtained an adult female in the flesh from Cape
Cod, December 7th, 1871, which was pronounced by Prof Baird
unquestionably J?. Islandica. Since then I have seen numbers of
females and two flne adult males in the Boston Markets, most of
them shot within State limits."f

249. Bucephala albeola (Linue) Baird. Butter-ball ; Buffle-head.

A common winter resident. Found both on fresh and salt water.
Nov., April 15th.

250. Harelda glacialis (Llnm^) Leach. Long-tailed Duck ; Old Wife; Old
Squaw.

A common winter resident ; particularly abundant during the
migrations. Captain Brooks writes me that they " usually come in
October and leave in April or May." This is by far the most abun-
dant species of duck found along our coast, and during the migrations
(notably in November) hundreds of thousands of them can be seen
on the Sound, covering the water as far as the eye can reach in every
direction, and almost deafening one by their constant, and, to my
ears, not altogether unpleasant, cackle. They are continually on the

* Coues' Birds of New England, p. 52 (300), 1868.
f Am. Nat., vol. vi, No. 5, pp. 306-7, May, 1872.

C. IT. MerriiUti — Birds of Connecticnt. 127

move and, notwitlistaiuling their immense numbers, it is no easy
task to approaeli witliin gunshot of the tlock. Though as strietly
maritime as any of our dueks, tliey have oeeasionally strayed so far
into the interior as Central Oliio (Wheaton). Mr. Grinnell tells me
that they oeeasionally breed here, hut tliese maybe wounded Itirds —
"pensioners" as they are commonly called. Dr. Wood has taken it
on the Connecticut River above Hartford, but it is rare there.

251. Camptolsemus LabradoriuS (Gmelin) Gray. Labrador Duck;
Pied-Duck.

A very rare Avinter visitor. Linsley took it at Stratford, Conn.
Pennant, in his Arctic Zoology, says that this species was "sent from
Gonnecticvt to Mrs. Blackburn,* in England."

252. Somateria mollissima (Linue) Leach. Eider Duck.

A rare winter visitant along our coast. Linsley states that " one
or tw'o Eider Ducks were killed" at Sti'atford, Conn., by Mr. Lucius
Curtis. Mr. Grinnell tells me, that he saw a specimen killed on the
Sound, near Milford, Conn,, by a gunner (Samuel Brown by name)
May 29th, 1877, and that two Eider Ducha, proOabli/ of this species,
were shot there in the tall of 1874.

253. Somateria spectabilis (Linne) Boie. King Eider.

A rare w^inter visitor, like the last, and also taken at Stratford,
Conn., by Linsley, who says of it : "I have obtained here this season
two specimens of the King Duck, said never to have been seen here
before. Tliey are among the best for the table."f Giraud also states
that " an adult male in j^erfect ^jlumage was shot on Long Island
Sound, in the winter of 1839."J

254. CEdemia Americana (Wilson) Swainson. Black Scoter ; Gray Coot.

A tolerably common winter resident, but less so than either of the
following. Linsley had it from Stratford. Have seen it early in
October (October 4, 1876), and again in November, but the hunters
regard it as rather rare. It sometimes visits the Great Lakes in
winter, and Dr. Wheaton writes me that one was taken near Colum-
bus, Ohio, in Dec. 1876.

* Arctic Zoology, vol. ii, p. 559, 1785. f Catal. Birds of Conn., p. 270, 18-1:!.
X Birds of Long Island, p. ?,3?,, 1844.

12S C. IT. Merriam — Birds of Coanecticid.

255. CEdemia fusca (Linne) Swainson. Velvet Scoter; White-winged
Coot.

It is extremely abundant on the Sound during fall and spring,
some remaining tlirough the winter. Arrives about the first of
October (Oct. 4, 1876) remaining till the middle of May (May 15, Os-
borne). Thousands of them visit the coast in October and November,
to feed on the small sliells (chiefly Mactra lateralis) which the shal-
low muddy bottoms furnish in abundance. And in this connection
it may be stated that the alimentary canals of the sea ducks aftbrd
the conchologist a rich collecting ground, often yielding unexpected
treasures. This is the largest of our ducks, and like the other mem-
bers of the genus, is generally considered unfit for the table, but
when pi'operly prepared and well cooked they are by no means bad
eating. Though properly marine, it occurs on the Great Lakes in
winter. Dr. Wood has taken two specimens on fresh water near
East Windsor Hill, Conn.

256. CEdemia perspicillata (Linne) Stephens. Surf Duck; Sea Coot;
Scoter.

A common winter resident, being intermediate in numbers between
the two foregoing — that is, it is neither abundant nor uncommon.
Arrives late in September or early in October, remaining till the
middle of April. Captain Brooks writes me that they are "common
through fall, winter and spring " in the vicinity of Faulkner's Island,
Conn. I saw one on the Sound as late as June 29th (IS?*/), and I am
told that a few generally remain all simimer, but tliey are probably
"pensioners" (wounded birds) and do not breed.

257. Erismatura rubida (Wilson) Bonaparte. Ruddy Duck.

It is not rare during the migrations. Taken by Linsley at Strat-
ford, Conn. Found both on fresh and salt water. Mr. J. N. Clark,
of Saybrook, tells me that they are rather common about the mouth
of the Connecticut, but that full plumaged birds are very rare. Dr.
Crary tells me that one was shot on the Connecticut river, near
Hartford, Conn., in October, 1S,58.

258. MergUS merganser Linne. Sheldrake; Merganser.

It is common during migrations ; some probably wintering. Fre-
quents fresh water lakes and rivers in the interior, and is " found
occasionally about Guilford Harbor, Conn." (Capt. Brooks), but is not

C. IT. Merruiru — Iiir(h of (Connecticut. 129

common on suit wiiter. Kemains into April (April IV, 1S75, male
adult shot, Sage).

259. MergUS serrator Linne. Red-breasted Merganser.

A common migrant, wintering on the Sound. Captain IJrooks
writes me that they are "plenty during winter and spring " ahout
Faulkner's Island, Conn. Also found on fresh water. Kemains into
A])ril (April 14, 187G, Osborne).

260. MergUS CUCUllatuS Linnt'. ITooded Merganser.

A winter resident ; not common. Linsley obtained two specimens
from a fresh water pond near Stratford, Conn., and Captain Brooks
has one, killed at Guilford, Conn., on salt water. Mr. W. W. Coe
has taken it during the migrations, and I saw one in November,
1875. Dr. Wood has taken it near East Windsor, but finds it rarely.
IVfr. Sage writes me tliat one was killed neai" Middletown, Conn.,
March 6th, is7tj.

Family, SULID^.

261. Sula bassana Linne. Common Gannet -, 8olon Goose.

A rare winter visitant. Captain Brooks writes me from Faulk-
ner's Island, that he has " oidy seen two specimens," one of which is
now in his collection: "It was killed at Guilford, Conn., in the
spring, about ten years ago." Ijinsley took it at Stratford, Conn.,
and, concerning its gastronomic proclivities, remarks: "The true
Solon Goose killed here, which I presented to the Yale Natural His-
tory Society, had in its stomach a bird, and in the stomach of the
latter was also a bird — destruction on destruction. Mr. B. Silliman,
Jr., and Di'. Whelpley, who opened the stomach, observed this fact,
as the former gentleman informed me. It was previously supposed
this bird lived wholly on fishes."* Giraud saw a few specimens,
killed about Long Island and in the vicinity of New York City.f
Mr. Kobert Morris tells me that he saw an adult specimen, shot oif
Branford late in the fall of 1872 or 1873. There is also, in a res-
taurant in New Haven, a mounted exam})le of the young of the Solon
Goose, killed near here a few years ago.

* Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, p. 271, April, 184H.
f Girand's Birds of Long Island, p. 34.5, 1844.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 17 Aug., 187 7.

I'^O (J. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

262. Sula fiber Linne. Booby Gannet.

A rare or accidental visitor from the Soutli. Liiisley took it at
Guilford, Conn. It has been taken as far north as Massachusetts (in
September).*

Family, PHALACROCORACID^E.

263. G-raCuluS Carbo (Linne) Gray. Common Cormorant ; Shag.

A tolerably common winter visitant. Captain Brooks writes me
that they are " plenty in April and May " and are sometimes seen in
fall. Linsley took it at Stonington, Coim.

264. G-raculus dilophns (Swainson) Gray. Double-crested Cormorant.

It occurs along the coast during fall and sjn-ing, but usually not in
very large numbei-s, though Captain Brooks informs me that he "saw
large flocks of them feeding about Faulkner's Island, Conn., in the
month of May, 1870," and that he captured two of them. Linsley
had a specimen from Stratford, Conn., and he regarded it as a very
rare bird. Mr. W. W. Coe has a specimen in his cabinet which he
killed on the Connecticut River, near Middletown, Octoljer 29th, 1875.
While out duck-hunting at the mouth of the East Haven Kiver,
November 1 3th, 1875, with Mi*. Thomas Osborne, we saw a Cormorant
which I judged to be of this species. In speaking of the Cormorants,
in New England, in 1675, Josselyn observes: "Though I cannot
commend them to our curious palats, the Indians will eat them when
they are fley'd, they take them prettily, they roost in the night upon
some Rock that lyes out in the Sea, thither the Indian goes in his
Yi\vQ\\-Ca7iow when the moon shines clear, and when he is come
almost to it, he lets his Canov) drive on of it self, when he is come
under the Rock he shoves his boat along till he come just i;nder the
Cormorants watchman, the rest being asleep, and so soundly do
sleep that they will snore like so many Pigs ; the Indian thrusts up
his hand of a sudden, grasping the watchman so hard round about
his neck that he cannot cry out; as soon as he hath him in his
Ca'nov he wrings off his head, and making his Canovi fast, he clam-
breth to the top of the Rock, where walking softly he takes them
u]) as he pleaseth, still wringing off their heads ; when he hath slain
as many as his Canow can carry, he gives a shout which awaketh
the surviving Cormorants, who are gone in an instant."f

* Putnam, in Proceed. Essex Inst., vol. i, p. 221, 1856.
f Josselyn's Two Voyages to New England, p. 102, 167.5.

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 131

Family, TACHYPETID^.

265. Tachypetes aquilus (Liuue) VieiUot. Frigate Pelican; Man-of-war
Bird.

An extremely riire accidental visitor t'roni the Soutlj. But one
instance of its occurrence in New England has been recorded, and
that was puhlished in the Naturalist, by Mr. Grinnell, nearly two
years ago : " The occurrence of Tddiypetes aquilus in Connecticut is
not generally known, Long Island being, up to this time, the northern-
most locality on record for this l)ird. A female of this species was
killed at Faulkner's Island in this State, in the autumn of 1859, and
is now in the collection of Captain Brooks. It was hovering over
the island when shot."* I have seen this specimen in Capt. Brooks's
Cabinet.

Family, LARID^.

266. Stercorarius parasiticus (Briinn.) Scha^flf. Richardson's Jaeger.

A rare winter visitoi*. Linsley gave it from Bridgeport, Conn. I
have lately seen a specimen in the cabinet of Mr. John H. Sage, of
Portland, Conn., which was killed at that place in the fall of 1875,

267. Stercorarius Buffoni (Boie) Coues. Long-tailed Jaeger.

A rare straggler from the far North. Not previously recorded
from Connecticut. I have just received, from Mr, Wm. F. Lane, a
beautiful adult specimen of this Larine plunderer, which he shot on
the Community Lake at Wallingford, Conn., August 30th, 1873.
Mr, Lane writes me that he was out sailing on the lake, with his
brother, when they noticed a curious bird, unlike any they had ever
before seen, " It was chasing a swallow, which it soon caught, and
then lit on the Avater with the swallow in its mouth, and commenced
swimming around and did not seem to be very wild." Mr. Lane
then went ashore for his gun, and, on i-eturning, sailed so close to the
bird that his brother was obliged to splash the water with an oar
in order to make it fly, and as it rose he shot it. He says : " The
bird was alone and had been flying around the lake for about an
hour when I shot it. I noticed that it was very swift on the wing,
also a very fast swimmer. It did not seem at all afraid of anyone,"

Note.— The Pomarine Jaeger, Sterrorarius pomatorhinus (Tem-
minck) Vieillot, doubtless occurs as a rare winter visitant.

* Am. Nat, vol. ix, No. S, p. 470, Aug., 1875.

132 C. H. Merrlani — Birds of Connecticut.

268. Larus marinus Liune. Great Black-backed Gull.

A winter resident; not rare. Linsley records it from Stratford,
Conn. During- January, February and Mareli, one frequently sees
two or tliree Lams marinus flying about tlie Harbor in company
with the common Herring Gulls.

269. Larus argentatus, var. SmithsoniailUS Cones. Herring Gull.

An abundant winter resident. Arrives from the North in (3ctober,
remaining till April or May. Have seen hundreds of them together
in New Haven Harbor in February and March. Mr. Thomas B.
Osborne has seen them in Jiuie and early September, and a few
doubtless spend the summer, but they are probably young birds and
do not breed. Dr. Wood occasionally finds it about the Connecticut
River above Hartford. On June 29th, 1877, I saw five together near
Faulkner's Island, Conn. Four of these were in the young (gray)
plumage, while one was white.

270. Larus Delawarensis urd. Riug-bilied Gull.

Not rare. Linslej^ found it at Stonington, Conn. The young of
this species, easily recognized by having "a broad, subterminal band
of black" across the tail (Coues), may frequently be seen in winter
associated with the foregoing. My attention was first called to it by
Mr. E. P. Bicknell, of Kiverdale, N. Y.

271. Larus tridactyluS Linne. Kittiwake Gull.

Occurs in winter, but is not common. Linsley gave it from Ston-
ington, Conn. Mr, Osborne has seen it from March 8th till April
14th.

272. Larus atricilla Liuu('. Laughing Gull.

Not common. Possibly a few breed on some of the islands oti"
our coast. Linsley states that they were occasionally killed at Ston-
ington, Conn. Mr. Osborne informs me that he saw one June 1st,
1876.

273. Larus Philadelphia (Ord) Gray. Bonaparte's Gull.

Is tolerably common in fall. Captain Brooks writes me that they
are " quite common about Faulkner's Island, Conn,, in October and
November," and that he occasionally sees them " witli Terns at Goose
Island, Conn., in summer.'''' Linsley states that he " obtained an

C H. Merrlam — Birds of Connecticut. 1:3:3

individual of tliis l)c';uitiful species of sj^ull, August 1st, 1842." (p.
■_'71.) 1 saw the remains of one tliat liad l)een kille<l in November,
1875, near New llnven. Specimens of it are also in the collections
of W. W. Coe and J. H. Sage of Portland, Conn., and Mr. Wm. F.
Lane sends me a specimen from Wallingford, Conn., slating that
eight were seen there in the fall of 1874,

NoTE.^ — The Burgomaster [Lams glaucus Briinnich) may some-
times occuj- along our coast as a rare winter visitant from the North,
hut I have, as yet, been unable to procure satisfactory evidence of its
presence within our limits, although it has been taken on Long Island.

274- Sterna hirundo Auct. Common Tem; Wilson's Tern; Sea Swallow.

A common summer resident along the coast. Ca})tain Brooks
informs me that they breed at Goose Island, Conn., but not so abun-
dantly as the Roseate.

275. Sterna macroura Naumann. Arctic Tern.

A rare visitor to our shores. Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn.,
writes me: "I have an undoubted specimen, in the fall plumage of the
young (as described by Coues), taken here last season — never caj)-
tured a mature bird."

276. Sterna Dougalli Mont. (5^. jmmdisea of Anthors.)* Roseate Tern.

An abundant summer resident. Captain Brooks writes me that
they first "make their appearance about the middle of May, and
commence laying about the first of June, at Goose Island (one mile
west of Faulkner's Island, Conn.), where they breed in great quan-
tities, if not disturbed." Through the kindness of Captain Brooks I
have recently (June 29, 1877) visited Goose Island, and have thus
been permitted to witness the magnificent aerial evolutions of these
beautiful birds, as hundreds of them swept to and fro over our heads,
constantly uttering their cliaracteristic cries. They would rise high
in the air and immediately <live to the water's edge, then, suddenly
turning, would sweep over the island and settle on the large rocks with
Avhich it is bordered, always, as the Captain remarked, "keeping their
heads to the wind'ard," It is truly a si)len(lid flight, and one well
worth going many miles to see. As they cover the rocks, almost

* See Coues' Birds of the Northwest, p. 688, 18U.

134 C. H. Merriam — Birds of Comtecticut.

hiding them from view, their jet-black caps and pearly mantles contrast
nicely with the pure white under parts and bright red legs. The
eggs were now hatching and thousands of downy young covered the
island, I actually caught an adult female entangled in the weeds,
among which their eggs are deposited with little attempt at a nest.
Where the weeds wei'e particularly thick, forming dense mats, the
eggs were sometimes placed upon, as well as under, them ; we found
several such. Great credit is due Captain Brooks for his watchfulness
over this little colony: but for him they would long since have been
exterminated.

277. Sterna superciliaris, var. Antillarum Coues. Least Tern.

Not very common. Linsley took it at Stratford, Conn. Mr. J.
N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn., tells me that they are sometimes quite
abundant there during the migrations,

278. Sterna fuliginosa Gmelin. Sooty TerD.

A rare visitor from the South. The claim of this species to a place
among the birds of New England has only recently been established,
the only authentic instances of its capture having been published
within a year. In a late number of the "Bulletin," Mr. H. A. Purdie
says that Mr. J. N. Clark has a specimen in his collection "that last
summer flew against the side of the steamboat wharf depot, at Say-
brook, Coini. Stunned hy the concussion it fell and was picked up.
It had l)een noticed for several days, flying about the mouth of the
river, as something unusual."* Professor Sanborn Tenney states that
a specimen was killed as far inland as the northwestern corner of
Massachusetts ("near the Hoosac river") in September, 1876. f These
two are, so far as I am aware, the only I'ecorded instances of its cap-
ture in New England. Mr. Frederick T. Jencks, of Providence, R. I.,
writes me that he took a particularly beautiful specimen at Point
Judith, li. I., last fall. Through the kindness of several friends I am
enabled to add five Connecticut examples to those given above, thus
increasing the total number ascertained to have occurred in New
England to eight, six of which were killed in this State. Four of
these I have myself seen. The circumstances connected with the
ca})ture of these specimens are as follows : Two adult birds killed
themselves, last September (ISVe), by flying against the lighthouse

* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. ii, No. 1, p. 22, Jan., 1877.
f Am. Nat, vol. xi, No. 4, p. '243, April. 1877.

(J. H. Merrkun — Birds of (■onnectinit. 135

tower at Faulkner's Island. One of thciu is now in the eollection of
Captain O. N. Brooks, of that place; Mr. Elbert Coe, of Stony Creek,
Conn,, has a mounted specimen which Avas killed there witli a stone,
late in the summer (1876) ; Mr. Norinan Elmore, of Granby, Conn.,
has just sent me, for examination, a bird of this species that was
taken in that vicinity, September 20th, IS76. The llev. J. Howard
Ilaiul writes me that it was procured in a singular place and manner:
" It was knocked down with a stick by a gentleman who was netting
wild pigeons. He first saw it, I think, on the pigeon poles. He got
it alive, but of course could not get it to eat, and after keeping it two
or three days it died." This and the one killed 1)y Elbert Coe, Esq.,
are both in the young-of-the-year plumage, as described by Cones.*
It is a singular fact that all these specimens were killed last fall, and
probably all in September.

279. Hydrochelidon lariformis (Linne) Cones. Black Tern; Short-

tailed Tern.

A rare visitor, occurring chiefly in fall. Though essentially an
inland species, it is sometimes found along the coast during migra-
tions. Ca])tain Brooks took one specimen near Goose Island, Conn.,
about twelve years ago — the only one he has ever seen. Mr. George
Bird Grinnell informs me that his brother shot a bird of this S2)ecies,
late in August, near Milford, Conn.

Note. — Several species of Terns, not mentioned above, doubtless
occur within our limits. Sterna anglica {ariuica of Wilson), S. can-
tiaca {(uniflavida of Cabot), aS'. caspia and aS'. regia are to be looked
for as rare visitors from the South, while S. Forsteri probably occurs
occasionally in fall, and Xema Sabinl may be met with as a rare
straggler from the North.

Family, PROCELLARIID^.

280. CymOChorea leucorrhoa (ViciUot) Cones. Leaclvs Petrel.

Tolerably common off" the coast in summer, but is more frequently
seen outside than in the Sound. I am informed by Captain Brooks
that it is " occasionally seen during the summer months cruisino- in
the vicinity of Faulkner's Island." Dr. Crary, of Hartford, Conn.

* Birds of the Northwest, p. (599, IS 74.

(/. II. Merricmi — Birds of Connecticut.

informs mc that one was shot, October 2'7th, 185 7, by George Meigs,
on the Connecticut River, above Hartford. Since writing the above
I have twice seen it, on the Sound, in the vicinity of Faulkner's
Ishmd, and near New Haven. I am inclined to believe that a few
breed on some of the islands oft' our coast.

281. Oceanites OCeanica (Kuhl.) Cones. Wilson's Petrel.

Not common ; occiirs oft" tlie coast in summer. Linsley says that
he has seen this species " not only in our Sound, but even west
of Stratford, and sitting quietly upon the water," and further
states that he once caught a specimen "at sea, by floating about two
hundred feet of thread in the air, against which it ftew, and thus
became entangled and taken."*

282. Puffinus major Faber. Greater Shearwater.

Not rare in winter off the coast, but generally keeps outside the
Sound. Linsley found it common about Stonington in the southeast
corner of the State. In the Museum of Wesleyan University, at
Middletown, is the head of a bird of this species which is said to
have been killed at Granby, Conn.

Family, COLYMBID^.

283. ColymbuS torquatUS Brnnn. Loon; Great Northern Diver.

A tolerably common winter resident. Arrives from the North in
October, remaining till April or May (April 29, 1876, Osborne). I
have a beautiful specimen killed at Branford, Conn., April 23d, 1875,
and presented to me by Dr. Wm. H. Hotchkiss. It has been known
to breed on a pond at Easthampton, Conn. (W. G. Buell).

284. Colym.buS septentrionalis Linne. Red-throated Diver.

A common winter resident. Arrives from the North in October,
remaining till May, and Mr. Nichols informs me that he saw one as
late as June 2d (1877). Frequently killed by gunners while duck-
shooting on the Sound, but, as Cai^tain Bi-ooks writes, " you seldom
ofet one with the red throat."

* Am. Jonr. Sei. Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, . 272, April, 1843.

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut. 137

Note. — Colymhui^ Arctints may possibly occur as an extremely
rare winter visitor from the far north, but I am imable, as yet, to find
sufficient evidence of its capture within our limits, although there is
a specimen so labelled in the Museum at Middletown. I cannot
believe this to be anything- more than an immature Colymbus septen-
trio/udis, with the thi'oat tinged with black.

Family, PODICIPID^.

285. Podiceps CristatUS (Linne) Latham. Crested Grebe.

Tolerably common during the migrations and in winter. Recorded
by Linsley from Stratford, Conn. W. W. Coe and J. H. Sage have
each sj^ecimens of this species taken hei-e in winter. Dr. Wood, of
East Windsor Hill, tells me that he has had but four specimens from
that locality, and that they were all caught by hand in winter;
having alighted in the snow they were unable to rise.

286. Podiceps griseigena, var. Holbolli (Reinh.) Coues. Red-necked
Grebe.

A rather rare winter resident. Captain Bi'ooks says he has not
seen one for years. Occurs both on fresh and salt water. Linsley
took it at Stratford. Mr. J. H. Sage has a specimen which he took
at Saybrook, Conn., February 23d, 1875. Dr. Wood has a very
handsome specimen, in full plumage, shot near East Windsor some
yeai's ago. I am informed by Dr. Crary, of Hartford, Conn., that
one was shot in that vicinity, by Jerry Crocker, October 19th, 1860.

287. Podiceps COrnutUS Latham. Horned Grebe.

A common winter resident. Found on the coast as well as on
lakes and ponds in the interior. Arrives in September or October,
remaining till May.

288. Podilymbns podiceps (Linne) Lawrence. Pied-billed Dabchick;
Hell Diver.

A summer resident ; common during the migrations. Found
chiefly on fresh water, but is not rare on the Sound. Arrives from
the North in September, remaining into November (and a few may
winter). Mr. Geo. Bird Grinnell tells me that it breeds within the
State.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 18 Aug., 1877.

