Brewster.] 382 [October 3, 



The only note that I have heard the Banded-backed Wood- 

 pecker utter is a short chuck similar to that of P. arcticus, but 

 rather softer and less loud. It closely resembles the sound of a 

 distant axe-stroke on the resonant trunk of a dead tree. 



47. Colaptes auratUS, Linn. — Golden-winged Woodpecker. 

 A few seen near Gaspe, and one or two in the clearings about 



the fishermen's houses at Fox Bay, Anticosti. 



48. Asio accipitrinus, Pall. — Short-eared Owl. 



On July 22 two were seen by Mr. Gardiner on Niapisca Island, 

 one of the Mingan group. They were shy and restless (although 

 the day was clear), flying from place to place over the mossy 

 barrens and uttering a barking note that reminded him of the cry 

 of the Night Heron. He shot one of them, which proved to be 

 an adult in worn breeding plumage. These were the only Owls 

 of any species seen or heard during the summer. 



49. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, Gm. — American Os- 

 prey. 



At both Fox and Ellis Bays, Anticosti, as well as along the 

 North Shore, a few Ospreys were usually seen daily, but they were 

 not numerous anywhere. The general scarcity — it might be 

 almost styled absence — of raptorial birds in this region is sur- 

 prising when the abundance of many forms of life upon which 

 they are accustomed to prey is considered. I had expected to find 

 several interesting species, especially the Peregrine Falcon, but, 

 strange as it may seem, the only Hawk of any kind (excepting the 

 Osprey) observed by our party was a large Buteo seen by Mr. 

 Henshaw but not identified. Bryant had a similar experience in 

 1860. 



50. Canace canadensis, Linn. — Spruce Grouse. 

 According to the inhabitants, this Grouse is the most abundant 



of its family throughout the wooded region bordering the North 

 Shore. 



51. Bonasa umbella, Linn. — Ruffed Grouse. 



The Ruffed Grouse was not met with by our party, but I ob- 

 tained some information affecting its northern range which, if 

 true, is important. While at Mingan Harbor we were told, by 

 the agent in charge of the Hudson Bay Company's trading post 

 there, that three distinct species of Grouse inhabited the neigh- 

 boring region. Of these the " White Partridge " was unmistak- 



