Merriam on Birds about Point de Monts, Canada. 237 
157. Colaptes auratus. Golden-winged Woodpecker. A tolerably 
common summer resident. First seen May 14, 1882. 
58. Bubo virginianus. Great Horned Owl. — A rather common 
resident. 
59. Asio wilsonianus. Long-eared Owl. —Rare. Mr. Comeau 
shot three in May, 1877 or 1878. 
60. Asio accipitrinus. Short-eared Owl. — A rather rare summer 
resident. Earliest seen May 9, 1882. 
61. Strix nebulosa. Barred Owl. — A tolerably common resident. 
62. Nyctea scandiaca. Snowy Owl. — Very irregular in appear- 
ance ; sometimes very abundant in winter, and sometimes not seen for 
several years. Mr. Comeau shot one May 17, 1882, and Mr. Gregoire 
Labrie killed one May 31, 1880. These are the latest dates at which 
they have been seen in this section. 
63. Surnia funerea. Hawk Owl. — Common in winter, generally 
appearing in November and not remaining later than February. 
64. Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni. Richardson’s Owl. — A com- 
mon winter resident, and very tame. This Owl has a low liquid note that 
resembles the sound produced by water slowly dropping from a height ; 
hence the Montagne Indians call it pillip-fiile-tshish, which means ‘‘water- 
dripping bird.” These Indians have a legend that this was at one time the 
largest Owl in the world, and that it had a very loud voice. It one day 
perched itself near a large waterfall and tried not only to imitate the sound 
of the fall but also to drown the roaring of the torrent in its own voice. 
At this the Great Spirit was offended and transformed it into a pygmy, 
causing its voice to resemble slowly dripping water instead of the mighty 
roar of a cataract. 
65. Nyctala acadica. Saw-whet Owl. — Not very common. In 
winter Mr. Comeau once saw one of these little Owls fly out from within 
the carcass of a great northern hare that had been caught in a snare. The 
Owl had eaten away the abdomen and was at work within the thoracic 
cavity when frightened away. 
66. Circus cyaneus hudsonius. Marsh Harrier. — A tolerably 
common summer resident. Three individuals were seen as early as May 
5, 1882. - 
67. Astur atricapillus. Goshawk. — Not rare. 
68. Falco sacer obsoletus. Labrador Gyrfalcon. — Mr. Comeau 
has killed several of these rare Falcons in the vicinity of Godbout. 
69. Falco columbarius. Pigeon Hawk. — Not rare, and doubtless 
breeds. 
70. Falco sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. — Rare. One shot May 5, 
1882. 
71. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. Rough-legged Buzzard. 
— Breeds, and is rather common. The southward migration commences 
about the last of September and continues into November. During this 
period large numbers of these Hawks are constantly passing over this part 
of the coast on the way to their winter quarters. 
