28 



The m likings of the eegs of the clift' swallow v uy cousidevabl}', the spots on 

 some specinions being fine and light yellow, while those on others are large and 

 of a dark brovvn colour. 



On one of the excursions the nest of a Brown Thrush (Harporhynchus 

 cinereus, Baird,) — rather a raiity in this locality — was discovered, b\jt too late to 

 obtain specimens of the eggs as the young were already hatched. 



Besides those already mentioned, a few of the rarer eggs secured on our 

 excursions were those of the following birds : 



American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla, Swainson), Eose Breasted Grosbeak 

 (Goniaphea Ludoviciana, Bowdich), Yellow Bellied Woodpecker (Spbyrapicus 

 varius, Baird), Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon, Bole), Yellow Bellied Fly- 

 catcher (Enipidonax flaviventris, Baird), Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus voci- 

 ferus, Bonapart), Night Hawk (Chordeiles Virginianus, Bonapart). It might 

 also be mentioned that a nest of the Nashville Warbler (a great rarity) containing 

 four eggs, was found on the 13th July last year in a secluded thicket in the 

 corner of Dow's Swamp, a peat bog about a mile from the City. The nest was 

 built of moss with a little hair inside, and was situated in the side of a small 

 mound rising a few inches abovs the wet sphagnum moss by which it was 

 surrounded. 



The following is a list of birds, giving the dates at which they arrived in 

 this vicinity in 1881 : — 



Golden-eyed Duck {Bucephala dangida,) 17th March; American Robin 

 (T'uriws TO?V/m/on«,», Linnaeus) 31st March ; Blue Bird, {Sialia sialis, Haldeman,) 

 yth April ; Wong Sparrow (il/e/o/vi'rrt melodia, 'Baud.) 14th April ; White Crowned 

 Sparrow (Zono<Wc/i«a leucophrys, Swainson,; 14th April; White Bellied Swallow 

 {Tachycineta bicolor, Cones,) 14th April; Meadow Lark (Slurnella magna, 

 Swainson,) 20th April ; Fish Hawk or Osprey {Pandion ffalifptus, Savigny.) 22nd 

 April ; Purple Martin {Progne purpurea, Boie"*, 22nd April ; Belted Kingfisher 

 {Ceryle Alci/on, Boie,) 26th April; Spotted Sandpiper (Tringoides 7nacularius, 

 Gray.) 5th May ; American Sparrow Hawk {Falro !<i>arverim, Linnwus,) 5th May; 

 Ruby Ihroated Humming Bird (Trochilus colabris, Linnaeus,) 'Jth May. 



About the latter date the following warblers also arrived, Blue Yellow- 

 backed, Maryland Yellow Throat, Black and White Creeper, Black Throated Green, 

 Black Throated Blue, Yellow Rump, Bay Breasted, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, 

 Yellow, Pine, Black and Yellow, and Red Start. 



Rose Breasted Grosbeak (Goniaphea Ludoviciana, Bowdich,) 14th Mav ^ Night 

 Hawk (Cordeile.1 Virginianus, 13onapart,) 20th May. The Blackbirds and Sparrows 

 had eggs in their nests on the 9th of May. 



In conclusion it is sincerely hoped that next season the number of those 

 taking an active part in the development of such interesting and important 

 branches of Natural History as Oniithulosry and Oology may be Inrg-^ly increased 

 and that the work done may grow proportionately in extent and utility. 



GEO. R. WHITE, 

 W. L. SCOTT, 



Leaders of the Ornithological and Oological Branch. 



