held good with many of the mammals of the continent, especially the deer and certain squirrels, which are much larger in the north than the south, and in the mountains than in the lowlands. Then as to colouring: Baird also found that birds living in forest countries and on the coast are darker in colouring than those of the interior, owing perhaps to climate, shade, and protection in the one case, and greater exposure to the elements on the other. As far as my experience extends, I have noted in the three continents of the Old World, and in America, that what we call the prismatic colours are far brighter and clearer in birds constantly shaded by foliage than in species which hunt in the open, and that white and bleached colourings attain their intensities in desert living birds. At all events, nothing can exceed the purity and richness of the plumage of many of the migratory and resident birds of the Canadian forest.

We have two examples of the three-toed woodpeckers: one is resident, the BLACK-BANDED arctic species; the other, much less common, and apparently migratory, is the BANDED, THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. The first is distinguished from all its other three-toed allies by having the back entirely black, whilst the latter is readily known by having the back banded transversely with white; both have yellow instead of red patches on the head in the male, but these are wanting in the female. The above are all the resident woodpeckers yet recorded in our forests. Of the migratory species, the wellknown "yellow-hammer, or golden wing," (Colaptes) is common; it arrives in June, has its young fledged by the middle of August, and is off south again in October. Perhaps one of the most common of all our summer scansorial birds is the pretty YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER (P. varius, Lin.), readily recognized by its red crown and throat; the latter is white in the female. The only noticeable difference observed in the specimens I have procured here, as compared with Audubon's descriptions, was in the relative smallness of the scarlet patch

Birds laying indefinite numbers of Eggs.

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on the crown. I have frequently seen this woodpecker capture insects on wing. The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (P. erythrocephalus) I have seen on wing; it is rare, and perhaps non-resident. Mr. Boardman states to me that any of the above will lay an indefinite number of eggs provided one nest egg is left; and the same we have seen occur with the sparrow-hawk of America, which likewise builds in holes in trees. I have fancied that the darkness prevents their seeing their eggs, and by trusting to touch they keep laying as long as only one egg is felt. Should this be the case, it is probable that the same may happen with other species which lay their eggs in dark places.

CHAPTER VI.

Habits and Haunts of the Ruby-throated Humming-bird-Migratory Movements of Warblers-Swallows and their Migrations-Influence of Forest Clearing on the Habits of Birds-Birds abandoning their Young at the Migratory Season-Waxwings: their Love Gambols-Departure and Arrival of the Crow Blackbird-Loves and Courtships of Birds.

F all the strangers of the grove, of all the sweet messen

OF

gers of a Canadian spring, no one species recommends itself to the notice of the student of nature more than the rubythroated humming-bird. This exquisite little creature, undismayed by the still ungenial weather, and propelled by some secret yearning to seek a temporary home in these wild woods, arrives pretty regularly by the end of May, when the bud is just opening out. Then, like a large moth, it announces its presence at the drawing-room window by the sharp hum of its wings as it flutters around the exotics, placed there to catch the first warm sunshine. I well remember one forenoon, shortly after my arrival in the country, when seated in the garden enjoying the delightful prospect of early spring, that a small green object shot past me, and before I could well direct attention to its movements, another and another, refulgent in glossy hues, were seen fluttering around the currant flowers, now suspended over them-in one instant off—now perched on a twig-then shooting away across the fence into my neighbour's garden: hovering anon around the peach blossom, their red sapphire breasts flashing in the bright sunlight with every movement of their beauteous little forms. Such are my first garden remembrances of the humming-bird. Were I to

The Summer Home of the Humming-bird.

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dwell on the subject of its wilderness haunts, I might attempt to picture a scene in early June, when the balmy south winds and sweet sylvan landscape tempted me forth with my rod to the alder-fringed brook in search of trout, through the rapidly rising vegetation of the old beaver meadow, among the gorgeously attired orchises, the purple trilliums, the wild yellow lily, and the welcome remembrancer of home the chaste anemone; when the forest resounds with the notes of many a joyous songster, and the twin flower is perfuming the atmosphere;* there, with the busy bee, it may be seen flitting from one favourite flower to another. The constant activity of its movements is surprising, as is also its dogged indifference to man's presence. I have often stood within an arm's length of flowers over which individuals were humming; indeed, in attempts to get at favourite plants it will enter houses and conservatories, and if captured feign death by shutting its eyes and lying motionless, when the inert body will suddenly make a desperate effort to escape.t The clustering flowers of the currant are especially preferred by them, perhaps on account of their being the first garden plant that blooms. At, all events, it is around them that we see humming-birds in the greatest abundance; sometimes six or eight may be observed hovering about, the males chasing each other in rival emulation for choice of the females, and greatly to the discomfort of the humble bees that frequent the same plants. On one occasion

* The two-flowered Linæa (Linæa borealis), although familiarly known to the Scottish botanist, being met with on the banks of the Dee and elsewhere, is a northern plant, and abounds in Norway and Sweden, where, as in New Brunswick, the sweet fragrant odour of its modest-looking flowers permeates the woods and forests for miles. In thus blooming early it has been likened to the career of the immortal Swedish naturalist whose name it bears, and who first pointed out its characteristics, and "with whom this humble but charming plant was an especial favourite.”—See Gray's Lessons in North American Botany, p. 163.

+ This mode of feigning death reminds one of certain beetles, not to speak of such animals as the jackal of India, which often simulates the stillness of death when captured by hounds.

L

I witnessed two almost collide; when at first the bee, seemingly unaware who his antagonist might be, was on the point of making off, but hesitated for a moment, when all at once, as if each had discovered its mistake, they shot away in opposite directions.

The geographical distribution and affinities of the rubythroated humming-bird are interesting, extending as it does from Brazil to the confines of the Arctic region, along the eastern portion of the continent, whilst its very close ally (T. Alexandri) occupies the western half: indeed, so closely related are the two birds as regards colouring, that it may be doubtful whether they should be separated. The former is seen in the most secluded forest tracts early in May, and suddenly vanishes by the end of September, thus lagging longer than the swallows and hardier birds. I never found its nest, although I have frequently watched a pair for hours. It builds in gardens and orchards, affecting the same fruit-tree for years, but whether the same birds return to the haunt of the previous year does not appear. However, it undoubtedly has its favourite localities, which are never without individuals, whilst apparently more tempting retreats are passed over,-thus leading to the belief that either the same birds come annually to the spot, or that the locality has some peculiar attractions not observable by us. I do not know that the male and female sit alternately on the eggs; but whether or no, as their upper parts are much of the same dull shade of colouring, they would be inconspicuous when on the nest. An observer says: "The nest is usually placed on the horizontal branch of an apple tree, and covered with moss so as to resemble the place where a limb has been taken off, and a circle of bark has risen round the spot. As the female is green, birds of prey might easily pass over it without discovering the nest below."

Every one familiar with the climate of Canada, and the haunts of humming-birds, will think in vain why and wherePeabody, Zool. of Mass., Boston, 1838, p. 341: