1908.] 



BIKDS. 



401 



June 6. At our camps 10 and 25 miles below Peace River we found 

 the species common, June 7 to 13, and collected adult birds at the for- 

 mer place on June 7 and 9. We noted the species several times at 

 Fort Smith, June 19 to 28, and while descending Slave River to Great 

 Slave Lake noted it at a point about 100 miles be'low Fort Smith on 

 July 2. While crossing Great Slave Lake to Fort Rae I saw many 

 on the north shore of the lake and among the islands of the Northern 

 Arm, July 15 to 18, and my brother often observed it at Fort Reso- 

 lution during July. At Fort Rae I found the species abundant, July 

 19 to 29, and on July 23 collected several immature birds which were 

 molting from the juvenal to the winter plumage. 



In 1903 we saw a pair, accompanied by j^oung not long from the 

 nest, at Edmonton on May 8. A young one just flying was taken 

 50 miles north of Edmonton, May 14. Along Athabaska and Slave 

 rivers the bird was common and was noted nearly every day. I 

 occasionally saw it at Fort Resolution during the latter part of June 

 and the first part of July, and my brother and Gary frequently saw it 

 during their trip between Hay River and Fort Wrigley, July 1 to 20. 

 On their return trip they often observed it at their camps, especially 

 while ascending the Athabaska. They last noted it near Lily Lake, 

 September 24. While crossing Great Slave Lake to Fort Rae, after 

 the division of the party, I saw this jay at Gros Cape, July 23, and 

 at Fort Rae, July 27. Throughout the lake region between Fort Rae 

 and Great Bear Lake I found it common, and noted it almost daily 

 during August. During my voyage along the south shore of Great 

 Bear Lake, August 27 to September 17, 1 found it abundant, and col- 

 lected several at my camp east of Leith Point and at Fort Franklin. 

 During September the jays fed largely on the berries of Empetriim 

 nigrum^ and some individuals were badly stained about the head 

 and breast with its purple juice. I frequently observed the species 

 while ascending the Mackenzie in October. During the latter part 

 of October and during November I found it rather common at Fort 

 Simpson, but did not observe it during December. 



In January and February, 1904, unusually cold months, this bird 

 was seldom observed at Fort Simpson, but during March it became 

 common and was seen nearly every time I visited the woods. On 

 March 24 I observed birds apparently mating, but I was unsuccess- 

 ful in attempts to locate the nests. I frequently observed the species 

 during April and occasionally during May. While voyaging down 

 the Mackenzie in June I seldom observed the species, but noted a 

 pair with young not long from the nest near Wolverene Rock, 100 

 miles below Fort Norman, June 18. I saw several on Peel River, 

 near Fort McPherson, July 16, and while ascending the Mackenzie 

 noted the species near the mouth of Nahanni River, July 24. I saw 



44131— No. 27—08 26 



