THE BIOLOGICAL REVIEW. 35 



of weed stems and grasses, and externally covered with lichens. 

 It contained three fresh eggs, averaging -74 x -59. 



jfunco hyemalis. — (July 19.) A nest of the Junco was found 

 in the side of a bank in the ravine at the back of St. James' 

 Cemetery. It was formed of grasses and plant stems, lined 

 with hair, and contained four eggs, which were far advanced in 

 incubation. 



The following were also observed breeding, but no reccrds 

 were kept : Merida migratoria, Melospiza fasciata, Melospiza 

 georgiana, Spinus tristis, Galeoscoptes carolinensis, Harpor- 

 hynchus rufns, Seiurus aurocapillus, Gallinula galeata. 



GENERAL NOTES. 



CARPODACUS PURPUREUS. 



(March 3, 1892.) I should like to report an unusual 

 migration of purple finches this winter. They appeared 

 in the Asylum grounds on January 28th. One of the inmates 

 called my attention to the fact that finches had arrived in 

 large numbers, and showed me four male finches in brilliant 

 plumage that he had trapped. The birds were feeding on 

 small crab apples, that had not been worth picking from the 

 trees last fall. The birds take the pulp as well as the seeds of 

 the crab apple. Sometimes as many as twelve finches are to be 

 found in one tree, and, to give you an idea of the numbers here, 

 I may say that the patient trapped nineteen in a few days, but 

 set many of them at liberty, as he wished to retain male birds 

 in brilliant plumage for cage pets. The finches are still with us 

 (March 14th), although not in such numbers as at first. Yes- 

 terday four were in one crab apple tree. Both sexes are well 

 represented. I have never known a purple finch winter in 

 Kingston, and scarcely think that these birds have remained 



