CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 147 
In The Auk for January, 1893, Mr. Seton speaks of a specimen of 
this bird being killed on the Qu’Appelle river. On September 16th, 
1881, the writer shot a specimen near Fort Pelly which was certainly 
the little brown crane as it was much smaller than the one taken’ 
on the prairie in 1872. More light is needed on the distribution of 
the two species named sandhill cranes by the people generally. 
Either this species or the next is scattered over the country from 
the 49th parallel to the Arctic ocean and is especially abundant in 
Alaska and British Columbia. 
* BREEDING Notes.—As a rule this species is not seen on the lower 
Yukon until about May 7th or later, when the ground is half bare 
and the cranes can search every hillside for last year’s heath-berries, 
which, with an occasional lemming or mouse, constitute their food 
at this season. The site for the nest is usually on grassy flats, 
where the drier portions or the slight knolls afford them suitable 
places. The spot usually has an unobstructed view on all sides, 
and it is common to see the female’s long neck raised suspiciously 
at the appearance in the distance of anything unusual. The nest is 
frequently a mere hollow in the ground, and is commonly lined with 
more or less coarse grass-stems and straws. In one instance a nest 
was found on a bare flat and was lined with a layer of straws an inch 
deep, all of which must have been brought some distance; this is 
unusual, however. The two eggs which this bird always lays, are 
generally deposited during the last few days of May or early June. 
(Nelson.) 
206. Sandhill Crane. 
Grus mexicana (MULL.) VIEILL. 1817. 
A pair was taken many years ago at Toronto, Ont. Mr. Taverner 
reports one taken at Beaumaris, Muskoka, several years ago. (J. 
_H. Fleming.) Occasional reports of this species in southwestern 
Ontario still come in but it may safely be said to be a very rare 
migrant. (W. Saunders.) Tolerably common at Aweme, Man., 
breeding in small bogs and marshes. Arrives about April rst, and 
departs in October. (Criddle.) Saw thirty-five at Douglas, B.C. 
flying northward April 28th, 1906; one at Elko, B.C. in 1904, and a 
few seen all through April, 1903, at Penticton, B.C. (Spread- 
borough.) 
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