NOTES ON NOVA SCOTIAN ZOOLOGY — PIERS. 179 



with considerable variations in the markings. Some have a ring 

 of red or reddish-brown VJotches near the larger end, between 

 which are minute red dots. Others have one or two reddish 

 blotches on one side only, near the larger end, and some dots 

 around the egg. In others, again, there is only a ring of little 

 red spots. 



Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis). On Mny 3rd, 1889, 

 Mr. Austen found a nest of this species, containing three eggs- 

 It was built in a grove of spruces, and was six feet from the 

 ground. On April 22nd of the present year (1892), he obtained 

 another nest in the vicinity of Porter's Lake, near Dartmouth. 

 It was a large structure, placed on one of the limbs of a low 

 spruce tree. Outside, it was composed of twigs of the Balsam 

 Fir, (A. balsaniea) ; within this, was a thickness of fine grass, 

 moss, and small twigs ; and inside of all, the bird had arranged a 

 complete lining of feathers of the Ruffed Grouse {B. umhellus 

 togata). There were two eggs, which Mr. Austen tells me were 

 coloured j^ellowish gray and rather light green, dotted very finely 

 with brown and slate. The eggs of this Jay are very rare, and 

 the price of a single specimen is as high as a dollar and a (juarter. 



American Crow {Corvus americaniis). A curious freak of 

 nature was shot at McNab's Island, near Halifax, in the early 

 part of October, 1891. This rarity was a Crow, one of whose 

 tail feathers was altogether imre ivkite, while the remaining ones 

 were of the normal colour. The rest of the plumage was as 

 usual black, and the eyes were likewise of the ordinary colour. 

 It is in Mr. Purcell's collection. 



Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castonca). On June 

 20th, 1891, Mr. Austen observed this uncommon species at Dart- 

 mouth, and thinking it probable that a nest was in the neigh- 

 bourhood, he proceeded to make a thorough search. Nearly 

 three hours had elapsed before the structure was discovered. It 

 was placed on a hendcjck bough, about seven feet from the 

 trunk, and some twenty feet from the ground, while above was 

 another branch covering and concealing it. At that time the 

 birds had not completed its construction. On June 24tli it con- 

 tained one egg, and on the 29th, two. Thus it remained until 



