THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL BY ERNEST D. W1NTLE, "ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION." Birds observed in the vicinity of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Dominion of Canada, with annotations as to whether they are "Permanent Residents''' or those that are found regularly throughout the year ; " Winter Visitants," or those that occur only during the winter season, passing north in the spring; "Transient Visitants," or those that occur only during migrations in spring and autumn ; " Summer Residents," or those that are known to breed, but which depart southward before winter ; and " Accidental Visitants," or strag- glers from remote districts ; giving their relative abundance as to whether they are rare, scarce, common or abundant; data of nests and eggs when found, and especially noting the species that breed in the City and Mount Royal Park ; also data o/ migratory arrivals and de- partures, and other notes, all of which are deduced from original observations made during the past fifteen years. MONTREAL : W. DRYSDALE & CO. 1806. BIOLOGY LIBRARY G Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in tlie year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, by WILLIAM DRYSDALE & Co., in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture at Ottawa. iAZBTTR PRINT, MONTREAL FREE1 ACE. To write a list of the Birds of a certain district is an easy matter, seemingly, but I have found it- necessary to make a special study, for the past fifteen years, of the birds occurring in the vicinity of Mont- real, before attempting to publish a list, which I believe to be a correct one, of the Avifauna of the district of Montreal. The species contained in the list have been ob- served mostly at or near Montreal, but when other- wise, I have given the names of credible observers. Considering the number of species of birds to be found in the neighbourhood of Montreal, it is not an easy matter for an individual observer, with lim- ited time, to come across all of them, as it is neces- sary to be out often on the rivers and lakes, and in the marshes, swamps, fields and woods, in a district like Montreal, to obtain a correct knowledge of the birds occurring therein ; for instance, I have rambled over the same places, at different times and seasons, 389139 jv THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. for several years, before meeting with some of the rarer birds mentioned in the list. The migration of birds, which takes place in the spring to the north, and in the autumn to the south, gives the observer limited time to notice the species that do not breed in his district, and, in many cases, linger only a few days in the spring of the year before proceeding to their breeding-places, and in the au- tumn to their winter quarters. The district covered by this work is principally the island of Montreal, situated at the confluence of the Ottawa with the St. Lawrence river, thirty- two miles long by about ten miles broad at the widest part. It has a considerable belt of woods around the eastern end, and woodlands on the west- ern part, mostly hardwood, with a mixture of ever- green trees. It has also numerous small streams and a few swamps, the land being generally level, with the exception of Mount Royal, which rises northwest at the back of the city, about 750 feet above the level of the river, the upper part being mostly covered with hardwood-trees, with clumps of evergreen-trees on top, and now forming the Mountain Park, of about 464 acres. The city is situate on the south side of the island, fronting on the St. Lawrence river, here about two miles broad, 180 miles southwest of Quebec, 620 miles from the sea, 420 miles north of New York city, lat. 45° 31' PREFACE. v K, long. 73° 34' W. The island of Montreal is bounded on the southwest by Lake St. Louis, nine miles southwest of the city, twenty miles long, with greatest breadth seven miles ; at the west end by Lake of Two Mountains, about twenty-four miles long, and varying from one to six miles in breadth : and on the northwest side by the Riviere des Prai- ries and Isle Jesus, the latter being well wooded, similarly as the island of Montreal ; length twenty- three miles, and greatest breadth six miles. Other places covered by the list are : Lake St. Peter, be- tween lat. 46° and 46° 8' K, and about 73° W., length thirty-five miles, greatest breadth ten miles, about sixty miles northeast of Montreal. There are many islands in the south part of this lake, and it is surrounded with extensive marshes, swamps and muddy flats, which are well adapted as breed- ing-places for aquatic birds. Ste. Rose, on Isle Jesus, is sixteen and a-half miles northwest of Montreal. The south shore of the St. Lawrence river from Laprairie, seven miles south above, to Sorel, forty-five miles northeast, below Montreal. Chambly, sixteen miles southeast, and Abbottsford, forty miles east-southeast of Montreal. The district of Montreal is the centre 6f attrac- tion for a large number of North American birds during the migratory periods in the spring and fall, and many species remain here to breed. Ducks. vi IHE BIRDS OF MONTREAL Bitterns, Rails, Sandpipers, Plover, Grouse, Hawks, Owls, Cuckoos, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Night- hawks, Swifts, Hummingbirds, Flycatchers, Larks, Crows, Blackbirds, Orioles, Finches, Sparrows, Swallows, Waxwings, Shrikes, Vireos, Warblers, Wrens, Thrashers, Nuthatchers, Thrushes, and Bluebirds breed on the island of Montreal, and Grebes, Loons, Gulls, Terns, Herons, Gallinules, and Coots breed in the district. The south shore of the St. Lawrence river, from Laprairie to St. Lambert and below Longueuil, is a favourite resort for shore birds, while the grassy and marshy islands from Boucherville to Sorel afford secure cover for aquatic birds to breed in. Isle St. Paul, or Nun's Island, in the St. Lawrence river, between the La- chine rapids and Victoria bridge, is a favourite resort for Owls during the winter months, espe- cially for the Snowy Owl ; the city is also attract- ive to them, as they occasionally visit it. Besides the Owls, flocks of American Pine Grosbeaks, Cedar Waxwings, Purple Finches, Redpolls, and, in some winters, Bohemian Waxwings can be seen feeding on the bright red berries of the mountain ash-trees in the city. There is not a complete modern list published of birds occurring in the district of Montreal. There- fore I have written the present one, to be issued so as to be available for public use, and with a view to PREFACE vii induce others to publish lists of birds occurring in various districts of the Province of Quebec, which would give us a better knowledge of the avifauna of the province, as some species occur and breed in only certain sections of it. "The Canadian Naturalist and Geologist," 1861- 62, published " Articles on the Mammals and Birds " of the District of Montreal, from a portion of an " extended memoir of 153 manuscript pages pre " pared by Prof. A. Hall, M.D., for the Natural " History Society of Montreal, in 1839, and for " which he received the silver medal offered by the " society." The present work is based on that list, but it must be remembered that Dr. Hall's district of Montreal embraced nearly the whole of Lower Canada ; that since that time the topography of the country has been changed through colonization, and consequently the avifauna is not the same now, as many species disappear at the march of civil- ization, while other species follow the wake of the railroad and plough. Two hundred and eight species of birds are described in Dr. Hall's list, but the nomenclature used then is now obsolete, and there are so many additions to be made to a list of birds occurring in the district of Montreal since the time Dr. Hall's was written, that it has become necessary for those who are interested in our birds to have a more modern list, available for reference and future correction. v\\\ THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL There are several birds in Dr. Hall's list of which I have no record in this district since his time, and therefore they are omitted in my list, viz. : 1. Dawson's Falcon (new species, Hall) — " Falco Dawsonis." I believe this falcon is the Black Gyrfalcon — Falco rusticolus obsoletus (Gmel.). The male and female specimens are still in the museum of the Natural History Society of Montreal. There is a photographic illustration of the female in " Our Birds of Prey," by Henry G. Vennor, Montreal, 1876. 2. Small Pewee — " Muscipeta querula." 3. Parkman's Wren — " Troglotides Parkmanni." The specimen mentioned in Dr. Hall's list as having been shot in the vicinity of the city of Montreal in the spring of 1861 is still in the mu- seum of the Natural History Society of Montreal. 4. Night Hawk (Mexican species) — " Caprimulgus Americanus." 5. Little Grebe — " Podiceps minor." 6. Common Gull or Mew — " Larus canus." 7. Silvery Gull — " Larus fuscus." 8. Barnacle Goose — " Anser leucopsis." 9. Brant or Brent Goose — " Anser bernicla." 2 D. PREFACE. ix The late J. W. Skelton, Esq., said that he could remember the time when this species used to occur in large numbers on the common at Laprairie, and Mr. Craig remembers the time when it was not uncommon here during the migratory periods, but the late Dr. Hall gives it as rare, and says he never met with a specimen of this bird, and has never seen but one example of it here. Since then, this district has become .more densely populated and cultivated, which has likely caused this species to cease visiting us during their migrations. 10. Wild Or Whistling Swan — " Cygnus ferus." The specimen mentioned in Dr. Hall's list as having been killed opposite Longueuil is still in the museum of the Natural History Society of Montreal. " A sportsman shooting on Lake St. Francis says " he saw a sight he never saw before in all the " thirty years he has been shooting on the lake, " namely, five wild swans, but they kept a respect- " ful distance." (Montreal Star, Nov. 10, 1890.) Lake St. Francis is formed by an expansion of the River St. Lawrence, thirty-five miles southwest of Montreal. Length twenty- eight miles, by two miles broad. 11. Harlequin Duck — "Anas histrionica." 12. Labrador Duck — " Anas Labradorica " ; " Fu- ligula Labradorica," Anderson ; " Camptolcemus Labradorus," Gmel., Gray, Baird. x THE 131 RDS OF MONTREAL. There is only one record of the Labrador Duck occurring in the District of Montreal, and given in Dr. Hall's list — an adult male specimen, shot in the bay of Laprairie, in the spring of 1862, by a habitant, which was purchased by the late James Thomson, Esq., of this city. There is also a young male of the Labrador Duck, in immature plumage, and evi- dently mounted from a dry skin, in the museum of the Natural History Society, of Montreal, but there is not any record of where this specimen was ob- tained by the museum. This species is believed to be now extinct. The illustrations of this species are from drawings, by Mr. J. H. Ross, of the two specimens mentioned. 13. Green-rumped Taller — " Totanus chloropy- gius." Other birds in Dr. Hall's list have been identified since by scientific ornithologists as follows : NAMES IN DR. HALL'S LIST. IDENTIFIED SINCE AS 1. Booted Hawk, Rough-legged ^ American Rough-legged Falcon. Hawk ( Archibuteo lago- (Falco lagopus.) pus Sancti-Johannis.) 2. Black Hawk. Same species. (Falco Sancti Johannis.) 3. McCulloch's or The Canada \ Swainson's Hawk. Buzzard. I (Buteo Swainsoni.) (Buteo insignatus.) ) melanistic. N Canadian Warbler. 4. Bonaparte's Gnatcatcher. ) (Sylvania Canadensis. (Setophaga ruticilla.) / Young. 5. Purple Grackle. (Quiscalus versicolor.) I Bronzed Grackle. 6. Common Blackbird. \ (Quiscalus quiscula (Quiscalus baritus.) J *neus.) Young Male Labrador Duck, in Natnral History Society Museum, Montreal, PREFACE. XI Holboell's Grebe. (Colymbus holbcellii.) Young. Saw-whet Owl. (Nyctala acadica.) Young. 7. Crested Grebe. (Podiceps cristatus.) 8. Dalhousle 's Owl. * (Surnia Dalhousie.) 9. Kirtlands Owl. (Surnia Kirtlandii ; Nyctala Kirtlandica, Hog., Cassin.) j The names of the foregoing birds are given ex- actly as printed in Dr. Hall's list. The following species in the present list are not mentioned in Dr. Hall's " Birds of the District of Montreal." These accessions are gratifying evi- dence of the progress of our knowledge of the birds occurring here since the time that Dr. Hall's list was published, there being no fewer than sixty-five additions to be made, including a few species which should occur here as being within their geograph- ical range : 1. Western Grebe. 2. Dovekie. 3. Great Black-backed Gull. 4. Ming-billed Gull. 5. Bonaparte's Gull. 6. Caspian Tern. 7. Stormy Petrel. 8. Gannet. 9. Cormorant. 10. Canvas-back. 11. Lesser Scaup Duck. 12. Barrow's Golden-eye. (JEchmorphorus occiden tails.) (Alle alle.) (Larus marinus.) (L. delavvarensis.) (L. Philadelphia.) (Sterna tschegrava.) (Procellaria pelagica.) (Sula bassana.) (Phalacrocorax carbo.) (Aythya vallisneria.) (A. affinis.) (Glaucionetta islandica.) 1 Specimen still in the museum of the Natural History Society of Montreal. Xll THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 13. American Eider. 14. American Scoter. 15. Ruddy Duck. 16. American White-fronted Goose. 17. A merican Egret. 18. Green Heron. 19. Florida Gallinule. 20. European Woodcock. 21. Purple Sandpiper. 22. White-rumped Sandpiper, 23. Bawd's Sandpiper. 24. Solitary Sandpiper. 25. Bartramian Sandpiper. 26. TT&tte Gyrfalcon. 27. Duck Hawk. 28. JLrc£ic Horned Owl. 29. Dws/h/ Horned Owl. 30. Red-bellied Woodpecker. 31. Olive- sided Flycatcher. 32. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. 33. Traill's Fly catcher . 34. Zeas£ Flycatcher. 35. Prairie Horned Lark. 36. American Magpie. 37. Evening Grosbeak. 38. American Crossbill. 39. White-winged Crossbill. 40. Savanna Sparrow. 41. .FteZd! Sparrow. 42. Lincoln's Sparrow. 43. Swamp Sparrow. 44. European House Sparrow 45. Bank Swallow. 46. White-rumped Shrike. 47. Philadelphia Vireo. 48. Blue-headed Vireo. 49. Orange-crowned Warbler. 50. Tennessee Warbler. (Somateria dresseri.) (Oidemia americanaJ (Erismatura rubida.) >(Anser albifrons gambol i.) (Ardea egretta.) (A. virescens.) (Gallinule galeata.) (Scolopax rusticola.) (Tringa maritima.) (T. fuscicollis.) (T. bairdii.) (Totanus solitarius.) (Bartramia longicauda/) (Falco islandus.) (F. peregrinus anatum ) (Bubo virginianus arcticus.) (B. virginianus saturatus.) (Melanerpes carolinus.) (Contopus borealis.) (Empidonax flaviveiitrisJ (E. pusillus traillii.) (E. minimus.) (Otocoris alpestris praticola.) (Pica pica hudsonica.) (Coccothraustes vespertina.) (Loxia curvirostra minor.) (L. leucoptera.) /(Ammodramus sandwicbensis I, savanna. (Spizella pusilla.) (Melospiza lincolni.) (M. georgiana.) (Passer domesticus ) (Clivicola riparia.) /(Lanius ludovicianus excubitor- \ ides.) (Vireo philadelphicus.) (V. solitarius.) (Helminthophila celata.) (H. peregrina.) PREFACE. 51. Parula Warbler. (Compsothlypis americana.) 52. Cape May Warbler. (Dendroica tigrina.) 53. Yellow Palm Warbler. (D. palmarum hypochrysea.) 54. Maryland Yellow-throat. (Geothlypis trichas.) 55. Wilson's Warbler. (Sylvania pusilla.) 56. Long-billed Marsh Wren. (Cistothorus palustris.) 57. Hudsonian Chickadee. (Parus hudsonicus.) 58. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. (Polioptila caerula.) 59. Gray-cheeked Thrush. (Turdus aliciae.) 60. Olive-backed Thrush. (T. ustulatus swainsonii.) 61. Black Guillemot. (Cepphus grylle.) 62. Brunnich's Murre. (Uria lomvia.) 63. Razor-billed Auk. (Alca torda.) 64. Yellow-headed Blackbird. (X. xanthocephalus.) 65. King Eider. (S. spectabilis.) The number of species in Dr. Hall's list, 208, minus those of which I have no record since his compilation, 13, and minus also the ones identified since as one species, 6, plus the accessions, 65, gives the total of the present list, 254. It is not within the scope of this work to give a technical description and life history of the birds mentioned herein, as that information can be ob- tained in standard works on North American birds by scientific ornithologists, such as Alexander Wil- son, and Prince Lucien Bonaparte, John James Audubon, Dr. Coues, Prof. Baird, Robert Ridgew ay, and others. The nomenclature of the list is the same as that of " The American Ornithologists' Union Check- list of North American Birds." Mr. L. S. Foster, of 35 Pine-street, New York City, is the " A. 0. U.'s" THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. agent for the sale of the check-list, and for the sale of " The Auk," a quarterly journal of ornithology, published as the organ of the " A. O. II." Students of ornithology, and others interested in the study of birds, should obtain these publications, as they are standard works on the subject in North America. It is desirable to have only one common name in general use for each species of North American birds, as adopted by the " A. O. II.," so as to ob- viate the confusion caused in ib* way of identifi- cation by the numerous local names that birds have in different places ; but, in order to enable non-mem- bers of the " A. O. U." to recognize the species in the list, I have given in " parenthesis " other com- mon names used locally when we are speaking of or writing about them. In closing this introduction, my thanks are due to those companions who have accompanied and assisted me in my ornithological rambles in the vicinity of Montreal, and likewise 'to other friends for valuable notes on the birds contained in the list. ERNEST D. WINTLE MONTREAL, August, THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL BY ERNEST D. WINTLE 1896 LIST. Order PYGOPODES. — Diving Birds. Suborder Podicipedes. — Grebes. Family Podicipidce. — Grebes. Genus jEchmophorus. Coues. 1. Western Grebe. ^E. occidentalis. (Lawr.) " Accidental Visitant," rare. One was purchased in the Montreal market by the late Mr. William Couper, formerly a taxidermist here, and is men- tioned in " Canadian Birds. M. Chamberlain. 1887." A pair were shot at the mouth of the North Nation River previous to 1881. The skins 2 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. spoiled before they could be attended to. (G. R, White.) This occurrence near Ottawa is recorded in a list of " The Birds of Ottawa," published in "The Ottawa Naturalist," vol. v., no. 2. Genus Colymbus. Linnaeus. Subgenus " Colymbus." 2. Holbcell's Grebe. C. holbcellii. (Reinh.) (Red- necked Grebe.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. An adult bird of this species was caught alive in a fisherman's net in the early part of May, 1890, in the St. Lawrence river, below the Lachine rapids and near Isle St. Paul or Nun's Island. It was received by the late Mr. F. B. Caulfield, taxidermist, to be stuffed. Subgenus "Dytes," Kaup. 3. Horned Grebe. C. auritus. Linn. (Hell-diver.) u Transient Visitant," scarce in spring, common during autumn. I saw an adult specimen of this grebe strung up in a butcher's shop in the city, April 22, 1886. A few probably breed in the dis- trict of Montreal. I shot an immature specimen, October 29, 1893, on the Lake of Two Mountains. I was out shooting ducks over decoys at the time, and I was attracted to the grebe, which was out of gunshot on the water, by its peculiar cry, some- LIST. 3 what resembling the cry of a lost chicken. I imi- tated its cry as exactly as I could by whistling, and soon brought it up to the decoys. Genus Podilymbus. Lesson. 4. Pied-billed Grebe. P. podiceps. (Linn.) (Dab- chick.) (Hell-diver.) " Transient Visitant," common. A few probably breed here. I saw a considerable number of this species in the spring of the year, some years ago, in Lake St. Louis, near the Isles de la Faix, below Beauharnois. Suborder Cepphi. — Loons. Family Urinatoridce. — Loons. Genus Urinator. Guvier. 5. Loon. U. imber. (Gunn.) (Great Northern Diver.) "Transient Visitant," common. A few may breed here, as they occasionally are seen on our lakes during the summer months. 6. Red-throated Loon. U. lumme. (Gunn.) (Red- throated Diver.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Adult birds in summer plumage rare. Most of the specimens shot 4 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. here have been in the winter plumage, or young birds in immature plumage. Family A Icidce, Auks, Murres, etc. Subfamily Allince. Genus Alle. Link. 7. Dovekie. A. alle. (Linn.) (Sea Dove.) " Accidental Visitant," rare. Mr. Chas. E. Craig, taxidermist, Montreal, stuffed a specimen of this species which was killed by sticks thrown at it, six or seven winters ago, in the rapids at the head of Chambiy basin, where the water is never frozen over. It is now in the collection of Mr. F. X. Dubuc, of this city. Order LONGIPENNES. Long-winged Swimmers. Family Laridce. — Gulls and Terns. Subfamily Larince. Genus Eissa. Leach. 8. Kittiwake. R. tridactyla. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. A specimen of this gull was shot, the latter end of October, 1891, at Lake St. Peter, by Mr. F. X. Dubuc, and was stuffed for him by Mr. Craig, taxidermist. LIST. 5 Genus Larus. Linnaeus. 9. Glaucous Gull. (Burgomaster.) L. glaucus. Briinn. " Transient Visitant," scarce. 10 Great Bleak-backed Gall. L. marinus. Linn. " Transient Visitant," rare. 11. American Herring Gull. (Herring Gull.) L. argentatus smithsonianus. Cones. "Transient Visitant," common. A few may breed here, as I saw a pair of large gulls on Lake of Two Mountains, near Oka, July 11, 1890, which I considered to be of this species ; I also saw one there on July 17, 1891, and observed three or four white and dark-colored gulls on Lake St. Louis, August 21, 1891. I noticed this gull was plentiful at Lake St. Peter from October 21 to November 1, and I saw about a dozen gulls in white and dark- coloured plumage, which I believe were this species, flying around and alighting on the river in front of the city, December 11, 1891. Spring arrival, April 13 to 27. I saw several between the 24th and 30th of April, 1893, at Lake of two Mountains, and I am told that they remain about the lake through- out the summer months, and likely breed there. 12. Ring-billed Gull. L. delawarensis. Ord. u Transient Visitant," scarce. This gull resembles Q THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. the preceding one, and probably is commoner than we know of at present, as we have few chances of handling gulls here, owing to their generally keep- ing out of range of the gun, reminding us in that respect of the cautious Crow. 13. Laughing Gull. (Black-headed Gull.) L. atri- cilla, Linn . " Transient Visitant," rare. An immature speci- men was shot October 24, 1888, at Lake St. Louis, and was stuffed by the late Mr. Caulfield, taxi- dermist. There is always open water in Lake St. Louis throughout the winter months, and therefore it appears likely that some aquatic birds will be found wintering there, but I have not heard of any doing sou 14. Bonaparte's Gull. (Sea Pigeon.) L. philadel- phia. Ord. " Transient Visitant," common. These small gulls are oftener shot here than the large ones, as they are not so wary. I have observed them in the autumn along the Laprairie shore ; and they have been seen in large nocks at Boucherville islands, in the spring of the year, by Mr. Paul Kuetzing, formerly a taxi- dermist here. LIST. 7 Subfamily Sternince. — Terns. Genus Sterna. Linnseus. Subgenus " Thalasseus." Kaup. 15. Caspian Tern. S. tschegrava. Lepech. " Transient Visitant," rare. Mr. Craig saw a mounted specimen of this tern, belonging to one Gervais, a blacksmith, corner Vitre and St. Charles Borrommee street, Montreal. It was shot in the fall of 1890 at St. Lambert. Another beautiful specimen of this species was shot in the last week of July, 1891, at Contrecoeur, by Mr. Normandin, insurance agent, of this city, and it was stuffed for him by Mr. Craig. It is likely that this teru breeds here, as, according to " E-idgway's Manual of North American Birds," it breeds in isolated and widely separated localities throughout its range. 16. Common Tern. (Sea Swallow.) S. hirundo. Linn. " Summer Resident," scarce. Breeds at Lake St. Peter. I have observed them flitting over the marshes of this lake, and at Ste. Rose, when I have been out duck-shooting in the autumn 17. Arctic Tern. S. parodisrea. Briinn. " Transient Visitant," scarce. This species re- sembles the preceding one very closely. Mr. Craig found some tern's eggs, several years ago, on a rock g THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. in the St. Lawrence river above Nun's Island, which probably belonged to this species ; but the place has become too public for them to breed there now. Genus Hydrochelidon. Boie. 18. American Black Tern. H. nigra surinamensis. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. This tern may breed on the boggy marshes of our lakes. The terns are such swift-flying birds that there is not much chance of observing them closely. Solitary birds of this species occasionally are seen skimming out over the water along the shores of our lakes and rivers, by sportsmen when out duck-shooting, in the autumn. Mr. James Currie, of Montreal, says this tern breeds in large numbers regularly every year, in June and July, in a marsh at the head of Lake St. Francis, near Summerstown, Ontario. He kindly had photographs of the marsh and locality taken for me, and these show the marsh to be a considerable distance out from the main shore. Mr. Currie visited the marsh August 19, 1893. but the terns had left it at that date. He visited the marsh again on the 2nd of July, 1894, and found the terns breeding there, and kindly shot two adult speci- mens for me, which, when dissected, proved to be two females. No eggs were found, so I presume the young were fledged at this date. LIST. 9 Order TUBINARES. — Tube-nosed Swimmers. Family Procellariidce. — Petrels. Subfamily Procellariince. — Petrels. Genus Procellaria, Linnseus. 19. Storm Petrel (Mother Carey's Chicken.) P. pelagica, Linn. " A ccidental Visitant," rare. An example of this species was caught alive, five or six years ago, at Longueuil wharf, and was stuffed by Mr. Craig for Mr. Clark, of the Canadian Pacific Railway. T his bird is common at sea, off the Gulf of St. Law- rence. Order STEGANOPODES. — Totipalmate Swimmers. Family Sulidce. — Gannets. Genus Sula. Brisson. Subgenus " Dysporus." 20. Gannet. (Solon Goose.) S. bassana. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I saw one exposed for sale, a few years ago, in St. Ann's market, which was said to have been shot down the river below Boucherville ; and early in the morning in the autumn, some years ago, I flushed an adult gannet off a small island at Ste. Rose, and was told 10 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. by a resident of the place that this bird is a regular visitant there in the autumn. A young bird in the dusky plumage was shot the latter end of October, 1891, at Lake St. Peter, by Mr. F. X. Dubuc, and was stuffed for him by Mr. Craig. Family Phalacrocoracidce. — Cormorants. Genus Phalacrocorax. Brisson. Subgenus " Phalacrocorax." 21. Cormorant. P. carbo. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant,'' scarce. Mr. Kuetzing has seen cormorants in the spring of the year near Jones' island, in Lake of Two Mountains, and Mr. Jules F. D. Bailly, taxidermist here, has stuffed cormorants which were shot at Lake St. Peter, one of which was shot in the summer (July ?) of 1891, and this specimen, which I have examined, evi- dently is a young bird in the light-coloured plumage, with fourteen tail feathers, showing it to be the young of this species, as "P. dilophus" has only twelve tail feathers." 22. Double-crested Cormorant. P. dilophus. (Sw. and Kich.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. A young bird of this species was shot October 30, 1892, near Jones' island, in Lake of Two Mountains, by a hunter If ST. U named Urgele Paquette, of St. Andrews, P. Q. I saw this specimen, and Paquette said it was the first of the kind he had shot on the lake. It had only twelve tail feathers, showing it to be of this species. While out duck-shooting with him Nov. 1, 1893, at the same place, we secured another specimen of this cormorant, a very dark plumaged bird, which I consider to be an adult. Order ANSERES. — Lamellirostral Swimmers. Family Anatidce. — Ducks, Geese and Swans. Subfamily Mergiim. — Mergansers. Genus Merganser. Brisson. 23. American Merganser. (Goosander ; Sawbill ; Fish-duck.) M. americanus. (Cass.) " Transient Visitant," common. This duck gen- erally is found singly, but occasionally a few flock together, when they offer a tempting shot to the sportsmen on account of their large size and handsome appearance; otherwise, they are not hunted for the markets, as they are considered too fishy for the table. Observed in our markets April 24, and at Lake St. Peter November 1. I saw two April 28, 1893, at Lake of Two Mountains, and several between October 25 and November 4, 1893, at the same place. 12 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 24. Red-breasted Merganser. (Shell- drake ; Saw- bill ; Fish-duck.) M. serrator. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," common. This is the species which sometimes proves so troublesome to duck-shooters when shooting over decoys, as two or three of these ducks occasionally will alight on the water just out of range of gunshot and appear to be acting as sentinels, or as a warning to other kinds of duck to give the decoys a wide berth. But this fact is well known to experienced sportsmen, and a few shots are wasted on such occasions to scare them away, as they are not wanted for the table by those who know them. It is likely that the mergansers and scoters are responsible for the bad taste of the people who say they don't care for wild duck, as they find them too fishy or strong- tasting. Observed in our markets April 23, and at Lake St. Peter November 1. I saw a male speci- men April 28, 1893, at Lake of Two Mountains. Genus Lophodytes. Reichenback. 25. Hooded Merganser. (Saw-bill ; Fish-duck.) L. cucullatus. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. The mergansers are not sought after by market-hunters, as they are considered too fishy for the table, but this beautiful little duck, with its erect crest, is not allowed by sportsmen to escape without a shot, as it makes a LIST. 13 pleasing trophy of a duck-shooting trip. Observed in our markets May 1. and at Lake St. Peter No- vember 1. Mr. Urgele Paquette, of St. Andrews, hunter, says this duck breeds at Jones' island, in Lake of Two Mountains. I shot an immature specimen there November 3, 1892, and from Sep- tember 1 to 4, 1893, I shot two young birds of this species at the same place. Subfamily Anatince. — River Ducks. Genus Anas. Linnreus. Subgenus " Anas." 26. Mallard. (Green-head.) A. boschas. Linn. " Transient Visitant," rare. This fine duck is occasionally shot here in the autumn, but generally only solitary individuals are met with on our upper lakes. It is oftener met with on the Richelieu river. The large numbers of this duck exposed for sale in our markets are imported from Chicago. 27. Black Duck. A. obscura. Gmel. " Summer Resident," common. More abundant during the migratory periods, and remains with us until frozen out. The black duck is much sought after by market-hunters, as it commands a good price on account of the delicacy of its flesh ; but this unfortunately induces many pot-hunters to 14 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. shoot them at night, on their feeding-grounds among the marshes, thereby rendering them still more wary, and making it difficult for the sportsman to obtain legitimate sport in bagging this duck. In the spring of the year they are ruthlessly killed in large numbers in the open water, for the markets, and consequently the bulk of those which escape the slaughter are driven out of the district to breed in safer and more remote quarters, only a few " green- horns " staying with us to breed in such quiet places as they may find, and even the young of these are often killed before they can fly. It appears that the preservation of this gamy duck clashes with political interests, so that the time will come soon when the black duck will be a rara avis with us, and sportsmen will have to sit up all night to get a shot at one. Observed from April 12 to December. Subgenus " Chaulelasmus." Bonaparte. 28. Gadwall. A. strepera. Linn. "Transient Visitant," rare. I have observed only one specimen of this duck in our markets, and that one I purchased March 30, 1893, but it was im- ported with some Widgeon from "Windsor, Ont. Since writing the above note on this species, I came across a fine male specimen strung up with a bunch of Pintails in the Bonsecours Market, April 7, 1896, which I purchased and presented to the LIST. 15 Natural History Society of Montreal, as they had not a specimen in their museum. I believe this second specimen came from Chicago with a lot of other ducks imported by our marketmen. Subgenus "Mareca," Stephens. 29. Baldpate. (American Widgeon ; French Teal.) A. americana. Gmel. " Transient Visitant," scarce. One was shot in April, 1891, at Chambly, arid stuffed by Mr. Craig. I saw one, April 30, in St. Ann's market, and two, male and female, in the market on May 3, 1891. Subgenus " Nettion." Kaup. 30. Green-winged Teal. (American Teal.) A. caro- linensis. Gmel. " Transient Visitant," scarce. Observed only a few in our markets, (which were evidently shot here,) April 30, and April 24, 1891. While out duck-shooting with Mr. Urgele Paquette, on the Lake of Two mountains, November 1, 1893, we saw four together, and shot a male bird out of them. I also shot one October 7, 1893, on the Richelieu river at Isle aux Noix, the only one I saw there at the time. Subgenus " Querquedula." Stephens. 31. Blue-winged Teal. A. disco rs. Linn. " Transient Visitant," common. A few probably 1(3 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. breed here. Observed in the market on April 30. I have a male specimen in my collection of skins, in spring plumage, which I shot June 8, 1889, be- low Longueuil, and saw another one at the same time. These pretty little ducks afford pleasant sport during the month of September in the marshes and creeks, and sportsmen appreciate them for this and the delicacy of their flesh. Without the quality ot good eating, there would be no pleasure in shooting them. Genus Spatula. Boie. 32. Shoveller. (Spoon-bill; French Teal.) S. ~cly- peata. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Observed in the markets April 24, 1891. Mr. Craig has received this species in the month of June to stuff, and it probably would breed here if not disturbed. I saw a duck at the mouth of the creek at Laprairie June 1, 1889, which appeared to me to be of this species. If more plentiful, the shoveller would be a valuable adjunct to the table, as its flesh is very good eating. Genus Dafila. Stephens. Subgenus " Dafiila." 33. Pintail. (Sprigtail; Gray-duck.) D. acuta. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce, I saw one April LIST. 17 26, 1890, in the creek at Laprairie, and a small flock of the young (gray-duck) of this species, in October, 1890, flying up and down the same creek. The large numbers of this duck exposed for sale in our markets are imported from Chicago. I saw a flock of fifteen October 1, 1892, feeding in the water around the Boucherville islands, but they were too wild to approach within gun-shot. Genus Aix. Boie. Subgenus " Aix." 34. Wood Duck. (Summer Duck.) A. sponsa. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Observed in the market April 30 and April 24, 1891. Not many breed here, but they are more plentiful during the migratory periods, and those shot in the autumn are mostly young birds. This beautiful duck affords good sport up some of our wooded creeks and in marshes. The beauty of the male bird's plumage increases the sportsman's pleasure when bagging them. Besides this, their flesh is very delicate, and excellent eating. I shot about twenty September 1, 1892, at Jones' island, in Lake of Two Mountains, all of which appeared to be the young of the year. I saw a small flock flying out of a marsh near the same place, November 1, 1893 ; this is a late date in the fall for this duck to be here. l# THE BIRDS Oh" MONTR E A L. Genus Aythya. Boie. Subgenus " Aythya." 35. Redhead. (American Pochard.) A. americana. " Transient Visitant," common. This fine duck occurs in large flocks during the autumn migration on our upper lakes, but is scarce at Lake St. Peter. It affords capital sport, as it decoys well, and, when alighting near the decoys, a flock generally bunches together, so that a double shot results in a large bag for sportsmen, some of whom consider them better eating than the black duck and equally as good as the canvas-back. Mr. Inglis says these ducks were plentiful during the fall of 1892 on Lake St. Louis, and continued so till the month of December, when they moved off in a direct line for Lake Champlain. During the daytime the redheads were noticed by an old hunter of Lake St. Louis to leave the lake and fly north, and to return again in the afternoon, and he had not seen this duck at the lake for the past six years. Subgenus " Aristonetta." Baird. 36. Canvas-back. A. vallisneria. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant," rare. This duck resembles the preceding one, and is excellent eating, especially after it has been feeding for some time on wild LIST. 19 celery. They are the most expensive ducks in our markets, being imported from western points, and sold here at $2.50 to $7.50 'per pair. Subgenus " Fuligula." Stephens. 87. American Scaup-Duek. (Greater Black-head ; Blue-bill.) A. marila nearctica. Stejn. " Transient Visitant," common. More plentiful in the fall of the year from October till November, when they flock together in immense numbers, forming rafts miles long on our lakes, but by the middle of November the bulk have departed south. Observed in the spring in our markets April 13 and April 17 to 24, 1891. On July 1, 1891, I saw a pair of ducks on the river above the Victoria bridge which appeared to me to be of this species. Flocks of this duck remain in the spring of the year till the middle of May on the Lake of Two Mountains. I shot a beautiful adult male specimen at the lake April 28, 1893. 38. Lesser Scaup Duck. (Lesser Black-head ; Blue- bill.) A. affinis. (Eyt.) " Transient Visitant," common. Not so abun- dant as the preceding species. It resembles the former duck, and both are good eating, and are sold in our markets in large numbers as blue-bills. Observed in spring in our markets April 12. 2Q THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 39. Ring-necked Duck. (Black-head ; Pond Blue- bill.) A. collaris. (Donov.) " Transient Visitant," rare. The large numbers of this duck which are some seasons exposed for sale in our markets are imported from Chicago. Occasionally a solitary duck of this species is met with inside our marshes early in the autumn. It is a finer eating duck than the preceding two. Observed in spring in our market April 25, and I considered that it had been shot in this district. Genus Glaucionetta. Stejneger. 40. American Golden-eye. (Whistler ; "Whistle- wing ; Golden-eye.) G. clangula americana. (Bonap.) " Transient Visitant," common. When the ice moves down the river in the spring of the year large numbers of this duck congregate together in the St. Lawrence river, between Laprairie and the Victoria bridge, and in the fall of the year they again appear plentiful in our lakes. They are not sought after by market-hunters, as they are not held in very high esteem for the table, although not bad eating. The sportsman, when shooting over decoys, is often annoyed by this species alighting outside the decoys just as a flock of de- sirable ducks are coming, being very quick to LIST. 21 notice anything wrong with the decoys, or move- ment in the blind ; the only chance the sports- man ffets on these occasions is to hear the whist- c? ling of the golden-eye's wings, as the ducks fly off out of gunshot range, which otherwise would have resulted in the flock alighting near the decoys. I think it likely that a few breed here. Mr. Archi- bald Inglis and myself shot a young duck or female of this species on the 9th of September, 1891, up the creek at Laprairie. I noticed two males and two females of this duck February 21, 1891, in a butcher's shop here, but on enquiry found they had been shot above Cornwall, Ontario. Observed in our markets March 26 to April 26, and supposed to have been shot in this district. It is possible that a few may winter here in localities where the water is never all frozen over, such as in the vicin- ity of rapids or strong currents. I saw several between April 24 and 30, 1893, at Lake of Two Mountains. I have often noticed a considerable difference in sizes of the golden-eye duck, both in the spring and fall of the year, but more especially in the spring of the year, when I have seen the smaller size in separate flocks, apparently all females by the plumage. 41. .Barrow's Golden-eye. G. islandica. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," rare. This species resem- bles its congener the preceding duck, but has the 22 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. loral white spot larger and crescent shaped, instead of oval, on the American golden-eye ; the females of both species are similar in size and plumage, and it is difficult to identify one from the other. A nest with eggs was taken by Mr. C. C. Beattie at Mis- sisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain, and the male, which was shot near the nest, was identified by the late Mr. Wm. Couper, taxidermist, Montreal. This occurrence was recorded in " The Canadian Sport- man and Naturalist," Montreal, and also mentioned in " Canadian Birds," by M. Chamberlain, 1887. In the early part of June, 1882, Mr. Beattie and myself crossed over Missisquoi bay from Phillipsburg, P.Q., to the islands on the south side in the State of Ver- mont, where he took the eggs. He pointed out the tree to me that contained the nest. It was a tall tree, with the trunk rising about forty feet with- out branches ^to that height, so that he had to nail spars across the trunk, to climb the tree to the hole at the top, wherein the eggs were found at some depth, and the opening just large enough to allow the ducks to pass in and out ; the island on which the tree was growing is well wooded, and the tree was near the edge of a stream dividing it from an- other wooded island. There is a fine specimen of this duck in the museum of the Natural History Society of Montreal, but unfortunately, like many other rare specimens in this museum, it bears no record from where it was obtained. At the time LIST. 23 Mr. Beattie showed me the nesting site of this duck, we sowed a bag of wild rice near the islands in the bay, and since then the rice has grown up, and the place has become a favorite resort for black ducks, and other species of ducks fond of feeding on wild rice. Genus Charitonetta. Stejneger. 42. Baffle-head. Butter-ball ; Spirit Duck ; Shot- bag. C. albeola. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," common. The male of this species is a beautiful little duck, but on account of their small size they are not much sought after by market-hunters. Late in the season, however, when most of the larger ducks have gone south this dimin- utive duck is not allowed to pass free within shot of the sportsman at the end of the duck shooting season ; besides this, it is very good eating. Observed in the spring in our markets, April 24, 1891 ; and I have shot them here in the fall from October till November 8. Genus Clangida. Leach. 43. Old-squaw. (Long-tailed Duck ; Old Wife ; Cowheen ; Sou'Southerly.) C. hyemalis. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Plentiful in our mar- kets some winters from western points, but they are 24 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. not hankered after for the table and do not meet with a ready sale, as they are rather fishy. The adults are seldom met with here, but an occasional young bird is shot in the fall. When out twelve days duck shooting on Lake St. Peter from October 21, 1891, out of about one hundred ducks killed only one of this species, a young bird, was shot. I purchased a female specimen April 21, 1893, in the Bonsecours market, which was said to have been shot at Lake St. Louis. I shot a female specimen November 3, 1893, near Jones' Island, Lake of Two Mountains, and I saw several more at the time — an unusual oc- currence on this lake in such numbers. Genus Somateria. Leach. Subgenus " Somateria." 44. American Eider. (Eider-duck.) S. dresseri. Sharpe. "Transient Visitant," rare. Eider ducks in im- mature plumage have been occasionally shot here in the fall of the year, and these I consider to be of this species. The eiders are too fishy for the table to be liked as food. Genus Oidemia. Fleming. Subgenus " Oidemia." 45. American Scoter. (Deaf-duck.) 0. americana. Sw. and Rich. " Transient Visitant," common. The adult male LIST. 25 is a conspicuous object when seen and can be iden- tified by the jet black body and orange-colored bill, but most of this species shot here are females or young males, the adult male being rare. I shot several between October 21 to November 1, 1891, at Lake St. Peter, but all of them were females or young males with blackish bills. Subgenus " Melanitta." Boie. 46. White-winged Scoter. (Velvet-duck ; Deaf-duck.) 0. deglandi. Bonap. " Transient Visitant,'' common. The scoters are rather too coarse eating to afford satisfactory sport, but to the uninitiated duck-shooter they appear to be a desirable duck to bag on account of their large size. Like the preceding species the adult male is a conspicuous object, having an orange-tipped bill, but is seldom seen here ; those shot are generally females or young males without the coloured bills. Mr. Archibald Allan and myself shot only one of this species between October 21 and November 1, 1891, at Lake St. Peter; the other scoters shot on this occasion were all of the preceding species, but I saw a small flock of this species flying down the lake on the latter date, the white speculum on their wings showing conspicuously in contrast with their dark body. 26 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Subgeims " Pelionetta." Kaup. 47. Surf Scoter. (Deaf-duck.) 0. perspicillata (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," rare. The adult male of this species can also he known at some distance off by the orange-red bill and white patches on the forehead and nape, in marked contrast to the black body. An adult male was shot October 11, 1890, at Lake St. Louis, and was stuffed by the late Mr. Caulfield. Genus Erismatura. Bonaparte. 