In North-West Canada. 95 



winged teal, containing nine eggs. This nest was concealed 

 among the rushes which fringed the creek, and was a circular 

 hollow, the size of a small plate, and was well lined with 

 down. The eggs are similar to those of the blue winged teal, 

 but appear to be somewhat of a deeper buif. They average in 

 size 1.75x1.80. As it was near dinner-time, I returned to the 

 station-house, and after dinner blew the remainder of the 

 eggs collected, and then packed up my specimens and baggage. 

 Taking leave of the friends I had made during my stay at 

 Rush Lake, and who had helped to make my sojourn in this 

 district so enjoyable, I left by the afternoon train for Moose- 

 jaw, feeling exceedingly sorry at not being able to spend a 

 few weeks longer among those profitable collecting grounds. 

 Before returning to the east, perhaps it will not be out of 

 place to devote a chapter to the Rocky Mountains, in case any 

 of my readers should ever visit this grand range, but bird- 

 nesting amongst this stupendous range is full of risks and 

 dangers, as grizzly bears and pumas are met with when 

 least expected, but then men never came all this way for 

 birds' eggs or birds either, the fellows who visit these parts 

 are keen sportsmen, and hunters after big game. They want 

 to visit the haunts of the grizzly, big-horned sheep, snoAvy 

 goats, etc., which they can easily find, providing they are game 

 enough to follow their guide. The following notes have been 

 gathered from sportsmen who have hunted among the Rockies, 

 and may be a guide to those intending to visit the mountains 

 for the same purpose. 



