Ornithological Notes. 4 1 
the theory that the representatives of the Canadian Fauna which 
were observed at the higher altitudes of the mountains were 
attracted thither, in their choice of a breeding resort by the 
humidity of the atmosphere and the consequent character of the 
vegetation. But here in New Brunswick the same species of birds 
mentioned by Mr. Bicknell act exactly the reverse to what they do 
in the Catskills. We have much the same differing atmospheric 
conditions and in similar relation, to state it broadly, as that of the 
higher and lower altitudes of the mountains, but while the birds of 
the Catskills appear to seek the cooler and more moist regions to 
breed in, the mass of our Provincial birds (not only the sylvicolidce 
as previously noted) retire from the humid zone and build in the 
warmer, drier atmosphere of the interior. Even the few species 
that are common near the coast at this season are equally as 
abundant beyond. 
With these facts before us and the emphatic contradiction they 
appear to yield to Mr. BicknelFs theory, must not some other cause 
for the migration of these species be sought for 
In June last Mr. Fred Daniel and the writer accompanied Mr. 
H. A. Purdie of the Nuttall Club, Cambridge, on a collecting trip 
through Madawaska County making en route., a hurried visit to 
Washademoak Lake. 
During our stay in the vicinity of Edmundston we were enabled 
to indentify 74 species of birds, and the list of their names exhibits 
but slight variation from that obtainable at almost any point on the 
St. John river south of that locality. 
Among the conspicuous absentees noted were Bluebird, Mourning 
Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Crow Blackbird, Least Fly 
catcher (only one was heard at Edmundston and another was heard 
at Fredericton) and Blue Jay, all reported by Mr. Batchelder as 
more or less common at Grand Falls, but a few miles south, and 
we missed the Bobolink and the Red-widged Blackbird which are 
such obstrusive residents of the river banks from Woodstock to 
Westfield. 
One Grass Finch was heard singing at Saint Hilaire and another 
at Cole’s Island, at which station it divided with a Whip-poor-will 
the chief interest of the party ; but the swift proved a perfect will- 
G-the-wisp to the individual who attempted its capture, the 
ventriloquil character of its voice being very marked. 
