110 The Ottawa Naturalist. [December 



NOTES ON THE EVENING GROSBEAK 

 (HESPERIPHONA VESPERTINA). 



By F. W. Warwick, B.Sc, Buckingham, P. Q. 



As about this time of the year, ornithologists are on the lookout 

 as to the probability of the Evening Grosbeak visiting this district, a 

 few notes I have made upon the species may not prove altogether un- 

 interesting, and go to show that we cannot depend upon its reappear- 

 ance year after year. 



January 7th, 1910. A flock of Evening Grosbeaks numbering 

 twenty birds have been around town for a week, or more, spending a 

 good part of their time in the mountain ash trees in our grounds, and 

 feeding upon the seeds thereof. The branches of one of these trees 

 coming within five feet of some of our windows, gives us a good chance 

 to study them. They are very handsome, tame, and interesting. 



December; 1914. The Evening Grosbeaks are with us again. 



December 15th, 1916. A flock of seventeen birds of this species 

 put in an appearance to-day, and are gorging themselves on the 

 Rowan and Barberry seeds. This flock remained with us all winter, 

 and had increased by April to forty-two specimens, which were doubt- 

 less congregating for their flight westward. Any hour of the day they 

 were to be seen in the Rowan trees, on the ground, or adjacent trees, 

 and made a beautiful sight. They became exceedingly tame and fed 

 within four feet of us, helping themselves occasionally to grit from 

 the ash pile. As the snow disappeared they would feed upon the seeds 

 laid bare. 



May 2nd, 1917. A flock of some twenty birds are still with us, 

 now feeding upon the seeds of the Manitoba maple, and other seeds 

 they find amongst the grass. 



May 9th, 1917. Two males still around in the garden. This 

 was the last date they were seen by us. 



December 27th, 1917. At present date have not as yet put in 

 an appearance. An abundance of their favorite food exists. 



Children in various parts of Great Britain have been busily 

 collecting the horse chestnuts required for the manufacture of war 

 munitions. The nuts ripened more quickly in some districts than in 

 others. Indications are that at least 25,000 tons of nuts will reach the 

 Ministry of Munitions, but this is only about one eighth of the 

 estimated crop for the country. 



