1008.] 



BIEDS. 



413 



Resolution. July 9 and 11. On our return trip we observed a number 

 on Smith Portage. August 5. 



In 1903 we first noted the bronzed grackle at Edmonton on May 

 10. when we saw four individuals, and we observed it daily between 

 Edmonton and Sandy Creek, Alberta. ^lay 11 to 14. We next met 

 with it on the lower Athabaska June 1: found it common on Rocher 

 River. June 6 to 8 : and noted it near the mouth of the Peace on June 

 We observed a few near the mouth of Slave River. June 19, and 

 at Eort Resolution, June 20 and 21. I did not again see the species 

 at Fort Resolution, but found it common near Stone Island on July 

 18. when I noted the species for the last time that season. 



In the sirring of 1904 the arrival of this species was noted by 

 H. W. Jones at Willow River, near Fort Providence, on May 2. and 

 males were collected there on May 4 and 10. On my return trip I 

 saw the bird on Smith Portage, noting a number on August 4. 



Ross recorded this species, under the name Quiscaliis versicolor^ 

 as being rare in the Mackenzie River region north to Fort Simpson, 

 where he took it." The bird catalogue of the National Museum 

 I'ecords specimens from Fort Resolution, Big Island, and Fort 

 Simpson, the one taken at the latter place May 3, 1861, probably 

 representing about the earliest arrival of the species. Both skins 

 and eggs, collected by Strachan Jones probably in 1868, were received 

 also from Lesser Slave Lake. Bendire records eggs taken by Lock- 

 hart at Fort Resolution as early as May 17, 1863.^ Macoun records 

 eggs taken by Spreadborough at Edmonton, Alberta, May 31, 1897.^ 



Hesperiphona vespertina (Coop.). Evening Grosbeak. 



A flock of four was seen at Grand Rapid, Athabaska River, May 

 21. 1903. The birds were feeding among the willows and alders near 

 the head of the ishmd and a fine male was taken. At the report of 

 tlie pistol the remaining birds flew wildly toward the foot of the 

 rapid, and could not again be found. Alfred E. Preble and Merritt 

 Cary. while on their return trip, collected an immature male on the 

 Athabaska a few miles above Athabaska Landing, September 4. 



J. Alden Loring reported seeing a pair at St. Albert, Alberta, May 

 25, 1896, and observed four individuals near Spotted Lake, on the 

 Jasper House trail about 50 miles west of Edmonton, on November 

 3 of the same year. 



Bonaparte records tAvo specimens '* shot early in the spring on the 

 Athepescow Lake near the Rocky Mountains." ^ Later he figured 

 and described one of these specimens, this time giving the locality as 



«Nat. Hist. Rev., II (second ser.), p. 28.3, 1862. 

 ''Life Hist. X. A. Birds [II], p. 502, 1896. 



Cut. Canadian Birds, Part II, p. 41.3, 1903. 



Zool. Journ., Ill, p. 49, 1827. 



