CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 149 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Six fine specimens ; one taken in Alberta by Mr. J. B. Tyrrell, 
two taken at Indian Head, Assa., two at Twelve-mile Lake, Assa., 
and one at Edmonton, Alberta, by Mr. W. Spreadborough. 
Two sets of eggs taken at Twelve-mile Lake, near Wood Moun- 
tain, Assa., June 6th, 1895. 
Famity XX. RECURVIROSTRIDA® Avocetrs anp StILts. 
LXXXIV. RECURVIROSTRA Linnzus. 1758. 
225. American Avocet. 
Recurvirostra americana GMEL. 1788. 
A single specimen of this bird was killed at St. John, N.B., 
and is in Mr. Carnal’s collection. (Chamberlain.) I am aware of 
three individuals of this species having been taken at different 
times at Rondeau, on the north shore of Lake Erie, but these 
are all I have heard of in Ontario. (MWcllwraith.) 
Quite rare in eastern Manitoba, but common throughout the 
prairie region—chiefly on the borders of brackish ponds, where it 
breeds in great numbers. Its chief range is from the International 
Boundary north to Lat. 54°, but it has been taken as far north as 
Fort Rae on Great Slave Lake. 
BREEDING Notes.—The breeding range of this species, accord- 
ing to my observation, is from Indian Head to within a few miles 
of the Rocky Mountains. It was first seen at Deep Lake, Indian 
Head, Assa., on May 14th, 1892; by June 3rd it was breeding in 
numbers on a long point of land that ran far out into a small 
lake in Township 16, Range 13. At various times after June 13th, 
took numerous nests; one was taken with two eggs, none with 
more than four. The nest, in nearly every case, was a shallow 
depression in the sand between three or four stones, and was 
lined witha few pieces of grass. The chief nesting places are on 
the borders of alkali ponds, and the nest is always near the water. 
Breeding generally commences the last week in May, and the 
young leave the nest as soon as hatched. (Spreadborough.) 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Eight fine specimens; all taken at Indian Head, Assa., in the 
spring of 1892 by Mr. W. Spreadborough. 
