Birds. 



6323 



mentioned. I distinctly recognised by examination Anser canadensis 

 and albifrons, but I shot one which resembled the former, except in 

 size, and I was assured by the Indian " bowsman " that it was the 

 young of that bird ; however, I cannot reconcile the considerable 

 difference in size, I therefore give you the particulars : — Length 

 27| inches ; wing 16J inches ; extent 54J- inches ; bill, legs and feet 

 black ; nail of the upper mandible dark brown, — that of lower horn- 

 colour ; bill along the ridge 1 J inch ; eye hazel ; upper tail-coverts, 

 from end of tail, 2j inches. It differed from Wilson's description in 

 the following points : — lower part of neck and breast light ash ; upper 

 part of back brown ; end of feathers lighter ; rump nearly black ; 

 upper tail-coverts, belly, vent and under tail-coverts white ; under 

 surface of wings nearly black; wings reach about end of tail ; sides 

 ash-brown, tinged with lighter ; legs and feet sometimes after death 

 assume Wilson's colour. Do you consider this the young of A. cana- 

 densis, or may it be A. Hutchinsii ? Geese were in numbers at a 

 saline lake near here on the third of November, at which time ice 

 covered portions of the lakes. I hope to do something during my 

 spare time in the way of waterfowl on their arrival in spring. 



Ducks. Mallard the most common duck throughout, from Hudson's 

 Bay, although usually not seen in large flocks. Had not left Carlton 

 till November ; in fact, as long as there is open water, ducks and 

 geese remain. 



Wigeon. Observed sometimes in immense flocks. 



Greenwinged Teal. Common. 



Goldeneye. Considered to be seen, and many which were not 

 made out. 



Goosander. Was shot a couple of days below Carlton, and is pre- 

 served. 



Cormorant. A few were observed before the close of September. 



Pelican. Supposed from markings to be P. americanus, observed 

 in numbers at the " Grand Rapid, 1 ' where the Saskatchewan enters 

 Lake Winnipeg, on the 25th of September, and, a few days after, 

 a scattered one or two. I believe they do not range East of Lake 

 Winnipeg, and they tell me here they are seldom seen ; however, I 

 put little confidence in what I am told by casual observers, as I have 

 been so often deceived by them. 



Tern. One species observed on Lake Winnipeg. 



Gull. About three species observed on Lake Winnipeg ; one 

 specimen was procured in one of the small lakes, and they were ob- 

 served as late as the 2nd of October. 



