BULLETIN No. 37 lOO 



high as five nests are often required in exposed places. 

 Thirty-seven pairs. 74 



61. Bluebird, Sialia sijHs. Abundant up to the fierce 

 blizzard of February, 1895, when it became scarce for 

 the tv\o seasons following. It is again becoming 

 common. The past two years 1 counted four pairs 

 nesting. 8 



62. European House Sparrow, Passer domesticus. This 

 bird should be classed with the rats, mice and other 

 vermin. 1 have repeatedly found its great rubbish 

 pile of a nest in situations impossible for any of our 

 native birds, hi defence of the Martins, 1 have shot 

 more than fifty would-be tenants ; and have destroyed 

 nest, eggs and young whenever possible to get at 

 them, yet it is our most abundant bird. Approximately 

 we have one hundred and six pairs, and under present 

 conditions it has doubtless reached the limit of abun- 

 dance. 212 



We have a total of 1388 individuals, representing 62 species, 

 which may be divided in the main as follows: 



Insectivorous, 48 species. 1091 individuals. 



Granivorous, 6 " 255 " 



Frugivorous, i " 8 " 



Carni\orous, 4 " 14 " 



Omnivorous, 3 " 20 " 



Only two species are positively injurious, the Cooper's 

 Hawk and English Sparrow ; and two more are on the doubtful 

 list, the Blue Jay and Cedar Waxwing. 



The following species were formerly present in the tract, 

 but are now absent for ont- reason or another. 



1. Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbel/us. The last bird in- 

 habiting this tract, was shot in November, 1889, and 

 is now in my collection. Formerly common, but I 

 doubt whether the length and breadth of the South 

 Valley hills could now yield a single specimen. A few 

 are vet to be found on the North Vallev hills. 



