110 The Wilson Bulletin— No. 113 



23. Great Blue Heron — Ardea herodias herodias Linn. 



A common breeding species; In fact, really abundant. Seen 

 about the shores of nearly all the lakes, and on )many of the rivers. 

 One bird of this species was seen on probably twenty different oc- 

 casions, at almost the exact same spot, fishing along the shores of 

 the Prairie River. Another individual used to pay early morning 

 visits to the spring-board at the end of the pier in Lake Minne- 

 wanka, where he had good fishing for frogs and small perch. 



24. Virginia Rail — Rallus virginianus Linn. 



A breeding species, though not very common, where condi- 

 tions are suitable. Heard quite frequently, and seldom seen. Pre- 

 fers the wet regions along small creeks and swamps about lakes. 



25. Sora Rail — Porzana Carolina (Linn.) 



Apparently somewhat more common than the preceding spe- 

 cies. Breeds in wet, open swamps. Several individuals were seen, 

 usually along small streams. Sometimes spoken of as the " rice 

 bird." 



26. Coot — Fidica aviericana G-mel. 



A very abundant migrant, and possibly a breeding species, 

 though the vrriter found no evidence of breeding. Two seen on 

 August 12 at the north end of Lake Minnewanka, feeding among 

 the wild rice and arrod-head (sagittaria sps.). Known to breed 

 within the county within the last six years. 



27. Spotted Sandpiper — Actitis maciilaria (Linn.) 



A common summer resident, and most likely a breeding spe- 

 cies. Frequents the shores of the lakes and rivers, and is partial 

 to those having either sandy shores or numerous " dead-heads," 

 on which the birds delight to " teeter." The abundance of small 

 aquatic insects of every sort affords plenty of food for the sand- 

 pipers, and it is surprising that this is the only species seen. 



28. Killdeer — OxyecTius vociferus (Linn.) 



. A single individual of this species was heard flying overhead 

 on August 10. The type of country is such as to be unattractive 

 to the plover, except in such places where there has been a con- 

 siderable amount of clearing and plowing. In such places the 

 bird undoubtedly nests. 



29. Spruce Grouse — Canacliites canadensis canace (Linn.) 

 Formerly rather common within the county, the spruce part- 

 ridge is all but exterminated, because of both, hunters and the 

 continuous forest fires, which have nearly ruined its haunts. Stays 

 rather closely within heavy spruce or cedar swamps, and is any- 

 thing but timid. 



30. Ruffed Grouse — Bonasa tinvbellus umiellus (Linn.) 



For a time nearly extinct in the county, the ruffed grouse is 



