26 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



up to a boat, they are readily slaughtered. Two men killed forty 

 in a short time near Rockport, Ont., in December, 1896, just before 

 the River St. Lawrence froze up. None of the common species 

 have been observed in this locality. This bird was seen about 

 Kingston, July 8th, 1897, and was captured. The nearest breed- 

 ing ground is the Bird rocks, 1,200 miles away. {Rev. C.J. Yojiug.) 



The first record I know of this species for Toronto was a speci- 

 men shot in the bay on November 29th, 1893 ! it is now in my 

 collection. From this date to the middle of December the birds 

 were abundant, about forty being killed. For the next ten years 

 the birds were noted annually in November and December, but in 

 decreasing numbers, none surviving very long. The remarkable 

 facts marking the migrations from 1893 to 1897 were the utter 

 absence of food in the stomachs of all specimens examined, their 

 weak condition, and the ease with which they were procured. 

 Many were found dead on the lake shore — presumably from lack 

 of food. The migration of this maritime species into the fresh 

 waters of the Great Lakes was so remarkable and accompanied by 

 so many unusual features that a fuller account has been published 

 in the Proceedings of the International Ornithological Congress, 

 London, 1905. (/.//. Flemi?ig.) 



In December, 1897, there were many large flocks of this species 

 seen around Ottawa and numerous specimens were taken. No 

 such migration had been recorded in previous years. {Macomi.) 



Seventeen specimens taken at Point Barrow by Mcllhenny are 

 referred here by Witmer Stone. Murdoch's reference under 

 U. lomvia arra should probably go here also. 



Breeding Notes. — Breeds in countless numbers at Cape Wol- 

 stenholme, Hudson bay, also in lesser numbers on Digge island 

 and at Cape Hopes Advance. Their nesting places are on the 

 upturned edges of the ledges, where they straddle their solitary 

 &g^ in myriads and when disturbed by the discharge of a gun rise 

 so quickly that many of the eggs are dislodged, and fall into the 

 sea. They remain on the bay all the year wintering in the open 

 water. {A. P. Low.) 



31a. Pallas Murre, Western Thick-billed Guillemot. 



Uria lomvia arra{?A.iA..) Ridgw. 1884. 

 Wherever the coasts and islands of Alaska are bordered by 

 rugged cliffs and rocky declivities, this bird is found in great 



