Miscellaneous. 151 



arm of Lake Simcoe) flying generally in a westerly and north- 

 westerly direction. One flock at a fair computation was at least 

 three miles long, and in the distance looked like a very large cloud 

 risiDg gradually from below the hoiizon. 



The pigeons during this day flew high, but in the pine woods 

 some large flocks pitched. On Sunday the flocks were smaller, 

 and flew very much lower, the birds then were to be found in the 

 beech woods. 



No one here ever remembers so early an arrival of these birds ; 

 April 21st, I believe, is the earliest date at which they have been 

 seen. 



The winter has however been peculiar; generally from Decem- 

 ber or the end of November till the beginning of April no birds 

 are to* be seen here but a few crows and a blue jay at intervals. 



This year woodpeckers, blue tomtits, tree-creepers, and a small 

 red-headed bird,* blue jays, and a small finch were seen almost 

 every day. With the thermometer at 8°, I have seen them flying 

 about. 



With regard to the number of pigeons seen, I have often heard 

 and read of the large flights of passenger pigeons on this conti- 

 nent, but never until now could have believed them possible. 



Axkual Report of the Canadian Institute of Toronto. — 

 This society, much younger than the Natural History Society, 

 is now a vigorous rival, and has in some respects much outgrown 

 its older sister. Its labours in the past year have been highly 

 creditable, embracing the reading and publication of a large num- 

 ber of valuable papers, the publication of the Canadian Journal, 

 the collection of many books and specimens, and preparations to- 

 ward the erection of a building. The number of members is said 

 to amount to 614, the papers read to 37, and the Journal is distri- 

 buted to 42 -of the leading societies and sicentific institutes in Eu- 

 rope and America, bringing large returns by way of exchange. 

 The following paragraphs show the view taken by the council of a 

 portion of the institute and its causes. 



" The constant accession of new members, the numerous and 

 valuable donations presented to the Library and Museum, the 

 comparatively large and increasing attendance at the meetings 

 of the session, the character of the papers communicated to these 

 meetings and finally the continued success of the Journal of the 

 Institute, are each and all, it is submitted, legitimate subjects of 



* Linaria minor ? 



