190S.] 



BIEDS. 



279 



that it was common at Buffalo Lake, Alberta, in July, 1895.« Mac- 

 Farlane in a manuscript list states that a female gadwall was 

 obtained at Fond du Lac, Athabaska Lake, by J. Mercredi. The 

 species seems to be mainly a bird of the prairie region, and has not 

 been recorded from the Mackenzie Valley. 



Mareca americana (Gmel.). Baldpate. 



In 1901 we first noted this species on the lower Athabaska, May 

 16 and 17, when we saw it in numbers. We next observed it on 

 Rocher River, June 5, and at the mouth of Peace River, June 6, 

 collecting a male and female at the latter place. We again noted 

 it and collected a male 25 miles below Peace River, June 11, and 

 saw it at Smith Landing, June 13. AA^iile descending Slave River, 

 June 30, about 1:0 miles below Fort Smith, Mackenzie, we saw a large 

 flock composed entirely of males. They were resting on drift logs 

 and sandbars in a shallow part of the river, and were not at all shy. 

 I saw a single bird in a marsh at Fort Resolution, July 6; and shot 

 one on Great Slave Lake near the mouth of the Northern Arm, July 

 15. While ascending the Athabaska we observed a fcAV below Pelican 

 Rapid, August 23. 



In 1903 we first observed this species on the Athabaska above 

 Stony Rapid, ^lay 26, and next noted it on Athabaska Lake near 

 Fort Chipewyan, June 1. It was common on the marshes adjoining 

 Rocher River, June o to 8, and a pair was taken on the latter date. 

 AVe also noted it near the mouth of the Peace, June 9, and found 

 it common on Slave River between Fort Smith and Fort Resolution, 

 ^lackenzie, June 15 to 19. Alfred E. Preble and Merritt Gary noted 

 about 25 individuals between Desmarais Islands and Fort Provi- 

 dence, July 2 : about the same number between Fort Providence and 

 Fort Simpson, July 9; and a few near Xahanni River, July 11. On 

 their return trip they saw large flocks fl3^ing up the Athabaska, 

 evidently on their southward migration, near the mouth of Quito 

 River, August 29. While on my Avay to Fort Rae, I saw a few near 

 Stone Island, July 18. During my trip through the lake country 

 north of Fort Rae, I noted the species in considerable numbers. 

 Females accompanied by young, many of which were just beginning 

 to fly. were common along Grandin River, August 1 to 4. I noted 

 it also on Lake ^lazenod, August 6; Sarahk Lake, August 7; and 

 Lake Hardisty, August 16. 



In the spring of 1904 I first noted this duck at Fort Simpson, 

 Mackenzie, April 28, when I saw half a dozen. I next saw it May 

 3. and found it rather common May 4, and during the remainder of 

 the month. AAliile descending the Mackenzie I saw several near 



« Cat. Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 79, 1900. 



