0708 



Birds. 



I determined to secure some, if possible ; consequently, sallied forth 

 at day-break into the streets, before the inhabitants were stirring, and 

 got a fair shot at one flying round the corner of a house near the 

 cathedral, but missed it, owing, I fancy, to over-excitement ; but as it 

 would have been imprudent to have ventured another shot I had to 

 return home disappointed ; and it was not until the 19th of May that 

 I succeeded in getting one. On walking through the streets on my 

 way to the steamer to embark for Niagara, perceiving one on the roof 

 of a house, I could not resist the temptation of shooting it. It fell 

 dead, almost on the heads of some children at play. This, together 

 with the report of the gun, proving too much for their nerves, they 

 set up a yell that might have alarmed the whole neighbourhood ; so 

 I was glad to walk off with my prize, which proved to be a handsome 

 cock bird ; and I secured a female on the following day, near 

 Hamilton. By the 5th of May they had, I think, commenced 

 building, as I noticed them coming from under the eaves of the 

 houses. 



Carolina Nuthatch (Silta Caroline nsis). May 8th. Shot one of 

 this very common species, which is permanently resident. Length, 

 6 inches ; extent of wings, 11^ inches ; wing, from flexure, 3j inches. 



Savannah Sparrow [Fringilla Savanna). May 8th. Shot one of 

 these rare and beautiful sparrows, which, according to Wilson, are 

 rarely found inland, or far from the sea-shore. Length, 6f inches ; 

 extent of wings, 8j inches. 



Chimney Swallow (Hirundo pelavgia). May 9th. Observed the 

 first. On the 14th shot three ; average length, 5 inches 2-tenths ; 

 extent of wings about 12j inches. In appearance, manner and 

 rapidity of flight, this bird greatly resembles the common Euro- 

 pean swift, although not much more than half the size. The pecu- 

 liar, bare, sharp-pointed shafts of the tail-feathers, like those of the 

 woodpecker, doubtless support and assist them in climbing. Wilson 

 says, " It is never seen to alight but in hollow trees or in chimneys ;" 

 is the "latest out in evening of all our swallows." Like the European 

 swift, it is the last to arrive, but the first to depart. In describing 

 the nest, the same author states that the materials of which it is com- 

 posed are " fastened together with a strong adhesive glue or gum, 

 which is secreted by two glands, and mixes with the saliva." Mac- 

 gillivray informs us that the " materials of the nest of the swift are 

 confusedly felted and agglutinated," and that the gelatinous matter is 

 probably derived from the salivary glands. He also remarks that the 

 claws are "very strong and acute." And Wilson tells us that the feet of 



