_ 6 _ ‘ 3 
     
    
   
   
    
     removed (either ripped off or blown down). The size of the hole was 
     
     greatly enlarged and it was then quite easy to check the nest contents. 
     
     In the sawdust at the bottom of the nest, there were many shell 
     
     fragments and a few dark hairs, some tipped with light on one or both 
     
     ends. These hairs were approximately 1—1.5 inches long. Mammalogist, 
     
     Howard Thomas tentatively identified the owner of the hair to be a 
     
     Raccoon. The incidences of predation on hole nesting species on 
     
     Prince Edward Island must be quite low, as this type of fate is not 
     
     recorded often. ’ 
     
    
   
   
    
     AN UNUSUAL DARK-EYED JUNCO NEST 
     
    
   
   
    
     Clare Martin, a naturalist at Brudenell Provincial Park, found 
     
     an unusual Junco nest on June 29, 1978 in Brudenell Park. The nest 
     
     was approximately one foot off the ground on a lateral branch of a two 
     
     foot high Balsam Fir; a rather unusual location for this ground 
     
     nesting species. In addition to its unusual position, the nest 
     
     contained 10 eggs, approximately double the normal clutch size. All 
     
     eggs were roughly the same size and color pattern. Adult Juncos 
     
     were seen around the nest. When checked later, Clare found that one 
     
     egg had hatched, but the young was dead and decomposing and the nest 
     
     had been dislodged from its original site. Seven eggs were found in 
     
     the nest and one on the branch below. It was undetermined as to 
     
     whether the disturbance was human or whether another type of predator 
     
     was involved. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Records compiled by: 
     
    
   
   
    
     Kathy Martin 
     
     Biology Dept. 
     
     University of P.E.I. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The Natural History Society of Prince Edward Island Newsletter is published eight times per year. 
     
     If you have seen something unusual, please shale it with us. It is important to have your observations 
     
     recorded where others will learn of it. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Please send information to the Newsletter Editor. 
     
    
   
   
    
     c/o Kathy Martin 
     
     Biology Department 
     
     University of Prince Edward Island 
     
     Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 
     
     Phone - 892-4I21, ext. 253 
     
    
   
   
    
     The Natural History Society gratefully acknowledges financial assistance from the Department 
     
     of Tourism, Parks and Conservation which enables us to distribute newsletters to schools as 
     
     well as to our members. 
     
    
   
   
    
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