APPENDIX G 397 



Zamelodia Ivdomciana (Linn.). Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 



This beautiful bird was first observed on the Athabaska at 

 Fort McMurray on May 28 and 29, being then fairly common 

 and represented by both sexes. Other localities and dates of 

 observation follow: Fort McKay, May 30; near Poplar Point, 

 June 1 and 2; below Poplar Point, June 3; Athabaska delta, 

 June 4; near Smith Landing, June 7 and 10, and near Fort 

 Smith, June 28. Its rich, clear song was often heard in the 

 willow and poplar thickets bordering the lower Athabaska. 



Piranga Ivdoviciana (Wilson). Western Tanager. 



This tanager was first seen on the Athabaska, above Pelican 

 Portage, on May 19. The next ones were seen between Boiler 

 Rapid and Cascade Rapid on May 27, when the species was 

 noted as common. It, was rather common at Fort McMurray, 

 May 28 and 29. Noted on the lower Athabaska, June 4; near 

 Fort Chipewyan, June 5, and near the mouth of Peace River, 

 June 6. We observed it also on the Smith Portage, June 12, 

 and at Fort Smith, June 13, 14, and 17. It was noted near the 

 mouth of Salt River on June 27. The country drained by the 

 Nyarling seems to be a favourite habitat, and numbers were ob- 

 served there on July 8, 9, and 10. It was last noted on the lower 

 part of Buffalo River on June 12. 



Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons (Say). Cliff Swallow. 



The cliff swallow was first observed on the Athabaska, near 

 Fort McKay, on May 30, and others were seen near Fort Smith 

 on June 28. We next observed the species about some pre- 

 cipitous islands, near the north shore of Great Slave Lake, near 

 the Mountain Portage, where it was nesting abundantly on the 

 cliffs of a small island which we recognised as one figured by 

 Captain Back in the geological appendix to his narrative. This 

 island forms one of a group called by the Chipewyans Tha-sess 

 San-d'ouay, the name meaning in their language "Swallow Is- 

 lands." Other nesting colonies were observed on the cliffs to 

 the eastward of the Mountain Portage on July 24, and in Big 



