186 BIRDS OF THE GRAND PRE REGION. — TUFTS. 



533. Spinus pinus pinus (Wils.). Pine Siskin. — Permanent 



resident, common some seasons, rare or absent 

 others; very irregular generally. These birds seem 

 to have no particular month for nesting; I have 

 observed nests as early as April 27 (1913); and 

 again as late as Aug. 4th (1898). My notes also 

 show nesting records for every month between 

 those mentioned. They were common during the 

 winters of 1902-'06-'13, when the Crossbills nested 

 here. 



534. Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis (Linn.). Snow Bunting; 



■"Snow-bird." — Winter visitor, not so common as 

 in former years. When they first arrive from 

 the north, about Nov. 1st, these birds congregate 

 in flocks on the Grand Pre meadows, and feed about 

 the oat-fields with the Horned Larks. Flocks 

 containing several hundreds are not uncommon. 

 With the advent of winter and deep snow these 

 flocks go further south, and the bird is no longer 

 seen in large numbers. During January and Feb- 

 ruary small flocks are noted about our orchards 

 and withered gardens, but with less frequency and 

 in smaller numbers than in former years. 



536. Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus (Linn.). Lapland 

 Longspur. — Rare and irregular winter visitor. On 

 February 8, 1916, I identified the Lapland Longspur 

 — one specimen being taken on that date on the 

 Grand Pre. From that date till March 2nd I 

 frequently observed small numbers of these birds 

 feeding on the Grand Pre with scattered flocks of 

 Horned Larks and Snow Buntings, and other speci- 

 mens were secured. Four of these specimens are 

 now in the Provincial Museum at Halifax. No 

 other authentic record for the province exists save 



