1908.] 



BIRDS. 



393 



James Lockliart, at Fort Resolution ; and Mr. A. McKay foimd the plioebe 

 common about Pelican Narrows, Keewatin, in June, 1S91, sending several sets 

 of eggs fi-om there to the United States National Museum collection.^ 



Eussell took a specimen May 20, 1893, at Fort Chipewyan, where 

 he found the species abundant at the time of his arrival, May 18.^ 

 Macoim states that Spreadborough first observed it April 19, 1897, at 

 Edmonton, Alberta, and found a nest there on Miiy 7. In 1888 J. M. 

 Macoim foimd it the conmionest bird along the Athabaska between 

 Athabaska Landing and Lesser Slave River. Eggs foimd June 1 had 

 been incubated about a week. It was noted by him also on the Clear- 

 water, on Methye Portage, and between Meth3^e Lake and Isle a la 

 Crosse.^' Seton records this species from the narrows of Great Slave 

 Lake, where he observed it in the summer of 1907.^ 



Sayornis saya (Bonap.). Say Phoebe. 



This species occurs sparingly in the Athabaska Yalley and along 

 the Mackenzie north at least to the region of Fort Simpson, and 

 probably to its mouth. In 1901 we saw two individuals on a hillside 

 near Athabaska Landing May 5, and while descending the Athabaska 

 noted single birds near Pelican Rapid Ma}^ 9, above Fort McMurray 

 May 14, and a short distance below that point May 15. 



In 1903 we saw several at Edmonton, Alberta, May 9 and 10, and 

 on the way to Athabaska Landing noted it daily between Edmonton 

 and Sandy Creek May 12 to 1-1, and collected one on the latter date. 

 We last observed it on the Athabaska GO miles below Athabaska 

 Landing May 18. 



In the spring of 1904 I saw the first one at Fort Simpson on May 

 4. I next noted it May 13, collecting a male, and saw others May 21, 

 25, and 28, noting one or two on each date. After leaving Fort 

 Simpson I did not again note the bird until July T, when I saw one 

 perched on one of the buildings at Fort McPherson. 



Ross first recorded this species from the Mackenzie River region, 

 considering it as rare north to Fort Simpson, where he had collected 

 it.^ A specimen (Xo. 27172) taken by him at Fort Simpson in July, 

 1861, is still in the National Museum. 



Nuttallornis borealis (Swains.). Olive-sided Flycatcher. 



This boreal flycatcher occurs generally, though not commonly, 

 throughout the region north at least to the upper Mackenzie. In 



« Life Hist. N. A. Birds [II], p. 272, 1S96. (Pelican Narrows, the locality 

 here referred to, is not in Keewatin. but is the Hudson's Bay Company post on 

 Pelican Lake, eastern Saskatchewan, about 90 miles north of Cumberland 

 House.) 



6 Expl. in Far North, p. 264, 1898. 



^ Cat. Canadian Birds, Part II, p. 344, 1903. 



<^Auk, XXV, p. 71, 1908. 



^Nat. Hist. Rev., II (second ser.), p. 278, 1862. 