48. Ruddy Duck. E. rubida. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Some seasons large numbers of this small duck are exported to our markets from western points, where they do not meet with a ready sale, as they are known to be too fishy for the palate. Subfamily Anserince. — Geese. Genus Chen. Boie. 49. Greater Snow Goose. (Wavy.) C. hyperborea nivalis. (Forst.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I shot one in the month of September some years ago at Ste. Rose. A French-Canadian boy who was rowing the boat for me at the time, a resident of the place, said this LIST. 27 species is a regular autumn visitant there, but gen- erally seen later on in the season. The one I shot was a solitary bird in pure white plumage, except the primaries, which were black-tipped. It was remarkably tame, allowing us to row quite near to it on the open water, and only swimming quietly away, which made me loath to shoot, although urged by the boy to fire ; but after a while it arose on the wing, when, I shot it. There were numbers of tame geese close in the vicinity, and this probably will account for its lameness at the time. Genus Anser. Brisson. 50. American White-fronted Goose. A. albifrons gambeli. (Hartl.) " Transient Visitant," rare. I only remember seeing three geese which I considered to be of this species, when, on one occasion in the spring some years ago, a friend and myself in a canoe came across three wild geese resting on the foundation of a marsh hay-stack, on the Isle de la Paix, in Lake St. Louis, where they evidently had been for several nights previously. But, unfortunately for us, we could only approach them in our canoe on the open water, and this we attempted to do. The geese seemed very loath to leave their resting place, and allowed us to get within killing distance of a ten- bore gun, when they flew off, although they must 28 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. have been struck hard with the shot fired at them from our twelve-bore guns ; but they managed to fly clean out of sight, and we did not see them again. Genus Branta. Scopoli. 51. Canada Goose. (Wild Goose.) B. canadensis, (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," common. Although this goose is plentiful during the migrations, compara- tively very few are shot here or exposed for sale in our markets, where it sells for $1. " Silly as a goose" does not apply to the wild one, as the sportsman knows when trying to get a shot at it. In the spring of the year they begin to arrive here, in the months of February and March, and the bulk have departed north by the middle of April ; but it is not unusual to see a small flock of these geese on our lakes even in the month of June. I have seen a small flock on Lake St. Louis in June. Perhaps these late birds are bachelors or barren, in which case there is not any necessity for them to follow the others to their northern breed- ing places. In the autumn, when returning on their migration south, they arrive here in the month of October, when some flocks remain with us until frozen out. During the latter end of October, and in the early part of November, good sport can be had at Lake St. Francis shooting wild geese from LIST. 29 blinds, when they come to feed in the marshes in the evening. I saw a flock between April 24 and 30, 1893, on Lake of Two Mountains. Order HERODIONES. — Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Suborder Herodii. — Herons, Bitterns, etc. Family Ardeidw. — Herons and Bitterns. Subfamily Botaurince. — Bitterns. Genus Botaurus. Stephens. Subgenus "Botaurus." 52. American Bittern. (Stake-driver ; Shite-pout.) B. lentiginosus. (Montag.) "Summer Resident, common." More plentiful during the month of September in our marshes. I shot a specimen of this bird July 1, 1884, at Ste. Rose, and another one October 11, 1888, but the bulk of the bitterns migrate south before the latter date. The breast of the bittern is considered good eating by some. Sportsmen are tempted to shoot this gamy coloured bird, when suddenly it arises on the wing out of some marshy spot uttering its goose like cry of " onk-onk-onk." During the breeding season its peculiar pumping noise is a familiar sound coming from our marshes. I heard one pumping in a swamp April 28, 1893, at Lake of Two Moun- tains, and saw one there as late as November 1st of the same year. 3Q THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Subgenus Ardetta. Gray. 53. Least Bittern. B. exilis. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," rare. This little bittern probably is more plentiful here than we are led to believe, as, owing to its retiring habit in the marshes, it is seldom come across. It possibly may breed here . A few have been shot on the Boucherville islands, and a beautiful adult specimen was shot in May, 1890, at Lake St. Louis, and was stuffed by Mr. Craig. Subfamily Ardeince. — Herons and Egrets. Genus Ardea. Linnaeus. Subgenus "Ardea." 54. Great Blue Her on. (Heron.) A. herodias. Linn. " Transient Visitant," common. The young birds are plentiful during the months of August, Septem- ber, and October, but the adult birds in spring are scarce, and evidently not breeding here. Mr. Craig found a fully developed egg in this species which was shot about the middle of April, 1890, at Tem- pleton near Ottawa, the egg was placed under a sit- ting fowl, but in a few days it was broken by the hen, whether intentionally or not is unknown. I saw two or three between April 24 and 30, 1893, at Lake of Two Mountains. LIST. 31 Subgenus "Herodias."' Boie. 55. American Egret. A. egretta. Gmel. " Transient Visitant," rare. This large and hand- some bird is a very conspicuous object with its white plumage. It appears to be only a casual autumn visitant in this district. A pair of them were observed in the fall of 1889 at Beauharnois, one of which was shot, and received by Mr. Craig to be stuffed ; it is now in the collection of Mr. Dubuc. Another example of this egret was shot in the summer of 1891 at Isle-aux-Noix (Craig) an island in the Richelieu river near Stottsville, and about 40 miles southeast of Montreal. Subgenus " Butorides." Blyth. 56. Green Heron. A. virescens. Linn. " Summer Resident," scarce. "When out shoot- ing with Mr. McLea Walbank, September 1 1887, at Caughnawaga, we saw young herons perched on top of the low bushes of a small island there, and moved adult herons out of the surrounding marshes which evidently were of this species, and probably had bred in the vicinity ; but we failed to get a shot at them, as the water was too shallow to allow us to approach them near enough with our boat. An 32 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL, adult specimen was shot May 24, 1890, at Lacolle, about 44 miles southeast of Montreal, and was stuffed by the late Mr. Caulfield. Genus Nyticorax. Stephens. Subgenus " Nyticorax." 57. Black-crowned Night Heron. (Quawk.) 1ST. nycticorax nsevius. Bodd. " Summer Resident," common. Some years ago there was a heronry of this species on Nun's Island, building their nests in the trees, but they were so much harrassed by " gunners " that they have com- pletely forsaken the place now ; but I think a few still breed on the islands above at the Lachine rapids, where they are more inaccessible. An adult specimen was shot at dusk on April 19, 1890, up the creek at Laprairie, by Mr. Geo/S. Cleghorn. The harsh cry, " quawk," made by this species is often heard at nightfall by sportsmen and others, when the night-herons sally forth from their rest- ing places during the daytime to feed in the still- ness of night. This night-feeding habit accounts for their not often being seen in the daytime. The adult night-heron is a handsome bird, and quite a number are shot and taken to the taxidermists to be stuffed. LIST. 33 Order PALUDICOL.E. — Cranes, Rails and Courlans. Suborder JRalli. — Courlans, Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Family Eallidce. — Rails, Gallinnles and Coots. Subfamily Rallince. — Rails. Genus Rallus. Linnaeus. 58. Virginia Hail. R. virginianus. Linn. " Summer Resident," common. One man shot thirty-two of these gamy-looking little rails over a pointer dog one day in the spring of 1890 on the islands at Vercheres, twenty-four miles below Mont- real, and a large number were shot at the same time by others (Craig), and evidently not many are left to breed here. One was shot in the last week of October, 1891, at Lake St. Peter, and one October 7, 1893, on Isle-aux-Noix by Mr. Denne. Genus Porzana. Vieillot. Subgenus " Porzana." 59. Sora. (Carolina Rail.) P. Carolina. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in most of our marshes and swamps, and migrates south at the first hard frosts in the autumn. I found two nests of this species in the marshy Longueuil flats, June 8, 1889, one of which contained three fresh 34 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. eggs, and the other one twelve eggs, incubated. Mr. "W. W. Dunlop and myself shot about thirty of these rails in one day in the early part of Septem- ber some years ago at Ste. Rose. The rails afford pleasant sport with a light gun, and, although small, they are very good eating. One was shot October 7, 1893, on Isle-aux-Noix, by Mr. Denne. Subgenus " Coturnicops." Bonaparte. 60. Yellow Hail. P. noveboracensis. (Gmel.) "Transient Visitant," rare. I believe a few ex- amples of this species have been shot in the marshes between Sorel and Boucherville, and it is possible a few may breed there ; but on account of the rail's retiring habits in the marshes this species is seldom met with. Subfamily Gallinulince — .Gallinules. Genus Gallinula. Brisson. 61. Florida Gallinule. Marsh-hen ; Mud-hen.) G. galetea. (Licht.) " Summer Resident," common. More plentiful in our marshes in autumn. I saw one in the last week of October, 1891, at Lake St. Peter. I shot a specimen September 3, 1893, at Lake of Two Mountains, the only one I saw at the time. LIST. 35 Subfamily Fulicince. — Coots. Genus Fulica. Linnaeus. 62. American Coot. (Coot.) F. americana. (Gmel.) " Summer Resident," scarce. I have occasionally shot them in the autumn at Lake St. Peter, where probably a few breed in the extensive marshes around the lake. I shot a fine specimen April 28, 1893, in a swamp at Lake of Two Mountains, and heard another one at the same time making a most dismal noise in the evening till dark. Order Limicolce. — Shore Birds. Family Phalarojjodidce. — Phalaropes. Genus Phalaropus. Brisson. Subgenus " Phalaropus." 63. Northern Phalarope. (Red-necked Phalarope.) P. lobatus. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," rare. This little aquatic bird resembles somewhat the sandpipers when seen flying, and it is rather surprising to see them alight on the water like ducks. Mr. Kuetzing has seen them exposed for sale in our markets in the month of September. 36 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Family Scolopacidce. — Snipe, Sandpipers, etc. Subfamily Scolopacince. — "Woodcock and Snipe. Genus Scolopax. Linnaeus. 64. European Woodcock. S. rusticola. Linn. " Accidental Visitant," rare. The record of this species occurring here was published in the " Cana- dian Sportman and Naturalist," Montreal. The specimen was shot on the llth of November, 1882, at Chambly by a French-Canadian, and was secured by Mr. Brock Willett who sent it to the late Mr. "Wm. Cowper to be stuffed. I believe this is the third record only of this species taken in North America. Genus Philohela. Gray. 65. American Woodcock. (Cock ; Timber-doodle.) P. minor. (Gmel.) " Summer Resident," scarce. Breeds at Chambly, St. Hubert, L'Acadie, Berthier, Sorel, and in other suitable localities, but they are more plentiful dur- ing the autumn migration. I flushed one June 19, 1881, on Jones' Island, in Lake of Two Mountains, and another one, May 24, 1882, in the Hochelaga woods, and I have shot them at Chambly, L'Acadie, and between Lake St. Peter and Berthier. This gamy bird is much sought after and prized by sportsmen ; but unfortunately it has greatly dimin- ished in number from what it used to be in former years here, probably caused by the destruc- LIST. 37 tion of their feeding grounds for cultivation. Accord- ingly, small bags are the rule now after a cock- shooting trip. In mild seasons the woodcocks re- main with us until late in the month of Novem- ber, but, should their feeding grounds be frozen for two consecutive days they, suddenly depart south and will not return till the spring. A live wood- cock was picked up in the city on Beaver Hall hill, December 16, 1880, which evidently had struck against a telegraph wire in the way of its flight ; it was kept alive for some time in a cage, and was ex- hibited in Hall's restaurant on St. James street. An account of this remarkable occurrence was published in the " Canadian Sportsman and Naturalist" at the time. I do not think many sportsmen have shot woodcock when a depth of over half a foot of snow covered the ground, and the bush was loaded down with snow also. But such an experience happened to Mr. David Denne and myself on the 9th of Octo- ber, 1888, at L'Acadie, when the heaviest snowfall ever known in the early autumn in this district oc- curred on this date, but to our surprise we came across the cock in the snow and succeeded in bagging several under the greatest difficulties, owing to the large masses of snow which fell off the branches on us and our guns, as we passed through the covers. The late Mr. David Wing, who was with us, remarked to me that my friend must be a hunter to find "cock" in such a snowfall. The 38 THE UIRDS OF MONTREAL. woodcock is so much esteemed on the table that it commands a price of $1 to $1.50 a couple in our markets. I heard the whistling noise made by the woodcock with its wings at night, April 28, 1893, along the banks of the North River at St. Andrews, P.Q. Genus Gallinago. Leach. 66. Wilson's Snipe. (Snipe.) G. delicata. (Ord.) " Transient Visitant," common. More plentiful in the autumn, when they afford capital sport, and are much appreciated by sportsmen. I saw several April 30, 1882, in a small swampy bush near Bou- gie's corner, on the Back River road, and flushed one May 22, 1881, on the low islands below St. Vincent de Paul. I shot several October 31, 1889, in the marsh on the river side near the mouth of the creek atLaprairie, and saw one and heard others April 19, 1890, up the same creek. I think it likely that a few breed along Belle Riviere, county of Two Mountains, about 33 miles northwest of Montreal, as Mr. Oswald, whose farm is on that river, has ob- served snipe there during the breeding season. If the season happens to be a mild one, the snipe are found here till late in the month of November, when they appear to be larger than those shot earlier in the autumn, arid the sportsman bags them with greater pleasure. This delicious bird is sold in our markets at $2.75 to $3 per dozen, or 60 cents a couple. LIST. 39 G-enus Macrorhamphus. Leach. Subgenus " Macrorhamphus." 67. Dowitcher. (Red-breasted Snipe ; Gray-back Snipe.) M. griseus. (Grael.) "Transient Visitant," scarce. Occurs in small flocks along the Richelieu river near St. Johns, but it is rare nearer Montreal, on the St. Lawrence river. Mr. Craig has received spring specimens of this bird from St. Johns to stuff. Subfamily Tringince. Genus Tringa. Linnseus. Subgenus " Tringa." 68. Knot (Red-breasted Sandpiper ; Robin Snipe.) T. canutus. Linn " Transient Visitant," scarce. This large sand- piper is an irregular visitant during the migratory periods. Mr. Kuetzing has observed them in the autumn in our markets, but they are rare in spring. Subgenus " Arquatella." Baird. 69. Purple Sandpiper. T. maritima. Brunn. "Transient Visitant," scarce. Mr. Kuetzing noticed this species in October, 1884, in our markets, and the late Mr. George Costen, of Thos. Costen & Co., gunsmiths, some years ago, shot several out of a flock on the south side of Nun's Island. 40 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Subgenus " Actodromas." Kaup. 70. Pectoral Sandpiper. (Jack Snipe ; Grass Plover.) T. maculata. Yieill. " Transient Visitant," common. This sandpiper is plentiful here during the autumn till about the middle of October ; and in the month of September they are found in flocks, but do not appear here in the spring of the year. Late in the month of Octo- ber the " Jack Snipe" is met with singly in the grassy swales, and, rising snipe-like on the wing, tempts the sportsman to fire a shot at him when hunting after the real snipe. At other times this sandpiper is so tame that he can almost be poked with the muzzle of a gun before flying away, and often will run on a few feet in front of anyone for some time, without evincing fear. They are very good eating, like all of the sandpipers, but the sportsman has no pleasure in shooting them on ac- count of their tameness. I shot one October 19, 1889, at Laprairie, but the bulk migrate south be- fore this date in October. 71. White-rumped Sandpiper. T. fuscicollis. Vieill. " Transient Visitant," common. I have observed small flocks of this species along the river shore, between Laprairie and St. Lambert, during the month of October, and saw sixteen of them killed with a double shot fired into a flock of twenty-one, LIST. 41 October 1, 1887, at Laprairie. I shot one on the 19th October at the same place, and have seen them there as late as the 26th of the same month in 1889. 72. Bairds Sandpiper. T. bairdii. Coues. " Transient Visitant," rare. I have only met with one example of this species, which I shot Sep- tember 17, 1892, along the river shore, between Laprairie and St. Lambert. This specimen was in company with a small flock of semipalmated sand- pipers, and the skin is now in my collection. It resembles the latter species closely, but is much larger. 73. Least Sandpiper. T. minutilla. Yieill. " Transient Visitant," common. This little sand- piper is plentiful along our river shores during the months of September and October in flocks, but is scarce in the spring of the year. I shot a female specimen June 1, 1889, at Laprairie, but the ovaries showed no signs of the bird breeding. I have seen this species here as late as the 20th of October. Subgenus " Pelidna." Cuvier. 74. Red-backed Sandpiper. (Dunlin ; Black-heart Plover.) T. alpina pacifica. (Coues.) " Transient Visitant," common. Mr. Kuetzing has observed this species plentiful in the months of October and November near the river shore, from 42 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Laprairie to Longueuil, but it is scarce in the spring of the year. Genus Ereunetes. Illiger. 75. Semipalmated Sandpiper. E. pusillus. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," common. I have noticed this small sandpiper, which resembles the least sand- piper, in small nocks in the autumn along the river shore at Laprairie, and Mr. Denne and myself shot quite a number there, September 17, 1892. Genus Calidris. Cuvier. 76. Sanderling. C. arenaria. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," common. I shot a male specimen May 24, 1888, at Laprairie, and saw one there, June 1, 1889 ; also one on the 7th of October in a pasture field at St. Luke. Genus Limosa. Brisson. 77. Marbled Godwit. L. fedoa. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," rare. The late Mr. Caul field stuffed a fine specimen of this bird, which was shot at Lake St. Peter in the spring of the year. 78. Hudsonian Godwit. L. hsemastica. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Mr. Kuetzing has noticed this godwit in the months of September and October in our markets, and Mr. Archibald LIST. 43 Inglis shot a solitary one September 2, 1890, on Laprairie common. Genus Totanus. Bechstein. Subgenus " Totanus." 79. Greater Yellow-legs. (Yellow-legs ; Greater Tattler; Stone Snipe.) T. melanoleucus. (Gmel.) "Transient Visitant," common. The large yel- low-legs occur here singly and in small flocks in the autumn, but are scarce in the spring of the year. They sometimes prove tough birds to shoot, and I know on several occasions many shots have been fired at them without bringing them down, al- though within range and the sportsmen not bad shots I saw three or four of this species along the river shore, between Laprairie and St. Lambert, May 19, 1892. 80. Yellow-legs. (Lesser Tattler; Yellow-shanks.) T. flavipes. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I shot a male specimen of this species June 1, 1889, at Laprairie. Subgenus " Helodromas." Kaup. 81. Solitary Sandpiper. T. solitarius. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I have frequently seen one or two birds of this species from the 24th 44 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. to 28th May in the high wet fields at Hochelaga, and it is very likely that they would breed here if not shot off. I shot three September 17 and one September 27, 1890, on the Boucherville islands. Genus Bartramia. Lesson. 82. Bartramian Sandpiper. (Field Plover) B. longicanda. (Bechst.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. While out looking for golden plover in the month of October, 1889, in some pasture fields at St. Luke, I saw two birds there which I considered at the time to be of this species, but they were so wild I could not get within gun-shot of them. Mr. Inglis has also ob- served these birds in the same district, and never could get near enough to them to secure a speci- men, but Mr. Lucien Huot has shot them near St. Johns. Genus Tryngites. Cabanis. 83. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. T. subruficollis. (Vieill.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Mr. Kuetzing has observed this species during the month of May at Longueuil. Genus Actitis. Boie. 84. Spotted Sandpiper. (Sandlark.) A. macularia, (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant, Breeds on the Island of Montreal and on the surrounding islands. LIST. 45 J found them breeding in numbers June 8, 1890, on the Longueuil flats, and picked up several of their eggs on that date quite fresh, and Mr. Inglis found them breeding there on June 13, 1891, plentifully and found fifteen eggs, but incubated. I have ob- served this sandpiper here from April 26 to Sep- tember 17. Subfamily Numenince. Genus Numenius. Brisson. 85. Long-billed Curlew. 1ST. longirostris. Wils. " Transient Visitant," rare. Occasionally ex- posed for sale in our markets the latter end of August and in the month of September, a few were shot in this district at that time of the year in 1893, and were exposed for sale in our markets. 86. Hudsonian Curlew. N". hudsonicus. Lath. " Transient Visitant," scarce. Sometimes exposed for sale in our markets the latter end of August and in September, a few were shot in this district at that time of the year in 1893, and were exposed for sale in our markets. 87. Eskimo Curlew. K borealis. (Forst.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. The curlews are only casual visitants here and are occasionally shot in the autumn at Lake St. Peter by the market- 46 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. hunters there, and exposed for sale in our markets. I have never met with the curlews here myself. A few birds of this species were shot in this district the latter end of August and in September 1893, and were exposed for sale in our markets. Family Charadriidce. — Plovers. Genus Charadriiis. Linnaeus. Subgenus " Squatarola." Cuvier. 88. Black-bellied Plover. (Bull-head ; Gray Plover.) C. squatarola. Linn. "Transient Visitant," common. I bagged about a dozen of these fine birds early in the month of November some years ago on Yamaska common ; one was shot October 26, 1889, on the Laprairie shore, and Mr. Denne and myself saw two Novem- ber 1, 1890, at the mouth of the creek at Laprairie in which vicinity they are generally found in the autumn until frozen out. I only know of one speci- men obtained here in full plumage which was shot in the spring many years ago below Longueuil by Mr. Kuetzing. This species and the golden plover evidently do not pass this way during their north- ern migration in the spring of the year. Subgenus " Charadrius." 89. American Golden Plover. (Golden Plover.) G. dominicus. Mull. " Transient Visitant," common. This plover ar- LIST. 47 rives here in large flocks about the end of August, and the bulk migrate south by the middle of Sep- tember, but a few remain with us during the month of October ; most of this species which are shot here early in the season have blackish patches on the underparts, while the late birds are whitish below, more or less shaded with gray. This plover is considered very good eating, and they afford fair sport during the afternoon flights when they fre- quent pasture fields to feed at night, and again in the early morning before they resort to the water side to rest for some hours during the day time. They are sold in our markets at $3 to $4 per dozen. Genus ^Egialitis. Boie. 90. Killdeer. A. vocifera, (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. This plover would breed plentifully here if not shot off in the spring of the year. I shot a pair for specimens July 1, 1884, at Ste. Rose, and saw several May 24, 1888, on Laprairie common, also shot one April 19, 1890, on the river shore at Laprairie. Some years ago they were found breeding at Lachine, and I saw several in the month of June at Rigaud. Ob- served here from April 19 to September 1. Subgenus " JEgialitis. Boie. 91. Semipahnated Plover. (Ring- neck Plover.) ^E. semipalmata. Bonap. " Transient Visitant," common. Scarce spring 48 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. migrant, but plentiful in small flocks in autumn along the river shore from St. Lambert to Laprairie. I shot one October 20, 1888, at Laprairie and ob- served one or two there June 1, 1889, and shot one of two seen on the Longueuil shore June 8, 1889. This specimen is a female, and when dissected proved not to be breeding at the time. Family Aphrizidce. — Surf Birds and Turnstones. Genus Arenaria. Brisson. 92. Turnstone. A. interpres. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Mr. Kuetzing has observed this species in the months of May and September on the river shore below Longueuil, and the late Mr. Caulfield said he saw one a few days before, August 17, 1891, on the common at Point St. Charles. Order GALLING. — Gallinaceous Birds. Suborder Phasiani — Pheasants, etc. Family Tetraonidce. — Grouse, Partridges and Quails. Subfamily Tetraonince. — Grouse. Genus Dendragapus. Elliot. Subgenus " Canachites." Stejn. 93. Canada Grouse. (Spruce Partridge ; Spotted Grouse.) D. canadensis. (Linn.) " Permanent Resident," rare. I have never met LIST. 49 with this grouse near Montreal, and very few are exposed for sale in our markets, but it is said to be common at Lake Megantic, about 160 miles east of Montreal. Mr. Kuetzing said it used to be plenti- ful on the island of Montreal, but has for a number of years past disappeared with the spruce off the island. They are not considered as good eating as the Ruffed Grouse, but are sold in our markets at 50 cents a brace. Mr. Craig, taxidermist, does not remember ever having seen this grouse on the island of Montreal. Genus Bonasa. Stephens. 94. Canadian Ruffed Grouse. (Birch Partridge ; Ruffed Grouse ; Partridge.) B. umbellus togata. (Linn.) "Permanent Resident," common. The "part- ridge," as it is commonly called here, is scarce on the island of Montreal now, disappearing as the woods are cut down for cultivation or buildings, but a few still can be found in our woodlands, and there are a few always on our mountain park, where they are protected from gunners, but not from foxes, and were it not for the latter this fine bird would become plentiful, as the breeding birds would not be destroyed on their nests if the foxes were killed off". Sportsmen who are fond of tramping through the woods can have good sport with the grouse. 50 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. providing they are satisfied with bagging only a few, as they are difficult game birds to shoot on the wing, when, suddenly arising with a whirr, close by, and off like a shot, but when treed and seen they appear then very stupid birds, and are easily shot down. I shot six during the fall of 1889, three on the spur of Mount Royal and the others on Isle Jesus. A few of soieh birds will give the sportsman many days of delightful rambles through the woods before he succeeds in bagging them. They are fine eating birds, and are exposed for sale in our markets in large numbers at 60 cents to 80 cents a brace. Genus Lagopus. Brisson. 96. Willow Ptarmigan. (White Grouse.) L. Lago- pus. (Linn.) "Transient Visitant," rare. This species is only a casual visitant here in the fall of the year. Mr. A. C. McKeand saw two flocks of this ptarmigan, of about twenty and thirty, December 12. 1889, flying south over the wharf at Longueuil ; the sec- ond flock was flying only about thirty yards above the wharf. They are said to be plentiful and resi- dent on the Laurentian range of mountains to the north of us. Occasionally large numbers, in the months of December and January, are exposed for sale in our markets at 60 cents a brace. They are LIST. 51 shipped from Lake St. John, north of Quebec city. A large shipment of ptarmigan for Montreal was seized by the Quebec Fish and Game Protection ( lub. (" Montreal Daily Witness," March 12, 1888.) Order COLUMB.E. — Pigeons. Family Columbidce. — Pigeons or Doves. Subfamily Columbines. — Pigeons. Genus Ectopistes. Swain son. 96. Passenger Pigeon. (Wild Pigeon.) E. migra- torius. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. This pigeon is an irregular visitant here now, but some of our oldest residents can remember the time when the wild pigeon occurred here in countless numbers. For some reason, probably through the clearing of our woodlands, the passenger pigeon has not been seen here in large numbers for many years past. Two were shot the latter end of August, 1883, at Cham- bly, and one was shot September 15, 1885, on the spur of Mount Royal; also, two were shot at the latter place by myself, one, September 10, 1886, and the other one September 1, 1888, both of which are now in my collection of bird's skins. Mr. C. W. Johnson, of Lachine, says he shot fifteen wild pigeons in the woods, four miles north of that place, 5 52 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. on the 9th of December, 1888. The specimens which I shot appear to he a female and young male hird. I saw a female or immature passenger pigeon in the trees on Mount Royal Park June 4, 1891. The adult wild pigeons which were occasionally to be seen exposed for sale in our markets at $3 per dozen are said to have been received from Chicago. Subfamily Zenaidince, — Doves. Genus Zenaidura. Bonaparte. 97. Mourning Dove. (Carolina Dove.) Z. mac- roura. (Linn.) "Transient Visitant," rare/ This dove is a casual visitant here. One was shot in November, 1890, on Isle Ronde, in the River St. Lawrence, opposite Montreal, by Mr. C. A. Thompson, of the Bank of Montreal, and it was stuffed for him by Mr. Craig. Many years ago one was shot in the woods, on Isle Jesus, and is mentioned in Dr. Hall's list. Order RAPTORES. — Birds of Piey. Suborder Falcones. — Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, Buzzards, Eagles, Kites, Harriers, etc, Family Falconidce.— Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc. LIST. 53 Subfamily Accipitrince. — Kites, Buzzards, Hawks, Goshawks, Eagles, etc. Genus Circus. Lacepede. 98. Marsh Hawk. (Hen Harrier.) C. hudsonius. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. More plentiful in the autumn until October 15. I saw one October 31, 1889, at Laprairie, and in the spring of the year I came across an adult male bird, April 17, 1887, on the ground in Mount Royal Park, near the park ranger's house, and observed another one on the 20th of April of the same year flying over the city towards the same place. Mr. Kuetzing observed a pair of these hawks breeding for a num- ber of years in a swamp below Longueuil. Mr. Denne shot a fine specimen in the rich rusty ochra- ceous plumage September 17, 1892, along the creek at Laprairie, and it is now in my collection of bird skins. Genus Accipiter. Brisson. Subgenus " Accipiter." 99. Sharp-shinned Hawk. A. velox. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant," common. Scarce in the spring of the year, but a few probably breed in the district. I shot two specimens August 28, 1886, on the mountain at Cote St. Antoine, and at the 5 4 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. time observed them imitating the call of the American goldfinch, and chasing the latter birds in the trees, evidently with the intention of de- vouring them. This daring little hawk occasion- ally has been shot here during the winter months, but, like most of the hawks, the adult plumaged birds are scarce or seldom shot here. I shot an immature male specimen September 1, 1892, on Jones' island, in Lake of Two Mountains, and Mr. Denne shot a female specimen at Brosseau's Station September 17, 1892, both of which are now in my collection. 100. Cooper's Hawk. (Hen Hawk.) A. cooperi. (Bonap.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. This hawk closely resembles the preceding species, but is larger, and, like the following ones, is commonly called " hen hawk " in the country. I think it is likely that most of the hawks mentioned in this list breed in the district of Montreal, but when I have no record of their nests having been found here, I have con- sidered them as migrants or winter visitants. Subgenus " Astur." Lacepede. 101. American Goshawk. (Goshawk) A. atricapil- lus. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant," common. Arrives here LIST. 55 with the first hard frosts in the autumn. I shot a young female specimen of this hawk October 16, 1886, on the spur of Mount Royal, and saw another one there at the same time. Her craw was crammed with white flesh, probably that of the Canadian ruffed grouse. While watching this goshawk fly- ing around above the woods with graceful swoops, its distended craw gave it the appearance somewhat of a pouter pigeon. A young female of this species was shot November 22, 1890, on Isle Jesus, by Mr. Dixon, and it is now a specimen in the museum of the Natural History Society of Montreal. I ob- served this bird trying to swoop down upon a muskrat in a swamp, but after a while it gave up the attempt and fled off up the creek near us, when it was shot. Several goshawks have been shot here during the winter months, generally in the month of December. Genus Buteo. Cuvier. 102. Red-tailed Hawk. (Hen Hawk.) B. borealis. (Gmel.) "Transient Visitant," scarce. I have never seen the adult plumaged bird of this species shot here, and I believe it is, in any phase of plumage, a very scarce hawk in this district. 103. Red-shouldered Hawk. (Hen Hawk.) B. line- atus. (Gmel.) " Summer Resident," common. A nest of this 56 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. species containing three eggs, about May 12, 1890, was found in a tree, one of a clump, near the rail- road track at Outremont, by Mr. G. A. Southey, and was identified by Mr. W. "W. f)unlop. Thir- teen eggs of this hawk were taken, May 2, 1891, by Mr. Day in the Lachine woods. I shot two im- mature hawks of this species September 2, 1891, on Isle Jesus, male and female, and saw several others flying around at the time. The red-shoul- dered is our most common hawk. I shot an adult male specimen October 22, 1892, at St. Martin's Junction, on Isle Jesus. 104. Swainson's Hawk. B. swainsoni. Bonap. " Accidental Visitant," rare. A few examples of this large hawk have been shot here. I saw a fine dark specimen which was shot early in the spring of 1894 near Montreal, and was stuffed by Mr. Bailly, taxidermist. The habitat of this species is Western North America, and it is therefore only a casual visitant here. 105. Broad-winged Hawk. (Short- winged Buzzard.) B. latissimus. (Wils.) " Summer Resident," common. More plentiful during the migratory period. I observed three of these hawks, old and young, July 24, 1887, circling around above Mount Royal Park and heard them LIST. 57 uttering a note very much like that of the cowbird. I also saw a pair in the trees near the same place on the 4th of June of the same year, and probably they had bred there. I have observed this species here from March 30 to October 19. Genus Archibuteo. Brehm. 106. American Hough-legged Hawk. (Booted Hawk; Blaqk Hawk.) A. lagopus sancti-johannis. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," common. More plentiful during the month of November. I have not seen any in the spring of the year here. The specimens which I have seen in the fall of the year were mostly in the brown plumage, the black variety being scarce here. Genus Aqirila. Brisson. 107. Golden Eagle. A. chrysaetos. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," rare. Mr. Alfred Griffin, superintendent of the museum of the Natural His- tory Society of Montreal, saw a fine specimen of this eagle in the Bonsecours market in the month of May, 1891, which was sold for one dollar, and evidently was shot near Montreal. Genus Halcectus. Savigny. 108. Bald Eagle. H. leucocephalus. (Linn.) "Transient Visitant," scarce. This eagle is occa- 58 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. sionally shot on the Island of Montreal late in the fall of the year in immature plumage, the adult bird being scarce here. Mr. Craig has stuffed several of late, but all of them were young birds ; one was shot in the fall of the year 1890 at Oontre- cour, 30 miles below Montreal, and another one about 1st May, 1891, at Beauharnois, 33 miles south west of Montreal, on Lake St. Louis Subfamily Falconmce. - Genus Falco. Linnaeus. Subgemus " Hierofalco." Cuvier. 109. 'White Gyrfalcon. F. islandus. Briinn. " Accidental Visitant," rare. Mr. Kuetzingsays he has purchased four examples of this species (?) in the Bonsecours market. I have not heard of any gyrfalcons occurring here in recent years. Subgenus "Rhynchodon." Nitzsch. 110. Duck Hawk. F> peregrinus anatum. (Bonap.) 4t Summer Resident," scarce. While out black duck shooting in the first week of October, some years ago, on Lake St. Peter, a duck hawk swooped down on the live decoy ducks, breaking the wing bone of one of them, but the ducks evidently saw the hawk coming, as, suddenly uttering loud quacks in alarm, they dived under the water just in time LIST. 59 to save themselves from the hawk, which passed so quickly over them that I could not get a shot at this terror of the ducks. The late Mr. Caulfield received a beautiful pair of these hawks to stuff for the museum of the Natural History Society of Mont- real from Mr. N. C. Fisk, of Abbottsford, which were shot May 7, 1890, on Yamaska Mountain, at Abbottsford, about forty miles east of Montreal. Mr. Fisk said this pair of duck hawks had a nest on the western side of the mountain, and he has observed this species there every year for forty years past. He took two eggs of the duck hawk in April, 189 1, there, from under a rocky ledge ; no material was used for the nest, only a slight hollow scratched out by the hawks under a shelving rock. These eggs were presented to the museum of the >Tatural History Society of Montreal by Mr. Fisk, and his son kindly gave me a fine female specimen of the duck hawk, which he shot about April 18, 1892, on Yamaska Mountain, and it is now in my col- lection of bird's skins ; so that it appears the local- ity is a very attractive one for this species for a breeding-place, because when a pair of these hawks are shot there another pair takes their place. Mr. Fisk wrote to me, under date of May 4, 1893, that the hawks were there and had been for some time past, and that he heard them " squeal" to-night for the first time ; and writing again, under date of June 10, 1893, he said his son had shot one of the 60 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. hawks, but could not obtain the other one. He kindly sent me the one shot, which was a beautiful male specimen, but unfortunately by the time it reached me it was too much decomposed to have the skin preserved for my collection. Subgenus "^Esalon." Kaup. 111. Pigeon Hawk. F. columbarius. Linn. " Transient Visitant," scarce. I have frequently observed this little hawk in the autumn, when out shooting, and on one occasion I saw in the spring of the year at Laprairie a large flock of Snowflakes (Snowbirds) depart very suddenly for pastures new, on the appearance of a pigeon hawk flying swiftly a few feet above the ground towards them. I shot an immature male specimen of this hawk Septem- ber 1, 1892, on Jones' Island, in Lake of Two Mountains. Subgenus " Tinnunculus." Yieill. 112. American Sparrow Hawk. F. sparverius. Linn. "Summer Resident," scarce. More common in the spring and autumn. I shot a pair of these beautiful little hawks May 10, 1884, at Hochelaga. I have seen them here April 7 and in the autumn as late as October 12. LIST. 61 Genus Pandion. Savigny. 113. American Osprey. (Fish Hawk.) P. haliaetus carolinensis. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," common. The osprey is a visitant to the St. Lawrence river here on the break- ing up of the ice in the spring of the year, and is occasionally shot between the Lachine Rapids and Nun's Island, but is oftener shot at Chambly Basin and along the Richelieu river, and our taxidermists receive many specimens to stuff. I saw one Sep- tember 1, 1892, near Jones' Island, in Lake of Two Mountains, and several there between the 24th and 30th of April, 1893, one of which I shot on the 28th of April, and which weighed 4 Jibs, and meas- ured 5 feet 5 inches in extent of wings. Family Bubonidce. — Horned Owls, etc. Genus Asio. Brisson. Subgenus "Asio." 114. American Long-eared Owl. A. wilsonianus. (Less.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Specimens occa- sionally received by our taxidermists to stuff. Mr. Craig took four eggs of this species out of a crow's nest in a fir-tree in the woods at Hochelaga, about twenty-five years ago, and he shot one of the parent 62 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. birds at the time, which he stuffed, and it is still in the possession of a friend of his here. Subgenus "Brachyotus." Gould. 115. Short-eared Owl. A. aceiptrinus. (Pall.) " Transient Visitant," common. More plentiful in the autumn, when they are occasionally met with in flocks. I shot a male and female specimen of this owl October 31, 1889, and October 16, 1890, in a marshy place along the creek at Laprairie, and their skins are now in my collection. I saw one October 1, 1892, on the Boucherville islands, and Mr. Inglis saw some there on the 22nd, and one on the 12th of the same month and year along the creek at Laprairie. I think it is likely that this owl breeds here, but I have no record of any found breeding in the district of Montreal. Genus Syrnium. Savigny. 116. Barred Owl. S. nebulosum. (Forst.) u Permanent Resident," common. I shot a female and male specimens October, 25, 1889, and Febru- ary 8, 1890, on the spur of Mount Royal, and I have their skins in my collection. I saw one July 29, 1890, in the woods on St. Hilaire mountain and one in the Bonsecours market December 3, 1892. LIST. 63 Genus Scotiaptex. S wain son. 117. Great Gray Owl. (Cinereous Owl.) S. cine- reum. (Grnel.) "Winter Visitant," scarce. During the winter of 1889-90 this owl appeared here in remarkable numbers, and many were shot aud stuffed by our taxidermists, but since that time I have not seen any. * Genus Nyctala. Brehm. 118. Richardson's Owl. N. tengmalmi richardsonii. (Bonap.) "Winter Visitant," scarce. Occasionally re- ceived by our taxidermists to stuff. 119. Saw Whet Owl. (Acadian Owl.) K acadica. (Gmel.) " Permanent Resident," common. I shot a speci- men of this little owl May 24, 1884, in the woods below Hochelaga, and I have the skins of a male and female of this species which I shot November 22, 1890, on Isle Jesus, and April 21, 1891, on the spur of Mount Royal. Another one was shot De- cember 11, 1890, at Cote St Paul (Caulfield). Mr. Dubuc has a young bird of this species stuffed, which was captured a few years ago near Montreal. (J4 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Genus Megascops. Kaup. 120. Screech Owl. (Mottled Owl ; Red Owl.) M. asio, (Linn.) " Winter Visitant," scarce. This owl is dichro- matic, having two distinct phases of plumage, one of which is grayish and the other bright rufous, without any relation to sex, age or season. Both forms occur here, and are sometimes received by our taxidermists to stuff. Genus Bubo. Dumeril. Subgenus " Bubo." 121. Great Horned Owl. B. virginianus. (Gmel.) " Permanent Resident," common. I saw two of those owls October 18, 1885, and October 17, 1886, in the woods near St. Martin's Junction on Isle Jesus. On both occasions my attention was at- tracted to the owls by a lot of crows mobbing them, and as I was desirous of obtaining the owls' skins I tried for a long time to get a shot at them, but as soon as I approached them through the underwood, although the sun was very bright, they new off in the very face of it, with the crows in full cry after them. In winter this owl is not so wary when on a visit to the city, and are easily shot then. I saw one alive December 24, 1892, in a cage in the win- LIST. 65 dow of a shop on Beaver Hall Hill. It was a fine specimen in the reddish plumage, and was caught in the city. I also saw one alive in a cage in a butcher shop on Dorchester street December 10, 1892, in the dark phase of plumage, caught at the Back River ; and December 1 6, 1 892, I saw three specimens hanging up in the Bonsecours market, all in the dark phase of plumage, and one of which I purchased for 75 cents. I saw another specimen in the market December 27, 1892, a beautiful dark- plumaged bird, and which I purchased for 65 cents, and another like it was sold before I saw it. I be- lieve some of these specimens are " saturatus," and they appear to be plentiful this winter (1892), but, on the other hand, the snowy owl appears to be scarce, as I have seen only one specimen in the market, December 20, so far. Mr. David Denne received two specimens, male and female and a youngling, on April 30, 1894, which were shot by Mr. Joe Martin and son at the nest found in the woods along the South River at Stottsville, P.Q , about 40 miles southeast of Mon- treal They are a beautiful pair in the light-grayish and huffy plumage, and the youngling is sparsely covered with white downy feathers. Mr. Denne kindly presented them to me for my collection of skins. Mr. Martin's son, while climbing to the nest, was fiercely attacked by the parent birds. QQ THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 123. Dusky Horned Owl. B. virgininnus saturatus. Ridgway. " Winter Visitant," rare. I purchased a fine specimen of this owl February 8, 1892, in the Bonsecours market for one dollar, and enquiring of the vendor about it, he said it was shot February 4 at Boucherville by a " habitant." It weighed 4J Ibs. I never saw such a dark-colored horned owl here before It has no ochraceous or tawny colour in the plumage. The skin is in my collection. Genus Nyctea. Stephens. 