63 
The next day several appeared, and during the milder weather of March 
they were abundant. 
Blue Jay. 15 th February. 
Canada /ay. {Perisoreus Canadensis). 15th February (A. G K.) 
about 25 miles up the Gatineau. 
Cliickadee. 1 8th February. 
Crow. As for this sable scavenger, he is always to be found 
where there is work for him to do ; and the enterprising local reporter 
who at any time during the long winter is in want of material for an 
item headed " Harbingers of spring " has only to visit the neighbour- 
hood of one of the slaughter-houses beyond the Rideau river, in order 
to be favored with a sight of, and if the weather is mild, perhaps even a 
" caw " from one or all of the proverbial black three. 
House Spartoiv. It has been a matter of general remark that the 
" English Sparrow " population suffered heavily during the past winter. 
Apparently their numbers on the opening of spring did not exceed one 
third of what they had been when the first snow fell. It is worthy Of 
record that the first to disappear under the severe weather were the 
albino specimens referred to in these notes in October last. Not a 
single case of albinism has been noticed since 1st January. The first 
brood of young sparrows, however, is now (15 June) on the wing, and 
as each pair of old birds raises three or four families in a season there is 
no doubt that they will have replenished the earth ere October returns 
again. 
Spring Migration. This is not the place to publish a list of spring 
arrivals. Suffice it to say that although the opening of vegetation this 
year was unusually late, the birds do not seem to have delayed their 
movements much on that account. The Robins and Song Sparrows 
appeared in small numbers on the 24th March, then retired before a 
short spell of cold weather, and returned again in force on the 29th, 
when they were accompanied by the Blue-birds. The Bronzed Grackle 
arrived on 2nd April and the Redwing Blackbird on the 3rd. Turning 
to the Swallows, an unusually early appearance of the Tree Swallow 
(Tac/iycineta bicolor) was noted on 1st April by Mr. W. A. I). Lees and 
several other observers. No other tree swallow was reported until 
22nd April. Purple Martin 2nd May ; Barn Swallow 5th May. 