188 C. H. Merriam — Birdn of (. Connecticut.

Family, ALCID^:.

289. Utamania torda (Linne) Leach. Razor-billed Auk.
A rare winter visitor in the Sound.

290. MerguluS alle (Llnne) YieiUot. Sea Dove; Dovekie.

A rare winter visitor on our coast. Prof. G. Brown Goode pub-
lished the first authentic record of the capture of this species within
the limits of the State. He states that, at Middletown, during a
severe northeast storm, about the middle of November, 1871, "two
individuals were captured in full winter plumage, and plump, though
with empty stomachs. Their occurrence thirty miles inland is some-
wliat remarkable. Allen records the capture of a single specimen at
Greenfield, Mass., on the Connecticut, and Linsley places the species
among the birds of Connecticut on the strength of one captured near
Martha's Vineyard,"* Mass. Several others were secured at Middle-
town, by W. W. Coe and J. H. Sage, during this same storm during
which Mr. Goode's were taken, and Mr. Sage has still another, cap-
tured there November 25th, 1874, in a gale. One was taken at Say-
brook at the same time. Dr. Wood, of East Windsor Hill, showed
me a specimen of this species, shot near Portland, Conn., November
10th, 1849. Two other individuals were killed on a pond at Walling-
ford. Conn., in September, 1S74, by Wm. F. Lane, Esq. It is occa-
sionally taken as far south as Egg Harbor, New Jersey.f

291. Lomvia troile (Linne) Brandt. Foolish Guillemot ; Murre.

A rare winter visitant in the Sound, though common enough out-
side. Captain Brooks took one near Faulkner's Island, Conn., "about
eight years ago."

Note. — The Great Auk (Alca impennis Linne), supposed now to
be extinct, was formerly, without doubt, a winter visitor to our coast.
Aside from the three species of Alcidce given above, as occurring
within our limits, several others have been found still farther south
and may be looked for in winter ofl" Stonington, Conn., and perhaps
even in the Sound. These are : Fratercula Arctica., Uria grylle, and
Lomvia arra.

* Am. Nat., vol. vi, No. 1, p. 49, Jan. 1872.

f Birds of East Penn. and New Jersey. By Wm. P. Tiirnbull, p. 48, 1869.

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticat.

139

B, List of the Families of Birds noto found in the State of Connec-
tieut, with the numher of their representati'oe species.

Species.

1 Turdidffi, 8

2 Saxicolidffi, . 1

3 Sylviidaj, 3

4 Paridse, 3

5 Sittidfe, 2

6 Certhiidse, 1

7 Troglodytidee, 4

8 Alaudidce, 1

9 Motacillida\ 1

10 SyMcolidas, 34

] 1 Tauagridse, 2

1 2 IlirundinidaB, 6

13 Ampelidas, 2

14 Yireouida;, 5

15 Laniid;e, 2

16 Fringillidce 32

17 Icteridse, 8

18 Corvidte. 3

19 Tyrannidje, 10

20 Caprimulgida;, 2

2 1 Cypselidge, 1

22 Trochilidffi, 1

23 Alcedinidffi, 1

24 Cuculidge, 2

Species.

25 Picidffi 8

26 Strigidffi, ]1

27 Falconidaj, 15

28 Cathartida-, 1

29 Columtaida;, ... 2

30 TetraonidEe, 2

31 Charadrlidfe, 6

32 Hseraatopodidae, 2

33 Recurvirostridce, 1

34 Phalaropodidae, 2

35 Scolopacidte, 24

36 TantalidjB, 2

37 Ardeidai, 8

38 Rallida3, 9

39 Anatida, 32

40 Sulidte, 2

41 Plialacrocoracida3, 2

42 Tachypetidffi;, ... 1

43 Laridffi, 14

44 Procellariidce, 3

45 Colymbidag, 2

46 Podicipida;, 4

47 Alcidse, 3

c.

Special Lists, giving, in talmlar form, the residents, summer and

winter visitants, migrants, etc.

(a.) Summer Residents.

1. Species known to breed.

1

Turdus migratorius.
Turdus miistelinus.
Turdus fuscescens.
Mimus Carolinensis.
Harporhynchus rufus.
Sialia sialis.
Parus atricapillus.
Sitta Caroliuensis.
Oerthia familiaris.

10 Troglodytes aedon.

1 1 Telmatodji;es palustris.

12 Cistothorus stellaris.*

13 Mniotilta varia.

] 4 Parula Americana.

15 Helmitherus vermivorus.

16 Helminthophaga pinus.

17 TIelmintliophaga chrysoptera.*

18 Helminthophaga ruficapilla.

19 Dendroeea testiva.

20 Dendroeea virens.*

21 Dendroeea cferulescens.*

22 Dendroeea Blackburniaj.*

23 Dendroeea Pennsylvanica.

24 Dendroeea discolor.

25 Dendroeea pinus.

26 Siurus auricapiUua.

27 Siurus motacilla.

28 Geothlypis trichas.

29 Icteria virens.

30 ]\tyiodioctes mitratus.

31 Myiodioctes Canadensis.*

32 Setophaga ruticilla.

33 Pyranga rubra.

34 Hirundo horreorum.

35 Tachycineta bicolor.

36 Petrochelidou lunifrons.

37 Cotyle riparia.

38 Progne purpurea.

39 Ampelis cedrorum.

40 Vireo olivaceus.

* An asterisk placed after a species indicates that it does not breed abundantly.

140

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

41 Vireo gilvus.

89

Bubo Virginianus.

42 Vireo fiavifrons.*

90

Scops asio.

43 Vireo solitarius.

91

Otus vulgaris, var. Wilsonianus

44 Vireo Noveboracensis.

92

Brachyotus palustris.

45 Carpodacus purpureas.

93

Syrnium nebulosum.

46 Chrysomitris tristis.

94

Nyctale Acadica.

47 Passerculus Savanna.

95

Circus cyaneus, var. Hudsonius

48 Pooecetes gramineus.

96

Aceipiter fuscus.

49 Coturniculus passerinus.

97

Accipiter Cooperi.

50 Coturniculus Henslowi.*

98

Falco communis.*

61 Ammodromus maritimus.

99

Falco sparverius.*

52 Ammodromus caudacutus.

100

Buteo borealis.

53 Melospiza palustris.

101

Buteo lineatus.

54 Melospiza nielodia.

102

Buteo Peunsylvanicus.

55 Melospiza Lincolni.*

103

Pandion haliaetus.

56 Spizella socialis.

104

Ilaliaetus leucocephalus.*

ST Spizella pusilla.

105

Ectopistes migratorius.

58 Passer domesticus.

106

Zena3dura Carolinensis.

59 Euspiza Americana.*

107

Bonasa urabellus.

60 Groniaphea Ludoviciaua.

108

Ortyx Virginianus.

61 Cyanospiza cyanea.

109

iEgialitis vocifera.

62 Pipilo erythrophthalmus.

110

^gialitis meloda.

63 Dolichonyx oryzivorus.

111

Philohela minor.

64 Molothrus pecoris.

112

Gallinago Wilsoni.*

65 Agelseus phoeniceus.

113

Totanus semipalmatus.*

66 Sturnella magna.

114

J]reunetes pusillus.*

67 Icterus spurius.

115

Tringoides macularius.

68 Icterus Baltimore.

116

Actiturus Bartramius.

69 Quiscalus purpureus.

117

Ardea herodias.*

70 Corvus Americanus.

118

Ardea virescens.

71 Cyanurus cristatus.

119

Nyctiardea grisea, var. mevia.

72 Tyrannus Carolinensis.

120

Botaurus minor.

73 Myiarchus crinitus.

121

Ardetta exilis.

74 Sayornis fuscus.

122

Rallus longirostris.

75 Contopus virens.

123

Rallus elegans.

76 Empidonax Traillii.

124

Rallus Virginianus.

77 Empidonax minimus.

125

Porzana Carolina.

78 Antrostomus vociferus.

126

Porzana Noveboracensis.*

79 Cliordeiles Virginianus.

127

Porzana Jamaicensis.*

80 Chfetura pelagica.

128

Gallinula galeata.

81 Trochilus colubris.

129

Anas obscura.

82 Ceryle alcyou.

130

Aix sponsa.

83 Coccyzus erythrophthalmus.

131

Harelda glacialis.*

84 Coccyzus Americanus.

132

Sterna hirundo.

85 Picus villosus.

133

Sterna Dougalli.

86 Picus pubescens.

134 Colymbus torquatus.*

87 Melanerpes erythrocephalus.*

135

Podilymbus podiceps.

88 Colaptes auratus.

ISpecies lohich prohahly breed occasionally, but are not known to do so.

1 Mimus polyglottus.

2 Polioptila ca^rulea.

3 Lophophanes bicolor.

4 Thryothorus Ludovicianus.

5 Dendroeca c;Brulea.

6 Dendroeca Dominica.

7 Siurus nfevius.

8 Oporornis formosus.

9 Pyranga sestiva.

10 Stelgidoptervx serripennis.

11 Cardinalis Virginianus.

12 Contopus borealis.

13 Empidonax Acadicus.

14 Sphyrapicus varius.

15 Centurus Carolinus.

16 Strix fiammea, var. Americana.

17 Falco columbarius.

18 yEgialitis AVilsonia.

19 Totanus solitarius.

20 Sterna superciliaris, var. Antillarum.

2 1 Cymochorea leucorrhoa.

J

C. H. Merricmi — Birds of Connecticut.

141

(b.) Resident Species.

1 Turdus migratorius.

2 Sialia sialis.

3 Parus atricapillus.*

4 Sitta Caroliiieusis.*

5 Certhia familiaris.*

6 Ampelis cedrorum.

7 Carpodacus purpureas.

8 Chrysomitris tristis.

9 Melospiza melodia.

10 Spizella socialis.

1 1 Passer domesticus.*

12 Molothrus pecoris.

13 Agekeus phoeniceus.

14 Sturnella magna.

15 Corvus Americanus.

16 Cyanurus cristatus.*
n Ceryle alcyon.

18 Pious villosus.*

19 Picus pubescens.*

20 Melanerpes erythrocephalus.

21 Colaptes auratus.

22 Bubo Virginianus.*

23 Scops asio.*

24 Otus vulgaris, var. Wilsonianus.*

25 Brachyotus palustris.*

26 Syrnium nebulosum.*

27 Nyctale Acadica.*

28 Falco communis.

29 Falco columbarius.

30 Falco sparverius.

31 Buteo borealis.

32 Buteo lineatus.

33 Buteo Pennsylvanicus.

34 Haliaetus leucocephalus.

35 Zensedura Caroliuensis.

36 Bonasa umbellus.*

37 Ortyx Virginianus.*

38 Philohela minor.

39 Anas obscura.

40 llarelda glacialis.

41 Larus argeutatus, var. Smithsonianus.

(c.) Migrants not known to breed.

(Some of these winter.)

1 Turdus Pallasi.

2 Turdus Swainsoni.
2«Turdus Swainsoni, var. Alicia;.

3 Regulus calendula.

4 Regulus satrapa.

5 Anorthura troglodytes, var. hyemalis.

6 Anthus Ludovicianus.

7 Helmintliophaga peregrina.

8 Dendroeca coroiiata.

9 Dendroeca striata.

10 Dendroeca castanea.

11 Dendroeca maculosa.

12 Dendroeca tigrini.

13 Dendroeca palmarura.

14 Siurus na^vius.

1 5 Oporornis agilis.

16 Geothlj'pis Philadelphia.

17 Myiodioctes pusillus.

18 Passerculus princeps.

19 .Junco hyemalis.

20 Spizella monticola.

21 Zonotrichia albicollis.

22 Zonotrichia leucophrys.

23 Passerella iliaca.

24 Scolecophagus ferrugineus.

25 Contopus liorealis.

26 Empidoiiax tiaviventris.

27 Sphyrapicus varius.

28 Aquila chrysaetus.

29 Squatarola Helvetica.

30 Charadrius fulvus, var. Virginicus.

31 .^gialitis semipalmata.

32 Hfematopus palliatus.

33 Strepsilas interpres.

34 Recurvirostra Americana.

35 Phalaropus fulicarius.

36 Macrorhamphus griseus.

37 Tringa minutilla.

38 Tringa maculata.

39 Tringa fuscicoUis.

40 Tringa maritima.

41 Tringa alpina.

42 Tringa subarquata.

43 Tringa canutus.

44 Calidris areuaria.

45 Limosa fedoa.

46 Limosa Hudsonica.

47 Totanus mekmoleucus.

48 Totanus flavipes.

49 Totanus solitarius.

50 Trvngites rufescens.

51 Numenius longirostris.

52 Numenius Hudsonicus.

53 Numenius borealis.

54 Fulica Americana.

55 Anser hyperboreus.

* Those marked with an asterisk are resident individually, while the others are
represented here, in winter, by individuals which probably breed much farther north.

142

C. H. Merrimn — Birds of Connecticut.

56 Branta bernicla.

57 Brauta Canadensis.

57" Branta Canadensis, var. Hutcliinsii.

58 Anas boschas.

59 Dafila acuta.

60 Chaulelasmus streperus.

61 Mareca Americana.

62 Querquedula Carolinensis.
6i5 Querquedula diseors.

64 Spatula clypeata.

65 Fuligula marila.

66 Fuligula affinis.

67 Fuligula collaris.

68 Fuligula ferina, var. Americana.

69 Fuligula vallisneria.

70 Bucephala clangula.

71 Bucephala Islandica.

72 Bucephala albeola.

90

ffidemia Americana.

CEdemia fusca.

(Edemia perspicillata.

Krismatura rubida.

Mergus merganser.

Mergus serrator.

Mergus cucuUatus.

Graculus carbo.

Graculus dilophus.

Larus tridactylus.

Larus atricilla.

Larus Philadelphia.

Sterna macroura.

Sterna superciliaris, var. .Vutillarum.

Hydrochelidon lariformis.

(^olymbus septentrionalis.

Podiceps cristatus.

Podiceps cornutus.

(d.) Wintek kesidents, more or less regular.*

1 Eegulus satrapa.

2 Sitta Canadensis.

3 Anorthura troglodytes, var. hyemalis.

4 Eremophila alpestris.

5 Dendroeca coronata.

6 Collurio borealis.

7 Pinicola enucleator.

8 Plectrophanes nivalis.

9 Spizella monticola.

10 Junco hyemalis.

1 1 Zonotriehia albicollis.

12 N^^ctea Scandiaca.
l.S Astur atricapillus.

] 4 Archibuteo lagopus, var. Sancti-
Joliannis.

15 Tringa maritima.

1 6 Branta bernicla.

1 7 Branta Canadensis.

18 Dafila acuta.

19 Fuligula marila.

20 Fuligula affinis.

21 Bucephala clangula.

22 Bucephala albeola.

23 Harelda glacialis.

24 CEdemia Americana.

25 (Edemia fusca.

26 ffidemia perspicillata.

27 Mergus serrator.

28 Mergus cucuUatus.

29 Graculus carbo.

30 Larus marinus.

31 Larus argentatus.

32 Larus Delawarensis.

33 Colymbus torquatus.

34 Colymbus septentrionalis.

35 Podiceps cristatus.

36 Podiceps cornutus.

(e.) Winter visitants, more or less irregular.

1 Lophophanes bicolor.

2 Parus Hudsonicus.

3 Ampelis garrulus.

4 Loxia leucoptera.

5 Loxia curvirostra, var. Americana.

6 ^giothus linaria.

7 Chrysomitris pinus.

8 Plectrophanes Lapponicus.

9 Passerculus prineeps.

1 Zonotriehia leucophrys.

1 1 Hylotomus pileatus.

12 Picoides Arcticus.

13 Syrnium cinereum.

14 Surnia ulula, var. Hudsonia.

15 Nyctale Tengmalmi, var. Richardsoni.

16 Aquila chrysaetus.

17 CygDus Americanus.

18 Anser hyperboreus.

19 Bucephala Islandica.

20 Camptohumus Labradorius.

21 Somateria mollissima.

22 Somateria spectabilis.

23 Sula bassana.

24 Stercorarius parasiticus.

25 Stercorarius Buffoni.

26 Larus tridactylus.

27 Puffinus major.

28 Podiceps griseigena, var. Ilolbolli.

29 Utamania torda.
:iO Mergulus alle.
31 Lomvia troile.

* This list does not include resident species.

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

143

(f.) Irregular Summer Visitants.

1 Mimns polyglottus.

2 Polioptila cjerulea.

3 Lophophaues bicolor.

4 Dendroeca ca?rulea.

5 Dendroeca Dominica.

6 Oporoniis formosus.

7 Pyranga ;estiva.

8 Stelgidopteryx serripennis.

9 Euspiza Americana.

10 Cardinalis Virginianus.

1 1 Corviis ossifragus.

12 Milvuhis forflcatus.
IH Empidonax Acadicns.

14 Oenturus Caroliniis.

15 Strix flammea, var. Americana.

Ordi

16 Cathartes aura.

17 yt]gia litis Wilsonia.

18 Ibis falcinellus, var.

19 Ibis alba.

20 vVrdea egretta.

21 Ardea candidissima.

22 Ardea cicrulea.

2.3 Porzana Jamaicensis.

24 Porpliyrio Martinica.

25 Sola fiber.

2G Tacliypetes aquilus.

27 Sterna fuliginosa.

28 Hydrochelidon lariformis.

29 Oymochorea leiicorrhoa.

30 Oceanites oceanica.

(g.) Rark Accidental Visitors.

1 Mimus polyglottus.

2 Polioptila ca?rulea.

3 Lophophanes bicolor.

4 Parus Hudsonicus.

5 Oporornis formosus.

6 Pyranga ; estiva.

7 Stelgidopteryx serripennis.

8 Ampelis garrulus.

9 Collurio Ludovicianus.

1 Euspiza Americana.*

1 1 Cardinalis Virginianus.

12 Corvus ossifragus.

13 Milvulus forflcatus.

14 Hylotomus pileatus.

15 Picoides Arcticus.

16 Centurus Oarolinus.

17 Strix flammea, var. Americana.

18 Syrnium cinereum.

19 Surnia ulula, var. Hudsonia.

20 Nyctale Tengmalmi, var. Richardsoni.

21 Aquila chrysaetus.

22 yEgialitis Wilsonia.

23 Steganopus Wilsoni.

24 Plialaropus fulicarius.

25 Limosa Iludsonica.

26 Ibis falcinellus, var. Ordii.

27 Ibis alba.

28 Ardea egretta.

29 Ardea candidissima.

30 Ardea ca=rulea.

31 Porzana Jamaicensis.

32 Porpliyrio Martinica.

33 Cygnus Americanus.

34 Bucephala Islandica.

35 Camptohcmus Labradorius.

36 Somateria mollissima.

37 Somateria spectabilis.

38 Sula bassana.

39 Sula flber.

40 Tachypetes aquilus.

41 Stercorarins parasiticus.

42 Stercorarins Buffoni.

43 Sterna fuliginosa.

44 Utamania torda.

45 Mergulus alle.

46 Lomvia troile.

(h.) Rare and Irregular Migrants.

Passerculus princeps ?
^gialitis "Wilsonia.
Ha?matopus palliatus.
Steganopus Wilsoni.
Phalaropus fulicarius.

6 Tringa subarquata.

7 Limosa fedoa.

8 Limosa Hudsonica.

9 Numenius borealis.
10 Cygnus Americanus.

11 Anser hyperboreus.

12 Anas boschas.

13 Chaulelasmus streperus.

14 Fuligula collaris.

15 Fuligula ferina, var. Americana.

16 Fuligula vallisneria.

17 Bucepliala Islandica.

18 Sterna macroura.

19 Hydrochelidon lariformis.

* Although Linsley gives this species as "very common" at New Haven (in 1842),
it has not since been met with, either by myself or any other collector in the State, so
far as I am aware. Hence I am forced to regard its occurrence, at present, as purely
accidental, and this without doubting Linsley's statement that it was once common.
Indeed, I have recently seen two of Linsley's mounted specimens.

144

V. H. Merriam — Birds of Connectictit.

D. An Analysis of Linsley's " Catalogue.''''

In the year 1843, the Rev. James H. Linsley published, in the American Journal of
Science and Arts, "J. Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut, arranged according to their,
natural families.''''* In this Catalogue Mr. Linsley enumerates 302 species, this num-
ber including both those that had already been detected within our limits and those
whose presence he thought likely (judging from their occurrence in contiguous States)
future investigation might reveal. He likewise included the introduced and domesti-
cated species — such as the California Q\iail, Pea Cock, Guinea Fowl, the various races
of the domestic Pigeon {Columba livia Linne), and the common barn -yard fowl,
numbering them with our native birds. Many species are given twice, and some
even three times, the immature and seasonal plumages having been mistaken for
distinct species. There are also a few doubtful forms, and at least two had been
extermiuated before his paper was written.f Hence it is that a critical examination
of this list at once enables us to eliminate 63 species, thus reducing the total number
from 302 to 239.:|:

(a.) List op those species given by Linsley in his " Catalogue of the Birds of
Connecticut, " concerning the occurrence op which he probably had

SUFFICIENT PROOF.

1 Turdus migratorius.

2 Turdus mustelinus.

3 Turdus Pallasi.

4 Turdus fuscescens.

5 Mimus polyglottus.

6 Mimus Carolinensis.

7 Harporhynchus rufus.

8 Sialia sialis.

9 Regulus calendula.

10 Regulus satrapa.

11 Polioptila cierulea.

12 Lophophanes bicolor.

13 Parus atricapillus.

14 Sitta Carohnensis.

15 Sitta Canadensis.

16 Certhia familiaris.

17 Troglodytes aedon.

18 Anorthura troglod}i;es, var. hyemali-s.

19 Telmatodytes palustris.

20 Cistothorus stellaris.

21 Eremophila alpestris.

22 Anthus Ludovicianus.

23 Mniotilta varia.

24 Parula Americana.

25 Helmitherus vermivorus.

26 Helminthophaga ruficapilla.

27 Dendroeca asstiva.

28 Dendrceca virens.

29 Dendroeca cserulescens.

30 Dendrceca cffirulea.

31 Dendrceca coronata.

32 Dendroeca Blackburnias.

33 Dendroeca striata.

34 Dendroeca castanea.

35 Dendroeca Pennsylvanica.

36 Dendroeca maculosa.

37 Dendroeca tigrina

38 Dendrceca discolor.

39 Dendrceca pahnarum.

40 Dendroeca pinus.

41 Siurus auricapillus.

42 Siurus ntevius.

43 GeothljT)is trichas.

44 Icteria virens.

45 Myiodioctes mitratus.

46 Myiodioctes Canadensis.

47 Setophaga ruticilla.

48 Pyranga rubra.

49 Pyranga asstiva.

50 Hirundo horreorum.

51 Tachycineta bicolor.

52 Cotyle riparia.

53 Progne purpurea.

54 Ampelis cedrorum.

55 Virea olivaceus.

56 Vireo gilvus.

57 Vireo flavifrons.

58 Vireo solitarius.

59 Vireo Noveboracensis.

60 Collurio borealis.

* Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, pp. 249-274, April, 1843.

■j- Namely : the "Wild Turkey {Meleagris gallopavo) and the Pinnated Grouse or
Prairie Chicken ( Gapidonia cupiido).

i The collection of birds given by Linsley to the Yale Natural History Society, and
kept for many years in the Yale Medical School, has recently been transferred to the
Peabody Museum of Yale College.

G. II. Merriimi — Birds of Comtecticiit.

145

61 Pinicola enucleator.

62 Carpodacus purpureus.

63 Loxia curvirostra, var. Americana.

64 ^giothus linaria.