124. Snowy Owl (White Owl.) K nyctca. (Linn f " Winter Visitant," common. Some years this owl is scarce, and their visits to this latitude is probably regulated by their food supply in their extreme northern habitat. During the winter of 1891-92 I saw four or five females and two males of this species hanging up in the Bonsecours mar- ket for sale, the first of which was shot in the vicinity of Montreal in the month of December, and the last one about March '5. I purchased a female snowy owl there February 16, 1892, and an almost pure white male specimen the same month, on the 20th, for fifty cents each for my collection of skins. Some people have an idea that owls can't see during daylight, but they would soon be undeceived if LIST. 67 they tried to capture this owl on a sunny clay in the open country, as, like the great horned owl, it is very wary at such times, but when seen in the city they are very stupid or tame. The cry of the snowy owl is most hoarse and dismal, and has been well compared to that of a full-grown man calling in distress for assistance. (The Sportsman and Naturalist in Canada, by Major W. Ross King, 1866.) Genus Surma. Dumeril. 125. American Hawk Owl. S. ulula caparoch (Miill.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Some years this owl is common in the fall, and numbers have been shot in the woods on the Island of Montreal. It has been observed here during the winter months. (Caulfield.) I shot a fine specimen October 29, 1893, on Green Island in Lake of Two Mountains. Order COCCYGES. — Cuckoos, etc. Suborder Ciiculi — Cuckoos, etc. Family Cucculidce. — Cuckoos, Anis, etc. Subfamily Coccygince. — American Cuckoos. Gens Coccyzus. Vieillot. 126. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. C. americanus. (Linn.) " Accidental Visitant," rare. A few examples fig THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. of this species have been shot on the Island of Montreal (Dunlop, Craig). I am not aware of any occurring here in recent years. 127. Black-billed Cuckoo. (Rain-crow.) C. ery- throphthalmus (Wils.) " Summer Resident/' common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. I have found their nests, containing eggs, from June 4 to July 22. Observed here from May 21 to September 5. Their nests are generally built in thorn-bushes, from one to eight feet above the ground, but small cedar trees are favorite build- ing sites for them as well. This bird appears to have a remarkable habit of laying fresh eggs while those already laid are being incubated and hatched, as the following record of the cuckoos nests found by me will show : July 8, 1883.— 3 Eggs. " 15, " -1 Youngling. « 16, " -1 Egg. « 22, " — 2 Eggs. June 6, 1885. — 1 Egg, incubated. " 6, 1886. — 3 Eggs and 2 (black) younglings ; two of the eggs incubated and one fresh. « 12, " — 4 Eggs, 2 incubated and 2 incu- bating. « 12, " — 5 Eggs, 1 incubated and 4 incu- bating. LIST. 69 June 4, 1887.— 4 Eggs. « 11, " _2 Eggs. 4, 1891.— 2 Eggs. " 13, " -Younglings. " 27, " —Younglings. 9, 1892.— 3 Eggs, 2 fresh and 1 incubating. The naked younglings are black in colour and re- pulsive looking, but they harmonize with the nest, which is a slight structure of dead twigs, with a very shallow cavity, lined with a few dead leaves, the nest being very small for the size of the bird and its eggs. The cuckoo seems to prefer solitude, and keeps itself out of sight in thickets, where its harsh notes can be heard sounding like " cow-cow " or " cuckucow " repeated quickly several times. Suborder Alcyones. — Motmots and Kingfishers. Family A Icedinidce. — Kin gfishers. Genus Ceryle. Boie. Subgenus " Streptoceryle." Bonap. 128. Belted Kingfiisher. (Kingfisher.) C. alcyon. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in suit- able places on the island of Montreal. Two eggs taken May 24, 1882, out of a burrow in a sandbank at Hochelaga. Observed here from May 8 to Sep- tember 27. 70 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Order PICI. — Woodpeckers. Wrynecks, etc. Family Picidce. — Woodpeckers. Genus Dryobates. Boie. 129. Northern Hairy Woodpecker. (Hairy Wood- pecker.) D. villosus leucomelas. (Bodd.) " Transient Visitant/* scarce. I shot two speci- mens of this species October 24 and 31, 1885, on the spur of Mount Royal, and saw one November 11, 1&85, in the city; also saw one October IT. 1886, in the garden of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Xotre Dame street, and on the spur of Mount Royal the same date; observed again October 21 and -23 and Xovember 4, 1888. I don't think this wood- pecker breeds in the vicinity of Montreal, as I have only seen it here in the months of October and Xovember, and I am inclined to think that it re- turns to its northern breeding grounds early in the vear, as I have never come across it in the spring of the year. This subspecies was formerly known as the hairy woodpecker (D. villosus), but has been since separated as a more northern and larger bird than the latter species, which is limited to the Eastern United States as its habitat, while the former only extends to the northern border of the United States, which is drawing the line rather close, for I believe they winter south of the Cana- dian line. LIST. 71 130. Downy Woodpecker. T>. pubesceus. (Linn.) " Permanent Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. This small woodpecker is scarce during the winter months, but plentiful in the spring of the year, when the bulk which have migrated in the fall of the year are returning from the south to their northern breeding places. Genus Picoides. Lacepede. 131. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. (Black-backed "Woodpecker.) P. arcticus. (Swains.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Mr. A. C Mc- Keand shot a female specimen of this species No- vember 4, 1888, in the woods near St. Martin's Junction, on Isle Jesus, and I shot one October 25, in the woods back of the creek at Laprairie. In the latter end of the month of October I found this woodpecker common at Casselman, Ontario, about 90 miles west of Montreal. 132. American Three-toed Woodpecker. (Banded- backed Woodpecker.) P. americanus. (Brehm.) " Transient Visitant," rare. The preceding species and this one, together with the Northern hairy woodpecker, appear to occur here usually in the months of October and November, and prob- ably pass the winter season to the south of Mont- 72 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. real, returning north in the spring by a more west- erly or easterly route, as I have never met with them here in the spring of the year. Genus Sphyrapicus. Baird. 1 33. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. (Yellow-bellied Wood- pecker. S. varius. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. More plentiful during the spring migration. Breeds sparsely on the Island of Montreal. I found a nest of young birds of this species June 21, 1887, on St. Bruno mountain, in a hole drilled in a live oak tree, only about six feet high in the trunk of the tree above the ground, and another nest of its young July 1, 1.S85, at Calumet, 58 miles west of Montreal. This nest was in a small hole drilled in the trunk of a live elm tree, and about thirty feet high from the base. I shot a variety of this species May 11, 1891, in the woods at Hochelaga. It was a female with the crown a glossy black, instead of being red, as it usually is. This is only the second example in that plumage which I have shot here, and both in the spring of the year. Observed here from April 10 to September 27. Genus Ceophlceus. Cabanis. 134. Pileated Woodpecker. (Log Cock ; Woodcock ; Cock of the Woods.) C. pileatus. (Linn.) " Accidental Visitant," rare. The nearest place LIST. 73 to Montreal where I have seen this large wood- pecker was at Casselman, Ontario, about 90 miles west of this city. I saw two there October 26, 1884, and shot one of them, a male bird. I ob- served them for some time cackling loudly and chasing one another around the trunk of a large pine tree. They appeared to be very tame, and I could easily have shot both, as the shooting of one did not frighten the other away ; but a friend, Mr. Trood, who was on this trip with me, hunting for deer, requested me to let him have a shot, and fired at it on the wing, but did not stop it, and that was the last we saw of this fine woodpecker. Mr. David Denne saw one in Mount Royal Park May 1, 1892, which is the only record I have of the occurrence of this species on the Island of Montreal. I have frequently observed them in the fall of the year strung up with ruffed grouse in our markets, and those were probably shot around the back settle- ments north of Montreal. Old sportsmen tell me they have hunted over the Island of Montreal for fifty years past, but never met with this species here, although the woods used to be far more extensive than they are now. I saw a male and female specimen December 16, 1892, in the Bonse- cours Market, and purchased the male bird for '26 cents. A few are exposed for sale in our markets every fall, mostly sent here with ruffed grouse from different districts. 74 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Genus Melanerpes. Swainson. Subgenus u Melanerpes." 135. Red-headed Woodpecker. M. erythrocephalus. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," scarce. Observed on the Island of Montreal May 24, 1882, and June 24, 18^3. Mr. G-. A. Dunlop found a nest, with eggs, of this species, at Lachine, and I came across it breeding in a hole of a dead tree along a fence, be- tween two woods at Longue Pointe, May 24, 1889. I shot the female bird at the time for a specimen. I have not met with this conspicuous colored wood- pecker in the autumn season, and therefore I infer it departs south as soon as its young are reared and able to migrate. Three specimens shot May 23, 1891, at Cote St. Paul. (Oaulfield.) Subgenus "Centurus." Swainson. 136. Red-bellied Woodpecker. M. carolinus. (Linn.) " Accidental Visitant," rare. Mr. Kuetzing says this species occurs in the Eastern Townships, but I have not observed it near Montreal, so will treat it as a straggler until more is known about its occur- rence in this district. It is quite possible that this species and others in the list not met with by me may have been observed here by other persons, and I hope this list of our birds will be the means of LIST. 75 drawing out such information, as it is not easy for an individual observer, to meet with all the species of birds, where there are such numbers, as occur in the district of Montreal. Genus Colaptes. Swain son. 137. Flicker. (Golden-winged Woodpecker; High- older.) C. auratus. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. Observed from April 9 to October 10. I found a nest of this woodpecker June 8, 1882, at Bedford, P.Q., in the trunk of an old beech tree, containing two younglings, five eggs incubated and one egg quite fresh ; also another nest in the decayed trunk of a beech tree in the woods below Hochelaga June 3, 18*3, containing four eggs, and in the same tree two eggs; May 21, 1887, another nest, with one egg, in a hole in the dead limb of a a tree on the spur of Mount Royal. The flicker's nests can often be discovered by the quantity of chips strewn over the ground under the tree, from the hole they have been excavating in it. Order MACROCHIRES. — Goatsuckers, Swifts, etc. Suborder Caprimulgi. — Goatsuckers, etc. Family Caprimulgidce. — Goatsuckers. Genus Antrostomus. Gould. 138. . Whippoorwill. A. vociferus. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant,'' scarce. This bird is said 76 THE BIRDS OF MONTREA L. to be plentiful at St. Jerome, 33 miles north of Montreal. The late Mr. Caulfield received a speci- men May 9, 1890, from that place to stuff. I have heard of its occurrence here, and many years ago Mr. Kuetzing shot one near the cemetery ; and on one occasion, May 22, 1891, as I was rambling through the wood on the spur of Mount Royal, I flushed a bird off the ground several times, and at the time considered it to be of this species, but, unfortunately, I could not secure it to make its identity certain, as it always flew off low and behind the bushes, uttering at the same time a guttural sound, with the tail spread out, showing white tips or patches like that of the whip-poor-will or adult male nighthawk. Genus Chordeiles. Swainson. 139. Nighthawk. (Goatsucker; Mosquito Hawk.) C. virginanus. (Grael.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in the city upon gravelled roofs of houses. About the middle of the month of August the nighthawks as- semble together on the wing, and the bulk then leave the precincts of the city. I have observed this bird here from May 8 to September 17. At Philipsburg, P.Q., June 6, 1882, I noticed large numbers in the evening flitting about, like swallows, close to the surface of Missisquoi Bay, below the precipitous rocky wooded shore there, and whereon LIST. 77 it is likely many of these birds breed. I bave often observed this species resting lengthwise and cross- wise on a horizontal limb of a large tree in the middle of Phillips Square, in the city, and I shot a female specimen which was resting lengthwise on a dead limb of a tree on the spur of Mount Royal August 18, 1888. When resting on branches of trees they generally sit lengthwise, as their feet are not adapted for perching. In the evening till dark, and early morning, the nighthawks feed on the wing with erratic flight, and uttering a harsh note, occasionally swooping downward, like a meteor fall- ing through the air, at the same time making a loud buzzing sound, which is caused by its wings when about mounting in the air on the upward curve of its flight. I have often seen them flying during the daytime, but on such occasions it is very likely that they have been disturbed in their resting- places, as their habits are nocturnal, being adapted to their food supply of the numerous moths that fly at dusk. Suborder Cypseli. — -Swifts. Family Micropodidce. — Swifts. Subfamily Chceturince. — Spine-tailed Swifts. Genus Chcetura. Stephens. 140. Chimney Swift. (Chimney Swallow.) C. pela- gica. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the 78 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. city, attaching their nests against the inside walls of chimneys. Every spring, about May 7, the swifts appear in large numbers in close proximity to the three churches on Beaver Hall hill, circling around in endless mazes, more especially at the back of St. Andrew's Church, where they have a roosting- place in that edifice ; but in a few days' time they disperse to breed, and during the evenings are con- stantly on the wing feeding on insects, in scattered numbers, and apparently enjoying aerial races with one another in a skurrying way. This species leaves the precincts of the city the same time as the pre- ceding one. Observed from April 27 to Septem- ber 5. The swifts appear to have deserted their roosting place in one of the buttresses of St. And- rew's Church in the spring of this year (1896), as T did not observe them there as usual, and they appear to be scarce in the city this year. Suborder Trochili. — Hummingbirds. Family Trochilidce. — Hummingbirds. Genus Trochilus. Linnaeus. Subgenus " Trochilus." 141. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. (Hummingbird.) T. colubris. (Linn.) '•Summer Resident," common. Breeds in the city in gardens, and in Mount Royal Park, but their LIST. 79 nests are not often found on account of their diminu- tiveness, so that this beautiful little bird is safe from the " egg-hog " or small boy, and can rear its young in safety. On their arrival here in the spring, wild gooseberry, and lilac bushes, are their favorite re- sorts, and later on they frequent chestnut tree blos- soms, wild columbine, and cultivated flowers. This species is the only one of about eighteen different hummingbirds classed as North American found in the Dominion of Canada east of the Rocky Moun- tains. It is not found in British Columbia, but Mr. Fannin's check-list of British Columbia birds gives four other species of hummingbirds as occur- ring there. Observed from May 11 to August 29. Order PASSERES. — Perching Birds. Suborder Clamatores. — Songless Perching Birds. Family Tyrannidce. — Tyrant Flycatchers. Genus Tyrannus. Cuvier. 142. Kingbird (Tyrant Flycatcher; Bee-martin.) T. tyrannus. (Linn ) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. I examined a nest of this bird June 30, 1880, which was built in a thorn tree in Mount Royal Park. It contained younglings covered with white down Observed from May 14 to August 22. 80 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Genus Myiarchus. — Cabanis. 143. Crested Flycatcher (Great-crested Flycatcher.) M. crinitus. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park, nesting in hollows of trees. This large flycatcher has a peculiar habit of placing around the edge of its nest, the cast-off skin of a snake, which is probably done to protect its nest from squirrels taking possession of the hollow wherein the nest is built, as, no doubt the sight of a snake's skin coiled up would scare that little animal away. I have shot specimens of this species, in the months of May and August, and noticed the plumage very fine in the latter month. Observed from May 8th to August 28th. Genus Sayornis. Bonaparte. 144. Phoebe. (Pewee.) S. Phoebe (Lath.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. Nests with eggs found from May 17th to June 9th. Observed here from April 3rd to October 8th. Genus Contopus. — Cabanis. Sub genus " Nuttallornis." Ridgway. 145. Olive-sided 'Flycatcher. C. borealis (Swains.) " Summer Resident," scarce. Breeds in Mount LIST. 81 Royal Park. I have shot several specimens of this species, on the spur of Mount Royal, and have observed them on the mountain, from May 8th, to August 29th. Subgenus " Contopus." — Cabanis. 146. Wood Pewee. (Pewee.) C. virens. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. Mr. A. C. McKeand found a nest of this flycatcher containing three eggs, June 26th, 1885, in Mount Royal Park ; the nest was attached to the fork of a small horizontal branch of a tree growing on the top of the mountain. The nest of this bird is a difficult one to discover, as it is gener- ally built upon a thick horizontal branch. Ob- served here from April 23rd to September 19th. Genus Empidonax. — Cabanis. 147. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. E. flaviventris. Baird. " Summer Resident," scarce. I have not found a nest of this species here yet, but have shot several specimens of the bird. I shot a female of this fly- catcher June 2nd, 1>88, in the woods below Hoche- laga, and shot one, of two seen May 31st, 1892, on the spur of Mount Royal. Observed here from May 8th to September 26th. I believe I have seen the Acadian Flycatcher. (E. acadicus (Gmel.) on 82 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. the mountain here, in the month of April, before the snow had melted off the ground, hut not having procured a specimen at the time, I have not placed that species in the list. At the time I met with this strange flycatcher, my attention was attracted to its note which was unlike any of the others of this genus occurring here. 149. Traill's Flycatcher. E. pusillus traillii. (Aud.) " Summer Resident," scarce. Breeds in Mount Royal Park, where I have found their nests with eggs, from June 19th to July 30th, for several years past. This flycatcher is a very shy bird to approach near to, when on its nest during the term of laying the eggs, but will sit close when hatching them. I have always found their nests built in a thin thorn bush or light undergrowth wood, from a few inches to about two feet above the ground, and generally within sight from a foot-path on the mountain. Observed here from May 24th to July 30. I think this species migrates south in the month of August as I never met with it in the autumn. 149. Least Flycatcher. (Chebec.) E. minimus. Baird. "Summer Resident," scarce. Breeds on the Island of Montreal. I have shot several specimens of this small flycatcher in the woods below Hoche- , 83 laga, from the 14th to the 25th of May, but like the preceding one, I have not met with it in the autumn, and as the latter end of the month of August is generally cold, it is quite likely that these flycatchers depart south before the month of Sep- tember. Suborder Oscines. — Song Birds. Family Alaudidce. — Larks. Genus Otocoris. Bonaparte. 150. Horned Lark. (Shore Lark.) 0. alpestris. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I shot five speci mens of this species, out of about a dozen found feeding, on the river ice-roads, in front of the city, April 8, 1887 ; but since that time, I have not met with them, in the spring of the year, and in the autumn, only from October 20 to 26. Until the year 1887, ornithologists here were not aware of the existence of two species of Horned Larks occur- ring at Montreal, and, of course, this species was considered to be the one found breeding here ; but since then we find the next species "praticola" a summer resident, and " alpestris " a migrant only, although I am inclined to believe that this species did breed on the highlands above Hochelaga some years ago. Mr. Kuetzing says that, some twenty years past, the Skylark (Alauda arvensis, Linn.) 84 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. was successfully introduced on the island of Mont- real, but were all shot off by pot-hunters. 151. Prairie Horned Lark. (Shore Lark.) O. al- pestris praticola. (Hensh.) "Summer Resident," common. This species is found plentiful here during the spring months and in the autumn till November ; but I believe they winter south of this province, as I have not met with them between the months of November and February. They have been found breeding here be- fore the winter's snow has melted off the ground. I shot three males and one female specimen March 19, 1888, on the city river ice-dump, and which were kindly identified by Win. Brewster, Esq., of the United States Department of Agriculture, Wash- ington, D. C. I also shot a male specimen the same year on May 24th, and saw several at Laprairie. This species closely resembles the preceding one, but the plumage is paler coloured. For a number of years past a few pairs of larks used to breed on the highlands above Hochelaga. but unfortunately I could not procure a specimen of them, so as to be able to fully identify the species breeding. Family Corvidce. — Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. Subfamily Gfarrulince. — Magpies and Jays. G-enus Pica. Cuvier. 152. American Magpie. P. pica hudsonica. (Sab.) " Accidental Visitant," rare. The habitat of this LIST. £5 species is western North America, but its occur- rence in this district, so far from its range, is un- accountable, unless they happen to be caged birds which have escaped. It is not improbable that some species of birds, tound out of their habitat, have been introduced through human aid, un- known to the public. However, a magpie was shot at Chambly canton, twenty miles southeast of Mont- real, about the year 1883 ; and Mr. David Denne saw one some years ago back of Laprairie, and chased it for a considerable distance, as it flew from fence to fence, out of gunshot. This may have been the same bird that was shot at Chambly, as the places are contiguous. Chambly is a noted place for strange birds. An " European Wood- cock" was shot there November 11, 1882. and a few winters after a "Dovekie" was killed in the basin at the rapids Why these three stragglers should visit Chambly is a mystery. G-enus Cyanocitta, Strickland. 153. Blue Jay. C. cristata. (Linn ) " Transient Visitant," common. I have observed this jay here in the months of Marcli, May, June, September, October, November and December, and it is likely that a few winter in this district. The specimens I have shot in the autumn were in better plumage than those which I have shot in the spring 86 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. of the year. Although the blue jay is resident with us during the greater part of the year, I am not aware of any breeding here. Genus Perisoreus. Bonaparte. 154. Canada Jay. (Moose Bird ; Whiskey Jack.) P. canadensis. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. This jay visits as from the north in the autumn, but I have not met with them in the spring of the year. I saw one or two October 9, 1886, on Isle Jesus, and shot a specimen October 24, 1880, at St. Epiphanie, P.Q ; also one October 26, 1884, at Casselman, Out. Subfamily Corvince. — Crows. Genus Corvus. Linnaeus. 155. Northern Haven. (Raven.) C. corax princi- palis. (Ridgw.) " Winter Visitant," rare. Occasionally visits the city river ice dump, and sometimes is exposed for sale in the Bonsecours market. 156. American Crow. (Crow.) C. americanus. (And.) " Permanent Resident," abundant. Not so often seen during the winter months, but sometimes ap- pearing in large flocks at Cote St. Paul, alongside LIST. 87 the railway tracks, where they doubtlessly are at- tracted by the locality being sheltered on the north- east side by a high bank bounding the highlands above, and after a thaw the corn-stubble fields there are sufficiently exposed for them to feed on the scattered grain left in the autumn. I saw a flock of about fifty crows December 17, 1882, feeding around the tops of a patch of corn, just protruding above the deep snow, which had been left standing in a sheltered field at Cote des Nieges. The bulk of the crows, which are migrants, begin to arrive here about the 1st of March and commence build- ing nests in April. One nest examined April 30, 1882, contained six eggs, incubated, and another one, May 24, 1882, contained younglings, and a nest, May 11, 1889, had four eggs, incubated. They breed in Mount Royal Park and all over the Island of Montreal. The bulk of the crows in this district migrate south before the month of December. Family Icteridce. — Blackbirds, Orioles, etc Subfamily Icterince. Genus Dolichonyx. Swainson. 157. Bobolink. D. oryzivorus. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the fields on the Island of Montreal, and probably in Mount Royal Park, in the field near the Park 88 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Ranger's residence, as I observed a few there June 25, 1887. I have observed the bobolink here from May 19 to September 9, and on the latter date in 1891 Mr. Inglis shot one out of a small flock along the creek at Laprairie. I am under the impression that I have seen some in the same locality till the middle of October, whi^h is late in the season for these birds to be here, as the bulk of them depart south in the month of August. Those observed in the month of September were all in the yellowish fall plumage, like the female bird in summer plum- age. I shot a male specimen June 2, 1888, at Hochelaga,- in different plumage to the male birds at that time of the year. Bill, bluish slate color ; tarsus and toes, brownish ; the underparts from chin to undertail coverts, speckled with black and yel- lowish green ; forehead and crown, blackish, varie- gated with brown and a small grayish patch in the centre of crown ; the occiput and hind-neck, bufty, shaded with brown ; back streaked with black, brown and grayish-white ; scapulars, grayish-white; wing coverts, brown, edged with grayish- white ; primaries and secondaries of a brownish color, edged with gray ; rump, greenish-gray, becoming lighter on upper tail coverts ; tail feathers darker, but edged with ash-gray. This specimen did not appear to be a young bird when 'I skinned it. Mr. Ridgway does not describe the young of the bobolink in his " Manual of North American Birds," but, strange LIST. .89 to say, he does not appear to have seen the young of this species ; neither have I found its nest, nor observed the young birds, as both are so well con- cealed in the long grass, and after the latter is mowed the bobolinks all appear in the yellowish plumage, and the conspicuous male bird is not noticed again until he returns from the south in the spring of the year ; but those confined in cages here retain the same plumage throughout the year. I shot a male and female specimen May 19, 1892, at St. Lambert, and at the time the female was feed- ing on insects on a thorn-bush, an unusual position to find the female bobolink in, as she invariably remains concealed in the grass in the spring of the year ; but after the breeding season is over the males, females and young bobolinks all flock together, and it is not easy to distinguish one from another. The bulk of the bobolinks in this district depart south by the middle of the month of August, after the hay-fields are mowed ; but should the autumn season continue warm, a few still linger on into the month of October and feed on the seeds of the rank herbage along creeks running through meadows. Some years ago I saw some bobolinks along the creek at Laprairie on the 9th of October, and I believe they continued to frequent the creek until driven south by hard frosts. Since writing the above notes on the bobolink, I received a fledgling of this species from Mr. W. A. Oswald, 90 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. of Belle Riviere, July 2, 1895, and it closely resembles the adult female in plumage. Genus Molothms. Swainson. 158. Cowbird. M. ater. (Bodd.) " Summer Resident," common. I have found the eggs of this strange bird deposited in nests of other species, in Mount Royal Park, Island of Mon- treal and vicinity from May 15th to July 25th, as follows : — May 15, 1880, 3 eggs in Phoebe's nest, and 3 eggs of the latter bird. " 2.9, " 2 eggs in Hermit Thrush, and 2 eggs of the latter bird . June 1, " 1 youngling in Phoebe's nest. 10, " 1 egg in American Redstart, and 4 eggs of the latter bird. " 15, "1 egg in Yellow Warbler, and 3 incubated eggs of the latter bird . " 15, " 1 egg in Wilson's Thrush, and 2 eggs and 2 young- lings of the latter bird. " 11, 1881, 1 egg in Chestnut sided Warbler, and 3 eggs of the latter bird . July 9, "1 egg in Song Sparrow, and 2 eggs of the latter bird. May 27, 1882, 3 eggs in Slate-coloured Junco, and 2 incubated eggs of the latter bird. June 17, " 1 egg in Chestnut-sided Warbler, and 4 eggs of the latter bird . " 24, " 1 egg in Chestnut-sided Warbler, and 4 incubated egg of the latter bird . " 6, 1885, 1 egg in American Redstart, and 4 eggs of the latter bird, all incubated. 27, " 2 eggs in Indigo Bunting, and 1 incubated egg of the latter bird . 4, 1886, 1 egg in Yellow Warbler, and 3 eggs of the latter bird. LIST. 91 July 25, 1886, 1 egg in American Goldfinch, .and 5 eggs of the lat- ter bird. May 29, 1887, 1 egg in Red-eyed Vireo. June 4, " 1 egg in Yellow Warbler, and 4 eggs of the latter bird . " 18, " 1 egg in Indigo Bunting, and 2 eggs of the latter bird, all incubated. May 25, 1839, 1 egg in Chipping Sparrow, and 1 egg of the latter bird. " 22, 1890, 1 egg in Red-eyed Vireo's old nest, egg fresh. July 7, 1891, 1 egg in Chipping Sparrow. June 27, 1892, 1 egg in American Redstart, and 3 eggs of the latter bird . I have observed nests of the Yellow Warbler, rebuilt on top of the first nest which contained an egg of the cowbird, while other species of birds appear to adopt the imposers eggs and raise the young cowbirds with as much attention as their own offspring. Why the cowbird does not build a nest and rear its own offspring, is a most remark- able fact, and unaccountable, but has its counter- part in the European Cuckoo, which deposits its eggs in other bird's nests. The American Cuckoos build their own nests, and rear their young like other birds. I have seen the cowbird here in the spring of the year on the 12th April, but I have not observed any in the autumn, and I presume they leave this district before the latter season begins. Genus Agelaius. Vieillot. 159. Red-winged Blackbird. A. phoeniceus. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds on the 92 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Island of Montreal. Immense numbers of these birds flock together in the autumn to feed in the fields, and in the afternoon towards sundown, num- erous flocks commence to fly to some favorite swamp to roost for the night, where they keep up an incessant chorus of chatterings till dark. Flocks of Rusty Blackbirds, and Bronzed Grackles join the Red-winged Blackbirds to roost together, and assist with their numbers to make up these large concourses of birds. Observed here from April 12th to November 1st. Genus Sturnella. Vieillot. 160. Meadowlark. S. magna. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," scarce. Mr. Craig says this species used to breed near the old fort at St. Johns, P.Q., twenty-seven miles southeast of Montreal. Occasionally they have been shot at River Beau- dette, forty-three and a half miles by rail west of Montreal, but I do not think they occur on the north side of the River St. Lawrence east of Mont- real. Mr. Denne shot one October 10, 1891, up the creek at Laprairie, the only one seen at the time. This last record shows this species to occur within seven miles of Montreal on the south shore of the St. Lawrence river, and it is possible that the meadowlark does visit the island of Montreal, although I have never met with any here. LIST. 93 Genus Icterus. Brisson. Subgenus " Yphantes." Vieillot. 161. Baltimore Oriole. I. Galbula. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in the city. I found a nest of this bird June 7, 1890, at Dorval, built in the top of a thin bush, within reach of hand from the ground, and containing five fresh eggs, but as a rule their nests are built here hanging to branches of large trees, twenty or thirty feet above the ground. I saw this species feeding on the ground, an unusual position to find the ori- ole in, as they generally confine themselves to the trees and bushes when feeding. Observed here from May 7 to August 21. Subfamily Quiscalince. Genus Scolecophagus. Swain son. 162. Rusty Blackbird. (Blackbird.) S. carolinus. (Mull.) " Transient Visitant," common. Arrives here in small flocks in the spring of the year, and passes on further north to breed, and return ing in the autumn in larger flocks, and then joins the Red-winged Blackbirds to roost at night. Observed here from April 7 to May 28, and in the autumn from Octo- ber 10 till November 4. 94 THE BIRDS OF MONTREA L. Genus Quiscaltis Yieillot. Subgenus " Quiscalus." 163. Bronzed Grac/de. (Crow Blackbird.) Q. quis- cula seneus. (Ridgw.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city. I shot a male specimen of this species Octo- ber 11, 1890, at St. Laurent swamp, out of a small flock flying over to join the Red-winged Blackbirds at the latter's roosting-place there. I 'was rather surprised to find it in such beautiful new plumage, richer than specimens shot in the spring of the year. Observed here from April 1 to October 11, but they remain on here later in the latter month, until driven south by hard frosts. This bird has a peculiar habit when flying of spreading its tail feathers in the form of a boat, and its larger con- gener of the south is called the Boat-tailed Grackle on that account. Family FringillidcE. — Finches, Sparrows, etc. Genus Coccothraustes. Brisson. Subgenus " Hesperiphona." Bonap. 164. Evening Grosbeak. C. vespertinus. (Coop.) " Winter Visitant," rare. I believe the first rec- ord of the occurrence of this species here was during the winter months of the year 1890, when several LIST. 95 were observed, January 28, in the McGill College grounds, by Dr. Harrington, of this city, and a male specimen was shot about February 1, in the city, by Mr. Dodd, gardener to J. H. R. Molson, Esq. ; four were obtained February 5, at Laprairie, by Dr. Brosseau, and one was secured alive by Mr. E. B. Audette at the same place. Two specimens were shot March 9, at Lachine, by Mr. J. H. Harris, out of a flock of about thirty seen, and was recorded in the " Canadian Record of Science," Montreal, July, 1890, by the late Mr. Caulfield. At the same time, this species was noticed in Ontario, and in the United States of Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire, where they were considered as remarkable visitants. "Forest and Stream" of December 18, 1889, published a note from Morris M. Green, Esq., of the Evening Grosbeak's occur- rence December 11, 1890, at Ithaca, KY. Mr. Chamberlain mentions this species in his list of " Canadian Birds " as an abundant resident of Brit- ish Columbia east of the Cascades, and a common winter visitor to Manitoba. Some people say they have seen this species here during past winters, and I am inclined to believe that they have been irre- gular visitants to the Province of Quebec in the past, but I do not know of any published records of same. I have not heard of any having been seen here during the winter of 1891-92, nor since. 96 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Genus Pinicola. Vieillot. 165. American Pine Grosbeak. (Pine Grosbeak.) P. enucleator canadensis. (Cab.) " Winter Visitant," common. The adult birds in red plumage are rather scarce compared with the number of grayish coloured individuals generally seen in a flock of these birds. They often visit the city in such places where the mountain ash-tress with berries on are to be found, upon which they feed with apparent relish. Observed here from October 30 to April 26, and on the latter date, in 1«84, I shot a solitary female specimen here, which was a late date in the spring of the year for this species to be still here, but it was apparently strong and able to migrate north to breed ; and I regret to say that it was not dissected at the time to ascer- tain whether it was breeding or not. Genus Carpodacus. Kaup. Subgenus " Carpodacus." 166. Purple Finch. C. purpureus. (Gmel.) " Permanent Resident," common. Breeds on the island of Montreal. I found a nest containing four fresh eggs June 20, 1891, in Mount .Royal Park, LIST. 97 built in a small spruce-tree. As a rule, I have ob- served this bird here from March 10 to October 25, but during the winter of 1892 I noticed them plentiful, from February 5 to March 22, in the city, feeding on the mountain ash-tree berries. Genus Loxia. Linnaeus. 167. American Crossbill. L. curvirostra minor. (Brehm.) " Transient Visitant," common. The crossbills are rather erratical in their movements, and may appear here at anytime during the year, but I have not heard of any found breeding in this district. I saw a small flock of this species May 14th, 1883, at Cote St. Antoine, feeding on the cones of a Larch tree. 168. White-winged Crossbill. L. lencoptera. (Gmel.) '• Transient Visitant," common. I saw a small nock of this species, December 8th, 1888, in the woods below Hochelaga, feeding on the cones of Cedar trees. Genus Acanthis. Bechstein. 169. Redpoll. A. linaria. (Linn.) ""Winter Visitant," abundant. Observed here in flocks from October 25th to April 29th. The latter date is late in the spring of the year to find this species here, although in 1883, I saw large 98 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. i) umbers in the month of May feeding on the ground in the woods at Hochelaga. There are several other species of Redpolls, and I believe some of them occur here, but so far I have not secured any of them. Genus Spinus. Koch. 170. American Goldfinch. (Yellow-bird.) S. tristis. (Linn.) "Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. Nests found containing fresh eggs from July 22nd to August 8th. Observed here from April 7th to November 18th. The late Mr. Caulfield saw a small flock of this species December llth, 1890, at Cote St. Paul, and shot one of them at the time. 171. Pine Siskin. (Pine Linnet.) S. pinus. (Wils.) " Winter Visitant," common. I observed a large flock of these birds October 18th, 1885, on Isle Jesus, feeding in some willows. Mr. Kuetzing has found this species sometimes common in winter, and has often observed them here in summer, but I have not seen them during the latter season, and I do not think they have been found breeding in this district. Genus Plectrophenax. Stejneger. 172. Snouflake. (Snowbird, Snow Bunting.) P. nivalis. (Linn.) "Winter Visitant," abundant. Arrives here 99 about the middle of the month of October in large flocks. They are seldom, seen perching upon trees but on one occasion, December 10th, 1882. I saw a flock of about fifty resting upon the topmost twigs of a tall tree at Outremont, and to make sure of their identity, I waded through the deep snow to the tree and shot two out of the flock. The snowflake is a terrestrial bird, and only under ex- ceptional circumstances they are found perching upon trees, and in this instance the land was cov- ered with deep soft snow which was probably the cause of the flock alighting upon a tree on this occasion. I have observed these birds here from October 19th to April 26th, and on the latter date in 1890, 1 shot a male specimen at Laprairie. Large numbers are caught in horse-hair noose snares on the Laprairie shore, set by the habitants, and are sold in our markets at fifteen to twenty cents per dozen, and are considered very good eating. Genus Calcarias. Bech stein. 173. Lapland Long spur. C. lapponicus. (Linn.) u Winter Visitant," rare. This species is occa- sionally found accompanying the preceding one, and are sometimes exposed for sale in our markets mixed in with a bunch of snowbirds. |00 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Genus Pooccetes. Baird. 174. Vesper Sparrow. (Graybird, Bay-winged Bunting, Grass Finch.) P. gramineus. (Gmel.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds on the Island of Montreal. £Tests with eggs found from May 14th to 28th. Observed here from April 7th to October 8th. Genus Ammodramus. Swainson. Subgenus " Passerculus." 175. Savanna Sparrow. (Gray-bird.) A. sand- wichensis savanna. (Wils.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds on the Island of Montreal. Nests with eggs found May 24th. Observed here from April 7th to October 1st. Genus Zonotrichia. Swainson. 176. White-crowned Sparrow. B. leucophrys. (Forst.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I shot a male specimen of this species May 12th, 1888, at Cote St. Antoine, and have observed them there May 12th and 13th, and in the autumn, October 4th, 1889, at L'Acadia, P.Q. 177. White-throated Sparrow. (Old Tom Peabocly.) B. albicollis. (Gmel ). " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount LIST. Royal Park. I found a nest of this bird May 24th, 18H6, in the Park, built in the roots of an up-turned tree stump, containing four eggs, and another nest May 30th 1891, at Hochelaga woods containing three eggs, built on the ground in a tussock of grass. Observed here from April 24 to October 30. Genus Spizella. Bonaparte. 178. Tree Sparrow. S. monticola. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," common. Observed here in the spring, from April 7 to 28, and in the autumn from October 25 to November 7. 179. Chipping Sparrow. S. socialis. (Wils.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. I have found their nests with eggs from May 21 to July 22, and have observed this sociable little bird here from April 23 to September 28. 180. Field Sparrow. S. pusilla. (Wils.) " Summer Resident," scarce. This small sparrow resembles the preceding one closely, but can be dis- tinguished from the other species by its cinnamon- coloured bill. I have not secured a specimen of this bird here yet, but I believe I have come across them on various occasions, without an opportunity of securing one at the time supposed to have been observed. 102 THE KIRDS OF MONTREAL. Genus Junco. Wagler. 1^1. Slate-colored Junco. (Wilson's Snowbird.) J. hyemalis. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. I have found their nests, with eggs, from May 17 to June 19, and have ob- served them here from March 29 to October 25, and on one occasion I saw two here December 24, 1882, in a sheltered place on the Cote des Nieges road, and where they evidently intended to winter, as the weather was very cold and the land was covered with deep snow at the time. In 1885 this species appeared to me to have been altogether absent here during the spring and summer of that year, as I did not see a single individual of this species during that time, but saw some October 25. I made enquiries of other observers of our birds, as to whether they had seen any juncos here, at the time I noticed the latter' s absence, but none of them could remember having seen any, and I cannot suggest any cause for this bird's non-appearance till the autumn of that year, as they are regular summer residents here. Genus Melospiza. Baird. 182. Song Sparrow. (Gray-bird.) M. fasciata (Gmel.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. I have found their LIST. 103 nests, with, eggs, from May 8 to July 28, and ob- served them here from March 24 to October 24. 18H. Limolrfs Sparrow. M. lincolni. (Aud.) " Transient Visitant," occurs throughout Canada: (Canadian Birds, M. Chamberlain, 1887.) Accord- ing to Mr. Chamberlain, this species should occur in this district, so I have placed it in my list, although I have not observed it here yet. 184. Swamp Sparrow. (Gray-bird.) M. georgiana. (Lath) " Summer Resident," common. This sparrow is plentiful in our marshes, but on account of its retir- ing habit is not noticed unless sought after by the collector of birds. I shot one June 20, 1891, up the creek at Laprairie, and saw several others there at the time, and again July 1, where, no doubt, they breed in the marshy places, and retire south in the month of October. Genus Passer ella. Swainson. 