Catalogue of Canadian Birds. 143 



numbered in the check-list, 100 represented in Canada, but 88 are 

 unrepresented, but in addition there are 56 varieties. It is interesting 

 to note that the birds that have to do with water are so largely 

 represented in the Dominion — divers, swimmers, waders and shore 

 birds, no doubt owing to the vast solitudes, with enormous sheets of 

 water, embraced in our section of the continent, affording safe nesting 

 retreats and ample stores of fish food for the young. On the other 

 hand, birds of prey, crows, jays, blackbirds and kindred species find 

 better provision for their needs in the settled districts of the continent. 



On the whole the bird-lover has ample cause of satisfaction with the 

 number of species to be found in our country. Many of them, of 

 course, are only birds of passage, going north in spring to the extensive 

 breeding fields in the covered rocks of Hudson's Bay, Labrador and 

 Greenland, returning south with their broods later in the season. 

 But not a few remain for the summer in our orchards and 

 in the woods bordering on cultivation, to cheer us with 

 their airy forms, bright plumage and sprightly movements. 

 More persons take delight in birds than in any other natural 

 objects, animate or inanimate, because of these qualities which 

 our winged friends possess. The interest of the sportsman and the 

 pot-hunter is of another kind ; but both of these classes will also rejoice 

 to own copies of Professor Macoun's lists. There is no country lad or 

 backwoodsman who does not possess a considerable stock of bird-lore ; 

 and no rural delight is equal to that of roaming through the forests 

 with gun in hand in pursuit of the ruffed grouse, that gamiest of birds. 

 One noticeable fact is that the passenger pigeon which used to migrate 

 in millions, as late as the fifties, in the last century, going north in the 

 spring and south in the fall, are no longer seen within our borders. 

 It is also matter of unfeigned regret that the superb bird, the wild 

 turkey, has become extinct in Canada. 



The notes accompanying the mention of each species are of an 

 extremely interesting character, and the fact that the common names 

 of birds obtain the highest prominence will go to make Professor 

 Macoun's catalogue most popular with the masses. Our readers cannot 

 do better than each order a copy of the two parts of the catalogue 

 already issued, which they may secure for the modest sum of twenty 

 cents. For this trifle they will be in possession of a list of the birds to 

 be found between Newfoundland and Labrador on the East, to Biitish 

 Columbia and Alaska on the West, and from the parallel of 43° 

 on the South to Hudson's Bay and the Yukon on the North. And 

 should they visit Ottawa they will be able to gratify their curiosity by 

 inspecting the specimens of the birds and their eggs, of which detailed 

 mention is made in these most readable publications. 



It. C. 



