No. I. MONTREAL, JANUARY, 1883. Vol. III. WILLIAM COUPER, Editor. UNPAID SUBSCRIPTIONS. Some of our friends have not yet sent us the amount due for last year’s subscription. We hope this reminder will cause a prompt remitt- ance, as we feel confident that all our sub- scribers are able and willing to pay. BACK NUMBERS. We have several volumes of our second year, also a few of our first, which we can furnish at one dollar per volume. Subscribers who are short of any numbers would do well to communicate with us at once, and we will endeavour to supply them as far as possible. TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS. We have now entered upon our third volume, the first number of which will be sent to sub- scribers of last year, trusting all will continue their subscription. The Journal has been progressing during the past two years, and further efforts on the part of our friends, will enable us to extend its columns. The study of Natural History has made rapid progress during the past few years, and we have now in Canada many students whose notes and observations, if published, would become valuable additions to this branch of literature. We are promised contributions by some of our more advanced Ornithologists and Entomologists and have no doubt this volume will contain many interesting observations not hitherto recorded, and thus become a valuable reference to those interested in these studies. We have, so far no recent works upon the Natural History of our Dominion. In Orni- thology we think the time has arrived when a properly compiled work would be favourably received, and we trust, ere long one of our rising Ornithologists will give us a book on the “ Birds of Canada,” as valuable and ‘nteresting as the volumes of American writers. FISH AND GAME PROTECTION. The annual meeting of the Fish and Game Protection Society of the Province of Quebec was held in Montreal on the 20th instant. The twenty-fourth annual report submitted was an unusually satisfactory one, a large addition having been made to the membership during the past year. The following gentle- men have been appointed officers for the ensuing year. President — Mr. E. C. Monk; Vice-President — Mr. L. A. Boyer; Treasurer — Mr. Thos. Hiam ; Secretary — Mr. G. H. Matthews ; Committee — Messrs. F. J. Brady, R. H. Kilby, H. R. Ives, J. H. Stearns, S. Cross, W. S. Macfarlane, F. Henshaw, Alderic Deschamps, E. B. Goodacre, J. C. Nelson, John Nelson, W. Parker, Gustave Drolet, H. Rintoul, and Geo. McKinnon. MIGRATION OF OWLS. A female of Richardson’s Owl (Nyctale Richardsonii ) was captured at St. Laurent, near Montreal, on the 4th instant. It died after a weeks confinement in a cage. On dissection, the ovarium was found to be in an advanced condition, and the eggs of a size sufficient to show that there is no doubt of its nesting in the mountains north of Montreal. No one has yet positively discovered the nest of this interesting little owl in Canada, but from what we noticed, this specimen supplies con- clusive evidence that it would not go far north of the city to construct its nest. Owls, as a rule, build early in the year, the young of some species being found fully fledged in April and May. The Snow Owl appeared abund- antly in the low lands of this Province in December last, remaining but a short time after the first heavy fall of snow, and the Barred Owl, almost as common, visited the neighbourhood of Montreal, probably after the Domestic Sparrows. The little Saw-whet Owl was not uncommon throughout the country during the month of January. The above species are more or less diurnal or crepuscular in their habits, and are therefore more easily discovered. Two other species of this class the Great Cinereous and Hawk Owl, formerly occurring here during December and January seem to have so far absented themselves this 198 THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. fall. The Horned Owls being more of wood- land birds, are not so easily seen or procured when the snow is deep, but it is evident that all the species of Strigidae are abundant this winter. It would be well to investigate why these day owls appear in the neighbourhood of civilization during the months of December and January just for a short season, and then disappearing until the next cold fall sets in again. — C. (Bomspontien.ee. Sir, — At the present time, when so much excitement prevails at home and abroad, regarding the prospective wealth of our country, and when so much capital and energy are being expended in developing its resour- ces, it is pleasant to notice that those branches of its Natural History which are not directly associated with the acquisition of wealth, are not being forgotten, and that while hundreds are striving to gain possession of the most productive lands, the richest mineral deposits or the most valuable timber limits, a quieter class of workers are equally busily engaged collecting, and identifying such specimens of Natural History as come within the range of their observation throughout the country; the results of their researches are being placed on record, and when the excite- ment attendant on the first settlement of the new country now being opened up, has sub- sided, it will be a pleasant pastime for the rising generation to read therein the names and habits of the beautiful birds and flowers which surround their homes. I have been led to make these remarks on reading in recent numbers of your magazine, a list of birds of Western Ontario, by J. E. Morden and W. E. Saunders, of London ; a list which I am sure will be valued by many a lover, of birds throughout the country. It is very complete, yet it is by no means a compilation of the labours of others as such lists frequently are ; on the contrary it bears (with very few excep- tions) the impress of direct personal contact with the objects described. Great diligence and perseverance must have been bestowed on the subject to enable the collectors to bring it before the public in so complete a shape; yet I can also imagine their