Vol "wi9 XVI ] Taverner, Birds of Red Deer River, Alta. 259 



several years, illustrating the discrimination of their judgment. In one 

 such colony I found old swallow nests doing new service for House Wrens 

 that had filled them with sticks and were rearing families within them. 

 Rather unexpectedly we found many occupied nests in the immediate 

 vicinity of Duck Hawk and Prairie Falcon eyries. See antea plate opp. 

 p. 11. We often found them plastered right up to and on the very ledges 

 so occupied and the swallows coming and going without the slightest 

 hesitation in the presence of the Falcons. So often did we observe this, 

 that it suggested that such vicinities were matters of choice rather than the 

 accident of indifference. Specimens from Camp 2 and 11, none seen after 

 August 11. 



144. Hirundo erythrogastra. Barn Swallow. — Not noted on the 

 upper parts of the river but a few were seen at Camp 6, Tohnan's Ferry. 

 At Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, Young observed a few each day until 

 September 25. Reported from Red Deer by both Horsbrough and Farley 

 but apparently not common. 



145. Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow.— But two individuals 

 noted at Camp 1, July 1 and 2. Farley seems to regard it as common 

 and Horsbrough records nests at Buffalo and Haunted Lakes. 



148. Riparia riparia. Bank Swallow. — Seen constantly all the 

 way down the river and at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, until the end 

 of July after which none were noted. They nest in the many banks 

 lining the river. As these are constantly caving in and sliding into the 

 river, great numbers of birds and nests must be annually destroyed. They 

 show less foresight in the choice of nesting sites than do the Cliff Swallows. 

 Horsbrough records only a single nest and Farley refers to but a few. It 

 probably keeps close to the river banks where it is not seen by the general 

 observer. 



147. Bombycilla garrula. Bohemian Waxwing. — Horsbrough re- 

 cords this species as — " During the summer this species was common 

 throughout the Alix district." He records nests on the authority of Dr. 

 George of Red Deer and Mr. Cook of Buffalo Lake. These observers 

 seem perfectly familiar with the Cedar bird so this rather unexpected 

 record can not be altogether disregarded on the grounds of confusion 

 between similar appearing species. 



148.* Bombycilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. — Fairly common 

 throughout the river. Specimens, Camp 11, July 20 and August 14. 



149. Lanius borealis. Northern Shrike.— Farley notes the 

 Northern Shrike at Camrose in November and December. 



150.* Lanius ludovicianus. Loggerhead Shrike. — Only seen at 

 Camp 11 where one or perhaps two families were reared and I took a 

 female with accompanying young and later Young took a single adult 

 female. Specimens, July 21 and 28. Only one of these is subspecifically 

 determinable, it has the extensive white rump typical of L. I. excubitorides. 

 Farley gives spring dates for the species at both Red Deer and Camrose. 



151.* Vireosylva olivacea. Red-eyed Vireo. — Seen fairly con- 



