6748 



Birds. 



flexure 2j inches. I subsequently saw another that had been recently 

 killed. As this bird, according to Wilson, passes through Pennsyl- 

 vania in April, or early in May, there can be little doubt of its 

 breeding in Canada. The bill is rather stout and slightly decurved, 

 and this bird, both in form and habits, seems allied to the tits. 



Blackburnian Warbler [Sylvia Blackburn ice). May 24th. Shot one 

 of these rare birds, the only one I ever saw ; length 4f inches, extent 

 of wings 1\ inches, wing from flexure 2 inches 4-tenths. This bird 

 also appears to migrate northwards in May, returning in September, 

 consequently must breed in Canada. Wilson remarks, "Of the nest 

 and habits of this bird I can give no account, as there are not more 

 than one or two of these birds to be found here in a season, even with 

 the most diligent search." The bill of this species is slighter and 

 less decurved than that of the preceding, which it seems to resemble 

 in habits, frequenting the upper branches of the fir trees. 



Scarlet Tanager (Tanagra rubra). May 24th. Shot a handsome 

 adult male (had previously observed one). Although not a very com- 

 mon species, I saw several in a small wood about two miles from the 

 town, on the above day ; the splendid red and black plumage of the 

 males making them very conspicuous, and though but 7 inches in 

 length and 11| in extent of wings they appear much larger (Wilson 

 gives 6|- inches as the length, and 10J as the extent of wings). The 

 females are of a yellowish olive-green, with dusky quills and tail- 

 feathers, margined with greenish yellow ; the under parts yellow 

 tinged with green, except at the vent, where the feathers (including 

 the under tail- coverts) are of a pure bright yellow. Except in size 

 and shape they bear no resemblance to the males, and might be taken 

 for another species until closely examined and compared. I do not 

 think so great a disparity exists between the male and female of any of 

 our European birds. 



Great Horned Owl (Strix virginiana). May 25th. A fine bird of 

 this species was brought to me for sale ; it had been badly wounded, 

 having lost one eye, and appeared in a dying state ; and it being 

 imagined that pressure alone would have extinguished life, it was 

 placed on its back, and stood on, but its muscular power was still so 

 great that it succeeded in freeing itself of the load, probably some 

 130 lbs. It measured 22 inches in length, 49 inches in extent of 

 wings, and 15j inches from flexure, and weighed 4 lbs. ; eye dark 

 blue ; iris yellow. 



Humming Bird (Trochilus colubris). May. Towards the end of the 

 month several of these birds were seen by my sons, flitting about in a 



