.THE. 
 
 £&:>< 
 
 ^5Sf 
 
FROM THE INCOME OF THE 
 
 FISKE ENDOWMENT FUND 
 THE BEQUEST OF 
 
 Millard 3fiske 
 
 Librarian of the University 1868-1883 
 1905 I 1 
 
 hmiii uHmii 
 
 RETURN TO 
 ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY 
 
 ITHACA, N. Y. 
 

 DATE DUE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DEMCO 38-297 
 
 QL 68 5 .5. C QTw79 ni 1896 yUbrary 
 ^iMi™™?,iS™ Mon,real :birds observed in 
 
 3 1924 001 124 977 
 
The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924001124977 
 
THE 
 
 BIRDS OF MONTREAL 
 
 BY 
 
 ERNEST D. WINTLE, 
 
 "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 of 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. 
 
h^wns 
 
 Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in 
 the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, by 
 William Drtsdale & Co., in the Office of the Minister of 
 Agriculture at Ottawa. 
 
 fiV/.BTTP. PRINT, MONTREAL 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 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 eoBtained 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 6ut often on the rivers and lakes, and in 
 the marshes, 'swarhps r 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, 
 
j v 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 
 
 N., 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' 1ST., 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 of 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. 
 
v i 1HE 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, Euthatchers, 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 v ij 
 
 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. 
 
yjjj 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 (G-mel.). 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. Yennor, Montreal, 
 1876. . 
 
 2. Small Pewee — " Muscipeta querula." 
 
 3. Pn rlonan' 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— r" Podiceps minor." 
 
 6. Common Gull or Mew — " Lams canus." 
 
 7. Silvery Gull — " Larus fuscus." 
 
 8. Barnacle Goose — " Anser leucopsis." 
 
 9. Brant or Brent Goose — " Anser bernicla." 
 
CO 
 
 ft 
 a 
 J 
 
 o 
 
 u 
 
 3 
 
 Q 
 
 u 
 o 
 •a 
 
 ■a 
 a 
 
 C 
 
 3 
 
 •a 
 
 < 
 
PREFACE. \ x 
 
 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 — " Oygnus 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. 
 
 1 1. Harlequin Duck — " Anas histrionica." 
 
 12. Labrador Duck — " Anas Labradorica " ; " Fu- 
 ligula Labradorica," Anderson ; " Camptoloemus 
 Labradorus," Gmel., Gray, Baird. 
 
x THE BIRDS 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 Tatler — " 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.) 
 
 2. Blade Hawk. 
 (Palco Sancli Johannis.) 
 
 3. McCulloch's or The Canada \ Swainson's Hawk. 
 
 Buzzard. > (Buteo Swainsoni.) 
 
 (Buteo insignatus.) > melanistic. 
 
 } Canadian Warbler. 
 (Sylvan ia Canadensis. 
 Young. 
 
 5. Purple Grackle. 
 (Quiscalus versicolor.) Bronzed Grackle. 
 
 6. Common Blackbird. | (Q«'scalus quiscula 
 "(Quiscalus baritus.) J *neus.) 
 
 pus Sancti-Johannis.) 
 Same species. 
 
Young Male Labrador Duck, in Natnral History Society Museum, Montreal. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XI 
 
 Holboell's Grebe. 
 (Colymbus holboellii.) 
 Young. 
 
 Saw-whet Owl. 
 (Nyctala acadica.) 
 Young. 
 
 7. Crested Grebe. 
 (Podiceps cristatus.) 
 
 8. Dalhousie's Owl. 1 
 (Surnia Dalhousie.) 
 
 9. Kirtland's Owl. 
 (Surnia Kirtlandii ; Nyctala 
 
 Kirtlandica, Hog., Cassia.) 
 
 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. 
 1. 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. 
 
 (.SSchmorphorus oocidentalis.) 
 (Alle alle.) 
 (Larus marinus.) 
 (L. delawarensis.) 
 (L. Philadelphia.) 
 (Sterna tschegrava.) 
 (Procellaria pelagica.) 
 (Rula bassana.) 
 (Phalacrocorax carbo.) 
 (Aythya vallisneria.) 
 (A. aftinis.) 
 (Glaucionetta islandlca.) 
 
 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. Baird's Sandpiper. 
 
 24. Solitary Sandpiper. 
 
 25. Bartramian Sandpiper. 
 
 26. White Gyr falcon. 
 
 27. Duck Hawk. 
 
 28. .4rc£ic Horned Owl. 
 
 29. Dusky Horned Owl. 
 
 30. Red-bellied Woodpecker. 
 
 31. Olive-sided Flycatcher. 
 
 32. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. 
 
 33. Traill's Flycatcher. 
 
 34. Least Flycatcher. 
 
 35. Prairie Horned Lark. 
 
 36. ^Hiericam. Magpie. 
 
 37. Evening Grosbeak. 
 
 38. 4mer£c(m Crossbill. 
 
 39. White-winged Crossbill. 
 
 40. Savanna Sparrow. 
 
 41. Field Sparrow. 
 
 42. Lincoln's Sparrow. 
 
 43. Swamp Sparrow. 
 
 44. European House Sparrow. 
 
 45. Bank Swallow. 
 
 46. TF/iite-rujn.ped Shrike. 
 
 47. Philadelphia Vireo. 
 
 48. Blue-headed Vireo. 
 
 49. Orange-crowned Warbler. 
 
 50. Tennessee Warbler. 
 
 (Soraateria dresseri.) 
 (Oidemia americana.t 
 (Erismatura rubida.) 
 
 > ( Anser albifrons ganibel i. ) 
 
 (Ardea egretta.) 
 
 (A. virescens.) 
 
 (Gallinule galeata.) 
 
 (Scolopax rustlcola.) 
 
 (Tringa maritima.) 
 
 (T. fuscicollis.) 
 
 (T. bairdii.) 
 
 (Totanus solitarius.) 
 
 (Bartramia longicauda.) 
 
 (Falco islandus.) 
 
 (P. peregrinus anatum ) 
 
 (Bubo virginianus arcticus.) 
 
 (B. virginianus saturatus.) 
 
 (Melanerpes carolinus.) 
 
 (Contopus borealis.) 
 
 (Empidonax llaviventris.l 
 
 (E. pusillus traillii.) 
 
 (E. minimus.) 
 
 (Otocoris alpestris praticola.) 
 
 (Pica pica hudsonica.) 
 
 (Coccothraustes vespertina.) 
 
 (Loxia curvirostra minor.). 
 
 (L. leucoptera.) 
 /(Ammodramus sandwichensis 
 \ savanna. 
 
 (Spizella pusilla.) 
 
 (Melospiza lincolni.) 
 
 (M. georgiana.) 
 
 (Passer domesticus ) 
 
 (Clivicola riparia.) 
 /(Lanius ludovicianus excubi'tor- 
 (. ides.) 
 
 (Vireo phlladelphicus.) 
 
 (V. solitarius.) 
 
 (Helminthophila celata.) 
 
 (H. peregrina.) 
 
PREFACE. x iii 
 
 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 aliuise.) 
 
 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. Ooues, Prof. Baird, Robert Ridgeway, 
 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" 
 
X [ Y 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. 0. U." 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. 0. -IT.," so as to ob- 
 viate the confusion caused in th^ 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. 0. IT." 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, 1896. 
 
THE 
 
 BIRDS OF MONTREAL 
 
 BY 
 
 ERNEST D. WINTLE* 
 1896 
 
 LIST. 
 
 Order Pygopodes. — Diving Birds. 
 
 Suborder Podicipedes. — G-rebes. 
 
 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. Linnseus. 
 Subgenus " Colymbus." 
 
 2. Holbcell's Grebe. G. holboellii. (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. Homed Grebe. C. auritus. Linn. (Hell-diver.) 
 " 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 Taix, below 
 Beauharnois. 
 