65 Chrysomitris pinus.
C6 Chrysomitris tristis.

67 Plectrophanes nivalis.

68 Passerculus Savanna.

69 Pooecetes gramineus.

70 Coturniculus passe rinus.

71 Ammodromus maritimus.

72 Ammodromus caiidacutus.

73 Melospiza palustris.

74 Melospiza melodia.

75 Junco hyemalis.

76 Spizella monticola.

77 Spizella socialis.

78 Spizella pusilla.

79 Zonotrichia albicoUis.

80 Zonotrichia leucophrys.

81 Passerella iliaca.

82 Euspiza Americana.

83 Goniaphia Ludoviciana.

84 Cyanospiza cyanea.

85 Cardinalis Virginianus.

86 Pipilo erythrophthalmus.

87 Dolichonyx oryzivorus.

88 Molothrus pecoris.

89 Agelaeus phoeniceus.

90 Sturnella magna.

91 Icterus spurius.

92 Icterus Baltimore.

93 Scolecophagus ferrugineus.

94 Quiscalus purpureus.

95 Corvus Americanus.

96 Corvus ossifragus.

97 Cyanurus cristatus.

98 Tyrannus Carolinensis.

99 Mjaarchus crinitus.

100 Sayornis fuscus.

101 Contopus borealis ?

102 Contopus virens.

103 Empidonax Traillii.

104 Empidonax minimus ('' Acadicus").

105 Antrostomus vociferus.

106 Chordeiles Virginianus. '

107 Chfetura pelagica.

108 Trochilus colubris.

109 Ceryle alcyon.

110 Coccyzus erythrophthalmus.

111 Coccyzus Americanus.

112 Hylotomus pileatus.

113 Picus villosus.

1 14 Picus pubescens.

115 Sphyrapicus varius.

116 Centurus Carolinus.

117 Melanerpes erythrocephalus.

118 Colaptes auratus.

119 Strix flammea, var. Americana.

120 Bubo Virginianus.

121 Scops asio.

122 Otus vulgaris, var. Wilsonianiis.

123 Brachyotus palustris.
Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV.

124 Syrnium cinereum.

125 Syrnium nebulosum.

126 Nyctea Scandiaca.

127 Nyctale Acadica.

128 Circus cyaneus, var. Hudsonius.

1 29 Accipiter fuscus.

130 Falco communis.

131 Falco columbarius.

132 Falco sparverius.

133 Buteo borealis.

134 Buteo lineatus.

135 Buteo Pennsylvanicus.

136 Archibuteo lagopus, var. Sancti-

Johannis.

137 Pandion haliaetus.

138 Haliaetus leucocephalus.

139 Cathartes aura.

140 Ectopistes migratorius.

141 Zensedura Carolinensis.

142 Bonasa umbellus.

143 Ortyx Virginianus.

144 Squatarola Helvetica.

145 Charadrius fulvus, var. Virginicus.

146 ^gialitis vocifera?

147 ^gialitis Wilsonia.

148 ^gialitis semipalmata.

149 ^gialitis meloda.

150 Hajmatopus palliatus.

151 Strepsilas interpres.

152 Steganopus Wilsoni.

153 Philohela minor.

1 54 Gallinago Wilsoni.

155 Macrorhamphus griseus.

156 Ereunetes pusillus.

157 Triuga minutilla.

158 Tringa maculata.

159 Tringa fuscicollis.

160 Tringa alpina, var. Americana.

161 Tringa canutus.

162 Calidris arenaria.

163 Limosa fedoa.

164 Limosa Hudsonica.

165 Totanus semipalmatus.

1 66 Totanus melanoleucus.

167 Totanus flavipes.

168 Totanus solitarius.

169 Tringoides macularius.

170 Actiturus Bartramius.

171 Numenius longirostris.

172 Numenius Hudsonicus.

173 Numenius borealis.

174 Ibis falcinellus, var. Ordii.

175 A rdea herodias.

176 Ardea candidissima.

177 Ardea cserulea.

178 Ardea viiescens.

179 Nyctiardea grisea, var. naevia.

180 Botaurus minor.

181 Ardetta exilis.

182 Rallus longirostris.

183 Rallus elegans.

184 Rallus Virginianus.

1 85 Porzana Carolina.

19 Oct., 1877.

146

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

186 Porzana Noveboracensis.

187 Fulica Americana.

188 C_vgnus Americanus.

189 Auser hyperboreus.

190 Branta bernida.

191 Branta Canadensis.

1 9"2 Branta Canadensis, var llutchinsii.

193 Anas boschas.

194 Anas obscura.

195 Dafila acuta.

196 Cliaulelasmus streperus.

197 Mareca Americana.

1 98 Querqiiedula Carolineusis.

199 Querquedula discors.

200 Spatula clypeata.

201 Aix sponsa

202 Fuligula marila

203 Fuligula coliaris.

204 Fuligula ferina, var. Americana.

205 Fuligula vallisneria.

206 Bucephala clangula.

207 Bucephala albeola.

208 Harelda glacialis.

209 Camptolfemus Labradorius.

210 Somateria mollissima.

211 Somateria spectabilis.

2 1 2 (Edemia Americana.

213 (Edemia fusca.

214 ffidemia perspicillata.

215 Erismatura rubida.

216 Mergus merganser.

217 Mergus serrator.

218 Mergus cucullatus.

219 Sula bassana.

220 Sula fiber.

221 Graculus carbo.

222 Graculus dilophus.

223 Stercorarius parasiticus.

224 Larus marinus.

225 Larus argentatus, var. Smithsonianua

226 Larus atricilla.

227 Larus Philadelphia.

228 Sterna hirundo.

229 Stern:! superciliaris. var. Antillarum

230 Oceanites oceanica.

231 Puffinus major.

232 Colymbus torquatus.

233 Colymbus septentrionalis.

234 Podiceps cristatus.

235 Podiceps griseigena, var. HolboUi.

236 Podiceps cornutus.

237 Podilyrabus podiceps.

238 Utamania torda.

239 Uria grylle.

(b.) List of those species given by Linsley in his " Catalogue of the Birds of
Connecticut" concerning the occurrence of which he did not have suf-
ficient PROOF.

1 Helmitherus Swainsoni.

2 Helminthophaga chrysoptera.

3 Dendroeca Dominica.

4 ([)porornis agilis.

5 Petrochelidon lunifrons.

6 Ampelis garrulus.

7 Collurio Ludovicianus.

8 Collurio Ludovicianus, var. excubito-

roides.

9 Loxia leucoptera.

10 Quiscalus major.

11 Picoides Arcticus

12 Accipiter Cooperi.

13 Recurvirostra Americana.

14 Lobipes hyperboreus.

15 Phalaropus fulicarius.

16 Tringa maritima.

17 Tringa subarquata.

18 Totanus chloropus.

19 Tryngites rufescens.

20 Ardea egretta.

21 Gallinula galeata.

22 Porphyrio Martinica.

23 Branta leucopsis.

24 Histrionicus torquatus.

25 Larus Pelawarensis.

26 Larus tridactylus.

27 Rhynchops nigra.

28 Fulmarus glacialis.

29 Cyraochorea leucorrhoa.

30 Puffinus obscurus.

31 Fratercula Arctica.

32 Mergulus alle.

33 Lomvia troile.

34 Lomvia arra.

(c.) List of those "species" given by Linsley, in his '^Catalogue of the Birds of
Connecticut,'" which represent immature, abnormal, or seasonal, plumages
OF other stated species.

Name used by Linsley.

1 Regulus cristatus = tricolor.

2 Syhna trochilus = festiva.

3 Sylvia sphagnosa = Canadensis.

Modern Equivalents.
Regulus satrapa.
Dendroeca festiva.
Dendroeca cjerulescens.

C. H. Merriam — Birds of Connecticut.

147

Name used by Linsley.

4 Sylvia parus = BlackburnifB.

5 Sylvia autumnalis = castanea.

6 Sylvia Roscoo = trichas.

7 Fringilla ambigua = Icterus pecoris.

8 Strix Scandiaca = Virginica (albino) ?

9 Falco temerarius = columbarius.

10 Falco buteoides = hyemalis.

1 1 Falco chrysaetos ? Liane = leucoceph-

alus.

12 Falco Washiugtoniensis = leucoceph-

alus.

13 Limosa Edwardsii? = lludsonia.

14 Falligula nigra = Americana.

15 Phalacrocorax gTaculus = carbo.

16 Larus capistratus = Bonapartii.

17 Podiceps minor = Carolinensis.

Modern Equivalents.
Dendroeca Blackburnife.
Dendroeca castanea.
G-eothlypis trichas.
Molothrus pecoris.
Bubo Virginianus.
Falco columbarius.
Buteo lineatus.

Haliaetus leucocephalas.

Haliaetus leucocephahis.
Limosa Hudsonica.
CRdemia Americana.
G-raculus carbo.
Larus Philadelphia.
Podilymbus podiceps.

(d.) List of Introduced and Domesticated species given by Linsley, in his
'■'■Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut.''' which scarcely deserve to be men-
tioned among our Native Birds.

1 Columba domestica Linne.

2 Pavo cristatus Linne.

3 Numida meleagris Linne.

4 Gallus domesticus Linne.

5 Lophortyx Oalifornicus Bonaparte.

6 Anas moschata Willough))}\

(e.) List of those species given by Linsley in his ''Catalogue of the Birds of Con-
necticut,'^ WHICH WERE either EXTERMINATED OR DRIVEN BEYOND THE StATE

BEFORE HIS "Catalogue" was written.

1 Meleagris gallopavo Linne.

2 Cupidonia Gupido Baird.

(f.) List of those species given by Linsley in his ''Catalogue of the Birds of Con-
necticut" WHICH were inserted, PROBABLY, ON ERRONEOUS IDENTIFICATION.

1 Quiscalus major Vieillot.*

2 Empidonax Acadicus (Gmelin) Baird. f

3 Sylvia flava Linne.

4 Larus cauus Linne.

5 Larus fuscus Linne.

(g.) List of those species given by Linsley in his "Catalogue of the Birds of Con-
necticut," THE IDENTITY OF WHICH I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE.

1 Sylvia auricollis Latliam.

2 Sylvia flava Linne.

* " Probably a mistake." Cones' Birds of the Northwest, p. 204, 1874.
f Probably E. mirdmns.

148 C. If. Merriam, — Birds of Connectuud.

E, List of the Publications, containing JSFotes oyi tJie Birds of Neto
England, to which reference has been made in the foregoing
Review.

A Description of New-P]ngland, by Captaine John Smith. Printed at London,
1616. [Tract ], vol. ii.]

New Englands Trials. Written by Captaine John Smith, sometimes Governour of
Virginia, and Admirall of New-England. London. Printed by William Tones.
1622.

New England's Plantation. Or a Short and trve description of the commodities
and discommodities of that Countrey. — Written by a reuerend Diuine now there
resident. London, Printed by T. C. and R. G. for Michael Sparke, dwelling at the
Signe of the Blue Bible in Gh~eene Arbor in the little Old Bailey. 1630. [Reprinted
in Peter Force's Historical Tracts, vol. i. Tract 12.]

Gov. Thomas Dudley's Letter to the Countess of Lincoln, March, 1631. Printed in
full in Peter Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii. Tract iv. Washington, 1838.

New English Canaan; Or New Canaan, containing An Abstract of New England.
Composed in three Bookes, etc. Written by Thomas Morton, of Cliffords Inn, Gent.
Upon ten Yeers Knowledge and Experiment of the Country. Printed by Charles
Green. 1632. [Reprinted in Peter Force's Historical Tracts, vol. ii, Tract 5. 1838.]

New Englands Prospect. A true, lively, and experimental! description of that part
of America, commonly called New England ; discovering the state of that Countrie,
both as it stands to our new-come English Planters ; and to the old Native luhabi -
tants. Laying downe that which may both enrich the knowledge of the mind-travel-
ling Reader, or benefit the future Voyager. By William Wood. Printed at London,
etc. 1634.

New-England's Rarities Discovered : in Birds, Beasts, Fislies, Serpents, and Plants
of that Country. [Etc.] By John Josselyn, Gent. London. 1672. [Reprinted in
Archaeologia Americana, vol. iv, pp. 133-238.]

An Account of two Voyages to New-England, etc. By John Josselyn, Gent. The
Second Addition. London. Printed for G. Widdowes at the Green Dragon in St.
Pauls Church -yard, 1675. [Reprinted in Collections of the Massachusetts Historical
Society, vol. iii, 3d Series. 1833.]

Travels into North America; containing its Natural History, and a Circumstantial
Account of its Plantations and Agriculture in general, etc.. etc. By Peter Kalm.
Translated into English, by John Reinhold Forster, F.A.S. Vol. ii. London, 1771.

Arctic Zoology. By Thomas Pennant. Vol. ii. 1785.

The History of New-Hampshire. By Jeremy Belknap, A.M. Vol. iii. Boston,
1791.

The Natural and Civil History of Vermont. By Samuel Williams, LL.D. Pub-
lished according to Act of Congress. Printed at Walpole, New Hampshire, 1794.

A Statistical Account of the County of Middlesex, in Connecticut. By David D.
Field. Published by the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences. Middletown,
Conn. Printed by Clark & Lyman. April, 1819.

American Ornithology. By Alexander Wilson. Edinburgh, 1831.

C. H. Merriam — Bmh of (Jonnectlciit. 149

A Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and (Canada. By Thomas Nutt-
all. 1832.

Report on the Geology, Mineralogy, Botany, and Zoology of Massachusetts. Made
and published by order of the Government of that State, etc. By Edward Hitchcock
(Report on Birds, by Ebenezer Emmons, M.D.). Amlierst, 1833.

The Birds of North America. By John James Audubon. 1831-9.

A Report on the Ornithology of Massachusetts. By "William B. O. Peabody. 1839.

History of Vermont, Natural, Civil, and Statistical. In three parts, with a new map
of the State, and 200 engravings. By Zadock Thompson. Burlington: Chauncey
Goodrich, 1842. Also Appendix to same, puldished in 1853.

A Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut, arranged according to their natural
families. By the Rev. James H. Linsley. [Published in the Am. Jour. Sci. and
Arts, vol. xliv, No. 2, pp. 249-74. April. 1843.]

The Birds of Long Island. By J. P. Girand, Jr. New York, 1844.

The Birds of Essex County, Mass. By F. W. Putnam. [Published in Proceed.
Essex Inst., vol. i, pp. 201-31. 1856.]

A List of Birds observed at Grand Menan and at Yarmouth, N. S., from June 16 to
July 8, 1856. By Dr. Henry Bryant. [From the Proceedings of the Boston Society
of Natural History, vol. vi. March, 1857.]

Birds of North America. By S. F. Baird. [Vol. ix of Pacific Railroad Reports,
1858.J

Catalogue of the Birds found at Norway, Oxford County, Maine. By A. E. Verrill.
With a List of the Birds found in Maine not observed at Norway. [From Proceed-
ings of the Essex Institute, vol. iii. 18G3.]

Catalogue of the Birds found in tlie Vicinity of Calais, Maine, and about the Islands
at the Mouth of the Bay of Fundy. By George A. Boardman. [Edited by Prof. A. E.
Verrill.] [From the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, vol. ix.
Sept., 1862.]

Catalogue of the Birds found at Springfield, Mass., with notes on their Migrations,
Habits, &c. ; together with a List of those Birds found in the State not yet observed
at Springfield. By J. A. Allen. 1864. [From the Proceedings of the Essex Insti-
tute, vol. iv. No. 2, pp. 48-98. July, 1864.]

A Descriptive Catalogue of the Birds of Massachusetts. By E. A. Samuels. 1864.
[From Massachusetts Agricultural Report. 1863.]

Catalogue of Birds found in the vicinity of "Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine.
By Charles E. Hamlin. [Printed in the Tenth Annual report of the Secretary of the
Maine Board of Agriculture, pp. 168-173. 1865.]

History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts : including Lynnfield, Saugus,
Swampscot, and Nahant. By Alonzo Lewis and James R. Newhall. Boston, 1865.

A List of the Birds of New P]ngland. By Elliott Coues, Assistant Surgeon LT. S. A.
[Reprinted from the Proceedings Essex Institute, vol. v.] Salem, Mass. pp. 71.
1868.

The Birds of East Pennsylvania and New Jersey. By William P. Turnbull. 1869.

150 (J. H. Merriam. — Birds of Connecticut.

A Catalogue of the Birds of Coos County, N. H., and Oxford County, Maine. By
C. J. Maynard, with Notes by WiUiam Brewster. Oct., 1871. [From the Proceed
ings of the Boston Society of Natural History, vol. xiv. Oct. 18, 1871. Repaged.]

Key to North American Birds. By Elliott Coues. 1872.

A Partial Catalogue of the Birds of Grand Menau, New Brunswick. By Harold
Herrick. [From the Bulletin of the Essex Institute, vol. v, Nos. 2 and 3. 1873.]

The Birds of Florida. By C. J. Maynard. 1873.

A History of North American Birds. By Baird, Brewer and Ridgwaj^ 1874.
Birds of the Northwest. By Elliott Coues. 1874-5.

The Birds of New England and Adjacent States. By Edward A. Samuels. Bos-
ton, 1875.

A Catalogue of the Birds of New England. By Thomas M. Brewer. 1875.

The Naturalist's Guide. By C. J. Maynard.

The Land and Game Birds of New England. By H. D. Minot. Salem, 1877.

American Journal of Science and Arts. New Haven.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History. New York.

Proceedings of the Essex Institute.

Bidletin Essex Institute.

Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge.

American Naturalist. Salem.

Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club. Cambridge, 187G-7.

New England Farmer.

Hartford Times, for 1861.

Rod and Gun = American Sportsman.

Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Report of the Secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture.

II. A List of Writings relating to the Method of Least
Squares, with historical and critical Notes. By Mansfield
Merriman.

1815 '

' 1824

1825 '

' 1834

1835 '

' 1844

1845

' 1854

1855

' 1864

1865 '

' ISU

The following list contains the titles of 408 papers, books and
parts of books, relating to the Method of Least Squares and the
Theory of accidental Errors of Observation, chronologically arranged
according to their dates of publication. The first was issued in the
year 1722 and the last in 1876. Previous to 1805, the year of Le-
gendre's announcement of the principle of Least Squares, there are
22 titles; since 1805 there is a continual yearly increase in the num-
ber of titles, — thus :

From 1805 to 1814 inclusive, there are 18 titles,

30 "

" 32 "

45 "

63 "

-71 "

95 "

These books and memoirs are in eight languages, and classified
according to the place of publication, they fall under twelve countries.
It may be interesting to note the number belonging to each, viz:

Countries. Languages.

Germany 153 German ■_.. 167

France 78 French 110

Great Britain 56 Enghsh 90

United States 34 Latin 16

Belgium 19 Italian 9

Russia .- 11") Dutch 7

Italy 14 Danish 5

Austria 10 Swedish 4

Switzerland 9

Holland 7 Total 408

Sweden ,... 7

Denmark 5

Total 408

The 408 titles may be roughly classified as 313 memoirs, 72 books
and 23 parts of books. They were written by 193 authors, 127 of
whom produced only one book or uaju'r each.

ir)'2 Mansfield Merrhnan — Lixt of Writings relating

In prejiuriiig this list I have been able to use only the libraries of
Yale College, (including that of the Connecticut Academy of Arts
and Sciences,) but I think no work in those libraries relating to the
subject has been left unconsulted. Out of the total 4U8 works, I
have seen 812 ; the titles of these and the accompanying notes have
been drawn from actual inspection. T have made uo attempt to con-
sult the literature of the Russian and Hungarian languages, and with
wider library facilities the number of titles in the Italian, Dutch and
Scandinavian languages would undoubtedly have been greater. Of
course no work of this kind can be regarded as complete.

It has been my aim to record all Avritings which can be considered
as contributions to the science of the Adjustment of Observations, and
I think that those marked as actually inspected may be truly so
reo-arded. Many works on Astronomy and Probability which devote
but a page or two to the subject, as well as numerous ]>ractical
papers, in which the Method of Least Squares is used incidentally
and briefly, have been left unnoticed ; to record all of these would
be Avell nigh impossible, nor would the value of the list be thereliy
increased. Among the 96 which I have not seen there may possibly
be a few that woidd be rejected after actual inspection.

The following is the arrangement of the list.

At the head of a title is placed the year of publication. In the
case of memoiis this often difters from the date of the vohime in
Avhich they are contained ; for instance. Nautical Almanacs are pub-
lished several years preceding and Transactions of Learned Societies
often several years after the date which they bear. When a memoir
is ])ublished in parts extending over two or more years it is recorded
under the date of the first part.

The author's name follows the date of publication. In the index at
the end of the list the full names of authors are given, and a distinc-
tion is made in the text when two persons of the same surname have
written on the subject.

The titles of books, and pamphlets published as books, are printed
in Italics, and the titles of memoirs in ordinary type. Those which
I have actually inspected have their titles enclosed in single quota-
tion marks (' ') and these are intended to correspond with the

originals in punctuation, spelling and when possible in the use of
capitals.

The place of publication of books is given, with references to sub-
sequent editions or translations. The usual terms 4to, 8vo, etc. are
added, although they give little idea of the size of a book, and the

to the Method of Least Squares. 153

number of pages is noted wlienever I liave been able to ascertain it.
When a single chapter only of a book relates to the subject, the
title of that chapter is treated like a memoir.

After the title of a memoir is placed in italics the title of the
volume containing it. This is abridged in the usual manner, but the
words of the title are never transposed. For instance. Bulletin des
Sciences de la Societe PJiilomathlque de Paris is abridged into Bull.
Soc. Philom. Paris. In a few instances I have added the place of
publication or have prefixed the name of the editor in order to ensure
])erfect clearness. Tlie number of the volume and the pages which
are devoted to the memoir are given; the mention of the year renders
it unnecessary to note the varioiis series.

When the work was begun it was intended to make the notes very
full so as to give a tolerably complete history of the Method of Least
Squares. But as the number of titles began to multiply under
research it became evident that the plan would produce a manuscript
too voluminous foi- publication. The notes were hence abbreviated
into their present form. The work liegun as historical has, I am
afraid, ended by being largely bibliographical.

Sometimes the notes give an account of the contents of a memoir
or an estimate of its value ; sometimes they take the form of a direct
quotation from the memoir itself or state the opinion of some subse-
quent reviewer ; and occasionally they offer critical remarks of my
own. But always they aim to give such cross references as will
enable the student to follow up special lines of investigation and gain
the fullest information concerning a particular memoir or book. Brief
as the notes are, I hope they will be found at least suggestive by
those who use them. To the future historians of mathematical sci-
ence they Avill undoubtedly be of very great value.

The mode of cross reference usually adopted is to mention simply
the year and author. Thus " 1818 Bessel" refers either to a book
published in 1818 by Bessel or to notes under that heading.

The following table points out some of the most valuable papers
on the proofs of the Method of Least Squares :

First publication of the Method see 1805 Legendre.

First and Second Proofs 1808 Adeain.

ThirdProof 1809 Qauss.

Fourth Proof --. 1810 Laplace.

Fifth Proof 1812 Laplace.

Theory and Practice compared 1818 Bessel.

Sixth Proof 1823 Gauss.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 20 Oct., 187*7.

154 Mansfield Merriman — List of Writings relating

Seventh Proof- - see 1825 Ivory.

Eighth Proof --- 1826 Ivory.

Proof of the Arithmetical Mean 1832 Encke.

Ninth Proof 183'? Hagen.

Tenth Proof 1838 Bessel.

Laplace's Proof extended and improved. 1844 Ellis.

Eleventh Proof 1844 Donkin.

Adrain's Second Proof rediscovered 1850 Herschel.

Twelfth Proof 1856 Donkin.

On the Arithmetical Mean 1864 DeMorgan.

[Thirteenth Proof]... 1870 Crofton.

Analysis of several Proofs 1872 Glaisher.

Proof of the Arithmetical Mean 1875 Schiaparelli.

I have drawn information from every source within my reach. On
the Proofs of the Method I have found Glaisher's memoir of 1872
of the greatest value, and while working on the early writers Tod-
hunter's Slstory of Probability was continually before me. It is
here also the place to acknowledge my indebtedness to Prof. H. A.
Newton of Yale College for valuable suggestions and kind assistance.

1722 Cotes, '^stimatio errorum in mixta mathesi, per variationes
partium trianguli plani et sphierici.' Opera vniscellanea (appended
to Harmotiia niensurarum y Cantabrigise, 4to), pp. 1-22. — Memoir
republished, Lemgoviae, 1768, 8vo.

Only the closing paragraph relates to accidental errors of observa-
tion; this gives the following rule: "Sit^j locus Objecti alicujus ex
Observatione prima definitus, q, r, s ejusdem Objecti loca ex Obser-
vationibus subseqi;entibus ; sint insuper P, Q, P, /S' pondera reciproce
proportionalia spatiis Evagationum, per quiie se diffundere possint
Errores ex Observationibus singulis prodeuntes, qua^que dantur ex
datis Errorum Limitibus ; & ad puncta p, q, r, s posita intelligantur
pondera P, Q, P, S, & inveniatur eorum gravitatis centrum Z : dico
punctum Z fore Locum Objecti maxime probabilem, qui pro vero ejus
loco tutissime haberi potest."

