Vol. XXII 

 1005 



Eifrig, Canadian Expedition to Hudson Bay. ^37 



lined with feathers. One set of 7 eggs was taken June 30, 1904; color 

 pale bluish olive ; measurements, 2.25 X 1.50; 2.15 X 1.45 ; 2.20 X 1.45. 

 Another set of 8 eggs, was taken June 27, 1904, also at Fullerton, which 

 were much paler in color; sizes : 2.05 X 1.50; 2.10 X 1.45 ; 2.3.5 X 1-55- 



18. Somateria mollissima borealis. Greenland Eider. — This fine 

 duck was found to be common around Fullerton and in all the region to 

 North Devon. Some remained in the open water all winter and were fre- 

 quently shot for food. The head of one of these, thrown out by the cook, 

 was by chance put into formalin by Mr. Halkett, and this shows a curi- 

 ous anomaly in color, inasmuch as the areas around the bill are black, 

 which Mr. H. thinks is not caused by the preservative. The skins show 

 the regular coloring. A young one, still in its downy stage, was taken at 

 Cumming Creek, North Devon Island, Aug. 13, 1904. The entire upper 

 parts are fuscous, the under parts light mouse color. This species breeds 

 on rocky islands, placing its nest on sandbars, in grass between rocks, or 

 in any available place near the shore. One set of 9 eggs was taken on 

 Southampton Island, July 17, 1904; color, pale olive to greenish gray; 

 sizes : 2.75 X 2; 3.20 X 2.10; 2.90 X 1.95. A single egg was also picked 

 up on the beach of Charles Island, Sept. 3, 1904. Two incomplete sets of 

 4 eggs each were taken at Fullerton, July 17, 1904. 



19. Somateria spectabilis. King Eider. — Not as common as the pre- 

 ceding. Four skins, taken June 16 and 26 at Fullerton and Southampton. 

 It is much less timid than the preceding species, allowing close approach. 

 It does not remain in winter at Fullerton and breeds in different localities 

 from those of 6". mollissima borealis. It places its soft, down-lined nest 

 on tussocks of grass along the shores and on islands of inland ponds. It 

 was common on Southampton Island where the other was scarce. A 

 set of 4 eggs was taken at this place, June 28, 1904. Color, pale olive 

 gray; size, 2.50 X 1.75. The stomach contents were fragments of mol- 

 lusks, stones and sand. 



20. Chen hyperborea. Lesser Snow Goose. — This species, called 

 Wavy by the whalers, is rather common on Southampton Island and 

 Baffin Land. Two males were taken June 4 and 7 respectively. On the 

 former date a flock of twenty-two was seen, the first two of which seemed 

 to be Blue Geese {Chen ccerulescens). Stomach contents: vegetable mat- 

 ter and stones. They breed mostly on islands along the eastern shores 

 of Hudson Bay, and more abundantly to the northward. Their nests are 

 found in wet ground and are made of grass, moss, etc., with down on top, 

 the whole 6-8 inches high. A set of 7 eggs was taken on Southampton 

 Island June 22, 1904. They are creamy white, much like eggs of the 

 common hen ; sizes : 3.25 X 2.10 ; 3.25 X 2.05. 



21. Branta canadensis. Canada Goose. — Found common at Labra- 

 dor ; not met with further north. 



22. Branta c. hutchinsii. Hutchin's Goose. — A typical specimen 

 was taken June 17, 1904, in the vicinity of Cape Fullerton. Length, 27 

 in.; wing, 17.50; bill, 1.75. The line of demarcation between the black 

 and white areas on the head is a straight slanting line. 



