DOWNS ON LAND BIRDS OF NOVA SCOTIA, 49 



only stays a week or ten days. It may frequently be observed 

 about that date on the stone walls around " the common," constantly 

 wagging its tail up and do"wn. It feeds upon insects and small seeds. 



Shore Lark — (Alauda alpestrisj. — Generally arrives here from 

 the south about the end of March, on its way to the north. It 

 breeds in Newfoundland. 



Hed-poll Warbler — {^Sylvicola petechia^. — This is the pioneer 

 •of the genus Kylvicola, arriving here about St. George's Day, even 

 while the snow remains upon the ground. It makes its nest in a 

 little mossy hillock in swampy places in the woods. 



Yellow Rump Warbler — (S. coronatci). — This is the next 

 visitor, arriving about the 1st of May. It builds its nest at the top 

 of a pine tree, and lays four little blotched eggs. It is very com- 

 mon; handsomely marked with lemon yellow on the head, buts of 

 the wings, and rump. Many people call it a goldfinch. 



Black-poll Warbler — (5. striata). — Rare. I have shot but 

 few specimens, and know nothing of its habits. 



Bay-breasted Warbler — (S. castanea). — This species is not 

 very common, and frequents pine woods. 



Chesnut-sided Warbler — (S. ictero-cephala). — This gay little 

 warbler is very common m the birch groves, flitting from tree to 

 tree, pouring forth its love song in the breeding season. 



Hemlock Warbler — (S. par us.). — Only one specimen of this 

 rare visitor has fallen under my notice, which I shot near the 

 "rocking stone" at Kidston's. 



Black-throated Green Warbler — (iS, virens.) — Abundant 

 in pine woods. Its note sounds like "a little bit of bread and no 

 cheese." Have never found the nest of this bird. 



Cape May Warbler. — (S. maritima). — Very rare. I have 

 only seen one specunen, which I shot at Dartmouth some thirty 

 years ago. I still have it in my collection. 



Blackburnian Warbler — (S. Blachhirnia). — Observed on the 

 hardwood hills about Grand Lake, but never about the sea-coast 

 district. It is one of the handsomest of the warblers which visit us. 



Yellow-poll Warbler — (*S. astiva). — I have shot a few 

 specimens of this bird about Kidston's, but know little of its habits. 



Yellow-Backed Warbler — (S. Americana). — This is another 

 rare species, occurring inland in hardwood districts. I have shot 

 6 



