154 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
Its breeding-grounds seem to be to the north and northwest of 
Hudson Bay. 
MUSEUM SPECIMEN. 
One taken in Toronto marsh by Mr. S. Herring in 1884. 
232. Long-billed Dowitcher, 3 
Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say) Lawr. 1852. 
This species takes the place of WW. griseus from Manitoba west- 
ward, Although not common in eastern Manitoba it becomes 
abundant to the west, and during migration this species is very 
plentiful throughout the prairie region. As it arrives in great 
numbers on the prairie in August its breeding-places are likely 
south of the Arctic Circle. Besides covering much country east 
of the mountains it is very abundant in Alaska, breeding as far 
north as Point Barrow, where Murdoch says it is not common in 
the breeding season. It is very rare in the Rocky Mountains, only 
one being taken at Banff in 1891. Both Lord and Fannin say it 
breeds in British Columbia, and Brooks found it common in 
autumn in the Fraser valley. Spreadborough found it in large 
flocks at Stubb Island, west coast of Vancouver Island, August, 
1893. 
BREEDING Notes.—This species arrives quite early at the Yukon 
mouth, often by the roth May. Towards the end of the month 
it is plentiful and is beginning to breed. On June 16th, while cross- 
ing a tussock-covered hill-top, over a mile from any water, I was 
surprised to see a female of this species flutter from her nest 
about six feet in front of me and skulk off through the grass 
with trailing wings and depressed head for some ten or fifteen 
yards. She stood, nearly concealed by a tuft of grass, and 
watched me as I pillaged her nest of its treasures. The eggs, 
four in number, rested in a shallow depression formed by the 
bird’s body in the soft moss, and without a trace of lining. 
Other nests taken were of the same character. By the last of 
July the young birds can fly with their parents. (/Ve/son.) A few 
nests of this species were taken between the 21st June and July 
ist. The eggs were always four in number. (Macfarlane.) 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Seven specimens taken at Indian Head, Assa., and Edmonton 
and Banff, Alta., by Mr. W. Spreadborough. 
