306 THEOUGH THE MACKEJS'ZIE BASEST 



tify it. About the same date in 1885, Mr. Reid, at Eort 

 Providence, secured the contents (three freshly-laid eggs) 

 of a nest composed of a few withered leaves placed in a small 

 cavity or depression in the ground. The parent was seen 

 and well recognized, and the eggs were forwarded to Dr. 

 Bell. At Fort Anderson this species was believed to be the 

 rarest of the ducks known to breed in that region, where 

 only one nest rewarded our efforts. At the other ref erred-to 

 points, however, it is more or less abundant. 



Mr. Eoss says it is abundant in the Mackenzie Eiver 

 District, and also found some nests. 



The nest is usually found at some distance from water, 

 and the number of eggs vary between six and nine. 



There are three specimens and sixteen eggs in the Ottawa 

 Museum. 



140. Blue-winged Teal — Querquedula discors (Linn.). 



On June 1st, 1885, a nest belonging to a duck of this 

 species was found, and its female parent was clearly seen 

 and identified by the Indian finder, near Eort Providence, 

 Mackenzie Eiver. It was similarly constructed to that of 

 most ducks, and held three lately-laid eggs, which were duly 

 forwarded to Mr. Dalgleish. We did not meet therewith at 

 Fort Anderson; but, while it is common in Athabasca and 

 Cumberland, it is rare on Great Slave Lake, where, however, 

 Mr. Eoss says he procured some eggs about the year 1861. 

 Eare in British Columbia. 



The nest of this duck is said to be composed of fine grass 

 and down, usually placed in the hollow of a tuft of grass, 

 not far from water, — ^the number of eggs range between 

 seven and twelve to a set. There are only five skins, and one 

 set of twelve eggs — the latter from Mr. Dippie — in the 

 Dominion Museum at Ottawa! 



142. Shovellee — Spatula clypeata (Linn.). 



In May, 1890, Mrs. W.' C. King procured a male and 

 female bird at Moose Lake, and early in June another male 



