Geo. 5 Provincial Museum Report. F 9 



Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica, Linnseus). 



Over a dozen seen throughout the summer on Atlin and the smaller lakes. We found it 

 more plentiful than Gavia immer. A pair were found breeding at Camp Lake, Wilson Creek, 

 on June 15th. I am inclined to think that some of the birds observed at a distance may have 

 been the vellow-billed loon (Gavia adamsii, Gray). However, since none were shot, it is 

 impossible to list it with certainty. 



Herring Gull (Lotus argenlatus, Pontopidian). 



While en route to Atlin on June 4rth a number of birds were seen feeding on small lakes 

 at Log Cabin, Lake Bennett. We found several pairs nesting on a small rocky island at 

 Atlin Lake. Fresh eggs were taken on July 8th. Seven adult birds were shot in order to 

 ascertain the species with certainty. The eggs, two or three in number, measure 2 x 2.75, of 

 an olive-brownish colour, spotted and blotched with various shades of brown. The eggs are 

 indistinguishable from Larus glauscens. The nests were all very crude, being composed of 

 little or no grass at all. Two eggs were laid in a slight depression in the bare ground. The 

 nest is bv no means as elaborate as the glaucous-winged gull, which breeds commonly on the 

 Pacific Coast. 



California Gull (Larus californicus, Lawrence). 



An adult female was taken at Warm Bay, Atlin Lake. Two others were seen at the 

 same locality three days later. (Idt. Oberholser.) 



Short-billed Gull (Lams hrachyrhynchus, Rich.). 



Three adults were collected at Warm Bay, Atlin Lake, on July 11th, and an immature 

 on Julv 15th at Hot Springs. An adult and young of the year were taken at Pike River on 

 August 8th. It is quite evident that the birds breed in the vicinity, as several adult birds 

 were seen during the month of July. (Idt. Oberholser.) 



Bonaparte's Gull (Larus Philadelphia, Ord.). 



A single specimen was shot at Camp Lake, Wilson Creek, on June 10th. On July 3rd 

 two adults were collected on a small lake near Hot Springs ; also two downy young were taken 

 on the lake-shore. I should judge from the size of the young that fresh eggs could be taken 

 about June 1st. Two young with first plumage were shot at Pike River on August 6th. On 

 approaching the nest it was amusing to watch the parent birds fly a short distance and alight- 

 on a tree-top and utter cries of warning for the young to conceal themselves in the grasses or 

 swim away to safety : usually they fled to the opposite side of the lake, returning only when 

 assured of being well out of the danger zone. This species was seldom seen on Atlin Lake. 

 It preferred the small inland lakes, with grassy shores. Only one nest was found at the edge 

 of the lake. It was situated in a small willow-bush, about 5 feet from the ground, composed 

 of sticks and lined with grasses. It was not found breeding in colonies, as only one or two 

 pairs were nesting on several of the small lakes visited close to Hot Springs. By no means 

 a common breeder in the district we traversed. 



Arctic Tern (,<frnia prirndistia, Brunnich). 



Common nearly everywhere throughout the district. Birds were taken at Wilson Creek 

 from June 9th to July 1st. Also a number at Hot Springs and Pike River in July and August. 

 They breed at the mouth of O'Donnel River. Young were hatched early in Jul}'. Twenty-one 

 specimens were collected, varying in measurements. (Idt. Oberholser.) 



Merganser (Mergus americanus, Cassin). 



A female with seven downy young were found feeding close to the shore at Pike River on 

 July 27th. All the young were taken; the female escaped badly wounded. No others were 

 seen. 



Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos, Linn<eus). 



A single bird was flushed on Summit Lake, Wilson Creek, on June 25th. Female shot 

 at Pike River on July 30th. A young male collected at a swamp near Anderson Bay, Atlin 

 Lake, on August 5th. A pair were found with young on a small lake on the Indian reserve 

 at Atlin. Three adults collected at Atlin on August 12th. Breeds commonly at the north 

 en<-' of Atlin Lake. 



