THE CANADIAN 8PORT8MAH AND N ATff: \I. 





Note.- These queriea are going to do good 

 eventually. In their promulgation, I wished 



to arrive at truth in order to correct the errors 

 of old American writers on our birds, more 

 especially regarding the time and localitii- of 

 nidification of the .species which pass the 

 greater portion of their lives in high latitudes. 

 Our correspondent gives no substantial proof 

 that the Pine Grosbeak breeds in N. Bruns- 

 wick. Until the nest and eggs are discovered, 

 the mere occurrence of one adult female in 

 August will not suffice to class it as a resident. 

 They arrive about the latitude of Montreal 

 during severe weather in September, being 

 then gregarious, remaining as such in the 

 woodlands until the middle of May following, 

 when they leave for the far north. Regarding 

 the nests spoken of by Mr. Carnall, it would 

 be worth his while to visit the locality again 

 during the breeding season. Will Mr. Gilbert 

 be kind enough to send a description of the 

 nest of the Red-bellied Nuthatch ? Does it 

 select an old knot-hole or excavate a cavity 

 for itself ?— C. 



ACCLIMATING THE MESSINA QUAIL 

 AT QUEBEC. 



Dear Sir. — In one of your recent issues you 

 alluded to the efforts ot Col. .W. Rhodes, and 

 others to acclimatize the Messina Quail in this 

 Province. The Colonel is now in Europe and 

 has, if I mistake not, sent orders for the 

 importation of a few hundred of these birds. 

 In order to help his praiseworthy efforts, I 

 permitted him to send to my aviary of Canadian 

 birds, the Quail he received too late for distri- 

 bution in the woods last year. I intend to 

 give them their liberty in April, and from the 

 following statements, I hope success will 

 crown the Colonel's efforts. 



Yours truly, 



J. M. LeMoine. 



Spencer Grange, ) 

 Quebec, 20 March. \ 



W. Rhodes, Esq., Quebec, P.Q., Canada. 



Dear Sir, — Your favor of 13th January 

 came duly to hand and much interests me. I 

 did not see your referred notice to queries in 



" I ores) ;mm] Sin-an 



given yon the 

 returned to Ifiaim la I 

 imported to ti. 

 observed bere prei ■ 

 where of any newly-impoi 

 of the pre* ioue - a*i 

 and July. They mature ■•• rj ra| 

 from tli«- time of hatching (when Lb< 

 leave the nee( as ■ood runoei - > 

 autumn migration, there i- an interval 

 equal t<» the time afforded th< 

 many of our song bird- toacqu 

 their long journey. By my ad 

 ion the 2,000 quail thai I disti 

 out Maine, in 1880, were liberal 

 not less than 15 or 20 

 If this method with equal total numl • 

 be followed up fur several 

 should have no doubt of - 

 desired. The results of a single Beat 

 ever, may not prove to l«- nrrmanrnt 

 Yours very truly, 



En 01 : : ^"ITH. 

 Portland, Maine, Jan. 20th, i 



NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY 

 LUCKNOW, ON I 



Sir, — You published a list <>t reptilia 

 cured by me in this vicinity, and other Iocs 

 in Ontario. The following four additional 



species, have been added to my colle* 

 Choropliyllus triseriaku, Little 3 

 Lucknow. Amyda muHca,( four specin 



Lake St. Clair. Amblysioma 

 Jefferson's Salamander. Found at i. 

 Park, by J. Morden. Scotopkis, AUigkam- 



ensis is reported to be found in 1 

 occurrence here is probable, as] have received 

 several specimens from Michigan, which is 



in the same latitude, the only harrier I- 

 river, separating the Southern portio 

 Ontario from Michigan. 



The Red Lynx, Lynx ntt'us is not uncommon 

 in this neighbourhood. 1 obtained f 

 mens this year, and I can procure more it I 

 take the trouble to hunt for them. The Cat 

 Lynx, Lynx Canadensis, appear to I 

 Northern species. It has never been - 

 on this peninsula, or south o{ the O: 

 river. I have read ot it as occurring common 

 in the Province oi' Quebec almost every 

 school-boy has read the interesting account of 

 Mr. Bannetvne in the " Header:" ot how an 