Cotes's rule only agrees with modern methods when the observa-
tions are directly made upon one quantity. See Laplace, Theorie
analytique des ProbablUtes, third edition, p. cxxxviii, p. 346; and
Ivory, Phil. Mag., 1825, Vol. LXV, p. 4.

1 749 EuLER. Pihce qui a remjmrte le prix de VAcademie royale

des sciences en 1748, sur les vnegalities du mouvement de Saturne et de

Jupiter. Paris, 4to.

Contains a method for the combination of linear equations similar
to the following^.

to the Method of Least /Squares. 155

1750 Mayer. Abhandlung iiber die Umwiilzung des Mondes um
seine Axe. Kosmographische Nachrichten u. Sammlungevi for 1748,
pp. 52-183.

By twenty-seven observations npon the position of a moon spot
Mayer obtained twenty-seven equations each containing three un-
known quantities. To solve these he added together those nine
equations in which the values of the coefficients of one of the un-
known quantities were the greatest, then the nine in which these co-
efficients were the least and lastly the remaining nine ; thus obtaining
three resulting equations with three unknown quantities.

May'er's method is given by Lalande, Astronornie, second edition,
Vol. Ill, pp. 418-428.^ See Wolf, Handhmh der Math., Vol. I, p.
279, Vol II, p. 199; and also below, 1830 Francoeur.

[1754] KisTNER. Om geometriska aberrationer. SvenskaVetensk.
Acad. Handl. for 1753, p. 126. — German translation in Schwedische
AJcad. Ahhandl. for 1753, p. 131,

Treats of errors in Surveying and probably contains nothing of
value on the theory of accidental errors. See also the same memoirs
for 1708, p. 147 and p. 159.

1755 BoscovioH. I)e llttera ex/peditione per Poiitifieam ditionetn

ad diiitetietidos duos nieridiani (/nidus. Romae, 4to, pp. xxii, 516.

— Fi'ench translation by Hugon entitled Voyage astronomique et

geograpJiique . . . . ; Paris, 1770, 4to.

A method of combination of observations for the determination ot
the mean ellipticity of the earth from measured arcs of the meridian
is here used. The method itself is proved in the French translation ;
see below 1760. For description of the book see Touhunter, His-
tory of Theories of Attraction . . . ., Vol. I, pp. 305-321, 332-334.

1756 Simpson. ' A letter to the Right Honourable George Earl
of Macclesfield, President of the Royal Society, on the Advantage of
taking the Mean of a number of Observations, in practical Astron-
omy.' Phil. Trans. Lond. for ] 755, Vol. XLIX, Pt. I, pp. 82-93.
— Reprint, see 1757.

This memoir is interesting and valuable as being the first in which
the Theory of Probability is applied to the discussion of errors of
observation and in which the idea of a law of facility of error is im-
plied. At the beginning of the letter Simpson says that his attention
had been called to the subject by the fact that " some persons, of
considerable note, have been of opinion, and even jjublickly main-
tained, that one single observation, taken with due care, was as much
to be relied on as the Mean of a great number."

The letter contains two propositions ; the first gives a method of
determining the probability that the error of the mean of n observa-
tions shall be less than an assigned value, provided it is equally prob-

156 Mansjield Merriman — List of Writings relating

able that the error of a single observation may be any one of the
quantities, — v, ... —3, —2, — 1, 0, 1, 2, 3,. .. .v. The second gives
a method of determining that probability, provided the probabilities
of the single errors — u, — v-\-\,. ...—], 0, 1,. . . v — 1, v are propor-
tional to the tei-ms 1, 2,. . . .v, v + 1, ij, . . . .2, 1. This is illustrated by
a numerical example. Simpson remarks that the advantage of the
mean can be shown, whatever series be used to express the chances
of tlie errors.

IVSV Simpson. 'An Attempt to show the Advantage arising by
Taking the Mean of a Number of Observations, in practical Astron-
omy.' Miscellaneous Tracts. . . .(London, 4to), pp. 64-75.

A reprint of the preceding, the opening and closing paragraplis
being omitted and nearly four pages of new matter added. We find
here the following axioms stated for the first time; 1. that positive
and negative errors are equally probable, 2. that there are certain
assignable limits within which all errors may be supposed to fall.

In the added matter the case of contimtous errors is discussed, and
the probability that the error of the mean is less than an assigned
value found for the case of the second proposition by making ti and
other quantities in the formuUe infinite. Simpson represents the law
of facility of error geometrically by the sides of an isosceles triangle
and draws a curve to show the increased precision of the mean as
compared with single observations. He closes by finding under the
same supposition as to the law of facility, the probability that the
mean is nearer to the truth than a single observation taken at ran-
dom. The whole memoir must have been extremely valuable at the
time of its publication.

1760 BoscoviCH. De recentissimis graduum dimensionibus, et
figura, ac magnitudine terrae inde derivanda. Philosophia. receutior
d Benedicto StxVY. . . . (Romae, 3 vols., 8vo), Vol. 11, pp. 406-426.

A method of combining discordant observations upon the lengths
of degrees of the earth's meridian is here given. The adjustment is
effected u.nder the two conditions that the sum of the negative errors
shall be equal to the sum of the positive errors, and that each sum
shall have the least possible value. The problem was solved by a
geometric construction depending upon the properties of the centre
of gravity of figures.

The method is also given in the French translation of Boscovich's
work of 1755. See Lindenau in ZacJi's Monatliche Correspondent^
1806, Vol. XIV, p. 132; Todhunter, ^/s^. of Tlieories of Attrac-
tion , Vol. I, pp. 321-332; and below, 1785 Bernoulli, 1792

Laplace.

1760 Lambert. Photometria sive de mensura et gradibus lum-
inis Augustas Vindelicorum, 8vo, pp. [xxx], 547.

Contains many remarks on the arithmetical mean and also proposes
a method for judging of the precision of the measurements, which

to the Method of Least Squares. 157

consists in comparing tlie mean with a new mean found after reject-
ing that observation deviating most from the first mean. See Nova

Acta Li2)slae, 1700, p. 5(30; also Lani/f erf s J3eytrage Vol.1,

p. 426.

1765 Lambekt. 'Theorieder Zuverlassigkeit der Beobachtnngen
und Versnche.' Beytrage zum Gehrauche der Mathematik . . . . (Ber-
lin, 1765-70, 3 vols., 8vo; second ed., 1792), Vol.1, pp. 424-488.

Contains a method of adjusting simple observations founded on
the principle that the algebraic sum of the errors shall be zero. The
method is illustrated by the determination of empirical formulse for
the length of the seconds pendulum, the declination of the magnetic
needle, etc.

1774 Laplace. 'Determiner le milieu que I'on doit prendre entre
trois observations donnees d'un meme phenomene.' Mem. Acad.
Paris, par divers savans [etrangers], Vol. IV, pp. 684-644.

This is Part V of the ' Memoire sur la probabilite des causes par
les evenemens,' which occupies pages 621-656 of the volume. It
contains the first attempt to deduce a rule for the combination of
observations from the principles of Probability.

Laplace begins by saying that the law of probability of errors of
observation may be represented by a curve whose equation is
y:=qj(x), X being any eri-or and y its probability; and this curve
must have three properties : 1st, it must be symmetrical with refer-
ence to the axis of y, since positive and negative errors are equally
probable; 2nd, the axis of ,r must be an asymptote, since tlie proba-
bility of the error co is ; 3rd, the area of the curve must be unity,
since it is certain that an error will be committed.

Laplace takes qj{x) as (p(x)=.l'/ne^'"''' (x being regarded as always
positive), but his reasons for doing so are slight. With this law he
finds the mean of three observations, regarding it as corresponding
to an ordinate which divides a curve u-=.cp(^x^)(/j(x2)(p{xQ) into two
equal parts. His result is as follows: Let J/j, 31^ and M^ be the
three measurements, of which Mj is the least ; let M^ -\-x be the
mean ; it is required to find x. Put M^ — M ^z=zp and M^ — M^zzzq:
then X is given by

X =p-\ log, (1-^4- e-'"^' - 4- e-""'),

9)1. ^ ^ ' '

in which ra is a constant depending upon the precision of the obser-
vation. Laplace then shows that this value cannot agree Math the
rule of the arithmetical mean, and he computes a table "for finding x
for certain given ratios of q to />. For instance

if (/ = 0.0;> x=z 0.860 j»,

q=Q.\ p _. a;= 0.894 jt),

q = 0.2p xz=^.9)\<dp,

q = Q.^p x= 0.932 p.

168 Mansfield Merrhnan — Ziist of Writings relating

Thus if three measurements of an angle give

J/, = «°&'0", 3f^ = a°b'4.0" and M^ = a°h'50",

we have ^>=:40", 5^=10" and §'==0.25/); then from the table ,t:=37"
and the adjusted result is a° b' 3^", while by the usual rule of the
average we would have a° b' 30". By Laplace's table the mean
will lie nearer to the two observations which most nearly agree, than
in the common method.

For remarks on this memoir see Todhunter, History of Proba-
bility^ p. 469, and Glai.shek, Me^n. Astron. Soc. Loncl.^ 1872, Vol.
XXXIX, pp.'^121-123.

[1774] Lagrange. 'Memoire sur I'utilite de la mi'thode de pren-
dre le milieu les resultats de plusieurs observations ; dans lequel on
examine les avantages de cette methode par le calcul des proba-
bilites; & oti I'on resoud difterons problemes relatifs a cette matiere.'
Miscellanea Taurinetisia [Mel. Soc. Tarin) for 1770-1773, Vol. V,
pp. 167-232 of the math. part.

This memoir is a more thorough presentation of the subject treated
by Simpson in 1757 with much new matter added. Lagrange
makes no allusion however to ])revious writings on the subject. The
expression " Law of Facility of Error" occurs here for the first time.

For an extended account of the contents of the memoir see Tod-
hunter, History of Probability, pp. 301-313. See also below 1785
Bernoulli, 1788 Euler, and 1804 Tremblet. In 1850 Encke gives
a translation of part of the memoir, with comments.

1778 Bernoulli (Daniel). ' Dijudicatio maxime probabilis plu-
rium observationum discrepantiimi atque verisimillima inductio inde
formanda.' Acta Acad. Fetrop. for 1777, Ft. I, pp. 3-23 of the
memoirs.

The now familiar illustration of a marksman firing at a target is
here introduced, and the conclusion drawn that small errors are more
probable than large ones, and that the method of taking the arith-
metical mean " non sine ratione dubitare potest," since it supposes
the observations of equal weight.

Daniel Bernoulli takes a circle yrrVr^ — x^ as representing the
law of facility of error, y being proportional to the probability of the
error cc, and r a constant. Then if observations give the errors cc,,

X2, x^ , the product *>/r^—x^^ sfr^ — x^^ s/r^ — x^"^ must be a

maximum to give the most probable value of the observed quantity.
He finds that "this value coincides with that given by the rule of the
arithmetical mean for one and for two observations, and that it
nearly coincides for three when a suitable value is given to r. For a
greater number than three his method leads to unmanageable equa-
tions. He closes by remarking that the problem is indeterminate.
See Zach's Monatliclie Correspondenz, 1805, Vol. XI, pp. 486-490.

to the Method of Least Squares. 169

Daniel Bernoulli's method agrees closely with modern theory.
See IVZH EuLER, 1785 Bernoulli and Toohunter, History of Prob-
ability, p. 236.

1778 EuLER. ' Observationes in praecedentem dissertationem II-
lustr. Bernoulli.' Aeta Acad. Petrop. for 1777, Part I, pp. 24-33
of the memoirs.

EuLER considers that Daniel Bernoulli is correct in objecting to
the arithmetical mean when the observations are of unequal pre-
cision, but that he " was quite arbitrary in proposing to make the
product of the probabilities a maximum. Euler proposes another
method which amounts to making the sum of the fourth powers of
the probabilities a maximum." — Todhunter, Hist, of Probability,
p. 237.

1781 Laplace. 'Memoire sur les Probabilites.' Hist. Acad.
Paris for 1778, pp. 227-332 of the math. part.

Pages 322-332 are devoted to the discussion of the mean to be
taken between discordant observations. Laplace says that by the
expression mean or mean result an infinite number of things may be
understood. Of these the one which is implied in adjusting observa-
tions is a value such that the resulting error shall be a minimum, and
this corresponds to a value such that the sum of the errors, each mul-
tiplied by its probability shall be a minimum. The method of his
memoir of 1774 is then substantially repeated.

Laplace remarks that if dr« be the limits of error, the law of

\ a

facility ought to be q}{;x)=z — log^-. His methods lead to unmanag-

able equations.

2a

1785 Bernoulli (Jean, III). 'Milieu.' Art. m the Encyclo2)edie
M'ethodique (Paris, 4to), Yol. II, pp. 404-409. — Second edition,
1789, entitled DicMonaire Encycl. des Mathematiques.

Boscovicii's method of 1760 and Lambert's of 1765 are referred
to, and an account is given of Daniel Bernoulli's memoir of 1778,
which differs slightly from the memoir itself. An account of La-
grange's memoir of 1774 is presented with considerable fullness.
See Todhunter, Hist, of Pr oh ability, p. 442.

1788 Euler. ' Eclaircissemens sur le memoire de Mr De La
Grange insere dans le V'= volume de Melanges de Turin, concernant
la methode de prendre le milieu entre les resultats de plusieurs obser-
vations, &c.' Nova Acta Acad. Petrop. for 1785, Vol. Ill, pp. 289-
297 of the memoirs.

The memoir seems to have no value; See Todhunter, Hist, of
Probability, p. 250.

160 Mansfield Merriman — List cf Writings relating

1789 Legendre. ' Mt'moire sur les Ope'rations trigonomt'triques,
dont les resultats dependent de la figure de la terre.' Hist. Acad.
Paris for 1787, pp. 352-383 of the memoirs.

The method of indeterminate corrections, afterwards of so much
use in the computations of Least Squares is here stated and used,
althougli perhaps not for the first time. See 1820 Legendre.

1792 Laplace. 'Sur les degres mesures des meridiens, et sur les
longueiirs observees du pendule.' Hist. Acad. Paris for 1789,
pp. 18-43 of the memoirs.

The matter of this memoir is mostly reproduced in Sections 39-42
of Chaj). V, Book III, of the Traite de mecanique celeste.

First a method is presented of determining an elliptic meridian so
that the greatest error shall be a minimum; see 1831 Cauohy.
Secondly a method is developed for finding an ellipse subject to the
following conditions: "1° que la somme des errcurs soit nulle ; 2°
que la somme des erreurs prises toutes avec le signe -j- soit un mini-
mum." Laplace mentions that Boscovich (1700) had solved the
same problem by a different method. Fie alludes to the ellipse thus
determined as " I'ellipse la plus probal>le."

1799 Kramp. 'Table premiere. Integrales de e^"dt, depuis une
valeur quelconque de ^jusqu' a t infinie.' and 'Table seconde. Loga-
rithmes des integrales fe^"dt? Analyse des refractions . . . (Stras-
bourg, 4to), pp. 195-206.

For description of these tables, afterwards of so great use in the
Theory of Errors, see Glaisher, Lo)id. Phil. Mag., 1871, Vol. XLII,
p. 431.

1804 Trembley. 'Observations sur la methode de prendre les
milieux entre les observations.' Menioires Acad. JBerlin for 1801,
pp. 29-58 of the math. part.

"A])pears to be of no value whatever." — Todhunter, I/ist. of
Probability, p. 428.

1804 Prony. Peel ler die s pJiysico-inathematiqxies sur la theorie des

eanx conr antes. Paris, 4to.

Contains api»lications of Laplace's methods of 1792 to- the deduc-
tion of empirical foi'mula3 from discordant observations.

1805 Legendre. '• Nouvelles m'ethodes pour la determination des

orbites des comUes.'' Paris, 4to, pp. viii, 80. — Second edition, see

1806,

The date 1806 is generally given for this book, in which year a
second edition seems to have been issued. The copy before me is
plainly dated, "An XIII— 1805."

to the Method of Least Squares. 161

In tlie preface Legendre gives an outline of his method for com-
])utiiig orbits. On page viii he says : " II faxit ensiuite, lorsque
toutes les conditions du probleme sont exprimees convenablement,
dc'terminer les coefficiens de maniere a rendre les erreurs les plus
petites qu'il est possible. Pour cet effet, la methode qui me paroit la
))lus simple et la plus generale, consiste a rendre mininmni la somme
des quarres des erreurs. On obtinent ainsi autant d'equations qu'il
y a de coefficiens inconnues; ce qui acheve determiner tons les elemens

de I'orbite la methode dout je viens de parler, et que j'applle

Methode des mohidres quarres, \)i^\\t etre d'une grande utilite "

On page 64 is an application of the method to the solution of three
equations Avith two unknown quantities, in which the now well-
known rule for the solution of normal equations is followed. On
l)age 68 and 69 are references to its use. Pages 72-80 constitute an
Appendix " Sur la Methode des moindres quarres." In this, after
having mentioned that it is impossible that the sum of the errors
should be zero when the number of given equations exceeds that of
the unknown quantities, Legendre says : " De tons les principes
. . . . je pense qu'il n'en est pas de plus general, de plus exact, ni
d'une application plus facile que celui .... qui consiste a rendre
mhiimwiii la somme des quarres des erreurs. Par ce moyen, il
s'ctablit entre les erreurs une sorte d'equilibre qui empechant les ex-
tremes de prevaloir, est tres-propre a faire connoitre I'etat du systeme
le plus proche de la verite."

Legendre then proceeds to deduce the rule for the formation of
"I'equation du minimum par rapport a I'une des inconnues," or as
we now say of a normal equation. His notation is the following : in
the n equations

Q = a -{-hx -\- cy -\- . . .
= a! -(- b'x -\- c'y -\- . ..
= a" + h"x + c"y + . . .

a, J, c...., a', b', c'....are known by observation or theory, and
£c, y, . . . . are to be determined. By forming the sum of the squares
of these equations, differentiating with I'eference to each unknown
sepai'ately and placing the derivatives equal to zero, he finds

Q=fab + .>-fb^^yJhc-\-...
=fac + xj'bc + y/c2 -|- . . .

which are the same in number as the unknown quantities x, y,
and in which

fah = ab + a'b' + a"b" + ...

f b^= b-^-{- Z>'2 + b"^- + ...

Legendre next demonstrates that the rule of the arithmetical mean
is a particular case of his gei^.eral principle. He then supposes the
position of a point in space to be determined by three observations
and finds the values of its coordinates given by the method. Notic-
ing their identity with those for the centre of gravity of three points
in space, he announces that the sum of the squares of the distances of

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 21 Oct., 1877.

162 Mansfield Merriman — List of Writings relating

all the molecules of a body from its centre of gravity must be a
minimum, and that hence " la methode des moindres qnarres fait
connoitre, en quelque sorte, le centre autour dnquel viennent se ran-
ger tons les resultats fournis par I'experience, de maniere a s'en
ecarter le nioins qu'il est possible." A numerical example of the
application of the method to the determination from five observations
of the form of a meridian of the earth closes the book.

The honor of the first publication of the Method of Least Squares
belongs to Legendre. Although he failed to claim that his method
gives most probable or most advantageous results, yet the remarks
above quoted indicate that he fully recognized it as a rule giving a
plausible and reasonable mean. See below 1814.

1805 PiTissANT. Traite de Geodesie, ou Exposition des Methodes

astronotniques et trigonometriques Paris, 4to. — Third edition,

see 1842.

This contains an explanation and application of Legendre's Method
of Least Squares. See review in ZacJi's Monatliche Correspofidenz,
Vol. XVI, p. 455.

1806 Legendre. ' Supplement aux Nouvelles Methodes pour la
determination des orbites des com^tes.' Paris, 4to, pp. 55.

The copy of this supplement which is before me is preceded by a
title page reading, " Nouvelles methodes pour la detertnhiation des

orbites des coinHes ; avec un Supplhnent A Paris, . .. Annee

1806." This title page was probably prefixed to copies of the work
of 1805, with the Supplement added, as the date 1806 is usually stated
for it. A second Supplement appeared in [1820],

On pages 28 and 43 the Method of Least Squares is used.

1806 LiNDENAU. 'Ueber den Gebrauch der Gradmessungen zur
Bestimmung der Gestalt der Erde.' ZacJi's Monatliche Correspon-
dent, Vol. XIV, pp.1 13-158, etc.

Laplace's method of 1792 is stated and used in the discussion of
the most probable elliptic meridian. The method is attributed to
BoscoviCH ; see 1760.

On pages 138-143 " die . . - .von Legendre vorgeschlagenen Meth-
ode, die er Methode des inoindres quarres nennt" is explained and
applied in the determination of the elliptic meridian. The date of
Legendre's Nouvelles methodes. . . .is given as 1806.

1806 Gauss. ' II Comet vom Jahr 1805.' Zach's Monatl. Corres.,
Vol. XIV, pp. 181-186.

On page 184 Gauss says: "Legendre's Werk . . , , habe ich noch
nicht gesehen. Ich hatte mit Fleiss mir deswegen keine jNIiihe
gegeben, um bey der Arbeit an meiner Methode ganz in der Kette
meiner eigenen Ideen zu bleiben, Durch ein paar Worte. die de la
Lande in der letztern Historie de V Astronomie, 1805, fallen lasst.

to the Method of Least ^Squares. 163

tnethode des moindres quarres, gerathe ich aiif die Vei'iniithung, dass
eiii Gruudsatz, desseii ich mieh schoii scit zwolf Jahreii bey mancherley
Reclnuingen bedient habe, und den ich auch in meinem Werke rait
gebrauchen werde, ob er wol zu meiner Methode eben nicht wesent-
lich gehort, — dass dieser Gruudsatz aiich von Legendre benutzt ist,"
The work of Legendre here alluded to is the Noiwelles m'ethodes
....1805, and that of Gauss the Theoria niotus ...1809, then in
preparation. Gauss mentions some of the advantages of his method
for computing orbits but gives no hint of the principle of Least
Squares.

1808 BowDiTCH. 'Solution of Mr. Patterson's Prize Quastion for
correcting a survey, proposed in No. IL page 42, No. IIL page 68,
by Nathaniel Bowuitch, to whom the Editor has awarded the
prize of ten dollars.' :77te Anali/st or Math. Museum., Vol. I, pp.
88-92.

The Prize Question was : " In order to find the content of a piece
of ground, . . .1 measured, with a common circumferentor and chain,

the bearings and lengths of its several sides, But upon casting

up the diiference of latitude and departure, I discovered .... that some
error had been contracted in taking the dimensions. Now it is re-
quired to compute the area of this enclosure, on the most prohaMe
supposition of this error."

Bowditch's solution depends on several "principles" or hypotheses,
the cliief of which is " that in measuring the lengths of any lines
the errors would probably be in proportion to their lengths." No
principles of the Theory of Probability are employed except such as
are by common sense implied. His solution coincides Avith that given
by the ^lethod of Least Squares.

This Prize Question undoubtedly led to the folloAving ' Research '
by AuRAiN, the Editor of The Analyst.

1808 Aurain. 'Research concerning the probabilities of the errors
which happen in making observations.' Th,e Analyst or Math. Mu-
seum, Vol. I, pp. 93-109.

This paper seems to have been unknown to mathematicians until
1871 when |it was partly reprinted in Amer. Jour. Sel., see 1871
Abbe. It is of great historical interest as containing the first deduc-
tion of the law of facility of error

(p (cc) =: ce"'*'^*^
(p{x) l>eiiig the probability of any error x, and e and h constants
flepending upon the precision of the measurement. The term "Least
Squares" is not used, and Adrain seems to have been entii'ely unac-
quainted with Lkgendre's writings.

Adrain gives two deductions of this law. The first, occupying
pages 93-' '5 has been reprinted as noted above and need not here be
repeated. It depends i;pon the "self-evident principle" that the ti*ue
errors of measured quantities are proportional to the quantities them-

164 Mansfield Merriman — List of Writings relating

selves. The arbitrary nature of this assumption is sliown by Glai-
SHER, Mem. Astron. Soc. Lond., 1872, Vol. XXXIX, pp. 75-81, where
the proof is analyzed and regarded as " very slight and inconclusive."