185. Fox Sparrow. P. iliaca. (Merr.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. This bird is the largest of our sparrows, and is a fine singer. Ob- served here in the spring of the year, April 29, 1883, and in the autumn, October 5, 1886, and Oc- tober 19, 1888. I shot a specimen of this species 104 THE BIRDS OF MONT RE A L. October 5, 1886, at Cote St. Antoine, and saw a few more at the time there in some thickets grow- ing on the mountain side. Genus Habia. Reich en bach. 186. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. H. ludoviciana. (Linn.) "Transient Visitant," common. I found this beautiful bird plentiful May 25, 1885, at St. Bruno, P.Q., 14 miles east of Montreal, where they probably are attracted by the beech woods on St. Bruno mountain. I shot several male specimens at the time, all in full song, but only saw one female. I visited the same place in the month of June, ex- pecting to find them breeding there, but did not see any of the birds there then, so I presume this species go further north or east to breed. Observed them here from May 14 to June 21. I saw a male bird June 21, 1887, in the woods below Hochelaga, and shot two male specimens May 22, 1890, and May 31, 1892, on the spur of Mount Royal I have not met with this bird here in the autumn, so I in- fer this species returns south by a different route. Genus Pa'sserina. Vieillot. Subgenus "Passerina." Vieillot. 187. Indigo Bunting. (Indigo-bird.) P. cyanea. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount LIST. Royal Park. I have found their nests, with eggs, from June 18 to July 13, and observed them here from May 11 to August 13. Family Tanagridce. — Tanagers. Genus Piranga. Vieillot. 188. Scarlet Tanager. (Red-bird.) P. erythrome- las. (Vieill )' "Transient Visitant," common. Usually ob- served here from May 20 to 24, but on one occasion I saw a male bird June 17, 1882, in Mount Royal Park. I have not seen this species here in the autumn, and, like the rose-breasted grosbeak, it probably returns south by some other route. I shot a female specimen of this species May 22, 1891, on the spur of Mount Royal. 189. Summer Tanager. (Red-bird ) P. rubra. (Linn. " Transient Visitant," rare. Mr. Kuetzing says eight examples of this species have been shot on the Island of Montreal, and he saw another one here a number of years ago, and I believe I saw one May 25, 1885, at St. Bruno, but it disappeared so quickly and mysteriously out of sight that I could not find it again. I do not think this species has been observed here in the autumn, so that it would be interesting to know by what route the rose-breasted grosbeak, scarlet tanager and this species return south to their winter quarters. 106 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Family Hinmdinidce. — Swallows Genus Progne. Boie. 190. Purple Martin. P. subis. (Linn.) "Summer Reside.it," common. Breeds in the city. I observed this species June 29, 1886, nest- ing in the city, in a bird house placed on top of a pole erected on a shed in rear ,of St. Joseph Drug Hall, No. 2241 Notre Dame street, where they are said to breed jtwice a year, in the months of April and June. I have not noticed the purple martin breeding in any other place within the city, but I daresay they do breed in other yards where they are encouraged to nest. Observed here from May 2 to August 21. I heard one April 29, 1893, at St. Andrew's, P.Q., and I saw large numbers of them near Rigaud September 4, 1893. Genus Petrochelidon. Cabanis. 191. Cliff Swallow. (Eave Swallow.) P. lunifrons. (Say.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds on the Island of Montreal. Observed here in the spring of the year, April 19, and near Rigaud, September 4, 1893. Genus Chelidon. Forster. 192. Barn Swallow. C. erythrogaster. (Bodd.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds on the LIST. Island of Montreal. Observed here from May 19 to August 20. I saw half a dozen barn swallows August 20, 1892, perched on the telegraph wires near the railway bridge across the creek at La- prairie, and with them was one individual which appeared to be a cliff swallow, and, wanting a speci- men of the latter swallow, I shot it, but found it to be a barn swallow, its long tail feathers cut off even with the other tail feathers. Genus Tachycineta. Cabanis. 193. Tree Swallow. (White-bellied Swallow.) T. bicolor. (Yieill.). " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. I have found their nests, containing eggs, from May 29 to June 2, and the young birds in nests to July 14. Observed here from April 7 to September 1 8. Genus Clivicola. Forster. 194. Bank Swallow. (Sand Martin.) C. riparia. (Linn.) "Summer Resident," common. A small colony of these birds used to breed in the bank above the high level reservoir in Mount Royal Park, but they deserted that place in 1835, and another large colony used to breed in the sand pits at Hochelaga, where I have observed them burrowing May 12. THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Like the cliff swallow, this species appears to be deserting its old nesting sites, probably caused by natural changes in such places, or through being disturbed. Family Ampelidce. — "Waxwings, etc. Genus Ampelis. Linnseus. 195. Bohemian Waxwing. A. garrulus. (Linn.) " Winter Visitant," rare. Large numbers of these birds were observed here during the winter of 1863, but they have been very scarce since, and only twice observed. — (Kuetzing). I have not met with this species here myself, and have not seen any specimens in the hands of our taxidermists, and I have no recent record of their occurrence in the vicinity of Montreal. 196. Cedar Waxwing. (Cedar-bird ; Cherry-bird.) A. cedrorum. (Yieill.) " Permanent Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. I have found their nests, with eggs, from June 13 to August 27. During the winter months flocks of these birds ap- pear in the city to feed on the berries of the moun- tain ash trees. The younglings of this bird, when newly hatched, are quite naked. I mention this because the young of some species are covered with a soft down, like that of the kingbird. LIST. !09 Family Laniidce. — Shrikes. Genus Ldnius. Linnaeus. 197. Northern Shrike. (Great Northern Shrike ; Butcher-bird.) L. borealis. (Vieill.) " Winter Visitant," common. Observed here from October 20 to April 1 1 , and I believe I saw one May 23, 1891, at Cote St. Antoine, on the mountain side. It was flying over towards Cote St. Paul in a straight line, and I watched it flying till out of sight. I have shot several specimens, mostly in immature plumage, and some which I have seen appeared to be young birds ; but I have not heard of this species found breeding here. I shot an adult specimen, in full plumage, October 26, 1888, at Belle Riviere, P.Q. I have heard this shrike imitating the song of the American robin in the spring of the year. 198. White-rumped Shrike. (Butcher-bird.) L. ludoT vicianus excubitorides. (Swains.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds within the city limits. I took a nest of this bird May 20, 1883, at Hochelaga, which was built in a thorn tree, containing one egg. I visited the same place the following month, June 3, and found another nest built by the same species in a thorn bush close to the first, but someone had lodged a big stone in this nest. I also found a nest of this THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. species May 24. 1888, at Laprairie, built in a bush alongside the railroad track, and saw a shrike close to the nest. I found another nest of this shrike May 30, 1891, at Hoehelaga, built in a thorn tree, containing two eggs, incubated, and June 6, 1891, Mr. Inglis found two fresh eggs of this bird in what appeared to be an old nest, near the same place. Family Vireonidce. — Yireos. Genus Vireo. Yieillot. Subgenus " Yireosylva." Bonap. 199. Red-eyed Vireo. (Red-eyed Flycatcher. Y. olivaceus. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. I found a nest of this species June 6, 1885, not quite completed, and another nest July 1, the same season, without eggs, and a nest found August 13, 1887, contained young birds; also a nest June 29, 1891, contained young- lings. I have heard this species singing, from its arrival in the spring, till September 4, and have observed it here from May 11 to October 6. 200. Philadelphia Vireo. Y. philadelphicus. (Cass.) " Transient Yisitant." ? I have not met with this species here yet, but as Montreal is within its geo- LIST. graphical range, I have placed it in the list, expect- ing it will be found occurring in this district. 201. Warbling Vireo V. gilvus. (Vieill.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I have met with only two specimens of this species, and which I shot on the Island of Montreal, one May 2'2, 1886, and the other one May 11, 1887. It is likely to be found breeding here, but I have not come across this species during the summer and autumn months. Subgenus " Lanivirea." Baird. 202. Yellow-throated Vireo. V. flavifrons. (Vieill.) " Summer Resident," rare. Mr. "W. "W. Dunlop observed this species paired in the Hochelaga woods, and shot two specimens there May 20, 1883. I have not met with any since that date. 203. Blue-headed Vireo. V. solitarius. (Wils.) "Transient Visitant," rare. I have met with only two examples of this vireo in this district, both of which I shot on the Island of Montreal, one October 4, 1-86, and a male specimen May 3, 1890. Family Mniotiltidcc. — Wood Warblers. Genus Mniotilta. Vieillot. 204. Black and White Warbler. (Black and White Creeper.) M. varia. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," scarce, but common mi- j 1 2 THE BIRDS OF MONT RE A L. grant. I saw one June 25, 1887, in Mount Royal Park, and shot a fledgeling July 1, 1885, at Calu- met, 5S miles west of Montreal. I also saw a pair and fledgeling July 7, 1891, on the spur of Mount Royal. Observed here from May 3 to August 22. Mr. Griffin, superintendent of the museum of the Natural History Society of Montreal, says a pair of these warblers had a nest in a crevice over the side door of the museum on Cathcart street about twelve years ago, and that he caught the male bird on the nest, and Avhich was identified by the late Mr. Caulfield, taxidermist. Genus Helminthophila. Ridgway. 205. Nashville Warbler. H. ruficapilla. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I have observed only two examples of this warbler here, both of them males, and which I shot on the spur of Mount Royal, one May 10, 1889, and the other one May 10, 1890 ; but Mr. Kuetzing says he has found this species common here, and that they breed in swampy parts of woods on the Island of Montreal. 206. Orange-crowned Warbler. H. celata. (Say.) "Transient Visitant," rare. I shot a male speci- men of this warbler May 21, 1890, on the spur of Mount Royal, and it is the only one of the kind I have met with here. The skin is in my collection. LIST. 113 207. Tennessee Warbler. H. peregrin a. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant." common. Mr. Kuetzing has found this species here in May, and common for a week or two in swampy places, and I have shot a few in hedgerows in the fields at Hochelaga, in the month of May. Genus Comsothlypis. Cabaiiis. 208. Panda Warbler. (Blue Yellow-backed War- bler. C. americana. (Linn.) "Transient Visitant," common. I shot a male and two female specimens of this species, the male May 17, 1890, and the females May 22 and 24, 1890, on the spur of Mount Royal, but did not see any more after the latter date. Genus Dendroica. Gray. Subgenus " Perissoglossa." Baird. 209. Cape May Warbler. D. Tigrina. (Gmel). u Transient Visitant," scarce. I shot three male specimens of this warbler and saw others, on the spur of Mount Royal, one of which I shot May 14, and the other two May ^1, 1890. I also saw one at the same place May 19, 1891, and Mr. Kuetzing has found them here sparsely from May 15 and about September 1. I have not seen any here after May 21. THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Subgenus " Dendroica." Gray. 210. Yellow Warbler. (Summer Warbler ; Yellow- bird.) D. sestiva. (Gmel.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. I have found their nests, containing eggs, from May 29 to July 7, and observed this warbler here from May 7 to Septem- ber 3. A nest of this species, with the bird on, June 18, 1892, contained four eggs of - a unique chalky appearance, one of the eggs being all white. 211. Black-throated Blue Warbler. D. crerulescens. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," common. Observed from May 4 to 22, and June 21, 1887, I shot one on the spur of Mount Royal, also a male specimen July 1, 1885, at Calumet, so that it is likely a few breed near Montreal. In the autumn I have seen them here till October 5. 212. Myrtle Warbler. (Yellow-rumped Warbler.) D. coronata. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," abundant. Observed here from May 3 to 19, and from October 8 to 10. 213. Magnolia Warbler. (Black and Yellow Warb- bler ) D. maculosa. (Gmel.) u Transient Visitant," common. Observed here LIST. from May 18 to 24, but not met with in the autumn. 214. Chestnut-sided Warbler. D. pennsylvanica. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. Nests with eggs found from June 5 to 24. Observed here from May 11 to August 18. 215. Bay-breasted Warbler. D. castanea. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I shot two male specimens on the spur of Mount Royal May 2 L and 24, 1890, and another male May 28, 1892, at St. Lambert, in the swampy woods there, but have not met with this species here after the latter date in the spring, nor autumn. Mr. Kuetzing says this warbler breeds on the Island of Montreal, but I have not seen them here during the summer months, Mr. Kuetzing has shot the young of this warbler, and other species of warblers, in the eastern belt ot woods on the Island of Montreal in the month of July, and bases his opinion of their breeding here on that account, but I think it is likely that they are birds which have bred further north, and were returning south towards their winter quarters. 216. Black-poll Warbler. D. striata. (Forst.) " Transient Visitant." I consider this species art irregular spring migrant, and have not met with, 9 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. them here in the autumn, but May 24, 1883, they were plentiful in the woods at Hochelaga, and I shot a female specimen there June 3 the same year. I have not seen any here since that time, which is rather remarkable, as I have made it a rule to observe the warblers here every spring, but some seasons I have not rambled through the woods where I saw this species in 1883, so that some years they may have occurred here locally without my coming across them. 217. Blackburnian Warbler. D. blackburniee. (Gmel.) " Transient Visitant," common. I shot a female specimen of this warbler, on the spur of Mount Royal, May 19, 1888, and a male May 10, 1890. Observed here from May 10 to 24, but not met with in the autumn. 218. Black-throated Green Warbler. D. virens. (Gmel.) " Summer Resident," common spring migrant, but scarce summer resident. I saw one June 18, 1887, in Mount Royal Park, and shot a male and female specimen July 1. 1^85, at Calumet; also ob- served two or three young birds of this species August 27, 1892. in Mount Royal Park. Observed here in spring, May 7, and in the autumn, from October 4 to 10. LIST. 117 219. Pine Warbler. D. vigorsii. (Aud.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. I have shot speci- mens of this warbler, on the spur of Mount Royal, from September 12 to 26. 220. Yellow Palm Warbler. (Yellow Redpoll.) D. palmarum hypochrysea. (Ridgw.) " Transient Visitant," rare. I shot a male speci- men of this species, May 7, 1891, on the spur of Mount Royal, and this is the only example of this warbler that I have met with, in this district. Genus Seiurus. Swain son. 221. Oven-bird. (Golden-crowned Thrush.) S. auro- capillus. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. Nests with eggs found June 5 and 13, and young fledged June 2 1 . Observed here from May 8 to September 15. 222. Water Thrush. S. noveboracensis. (Gmel.) " Summer Resident," scarce. Mr. Kuetzing says he shot this bird in July, 1879, in the woods at Hochelaga, and saw a number in May, 1880. I saw one May 28, 1892, in the swampy woods at St. Lambert. I have not heard of a nest of this species being found here, but it evidently does breed on the Island of Montreal. THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Genus Geothlypis. Cabanis. 223. Mourning Warbler. G. Philadelphia. ("Wils.) "Transient Visitant," scarce. Probably breeds here. I shot a male specimen May 24, 1886, at Outremont, and one was shot in the same place, about the same date in 1885. Another male speci- men was shot May 31, 1888, in the woods at Hoche- laga by Mr. A. C. McKeand. Subgenus " Geothlypis." 224. Maryland Yellow-throat. G. trichas. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. I came across a pair of these birds in the park June 25, 1887, and from their apparent anxiety while I was observing them, they evidently had a nest somewhere near the swampy place I was standing in, but as the nest of this bird is a difficult one to discover, I did not find it. Observed here from May 24 to September 13. Genus Sylvania. Nuttall. 225. Wilson's Warbler. (Black-capped Yellow Warbler.) S. pusilla. (Wils.) " Transient Visitant," scarce. Observed here in the spring only, May 24, but Mr. Kuetzing says he shot a good specimen of this warbler, July 13, on the Island of Montreal, so that a few may breed here. LIST. 226. Canadian Warbler. (Canadian Flycatching "Warbler. S. canadensis. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," scarce. Observed here from May 20 to September 2. I shot a male specimen of this warbler, May 28, 1891, in the woods at Hochelaga, and I think it likely that a few breed there, although I have not found their nests. Genus Setophaga. Swainson. 227. American Redstart. (Redstart.) S. ruticilla. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. Nests, with eggs, found from June 6 to 27. Observed here from May 11 to August 29. Family Motacillidce. — Wagtails and Pipits. Genus Anthus. Bechstein. Subgenus " Anthus." 228. American Pipit. (Titlark.) A. pensilvanicus. (Lath.) "Transient Visitant," common. I shot two specimens out of a small scattered flock in the fields at Hochelaga May 14, 1887, but did not see any more in the spring after that date. Observed here in the autumn from September 17 to Novem- 120 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. her 4. I have noticed this species in much larger flocks, in the autumn than in the spring of the year, and I consider them uncommon here in the spring, as I have only met with them on the oc- casion above-mentioned. . Family Trogoldytidce. — Wrens, Thrashers, etc. Subfamily Mimince. — Thrashers, etc Genus Galeoscoptes. Cabanis. 229. Catbird. G. carolinensis. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. Nests with eggs found from May 29 to July 19, and a nest contain- ing young July 28. Observed here from May 15 to October 19, and on the latter date I heard one singing in some bushes on the common at La- prairie, a rather remarkable incident, considering the season. i Genus Harporhynchus. Cabanis. Subgenus " Methriopterus." R-eich. 230. Brown Thrasher. (Brown Thrush.) H. rufus. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," common. Observed here in the spring of the year, April 30, and a nest found on the spur of Monnt Royal, containing three eggs, LIST. 121 May 24, 1890. Mr. Craig received a fresh speci- men of this bird to stuff which was found dead on the snow in a field here in the month of November, 1890, and was evidently a belated individual, as it was in good condition and showed no marks of injury, but probably succumbed to the severity of the weather at the time it was picked up. I have not met with this species here in the autumn months, and I think it must be an early migrant in the fall of the year. S ubf amily Trog lodytidce. Genus Troglodytes. Yieillot. Subgenus " Troglodytes." 231. House Wren. T. aedon. (Yieill.) " Summer Resident," scarce. Mr. Inglis observed wrens feeding their young in his garden on Du- rocher street in the summer of 1891, and Mr. Mc- Keand saw a pair of wrens on Sherbrooke street west in the spring of 1890, and which, I presume,, were of this species. I have not secured a speci- men of this wren here yet, as I. have never met with them in the woods, nor in any place where they could be shot, as they appear to confine them- selves to the gardens within the city, and in close proximity to dwelling houses. 122 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Subgenus " Anorthura." Rennie. 232. Winter Wren. T. hiemalis. (Vieill.) " Transient Visitant," common. Observed here in the spring from April 19 to 27, and in the autumn from September 20 to October 17. Genus Cistothorus. Cabanis. Subgenus "Telmatodytes." Cabanis. 233. Long-billed Marsh Wren. C. palustris. (Wils.) " Summer Resident," scarce. The late Mr. Caul- field observed this species May 24 in some reeds around a pond at Cote St. Paul, and Mr. "W. W. Dunlop has seen them on Nun's Island, above the Victoria bridge. I found a pair nesting in the bulrushes and rank herbage at the mouth of the creek at Laprairie. I first observed this pair June 20, 1891, and found a nest in a patch of bulrushes, quite exposed from the water side. It was built of wet reeds, without any lining, and I noticed one of the wrens had something in its bill, and I heard them singing and scolding when approached. I again visited the place July 1 and found the pair of wrens still there. I also found a half-dozen of their nests in the rank grass, near the first one, and all of them within a few yards of one another, but only one of them was lined with soft grass. None of the nests contained any eggs, and as this wren LIST. 123 has the strange habit of building a number of nests. I am inclined to think it is done to baffle some de- stroyer of its nests or eggs. I shot the male wren for a specimen ; but it is a difficult matter to secure them, as they generally keep well concealed in the rushes, and only remain a short time perched near the top of the rushes to watch anyone in the vicin- ity of their nests. Family Certhiidce. — Creeper. Genus Certhia. Linnaeus. 234. .Brown deeper. C. familiaris americana. (Bonap.) " Transient Visitant," common. Observed here from March 27 to May 14, and from August 1 to December 11. A few probably breed and winter here. Family Paridce. — Nuthatches and Tits. Subfamily Sittince. — Nuthatches. Genus -Sitta. Linnaeus. 235. White-breasted Nuthatch. (White-bellied Nut- hatch.) S. carolinensis. (Lath.) "Permanent Resident," common spring and fall migrant, but scarce summer and winter resident. Mr. W. "W. Dunlop found a nest of this species at Outremont some years ago. I have generally ob- served this bird here from March 1 to May 9, and 124 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. from September 28 to November 8, and only once in the months of July and December — December 24, 1882 and July 4, 1885. I have not seen any here in the months of January, February, June and August. 236. Red-breasted Nuthatch. (Red-bellied Nuthatch.) S. canadensis. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," common. Probably a few- breed and winter here. More plentiful during the month of August. Usually observed here from May 7 to 31 and August 13 to October 8. I have not seen any here in the months of January, February, March, April, June, July and Novem- ber, and only once in December — December 8, 1888 — when I shot a solitary individual which I found with a company of chickadees in a thick cedar wood below Hochelaga. The country was snowed up at the time, and was about two feet deep in the woods, so I considered this bird would have wintered here. Subfamily Parince. — Titmice. Genus Parus. Linnaeus. Subgenus " Parus." 237. Chickadee. (Black-capped Chickadee.) P atricapillus. (Linn.) "Winter Visitant," common. Observed here from September 17 to April 25. LIST. 125 238. Hudsonian Chickadee. P. hudsonicus. (Forst.) " Winter Visitant," rare. Mr. Kuetziug has found this species in the Hochelaga woods from November 1 to December 7, but I have not met with it yet. Family Sylviidce. — Warblers, Kinglets and Gnat- catchers. Subfamily JRegulince. — Kinglets. Genus Regulus. Cuvier. Subgenus "Regulus." 239. Golden-crowned Kinglet. (Golden-crested Wren.) B. satrapa. (Lich.) " Transient Visitant," common. Observed here from April 4 to May 7, and from September 12 to October 19. Subgenus " Phyllobasileus." Cabanis. 240. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. (Ruby-crowned Wren.) R. calendula. (Linn.) " Transient Visitant," common. Observed here from April 7 to May 14, and from September 20 to October 18. Those observed in the months of May and October appeared to be mostly young birds without the scarlet crown-patch. I have often heard this species singing here in the spring of the year in a sprightly manner. 126 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Subfamily Pofo'opfo7mtfe. — Gnatcatchers Genus Polioptila. Sclater. 241. Slue-gray Gnatsnatcher. P. cserulea. (Liun.) " Accidental Visitant." Mr. Kuetzing saw one example of this species in Mr. Craig's collection, shot on the Island of Montreal a number of years ago, but Mr. Craig says he does not remember having it in his possession. Family Turdidce. — Thrushes, Solitaires, Stonechats, Bluebirds, etc. Subfamily Turdince. — Thrushes. Genus Turdus. Linnaeus. Subgenus " Hylocichla." Baird. 242. Wood Thrush. T. mustelinus. (Gmel.) " Accidental Visitant." This thrush is said to occur in the Eastern Townships, but I have never met with it in this district yet. I saw one speci- men in the hands of the late William Couper, taxi- dermist, and which I think he had received from E-oxton Falls, P.Q., to stuff. I can consider it only as a straggler at present in this district. 243. Wilson's Thrush. T. fuscesens. (Steph.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount LIST. 127 Royal Park. Nests with eggs found from May 31 to June 27. Observed here from May 11 to Sep- tember 28. 244. Gray-cheeked Thrush. F. alicioe Baird. Mr. Chamberlain's list of Canadian birds, gives this thrush as occurring throughout Canada, and in that case it is likely to occur in this district, but I have not shot a specimen of this species here yet. I have noticed some large thrushes here without been able to identify them, as they were too shy for me to approach them near enough to shoot them with my cane-gun, so that, I could have positively identified them, by having specimens in my hands. Some good people think it is cruel, and unnecessary to kill birds for scientific study, but their senti- mentalism generally arises from ignorance of Orni- thology. 245. Olive-backed Thrush. T. ustulatus swainsonii. (Cab.) u Transient Visitant," scarce. I have observed only three examples of this thrush on the Island of Montreal. I shot one specimen October 2, 1886, on the spur of Mount Royal, and saw one in the same locality October 5, 1886, and I shot a female specimen May 24, 1890, in the same place. I believe Mr. W. W. Dun lop found a nest with eggs of this species, a number of .years ago, on the 128 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Island of Montreal. It is likely that a few breed in this district, but I have not noticed this thrush here in the summer season. 246. Hermit Thrush. T. aonalaschkse. (Cab.) " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. Observed here from April 12 to October 21. This is the most common thrush here. I found a nest of this thrush built on a grassy bank in a small wood at St. Bruno, containing four eggs incubated, May 24, 1885. Genus Merula. Leach. 247. American Robin. (Robin.) M. migratoria. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in the city and in Mount Royal Park. Nests with eggs found from May 18 to July 24. Usually observed here from March 24 to November 8. I saw a robin December 20, 1886, in the city, on Palace street, flying from tree to tree ; and February 28, 1892, about a half-dozen were flying around at Cotes des Neiges, and feeding on the berries of the mountain ash tree, evidently having passed the winter there with purple finches, redpolls and cedar waxwings, all of which I observed in the locality at the same date. I have heard the robins singing here from April 14 to August 8, and noticed one LIST. picking up dirt and dead leaves for nesting material April 20. Genus Sialia. Swainson. 248. Bluebird. S. sialis. (Linn.) " Summer Resident," abundant. Breeds in Mount Royal Park. Nests with eggs found May 7 and 14. Observed here from March 23 to October 23. I shot one November 17, 1885, on the spur of Mount Royal, but I think this bird had been wounded sometime before, or had been a cageling, as the base of the tail-feathers were stuck together. The bluebirds appear to be very fond of feeding on the sumach shrub early in the spring of the year. Genus Passer. Brisson. 249. European House Sparrow. (English Sparrow.) P. domesticus. (Linn.) " Permanent Resident," abundant. Breeds exten- sively in the city, building their nests in dwelling houses, stores, etc., in any place where they can lodge the material for a nesting site ; they also make their nests in vines on buildings and in trees, in fact almost any place where they can get a lodg- ment for their nests. I have found their nests with eggs from April 23 to June 1, and observed them feeding their young in the nest August 1. Also have noticed several albino sparrows at different 130 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. times in the city. This bird is omitted in the " A. O. U. Check-list of North American Birds," on account of being an introduced species. In 1889 the U. S. Department of Agriculture issued a a bulletin of 405 pages, with map, on the English sparrow in North America, especially in its rela- tion to agriculture, wherein it is proved to be more harmful than beneficial to agriculture. Colonel Rhodes first brought the English sparrow across the Atlantic in the year 1854, and he turned half-a- dozen loose at Quebec. The first colony estab- lished at Quebec was a failure, but the Colonel per- severed, and at last succeeded in wintering thirteen birds about 1871, and since then the sparrow has spread all over the Dominion. — Montreal Gazette, 6th June, 1890. (London Free Press.) The organized attack upon the sparrows in this part of the country has had the effect of lessening their number very materially. In North Middle- sex and Lambton, a few weeks ago, many thou- sands of these birds were killed by the inhabitants uniting in a general hunt. In Pennsylvania, it is said, the sparrow is retiring before the advance of the native birds. At a meeting in Pittsburg of the State Ornithological Association, Dr. Thos. L. Hazzard read an interesting report on the bird population of the Allegheny Park. In 1875 the LIST. 181 Park Commissioners imported seventy-five spar- rows from Philadelphia, and took such good care of them that all but three died. The three survi- vors managed to escape from the shelter provided for them, and a return to their natural habits filled them with health and vigor. They began to raise families, and in a few years there were hordes of sparrows, while nearly all other birds were driven out of the parks by their pugnacious enemies. Lately, however, the sparrows seem to be less aggressive than they formerly were. Last spring Dr. Hazzard counted in the parks nine robins, four orioles, several blue birds and song birds. There had been seen in the parks, also, during the summer, a red-headed woodpecker, a downy wood- pecker, a flicker, yellow warblers, and several other representative birds of sweet song and bright plum- age. Another encouraging fact was that Dr. Haz- zard had counted this fall in the parks five robins' nests in good repair, and three of last year's slightly damaged, four orioles' nests in good repair and four not so good, as well as eleven other nests built by desirable birds of one sort or another. This made a total of 27 nests, whereas two years ago he had been, able to find but two such birds' nests. Dr. Hazzard is led to hope, from his observa- tions, that native American birds are losing their 10 132 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. fear of the sparrow, and that the despotic reign of the latter may be near its end. Although as hos- tile as ever, the sparrows seem to he growing more discreet in their attacks. At any rate, rohins and other birds esteemed for their plumage and song appear in increasing numbers year by year, and show the disposition, as well as ability, to hold their own. — Montreal Gazette, Jan. 5, 1893. or® LIST. 133 ADDENDA. Family Alcidce. — Auks, Murres, etc. Subfamily Phalerince. Genus Cepphus. Pallas. 250. Black Guillemot. C. grylle. (Linn.) " Accidental Visitant," rare. I saw a young bird of this species October 29, 1892, in the Bon- secours market, that, I believe, was shot at Lake St. Peter, and received at the market mixed in with a lot of ducks. Subfamily Alcince. Genus Una. Brisson. 251. Brunnich's Murre. U. troile. (Linn.) " Accidental Visitant," scarce. I saw a speci- men of this bird stuffed by Mr. Craig for Mr. P. X. Dubuc. It was one out of a small flock shot on the Richelieu river, near St. Johns, P.Q., some time in the month of December, 1892. I also received a fresh specimen from Mr. Urgele Paquette, of St. Andrew's, P.Q., which he found dead on the North 134 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL, river ice there about the 2nd of March, 1893 ; and on the 28th November of the same year I received a letter from him of that date, saying he was send- ing me another specimen, which he shot on the lake, below St. Andrews, and he saw large num- bers there at the time ; the skin is in my collec- tion. There was a most unusual flight of these birds inland, as far as Toronto, in the month of November. Mr. Hubert H. Brown, Secretary of the Biological Society of Ontario, wrote to me, under date of December 13, 1^93, that a specimen was shot November 29 on Lake Ontario, at Toronto, and that about thirty had been shot there, mostly on 2nd December. The two specimens of this species which I obtained are young birds, and, judging by Mr. Brown's remarks in his letter to me on the Toronto specimen, about the smallness of the bills, they were all young birds. Genus Alca. Linnseus. 252. Razor-billed Auk. A. torda. (Linn.) " Accidental Visitant," rare. The only record I have of this species occurring here is of four seen by Mr. T. Leclair, November 10, 1893, on the St. Lawrence river, at St. Lambert, opposite the city of Montreal, one of which he shot and took to Mr. Craig, taxidermist, to stuff. It is probable that the murres and this species were driven inland so far LIST. 135 through heavy storms, as their habitat is the coasts of the North Atlantic ocean. Family Icteridce. Genus Xanthocephalus. Swainson. 253. Yellow-headed Blackbird. X. Xanthocephalus. (Bonap.) '• Accidental Visitant," rare. I saw a young male mounted specimen of this hird in the posses- sion of Mr. Crevier, taxidermist, of this city, said to have been shot by him, below Hochelaga, in July, 1894, found in company with a lot of Red- winged Blackbirds at the time, but the only one of its kind observed. Family Anatidce. G-enus Somaterice. Leach. Subgenus Eriomtta. Coues. 254. King Eider. S. spectabilis. (Linn.) "Accidental Visitant," rare. A pair of these ducks, young male and female, were shot, Octo- ger 9, 1895, by Mr. Draynor, at Trestler Island, Vaudreuil, on the Ottawa River, about 25 miles west of Montreal. Mr. Draynor had them stuffed, and donated them to the museum of the Natural History Society of Montreal. ABRIDGED DESCRIPTION OF THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL SPECIALLY GIVEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTI- FICATION FOR PERSONS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THEIR GENERAL APPEARANCE. (Measurement of Length from tip of bill to end of tail feathers. Bill from base of upper mandible to tip.) 1. Western Grebe Length about 28 inches. Bill about 3 inches long. Upper parts slaty-black, darkest on head and neck, inner webs of wing feathers mostly white. Lower parts satiny-white. 2. Holboell's Grebe. Length about 19 inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Upper parts blackish-brown, head and neck black, wing feathers ashy-brown and white. Lower parts satiny-white, neck rufous. 138 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 3. Horned Grebe. Length about 14 inches. Bill 1 inch long, Upper parts brownish-black, head glossy-black, tufts och- raceous, wing feathers brownish-ash and white. Lower parts silky-white, neck and breast rufous. Young of the year : Brownish-ash above and satiny- white below, without tufts. 4. Pied-billed Grebe. Length about 14 inches. Upper parts brownish, wing feathers ash, and white on the inner webs. Lower parts grayish-white mottled with dusky spots, chin and throat with black patch, breast rusty brown, bill with black band around. 5. Loon. Length about 30 inches. Bill 3 inches long. Upper parts glossy -black with white spots in rows, head and neck velvety-green. Lower part neck with white streaks. Young : "Without white mark- ings on upper parts, and lower parts all white. 6. Red-throated Loon. Length about 27 inches. Bill 2J inches long. Upper parts speckled with white. Lower parts white with a patch or stripe of chestnut down the middle of neck. Young : Without chestnut on neck, lower parts all white. DESCRIPTION. 139 7. Dovekie. Length about 8 inches. Upper parts black, wing feathers tipped with white. Lower parts white. 8. Kittiwake. Length about 17 inches. Bill 1J inches long. Upper parts white, mantle pearl-gray, wing fea- thers black tipped with white. Lower parts white. No hind toe. Young : With lower part of hind-neck crossed by a black patch, tail tipped with black band. 9. Glaucous Gull. Length about 29 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Tail about 8 inches long. Upper parts white, mantle grayish. Lower parts white. Young : Upper parts mottled with brownish-gray, lower parts grayish-white. 10. Great Blavk-backed Gull. Length about 30 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Upper parts white, with dark slate mantle, primaries mostly black tipped with white. Lower parts pure white. Young . Dusky above, and lower parts grayish-brown. 11. American Herring Gull. Length about 24 inches. Bill about 2J inches 140 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. long. Upper parts white, with pearl-gray mantle, primary wing feathers black, towards end tipped with white. Lower parts pure white. Young : Grayish-brown. 1.2. Ring -billed Gull. Length about 20 inches. Bill about If inches long, with a black band near tip. Upper parts pure white, with pale pearl-gray mantle, wing fea- thers black and white. Lower parts pure white. Young : Grayish-buff above, and lower parts white, spotted along sides with grayish-brown. 13. Laughing Gull. Length about 17 inches. Bill If inches long. Upper parts, head blackish, mantle plumbeous- slate, primary wing feathers black, and others tip- ped with white. Lower parts pure white. Young ; Head, neck, breast and sides brownish-gray, mantle grayish-brown. 14. Bonaparte's Gull. Length about 14 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Upper parts white, head dark-plumbeous, mantle pearl-gray, wing feathers black and white. Lower parts white. Young : Sides of head and neck and lower parts white, top of head and back brownish-gray, blackish band across end of tail. DESCRIPTION. 15. Caspian Tern. Length about 22 inches. Bill about 3 inches long, coral-red, feet black, tail about 6 inches long, slightly forked, white. Upper parts pale pearl- gray, head and nape glossy-black. Lower parts pure white. 16. Common Tern. Length about 15 inches. Bill about ]J inches long, bright vermilion-red, blackish at tip. Tail about 6 inches long, forked. Upper parts pearl- gray and white, head and nape black. Lower parts pale lavender-gray, feet orange-vermilion. Young : Crown blackish and grayish-white, back pale pearl gray, bill brownish dusky, base reddish, feet pale-reddish. 17. Arctic Tern. Length about 16 inches. Bill about 1| inches long. Tail about 7J inches long. Bill and feet carmine. Upper parts pearl-gray and white, black cap on head. Lower parts lavender-gray. 18. American Black Tern. Length about 10 inches. Bill about 1 inch long, brownish-black. Tail about 3f inches long. Upper parts blackish. Lower parts black, with lower tail-coverts white, legs and feet reddish-brown, tail slightly forked. Young : Head, neck and loAver 142 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. parts white, feathers of back tipped with brownish, sides plumbeous. 19. Storm Petrel Length about 5J inches. Bill about \ inch long. Tail about 2J inches long. Bill and feet black. Upper and lower parts sooty-blackish, upper tail- coverts white, tipped with black. 20. Gannet. Length abouf 35 inches. Bill 4 inches long. Tail 10 inches long. Legs and feet blackish. Upper and lower parts white, head and neck above buff, longer wing-feathers dusky-brown. Young : Dusky, speckled with white. 21. Cormorant. Length about 37 inches. Bill about 2f inches long, curved. Tail about 7J inches long. Tail feathers, 14. Upper parts, head and neck blue- black, back and wings grayish-brown. Lower parts blue-black. Young : Grayish-brown, mixed with white. 22. Double-crested Cormorant. Length about 33 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Tail about 7 inches long. Tail feathers, 12. Upper parts greenish-black and slaty-brown. Lower parts greenish-black, on each side of crown tufts of DESCRIPTION. 143 feathers, gular pouch orange. Young, grayish- brown above and brownish below, gular sac yel- lowish. 23. American Merganser. Male: Length about 27 inches. Bill about *2J inches long. Upper parts : Head and neck greenish- black, with lengthened crest, back black and white, black bar across white of wings. Lower parts rich creamy-white or salmon-colour. Female : Length about 24 inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Upper parts : Head and neck tawny-brown, with pointed crest, other parts grayish. Lower parts huffy- white. 24. Red-breasted Merganser. Length about 25 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Upper parts : Head dull greenish-black, with long pointed crest. Lower parts : Neck and sides of chest brownish-buff, streaked with black, other lower parts white, tinged with salmon-colour. Female: Similar to the female of American Mer- ganser, but smaller. 25. Hooded Merganser. Length about 19 inches. Bill 1J inches. Upper parts : Head (except crest), neck and back black, crest pure white, with black border on rim. Lower parts white. Female and Young with crest reddish 144 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. hair-brown, smaller and looser texture than in the male, grayish-brown above and white below. 26. Mallard. Length about 25 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Male: Head and neck green, with white ring around neck, chest chestnut. Female : Varied with dusky and ochraceous or buffy. 27. Black Duck. Length about 22 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Sexes alike in plumage, dusky, with buffy or ochraceous markings. 28. Gadwall. Male: Length about 22 inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Female: Length about 18 inches. Bill about 1 J inches long. Male plumage : Head and neck brownish or whitish, speckled with black, crop varied with crescentric bars of white and black, middle wing-feathers chestnut, speculum white, bill bluish-black, legs and feet dull orange-yellow, the webs dusky. Female plumage : Above brown- ish-dusky, below white, no chestnut on wings, or very little. 29. Baldpate. Length about 22 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Head and upper neck whitish, green on DESCRIPTION. 145 sides of head. Female : Head and neck dull whit- ish, streaked with dusky. 30. Green-winged Teal. Length about 15 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Head and upper neck chestnut-rufous, with patch of bright metallic green from eye backward. Female : Head, neck and lower parts brownish- white, spotted with dusky. 31. Blue-winged Teal. Length about 16 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Head and neck plumbeous, with crescent- shaped patch of white in front of eyes. Lower parts pale chestnut, spotted with black. Female : Brownish-white and buff, spotted with dusky. 32. Shoveller. Length about 21 inches. Bill about 2} inches long, over 1 inch broad at end. Head and neck dull metallic green, breast white, rest of lower parts chestnut. Female : Head and neck brownish-white, streaked with dusky, lower parts similar, spotted with dusky. 33. Pintail. Male : Length about 30 inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Middle tail-feathers about 9 inches long. Female : Length about 23 inches. Middle 146 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. tail-feathers about 5 inches long. Male with head and upper neck hair-brown, darker on crown, upper half of hind neck black, with a white stripe on each side, confluent with white of lower parts. Female : Above grayish-dusky, lower parts mostly white. Young, similar to female. 34. Wood Duck. Length about 20 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Head metallic green, purple and violet, with white lines extending backward along crest. Upper parts mostly velvety-black, varied with metallic tints, chest chestnut and purple, marked with white spots. Female: Upper parts grayish- brown, wings richly glossed with metallic tints, lower parts mostly white, chest brownish, spotted with whitish or buff. 35. Redhead. Length about '21 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Head and upper half of neck chestnut-red, chest black, below white. Female: Grayish-brown, darker above. 36. Canvas-back. Length about 23 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Head and neck reddish-brown, blackish on top of head, chest and upper back black, other parts whitish, finely waved with dusky. Female : DESCRIPTION. 