32 Bent, Summer Birds of Southwestern Saskatchewan. [jan 



123. Zamelodia melanocephala. Black-headed Grosbeak. — On 

 June 14, 1905, in the Maple Creek timber, I heard a grosbeak singing wliich 

 I thought was a Rose-breasted, but on investigation I was surprised to see 

 a fine male Black-headed Grosbeak; I saw what was probably the same 

 bird later in the day but was too close to it to shoot it. On June 16, 1906, 

 about four miles farther up the creek, I was fortunate enough to find a nest 

 of this species containing 3 fresh eggs, which I secured with the male bird, 

 wliich was incubating. 



Dr. Bishop saw another pair on Maple Creek on July 5, 1906. On 

 Mackaye Creek, July 11, 1906, he and Dr. Dwight secured a pair of the 

 birds and 2 eggs. Tliis species is not recorded as occurring in this region 

 by Prof. Macoun. 



124. Calamospiza melanocorys. Lark Bunting. — Not noted at all 

 in 1905, except one doubtfid record of a female seen June 2. Very common 

 in 1906 on the prairies and hills north of Maple Creek and about Crane Lake. 

 A nest with 4 young, under a little sage brush, was found on June 23, 1906. 



This delightful songster, known as the "Prairie Bobolink," is another 

 of the striking and attractive features of the prairies. Its flight song is 

 particularly rich and joyous. "AU through the breeding season each 

 female seen seemed to have at least two males in attendance." (Bishop.) 

 The males were certainly much more abundant, or more in evidence, 

 than the females. 



125. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Cliff Swallow. — Locally common. 

 A large breeding colony was found in a cattle shed at Reedy Lake. The 

 nests were plastered onto the rough poles, supporting the roof on the inside. 

 Many of them contained fresh eggs on June 10, 1905, and on June 25, 

 1906. Eggs were found as late as August 2, 1906. 



126. Hirundo er3rthrogaster. Barn Swallow. — Fairly common about 

 the ranches. Eggs were found on August 2, 1906. 



127. Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. — Rare. I recorded a few 

 birds seen in the timber along the creeks in 1905 and saw one at Hay Lake 

 ■on June 6, 1906. None were collected and none seen by the others in 1906. 

 It was recorded, however, by Prof. Macoun at Indian Head, Crane Lake 

 and Medicine Hat. Mr. Day found a nest with 4 eggs in the Skull Creek 

 timber on June 9, 1905. 



128. Riparia riparia. Bank SwALLOw^ — Common. A few small 

 colonies were found nesting in cut banks or sand pits. 



129. Ampelis cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. — A few were seen, some 

 of which were collected, in the Maple Creek timber on June 30 and July 

 ■5, 1906. Others were collected on Mackaye Creek on July 11 and in the 

 Cypress Hills on July 27, 1906. 



130. Vireo olivaceus. Red-eyed Vireo. — Dr. Bishop saw several and 

 shot one in the Maple Creek timber on June 8, 1906. Recorded by Prof. 

 Macoun as breeding at Indian Head. 



131. Vireo philadelphicus. Philadelphia Vireo. — One was secured 

 by Dr. Bishop in the Maple Creek timber, on June 8, 1906, in the great 

 wave of migrants that passed through on that day. 



