Birds. 6749 



hawthorn bush (a common shrub, not unlike our own, but the thorns 

 and berries are larger). It was found impossible to count them, as 

 they were in perpetual motion ; but my sons are agreed in thinking 

 that there must have been twenty or more congregated in this single 

 bush, possibly for the purpose of roosting, as it was late in the day 

 when they were discovered. Probably they had recently migrated, 

 as not one had I observed, although out early and late collecting spe- 

 cimens to bring home with me. During their short stay in Canada, 

 where they breed, they frequent the flower gardens in and near the 

 towns and villages ; but I never met with one, either in the fields or 

 woods. 



Rice Bunting {Emberiza oryzivora). May. Procured a specimen, 

 the first I had seen, though a common species. 



Winter Wren (Sylvia troglodytes). May. Saw one of these com- 

 mon birds. My gun having missed fire more than once, it was 

 allowed to escape ; but as it was very tame, creeping among the 

 decaying trunks of the fallen timber, I had a good opportunity of 

 observing it. Although Wilson seems to think it is " the same spe- 

 cies as the common domestic wren of Britain," one that I examined 

 in the autumn was decidedly a much darker bird than the common 

 European wren. 



Piedbilled Dobchick (Podiceps carotin en sis). One was shot by 

 my son. 



BurTelheaded Duck (Anas albecola). Saw one recently killed. 

 Rather a common species. 



Hooded Merganser (Mergus cucullatus). Saw several up a creek ; 

 endeavoured to approach them in a boat, but did not succeed in 

 getting within shot. When disturbed they made for the lake. Their 

 flight is rapid. 



Dusky Duck (Anas obscura). There have been great numbers of 

 these ducks on the lake since the breaking up of the ice. It is a 

 very common species. I also observed large flocks late in the 

 autumn. Several other kinds of ducks and teal were occasionally 

 seen, but not identified. 



American Bittern (Ardea minor). Observed one rise out of a marsh. 



Remarks. — Gulls, rails, divers, hawks, and numerous other species 

 were observed, but not identified ; so it must not be inferred that the 

 above list includes anything like the whole of the migratory birds 

 that may have arrived up to the 29th of May, the date of my leaving 

 Canada ; for not only must many have escaped my notice, but the 