147 Head, neck, chest and upper back raw umber- brown 37. American Scaup Duck. Length about 20 inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Head neck and chest black, head with a greenish gloss, bill bluish-white. Female: Head and neck snuff-brown, with white round base of bill. 38. Lesser Scaup Duck. Length about 16 inches. Bill about If inches long. Plumage similar to the American Scaup Duck, but black of head in male glossed with pur- plish. 39. Ring -necked Duck. Length about 18 inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Head, neck, chest and upper parts black, head with a violet-purple gloss, and middle of neck with a collar of chestnut. Female : Upper parts dark-brown, speculum bluish-gray, lower parts white, chest and sides fulvous-brown. 40. American Golden-eye. Male : Length about 23 inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Head and upper neck glossy green- ish-black, with oval spot of white between bill and eye, back pied black and white, below white. 11 148 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. female: Length about 17 inches. Bill about If inches long. Head and upper neck brown, collar round neck white, other parts grayish and white. Young males similar to females, bnt white spot between bill and eye more or less distinctly indi- cated. 41. Barrow's Golden-eye. Length about :3 inches. Bill about If inches long. Head and upper neck glossy blue-black, with a crescent-shaped patch of white between bill and eye, other parts similar to American Golden- eye. Female: Similar to same sex of American Golden-eye, but white collar narrower. 42. Buffle-head. Male: Length about 15 inches. Bill about 1J- inches long. Head and upper neck metallic-green, bronze, and violet-purple, with a large patch of wrhite extending from behind the eye to and across the hind head, other upper parts black, lower parts white. Female : Length about 13 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. Upper parts grayish-brown, with whitish spot on side of head, lower parts white, tinged with brownish-gray. 43. Old-squaw. Male: Length about 23 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. Upper parts grayish, white and black. DESCRIPTION. 149 lower parts black and white, middle tail-feathers about 8 inches long. Female : Length about 16 inches, without long middle tail-feathers. Upper parts white, dusky on top of head, back dusky- brown, lower parts white, chest grayish. Young : Similar to female, but darker. 44. American Eider. Length about 26 inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Adult male with angle on side of forehead broad and rounded, black of head bordered beneath by pale green. Female and Young : Plumage bar- red with dusky and pale fulvous, head and neck streaked with the same. 45. American Scoter. Length about 21 inches. Bill about If inches long. Adult, male: Uniform black, bill yellow or orange and black. Female: Above, dusky grayish- brown, lower parts paler grayish-brown, bill black- ish. Young : Similar to female, but lighter beneath, slightly barred with grayish-brown. 46 White-winged Scoter. Length about 23 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Adult male: Sides of bill orange-red, wing with white speculum, other parts black or brownish- black, white patch under and behind eye. Female : Sooty-grayish, wing with white speculum, no white on head, bill dusky. 150 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 47. Surf Scoter. Length about 22 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Adul< male : Above, deep black, below, more sooty, white patch on forehead and on hind-neck, bill reddish, marked with large spot of jet-black. Female: Upper parts dusky, lower parts grayish- brown, bill dusky, length about 19 inches. Young : Similar to female, but side of head with two whitish patches. 48. Ruddy Duck. Length about 16 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Adult male : Above, bright reddish-chest- nut, top of head black, side of head, below eyes, white, lower parts whitish. Adult female and Young m.ale : Above, grayish-brown, finely mottled, lower parts whitish. 49. Greater Snow Goose. Length about 38 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Adult : White, head often stained with rusty, primary wing-feathers black. Young : Grayish above and white below. 50. American White-fronted Goose. Length about 30 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Head white and grayish-brown, neck and upper parts grayish-brown, tail-coverts white, lower DESCRIPTION. 151 parts grayish white, spotted with black. Young : Similar to adult, but fore^part of head dusky, and lower parts without black markings. 51. Canada Goose. Length about 40 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Upper parts brownish-black, whitish patch on sides of head, tail-coverts white, lower parts brownish-gray, bill and feet black. 52. American Bittern. Length about 30 inches. Bill about 3 inches long. Plumage ochraceous, varied above by mot- tling and freckling of reddish-brown and blackish, with a blackish stripe on side of neck ; lower parts pale buff, striped with brown. 53. Least Bittern. Length about 14* inches. Bill about 2 inches long. Adult male : Sides of head and neck ochra- ceous, chestnut on hind-neck, throat and fore-neck whitish, striped with pale buff, middle of wing- feathers buff and rufous, other upper parts glossy- black, lower parts buffy. Adult female and Young : Similar to the male, but more brownish, feathers of back in young tipped with buff. 54. Great Blue Heron. Length about 46 inches. Bill about 5J inches long. Adult: Occiput and sides of crown black, 152 THE BIRDS OF MONTR EA L . forehead and centre of crown white, thighs and edge of wing rufous, above bluish- gray, lower parts striped with black and white. Young : Top of head dusky, edge of wing without distinct cinna- mon-rufous. 55. American Egret. Length about 40 inches. Bill about 4J inches long. Colour wholly pure white, head without crest or plumes, and feathers of lower neck not lengthened. Adult in nuptial plumage with the scapular plumes reaching far beyond edge of tail. 56. Green Heron. Length about 20 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Adult : Top of head glossy greenish-black, rest of head, with part of neck, rich chestnut, scapular plumes plumbeous, glossed with green, wing-coverts metallic-green, bordered with buff, lower parts grayish. Young : Top of head streaked with rusty, sides of head and neck streaked with ochraceous or' buff, lower parts whitish, striped with dusky, streaks of white on median rows of wing-coverts. 57. Black-crowned Night Heron. Length about 26 inches. Bill about 3 inches long. Adult: Top of head, back and scapulars glossy greenish-black, the head during breeding DESCRIPTION. 153 season ornamented with several long, narrow, white plumes, bill black, and iris reddish, other upper parts bluish-gray, lower parts white, often tinged with delicate cream -yellow. Young : Brown- ish, striped longitudinally with white and grayish- brown, the quills with small white spots at tips, tail-feathers plain ash-gray. 58. Virginia Rail. Length about 10 inches. Bill about If inches long. Above, olive-brownish, striped with black- ish, wing-feathers chestnut-rufous, breast cinnamon, flanks dusky, barred with white. Immature plum- age with lower parts mixed with black. 59. Sora. Length about 9 inches. Bill about f-inch long. Forehead and throat black, top of head olive- brown, with a stripe of black, flanks barred with white and slate-colour, breast plumbeous. Young : Stripe above eye brownish, throat whitish, head, neck and breast light-brownish. 60. Yellow Rail. Length about 7J inches. Bill about J-inch long. Upper parts ochraceous, striped with black and barred with white, breast ochraceous, under tail- coverts cinnamon, secondary wing-feathers and under wing-coverts white. 154 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 61. Florida Gallinule. Length about 14 inches. Bill about If inches long. Summer adult : Bill and frontal shield bright vermilion-red, bill tipped with greenish-yellow, above plumbeous, with brown on back, edge ot wing, and stripes on flanks white, lower parts plumbeous. Young : Frontal shield rudimentary, bill brownish, lower parts suffused with whitish. 62. American Coot. Length about 16 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Uniform slaty, head and neck darker. Bill milk-white, with dark-brawnish near end, frontal shield dark-brown. Young : Similar, but lower parts suffused with whitish, frontal shield rudi- mentary, bill dull flesh-colour, tinged with olive- greenish, without spots at end. 63. Northern Phalarope. Length about 8 inches. Bill slender, about J-inch long. Adult female : Above, dark plumbeous, back striped with ochraceous, greater coverts tipped with white, lower parts white, chest and sides of neck rufous, feet webbed. Adult male : Similar to the female, but colours duller. Young : Top of head dusky, back blackish, bordered with buff, forehead and lower parts white. DE SCRIP TION. 155 64. European Woodcock. Length about 13J inches. Bill about 3J inches long. Above, rusty-brown, variegated with rust}r and light-grayish and buffy, lower parts pale ful- vous-grayish, irregularly barred with dark-brown, hind part of head black, crossed by two bands of light-rusty, bordered by two others. 65. American Woodcock. Length about 11 inches. Bill about 3 inches long. Upper parts varied with pale-ashy, * rusty and black, lower parts plain light-cinnamon, tinged with ashy, hind-head with three bands of black, alternating with three narrower ones of ochraceous or yellowish-rusty. 66. Wilson's Snipe. Length about 10 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Top of head blackish, divided by a line of buff, back blackish, feathers edged with buff, .under wing-coverts white, barred with slate-colour, tail with a band of black at end, tipped with rufous ; lower parts white, with transverse bars of brownish-black on the sides, throat and neck red- dish-ashy. 67. Dowitcher. Length about 10J inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Summer adult: Above, streaked with buff, 156 THE BIRDS OF MONTEEA L. and dusky ; below, light-cinnamon, with dusky markings. Winter plumage : Plain ash-gray, inter- mixed with white. Young : Above, varied with blackish and light-brown ; below, soiled white, tinged on breast with pale-brownish. 68. Knot. Length about 11 inches. Bill about 1J inches and tail 2J inches long. Summer adult : Above, grayish, varied with black and tinged with pale- rusty ; below, pale vinaceous-cinnamon. Winter plumage : Above, ash-gray ; below, white, streaked and marked with dusky. Young : Above, ash- gray, feathers bordered with whitish and with a sub-edging of dusky ; below, whitish, sometimes with huffy on breast, or streaked and flecked with dusky. 69. Purple Sandpiper Length about 9 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Summer adult : Above, dusky, marked with buff; below, white and grayish, streaked and spotted with dusky. Winter plumage : Above, blackish, glossed with purplish ; below, brownish- plumbeous and white. Young : Above, duskj , with feathers bordered with pale grayish-buff. 70. Pectoral Sandpiper. Length about 9 inches. Bill about If inches DESCRIPTION. 157 long. Summer adult : Above, brown ish-buff, striped with black ; below, chest buffy-grayish, streaked with dusky ; other parts white. Winter plumage : Similar, but markings less distinct. Young : Similar, but markings more rusty and buffy. 71. White-rumped Sandpiper. Length about 7J inches. Bill about 1 inch long. Upper tail-coverts white. Summer adult: Above, buffy, streaked with black ; below, white, streaked with dusky. Winter plumage : Above, brownish- gray, streaked with dusky ; below, streaks less distinct. Young : Above, blackish, marked with rusty ; below, suffused with buffy. 72. Baird's Sandpiper. Length about 7 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. Summer adult : Above, pale grayish-buff, streaked and spotted with brownish-black ; below, \vhite streaked with dusky. Winter plumage: Above, buffy grayish-brown, Avith dusky markings ; below, dull white, suffused with dull buffy. Young : Above, dull grayish-buff, with dusky streaks ; below, whitish, chest streaked with dusky. 73. Least Sandpiper. Length about 6 inches. Bill about |-inch long. Summer adult : Above, blackish, with rusty ochra- 158 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. ceous markings ; below, white, fore-neck and chest dull brownish-white, streaked with dusky. Winter plumage: Above, brownish-gray, streaked with dusky; below, white, chest streaked with grayish. Young : Similar, but feathers on back with white tips to outer webs. 74. Red-backed Sandpiper. Length about 8 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Summer adult: Above, varied with bright rusty-ochraceous ; below, grayish-white, with a black patch on belly. Winter plumage : above, brownish-gray ; below, white, streaked with grayish. 75. Semipalmated Sandpiper. Length about 6 inches. Bill about f-inch long. Toes webbed. Summer adult: Above, grayish- brown ; below, white, streaked with dusky. Win- ter plumage : Above, grayish, with darker streaks ; below, whitish. Young : Similar to adult, but with little of rusty above. 76. Sander ling. Length about 8 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. Summer adult : Above, light-rusty, spotted with blackish ; below white, pale-rusty and marked with dusky. Winter plumage : Above, pale ash-gray ; below, pure white. Spring plumvge : Above, light- gaayish, marked with black and rusty ; below, DE SCRIP TION. 159 white, speckled with dusky on chest. Young : Above, pale-grayish, spotted with black and whit- ish ; below, white, tinged with dull buft'. 77. Marbled Godwil Length about 18 inches. Bill about 4 inches long. Adult: Above, pale-cinnamon, barred and spotted with brownish-dusky, head and neck streaked ; below, barred with dusky. Young ; Similar, but lower parts ochraceous. 78. Hudsonian Godwit. Length about 16 inches. Bill about 3 inches long. Summer plumage: Above, blackish, varied with buffy ; below, chestnut, barred with dusky. Winter plumage: Above, brownish-gray; below, whitish, shaded with brownish-gray. Young . Above, brownish-gray ; below, grayish-buffy. 79. Greater Yellow-legs. Length about 14 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Summer adult : Above, varied with black- ish pale-gray and white ; below, streaked and spotted with dusky. Winter plumage : Above, ash-gray and white ; below, w^ith narrow markings of dusky. Young : Similar, but darker and more brownish above. 80. Yellow-legs. Length about 10 J inches. Bill about 1J inches 160 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. long. Plumage : Similar, in all stages, to that of Greater Yellow-legs, but size much smaller. 81. Solitary Sandpiper. Length about 8 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Summer adult : Above, olivaceous-slate, sparsely speckled with white ; below, white, streaked with dusky on fore-neck. Winter plum- age : Above, dark-ashy, less distinctly speckled and streaked. Young : Above, grayish-brown, speckled with huffy ; below, grayish and white. 82. Bartramian Sandpiper. Length about 12 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. Adult : Above, light-brownish, spotted and barred with blackish ; tail-feathers, except middle pair, light-buff, tipped with white ; below, whitish, streaked with dusky. Young : Above, dusky, with buff margins to feathers, huffy tints deeper, but dusky streaks less distinct below. 83. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Length about 8 inches. Bill about f-inch long. Above, brownish, varied with blackish ; below, buff, marked on chest with dusky. 84. Spotted Sandpiper. Length about 8 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. Summer adult: Above, grayish-brown, with a fairit DESCRIPTION. greenish lustre : below, white, with spots of black- ish. Winter adult: Above, grayish-olive, with a faint bronze gloss ; below, white, with a shade of brownish-gray across chest. Young : Similar, but more or less barred with pale, dull buff, and dusky above. 85. Long -billed Curlew. Length 25 inches. Bill curved, about 6J inches long. Upper parts, pale cinnamon, tinged with grayish and varied with blackish ; lower parts, pale cinnamon. 86. Hudsonian Curlew. Length about 18 inches. Bill about 3J inches long. Crown with two stripes of brownish-dusky, enclosing one of huffy, breast streaked with dusky. 87. Eskimo Curlew. Length about 14 inches. Bill about 2J inches long. Crown streaked with dusky, without buffy stripe, breast with Y-shaped marks of dusky. 88. Black-bellied Plover. Length about 12 inches. Bill about 1J inches long. A very small rudimentary hind toe. Sum- mer adult: Lower parts black, lower tail-coverts white ; upper parts spotted with dusky and whitish. Winter adult: Lower parts white, marked with 162 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. dusky ; upper parts grayish. Young : Similar to winter adult, but upper parts speckled with pale yellowish. 89. American Golden Plover. Length about 11 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. ISTo hind toe. Summer adult : Above, dusky, speckled with yellow ; below, black. Winter adult : Above, dusky, slightly speckled with yel- low ; below, white and brownish-gray. Young : Similar to winter adult, but upper parts conspicu- ously speckled with yellowish ; chest strongly suf- fused with the same. 90. Killdeer. Length about 10 J inches. Bill about f-inch long. Upper parts grayish-brown, rump and upper tail-coverts ochraceous ; lower parts white, chest crossed by two black bands, eyelids bright orange- red. 91. Semipalmated Plover. Length about 7 inches. Bill about J-inch long. Webbed between base of inner and middle toes. Summer adult : Above, grayish-brown ; lower parts white; fore-part of crown and broad band across chest, black. Winter plumage : Similar, but black markings replaced by grayish-brown. Young : DESCRIPTION. Similar to winter plumage, but feathers of upper parts margined with light-buff. 92. Turnstone. Length about 10 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. Adult : Upper parts varied with rufous, head mostly white, chest deep black. Young : Upper parts without rufous, but the feathers with buffy margins, head mostly dusky, chest mottled with dusky. 93. Canada Grouse. Length about 15 J inches. Tail about 5J inches long. Adult male : Above, varied with black ana grayish ; below, black, varied with white mark- ings ; tail black, with rufous tip. Adult female : Above, barred with black, gray and ochraceous ; below, whitish and ochraceous, barred with black ; tail-feathers broadly ochraceous at tips. 94. Canadian Ruffed Grouse. Length about 18 inches. Tail about 6J inches long. Adult male : Above, varied with black and different shades of brown or gray; tail gray or rusty, crossed near end by a subterminal band of black or dark-brown ; neck-tufts varying from deep-black to light-rufous ; lower parts, mixed white and buffy, marked with bars of brown. Adult female: Similar to the male in plumage, but 12 164 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. smaller, and with the neck-tufts rudimentary or obsolete. Young : Above, pale-brownish, marked with large black spots and a broad median stripe of buff ; head buffy, spotted on top with black ; below, ochraceous-buff and white, spotted on edges of feathers with blackish, producing a coarsely snd irregularly-striped appearance. 95. Willow Ptarmigan. Length about 16 inches. Winter plumage : White, the tail black. Spring plumage: Male with head and neck rich chestnut, rest of plumage white, back interspersed with feathers of brown or rusty, barred with dusky. Summer plumage : Male with head, neck and lower parts deep cinnamon-rufous, barred with black, rest of upper parts barred with tawny-brown and black. Female: Above, barred and spotted with black and ochraceous or buffy, wings partly white ; lower parts, ochraceous to buffy-whitish, barred with black. Young : Above, varied with black and ochraceous-buff; below, ochraceous-buff and dull-white, barred with black. 96. Passenger Pigeon. Length about 17 inches. Tail about 8J inches long. Adult male: Above, plumbeous and gray- ish-brown or drab ; nape and sides of neck glossed with changeable metallic reddish-purple ; below, deep vinaceous-rufous, soft pinkish-vinaceous and DESCRIPTION. 165 white. Adult female: Size less. Above, brownish- gray ; below, grayish-brown or drab, metallic gloss on neck less distinct. Young: Similar to female* but feathers tipped with whitish, producing a mot tied appearance. 9'<. Mourning Dove. Length about 12 inches. Tail about 6 inches long. Adult male: Above, light bluish-gray and vinaceous-cinnamon, sides of neck glossed with changeable metallic-purple, a spot of blue-black beneath ears ; below, delicate vinaceous and creamy- buff. Adult female : Similar to the male, but head light-drab, and below light-drab and pale-buffy, metallic gloss on neck less distinct, the black ear- spot smaller and duller. Young : Much duller in colour than adult female, with the tints more brownish, no metallic gloss on neck, or distinct black spot beneath ears. 98. Marsh Hawk. Length about 24 inches. Tail about 10 inches long. Adult male : Above, light bluish-gray, upper tail-coverts white ; below, light bluish-gray and white, tail with blackish and dusky bands, longer wing-feathers, blackish towards tips. Adult female: Above, dusky-brown, upper tail-coverts white, tail crossed by six or seven bands of blackish ; " facial disk " buff, streaked with dark-brown ; lower parts THE BIKDS OF MONTREAL. dull-buffy, striped with brown. Young : Above, blackish-brown, streaked with deep-rusty, upper tail-coverts white, tinged with ochraceous, tail crossed by four bands of black ; " facial disk " dark-brown, broadly edged with rufous ; lower parts rich rusty-ochraceous, paler posteriorly. 99. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Length of male, about 11 inches, and of the female, about 13 inches. Adult male : Above, bluish-gray ; below, mixed vinaceous-rufous and white, in transverse spots and bars. Adult female : Similar in colour to the male. Young : Dusky- brown and rusty above ; below, white, striped and spotted with brown. 100. Cooper's Hawk. Length of male, about 15J inches, and female, about 19 inches. Tail of male about 8 inches, and female about 10 inches long. Similar in plumage to the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but size much larger. 101. American Goshawk. Length of male, about 22 inches, tail about 10 inches long ; female, about 24 inches, tail about 12 inches long. Adults : Bluish-gray, top of head black ; below, white, zig-zagged with slaty-grayish. Young : Above, dusky grayish-brown ; below, whitish, with narrow blackish stripes, tear-shaped DESCRIPTION. 157 on belly, broader and more spot-like on sides and flanks. 102. Red-tailed Hawk. Length of male, about 21 inches, extent of wings about 51 inches, tail about 9J inches long, weight about 2| Ibs. Female, about 24 inches long, extent about 56 inches, tail about 10 inches long, weight about 3J Ibs. Adults: Above, dusky grayish-brown, tail rufous, with a band of blackish near end ; below, white or blackish, with or with- out rusty on breast. Young : Similar to adult, but tail grayish-brown, varying to ochraceous, crossed by about ten bands of blackish, plumage less tawny than adult. 103. Red-shouldered Hawk. Length of male, about 18J inches, tail about 9 inches long. Female, about 20J inches long, tail about 10 inches long. Adults: Head, neck and lower parts rufous or rusty, lesser wing-coverts, or shoulders, rusty, tail black, crossed by about six bands tipped with whitish, chest and breast barred or spotted with white. Young : Head, neck and lower parts dull-whitish, streaked with dark- brownish, tail dusky, crossed by bands of pale grayish-brown. 104. Swainson's Hawk. Length of male, about 20 inches, extent about 168 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 49 inches, tail about 8J inches long, weight about If Ibs. Female, about 21J inches long, extent about 55 inches, tail about 9J inches long, weight about 3 Ibs. Adult male : Above, grayish-brown, forehead and throat white, breast plain rufous ; below, buffy-whitish, barred or spotted with brown- ish, tail crossed with about 10 dusky bands. Adult female : Similar to the male, but grayish-brown on chest. Melanistic phase : Plumage sooty-brown, with various intermediate plumage between the complete melanism and the normal plumage. Young : Above, blackish-brown and ochraceous, tail like adult ; head, neck and below, creamy-buff, streaked and spotted with blackish. 105. Broad-winged Hawk. Length of male, about 14 inches, tail about 7 inches long. Female, about 17 inches, tail about 8 inches long. Adults : Above, dusky-brownish, tail blackish, crossed by about three bands of brownish- gray ; below, brownish, varying to rusty, broken by white transverse spotting ; posterior lower parts white, barred or spotted with rufous. Young : Tail grayish-brown, crossed by about six bands of dusky ; lower parts dull-white or buffy, streaked with blackish or dusky. 106. American Rough-legged Hawk. Length (tf male, about 21 inches, tail about 9J DESCRIPTION. 1(59 inches long. Female, about 23 inches long, tail about 10 inches long. Adults : Above, varied with whitish and dark-brown ; below, white, with stripes of dark-brown and large markings of red- dish-brown. Melanistic phase: Plumage black, with various intermediate plumage between the complete melanism and the normal plumage. Young : Similar to the adult in colours of plumage. 107. Golden Eagle. Length of male, about 32 J inches, extent about 7 feet, tail about 14 J inches, and bill about 1} inches long. Female, about 37 J inches long, extent about 7J feet, tail about 15} inches long, bill about If inches long. This species can be distinguished from the Bald Eagle by its legs, which are densely feathered, all round, down to base of toes. Adults : Dark-brown, lanceolate feathers of neck above and feathers of tarsus tawny, tail blackish, clouded or banded with grayish. Young : Similar to adults, but part of tail-feathers whitish from base, feathers on lower parts white beneath surface, and tarsi- feathers paler. 108. Bald Eagle. Length of male, about 32} inches, extent about 7 feet, tail about 14} inches, and bill about 2 inches leng. Female, about 40 inches long, extent about 8 feet, tail about 15} inches, and bill about 2J 170 THE BIRDS OF MO NT RE A L . inches long. Adults: Head, neck and tail white; rest of plumage varying from dusky grayish-brown to brownish-black. Immature plumage, second or third year : Head and neck blackish, feathers of neck above tipped with pale-brownish, tail blackish, with whitish markings, back grayish-brown and blackish ; below, mixed white and dusky. Young, first year : Whole plumage blackish ; feathers of lower parts white at base, producing a blotched appearance. 109. White Gyrfalcon. Length of male, about 22 inches, tail about 9 inches long. Female, about 24 inches long, tail about 10 inches long. Adults: Plumage mostly white ; upper parts spotted with dusky. Young : Above, spotted or striped with dusky, and lower parts striped with same. 110. Duck Hawk. Length of male, about 17 inches, tail about 7 inches long. Female, about 19 inches long, tail about 8| inches long. Adults : Above, dark-slaty ; below, creamy-buff. Young : Similar to plumage of adults, but more deeply coloured. 111. Pigeon Hawk. Length of male, about 10J- inches, tail about 5 inches long. Female, about 13 inches long, tail DESCRIPTION. about 5J inches long. Adult male : Above, bluish- slate or blackish colour, tail tipped with white, subterminal band black, and about four other bands of black ; below, ochraceous, streaked with brown- ish-black. Adult fem.ale and Young : Whitish or buffy below. 112. American Sparrow Hawk. Length of male, about 10 inches, tail about 4J inches long. Female, about 12 inches long, tail about 5 inches long. Adult males : Above, rufous or cinnamon, with or without rufous spot on head, black spots on neck, tail chestnut-rufous, with subterminal black band, tipped with whitish or rufous, back with or without black bars or spots ; below, varying from white, buffy, ochraceous and rufous, with or without black spots. Adult female : Similar to the male, but not so bright-coloured, tail with bars of dusky, and back barred with dusky. Young males and females : Similar to adults, but colours more blended. 113. American Osprey. Length about 2 feet, extent about 5J feet, tail about 9 inches long, bill about 1J inches long. Adult male : Above, brown, tail with bands of dusky, head and neck white, marked with dusky ; lower parts white, blotched with brown on chest. Adult female : Similar to male, but chest more 172 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. heavily marked with brown. Young : Similar to adults, but feathers above blackish-brown, bordered with white or buffy. 114. American Long-eared Owl. Length about 15 inches, tail about 6 inches long. Ear-tufts conspicuous. Above, mottled with dusky ; lower parts whitish, with irregular dusky bars and streaks. 115. Short-eared Owl. Length about 16 inches, tail about 6 inches long. Ear-tufts rudimentary. Adults: Plumage ochraceous or buffy-whitish, striped with dark- brown. Young : Above, dark sepia-brown, feathers tipped with ochraceous-buif, face brownish-black ; below, dull-buffy, tinged with grayish. 116. Barred Owl. Length about 22 inches, tail about 9 inches long. Above, barred with dark-brown and whitish, also breast, and below striped with brown, face with concentric rings of brown and buffy-whitish, tail crossed by about 7 bands of pale-brown and whitish. Young : Above, barred with brown, buffy and whitish, producing a spotted appearance on back and wings ; lower parts barred with lighter brown. 117. Great Gray Owl. Length about 27J inches, extent about 57 inches, DESCRIPTION. 173 tail about 12 inches long. Plumage, dark-sooty above, varied by irregular markings ; below, striped with bars on the flanks ; face grayish-white, with concentric rings of dusky. 118. Richardson's Owl. * Length about 11 inches, tail about 4J inches long. Above, brown, spotted with white ; below, white, spotted and streaked with brown. Young : Above, plain brown, wings and tail like adults, face dusky, eyebrows whitish ; lower parts, plain brownish and ochraceous. 119. Saw Whet Owl Length about 8 inches, tail about 3 inches long. Plumage similar to Richardson's Owl, but with less white on head and neck ; stripes on lower parts pale reddish-brown. Young : Above, plain brown, wings and tail like adults, face dusky, eye- brows whitish ; below, brownish and ochraceous. 120. Screech Owl. Length about 10 inches, tail about 3J- inches long. Ear-tufts conspicuous. Dichromatic . plum- age of one phase grayish, the other bright rufous, markings of plumage in general having a mottled appearance. Young : Plumage barred, without longitudinal markings. 174 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 121. Great Horned Owl. Length of male, about 20 inches, extent about 50 inches, tail about 8 inches long. Female, about 25 inches long, extent about 56 inches, tail about 9 inches long. Adults : Plumage varied with buffy, tawny, or whitish and dusky, part of throat and middle of chest white. Ear-tufts very conspicuous. Young : Plumage ochraceous, barred with dusky. 122. Arctic Horned Owl. Above, whitish ; below, pure white, with dark markings. 123. Dusky Horned Owl. Extremely dark-coloured ; the face usually sooty- brownish, mixed with grayish- white : the plumage usually without excess of ochraceous or tawny — sometimes with none. (Ridgway.) 124. Snowy Owl. Length of male, about 21 J inches, tail about 9 inches long. Female, about 26 inches long, tail about 10 inches long. Ear-tufts rudimentary. Adult male: Plumage pure white, some specimens almost immaculate, but usually marked more or less with spots or bars of slaty-brown. Adult female: Plumage of ground-colour white; face, fore-neck and middle of breast immaculate ; top of DESCRIPTION. 175 head and hind-neck spotted with dusky, and other portions heavily barred with the same colour. 125. American Hawk Owl. Length about 16 J inches, tail about 7 inches long. No ear-tufts. Adults : Top of head and hind-neck spotted with white and blackish, patches of blackish on sides of hind-neck and ear-coverts, other upper parts dark-brown, heavily spotted with white, upper tail-coverts and tail barred with white ; below, barred with brown. Young : Above, dark sepia-brown, the feathers tipped with dull grayish-buff ; below, dull-whitish, shaded across chest with sooty-brownish, other portions barred with brown. 126. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Length about 12 inches, tail about 6 inches, and bill about 1 inch long. Basal half, or more, of lower mandible yellow. Plumage grayish-brown above, with a faint bronzy lustre, tail-feathers (ex- cept middle pair) black, tipped with white ; below, white, tinged with pale-ashy. Young : Tail-feathers grayish-dusky, tipped with dull-white. 127. .Black-billed Cuckoo. Length about 12 inches, tail about 6J inches, and bill about 1 inch long. Bill without any yellow. Adults: Above, bronzy grayish-brown, with an 176 THE BIRDS OF MON TEE A L. olivaceous cast, tail-feathers tipped with white, ex- cept middle pair, naked eyelids bright-red in life ; below, white, faintly tinged with grayish on breast and sides. Young : Above, dull-brown, with a cop- pery-bronze lustre, naked eyelids pale-yellowish in life. 128. Belted Kingfisher. Length about 13 inches, tail about 4 inches, and bill about 2 inches long. Adult male : Above, bluish, tail and wings spotted with white ; below, white, with a band of bluish across breast, white encircling neck. Adult female: Similar to the male, but lower markings rufous. Young : Similar to adults, but the male with lower markings tinged with rusty. 129. Northern Hairy Woodpecker. Length about 10J inches, tail about 3f inches, and bill about 1 1 inches long. Adult male: Above, black, striped with white, wings spotted with white, occiput red ; below, whitish. Female with- out any red on head, and young with crown red or yellowish. 130. Downy Woodpecker. Length about 6 J inches, tail about 2 J inches, and bill about f-inch long. Above, black, striped with white, wings spotted with white, and outer tail- feathers barred with black, occiput red. DE SCRIP TION. 177 131. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. Length about 9J inches, tail about 3J inches, and bill about 1J inches long. Above, black, head bluish-black, male with yellow patch on head ; below, white, with sides and flanks barred with blackish. 132. American Three-toed Woodpecker. Length about 9 inches, tail about 3J inches, and bill about 1J inches long Above, black, varied with white, or narrow bars of white, male with yellow patch on crown ; below, white, with black bars on sides and flanks. 133. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Length about 8 inches, tail about 3 inches, and bill about 1 inch long. Adult male : Above, black, varied with whitish, crown, forehead, chin and throat crimson-red ; below, yellowish, with a black patch on chest. Adult female: Similar to the male, but chin and throat white, and crown some- times glossy-black. Young : General colour of plumage, a dull, mottled, brownish tint, without any black or red markings. 134. Pileated Woodpecker. Length about 18 inches, extent of wings about 28 inches, tail about 7 inches, and bill about 2J inches long. Adult male : Above, blackish, top of 178 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. head, crest and malar stripe bright-red ; below, dusky, the flanks barred with whitish. Adult female : Similar to the male, but only the crest red. 135. Red-headed Woodpecker. Length about 9 inches, tail about 3J inches long, Adult male : Head, neck and chest crimson, back and wing-coverts glossy blue-black ; lower back and upper tail-coverts white, and below chest white. Adult female : Similar to the male, but with inner secondary wing-feathers spotted with black, and black collar to crimson of chest more conspicuous. Young : Above, grayish, barred with dusky, head, neck and chest brownish-gray, streak- ed with dusky. 136. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Length about 9J inches, tail about 3 J inches, and bill about 1 inch long. Adult male : "Whole top of head and hind-neck bright-red, belly pinkish-red, back and wings banded with black and white. Adult female: Similar to the male, but crown ash- gray. Young : With colours and markings much duller than in adult, red of head indistinct, and belly often dull-buffy. 137. Flicker. Length about 12 inches, tail about 4J inches, and DESCRIPTION. 179 "bill 1 J inches long. Above, brownish, barred with black, rump white, shafts of wing and tail-feathers bright-yellow, occiput with a red patch ; lower parts vinaceous, with roundish spots of black, chest with a cresentric patch of black. Adult males: With a black malar stripe. 138. Whippoorwill Length about 9J inches, tail about 6 inches long, bill short and very broad at base, the gape with long bristles. Above, brownish-gray, streaked and sprinkled with brownish-black, three outer tail- feathers with a white patch ; below, mottled, simi- lar in colour to the back ; bar of white on throat. 139. Nighthawk. Length about 9 inches, tail about 4J inches long. Above, mottled with black and gray, varied with ochraceous, white patch on wing-feathers, also on throat; males with bar of white on tail, females without white on tail ; below, buffy, barred with dusky. Young : More finely mottled, and dusky- markings less than in adults. 140. Chimney Swift. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Tail-feathers with spinous points. Plumage sooty- brown, with a faint greenish gloss above, colour paler on throat. 13 180 THE BIRDS OF MO NT RE A L . 141. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Length about 3} inches, tail about 1J inches, and bill about f-inch long. Adult male: Above, metallic-green, throat with a brilliant metallic gor- get, reflecting ruby-red. Adult female: Throat whitish, three outer tail-feathers tipped with white. Young male : Throat streaked with dusky, feathers of upper parts margined with pale-buffy. Young female: Similar to young male, but no streaks on throat. 142. Kingbird. Length about 8 J inches, tail about 3 J inches, and bill about J-inch long. Adults : Above, blackish, tail tipped writh white, middle of crown with a concealed patch of orange-red ; lower parts white. Young : ~No coloured patch on crown ; wings, tail and chest tinged with pale-rusty. 143. Crested Flycatcher. Length about 8J inches, tail about 4 inches, and bill about f-inch long. Above, olive, tail rufous ; below, ashy and bright sulphur-yellow. 144. Phoebe. Length about 6J inches, tail about 3J inches long. Above, olive-grayish ; below, whitish, tinged with olive-grayish and pale-yellowish. DESCRIPTION. 145. Olive-sided Flycatcher. Length about 7J inches, tail about 3 inches, and bill about f-inch long. Above, brownish-slate and dusky-blackish, tuft of white on each side of rump ; below, browish-gray, with a white line down the middle. 146. Wood Pewce. Length about 6 inches, tail about 3 inches long. Above, olivaceous-brown, darker on head, tail and wings ; below, whitish, olive-grayish, and tinged with dull-yellowish ; under mandible usually yel- lowish. 147. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches long ; lower mandible yellow, legs and feet black. Above, olive-greenish, wing-bands pale olive-yel- lowish ; below, yellow, breast shaded with olive. Young : Plumage duller colour than adults. 148. TraiWs Flycatcher. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2J inches long ; lower mandible pale, upper mandible and feet black. Above, olive-brown, wing-bands buffy- whitish ; below, whitish, tinged with yellow, and shaded with olive-gray. 149. Least Flycatcher. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2J inches long. 182 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Similar to Traill's Flycatcher, but smaller, and wing-bands grayish white. 150. Horned Lark. Male: Length about 8 inches, tail about 3 inches long ; an erectile, horn-like tuft of lengthened black feathers on each side of occiput. Above, vinaceous-cinnamon, forehead black, with a deep primrose-yellow bar across forehead and extending backward as a superciliary stripe ; below, vinaceous and whitish, throat primrose-yellow, with a black patch across chest. Adult females : Similar to males, but smaller, and plumage duller and more streaked. Young : Above, dusky arid light-brown- ish, speckled with white or pale-buffy ; below, whitish, tinged with pale brownish-buff and marked with dusky. 151. Prairie Horned Lark. Male: Length about 7J inches, tail about 3 inches long. Similar to the Horned Lark, but plumage paler, female: Length about 7_dnches, and tail about 2f inches long. Young : Like that of the Horned Lark, but plumage darker. 152. American Magpie. Length about 20 inches, tail about 10 J inches, and bill about 1J inches long. General plumage black and white, glossed with metallic greenish- blue, varied with green, violet, bronze and purple. DESCRIPTION. 183 153. Blue Jay. Length about 12 inches, tail about 5J inches, and bill about 1 inch long. Head with conspicuous crest. Adults : Above, purplish-blue ; wings and tail bright cobalt-blue, barred with black and tip- ped with white ; black collar from under the crest to across chest ; below, throat purplish-whitish, breast and sides grayish, other lower parts white. Young : Plumage duller. 154. Canada Jay. Length about 11 J inches, tail about 6 inches, and bill about 1 inch long. Head without crest. Above, dusky-grayish, lighter on forehead and darker on hind-head ; below, light brownish-gray, paler than back. Young : Sooty-slate, chin, nasal- tufts and lores black. 155. Northern Raven. Length about 26 inches, tail about 10 inches, and bill about 3 inches long. Plumage black, more or less glossy, feathers of throat lanceolate. 156. American Crow. Length about 21 inches, tail about 8 inches, and bill about 2J inches long. Plumage glossy-black, glossed with violet. 157. Bobolink. Length about 7 inches, tail about 2f inches long. 184 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Tail-feathers pointed at tips. Adult male in spring : General colour black, hind-neck buff; scapulars, rump and upper tail-coverts whitish-buffy. Fall plumage similar to female. Adult female : General colour ochraceeus, streaked with dusky, buffy stripe on head. 158. Cowbird. Length about 8 inches, tail about 3 inches long ; female smaller. Adult males : Plumage glossy-black, with greenish and purplish reflections ; head, neck and chest brownish. Adult females : Plumage plain brownish-gray, paler on throat. Young : Upper parts dull browTnish-gray and buffy ; below, light- buffy, streaked with brownish-gray. 159. Red-winged Blackbird. Male: Length about 9J inches, tail about 3f inches, and bill about 1 inch long. Female : Length about 8 inches, tail about 3 inches long. Adult males: Plumage black, with lesser wing-coverts bright-red, and the middle coverts buffy-whitish ; in winter, feathers with rusty terminal borders. Adult females : Above, streaked with dusky ; be- low, striped with dusky and whitish. Young : Similar to females, but markings more suffused and of a buffy shade. DESCRIPTION. 185 160. Meadowlark. Male: Length about 10 J inches, bill about 1J inches long. Female: Length about 9J inches, bill about 1J inches long, tail long and sharp- pointed. Adults: Above, brownish, with black markings ; below, throat and breast bright-yellow, with a black crescent on chest. Young : Plumage much duller, with black crescent on chest not con- spicuous. 161. Baltimore Oriole. Length about 7J inches, tail about 3 inches long, Adult male : Above, black, except lesser and mid- dle coverts of wings and part of tail-feathers ; neck and middle line of chest black ; rest of plumage rich cadmium-orange, varying to intense orange- red. Adult female: Above, ochraceous-orange, with blackish markings, the wings dusky, with two whitish bands ; below, dull orange. Young : Simi- lar to adult female, but suffused with brownish above and colours more blended. 162. Rusty Blackbird. Length about 9 inches, tail about 4 inches long. Adult male in summer : Glossy-black, with a faint bluish and bluish-green gloss ; in winter, with rusty- brown above, and huffy below. Adult female in summer: Plumage dusky brownish-slate, without THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. gloss ; in winter, with much rusty above, and buffy markings below. Young: Similar to plumage of winter female, but duller and more uniform. 163. Bronze Grackle. Male : Length about 13 inches, tail about 5} inches, and bill about 1 J inches long. Tail feathers graduated. Female: Length about 11 J inches, tail about 5 inches long. Plumage of back and lower parts bronze, with metallic tints of steel-blue, violet and purple on neck, wings and tail purplish ; fe males with colours duller. 164. Evening Grosbeak. Length about 8 inches, tail about 3 inches long, bill very thick. Adult male : Crown blackish, bor- dered by a yellow patch ; neck and back deep- olivaceous ; scapulars, rump and lower parts yel- low ; wings, tail and upper tail-coverts black ; ter- tials dull-white. Adult female : Head brownish- gray ; other parts lighter grayish, tinged with olive-yellow ; inner primaries with a whitish patch at base; a dusky streak along each side of the throat. Young : Similar to adult female, but more brownish and colours duller ; bill brownish instead of yellowish-green. 165. American Pine Grosbeak. Length about 8J inches, tail about 4 inches long. DESCRIPTION. I g 7 Adult male: General colour of plumage reddish- pink and ash-gray ; feathers above, dusky cen- trally, causing a spotted appearance ; wings and tail dusky, wing-feathers tipped with white. Adult female : Plumage dusky and grayish, without any red, but tinted with bright olive-tawny on head and rump. Young : Plumage duller and more blended ; otherwise similar to adult females. 166. Purple Finch. