138 Notes on T,and Birds. 



rically different from Ortlioceras proper, and has accordingly- 

 constituted a new genus Endoceras, for their reception. Another 

 genus quite common in the Black River limestone of Canada, is 

 Oonioreras^ (Hall.) But a single species is known {Oonioceras 

 anceps^ and it is remarkable for its form, almost flat like a two 

 edged sword. We shall give figures of this and other species in 

 a future article. 



There are many species of Orthoceras in the Silurian Rocks of 

 Canada, not yet named, and owing to the close resemblance of 

 some of these, and also to the fact that they generally occur in 

 mere fragients, it is most difficult to identify them, or to decide 

 whether they are new species or not. It will probably be many 

 years before materials will be collected to complete this part of 

 the Ancient Natural History of the Province, and we would there- 

 fore earnestly recommend all public Institutions in their ex- 

 changes not to part with any of their Oithoceratites, for it is only 

 by combining the light afi"orded by all the collections that the 

 Cephalopoda of the Silurian Rocks of Canada can be worked out. 

 It is also very desirable that gentlemen in possession of these relics 

 should publish short descriptions of their specimens, in one of the 

 scientific journals of the Province. This remark applies to every 

 other department of Natural History. In fact, there is not one 

 single species either recent or extinct concerning which, there is 

 not yet much to be made known. Every little fact, therefore, no 

 matter how unimportant it may appear at the time to the observer, 

 is to a greater or less extent of value, and should be communicat- 

 ed for publication. 



Fig. 11, is a transverse section of the specimen represented by 

 Fig. 10, at the line from Y to X. It shews the siphuncle with 

 the thickness of the calacerous secretion upon the inner surface. 

 A small Orthoceras is shewn in the siphon of Fig. 10, into which 

 it had found its way after the death of the larger individual. 



The figures have all been copied from the Bulletin of the 

 Geological Society of France, of January, 1856. 



ARTICLE XVIII. — Notes on the Land Birds observed round 



Montreal during the winter of 1 856-7, hy W. S. M. D'Urban. 



The late winter having been one of a very remarkable character, 



whether we consider the severity of some portions, or the unusual 



mildness of others, I am induced to off"er for insertion in the 



