190S.] 



BIRDS. 



365 



were seen near Fort McMiirrav May 14, and near the mouth of the 

 Athabaska May 17. It was observed almost daily near Fort Chipe- 

 wyan May 21 to 30, and was noted on Eocher Elver June 5, and at 

 Smith Landing" June 11. Several were seen on Smith Portage 

 June 18. and one or more almost daily at Fort Smith June 19 to 28. 

 A single bird was seen beside Slave Eiver. 100 miles below Fort 

 Smith, Mackenzie, June 30. "While ascending the Athabaska we 

 took a female at Boiler Eapid August IT. 



In the spring of 1903 we first saw this species on May 13 a few 

 miles north of Sturgeon Eiver. Alberta. We next noted it on the 

 Athabaska below Stony Eapid May 26 and 27. AVe saw one on 

 Eocher Eiver June 8. and several on Smith Portage June 13, and be- 

 low Fort Smith, Mackenzie, June 15. My brother and Gary noted 

 the species as follows: Hay Eiver. June 30; Fort Providence, July 

 6. 7. and 8; Xahanni Mountains. July 3, 16, 17, and 18; and Fort 

 AVrigley, July 22. On their return trip they observed it at Cascade 

 Eapid August 14; between Boiler and Grand Eapids August 17 to 

 20 ; at Athabaska Landing August 31 ; and near Lily Lake Septem- 

 ber 21. 



In 1904 this species arrived at Fort Simpson on May 4, when I 

 saw three individuals and took a male and female. The stomach 

 of the male contained a red-backed vole (Evotomys dawsoni). On 

 May 7 I took a pair, one of which had eaten a Microtiis drummondi. 

 During the remainder of May I frequently observed the species and 

 collected several specimens. A male shot on May 13 had the iris 

 dark hazel. AVhile descending the Mackenzie I saw one near Gravel 

 Eiver June 9, and another near the site of old Fort Good Hope June 

 28. During my return trip I saw one at the Desmarais Islands, Great 

 Slave Lake, July 30; and a few near Athabaska Landing September 

 2, and near Edmonton September 4. 



Eoss listed this species as occurring in the Mackenzie Eiver region 

 north to La Pierre House, though rather rare, and as having been 

 collected at Fort Simpson.^ Mearns records a specimen from Fort 

 Eae ; one from the same locality, perhaps the same specimen, taken 

 with a set of eggs June 9, 1863, by L. Clarke, is still in the National 

 Museum. The bird catalogue shows that skins were received also 

 from Fort Eesolution, Fort Simpson, and La Pierre House. The 

 species was not observed by Ma/)Farlane in the Anderson Eiver 

 region. 



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

 tember 7 to 26, 1894. In 1896 he found it all along the trail between 

 E-dmonton and Jasper House during the early summer; reported it 

 common and breeding 15 miles south of Henry House July 3 to 21 ; 



'^Xat. Hist. Ilev., II (second ser.), p. 276, 1862. 

 ^Auk, IX, p. 262, 1892. 



