Jan.
8twice I found a strange exception to the usual food of the birds of this family. In two cases I found green olives in the stomach of Tyrannus verticalis, and in nearly all birds of the common species Sayornis nigricans, killed in winter, I have found pepper berries. Tyrannus verticalis is the Bee-martin of California. It flies from its perch near the apiary, captures its prey, then flies back to its perch, making some rapid motion, after which it swallows the bee. I have seen a toad swallow five bees in quick succession; then have killed the toad to find five bee stings sticking to its throat, and as many stingless bees in its stomach. Does the throat of the Kingbird become a sort of pin-cushion for bee stings, or does this bird extract the stings as it manipulates the bee before swallowing? I am eagerly waiting to settle this interesting question. I have taken worker bees from the stomach of the eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) but never noticed regarding the disposition of the stings. None of the Kingbirds which I have taken in California have had bees in their stomach, though I am told by good observers that this bird does capture and swallow bees.—A. J. Cook, Claremont, Cal.
Rare Visitors to the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts in 1895.—Seiurus motacilla.—On the 28th day of July, a Louisiana Water Thrush was found dead, on the piazza of a house in the central part of Springfield, undoubtedly having been killed by flying against a window. The capture of a specimen by Dr. J. A. Allen on Mount Tom in April, 1869, is the only other record of its occurrence here.
Rallus elegans.—October 19, a young King Rail was taken in Long- meadow. It was found in the Zizania aquatica which grows so profusely along the banks of the Connecticut River. The presence of this species in this part of the valley, I believe, has never before been noted; and the Clapper Rail (Rallus longirastris crepitans) has been captured here but twice.
Calcarius lapponicus.—A Lapland Longspur was shot in Longmeadow, November 28.—Robert O. Morris, Springfield, Mass.
A Correction.—In 'The Auk' for April, 1892 (Vol. IX, p. 144), in a note on the 'Habits of the Black-bellied Plover in Massachusetts,' I stated it as my conviction that the adults do not assume the gray and white winter plumage after having attained to the full adult spring plumage. I also expressed the same opinion in regard to the plumage of the adult Knots in 'The Auk' for January, 1893 (Vol. X, p. 32) in 'Observations on the Knot, Tringa canutus.' I now desire to withdraw both of these opinions, as I am inclined to doubt, although not yet certain, the correctness of such views, but believe it much better to so state, rather than let a probable error remain to misguide others.—George H. Mackay, Nantucket, Mass.
