342 ■ PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1772. 



Edw. 354. Faun. Am. Sept. The fiumber belonging to this bird is lost; how- 

 ever, it is most probably that sent from Severn river, N° 53. 



It answers to the descriptions and the figure of Edwards; its weight is 4 

 drachms, its length 4 inches, and its breadth 5. It migrates, feeds on grass 

 seeds and the like, and breeds in the plains ; the number of eggs not known. 



15. Parus, Titmouse. 33. Atricapillus. 341. 6. Black Cap Titmouse. 

 Albany fort, N° 1 1 . 



The description given by Linnaeus answers, and so does M. Brisson's in most 

 particulars, except that the quill feathers are not white on the inside. These 

 birds stay at Albany fort all the year, yet seem most numerous in the coldest 

 weather; probably being then more in want of food, they come nearer the settle- 

 ments, in order to pick up all remnants. They feed on flies and small maggots, 

 and likewise on the buds of the sprig birch, in which they perhaps only search 

 for insects; they make a twittering noise, from which the natives call them 

 Kiss-kiss-ke-shish. 



Parus. 34. Hudsonicus. New Species. Hudson's Bay Titmouse. Severn, 

 river, N° 12. 



This new species of titmouse, is called Peche-ke-ke-shish, by the natives. 

 They are common about the juniper bushes, of which the buds are their food; 

 in winter they fly about from tree to tree in small flocks, the severest weather 

 not excepted. They breed about the settlements, and lay 5 eggs; they have 

 small eyes, with a white streak under them, and black legs: the male and female 

 are quite alike; they weigh half an ounce, are 5^ inches long, and 7 inches 

 broad. \ 



16. Hirundo, Swallow. 35. Severn river, N° 58. 



The swallows build under the windows, and on the face of steep banks of the 

 river, they disappear in autumn; and the Indians say, they were never found 

 torpid under water, probably because they have no large nets to fish with under 

 the ice. The specimen sent answers in some particulars to the description of the 

 martin, hirundo urbica, Linn, but seems to be smaller, and has no white on the 

 rump. Mr. F. therefore thought it best to leave the species undetermined, till 

 further informations are received from Hudson's Bay, on this subject. 



2. /'Vater Birds. — 6. Grallae, Clovenfooted. Faun. Am. Sept. 



17. Ardea, Heron. 36. Canadensis. 234. 3. Edward 133. Canada Crane. 

 Faun. Am. Sept. 14. Severn river, N° 35. Blue Crane. The account from 

 Severn settlement says, there is no material difference between the male and 

 female; however, the specimen sent over, seems to be a female, as its plumage is 

 in general duller than that figured by Edwards, and as the last row of white coverts 

 of the wing are wanting. These cranes arrive near Severn in May, have only 2 

 young at a time, retire southward in autumn; frequent lakes and ponds, and feed 



