Brewster.] 388 [October 3, 



58. Tringoides macularius, Linn. — Spotted Sandpiper. 



An abundant species about all the rocky shores and islands of 

 the Gulf. 



59. Numenius hudsonicus ? Lath. — Hudsonian Curlew. 



Several large flocks of Curlews which I took to be of this spec- 

 ies were seen at East Point, Anticosti, on July 7. It is barely 

 possible that they breed on Anticosti, but the inhabitants are 

 probably right in asserting that only barren birds summer there. 



60. Nyctiardea grisea nasvia, Bodd. — American Night 

 Heron. 



On the evening of July 14 several of these Herons were ob- 

 served on the flats in Gaspe Basin. 



61. Bernicla canadensis, Linn. — Canada Goose. 



The Canada Goose still breeds abundantly in the interior of 

 Anticosti but we were unable to penetrate to its haunts. The 

 inhabitants regularly kill large numbers in August when the 

 adults are moulting, and the young not sufficiently feathered to 

 be able to fly. Owing to this persecution the birds are fast di- 

 minishing in number. 



62. Bernicla brenta, Pall. — Brant Goose. 



At Mingan Harbor we were told that Brant bred abundantly 

 about a hundred miles northward in the interior, but that the 

 straggling individuals which were found not infrequently along 

 the coast at that season were barren birds. Dr. Merriam gives 1 

 the species as breeding at Point de Monts, at the mouth of the 

 St. Lawrence River, but as I understand that this record was 

 based simply on the presence of adult birds there throughout the 

 summer, I cannot help thinking that it needs confirmation. 



63. Anas obscura, Gm. r— Dusky Duck. 



A common species in the Gulf, where, rather curiously, it seems 

 to be confined to the immediate vicinity of the sea. At least at 

 the Magdalens, Anticosti, and along the North Shore we were 

 assured by the fishermen, Indians, and others that it breeds ex- 

 clusively on or very near the coast, and is never seen in the fresh- 

 water ponds or rivers of the interior. Our personal experience, as 

 far as it went, confirmed this statement, for we did not once find 

 the bird away from salt water, although it was met with 

 almost daily about the shores of the more retired bays and coves. 



i Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vol. vn, p. 239. 



