NOVA SrOTIAN ZOOLOGY — PIERS. 407 



the first and only time I have personally noted the bird in this 

 locality. My father, Mr. Henry Piers, informs me that about 

 thirty years ago, when grain was grown more frequently than 

 at present in the neighbourhood of this town, Bobolinks were 

 fairly common, after the latter part of August, in the oat-fields 

 near his residence, " Stanyan," Willow Park. About six years 

 ago, he saw seven or eight of the species among some oats 

 in the same locality. They were the only ones he has noted 

 for a long period. Dr. A. H. MacKay says they are rather 

 numerous on the borders of some large streams and meadows 

 in Pictou. 



Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius). On 6th September, 1890^ 

 Mr. Austen shot a bird which was doubtless a female of this 

 species, at Shut-in Island, Three-fathom Harbour, near Chezzet- 

 cook, Halifax County. The species is not in Downs's list, but it 

 has been taken in the neighbouring province of New Brunswick. 



Bronzed Grackle (Quiscalus quiscida census). Up to the 

 year 1888, Mr. Downs had observed only three of these grackles- 

 in Nova Scotia. One had been shot at his place in the Dutch 

 Village, the second at Block-house (Stanford's) Pond, Halifax^ 

 and the third at Cornwallis, King's County. These were noted 

 in the " Catalogue of the Birds of Nova Scotia." In the fall of 

 1888, I saw another specimen which he had just purchased. 

 About 15th October, 1893, Mr. Purcell obtained two of these 

 birds which had been shot near Beech Hill, about five miles from 

 Halifax, cm the St. Margaret's Bay Road ; a)id about 10th 

 November of the same year, he obtained another from the 

 Sambro Road Mr. Egan has had about three specimens. Mr. 

 Chamberlain says it is " an abundant summer resident from the 

 Maritime Provinces to the Great Plains." As regards Nova 

 Scotia, I think its rarity does not warrant such a statement. 



Scarlet Tannager (Piranga erythromelas ). In the spring 

 of about 1873, when raw, chilly winds prevailed, considerable 

 numbers of Scarlet Tannagers appeared in various parts of Pictou 

 County. Such as were taken, were found to be in an emaciated 

 condition, and some were even picked up dead, evidently over- 

 come by cold and hunger. Mr. J. McKinlay, who informed me 



