5 Geo. 5 Provincial Museum Report. F 11 



Fleming's Grouse {Dendragapus obscurus flemingi, Taverner). 



Found it breeding in the foot-hills of Gopher Dam Mountain, near Wilson Creek, in June. 

 Birds were taken June 14th and 19th. Others were shot at Burdette Creek on July 15th. 

 New record for Provincial Museum. (Idt. Oberholser.) 



Alaska Spruce Partridge (Canachites canadensis osgoodi, Bishop). 



By far the most abundant of all the grouse family. A large series of birds were taken 

 during June, July, and the early part of August. A nest containing seven hard-set eggs was 

 found on June 23rd at Wilson Creek. On June 27th a nest with a single egg containing a 

 chick was found at Camp Lake. Both nests were situated on the ground at the foot of a 

 small spruce-tree of about 10 inches in diameter, and composed of pine and spruce needles, and 

 lined scantily with a few breast-feathers of the female bird. The breeding-ground is presumably 

 where the jack-pine and spruce belt meet, at an altitude of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. The 

 eggs are of a dark-cream buffy colour, spotted profusely with light brown ; size, 1.25x1.75. 

 The flying young were seen on July Sth at the Middle Islands ; one specimen secured. 



Canada Buffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus togata, Linnseus). 



Two males were collected at Hot Springs on July 16th and 19th. Two females were seen 

 with six flying young on the same dates. We did not find it common, only flushing an 

 occasional bird while travelling through the bottom lands. Most of the residents of Atlin are 

 misinformed regarding the identity of this grouse. I was indeed surprised to learn that very 

 few settlers can distinguish the ruffed grouse (commonly called willow grouse) with certainty. 

 It is quite evident that the female spruce grouse (fool-hen) is mistaken for the above species. 



Willow Ptarmigan {Lagopus lagopus, Linnaeus). 



A fine series in full breeding dress was taken in June at Wilson Creek, from 3,000 to 

 4,500 feet. Eggs and downy young were collected at O'Donnel Creek, near the summit, on 

 June 26th. On August 15th ten adults and seven flying young were taken at. Blue Canyon, 

 near Slate Creek. The birds deposit their eggs early in June, laying from seven to ten eggs, 

 of a buffy brownish colour, marked with dark umber and brownish spots; size, 1.22 x 1.65. 

 This species is the common form of the north and furnishes the inhabitants with food 

 throughout the winter months. I am told that thousands are killed annually quite close to 

 Atlin. A series of skins submitted to Mr. H. C. Oberholser were identified, Lagopus lagopus 

 albus. 



Rock Ptarmigan {Lagopus rupestris rupestris, Gmelin). 



"V\ e did not find it common. Two males were taken on the top of Gopher Dam Mountain, 

 Wilson Creek, one on June 26th and a second on July 1st. Like the white-tailed ptarmigan 

 {Lagopus leucurus leucurus, Swainson), they were found breeding only in the higher altitudes, 

 where hardly any timber exists, save a few stunted trees, and the ground is covered with 

 false heather and frozen snow. 



White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus leucurus, Swainson). 



One seen on June 15th at Gopher Dam Mountain, Wilson Creek, at an altitude of about 

 5,000 feet. No others seen. Dan Holland (guide) reports that during the winter months large 

 flocks of the three species congregate on nearly all the creeks close to Atlin. (Idt. Oberholser.) 



Goshawk {Aslur africapi/lus atr'icapillus, Wilson). 



Common everywhere throughout the district. Adults, immature, and young were taken 

 at Hot Springs on July 4th to 16th, and Pike River on August 3rd. This hawk is very 

 destructive to the gallinaceous birds of the district. I witnessed one in pursuit of a blue 

 grouse while on the wing, but the grouse fortunately escaped to cover just in time to save its 

 life from destruction. (Idt. Oberholser.) 



Alaskan Red-tail (JJuleo borealis alascensis, Grinnell). 



One specimen taken at Blue Canyon on August 15th. Several were seen on the wing in 

 various sections of the country. Not a common bird. New record for Provincial Museum. 

 (Idt. Oberholser.) 



