Birds. 



6747 



Canada or Whitefronted Swallow (Hirundo lunifrons). May 21st. 

 Saw a number of these beautiful little swallows near Toronto, the first 

 I had observed since my arrival in Canada. It was not until after 

 several unsuccessful attempts that I succeeded in shooting one ; whe- 

 ther this arose from over-excitement, or was caused by the unsteady 

 flight of the bird, it is difficult to determine, but they appeared to be 

 constantly wheeling in narrow circles, frequently within a few yards 

 of one, and then would suddenly disappear behind the trees. I never 

 knew a bird more difficult to shoot, except perhaps a jack snipe ; as 

 to the swift-flying Hirundo pelasgia, I had found it comparatively 

 easy. I merely secured one specimen, but had a few days before pro- 

 cured another near Kingston, the only one seen during my residence 

 there, possibly the limestone formation being unsuited to its habits, 

 as it is said to breed in the cliffs of barren grounds. 



Sand Martin {Hirundo riparia). May 21st. Found these birds 

 very numerous in the sand-banks and cliffs near Hamilton ; secured 

 some specimens. Although this town, as well as Kingston, is on Lake 

 Ontario, I never observed a sand martin at the latter place, owing 

 no doubt to the different nature of the soil. They vary much in 

 size, the largest being 5 inches 3-tenths in length, and 11 inches 

 2-tenths in extent of wings ; the smallest measuring but 4 inches 

 9-tenths in length, and 10 inches 2-tenths in extent. 



Cat Bird (Turdus lividus). May 21st. Saw two of these birds, 

 male and female, near Toronto, in some bushes skirting a stream ; 

 shot the latter. It is not, I think, a very common species ; at least I 

 observed but few the previous autumn, and those were invariably in 

 low, swampy situations. 



Tyrant Flycatcher, or King Bird (Muscicapa tyrannus). May 

 22nd. Obtained a specimen ; length 8J inches, extent of wings 12J 

 inches. This is a common species. 



Great Tern {Sterna Hirundo). May 22nd. Obtained a specimen ; 

 extent of wings 31f inches. 



Redeyed Flycatcher (Muscicapa olivacea). May 24th. Shot one of 

 these elegant flycatchers, which are so closely allied to the warblers 

 that had it not been for the slightly decurved upper mandible I should 

 have set them down as such. The tarsus is unusually long, namely, 

 7-tenths of an inch ; the length of the bird is 5f inches ; in colour it 

 somewhat resembles the wood wren. 



Chestnutsided Warbler (Sylvia pennsylvanica). May 24th. Shot 

 one of these rather rare and beautiful birds ; it proved to be a hand- 

 some male ; length 5 inches, extent of wings 7f inches, wing from 