having much real enjoyment and many a pleasant ramble which only the enthusiastic student of nature can understand. In 1866, I published a similar list of birds observed near Hamilton, and on placing the two side by side, it is astonishing to notice how closely they agree ; the differ- ences arising chiefly from stragglers which may have appeared at one point and not at the other. The following are the principal points of difference which if taken along with the recent list, may help to complete our know- ledge of the subject. In the Hamilton list the total number of specimens enumerated was 241 ; in the London list the total number is 236. In the London list the following sixteen species are included which do not appear in the Hamilton list. — Swallow-tailed Kite ; Cardinal Grosbeak ; Red Plialarope ; Little Yellow Rail ; Scoter Duck ; Tennessee Warb- ler; Hooded Fly-catching Warbler; English Sparrow; Mocking Bird; Common Tern; Wilson’s Phalarope ; Forster’s Tern; Blue- grey Gnat-catcher ; Long-billed Marsh Wren ; Rough- winged Swallow ; Banded three-toed Woodpecker. The Swallow-tailed Kite is a southern species, but a wanderer of powerful wing, who may occur again as a visitor. The Cardinal and Mocking birds are from the south, but come so close to the frontier that these may be only the pioneers of larger numbers yet to come. The little Yellow Rail ; the two Terns, and the Long-billed marsh Wren, seem to prefer the greater retirement and shallower warmer water of the St. Clair Flats to the cooler inlets of Burlington Bay where I have not yet observed them. The Scoter, Tennessee Warbler, Hooded Warbler and Blue-gray Gnat-catcher, I have met with since writing my list. The Rough-winged Swallow had probably not appeared in Canada in 1866, as I find it was not met with in New England till 1875, when only one specimen was found; since that time it occurs breeding in little communities throughout the Eastern States. For the same reason, the English Sparrow was not named, as he was not introduced here till about 1873; since that time, he has passed through the different stages of rare, common, exceedingly abundant ; what his next stage will be, may be affected to some extent by the members of the Fruit-growers Association, as I notice it as a matter announced lor their consideration during the coming year. Wil- son’s Phalarope is a bird of the Prairie ponds which may again be found in' suitable localities. The Red Phalarope and the Woodpecker are uncertain visitors from the north. Referring to the Ruby-crowned Wren, the London list says “ they arrive from the north in October, and in mild winters remain.” I was aware that THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. 199 the Gold-crest wintered with us, but have not hitherto heard of the Ruby-crown doing so ; if this is found to be strictly correct, it would indicate a milder climate than we have. The Northern Shrike it also says “ remains in mild winters but very few breed ; if even a few breed, it is well to be assured of it ; but the two shrikes get so often mixed up that I think it would be well to revise this item, as to their staying with us in mild winter; they are most common here in severe weather; and at present may be seen any day scalping poor Passer domesticus in the public thoroughfares. The Mourning Warbler, Red-bellied Wood- pecker and Yellow-billed Cuckoo still con- tinue rare here as in 1866, the latter two I have not seen again since that time, on the contrary the Orchard Oriole was observed here at different points last summer and several pairs were known to breed near the city though, till then I had not heard of it since the notice made on my list. Early on a May morning of .1882, a male in full plumage appeared to my great delight in my orchard; I watched him sailing with outspread wing and tail, from one fruit tree to another till I got familiar with his notes and manner — then ; no — I did not shoot him ; it was Sunday and I deferred that operation till the morrow, but on the morrow he was gone and I saw him no more. In the Hamilton list the following twenty-two species are included which do not appear in the London list. Baird’s Buzzard ; Richardson’s Owl ; White-fronted Owl; Yellow bellied Fly-catcher ; Green black-capped Fly- catcher ; Hudsonian Curlew ; Surf Duck ; Pomarine Skua; Robin Snipe {Tringa canu- tus) ; Eider Duck ; Buteo elegans ; Caspian Tern ; Wilson’s Tern ; Black Guillemot ; Foolish Guillemot ; Great black-backed Gull ; Rosy Gull ; Solan Goose ; Black Hawk ; Canada Jay ; Glossy Ibis ; Hudsonian Godwit. As the result of investigation made since 1866, it is now believed that Baird’s Buzzard is a different form of Swainson’s Buzzard. The White-fronted Owl, the young of the Saw-wliet Owl, the Black Hawk, a condition of the Rough-legged Buzzard, and Buteo elegans of the Red-shouldered Hawk. All the others are good species, some of which I have met with again and some I have not. The two little Fly-catchers will assuredly be met with by the London collectors, if they continue their researches as though rare, they are regular visitors. I have now to mention the occur- rence in Canada of a few species which do not appear in either of the lists. HelmintJiophaga celata, Orange-crowned Swamp Warbler — When visiting at the shop of a Taxidermist in Toronto a few years since, a boy brought in a capfull of warblers he had collected for the artist, and I picked out a specimen of celata from among the lot; it was a male, but so badly shot that the specimen was lost and I have not met with it since. Aegiothus Xeli'pes — Mealy Red-poll. I find this bird described in some works as a distinct species and in others as a northern variety of the common Red-poll. Whatever his true position may be in science, he differs in appearance as much from the common Red-poll as the Northern Shrike does from the excubitoroides . The general appearance of the bird is hoary- grey and so densely covered with feathers that the bill and feet are scarcely visible. Tryngites rufescens — Buff-breasted