242 SNYDER, Wotes on Idaho and Washington Birds. rae 
times. Its presence south of the United States is due to former 
glacial influences, and it is evident that such forms are the lowest 
and most generalized. The ¢zchas group represents its highest 
development. 
I would extend the present accepted southern limit of the 
Nearctic subregion to include nearly all of the West Indies, Cen- 
tral and South America, and consider its life as an invasion and 
overlaying of the Neotropical region consequent upon the effects 
of a glacial period. Neotropical life now barely reaches the 
United States. Present winter North American life represents a 
transition between the original Palearctic, from which it has been 
derived, and the pure Nearctic, an earlier result, of which Geo- 
thiypis is an example. 
My indebtedness to the collections of the National Museum 
and the Biological Survey is gratefully acknowledged. 
NOTES ON A FEW SPECIES OF IDAHO AND WASH-— 
INGTON BIRDS. 
BY JOHN O. SNYDER. 
DurRinG the year 1894 the following notes were made in north- 
ern Idaho and Washington. Specimens of each species mentioned 
were taken and preserved. ‘The localities visited were Kaniksu 
Lake, Blue Lake, Hoodoo Lake, and Spirit Lake in Kootenai 
Co., Idaho; Diamond Lake in Stevens Co., Mt. Carleton in 
Spokane Co., and Pullman in Whitman Co., Washington. 
1. Merganser americanus. AMERICAN MERGANSER.— Several females 
with young observed at Diamond Lake, where downy young were taken, 
June 21. 
2. Anas boschas. MALLARD.— Verycommonin Hoodoo Valley during 
August, when females with large flocks of young were frequently seen. 
No males were taken. Also seen at Lake Kaniksu. 
3. Aythya americana. REDHEAD.— Lake Kaniksu and Hoodoo 
Valley. Young were seen at the latter place, Aug. 18. 
