BIRDS OF 



meet tlieir mates, when suddenly they will he driven in fear 

 to the thicket l)y as correct an imitation of the harsh scream of 

 the Hawk. 



The following incident gives me the privilege of claiming 

 the species for Ontario, a pair having spent the summer of 

 1883 iiear Hamilton. 



Had anyone, acquainted with this neighborhood and with the 

 habits of the bird, been asked to suggest where it would most 

 likely be found, he would certainly have said East Hamilton, 

 and it was there that Mr. Eastwood first observed the male, 

 early in the season, in one of the leafy lanes between 

 his residence and the mountain. Mr. Eastwood was in 

 the habit of taking exercise on horseback in the early 

 morning, and seldom passed the place where the bird 

 was first recognized without again seeing him on the dead 

 branch of a low tree which he had chosen as his perch. As the 

 season advanced these frequent visits grew into something like 

 personal friendship, for the bird evidently recognized his visitor, 

 and if absent at first would readily respond to a call, and mount- 

 ing his usual perch would answer in his own eloquent style. 

 He also caught up many of the local sounds of the neighborhood, 

 the crowing of the rooster, the cackling of the fowls, and the 

 notes of other birds were imitated with wonderful correctness, 

 but sweetest of all were his own rich, full tones, which gave a 

 new charm to that favored locality. Only once during the 

 season was a glimpse obtained of the female, who was evidently 

 engaged in domestic duties, tliougli, with the view of making the 

 pair feel as much at home as possible, the nest was not sought for. 



It was hoped that this pair or some of their family would 

 return the following season to visit their old friends in Ontario, 

 but if they did they have not been observed, and this so far as 

 I am aware is the only instance of the species being observed in 

 Ontario. 



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