1908.] BIRDS. 387 



common at Smith Landing Juno 13 to 17, at Fort Smith Juno 1!) 

 to 29, and on Slave River between Fort Smith and Fort Resolution 

 June 29 to July 4. At Fort Resolution my brother often saw the bird 

 during July, and while crossing Great Slave Lake I observed a 

 brood of young just from the nest on an island near the mouth of the 

 Northern Arm on July 15. I took an immature bird at Fort Rae 

 July 26, and noted other individuals there on July l ; 7 and 2 ( .>. On 

 our return trip we noted the bird at Smith Portage August 5, above 

 Pelican Rapid August 24, and near La Biche River August 27, 

 and saw several at Athabaska Landing August 30 and 31. 



In 1903 we first noted the species at Edmonton May 8, when we 

 saw several individuals, one of which was excavating a nesting 

 cavity. It was common and was observed nearly every day on the 

 road to Athabaska Landing May 11 to 15. Along the Athabaska and 

 Slave rivers also it was common and was noted almost daily. A 

 nest containing eggs was found near Smith Landing June 13. The 

 bird was seen only once at Fort Resolution — on June 22. On the 

 Mackenzie my brother and Cary noted the species at Fort Providence 

 July 4, 6, 7, and 8, taking one on the last date; at Fort Simpson 

 July 10; Nahanni Mountains July 13 (one taken), 14, 16, 17, and 18; 

 and at Fort Wrigley July 22. While ascending the Athabaska they 

 frequently observed the species between Red River and Grand Rapid 

 August 6 to 20, and in the vicinity of Athabaska Landing during the 

 first half of September. During my trip northward from Fort Rae 

 I noted the bird on lower Grandin River August 1. The number 

 of nesting holes seen along the southern shore of Great Bear Lake 

 showed that this species must be a fairly common breeder there, but 

 the birds had evidently migrated before my arrival. The only one 

 seen was taken near Mc Vicar Bay September 10. It was in company 

 with a large flock of robins and was very fat. 



In the spring of 1904 this bird arrived at Fort Simpson on May 4, 

 when two were observed. On May 6 two more were seen, and a few 

 were observed daily until May 10. when the specie- became common. 

 During the remainder of the month it was frequently observed and 

 several specimens were taken. At Willow River, near Fort Provi- 

 dence, J. W. Mills took a male May 13, but did not record the date of 

 arrival. While descending the Mackenzie in June I found it rather 

 common between Fort Simpson and Nahanni River June 2 and •*». 

 and again noted it near the latter place on June 6. North of this 

 point the species seems to be uncommon along the Mackenzie, as I 

 saw it but twice. I took one at Fort Good Hope June 20. and saw 

 another at Fort McPherson July 8. On my return trip I noted it on 

 the lower Slave August 2; on Smith Portage August 1: near Fort 

 McMurray August 10 and 14; and near Quito or Calling River 



