V °i899 VI ] Morrell, Winter Birds of Nova Scotia. 25 1 



The growth from Joggins to Shulee is mainly spruce, though 

 some hard wood grows on the higher ridges. The shore is lined 

 with rugged cliffs which are wooded to the edge in most places. 

 Spruce also prevails about Parrsboro though there the woods 

 have been cut away and there is more open country. Amherst 

 is in the midst of rich farming land and is surrounded by broad 

 fields and marshes. 



In addition to those mentioned, several species of Gulls and 

 Ducks were seen but as no specimens were taken they could not 

 be positively identified. A list of the species seen is appended. 



1. Gavia imber. Loon. — One seen in the bay near Joggins, Dec. 7. 



2. Larus argentatus smithsonianus. American Herring Gull. — 

 Common on both shores. 



3. Anas obscura. Black Duck. — Common along shore all winter. 



4. Harelda hyemalis. Old Squaw. — Frequently seen about the 

 shores at Parrsboro. 



5. Branta canadensis. Canada Goose. — A flock of 12 seen at Jog- 

 gins Dec. 7. The returning migrants arrived early in March. 



6. Canachites canadensis. Canada Grouse. — The ' Spruce Par- 

 tridge ' was called a common bird by residents. I did not see it. 



7. Bonasa umbellus togata. — Canadian Ruffed Grouse. — An 

 abundant resident. 



S. Bubo virginianus. Great Horned Owl. — Once seen and fre- 

 quently heard. 



9. Dryobates villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. — One seen at River 

 Hebert, Dec. 8, and one at Shulee, Jan. 2. Seemingly not common. 



10. Dryobates pubescens medianus. Downy Woodpecker. — A 

 common resident. 



11. Picoides americanus. Am. Three-toed Woodpecker. — Through 

 the kindness of Messrs. Edward and Robert Christie I visited their 

 logging camp on March 16. The camp is four miles in the spruce 

 growth, about equal distance from River Hebert and Two Rivers. It 

 was a favorite locality for many birds. While there I heard Wood- 

 peckers drumming and soon located three of this species. After drum- 

 ming for some time they came down to the dried tops of spruces of 

 previous cuttings which were everywhere, and worked about over them. 

 They were very fearless and I stood within two yards of each in turn and 

 watched them for some time. Two were males with golden crown ; the 

 third was evidently a female. These three were the only ones seen. 



12. Cyanocitta cristata. Blue Jay. — Frequently seen toward spring. 



13. Perisoreus canadensis. Canada Jay. — A common resident. 

 Very fearless, coming about the buildings for scraps. I saw birds with 

 grass in their bills late in March. They evidently nest in April. 