Sandpiper. A few years since, in a moist grassy hollow on the beach, I met with six of these delicate little birds and so gentle were they and unsuspicious that I obtained them all. In August of the following year I saw a few again at the same place, but a railroad now passes over that spot, and as I never saw them elsewhere, I may not see them again. Numenius Borealis — -Esquimaux Curlew. I captured a specimen of this little sickle-bill, near the same resort as the preceding. He was alone, evidently a straggler from a passing flock. Tringa Bona- 'partei — Bonaparte’s Sandpiper. This plain looking species 1 think is quite common with us, though from its general resemblance to several other kinds, is easily overlooked. Larus Tridactylus — Kitty-wake Gull. — This species is quite common round the bay for a few weeks every fall. Stnx ftammea — Barn Owl. —The occurrence of this species deserves something more than a passing notice, as so far as I am aware, this is the only instance of its being found in Canada. It is resident in the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific, as far North as the latitude of North Carolina, keeping mostly along the sea coasts, becoming rare in the interior. In Scotland where the species is common, it is mostly found to frequent retired country church towers or hide away among the ivy which covers some ancient ruin. Superstition still lingers among the people in the rural districts and the owl is looked on as a bird of evil omen whose visit to a farm house is always received as a c( warning ” that some calamity is about to befal the family. Its cry is by no 200 THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. means refreshing and many a sturdy Scot who could fix his bayonet and with nerves of steel, march to meet an unreasonable number of his country’s foes, has quailed at the cry of the “ Hoolet” when unexpectedly heard in some lonely glen. In his nocturnal excursions he is a frequent visitor to the church and grave- yard and has even been seen to alight on the tombstones ; perhaps the abundance of mice among the rank grass of the burying ground and the protection which the sacredness of church property affords may to some extent account for this habit ; but strange to say our visitor here shewed the same predeliction, as the first notice 1 heard of him was from one of those boys who are always alive to such things, who told me that “ a fellow out near the Cemetery had killed a new kind of an owl, white and yellow with a very sharp nose.” On interviewing the captor, he said he would never have known he was there, had it not been for a lot of crows who gave him away by the awful row they were keeping up round a clump of pines ; taking his gun, he jumped the fence, and saw the owl in the thick of the evergreens, with the crows assailing him on every side. A charge of No. 5 killed the owl and the meeting broke up. It was a young male in fine plumage, caught perhaps in the strong south wind which prevailed for a few days during the first week in May, 1882, and carried much farther north perhaps than he intended. To get at the total number of species thus far observed in Western Ontario, it will be necessary to take from the 241 described in 1866, the four already referred to as not being good species, leaving 287 to which add 16 in the London list not included in the Hamilton one, and also 7 which do not appear in either list making in all 260 species which I think will satisfy your ornithological readers that the birds of Western Ontario have been pretty well identified. There are still a few more which I think will yet work their way round the west end of Lake Erie and, like the Orchard Oriole, make their homes among us. Of this class I would name the Summer-red bird ; Tufted Titmouse ; Great Carolina Wren ; Black-throated Bunting; Blue Grosbeak; Prairie Warbler; Worm-eating Warbler; all these already come so near our border that a favorable wind during the spring migration may any season land them among us. When such takes place I hope you will hear of it and let us all know. Yours very truly, T. MoIlwraith. Cairnbrae, Hamilton, January 20, 1883. ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. “ prolific” swallows. The White-bellied Swallow, Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot) Coues : usually lay five or six eggs. Last year I experimented with a nest of these birds, which resulted in thirteen eggs being laid, as follows. April 16, entering cigar box that I had cut a small hole in, and nailed to the veranda outside my bed-room window. May 9, building nest. Mav 29, two eggs laid. Took one out each day from the latter date, to 5 June, being seven eggs taken out, and one left in the nest. June 17, nest contained six eggs, which I did not take. 25 June, feeding young. 14 July, young fledged. “ UNIQUE ” CATBIRDS EGGS. On the 8th July, 1872, 1 found a Catbird’s (Mimus Carolinensis ( Linnseus ) nest in a thin bush about four feet high, containing two eggs of the ordinary size, and colour: but, both are covered all over with distinct, small, dark spots. I have examined a large number of Catbird’s eggs, and never before, saw, or heard of any with marks on them. CROW BLACKBIRDS. I think we have two species of Crow Black- birds in Canada, viz. — Quiscalus major (Vieillot,) Boat-tailed Crow Blackbird ; Jack- daw and Q purpureus (Lichtenstein,) Purple Crow Blackbird ; Purple Grakle. I have only observed the former in company with the latter. The only apparent difference between them being a peculiar spreading of the tail feathers when on the wing, resembling the form of a boat. Can any readers of the C. S. & N. inform me if there is any difference between the nests and eggs of the two species ? Ernest D. Wintle, Montreal. CAT BIRDS EATING BEES. In the summer of 1879, my attention was drawn to the frequent visits of a pair of Cat- birds to my apiary, and a close observation of their movements left no doubt as to their object. A bee was taken at each visit and carried to a neighbouring copse ; where, after a short search I discovered their nest with young. Pity for the young birds at first prevented me from destroying the parents, but a desire to further investigate the extent of their depredations prevailed, and I shot both birds. Upon examination I found that the THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. 