138 1874. Jan. 20 Went into Boston in P.M. In Gordals shop saw a Nyctala richardsoni which he had purchased in the market, it came from Minn., and is the first that he has ever had. Saw a box of birds 'in the flank' from Mr. over two fine Biscuis arturius, in much better plumage than I saw them in summer, also a 5 Curvirostra americana, in no better plumage than we get them here at the corresponding season. Drooping in at Richis bird store I was much interested in watching these or four specimens of Corvus curvirostris from germany. One of them in a curious yellow plumage with a few streaks of red, which I took to be an immature & was trying to pry apart the sides of his cage. Entertaining his bill vertically between two of them, this would open his bit it sideways and strain against the perus with other mandible until the cross lips were carried by one another, actually crossing on the other side, and the mandibles seem ready to part company. This total motion I have never seen used to such an extent before by any bird. Jan. 24 A fine warm spring day. After breakfast started off in my buggy with Scott. Took a short run through Stickney woods in Watertown when I shot two Sply-promoted, and watched a fine adult Butho borach, which we heard repeatedly utter the cry described in preceding notes on the buzzards