4-00 THKOUGH THE MACKENZIE BASIN 



observed feeding on the seeds of the crab tree at Chilliwaok 

 and Huntingdon in the autumn of 1901. 



The Ottawa Museum contains twelve specimens, but no 

 eggs, of this finch! 



521. Ameeican Crossbill — Loxia curvirostra minor 

 (Brehm) . 



Several birds resembling the published description of this 

 crossbill were seen at Fort Anderson, fired at and missed, 

 on 20th June, 1862, and afterwards. The closest search, 

 however, failed to discover any nests. Believed to breed in 

 ISTew Caledonia. Fairly numerous on both sides of the Eocky 

 Mountains, while they have been met with as far north as 

 Sitka, Alaska. Mr. Raine, of Toronto, states that he has a 

 " set of four eggs of this species, collected by Mr. L. Dicks, of 

 Cartwright, Labrador, April 20th, 1895. The nest was 

 built in the top of a cedar and was composed externally of 

 twigs and roots and the interior lined v/ith animal fur aud 

 feathers. The eggs are greenish white, spotted chiefiy at 

 the larger end with dark brown and gray, and average in 

 size 0.T5 by 0.58 inches." 



There are fourteen skins, but no eggs, in the Dominion 

 Museum at Ottawa! 



522. White-winged Crossbill — Loxia leucoptera Grmelin. 



A male and a female specimen were obtained during our 

 residence on the Anderson River. The Indians assured us 

 that they had occasionally observed birds of both species, 

 especially L. leucoptera, in the country to the south. Mr. 

 Boss states that they are rare at Fort Kae. General on 

 both sides of the Eockies, and are known to breed on the 

 Yukon, and no doubt do so on the Anderson and Mackenzie 

 rivers as far north as 68° latitude. I will again quote from 

 Mr. Raine : " I have a set of four eggs, taken at Sandwich 

 Bay, Labrador, April 9th, 1894, by L. Dicks. The nest is 

 made of fine roots and twigs lined with moss and animal 

 fur, and the four eggs are pale bluish white, spotted at the 