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2J inches long, bill thick. Adult male: General plumage madder- pink, feathers of back streaked with dusky. Adult female: Above, olivaceous and grayish, streaked with darker; sides of head with two brownish stripes, separated by a whitish stripe ; below, dull- white, streaked with dusky, no reddish colour. Young : Similar to adult female, but markings of plumage less distinct and duller. 167. American Crossbill. Length about 6 inches, tail obout 2J inches long. Bill crossed at tips. Adult male: Plumage dull- red, with wings and tail dusky. Adult female : without red ; plumage olivaceous, varying to gray- ish, and yellowish. Young ; Grayish or light- olive, streaked with dusky. 168. White-winged Crossbill. Length about 6J inches, tail about 2J inches 138 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. long. Adult male : Purplish-red ; wings and tail black, the former with two white hands. Adult female : Above, olive-greenish or grayish, paler below ; back duller than in male. Young : Wings and tail like adults, but general plumage pale- olivaceous, streaked with dusk}'. 169. Redpoll. Length about 4J inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adult male : Above, grayish, streaked with dusky ; top of head bright-red ; a dusky spot on throat ; below, whitish, with chest and sides of breast deep madder-pink. Adult female : Similar to male, but red on crown only. Young : Similar to adult female, but no red on crown or elsewhere. 170. American Goldfinch. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male in summer : Yellow, with forehead, crown, lores, wings and tail black, tail-coverts and tips of wing-feathers white ; in winter, similar to adult female, but black, and whitish markings more distinct. Adult female in summer : Above, olive-brownish, wings and tail dusky ; below, gray- ish-white, tinged with yellow ; in winter, general plumage more brownish. Young : Much browner than winter adults, and the plumage suffused with light-cinnamon. DESCRIPTION. 189 171. Pine Siskin. Length, about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adults : Above, grayish-brown ; below, whitish, conspicuously streaked with dusky ; tail-feathers and secondary wing-feathers sulphur-yellow at base. Young : Similar to adults, but plumage with a fulvous suffusion. 172. Sncfwflake. Male: Length about 7 inches, tail about 3 inches, bill in summer black, and in winter yellow, with tip dusky. Adult females smaller than males. Adult male in summer: Prevailing colour white, with back, scapulars, alula and greater part of longer quills black ; in winter, above, sides of head and chest washed with rusty. Adult female : With upper parts streaked with black, the wings with less white than male. Young : Wings mostly dusky, middle coverts, tips of greater coverts and middle secondaries white, other parts grayish. 173. Lapland Long spur. Male : Length about 6J- inches, tail about 2J inches long. Female smaller. Adult male in sum- mer : Above brownish, streaked with blackish, head and chest black, hind-neck chestnut-rufous ; below, white, sides with black markings ; in winter, plumage duller, and markings obscured by brown- 190 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. ish shade. Adult female in summer : Similar to winter male, but black markings more restricted and broken ; in winter, similar to summer plumage, but browner, and markings indistinct. Young : Above, tawny-buffy, streaked with black ; below, pale-buffy, streaked with blackish. 174. Vesper Sparrow. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adults: Above, brownish, streaked with dusky, outer tail-feathers partly white, lesser wing-coverts rusty ; below, whitish, streaked on sides of throat and across chest with dark-brown. Young : Simi- lar to adults, but markings less denned. 175. Savanna Sparrow. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Above, brownish, streaked with blackish, super- ciliary stripe yellow; below, whitish, streaked with blackish. 176 White-crowned Sparrow. Length about 7 inches, tail about 3 inches long. Top of head brownish-black, divided by a median stripe of white ; back ashy, streaked with brown- ish ; below, throat whitish, chest ashy, sides and flanks grayish-brown. Immature : With markings more brownish, and huffy. DESCRIPTION. 191 177. White-throated Sparrow. Length about 7 inches, tail about 3 inches long. Top of head with a narrow grayish-white median and two broader black lateral stripes ; superciliary stripe yellow ; back brownish, streaked with black- ish ; throat white, and chest ash-gray. Immature : Markings more brownish, and superciliary stripe not so yellowish. Young : Markings duller, chest streaked with dusky. 178. Tree Sparrow. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2f inches long ; lower mandible yellow. Adult : Above, rufous, streaked with black, wings with two whitish bands ; below, pale-ashy, sides tinged with buffy, dusky spot in centre of chest. Young : Above, brownish, streaked with dusky ; below, buffy, streaked with dusky. 179. Chipping Sparrow. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2| inches long. Above, brownish, streaked with black, top of head rufous ; below, whitish, sides of head with whitish and blackish stripes. Young : Top of head brownish, streaked with blackish ; below, streaked with dusky. 180. Field Sparrow. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches 192 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. long ; bill reddish-cinnamon. Adults : Above, rusty and buffy-grayish, streaked with, black ; below, whitish, tinged with grayish, and buffy, a rusty spot on sides of breast. Young : Similar to adults, but colours duller, lower parts streaked with dusky. 181. Slate-coloured Junco. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2f inches long; bill pinkish-white. Plumage slate-gray, darker on head and chest ; belly and outer tail- feathers white; plumage of female tinged with brownish. Young : With plumage streaked above and below. 182. Song Sparrow. Length about 6J inches, tail about 3 inches long. Above, brownish, streaked with blackish ; below, whitish, streaked and spotted with brownish. Young ; With colours more blended, and markings less defined ; otherwise, similar to adults. 183. Lincoln's Sparrow. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adults : Above, brown, streaked with black top of head with a median grayish line ; malar stripe buff, and broad band across chest buff, streaked with black. 184. Swamp Sparrow. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches DE SCRIP TION. 193 long. Adults: Top of head plain chestnut, back and rump brown, streaked with black, and brown- ish-gray, wings and tail-feathers edged with bay ; below, ashy, tinged with brown. Young : Streaked above and below with blackish. 185. Fox Sparrow. Length about 7 inches, tail about 3 inches long. Above, deep-rusty and brownish-gray, wings with two whitish bars ; below, white, thickly marked with triangular spots of deep-rusty on chest, the sides and flanks streaked with the same colour. Young : Similar to adults. 186. Red-breasted Grosbeak. Length about 7J inches, tail about 3J inches long ; bill thick. Adult male : Above, black, varied with white on wings and tail, rump white ; below, white, with breast and under wing-ceverts rose-red. Adult female: Above brownish, streaked with dusky ; below, brownish-white, streaked with dusky, under wing coverts yellowish. Young male : Similar to adult male, but more brownish, streaked with black. 187. Indigo Bunting. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adult male: General colour of plumage rich ultra- marine-blue to rich cerulean -blue. Adult female : 194 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL Plumage brownish, streaked with darker colour on breast and sides. Young : With plumage browner. 188. Scarlet Tanager. Length about 7J inches, tail about 3 inches long, Adult male : Plumage scarlet, with wings and tail black. Adult female : Above, olive-green, with wings and tail more grayish ; below, light green- ish-yellow. 189. Summer Tanager. Length about 7j inches, tail about 3 inches long. Adult male : Plumage vermillion-red, darker above. Adult female: Above, olive-yellowish ; below, light saffron-yellow. 190. Purple Martin. Length about 8 inches, tail about 3J inches longy and slightly forked. Adult male : General plumage glossy blue-black. Adult female : Above, duller colour than males, and with grayish borders to the feathers ; below, grayish-white, with sides darker. 191. Cliff Swallow. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2 inches long. Above, glossy blue-black ; chin, throat and sides of head chestnut, lower part of throat with a patch of glossy blue-black. Young : Above, dull-blackish ; chin and throat marked with white, chestnut mark- ings much less than adults. DESCRIPTION. 195. 392. Barn Sivallow. Length about 7 inches, tail about 4 inches longy deeply forked, with outer feathers much longer than inner. Adults : Above, glossy steel-blue, fore- head rusty-chestnut ; lower parts, chin, throat and chest cinnamon-rusty, sides of chest steel-blue, rest of lower parts pale-rusty in male, and pale cinna- mon-buffy in adult female. Young : Colours much duller above and paler below than adults. 193. Tree Swallow. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2| inches long. Above, glossy steel-blue, varying to greenish ; lower parts white. Adult female : Plumage above usually duller than male, but often undistinguish- able. Young : Plumage dull brownish-slate above. 194. Bank Swallow. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adults : Above, brownish-gray ; below, whit- ish, with brownish-gray across chest and along sides. Young : Similar to adults, but feathers bor- dered with whitish or huffy above. 195. Bohemian Waxwing. Length about 8 inches, tail about 2| inches long. Crown with a pointed crest. Plumage soft and blended ; general colour, soft fawn-colour of vina- ceous grayish-brown and ashy ; wings and tail 14 196 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. slaty, the latter tipped with yellow ; wing-feathers tipped with white and yellow, and sometimes with horny appendages resembling red sealing-wax ; lower tail-coverts, forehead and cheeks cinnamon- rufous ; front of head, streak through eye, chin and throat velvety- black. Young : Plumage much duller than adults, with lower parts streaked with brownish or grayish. 196. Cedar Waxwing. Length about 7 inches, tail about 2J inches long. Similar in appearance to the Bohemian Waxwing, but smaller, and lower tail-coverts white, flanks yellowish-olive, wings plain slate-gray, with or without Avax-like tips, some specimens with red wax-like tips to tail-feathers also. 197. Northern Shrike. Length about 10 inches, tail about 4J inches long. Bill strongly hooked and toothed. Adults : Above, pale ash-gray and whitish, sides of head, wings and tail black, with white markings ; below, white, with breast undulated with grayish. Young : Above, grayish-brown, wings and tail duller black, wing-feathers with brownish-buffy markings, or tipped with pale-rusty ; below, brownish-white, waved with dusky-grayish, or grayish-brown, with darker undulations. DESCRIPTION. 198. White-rumped Shrike. Length about 8J inches, t^il about 4 inches long. Similar to the Northern Shrike, but bill smaller, upper tail-coverts whitish, scapulars more white ; below, white, with or without slight wavy mark- ings. 199. Red-eyed Vireo. Length about 6 inches, tail about 3 inches long. Above, olive-greenish, sides of head with a dusky streak ; below, whitish, sides tinged with grayish- olive. 200. Philadelphia Vireo. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Above grayish olive-green, superciliary stripe whit- ish ; below, pale sulphur-yellow, chin and belly white. 201. Warbling Vireo. Length about 5| inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adult : Above, olive-grayish, top of head clearer grayish, whitish streak over eye, sides of head and neck with pale grayish-buffy ; below, whitish, tinged with olive-yellowish. Young : Above, pale grayish-buff and buffy-grayish ; below, white, with under tail-coverts pale-yellow. 202. Yellow-throated Vireo. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches 198 THE BIEDS OF MONTREAL. long. Above, olive-green and ash-gray, wings with two white bands, loral streak and orbital ring yellow ; below, yellow, with posterior under parts white. 203. Blue-headed Vireo. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches long. Above, olive-green, head and neck plum- beous-gray, cheeks and sides of neck grayish ; be- low, throat white, sides and flanks tinged with olive-green and yellow. Young : Above, grayish- brown ; below, buffy-white. 204. Black and White Warbler. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male : Above, black, striped with white ; be- low, white, striped with black, throat with black markings sometimes nearly uniform ; two outer tail-feathers with white spots. Young male : Plum- age like adult male, but without streaks^on throat. Adult female : Colours duller, and tinged with brownish below. 205. Nashville Warbler. Length about 4J inches, tail about 2 inches long. With or without chestnut crown-patch. Above, yellowish olive-green ; below, gamboge-yellow. Female : Whitish on belly and flanks. Young : Greenish-olive above, wing-feathers tipped with DESCRIPTION. 199 pale olive-buffy ; below, light-olive and pale buffy- yellow. 206. Orange-crowned Warbler. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. With or without concealed orange-rufous crown- patch. Above, dull olive-green ; below, pale-yel- low, indistinctly streaked with olivaceous. 207. Tennessee Warbler. Length about 4J inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male in spring : Above, ash-gray on head and neck, and other parts olive-green ; below, white, tinged with ash-gray. Adult female in spring : Similar to male, but gray markings above tinged with olive-green ; and below, the white stained with olive-yellowish. Young in autumn: Above, olive-green ; below, strongly tinged with oliVe- yellow or greenish sulphur-yellow. 208. Parula Warbler. Length about 4J inches, tail about If inches long. Adult male : Above, bluish-gray, back with a triangular patch of bright olive green, two white bands on wing ; below, yellow, chest tinged with orange-brown. Adult female : Similar to the male, but colours paler. Young in autumn : Above, tinged with olive-green ; below, yellow paler. 200 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Young : Above, dull-grayish and olive ; below, light-grayish, chin tinged with yellow. 209. Cape May Warbler. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male: Top of head blackish, sides of head and neck gamboge-yellow, ear-coverts rusty, black line from bill to behind eye, back olive-greenish, white patch on wings, rump gamboge yellow, large white patch on tail-feathers ; below, gamboge-yel- low, streaked with black ; in autumn, plumage more grayish and olive. Adult female : Above, grayish-olive, brighter on rump, white on wings and tail restricted ; below, yellowish, streaked with dusky. 210. Yellow Warbler. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult males : Above, bright yellowish olive-green ; below, gamboge-yellow, streaked with chestnut- red. Adult female: Plumage duller, streaks on lower parts indistinct, if any, but usually none. Young : Similar to adult female, but duller-coloured, more grayish above, aud sometimes dull-whitish below. 211. Black-throated Blue Warbler. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male: Above, dark dull-blue; below, black. DESCRIPTION. 201 with white from middle of breast to tail, outer tail- feathers and base of quills in wings spotted with white. Adult female : Above, plain dull-olive, tinged with blue ; below, plain pale greenish-buff. Young : Above, dull-brown, superciliary stripe of dull yellowish-white, sides of head in male blackish, and dull grayish-brown in female ; below, yellow- ish-white, tinged with brownish ; white on wings and tail more restricted in females and young. 212. Myrtle Warbler. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2| inches long. Adult male : Crown, rump and sides of breast with a yellow patch ; back, bluish-gray, streaked with black ; wing with two white bands ; blackish on sides of head, and with white streaks ; below white, chest and sides streaked with black, sometimes more or less confluent. Adult fomale: General appearance similar to male, but markings and yellow patches indistinct, upper and lower yarts washed with umber-brown. Young : Yellow only on rump sometimes ; plumage streaked with dusky and grayish- white. 213. Magnolia Warbler. Length about 4J inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adidt male : Top of head bluish-gray, with lighter border ; lores and ear-coverts black ; back black or mixed with yellowish olive-green ; wings black, 202 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. with a white patch ; lower parts gamboge-yellow, striped with black. Adult female : Similar to male, but colours duller, back olive-green, wings with two white bands ; narrower streaks on lower parts. Autumnal plumage : Above, olive, grayish on head and greenish on back ; below, pale-grayish on throat, and chest without streaks. Young : Above, dull-brownish, wings with two yellowish-white bands; below, brownish and pale sulphur-yellow, streaked with dusky. 214, Chestnut-sided Warbler. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male: Top of head yellow, bordered with black ; back olive-yellowish, striped with black and light olive-grayish ; lores and patch on cheeks black ; ear-coverts, sides of neck and lower parts white ; a stripe of rich chestnut along sides. Adult female : Similar to male, but colours duller, upper parts more olive-green, and chestnut on sides more restricted. Young in autumn : Above, bright olive- green, wing-bands tipped with sulphur-yellow, orbital ring white, sides of head to flanks plain ash-gray, and median lower parts white. 215. Bay-breasted Warbler. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adult male: Top of head chestnut, bordered with black ; back streaked with black and grayish ; DESCRIPTION. 203 -sides of head, blackish, and of neck buff; below, chestnut and light-buff. Adult female : Above, olive, streaked with black ; below, buffy, tinged with rusty. Young male in autumn : Above, olive- green and grayish, streaked with black ; below, pale-buffy, tinged with olive, and rusty. Young female: Similar to male, but streaks and rusty tinge indistinct, if any such markings. 216. Black-poll Warbler. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2| inches long. Adult male : Top of head glossy-black ; back with black and grayish-white streaks ; sides of head white ; below, white, streaked with black. Adult female : Above, olive-grayish, streaked with black ; below, whitish, streaked with dusky. Young in autumn : Above, olive green, streaked with black ; below, olive-yellowish, under tail-coverts white. 217. Blackburnian Warbler. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male : Above, black, with a central spot of yellow on crown, back streaked with grayish and whitish, tail-feathers and wings with large white markings ; below, cadmium-orange, darker on throat and chest ; rest of lower parts yellowish- white ; sides streaked with black. Adult female : Similar to male, but grayish-brown, streaked with 204 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. dusky, orange paler, and posterior lower parts white. Young in autumn : Male, darker above than adult female, and wings with two white hands, posterior lower parts pale-yellow ; female, hrowner ahove, colours paler and duller. 218. Black-throated Green Warbler. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adnlt male: Above, olive-green; sides of head gamboge-yellow, with an olivaceous, streak through eye; throat and chest black. Adult female: Similar to male, but black markings with yellowish-white tips to feathers ; throat and chest yellowish-white. Young in autumn: Similar to adult female, but more yellowish below, and black on throat and chest indistinct. 219. Pine Warbler. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2j inches long. Adult male: Above, olive-green ; wings and tail dusky-grayish, wings with two grayish-white bands ; below, gamboge-yellow, streaked with olive- green. Adult female: Above, grayish-olive; below, grayish- white, tinged with yellow, and streaked with olive. Adults in autumn : Colours more brownish above. 220. Yellow Palm Warbler. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches DESCRIPTION. 205 long. Crown chestnut ; back olive, tinged with brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts yellowish olive-green ; two outer tail-feathers with inner webs tipped with white ; below, yellow, sides with chestnut markings. 221. Oven-bird. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2^ inches long. Adults : Top of head with two stripes of blackish, enclosing one of orange.rufous ; other parts above, greenish-olive ; below, white, breast and sides streaked with black. Young : Top of head with stripes indistinct, or without stripes ; above, ful- vous brown ; below, buify, streaked with dusky. 222. Water Thrush. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2J inches long. Above, brownish, superciliary stripe fulvous ; be- low, white, tinged with sulphur-yellow, and streaked with darker colour than back. Young : Similar to adults, but streaks on lower parts less distinct, and feathers of upper parts tipped with fulvous, pro- ducing a spotted appearance. 223. Mourning Warbler. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adult male: Above, olive, head and neck ash-gray ; throat and chest ash-gray, more or less mixed with black ; rest of lower parts gamboge- 206 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. yellow. Adult female : Similar to male, but mark- ings more brownish-gray. Young in autumn : Simi- lar to adult female, but more brownish, throat and chest more yellowish. 225. Maryland Yellow-throat. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male : Above, olive-green ; forehead and band through eye to neck black, bordered above with ashy ; below, bright-yellow, .except sides and belly, which are huffy- whitish. Adult female: No black or ashy about head, being grayish-brown or olive ; below, yellow, paler than in male. Young male in autumn : Similar to adult, but black mark- ings less distinct. Young : Above, plain olive, and pale olive-yellowish below. 225. Wilson's Warbler. Length about 4J inches, tail about 2 inches long. Adult male': Above, olive-green, crown glossy blue- black ; below, gamboge-yellow. Adult female: Simi- lar to male, but black crown -patch, if any, less dis- tinct. Young in autumn : Similar to adult female, without black on crown. 226. Canadian Warbler. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2J inches long. Adult male : Above, plumbeous-gray, fore- head spotted with black ; below, yellow, chest DESCRIPTION. 207 marked with black spots. Adult female: Similar to male, but forehead without black spots, and other markings less distinct. Young in autumn : Similar to female adult, upper parts tinged with olive. 227. American Redstart. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2| inches long. Adult male : Plumage glossy-black, with red markings on wing and tail-feathers, and sides of breast, varying in shade ; belly white. Adult female: Above, grayish olive ; below, grayish- white ; mark- ings on wings, tail and sides of breast yellow. Young male : Similar to adult female, but markings more salmon-colour, and browner above. 228. American Pipit. Length about 6J inches, tail about 2f inches long. Adult in summer: Above, brownish-gray, feathers with darker centres, wings with two light bands, superciliary stripe light cinnamon-buff ; be- low, buffy, streaked with dusky. Winter plumage : Above, browner than in summer ; lower parts duller buffy, with broader streaks on breast. 229. Catbird. Length about 8J inches, tail about 4 inches long. Plumage plumbeous-slate, paler below ; top of head and tail black, lower tail-coverts chestnut. Young : Similar to adults, but black on head less distinct, 208 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. and slightly mottled below ; lower tail- coverts rusty. 230. Brown Thrasher. Length about 11 inches, tail about 5J inches long. Above, bright tawny-brown, wing-coverts tipped with white ; bill curved, and about 1 inch long ; lower parts buffy-white, spotted and streaked with brownish. 231. House Wren. Length about 4J inches, tail about If inches long. Above, brown, barred on wings and tail with darker colour ; below, whitish, tinged with grayish-brown, and slightly barred with darker colour. 232. 'Winter Wren. Length about 3J inches, tail about 1J inches long. Above, dark -brown, barred with dusky ; below, brownish, with lower parts barred with blackish and whitish. 233. Long-billed Marsh Wren. Length about 4J inches, tail about 2J inches long, and graduated. Above, brown, with back streaked with black and white ; below, whitish. 234. Brown Creeper. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2J inches long, DESCRIPTION. 209 stiff, and pointed at tip. Above, brownish, streaked with paler colour ; below, whitish ; bill slender and curved ; wings with a broad band of pale- rusty, and with other light markings ; superciliary stripe white. 235. White-breasted Nuthatch. Length about 5J inches, tail about 2 inches long. Above, bluish-gray, crown glossy-black, (dark- grayish in females) ; wings marked with blotches of black ; lower parts whitish, lower tail-coverts spotted with chestnut-rufous. 236. Bed- breasted Nuthatch. Length about 4J inches, tail about 2 inches long. Above, bluish-gray, crown and nape glossy-black, (dark-grayish in female) ; side of head with a black stripe, and superciliary stripe of white ; below, rusty. 237. Chickadee. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2J inches long. Crown and nape black, back olive -grayish, wing and tail-feathers edged with whitish; below, white, with chin and throat blackish, and sides tinged with brownish. 238. Hudsonian Chickadee. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2J inches long. 210 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. Above, ashy-brown, top of head hair-brown ; be- low, whitish, throat sooty blackish, sides dull-rusty. 239. Golden- crowned Kinglet. Length about 3J inches, tail about If inches long. Adult male : Above, plain olive-green. ; crown-patch rich cadmium-orange, bordered with yellow and black ; below, yellowish-white. Adult female: Similar to male, but crown-patch entirely yellow. Young : Similar to adults, but without black markings on head, and without crown-patch, 240. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Length about 4 inches, tail about 2 inehes long. Above, grayish-olive, crown-patch scarlet-vermil- lion ; below, whitish. Young : Similar, but without coloured crown-patch. 241. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Length about 5 inches, tail about 2 inches long. Above, grayish-blue, deeper on top of head ; below, white, and pale ash-gray. 242. Wood Thrush. Length about 7} inches, tail about 3 inches long. Adults: Above, tawny-olive ; below, white, marked with roundish spots of dusky. 243. Wilson's Thrush. Length about 7 inches, tail about 3 inches long. D ESC RIP TION. 211 Adults : Above light tawny-brown ; below, white ; chest buffy, marked with small spots or streaks of brownish, sides brownish or grayish. 244. Gray-cheeked Thrush. Length about 7J inches, tail about 3 inches long. Adults: Above, olive-brown, sides of head grayish ; below, white, with chest pale-buffy-white, marked with large triangular spots of dusky. 245. Olive-backed Thrush. Length about 7 inches, tail about 3 inches long. Above, olivaceous ; below, white, chest yellowish- buffy, marked with large triangular dusky spots. 246. Herm.it Thrush. Length about 6J inches, tail about 3 inches long. Adults: Above, olive-brownish, shading into rufous on rump and tail ; below, white, shaded with olive on sides; sides of head, neck and breast tinged with buff; throat and breast marked with 'dusky spots. 247. American Robin. Length about 9J inches, tail about 4J inches long. Adults: Above, slaty; head, neck, wings* and tail blackish ; outer pair of tail-feathers tipped with white ; below, reddish-brown ; throat white,, 15 212 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. with black streaks ; vent and under tail-coverts white : bill yellow, tipped with black. 248. Bluebird. Length about 6 inches, tail about 2} inches long. Adult male : Above, blue ; below, breast and sides cinnamon-rufous, belly white. Adult female: Above, grayish and blue ; orbital ring whitish ; below, breast and sides dull- cinnamon, throat with dusky streaks. Young : Above, brownish-gray, streaked with whitish ; wings and tail bluish ; below, fea- thers of breast and sides bordered with brownish ; orbital ring whitish. 249. .European House Sparrow. Introduced species ; description not necessary. 250. Black Guillemot. Length about 13 inches, bill about \\ inches long. Summer adults : Colour black, with white on wings j under wing-coverts white. Winter plumage : White, varied with black. Young : Similar to win- ter plumage, but lower parts indistinctly barred with dusky. 251. Briinmch's Murre. Length about 16 inches, bill about 1J inches long. Above, plumage dusky ; below, white ; wings with secondaries tipped with white ; top of head DESCRIPTION 213 and hind-neck sooty-black. Summer plumage : Sides of head and neck, chin, throat and fore-neck velvety snuff-brown. 252. Razor-billed Auk. Length about 16 J inches, tail about 3J inches, and bill about 1J inches long ; bill thick, curved and grooved. Above, plumage black ; below, white ; wings with secondaries tipped with white. Sum- mer plumage : Part of head and neck velvety snuff- brown ; white line from bill to eye ; bill black, crossed by a white bar. Winter adult : Under por- tion of head and below white ; bill without basal lamina ; otherwise same as in summer. Young : Plumage like winter adult, but bill without the white bar and grooves, and smaller. 253. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Length about 11 inches, tail about 4f inches long. Adult male: Head, neck and chest yellow? wing-coverts white, rest of plumage black. Adult female: Brownish-dusky, throat and chest yellowish and white. Young male : Plumage similar to female, but deeper coloured. 254. King Eider. Length about 26 inches. Adult male: Top ot head bluish-gray, base of upper mandible enlarged into a broad lobe, a V-shaped mark of black on 214 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. throat. Females and Young : Plumage barred with dusky and pale iulvous, head and neck streaked with same. INDEX. A. No. Auk, Razor-billed 252 " American Widgeon " 29 " American Teal " 30 " American Pochard " , 35 " Acadian Owl " 119 B. Bittern, American • 52 " Least 53 Bobolink 157 Blackbird, Red-winged 159 Rusty 162 Yellow-headed 253 Bunting, Indigo 187 Bluebird 248 'Burgomaster" 9 " Black-headed Gull " > 13 " Blue-bill" 37 " ...- 38 " Black-head " 39 " Butter-ball " 42 " Black-heart Plover " 74 " Bull-head " 88 "Birch Pirtridge" 94 " Booted Hawk " 106 " Black Hawk " 106 " Black-backed Woodpecker " 131 " Banded-backed Woodpecker " 132 " Bee martin " 14C_ u Blackbird".. 162 216 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. B. No. " Bay- winged Bunting " 174 '* Butcher-bird " 197 " 198 " Black and White Creeper ' 204 " Blue Yellow-backed Warbler " 208 " Black and Yellow Warbler " 213 " Black-capped Yellow Warbler " 225 " Brown Thrush " 230 " Black-capped Chicadee " 237 Cormorant 21 Double crested 22 Coot, American 62 Curlew, Long-billed 85 " Hudsonian 86 " Eskimo , 87 Cuckoo, Yellow-billed 126 " Black " .. 127 Crow, American 156 Cowbird 1 58 Crossbill, American 167 " White-winged 168 Catbird 229 Creeper, Brown 234 Chickadee 237 Hudsonian 238 " Cowheen " 43 " Carolina Rail " 59 " Coot " 62 "Cock" 65 " Carolina Dove " 97 " Cinereous Owl " 117 " Cock of the Woods " 134 " Chimney Swallow " 140 " Chebec " 149 " Crow " , 156 " Crow Blackbird " 163 " Cedar-bird " . . 196 INDEX. 217 C. No. " Cherry-bird " 196 " Canadian Flycatching Warbler". 226 D. Dovekie 7 Duck, Mallard 26 " Black 27 " Gad wall 28 " Baldpate 29 " Shoveller 32 " Pintail 33 '• Wood 34 " Redhead 35 " Canvas-back 36 ' ' American Scaup 37 " Lesser Scaup 38 " Ring-necked 39 " American Golden-eye 40 " Birrow's " 41 " Buffle-head . . . . 42 ' Old-squaw 43 " Ruddy 48 Dowitcher 67 Dove, Mourning 97 ' ' Dab-chick " 4 "Deaf-duck" 45 " 46 " 47 "Dunlin" 74 E. Eider, American . . 44 " King 254 Egret " 55 Eagle, Golden 107 " Bald 108 "Eider-duck " 44 "Eave Swallow" 191 " English Sparrow " 249 218 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. F. No. Flycatcher, Kingbird 142 ' ' Crested 143 Phoebe 144 " Olive-sided 145 " Wood Pewee 146 Yellow-bellied , 147 Traill's 148 Least 149 Finch, Purple 166 " Fish-duck " 24 " 25 " French Teal " - 29 " 32 " Field Plover " 82 "Fish Hawk" , 113 G. Grebe, Western 1 " Holbcell's 2 " Horned 3 " Pied-billed 4 Gull, Kittiwake 8 " Glaucus 9 " Great Black-backed 10 ** American Herring 11 " Ring-billed 12 " Laughing 13 " Bonaparte's 14 Gannet 20 Goose, Greater Snow 49 " American White-fronted 50 " Canada 51 Guillemot, Black 250 Gallinule, Florida » 61 Godwit, Marbled 77 " Hudsonian 78 Grouse, Canada 93 " Canadian Ruffed 94 Goshawk, American 101 INDEX. 219 G. No. Gyrfalcon, White 109 Grackle, Bronzed , : 163 Grosbeak, Evening 164 American Pine 165 Rose-breasted 186 Goldfinch, American 170 Gnatc i tcher, Blue-gray 241 " Great Northern Diver " 5 "Goosander" 23 " Green-head " 26 " Gray-duck 33 " Greater Black-head " 37 " Golden eye " 40 " Gray-back Snipe " 67 " Greater Tattler " 79 " Gray Plover " 88 "Golden Plover" 89 " Goshawk " 101 " Golden-winged Woodpecker " 137 " Goatsucker " 139 " Great-crested Flycatcher " 143 " Gray-biri " 174 175 182 184 " Grassfinch " '...., 174 " Great Northern Shrike " 197 " Golden-crowned Thrush " 221 " Golden-crested Wren " 239 " Grass Plover ". 70 H. Heron, Great Blue 54 " Green 56 " Black-crowned Night 57 Hawk, Marsh 98 " Sharp-shinned 99 " Cooper's 100 Red-tailed . 102 220 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. H. No. Hawk, Red-shouldered 103 " Swainson's . .., 104 " Broad-winged 105 " American Rough-legged 106 " Duck 110 Pigeon Ill " American Sparrow 112 Hummingbird, Ruby-throated 141 " Hell-diver " 3 " Herring Gull " 11 " Heron " 54 " Hen Harrier " : 98 " Hen Hawk " 100 102 103 " Hairy Woodpecker " 129 " Higholder " 137 "Hummingbird" 141 I. " Indigo-bird " 187 J. Jay, Blue 153 " Canada 154 Junco, Slate-colored 181 " Jack Snipe " 70 K. Knot 68 Kingfisher, Belted 128 Kingbird 142 Kinglet, Golden-crowned 239 Ruby 240 " Kingfisher " 128 L. Loon 5 " Red-throated , . 6 INDEX. 221 L. No. Lark, Horned 150 Longpur, Lapland 173 " Lesser Black-head " 38 " Long-tailed Duck " 43 " Lesser Tattler " 80 " Log Cock " 134 M. Murre, Briinuich's * 251 Merganser, American 23 " Red-breasted- 24 Hooded 25 Magpie, American 152 Meadowlark 160 Martin, Purple 190 Maryland Yellow-throat 224 " Mother Carey's Chicken " 19 " Marsh-hen " 61 " Mud-hen " 61 11 Mottled Owl " 120 " Mosquitoe Hawk " 139 " Moose Bird " 154 N. Nighthawk , 139 Nuthatch, White-breasted 235 Red " 236 O. Osprey, American 113 Owl, American Long-eared 114 " Short-eared 115 " Barred 116 " Great Gray 117 " Richardson's. 118 " Saw Whet , 119 " Screech 120 " Great Horned 121 Arctic " 122 222 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. O. No. Owl, Dusky Horned 123 " Snowy 124 " American Hawk 125 Oriole, Baltimore 161 Oven-bird 221 " Old Wife " 43 " Old Tom Peabody " 177 P. Petrel, Storm 19 Phalarope, Northern 63 Plover, Black-bellied. .' 88 " American Golden 89 Killdeer 90 " Seniipalmated 91 Ptarmigan, Willow 95 Pigeon, Passenger 96 Phoebe 144 Pewee, Wood 146 Pipit, American 228 " Pond Blue-bill " 39 '• Partridge " 94 " Pewee " - 144 146 " Pine Grosbeak " 165 " Pine Linnet " 171 Q. " Quawk " 57 R. Rail, Virginia 58 " Sora 59 " Yellow 60 Raven, Northern 155 Redpoll • 169 Redstart, American * 227 Robin, American 247 •' Red-necked Grebe " . . 2 INDEX. 223 R. No. " Red-throated Diver " 6 " Rod-necked Phalarope " , . 63 " Red-breasted Snipe " , 67 " Red-breasted Sandpiper " 68 "Robin Snipe" 68 " Ring-neck Plover " 91 " Ruffed Grouse " 94 "Red Owl" 120 " Rain crow 127 " Raven " 155 " Red-bird " 188 " Red-eyed Flycatcher " -. 199 " Redstart " 227 Red-bellied Nuthatch " 236 " Ruby-crowned Wren " 240 ' Robin " 247 S. Scoter, American 45 White-winged 46 Surf 47 Snipe, Wilson's1 66 Sandpiper, Purple 69 Pectoral 70 " W hite-rumped 71 Baird's 72 Least 73 " Red-backed 74 Semipal mated 75 Solitary 81 Bartramian 82 Buff-br.-asted 83 Spotted 84 Sanderlins: 76 Swift, Chimney 140 Siskin, Pine 171 Snowflake 172 Sparrow, Vesper 174 " Savanna 175 224 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. S. No. Sparrow, White crowned 176 " throated 177 Tree 178 Chipping 179 Field 180 Song 182 Lincoln's 183 Swamp 184 Fox... 185 European House . . 249 Swallow, Cliff 191 " Barn ' 192 " Tree 193 Bank 194 Shrike, Northern.. 197 " White-ruraped ...-.'. 198 ' Sea Dove " ' 7 " Sea Pigeon " 14 " Sea Swallow " 16 " Solan Goose " 20 " Saw-bill " 23 " 24 25 " Shell-drake >' 24 "Spoon-bill". 32 " Sprigtail " 33 "Summer Duck" 34 "Spirit Duck" 42 " Shot-bag " 42 " Sou' Southerly 43 " Stake-driver " '. 52 " Shite-pout " 52 "Snipe" 66 " Stone Snipe " 79 " Sandlark " 84 ' Spruce Partridge " 93 " Spotted Grouse " 93 " Short-winged Buzzard " 105 " Shore Lark " : 150 151 INDEX. 225 S. No. " Snowbird " 172 " Snow Bunting -' 172 " Sand Martin " 194 " Summer Warbler " 210 T. Tern, Caspian 15 " Common 16 " Arctic 17 " American Black 18 Teal, Green-winged 30 " Blue " 31 Turnstone 92 Tanager, Scarlet 188 *' Summer 189 Thrush, Water 222 " Wood 242 Wilson's 243 " Gray-cheeked 244 Olive-backed 245 Hermit 246 Thrasher, Brown 230 " Timber-doodle " 65 " Tyrant Flycatcher '' 142 " Titlark " 228 V. Vireo, Red-eyed 199 " Philadelphia 200 " AVarbling 201 " Yellow-throated 202 " Blue-hended 203 ' Velve' -duck " 46 W. Woodcock, Eurpoean -. 64 American 65 Woodpecker, Northern Hairy 129 " Downy.. 130 226 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. W. No, Woodpecker, Arctic Three-toed 131 American " • 132 " Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 133 Pileated 134 Red-headed 135 Red-bellied 138 Flicker 137 Whippoorwill 138 Waxwing, Bohemian 195 " Cedar 19ft Warbler, Black and White 204 Nashville 205 " Orange crowned . . 206 Tennessee 207 " * Parula 208 Cape May 209 Yellow 210 Black-throated Blue 211 Myrtle 212 Magnolia , 213 " Chestnut-sided 214 Bay-breasted 215 Black-poll 216 Blackburnian 217 " Black-throated Green 218 Pine 219 Yellow Palm 220 Mourning 223 Wilson's 225 " Canadian 226 Water Thrush 222 Wren, House : . . 231 " Winter 232 " Long-billed 233 * Whistler " 40 " Whistle-wing " 40 " Wavy " 49 " Wild Goose " 51 " White Grouse "... 95 INDEX. 227 \V. No, " Wild Pigeon " 96 " White Owl " 124 " Woodcock " 134 " Whisky Jack " 154 " Wilson's Snowbird " 181 " White-bellied Swallow " 193; " White-bellied Nuthatch " 235* Y. Yellow-legs, Greater 79> 80 " Yellow-legs " 79 " Yellow-shanks " 80 " Yellow-bellied Woodpecker " 133 " Yellow-bird " 170 2101 " Yellow-rumped Warbler " 212 " Yellow Redpoll " '. 220; 16 XJMPIllEO 6Y (DAY I If) IDENNE: CONTENTS. PAGE Abbey Brown and J. H. T. C 231 " Feesh," by Wm. McLennan 232 A Fortnight in the Megantic Woods 234 Brook Trout : A Reminiscence 240 A Red Letter Day : Four Trout 242 Razor Backs ~ 243 Bull Frogs 245 The Ouiananiche 247 A Day's Duck-Shooting 248 A Truthful and Modest Fish Story 251 My First Salmon 253 David Denne's First Salmon (Poem) 256 Story of a Duck Hunt 257 A Day's Snipe-Shooting 261 Sport Around Montreal Fifty Years Ago 263 A Mon Ami, by L. A. Boyer 272 Fish and Game Laws, 1896... . 275 IN 1856, Abby Brown and I (the former well known as an old Montreal lacrosse player and snowshoer) left Caughnawaga by stage for Huntingdon, thence by private vehicle to a small vil- lage called St. Michaels, for a three or four days hunt. We made our headquarters with an old settler named John Hicks, of the township of Hinchinbrook. The weather was anything but favor- able for hunting, rain falling three days in succession. However, early in the morning we started for the bush accompanied by a very valuable thoroughbred deerhound named Lass. There were about three feet of snow on the level and heavy at that, sticking to our snowshoes and making tramping very fatiguing. After roaming about for four or five hours we agreed to separate and meet at a certain point. I took a path which led into a piece of burnt bush and can assure you I was glad when I got through it. I placed my old fashioned rifle against a large elm tree and took a draw at my clay pipe. Abby, as usual, having taken charge of the " Pain Killer." Just as I looked from behind the tree I saw a fawn approaching. I took aim rapidly, the cap missed fire, having got wet I suppose in my scramble through the woods. So as quick as thought I drew my iron ram rod and had no sooner done so when the fawn came almost directly opposite me. I let him have it across the nose and brought him to his knees. I then gave him another blow, bending the ram rod double, after which he fell on his back. When I saw his beautiful, pleading eyes I felt such a pang of remorse that I almost wished I had received the blow myself. When Abby appeared he quickly bled the fawn and its sufferings were over. It was now getting late, so we cut a pole and fastening the deer to it we each took an end on his shoulder and trudged homeward. At last, reaching the cabin, a bright fire and a 232 SPORTING SKETCHES. good hot supper made us soon forget our hard work. We retired early, but not without a smoke. The next morning we were off at 7 o'clock, taking a different direction, my companion going north co a runway with Lass. I went east to a small creek, a hill thickly wooded slooping down to it. When crossing the summit, I thought to take a short rest. I had no sooner sat down when I heard my friend's hound, a joyful sound when one is depending on his rifle for a supper. It was grand to see the old buck from where I sat on the hill, as he caught sight of the hound, how proud he looked and as though half inclined to charge the approaching dog, then suddenly turning, in a few rapid bounds was lost to view and passed round the hill. Lass with a loud cry flew in pursuit and the sounds died away as the dense woods engulphed them. Now the chase begun in earnest. Abby and I took a short cut to try and reach the lake runway in time to get a shot, but we were disappointed, for on reaching the shore we saw far out on the ice both deer and hound. All we could do was to watch them, and soon to our horror, just as they were nearing the open water, a large piece of ice detached itself from the main body and with deer and hound on it drifted towards the rapids. The deer may have reached land again, but good, brave, faithful Lass was never seen again. These are some of the recollections connected with my younger days, which it is always a pleasure to recall. It was during this excursion that we were indebted to Mr. Sommerville and Mr. Hugh Graham, Snr., residents at St. Michaels, for valuable directions as to best hunting grounds in this locality. J. H. T. C. " FEESH." BY WILLIAM MCLENNAN. ' Bagosh.' Dat's true him ? Some men is born lucky. Dat's me, I be born lucky an' I'll can't help it. Most my luck is feesh. You see me wid my h'ole pole an' 'ook, pull out de feesh an' de man w'at come h'all de way from Mon'real stan' on de odder side wid' es basket, an' rod, an' reel, an jim-rubbit boots, an' stripy SPORTING SKETCHES. 233 'at h'all stick h'up wid flies — an' e' wip, an wip, an wip de water an' de feesh h'only laugh at 'eem. Bym' by 'e say, " you change de place wid me?" an' I'll say, "all right, dat make nottin' for me," an' we change — but de feesh change too ! Well, I'll tol' you something fonny ; Once when I'll diden't go on de bush, I'll stay wid XLste Broullette my broder-an-law dat winter ; an' 'e tell me very h'early 'bout six or' eight o'clock one morning, "Melchior, take de cow down for drink on de h'ice." So I'll get h'up, pull on my moccasins w'at 'ave de red flannin round de h'ancle, Injun way, an I'll cut de 'ole on de h'ice, an' de cow drink. Bagosh, it was make col' ! Dere was more nor forty cow on de h'ice, an' w'en dey h'all stan' roun de 'ole, dey press de h'ice down 'an de water h'up. I'll stan' dere, 'an I'll don' see de water came on my feet — but bym'by I'll feel somet'in give me 'ard pull on de foot, an' I'll give de foot a kick an somet'in come, an' w'en I'll look on de h'ice Bagosh ! .I'll see de big trouts most four poun's long. Well de minute 'e strike de h'ice, 'e's curl h'up like a barr'l 'oop, an' de col' was so quick, it freeze 'eem solid, before 'e ondo' eemself. I'll tink dat arrive like dis : de cow make de water warm w'en dey take deir win' for drink, an' de feesh come h'out dat warm water an' strike dat snow wid nottin' on 'em, e's jus' curl h'up an freeze at de same time. Well, Bagosh ! I'll fin' dat fonny an I'll laugh mos' for split my- self w'en I'll see dat trouts freeze wid 'es tail on 'es mout. An 'den I'll feel 'nodder pull an' I'll give nodder kick an' h'out came nodder trouts jus' so big like de firs,' an' de minute 'e fin' 'e's strike de col' snow 'e curl h'up an' freeze h'all de same like de firs'. Well, Sir, I'll never see nottin like dat.' So I'll jus' stan' dere by de 'ole an' de cow stan' dere too an' look h'on, an every time I'll kick I'll bring de trouts till dere was mos' a bushel an' a 'alf 011 de h'ice, all froze h'up stiff on rings, an' my leg was so sore I'll can't hardly move 'eem. But I'll woulden't stop for dat,' an I'll vvouJden't be stop yet, h'only I'll kick up two BARBOTTES — cat- feesh you'll call 'em — Dey was big too, more big nor any of de trouts, but w'en I'll go for feesh I'll go for sport an' not for bar- botte. An' I'll stop. I'll always know w'en I'll 'ave enough, me. 234 SPORTING SKETCHES. A FORTNIGHT IN THE flEQANTIC WOODS. BY E. A. COWLEY. From his pipe the smoke ascending Filled the sky with haze and vapor, Filled the air with dreaming softness." — Longfellow. B'rers Wolf, Rabbit, Fox and Coon composed the party which left Montreal on the evening of August 30th for their annual shooting, fishing and outing trip, the point of destination being the Megantic wilderness. Contrary to the generally accepted idea that the Canadian Pacific Railway was "always on time," we arrived at the station, Lake Megantic, at 6 a.m., or nearly three hours behind time, but no one complained, (except, perhaps, B'rer Rabbit, for the rubbers of whist were going the wrong way and he wranted to cry quits) for 3 a.m. is, when one realizes it, a somewhat inconvenient hour to arrive anywhere. Our two Peterborough canoes had come through safely, and of course the rest of the baggage, including the dogs, had followed suit, notwithstanding a baggage car filled to the roof. At Moquin's hotel, where we breakfasted, we met our guide, genial Joe Bolduc, already engaged by letter,— not a professional guide, mind you, but one who was as good, in every respect as any guide in the district and a great deal better than most of them, and what is an additional point in his favor, one to whom it would be quite unnecessary to offer a " fancy price " to put one in the way of killing a moose— in season. Moquin's is a first rate hunter's resort, and the proprietor's son-in-law, Mr. Keene, did his best to try and make things pleasant for us. The little launch " Albion," belonging to the lumber company took us aboard at 8 a.m. and we steamed twelve miles to the head of the lake, debarking at Woburn wharf. The sail up the lake is very beautiful, resembling in many respects, Lake George. Lake Megantic not to be outdone by its rivals, has its pro- fessional hermit who lives in a hut on the lake shore, and who honored us (or the steamer's captain) by a wave of his hand as we passed his lonely habitation. Several handsome cottages owned by prominent Canadians nestle in lovely nooks here and SPORTING SKETCHES. 