288 GROUSE AND OTHER LAND BIRDS 



1867 Disappeared this year. 

 1871 A few were seen this year, but none be- 

 tween 1867 and 1871. 

 1872 and 1873 Very numerous again and total 



disappearance in 1876. 

 1882 A few observed. 



1883 and 1884, and 1885 Great abundance. 

 1887 Disappeared entirely. 

 1891 A few seen, gradually increasing each year 

 till 1895, when there were considerable quanti- 

 ties. 



1897 None. 

 1903 and 1904 Abundant, and a few seen every 



winter since to date (1909). 

 At one time it was supposed that these years of 

 abundance on the coast were due to heavy sleet in 

 the interior, covering up all the buds and prevent- 

 ing the birds from feeding, and thus forcing them 

 to seek food elsewhere. I have noticed that this 

 will affect them to some slight extent, but the 

 dates given show too much regularity for this to be 

 the true cause. My belief is that it is due to the 

 food supply. Having examined thousands of the 

 crops of these birds I found that over ninety per 

 cent contained the buds of a species of willow 

 popularly known here as pussy willow, Salix 

 artica ? The balance were buds of the birch, pop- 

 lar and the mountain ash and its berry. I also 

 noticed a few seeds that I could not identify. 

 After a year or two of great abundance, all 