The second proof occupies pages 96-97, and not having been
alluded to in the reprint noted above, I give it in Adrain's own
words as 77ie Analyst is quite rare :

" Suppose that the length and bearing of A£ are to be measured ;
and that the little equal straight lines JBb, Be are the equal probable
errors, the one Bbz^Bb' of the length oi AB, and the other Bc=zBc'
(perpendicular to the former) of the angle at A, when measured on a
circular arc to the radius AB: and let the question be to find such a
curve passing through the
four points b, c, ^,' c , which
are equally distant from B,

that, supposing the meas-

urement to commence at ^, ^
the probability of termina-
ting on any point of the
curve may be the same as
the probability of terminating on any one of the four points b,
c, b\ c'."

Then follows trivial reasoning which ends by concluding that " the
curve must be the simplest possible " and " must consequently be the
circumference of a circle having its centre in ^." This established,
the proof is the following :

'•Now let us investigate the probability of the error Bm=x, and
of nin-=.y. Let ^and I^be two similar functions of x and y denot-
ing those probabilities, X\ Y\ their logarithms, then A^X 3"r= con-
stant, or -X''+ Y' z=z constant, and therefore JC' -{- Y' ^ 0, or Jl"x+
Y"y= 0, whence X "x = - X"y. But x^ -]-y^ =r^ = Bb^ , therefore

. . " A^" Y"

XX = — yy, by which dividing X"x — — Y"y, we have — =z — ;

and therefore, by a fundamental principle of similar functions, the

X" Y"

similar functions '^— and must be each a constant quantity : put

X y

X" . . . '

then := n, and we have X"x = nxx, that is X' =. nxx, and the

X

7ix^ nij^

fluent is A"' 1= c -| — ^ — ; in like manner we find l"' = c-j — ^ and

therefore the probabilities themselves are e 2 and e "^ 2 ^ m
which n ought to be negative, for the probability of x grows less as
X grows greater."

I have seen no allusion to this proof by any subsequent writer. It
is essentially the same as given in 1850 by Hkrschel and usually
called Herschel's proof. I regard it as defective in taking "A"X Y
= constant," or in considering the probabilities of the x and y devi-
ations as independent. See 1850 Eli^is. See Boole's Finite Differ-
ences (Cambridge, 1860), pp. 228-229.

to the 3Iethod of Least Squares. 166

lu his first proof Adrain had found for the probability of the error

mx^

C-\-

X in the observed value a the expression e 2a ^ and had shown

that the most probable values of the observed quantities a, b, c, . . . .

whose errors are a-, y,z, . . . must satisfy the condition

^2 y2 ^2

— + ^H h . . . . =: a minimum.

a be

This principle he applies to four problems ; the first showing that the
arithmetical mean is a particular case of the method, the second to
determine the most probable position of an observed point in space,
which is shown to be " precisely in the centre of gravity of all the
given points ;" the third " to correct the dead reckoning at sea," and
the fourth " to correct a survey."

As remarked by Abbe " we must credit Dr. Adrain with the inde-
pendent invention and application of the most valuable arithmetical
process that has been invoked to aid the progress of the exact sci-
ences." — Atner. Jour. ScL, 1871, Vol. I, p. 415.

1809 Gauss. ' Determiuatio orbitae observationibus quotcunque
maxime satisfacientis.' T/ieoria motus corpornm coelestium ....
(Hamburgi, 4to), Lib. II, Sect. Ill, pp. 205-224. —French transla-
tion, see 1855 Bektraxd. — Englisli translation by Davis (Boston,
1858, 4to), pp. 249-273. — German trans, by Haase (Hannover, 1865).

That demonstration of the Method of Least Squares usually called
Gauss's proof or Gauss's first proof is here presented. Assuming
that the arithmetical mean of direct observations is the most proba-
ble value of the measured quantity, it deduces that the law of facil-
ity of error is given by

cp{x) =z ce~^^^^

from which the principle of Least Squares at once follows. This
proof has been adopted by the majority of l)ooks on the subject • see
for instance 1832 Excke, 1857 Dienger, 1858 Ritter, 1864 Chau-
VENET, 1867 Ha^^sen and Mekriman's Elements of the Method of
Least Squares (London, 1877, 8vo).

The demonstration as given by Gauss contains three defects. ].
It is not recognized that tlie probability of a definite error x is an
infinitesimal ; this is avoided by some later writers. 2. The dis-
tinction between true errors and residuals (or calculated errors) is not
sharply drawn ; according to Gauss's reasoning the law q)(x)=zcfr^^^^
is not strictly a " law of facility of error" but only a law of distribu-
tion of residuals. 3. The rule of the aritlimetical mean is assumed.
For critical analyses of this proof see below, 1843 Reuschle 1844
Ellis and 1872 Glaisiier.

Practical features of the method, — the formation of normal equa-
tions and the determination of weights and degrees of precision are
also discussed in the Section and hints are given regardino- its use in
astronomy. On page 221 is an attempt to justify the principle of

166 Mansfield Merriman — List of Writings relating

Least Squares on the ground that any other process would lead to
impracticable calculations.

I quote a historical remark on page 221 : "Ceterum principium
nostrum, quo jam inde ab anno 1795 usi suraus, nuper etiam a clar.
Legendre in opere Nouvelles methodes . . .com^tes, 1S06 prolatum
est "

1810 Bessel. Zhttersaclmngen ilber die scheinbare und loahre
Bahn der grossen Cometen von 1 807, Konigsberg, 4to.

The Method of Least Squares is used in determining the orbit and
is called " den nioindres quarres.'''' See Zach^s Monatl. Corres., 1810,
Vol. XXII, pp. 205-212.

1810 Laplace. ' Memoire sur les approximations des formules
qui sont fonctions de tres-grands nombres, et sur leur application aux
probabilites.' Mem. Inst. France for 1809, pp. 853-415, 559-565.

Pages 38:3-389 and 559-565 are devoted to the Theory of Errors,
and the principle of Least Squares is proved " lorsque les resultats
entre lesquels on doit prendre un milieu, sont donnt's cliacun par un
tres-grand noml)re d'observations, quelles que soient d'ailleurs les lois
de facilite des erreurs de ces observations."

The matter of these pages is reproduced in the Theorie analytique
des Probabilites, pp. 329-335, 340-342 ; see below under 1812 for re-
marks concerning the proof. See Ball. Soc. Philom. Paris, 1810,
Vol. II, pp. 132-136 for an account of the contents of the memoir.

1811 (tAUSS, ' Disquisito de dementis ellipticis Palladis ex oppo-
sitionibus 1803, 1804, 1805, 1807, 1808, 1809.' Comment. Soc. Got-
tingen, Vol. I, 26 pp. — French translation, see 1855 Bertrand.

Twelve equations involving six unknown corrections to the ele-
ments of the orbit are solved by the Method of Least Squares. We
here find for the first time the notation

[a6]=a' b'+a" b" +«'" V" +....

and also the algorithm for the solution of normal equations by suc-
cessive substitution, since univei'sally followed in lengthy computa-
tions.

A partial translation of the above with comments is given by Zach
in the Monatl. Corres., 1811, Vol. XXIV, pp. 449-465.

1811 Laplace. 'Du milieu qii'il faut choisir entre les resultats
des observations.' 3Iem. Inst. France for 1810, Ft. I, pp. 317-347.

Contains " the theory of errors substantially coincident with so
much of the same theory as we find in pages 314-328 and 340-342 of
the Theorie. .. .des Prob?^ — Todhunter, History of Probability,
p. 490. See below 1812.

to the Method of Least Squares^. 167

An account of the contents of this memoir, with liistorical remarks
on the subject of Least Squares, is given by Delaaibre, Bidl. iSoe.
Philom. Paris, 1811, Vol. II, pp. 262-266, an Enolisli transhition of
which is in Tilloeh's Phil. Mag., 1812, Vol. XXXIX, pp. 240-244.

1811 Laplace. ' Du milieu qu'il faut choisir entre les resultats
(Pun grand nombre il'ol)servations.' Gonnaissance des Ihns for
1813, pp. 213-223. — German translation in ZaeNs Motiatl. ijorres.,
1812, Vol. XXV, pp. 105-120.

Contains matter Avhich is reproduced in the Theorie . . . des Prob..,
1812, pp. 322-329.

1812 Laplace. '• Theorie analytiqye des Prohabilites.'' Paris, 4to.
pp. 464. — Third edition, 1820, 4to, pp. cxlii, 506, with Introduction
and three Supplements (see 1 8J 4, 1815, 1818, 1820). — Fourth edition
(Vol. VII of Oeuvres de Laplace) Paris, 1847, 4to, pp. cxcv, 691.

" . . . . the gi-eater part of the Theorie des Probabilites is a reprint
of papers in the Memoirs of the Academy, which apj^ear to contain
the contents of the first papers on which he set down his processes.
These with preliminary chai)ters, descriptive not of what follows, but
of the general methods which he drew from the following j)arts,
make up the whole work." — De Morgan, Theory of Prohabilities in
Encyc.. 3Ietrop., \x 453. It "is by very much the most difficult
mathematical work w^e have met with." — Ibid, p. 418. Todhunter
in his History of Probability, p. 560, Ellis (1844) and other writers
have also testified to the abstruseness of Laplace's methods.

The Method of Least Squares is developed in Chap. IV, (pages
304-348) of the second part of the work. The analysis only extends
to the case of two unknown quantities or elements, and the number
of observations is i-equired to be very large or infinite. LTnder these
restrictions the jNIethod is shown to give most advantageous results,
whatever be the law of facility of error provided only that positive
and negative errors ai-e equally probable. Laplace's definition of
t))ost advantayeoiis residts is the following : "... .si Ton multiplie les
erreurs possibles d'un element par leurs probabilites respectives, le
systeme le plus avantageux sera celui dans lequel la somme de ces
prodiiits tous pris positivement, est un niinimum.'''' The results thus
obtained are not necessarily the most probable.

In the concluding paragraph of Chap. IV and in the opening pages
of the First Supplement (see 1815), Laplace has given a general ac-
count of his method of analysis. These remarks and the table of
contents at the end of the volume, give a much clearer idea of the
steps of the demonstration than does Chap. IV itself The principal
objection against the validity of the proof is that it requires an infi-
nite or very large number of obser\ations. With this requirement,
however, Gacss's proof of 1809 becomes perfectly logical and the
results are the most prolxMe, not merely most advantageous.

168 Mansfield Merrhnan — lAat of Writings relating

Laplace's proof has been greatly improved by subsequent writers.
Ellis in 1844 extended it to any number of unknown quantities,
ToBHUNTER in his History of Probability, pp. 560-588 supplied a
valuable commentary, and Glaisheh in 1872 presented it in a clear
and simple form. See also below, 1824 Poisson, 1847 DeMorgan,
1852 Biexayme, 1861 Airy, 1873 Laurent and 1875 Dienger.

On pages 318-319 is given what is sometimes called Laplace's
second proof of the Method of Least Squares. This depends on the
definition that " la valeur moyenne de I'erreur a craindre en plus"
should be a minimum. The reasoning is similar to Gauss's proof of
1823 ; see Ellis's and Glaisher's papers quoted below under 1844
and 1872.

[1813] Plana. Sur divers problemes de probabilite. Mem. Acad.
Turin for 1811-12, Vol. XX, pp. 355-408.

1814 Cauchy. Memoire sur le syst^me de valeurs qu'il faut at-
tribuer a divers Siemens, determinees par un grand nombre d'obser-
vations. [Paris, Lith. MS.]

Probably the same as his memoir of 1831.

1814 Laplace. '• Essai philosophique sur les prohabilites.'' Paris,
4to. — Sixth edition, Paris, 1840, 8vo, pp. 274. — Introduction to
second edition of Theorie. . . .des Proh., pp. cvi; to third edition, j^p.
cxlii ; to fourth edition, pp. v-clxix.

Near the end are some remarks concerning the history of the The-
ory of Errors of observation, and descriptive of Laplace's processes.

1814 Legendre. ' Methode des moindres quarres, pour trouver
le milieu le plus probable entre les resultats de diiferentes observa-
tions.' Mem. Inst. France for 1810, Pt. II, pp. 149-154.

Pages *11-^ih of the Nouvelles methodes. . . .\HOb, are here quoted
and reference made to the practical applications of the method given
in that work, in order to call attention to Legendre's priority of
publication.

1815 Bessel. ' Ueber den Ort des Polarsterns.' Berlin. Astron.

Jahrb. for 1818, pp. 233-240.

We here find the first mention of probable error. After giving 48
observations on the right ascension of Polaris whose arithmetical
mean is 55"^ 48^5104, Bessel says: " Der loahrscheinliche Fehler
einer einzelnen Beobachtung ist, nach den wirklichen vorkommenden
Fehlern zu urtheilen :=1^067, und daher der wahrscheinliche Fehler
des Endresultats =::0M54. Die Grund dieser Schatzung des wahr-
scheinlichen Fehlers, beruhen auf der von Gauss gegebenen Ent-
wickelung der Wahrscheinlichheit, einen F'ehler von gegebener

to the Method of Least Squares. 169 .

Grosse za begehen ; ihre Mittheiliing muss ich bis auf eine aiidere
Gelegenheit vei'sparen." See 18 10 Bessel, and also page 196 of the
memoir 181(3 Gauss.

1815 Laplace. ' Sur I'application dii calcul des probabilites a la
philosophie iiaturelle.' Co?inaissance des Terns for 1818, pp. 361-
381. — First Supplement to third edition of Theorie . . . . des Proh.
(Paris, 1820, 4to), pp. 3-26.

This is devoted partly to a general description of Lapi,ace's proof
of the Method of Least Squares, and partly to the discussion of the
probability of results obtained by that method ; a numerical exam-
ple illustrates the use of his formulae. See Todhuxtek, Hist, of
Prohahility., p. 610; also see 1869 Todhunter.

1816 Beeck-Calkoen. Over de Theorie der Gemiddelde Waardij.
Verhandl. Nederland. Inst,., Vol. II, pp. 1-19.

Treats of Laplace's method of adjustment of 1792.

1816 Bessel, ' Untersuchungen ilber die Bahn des OLBERSSchen

Kometen.' Abhandl. Akad. Berlin for 1812-13, pp. 117-160 of the

math, section.

Bessel defines the probable error as follows : " Ich verstehe unter
dieser Benennung die Grenze, die eine Anzahl kleinerer Fehler von
einer gleichen Anzahl grosserer trennt, so dass es wahrscheinlicher
ist, eine Beobachtung iiinerhalb jeder loeiteren Grenze von der Wahr-
heit abirren zu sehen, als ausserhalb derselben." If we designate by

- — the mean of the errors all taken positively, by — — the mean of

the squares of those errors, and by r the probable error of a single
observation, his demonstration shows that

r=: 0.8453 — or ;•= 0.6745

■i

Bessel does not distinguish between true errors and residuals.
These formuhe he uses in finding tlie probable errors of the elements
of the orbits, which are deduced by the help of the Method of Least
Squares.

1816 Gauss. ' Bestimmung der Genauigkeit der Beobachtungen.'
Zeitschr. f. AstroH. u. ver.Wiss.,Yo\. I, pp. 185-196. — Also Gauss
Werke, Vol. IV (Gottingen, 1873, 4to), pp. 109-117. —See 1855
Bertkand.

This memoir gives three methods for finding the probable error
from given observations. The first, which is that usually presented
in text-books, finds that r the probable error of an observation of the
weight unity, is given (most probably) by

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 22 Oct., 1877.

170 Mansfield Merrhnan — List of Writings relating

r= 0.6744897

n

2x^ being the sum of the squares of the errors and n the number of
observations, and that it is an even wager that the true value of r
lies between

0.6744897 1^ 0.6744897 I—'

\^ 0.6744897 [

and

0.4769363 0.4769363
1 y^— 1 + ^ —

In the second method the most probable value of the sum 2x"' is
discussed and formulae for jDrobable error found when m has the
values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The second of these, which agrees with
the one given above, is shown to be the best. The third method
leads to a diffei'ent and less accurate formula.

Nothing in the investigation shows whether ^x^ is the sum of the
squares of the true or of the computed errors. By later writers it has
been generally taken as referring to the former. See 1816 Bessel,
1819 Young, 1823 Gauss, 1856 Peters, 1866 Borsch.

1818 AuRAiN. 'Investigation of the Figure of the Earth and of
the Gravity in different Latitudes.' Trans. Anier. Phil. Soc, Vol. I,
pp. 119-135.

A formula for the Jength of the seconds pendulum is determined
by the Method of Least Squares. Adrain alludes to the process as
liaving been discovered by himself in 1808. See Amer. Jour. jSci.,
1871, Vol. I, p. 415, and Mem. Astron. 8oc. Lond., 1872, Vol.
XXXIX, p. 78.

1818 Bessel. '• Fundamenta astronomim pro anno MDiJCLV
deducta ex observation ibiis viri incom^KirahiUs James Bradley in
specida astronomia Grenovicensi per annos 1750-1762 institutis.''
Regiomonti, folio, pp. 325.

In pages 18-21 results of the computations of the mean and proba-
ble errors of the declination and right ascension of certain stars as
deduced from the observations are given. Three sets of measure-
ments, two of 300 and one of 470, are investigated as a test of the expo-
nential law (p{x)-=z—j^e * , the theoretical number of errors be-

tween given limits being computed from Kramp's tables and com-
pared with the actual number of residuals. A close agreement was
found, and this may perhaps be called a practical proof of the j^riu-
ciple of Least Squares.

Tables of logarithms of e^^ I e~^ dt are given ; regula minimo-

rmn quadratormn is several times applied; and in pages 116-123

to the Metliod of Least Squares. Ill

methods are given for finding pr()l)able errors of quantities indirectly
observed.

1818 Cauchy. Sur la mc'thode d'erreurs d'un grand uombre
d'observations. [Paris], 4to.

1818 Laplace. 'Application du calcul des probabilitcs aux opc-ra-
tions gc'odesiques.' Connais. des Terns for 1820, pp. 422-440.

The matter of this article is reproduced in pages 3-25 of the
Second Supplement to the third edition of the Theorie des ....
Prob. For abstract see Annal. Chem. et Phys. 1817, Vol. V, pp.
351-356 ; also Zeitschr. filr Astron., Vol. V, pp. 1-9.

1818 Laplace. ' Deuxi^me supplement d la Theorie Analyti(p.ie
des Probabilites.'' Paris, 4to, pp. 50. — Fourth edition of IVieorie
, pp. 569-623.

" Laplace shows how the knowledge obtained from measuring a
base of verification may be used to correct the values of the elements

of the triangles of a survey Laplace explains a method of

treating observations which he calls the method of sitvatioji and
which he considers may in some cases claim to be ])referable to the
most advantageous ')iH'th(>d exi)lained in his fourth chapter." — Tod-
hunter, History of Proh(d}ility.^ pp. 611-612.

1818 LiTTROw. ' Ueber die gerade Aufsteigung der vornehmsten
Fixsterne.' Zeitschr. f Astron., Vol. VI, pp. 1-26.

The theory of Least Squares and ju'obable errors is used.

1818 LiNDEXAU. 'Versuch einer Bestimmung der wahrscheinlich-
sten Balm des Cometen von 1680, mit Riicksicht auf die planetarischen
Storungen wahrend der Dauer seiner Sichtbarkeit.' Zeitschr. f As-
tron., Vol. VI, pp. 27-120, 129-208.

The elements and their probable errors are found by the help of
Gauss's method of elimination.

1818 Plana. ' Allgemeine Formel um nach derMethode der klein-
sten Quadrate die Verbesserungen von 6 Elemente zu berechnen und
zugleich das jeder derselben zukommenden Gewicht zu bestimmen.'
Zeitschr. f A.'itron., Vol. VI, pp. 249-264.

1819 Laplace. ' Application du calcul des probabilites aux opera-
tions geodesiques de la meridienne de France.' Amial. (Jheni. et
Phys., vol. XII, pp. 37-41. — (Jonnaiss. des Terns, for 1822, pp. 346-
348. —Trans, in Tilloch's Phil. 3Iag., 182 1 , Vol. LVIII, pp. 133-136.

A discussion of the length of the meridian betM^^een Perpignan and
Formentera, two points distant about 460000 metres and joined by

172 Mansfield Merrhnan — TJst of Writings relating

26 triangles. Laplace shows that the probable error of the computed
distance is 8.194 metres. The investigation is reproduced in the Third
Supplement (1820), pp. 3-7.

1819 Laplace. 'JMemoii'e sur I'application ducalciil des probabil-
ites aux observations, et specialement aux opi'rations du nivellement.'
Annal. (Jhem. et Phys., Vol. XII, pp. 337-341.

On the results of a discussion of the probability of errors in the
computed elevation of Paris. The discussion itself is given in the
Third Supplement (1820), pp. 16-28.

1819 Paucker. '•JJeber die Anvjendung der Methode der kleinsten
Quadratssmnnie auf phgsikalischeu Heobachtw/ geti.'' Mitau, 4to,
pp. 32.

Published as a Gymnasium "Programm." It contains an applica-
tion of the Method of Least Squares to the determination of empiri-
cal formulae for the expansion of fluids, the specific gravity of water,
and the elasticity of steam. See 1825 Muncke.

1819 Walbeck. Dissertatio de forma et magydtudine tellvris, ex
diniensis arcuhus meridiani definiendis. Abo, Svo.

The first discussion of measurements of several arcs of meridians by
the Method of Least Squares.

1819 Young. Remarks on the probabilities of eri*or in physical

observations, and on the density of the earth, considered, especially

with regard to the reduction of experiments on the pendulum.' Phil.

Trans. Land, for 1819, pp. 70-95.

Pages 70-83 are devoted to the Tlieory of Errors. Besides many
interesting remarks it contains a method for finding probable errors,
sup])Osing that the probabilities of the several errors are proportional
to the terms of the series (l-j-l)'", m being an even number. His re-
sult for the probable error of the mean of n observations is

R = 0.85 — j^
nWn

2x
in which — denotes "the mean of all the actual errors." Young
n

refers to Bessel, Gauss, tfec, as having used only the sum of the

squares of the errors in determining the probable error, and regards

his method as more accurate. See 1816.

1820 Bessel. ' Bestimmung der geraden Aufsteigungen der 36
MASKELYNESchen Fundamental-Sterne fiir 1815, auf Konigsberger
Beobachtungen gegrundet.' Ahhandl. Alad. Berlin for 1818-19,
pp. 19-36 of the mathematical part. — Ahhandl. von Bessel (Leipzig,
1875, 4to), Vol. II, pp. 238-245.

to the Method of Least Squares. 173

Contains discussions on the probable errors of the observations.
See also AI>handl. Akad. Berlin for 1825, pp. 23-35.

[1820] Laplace. ' Troisihve Supplement d la TMorie analytique
des ProhahilWes.'' Paris, 4to, pp. 36. — Fourth edition of the Theorie
. . . . , pp. 624-660.

See 1819. At the end of the Supplement is an investigation of the
general case of " observations assujetiesa plusieurs sources d'erreurs,"
See ToDHUNTER, Mist, of Prohability, p, 612.

[1820] Legendre, *■ Nouvelles methodes pour la determination de
Vorbite des comhtes. Second supplemetit.'' Paris, 4to, pp. 80.

In pages 3 and 4 Legendre says : " Jai donne le premier deux
methodes stires pour obtenir la solution a la fois la plus simple et la

plus exacte, savoir : la methode des corrections ind'etermin'ees ,

et la methode des nioindres carres qui paraisait alors pour la premiere
fois." See K89 and 1805.

Pages 79-80 contain a " Note par M * * * " in which the honor of
the discovery of the Method of Least Squares is claimed for Legen-
dre on the ground of priority of publication, and in which Gauss
although not mentioned by name receives several sharp hits.

1821 SvANBERG. Om roterande systemers princijial-axlar och san-
nolikaste medel-resultatet af gifna observationer. Vetensl: Akad.
Handl. Stockholm for 1821, p]x 388-408.

