266 Natural History of the 



and summer, a flock seen at Hamilton's Farm September 3rd, and 

 a solitary specimen remained feeding on tke fields there till Octo- 

 ber 7th. 



58. Tetrao umbell us, Linn. (Ruffed Grouse, " Partridge"). — 

 Abundant iu the woods throughout the district, but especially on 

 the Rouge, and the numerous covies met with afforded our party 

 many a hearty meal. In May their crops were stuffed with the 

 heads of Trillium^ Ferns, <£c, and large, spotted Slugs (Tebenno- 

 phorus caroliniensis). In July they feed on the berries of the Fly 

 Honey suckle (Lonicera ciliata), Dwarf Raspberry, (Rubus triflo- 

 rus), Clintonia (C. borealis) <£c. In August on the fruits of the 

 Blackberry (Bubus villosus), and creeping Snow- berry (Chiogenes 

 hispidula), with which their crops were literally crammed, and also 

 on a Lepidopterous larva which feeds in great numbers on the 

 soft maple (Acer rubrum). The males were heard drumming till 

 the end of June. The young were half-grown about the middle 

 of July,and remained in covies till the end of August, about which 

 time they are full grown, and begin to separate. With the aid of 

 a dog these birds are very readily obtained, for as soon as the dog 

 begins to bark they fly up into the trees and are there easily shot, 

 as they remain quite still, apparently trusting for concealment to 

 their colour which so nearly resembles in tint the bark of a tree. 

 I frequently saw them strutting about amongst the bushes within 

 a few yards of me, and they will occasionally remain in a tree for 

 a second shot if missed at the first discharge. Youmx birds often 

 have worms several inches long amongst the intestines, 



59. Fallca Americana, Gmel. (American Coot). — A pair seen 

 September 14th in a small lake near the Lake of Three Mountains. 



60. Tetanus macular ius, Wife. (Spotted Sandpiper).— Several 

 pairs were seen on Sixteen Island Lake in May. It was very 

 common the whole way up the Rouge to Hamilton's Farm, and 

 was frequently observed in the numerous small lakes of the dis- 

 trict. The last was seen on the 10th October. 



61. T* solitarius, Wils. (Solitary Sandpiper). — First seen on 

 the Rouge August 12th, when a pair were shot. Several were 

 observed up to 13th September. 



62. T. vociferus, Wils. (Tell-tale Tatler). — A solitary speci- 

 men seen on Trembling Lake, September 11th. 



63. Microptera Americana, Aud. (Wood cock). — Said to have 

 been heard in the swamps about Hamilton's Farm September 2nd, 

 but none were seen. 



