134 DOWKS ON THE LAND BIRDS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



Swamp Sparrow — {Frwgilla ralustris.) — This is a very rare 

 species, observed but seldom, and I know nothing of its habits. 



Snow Bird — (Jmico hyenudis.) — This is probably with the 

 exception of the robin, the most familiar bird in Nova Scotia, being 

 the only one that is seen in our yards and gardens at all times. 

 Some call it the " blue bird " from its slate coloured back. A few 

 stay all winter and come into out-houses to search for food. Some 

 years ago, a pair of these birds made their nest on a beam in an 

 unfinished house, in Lockman street, where a carpenter was contin- 

 ually at work, but his labour did not appear to interfere with their 

 incubation. When a stranger, however, came in, they at once flew 

 off and remained until his departure. They finally hatched their 

 four young ones and took them away. Their usual nest is on the 

 ground, a situation frequently taken advantage of by the spotted 

 snake, (Coluber sir talis,) which frequently makes a meal of the 

 young. I have some in confinement. 



Snow Bunting — (E. nivalis.) — This well known bird arrives 

 with the first snowstorms of winter, and leaves about the beginning 

 of March. The citadel hill is a favourite resort of this northern 

 species, and it appears to prefer the most exposed situations. It 

 has always been a mystery to me where these birds shelter them- 

 selves at night, or during a heavy snow storm. 



Purple Finch — (Fringilla irarimrea.) — Very common. It is 

 easily trapped ; its appearance and song causing it to be kept in 

 cages. It loses the red plumage in confinement and becomes 

 yellowish. The young birds are grey until the second year, when 

 they assume the mature red plumage. This is the bird called by 

 bird fanciers red linnet and the grey linnet — they are the same. 



Northern Redpole — {Linaria horealis.) — In former years this 

 bird was more abundant than it is now. It visits us in flocks in 

 winter. Mr. J. M. Jones informs me that he has shot this north- 

 ern bird in winter time in the Bermudas. All go north in spring. 



Pine Pinch — (L. Pimis.J — A constant resident all the year, 

 plenty in winter. It is a very familiar bird allowing a person to 

 come close to it without showing any fear. One I have in confine- 

 ment will come and sit on my finger. It feeds princijially on the 

 seeds of the conifera, but in confinement takes common bu"d seed. 

 W. Winton found a nest in March some years ago with eggs in it, 

 the high winds blew the eggs out of the nest. 