 Suborder Cepphi. — Loons. 
 
 Family Urinatoridce. — Loons. 
 
 Genus Urinator. Ouvier. 
 
 b." Loon. IT. 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. Ohas. 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 LongipennSTs. Long-winged Swimmers. 
 
 Family Laridce. — Gulls and Terns. 
 
 Subfamily Larince. 
 
 Genus Rissa. 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 Gull. L. marinus. Linn. 
 " Transient Visitant," rare. 
 
 11. American Herring Gull. (Herring Gull.) L. 
 
 argentatus smiths on i anus. Coues. 
 "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. 
 
 " Transient Visitant," scarce. This gull resembles 
 
g 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- 
 chia. 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 so. 
 
 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 flocks 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 Contreooeur, by Mr. Normandin, 
 insurance agent, of this city, and it was stuffed for. 
 him by Mr. Craig. It is likely that this tern breeds 
 here, as, according to " Ridg way'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. parodissea. 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 Carrie, 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 Tubinarbs. — Tube-nosed Swimmers. 
 
 Family Procellariid.ee. — Petrels. 
 
 Subfamily Procellariince. — Petrels. 
 
 Genus Procellaria. Linnaeus. 
 
 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. 
 This 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. Oannet. (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 
 garmet off a small island at Ste. Pose, and was told 
 
JO 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 Phalaeroeorax. Brisson. 
 
 Subgenus " Phalaeroeorax." 
 
 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 wbich 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, sbowing it to be the 
 young of this species, as "P. dilophus" has only 
 twelve tail feathers." 
 
 22. Double-crested Cormorant. P. dilophus. (Sw. 
 
 and Blch.) 
 " 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 
 
1IST. 11 
 
 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, w'e 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 Merginm. — Mergan sers. 
 
 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. Linnasus. 
 
 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 Eichelieu 
 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. Oadioall. 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 
 
 Natnral 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, and 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 " Querqueclula." Stephens. 
 
 31. Blue-winged Teal. A. discors. Linn. 
 
 " Transient Visitant," common. A few probably 
 
IQ 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 phrmage, 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. 
 
I g THE BIRDS F HON TREAL. 
 
 Genus Aythya. Boie. 
 Subgenus " Aythya." 
 
 35. Bedhead. (American Pochard.) A. amcricana. 
 
 (%t.) 
 " 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. Quints-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-Duck. (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. 
 
20 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 Glaucionetla. Stejueger. 
 
 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 gets on these occasions is to hear the whist- 
 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. Gr. 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 specimeu 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. Buffle-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 Clang ula. 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 da} r s 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.) 
 O. 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. 
 
 Subgenus " Pelionetta." Kaup. 
 
 47. Surf Scoter. (Deaf-duck.) 0. perspicillata 
 
 (Linn.) 
 " Transient Visitant," rare. The adult male of 
 this species can also be 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. Buddy Buck. 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 Snoio Goose. (Wavy.) 0. 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 tameness 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. Camida 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 2-1 and 
 30, 1893, on Lake of Two Mountains. 
 
 Order Herodiones. — Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. 
 
 Suborder Herodii. — Herons, Bitterns, etc. 
 
 Family Ardeidce. — 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. 
 
30 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. Linnseus. 
 
 Subgenus "Ardea." 
 
 54. Great Blue Heron. (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 
 :?aw 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 Beauhamois, 
 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-Nbix (Craig) an 
 island in the Richelieu river near Stottsville, an d 
 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 busbes 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 Nyticnrax. Stephens. 
 
 Subgenus " ISTyticorax." 
 
 57. Black-crowned Night Heron. (Quawk.) X. 
 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 stuffeil. 
 
LIST. 33 
 
 Order Paludicol*. — Cranes, Rails and Courlans. 
 
 Suborder Balli. — Courlans, Rails, Gallinules and 
 Coots. 
 
 Family Rallidce. — Rails, Gallinules and Coots. 
 
 Subfamily Hallince. — Rails. 
 
 Genus Halhis. Linnseus. 
 
 58. Virginia Bail. 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. Duulop and myself shot ahout 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-Xoix, by Mr. Denne. 
 
 Subgenus " Coturnicops." Bonaparte. 
 
 GO. Yellow Mail. P. noveboracensis. (Gmel.) 
 
 "Transient Visitaut," 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 JFulicince. — Coots. 
 Genus Fulica. Linnaeus. 
 
 62. American Coot. (Coot.j 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 Limieolce. — Shore Birds. 
 
 Family Phalaropodidce. — Phalaropes. 
 
 Genus Phalaro]pus. 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. 
 
gg 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 11th 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 enow 
 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 BIRDS 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 80, 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 at Laprairie, 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, and 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 
 
 Genus Macrorhamphus. Leach. 
 Subgenus " Macrorhamphus." 
 
 67. Dowitcher. (Red-breasted Snipe ; Gray-back 
 
 Snipe.) M. griseus. (Gmel.) 
 
 "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 Trivga. 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. Briinn. 
 "Transient Visitant," scarce. Mr. Kuetzing 
 
 noticed this species in October, 1884, in our markets, 
 and the late Mr. George Oosten, of Thos. Costen & 
 Co., gunsmiths, some years ago, shot several out of 
 a flock on the south side of Shin's Island. 
 
40 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 Subgenus " Actodromas." Kaup. 
 
 70. Pectoral Sandpiper. (Jack Snipe ; Grass Plover.) 
 
 T. maculata. Vieill. 
 " 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 Sand-piper. 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. 4j 
 
 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. Baird's 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. Vieill. 
 
 " 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. Bed-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 flocks in the autumn along the river 
 shore at Laprairie, and Mr. Denne and myself shot 
 quite a number there, September 17, 1892. 
 
 Genus Galidris. 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. J8 
 
 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 Bartrarnia. 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 
 
 f 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 Numeninm. 
 Genus Numenius. Brisson. 
 
 85. Long-billed Curlew. IS", 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. Ekdsonian 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. IS. 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 Charadrius. 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.) ' C. 
 
 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 jEgialitis. Boie. 
 
 90. Killdeer. A. vocifera, (Linn.) 
 
 " Summer Eesident," 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 " ^Egialitis. Boie. 
 
 91. Semipalmated Plover. (Ring- neck Plover.) M. 
 
 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 Aphrizidw. — 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 Tetraonidtf. — Grouse, Partridges and Quails. 
 
 Subfamily Tetraoninaz. — Grouse. 
 
 Genus Dendragajms. 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 1 60 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 JBonasa. 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 
 wood's 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 such 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 
 Club. (" Montreal Daily Witness," March 12, 1888.) 
 
 Order Columb;e. — Pigeons. 
 
 Family Columbidce. — Pigeons or Doves. 
 
 Subfamily Columbines. — Pigeons. 
 
 Genus Ectopistes. Swainson. 
 
 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 
 bird. 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. 
 
 G-enus 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 Aecipiter. Brisson. 
 
 Subgenus " Aecipiter." 
 
 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 C6te St. Antoine, and at the 
 
5 1 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 whiter visitants. 
 
 Subgenus " Astur." Lacepede. 
 
 101. American Goshcnulc. (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 Haiok. (Hen Hawk.) B. line- 
 
 aris. (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. Dunlop. 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, 189L 
 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 Haiok. 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 Rough-legged Hawk. (Booted Hawk ; 
 
 Black 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 Aquila. 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 Halceetus. 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 Beauharuois, 33 miles south 
 west of Montreal, on Lake St. Louis 
 
 Subfamily Falconiiice. 
 
 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 "Bhynchodon." Nitzsch. 
 
 110. DackJfawk. F. peregrin us anatum. (Bonap.) 
 " 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. 1ST. 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 
 Natural 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 
 
CO 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 "JEsalon." Ivaup. 
 
