64 THE BIOLOGICAL REVIEW. 



NOTES ON SOME MUSKOKA BIRDS. 

 By A. Kay, Port Sydney. 



(April 30, 1890.) Several species seem to be moving north- 

 wards. About 1880, the Red-headed Woodpecker appeared 

 here for the first time, and now (1890) it is quite numerous. 

 The Meadow Lark has come within the last few years and is 

 now getting quite plentiful. Within the last few years the 

 Shore Lark (0. alpestris praticola) has come, and is now quite 

 common. The Cow Bird (Molothrus ater) appeared at Graven - 

 hurst last spring (1889) f° r tne nrst time. 



This spring I fed about fifty Redpoll Linnets and three Shore 

 Larks in my barnyard every day, and the larks got so tame 

 that they would run around my feet and chirp for food. They 

 are now nesting in one of my fields, and I am watching their 

 nesting habits with much interest. ■ • 



Yesterday I saw the hen bird sitting on the ground, and the 

 male was spreading his wings and tail to their greatest extent,. 

 and was dancing and singing for her most beautifully. I 

 walked to within a few yards of them, but they did not mind 

 me in the least, they know me so well. I have seen the male 

 rise and fly straight upwards until he went clean out of my 

 sight, singing joyously all the time, he would remain up about 

 five minutes, and then come straight down again. 



(April 25, 1890.) The Loons, Chipping Sparrows, Rough- 

 legged Buzzards and Bitterns have arrived. All these remain 

 and nest with us. 



Several species of Wild Duck remain with us all winter. 

 Two of these I have collected — the Red-breasted Shelldrake 

 (Merganser serrator) and the Coween (Clangula hyemalis). A 

 specimen of the last was collected April 26, and the stomach 

 contained two whole perch. 



Our rivers are very much broken up by falls and rapids, 

 where the water does not freeze, not even in the coldest snaps 

 of winter, and in these open waters the ducks sport and play r 

 and find sufficient food, even when the temperature is down 

 below zero. In the coldest days, I have seen twenty or more in 

 a small pool, sporting and diving as if summer were come ; but 