1821 . 'Dissertation sur la rercherche du milieu le plus

probable, entre les resultats de plusieurs observations ou experiences.'
Gergomie's Annates de Math., Vol. XII, pp. 181-204,

This paper discusses at some length the different methods which
may be imagined for finding a mean value, and concludes that the
problem is indeterminate because it is impossible to render it inde-
pendent of the law of facility of error, concerning which there may
be " une infinite d'hypotheses." It tries to determine a mean, first
supposing that the probability of each given measurement is in-
versely proportional to the error committed and secondly supposing
that that probability is inversely proportional to the square of the
error, and concludes that the arithmetical mean can only be used
when the observations differ but slightly among themselves.

The paper ends by offering a method for the correction of the
arithmetical mean, which amounts to this : First find the average of
the measured quantities and compute the residuals. Then take the
reciprocal of each residual as the weight of its corresponding obser-
vation and find the mean of these weighted observations. Or as
weights the reciprocals of the squares of the residuals may be taken.
The new mean gives new residuals from which a second approxima-
tion may be made, and so on. In a note at the end, the editor
{Ger(;onne) suggests that this approximation will always tend to
one of the given measurements as the mean.

174 31 a7is field Merrhnan — List of Writings relating

1822 Encke. ' Die Entferming der Sonne von der Erde aiis dem
Venusdurchgrwge von 1761.' Gotha, 8vo, pp. 179. — Part II entitled
' Der Venusdnrchgang von 1769 . . . .' Gotha, 1824, 8vo, pp. 112,

The Method of Least Squares is applied to the reduction of 149
observations from the transit of 1761 and 106 from that of 1769, and
to the determination of probable errors. The most probal)le distance
of the sun from the earth is found to be 20666800 German geograph-
ical miles with the probable error of 89150 miles.

1822 Gauss. 'Anwendung der Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung auf
eine Aufgabe der practischen Geometric.' Astronomische Nach-
richten^ Vol. I, col. 81-88. — See 1855 Bertrand.

The problem is : To determine the position of a point from hori-
zontal angles taken at that point between other points whose position
is exactly known. A numerical example is given in which the nixm-
ber of known points is five and the number of angles is six. This is
often called Pothenot's problem; see 1840 Gerling, 1866 Schott.

1823 Gauss. ' Theoria combinationis observationum erroribus
minimis obnoxijc.' (Jonirnent. Soc. Gottingen., Vol. V, pp. 33-90.
— Also Gauss Werke, Vol. TV (Gottingen, 1873, 4to), pp. 1-53.
— French trans, see 1855 Bertrand.

This memoir contains Gauss's second Proof of the Method of Least
Squares. The following quotation from pages 37-38 sliows the hy-
pothesis upon which the proof is leased : " . . . . integral eyit'a; ^(a-) dx
ab ic =: — 00 usque ad a; = -|- o) extensum (sen valor medius quadrali
x^) aptissimum videter ad incertitudinem observationum in genere
definiendam et dimetiendam, ita ut e duobus observationum systema-
tibus, quoB quoad errorum fiicilitatem inter se differunt, ex prsecisione
prestare censeantiir, in quibus integraleyira? (p[a-) dx valorem minorem
obtinet." Gauss does indeed recognize and ])oint out that this is
only an arbitrary convention, but he justifies himself in adopting it
on the ground that the definition of most advantageous results must
be arbitrary, since the question is in its very nature indefinite, and
that his definition leads to simple operations. The values of the un-
known quantities found by his method he calls " valores maxime
plausibiles."

Gauss's method leads to the rule of Least Squares, whatever be
the number of observations or whatever be the law of facility of
error provided only that positive and negative errors are eqixally
probable. For analyses of his proof see 1844 Ellis and 1872
Glaisher, the former regarding it as valid and the latter as unsatis-
factory. In my opinion it is but little more than a begging of the
question to assume that the mean of the squares of the errors is a
measure of precision. See below 1825 Ivory, 1847 Galloway and
1872 Helmert.

The memoir contains an extended presentation of the practical fea-
tures of the method and in this respect is of great value. The algo-

to the Method of Least Squares. 175

ritlim for the solution of normal equations by the method of substi-
tution (1816), the determination of weights and of formulas for mean
error occupy the second part of the memoir. The value of the mean

error of an observation of the weight nnity being m = \ ~"^~ , Gauss

"^ n

takes 2x^ as referring to the true errors, and determines 7n =z L_^

as a practical foi-mula, 2v'^ referring to the computed residuals, n be-
ing the number of observations and q that of the unknown quanti-
ties : the investigation however is not very clear. See 1816 Bessel
and Gauss, and 1856 Bienaymb.

For Gauss's own account of the contents of these memoirs see the
Gotthigische gelehrte Anzeif/en, Feb. 26, 1821 and Feb. 24, 1823.
These reviews are reprinted in Vol. IV. of Gauss Werke, pp. 95-104.
Gauss here states that in the year 1797 he found that the determina-
tion of the most prohahle values of observed quantities was impossi-
ble, unless the law of facility of error was knoAvn ; and that since
1801 he had used the Method of Least Squares almost daily. See

1830 RiESE.

1824 Berlin. Explanatio tnethodi quadratorum minbnoricin.
Lundae, 4to.

1824 Fourier. 'Regie usuelle pour la recherche des resultata
moyens d'un grand nombre d'observations.' Ferussac's Bull. Sci.
Math., Vol. II, pp. 88-90.

The rule given is expressed by the formula

1^^ - 1^\
...0-4769^'^A'^^

^ In
aj, ttg) ^*3? • • • being the results of the n observations.

1824 PoissoN. ' Sur la probabilite des resultats moyens des obser-
vations.' Comiaiss. des Terns for 1827, pp. 273-302; for 1832,
pp. 3-22.

These memoirs are a commentary on Laplace's fourth Chapter
(1812) and seem to form a kind of translation which Poissox made
of Laplace's investigations for his own satisfaction. A large part
of the memoirs are reproeluced in his Reeherches . . . , see 1837. See
also 1830 Hauher, 1847 Galloway and Todhunter's Historij of
Prohahility, pp. 560-588. See Jahrh. Chem. ic. Fhys., Vol. IV," pp.
38-42.

" PoissoN confines himself to the case in which one element is to
be determined from a large number of observations, but he treats
this case in a more general manner than Laplace had done. La-
place had assumed that positive and negative errors were equally

176 Mansfield Merrimmi — List of Writings relating

likely, and that the law of facility of error is the same at every ob-
servation ; but PoissoN makes neither of these assumptions." — Tod-
hunter in Trans. (Jamb. Phil. Soc, 1869, Vol. XI, p. 219.

1824 Puissant. 'Application de la methode la plus avantageuse
a la determination de I'aplatissement du spheroide osculateur en
France, par le comparaison d'un arc de meridien avee un arc de par-
allele.' Ferii.ssac's Bull. ^ci. Math., Vol. I, pp. 271-2*74, — Connaiss.
des Terns for 1827, pp. 230-232.

A general statement of the method, which seems to have been else-
whei'e published in detail.

1825 Ivory. 'On the Method of the Least Squares.' T'illodi's
Phil. 3Iag., Vol. LXV, pp. 3-10, 81-86, 161-168.

This paper contains two attempted proofs of the principle of Least
Squares by methods independent of the Theory of Probability. The
first, in page 5, rests on a vague analogy with the properties of a
lever and is in the words ef Elus " little more than a petitio prin-
eipii concealed by a metaphor." The second, in pages 6-7, rests on
the supposition that " the mean of the sum of the squares of the
errors may be taken as a measure of the precision of the observa-
tions" which can scarcely be assumed as evident ; this is similar to
Gauss's proof of 1823.

Pages 81-86 are devoted to discussing the probability of errors.
Ivory makes no distinction between true errors and residuals, and
does not recognize that the probability of any definite error mixst be
an infinitessimal. The remaining pages attempt to show that the
Method of Least Squares cannot give the most advantageous or
probableresultsunlessthelawof facility of error is <p (a;) = ce~"' ^ , and
that Laplace's demonstration " whatever merit it may have in other
respects is neither more or less general than the other solutions of the
problem."

These two proofs are examined and exposed by Ellis in 1844, and
the second proof with the criticisms on Laplace are analyzed by
Glaishek in 1872. See also 1851 Hossard.

1825 MuNCKE. ' Beobachtung.' Art. in Gehler^s PhysiJcalisches
Worterbuch, second ed. Vol. I, ])p. 884-912.

Contains matter from 1823 Gauss and 1819 Paucker.

1826 Gauss. 'Chronometrische Lilngenbestimmung.' Astron.
JVachr., Vol. V, col. 227-240, 245-248. — See also 1855 Bertrand.

The Method of Least Squares is used and formulae for finding
mean errors of the results given.

to the Method of Least Sqiuu-es. 177

1826 [Fourier]. Kecherches statistiques sur la ville de Paris et
le dc'paitement de la Seine [par le Compte Chahrol-de-Volvic].
Paris, 4to, Vol. Ill, in 1826, Vol. IV in 1829.

These volumes contain investigations by Fourier on weights,
probable errors, etc. See note by DeMorgan in Loud. Assur. 3[a(/.,
Vol. XIV, p. 89.

1826 Ivory. ' On the Method of the Least Squares.' Tillodi's

Phil. Mag., Vol. LXVIII, pp. 161-165.

Contains Ivory's third attempted proof of the Method, which is
still more absurd than those of 1825. See Ellis's analysis in his
paper of 1844. See also below, 1830 Francoeur.

1827 Rosenberger. ' Ueber die, auf Veranstaltung der fraiizo-
sischen Academic, wahrend der Jahre 1736 und 1737 im Schweden
vorgenommcne Gradmessung.' Astroii. JV^achr., Vol. VI, col. 1-32.

An application of a method, communicated to the author by Bes-
sel, for the adjustment of geodetic triangulations by the use of
Least Squares. See 1831 Hansen. See Ahhandl. oon IBessel (Leip-
zig, 1875), Vol. Ill, pp. 16-19.

1827 . LTeber die Theorie der Zuverlassigkeit der Beobach-

tungen und Versuche und der von derselben abhangigen Bestim-
mungen des Mittels aus gegebenen Zahlen. [Berlin].

1828 Bessel. ' Ueber die Bestimmung des Gesetzes einer period-

ischen Erscheinung.' Astron. JVcichr., Vol. VI, col. 333-348. — Ab-

handl von Bessel (Leipzig, 1875, 4to), Vol. II, pp. 364-372.

Proposes the periodic function since so much used for discussing
recurring phenomena, and illustrates its application to the determi-
nation of empirical formuUe. See 1864 Sohott.

1828 Gauss. ' Suj)plementuin theoriie combinationis observationum
erroribus minimis obnoxia?.' Cornme/it. Sor. (r<">tti//r/e/i, Vol. VI, pj).
57-98. — Also Gauss Werke, Vol. IV, pp. 57-93. — French trans.
see 1855 Bertrand,

This memoir discusses a method for the combination of observations
when the observed quantities are not expressed as explicit functions
of the unknown quantities to be determined ; and when the problem
furnishes rigorous equations of condition which the determined values
of the unknown quantities must exactly satisfy. The method of cor-
relatives for the adjustment of such conditioned observations is given
and an algorithm presented for its use. A numerical example involv-
ing twenty-four observations subject to thirteen conditions illustrates
the use of the formulae. See the Gott. gelehrte A/tzeigen, Sept. 25,

Tbans. Conn. Acad., Yol. IV. 23 Oct., 1877.

1 78 Mansfeld Merriman — TJst of Writings relating

1826, or Gauss Werke, Vol. IV, pp. 104-108 for Gauss's own account
of the contents of the memoir. See also 1830 Kiese.

1828 QuETELET. Instructions popidaires sur le calcul des proha-
bilites, Bruxelles, 18mo.

1830 Feancoeur. 'De la composition des fbrmules astroiiom-
iques, et de la determination des constantes; Equations de condi-
tion ; Methodes de Tobie Mayer et des moindres carres.' Astrono-
mie pratique (Paris, 8vo ; second ed., 1840), pp. 412-431.

Ivory's proof of 1826 is given as a perfectly valid "demonstration."
This is repeated in the second edition.

1830 Hansen. Commentatio de gradus pr^ecisionis computatione.
[Goth a, 4to.]

This was first printed " in einem Program, womit die hiesige
Sternwarte [at Gotha] des Jubilaum des wiirdigen Olbers gefeiert
hat." It contained a method for finding the weights of values deter-
mined by the Method of Least Squares, which for a small number of
unknown quantities is perha])S shorter than that of Gauss (1823).
See Astron. Nachr., Vol. VIII, col. 462-463, and Excke in Berlin,
Astron. Jahrh. for 1835, p. 297.

1830 Hauber. Ueber die Bestimmung der Genauigkeit der Beo-
bachtungen, Baamgartner'^ s Zeitschr. f. Phys. Math.^ etc., Vol. VII,
pp. 286-314.

1830 Hauber. Verallgeraeinerung der PoissoN'schen Untersuch-
nngen tiber die Wahrscheinlichkeit der mittlern Resultate der Beo-
bachtungen in den "Additions a la Connaissance des Temps de 1827."
Baumgartner^s Zeitschr., Vol. VII, jip. 406-429.

1830 Hauber. Theorie der mittleren Werthe. Baumgartner''s
Ze^Ysc/^n, Vol. VIII, pp. 25-26, 147-179, 295-315, 443-445; Vol. IX.
pp. 302-322; Vol. X, pp. 425-457.

[1830] NtJRNBERGER. Bctrachtuug liber die Methode der klein-
sten Quadrate.

1830 PoissoN. 'Note sur la probabilite du resultat moyen des
observations.' Ferussae's Bxdl. Sci. Math., Vol. XIII, pp. 266-277.
On Laplace's method of deducing formulte for probable errors.

1830 PoissoN. 'Memoire sur la proportion des naissances des
filles et des gar§ons.' Mem. Acad. Paris, Vol. IX, pp. 239-308.

to the Method of Least Squares. 179

T]ie g-eiieral term of the l>inonii:il tlieorem is shown to take the ex-
ponential form ee-M% when the number of teims is indefinitely great:
See Laplace, Theorie des .... Prob., Chap. Ill, and 1837 Hagen.
Formulae for probability of errors between given limits and for prob-
able errors are also developed. See 1836 Poisson.

1830 RiESK. '[Eine Recension.]' Jahrb. filr loissen. Kritik for

1830, Pt. I, col. 269-284.

A review of Gauss's memoirs Tlieoria combinationis , 1823,

and Supplementum. theoriae , 1827, giving an account of their

contents and a popular ex))osition of the subject.

1831 (yAucHT. ' Meraoire sur le systeme de valeurs qu'il faut

attribuer a divers Elemens, determines par un grand nombre d'ob-

servations, pour que la plus grande de toutes les erreurs, abstraction

faite du signe, devienne un minimum.' Jour. Kcole Poly.., Vol. XIII

(cahier 20), pp. 175-221.

This was perhaps published aljout 1814, See Bidl. Soc. Philoni.
Paris, for 1824, pp. 92-99. The methods of 1760 Boscovich and
1792 Laplace, are particular cases of Cauchy's solution. See La-
place's Theorie . . . des Prob., Chap. IV, Art. 24.

1831 Degex. ' Recherches sur la parabole, determinee par la
methode des moindres carres et qui represente le moins defectueuse-
ment, quil il soit possible, un systeme quelconque de points donnes
dans un plan.' 3fan. Acad. St. Peters, par divers savants, Vol. I,
pp. 13-28.

1831 Grunert. ' Berechnung der wahrscheinlichsten Resultate
aus gegebenen Beobachtungen. Methode der kleinsten Quadi*ate.'
KiugeFs Mathematisches Worterbuch, Vol. V, Art. " Wahrscheinlich-
keitsrechnung,' pp. 983-1027.

A clear presentation of the Method of Least Squares according to
Gauss, the proof being that of 1809.

1831 Hansen. ' Darlegimg einer neuen Methode, bei AuAvendung

der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate, die Gewichte der unhekannten

Grossen zu berechnen.' Astron. Nachr., Vol. VIII, col. 463-468.

A simplification of Gauss's method of 1823 for finding weights.
Not the same as 1830 Hansen. See 1832 Encke.

1831 Hansen. ' Ueber die Anwendung der Wahrscheinlichkelts-
rechnung auf geodatische Vermessungen ini Allgemeinen, und iiber
die MAUPEKTUis'sche Gradmessung.' Astron. Nachr., Vol. IX, col.
189-220, 237-262.

180 Mansfield Merriman — List of Writings relating

The measurements are discussed by Gauss's method of correlatives
(1S2S) whose algorithm is given in full, and also by a new method of
Hansen. Rosenberger had in 1827 examined the same measure-
ments.

1831 LiTTROw. Bemerkungen zum practischen Gebi-auche der
Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung. Baunigartner''s Zeitschr. f. Phys.,
Vol. IX, pp. 43.3-449.

1831 Puissant. 'Application du calcul des ])robal)ilites a la
mesure de la precision d'un grand nivellement trigonometrique.'
Mem. Acad. JParis, Vol. X, pp. 533-547. — Gonnaiss. des Temps for
1834, pp. 3-17.

A modification of the method of Laplace's Tliir<l Supplement
(1820), illustrated by a practical example.

1832 Encke. 'Ueberdie Begriindung der Methode der kleinsten
Quadrate.' Ahhandl. Akad. Berlin for 1831, pp. 73-78 of the mathe-
matical part.

After brief notices of five proofs of the Method of Least Squares,
Enckf. gives the preference to Gauss's of 1809. To establish this
more rigidly he ofl:ers a demonstration to show that for direct obser-
vations the rule of the arithmetical mean gives the most probable
result. This demonstration (in my opinion not a rigorous one) has
been followed by many subsequent writers. It is repeated by Encke
in the article quoted next below, and is particularly stated wnth confi-
dence by Chauvenet in 1864. For criticisms see 1843 Reuschle and
1872 Glaisher. See also Encke's later opinion, below under 1850.

1832 Encke. 'Ueber die Methode der kleinsten Quadrate.' Ber-
lin. Astron. Jahrhuch for 1834, pp. 249-312; for 1835, pp. 253-320;
for 1836, pp. 253-308. — Republished in Encke^s astronomische
Ahhandhmgen (Berlin, 1866), Vol. I, Nos. xii, xiii, xiv.

These memoirs form a treatise on the Method of Least Squares,
from which many text-books have been compiled.

The first memoir contains the proof of 1809 Gauss, reinforced by
Encke's attempted demonstration of the validity of the arithmetical
mean, the discussion of weight aiul probable errors, and two tables

of the probability integral — ^- I e~^ dt, the first between the limits

V 77-*/

X

and ?, and the second between the limits and 0.476986- (;*• being any

erroi- and r the probable error). These were computed from Kramp's
tables of 1799 as quoted by Bessel in 1818. See Land. Phil. Mag..,
1871, Vol. XLII, p. 431, et sq. A translation of this first memoir and
a reprint of the tables is given in Taylor'' s Scientific Memoirs, 1841,
Vol. II, pp. 317-369.

to the Method of Least Squares. 181

ExcKE takes y=zq){x) as the equation of tlio curve expressing the
probability of error, and regarding x and y as contimious variables
recognizes clearly that for a given error <p(;'') must be an infinitesi-
mal. But strange to say he deduces

'V TV

in which A is a finite quantity.

The second memoir contains tlie pi-actical features of the method —
Gauss's algorithm for the solution of normal equations, Gauss's
(1823) and Hansen's (1830 and 1831) methods of determining
weights, etc. The third is devoted to the discussion of conditioned
observations. At the time of publication these memoirs must have
been of great value to students.

1832 LiTTKOA\\ THe WahrschelnUchkeitsreehnung und Hire An-
wenclung aiif das icissenschaftlicJte und prartische Leben. Wien, 8vo.

1832 Puissant. ' Deuxieme memoire sur I'application du calcul
des probabilites aux mesures geodesiques.' Mem. Acad. Paris, Vol.
XI, pp. 123-156.

Adjustment of triangulations, determinations of probable errors, etc.

1834 Bessel. ' Betrachtung iiber die Methode der Yervielfal-
tigung der Beobachtungen.' Astron. JSTaehr., Vol. XI, col. 269-290.
— Ahhmidl. von Bessel (Leipzig, 1875), Vol. Ill, pp. 306-317.

This valuable paper deduces rules for the adjustment of angles
taken by the method of repetitions, and formula? for finding their
weights and probable errors.

1834 SxROOTjrAN. BevatteUjk onderrigt in de ICansrekening^ of
de leer der vx(c(rschijnlykheden. Breda, ] 2mo.

1835 Caught, 'Memoire sur I'interpolation.' Lith. MS. — Trans-
lation in Lond. Phil. Mag., 1836, Vol. VIII, pp. 459-468. — Reprinted
in LiouvUle's Jour. Math., 1837, Vol. II, pp. 193-205; m Moigno's
Lemons de calcul differ entiel (Paris, 1840), pp. 513-526.

When an empirical formula is to be derived from a great number
of observation equations, Cauchy's method may be used as easily
although perhaps with less accuracy than the Method of Least
Squares. See below 1853 Bienayme and Caught, 1842 Grunert
and 1861 Schott. See an article by Bartlett in Anier. Jour Sci
1862, Vol. XXXIV, pp. 27-33. ■ ■ ■'

1836 PoissoN. 'Formules relatives aux probabilites qui dependent
de tres grand n ombres.' Gomptes Rend. Acad. Paris, Vol. II
pp. 603-613.

182 Mansfield Merrhnan — List of Writings relating

The general term of the binomial {p-\-q)"\ in which p-\-q:=z\^ is

shovvn to approach the form , as m indefinitely increases.

-v 2 Ttmpq
See 1830 Poisson.

1836 RouvROY. Ueber die Methode der kleinsten Quadrate.
Appendix to his Mechanih (Dresden and Leipzig, 8vo).

1837 Hagen. Grimdzilge der WahrscJieinlichkeits-Reeluiung.

Berlin, 8vo. — Second edition, see 1867.

This work contains Hac^en's proof of the Method of Least Squares.
It is based upon the following hypothesis: "Der Beobaclitungsfehler
ist die algebraische Summe einer unendlich grossen Anzahl elemen-
tarer Fehler, die alle gleichen Werth haben und eben so leicht positiv,
wie negativ sein konnen." This postulated, the proof consists in
finding the general term of the expansion of (^ \- ^)""', m being
indefinitely large. The law of facility of error takes the form

(p{,v) z= [7Tnt)~^e '" from which the principle of Least Squares at once
follows.

The algebraic work of PL\gen's method had in a somewhat difierent
form been given by Laplace in the Theorie .... des Prohahilites
(1812), p. 301, and in the articles 1830 Poisson and 1836 Poisson.
Hagbn's method is more elementary and in connection with his orig-
inal hypothesis forms, I think, one of the best proofs of the Method
of Least Squares.

Hagen's proof is given in the writings 1849 Wittstein, 1850 Encke,
1852 DiENGER, and in a modified form 1846 Quetelet, 1865 Tait,
1866 Natani and others. Also see Price's Integral Calculus (Ox-
ford, 1865), pp. 376-379. A discussion between Kummell and Mer-
RiMAN concerning this proof is now (Oct., 1877) going on in the flour.
Manklin Institute ; see Vol. CIV, pp. 173-187, 270-'274, et sq.

1837 PoissoN. '■ Reeherehes sur la prohabilite des jxigemens en ma-
tih-e criminelle et en niatihre civile, precedees des rhgles g'enerales du
calcul des prohahilites? Paris, 4to, pp. ix, 415. — German trans, by
ScHNUSE called Lehrhuch der Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung ; Braun-
schweig, 1841, 8vo.

The matter of Poissox's previous memoirs o)i the law of great
numbers is reproduced in Chap. Ill, and of those on the probability
of the mean in Chap. IV.

1838 Bessel and Baeyer. ' Gradmesswig in, Ost-Prensseu. und
ihre Verhindung niit p)reussische und russische Dreiecksketten.'' Ber-
nn, 4to, p]). xiv, 452.

A geodetic work of great value, containing many applications of
the Method of Least Squares. See extracts in Abhandl. von Bessel,
(Leipzig, 1875), Vol. Ill, pp. 82-138.

to the Method of Least Squares. 183

1838 Bessel. ' Untersuchungeu tiber die Wahrseheiiilichkeit der
Beobachtnngsfehler.' Astron. Nachr., Vol. XV, col. 369-404. —Ab-
handl. von Bessel (Leipzig, 18V5), Vol. II, pp. 372-391.

