430 BIRDS OF AKCTIC AMERICA MACFARLANE. 



flutter away from our very feet. On one occasion our party spent half 

 an hour in a cUise but fi uitless searcli, during which the female resorted 

 to various maneuvers to hide the nest ; but on our withdrawal to a short 

 distance she at last revealed it by settling down upon ber eggs. I fiud 

 one hundred and seventy nests recorded among my notes. Except 

 when there was reason to believe that the full number had not been 

 deposited four eggs were always met with. In one instance, howevei, 

 there was as many as five, and in another but one, the contents of which 

 were found in a well-developed condition. Foxes also destroy many 

 eggs and young of this and other species during the season of niditica- 

 tion. The frequently varying but sweetly clear and melodious notes 

 of this Plover are almost constantly heard whilst traversing their usual 

 breeding grounds. 



274. ^gialitis semipalmata Bonaparte. Semipalmated Plover. 



This bird is quite common on the before defined coast of the Arctic 

 Ocean and along the Anderson and Lockhart Rivers, as well as in the 

 country between Fort Anderson and Fort Good Hope, Mackenzie River. 

 Most of the twenty nests taken contained four eggs, and several but 

 two or three. When closely approached, the female usually glided 

 from her nest and ran a short distance before tlying, occasionally droop- 

 ing her wings and pretending lameness. The nest is a mere cavity in 

 the sand lined with a few withered leaves and grasses. 



283. Arenaria interpres (Linu.). Turnstone. 



In June, 1864, a dozen birds were observed at Fort Anderson, and 

 one was shot. This species breeds on the shores of Liverpool and 

 Franklin Bays, and on the Lower Auderson River. Several nests were 

 secured in the latter region ; but none were met with in the Barren 

 Grounds. Four was the maxinium number of eggs in a nest, which 

 was similar to that of other waders. 



LAND BIRDS. 



298. Dendragapus canadensis (Linu.). Canada (irouse. 



4.1though no nest was discovered, this grouse has been frequently 

 observed in the forest country south of Fort Anderson. 



301. Lagopus lagopus (Linu.). Willow Ptaruiigaii. 



This species is exceedingly abundant in the neighborhood of Fort 

 Anderson on the Lower Auderson River, and in the wooded country to 

 the eastward. It is not, however, common in the Barren Grounds, 

 especially from Ilortou River to Franklin Bay, where it is replaced by 

 L. rupestris. The nest is Invariably on the ground, and jconsists of a 

 few withered leaves placed in a shallow cavity or depression. The 



