18 TAVERNER, Birds of Red Deer River, Alta. [j^ 



bones, and scraps of gophers that had been devoured by successive genera- 

 tions of young Rough-legs. The first nest we found contained three nearly 

 fledged young and was on the top of a pinnacle on a deeply eroded exposure 

 some 150 feet up and overlooking the river at a distance of about a quarter 

 of a mile. In clambering about to get the properly lighted view for a 

 photograph the young became alarmed and started out on their first flight, 

 continuing until they dropped into the river below. One alighted near 

 the margin and scrambled ashore but the other two drifted down and last 

 seen were caught in the rapids below and drawn under and out of sight. 



The coloration of these birds was remarkably constant. Most were of 

 the light type, pure white below and with ruddy barred legs. Dark indi- 

 viduals were uncommon and we took only one specimen". This is a com- 

 pletely dark individual, a juvenile, and both parents were seen. One 

 was of normal light coloration and the other all dark. Another juvenile 

 similar to the one taken accompanied the family. We have five specimens 

 of our own taking besides twelve more taken by Geo. Sternberg near 

 Ramsey and Morrin in 1915 and 1916. Of these a brood of three taken 

 June 26 is composed of one all black specimen and two that are evidently 

 developing into the normally light-colored form. It is evident that, like 

 the Western Red-tail, age has nothing to do with the darkness of coloration 

 in this species. 



66. Aquila chrysaetos. GOLDEN EAGLE. Horsbrough records fall 

 and winter specimens from the vicinity of Red Deer. 



67. Haliaetus leucocephalus. BALD EAGLE. Single Bald Eagles 

 were seen between Camps 5 and 6 and 9 and 10. They were white-headed 

 adults and easily identified. Horsbrough reports several specimens and 

 gives a breeding record for the Buffalo Lake vicinity. 



68. Falco rusticolus. GYRFALCON. Under the heading of Gray 

 Gyrfalcon, F. r. rusticolus, Horsbrough records the capture of a specimen 

 at Camrose, Oct. 1915, and mentions another taken about the same time. 



C9.* Falco mexicanus. PRAIRIE FALCON. Amidst the maze of 

 gullies, pinnacles and strangely eroded hill shapes a short distance back 

 from the river at Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill Creek we met a number 

 of these birds. In all but color they are so like Duck Hawks that at a 

 distance we confidently ascribed them to that species. At least two pairs 

 had raised their broods near the camp and the nests were pointed out to us 

 by Chas. Sternberg, who had marked them down before we arrived. 

 Though in action and general habit similar to peregrinus the nests we saw 

 were essentially different. In the first place they were rather solidly built 

 structures of sticks or dead sage-brush roots; secondly they were in small 

 natural caves of rather pronounced character, and finally they were at 

 a considerable distance from the water, the immediate presence of which 

 seems to be a necessity for the nesting site of the Duck Hawk. When we 

 arrived on the scene the young had left the nest but a short time and were 

 still in the vicinity and while full-fledged and apparently strong on the 

 wing, they were under parental care. Between July 20 and August 31 



