Vol. XIX-| ^y^^^ow. Birds of Northeastern Labrador. 25 



I go2 J 



The coast fauna combines both arctic and sub-arctic forms, 

 comprising such arctic species as the polar bear, arctic wolf , white 

 fox, Hudson Bay lemming, barren ground caribou, and at the 

 same localities the black bear and the red fox. Among the birds 

 the same combination can be noted. It will be seen at once that 

 the list does not contain many species given by Turner as occur- 

 rinc. at Ungava. This is explained by the fact that the eastern 

 coa^'st is absolutely cut off from the interior by the range of moun- 

 tains which follows the shore. This range, which attains an ex- 

 treme height of perhaps six or seven thousand feet, rises abruptly 

 from the water's edge, so that the coast region proper is restricted 

 to a narrow strip, merging at once into the barren hillsides and 

 bowlder slopes of the uplands. This ridge is an insurmoun able 

 barrier to the wanderings of most of the small birds. 1 he hilltops 

 were inhabited only by a few Titlarks, Snow Buntings, Longspurs, 



and Rough-legged Hawks. . , . , , • 



The vegetation of the coast region, especially of the islands, is 

 very scanty. The timber line, for the immediate seacoast, is near 

 Hamilton Inlet. About the heads of the bays we found timber as 

 far north as Nain, beyond which the trees dwindled to scrub 

 spruces, and dwarf willows and birches along the lower water 

 courses Most of the barren country is covered with caribou 

 moss, with blueberries and Labrador tea growing profusely m the 



bogfgv places. , , . 



The climate is cold, the mean temperature for the year being 

 about 29° Fahrenheit. During the summer it ranged from 29 o 

 about 55° Twice we got temperature of 70°. but this was only 

 in very sheltered spots, and for an hour or two at a time. 



.. Urinator imber. Loon. - Fairly common along the coast particu^ 

 larlv in the deeper fiords and on the larger lakes. Breeding loca ly. The 

 Ikins from the' necks of adult loons are much used by the Esknno for 



T'^:^:tnme. Rk.-xh.o^xko Loo. ; Wab.v. -Ne^s^n. small 

 ponds inland. Appears on the coast after the young ai. able to fly hen 

 it is rather common, particularly in September. One ^^hlch I examnned 

 had the stomach filled with caplin. 



rFraterculaarctica. Pu.fin; Ska ParROX. Abundant all along he 

 coast Still breeds in comparative abundance on -'^^^ ^ --' ^'"J 

 stands. The voung were fully fledged and in the water by the .5th ot 



