APPENDIX G 363 



Sterna paradiscea Briinnich. Arctic Tern. 



The Arctic tern was abundant and was noted daily on the 

 lower Athabaska, between Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan, 

 May 31 to June 4. We next found it common near the eastern 

 extremity of Great Slave Lake, where we observed it July 25 

 and 26. In the elevated lake country to the north-eastward we 

 noted it as follows: Artillery Lake, at the tree limit, August 7; 

 Clinton-Colden Lake, August 10 to 14. It was last observed 

 near the outlet of Aylmer Lake on August 24. 



Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmelin) . Black Tern. 



The black tern was observed in small numbers along the Atha- 

 baska, below Fort McMurray, May 29, was very common near 

 Fort McKay, May 30, and was noted in the delta of the Atha- 

 baska on June 4, and between Fort Chipewyan and Peace River 

 on July 5. We also saw a number on the portage between Slave 

 River and Little Buffalo River on July 6. 



Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmelin. White Pelican. 



Stray pelicans from the colony which nests among the Smith 

 rapids were noted daily at Fort Smith, June 13 to 21. On June 

 22 we visited the main colony, which occupied a small island at 

 the head of the rough rapids below Mountain Portage. The 

 nests, which were built on the ground beneath the spruces, many 

 of which had been killed as the result of the long continued 

 occupancy of the island, contained from one to four eggs, most of 

 which were on the point of hatching. We counted seventy-seven 

 nests within an area of a few square rods. Other birds were 

 seen near Fort Smith on July 2 and 4. After we left the vicinity 

 of this colony we observed no more pelicans until our return on 

 October 4, when we saw a belated one, very likely a crippled 

 bird, swimming about in the river near Fort Smith. A specimen 

 taken at Fort Smith on June 17 weighed thirteen pounds; the 

 horn on its beak was only moderately developed. It contained 

 twelve eggs, varying in size from that of a bantam's egg to a 



