l6o Scott oh W/uier Birds of Ottawa. [April 



seen them devouring the buds of the maple {Ace?- saccJiarinuiti) 

 and other shade trees along the streets. 



The Pine Finches ( Chrysomitris pinus) , although abundant 

 here last winter, Avere not noticed in former seasons. They came 

 towards the beginning of December, and seemed very loth to 

 leave in the Spring, for one individual was observed as late as 

 May lo. Their food is much the same as that of the Redpolls, 

 in company with which species they are generally found. Like 

 most of our other winter birds, they invade the city liinits, and I 

 have seen them feeding on the seeds of lamb's quarters ( Cheno- 

 podhtm albuni)., growing in a vacant lot on one of the public 

 streets. 



The Raven ( Corvus corax carnivorus) is rare with us at any 

 time, but is about as common in the winter as in the summer. 

 None have been observed in the immediate vicinity of the city, 

 but they are to be found within "twenty miles of it, on the Ottawa, 

 Gatineau, and Rideau Rivers. 



The Common Crow ( Corvus frngivo7-us) is usually represen- 

 ted by a few individuals each season, but is rarely seen near the 

 city except during the thaws or 'mild spells.' One of the excep- 

 tions occiUTed this winter, when two were observed picking at 

 the carcass of a dog, in an open field, while the thermometer 

 registered — 14° F. 



Blue ^ay?> {Cyanocitta cristata) are common about Ottawa at 

 all seasons. From the end of the breeding season until the 

 beginning of December they go about in flocks, but after that 

 usually separate into twos and threes. 



The Canada Jay {Perisoretis canadensis^ is rare both in sum- 

 mer and winter. It is usually found singly or in pairs, but occa- 

 sionally also in small flocks of about five or six. . 



The Shore Lark {Eremophila alpestris) , though not proper- 

 1}^ a winter bird, nevertheless claims a few v^^ords in the present 

 connection, on account of the veiy early date at which it arrives 

 here from the south. It usually puts in an appearance as early 

 as the 15th or 20th of February, long before there is any sign of a 

 break in the winter weather. Professor Macoun tells me that it 

 appears at Belleville about the 9th or loth of Februarj-, and I 

 believe at Toronto it is found though the entire winter. It gen- 

 erally leaves here in the fall about the beginning of December. 

 While the snow is on the ground it feeds on the seeds of mul- 

 leins and other tall weeds. 



