of the District of Montreal, 285 



Some years after, its printing was recommended by the Council, 

 but nothing was done. Subsequently it was entrusted to Prof. 

 Cassin of Philadelphia, to be used in the preparation of his work 

 on American birds, in which it is frequently quoted with expres- 

 sions of high commendation. Dr. Cassin retained the M.S. for 

 some years, and it has only recently been returned by him. Had 

 it been printed when written, it would have been a most impor- 

 tant contribution to American Natural History, and would have 

 brought to its author and to the Society a large meed of scienti- 

 fic reputation. Even now, after much of the work involved in its 

 preparation has been done over again, it contains so much that 

 is of interest in Canadian Natural History, that its publication 

 should no longer be delayed. 



The portion now presented is the introduction and the account 

 of the mammalia ; the birds, which occupy the greater part of 

 the memoir, being reserved for a subsequent opportunity.] 



Introdtjction. 



In submitting the following pages to the Natural History So- 

 ciety of Montreal, a few introductory observations are requisite, as 

 well to explain the object contemplated in the work, as to offer an 

 explanation why the obvious intention of the Society in offering 

 for a subject " the Zoology of the District of Montreal," could 

 not be attained, at least by the author. 



With respect to the first, the motto which has been selected 

 for the essay, is amply explanatory, and in reality, little more has 

 been attempted beyond that object. It was rather with this in- 

 tention, than to enter into competition for a prize, that the author 

 has bestowed his labour. The necessity of attempting to estab- 

 lish the migratorial ranges of the feathered tribes, is acknow- 

 ledged at the present day, and it has become an important mat- 

 ter of speculation among zoologists ; and nothing can advance this 

 end so materially as correct list^of the resident and non-resident 

 birds in various distantly situated localities. With the view of 

 attempting a solution of the problem, this has been carried into 

 effect in several places. Those of the northern, and north-eastern 

 coasts of this continent have received a partial elucidation. 

 Richardson has given us a tolerably correct list of those of the 

 Saskatchewan district. Charles Lucien Buonaparte has furnished 

 a list of those which are resident or visitors in the neighbourhood 



