NOVA SCOTIAN ZOOLOGY — PIERS. 403 



phere. One or two have been killed on the Bay of Fundy, but 

 it has xiiore frequently been taken on the New England coast. 



Canada Grouse (Dendragapus canadensis) and Canadian 

 Ruffed Grouse (Bonassa umbellus togata). A hybrid between 

 the " Spruce " and " Birch Partridges," shot about three or four 

 years ago, is said to be in the collection of Mr. S. Dawson of 

 Pictou. Mr. McKinlay says he has only observed one other such 

 specimen from that neighbourhood. I have seen one in Mr. 

 Downs's possession He bought it at a butcher's shop in Halifax. 



Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura). This species is not 

 quite so scarce as formerly, and a few are usually shot each 

 autumn. Mr. McKinlay considers it more rare about Pictou, 

 and has noted only two specimens which were obtained near 

 that place about nine years ago. One was shot in a garden 

 where it was picking up such food as the spot afforded, and the 

 other was killed a few miles from the town of Pictou, about the 

 •end of October, while associating with the barn-yard fowls — 

 pressing want having rendered it fearless. A specimen was shot 

 at the Eastern Passage, near Halifax, on 28th October, 1891, 

 and was set-up by Mr. Purcell. On the 8th October, 1892, my 

 brothers, Messrs. Charles and Sidney Piers, observed a bird on 

 the St. Margaret's Bay Road, near the Chain of Lakes, which 

 without doubt was either this species or else a Passenger Pigeon. 



Gray Gyrfalcon (Falco rustkolus). An individual was 

 killed at Porter's Lake, Halifax Count}', on 15th October, 1887. 

 It was mounted by Mr. Egan, who says it is the only one 

 he has ever seen. Mr. George A. Board man, I understand, has 

 two from the Bay of Fundy. The species is not in Mr. Downs's 

 list. The four forms of the Gyrfalcon — the White, Gray, Black, 

 and F. nisticolus gyrfalco — were separated by the American 

 Ornithologists' Union. Very recent researches seem to show 

 that this classification will ultimately have to be abandoned, 

 and but one species recognized, with two or three geographical 

 races. 



Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinus anatum). About the middle 

 of September, 1892, two of these powerful and beautiful birds 

 wei'e shot on McNab's Island, Halifax Harbour, one being killed 