201 young were being fed entirely upon bees, but I could only discover tbe bodies of drones or males ; whether the instinct of these birds prompted them to select the drones in prefer- ence to the workers on account of their superior size and slower movements, or from a fear of the stings of the latter, I could not determine. Numbers of Cat-birds have for years past nested in the vicinity of my apiary, but I do not know of any other instance of these birds feeding upon bees. W. W. Dunlop. Montreal, January 27th, 1883. SPARROW NOTES. The well known fact, that the animal and vegetable productions of the old world, when transplanted to America, thrive and multiply, has been further attested by the spread of the common sparrow of Europe, ( Fasser domesti- cus ) over a large part of this continent during the few years which have elapsed since its introduction. Extending on every side from the various cities into which it has been brought, it has spread over the country adjacent, and in time, will, no doubt, be everywhere abundant as far as its Southern limit. How far this will extend is an interest- ing question. Its range in the Old world is extensive from east to west, — from the Atlantic Ocean to Siberia. From north to south it is found all over Europe, but becomes rare in Italy south of Piedmont, and only occasion- ally is seen in the north of Africa. In' Asia it extends southwards to the northern parts of India. It has been introduced into the Southern States of America, but, according to a statement in a recent American publication, it will not live in the hottest portions of the south, the excessive heat being fatal to it. How the species can exist in Canada during the excessive cold of winter, is certainly remark- able. And yet this hardy bird not only lives, but contrives to find abundance of food. An exceptionally cold season, however, no doubt destroys a good many individuals. I have seen the bodies of sparrows, picked up dead in the street in very cold weather, which were plump and well fed, and without any injury, so that the cause of death was probably nothing but the intense cold. In such weather they seek shelter as much as possible, and but few are seen on the wing. During several past summers, I have noticed sparrows with plumage different from the general colours of the species. Many of their wing and tail feathers were white ; in some more than others, so that some individuals appeared to be altogether greyish white. I am not aware whether the bird in Europe is subject to albinism. If not, perhaps the different climatic conditions it is exposed to in Canada are a cause of the variation in colour. The question as to the usefulness or otherwise of the sparrow in Canada is still a vexed one. At present, gardeners and farmers may be benefited by them to some extent, as they are not so numerous as to be destructive. I think, too, that between the winters’ cold and the attacks of their feathered enemies, their multiplication to an injurious extent will be prevented for many years. They have, however, been in- troduced and acclimated, and the mischief, if it is a mischief, is now done. We trust the threatened w^ar of extermination will not need be waged against them for a long time to come. H. K. C. THE WOOD-THRUSHES ( HYLOG1CHLA ) OF NEW BRUNSWICK. By M. Chamberlain, St. John, N.B. This Province can lay claim to but three members of this sub-genus of the Turdidoe , the Tawny, also called “ Wilson’s Thrush,” and “Veery,” the Olive-backed and the Hermit, for the Wood Thrush does not come so far north on the Atlantic seaboard, rarely occurr- ing beyond Massachusetts and never reaching the northern limit of the Alleghanian faunal area, while its grey-cheeked congener, though probably passing through the country en-route to its breeding ground in the far North, has not as yet been taken within our boundaries. The Hermit and the Olive-backed are abun- dant throughout the Province and the Tawny is much too common to be called rare. They usually reach the vicinity of St. John during the first half of May, the Hermit arriving first, followed within a few days by the Tawny and in some two weeks by the Olive-backed. They leave here about the middle of September. These species have a general appearance when in the field so similar that none but experts can distinguish them, though, upon a close examination, the characteristics of each are found to be marked with sufficient distinctness to leave no doubt of their identification. In the field all three have the same outline from beak to tail, the same russet coloring above the same dull white breasts, more or less 202 THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. spotted ; but lay examples of each side by side and it will prove that the Tawny was correctly named, for his russet plumes have a reddish tint in marked contrast with the greenish shade of the Olive-backed, while the Hermit is distinguished by his tawny tail which changes to olive above the rump. But the actions of these birds are more nearly identical than either form or color, for whether seen hopping along the ground or perched upon a tree, feeding or flying, it is impossible to detect any difference in them. Much has beet written about these same manners that is not warranted by what is observed of them during their visit to this country. While here they appear neither timid nor shy, and I doubt if they ever yield to such plebian weaknesses. These birds ate patricians, the premier genus of the arian aristocracy on Mr. Ridgway’s roll, and true to the instincts and traditions of 44 the first families” are modest and retiring, and prefer Jhe calm repose of the forest to the glare and bustle of the field and roadside. They