32 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April 



March ; 1895, 3rd of April ; 1896, lOth of April ; 1897, 18th of 

 March, which is the earliest date recorded this year, although 

 heard by Mr. H. S. Marsh, Experimental Farm on the 17th of 

 March, but it was not seen there until 22nd March, and by the 

 24th Dr. Fletcher reports it as abundant. 



Robin. — The robin was observed by Miss Harmer, Mr. 

 Lees, Mr. Small, and Dr. Fletcher on the 22nd of March ; the 

 latter says that Mr. T. J. McLaughlin told him he heard one on 

 the 2 1 St of March. 



Purple Grackle. — The earliest date is that given by Mr. 

 White. He observed three males on the 22nd of March and 

 females on the 29th of March. It was seen by Mr. Lees on the 

 23rd of March and by Dr. Fletcher on the 24th of March. 



Red-winged Blackbird.— Seen by Miss Harmer on 23rd 

 of March, and by Dr. Fletcher on the 24th of March. Other 

 records are some days later. 



JUNCO. — First date recorded is by Dr. Fletcher on 23rd of 



March. 



White-bellied Swallow. — Both Mr. White and Mr. 

 Small record the arrival of this bird on the 28th of March. Five 

 w^ere seen by Mr. White. On the 29th, Mr. Young saw a flock 

 near Hurdman's Bridge. 



Vesper Sparrow. — One specimen of this bird was seen 

 by Dr. Fletcher at the Experimental Farm on the 23rd of 

 March, but was not seen again until April. 



Wild Goose — Two large flocks were seen by Mr. White 

 passing over the city on the 31st of March. It was observed 

 by Miss Harmer on the ist of April. 



Evening Grosbeak. — The visit of Mr. G. Muirhead, 

 F.R.S.E., F.Z.S , to Rideau Hall, will be remembered by all 

 lovers of birds. While hunting for birds near Rideau Hall on 

 the morning of the 30th of March he had the good fortune to 

 shoot two fernale specimens of the rare and beautiful evening 

 grosbeak, never before recorded at Ottawa, and but very seldom 

 in any other part of Ontario. The usual range of this bird is 

 "Pacific coast to Rocky Mountains ; Northern America east 

 to Lake Superior.' Mr. Muirhead is . the author of " Birds 

 of Berwickshire," a large work m two volumes in which are 

 given the descriptions, habits, arrivals and departures of all birds 

 known to occur as residents, migrants, or casuals. 



W. T. Macoun, 

 Associate Editor. — Ornithology. 



