254 



EXPLORATIONS IN THE FAR NORTH 



attention to both land and water birds. Such small birds as 

 crossed the lake might be expected to halt at that point which 

 was the first high ground on the north shore. Any species 

 recorded from that place might reasonably be expected to be 

 found as far northward as the Great Slave Lake. 



Near Smith a well known breeding place of the white peli- 

 can is to be found in a picturesque spot among the rapids of 

 the Slave River. 



The Great Slave Lake presents the most formidable barrier 

 to the passage of the smaller land birds that is to be found in 

 the whole county. North of the lake the observer is impressed 

 with the change in plant and animal life. It was my privilege 

 to travel along a considerable portion of the north and south 

 shores both in summer and in winter. There are very few 

 species of birds to be found north of the lake in winter; even 

 in summer, birds are not abundant around the lake. 



The delta of the Mackenzie is by far the best locality in this 

 entire territory for the collecting naturalist. Game birds are 

 abundant so that the food problem, which becomes an impor- 

 tant one in that inaccessible region, is easily solved. Man}' 

 western species occur there. I very much regretted the neces- 

 sity which compelled me to pass specimens which were new to 

 me, and I was disappointed in the hope of finding some of them 

 at Herschel Island. Only water birds or a few species pecu- 

 liar to barrens are to be found at that station. In July and 

 August the cacawees may be seen in enormous flocks along 

 that coast; the brown crane breeds near the mouth of the Mac- 

 kenzie; loons are common all along the coast. Gulls and 

 jaegars are not abundant. 



ofc. 2. Colymbus holboellii (Reinh.). Holbcell's Grebe. 



One specimen; Rae, August 22. Not uncommon. 



. (Jl j^aAifrCZu* - 4 colymbus nigricollis californicus {Heerm.). 



American Eared Grebe. 

 One specimen; Rae, August 22. 



7. Urinator imber {Gunn.). Loon. 



One specimen, $; Prospect Lake, Rae, July 29. Common 

 about the lakes which contain fish throughout this entire region. 



