82 Capt. Blakiston on the Birds of the 



Baird, is considered to be of the original species. One, however, 

 in the Smithsonian Institution, from about 60 miles south of 

 Red River Settlement, is called S. neglect a. Probably both species 

 inhabit the British prairies. One or the other was seen at Fort 

 Carlton by the 1 1 th of April, and found as far as the western 

 base of the Rocky Mountains, on the Tobacco Plains. It was 

 supposed to have been seen also near Fort Carlton as late as the 

 3rd of November, having been taken by one of the gentlemen at 

 the fort for a Quail. 



78. Icterus Baltimore. 



Besides my specimen (' Ibis,' vol. iv. p. 7) of this showy bird, 

 it is likewise recorded in the ' Fauna Bor.-Am.,' from the Sas- 

 katchawan. 



79. SCOLECOPHAGUS FERRUGINEUS. 



The specimen recorded (' Ibis,' vol. iv. p. 7) as killed on the 

 31st of March was the first which I saw at Fort Carlton in the 

 spring ; it was in good condition, and the stomach contained 

 masticated insects, which appeared to be small Carahi. It fre- 

 quented a small pond still partially covered with ice and snow. 

 It was a male, and measured 9 in. in length, and 4| in. in the wing. 

 The Rusty Blackbird is also given by Mr. Ross as common on 

 the Mackenzie to the Arctic Circle. 



80. ScOLECOPHAGUS CYANOCEPHALUS. 



My specimen of this bird {' Ibis,' vol. iv. p. 7) was a male, and 

 measured 10 in. in length, and 5^ in. in the wing. A female pro- 

 cured at the same time measured 8^ and 4|- in., while two others 

 came between these measurements. Along with these birds two 

 nests were taken, each containing six eggs. There were several 

 together in a swampy place, from one foot to four feet above the 

 ground, on willow-bushes. One, however, was at the base of a 

 willow-bush and resting on the ground, where a small excavation 

 had been formed, in which the nest was made, in this case with 

 grass without any mud, and lined with horsehair. Not having 

 been aware of the existence of any species but the Rusty Crackle, 

 it was quite by chance that I obtained a specimen of Brewer's 

 bird. I believe the reason was because I fancied I observed a dif- 

 ference in thebirds, considering some to be larger than others; but 



