APPENDIX G 35 



Empidonax trailli alnorum Brewster. Alder Flycatcher. 



This little flycatcher, whose presence is generally detected 

 from its sprightly notes, is rather common among the willow and 

 alder thickets bordering the water-ways of the Athabaska region. 

 It was noted near the mouth of Peace River on June 6, and at 

 Fort Smith on June 15, 16, 21, 26, and 28. The alder swamps of 

 the Buffalo and its tortuous tributary, the Nyarling, are favourite 

 haunts, and numbers of the birds were seen on July 11 and 12. 

 These were the last observed during the season. 



Empidonax minimus (Baird) . Least Flycatcher. 



The least flycatcher was first observed at Fort McMurray on 

 May 28; others were seen on the lower Athabaska on June 4 

 and at Smith Landing on June 10. At Fort Smith the species 

 was noted on June 15, and on June 22 the first nest, a compact 

 structure in the forks of a poplar close beside the road, was seen. 



Otocoris alpestris hoyti Bishop. Hoyt's Horned Lark. 



Migrating birds of this species were seen a few miles north of 

 Edmonton on May 11. The bird was not again observed until 

 we reached its breeding grounds at the tree limit on Artillery 

 Lake. Here numbers were seen, August 2 to 6, and several 

 specimens, including newly fledged young, were taken. The 

 bird was also observed at the western end of Clinton-Golden 

 Lake on August 12, and was again observed commonly at our 

 camp on Artillery Lake at the tree limit on September 5 and 6. 

 We failed to observe the species later during our southward 

 journey. 



Cyanocitta cristata cristata (Linn.) . Blue Jay. 



The blue jay is a fairly common species along the Athabaska. 

 During our northward trip we saw it near Pelican Portage on 

 May 20; near Brule* Rapid on May 26, and near Poplar Point, 

 on the lower Athabaska, June 3. We did not again observe the 

 species until we were ascending the Athabaska during our return 

 trip, when we noted it below Iron Point on October 28. It was 



