BIRDS OF NORTHERN CANADA 433 



the parent birds were shot. Reported by Mr. McKay as 

 abundant in that quarter. " Morning and evening they emit 

 a very melodious and shrilly whistle." Mr. Ross states that 

 they are numerous on the Mackenzie north to La Pierre's 

 House, and in the lower Rocky Mountains west of Fort Mc- 

 Pherson, Peel's River. We never observed any examples at 

 Fort Anderson. The eggs somewhat resemble those of No. 

 757. The Ottawa Museum contains eight specimens obtained 

 from Mr. Spreadborough, and three sets of eggs, including 

 one of four taken by Mr. A. P. Low on Hamilton River, 

 Ungava, on 3rd July, 1894. 



761. Ameeican Robin — Merula migratoria (Linn.). 



In the spring of 1880 Mr. James Flett, of Fort Resolu- 

 tion, Great Slave Lake, obtained a female and four eggs. 

 The nest was built on a tree and was similar to hundreds 

 of others met with throughout north-western Canada. Mr. 

 Dalgleish becamie the recipient of these examples the follow- 

 ing year. This robin is, without doubt, one of the most 

 abundant and widely distributed of North American birds. 

 Its eggs, however, not being wanted when I was stationed at 

 Fort Anderson, the natives were strictly enjoined to let them 

 alone, and but two nests, therefore, were received. A few 

 of the species were observed by us on the banks of the Swan 

 and Wilmot Horton rivers, in the Barren Grounds. Com- 

 paratively few parents display as great courage and devotion 

 in defense of their young ag Master Robin Red-breast. The 

 • nest is usually composed of grass, with a foundation of mud 

 or earth intermixed with vegetable matter such as moss, 

 leaves, weeds and a few hairs, lined with similar but finer 

 material. Eggs, four or five in number, are of a rich green- 

 ish-blue colour, without spots or markings. 



There are eighteen specimens, including an albino taken 

 in 18,91 at Billing's Bridge, near Ottawa, and five sets of 

 eggs from Ungava, Edmonton and Ottawa, in the National 

 collection in that Capital city. 



