4 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VOL. I. 



collect a fine specimen of Robin. This is the first record of its being 

 taken around Toronto this winter. — G. E. Atkinson. 



15. Sphyrapicus varius. — The specimen of the Yellow-Bellied Sap- 

 sucker exhibited is a female taken in Rosedale woods on April 14, 

 1887, and I also exhibit specimens of maplewood bored by her. I 

 watched her for some time that morning, and found there was one tree on 

 which she remained when undisturbed. On this tree, about six feet from 

 the ground, she had bored about twenty holes from which sap was plenti- 

 fully exuding. I sat down near the tree, and she came back, but kept on 

 the side away from me. But the richest supply of sap was on my side 

 of the tree, and she was evidently anxious to get at it, but feared to come 

 into full view ; once she came half round, then suddenly withdrew and 

 ran to the top of the tree, but the temptation was very strong, and she 

 came slowly down again ; after a while, as I sat very still, she gained some 

 confidence and would remain for a second or two on my side drinking the 

 sap. I came back again in the afternoon with a gun. She was still 

 there, but I missed with the first shot, and she flew away, but I found 

 her near by in company with a male bird which I procured. I returned 

 to the tree, and found her there with another male, and she slipped away 

 leaving her companion to be shot. I went back in about half an hour 

 and she was there, but very cautious, and three times did 1 try to creep 

 towards her before I got her. There seemed to be an irresistible attrac- 

 tion in that tree, as she always returned to it as soon as I left the spot. 

 Apparently she was on the look out for a husband, and was treating 

 those who passed to a drink of the sap which she had spent the morning 

 boring holes to procure. I find, from records, that these birds arrive here 

 about the 14th of April, and almost disappear about the 18th. — J. B. 

 Williams. 



16. Pinicola enucleator in Rosedale.— On Jan. 12, I went along 

 the C. P. R. track eastward from Toronto, and soon came on a large flock 

 of Pine Grosbeaks and following them, procured ten specimens. On 

 January 25 I took my glasses and went out to make observations ; on 

 the way I saw two small flocks of Pine Grosbeaks, and presently after 

 arriving at my former stand I saw a flock of about twenty ; they came 

 from the north and alighting for an instant on the trees on the hill they 

 flew to an adjoining orchard and then down to the ground, along 

 which they worked toward me, shelling and eating the seeds of the white 

 ash as fast as they could pick them up. 



17. Oorvus americana wintering. — On January 26, while walk- 

 ing along the track, I saw a flock of about 100 Grows perched on a 



