1903] Report of the Zoological Branch, 1902. 35 



for work open to resident zooloi^ists in Ottawa. This is still 

 largely true, and the shrews, the mice, voles and other small 

 rodents, still invite more systematic study, with the possibility of 

 interesting- discoveries. The bats, too, are comparatively neg- 

 lected, although few of our local naturalists can claim to be 

 familiar with all the species occurring in the capital and its neigh- 

 bourhood. If during the coming season a small group of enthu- 

 siasts would determine to take up such neglected branches of 

 study as these, the zoological section of the Club would have some- 

 thing new and valuable to lay before the members. It is known 

 that the white-footed mouse, the red-backed mouse, and several 

 species of interesting field-mice are found in the Ottawa district, 

 but actual records of specimens obtained are few and far between. 

 A fine specimen of the Black Squirrel, from the Gatineau region, 

 it is understood, was on exhibition on Sparks street in December, 

 and a remarkably handsome Silver Fox from the Coulonge district 

 has been exhibited alive in the city within the last two or three 

 weeks. The amphibians, turtles and snakes of Ottawa require 

 thorough investigation, and observations such as those of Mr. W. 

 S. Odell, two or three years ago, on Spelerpes bili?teatus, are much 

 required. One member of the Club, Mr. Andrew Halkett, is able 

 to record the examination of a great variety of Teleostean fishes 

 from various localities in Ontario and Quebec. These are being 

 preserved to form the nucleus of a new collection of fishes in con- 

 nection with the Marine and Fisheries Department. 



Professor Macoun handed to Mr. Halkett a specimen of the 

 Brook or White Sucker [Catastomus commersonii) obtained by 

 Mr. R. B. Whyte. Fishery Inspector Loveday also furnished a 

 Lamprey [Petromyzon concnlor) in the larval stage, which had 

 already assumed the parasitic habit and had attached itself to a 

 catfish [Ameiurusii ebuiosiis). Through the assistance of Dr. T. Bell, 

 Algonquin Park specimens of Great Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, 

 Ling, Chub, Speckled Trout, etc., from the Provincial Park were 

 obtained, while fine specimens of large-mouthed Black Bass from 

 Port Perry, Ontario, were sent by Ofiicer J. E. Evans, taken in Lake 

 Scugog. Unusually large examples of the Cisco {Coregonus artedi) 

 were received from Lake Erie in November, and Mr Halkett col- 

 lected at Healy's Falls, Northumberland Co., Ont., Catfishes 



