iSSs.] Bain on Winter Birds of Prince JSdzvard Island. 263 



on the fertile New Red Sandstone soil, afford food to some of the 

 tribe during the inclement season, which are not known to win- 

 ter in the neighboring Provinces. 



The Purple Finch frequently winters here. He does not 

 frequent the abodes of men, but the lonely forest, where the 

 domed summits of the great yellow birches, Betula ex'ce/sa, are 

 thick-laden with strobiles, is his home. The stay-at-homes never 

 see him. But on a keen, bright morning, when the gilded twigs 

 are surging aloft in the frigid blue, from their loftiest tops rings 

 out the glad, sweet carol to startle and charm the adventurous 

 woodman. 



Strange that the occurrence of a roving song bird in a district 

 should be connected with the distribution of the ancient geolog- 

 ical formations. But it is so. The soils of the New Red Sand- 

 stone formation sustain a class of plants affording more suitable 

 food for the forest choresters than is to be found in the Primary 

 districts. The Connecticut Valley is well known as the winter 

 home of many of our song birds. Western Nova Scotia has 

 features of bird life distinct from the surrounding districts. And 

 Prince Edward Island affords an oasis for the wintering of certain 

 Fringillidas in the midst of less fertile Primary lands. 



The highly cultivated character of the country, with numerous 

 stock yards and farmsteads, favors the wintering of birds. The 

 Song Sparrow has been supposed not to winter north of Massa- 

 chusetts. But among the stock yards of Prince Edward Island 

 we often find the jovial songster tuning his pipe in midwinter 

 as gaily as if he was in his old New England homestead. 



In the latter part of October the Snow Buntings come here. 

 It is worthy of remark that they appear in New Brunswick 

 considerably earlier, indicating that they arrive from the North 

 by that way instead of by direct flight across the Gulf. At first 

 tliey do not frequent the cultivated districts, but may be seen 

 foraging along the shores and in deserted grainfields. In Decem- 

 ber, when snow and ice bury up their food in the wilds, they 

 come about the grain stacks and farm yards in large, white flocks, 

 whirling, like snow drifts, in the keen winter air. They are very 

 fond of oats, for which this Island is famous. They always shell 

 the grain before devouring it, using only the farinaceous kernel. 



It is rare to hear Snow Buntings sing, but on a bright morning 

 in March, ensconced in a sheltered nook, I have heard them sing 



