6374 



Birds. 



date the commencement of winter. The species of eagle was supposed 

 to be Falco leucocephalus, the white head, neck and tail, being 

 distinctly seen. 



Hawk Owl (Strix funerea). Specimen shot on the 8th of November, 

 and in middle of winter. 



Snowy Owl [Strix nyctea ?). Seen on two or three occasions during 

 winter ; one appeared to be of rather small size. 



Great-horned Owl (Strix virginiana). Specimen obtained in 

 February. 



Great American Shrike (Lanius borealis). I suppose, but am not 

 certain, that this is the same bird that winters far to the south. There 

 is also the same doubt in my mind as to Strix virginiana, which is 

 said to be resident in the Southern States ; however, I have specimens 

 of each. 



Neither species of Regulus nor Parus hudsonicus have I observed 

 here this winter. I do not think that they go south of this on account 

 of the climate, but am more inclined to think that their absence is to 

 be accounted for either in consequence of there being no pine woods 

 here, or, that their range is not so far west ; if so, the latter has well 

 been named Hudson's-Bay tit, as I found it between Lake Winnipeg 

 and that bay, and it is common enough on the eastern peninsula, 

 namely, Nova Scotia, during winter. 



Black-cap Tit (Parus atricapillus ?). Common. I have placed a 

 mark of doubt because there is one described by Cassin as P. septen- 

 trionalis, w T hich is said to differ but slightly, the habitat given being, 

 " Missouri, Utah and Rocky Mountains." I have preserved several 

 specimens for comparison, and if it turns out that my specimens are 

 P. atricapillus, and I cannot discern any difference between them and 

 those I obtained in Nova Scotia, then I shall think that the other 

 species is wrongly named " northern," for surely a bird that winters 

 here may be called more northern than an inhabitant of Utah. It may 

 perhaps be P. occidentalis. 



Fringilla linaria, — or whatever it may be called, for there seems 

 much confusion concerning the different species of this genus, — at any 

 rate the American lesser redpole, is here during winter, but not 

 numerous. I have several specimens of this also for comparison. 



Snow Bunting (Emberiza nivalis). In large flocks till the end of 

 October, after which date but few were observed until the 3rd of 

 December, since which I have seen none. 



Pine Grosbeak (Cory thus Enucleator). In considerable numbers 

 from the 7th of November, and another species supposed to be the 



