50 



The Canadian Field-Naturalist 



[Vol. XXXIII 



Medora (June 16, 1913); Cannonball (August 16, 

 1915). 



Oklahoma. — Kiowa Agency, 1 7 miles southeast 

 of Fort Cobb (April 1, 1868); Mount Scott P.O. 

 (March 26 and 27, 1904). 



South Dakota.— Cusiei County (July 7, 1894); 



Corral Draw, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (May 

 16. 1894). 



Texas.— Vernon (April 30, 1894). 



Wyoming— Deer Creek (May 21, 1877); Fort 

 Laramie (May, 1864; May, 31, 1878); Black 

 Hills (August 3, 1856); Saratoga (June 4, 1911); 

 Greybull (June 8, 1910). 



NOTES ON SOME OF THE FISHES OF ALBERTA AND ADJACENT WATERS. 



By F. C. Whitehouse, Red Deer, Alta. 



Owing to the fact that ichthyology has never 

 apparently appealed to amateur naturalists ^o any 

 great extent, the general knowledge respecting our 

 fishes is infinitely less than that concerning our birds, 

 mammals, flora and at least two orders of insects. 

 This surely should not be in a country like Canada, 

 blessed with fresh water fishes to the extent that 

 they constitute a very important factor in the 

 economic wealth; not to mention the sport and out- 

 door recreation they provide to a very large number 

 of enthusiastic fishermen. In spite of their en- 

 thusiasm, however, I find that most sportsmen are 

 lamenjably ignorant concerning their catches, and 

 in speaking of trout for instance, either generalize 

 in calling everything "speckled-trout," or go *o the 

 other extreme and specify "Brook trout" or "Rain- 

 bow trout," neither of which species occurs in this 

 section of Canada — unless of course the imported 

 "Brook trout" of the Mountains Park be included. 



While disclaiming any specialized learning in the 

 science of ichthyology, I contribute the followmg 

 notes for the purpose of correcting errors in the re- 

 corded range in the case of three well known fishes, 

 and I hope clearing up a few mistaken ideas in the 

 minds of some who may know even less than myself 

 upon the subject. 



The list is arranged according to the "Check List 

 of the Fishes of the Dominion of Canada and New- 

 foundland," which laudable work will be hereinafter 

 alluded to as the "Government Check List." 



Acipenseridae. 

 41. Acipenser transmontanus Richardson. White 

 Sturgeon. 



Sturgeon are but rarely captured in Alberta. 

 Three or four years ago, however, a very fine 

 specimen was taken in the C.P.R. dam (Bow 

 river) at Bassano, and since the Bow and Belly 

 rivers join to become the South Saskatchewan river, 

 and transmontanus is recorded from the latter water- 

 way, the Bassano fish must presumably be referred 

 to that species. On the other hand A. rubicundus 

 (Lake sturgeon) is also recorded from "Lake of 



the Woods and Prairie Provinces" so it is clearly 

 unsafe to jump to conclusions. 



Hyodontidae. 

 52. H'^odon chr^sopsis Richardson. Western 

 Goldeye. 



While the Government Check List gives "Pro- 

 vinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan" as the range 

 of this fish, it is certainly common in Alberta in the 

 Red Deer river. It was also one of the fishes re- 

 corded by Mr. Fletcher's survey party, 1916, "Peace 

 river." I do not doubt but that it is common in 

 both branches of the Saskatchewan river. 



Goldeyes usually average rather less than one 

 pound, but they are frequently taken up to 18 

 ounces. I was informed of a specimen fish taken 

 at the junction of the Blindman river and Red Deer 

 river two years ago, the weight given being two 

 pounds. This fish rises nicely to artificial flies, and 

 on a light rod puts up an excellent fight. It is an 

 insect feeder, "whirl a gig" beetles forming an im- 

 portant item of its diet. Under normal water con- 

 ditions Goldeyes feed all over the river, but in 

 times of flood seek the less muddy water in the 

 mouths of tributary rivers and creeks, when they can 

 be taken in numbers with various baits such as 

 worms, grasshoppers, meat, etc. 



In Manitoba there is a small industry in kippering 

 Goldeyes, and both from an economic and sport- 

 ing point of view an increase rather than diminution 

 of these fishes is desirable. 



Salmonidae. 

 67. Coregonus rvilliamsom Girard. Rocky Moun- 

 tain Whitefish. 

 This fish occurs throughout Alberta and British 

 Columbia in rivers and lakes, but I have no first 

 hand knowledge concerning it. In the interest- 

 ing and useful little booklet, "Classified Guide to 

 Fish and Their Habitat in Rocky Mountains Park" 

 by Mr. S. C. Vick, published by the Dominion 

 Parks Branch, Department of the Interior, 1913, the 

 author states that C rvilliamsoni "is found in almost 

 all the park lakes and streams," and both in the text. 



