414 Canadian Record of Science. 
NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OBSERVED AT MONTREAL. 
By F. B. CAuLFipip. 
The vicinity of a large and busy city like Montreal, with 
its well-travelled roads, noisy railway trains and steamboats, 
is not a favorable locality for studying bird life, yet, quite a 
number of species can be found within easy walking dis- 
tance of the city ; about 175 species of birds are now known 
to occur on the island of Montreal, and no doubt, continued 
research will extend the list. Our knowledge of the life 
history of many species is yet very limited, many interest- 
ing problems regarding their migration, nesting and distri- 
bution being yet unsolved. 
I observed last summer, a remarkable instance, showing 
how birds of a naturally shy and retiring disposition, will, 
even under most adverse circumstances, cling to a place 
suited to their habits. Just east of the village of Cote St. 
Paul and close to the public road and the Lachine Canal, 
there is a large pond, partly surrounded by a thick fringe 
of water flags and other aquatic plants. During the summer 
months the rattle of carts and blowing of steamboat whistles 
is almost incessant upon one side, while on the other a gun 
club has its quarters, and on Saturdays at least, keeps up a 
constant fire, the shot frequently striking the water with a 
sharp splash. 
Passing by this pond on the 24th of last May, I was sur- 
prised to see several red-winged black birds, Agelaius phe- 
niceus, rise from the reeds and circle around, uttering cries 
of alarm. This habit of flying up from the cover when 
alarmed, probably prevented their raising a brood, as on 
visiting the place a little later in the season, none were 
observed. I was pleased to find here a bird I had not pre- 
viously met with, the Long-billed marsh wren, Cistothorus 
palustris, numbers of which were singing in the reeds, their 
harsh, guttural notes making the place quite lively. Owing 
to their habit of hiding in the reeds, just above the surface 
of the water, only showing themselves for an instant, I 
failed to secure specimens, which I particularly wished to 
