CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 147 
edly breeds in large numbers, although it seems to be a rare 
migrant in Manitoba. Dr. Coues found this bird in numbers in a 
pool near the base of the Rocky Mountains, not far from the In- 
ternational Boundary, on August 16th, 1874, and thought it might 
breed there. It was very abundant at Indian Head, Assa., in 1892. 
Spreadborough says it was first seen there May 15th, but by May 
25th to 30th there were thousands at Deep Lake, yet on June 3rd 
they were all gone. On June 3rd, 1895, specimens were shot at 
Thirty-mile Spring, and on June 6th others at Twelve-mile Lake, 
near Wood Mountain, Assa. They seemed to be breeding. Rich- 
ardson, Ross and Macfarlane agree in saying that this species 
occurs in immense numbers in the breeding season both in the 
wooded country and Barren Grounds and extends right up to the 
Arctic Coast. Nelson and Turner both say that this is a very 
common species in Alaska, breeding throughout most of the coun- 
try, but especially along the marshy northern coast. In British 
Columbia it is a common migrant, and Mr. Fannin has taken it in 
July on Burrard Inlet, so it is probable that a few pairs breed there. 
BREEDING Nores.—This species arrives at St. Michael, Alaska, 
about May 25th. Its food consists entirely of aquatic worms, 
slugs, larve and flies. It breeds in June. The nest is placed 
among the grasses and consists of a lot of grass-blades arranged 
with little care. Four or five eggs, of greenish ground, thickly 
bloched with dark, are laid. The young are able to fly by the 
first of August. (Zwurner.) The usual number of eggs is four, 
which vary considerably in exact colouration. The ground- 
colour in the very large series before me, obtained in the vicinity 
of St. Michael, shades by every degree from greenish-clay colour 
to warm, buffy, olive-brown. The spots and markings are very 
irregular in size and shape, but are usually larger about the large 
end of the egg. (WVelson.) The nest, like that of the Red Phala- 
rope, isa slight depression in the ground, lined with a few dry 
leaves and grasses, and is almost invariably situated on the 
margin of small pools or sheets of water. Upwards of seventy 
nests were secured, the number of eggs being always four. (Mac- 
Jarlane.) 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Nine in number ; one taken on Unimak Island, Behring Sea, 
August 6th, 1891, by Mr. J. M. Macoun; three at Indian Head, Assa., 
one at Twelve-mile Lake, Wood Mountain, Assa., three at Banff 
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