 111. Pigeon Hairk. 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." Vieill. 
 
 112. American Sjmrroiv Haiol: F. sparverius. Linn. 
 
 "Summer Eesident," scarce. More common in 
 the spring and autumn. I shot a pair of these 
 beautiful little hawks Ma}^ 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 
 
 earolinensis. (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 
 ISTun'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 J lbs. 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. acciptrinus. (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.) 
 
 " 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. Swainson. 
 
 11 7. Great Gray Owl. (Cinereous Owl.) S. cine- 
 
 reum. (GmeL) 
 
 "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. 1ST. tengmalmi richardsonii. 
 
 (Bonap.) 
 
 "Winter Visitant," scarce. Occasionally re- 
 ceived by our taxidermists to stuff. 
 
 119. Saw Whet Owl. (Acadian Owl.) 5T. 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. 
 
64 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 Genus Megascops. Kaup. 
 
 120. Screech Owl. (Mottled Owl; Eed 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 flew 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 ; atid 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 bufty plumage, and the youngling is sparsely 
 covered with white downy feathers. Mr. Denne 
 kindly presented them to me for my collection ot 
 skins. Mr. Martin's son, while climbing to the 
 nest, was fiercely attacked by the parent birds. 
 
(3(3 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 123. Dusky Horned Oicl. B. virginianus 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 4 J 
 lbs. 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". nyctea. (Linn) 
 
 " 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 ihe 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 day 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 iSurnia. Dumiril. 
 
 125. American Hawk Owl. S. ulula caparoch 
 
 (Mull.) 
 " 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 Cuculi — Cuckoos, etc. 
 
 Family Cucculidcs. — Cuckoos, Anis, etc. 
 
 Subfamily Coceyginoe. — American Cuckoos. 
 
 Gens Coccyzus. Vieillot. 
 
 126. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. C. americanus. (Linn.) 
 
 " Accidental Visitant," rare. A few examples 
 
 (i 
 
tf8 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 
 egg*, 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 
 
 June 
 
 8, 
 
 1883.- 
 
 -3 Eggs. 
 
 15, 
 
 a 
 
 — 1 Youngling. 
 
 16, 
 
 u 
 
 -1 Egg. 
 
 22, 
 
 a 
 
 -2 Eggs. 
 
 6, 
 
 1885, 
 
 — 1 Egg, incubated. 
 
 6, 
 
 1886, 
 
 — 3 Eggs and 2 (black) younglings ; 
 two of the eggs incubated and 
 one fresh. 
 
 VI, 
 
 a 
 
 — 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 Alcedinidce. — Kingfishers. 
 
 Genus Geryle. Boie. 
 
 Subgenus " Streptoceryle." Bonap. 
 
 1-28. Belted Kingfisher. (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 Pici<he. — "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, lb85, in the city ; also saw one October 17, 
 1886, in the garden of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, 
 Notre Dame street, and on the spur of Mount Royal 
 the same date; observed again October 21 and 23 
 and November 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 
 November, and I am inclined to think that it re- 
 -turns to its northern breeding grounds early in the 
 year, 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. D. 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 Pieoides. 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 Oasselman, 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 ot 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.^85, 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, 
 1 884, 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 fpr 
 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 tbe 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 25 
 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 MOXTREAL. 
 
 Genus Melanerpes. Swainson. 
 Subgenus " 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. Gr. 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. (Caulfield.) 
 
 Subgenus "Centurus." Swainson. 
 
 136. Red-bellied Woodpecker. M. carolhms. (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. Swainson. 
 
 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 Caprirrmlgidce. — Goatsuckers. 
 
 Genus Antrostomus. Gould. 
 
 138. Whippoorwill. A. vociferus. (Wils.) 
 
 " Transient Visitant," scarce. This bird is said 
 
76 THE BIRDS OF MONTEEA 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. Swain son. 
 
 139. Nighthaiok. (Goatsucker; Mosquito Hawk.) 
 C. virginanus. (Gmel.) 
 " 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 have 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 Gypseli. — Swifts. 
 
 Family Micropodidce. — Swifts. 
 Subfamily Chmturinm. — Spine-tailed Swifts. 
 Genus Chmtura. Stephens. 
 140. Chimney Sivift. (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 Trochilida. — Hummingbirds. 
 
 Genus Trocliilus. Linnfeus. 
 
 Subgenus " Trocliilus." 
 
 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 Tyrannies. 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 arouDd 
 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 8 th 
 to August 28th. 
 
 Genus Sayornis. Bonaparte. 
 
 144. Phmbe. (Pewee.) S. Phcebe (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. 
 Subgenus " Nuttallornis." Ridgway. 
 
 145. Olive-sided Flycatcher. C. borealis (Swains.) 
 
 " Summer Resident," scarce. Breeds in Mount 
 
LIST. gl 
 
 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. 0. 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, but 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, tor 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- 
 
LIST. 83 
 
 laga, from the 14th to the 25th of May, hut like 
 the preceding one, I have not met with it in the 
 autumn, and as the latter end of the moDth 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.) 0. 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 ¥m. 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 Corrida: — Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. 
 
 Subfamily Garrulinm. — Magpies and Jays. 
 
 Genus Pica. Cuvier. 
 
 152. American Magpie. P. pica hudsonica. (Sab ) 
 " Accidental Visitant," rare. The habitat of this 
 
LIST. 85 
 
 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, round 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. 
 
 Genus Gyanocitta, Strickland. 
 
 153. Blue Jay. C. cristata (Linn ) 
 
 " Transient Visitant," common. I have observed 
 this jay here in the months of March, 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 hlue 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 us 
 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, Ont. 
 
 Subfamily Corvina:. — Crows. 
 Genus Corvus. Linnaeus. 
 
 155. Northern Raven. (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. 
 
 (Aud.) 
 " 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 hank 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 ahout 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 Oote des Meges. 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 Icteridm. — 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, which 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 j-ellowish 
 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, bufry, 
 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, strauge 
 
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 3-ear. 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 Molothrus. 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, 18S0, 3 eggs in Phoebe's nest, and 3 eggs of the latter 
 bird. 
 " 29, " 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, 1SS1, 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, aud 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 23, 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, 1833, 1 egg in Chipping Sparrow, and 1 egg of the latter 
 bird. 
 " 22, 1830, 1 egg in Red-eyed Vireo's old nest, egg fresh. 
 
 July 7, 1831, 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. Bed-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 Stiiniella. Vieillot. 
 
 160. Mendinrlark. 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 Quiscalimr. 
 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 returning 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 Quiscalas Vieillot. 
 
 Subgenus " Quiscalus." 
 
 103. Bronzed Grackle. (Crow Blackbird.) Q. quis- 
 cula feneus. (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 R,ed-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 b}^ 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 Fringillidct. — Finches, Sparrows, etc. 
 
 Genus C'ocevthraustes. 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, JST.Y. 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 the}' 
 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 Carpodocas. 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 
 
 fcuilt in a small spruce-tree. As a rule, I have ob- 
 served tins 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 
 
 flock 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 29-th. The 
 latter date is late in the spring of the year to find 
 this species here, although in 1883, I saw large 
 
l)g THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 numbers 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 11th, 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 hi summer, but I have 
 not seen thern during the latter season, and I do not 
 think they have been found breeding in this district- 
 Genus Plectrophena.r. Stejneger. 
 
 17"2. Smjn flake. (Snowbird, Snow Bunting.) P. 
 nivalis. (Linn.) 
 "Winter Visitant," abundant. Arrives here 
 
LIST. 
 
 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 Calcarius. Bechstein. 
 
 173. Lapland Long spur. C. lapponicus. (Linn.) 
 
 " 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. 
 
