The Zoologist — July, 1869. 1743 



the buds only of Pinus, Abies, Larix, &c., and are very tame, being 

 often killed with sticks. Provincial name, " Mope." 



Yellow Bird or Thistle Bird, Chrysomitris tristis {Linti). — A com- 

 mon summer migrant. 



Pine Finch, C. jnniis {Wilson). — A summer migrant, but apparently 

 not so common as the preceding species. 



From my short residence in Newfoundland the observations on the 

 distribution of some of the smaller species belonging to the Friugillidae, 

 Sylvicolidas, &c., may not be of much value ; e. g., it is very probable 

 that some birds, especially of these families, which are not uncommon, 

 and even generally distributed over the island, may have altogether 

 escaped my notice, while, on the other hand, some rare, or otherwise 

 not regular migrants may have fallen to my gun on more than one 

 occasion during the summers of 1867 and 1868 : in such cases I have 

 naturally stated the birds to be frequent, or common, as the evidence 

 may tend to show. 



American Crossbill, Curvirostra americana, Wilson. — Common 

 throughout the year, and an early breeder. Feeds on the seeds of 

 Coniferse, and is called by the settlers the " Large spruce bird," to dis- 

 tinguish it from the following species. 



Whitewinged Crossbill, C. leucoptera {Gmelin). — These pretty 

 little birds are common throughout the year, but more abundant during 

 winter, when they congregate in small flocks of from five to twenty 

 individuals, feeding principally on the cones of the white spruce 

 {Abies alba). When feeding these birds are usually very tame, and 

 easily approached. 1 kept an old "Joe Manton" loaded with small 

 shot in the house, for the purpose of shooting crossbills and other 

 small birds, and remember on one occasion snapping three percussion 

 caps at a small flock of C. leucoptera, within fifteen yards of me, 

 without causing them sufficient alarm to take wing. They have a 

 very pleasing note, much resembling the song of the canary. The 

 provincial name is " Spruce bird." 



Mealy Redpole, ^Egiothus linaria {Linn). — Very common, and does 

 not migrate. Breeds early, and generally in alder bushes ; hence its 

 provincial name of " Alder bird." Feeds on the buds of Coniferse, 

 &c., when the ground is covered with snow. 



Snow Bunting, Plectrophanes nivalis {Linn). — Very common in its 

 periodical migrations, but J scarcely think breeds on the island, 

 although I saw a good many there in June last (1868). Provincial 

 name " Snow bird." 



