468 NOVA SCOTIAN ZOOLOGY—PIERS. 
says that it appeared very wild, and was only shot after some 
difficulty. This squirrel has not previously been taken in 
our Province—at least I can find no such record. Dr. Gilpin, 
in one of his papers* before quoted, states that “a large 
black squirrel skin (Sciurus carolinensis) with nigritism” was 
given him from Cumberland. He did not, however, include it 
in his list, probably considering that it had been obtained outside 
of the Province. Mr. J. B. Tyrrell, whose catalogue of mammalia 
is one of the latest contributions to our knowledge of Canadian 
zoology, speaks of it as ranging “from western New Brunswick, 
through southern Quebec and Ontario as far west as the north 
shores of Lakes Huron and Superior.’ 
BIRDS. 
PURPLE GALLINULE (Jonornis martinica). A specimen of 
this bird, which is very rare in Nova Scotia, was captured alive 
in April, 1889, and is now in the aviary of Mr. Andrew Downs. 
It is very healthy, washes regularly, preens its feathers, and seems 
perfectly at home. When first placed in confinement, it subsisted 
on bread and milk only. It has since, however, abandoned this 
diet and now lives principally on canary-seed with, at times, a 
little hemp. It also enjoys picking the seeds out of a cucumber, 
and is occasionally seen catching flies at the window. At night it 
perches near the top of a spruce tree which is placed in the 
aviary, although its immense web-feet seem but ill adapted to 
such a position. This is probably the only Purple Gallinule 
which is kept in captivity, and any notes upon its habits in this 
state are doubtless of interest. 
Woopcock (Philohela minor). An albino Woodcock which 
was shot a year or two ago at Kentville, N. S., is now in the col- 
lection of Mr. Harry E. Austen, of Dartmouth. 
AMERICAN CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra minor). During 
the spring of 1889, Mr. T. J. Egan twice noted this species 
breeding in the woods at Point Pleasant, Halifax. I need not at 
* On the Mammalia of Nova Scotia. TZrans. N. S. Inst, Nat. Science, vol. III., p. 125. 
+ Mammalia of Canada. Proc, Can, Inst., 3rd series, vol. VI, (1887-88), p, 86. 