100 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 Nests with eggs found from 
 
 May 14th to 28th. Observed here from April 7th 
 
 to October 8th. 
 
 Genus Ammodramus. Swainson. 
 Subgenus " Passerculus." 
 
 175. Savanna Sparroio. (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 Zoriotrirhia. Swainson. 
 
 176. White-crowned Sparrow. B. leucophrys. (Forst.) 
 "Transient Visitant," scarce. I shot a male 
 
 specimen of this species May 1 2th, 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 Peabody.) 
 
 B. albicollis. (Gmel ) 
 " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount 
 
LIST. 10 1 
 
 Royal Park. I found a nest of this bird May 24th, 
 1886, 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 Sparroio. 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 XIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 Genus Junco. Wagler. 
 
 1-n. 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 Sieges 
 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 letter'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 Melospiztt. 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. 10 3 
 
 nests, with eggs, from May 8 to July 28, and ob- 
 served them here from March 24 to October 24. 
 
 18 : 1 Lincoln's Sparroiv. 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. Siramp 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 Passerella. 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 
 
204 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 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. Reichenbach. 
 
 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 Passerina. Vieillot. 
 Subgenus " Passerina." Vieillot, 
 
 187. Indigo Banting. (Indigo-bird.) P. cyanea. 
 
 (Linn.) 
 " Summer Resident," common. Breeds in Mount 
 
LIST. 
 
 105 
 
 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 Tanagrldce. — 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 Hi riuvli nidce. — 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, Xo. 2241 Notre Dame street, where they are 
 said to breed twice 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 Hwallow. (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 Sirallow. C. erythrogaster. (Bodd.) 
 
 " Summer Resident," common. Breeds on the 
 
LIST. 107 
 
 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. 
 
 G-enus Tachycinela. Cabanis. 
 
 193. Tree Swallow. (White-bellied Swallow.) T. 
 bicolor. (Vieill.) 
 " 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 3. 
 
 Genus Climcola. Forster. 
 
 191. 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. 
 
108 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. Linnaeus. 
 
 195. Bohemian Waxaing. 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. (Vieill.) 
 " 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. 109 
 
 Family Laniidae. — Shrikes. 
 Germs Lanins. Limifeus. 
 
 197. Northern, Shrike. (Great Northern Shrike ; 
 
 Butcher-bird.) L. borealis. (Vieill.) 
 " Winter Visitant," common. Observed here 
 from October 20 to April 11, 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. ludo- 
 
 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 
 
HO 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 Hochelaga, 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 Vireorddm. — Yireos. 
 
 Genus Vireo. Vieillot. 
 
 Subgenus " Yireosylva,"' Bonap. 
 
 199. Red-eyed Vireo. (Red-eyed Flycatcher. V. 
 
 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. V. philadelphicus. (Cass.) 
 " Transient Visitant." ? I have not met with this 
 
 species here yet, but as Montreal is within its geo- 
 
LIST. 
 
 Ill 
 
 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. vai-ia. (Linn.) 
 "Summer Resident," scarce, but common mi- 
 
1 12 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 grant. I saw one June 25, 1887, in Mount Royal 
 Park, and shot a fledgeling July 1, 1885, at Calu- 
 met, bi miles west of Montreal. I also saw a pair 
 and fledgeling July 7, 1891, on the spur of Mount 
 Eoyal. Observed here from May 3 to August 22. 
 Mr. Griflin, 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 which was identified by the late Mr. 
 Caulfield, taxidermist. 
 
 Genus Helminthophila. Ridgway. 
 
 205. Nashville Warbler. H. rufieapilla. (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, 1*89, 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. Oriaiije-eroiciied 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 Warblev. 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. Oabanis. 
 
 208. Parula Warbler. (Blue Yellow-backed War- 
 
 bler. 0. 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 o'f 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). 
 
 " 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. 
 
H4 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. cperulescens. 
 
 (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.) 
 " Transient Visitant," common. Observed here 
 
LIST. 
 
 115 
 
 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 of 
 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 an 
 irregular spring migrant, and have not met with 
 
HQ 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 whhout 
 my coming across them. 
 
 217. Blackburnian Warbler. D. blackburnise, (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. 
 
118 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 Hocbe- 
 laga by Mr. A. C. McKeand. 
 
 Subgenus " Geothlypis." 
 
 224. Maryland Yellow-throat. G. trichas. (Lirin.) 
 " 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. Euttall. 
 
 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. 119 
 
 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. 
 
 ber 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 Oaleoscoptes. 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 trom 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. 
 
 Genus JHarporhynchus. Cabanis. 
 Subgenus " Methriopterus." Reich. 
 
 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. ,21 
 
 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. 
 
 Subfamily Troglodytida. 
 
 Genus Troglodytes. Vieillot. 
 
 Subgenus " Troglodytes." 
 
 231. House Wren. T. aedon. (Vieill.) 
 
 " 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, 189 I, 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 Cieeper. 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. Bed-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. ]2 5 
 
 238. Hudsonian Chickadee. P. hudsonicus. (Forst.) 
 " "Winter Visitant," rare. Mr. Kuetzing 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." 
 
 230. 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." Oabanis. 
 
 240. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. (Ruby : crowned Wren.) 
 E.. calendula. (Linn.) 
 " Transient Visitant," common. Observed here 
 from April 7 to May 14, and from September 20 to 
 October 1 8. 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 spiightly manner. 
 
126 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 Subfamily Polioptilince. — Gnatcatchers 
 Genus Polioptila. Sclater. 
 
 24!. Blue-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 Turdns. Linneeus. 
 
 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 
 Roxton Falls, P.Q., to stuff. I can consider it only 
 sis 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.) 
 "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 OB' 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 2-1. 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 ISTeiges, 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. 12 9 
 
 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. JEuropean 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 wherethey 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 Worth 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. lgl 
 
 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 iD 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 be growing more 
 discreet in their attacks. At any rate, robins 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. 
 
LIST. 
 
 133 
 
 ADDENDA. 
 
 Family Alcidm. — Auks, Murres, etc. 
 
 Subfamily Phalerince. 
 
 G-enus Cepphus. Pallas. 
 
 250. Black Guillemot. C. grylle. (Linn.) 
 
 " Accidental Visitant," rare. I saw a young 
 bird of tbis species October 29, 1892, in the Bon- 
 seeours 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 TJria. Brisson. 
 
 251. Brunnich's Murre. IT. troile. (Linn.) 
 
 "Accidental Visitant," scarce. I saw a speci- 
 men of this bird stuffed by Mr. Craig for Mr. F. 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. TJrgele 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 mouth of 
 November. Mr. Hubert H. Brown, Secretary of 
 the Biological Society of Ontario, wrote to me, 
 under date of December 13, lh93, 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 bird 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. 
 
 Genus Somaterice. Leach. 
 
 Subgenus Erionetta. 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 
 
 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. 
 BiV. 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 ot wing feathers mostly 
 white. Lower parts satiny-white. 
 
 2. Holbcell'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. Homed 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. Bed-throated Loon. 
 
 Length about 27 inches. Bill '1\ 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 2 J 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 2| 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 . 
 
 12. Ming-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 1£ 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. 141 
 
 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 1J 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 \\ inches 
 long. Tail about 7| 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 lower 
 
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 about 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 7^ 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 parte grayish. Lower parts buffy- 
 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 1| 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 '1\ 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. Bald-pate. 
 
 Length about 22 inches. Bill about \\ 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. 
 
 LeDgth about 21 inches. Bill about 2f inches 
 long, over 1 inch broad at end. Head and neck 
 dull metallic green, breast white, rest of lower parts 
 chestDut. 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 Buck. 
 
 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 2\ inches 
 long. Head and upper half of neck chestnut-red, 
 chest black, belo w white. Female: Grayish-brown, 
 darker above. 
 
