538 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
breeding at Turtle Mountain, on the 4gth parallel, having observed 
none at Pembina. (Cowes.) First seen at Indian Head, Assa., 
May 24th, 1892, they soon become tolerably common and remain- 
ed, breeding in hollow trees; first arrivals at Medicine Hat, Assa., 
May 16th, 1894, breeding in the river valley in old trees; observed 
two at the crossing of the McLeod River, north of Edmonton,June 
19, 1898; tolerably common in the streets at Victoria, Vancouver 
Island ; first seen May 8th, 1893 and on May 28th, 1887; observed 
several in the dead woods north of Peace River, near White Mud 
River, Lat. 56° 20’ in June, 1903. (Spreadborough.) Not uncommon 
but local near Prince Albert, Sask.; noted breeding every year in 
great numbers in the dead trees of a willow and poplar thicket 
among marshes. (Coubeaux.) Only one specimen, a male taken 
at Victoria, being secured, it is difficult to state if it belongs to the 
eastern or western form. (Ahoads.) Common in the vicinity of 
Vancouver,B.C., and breeding in numbers in 1894. (Z. F. G. White.) 
BREEDING Notes.—I observed this species June 29th, 1886, 
nesting in the city, in a bird house placed on top of a pole erected 
on a shed in rear of St. Joseph Drug Hall, No. 2241, Notre Dame 
street, where they are said to breed twice a year, in the months of 
April and June; I have not noticed the purple martin breeding in 
any other place within the city, but I dare say they do breed in 
other yards where they are encouraged to nest. (Wintle.) At 
Ottawa this species builds in holes in trees or in boxes in the 
city. The nest is composed of hay, straw, bits of twine and paper; 
lined with feathers; eggs, 4 or 5, pure, glossy white. (G. R. White.) 
Breeds all over central and western Ontario, making its nests in 
holes underthe eaves of buildings; in northern Assiniboia it makes 
its nest in holes in trees like the tree swallow; nest taken at York- 
ton, Assa., June Ist, 1901; on this day I founda purple martin 
sitting on five eggs in a hole in an old stub five feet from the 
ground; the bird allowed me to lift her off the eggs and I threw 
her into the air and she flew away; the following day I again 
found her sitting upon the eggs; later I found other nests around 
Crescent Lake. (W. Raine.) 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Five; one purchased with the Holman collection in 1885 ; one 
taken at Ottawain May, 1888, by Prof. Macoun; one taken at 
Indian Head, Assa., May 30th, 1892, and two at Medicine Hat, 
Assa., in May, 1894, by Mr. Spreadborough. 
