Breeding of the Pine Grosbeak ( Pinicola enucleator ) in .Lower 
Canada.— Last summer I had the rare good fortune to accompany, as 
his guest, the Hon. Judge H. E. Taschereau (Chief Justice Supreme 
Court of Canada) on his annual salmon fishing excursion to the Godbout 
River, which empties into the St. Lawrence from the north, about six 
miles from the Pointe des Monts where the river widens into the Gulf. 
One rainy afternoon about the middle of July, while the Judge was 
catching; salmon at the famous “Upper Pool” on the Godbout. Mr. Nap. 
A. Comeau and I climbed a high and densely wooded hill that rises from 
the western border of the pool, and when near the summit saw a Pine 
Grosbeak, in the slate and golden plumage, hopping about amongst the 
branches of a large Balsam ( Abies balsamea). I was within twenty feet 
from the bird, but having only a rifle was unable to secure it. Mr. 
Comeau, who lives at the mouth of the Godbout, told me that this species 
was by no means rare here, and that he regarded it as a resident. Pie has 
since written me that he shot several after I left, and that “the bird is 
quite common here both summer and winter.” Although he has never 
taken its nest, he says “I have no doubt they breed here, and I have often 
seen them in the early part of the fall while out trapping. They seem to 
be fond of keeping near streams and lakes.” i 
Dr. Coues found the Pine Bullfinch breeding on the Labrador Coast, 
and I have no doubt that it breeds all along the north shore of the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence, and perhaps extends even as far west as the Saguenay, 
along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. It is asserted, on high 
authority, that it breeds in some parts of Northern New England. — C. 
Hart Merriam, M.D., Locust Grove, N. T. 
Bull, N.O.O, 7, April, U8Q2, p, IZO-IZI . 
NEW BRUNSWICK NOTES. 
BY M. CHAMBERLAIN. 
Among other interesting ornithological occurrences with which 
the year 1882 favored observers in the vicinity of St. John was 
the presence of some six pairs of Pine Grosbeaks ( Pinicola 
eneucleator ) during the entire summer, in a heavy growth of 
mixed woods, covering the crest of a hill overlooking the Kenne- 
becasis River a few miles from the city. 
They were first seen on June 11, when Mr. James W. Banks 
accidentally shot a female in the very act of arranging some dry 
grass on a partially formed nest. It was placed in a small spruce 
some seven feet from the ground and close to the trunk. About 
a handful of this grass, unmixed with other material, had been 
laid firmly upon a limb, not woven together, but appearing more 
like a platform for the main structure to rest upon, than the 
bottom of a nest. When first seen the male and female were to- 
gether gathering grass on a hummock close by, and both seemed 
equally busy. When his mate was killed the male became much 
excited and exhibited deep distress, continuing for some time 
within three or four feet of Mr. Banks, as he sat examining the 
dead bird, and once alighting on a bough close to his head and 
peering over his shoulder. Upon dissecting the female the eggs 
were found to be in an advanced condition. 
During the season the remaining pairs were seen very often 
and closely watched, but though they were undoubtedly mated 
no completed nest was discovered. As the birds were exceed- 
ingly tame and easy to approach, their plumage was closely 
examined. No red coloring was observable, and so little differ- 
ence was apparent between the males and the females that the 
sex could not be determined without the aid of a glass, at more 
than ten paces distant. During the breeding season they sang 
occasionally but not loudly, their song being a short and rather 
simple, though sweet-toned melody, which increased in strength 
of tone and duration toward autumn. 
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