1902] Beaupr6 Ornithological Notes. 103 



The earliest date on which the spring- arrival of the Ruby- 

 throat at London has been noted, is May 9th, but usually it is a 

 few days later. In the tall the latest was noted on October 2nd, 

 i8go, and the averag^e of seven years is September 23rd. 



The more one studies birds, the more certain he becomes that 

 the best way to learn their habits is to be still and keep quiet. 

 Particularly is this true with the Hummers, whom we can scarcely 

 ever follow, even if we tried, while when one is quiet they are likely 

 to feed around, al'gfht, preen themselves and occasionally favour 

 us with an insight into some previously unknown phase of their 

 life. 



ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 



Notes on the breeding of the Short eared Owl {As/o accipi- 

 trinus) near Kingston, Ont. 



Until th's season I had always considered the Short-eared 

 Owl a migratory species whose visits occurred with singular 

 regularity, for, as each succeeding year came round, I invariably 

 saw a bird of this species rise from one particular part of Catar- 

 aqui marsh. It is now clear to me that, on these occasions, I was 

 very cleverly decoyed to that part of the marsh in which the birds 

 never had a nest. 



On visiting the marsh on the 23rd of last May, the actions of 

 the owl clearly indicated the presence of the nest, from which a 

 few minutes later the female rose, or rather tumbled into the long 

 grass. The nest, which was composed of sticks, grass and one 

 or two feathers, was placed out in the open marsh and contained 

 seven eggs far advanced in incubation. 



Upon examining the spot from which the male bird rose, I 

 found pellets of hair containing the complete heads of four field 



^W^'^^^V^ Edwin Beaupr6. 



