1908.1 



BIEDS. 



897 



noted at Fort Smith. June 23 and 24. It was seen by my brother at 

 Fort Kesohition on July 5, 6, and 27, and at Fort Kae by myself on 

 the last date. A single bird was shot and examined at Athabaska 

 Landing. August 30. 



In the spring of 1903, the bird was first observed at Grand Rapid, 

 May 22. one being collected. It was noted at the same place. May 23, 

 and below Little Buffalo Eiver, May 26. It was common along the 

 Athabaska between Fort McMurray and Athabaska Lake, and num- 

 bers were noted nearly every day. ]May 29 to June 1. On the latter 

 date one. was seen beginning to build a nest. The species was noted 

 at Fort Chipewyan. June 4 ; on Rocher River, June 9 ; at Smith 

 Landing. June 11; and on Smith Portage. June 13. Along Slave 

 River, between Fort Smith and Fort Resolution, it was common and 

 was noted daily. At Fort Resolution we frequently observed it dur- 

 ing the latter part of June. My brother and Cary noted it at Hay 

 River June 30 and July 1, collecting one on the latter date; at Fort 

 Providence nearly every day. July 3 to 8. taking one on the former 

 date : and at Fort Simpson July 10. On their return trip they noted 

 the species a short distance above Fort Simpson July 25, and found 

 it abundant at Fort McMurray, August 8 to 10. when it had appar- 

 ently already begun its southward migration. After the division of 

 the party I frequently noted it at Fort Resolution up to July 10, and 

 during my trip northward from Fort Rae saw a deserted nest* on 

 lower Gran din River, August 2, and one of the birds on upper Grandin 

 River, August 4. 



In 1904 I secured the first one of the season at Fort Simpson on 

 ^Liy 24. The species was common at Fort Xorman and was noted 

 daily June 11 to 15, one being taken on the former date. A pair was 

 observed building on June 13. The bird was noted a few miles below 

 Fort Xorman, June 16, but was not observed farther north. On my 

 return trip one was seen at Fort McMurray, August 11. A male 

 specimen was taken at Fort Simpson on May 26, 1905, by J. W. 

 Mills. 



The least flycatcher was first recorded from the Mackenzie River 

 region by Ross, who gives it as common north to Fort Simpson, 

 where it had been collected." Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway state 

 that it was found breeding at Fort Resolution.^ The bird catalogue 

 of the Xational Museum records also skins received from Fort Rae 

 and Peace River, and from the same source the following dates have 

 l)een copied, probably representing approximately the time of the 

 Inrd's arrival ; Fort Resolution, May 26, 1860 ; Fort Simpson, May 22, 

 24, 1860; several are also recorded as taken at Fort Simpson, May 



«Xat. Hist. Rev., II (second ser.), p. 278, 1862. 

 ^Hist. X. A. Birds, Laud Birds, II, p. 374, 1874. 