235 there, while on the eastern shore of Victoria Bay stands the handsome club house of a defunct fishing club. On arrival of the steamer at Woburn wharf our duffle was un- loaded and we adjourned to Madame Cameron's hostelry to arrange for transportation to our camping ground. The name Cameron does not convey the idea of a native of Sunny France, but one should not judge by names in this part of the world for the Madame was a buxom French woman and what was more had two buxom daughters who. were ministering angels to our hungry crowd. B'rer Rabbit's tender glances rendered us a favor on this occasion. Can some brother sportsman give a reason why any man carry- ing a rod or .gun is almost invariably subject to the most wanton extortion ? We contracted for the only boat (and to call it a boat is supreme politeness) at the head of the lake to carry our tent, provisions and pack bags to the camping ground on Foster's clearing, distant some three miles. The bargain was definite, of that I am sure, for I seconded the transportation committee in his vain efforts to beat the sou of a Cameron down to a figure which would not put to shame a lawyer's retaining fee ; at any rate, about two miles from the wharf our aimiable friend struck for double price, giving us as a reason that we were going further than was called for in the bond— he thought, poor fellow, that we had arranged to camp in Lake Megantic, and the result was that we were compelled to pay it or dump the load. I never thought that a man or boy could stand so much wholesome abuse for one miserable dollar. Arriving at camp we pitched our tent in time for dinner, and while the preparation thereof is in progress I will explain the location of the camp, than which none better exists in the region. Situated on a cleared knoll rising pretty sharply from the Lower Spider river and about 100 feet therefrom, and about a mile from the head of Lake Megantic, one-fourth of a mile above the confluence of the Arnold and Spider rivers, one-fourth of a mile below Rush lake, which flows into Lake Megantic through the Lower Spider river, and about three-quarters of a mile from Spider lake which flows into Rush lake through the channel of the Upper Spider river, it thus stands between three lakes, Spider, Rush and Megantic and is almost encircled by lakes and rivers. It is called " Foster's clearing" after an old trapper and 236 SPORTING SKETCHES. hunter named Foster who cleared the patch of land and erected his camp thereon. Tradition has it that he was drowned while crossing Lake Megantic on the ice many years ago. Dinner was soon disposed of, and while Joe was engaged in making our bough beds we started in different directions on an exploring trip— minus gun, for every man amongst us was an upholder of the game laws and it lacked one day of the open shooting season. At sunset we met at camp and discussed the results of our explorations, deciding to divide up on the morrow and try grouse and trout, Oh ! the pleasant memories of those evenings in camp when, lying on our fragrant bough beds and with pipes alight and the glowing camp fire in view, we recall the trips of the past and live them over again in music, word, song and thought. Our evenings, however are short, for, weary with the day's tramping through the dense bush, by eight o'clock all were soundly sleeping, and the forest silence prevailed or should have prevailed, except for the occasional hoot of an owl or the sonorous snore of B'rer Fox, or perhaps an exultant shout from B'rer Wolf " I've got him, I've got him " followed by a smothered remark from under the blanket in the corner which sounds very much like " shut up and go to sleep." I was too sleepy to be quite sure about it, but something to the point was said. An early start meant breakfast at 4 a.m., and we accordingly crawled out at that hour to find Joe doing his best to get the fire started, the wood being pretty well saturated from the excessive dew which bad fallen during the night. Breakfast over, 'the fishermen, B'rers Wolf and Rabbit, left for the Arnold river, given in the guide books of the Megantic Fish and Game Club as teeming with trout, (I never use the expression "teeming" — it oughtn't to exist — but the guide book says so) while B'rers Fox and Coon called out their dogs and made for the forest. Soon the merry reports " bang," " bang," were heard — " Did you get him ? " " Yes, Sir," " Good ! " and so on, until by noon seven ruffed grouse were brought to bag and the nimrods returned homewards. This is a splendid grouse country and grouse are abundant, the great and only difficulty being in the fact that our dog— a Clumber Spaniel belonging to B'rer, Wolf, hunting mute, would SPORTING SKETCHES. 237 not frighten the birds sufficiently for a rise ; the birds being quite tame would run for thirty or forty rods and rise in the heavy timber where a shot was next to impossible. Hunting with any dog which would give tongue would make a vast difference in early September, and big bags should be the rule. During our enc impment several grouse were shot with a rifle at a distance of no more than tan or twenty yards. About 5 p.m., B'rer Coon was busily engaged in making his celebrated vinegar cocktail when the fishing party returned with a few trout, none of which would turn the half pound, and voted with considerable emphasis the Arnold a complete failure, at least for 15 miles up, beyond which navigation with a canoe was then impossible. Put not thy absolute faith in Club guide books. About sunset all four made for Rush lake for the evening duck shooting, and after hastily constructing blinds we sat in our canoes waiting for the coming of the ducks, and the one bright particular spot in our fortnight's trip was the pleasure derived in this lake (or small marshy pond at this time of the year). The Black ducks would sail in with their wings set, and in great numbers and, as no shooting had been done that autumn they were much less wary than is their custom. It was a royal sight to see B'rer Wolf suddenly kneel at the sight of some incoming ducks, and with the reports of his gun see two single ducks leave the flock and drop into the lake, dead, while B'rer Rabbit took care of one or two more. Shooting was kept up until about an hour after sunset, when "all up!" was called and we paddled campward just as the glorious moon rose over the distant mountains of Maine. The next day the whole party decided to try the West Branch of the Arnold for trout, so, taking our canoes we paddled to Woburn Wharf, getting four black ducks en route, and thence travelled on foot some five miles, two and a half by road and the balance through bush. On arriving at the river we found it choked for some miles with immense spruce and hemlock logs, which had jammed in Spring in a drive and stuck fast until the following Spring when the high waters doubtless carry them to Lake Megantic some miles away. There were a few open spaces where the river was clear but the trout had taken advantage of the shade afforded by the logs and none were caught in the open stretches, although 238 SPORTING SKETCHES. the choicest treasures of our fly-books were tried again and again. Under the circumstances we were reduced to the necessity of using the plebeian bait and of fishing between the logs, as the latter made a natural bridge on which the walking was delight- ful when we had learned by experience to wear our rubber canoe shoes. The first day we tried it we used leather boots, and for a successful experiment in turning the contemplative angler into a powder magazine, I can heartily recommend a lot of barkless logs rendered as slippery as ice by the elements. I can vouch that by evening the logs were not the only barkless things in the neighborhood. Trout were very plentiful, and we con • eluded to try no more waters, but to do our fishing there during our encampment. Our record of fish kept for five days to four rods was over 700, ranging from a quarter of a pound to a pound and a half, the average, however, running small. B'rer Rabbit has never quite forgiven me for an accident which occurred on the last day we fished this river. He was on the opposite side of the stream from where I had been patiently fish- ing a good pool, and deciding that there was a big one left in it I crossed over to him, intending to give my pool a rest for a half hour or so. B'rer Rabbit was standing on the outside edge of an immense pile of logs and said " There's a beauty in here but I can't hook the rascal." " All right, I'll fish over here," and I dropped the bait in about thirty feet from him on the inside of the pile and near the bank. There was a fierce tug and a swirl and I soon had a good pounder in my creel. " Hang the luck,' said B'rer Rabbitt, " you've got my trout," and so I had ; he had been frightened from the outside of the pool and I just dropped in in time to catch his eye. It was no easy matter to land a good fish through the different holes formed by the layers of logs crossing each other in the most intricate manner, and many a hook did we leave in those logs. It was not satisfactory fishing nor were the trout large, but we were enjoying our outing as much as though we were four school-boys. One day we found the tracks of a large black bear on some flat rocks in mid-stream. The tracks were still wet although the sun was very hot, but as we had nothing but fishing rods and beef tea flasks, and had lost no bear, we decided, without con- sideration or argument, to let him have his own sweet will and pay strict attention to our own affairs. SPORTING SKETCHES. 239 The Megantic region is a perfect paradise for red deer, par- ticularly during the month of September. On one occasion, we counted five in one day, and the tracks along the small rivers and creeks, particularly in Annance Bog were very numerous. Of course, in the open season in the fall and winter they are not so numerous in this district, yarding farther away in the mounta ns among the hard wood timber. Strange stories are told at Woburn Wharf and names mentioned, too, of how a certain pot-hunter had killed during the summer (and conse- quently out of season) thirty deer. A surreptitious peep into his shed by the writer, revealed a green deerskin hanging up to dry, so I fancy there is much truth in the statement. The game wardens of the Megantic Fish and Game Club are local men and while they do their best they are constantly in danger of their lives when they attempt a prosecution. In fact, on more than one occasion, they have been fired upon with a rifle while en- deavoring to arrest pot-hunters during the close season, for moose hunting with a " Jack." A prosecution, at most, brings a trivial fine and the ultimate result of it all will be, that here, as elsewhere, in a few years time our game will become a matter of history. If our sportsmen were all animated by the same desire — i. e. to protect the game, we could compel OUT Provincial Government to protect our forests and our streams by paid game wardens. On the contrary, however, the sportsmen have to thank their own want of unamimity for the fast increasing scarcity of fish and game, and being a crank on this subject I would like to dilate upon it but find that I shall not have space in this sketch. We put in a jolly fortnight's camp, shooting a goodly number of ducks and grouse, varied by an occasional blue heron or a bittern and fishing for trout in the West Branch and for mas- kinonge in Lake Megantic, sleeping, eating, and taking it very easy generally, and the only tribulation and sorrow inflicted upon us was the loss of B'rer Fox, whom stern business called away at the end of the fifth day. and he left us in sackcloth and ashes, taking with him for distribution a few good trout and our hearty wishes for a reunion the following year. The days passed all too quickly, and when the end came we regretfully struck camp and, storing our duffle in our canoes, paddled down Spider river to the lake and were met by the 240 SPORTING SKETCHES. steamer at the wharf, thence to the village of Lake Megan tic, where we embarked for Montreal, arriving at 9 a.m. Sunday, a well rested and happy crowd eager once again for the battle of life, and ready with clearer brains to hold our end up with extra vigor, such as can only be imparted by a trip to the woods and streams, that we, in compiny with so many thousands of brother sportsmen love so well. BROOK TROUT : A REniNISCENCE. BY W. B. LAMBE. There is much pleasure in the reminiscence of a good day's fishing, with the attending circumstances that are personal to the fisherman. These may be only in pirt communicated to others, but it certainly adds much to the angler's triumph to have someone near-by to whom he may show the fish when landed and say " is not this a beauty?" What the trout's ideas on the subject may be is another ques- tion. Probably he may say " you cruel tyrant, to have deceived me when I was harmlessly sporting in my home, from which you have dragged me to an untimely death for your selfish amuse- ment." This moral has been stated by Cowper, and much may be said in support thereof, but as the butcher replied to the sentiment- alist on the cruelty of killing lambs, that " surely you would not eat them alive," so it may be said of fishing when the object is to obtain food. It may be added that fish have to be caught, and in many cases are quite able to take care of themselves. My story is a short one and meets the point raised that the fishing in this case at least was for supper. Fish stories grow, and this one did, but the facts could be vouched for by the trout so far as they were concerned ; the remainder has to be stated by myself. It may, however, astonish some persons as to trout fishing in our Canadian waters. Many years since when a student, and spending a few months at Xicolet in studying French, I was invited to join a party who were to start from Hunterstown Mills north of St. Leon on a SPORTING SKETCHES. 241 timber-limit exploration in the Laurentian hills. I was to accompany them with gun and rod to help in supplying the com- missariatwith game. There was no resisting this invitation. Now listen to the result of the first day's fishing. Of the party there were four American prospectors, one of the proprietors of the mills, myself, with four voyageurs, ten men in all. Arrangements were made for a start about sunset, and near-by the camping ground selected on the river side there was known to be a cool spring entering the river, where on a bank of golden sand the trout were sure to be sporting in the cool waters of the river. The approach from the bank was through a bed of reeds, the water was as clear as crystal and the trout were there, but how to get near them without being seen was the question. They had to be stalked as carefully as deer on the open ground. Having rigged a gang of six small hooks on a gut, I crept or slid through the weeds followed by two men, who were to bait the hooks with worms (excuse me, we were fishing for supper) and handle the fish, and the slaughter began. Cast one over the sand-bar swarming with half pound trout and six trout were thrown overhead to the men behind me. Cast two, three, four, five, six, and so on, with a result of six trout at each cast in an interval of about two to four minutes for hooking the fish, taking them off the hooks and rebaiting. The next thing was to shoot some millard grouse (sa van ne partridge) which I did, until one of the voyageurs proved to me that he could noose them with a slip-knot of cedar bark at the end of a pole. This satisfied me that pot hunting was not sport as is gener- ally understood by anglers and fowlers, but we all did justice to the supper. My fish story only begins here. Some ten or fifteen years afterwards our old host of Hunterstown Mills, who was good at a story and could out-slick Sam Slick or Mark Twain, stopped me as I passed along St. James street, having just then left Sir Fenwick Williams and his aides on the opposite side, to whom he had been telling a trout story, when with the remark to the general, " Why, there's the very man who did it, but wait one minute until I ask him as to the number, for by jove I have told the story so often that I really believe I have got ahead of the count." 242 SPORTING SKETCHES. Then presenting me he said, "Tell me, now, was I right when I assured the general that you had caught one hundred dozen trout in an hour in the Hunterstown river ? I want to know if I am right. I shall start fair if I am wrong." " My dear sir, I caught ten doz n and considered I did pretty well." The general laughed, and so did we all, at the good fish story of my friend, who replied, " Well, I was not far wrong after all, but it was the confounded 'dozens ' that bothered me." He has since left us and no more cracks jokes, or tells good fish stories. A RED LETTER DAY : FOUR TROUT. BY J. L. M. I will never forget that day. Twenty-five years have sped away since, but the sheen of those silvery trout is still photo- graphed on my memory. I was spending the summer at Murray Bay and many a trout in stream and lake had yielded to the fascination of my flies. I went up to the pool above the chute, six miles from the village, the favorite pool of my friend, W. H, Kerr, Q.C., of Montreal, from which he had taken many a lordly salmon. The river there took a sudden bend where a foaming rapid struck a mass of sheltering rock at right angles, forming a broad deep pool some 200 yards in length. It was a most pictur- esque spot. Thick spruce and birch crowded down to the edge of the rocks and threw their shadows over the water. On the other side was a shallow gravelly beach, the very spot upon which to land a salmon after having hooked him in the deep water at the head of the pool. Under the flecks of foam close to the edge of these rocks the big trout loved to lie. That day I kept to the deep side and with difficulty clambered along the edge of the rocks between the trees and the water. I had captured one or two small fish and without any great expectations had cast my fly in a listless way over a point of rock ahead of me, into a little angle or nook close to the shore, and was gazing admiringly upon the towering mountains not SPORTING SKETCHES. 243 far off, when suddenly I heard in the direction of my fly, a splash, and turning quickly, saw a glittering shower of drops which sent a thrill of joy to my heart. My line was hanging loose and I knew that by my carelessness I had missed a big fish. Gathering back my tackle I took a careful cast right over the place where the mighty tail had disappeared and almost instantly, there was a wild rush, a leap and with a turn of my wrist he was hooked. For ten minutes I played that trout. He tried to make for the rapids but I turned him. The reel gave out sweet music and his silver sides gleamed in the stream. I had to be careful, having no landing net and no one to help me, but my tackle was good and at last he lay upon his side within reach as I reeled in my line. Stooping down quietly, I put my hand round his vvaist and he was mine. He was a fresh run sea trout and weighed 3^ Ibs. The largest trout I had up to that time ever caught. I cast again, and out of the same pool landed three more. The four weighed 12 Ibs. Then, I returned in triumph to my wife, who was reading under a bridge some distance below. I was young then and now am old with " silver threads among the gold." I have caught many trout since and bigger ones, but I doubt if any day's fishing ever gave me such keen enjoyment as did my capture of these four trout in that famous pool. January, 1894. RAZOR BACKS. BY A. J. P. It was on the evening of November 20th, 1876, we arrived at our cabin. The weather intensely cold ; the moon in its first quarter, was shedding a clear light through the marshes, we could hear an occasional quack of the black duck ; this was too mirch for my friend H . He could not withstand the tempta- tion. Maxime was ordered to get the canoe out, H , well wrapped up, went out through the marsh into the small lake to get a crack or two. From the slightly elevated ground on . 17 244 SPORTING SKETCHES. which the cabin stood I watched him out of sight. Returning to the cabin, I sat by the fire, smoked one and then another pipe, the time went slowly by. Two hours had passed and no sound of my friend. I was now seriously anxious ; the moon had dropped behind a dense cloud ; all was dark as Egypt. Was my friend lost ? Three hours passed ; my anxiety was intense; standing out- side, I was perished and hoarse with shouting, when I heard the joyful sound of paddles breaking the ice. It appeared that the water way was clear enough on going out, but on returning, the ice had formed so quickly, it was with the greatest difficulty they could force the small " dugout " through. Hence, the long delay. The reader can easily understand how relieved I was on hearing my friend's great hearty voice, and may be assured no time was lost in brewing a good hot Scotch for the old hunter. The following morning, clear and bright, millions of crystals hanging from the reeds, bowing them down in graceful curves, glistening in the now risen sun. We glided through the channel dropping an occasional black duck or blue bill. The westerly wind blew us with our "cache" out into the lake, we were soon on the feeding ground ; decoys were placed, the boatmen retired to the marsh, all was ready for the sport. Flock after flock came up to us and we peppered away in lively style. Unfortunately the high wind drove the white caps into our boat and they immediately became solid ice. We were com- pelled to give it up the water was well strewn with birds, our signal to return was answered by the men, who collected the ducks ; H — — taking the birds, he havingthe larger boat, I, the decoys. Then came a most perilous journey to the marsh, heavily laden as we were. Our men were capital hands at manag- ging the canoes, but notwithstanding their care we took in a little water ; the little, however, was sufficient to freeze me in tight and fast to the boat. Arriving at a lighthouse, we were only too glad to put ashore. After nicely arranging the birds on the bow, placing our finest on the top, we hurried up the ladder to the comfortable room. Next thing in order was a good warminx, both outside and in. While making the water hot, I was moving round examining the SPORTING SKETCHES. 245 curious wall decorations, when accidentally looking out of the window, I saw half a dozen "razor backs" at our boats, each with a noble bird in its mouth. The alarm given, all jumped up and out, but, alas ! too late, each hog cantered off carrying the prime of our day's sport. BULL FROGS. BY A. J. P. Twenty years ago last summer, we drove out of Ottawa for a day's sport, trout fishing. The road we had taken led us directly to Meche's Lake, ending at the water's edge. By the kindness of our hospitable host (Ward, of the Royal Victoria) we had been loaned his boat and a good one it was. After putting up our horses at an adjacent farm, we retraced our steps to the lake side ; here we shouted to the opposite shore, (nearly a mile distant.) Hello! Hello-o-o-o! Presently you could distinguish the splash of oars as they dipped in the liquid gold, the sun was hastening to hide itself behind the surrounding mountains. The entrancing landscape baffles all description. Placing our provisions and buffalo robes in the boat, the old man (a jolly French songster) singing to the time of his oars, rowed us swiftly along. Ah ! Ah ! I have a bite at my troll and soon landed a fine black trout, weighing as nearly as we could judge, three pounds and fifteen ounces. We could not say four pounds without fear of exaggeration. Having been warned not to sleep in the boatman's hut, we camped out for the night and although it was close and sultry we were glad enough to pull the heavy buffalo over our heads to keep the miriads of musical insects from their playful games. Breakfasting right early, our rods and lines in order, we made our way to the lake's outlet, passing numerous miniature 246 SPORTING SKETCHES. islands, old decayed logs and debris lying: far out from their shores. Idly basking in the sun sat a bull frog. " There ! said the boatman, " let him take your fly." " I'll hook him if you will take him off," I replied. "All right, if he does not take himself off, I will." I let the fly down to the frog, who indolently caught it and into the boat I brought him. No sooner had he touched the bottom of the boat than he was off the hook ; the barb of the hook had evidently not penetrated the skin. Rowing along, we soon sighted another and much larger. Wishing to put the matter to a test I gave a sharp up stroke of the rod, landing him in the boat. Mr. Frog deliberately sat upon his hindquarters and commenced handling the hook like a human, and in a few moments he had freed himself, to our astonishment and amuse- ment. We now proceeded to the outlet, soon arriving there, our delight was unbounded. Through the space between two large rocks (you could jump from one to the other) flowed the snrplus water of the lake, rushing, tearing, frothing into the ravine below, following this outburst of water it quieted down to the beautiful trout pool. Oh ! such a spot. The pool dark as porter, save the irridescent bubbles, sporting round after each other like mad. To cast our flies was necessarily a difficult task owing to the close growth of the slender, graceful birch, surrounding you with their silver trunks and bright colored foliage. The beauty bevvitchingly lovely was soon lost to our thoughts. No sooner had our flies touched the water than a rush was made at them ; each of us had hooked a trout. Owing to the lightness of our taokle and the surrounding impediments, the excitement was great indeed ; we had killed two fine fish. Our sport continued, and after cleaning out two pools, (always carefully returning the small fish) we lined our basket with nice cool green ferns, placing in the catch, completely filling it. We were welcomed back to Ottawa by our pleasant host, who remarked that they were the finest lot of speckled trout he had over seen brought into town. Twenty-seven, weighing thirty- six pounds. \ SPORTING SKETCHES. 247 THE OUIANANICHE. BY J. L. M My first experience of Ouiananiche fishing in 1890 and a copy of verses I wrote down in my note-book as a tribute to my new finny friends : You are sailing along Softly singing a song, Whilst admiring the view And the heavenly blue, Deftly casting a fly And hoping soon to spy A bright Ouiananiche. It begins to feel dull, When, Oh ! there's a great pull And the reel cries swish. Splashing, dashing, flashing Plashing, lashing, mashing Here, there, everywhere ; Leaping into air, Boiling, toiling, moiling, Tackle straining, spoiling, Fighting strong and fair Every trick to dare, Pluckiest of all the fish Is the noble Ouiananiche. Air — When we were first acquent. The first thing this fish does when he is hooked is to shoot up into the air and so he continues on most of the time until he either frees himself or is landed. One fish leaped twelve times before he went into the landing net ; another ten times, and these are fair examples. I do not think that they are more plucky than black bass, nor do they make such runs, but they pull just as hard and leap a great deal more and consequently the sport is more exciting. A number of four pounders were caught this year and one of 5f Ibs., but it is rare to get them over 4 Ibs. and very many do not go over from 1 to 2 Ibs. I think that on the whole they are the most lively fish I ever caught. 248 SPORTING SKETCHES. A DAY'S DUCK SHOOTING ON 23rd SEPT., 1893. BY D. D. Quack ! Quack ! Quack ! Quack ! The "Great Rush Railway," desirous of "keeping up" its reputation, landed us at our destination on Friday night over half a hour late, but we had learnt from experience to be pre- pared for delays and were provided with sandwiches, etc., a good deal of the latter, On leaving the train we were glad to hear the well known voice of one of our guides who had driven over for us. He soon had our "traps" in the waggon and after a pleasant drive we found ourselves at our destination, a small farm-house on the banks of a river and the moon shining overhead in all her brightness, or as the poets would remark, " The moon was full." We were soon seated at a comfortable table enjoying a good supper. After that a few words for the dogs, old friends, then a pipe, with the usual accompaniment, whilst we completed our arrangements for the morning. By 10.30 we were all in bed, and except those who were too excited about the prospects of the morning's sport, soon asleep. At 2.30 we were aroused, our lamps lighted and in a quarter of an hour we were dressed and looking out to find which way the wind came. There was little of it and the worst we could have had, but enough to lift the mist. A good drink of milk and a slice of home-made bread and butter composed our first breakfast, and very soon we were in our boots, each accompanied by his favorite guide and dog. There was just light enough on the water to enable us to direct our different courses up or down the river. The blackbirds in the rushes were just beginning to welcome the coming morn. A cock crowing on the shore, a bell at the village church, a splash of a fish or sometimes a musk rat, were the sounds we heard as we paddled along under the still starlit sky. In about an hour we are all hidden away in our various " blinds," our live decoys quacking as innocently as possible, and feeding away quite con- tentedly, being well accustomed to being anchored out as lures. The " roseate streaks of dawn " were appearing in the east. The finishing touches were just completed about the blind, I was preparing to load my gun. My guide sitting behind me had just got one shell of No. 3 in his, and was feeling in his bag for another, 'It M&WM m mm ' sLV'tVi ;.".yj' •' :'•;;' ii-'i ;. •r?,ri : !:?,l ' J1 ', ,L ; In f ^l 250 SPORTING SKETCHES. when we heard the ducks coming, and from behind. Joe did not hesitate. Up went his gun, a No. 10, and how it did speak right over my head, then down splashed three black ducks out of the twenty-five or more who took that early peep at us. I was more than disappointed at losing my chance at this flock. They were so near, but it's always that way with duck shooting. Be off your guard at any moment, filling your pipe or something else, just then you lose the best chance of the day. However, its no good "crying over spilt milk." We are both ready now. Our dog has brought in the ducks, and we are pleased with the result of the first shot. In a few minutes 5 black ducks are seen coming up the river; our decoys quack well. Nearer and nearer they come ; up goes my 12-bore for a right and left. , Down drops one almost among the decoys, another falls well over the other side of the river and, being only wounded, goes ashore there, and hides till our retriever looks him up later on in the day, Then follows a flock of teal, a long shot, but we got one bird. Then a bittern's curiosity costs him his life. Afterwards a long wait, and nothing moving we start for breakfast with astonishing appetites considering we had not gone out fasting. The other boats also return, finding the day too fine for duck shooting. They bring a few birds and relate their experience while we enjoy our second meal. About 10 o'clock it is suggested we try the different snipe grounds in the neighborhood. We are soon ready again, but only to be disappointed : the birds are not to be found near the river. They must be up in the fields, but where, none of the party can say. Then it is proposed we try for three woodcock, known to be in a certain cover just outside a big swamp. These woods are so thick, and the walking such hot work this lovely bright day, that we are not over-quick in re- sponding to this last suggestion, but we do go and have a walk that we won't forget in a hurry. We hear the birds as they rise and fly towards the middle of the swamp. We cannot follow them, so return to the farm-house to await the evening's flight of ducks. This does not amount to much, the weather is not favorable. We are too early in the season for fall ducks, and the summer ducks won't fly till too late on this particular night. Once more we return to the house, change our " things " and that gladly, as rubber boots were uncomfortable to walk in, and especially on a hot day. We have some good roast chicken, pies, SPORTING SKETCHES. 251 etc., for dinner. Then drive back to the "station," and in a desperate hurry, for we have taken too long over our meal listen- ing to some wonderful stories of the day's sport. My guide, Joe, is a marvellous "raconteur" and amused us by telling us that last week he had a fine fat heron for dinner. He liked it better than duck. The only fault he could find with it was that his wife could not wash the smell of this "gamey" bird off the plates and knives and forks, although she had tried her be>t ever since. "Chacun a son gout "—after all we need not have hurried to the train, for it was again late. The very amiable station- master made many apologies and offered us the best chairs and other conveniences at his disposal. We reached home without accident which, after all, our wives thought the greatest de- sideratum. We have since had a good sleep and feel well disposed towards everything and everybody and are already looking forward to the next day's duck shooting. A TRUTHFUL AND MODEST FISH STORY.' Written by D. D., in memory of a fishing trip with J. L. M., June Wtli, 1896. We went fishing, just for a fine June day. The first train out of town took us to a wharf where w^e should have met our boatmen, but alas, when we left the train, the train left us standing alone, none to welcome us. Fortunately, howrever, we were seen by one who had compassion on our lonliness and offered to find us a boat and a man to row it ; more than this, one who knew the ground and who fished for a living. Our friend went off for this boatman, even walked to his house, but the Fates seemed against us. He was not there, and they (his better half) did not know what had become of him. We insti- tuted a search and found him fast asleep in his boat under the wharf ; he seemed to be dreaming pleasantly, but we had no pity and in answer to our call up he started. Of course he was quite ready to go with us at once, but he had not breakfasted, which accounted for his anxious glances at our well-filled lunch baskets. 252 SPORTING SKETCHES. His boat, as usual with such men, never leaked a drop, would ride over any waves that the wind could blow. Then for fish stories, oh, what a stock this disciple of Isaac had at his tongue's end ! His hair was very white, so, no doubt, he was a truthful raconteur. In order the better to double the length of each fish taken during previous trips, he would stop rowing, and mark off with his left hand the length on his right arm, looking up at you all the time to see if you believed him when he said " Longue comme ca." The time passed pleasantly enough whilst crossing over to the fishing ground. The day was all that a fisherman could desire. Our tackle was in perfect order, for had we not frequently during the winter overhauled it in anticipation of this time ? It was then with joyful and expectant hearts that we committed our artificial minnows, Maltby's celebrated horn killers, to the water. First, a pike, never very welcome to us, then a dore, then another pike, a perch, afterwards at a favorite " Chenai " a lot of the gamiest black bass we ever killed, and we have killed a good many I can assure you. Then we neared a lovely island, on which we landed for a few minutes to give our guide his breakfast and a few mosquitoes a bite or two. All this time we listened to the wild birds singing their morning hymn of praise. Those who have heard them at this hour are not, I am sure, the libellers who say our Canadian birds cannot sing as sweetly as the " Old Country " songsters. Afterwards we saw the wood duck and her youngsters. The old bird tried every trick she could think of to make us follow her but we well understood her ways and did not deviate from our course. We will give her and her family a call about September 1. The wild roses and the cranberry blossoms made the shores lovely and on the rocks the little pipers were playing their usual game of " tit up." To return to the fishing. Well, we fished all that day, except when enjoying a little refreshment at noon under the shade of some lovely trees. Of course we lost our biggest fish, the man said the largest dore he ever saw on a hook. Our landing net was not large enough for such a patriarch ; another time we will go prepared for him. With the stars shining overhead, we SPORTING SKETCHES. 253 returned to our homes that night with all the fish we wanted, our faces and hands well burnt by old Sol, a little tired, perhaps, but satisfied and thankful for a day's outing such as only "jolly anglers " know how to enjoy. MY FIRST SALflON. BY D. D. (The ivoodcut is from a photograph by the late Spencer T. Ram,say, Esq.} Reader, did you ever see a Canadian salmon stream? I shall never forget my first sight of one— such water, rushing along in its purity over stones, clean and smooth. No weeds, always cold and bright, hiding nothing, too cold for the fishermen to bathe in with impunity, but for the salmon a very paradise. Pool after pool becomes the resting place of the fish as they ascend the river, moving up quietly to the spawning grounds, sometimes leaping as only salmon can leap over waterfalls that a novice would think they could never pass. The graceful curve of a salmon's body as he leaps in the summery air is almost beyond description. Standing in your canoe, anchored at the head of some favorite pool, your two guides having dropped their iron-shod poles with which they have worked so hard in bringing you up the stream, you examine your well-chosen flv. Your fine cast of salmon gut is well soaked and ready for the battle you hope to fight. Your line, a 100 yards or more of best quality, has been well chosen and placed carefully on your favorite reel by your own hands. Now, you commence with a short cast, then a little longer and now with a nice easy motion of your right, your fly drops just above where you saw that forty pounder rise last evening. You are just thinking you have selected the wrong fly when a message ascends your line telling you that "Jock Scott" has proved too enticing, and the next moment some distance above you a fish shows himself, a magni- ficent leap. Down goes the tip of your rod and across the pool goes the fish with such a rush, then another leap and down in the deep water, almost under your long canoe, there he lies sulking. You give him a strong lifting strain, just about as SPORTING SKETCHES. 255 much as green-heart and gut will stand. Minute after minute passes. Carefully you see that all is ready for the next move- ment. Fifteen minutes pass, then a slight quiver, and then away goes your fish straight down stream. Your men lose no time in lifting the "Killick." You steady yourself against the thwart of the canoe, ready for the first push of their pikes, over the rapids and down into the next pool, where the fish stops to have another tussle with you. He tries to take your line under a sunken tree but your c ireful guides hold your canoe well over him, and he turns up stream again, to the head of the pool with a rush that makes your reel scream. Your line runs clear; yonr hook rdoes not draw; all is right still. Then, away he goes across the other side, gives another big leap, and again down to the bottom of this pool. Five minutes' apparent rest, but the full strain of the rod is tiring him ; a short run across the stream, and then he shows his belly, rolls from one side to another, lashes at your line with his tail and then look out ! Indeed you must, for it requires the greatest care now, and your guides know it. But he yields to the steady pressure. Down across the stream he drops. Reeling in, you steadily bring him nearer and nearer the carioe. The gaff is ready ; another moment and you think he \vill be safe ; but no, not yet. One more effort he is able to make, and he makes it. Once more into the rushing water of the mid-stream and you are obliged to give him line. One last leap and round he comes, slowly but surely to the gaff; another moment and your guide has him safely in the boat, a forty-five pounder until he is we'ghed, but for the time fully that. Then, who shall describe the fisher- man's feelings as his nerves and muscles relax. Once more at rest, he sits on the lovely bank of the stream, the fish, his first salmon, before him. Never, if he live to be a hundred, and kill hundreds of fish as fine and finer, perhaps, will he ever experi- ence what he does now. He has fought a good fight with that fish, strained every nerve, and his arms ache after three-quarters of an hour of such work. At every instant of that time any imperfect knot in his casting line, any fault in the tying of his fly, any tangle of his line on his reel, any mistake by the guides, and that fish would not have been his. Well, the sun is getting high. It's warm work. The fish is wet once more, but cannot appreciate it. It weighed just thirty pounds. Not quite what 256 SPORTING SKETCHES. we anticipated, but for all that a fine fresh run fish. Pipes are lit, to the canoe and back to the camp, where the fish is killed over again, and as long as our fisherman lives he will kill this fish again and again. DAVID DENNE'S FIRST SALflON 1889. Lines by J. L. M., written in memory of a trip to the " Little Cascapedia," where with a " Jock Scot" tied by that fine sports- man, the late J. W. Skelton, Esq., D. D. killed a thirty pound salmon at Brulee Pool. The poet and the fisherman were in- debted to Mr. J. W. Skelton for an invitation to this river. We were out for a week or more, And paddling up along the shore, Of the beautiful Cascapedia, We suddenly saw quite a school Of salmon, lying deep in a pool; Great big fellows, some seven or eight, The least, twenty-five pounds in weight. We could see that one was fresh run As his scales gleamed bright in the sun, But they were not to be caught that day, So forward we paddled up and away, And to the camping ground all went, Where for the night we pitched our tent. Next morning, soon after breakfast, The keen Mr. Denne made a cast, But fish were exceedingly shy, And scarce deigned to look at the fly Which he cast over them, but then, Not to be discouraged was Denne, He fished from nine till nearly four, He cast his fly from shore to shore But still no luck ; 'twas all in vain. When ! down there fell a shower of rain ; The time had come, and quick as thought, He tied firm on a big " Jock Scott.'' SPORTING SKETCHES. 257 There came up then a stiffish breeze, One skillful cast and if you please, The biggest salmon quickly rose, Just as the fly danced near his nose, A silver flash, a mighty tail, A something clad in silver mail, A whirring sound, a whizzing reel, A clinching of the barbed steel, A scattering of the shining spray, The fish is on, he runs away, Beware the tree, beware the tree, He makes for it as you can see, 'Tis sunken where the depths are cool, In darkest portion of the pool, All safe, the reel begins to fly, See, he has leaped full four feet high, And now he makes for lower pool, That salmon was not born a fool. The rapids passed he stops to rest For sorv.ly this poor fish was pressed, In vain he turns and seeks to hide, The cruel gaff has pierced his side. * * * * * We took him gently by the tail And placed him fair upon the scale, Hurrah ! Denne's toil was well repaid, Just thirty pounds his salmon weighed. STORY OF A DUCK HUNT. BY D. D. " Yes, I have been duck-shooting on the Richelieu, but on this occasion I killed no ducks there. The only things my friend and I brought home in our game bag were two plover and a goose, a very wild one we once thought. You shall hear why, but you must read the following account of our trip : " We started for one place and ended by going to several others. 