LIST. 5 



species is western North America, but its occur- 

 rence in this district, so far from its range, is un- 

 accountable, unless they happen to be caged birds 

 which have escaped. It is not improbable that 

 some species of birds, tound out of their habitat, 

 have been introduced through human aid, un- 

 known to the public. However, a magpie was shot 

 at Chambly canton, twenty miles southeast of Mont- 

 real, about the year 1883 ; and Mr. David Denne 

 saw one some years ago back of Laprairie, and 

 chased it for a considerable distance, as it flew from 

 fence to fence, out of gunshot. This may have 

 been the same bird that was shot at Chambly, as 

 the places are contiguous. Chambly is a noted 

 place for strange birds. An " European Wood- 

 cock" was shot there November 11, 1882. and a 

 few winters after a "Dovekie" was killed in the 

 basin at the rapids Why these three stragglers 

 should visit Chambly is a mystery. 



G-enus Cyanocitta, Strickland. 



153. Blue Jay. C. cristata. (Linn ) 



" Transient Visitant," common. I have observed 

 this jay here in the months of Marcli, May, June, 

 September, October, November and December, and 

 it is likely that a few winter in this district. The 

 specimens I have shot in the autumn were in better 

 plumage than those which I have shot in the spring 



