190S.] 



BIRDS. 



387 



common at Smith Landing June 13 to 1", at Fort Smith June 19 

 to 29, and on Slave Eiver between Fort Smith and Fort Eesolution 

 June 29 to July 4. At Fort Eesokition my brother often saw the bird 

 dtiring July, and while crossing Great Slave Lake I observed a 

 brood of young just from the nest on an island near the mouth of the 

 Xorthern Arm on July 15. I took an immature bird at Fort Rae 

 July 26. and noted other individuals there on July 27 and 29. On 

 our return trip we noted the bird at Smith Portage August 5. above 

 Pelican Eapid August 24. and near La Biche Eiver Augtist 27, 

 and saw several at Athabaska Landing August 30 and 31. 



In 1903 we first noted the species at Edmonton May 8. when we 

 saw several individuals, one of which was excavating a nesting- 

 cavity. It was common and was observed nearly every day on the 

 road to Athabaska Landing May 11 to 15. Along the Athabaska and 

 Slave rivers also it was common and was noted almost daily. A 

 nest containing eggs was found near Smith Landing June 13. The 

 bird was seen only once at Fort Eesolution — on June 22. On the 

 Mackenzie my brother and Gary noted the species at Fort Providence 

 July 4. 6, 7. and 8. taking one on the last date; at Fort Simpson 

 July 10: Xahanni Mountains July 13 (one taken), M, 16, 17, and 18; 

 and at Fort AVrigley July ;22. While ascending the Athabaska they 

 frequently observed the species between Eed Eiver and Grand Eapid 

 August 6 to 20. and in the vicinity of Athabaska Landing during the 

 first half of September. During my trip northward from Fort Eae 

 I noted the bird on lower Grandin Eiver August 1. The number 

 of nesting holes seen along the southern shore of Great Bear Lake 

 showed that this species must be a fairly common breeder there, but 

 the birds had evidently migrated before my arrival. The only one 

 seen was taken near Mc Vicar Bay September 10. It was in company 

 with a large flock of robins and was very fat. 



In the spring of 1904 this bird arrived at Fort Simpson on May 4, 

 when two were observed. On ^lay 6 two more were seen, and a few 

 were observed daily until May 10. when the species became common. 

 During the remainder of the month it was frequently observed and 

 several specimens were taken. At AVillow Eiver, near Fort Provi- 

 dence. J. W. Mills took a male May 13. but did not record the date of 

 arrival. Wliile descending the Mackenzie in June I found it rather 

 common between Fort Simpson and Xahanni Eiver June 2 and 3, 

 and again noted it near the latter place on June 6. Xorth of this 

 point the species seems to be imcommon along the ^Mackenzie, as I 

 saw it but twice. I took one at Fort Good Hope June 20. and saw 

 another at Fort McPherson July 8. On my return trip I noted it on 

 the lower Slave August 2; on Smith Portage August 4; near Fort 

 McMurray August 10 and 14; and near Quito or Calling Eiver 



