i886.] Seton on the Birds of Western Manitoba. I IT -? 



84. Arenaria interpres. Turnstone. — Along Red River; rare. 

 " Found occasionally about the prairie ponds, and in pairs about Lake 

 Winnipeg; apparently goes further north to breed. Returns about Au- 

 gust 15." 



85. Dendragopus canadensis. Canada Grouse. — "Very numerous 

 in the poplar woods to the north of Fort Pelly {Macoun). "Abundant 

 in the woods about Lake Winnipeg, but so tame and fearless that its 

 pursuit can scarcely be called sport" {Hinc). 



86. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides. Gray Ruffed Grouse. — Abun- 

 dant resident, probably all over, as it was noted on Duck and Riding 

 Mountains, all along the Assiniboine, and about the Big Plain, as well as 

 in the Red River region. Throughout Winnipegoosis region. Exhibits 

 considerable variation of plumage. (See "Auk' for July, 18S5, pp. 270, 

 271.) 



87. Lagopus lagopus. Willow Ptarmigan.— Has been taken on 

 the east shore of Lake Winnipeg {Hine). Norway House. 



88. Tympanuchus americanus. Prairie Hen. — In 1872 Dr. Coues 

 wrote : ''I have no rea^on to believe that it occurs at all in Northwestern 

 Minnesota or Northern Dakota." In 1882, when first I visited Manitoba, 

 the species was nearly unknown in the country ; the only known speci- 

 men having been taken near Winnipeg in 1881. In 1883, Mr. Hine in- 

 forms me, it began to be common at Pembina. In 1884 it was not only 

 common at Winnipeg, but had also for the first time made its appearance 

 at Portage la Prairie, on the Assiniboine. 



89. Pediocaetes phasianellus columbianus. Columbian Sharp-tailed 

 Grouse. Prairie Chicken. — Very abundant resident all over. North 

 to the narrows of Lake Winnipeg, and thence eastward as far as Long 

 Lake and Pic River, on Lake Winnipeg (^Bell). This species lives ex- 

 clusively on the open prairie in the summer, and exclusively .in the 

 wooded districts in the winter, so that it is in a sense migratory. 



90. Ectopistes migratorius. Passenger Pigeon. — Common summer 

 resident, probably all over, as it was noted on Riding Mountain, along 

 the Assiniboine, on Big Plain, on Turtle Mountain (Coues), and north- 

 ward, as well as all over the Red River Valley. Thoughout the Winni- 

 pegoosis region. Often very abundant during the migrations. I am not 

 awaie of the existence of any extensive "rookeries." Arrives early in 

 May; departs in October. 



91. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove.— " Common in Pembina 

 in June" (Cones). Rare at Winnipeg. 



92. Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture. — Common summer i-esident 

 in the Assiniboine Valley only. One specimen taken on Red River 

 k^Blakiston). The present species, the Missouri Skylark, and others, 

 appear to confine themselves to the Assiniboine region as defined; while 

 the Bluebird, the Woodcock, and others are as characteristic of the Red 

 River Valley. 



93. Circus hudsonius. Harrier. — Abundant summer resident all 

 over. Tiie adults in blue plumage are common in spring and fall. Ar- 

 rives April 15; departs October 15. 



