382 APPENDIX G 



Dryobates pubescens nelsoni Oberholser. Nelson's Downy Wood- 

 pecker. 



The downy woodpecker is less common in the north than its 

 larger relative, and was noted on only four occasions, as follows : 

 Near Athabaska Landing on May 18; near Fort McMurray, 

 May 28; near House River, October 25; and near La Biche 

 River, October 31. Thus we saw it only along the Athabaska. 



Picoides arcticus (Swainson) . Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. 



This rather uncommon bird was observed at Smith Landing 

 on June 10, when a specimen was taken; on Little Buffalo River 

 on July 7; and on the Athabaska, near Pelican Portage, on Oc- 

 tober 27. 



Picoides americanus fasciatus Baird. Alaska Three-toed Wood- 

 pecker. 



The common three-toed woodpecker was observed near the 

 mouth of Peace River on June 7, and on Little Buffalo River on 

 July 7. It was next seen near Smith Landing on October 6 

 during our homeward journey, when several were noted, and 

 one was taken among heavy spruce woods bordering Slave River. 

 Others were seen on the Athabaska, near Calling, on October 

 29, and near La Biche River on October 31. 



Sphyrapicus varius varius (Linn.). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. 



This sapsucker was first observed on the Athabaska, near 

 Grand Rapid, on May 25, when several were seen. It was 

 common during the next three days between that point and Fort 

 McMurray, and here specimens were taken on May 28. The 

 species was also observed daily along the Athabaska, between 

 Fort McKay and the mouth of the river, May 30 to June 4; and 

 on Slave River, between the mouth of the Peace and Smith Land- 

 ing, on June 5, 6, and 7. It was common also in the country to 

 the north-westward of Fort Smith on June 25 and 26. While 

 on our Buffalo River trip we noted it on Little Buffalo River, 

 July 7 and on the Nyarling on July 8 and 11. It was last 

 noted on the lower part of Little Buffalo on July 12. 



