sometimes forming a soiid mass of bodies across the stream. Spawning itseif 
     
     generaiiy occurs under the cover of darkness and, when possibie, many of the 
     
     fish drop downstream to deeper waters during dayiight. Spawning is a dangerous 
     
     period for the smeit as many are taken by men and other predators during this 
     
     time. The eggs are deposited in enormous quantities - from 7,000 to 60,000 per 
     
     femaie, depending upon her size - and adhere to whatever surface they contact. 
     
     The aduits that survive spawning then return to sait water. Water temperature 
     
     determines the 1ength of time it takes the eggs to hatch and, once hatched, the 
     
     fry drift downstream with the current to the estuary. By September the fry may 
     
     be 2 inches in 1enqth. Most smeit mature by the time they reach 2 to 3 years of 
     
     age but oniy rareiy live to be as 01d as 6 years. 
     
    
   
   
    
     References: 
     
     Leim, A.H. and N.B. Scott. 1966. Fishes of the At1antic Coast of Canada. 
     
     Fisheries Res. Board of Can. Buii. no. 155. Ottawa. 485 p. 
     
     Scott, w.B. and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fisheries 
     
     Res. Board of Can. Buii. no. 184. Ottawa. 966 p. 
     
    
   
   
    
     BIRD REPORT 
     
    
   
   
    
     Great Biue Heron - 1 in Vernon on Nov. 15 (JH). 
     
    

    
     Canada Goose - 65 in Kensington on Nov. 4 (AS). 
     
    

    
     Maiiard - 4 off Queen Elizabeth Dr. in Ch'town on Dec. 30 (AD). 
     
    

    
     Biack Duck - 500 off Queen Elizabeth Dr. in Ch'town on Dec. 30 (AD). 
     
    

    
     Barrow's Goideneye - 30 m at West River Causeway on Dec. 27 (AD). 
     
    

    
     Oidsguaw - 23 at Big Pond in Ciearsprings on Nov. 28 (GM). 
     
    

    
     Goshawk — 1 in Covehead on Dec. 29 (mw,cw). 
     
    

    
     Bald Eagie - 1 at Nest River Causeway on Dec. 27 (GGH gt_al,). 
     
    

    
     Ruffed Grouse s 1 in Mi11town Cross on Nov. 28 and 1 in St. Mary's Road on Dec. 9 
     
    
   
   
    
     and Jan. 4 (WEC). 
     
     Gray Partridge - 15 in Ebeneezer on Dec. 8 (RM). 
     
    
   
   
    
     Snowy 0w) - 1 in the Brackiey Beach area in iate Dec. and eariy Jan. (DK and others). 
     
    
   
   
    
     Beited Kingfisher - 1 on Nov. 11 and 1 f on Jan. 3 at Knox's Dam in Head of 
     
     ontague JH . 
     
    
   
   
    
     Gray Jay - 1 at Cardross on Dec. 21 (SW). 
     
    

    
     ngig - 1 in Montague on Nov. 15 (PH,VN). 
     
    

    
     Goiden-crowned Kingiet - 2 in Ninsioe North in eariy Dec. (GP). 
     
    

    
     Common Grackie - 2 in Montague on Dec. 16 (SH). 
     
    

    
     Rufous-sided Towhee - 1 in East Royaity Dec. 15 to eariy Jan. (CH,MN). 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Song Sparrow - 1 at Pooie's Corner on Nov. 11 (JN)._ 
     
     Grey Seai - 1 at Big Pond in Clearsprinqs on Nov. 28 (GM). 
     
    
   
   
    
     . 9