78 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



They leave during November, and by the end of the month 

 not one remains. 



Melospiza melodia (Baird.) Song Sjjarrow. — They arrive in 

 December, the earliest I have noted is on the 7th, and remain 

 during the winter, leaving in spring as soon as the weather 

 begins to get warm. Early in spring they sing incessantly, and their 

 song is very sweet and pleasing. During their stay they frequent 

 the vicinity of the homestead, in company with the white- 

 throated sparrows. 



Passerella iliaca (Swains.) Fox-coloured Sparroiu. — This 

 is not an uncommon bird during winter, being generally seen 

 singly. It comes rather late, the earliest arrival I have noted 

 being November the 10th ; and it leaves early. I have never 

 seen one after the 15th of March. Early in that month they 

 sometimes congregate in little pa,rties of five or six, and then 

 disappear ; but most of them have left by the end of February. 



GuiEACA c^RULEA (Swains.) Blue Grosbeak. — Not uncommon 

 in the end of April, and in May. The earliest I have taken was 

 on the 26th of April. They are generally found singly, or in 

 pairs. Whether a few remain throughout the summer or not, I 

 am not certain. 



Cyanospiza cyanea (Baird.) Indigo Bird. — For several years 

 I have first noticed its arrival on April the 30th ; and they seem 

 to be among the first birds to leave, departing soon after the 

 young are strong on the wing. They are very common, and in 

 spring they sing incessantly. Their song resembles " eet-et-te-e, 

 deet-eet-te-e, wet-et-te-e, tue tue tue tue," v/ith a loud scolding 

 alarm note. They very often, however, sing only part of their 

 song. I have frequently seen them singing vigorously on tlie 

 wing, as they fluttered and floated from one tree to another, a 

 distance of sometimes as much as two hundred yards. The 

 female seems much shyer than her mate, and partly owing to 

 this, and partly to her more sober dress, is comjDaratively seldom 

 seen. 



Cardinalis virginianus (Bonap.) Cardinal Grosbeak. — This 

 bird, often known in England as the Virginia Nightingale, is very 

 common all the year round, and I believe does not migrate, even 

 in the most partial manner. They were especially numerous 