 36. Canvas-back. 
 
 Length about 23 inches. Bill about 2 J 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. Sing-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. 
 
 li 
 
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-heacl. 
 
 Male: Length about 15 inches. Bill about 1| 
 inches long. Head and upper neck metallic-green, 
 bronze, and violet-purple, with a large patch of 
 white 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. Ol'J-srjuair. 
 
 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. 
 
^50 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 47. Surf Scoter. 
 
 Length about 22 inches. Bill about 1J inches 
 long. Aduh. 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 male : Above, grayish-brown, finely mottled, 
 
 lower parts whitish. 
 
 49. Greater Snow Goose. 
 
 Length about 38 inches. Bill about 2 J 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 2£ inches 
 long. Head white and grayish-brown, neck and 
 upper parts grayish-brown, tail-coverts white, lower 
 
DESCRIPTION. 151 
 
 parts grayish white, jpotted 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 5 \ inches 
 long. Adult: Occiput and sides of crown bla;ck, 
 
152 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 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 Bail. 
 
 Length about 10 inches. Bill about 1J 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 Hail. 
 
 Length about 7J inches. Bill about |-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 of 
 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 If inches 
 long. Uniform slaty, head and neck darker. Bill 
 milk-white, with dark-brownish 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 f-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. 
 
DESCBIPTION. 
 
 155 
 
 64. European Woodcock. 
 
 Length about 13J inches. Bill about 3| inches 
 long. Above, rusty-brown, variegated with rusty 
 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 1\ 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. Dowilcher. 
 
 Length about 10J inches. Bill about 2J inches 
 long. Summer adult: Above, streaked with buff, 
 
156 THE BIRDS OF MONTREA 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 buffy on breast, or streaked and flecked with 
 dusky. 
 
 69. Purple Sandpiper 
 
 Length about 9 inches. Bill about 1| 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, brownish-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, white 
 streaked with dusky. Winter plumage: Above, 
 buffy grayish-brown, with 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 f-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 ou 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. Snnderling. 
 
 Length about 8 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. 
 Summer adult : Above, light-rusty, spotted Avith 
 blackish ; below white, pale-rusty and marked with 
 dusky. Winter plumage : Above, pale ash-gray ; 
 below, pure white. Spring plumvge : Above, light- 
 gjayish, marked with black and rusty ; below, 
 
DESCRIPTION. 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 Godwit. 
 
 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 ; belo w, 
 whitish, shaded with brownish-gray. Young . 
 Above, brownish-gray ; below, grayish-buffy. 
 
 79. Greater Yellow-legs. 
 
 Length about 14 inches. Bill about 1\ 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, with narrow markings 
 of dusky. Young : Similar, but darker and more 
 brownish above. 
 
 80. Yellow-legs. 
 
 Length about 10J 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- 
 aye : Above, dark-ashy, less distinctly speckled 
 and streaked. Young : Above, grayish-brown, 
 speckled with buffy ; below, grayish and white. 
 
 82. Bartramian Sandpiper. 
 
 Length about 12 inches. Bill about 1^ 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, buffy 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. Spatted Sandpiper. 
 
 Length about 8 inches. Bill about 1 inch long. 
 Summer adult : Above, grayish-brown, with a faint 
 
DESCRIPTION. 161 
 
 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 buffy, 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 V-shaped marks of dusky. 
 
 88. Black-bellied Plover. 
 
 Length about 12 inches. Bill about 1| 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. 
 No 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 10J 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 §-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. 163 
 
 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 15J inches. Tail about 5| inches 
 long. Adult male, : Above, varied with black and 
 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 Buffed 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 
 
J54 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 end 
 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 
 
166 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 dull-butty, 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 Henri,: 
 
 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. 1G7 
 
 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 1\ lbs. Female, about 24 inches long, 
 extent about 56 inches, tail about 10 inches long, 
 weight about 3 \ lbs. 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 8| inches long, weight about 
 If lbs. Female, about 21J inches long, extent 
 about 55 inches, tail about 9J inches long, weight 
 about 3 lbs. 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 of male, about 21 inches, tail about 9J 
 
DESCRIPTION. 169 
 
 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 32J inches, extent about 7 
 feet, tail about 14J inches, and bill about 1| inches 
 long. Female, about 37 \ inches long, extent about 
 7 J feet, tail about 15 J 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 32J inches, extent about 7 
 feet, tail about 14J inches, and bill about 2 inches 
 leng. Female, about 40 inches long, extent about 
 8 feet, tail about 15 J inches, and bill about 2J 
 
170 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 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 Gyrfaleon. 
 
 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 8J inches long. Adults : Above, dark-slaty ; 
 below, creamy -buff. Young : Similar to plumage 
 of adults, but more deeply coloured. 
 
 111. Pigeon Hairk. 
 
 Length of male, about 10J inches, tail about 5 
 inches long. Female, about 13 inches long, tail 
 
DESCRIPTION. 171 
 
 •about 5 J 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 female and Young : Wbitish or 
 buffy below. 
 
 112. American Sparrow Hawk. 
 
 Length of male, about 10 inches, tail about 4| 
 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 1| 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-buff, 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 3 J 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 Homed 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| 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 Oivl. 
 
 Length about 16J 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 TH E BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 olivaceous cast, tail-feathers tipped with white, ex- 
 cept middle pair, naked eyelids bright-rexl 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. 
 
 LeDgth about 10 J inches, tail about 3f inches, 
 and bill about 1 J 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 \ inches, tail about 2J 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. 
 
DESCRIPTION. 177 
 
 131. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. 
 
 Length, about 9 J inches, tail about 3£ 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 3| 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 2£ 
 ,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 gloss}- 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. Bed-bellied Woodpecker. 
 
 Length about 9J inches, tail about 3| 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 
 holly often dull-buffy. 
 
 137. Flicker. 
 
 Length about 12 inches, tail about 4i inches, and 
 
DESCRIPTION. 179 
 
 bill 1^ 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 MONTREAL. 
 
 141. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. 
 
 Length about 3J inches, tail about 1} 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} inches, tail about 3J inches, and 
 bill about |-inch long. Adults : Above, blackish, 
 tail tipped with 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 8 J inches, tail about 4 inches, and 
 bill about f-inch long. Above, olive, tail rufous ; 
 below, ashy and bright sulphur-yellow. 
 
 144. Phcebe. 
 
 Length about 6 J inches, tail about 3 J inches 
 long. Above, olive-grayish ; below, whitish, tinged 
 with olive-grayish and pale-yellowish. 
 
DESCRIPTION. 181 
 
 145. Olive-sided Flycatcher. 
 
 Length about 7J inches, tail about 3 inches, and 
 bill about f-inch long. Above, brownish-slate and 
 duBky-blackish, tuft of white on each side of rump ; 
 below, browish-gray, with a white line down the 
 middle. 
 
 146. Wood Pewee. 
 
 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 5| inches, tail about 2 J 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. Traill's 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 2£ 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 and 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. Lemale : Length about 7~inches, 
 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 5| 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. 
 
 LeDgth 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 abont 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 m.ales : 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 brownish-gray and buffy ; below, light- 
 buffy, streaked with brownish-gray. 
 
 159. Red-winged Blackbird. 
 
 Male: Length about 9 \ 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 10J 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 7| 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 bufty below. Adult female in 
 summer: Plumage dusky brownish-slate, without 
 
186 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 J 
 inches, and bill about 1£ 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. 187 
 
 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 2 J 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 
 
Igy THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 long. Adult male : Purplish-red ; wings and tail 
 black, the former with two white bands. 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 dusky. 
 
 169. Redpoll. 
 
 Length about 4| 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. Snowflake. 
 
 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 Longspur. 
 
