NOTES ON NOVA SCOTIAN ZOOLOGY — PIERS. 177 



siders that the birds while moving along the coast of Carolina 

 had been blown to sea by a heavy gale and from thence driven 

 in our direction. For several days after this occurrence, the 

 birds were abundant from this Province to Rhode Island. In 

 November, 1890, Mr. Purcell obtained a single specimen. 



American Rough-legged Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus sancti- 

 johannis). This bird has been becoming more rare than for- 

 merly, but during the past season several were taken. Two (a 

 male and a female) were brought to Mr. Purcell, at different 

 times, by " Josh" Umlah, who lives about seven miles from the 

 city. I saw them both " in the flesh." The male was taken in 

 a trap or snare about December 10th or 11th, 1891, and the 

 female was shot on New Year's Day, 1892. Umlah said there 

 was also a black-coloured hawk about his place : this was evi- 

 dently one of the same species, but of the melanistic phase of 

 plumage About the middle of January, 1 892, George Umlah of 

 Harrietsiield shot a very dark-coloured hawk, but failed to 

 bring it out of the woods, excusing himself on the ground that, 

 as it was almost crow-black, he thought it would be of no inter- 

 est. This was doubtless another of the very rare, dark indi- 

 viduals, a variety which is known by the name of " Black 

 Hawk." Mr. T. J. Egan tells me that he had four of the birds 

 in immature plumage, and one of the adult cr melanistic colour. 

 They were all taken in the early part of 1892. 



Saw-whet Owl (JSyctala acadica). This pretty little owl 

 which is becoming a rarity in Nova Scotia, was very frequently 

 observed during February, 1892.* I do not attribute this to an 

 increase in number, but rather to the fact that, owing to a great 

 scarcity of their usual food, the birds were forced to leave the 

 woods and come to the vicinity of dwellings. Just previous to 

 February 18th, I recorded six which were observed by various 

 people about my own home. Of this number two or three were 

 picked up dead — evidently starved to death. In a single week 

 preceding February 19th, Mr. Purcell received three specimens, 

 one of which was found dead beneath a quantity of lumber on 

 one of the city wharves. Mr. Downs informs me that several 



*The ground was then covered with snow. 



