404 NOVA SCOTIAN ZOOLOGY — PIERS. 



a day or two before the other. The plumage of the first was- 

 somewhat darker than that of the second, and the head seemed 

 to be slightly broader. The general colour markings, however, 

 were the same in each. One was doubtless a young bird, which 

 is more deeply ochraceous than an adult. Both specimens were- 

 prepared by Mr. Purcell for two soldiers who were then in the 

 garrison. The species — which is merely a geographical race of 

 the Peregrine Falcon of Europe and parts of Asia — is very rare 

 in Nova Scotia. Mr. Downs had obtained one specimen from 

 the Halifax market. I know of no others which have been 

 taken. 



Saw-whet Owl ( Nyctala acadia). The abundance of this 

 species in February, 1892, has been recorded in a former contri- 

 bution. During the winter of 1893-4, however, it was again 

 uncommon ; Mr. Purcell only having had four specimens. Three 

 of these w^ere taken since 11th January, 1894. One was found 

 dead on Coburgf Road, Halifax. 



Screech Owl ( Megascopic asio). This is a new bird to our 

 fauna, no instance of its capture having previously been recorded. 

 About the last week of September, 1892, Mr. Purcell stuffed a. 

 specimen which had been killed by "Josh" Umlah, who lives on 

 the Prospect Road, near Indian Lake, to the south-west of Hali- 

 fax. It presented the red phase of plumage. The mounted bird 

 now belongs to Mr. George Beamish of this city. 



American Hawk Owl (Sarnia ulida caparoch). On 13th 

 December, 1893, one of these very rare Nova Scotian owls was 

 brought to Mr. Purcell. It came from Annapolis, and was quite 

 fresh — probably having been killed a few days previously. Mr. 

 Downs got one early in 1889. Mr. Austen has two. 



Pileated Woodpecker ( CeophIa3iis pileatus ). This handsome 

 bird, the Great Northern Chief as it is sometimes called, will pro- 

 bably at length succumb to the advances of civilization. It is 

 an uncommon or rare resident in the province, and is only found 

 in heavily wooded districts. There is no record of its breeding- 

 near Halifax, nor have I ever heard of it even having beea 

 observed in that locality. A specimen was shown to me by Mr, 



