144 Canadian Record of Science. 



dents ; although in some instances it is difficult to draw the 

 line sharply. Under the first may be placed a few species 

 that linger with us until late in November, or the begin- 

 ning of December. The second includes the gulls and hawks 

 that occasionally visit us during the winter, while to the 

 third belong the majority of our winter birds, consisting of 

 species that are resident throughout the year, with the 

 addition of those that come to us from regions still farther 

 to the north at the setting in of cold weather. 



The insectivorous species that stay with us during the 

 winter, such as the nuthatches and titmice, generally keep 

 in the woods, being fond of sheltered hollows with a thick 

 growth of evergreens, finding in such localities an abundant 

 supply of food and protection from the bitter winds that 

 sweep across the open country. During mild weather they 

 occasionally venture out, and may sometimes be seen pass- 

 ing through the trees in our streets and gardens, generally 

 in small companies, each individual seemingly entirely 

 occupied with its own affairs, yet taking good care to keep 

 within call of its companions. 



Our winter visitants, the grosbeaks and waxwings, which 

 at this season live almost altogether upon berries and seeds, 

 do not appear to be very much affected by cold, and may be 

 seen in exposed situations during the most severe weather. 



* Eissa tridactyla — Kittiwake. 



* Larus glaucus — Glaucous gull. 



* Larus marinus — Great black-backed gull. 



* Larus Delawarensis — King-billed gull. 



* Larus atricilla — Laughing gull. 



All these gulls are rare in the vicinity of Montreal, but 

 occasionally vipit the open water at Lachine. 



Larus atricilla may possibly be merely a loiterer, the 

 latest date of its occurrence, known to me, being 

 October 22nd, 1885, when an immature specimen 

 was shot at Lachine by Mr. Charles Ealph. 



* Denotes birds not given in D'Urban'a or Vennor's lists. 



