252 Morrell, Winter Birds of Nova Scotia. [july 



14. Corvus corax principalis. Northern Raven. — Not common. A 

 pair seen at Shulee and another pair at Partridge Island, near Parrsboro. 



15. Corvus americanus. American Crow. — Common all winter. 



16. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Grackle. — Migrants 

 arrived at Shulee, March 22. 



17. Pinicola enucleator. Pine Grosbeak. — Abundant during De- 

 cember and first two Aveeks of January, after which none were seen, with 

 the exception of one pair seen at Shulee April 3. Nearly all were in the 

 dull plumage of female and young male. I did not see a full plumaged 

 adult male. 



iS. Carpodacus purpureus. Purple Finch. — A pair seen at Shulee 

 January 2. 



19. Loxia curvirostra minor. American Crossbill. — I did not see 

 this species until March when it became common. At that time the 

 males were in full song, and the birds were paired, male and female 

 always being seen together. If in flocks an equal number of each sex 

 was present. The males of this and the following species sing well. Both 

 sang much on fluttering, tremulous wings high above the tops of the 

 spruces. I judged both species would nest in April. I was informed by 

 Messrs. Christie that Crossbills were common about their camp all 

 winter. 



20. Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. — Seen at the same 

 time and under same conditions as the preceding, but was more abun- 

 dant. The species were often associated. 



21. Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin. — Small flocks were occasionally 

 seen at Shulee and River Hebert in December. None were seen at Parrs- 

 boro. When I returned to River Hebert in March I found them by far 

 the most abundant bird. There were thousands scattered throughout 

 the spruces all along the shore, not in large flocks, but quite evenly dis- 

 tributed over many square miles of woodland. They were in full song 

 and from sunrise until sunset their lisping notes were constantly heard. 

 On the 16th of March while at Christie's camp I saw a bird gathering 

 material and by watching her soon located the nest. The female alone 

 carried material, the male accompanying her to and from the nest, sing- 

 ing constantly. A very short stop was made at the nest. Evidently 

 some material was accumulated before it was arranged. A day or two 

 after finding the nest I went to Shulee, so had no opportunity to again 

 visit the nest until the 29th, when I left Shulee early in the morning, 

 going to Two Rivers and thence through the woods to the camp. At 

 this date the ground was mostly covered with snow in the woods, though 

 it wa< rapidly melting. I found the nest completed. The bird refused 

 to leave the nest until I was nearly within reach; she remained near, 

 several times returning to the eggs for a moment. The nest was placed 

 well out toward the end of a limb of a spruce tree, 27 feet above the 

 ground. It was saddled on the limb and radiating twigs but not attached 

 to them. Considering the size of the bird, it is quite large, rather flat 



