196 Ferry, Summer Birds of Saskatchewan. [aptIi 



gether. A local report, in which they were referred to as "turkeys," 

 describes them as abundant during the fall near the southern shore of Big 

 Quill Lake. 



30. Porzana Carolina. Sora Rail. — Probably common but rarely 

 seen. A nest was found at Prince Albert containing eggs. Another at 

 Big Quill Lake, on June 12, with eleven fresh eggs. The latter was built 

 in the rushes by a creek, and was about a foot above the water, well made 

 and well hidden. We found another nest containing twelve eggs. 



31. Coturnicops noveboracensis. Yellow Rail. — "June 21, imme- 

 diately following a heavy rain which flooded nearly the whole country, 

 a single specimen of this rare bird was flushed from under our horses' 

 feet as we crossed a swampy piece of flooded territory where the water 

 was a few inches deep and the grass very sparse. Having no gun, we could 

 not secure it." (Barnes.) 



On July 14, at about sunset, a bird was flushed which could have been 

 only a Yellow Rail. It flushed but a few feet from the observer. Its 

 underparts were plainly seen, and its flight was rapid but distinctly rail 

 like. It was near the locality of the first mentioned bird and in a similar 

 situation. 



32. Fulica americana. Coot. — Abundant at Prince Albert where 

 many nests were found. None were seen at Quill Lake, probably because 

 of the strong alkali water of the lake. 



33. Steganopus tricolor. Wilson's Phalarope. — Common about 

 Quill Lake and evidently breeding, but we found no nests. Dissection of 

 several specimens showed partially developed eggs in the bird, one on 

 June 17 with a small yolk. One bird we were unabie to drive from a spot 

 in a partially overflowed slough. She flew about us uttering plaintive 

 cries. When flushed the birds utter a peculiar grunting noise. 



34. Recurvirostra americana. Avocet. — One seen July 4 in Middle 

 Quill Lake. 



35. Gallinago delicata. Wilson's Snipe. — Seen only on August 10 

 in a mud hole north of Big Quill, probably migrating. 



36. Micropalama himantopus. Stilt Sandpiper. — Two were shot at 

 Quill Lake on July 20; they were the only ones seen, and are a male and 

 female in summer plumage. 



37. Pisobia fuscicollis. White-rumped Sandpiper.— On our arrival 

 at Quill Lake, June 10, we saw large flocks of sandpipers about the shores 

 and on the islands of the lake. A few days later these flocks disappeared. 

 Several random shots brought down specimens of this species and the 

 following. 



38. Pisobia bairdi. Baird's Sandpiper. — The remarks under the 

 preceding species apply also to this species. In a pair taken on June 16 

 the testes of the male were small and the ovaries of the female inactive. 



39. Ereunetes pusillus. Semipalmated Sandpiper. — Flocks of small 

 sandpipers were common on June 11; not again seen until July 3 when a 

 flock of fifteen were noted. On July 4 four were seen, and on this date 



