190S.] 



BIRDS. 



283 



ISOS.'^ J. Alden Loring shot several at Edmonton, Alberta, Septem- 

 ber 13, 189^. 



Dafila acuta (Linn.). Pintail. 



This fine duck breeds throughout the region now under review, 

 being abundant from Great Slave Lake northward to the Arctic coast, 

 and nesting commonly in portions of the Barren Grounds. 



In 1901 we saw several on the marshes a few miles north of Edmon- 

 ton, Alberta, May 1. and several on the Athabaska below Athabaska 

 Landing. May 6. AVe observed one near the mouth of the river. 

 May 17, and a number near the outlet of Athabaska Lake, June 2 

 and 1:. Between this point and Smith Landing we saw the species 

 almost daily. A nest found on a sandy island 10 miles below the 

 mouth of Peace River, June 8, contained 9 eggs on the point of 

 hatching. We did not note the species again until August 12, when 

 we saw a large flock at Fort McMurray. 



In 1903 Ave first saw this species near Sturgeon River, Alberta, 



(i May 12, and noted several a few miles to the northward, May 13.. 

 We noted it daily on the lower Athabaska, May 31 to June 2 ; and 

 found it common on Rocher River. June G to 8, finding a nest with 

 2 eggs on the latter date. The ne>t was among thick grass on dry 

 ground at a distance of 25 yards from a slough. On Slave River 

 we noted pintails near Smith Landing. June 10; and found them 

 common between Fort Smitli. ^ladveiizie. and Fort Resolution, June 

 15 to 19, noting the species nearly every day, and taking a male 100 

 miles below Fort Smith, June IT. Alfred E. Preble and Merritt 

 Cary observed the species at Fort Providence, July G, and on the 

 Little Lake. July 9. On their return trip, at Athabaska Landing, 

 Alberta, August 31, they saw several large flocks evidently migrating 

 southward. During my trip northward from Fort Rae, I found it 

 to be an abundant breeder along lower Grandin River, noting many 



! females Avith young, August 1 to 3, Avhen some of the broods were 

 able to fly. AMiile traveling along the south shore of Great Bear 

 Lake I saAv a small flock at our camp east of Leith Point, August 29 ; 

 and others near Mc Vicar Bay, September 9 and 10, and took one on 



[ the latter date. AVhile encamped at Fort Franklin, September 18 to 

 27, 1 observed small flocks daily. They resorted to the shallow water 

 of the small bay. where our camp Avas situated, to feed in their char- 

 acteristic fashion on the small mollusks {Lymnoea palustris) which 

 abounded there. 



In the spring of 190i the pintail was first obserA^ed near Fort Prov- 

 idence. April 27. At Fort Simpson I noted it April 28, when 10 

 j individuals Avere observed. It was next seen May 4, and was common 



« Cat. Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 84, 1900. 