 Male : Length about 6J inches, tail about 2 J 
 inches long. Female smaller. Adult male in sum- 
 mer : Above brownish, streaked witb 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 defined. 
 
 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 buffy. 
 
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 loDg ; 
 lower mandible yellow. Adult: Above, ruious, 
 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 2J 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 2| 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 bufly, 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 %\ 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 5i 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 5 J inches, tail about 2\ inches 
 
DESCRIPTION. 193 
 
 1 (jug. 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 7§ inches, tail about 3£ 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 7 J 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 3£ inches long, 
 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 5£ inches, tail about 2 inches long. 
 Aboye, 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. 19/j 
 
 192. Barn Swallow. 
 
 Length about 7 inches, tail about 4 inches long,, 
 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 1\ 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 5| inches, tail about 2£ 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 buffy above. 
 
 195. Bohemian Waxwing. 
 
 Length about 8 inches, tail about 2f 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 wax-like tips, some specimens with red 
 wax-like tips to tail-feathers also. 
 
 197. Northern Shrike. 
 
 Length about 10 inches, tail about 4| 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. 
 
 197 
 
 198. White-rumped Shrike. 
 
 Length about 8£ inches, tail 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 5J inches, tail about 1\ 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 huffy-grayish ; below, 
 white, with under tail-coverts pale-yellow. 
 
 202. Yellow-throated Vireo. 
 
 Length about 5 J inches, tail about 2£ inches 
 
198 THE BIRDS 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 5| 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, bufly-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 4| 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 
 oraDge-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 2J 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 4| inches, tail about 2 inches long. 
 Adult 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 2\ 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 5| 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 bands, 
 posterior lower parts pale-yellow ; female, browner 
 above, 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 2 J 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 1\ 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, buffy, streaked with dusky. 
 
 222. Water Thrush. 
 
 Length about 6 inches, tail about 1\ 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 2| 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 buffy- whitish. Adult female: ~Ho 
 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 5| 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 5| inches, tail about 2J 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. 
 
 LeDgth 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 \\ 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 \\ 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 2|- 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. Red-breasted Nuthatch. 
 
 Length about 4| 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 2£ 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 
 3'ellow 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 7f 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. 
 
DESCRIPTION. 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 7| inches, tail about 3 inches long. 
 Adults : Above, .olive-brown, sides of head grayish ; 
 below, white, with chest pale-bufry-wbite, 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. Hermit 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 4| 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 1] inches 
 long. Summer adults: Colour black, with white on 
 wings ; under wing-coverts white. Winter plumage : 
 "White, varied with black. Young : Similar to win- 
 ter plumage, but lower parts indistinctly barred 
 with dusky. 
 
 251. Briirndch'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| inches, tail about 3 J 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 : Ud der 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 of 
 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 fulvous, 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 
 
 " Bullhead " 88 
 
 " Birch P.irtridge " 94 
 
 " Booted Hawk " 106 
 
 "Black Hawk" 106 
 
 ' ' Black-backed Woodpecker " 131 
 
 " Banded-backed Woodpecker " 132 
 
 " Bee martin " 14'- 
 
 " Blackbird " 162 
 
216 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 B. No. 
 
 " Biy-winged Bunting " 174 
 
 *' Butcher-bird " 197 
 
 " 198 
 
 11 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 
 
 n. 
 
 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 158 
 
 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 o£ the Woods " 134 
 
 " Chimney Swallow " 140 
 
 " Chebec " 149 
 
 " Crow " 156 
 
 " Crow Blackbird " 163 
 
 " Cedar-bird " 196 
 
INDEX. 217 
 
 C. No. 
 
 '" Cherry-bird "... ._ 196 
 
 " Canadian Flyeatching Warbler" 226 
 
 D. 
 
 Dovekie 7 
 
 Duck, Mallard 26 
 
 " Black 27 
 
 " Gad wall 28 
 
 " Baldpate 29 
 
 " Shoveller 32 
 
 " Pintail 33 
 
 '■ Wood 31 
 
 Redhead 35 
 
 " Canvaa-back 36 
 
 ' ' American Scaup 37 
 
 " Lester Scaup 38 
 
 " Ring-necked 39 
 
 " American Golden-eye 40" 
 
 " Burrow's " 41 
 
 " Buffle-head 42 
 
 ' Old-squaw 43 ; 
 
 " Ruddy 48 
 
 Do witcher 67 
 
 Dove, Mourning 97 
 
 Dab-chick " 4 
 
 Deaf-duck " 45 
 
 " 46 
 
 " 47 
 
 Dunlin " 74 
 
 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 Pe wee 146 
 
 Yellow-bellied 147 
 
 Traill's 148 
 
 Least 149 
 
 Finch, Purple 166 
 
 Fish-duck" 24 
 
 *' 25 
 
 1 French Teal " 29 
 
 " 32 
 
 Field Plover" 82 
 
 Fish Hawk " 113 
 
 Grebe, "Western 1 
 
 ■' Holbcell's 2 
 
 " Horned 3 
 
 " Pied-billed 4 
 
 Gull, Kittiwake 8 
 
 " Glaucus 9 
 
 " Great Black-backed 10 
 
 " American Herring : 11 
 
 " Bing-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 Buffed 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 itcher, Blue-gray 241 
 
 " Great Northern Diver n ' 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-bird " 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 Bough-legged 106 
 
 Duck 110 
 
 Bigeon Ill 
 
 American Sparrow 112 
 
 Hummingbird, Ruby-throated 141 
 
 "Hell-diver" 3 
 
 " Herring Gall " 11 
 
 " Heron " 54 
 
 " Hen Harrier " 98 
 
 " Hen Hawk " 100 
 
 102 
 
 103 
 
 " Hairy Woodpecker " 129 
 
 "Higholder" 137 
 
 "Hummingbird" 141 
 
 "Indigo-bird" 187 
 
 J. 
 
 Jay, Blue 153 
 
 " Canada ' 154 
 
 Junco, Slate-colored 181 
 
 " Jack Snipe " 70 
 
 Knot 68 
 
 Kingfisher, Belted 128 
 
 Kingbird 142 
 
 Kinglet, Golden-crowned 239 
 
 Ruby •. 240 
 
 " Kingfisher " 128 
 
 Loon 
 
 " Red-throated. 
 
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 
 
 " 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 
 
 " Semipalmated 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 
 
 " Quavvk " 57 
 
 R. 
 
 Bail, Virginia 58 
 
 " Sora 59 
 
 " Yellow 60 
 
 Baven, Northern 155 
 
 Bedpoll 169 
 
 Redstart, American 227 
 
 Bobin, American 247 
 
 •' Bed-necked Grebe *' 2 
 
INDEX. 223 
 
 R. No. 
 
 " Red-throated Diver " 6 
 
 " Red-necked Pbalarope " 03 
 
 " Red-breasted Snipe " 67 
 
 " Red-breasted Sandpiper " 68 
 
 "Robin Snipe" 68 
 
 " Ring-neck Plover " 91 
 
 " Ruffed Grouse " 94 
 
 "Red Owl" 120 
 
 "Bain crow 127 
 
 " Raven " 155 
 
 " Red-bird " 188 
 
 " Red-eyed Flycatcher " 199' 
 
 " Redstart " 227 
 
 Red-bellied Nuthatch " 236 
 
 " Ruby-crowned Wren " 240 
 
 ' Robin " 247 
 
 Scoter, American 45 
 
 White-winged 46 
 
 Surf 47 
 
 Snipe, Wilson's ' 66 
 
 Sandjjiper, Purple 69 
 
 " Pectoral 70 
 
 " White-rumped 71 
 
 Baird's 72- 
 
 Least 73 
 
 Red-hacked 74 
 
 " Semipalmated 75 
 
 Solitary 81 
 
 " Bartramian 82 
 
 Buflf-br.-asted 83 
 
 Spotted 84 
 
 Sanderling 76 
 
 Swift, Chimney 140 
 
 Siskin, Pine 171 
 
 Snowflake 172 
 
 Sparrow, Vesper 174 
 
 " Savanna 175 
 
224 THE BIRDS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 S. No. 
 
 Sparrow, While-crowned 176 
 
 " throated 177 
 
 Tree 178 
 
 " Chipping 179 
 
 Field 180 
 
 Song 182 
 
 " Lincoln's 183 
 
 " Swamp 184 
 
 Fox 185 
 
 European House 219 
 
 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" 60 
 
 " 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 " ]72 
 
 " Sand Martin " 194 
 
 " Summer Warbler " 210 
 
 T. 
 
