THE BIOLOGICAL REVIEW. 31 



Scolecophagus carolinus. — I found these birds abundant, both 

 in the spring and fall migrations, this season. In spring, the 

 first appeared April 6th, and the last was observed May 8th, a 

 rather late occurrence. In the autumn the first were seen 

 October 6th, and the last October 27th. 



Quiscalus quiscula ceiieus. — These birds have greatly 

 decreased in number during the last twenty years ; now I know 

 of only three colonies breeding within the city limits, and they 

 are very small. This season the first appeared April 14th, a 

 transient flock of about fifty. On the 16th, I found them occu- 

 pying one of their old breeding places in full force ; here they 

 remained until June 13th, when they took off their young and 

 entirely disappeared for the season. I did not see a single one 

 after that anywhere near Toronto ; possibly they have learned, 

 from bitter experience, that it is not a healthy place for their 

 children to grow up in, for they certainly remain in other parts 

 of the Province until the end of October. 



Trochilus colubris. — This species was very abundant here this 

 season, particularly during the time of the blossoming of the 

 Water Balsam, Impatiens fulva, which they much frequent. 

 The first appeared May 8th, and a few remained here and 

 bred, the great increase in their number occurring about 

 August 15th. I examined the stomach contents of a large 

 number during the season, and found them invariably filled 

 with insects. The Entomological authorities at Washington 

 identified some of these for me, and amongst others found 

 they consisted of Bythoscopus (order Hemiptera), a species of 

 Entedon (family Chalcididce), small gnats and spiders ; and 

 in one a small quantity of sharp sand. I also noticed, that 

 if pressure is exerted upon the breast when a bird is 

 killed, that a drop of clear and sticky fluid is exuded from 

 the beak ; this is no doubt honey ; but the essential food 

 of these birds is undoubtedly insects, and I think that the 

 greater part of these insects are taken by the birds from the 

 trunks of pine trees, around which I have frequently observed 

 them hovering, particularly early in the morning and towards 

 evening, and usually at some height up the tree. 



Coccyzus americanus. — Nearly every season is marked by the 



