1902] Kells Notes on Winter Birds. 53 



NOTES ON SOME WINTER BIRDS. 

 By W. E. Kells. 



Pine Grosbeaks. On New Year's day, 1902, I noted, for the 

 first time this winter, a flock ot some fifteen individuals of this 

 species. When first seen they were flitting among the fruit and 

 shade trees in the gardens and the streets, and occasionally feed- 

 ing on the berries of the mountain ash which, while these la'^ted, 

 appeared to be their principal food. Among them, when first seen, 

 were a few red-polls, and as the crossbills continued to be observed 

 every day for the next seven weeks, a few red crossbills were at 

 times seen among them. The last time the grosbeaks were noted 

 was on the 21st of February; there was then only six in the flock. 

 It has been stated that these birds make their appearance in On- 

 tario every five years, but I think that it is over ten since I last 

 noted them in this vicinity. It is probably the lack of food in their 

 more northern haunts, rather than the severity of the weather, 

 that causes them to migrate towards the east and the south. All 

 the members of this species that came under my observation this 

 reason, were in the dark plumage, though a few had reddish 

 shading on the upper parts. These visitants appear to have been 

 noticed by all observers throughout the province. 



Evening Grosbeaks. No specimens of this species came 

 under my observation in this vicinity this winter, but correspond- 

 ents in widely distant localities have reported their appearance, 

 yet in rather limited numbers. Mr. A. Macalister, formerly of 

 Guelph, writing from Harperville, Manitoba, Jan. 23rd, says : 

 " I have seen the snowy owl a number of times, and also a flock 

 of evening grosbeaks, the first I had ever seen." And writing 

 from Guelph, Feb. 24th, Mr. F. Norman Keating states : "I have 

 noted a number of evening grosbeaks, and taken one specimen, a 

 male. Prof. Doherty also secured a fine male." 



Golden Eagle Captured. On Tuesday, Feb. iith, Mr. A. 

 Cole, of the township of Grey, west of Listowel, captured a large 

 black or golden eagle, that had been feeding on the carcass of a 

 horse which was exposed in the woods on lot 24, con. 13. When 

 discovered, there were two of the species devouring portions of 

 the dead beast, and Mr. Cole in firing at the birds wounded the 

 larger one in one ot its wings, so that it was unable to fly. The 