are courageous and composed under excitement, but never quarrelsome, and are happy without being noisy. In short, they display the good breeding and refined manners of the thorough- breds that they are. They cannot be called gregarious but they are not solitary— Hermit Thrush is a positive misnomer. They do not commingle as socially as do the species of some other families; indeed, they never appear as companions, yet it is not unusual to find a number of the same species frequent- ing one grove. I have seen as many as thirty Hermits within an area of a hundred yards square. In nidification our three species exhibit a marked difference; the nests are differently constructed and placed in different situations. Their eggs also differ in shape, ’size and color, and their songs differ— differ in tone, compass, volume, theme and duration. The Tawny and the Hermit always build on the ground in this country, and though their nests and its location are quite similar yet they are not identical ; both nests are loosely and roughly put together, but Veery’s is the most compact and the neatest. They are usually placed in an indenture, either natural or formed by the birds, and screened by an overhanging branch, but while the Yeery prefers a dry knoll in a damp spot, within a wood, the Hermit usually selects the margin of a grove or a patch of trees in a dry and partially overgrown open ; neither build in a dense thicket of trees or shrubbery. Under the nest is placed a cushion or platform com- posed of dried grass or moss. The nest proper is built of dried grass and small twigs, un- mixed with mud, and is lined with fine grass ; sometimes fine fibrous roots and vines are added to the lining. The Olive-backed builds in a tree, and, like all tree-builders, makes a substantial structure. It is usually placed in the crotch of a limb some six or eight feet from the ground, generally in a moist place, and occasionally in a really wet swamp. In a specimen of this nest before me coarse grass is the predominat- ing material in the external parts, but in the walls twigs of spruce, bits ot lichens and dried leaves are mixed with the grass and all are woven into a solid mass, very firm and strong. The lining is formed by a layer of fine grass interwoven with pieces of a black, vine-like root, all neatly laid ; over these, at the bottom, is a layer of skeleton leaves. The measure- ments are: Depth, inside, If inches; width at mouth, 2f inches; outside the diameter is irregular, varying from 4f to 5 inches. Mr. J W. Banks tells me that of some fifty nests of the Olive-backed Thrush that he has examined all were lined with skeleton leaves ; but Mr. Harold Gilbert found one in 1878 that was lined with moose hair. This nest was built in a garden, in the suburbs of St. John, within twenty feet of the house and but an arms-length from one of the main walks. The moose hair was furnished by a tame animal kept on the grounds. The three species usually lay four eggs, but it is Mr. Banks’ opinion that in extremely wet or cold seasons three more frequently complete the clutch. So eminent and excellent an authority as Dr. Coues gives four and five as the number of eggs, but we have never seen more than four in any nest obtained in this country. The Tawny and the Hermit lay immaculate eggs of a greenish-blue color, but the eggs of the Hermit are much the paler and are also the longer and more pear-shaped. The eggs of the Olive-backed are of a bright, greenish- blue ground color, not so dart? as the Veery’s and irregularly marked with purplish-brown spots. In some examples these spots are so large and numerous they almost entirely hide the ground color. The average measurements of the eggs are: Tawny, .86X.67; Olive- backed, .92X.69; Hermit, .89X.64. Few of our country-people are acquainted with the appearance of these birds but are familiar with THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. 203 their songs which they attribute to one species called by them the “ Swamp Robin ;” for as in their appearance so in their song, there is to some degree a superficial resemblance ; all have peculiar metallic voices and sing some- what similar melodies. Their songs resemble each other much more than they resemble that of any other species. The Tawny ranks first in classification but the Hermit takes precedence as a vocalist. His song is the grandest; it is (he finest musical composition and displays the most artistic execution, as well as the greatest compass and power of voice. One is surprised to find so little about the songs of these Thrushes in the writings of the ' older ornithologists. Wilson says the Tawny has “ no song ” and calls the Hermit “ a silent bird.” Audubon never heard the song of the Hermit, and Nuttall does it but scanty justice. To my ear it is by far the finest song we hear in these Northern woods, and fully deserves the seemingly exaggerated title of “ glorious,” given it by some modern writers. The Winter Wren is his nearest rival and he startles the listener into admiration by the perfect torrent of sweet harmonies, of brilliant passages and marvellously executed trills, he hurls upon the stillness of the forest solitude in which he delights to roam ; but, beautiful and joyous as his song is, in comparison with the song of the Hermit Thrush it sounds mechanical, and more like an air from a music box. The music of the Hermit never startles you ; it is in such perfect harmony with the surroundings it is often passed by unnoticed, but it steals upon the sense of an appreciative listener like the quiet beauty of the sunset. Very few persons have heard him at his best. To accomplish this you must steal up close to his forest sanctuary when the day is done, and listen to the vesper hymn that flows so gently out upon the hushed air of the gathering twilight. You must be very close to the singer or you will lose the sweet- est and most tender and pathetic passages, so low are they rendered — in the merest whispers. I cannot, however agree with Mr. Burroughs that he is more of