" Ich werde namlicli die Eiitstehnngsart der Beobaolitungsfehler
aus ihren Vrsacheu, zuni Grande des Folgenden macheii. Weiin man
aufangs die Fehler einer gewissen BeoV)achtungsart also aus eiiter,
auf gegebene Art wirkenden Ursaehe hervorgeliend betrachtet, so
wird dadurch ihre jedesmalige Grosse x eine gegebene Function eines
Arguments*?, welches in derselben Art willkilhrlich ist, wie das Fallen
eines Wiirfels. Aus dem Aiisdrucke x =,/'^ kann aber der Ausdruck
(p{x) abgeleitet werden, . . . ."

Bessel seems to use the word Ursaehe in the sense of a, som'ce of
error. His first investigation is of a case arising in the measurement
of angles, where the error x is related to the Ursaehe B by the law
x-=:a sin B, every value for B between the limits ziz-hrr being equally
possible. The law of facility of error he finds (p{x) = 7r~^{a^ —x^)~'^j
and the probable error is 2.568 times greater than by the Method of
Least Squares. An example where x =. aS^, which he shows may
actually arise, gives also disagreeing results.

In the second part of the investigation we read: "Ich werde nun
die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines Fehlers untersuchen, welcher aus der
Zusammeiiwlrkung mehrer, von einander unabhangiger Ursachen
ensteht," each error so arising being considered as equally likely to
be ])Ositive or negative. The i-esult of the investigation is that the
law of facility of error approximates closely to the exponential form
qj{x) z=. ee~^' * , provided that " viele Ursachen zur Hervorbringen
des Beobachtungsfehlers zusarmnenvnrhen^'' and "dass unter den, ai;s
den einzelen Ursachen hervorgehenden mittlern Fehlern, keiner die
ubrigen betrachtlich libertrefle," and these conditions Bessel thinks,
are present in most observations.

This memoir is very valuable as showing that the exponential law
of facility is not to be regarded as an d priori rule, free from excep-
tion, and as throwing new light on the condition under which it
exists. On the whole it may be considered as a new proof of that
law and hence of the Method of Least Squares.

1838 BiENAYME. 'Mcmoire sur la ])robabilite des resultats moyens
des observations; demonstration directe de la regie de Laj'LAOE.'
M'etn. . .par divers savants, . . Acad. Paris, Vol. V, })p. 513-558.

The rule of Laplace here meant is a method for finding the proba-
bility of the error of the mean. The opening pages contain some
interesting historical remarks, but the investigationitself is very long
and tedious and seems to be of little A^alue.

1838 DeMorgan, '■Essay on Probabilities,'' London, 12mo. pp.
xviii, 306, xl.

This popular book devotes a clia|)ter to methods of finding weights
and estimating probabilities of mean results. It contains tables of
the error functions.

184 Mansfield MeTriuian — Lht of Writings relating

1838 DeMorgan. ' On a Question in tlie Theory of Probabilities.'
Trans. Gamh. Phil. Soc, Vol. VI, pp. 423-430.

"The object of this paper is the correction of an oversight made
both by Laplace and M. Poisson in pages 279 and 209 of their
respective works on the Theory of Probabilities."

1838 Puissant. ' Snr l'a]»plication du calcul des prol)abilites a la
mesure de la precision d'un grand nivellement geodesique independant
des distances respectives des stations.' Comptes Rend. Acad. Paris.,
Vol. VII, pp. 1132-1135.

The mean eri'ors of the adjusted elevations are deduced.

1839 BiEXAY>rE. Theoreme sur la probabilite des resultats moyens
des observations. Proces-Verb. Soc. Philom. Paris for 1839, pp.
60-65.

1839 Hansex. 'Auilosung einer allgemeinen Aufgabe aus der
Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung-.' Astron. JVaehr., Vol. XVI, col. 9-16,
27-32.

On the determination of the values and weights of observed quan-
tities subject to conditional equations. A particular case of Han-
sen's problem is noted below under 1841.

1839 .Tahx. JJie WahrschelidichkeitsrecJinuny lond ihre Amaen-
dung auf das wissenschaftliche and praktische Leben, Leipzig, 8vo,
pp 240.

1840 Bessel. ' Neue Formel von Jacobi, fiir einen Fall der An-

wendung der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate.' Astr on. Nadir. .^N o\.

XVII, col. 305-308. —Abhandl. von Bessel (Leipzig, 1875), Vol. IL

pp. 401-402.

Formula^ for solving normal equations containing three unknown
quantities and determining at the same time the weights. They are
reti-arded by Bessel as shortening considerably the numerical work
required by previous methods. See below 1873 Seeligeh.

1840 Bessel. 'Ein Hulfsmittel zur Erleichterung der Anwendung
der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate.' Astron. JVac/ir., Vol. XVII,
col. 225-230. — Abhandl. von Bessel, Vol. II, pp. 398-401.

Computations arising in the formation of normal equations can be
shortened by the use of tables of squares of numbers.

1840 BiENAYME. La Constance des resultats moyens. Proces-
Verb. Soc. Philom. Paris for 1840, pp. 19-26.

to the Method of Least Squares. 185

1840 BiENAYME. Pnnci])e des prol)abilites entiereTiieiit nouveau.
Proces- Verb. Soc. Philom. Paris for 1840, pp. 37-43.

1840 BiEXAYME. Quelqnes proprietes des moyens arithmt'tiqiies
de puissances de quantities positives. Proces- Verb. Soc. Phllorn. for
1840, pp. 67-70.

1840 Bjjavi. Theorica e practlca del probab'de. Bergamo, second
edition, 2 vols, 8vo.

1840 Clemens. 'Ueber die Methode der kleinsten Quadrate.

Tilsit Gynuiasium Prograumi for 1839-40, pp ; for 1848,

pp. 1-12.

The first part of tliis memoir I have not seen. The second discus-
ses the determination of empirical formulae for periodic observations,
the calculation of probable errors and the correction of a field survey.

1840 Geelixg. PoTHENOx'scAe Aufgabe, in j^ractischer Bezie-
hung dargestellt. Marbui-g, 8vo, pp. 32.

Contains mainly the solution of 1822 Gauss. See 1866 Schott.

1841 Bessel. ' Ueber einer Fehler in der Berechnung der franzo-
sischen Gradmessung und seinen Einfluss auf die Bestimmimg der
Figur der Erde.' Astron. JVachr., Vol. XIX, col. 97-116. — Abhandl.
vo?i Pessel (Leipzig, 1875), Vol. Ill, pp. 55-62.

Forty-four observations subject to sixteen conditions are adjusted.
The method here employed for the combination of measurements of
arcs of meridians has furnished a model for many subsequent investi-
gations.

1841 Hansen. ' Eine Aufgabe aus der practischen Geodasie und
deren Auflosung.' Astron. Nachr., Vol. XVIII, col. 165-176.

" Die I^age ztoeier iinbekannten Punckte durch Hiilfe der Lage
ztoeier bekanuten Punckte zu bestimmen, ohne jene von diesen aus zu
beobachten."

1841 HtJLSSE. Ueber die Bei'eehimng von JBeobachtungen diirch
die Methode der Melnsten Quadratssurnme. Leipzig, 4to.

1841 Jacobi. ' De formatione et proprietatibus Determinantium.'
Crelle's Jour. Math., Vol. XXII, pp. 285-318.

Near the end of this memoir are remarks concerning the applica-
tion of determinants to the solution of equations and to the finding
of weights in the Method of Least Squares.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 24 Oct., 1877.

186 Mansfield Merri man — List of Writlags relating

1841 QuETELET. Ueber das Gesetz des Quadrats der Tempera-
tureii. Bull. Akad. Munchen for 1841, col. 261-263.

1842 Fries. Versiich einer Kritik der Principien der WaJirschein-
liehkeitsrechrnvng. Braunschweig, 8vo.

1842 Geunert. ' Ueber CAUCHT'sInterpolationsmethode.' Archiv.
Math. II. Fhys., Vol. II, pp. 41-60.
See 1835 Cauchy.

1842 LiTTROw. 'Theorie der kleinsten Quadrate.' Gehler''s Physi-
calisches Worterbuch, Vol. X, Pt. II, Art. ' Wahrscheinlichkeitsrech-
nung,' pp. 1200-12,^1.

A clear elementary exposition of the Method and its theory ac-
cording to 1832 Encke.

1842 LoBATSCHEWsKY. ' Probabilitc des n'sultats moyens tires
d'observations repetees.' (Jrelle''s Jour. Math..^ Vol. XXIV, pp.
164-170.

Serial expressions are dediiced for the probability of error in the
mean of a limited number of observations.

1842 Merz. De tlieoria pfohahiUtatis adhihita in p)hysicatn.
Monachii.

1842 Puissant. ' Traite de g'eod'esie, on exposition, des methodes
trigonometriques et astronomiques, applicables d la mesure de la, terre,
et d la construction du canevas des cartes topographiques.'' Paris, 2
vols, 4to, Vol. I, pp. xvi, 515, and XI pi. Vol. II, pp. xi, 496, xxxii,
and III pi. — First edition, see 1805.

The results of many of Puissant's previous memoirs are here re-
corded, and the Method of Least Squares is often used. The work is
one of the most valuable treatises on Geodesy extant.

1842 Ramus. ' Sur une question de probabilite relative aux cor-
rections des hauteurs barometriques.' Crelle''s Jour. Math., Vol.
XXIV, pp. 80-84.

A determination of the probability " que dans un grand nombre
d'observations la ditference des resultats moyens des hauteurs baro-
metriques observees et reduites soit comprise dans I'intrevalle A."

1842 Rober. Experiment. Art. in Ila/uhoOrterbuch Chemie u.
Phys. (Berlin, 8vo.)

See Archiv. Math. u. Phys., Vol. XI, p. 375.

to the Met/bod of Least Squares. 187

1843 Akgelander, ' Ueber die Anwendung der Methode der
kleinsteu Quadrate auf einen besondern Fall.' Astron. Machr.^ Vol.
XXI, col. 163-168.

Simplifies the formation of normal equations, etc., when the obser-
vations are made on the simple sums or differences of the unknown
quantities.

1843 BERKHA>f. (Teher die Methode der kleinsteu Quadrate.
Blankenburg, 8vo.

1843 CouRNOT. ' E.v^yositioti. de la theorie des chances et des proh-

abilites.'' l^aris, 8vo, pp. viii, 448. — German trans., Braunschweig,

1849, 8vo.

Chapters on the theory of means and the adjustment of observa-
tions are given. At the end is a table of values of the error function.
Courxot''s methods are often quite awkward.

1843 Gerlixg. ' Die Ausgleichungs-Rechnung der practischen
Geometric^ oder die Methode der Meinsten Quadrate mit ikren An-
wendungen auf geoddtische Aufgabevi.'' Hamburg and Gotha, 8vo,
pp. xix, 409, and 4 pi.

This book is dedicated to Gauss. The principle of Least Squares
is assumed as the basis of the methods of adjustment. It consists of
four parts ; the first treats of direct, the second of indirect, and the
third of conditioned observations, while the fourth discusses the form
and number of conditional equations which need to be considered in
the adjustment of triangulations.

The book is fully illustrated with practical examples, and contains
the best systematized development of the application of the method
to the treatment of simple geodetic measurements that has yet ap-
peared. Gerling issued later (1845, 1855, 1862) some papers sup-
plementary to the work, one of which contains a long list of errata.

1843 Reuschle. ' Ueber die Deduction der Methode der kleinsteu
Quadrate aus Begriffen der Wahrscheinlichkeitsrechnung.' Crelle's
Jour. Math., Vol. XXVI, pp. 333-364 ; Vol. XXVII, pp. 182-184.

This is a critical examination of the deduction of the expression
for the probability of an error between given limits and of other
points in the " Metaphysik" of the Method. Encke's proof of the
validity of the arithmetical mean (1832) is also examined and found
to be imperfect.

1844. Encke. ' Bemerkungen zu der Abhandlung No. 22. Band
26. Heft 4, dieses Journals." Crelle's Jour. Math., Vol. XXVIII,
pp. 213-222.

188 Mansfield Merrhnan — List of Writings relating

A reply to Reuschle's ci-iticisn)S. Encke tries to explain that in
the two expressions

2l q) {x) z= 1 and /J," </> (a*) dx = 1

the symbol 1 has difterent meanings. He also shows that Reuschlb
had tailed to understand his i^roof of the arithmetical mean.

1844 DoNKiisr. An Essay on the Theory of the Combination of
Observations. Trans. Ashmolean iSoc. (Oxford. 8vo). — French
abridgment, ' Sur la theorie — .' in Liouville^s Jour. Math. 1855,
Vol. XV, pp. 297-322.

DoNKix attempts to establish " une espece de Statiqne mc'ta-
physiqiie snr des preuves de la meme force que celles qu'on emploie
en deduisant, a priori, les lois de la Statique ordinare." The word
" force" is taken to mean " tout motif qui nous porte a alterer la
valeur attribuee a une quantite," and to these " forces" the princij)les
of centre of gravity of bodies, of virtual velocities, etc., are applied,
and the usual rules for the adjustment of observations by means of
normal equations, weights, mean errors, etc., are deduced. No law
of facility of error enters iuto the discussion.

Doinkin's reasoning does not always seem to me clear or rigorous.

1844 Ellis. ' On the Method of Least Squares.' 7)-ans. Camb.
Phil Soc, Vol. Vin, pp. 204-219. —Also Bllis's 3Iathematical and
other Writings (Cambridge, 1863, 8vo), pp. 12-37.

In this pa])er it is attempted "to bring the different modes in
which the subject has been presented into juxtaposition, as that the
relations which they bear to one another may be clearly ap])re-
hendcd."

Ellis first takes up Gauss's proof of 1809. He considers that
Gauss is not justified in assuming that the rule of the arithmetical
mean gives the most probable values, and he shows that besides mere
convenience no satisfactory reason can be assigned why it should be
so regarded. His remarks on this point are extremely valuable and
soumi See 1872 Glaisher.

Laplace's demonstration is taken up and presented in a different
but greatly simplified form, extended to the case of any number of
unknown elements. Gauss's second proof of 1823 is also analyzed
and the conclusion arrived at that "nothing can be simpler or more
satisfactory." Lastly Ivory's three proofs (1825-6) are discussed
and their illogical character clearly exposed. The paper is one of
the most valuable in the theoretical literature of the subject.

1844 Jacobi. 'LTebereine neue Auflosungsart der bei der Methode
der kleinsten Quadrate vorkommenden lineiiren Gleichungen.' Astron.
Nadir., Vol. XXII, col. 297-306.

An abridged method for the solution of certain forms of noruuil
equations.

to the Method of Least Squares. 189

[1844] QuETELKT. Sur rapprt'ciations ties documents statistiques
et en particular sur I'appreciatioiis des moyennes. Hull, statist ique
de JBelgique, Vol. II.

1845 Bessel. ' Auszug- aus cinem Sehreiben . . . .' Astron. JVachr.,
Vol. XXIII, col. 1-4.

On the probable errors of interpolations in logarithmic tables.

1845 Fischer. Die Theorie der Beobachtungsfehler und ihre
Ausgleiehung durch die Methode der kleinsten Quadrate. Pt. I of
his Lehrbuch der hohereti (reodasie,' Darmstadt, 8vo.

1845 Gerlixg. ' Nachtrage zur Ausgleichungs-Rechnung.' Archiv.
3Iath. u. Phys., Vol. VI, pp. 141-146, 375-378.

Three supplements to (Sickling's l)ook (1843). The first and sec-
ond treat of the determination of points by angle measurements and
the third of the precision of chain measurements.

1846 Bravais. 'Analyse mathematique sur les probabilites des
erreurs de situation d'un point.' Mem. . . par divers savaus . . hist.
France, Vol. IX, pp. 255-332.

Observations being made on the coordinates of a point the proba-
bility that the apparent and true places are separated by a given dis-
tance is investigated, as also is the " valeur de la crainte mathe-
matique de I'erreur" which is shown to be represented by the sur-
face of a certain ellipsoid. The method requires the observations to
be numerous.

In determining the probability that a point in a plane is located on
an elementary area dy.dji', Bravais takes the probabilities of the x
and y detiections as independent. See 1850 Herschel.

1846 Galloway. ' On the application of the Method of Least
Squares to the Determination of the most probable Errors in a Por-
tion of the Ordnance Survey of England.' Mem. Astron. Soc. Lond.,
Vol. XV, pp. 23-69.

A discussion of a triangulation including ten stations at which thirty-
live angles are observed subject to nineteen conditional equations.
The methods of adjustinent,''of determining weights, of forming the
conditional equations and all the steps of the process are given at
length with great clearness. See Month. Notices Astron. Soc, 1843,
Vol. V, pp. 262-264 for a full account of contents of the memoir.

1846 Quetelet. '■ Lettres d S. A. R. le Due regnant de Saxe-
Cobourg et Gotha, sur la Theorie des ProbaMlites appUqu'ee aux sci-
ences morales et politiques.^ Bruxelles, large 8vo, pp. iv, 450, — Eng-
lish trans, by Downes; London, 1849, 8vo.

190 Mansfield 3ferriman — List cf Writings relating

These letters are of so elementary a character that S. A. R. is in-
formed of the meaning of the signs + and — . They contain how-
ever a valuable popular exposition of the Theory of means and of the
laws of error. For review of the book see 1850 IIerschel.

At the end of the book is an appendix containing many valuable
" Notes." In pages 375-380 a table of the terms of the binomial
^1. _|_ i^y^"^ for eighty terms on each side of the middle terra is given
and the method of its computation explained : these have since been
called Quetelet's numbers, see 1869 Galton. In pages 384-387 it
is shown that the general tei-m of the binomial (^ -j- ^)'" approaches
the exponential form ce~'' ^ as m indefinitely increases : this is sim-
ilar to Hagex's investigation of 1837.

In pages 412-424 are printed three suggestive letters from Bra-
vAis, in which not only doubts are expressed as to the d priori
necessity of the exponential law of facility of error, but examples
are given to show that it is not ixniversally true d posteriori. Bra-
vats' view is that every cause of partial error gives rise to a distinct
curve of facility and that the combination of these approaches the
exponential form as a limit, partly because of the necessary law that
positive and negative errors are equally likely, and partly because
the combination itself must tend toward the binomial form. He
alludes to Hagen's proof as not sufficiently rigorous,

1847 DeMorgak. 'Theoi-y of Probabilities.' Encycl. of Pure
Math. {Encycl. Metrop.), Pt. II, pp. 393-490.

A great part of this work is translated and adapted from Laplace's
Theorie .... des Proh., 1812, enriched by comments. The Method of
Least Squares is treated at considerable length according to La-
place's method. At the end are given valuable tables, those of 1799
Kramp and 1832 Encke, and also factorial tables.

1847 Galloway. 'Probabilities.' Encycl. Brittanica, seventh
ed., Vol. XVIII, pp. 591-639. Eighth edition. Vol. XVIII, pp. 588-
636. — Also separately, Edinburgh, 1848, 8vo.

PoissoTsi's analysis (1824) of Laplace's method is given, and also
Gauss's proof of 1823.

1848 Matzka. 'Beweis des obersten Grundsatzes der Methode der

kleinsten Quadrate.' Archiv. Math. r«. Phgs., Vol. XI, pp. 369-377.

A suggestive article. Let ,v be the true value of a quantity for
which observations give the values a, ^>, e, . . ., then

a^=/K ^ ^, )

and also we must have

X — rn =/{a — m, b—nt., c — m,. . . .).
Applying Taylor's theorem, Matzka deduces for x

ha -{- ib -\- kc -\- . . .

^~ A + *i+ ^ + . . .

to the Ilethod of Least Squares. 191

in which, h, i, k, .... are positive quantities whose values cannot be
determined. If the observations are of equal weight and infinite in
number the rule of the arithmetical niean is shown to follow.

1848 Meyer. Resolntion d'un probleme du calcul des jtrobabilitcs.
Bull. Acad. Belf/lque, Vol. XV, Ft. II, pp. 508-512.

1848 Meyer. ' Menioire sur I'application du calcul des probabil-
ites aux operations du nivellement topographique.' Mem. Acad. Bel-
gique, Vol. XXI, 25 pp.

An excellent jiractical paper.

1848 Wolf. Bestimmung mittlerer Langen und Gewichte. Mlt-
theil. (resell. Bern for 1848, pp. 238-243.

1849 Baeyer. Die Kustenverrnessung und Hire Verbindung mit
der Berliner Grundlinie. Berlin, 4to.

A valuable work for geodetic engineers.

1849 GoTZE. 'Ueber die Bestimmung der Bedingungsgleichungen
bei der Aufsuchungen der wahrscheinlichsten Elemente eines Him-
melskorpers aus einem vollstaudigen Systeme von geocentrischen
Beobachtungen.' Astron. JVachr.. Erganzungs Heft, col. 159-234,
239-240.

1849 Pattcker. Der Ausgleichungsbau und der mittlere Fehler
der Beobachtung. Arbeit Kurland. Gesell.., Vol. VII, pp. 91-131.

1849 WiTTSTEiN. 'Die Methode der kleinsten Quadrate.' Appen-
dix to Wittstein's Lehrbuch der Bifferential-und-Integralrechnung
(Hannover, 1868-9, 8vo), Vol. H, pp. 343-442.

Contains a very clear exposition of Hagen's demonstration (1837)
of the law of facility of error and an excellent elementary presenta-
tion of the practical features of the method.

1849 Wolf. Note zur Methode der kleinsten Quadrate. Mittheil.
Gesell. Bern for 1849, pp. 140-144.

1849 Wolf. Versuche zur Vergleichvmg der Erfahrungswahr-

scheinlichkeit mit der mathematischen Wahrscheinlichkeit. Mittheil.

Gesell. Bern for 1849, pp. 97-100, 183-185; for 1850, pp. 85-88, 209-

212 ; for 1851, pp. 17-36.

See also 1853 Wolf. I regret that I have been unable to see these
articles.

192 Mansfield 3ferriinan — List of Writings relating

1850 Bache. ' Comparison of the Results obtained in Geodesy by
the Application of the Theory of Least Squares.' Proc. Amer. Assoe.
for 1849, pp. 102-105.

A statement of probable errors of measurements of angles in U. S.
Coast Survey triangulations. At the end of the paper, wliieh seems to
be a biief abstract of the original, there are some remarks by Peirck,
Gould and Henry, which probably were incorrectly reported.

1850 Encke. 'Ueber die Anwendung der Wahrscheinlichkeits-
Rechnung auf Beobachtungen.' Berlin, Astron. Jahrh. for 1853, pp.
310-351.

The object of this paper is to establish greater confidence in the
practice of taking the ai-ithmetical mean and in the validity of tlie
exponential law of facility of error. Six of the ten problems of I;A-
grange's memoir of 1774 are translated and a few comments added.
Hagen's demonstration of 1837 is also given in full and spoken of in
very favorable terms. Encke alludes to the use of the " Erfahrungs-
satz des Prinzips des ai'ithmetischen Mittels" in his memoir of 1832
and says, "so blieb doch immer eine willktihrliche Annahme iibrig."
At the end of the article is an attempt to explain whyy_ ^ (p{x)dxz^\^
when (p{x) is the probability of the error x.

1850 Guy. 'On the Relative Value of Averages derived from
different Observations.' Joitr. Statis. Soc, Vol. VIII, pp. 30-45.
The observations discussed are statistical facts.

1850 Herschel. ' Quetelet on Probabilities.' Edinlmrgh Ren.,
Vol. XCII, pp. 1-57. — HerschePs Essags (London, 1857, 8vo), pp.
365-465.

This paper contains in a popular form another proof of the Method
of Least Squares. Supposing a stone dropped with the intention that
it shall hit a mark on a horizontal plane, the reasoning assumes that
the deflections from rectangular axes tlirough the mark are independ-
ent ; and deduces the exponential form ce~^' *" for the law of devia-
tion or error. From this the Method of Least Squares at once
follows. This proof was put into algebraic language by Ei.ijs (see
below) and the unwarrantable character of the assumption clearly
pointed out. See above 184r) Bravais, and below 1857 Boole, 1867
Thompson and Tait, 1872 Schlomilcii, and particularly 1872 Glai-
SHER. See also 1808 ^^drain, where this proof was first given.

