BIRDS OP NOVA SCOTIA. 103 



Equally important is the same preparatory step to the production of 

 those majestic noble-looking animals which pace the park with lofty 

 action, docile yet full of animation, champing their bits, yet easily reined 

 in, and guided with fine touch of hand through crowds and throngs; 

 while the fair and interesting occupants of the gay and elegant equipages 

 recline in perfect ease and security, to the delight and gratification of 

 the multitude of admiring spectators. 



I have been induced to offer these remarks with the view of recom- 

 mending the adoption of a practice which will obviously tend to prevent 

 the undue increase of a class of animals which are now becoming, from 

 their numbers, exceedingly annoying; and there is no doubt but one Chat 

 a VAbelard is, for all useful purposes as a mouser in a house, worth a 

 dozen others. It is also deserving notice that this qualification, which 

 produces such ultra-perfection in the operatic singer, silences pussy altogether. 

 He no longer breaks through windows, scales walls, scampers over roofs, 

 wailing and screaming his love-ditties, making night hideous with unearthly 

 sounds; but is to be found inside the house, quietly reposing on a mat, 

 or watching with unwearied perseverance the mouse-holes. 



Bath, January 11th., 1857. 



A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF NOVA SCOTIA, 



AS FAR AS ASCERTAINED, COMPILED MOSTLY FROM 



ACTUAL OBSERVATION, IN THE YEARS 1852-3-4 and 5. 



BY LIEUT. BLAKISTON, OF THE ROYAL ARTILLERY; AND LIEUT. BLAND, OP 

 THE ROYAL ENGINEERS. 



Those marked * are on the authority of Mr. Andrew Downs, a naturalist resident in the 

 country. 



Water Birds. 



American Coot, (Fulica Americana.) — Not common; depends on setting 

 in of the frost: 1st. to end of November. 



Yellmo-breasted Rail, (Rallus novoboracensis.) — Rare; depends on setting 

 in of the frost: 1st. to end of November. 



Sora Sail, (R. Carolinus.) — Not common; depends on setting in of the 

 frost: 1st. to end of November. 



American Bittern, (Ardea lentiginosa.) — Very common: leaves end of 

 October. 

 * Least Bittern, (Ardea exilis.) — Accidental. 



Great Blue Heron, (A. Herodias.) — Common: breeds. 



Sncnvy Heron, (A. candidissima.) — Very rare. 



