that, of so-called migratory birds, a greater number pass the Winter 

 with us than has been hitherto supposed. Of these, the Yellow- 

 rump Warbler (Dendroica coronata) and the Blue Bird (Sialia 

 sialis) may be cited as examples ; and it is very probable that in 

 suitable localities, especially in the southern and warmer counties, 

 many more wUl yet be found. 



The identity of some American species — chiefly water birds — 

 with those of the Old World has long been a subject of anxious con- 

 sideration among ornithologists, and with regard to a few of these 

 there is still a diversity of opinion, a slight deviation in the size, and 

 in the shade of the plumage being generally all that can be detected. 

 In such cases a careful comparison of the habits, note, and nidifica- 

 tion is of much importance, and cannot fail eventually to decide the 

 question. In those instances where the birds are considered iden- 

 tical, the original scientific names are given ; but where a decided 

 difference in the size of an average number of specimens occurs, the 

 distinction is noted. Of these, the Duck Hawk (Falco anatum) 

 may be mentioned as an example, but even in this case it may 

 be fairly questioned whether the disparity does not arise from a 

 more bountiful supply and greater variety of food enjoyed by the 

 American bird, combined with a larger extent of hunting ground 

 than falls to the lot of its European congener, the Peregrine Falcon. 

 It has been conclusively proved that many birds of the same species 

 from difierent localties in this country, vary not only in size, but also 

 in plumage, specimens from the Pacific coast being generally darker 

 in colour than those from the iuterior; and Professor Baird, in a 

 recently published paper on the subject, has suggested that this is 

 possibly the result of greater exposure to the elements, and a want 

 of such protection as the dense inland forests aflbrd. He also states, 

 that " while some Florida birds are characterised by larger bills 

 than their more northern brethren, several of the birds of the 

 middle and western provinces have an increase in the length of the 

 tail, as compared with the same or allied species in the east;" and, 

 as if in corroboration of these views, the characters of each are often 

 found united, in intermediate specimens, near the boundary line of 

 their respective districts. 



In giving the dates of the arrival and departure of the various 

 species enumerated, the writer wishes it to be understood that 

 these are only mentioned as approximate, so much depending ou 