 Tern, Caspian 15 
 
 " Common 16 
 
 " Arctic 17 
 
 " American Black 18 
 
 Ted, 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 
 
 " Warbling •. 201 
 
 " Yellow-throated 202 
 
 " Blue-headed 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 136 
 
 Flicker 137 
 
 Whippoorwill 138 
 
 Waxwing, Bohemian 195 
 
 Cedar 196 
 
 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. 22T 
 
 W. No. 
 
 " "Wild Pigeon " 96- 
 
 "White Owl" 124 
 
 " Woodcock " 134 
 
 " Whisky Jack " 154 
 
 " Wilson's Snowbird " 181 
 
 " White-bellied Swallow " 193- 
 
 " White-bellied Nuthatch " 23ft 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yellow-legs, Greater 79 
 
 80 
 
 " Yellow-legs " 79 
 
 " Yellow-shanks " 80 
 
 ' ' Yellow-bellied Woodpecker " 133 ; 
 
 " Yellow-bird " 170' 
 
 210 
 
 " Yellow-rumped Warbler " 212 
 
 " Yellow Redpoll " 220 
 
 16 
 
C;0"MPI!lfD-8Y 
 
 (DAVID IDENNE. 
 
 %5. 
 
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 
 
TN 1856, Abby Brown and I (the former well known as an old 
 ..lontreal 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 J ohn Hicks, of the 
 township of Hinchinbrook. The weather was anything but favor- 
 able for hunting, rain falling three days in succession. However, 
 eauy 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 
 i rur 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. 
 1 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 do 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 
 
SPOUTING 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 somet'ing fonny ; 
 
 Once when I'll diden't go on de bush, I'll stay wid Xiste 
 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 ! J'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 
 ah 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 
 on 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 woulden'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 HEQANTIC WOODS. 
 
 By E. A. Cowley. 
 
 From his pipe the smoke ascending 
 Pilled 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 Megantio 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 wanted 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 ou r 
 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 son 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 Are 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 had 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 Sock 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 1 " 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 theriver 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 Touch 
 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 Megan tic 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 deer skin hanging up to dry, 
 so I fancy there is much truth in the statement. The game 
 wardens of the Megantic Fish and G-ame 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. <.-. 
 to protect the game, we could compel our 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 Megantic, 
 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 part communicated to 
 others, but it certainly adds oiuch 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 Nicolet in studying French, I was invited to join a party who 
 were to start from Hunterstown Mills north of St. Leon on «, 
 
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 coal 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 eaeh 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 understeod 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 m.y hand round his waist and he 
 was mine. He was a fresh run sea trout and weighed 3^ lbs. 
 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 lbs. 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 
 much 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 warmin .r, 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 hal£ 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 FROQS. 
 
 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 itseif 
 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 surplus 
 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 » 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 
 bewitchingly 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. £47 
 
 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 thaD 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 5Jlbs., but it is rare to get them over 4 lbs. 
 and very many do not go over from 1 to 2 lbs. 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 coining 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, 
 
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 rearer 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 20th, 1S96. 
 
 We went fishing, just for a fine June day. The first train 
 out of town took us to a wharf where we should have met our 
 boatmen, but alas, when we left the train, the train left us 
 standing alone, none to welcome us. Fortunately, however, 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 SALHON. 
 
 By D. D. 
 
 (The woodcut is from a photograph by the late 
 Spencer T. Ramsay, 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 iii 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 
 fly. 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 loseno 
 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 careful 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 fdoes 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 canoe. The gaff is ready ; 
 another moment and you think he will 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 
 oyer again, and as long as our fisherman lives he will kill this 
 fish again and again. 
 
 DAVID DENNE'S FIRST SALriON 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 acatt'ring 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 sorely 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 taif 
 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 placeand 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 out. 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 wood 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 1J 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 £59 
 
 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 diffi- 
 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 hospitality 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 stove 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 Are 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 AAA. 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 with 
 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 oncej 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. 
 The 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. Pour 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 we 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 
 folks 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. 
 
 Snipe and Woodcock Plentiful on Craig Street, Beaver 
 
 Hall Hill, St. Catherine Street, and Where 
 
 Bona venture Station Stands. 
 
 Written for the Montreal Star by Major Geokge Hoenf, the founder of the Fish and Game 
 
 Protection Club of the Province of Quebec, and the oldeat aportsman 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. Antoine ; where a stream of life passes 
 day by day up and down Beaver Hall hill, and long ro ws oE stores 
 mark what is now Craig street ! And the sportsmen, many o£ 
 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 tp 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 bf 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 lnte 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 o£ the same, our three dogs 
 came to a dean point. There they stoqd 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 1 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 afterwards 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 » 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. Heward, 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. Peeling 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 TV, 
 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 nevor 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 bs 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 
 come 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*, 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 fritnd, 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 on 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 11th 
 of May, 1875, a circular was issued, signed by the then president, 
 Judge Betournay, Henry McKay, Esq. (past prssident), 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-splrited 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. K. Ives, Esq., I. H. 
 Stearns, Esq., and A. N. Shewan, Esq. Pew 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 of 
 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. 
 
 -®--s 
 
272 SPORTING SKETCHES. 
 
 A mon Ami M. Denne. 
 
 Le plaisir de vous etre agreable me decide a vous narrer quel- 
 ques droles d'episodes arrivees a ma connaissance dans le cours 
 de mes expeditions de ehasse et de p§che. 
 
 L'habitude de marcher a la raquette m'a induit a faire la ehasse 
 au caribou et presque chaque hiver je chemine du cot6 du Club 
 Shawinigan, pour cet exercice des plus salutaires, a mon point 
 de vue. 
 
 J'etais en Janvier a la ehasse et poursuivant un caribou sur un 
 lac, lorsque l'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 Wapizagpnke et se sauvant de nous sans aucune bles- 
 sure apparente. Celui-la n'a pas besoin d'assurance contre 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 l'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 l'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'eeorce 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 arrriv^s 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 l'etat sau- 
 vage. 
 
SPORTING SKETCHES. 273 
 
 J'ai beauooup peehe dans ma vie (sans calembour) je veux dire 
 a la ligne et a la cuillere,— n'en deplaise a l'ami Boivin. J'ai pris 
 a la ligne dormante trois poissons, d'espece differentes sur un 
 seul hamei;on : un goujon, qui fut avale par une perchaude, 
 laquelle a son tour fut avale par un broehet de dix livres. 
 
 J'ai vu aussi, a la peehe a la perchaude, prendre un de ces 
 poisson et un broehet 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 l'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 l'achigan superbe et, drole de vous dire, de la perchaude 
 et mgme deux truites grises de deux et de trois livres, ces der- 
 nieres avec une mouche rouge. 
 
 J'ai pris a la cuillere des ma.skinonges de 10 a 40 livres, surtout 
 au pieds de l'ile Perrot, du broehet de vingt livres a la Matawin. 
 Ce broehet est tellement bon a manger que je crois que e'est une 
 espece de maskinonge ; il saute hors de l'eau comme le maski- - 
 nonge et se debat en diable. 
 
