350 



iS^OETH AMERICAN FAUKA. 



[NO. 27. 



Suckley. comparing specimens from Great Slave Lake with examples 

 of one of the southern forms, renamed the species Pedioccetes kenni- 

 cotti'i in 1862, recording specimens from Fort Eae and Big Island." 

 Baird. Brewer, and Eidgway describe a specimen from Fort Kesolii- 

 tion,^ and the catalogues of the Xational Museum show that skins 

 were received also from Fort Simpson, mountains west of Fort Simp- 

 son, Fort Good Hope, and Fort Eae. as well as eggs from the latter 

 place. MacFarlane found the species breeding in the forests on both 

 sides of the Lockhart and upper Anderson rivers, and found a few 

 nests. ^ Eussell observed it near Prospect Lake, near the headwaters 

 of Yellowknife Eiver. late in July. 1893. and took specimens at Fort 

 Eae October 4 to 7. referring to the bird as rather common there dur- 

 ing the autumnal migration.^ 



Pedicecetes phasianellus columbianus (Ord). Columbian Sharp-tailed 

 Grouse. 



This southern form of sharp-tailed grouse was abundant on the 

 road between Edmonton and Athabaska Landing April 29 to May 5. 

 1901. They were found in small companies and when flushed usually 

 alighted on poplars at a little distance away and excitedly resented 

 our intrusion. They were especially abmidant in the farming lands 

 near Edmonton. On our return trip several small flocks were seen in 

 the fields near Sturgeon Eiver September 3. 



In 1903 we noted a small flock near Sturgeon Eiver May 12. The 

 crop of a female collected there contained barley (60 per cent), small 

 green leaves, myriapods, ants, and two species of beetles. Another 

 small flock was noted 50 miles north of Edmonton May H. During 

 their return trip my brother and Gary found this grouse rather com- 

 mon in the open country and cultivated fields between Athabaska 

 Landing and Edmonton September 1 to 26. 



During my trip from Athabaska Landing to Edmonton, Septem- 

 ber 2 to 4. 190J:, I observed this bird daily in small numbers. 



J. Alden Loring reported the birds common at Edmonton Sep- 

 tember 7 to 26, 1894. They were found in flocks frequenting the , 

 grain fields, plowed land, and edges of thickets. In 1895, while re- 

 turning from the mountains, he saw six individuals at AVhitemud. on 

 McLeod Eiver. 135 miles in a direct line west of Edmonton, about; 

 the middle of October. Macoun reports that in the summer of 1898' 

 Spreadborough (presumably while on his way to the mountains) 

 saw the last birds of this species about 25 miles west of Edmonton.^ 



« Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. [XIV], p. 362, 1861. 



» Hist. N. A. Birds, Land Birds, III, p. 434, 1874. 



c Proc. u. S. Xat. Mus., XIV, p. 432, 1891. 



^ Expl. in Far North, pp. 76, 261, 1898. 



^ Cat. Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 212, 1900. 



