1912] Swarth: Birds and Mammals from Vancouver Island 41 



Yukon, it may, however, range from that point southward 

 through British Columbia, nearly to the southern boundary of the 

 province, where it is replaced by the other two forms, as stated. 

 In all probability the migration route of the Vancouver Island 

 nighthawk lies to the eastward of the coast ranges, as is the case 

 with other species of somewhat similar distribution. 



Cypseloides niger borealis (Kennerly) 

 Black Swift 



Observed at most of the points visited. A single bird seen at 

 Albemi on June 9, and a large flock at Beaver Creek on June 10. 

 At Alberni, August 12 to 16, they appeared in numbers every 

 evening together with the nighthawks. Large flocks were 

 observed at Nanaimo, on June 17 and 30, circling about over 

 some fields at the outskirts of the town. A few seen at Nootka 

 Sound, on the Tahsis Canal, July 28, and at Friendly Cove, 

 August 6. At Errington, in September, they were common, ap- 

 pearing at dusk with the nighthawks and circling about until 

 after dark. They diminished in numbers before the middle of 

 the month, and the last was seen September 20. 



The presence of these birds, feeding in flocks in the lowlands 

 of the region throughout the summer, would lead to the inference 

 that they were breeding at higher altitudes nearby, but none was 

 observed anywhere in the mountains. They were not seen other- 

 wise than in flocks, nor did their actions at any time suggest the 

 probability of their breeding in the immediate vicinity of the 

 place where they were encountered. Usually they were circling 

 about overhead, far beyond gunshot. One specimen was secured, 

 an adult female (no. 15698), taken at Errington. August 30. 



Chaetura vauxi (Townsend) 

 Vaux Swift 

 Fairly common at Beaver Creek in June, flocks being fre- 

 quently observed feeding over marshy meadows in the vicinity. 

 Not met with again until we reached Errington, in September. 

 At this point small flocks were seen on various occasions early in 

 the month, but all had disappeared before September 15. 