an evening than a morning songster, for I have often observed that the birds in any given locality will sing more frequently and for a longer period in the morning than in the evening. I prefer to hear him in the evening, for there is a difference; the song in the morning is more sprightly — a musician would say “ has greater brilliancy of expression” — and lacks the extreme tender- ness of the evening song, yet both have much the same notes and the same “ hymn-like serenity.” The birds frequently render their matinal hymns in concert and the dwellers in a grove will burst out together in one full chorus, forming a grander Te Deum — more thrilling —than is voiced by surpliced choir within cathedral walls. On one occasion an Indian hunter after listening to one of these choruses for a time said to me, (C That makes me feel queer.” It was no slight influence moved this red-skinned stoic of the forest to such a speech. The song of the Olive-backed ranks second in composition but he has the sweetest and most mellow voice of the three. The Yeery displays the least musical ability yet his simple strain is exceedingly pleasant to the ear and his beautitul voice exhibits most strongly that peculiar resonant metallic tone which is characteristic of the genus. I have not attempted to represent these songs by words or notes, for all such experi- ments as I have seen, appear to me to be failures. Neither the words of Dr. Brewer or. Mr. Samuels, nor the syllables used by Mr. Ridgway or Mr. Gentry convey to my mind the idea of the songs of the birds that is im- pressed on my memory ; and after a patient rehearsal of the notes of Mr. Horsford’s score on piano, violin and flute, I fail to recognize the melodies he has attempted to write. Perhaps Mr. Horsford will say that, as I do not live in “ a white pine country,” I can know nothing about these Thrushes, and I certainly do not if his article in Forest and Stream is to be taken as evidence of what is correct. Besides their songs the three species have call notes and two or three minor notes, used chiefly when a mated pair are together. The alarm note of the Olive-backed, which Mr. Minot thinks sounds like “ whit,” and which he calls “ the ordinary note ” of the bird, is seldom used except the bird has a nest near the intruder. I think the sound would be better represented by “ kwut ” very abruptly and quickly uttered, with a peculiar emphatic intonation. But the songs and notes of all birds must be heard to be understood and appreciated. 204 THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. COLEOPTERA FOUND IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. By WILLIAM COUPER. Hylobius i pinicola, Couper. 2 pales, Herbst. 3 picivorus, Germ. Pissodes 1 strobi, Peck. 2 nemorensis. Germ. Erirhinus 1 rufus, Say. 2 ephippiatus, Say. Centrinus 1 scuteilumalbum, Say. 2 rectirostris, Lee. Scythropus elegans, Couper. Grypidius vittatus, 44 Dorytomus 1 mucidus, Say. 2 brevicollis, Lee. 3 laticollis, 44 Attelabus 1 rhois, Boh. 2 maculatus, Prov. 3 bipustulatus, Fabr. Otidocephalus Americanus, Herbst. Magdalinus 1 baritas. Say. 2 algra, Herbst. 3 pandura. Say. 4 armicollis, 44 Balanius 1 nasicus, 44 2 rectus Anthonomus 1 quadrigibbus, 44 2 tessellatus, Walsh. Orchestes pallicornis, Say. Piazorhinus scutellaris, 44 Laemosaccus plagiatus, 44 Cryptorynchus 1 parochus. Say. 2 bisignatus, 44 Conotrachelus 1 crataegi, Walsh. 2 posticatus, Say. 3 nenuphar, Herbst. Piazurus subfasciatus, Lee. Homogaster Quebecensis, Prov. falls. Mononychus vulpeculus, Fabr. Centoryxchus 1 septentrionalis, Gyll, 2 sulcipennis, Lee. Megacetes inaequalis, Say. Rhinocerus pyrrhopus, Boh. Baris confinis, Lee. Calanura 1 granarius, Clair. 2 orizae, Linn. 3 remotepunctata, Gyll. Sphenophorus l pertinax, Oliv. 2 zeoe, Walsn. 3 13-punctatus, III. 4 oclireus, Lee. Cossonus corticola, Say. Gonotropis gibbosus, Lee. Eurymicteii tasciatus, Oliv. Arrhenodes septentrionalis, Herbst. Cratoparis lunatus, Fabr. Bruchus pisi, Linn. Crypturgus atomus, Lee. Chryphalus raateriarius, Fitch. Trypodendon bivitatus, Kirby. Xyleborus 1 pyri, Harris. 2 coelatus, Trimm. Dryocaetes septentrionis, Mann. Tomicus 1 calligraphus. Germ. 2 pini. Say. Polygraphus rufipennis, Kirby. Hylesinus aculeatus, Say. Dendroctonus 1 terebrans, Lac. 2 obesus, Mann. 3 rufipennis. Kirby. Hylastes 1 cavernosus, Trimm. 2 pinifex, Fitch , 3 porculus, Er. Parandra brunnea, Fabr. Orthosoma brunneurn, Forst. Tragosoma Harnsii, Lee. Criocephalus 1 agrestis, Kirby. 2 obsoletus, Rand. Goxqcallus col laris, Lee. Battle suturalis, Say. Tetropium cinnamopterum, Kirby. Dularigs brevilineus, Say. Rhopalopus sanguinicollis, Horn. Hylotrupes 1 bajulus, Linn. 2 ligneus, Fabr. Phymatodes dimidiatus, Kirby. Merion proteus, Kirby. Asemum moestum, Hald. Spondylus upitormis, Mann. Callidium 1 violaceum, Muls. 2 janthinum, Lee. Chion garganicum, Fabr. Elaphidion 1 incertum, Newm. 2 unicolor, Rand. Molorchus birnaculatus, Say. Cyllene pictus, Drury. Glycobius speciosus, Say. Calloides nobilis, Say. Arhopalus fulminans, Fabr. Clytus 1 marginicollis. Say. 2 ham at us, Say. 3 longipes, Kirby. Psenocerus supernotatus, Lee. Xylotrechus t colonus, Fabr. 2 sagittatus, Germ. 3 quadrimaculatus, Ilald. 4 undulatus, Say. 5 armosus, Say. Neoclytus 1 muricatus, Kirby. 