 J'ai peehe 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'^tais pres de 
 Montreal combien je ferais d'ami en les distribuant avecquelques 
 truites de la meme grosseur. 
 
 La Matawin est remplie de dor6 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 hamecon, mais je l'ai vu plusieurs fois sur 
 l'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 peehe a la mouche afln 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 cceur de 
 vieillir. 
 
 Ne retranchez pas un mot de ee que j'ai dit, mon cher M. 
 Denne, j'affirme et prouverai ce que j'ai ecrit avec plaisir, <;a me 
 donnera l'occasion de faire de nouveaux amis. 
 
 Bien a vous, 
 
 L. A. Boyek. 
 
<£ 
 
 Paroes Futuro. 
 
 :«> 
 
 FISH AND GAME LAWS. 
 
 * 1896 -W 
 
 ■» OFFICERS «• 
 
 J. T. FINNIE, M.D., President. 
 
 J. B. TRESSIDER, Vice-President. 
 
 THOS. C. BRAINERD, JTon. Treasurer. 
 
 G. W. MAGDOUGALL, . . Hon. Counsel. 
 
 J. S. LEO, 1685 Noire Dame Street, Montreal, 
 Hon. Secretary. 
 
 •» COmmiTTEE ■* 
 
 H. "W. Atwater, 
 Geo. Boulter, 
 E. D. T. Chambers, 
 E. O. Champagne. 
 M. Cochenthaler, 
 Col. D'Orsonnens, 
 H. G. Elliott. 
 T. E. Emmans, 
 J. Gentles, 
 Geo. Horne, 
 H. R. Ives, 
 R. Kiernan, 
 
 Peter Mackenzie, 
 W. H. Parker, 
 R. Reid, 
 J. P. Roche, 
 
 0. Holland, 
 T. Roy, Jr., 
 W. P. Scott, 
 A. N. Shew an, 
 J. B. Sparrow, 
 
 1, H. Stearns, 
 
 G. W. Stephens, 
 
 W. C. Trotter. 
 
 19 
 
27(3 FISH AND GAME LA WS. 
 
 CLOSE SEASON F"OR GAIN/IE. 
 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 Pontiac, 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. 
 
 Afttr 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, )' 1st April to 1st November, 
 
 tiirb I From 
 
 n ' I 1st Feb'y. to 1st November. 
 
 MUSK-RAT, !• 1ofW _ ^wT 
 
 i 1st May to 1st Jan. following 
 
 WOODCOCK, SNIPE, j , , „ . FR ° M t c 
 
 ) 1st Feb y. to 1st September. 
 
 PARTRIDGE of any kind 1 , . „„„, Fh ?- 1 ,, c 
 
 ( 1st Feb y. to loth September. 
 
 BLACK DUCK, TEAL, 1 
 
 WILD DUCK of any I From 
 
 KIND, EXCEPT SHEL- [ 1st MiY 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 LAWS. 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 Falconidse, Wild 
 Pigeons, King Fishers, Crows, Ravens, Waxwings (Becollets), 
 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. 
 
 « FISHERY LAWS » 
 
 IT IS UNLAWFUL TO TAKE 
 
 SALMON (Angling) From 15th August to 1st February 
 
 OUANANICHE " 15th Sept'r. to 1st December. 
 
 S ™SZ}™?nIlis) } " lst ° CT0BEK ™ lst MAY - 
 LA Lt^rGE A Jr J R0UT ' } " 15th October to lst December. 
 PICKEREL or DORE .... " 15th April to 15th May. 
 
 BASS '. " 15th April to 15th June. 
 
 MASKINONGE " 25th May to lst July. 
 
 WHITEFISH " 15th October to lst 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 Fisn AND GAME LA WS. 
 
 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, nONTREAL. 
 
 Issued with the approval of Hon. G. A. Nantbl, Commissioner 
 of Crown Lands, Quebec. 
 
FISH AND GAME LAWS. 279 
 
 SAISONS OU LA CHASSE EST DEFENDUE. 
 province: de: Quebec. 
 
 1. Caribou ; Du ler Fev. au ler Sept. 
 
 2. Chevreuil et L'Obignal Du ler Jan. au ler Oct. 
 
 N.B. — II est defendu de se servir de chiens, collets, trappes, etc. 
 pour faire la chasse de l'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 annee. 
 
 II est defendu de chasser, tuer ou prendre l'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 soft, des faons ou broquarts, c'est-a-dire 
 les petits jusqu'a l'age d'un an, de l'orignal, le chevreuil ou le 
 caribou. 
 
 Nul (blanc ou sauvage) n'a le droit, durantunesaison 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 taut avoir 
 prealablement obtenu un permis du Commissaire des Terres de 
 la Couronne a cet eflfet. 
 
 Apres les dix premiers jours de prohibition, il est defendu aux 
 compagnies de chemin de fer et de bateaux a vapeur, ainsi qu'aux 
 rouliers publics, de transporter tout ou partie (a l'exception de la 
 peau) de l'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. E at-Musqtje Du ler Mai au 1 er Janvier suivant. 
 
 7. Beoasse, Becassines Du ler Fev. au ler Sept. 
 
 8. Perdrix de toute espece Du ler F6 v. au 15 Sept. 
 
 9. Macretjses, Sarceixes, Canards Sauvagbs de toute espece 
 (excepte Harles, Bec-Scies, Huarts, Goelands) 
 
 Du ler Mai au ler Sept. 
 
 Et en aucun temps de l'annde entre une heure apres le coucher 
 et une heure avant le couch£ du soleil. II est aussi defendu de 
 se servir A' appellants, etc., durant ces heures de prohibition. 
 
280 FISH AND GAME LA WS. 
 
 II est de plus strictement defendu de prendre au ir.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 Montmorency, les habi- 
 tants peuvent chasser en toutes saisons de Fannie, mais pour 
 leur nourriture seulement, les oiseaux mentionnes au No. 9. 
 
 10. Les Oiseaux Percheubs, 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 Oedfs ou Nids d'Oiseaux sauvages 
 
 En tout temps de l'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 6tre autorise par un permis du Commissaire 
 des Terres de la Couronne. Ce permis n'est pas transferable. 
 
 LOIS SUR l_A PECI 
 
 IL EST DEFENDU PAR LA LOI DE PRENDRE 
 
 1. Saumon (a la ligne) Du 15 Aout au ler Fev. 
 
 2. Ouan aniche Du 15 Sept. au ler Dec. 
 
 3. Truite Taohetee (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 D6c. 
 
 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 d^faut 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 riviere's sous le controle du Gouvernement de 
 la Province de Quebec. 
 
 Toute personne non domiciliee dans la Province de Quebec est 
 obligee de se procurer un permis du Gomraissaire des Terres de 
 la Couronne, pour p§cher 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, l'endroit et les per- 
 sonnes qui y sont indiques. 
 
 Ceci s'applique aux sauvages comme a la race blanches. 
 
 La pSche au moyen de Pilets 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 artificielle du poisson, 
 savoir : la Riviere du Nord, Comt6 d'Argenteuil, la Riviere au 
 Saumon, Comte d'Huntingdon, les Rivieres Magog et Massa- 
 wippi, Comtes Stanstead efr Sherbrooke. 
 
 Aucune personne ne pourra durant ce temps de prohibition 
 peeher, 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 
 l'emprisonnement. 
 
 Les amateurs du sport et autres personnes desireuses que les 
 Lois de Chasse et de PSche soient mises en vigueur dans la Pro- 
 vince de Quebec sont instamment priees, 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, Secrgtaire-Honoraire, 
 Club pour la Protection de la Chaase et la Peche. 
 
 1685 Ruo Notre-Dame, MONTREAL.