* tHk Hamilton association. 7; 



In October, when the sharp frosts have cut off the supply of 

 insect food, and the swallows and other insect feeders have gone 

 south, among the first arrivals from the north is the great Northern 

 Shrike, Lanius execubitor, who, as his name implies, is a veritable 

 butcher among the birds. Not satisfied with killing enough to 

 supply present wants, he tears his victim to pieces and impales the 

 parts, usually on the spikes of a thorn bush, but here we have 

 an instance of the way in which birds will avail themselves of any 

 accidental convenience which may come in their way, for in the 

 prairies, where game is abundant, and thorn bushes absent, the 

 victims are found ranged in rows on the barbs of the iron wire 

 fences. 



These Shrikes were common in October and November, 

 but were not observed during December, January, nor February, 

 having apparently gone further south, to return again in March 

 and April. 



Shore Larks, of the variety praticola, were seen in small 

 flocks during the winter, but the numbers were greatly increased by 

 arrivals from the south early in February ; these latter may be 

 regarded as the first spring migrants. 



Cotv Birds are considered migratory, though occasionally a 

 few males are observed to winter about some of our farm houses, 

 roosting in the sheds above the cattle. During the present season 

 large flocks have been seen at different places in December, 

 January and February. Of Meadow Larks the same may be said, 

 for it is only now and then that we find an individual here in winter. 

 During the present mild season I have noticed groups of four or five 

 at several different points, in the months already named. 



'Song Sparrows were frequently seen among the rushes along 

 the bay shore, which is not their usual habitat. 



S^^ow Birds were seen at the beach in October, but this species 

 seems to be always associated with snow, and that being scarce 

 during the winter the birds were the same. 



Lied Foils put in an appearance quite early, and were com- 

 mon in weedy places during the season. There are five varieties 

 described in this group, all of which no doubt visit us, though they 

 receive so little attention that they may pass unnoticed. Last winter 

 I was fortunate in securing a pair of a variety I had not before en- 

 countered. They were the " acanthis linaria rostrata," or Greater 