2 erythrocephalus, Fabr. ( Continued from page 196.) No. 2. MONTREAL, FEBRUARY, 1883. Vol. III. WILLIAM COUPER, Editor. Subscribers, please notice that the pages of “ The Canadian Sportsman and Naturalist ” are to be consecutive until the end of the third volume , when we will supply an index. PROPOSED CONVENTION OF CANADIAN SPORTSMEN. In Yol. II., No. 9, of this journal, in con- cluding our remarks on the Forestry Congress we stated that the next good move should be a Congress of American and Canadian sports- men to provide correct means for the protec- tion of Fish and Game of both countries. There are several interesting subjects which may be discussed at meetings of true sports- men— such as the effect of forest fires caus- ing the decrease of animals ; fish and game protection in an American and Canadian view ; harmonizing the game laws of the Provinces ; correct nomenclature of the game animals and other kindred subjects. American sportsmen have a greater interest according to numbers and position in taking part in a Congress of this nature than we have ; besides, there is something congenial in a meeting of true sportsmen ; all have the same objects in view. We at least protect the bulk of woodcock and snipe bred in the north, more for the benefit of our neighboring sportsmen than our own. We do the same with geese and ducks, classed as game occurring on the waters of both coun- tries. At the suggestion of several of the leading sportsmen of each Province, a Committee con- sisting of Mr. F. J. Boswell, Major H. R. Smith and Mr. W. A. Allan has been formed for the purpose of holding, if possible, a representa- tive convention of the sportsmen of the Do- minion to consider the present anomalous con- dition of the game laws, and, if thought ad- visable, to take immediate action with a view of doing away with market shooting by for- eigners, and the export of game, and tor the discussion of other matters of interest to lov- ers of sport. At a meeting of the Central Committee (held at Ottawa) it was resolved : “ That the Secretary be instructed to issue a circular requesting some leading sportsman to call a meeting of the sportsmen in each coun- ty in the Dominion for the purpose of electing a delegate to attend a general convention, to be held in the city of Ottawa, on Easter Mon- day, the 26th of March.” The objects of the above named sportsrnen are exactly what our remarks referred to in the issue of the “ C. S. and N.” last Septem- ber, but we fear that the time stated for calling a convention of the sportsmen of the Dominion is too limited, even to secure a thoroughly re- presentative meeting from (he counties in the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec; but even should these two Provinces be well represent- ed, a good beginning will be made, offering some encouragement in the first attempt to bring the lovers of the rod and gun together to discuss these matters. We are in favour of American sportsmen taking part in this convention, nationality hav- ing nothing to do with sporting matters, as far as we can see. There is quite a difference be- tween a man shooting for the purpose of sup- plying a foreign market and a gentleman visit- ing Canada for legitimate sport and recreation. These and many other points will no doubt be discussed at the convention, the result of the labors of which will be looked forward to with interest by all sportsmen. MONTREAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. The' monthly meeting of this society was held at the Natural History Society’s Rooms, on Monday evening, 12th instant, Mr. Wm. Muir in the chair. There was a good attendance, and a number of microscopes were on the table. Mr. G. J. Bowles was elected a member of the society. The subject for the evening, “ Insect wea- pons,” was opened by a paper from Mr. Edward Murphy, who dealt more particularly with the proboscis of the mosquito. Mr. Murphy illus- trated his remarks with drawings on the black- board, showing the parts as seen by him under the microscope. He was followed by Mr. Wm. Muir, on the same subjeot, after which a dis- cussion arose as to whether this insect had poisonous glands or not. Dr. Geo. Wilkins, in the absence of Dr. Osier, exhibited an appar- atus for counting the corpuscules in blood, and gave an illustration under the microscope with blood drawn from a member present. 206 THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. MONTREAL BRANCH, ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OB1 CANADA. The ninety-fourth meeting of the society was held at the residence of the President, Mr. H. H. Lyman, on Tuesday evening, 13th instant. Tlie President read an interesting and valu- able paper on the genus Callinrorpha, illus- trating his remarks by a large collection of the species, and by drawings of the types in the British Museum, made by Mr. Butler, of that institution. We venture to say that the Confusion heretofore existing with regard to this variable genus is likely to be got rid of through Mr. Lyman’s careful and thorough work, with the assistance of Mr. Caulfield. Mr. G. J. Bowles read a “ Preliminary List of the Geometridse of the Province of Quebec,” opening up interesting questions as to the limits of the northern and temperate insect faunas of Canada. A third paper was read, entitled “ Notes on some diurnal Lepidoptera occurring in Canada,” by Mr. Caulfield, giving Canada as the habitat of a number of species of butterflies not stated in W. H. Edward’s catalogue as being found in this country. THE TOMMY COD. In“ L’Opinion Publique ” of the 18th Jan- uary last, is an article on the Tommy Cod, Morrhua pruinosa , Mitchell, by the eminent French-Canadian litterateur , M. Benjamin Suite. He gives an interesting account of the fishery carried on annually. in the vicinity of Three Rivers, and supplies data which dis- prove the common idea that it is the young of the cod. But little is known of the history of this little fish, although it has been an import- ant article of food in Lower Canada “ from time immemorial,” so that new information with regard to it is interesting, both to the naturalist and the public. Mr. Suite states that the Tommy co'd ranges from Newfoundland to Three Rivers, but it is much more widely distributed, being found on the coast of New York, and no doubt on that of New England, if not farther east. DeKay tells us that it ascends the Hudson as far as Albany, where it is abundant at intervals of a few years. On the Long Island coast it is sometimes so plentiful that it can be shovelled on to the shore from tlie shallow water. It goes up the Hudson, as it does the St. Law- rence, at tlie beginning of winter, and is there called the Tom Cod or Frost-fish. It is one of these fishes, apparently, which inhabit waters of no great depth, and, except