258 SPORTING SKETCHES. The train we had arranged to take had also been selected by other sportsmen to convey them to their destination. Learning from them that they had secured all the available guides and boats to be had where they were going, and as it turned out they had chosen the same place we had heard of as being a good one and were going to unexpectedly, we made up our minds to leave the train and the other party when we arrived at St. Johns. On reaching this station it was raining in torrents. The people here had been praying for rain, not being contented to leave the weather to the "Great Clerk." Their prayer had indeed been answered. The roads were in many places under water and some of the culverts washed oat. Oh ! what mud there was every- where. The poor farmers lost all their root crops and were in despair. I had once stopped at a fisherman's cabane some miles up the river and then the owners had told me they shot a good many ducks there in the autumn, and would be glad to see me there. To this place we had determined to go, and after a good deal of bargaining a man undertook to drive us somewhere near this shooting ground. Before starting we made enquiries and found out just where we should leave our horse and foot it across a meadow, through a wrood to the river side, where we should find the shanty. Well after a terrible drive we arrived about midnight at the then dark and dreary place. The horse was made fast to a post and with the Jehu to carry one of the carriage lamps we shouldered our guns, rifle, lunch basket and 1| dozen decoys. I led the way, but it was so dark in the woods and the water about a foot over the ground we had much difficulty in pushing and wading our way through. We walked a circle and come out again on to the meadow just about where we left it, causing us at first to mistake the remaining lamp in the carriage for that in the hunters window. Now, as I was the only one of the party with rubber boots on, you can understand we were a little discouraged. Still we resolved to try it again, and by keep- ing three trees in a line before us as often as the deep holes would allow us, we at last got out into the rushes on the shore, saw the river in the distance, also a stack of marsh hay, and nothing more. We shouted loud and often, but there came no welcome answer. Then we concluded the cabane had been removed (in reality it was hidden by the hay stack, and the wind prevented our being heard). Back again we went to the road, and found SPORTING SKETCHES 959 our horse had managed to get into the ditch and the conveyance had followed him. More unpleasant work in prospect, but pres- ently we started off again after blessing a good many things and people, and made for an hotel, said to be a little further on the road. Down came the rain, making it, if possible, still more dim- cult to travel. The roof of our carriage leaked, and we quite expected the tide to rise over our feet. Splash, splash went the horse through it all. Fortunately, we were all smokers, and our pipes were a great comfort. So also were the pocket companions duck shooters generally provide themselves with— to keep out the cold and wet. In about an hour we reached what had been a cross-roads hotel, and found that it had now become a first-class farm house. Observing no light in any of its windows, we hesi- tated to call so early in the morning, but the discomfort caused by our wet clothes overcame all scruples, and we knocked vigor- ously on the front door. It was opened, rather unwillingly it seemed to us, but it was no joke to be disturbed at such an hour. We soon told our troubles to an apparition in a gray flannel shirt surmounted by a toque rouge. Were told that the cabane was still to be found in the old place about a mile or so down the river side. We started off once more to find it, following the shore, still without success ; nothing but the stack could we see. The night was still dark and wet, and we returned to the farm again, rapped up the weary farmer, who being a Frenchman soon forgot himself and, with the genial hospitalitj7 characteristic of his race, bade us enter his house. While he gave our man in- structions as to where to put up his horse we piled our baggage on the one-time counter before the bar and commenced hanging our wet clothes around the hall stoye and everywhere we could find a peg. The fire was re-lit, our hamper opened and we par- took of a later supper than we had taken for some years. Our host would not join us, but waited politely and patiently till we had finished our meal and then conducted us to a room well fur- nished with every comfort and convenience. We were soon fast asleep in spite of damp clothes. We rose at daylight and partook of a light breakfast Our good host had kindly placed his boat at onr disposal and told us of a good " blind " already made near by, where we might expect some shooting. As we walked down the marsh to the river side I got a shot at two " yellow legs " and killed them both. We found the boat in good condition and 18 260 SPORTING SKETCHES. were soon making ourselves as comfortable and cheerful in the " blind " as the rain would permit. Two "golden eyes" passed over our decoys as we were loading our guns and these were all the ducks we saw or heard that day. The wind blew us out of the " blind " and we landed and sought shelter in an old house with interior so dirty we could not remain inside. We had a new rifle with us, and being anxious to try it we " unlimbered for target practice," but somehow the shells would not explode (explained afterwards on our way home by discovering that rim instead of central fire cartridges had been supplied). All at once, just outside the rushes riding on the heavy swells we saw what we mistook through the tops of the rushes for a wild goose and quickly gave him a charge of A A A. He tried to fly, but fell back into the water and made off across the river. Away we went for the boat and then commenced a chase up wind, the hardest my friend said he ever pulled. At last we got another shot, but still on went the goose for mid stream. We headed him, and over the big waves we rushed down wind on the bird, never heeding in the excitement how we should pull back again. Another long shot and we lifted him in quite dead, a little sur- prised at his color, but not fully realizing, until we got into calmer water that after all we had only killed a tame goose. Oh, the goose sped o'er the wave, And the ganders followed fast, The stormy billows surged and rolled, Wild shrieked the autumn blast. We were of course sadly disappointed, but as we could not res- tore him to life and there being no wild fowl to shoot we made up our minds to start for home. The rain was over, the roads worse than ever. Having day light in our favor, after a drive, trying alike to man and beast, we made the railway station and without further adventure soon found ourselves at home wTith leisure to dream of the discordant cries uttered by the animals we disturbed with our lantern in those dark woods on the historic shores of the Richelieu. SPORTING SKETCHES. 261 A DAY'S SNIPE SHOOTING.— 1893. BY D. D. On the 16th day of September, the anniversary of many a good day's snipe shooting, my friend and I started by an early train from Montreal to Snipeville. The morning was cool and pleasant and promised well. We felt like walking, our pipes were in perfect order and the tobacco of the best quality. Our canine companion, well knowing what " was up," seemed as happy as his master at the prospect of a good day's sport. It was not quite certain that the snipe had arrived ; but, then, had we not often found them before at this date on our favorite ground ? Arrived at the station, the dog scampers away as if inclined to follow the departing train, but a whistle recalls him to his place. Then a walk of about two miles and we are on our "happy hunting grounds" once more, looking for signs of the arrival of our game. We walk over several acres of marsh, when, all at once, just as we were beginning to despair, " Scaipe" sounding behind us calls for a quick shot and a miss at that. Away goes the bird and in vain we cry " Mark," " Mark." He is soon lost to sight altho' to memory so very dear. A few more steps and then up go one, two, three, and then, four more birds all at once, but out of range. The wind has risen and is blowing half a gale. The birds are very wild and fly as if they would never return. Two hours more over such heavy ground, accompanied by rain and wind, shows no birds killed. We try a " nip" and then rest a while for a smoke. Then, oh joy, we hear the cry we love so well and just overhead. Tne same birds have returned, down they go like arrows. At once we are after them. They have run some distance from where they " lit," but very soon we hear their cry of alarm ; up they go, one after another, as wild as hawks, but we were prepared for this. Four shots follow in quick succession, and down go three birds much to the spaniel's joy as he rushes to retrieve them. The rest of these birds are scattered over the field, and after a little more walking wTe secure two more. Then we try other fields, getting occasional long shots, but with only fairly good success. All this time it has been raining. A fire and some grub seem in order. Soon we are enjoying both, under 262 SPORTING SKETCHES. a good thickly spreading tree with its huge trunk at our back, and a bright blaze in front. It is unnecssary to say we welcomed our lunch. Who would not under such circumstances? The draughts we took to keep out the cold were not to be sneezed at, at least so we thought as we filled our pipes and turned towards the cheerful blaze made by burning cedar rails from an old time fence. Then the sun shines out and once more we are ready and our dog having finished his biscuits looks quite fresh. We wade across a stream, nearly deep enough to fill our rubber boots, and soon we are expecting more sport, but we are not to have it. Down comes the rain again, and once more we are having a pretty cool bath. In spite of wind and weather, we look for birds. No more have " dropped in." - We are a little early for them this season. Another week of cold and rain and we shall do better. The birds will then have improved their condition. So we turn toward the station, homeward bound thinking it wise to catch an early train. On our road we are invited to try some milk at a pleasant-looking farm house. With the milk we are offered cake. The farmer's daughter who gave us these acceptable luxuries, thinks, no doubt, that city fofks have good appetites, for, although we had lunched, this milk and cake seemed the best we had ever tasted, and the lassie who handed them to us a very angel without boots. " Nuff said." The train was on time, and home that evening- looked brighter than usual. Such trips do not repeat them- selves often enough in our sporting days, at least so we thought the next morning as we gazed upon a lovely bright blue sky. SPORTING SKETCHES. 263 WITH ROD AND GUN. Sport Around Montreal Fifty Years Ago. SXIPE AND WOODCOCK PLENTIFUL ON CRAIG STREET, BEAVER HALL HILL, ST. CATHERINE STREET, AND WHERE BONAVENTDRE STATION STANDS. Written for the Montreal Star by Major GEOBGE HOBNF, the founder of the Fish and Game Protection Club of the Province of Quebec, and the oldest sportsman with rod and gun still living in this city. Marsh and swamp. Sportsmen with dog and gun. Shots ring- ing through covers, and snipe and woodcock falling by the score. And all this on the ground where now Christ Church Cathedral rears its stately spire and a sea of houses stretch west to the Tanneries and Cote St. Aiitoine ; where a stream of life passes day by day up and down Beaver Hall hill, and long rows of stores mark what is now Craig street ! And the sportsmen, many of them still with us ! Can our readers imagine it ? And yet this is no romance, as the following interesting sketch of the origin of the Fish and Game Club tells : Previous to the enacting of our game laws, spring shooting was largely indulged in. Fifty years ago game of all kind was very numerous (more particularly woodcock), and although in those days we had very few sportsmen who kept dogs and hunted cock (the king of the feathered game tribe), notwithstanding this, immense numbers of those fine birds were killed on their arrival in early spring. It was no uncommon thing for the writer and others of the well-known sporting gentlemen hereafter named (all crack shots) to bag from twenty-five to thirty-five couple of cock in a day's hunt, whereas to-day five to six couple is considered good sport. The days of which I write, from 1837 to 1885, we had not to go any great distance from the city to have good sport with both cock and snipe. The following places were our favor- ite grounds : For snipe, the fields from Beaver Hall hill, includ- ing the site where now stands Christ Church Cathedral, com- 264 SPORTING SKETCHES. prising the whole district from Sherbrooke to the south of Dor- chester, extending as far west as Guy street, there being only two or three houses in the whole tract in those days. The next convenient snipe grounds was upon the grounds where the Bon- aventure Station now stands, thence extending to the Tanneries. Previous to the Lachine Railway being built, this was a regular swamp or quagmire. Passing the Tanneries, we could always depend upon getting good sport with cock and snipe on both sides of the little river St. Pierre, all the way to Blue Bonnets, and close to where the Lachine Canal now is, which latter was only a ditch at that time. We frequently bagged a few black duck and blue-winged teal along the creek or river St. Pierre. Little attention was paid to duck shooting by us in those days. Snipe and cock received all the time we could spare, they being the game most worthy the attention of sportsmen. Other con- venient covers were the district of country known as the " Bea- ver Meadow" and " Sanganore,'' running from the head of Pap- ineau road to the woods in rear of Longue Pointe village. Still nearer home we could always be safe for a few brace of snipe, at early morning, along the deep and muddy creek commencing at Victoria Square, along Craig street, past the Champ de Mars to Papineau road. I have many times shot ten or twelve brace of snipe in this creek.of a morning before breakfast. Between the two mountains, where Mount Royal Cemetery is now situated, was where the first cock was usually killed in early spring, this being before the present game law was in existence. The sports of 1837 and following years used to vie with each other as to who should have the honor of killing the first cock of the season, which was then considered a great event. The bird was then ex- hibited in " Dolly's" window, and always attracted much admi- ration, and was considered worthy of a notice in the daily papers of the country as a matter of interesting and important news. This spot used to be visited at early morn by the Inte Jacob Hall, Joshua Bell, myself and others, for weeks before the birds ar- rived, in order to have the honor of killing the first cock of the season. Such a practice at the present day would be considered beneath the dignity of a true sportsman, alike destructive and wicked. But to return to my subject, the origin of the Fish and Game Protection Club. I, with my chum and friend, the late Joshua Bell, one day drove in a caleche with our dogs; this was SPORTING SKETCHES. 265 the style of vehicle in general use with the carters of the period — a high two-wheeled trap on leather springs, a most comfortable and convenient mode of travelling, more particularly for sports- men. One fine afternoon in the month of May we proceeded to the Blue Bonnet covers, a favorite feeding-ground for cock and snipe, had a glorious afternoon's sport, bagged some twelve or more couple of cock and as many brace of snipe. On our return from the covers, close to the edge of the same, our three dogs came to a deatl point. There they stood like statues, with ex- tended tails, eyes glistening like diamonds, not a muscle moving, only an orcasional trembling of the body, produced by intense excitement. What a picture to a true sportsman ! After wait- ing some time, we urged the dogs to go in and flush the bird, but to no purpose. They having been taught otherwise, refused to deviate from their teaching ; the poor brutes were in a perplex- ing condition, knowing that to flush the bird meant the whip. Contrary to the usual practice, and the evening advancing, I had to go in front of the dogs and put the bird up, he laying close to the noses of the dogs, they surrounding him. My friend Bell took a shy at him, and over he went. Josh was a crack shot : his pulling the trigger meant certain death. On examining the spot we found the nest and eggs of the poor bird. Upon this discovery our remorse and regret can best be imagined. We felt sorry at having bagged so many that after- noon ; that was the last of our spring shooting. To this incident, simple as it appears, are we indebted for the origin of " The Fish and Game Protection Club " and amendments to the game laws soon afferwards by the legislature. On our way to the city we talked over the events of the day, and decided to call together a few of our best sportsmen (accustomed to cock shooting) to meet us at " Dolly's" the next day, to discuss the advisability of adopting measures to form a Fish and Game Protection Club. The meeting was held accordingly. The following highly re- spected citizens and practical sportsmen with rod and gun at- tended, namely, Joshua Bell, George Home, Augustus Heward, Alexander Murray, Chas. J. Coursol, William Breckenridge and H. W. King. After discussing sport and sporting matters, we formed ourselves into a committee to canvass for members, and, as soon as twenty-five or thirty names were obtained, to call a meeting to organize and elect office-bearers. Soon after we 266 SPORTING SKETCHES. secured the requisite number of names, and a meeting was called and held at "Dolly's," and the following office-bearers were elected : A. Reward, president ; J. Breckenridge, viee-president : A. Henderson, treasurer ; Alexander Murray, secretary. Committee, Geo. Home, J. E. Malhiot and Joshua Bell. The first business transacted was the naming a committee to draft a constitution and by laws and adopt measures for the passing of Game Laws by the Legislature. To our exertions and those of the sister club of the old city of Quebec (who was a few years our senior) is the province indebted for amendments to the game laws since that time. We had much to contend with dur- ing this, our first year of existence, public opinion, especially in the habitant country, being against us, the people believing we were acting in our own interests, and for our gratification as sportsmen, rather than for the benefit of the country generally. Fortunately there is a different opinion existing to-day. As evi- dence of this, from a beginning of twenty-five or thirty members, we now number over three hundred, and are steadily increasing. Our first annual club dinner was held in April, 1859, at John Ore's hotel, then, known as the " war office," it being the head- quarters for the old Tory or British party. Feeling ran high in those days, and elections in our city were times of war ; axe- handles were in great demand, being with our fists the only wea- pons used. Pistols were seldom brought into requisition in our party fights. The dinner above alluded to was presided over by our first president, Augustus Heward, a host in himself, in the cover, or at the festive board. Not more than twelve or fifteen sat down ; they were all enthusiastic sports and crack shots, as well as jolly good fellows, and although very temperate when on the hunt (as is necessary to success), at the dinner table could do ample justice to the fine old Madeira and champagne, which in those good old days was cheap as compared to the present time. Annual dinners have been held ever since, and the work of the club goes steadily on, doing a grand work in preserving the fish and game of the country, thus securing to the people of the pro- vince a continuance of good and wholesome food at a low price. There is much yet to be done, the district being so large and requiring so many inspectors to visit our lakes, rivers, streams, marshes and forests during the close season, to see that our laws are respected and anyone found violating the same prosecuted. SPORTING SKETCHES. 267 All this requires money, which has been heretofore raised by the members of the club, who are working in the interest of the public. Is it too much to expect some assistance from the peo- ple, through the Government of the day, for the extension and the better carrying on of so noble a work ? I trust our enter- prising and energetic president (elect), Alderman George W. Stephens, known as the "faithful watch-dog" (which means much), who hereafter will be known as the "pointer, Irish or Gordon setter," much more intelligent animals than the " watch- dog," will make an effort to secure the assistance suggested above. He, being a life-long Liberal, should have much influ- ence with the Mercier administration, if he be yet true to his party. A word now to young, inexperienced sportsmen. Many imag- ine that shooting and drinking are synonymous terms. This, in my experience, is a slur on the true and gentlemanly sport with rod and gun. Anyway, I never knew a good shot addicted to drink or of intemperate habits. To be successful with cock, four things are essential : A clear head, a keen eye, a good pair of legs, and a brace of well-trained dogs. As a rule, our dogs are not MS well broken and steady since the introduction of breech- loaders as in old times when muzzle-loaders were in use. Then, plenty of time was taken in loading, the dog being trained to corne into heel, and down, " charge," where he lay quietly until orders were given to "seek dead." Whereas, with the breech- loader, the young and inexperienced sports rush after the bird when down, loading as they advance, and by so doing flush other birds, which course has a tendency to make the dogs unsteady and wild. Three-fourths of the enjoyment of cock-shooting is the action and proper hunting of the dogs ; the bird, to the prac- tised sportsman, is of minor importance. Another point to be observed is not to enter the cover too early in the morning, when the dew is heavy. Much time will thus be saved from false point-s the scent being strong where the birds had been feeding and moving about at early morn. Never permit your dogs to run when going to or returning from cover ; they will get as much work as is good for their health during the day, particularly in heavy and dirty ground. On returning at night, the dogs, being both tired and stiff, should be the first to receive attention. I have frequently had to lift them from the waggon, they being un- 268 SPORTING SKETCHES. able to assist themselves. They should immediately be placed in a warm stable or barn, and provided with plenty of clean oat- straw and water ; an hour or two later, a good dinner of soup and meat should be served ; "dessert" may be dispensed with.' Next morning early they will be out as brisk as ever, ready for their work ; for breakfast, porridge and milk should be given. Some dogs refuse porridge, all not being of " Irish or Scotch descent." In such cases, bread is a good substitute. When in the woods, a light lunch, consisting of rice, bread or sago pud- ding (without fruit), should be given. Meat should not be given for breakfast or in the cover, as it spoils the scent. The whip should be used as little as possible, and when necessary the pun- ishment must be effective. Most sporting dogs are affectionate and tractable ; others, again, excitable, self-willed, wild and stubborn, and nothing but the whip will bring them into subjection. I once owned a dog called " Snipe," given to me by an old sporting friend, with whom I went shooting for over twenty-five years, who parted with him owing to his being so wild and needing so much thrash- ing ; he was a valuable dog, wonderful worker, keen nose, could bring you on birds an acre distant, but enjoyed having all the sport on his own account. To bring this fellow into subjection, I had to resort to very severe measures. On entering the cover in the morning, my first unpleasant duty was to remove my coat, tie old " Snipe " to a tree with a dog-chain, take my whip (a most severe one) and lick him so unmercifully that I felt grieved, but I was bound to master or ''shoot" him. After repeating this several times, he worked steadily and close, answered to the whistle or the wave of the hand all day. Afterwards, I patted and encouraged him, which should always be done. This turned out the second-best dog of the many I ever hunted over. Pointers are most tractable, intelligent and full of affection, and love their work. I would not give a fig for a pointer (should he be ever so hungry) which would partake of a hearty dinner when seeing his master getting gun and traps ready for a start. Such a one was my old " Carlo," the best dog I ever owned, worth his weight in gold to the true sportsman. It was my habit in my younger days to go shooting on Saturday afternoon. " Carlo " knew when that day arrived as well as myself. Not to make this article too long, I will give but one or two of the many rare and amusing inci- dents during my experience of over fifty-five years. SPORTING SKETCHES. 269 In hunting at St. Ours (then a favorite aud extensive ground), I frequently bagged from twenty-five to thirty-five couple of cock in a day. One day the old dog came to a point, and got up the bird, which I stopped. After waiting some time, I proceeded with the dog to seek the dead. After hunting for a long time for the dead bird without success, old '"Carlo" got disheartened, and to infuse new energy into him I retired some distance and fired again, brought him to " down charge," and when ordered to seek dead he went to his work with renewed energy, but to no better purpose. Finally I left, but had not proceeded far when I missed the dog, and, looking back, I saw him standing under a tree with head up. Following the direction to which he was pointing, I found the bird suspended by the head in a fork of a branch of the tree. Finding the dead bird was more gratifying to me than had I bagged three or four couple during the time lost, which I could easily have done. Another interesting event worth relating: One day in July, 1849, I started with my friend for an afternoon's sport. We drove to a place known as the " Mary-gold," a deep swamp, about a quarter of an acre wide and a mile or so long, a well- known summer ground, surrounded by high, well-wooded land. I was walking on the high ground, within shooting distance of my dog and the edge of the swamp, when old '* Carlo" came to a dead point. I urged him to flush the bird ; after waiting some time, up he got and flew low across the marsh. I fired, but owing to the smoke from my gun I could not see whether I had shot him. I turned to my friend, who was a little distance in my rear, to enquire if I had stopped the bird. He replied : " You have shot them all." I answered : " What do you mean ? " He said : " What did you fire at, anyway ? " " I fired at a cock." His answer came : " You have shot a whole covey of ducks." This rather surprised me, not having seen the ducks, which were sitting in a small pool of clear water in the swamp. Being on high ground, I had to shoot at an angle, and the ducks coming within range of my gun accounts for my having killed seven teal ducks not seen by me. Our anxiety now was to get the birds, no boat or canoe being within a mile of us. " Carlo," however, with his other fine qualities, was a good retriever. In he went, but 270 SPORTING SKETCHES. trying to act 011 the lazy man's bad principle, by bringing them out all at once, which was impossible, he adopted the proper course of bringing them one by one, after the loss of much time. In those days we used to have four or five weeks of good sum- mer cock-shooting, the open season commencing on the 15th July, when the young birds were well fledged, and in good condi- tion, whereas now the open season begins on the 1st September, when the birds are few, yet in their moultage, full of dust and pin feathers, in a sickly condition, and unfit for the table, and consequently should not be shot. Whoever were instrumental in changing the law knew little of the habits of the bird they were interesting themselves about. After our afternoon's sport and return to town, we dined at " Dolly's," where we met several of our sporting friends (some of whom are still living), who were much amused with our singular experience of aiming and firing at a cock, and killing seven ducks not aimed at. The Fish and Game Protection Club was established in 1859, thirty-one years ago. The game laws at that time existing were very imperfect, and the provisions of the same seldom enforced. Large and small game of all kind were in great abundance, and were wan- tonly destroyed by pot-hunters and others at all seasons of the year. Partridge and black duck were then sold in our market as low as 20c. a brace. Were it not for the united efforts of this and the Quebec Club, fish and game could only be found on the tables of the wealthy to-day. The club continued its work with great energy up to 1870, when, from lack of funds and encouragement by the Gov- ernment and general public, it suspended its operations. No meetings were held or business transacted until 1875, although the office-bearers never relinquished their positions as such, be- lieving that at no distant day the club would be revived and re- sume its good work with fresh vigor, which it did. On the llth of May, 1875, a circular was issued, signed by the then president, Judge Betournay, Henry McKay, Esq. (past president), and H W. King, Esq. (second secretary), calling a meeting of the members and others interested, with a view to reorganizing the club. In accordance with the circular, the meeting was held and the fol- lowing gentlemen were present, namely, George A. Drummond, Henry McKay, John Ogilvy, W. H. Rintoul, F. G. Brady, W. H. Kerr and Alex. Murray, all old members of the club, as well as SPORTING SKETCHES. 271 several publ c-spirited gentlemen and sports having an interest in the preservation of the fish and game of the country, including the following disciples of Isaak Walton : H. R. Ives, Esq., I. H. Stearns, Esq., and A. N. Shewan, Esq. Few anglers visiting our salmon grounds can handle a rod, cast a fly, and successfully play their fish in so scientific a manner as the three above named gentlemen. To this meeting are we indebted for the success o.f the club since that date. Any one in sympathy with us in this grand work of securing wholesome food for the poor as well as the rich should enroll their names as members and encourage us by their means and influence. 272 SPORTING SKETCHES. A MON AMI M. DENNE. Le plaisir de vous etre agitable me decide a vous narrer quel- ques droles d'episodes arrivees a ma connaissance dans le cours de mes expeditions de chasse et de peche. L'habitude de marcher a la raquette m'a induit a faire la chasse au caribou efc presque chaque hiver je chemine du cote du Club Shawinigan, pour cec exercice des plus salutaires, a mon point de vue. J'etais en Janvier a la chasse et poursuivant un caribou sur un lac, lorsque 1'animal serre de pres, s'elanca du cote d'une chute de 200 pieds de hauteur, dite la chute du lac En Croix, et s'y precipita la tete la premiere. Ma premiere pensee fut de des- cendre le long de la chute tranquillement me disant : " Voila un caribou qui sera tue sans balle." Quelle ne fut pas ma surprise, une fois rendu au pieds de la chute, de voir mon animal trottant sur le lac Wapizagonke et se sauvant de nous sans aucune bles- sure apparente. Celui-la n'a pas besoin d'assurance centre les accidents. Le meme hiver j'ai vu une femelle de caribou a laquelle j'avais casse une patte de devant se sauver en trottinant pour un mille et s'arreter pour encorner un petit chien a perdrix qui 1'avait suivi et meme faire mine de fondre sur moi lorsque j'arrivai pres d'elle ; ce qui demontre la force vitale du caribou. On dit que 1'orignal est tres sauvage et timide, mais je suis porte a croire le contraire. Durant le mois d'aout dernier j'avi- ronnais en canot d'ecorce avec ma femme, mes deux fillettes et mon homme sur le grand lac Antikiagamac lorsque j'apercois un immense orignal, un male avec un bois superbe. L'animal etait a piocher des racines de nenuphars pres du rivage et ne s'est decide a partir que lorsque nous sommes arrrives a quarante pieds de lui, de sorte que nous nous sommes contemples pendant cinq minutes au moins. Je n'avais qu'un Kodak pour le prendre, et il est parti tranquillement sans s'inquieter de nous. Ca me transporte encore de voir le plaisir que cette rencontre a cause a ma femme et mes fillettes. Elles peuvent se vanter, je crois d'etre les seules de leur sexe qui aient vu un orignal a 1'etat sau- vage. SPORTING SKETCHES. 273 J'ai beaucoup peche dans ma vie (sans calembour) je veux dire a la ligne et a la cuillere,— n'en deplaise a 1'ami Boivin. J'ai pris a la ligne dormante trois poissons, d'espece differentes sur un seul hame9Oii : un goujon, qui fut a vale par une perchaude, laquelle a son tour fut ava!6 par un brochet de dix livres. J'ai vu aussi, a la peche a la perchaude, prendre un de ces poisson et un brochet la saisir a fleur d'eau assez pres du canot pour etre gaffe, de sorte que .j'ai pris deux poissons du meme coup. Ces brochets sont tres voraces. J'en ai vu un avaler un ecu- reuil qui traversait une riviere a la nage et j'ai constate de mes yeux qu'un maskinonge pris a la seine avait un canard noir tout rond dans 1'estomac. Croiriez-vous que j'ai pris a la mouche au clair de la lune des truites rouges de une et deux livres et ce en quantite. J'ai pris a la mouche des truites rouges pesant jusqu'a cinq livres, de 1'achigan superbe et, drole de vous dire, de la perchaude et meme deux truites grises de deux et de trois livres, ces der- nieres avec une mouche rouge. J'ai pris a la cuillere des maskinonges de 10 a 40 livres, surtout au pieds de 1'ile Perrot, du brochet de vingt livres a la Matawin. Ce brochet est tellement bon a manger que je crois que c'est une espece de maskinonge ; il saute hors de 1'eau comme le maski- nonge et se debat en diable. J'ai peche de la truite grise, la plus grosse de dix-huit livres ; la chaire etait parfaitement rouge. J'ai pris des perchaudes d'une livre en quantite et d'un jaune d'or. Ah ! si j'etais pres de Montreal combien je ferais d'ami en les distribuant avec quelques truites de la meme grosseur. La Matawin est remplie de dore superbe. Nous les prenons a la cuillere a dix pieds du canot ; ils pesent de trois a dix livres et sont de couleur jaune vieil or. La chair en est delicieuse et je les prefere a bien d'autres poissons. Durant le mois d'aout der- nier j'en ai echappe un qui devait bien peser quinze livres ; il a enleve tout, ligne et hame9on, mais je 1'ai vu plusieurs fois sur 1'eau auparavant et savez-vous comment j'ai pu juger de son poids ? He had scales on his back. J'aimerais a emmener avec moi des amis qui ne se soucient pas de la peche a la mouche afin qu'il me voient jeter cette mou- che toute petite pour prendre une truite d'une livre, ou mieux en 274 SPORTING SKETCHES. accrocher une de trois a cinq livres et leur passer mon manche pour les voir jouir et s'embeter tout a la fois. Savez-vous, toutes ces bonnes choses empechent le coeur de vieillir. Ne retranchez pas un mot de ce que j'ai dit, mon cher M. Denne, j'affirme et prouverai ce que j'ai ecrit avec plaisir, ca me donnera 1'occasion de faire de nouveaux amis. Bien a vous, L. A. BOYER. " Parces Futuro. FISH AND GAME LAWS. •» OFFICERS -I* J. T. FINNIE, M.D., President. J. B. TRESSIDER, Vice-President. THOS. C. BRAINERD, Hon. Treasurer. G. W. MACDOUGALL, . Hon. CounseL J. S. LEO, 1685 Noire Dame Street, Montreal, Hon. Secretary. •» COMMITTEE -K- H. W. ATWATER, PETER MACKENZIE, GEO. BOULTER, w. H. PARKER, E. D. T. CHAMBERS, R. REIDj E. O. CHAMPAGNE. j. p. ROCHE, M. COCHENTHALER, Q. ROLLAND, COL. D'ORSONNENS, T. ROY, JR., H. G. ELLIOTT. w. P. SCOTT, T. E. EMMANS, A. N. SHEWAN, J. GENTLES, j. B. SPARROW, GEO. HORNE, i. H. STEARNS, H. R. IVES, G. W. STEPHENS, R. KIERNAN, w. C. TROTTER. Ifr 276 FISH AND GAME LA WS. CLOSE SEASON ROR C3AIVIE. PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. NOT TO BE HUNTED, KILLED OR TAKEN. CARIBOU, .... FROM 1st FEB'Y. TO 1st SEPT. DEER AND MOOSE, - FROM 1st JAN'Y. TO 1st OCT. N.B.— The hunting of Moose, Caribou or Deer with Dogs, or by means of Snares, Traps, etc., is prohibited. Except in the Counties of Ottawa and Poritiac, Red Deer may be hunted with Dogs from 20th October till the 1st of November of each year. It is forbidden to hunt, kill or take Deer or Moose by " Yard- ing" or " Crusting," or to hunt, kill or take at any time Fawns or the young of less than one year's age, of Moose, Deer or Caribou. No person (white man or Indian) has a right, during one sea son's hunting, to kill or take alive — unless he has previously obtained a permit from the Commissioner of Crown Lands for that purpose— more than 2 Moose, 2 Caribou, and 3 Deer. After the first ten days of the Close Season, all Railways and Steamboat Companies and Public Carriers are forbidden to carry the whole or any part (except the skin) of any Moose, Caribou or Deer, without being authorized thereto by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. BEAVER, UNTIL NOVEMBER 1st, 1900. MINK, OTTER, MARTEN, [ FROM PEKAN, - I 1st APRIL TO 1st NOVEMBER. TTATjF I FROM j 1st FEB'Y. TO 1st NOVEMBER. T\/TTTCTT "RAT I FROM j 1st MAY TO 1st JAN. FOLLOWING WOODCOCK, SNIPE, - } 1st FEB'Y. TO*™ SEPTEMBER. PARTRIDGE OF ANY KIND } lgfc £?™h SBPTBMBBR< BLACK DUCK, TEAL, ^ WILD DUCK OF ANY ! FROM KIND, EXCEPT SHEL- f 1st MAY TO 1st SEPTEMBER. DRAKE AND GULL, - j And at any time of the year between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. It is also FORBIDDEN to keep exposed during such prohibited hours, LURES or DECOYS. FISH AND GAME LA WS. 277 Hunting by means of Snares, Springs, Cages, etc., of Part- ridge, Woodcock, Snipe, Black Duck, Teal or any Wild Duck is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. N.B.— Nevertheless, in that part of the Province in the East and North of the Counties of Bellechasse and Montmorenci, the inhabitants may at all seasons of the year, but only for the pur- pose of obtaining food, shoot any of the birds mentioned in the foregoing section. BIRDS known as PERCHERS, except the Falconidae, Wild Pigeons, King Fishers, Crows, Ravens, Waxwings (Recollets), Shrikes, Jays, Magpies, Sparrows and Starlings. FROM 1st MARCH TO 1st SEPTEMBER. To take NESTS or EGGS of WILD BIRDS at any time of the year. N.B.— Fine of $2 to $100, or imprisonment in default of pay- ment. No person who is not domiciled in the Province of Quebec, or in that of Ontario, can at any time hunt in this Province, with- out having previously obtained a license to that effect from the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Such permit is not transferable. RISHERV LAWS IT IS UNLAWFUL TO TAKE SALMON (ANGLING) ..... FROM loth AUGUST TO 1st FEBRUARY OUANANICHE ............ " 15th SEPT'R. TO 1st DECEMBER. SPECKLED TROUT ) «« , , OrTOR™ Tn ut MAV (Salvelinus fontinalis} } LAILTJNGE A]Ir JROUT' } " loth OCTOBER TO 1st DECEMBER. PICKEREL OR DORE .... " 15th APRIL TO 15th MAY. BASS ...................... " 15th APRIL TO 15th JUNE. MASKINONGE ...... ...... " 25th MAY TO 1st JULY. WHITEFISH ............ " 15th OCTOBER TO 1st DECEMBER. All these dates are inclusive. Net or Seine Fishing without License is prohibited. Nets must be raised from Saturday night until Monday morning. Nets cannot be set, or Seines used, so as to bar Channels or Bays. Fine of $5 to $20, or imprisonment in default of payment. 278 FISH AND GAME LAWS. N.B. — Angling by hand (with hook and line) is the ONLY means allowed to be used for taking Fish in the lakes and rivers under control of the Government of the Province of Quebec. No person who is not domiciled in the Province of Quebec can at any time fish in the lakes or rivers under the control of the Government of this Province, not actually under lease, without having previeusly obtained a permit to that effect from the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Such permit is only valid for the time, place and persons therein indicated. This applies to Indians as well as white men. Fishing by means of Nets is prohibited in the following Rivers, with limits extending one-half mile on each side of the mouth of •each, these rivers being set apart for the natural and artificial propagation of Fish : — North River, County of Argenteuil ; Sal- mon River, County of Huntingdon ; Magog and Massawippi Rivers, Counties of Stanstead and Sherbrooke. No person shall, during such prohibited time, fish for, catch, kill, buy, sell or have in possession any of the kinds of fish men- tioned above. Any person guilty of violating these regulations is liable to fine and costs, or, in default of payment, is subject to imprisonment. Sportsmen and others desirous of aiding in the work of enforc- ing the Game and Fishery Laws in the Province of Quebec are urgently requested to send particulars of such cases of violation of the laws as may come under their notice to the Secretary of the Fish and Game Protection Club. All communications to be addressed to J. S. LEO, HON. SECRETARY, Fish and Game Protection Club, 1685 Notre Dame Street, flONTREAL. Issued with the approval of HON. G. A. NANTEL, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Quebec. FISH AND GAME LAWS. 279 SAISONS OU LA CHASSE EST DEFENDUE. PROVINCE DE: QLJEIBEC. 1. CARIBOU Du ler Fev. au ler Sept. 2. CHEVREUIL ET L'ORIGNAL Du ler Jan. au ler Oct. N.B. — II est defendu de se servir de chiens, collets, trappes. etc. pour faire la chasse de 1'Orignal, du Caribou ou du chevreuil. Mais il est permis de chasser, tuer ou prendre ainsi le chevreuil (red deer) dans les comtes d'Ottawa et de Pontiac, depuis le 20 octobre jusqu'au ler novembre de chaque aniiee. II est defendu de chasser, tuer ou prendre 1'orignal et le che- vreuil dans les ravages (yarding) de ces animaux, ou en profltant de la croute de la neige (crusting) ; ou de chasser, tuer ou prendre, en quelque temps que ce soit, des faons ou broquarts, c'est-a-dire les petits jusqu'a 1'age d'un an, de Vorignal, le chevreuil ou le caribou. Nul (blanc ou sauvage) n'a le droit, durant une saison de chasse de tuer ou de prendre vivant plus de 2 orignaux, 2 caribous, et 3 chevreuils. Pour en tuer un plus grand nombre, il faut avoir prealablement obtenu un permis du Commissaire des Terres de la Couronne a cet effet. Apres les dix premiers jours de prohibition, il est defendu aux compagnies de chemin de fer etde bateaux a vapeur, ainsi qu'aux rouliers publics, de transporter tout ou partie (a 1'exception de la peau) de 1'Orignal, du Caribou ou du Chevreuil, sans autorisation du Commissaire des Terres de la Couronne. 3. CASTOR Jusqu'au ler Nov. 1900. 4. VISON, LOUTRE, MARTE, PEKAN Du ler Avril au ler Nov. 5. LIEVRE Du ler Fev. au ler Nov. 6. BAT-MUSQUE .Du ler Mai au ler Janvier suivant. 7. BECASSE, BECASSINES Du ler Fev. au ler Sept. 8. PERDRIX de toute espece Du ler Fev. au 15 Sept. 9. MACREUSES, SARCELLES, CANARDS SAUVAGES de toute espece (excepte Harles, Bec-Scies, Huarts, Goelands) Du ler Mai au ler Sept. Et en aucun temps de 1'annee entre une heure apres le coucher et une heure avant le couche du soleil. II est aussi defendu de se servir & appellants, etc., durant ces heures de prohibition. 280 FISH A ND GA ME LA ws- II est de plus strictement defendu de prendre au rr.oyen de collets, ressorts, cages, etc., aucun des oiseaux mentionnes aux Nos 7, 8 et 9. N.B.— Neanmoins dans les parties de la Province situees a Test et au nord des comtes de Bellechasse et Montmoreney, les habi- tants peuvent chasser en toutes saisons de 1'annee, niais pour leur nourriture seulement, les oiseaux mentionnes au No. 9. 10. LES OISEAUX PERCHEURS, excepte les oiseaux de la famille des Falconides, le Pigeon-voyageur, (tourte), le Martin- pecheur, le Corbeau, la Corneille, les Jaseurs, (Recollets), les Pies-Grieches, les Geais, la Pie, le Moineau, les Etour- neaux , .Du ler Mars au ler Sept. 11. ENLEVER LES OEUFS ou NIDS D'OISEAUX SAUVAGES.. . .... En tout temps de 1'annee. N.B.— Amendes de $2 a $100, pour chaque infraction, ou empri- sonnement a defaut de paiement. Quiconque n'a pas son domicile dans la Province de Quebec ou dans celle d'Ontario, ne peut, en aucun temps, faire la chasse en cette Province sans y etre autorise par unpermis du Commissaire des Terres de la Couronne. Ce permis n'est pas transferable. LOIS SUR I_A RECH IL EST DEFENDU PAR LA LOI DE PRENDRE 1. SAUMON (a la ligne) Du 15 Aout au ler Fev. 2. OUANANICHE Du 15 Sept. au ler Dec. 3. TRUITE TACHETEE (de ruisseau ou de riviere, etc.,) (salmo fontinalis) Du ler Oct. au ler Mai. GROSSE TRUITE GRISE, lunge, touladi, (salmo confinis) Du 15 Oct. au ler Dec. DORE Du 15 Avril au 15 Mai. ACHIGAN Du 15 Avril au 15 Juin. MASKINONGE Du 25 Mai au ler Juillet. POISSON BLANC Du 15 Oct. au ler Dec. Amende de $5 a $20 pour chaque infraction, ou emprison- nement a defaut de paiement. FISH AND GAME LA WS. 281 N.B.— La peche a la ligne (canne et ligne) SEULE est autorisee dans les lacs et les rivieres sous le controls du Gouvernement de la Province de Quebec. Toute personne non domiciliee dans la Province de Quebec est obligee de se procurer un permis du Commissaire des Terres de la Couronne, pour pecher dans les lacs ou les Rivieres sous le con- trole du Gouvernement de la Province qui ne sont pas sous bail. Ce permis n'est valable que pour le temps, 1'endroit et les per- sonnes qui y sont indiques. Ceci s'applique aux sauvages comme a la race blanches. La peche au moyen de Filets est defendu dans les rivieres ci- apres mentionnees, ainsi que sur un etendu d'un demi mille chaque cote de leur embouchure, ces rivieres etant specialement reservees pour la propagation naturelle et artiflcielle du poisson, savoir : la Riviere du Nord, Comte d'Argenteuil, la Riviere au Saumon, Comte d'Huntingdon, les Rivieres Magog et Massa- wippi, Comtes Stanstead et Sherbrooke. Aucune personne ne pourra durant ce temps de prohibition pecher, prendre, tuer, acheter, vendre ou avoir en sa possession aucune espece de poisson ci-dessus mentionnee. Toute personne violant ces reglements sera passible d'une amende y compris les frais, et a defaut de paiement sera sujet a remprisonnement. Les amateurs du sport et autres personnes desireuses que les Lois de Chasse et de Peche soient mises en vigueur dans la Pro- vince de Quebec sont instamment prices, dans les cas de contra- vention a ces lois, d'en donner tous les renseignements qu'ils ont en leur possession au Secretaire du Club pour la Protection du Poisson et du Gibier. Toute correspondance sera adressee, J. S. LEO, Secr^taire-Honoraire, Club pour la Protection de la Chasse et la Peche. 1685 Rue Notre=Dame, MONTREAL. 389139 3JO 1 ; UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY m • *tT!BS»9»