DOWNS ON THE LAND BIRDS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 135 



Imdtgo Bird — (Fringilla cijanea.) — Very rare, only a straggler 

 occurring now and then. 



American Goldfinch — (Carduelis tristis.) — This bird is com- 

 mon inland, especially about Truro and Windsor, but is rare in the 

 vicinity of Halifax. It breeds here and a few remain during winter, 

 changing at that season to an olive colour. Its call note is pretty 

 and something like that of a canary. 



Pine Grosbeak — (Conjtkns enwieator.) — Common during the 

 winter, attracting attention by the rose coloured plumage of the 

 male bird. It is very tame, sitting on a bough on the road side 

 while a passenger goes by. Some years ago I shot one of these 

 birds b.^hind Mr. James Forman's house, a female. No sooner 

 hid the lifeless body fallen to the ground than the male bird flew 

 down and began to protect it by placing dead leaves around. The 

 scene was so touching that I would never wish to cause its enact- 

 ment again. Mr. Foreman tells me several of these birds have 

 frequented his garden during the past hard Manter. All leave here 

 in spring for the North. I am told it breeds in Newfoundland. 



EosE-BREASTED Grosbeak — ( Coccovorvs litdo'vicianvs.) — This is 

 a summer bird with us, and both for plumage and song is kept in 

 cages. It is to be found about Mount Thom, near Truro, and also 

 at Pictou, and I am told equally so at Prince Edward Island. We 

 rarely see it about Halifax. It usually frequents hardwood hills, 

 and breeds about Grand Lake, and other parts of the Province that 

 abound with larc^e hard wood trees. 



White-winged Crossbill — (Loxia leiicopera.') — During some 

 years it is abundant, while at other times it is rare. It breeds in 

 the Province and feeds on the seeds of the Comferie. Mr. Henry 

 Piers assures me that he has found a nest of this bird with young 

 in it in midwinter, it was in a hollow tree that was chopped down 

 for fire wood. 



Common Crossbill — (L. ciirv'i rostra.) — The same description 

 will answer for this species. I may add that it has always been a 

 puzzle to naturalists in what position these birds breed, it is sup- 

 posed to be identical with the European. 



In conclusion, I wish to make a few brief remarks pertaining 

 to the arrival and departure on their migrations, of the various birds 

 which visit our Province, 



