Notes on Birds winterins^ around Montreal, 427 



Q 



The Pine Grosbeak [Pyrrhula enucleator) arrives from the north 

 about December, and remains here until March ; they feed on the 

 Mountain Ash berries while here. 



The Bohemian Wax-wing (^Bomhy cilia garrula). This bird only 

 visits us during the most severe weather, and then it arrives in 

 pretty large flocks, I first observed this bird at the commence- 

 ment of the winter of 1857. We had some very cold weather 

 at that time, and several large flocks of wax-wings, intermingled 

 with grosbeaks arrived, and frequented the small mountain, and 

 the gardens throughout the island, where there were any 

 berries to be found. The wax-wings remained until April when 

 they disappeared. I have not noted this bird since.* 



The Lesser-red-Poll (^Linaria minor). These birds are numerous 

 throughout the winter, the greatest number may be seen about 

 the beginning of February. 



The Blue Jay {Garrulas cristatus). One of these birds was 

 shot 25th November near Mile-end road quarries, several others 

 were seen during the winter behind our mountain. They winter 

 at Sorel. 



The Canada Jay (^Garrulus Canadensis). This bird is not very 

 common here, but is often seen by hunters in the thick woods, be- 

 tween this and Ottawa. I obtained some specimens during 1859, 

 in the market: they were shot near the town ; last winter I saw 

 another specimen brought to the market. This bird is common 

 at Hudson's Bay. 



Shrike [Lanius Borealis). This bird is not a winter resident, 

 but a loiterer. A few straggling ones may be seen as late as 

 January. During the cold weather it feeds on mice, and other 

 small animals. It is rare here, both in summer and winter. 



Snow Bird {^Niphoea hyemalis). This bird stays as late as the 

 middle of November, but does not loiter longer. 



Snow Bunting {Plectrophanes nivalis). Very abundant ; large 

 flocks always to be seen on the frozen rivers, and on Nun's Island, 

 and along the country roads. 



The PbuO'ed Grouse {Teirao Umhellus). I have noticed the tracks 

 of this bird, over several places on our mountain during the winter 



* Since writing the above, I have been told by Mr. Hunter (cabinet 

 keeper of the Museum of Natural History), that the Bohemian Chatterers 

 were noticed by him the two last winters, although not in such number 

 as during 1857. 



