92 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [ Vou. ELE 
Junco hyemalis wintering.—On December 12, on Well’s Hill, I saw 
a large flock of Juncos. It wasa mild warm day. | passed the same place 
on December 8, but saw no birds, as the weather was cold and frosty.— 
Geab. ATKINSON, 
(Thirty-eighth Meeting, January 13th, 1891.) 
Lanius borealis. Syrnium nebulosum.—On December 25, I saw a 
Northern Shrike on Well’s Hill, and on January 4, I saw a Barred Owl 
in the ravine at the same place.—E. DEACON. 
Loxia curvirostra minor.— On December 25, I secured a male Cross- 
bill on Well’s Hill, which I believe is the first record of the season. On 
January 5, I saw a Screech Owl, J/egascops aszo, on the wires in front of 
the post office—F. TWEED. 
Bubo virginianus.—On December 29, I saw a flock of crows chasing 
a Great Horned Owl on the Don Flats, and I followed it for a long dis- 
tance but could not get a shot at it. On January 9, I secured a Northern 
Shrike, ZLanzus borealis, on Gerrard St. East. It had been eating a 
mouse.—W,. METCALFE. 
Molothrus ater and Agelaius phoeniceus.—On December 25, a 
‘Cow Bird and a Red-wing Blackbird were shot north of Toronto out of 
a small flock of Cow Birds. 
Scotiaptex cinerea.—The first and only specimen of the Great Gray 
Owl was received from north of Toronto on January 13.—W. CROSS. 
Habits of Native Birds in Captivity.—One of the chief aims of a 
Naturalist is to collect original information, and I don’t think there is a 
better way of doing original work than by having living specimens to 
study from, in as near their natural condition as possible. To do this 
requires considerable time and trouble, but in the end you are satisfied, 
and fully repaid for your work. In dealing with birds some of the prin- 
cipal points to be noticed are, (1) Which birds agree ; few would think 
of putting a Canary in a cage with an Owl. (2) To know what food 
these birds will live on and thrive, for instance Meadowlarks, Highholders, 
Robins and Bluebirds will not thrive on sunflower seed as Grosbeaks 
do, or Grosbeaks will not thrive on small seeds as the Sparrows do. (3) 
To study the habits of any bird thoroughly I find that (1) there should 
be regularity in everything, feeding, and cleaning cages, even heat, no 
draughts ; birds can stand a great deal of cold but the hardiest will not 