during the an- nual migration, remains in ’salt water the whole year. All through the summer it may be caught on the shores of the lower St. Law- rence. The writer has often fished for them, from July to September, from the wharf at Riviere du Loup, and the rocks between there and Cacouna. They come up in great num- bers with the rising tid'e, and like the ordinary cod, are voracious feeders, taking almost any- thing in the shape of bait. In December, how- ever, they ascend to fresh water, reaching Quebec and Three Rivers about Christmas, the fishery lasting until about the 10th January. At Quebec they turn into the estuary of the River St. Charles with every tide, and the ice is dotted over with a village of cabanes , set up to shelter the fishers, who gather a large har- vest while the migration lasts. Multitudes, however, go past Quebec, continuing their pro- gress along the North Shore until they reach Three Rivers, but pay a heavy tribute to the habitans on the way. At Three Rivers they go up the St. Maurice river in shoals, as far as the rapids of the Forges, after which all trace of them is lost. We are not aware whether they have been taken above Lake St. Peter. Strange to say, on passing out of tide water they swim near the surface, contrary to their usual habit of swimming near the bottom. This peculiarity gives the habitans an oppor- tunity of taking them in great numbers. Large frames six feet high and two or three feet square, filled in with wickerwork, and open on one side some distance from the bot- tom, are plunged iu through holes cut in the ice. The opening in the frame is placed to- wards the advancing shoals, and the trap is soon withdrawn, filled with the writhing tom- my cods. In this way they are secured by the sleighload. On the St. Maurice, cabins are built, in which the fisherman eats and sleeps, waging wa,r on the “ petits monies ” until they cease to pass. None are caught on their re- turn. They seem to scatter and seek the deep- er parts of the river, and the fishery is over, in fresh water at least, until the following Decem- ber. It has been stated above, that doubts have been entertained as to whether this fish is a distinct species from the Cod. Even experi- enced naturalists have had these doubts. But the facts above given seem to make the matter a certainty. The annual migration into fresh water (although contrary to the general habit of the cod family, as far as known) must be for the purpose of spawning. The fish, when THE CANADIAN SPORTSMAN AND NATURALIST. 207 taken in winter, are full of eggs, and ready to propagate, and instinct drives them up into fresh water for that purpose. On the St. Law- rence, they ascend the tributary rivers on the North Shore with this end in view, but in some of them, at least, they cannot penetrate very far. They can go only a few miles up the St. Charles at Quebec, and in the St. Maurice there are fall's about fifteen miles up which would bar their progress. Some of the other rivers between Three Rivers and Quebec may be more accessible to them. The conditions under which the spawn is deposited are, how- ever, unknown. Mr. Suite says that the Tommy Cod has been an article of food in Canada ever since the French colonists arrived, and no doubt it was relished by the Indians long before that time. No diminution in the supply has been noticed. To-day the quantities used, princi- pally by the French-Canadian population, are very great, and as Jack Frost comes to help, and preserves the fish in the best manner pos- sible, none of this valuable food supplv is wasted. H. K. C. BIRDS OF WESTERN ONTARIO. Sir, — Since the appearance of your January number I have been requested to explain two points in the list of Birds of Western Ontario, and have pleasure in doing so : 1st. — As re- gards the common Tern, it appears in the Hamilton list as Sterna Wilsoni , and in the London list as Sterna fluviatilas, both names were taken from the Smithsonian catalogue, but were taken at different dates, and the name had been changed in the interval. To be strictly correct in following the Smithsonian nomenclature, we should drop the Wilsoni and adopt the jiuviatilus as being the most recent, and let us hope that there will soon be an end of these frequent changes in specific names which are so perplexing to the student. 2nd. — As regards the large Rails, the specimen re- ferred to in the Hamilton list was brought me by a local sportsman who said it was the only one of the kind he had ever seen here, but he had often shot them at Baptiste Creek ; that they bred there; this was to all appear- ance the Clapper Rail, as the measurement as also the bleached- worn appearance of the plu- mage agreed with the descriptions given of that species, and the entr}’ was made for the list in accordance with these facts. Whether I was strictly correct or not in the identifica- tion will probably not be known, as the speci- men referred to was lost, and neither of the large rails has been found here since that time ; the one which breeds at Baptiste Creek and the St. Clair marshes is the king rail, Rallus elegans. I have to record the capture within the past ten days of a second specimen of the Barn Owl, Strix flammea ; this was a female shot at a farm-house near Dundas, about four miles from where the other was obtained. It is quite pos- sible that this pair may have left their home in the south in company, bent on a voyage of discovery ; if so, they have met the fate which frequently befalls adventurers in new coun- tries, viz. : been skinned by the natives. Pine grosbeaks have been very abundant round the city since the middle of January; they are nearly all in the grey plumage, being either females or immature males. The ap- pearance of these birds in such numbers may be taken as an indication of the severity of the winter in the north as I have not heard of their being here at all for many years past. Your truly, T. McIllwraith. Cairnbrae, Hamilton, 0., 14th Feb., 1883. CROW BLACKBIRDS. Your correspondent in the January No. of the