1850 Ellis. 'Remarks on an alleged Proof of the "Method of
Least Squares," contained in a late number of the Edinhnrgh Review.'^
Lond. Phil. Mag., Vol. XXXVII, pp. 321-328, 462. —Also Ellis's
Mathematical Writings (Cambridge, 1863, 8vo), pp. 51-62.

to the Method of Least Squares. 193

Herschel's proof is discussed and regarded as unsatisfactory.
Laplace's method is also explained and defended. The paper is very
interesting and valuable. See Glaisher, 3Iem. Astro?i. ISoc. Lond.,
1872, Vol. XXXIX, pp. 112-113 ; also below 1851 Donkin.

1850 HossARD and Poudra, ' Seconde Tlieoreme de minimum
pour un sy Sterne de droite dans I'espace.' JSfouv. Ann. 3Iath., Vol.
IX, pp. 241-242.

On the centre of gravity of a system of points. See also Vol. VII,
p. 407 and 454.

1850 Paucker. Der mittlere Fehler zweiter Ordnung. Arbeit
Kurland. Gesell, Vol. VIII, pp. 104-112.

185(> Verdam. '• Verhandelliig over de niethode der kleinste quad-
raten.'' Groningen, Vol. I, 4to, pp. xxi, 409.

I have not seen Vol. II of this work and find no direct reference to its
jDublication : it was probal)ly published about 1 853. Vol. I is devoted
to the practical features of the nietliod and Vol. II to the theory.

Vol. I assumes the principle of Least Squares and develops the
methods of adjustments and comparison by probable errors, weights,
etc. Numerous well chosen ])ractical examples are given worked out
in detail. The work abounds in historical information, and is the
most complete text-book on the subject which has come to my notice.

1851 Airy. 'On a Question of Probabilities which occurs in the
use of a fixed collimator for the Verification of the Constancy of
Position of an Azimuth Circle.' Rep. Brit. Assoc, for 1850, pp. 1-2.

Is it justifiable to use the Theory of Errors in finding the probable
errors of quantities which are partly results of observation and partly
deductions of formulae?

1851 Airy. ' On the Weights to be given to the separate Results

for Terrestrial Longitudes, determined by Observations of Transits

of the Moon and Fixed Stars.' 3Iem. Astron. Soc. Lond., Vol. XIX,

pp. 213-229.

Weight is defined as " the reciprocal of the square of the probable
error." The paper discusses nine practical cases.

1851 Denzler. ' Ueber den Fundamentalsatz der Methode der
kleinsten Quadrate.' Mittheil. Gesell. Zilrirh.^ Vol. II, pp. 110-118.
Appears to be of little importance.

1851 DoNKix. ' On certain Questions relating to the Theory of
Probabilities.' Lond. Phil. Mag., Vol. I, pp. 353-368, 458-466 ; Vol.
II, pp. 55-66.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 25 Oct., 187 7,

194 Mansfield Merriman — List of 'Writings relating

Part III of this paper ofters some critical remarks on the Theory
of Least Squares with particubir reference to Ellis's paper of 1850.
Herschel's proof, it is said, "should be treated with respect." The
Method of Least Squares may be used, if for no other reason, because
"it is a very good method," as shown by Gauss's proof of 1823.

1851 HossAKD. ' Note sur la methode des moindres carres.' ]^ouv.

Annal. Math., Vol. X, pp. 456-460.

Ivory's first proof (1825) is here rediscovered under a slightly dif-
ferent form.

1851 Paucker. Uebei'einstimmung der ausgeglichenen LTrsachen
mit den durch Bessel's Verfahren gefundenen. Arbeit KiXrland.
GeselL, Vol. IX, pp. 170-18:3.

1851 Paucker. Einfluss der Gewichte auf die Ausgleichung.
Arbeit Kilrland. Gesell, Vol. IX, pp. 183-193.

The substance of this and the preceding article is given in the fol-
lowing.

1851 Paucker. • Zur Theorie der kleinsten Quadrate.' Bull,
phys. math. Acad. /St. Peters., Vol. IX, col. 113-125; Vol. X, col. 33-
43, 233-238. — MM. math. Acad. >St. Peters., Vol. I, pp. 188-204,
333-346, 433-439.

Contains new methods of computation, tests of accuracy, etc.,
which appear to be of little value.

1852 Biexayme. ' Memoire sur la ])robabilite des erreurs d'apres
la methode des moindres carres.' Liouville'' s Jour. Math., Vol.
XVII. pp. 33-78, — Mem. . par divers savans.. Inst. France, Vol.
XV, pp. 615-663.

After some interesting critical remarks, Laplace's analysis (1812)
is given considerably simplified. According to Bienayme's investi-
gation the formula? for probable error ordinarily used are only cor-
rect for one unknown quantity. For two, three and four unknown
quantities, he finds that the probable errors should be respectively
1.746, 2.281 and 2.716 times larger than those given by the usual
formuhii. His expression for the proljability that an error is included
between given limits differs sensibly for several unknown quantities
from the common probability integral, particularly for limits but
little removed from £c=:0. See 1873 Wrede.

See Coniples Pendus Acad. Paris, Vol. XXXIV, pp. 90-92, or
Liouville's Joxir. Math., Vol. XVII, pp. 31-32 for a report on this
memoir. See also Meyer's (Jalcul des Prohabilites, pp. 377-408.

1852 Biver. Tli'eorie des moindres carres etablie par Vatialyse
pxf.re. Bruxelles, 8vo.

Pi'obably similar to Iiis memoir of 1853.

to the Method of Least Squwes. 195

1852 DiENGER. ' Ueber die Ausgleichung der Beoljaclitungs-
fehler.' Archiu. 3Iath. u. Phys., Vol. XVIII, pj.. 149-193 ; Vol XIX,
pp. 211-227.

Hagen's demoiisti'ation (1837) is followed. The article forms an
almost complete elementary treatise on the Method of Least Squares.

In the Supplement Hagen's proof is abandoned, as resting on a
questionable hypothesis and Gauss's first proof is given in its place.
DiEXGEK appreciates clearly the defects of Gauss's method, for he
requires the number of observations to be infinite in order that the
value given by the arithmetical mean shall coincide with the true
value of the measured quantity.

1852 DiENGER, 'Ueber die Bestimmung des Gewichts der nach
der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate erhaltenen wahrscheinlichsten
Werthe der Unbekannten, wenn Bedingungsgleicluingen vorhanden
sind.' Arc/iiv. 3Iath. u. P/ujs., Vol. XIX, pp. 197-202.

Contains valuable practical formula? for the computer.

1852 Hartner. Handbuch der niederyi Oeoddsie, nebst eineni An-
hange uher die Elemente der Mctrhscheidehunst. Wien, 8vo. — Sec-
ond edition, 1856, 8vo, pp. xvi, 611. — Fourth edition, 1872, 8vo.

See 1863 Bursch.

1852 LiAGRE. 'Sur la valeur la plus probable d'un cote geode-

sique commun a deux triangulations.' Bxdl. Acad. Jielgique, Vol.

XIX, Pt. I, pp. 513-534.

A clear exposition and solution of the problem. An example from
1 849 Baeyer is discussed.

1852 LiAGRE. 'Sur la loi de repartition des hauteurs baro-

raetriques, par rapport a la hauteur moyenne.' Pull. Acad. Pelgique^

Vol. XIX, Pt. II, pp. 502-514.

The law is shown to agree with the exponential law of facility of
error.

1852 Peirce (B.) " Criterion for the Rejection of doubtful observa-
tions.' GoukPs Astron. Jour.., Vol. II, pp. 161-163.

This Criterion, founded on a principle of the Theory of Probability,
proposes a method for determining by successive approximation,
whether or not a suspected observation may be rejected. Tables are
needed for its application: for these see below 1855 Gould and 1864
Chauvenet.

It is a fatal objection to this criterion that its use involves a con-
tradiction of reasoning. The arithmetical mean, for instance, can
only be used when tlie observations are all of equal weight, and the
rejection of an observation which deviates considerably from the

196 Mansfield Merriman — JList of Writings relatiiui

mean asserts that the weights of the several vahies are not equal.
See below 1856 Airy and Winlock, 1S68 Stone and particularly
18V2 and 1873 Glaisher.

The criterion has been used to some extent in the U. S. Coast Sur-
vey office, but has elsewhere, I believe, found no acceptance.

1852 QuETELET. ' Sur quelques proprietes curieuses qui presentent
les resultats d'une sc'rie d'observations, faites dans la vue de deter-
miner une constant, lorsqxie les chances de rencontrer des ecarts en
plus et en moins soint egales et independantes les unes des autres.'
Bull. Acad. Belgique, Vol. XIX, Pt. II, pp. 303-317.

An interesting investigation, illustrated by a discussion of meteoro-
logical observations.

1852 Wolf. Beitrag zur Lehre von der Wahrscheinlichkeit.
Mittheil. Gesell. Bernior 1852, i)p. 133-134.

1853 BivEi;. ' Theorie analytique des moindres carres.' Liou-
viUe's Jour. Math., Vol. XYIII, i)p. 169-200.

The principle of the arithmetical mean is proved according to 1832
Encke. The term "risque de erreur" is given to the function
A-\-B2x^-\- (''^x^I)-\-2x^-\- . . . and it is shown that this becomes
a minimum when 2x^ is a minimum, and this condition is regarded
as furnishing " les valeurs les plus plausibles des inconnues." Form-
ulae for weights and mean errors aie also developed.

1853 Caught, ' Memoire sur revaluation d'inconnues determinees
par uu grand nombre d'equations approximatives du premier degre.'
Com2J>tes Rendiis Aead. Paris, Vol. XXVI, pp. 1114-1122.

It is maintained that the method of interpolation (1835 Cauchy)
can be used for determining several unknown quantities from a re-
dundant number of equations, witli results nearly as accurate as by
the Method of Least Squares.

1853 Biekayme. 'Remarque sur les diiierences qui distinguent
I'interpolation de M. Cauchy de la methode des moindres carres, et
qui assurent la superiorite de cette methode.' Vomptes Rendus
Acad. Paris, Vol. XXVII, pp. 5-13. — LiouviUe's Jour. Math., Vol.
XVIII, pp. 299- 308.

It is maintained that the two methods differ '■ completement," and
that even a contradiction exists. Cauchy's method, it is said, is only
a modiiication of the ordinary pi-ocess of elimination, which assures
no especial degree of probability to the results and which requires in
practice as many operations as the Method of Least Squares. See
below Cauchy.

to the Method of Least Squares. 197

Further remarks by Bienayme referring to tliis discussion are
given in pages (58-69, 197, 206 of Vol. XXXVII of the Couiptes
Rendus.

1853 Cauchy. 'Memoire sur I'interpohition, ou Remarques sur

les Remarques de M. Jules Bienayme.' (Joniptes Rendus Acad.

Paris, Vol. XXXVII, pp. 64-68.

Gives an extract from the memoir of 1835, and maintains that in
many investigations the method of interpolation is preferable to that
of Least Squares.

1853 Cauchy. 'Sur la nouvelle nic'thode d'interpolation comparee
a la methode des moindres carres.' Comptes Rendus Acad. Paris,
Vol. XXXVII, pp. 100-109.

The new method is claimed to be often the shortest, and the
Method of Least Squares is said to give most probable results only
under certain conditions.

1853 Cauchy. 'Memoire sur les coefficients limitateurs ou restric-
teurs.' Comptes Rendus Acad. Paris, Vol. XXXVII, pp. 150-162.

In the latter part of the article the " restricteurs" are applied to
the theory of Least Squares, and it is concluded that that Method
furnishes most probable results only when the law of facility of error
is the same for all the errors, when no limits can be assigned to the
magnitude of an error, and when the probability of an error x is
proportional to e-'i^^*.

1853 Cauchy. ' Sur les resultats moyens d'observations de meme
nature, et sur les resultats les plus probables.' Co)iiptes Rendus
Acad. Paris, Vol. XXXVII, pp. 198-206.

The conclusions of the preceding article are confirmed.

185;-5 CAU(mY. 'Sur la probabilite des erreurs qui affectent des
resultats moyens d'observations de raenie nature.' Comptes Rendus
Acad. Paris, Vol. XXXVII, pp. 264-272.

Shows that the most probable values may sometimes differ from
those found by the Method of Least Squares.

1853 Bienayme. 'Considerations a I'appuf de la decouverte de
Laplace sur la loi des probabilites dans la methode des moindres
carres.' Comptes Rendus Acad. Paris, Vol. XXXVII, pp. 309-324.
—Liouville's Jour. Math., 1867, Vol. XII, pp. 158-176.

An answer and review of some of Cauchy's articles: also main-
tains that the mean of the sum of the squares of the errors is under
all circumstances a measm-e of the precision of the observations.

198 Mansfield Merrbaan — List of Writings relating

1853 Cauchy. ' Sur la j^lus grande erreiir a eraiudre dans iin

resultat moyeii, et siir le syst^me de I'acteurs qui rend cette plus

grande erreur un Tninimnm.' Coi/iptes He/tdus Acad. Paris, Vol.

XXXVII, pp. 326-3.34.

The system of factors is often very diiferent from that given by the
Method of Least Squares.

1853 Cauchy. 'Memoire sur les resultats moyens d'un tres grand
nombre d'observations.' Comptes Mendus Acad. Paris, Vol. XXX VII,
pp. 381-385.

An abstract only is given. The resiilt seems to be that the mean
is worthy of great confidence.

1853 Gkunert. ' Elementare Betrachtungen tiber die Bildung
der Bedingungsgleichungen aus gegebenen Beobachtungen.' Ar-
chiv Math. u. Phi/s., Vol. XXI, pp. 453-486.

"Bedingungsgleichung" is not here used in its usual sense. The
paper contains an investigation of the value to be taken for x when
A—Px=0, and many values of A and P are given by observation.
A certain form for x is shown to involve the principle of Least
Squares.

1853 LiAGKE. Calcid des prohahllit'es et la theorie des erreurs, avec
des applications aux sciences d'' observation en general, et d la. geodesie
en particular. Bruxelles, 8vo.

This is a standard work on the subject.

1853 LiAGRK. 'Sur I'erreur probable d'un passage observe a la
lunnette meridienne de TObservatoire royal de Bruxelles.' Pull.
Acad. Belgique, Vol. XX, Pt. II, pp. 303-312.

1853 QuETELET. Theorie des prohcd)ilites. Bruxelles, 12mo, pp. 104.

1853 Wolf. Versuche zur Vergleichung der mathemathischen
Wahrscheinlichkeit. Mittheil. Qesett. Pern for 1853, pp. 23-28.
See also 1849 Wolf.

1);!53 . Tafehi zur Perech^iung der Wahrscheinlichkeit

des Vorkomruens von Peohachtungsfehler. Berlin, lith. MS., 4to, pp. 11.

1 854 d' Arrest. ' Beitrag zur Methode der kleinsten Quadrate.'
Pericht. ISdchslch. GeselL, 1854, ]ip. 133-136. — Astron. Nachr.,
Vol. XLI, col. 35-40.

Points out six new geometrical properties of the probability curve,
and shows how its equation may be deri\ ed from a certain mechani-
cal idea.

to the Method of Least Squares. 199

1854 Helfe. Menioire sur la prohahilite clu tir des projectiles de
V artillerie navale. Paris, 4to. — Second ed., 1856, 8vo.

1855 Baciie. ' ComparisoTi of the reduction of horizontal angles
by the methods of dependant directions and of dependant angular
quantities, by the method of least squares.' Rep. Coast Survey U. S.
for 1854, pp. 6:]*-70.*

The first method is shown to possess a slight advantage.

1855 Bertrand. ' Methode des momdres carres. llemoires sur la
combinaison des observations., par Ch. Fr. Gauss. Paris, 8vo, pp. 167.

This volume renders quite accessible the Latin memoirs of Gauss.

It contains translations of pages 208-220 of the llteoria nwtus

1809, pages 20-26 of Disquisito de Ralladis, 1811, and the

whole of the memoirs of 1816, 1822, 1823, 1826 and 1827. The me-
moirs of 1823 and 1827 form the bulk of the book, the others being
added at the end as " Notes."

1855 Bertrand. 'Sur la raethode des moindres carres.' Comptes

Rendus Acad. Paris, Vol. XL, pp. 1190-1192.

Historical and critical remarks made on presenting a copy of the
above book to the Paris Academy.

1855 Gerling. ' Ueber die Schatzung des mittlern Fehlers di-
recter Beobachtungen.' Archiv Math. u. Phys., Vol. XXV, pp.
219-222.

Contains three pages of corrections and errata to his book (1843).

1855 Gould. 'Report containing directions and tables

for the use of Peikce's Criterion for the Rejection of Doubtful Obser-
vations.' Rep. Coast Survey XT. S. for 1854, pp. 131*-138*

Reprinted with a different title in Goukrs Astron. Jour., 1855,
Vol. IV, pp. 81-87.

1855 HiLGARD. 'Discussion of the probable error of observation

with a twenty-six inch portable transit ' Rep. Coast Sur.

U. S., for 1854, p. 121*.

The probable error is given as ±0.072®.

1855 LiAGRE. ' Siir la probabilite de I'existence d'une cause

d'erreur reguliere dans une serie d'observations.' Pull. Acad. Pel-

f/iqiie, Vol. XXII, Pt. II, pp. 9-13, 15-54.

A valuable theoretical discussion illustrated with practical exam-
ples.

200 Mansfield Merrhnan — Ijist of Writings relating

1855 Lloyd. On the mean results of observations. Trans. Irish
Acad., Vol. XXII, pp. 61-73.

See abstract in Proc. Irish Acad., Vol. IV, pp. 180-183.

1855 Peiroe (B.). ' Report upon the Determination of Longitude by
Moon Culminations.' Jiej). Coast Sur. U. S. for 1854, pp. 109*-120*,

" The small errors which are beyond the limits of human percep-
tion, are not distributed according to the mode recognized by the
Method of Least Squares, but either with the uniformity which is the
ordinary characteristic of matters of chance, or more frequently in
some arbitrary form dependant upon individual peculiarities "

1855 ScHOTT. 'Adjustment of horizontal angk^s of a triangulation.'
Hep. Coast Sur. U. S., for 1854, pp. 70*-86*.

This and many of Schott's following papers are very valuable,
but they are not usually clear except to those who already understand
the subject.

1855 ScHoiT. ' Probal»le error of observation derived from^ obser-
vations of horizontal angles at any single station, and depending on
directions.' Eep. Coast Sur. U. S. for 1854, pp. 86* -95*.

A discussion of 350 measurements taken at eleven stations.

1856 Airy. 'Letter from . . . [liemarks on Peirce's Criterion.]'
Gould's Astron. Jour., Vol. IV, pp. 137-138.

The Criterion is strongly opposed. ". . . . the whole theory is
defective in its foundations and illusory in its results." It must be
said, however, that some of Airy's objections are not sup])orted by
very good logic.

1856 WiNLOCK. ' On Professor Airy's objections to Peirce's Cri-
terion.' GoiikVs Astron. Jour., Vol. IV, pp. 145-147.

Airy's objections are taken up in detail ; some of them are shown
to apply equally well to the Method of Least Squai-es.

1856 Peters. ' Ueber die Bestinunung des wahrscheinlichen Feh-
lers einer Beobachtung aus den Abweichungen der Beobachtungen
von ihrem arithraetischen Mittel.' Astron. Nachr., Vol. XLIV, col.
29-32. —Trans, in Rep. Coast Sur. U. S. for 1856, pp. 307-308.

Let '^x be the sum of the residual errors all taken positive, and n
the number of direct observations of equal weight. Then Peters'
result is, tliat r, the probable error of a single observation is,

r = 0.845347 - y-^^ — -
Vw(?^— 1)

See on this formula 1869 Lijroth, and 1875 Helmert

to the Metlkod of Least Squares. 201

1856 ScHOTT. 'Solution of Normal Equations by indirect Elimi-
nation.' Rep. Coast Sur. IT. S. for 1855, pp. 255-264.

Several methods are given and illustrated by numerical examples.
The paper is of great value to a computer.

1856 ScHoiT, 'Report of a discussion of the secular varia-
tion in the magnetic declination on the Atlantic and part of the Gulf
Coast of the United States.' Rep. Coast Survey JJ. S. for 1855, pp.
306-337.

The process of deducing empirical formulse for declination from
observations by the Method of Least Squares is explained and illus-
trated, as also that of finding the probable errors of the constants
which enter into such formulae and of the computed results. For-
mulaB are deduced for fourteen stations. See also Hep. Coast Survey
for 1855, p. 306, and for 1859, p. 296.

1856 VoKLAXDER. ' Ueber die Genauigkeit der Langenmessungen

mit der JVIesskette auf verschiedenen Bodenarten.' Zeitschr. 3fath.

u. P/iys., Vol. I, pp. 142-159.

The precision is regarded as inversely proportional to the length of
the line. Tables are given showing results for different kinds of
ground. See 1863 Borsch.

1857 Andra. 'Fehlerbestimmung bei der Auflosung der Pothe-
Nox'schen Aufgabe rait dem Messtische.' Astron. Nachr.^ Vol. XL VII,
col. 193-202.

Points for which the probabilities of error are equal have an ellipse
as locus. The most probable ellipse is assumed to be given by the
Method of Least Squares. See Ihdl. math. phys. Acad. St. Peters.,
Vol. VII, p. 145.

1857 d'Arrest. ' Schreiben . . . . [iiber die Berechnung der Ge-
wichte].' Astron. Nachr., Vol. XL VII, col. 17-20.

Contains formulae foi" the easy determination of the relative weights
of three unknown quantities, and also remarks concerning the geomet-
ric signification of weights and their connection with determinants.

1857 Babinet and Housel. '■G.cdculs pratiques appliques aux
sciences d'' observation.'' Paris, 8vo, pp. xvi, 388.

Mostly devoted to the theory of numerical approximations and
interpolation foimula?. Two pages are given to the Method of Least
Squares.

1857 Baur. . Pro(/raiiim des Stuttyarter Poly-

techiiikursus fiir 1857.

An article on determination of weights, etc.

Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. IV. 26 Oct., 1877.

202 Mansfield Merrirnan — List of Writings relating

1857 Bei.lavitis. Considernzioiii sulla theoria della proLabilita.
Atti Istit. Venezia for 1856-7, pp. 299-321.

1857 Bond. 'On the use of Equivalent Factors in the Method of
Least Squares.' Mem. Araer. ^4 cac?., Vol. VI, pp. 179-212. — Also
privately printed, Cambridge, 1858, 4to, pp. Sfi.

It is shown that it is unnecessary to adhere in numerical computa-
tions to the strict letter of the Method of Least Squares, and that its

application " requires the use of such numbers only, in the

arithmetical processes peculiar to it and characteristic of the Method,
as may be designated by one of the numerals 0, 1, 2,. . . .9, or of the
fractions i, i, • • - .^, or by a product of one of these numbers by an
integral power of 10.''

1857 Boole. On the Application of the Theory of Probabilities to
the question of the Combination of Testimonies or Judgments.
Trans. Soc. Edinb., Vol. XX I, pp. 597-652.

In the tii'st part of this memoir the rule of the arithmetical mean is
discussed. "The result of Boolic's investigation is that if n oh^ovxn.-
tions7^>i, ^^2,. ■ . .^/„ be made upon the same quantity, then the most
probaV)le value of that quantity is a certain linear function of jOj, jj'z^
.. . .p„\ this Boole demonstrates by his Calculus of Logic, and the
analysis is of so peculiar a character that. . . .1 feel scarcely qualified

to express a decided opinion on its merits the [final j result

takes the for^n of the arithmetic mean." — Glaisher, Mem. Astron.
Soc. Lond., 1872, Vol. XXXIX, p. 124.

In the latter part of the paper Heksciiel's demonstration is repro-
duced and defended against the arguments of Ellis; see 1850. See
Glaishkk's paper, just quoted, pp. 115.

1857 DiENGER, '• AusgleicJuing der Beohachtangsfehler nach der
Methode der Meinsten Quadratssummen. Mit zahlreichen Anwen-
dung, namentlich anf geodatische Messtmge/i.'' Braunschweig, 8vo,
pp. viii, 168.

.\n excellent elementary text-book. Gauss's proof of 1809 is
followed, with the improvement that the probability of a definite
error is an infinitesimal. See 1852 Diunger. Among the practical
questions treated is the theory of repetitions in angle measurements.

1857 DoNKiN. 'On an Analogy relating to the Theory of Proba-
bilities, and on the Principle of the