38 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May 



B[RD NOTES FOR APRIL. 



It is very gratifying to find that those who promised to 

 help in making our observations of birds more reliable and com- 

 plete, have heartily co-operated in the work. The result is that 

 we are able to publish this month notes on no less than fifty-one 

 species of birds, and we trust that throughout the summer con- 

 tinued interest will be manifested. Let all be accurate and 

 certain of their records, as otherwise they will be misleading. 



Downy Woodpecker — Observed by Mr. Lees on the ist. 



Blue Bird — Both Mr. White and Dr. Fletcher recorded this 

 bird on the 2nd. The blue-bird is becoming very rare at Ottawa ; 

 it was heard at the Experimental Farm on the 5th, but has 

 never been seen there this spring. Miss Harmer has not seen 

 one since 1895 until this spring. 



Tree Sparrow — This very pretty sparrow was quite abun- 

 dant at Ottawa during the month of April. Miss Harmer 

 recorded the arrival of this bird on the 2nd. On the 4th it was 

 observed by Mr. Lees and Mr. White. 



Meadow Lark — Was seen by Mr. H. S. Marsh on the 3rd, 

 and by Mr. Lees on the 6th. 



Cow Bird — Was seen by Mr. Lees on the 4th ; by Miss 

 Harmer on the 5th, and by Mr. White and Mr. Macoun on the 

 6th. 



Phoebe — Observed by Miss Harmer on the 4th. 



Herring Gull — Mr. White saw four on Deschenes Lake 

 near Aylmer on the 4th. On the 6th they were seen flying over 

 Carling's Lake near the Experimental Farm. 



Vesper Sparrow — Although Dr. Fletcher reports having 

 seen one specimen of this bird on the 23rd of March, it is not 

 recorded again until the 5th of April, when one was heard by 

 Miss Harmer, but not seen by her until the 8th. Other records 

 are later. 



Golden-crowned Kinglet — Observed by Mr. Lees on the 6th. 



