230 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [JuDG 



fresh than stale, and with some the neglect of this rule may lead 

 to unpleasant consequences. It is rigidly enforced in the Roman 

 market, where all specimens which are " muffi, guasti," or " ver- 

 minosi " are seized and thrown into the Tiber, and it should be 

 distinctly understood in every English kitchen into which even 

 the common mushroom is allowed to enter. The fungus which 

 to-day successfully simulates a sweetbread, may to-morrow simu- 

 late with equal success a handful of snufif. — C. J. Rohinson^ in 

 " Nature.'' 



NOTES ON CANADIAN BIRDS. 



The following species, more or less rare, have been obtained in 

 the Province of Quebec, with the exception of two species, during 

 the summer of 1870 : — 



Falco anatum, Bonaparte. The Duck Hawk. — A fine adult 

 male of this species was obtained by Mr. Marcel at St. Jjambert's, 

 near Montreal. 



Buteo lineatus, Jardine. The Red shouldered Hawk. — A nest 

 of this species, containing four eggs, was taken in May, by Mr. C. 

 A. Craig, at Longue pointe, near Montreal. The nest was placed 

 in an elm tree, about 50 feet from the ground, the tree itself 

 being 80 feet high. It was large, and roughly constructed of 

 cedar twigs and leaves, and lined with moss. One of the eggs is 

 in the Society's collection. An egg which closely resembles that 

 obtained of Mr. Craig, was given me by Master E. A. AV. Kittson, 

 who informs me that it was taken in a wood near Sorel. 



Otus Wilsoniauus, Lesson. The Long-eared Owl. — Mr. Craig 

 has been so fortunate as to find a nest of this species also, this 

 summer, at Hochelaga (near Montreal) containing four eggs. He 

 informs me that it was built on the branch of a spruce tree some 

 25 feet high, about 18 or 20 feet from the ground. The nest 

 was like that of a crow's, but larger, and made roughly of twigs 

 and moss. Two of these eggs have been secured for the collec- 

 tion of the Society. 



Butorides virescens. Green Heron. — One specimen of this 

 species was shot by a friend of Mr. Craig' s at St. Genevieve. 

 This is the first time, so far as we are aware, that this species has 

 been obtained in the Province of Quebec. 



Phalaropus Wilsonii, Sabine. Wilson's Phalarope. — A speci- 

 men of this species was shot near the Victoria bridge, in August 

 last. Mr. Craig says that he has met with it not very unfre- 

 quently on the Island of Montreal, 



