THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND N ATI RALIST 



In a published li.-t of birds found on the 

 r sland of Newfoundland, by Henry Reeks, 

 F.L.S., occur two Western ducks, viz : — 

 the Gadwall (Chaulelasmua streperus Linn), 

 and the baldpate ( Mareca Americana Gmelin). 

 The latter is stated to be a common summer 

 migrant. Toxmr knowledge the former has 

 not yet been shut in the Province ol Quebec, 



and the latter is extre ly rare. We would 



be thankful for further information reeardine 

 their occurrence in Newfoundland. 



How many species ol Black Bass occur in 

 the Province ol Quebec? Agassiz described a 

 Black Bass from Luke Superior which attains 

 a large size, averaging from fifteen to thirty 

 pounds. We think he named this species 

 Huro Vulpus, and it was atonetjme common 

 in Ashbridge's Bay Marsh, near Toronto. 



WOODCOCK GROUNDS. 

 We have always found if difficult to' procure 

 correct information regarding the best wood- 

 cock covers in this Province. Sportsmen who 

 know ol good localities which they visit an- 

 nually, keep quiet on the subject. There are, 

 doubtless, mam excellent woodcock grounds 

 within aday's tripfrom Montreal, and it is our 

 intention when they are discovered, to give the 

 lovers of this,kind of sport, (he benefit, that 

 they may visitthem in properseason. Wehave 

 been informed that there are several good 

 covers on the south side of the St. Lawrence, 

 viz : La Prairie and Lacadie. On the south side 

 of the Richelieu, at Rouville, St. John Baptiste 

 and St. Pie. That the springs where wood- 

 cock occur in the latter region, embrace a 

 circumference of twelve miles. Now, gentle- 

 men, do not be jealous in regard to this matter ; 

 give us information that we may be led to 

 localities where good sport can be obtained. 



MESSINA QUAIL. 

 An order has been sent from this city tor 200 

 Messina or migratoral Quail. On their arrival 

 it is intended to release the birds in the neigh- 

 borhood of Lachine. 



What became ol tin Q a 

 brought to Quebec and .Montreal la 

 acclimatization 7 W< 



nterested in their introduction. 



$orre$pon6ence. 



"THE BARBED OWL." 

 To tin Editor of 'I he Cam uh 



AMD NATURALIST: 



Dear Sir, — Referring to the ani.de under 

 above heading in January number, the follow- 

 ing statement may not be uninteresting to your 

 many readers :— The Barred Owl, : 

 nebulosum, has been taken this winter ii 

 adjacent to this city in unusual quantities 

 much so that, that mythical person 

 " the (ddest inhabitant " tails to recall*! 

 or her memory anything like it. ] 

 of the same occurrence in such abundan 

 the vicinity of Montreal, you sa) .n-. 

 be on account of the House Sparrows, which 

 have multiplied greatly ol late ; but as w< have 

 none of the last menti 1 1 - pro- 



vince, and as this has not been I by 



any means a severe season, - 

 must therefore d. The ■ 



is found here every winter, more or 



Mr. J. II. Carnall, taxidermist, ol this 

 has had in his store, this winter. " at one time 

 seventy : live" Barred Owls, and has put up 

 since last November over " one hundred 

 skins." The greater number were captured 

 in the months of November and December 

 last. Can any ot your readers account forthis 

 phenomenon? In addition to the above Mr. 

 C. has mounted 22 Great II 

 Virginianm; 9 Snowj Owls, v - 

 12 Saw Whet Owls, Nyciah Acadia; 2 

 Eared Owls. Otus Wilsonianus; I 

 son's Owl, Nyctah Richardsouii, and several 

 Hawk Owls, Surnia ulula. So you see Stri- 

 gidae have been well represented About a 

 fortnight ago > s nebulosum was seen in King's 

 Square, situated in the centre of this city. 

 I am, yours truly, 



R. R« 



St. John, X.K. March 7,1881. 



The above mi an esteemed friend, a 



sportsman and a lover o( Natural His 

 one who has an acute eye when viewing Orni- 

 thological or other objects. When he says that 



