ORNITHOLOGICAL SUB-SECTION OF THE BIOLOGICAL SECTION. 189 



49. Redpolls in the city. — On March 3, I noticed a flock of 

 these birds (Acanthis linaria) on Wellesley Street, Toronto. Owing 

 to the unusual mildness of the winter they have not been as com- 

 mon as usual this season. — J. B. Williams. 



(Seventh Meeting, March 19, 1889). 



50. Spring arrivals. — On March 16, Bluebirds (Sialia sialis), 

 Robins (Merula migratoria), Cedar birds (Ampelis cedrorum), Song 

 "Sparrows [Melospiza fasciata). Chipping Sparrow (Spizella socialis), 

 arrived in considerable numbers. One Bluebird, three Cedarbirds, 

 and eight Purple Finches were shot in Rosedale by Mr. Cox the same 

 day. — Wm. Metcalf. 



51. Spring arrivals. — On March 16, while at Ayr, Ontario, I 

 saw numbers of Blackbirds, Bluebirds [Sialia sialis) Robins {Merula 

 migratoria), Pui-ple Finches {Carpodacus purpureus), Grosbeaks, 

 Hawks, and Owls. — Hubert H. Brown. 



52. Spring arrivals, etc. — On March 16, at Toronto, I col- 

 lected three Siskins [Spinus pinus), one Shore Lark {Otocorys 

 alpestris), and one Bluebird {Sialia sialis). — J. B. Williams. 



53. Spring arrivals, etc. — On March 16, Mr. Cross received 

 from Weston another Great Horned Owl {Bubo virginianus). On 

 March 17, I observed flocks of Purple Finches {Carpodacus jjurpu- 

 reus) and Rosebreasted Grosbeaks {Habia ludoviciana) feeding on 

 the berries of the mountain ash, on Beverley Street, Toronto. — James 

 R. Thurston. 



54. After the presentation of reports Mr. Williams showed a 

 picture of the Hoatzin {Opisthocomus cristatus), an anomalous bird 

 of South America. It is so peculiar in both its anatomy and habits 

 that it has been made the type and sole representative of a separate 

 group. Mr. Williams described the finger that is found on the wing 

 of this, and after a discussion of its probable uses, and a comparison 

 with the similar organ that is found in our Coots and Gallinules, the 

 meeting closed. 



