I^IO] The Ottawa Naturalist. 201 



1908. 



March 10. Two White-throated Sparrows have managed 

 to survive the winter and are now quite active. The only 

 shelter they had was a wood pile at night and round about the 

 farm yard during the day. They suffered but little, excepting 

 during the most severe weather, showing that it is more a question 

 of food than cold that is responsible for the southward migration. 

 Doves, Blackbirds, Juncoes and Robins have also been known 

 to come through the winter when provided with sufficient food. 



November 6. -There are an exceptional number of Canada 

 Javs about this autumn, and fanners south of here, who have 

 been killing cattle for beef, say that these birds at once attack 

 the carcasses, damaging them for the market. They are also 

 at times a perfect nuisance to trappers by stealing the bait from 

 traps. Meat, skins, bread, potato peelings, grain and indeed 

 anything else that can be eaten, is carried off. In fact, when 

 these birds once discover something palatable, it is practically 

 impossible to make them leave 'the vicinity. 



1909. 



January 12. During an exceptionalh^ cold spell, a Northern 

 Shrike has made its headquarters here, and subsists very largely 

 upon House Sparrows rendered sluggish by the cold. At least 

 a dozen of these birds have been taken, and also some Chickadees, 

 that habitually come up to partake of suet. The Shrike seems 

 to -withstand the cold easily and has been seen to carry off 

 Sparrows without much difficulty. 



January 24. The little group, of birds that come up daily 

 to eat of the fat, now consists of Northern Hairy Woodpeckers, 

 Blue and Canada Jays and Chickadees. The Canada Jays have 

 also been seen to eat a few asparagus berries, but not with 

 particular relish. 



February 9. Discoverd a Goshawk with a Ruffed Grouse 

 which he had just captured and eaten a small hole in its side. 

 The unfortunate bird was still living, though mortally wounded, 

 and seemed to have lost much blood. From the fact that there 

 was no sign of this on the snow, I am strongly of the opinion that 

 the hawk drank it from the hole in the partridge's side._ As there 

 was no hope for its recover}^ I ended its further suffering. This 

 Goshawk has been about for some wrecks past and during that 

 time has caused the death of numerous grouse and some rabbits. 



These hawks are undoubtedlv the most destructive to 

 grouse of all the haw^ks found in Manitoba. They are not only 

 more numerous than other injurious species, but they seem to 

 have a decided preference for feathered game. On the other 



