1908.] EXPEDITION OF 1903-1904. 15 



soon as possible a dog sled was dispatched to our camp, and the lighter 

 and more valuable articles were brought up to the post, while the 

 remainder of the outfit was securely cached to await conditions more 

 favorable for transportation. 



From October 20, 1903, to June 1, 1004, I remained at Fort Simp- 

 son. A good collection of the winter birds and smaller mammals was 

 made; and being in one place during the entire spring migration, I 

 was able to secure many valuable notes and specimens. I had planned 

 to make a trip down the Mackenzie in the summer and accordingly 

 left Fort Simpson on June 1. Stopping for several days at Fort 

 Norman and Fort Good Hope, and a shorter time at a few other 

 points, I reached Fort McPherson, on the lower Peel, on July 1. 

 Here 1 remained until the arrival of the steamer Wrigley on July 16. 

 and on the following day started on my long homeward journey. 

 Steaming day and night, for there was nearly continuous daylight. I 

 reached Fort Simpson on July 2G, Fort Resolution August 1, and Fort 

 Smith August 3. Thence, by the same conveyances before utilized, T 

 journeyed up the Slave and Athabaska, arrived at Athabaska Land- 

 ing on September 1, and reached Edmonton September 4. From here 

 I shipped my collections and as soon as possible left for Washington. 



During the progress of my work in the north I was assisted in 

 many ways by numerous persons, to all of whom my cordial thank- 

 are hereby extended. Acknowledgments are especially due to my 

 field assistants. Alfred E. Preble and Merritt Cary, whose labors 

 added so materially to the results obtained, and to J. W. Mills and 

 H. W. Jones, of Fort Simpson, who in the spring of 1004 procured 

 many specimens and notes, and have since sent me additional informa- 

 tion. James MacKinlay also, who accompanied me on my Great Bear 

 Lake trip, assisted by every means in his power. Through the cour- 

 tesy of C. C. Chipman. commissioner of the Hudson's Bay Company, 

 arrangements were made to secure transportation and supplies at the 

 company's posts throughout the region. I wish to make acknowledg- 

 ment to all the employees of that company with whom I came in 

 contact. Their number makes it impracticable to mention names. 

 To the other traders, and to the missionaries. I am also under many 

 obligations. I must refer also to Roderick MacFarlane, of Winni- 

 peg, whose name occurs so often in these pages, and whose vast fund 

 of information, the result of many years' experience in the north, 

 has been at my disposal. 



During the preparation of this report I have been assisted mate- 

 rially by the officials of the United States National Museum and the 

 Smithsonian Institution, especially by Gerrit S. Miller, jr.. and 

 Robert Ridgway, in charge of mammals and birds, respectively, 

 who have given me free access to the collections under their control. 

 I have also received much help and encouragement from various mem- 



