lOOS.] 



BIEDS. 



421 



well into summer, it sometimes lingers a thousand miles from its 

 smnmer home until quite late. 



In 1901 Ave >aw a few at Edmonton on April 30, and observed 

 numbers, associated with immense flocks of Lapland longspurs, be- 

 tween Edmonton and Sturgeon River, May 1. While descending 

 the Athabaska, we saw a few at Pelican River, May 9, and near Fort 

 McMurray, May 14. They were usually observed on the ice, wdiich 

 lay in immense heaps on the banks. A few still lingered at the delta 

 of the Athabaska on May 17, and tw^o females w^ere collected there. 

 The species was not again noted. 



In the spring of 1903 we saw a few scattering individuals at Ed- 

 monton, Ma}^ 10. AVe saw^ upward of 150 birds a few miles north of 

 there on May 11, and found the species abundant near Sturgeon 

 River on May 12. taking a pair. This was the last spring date re- 

 corded. In the autumn it was first observed on the Mackenzie a few^ 

 miles above Fort Xorman, October 2, numbers being seen on this and 

 the succeeding day. It was noted also near Gravel River, October 6, 

 and near Roche Trempe-l'eau, October 8 and 9. From this time large 

 flocks Avere seen daily until October 16, when the drifting ice in the 

 river marked the departure of the bulk of the smaller migrants. The 

 snow-buntings, while migrating, flew southward along the river 

 banks, occasionally settling in a body for a few" minutes to feed on the 

 seeds of various weeds and grasses, and then suddenly taking flight 

 again. At Fort Simpson the species w\as rather common during 

 November, and a few were seen in December, the last being observed 

 on December IT. 



In the spring of 1901: the snow-bunting arrived at Fort Simpson 

 March 30, three being noted on that date. About a dozen were seen 

 April 1, and upw^ard of 100 on April 2. From this date the species 

 was abundant. Females w^ere first seen April 13, formed about one- 

 sixth of the flocks on April 14, and on April 15 were as abundant as 

 the males. By April 23 the males had disappeared and females were 

 getting scarce — they were last noted April 27. A good series, com- 

 prising both fall and spring specimens of both sexes, was secured at 

 Fort Simpson. At Willow River, near Fort Providence, Mills and 

 Jones took a number of specimens between April 30 and May 8, and 

 informed me that the species was last seen there about May 10. The 

 circumstance of their remaining at Willow River later than at Fort 

 Simpson may be explained by the fact that at the former locality 

 there are muddy marshes, which seem to offer peculiar attractions to 

 snow-buntings in spring. 



In the spring of 1905, as I learn from H. W. Jones, this bird ar- 

 rived at Fort Simpson on March 4, having been absent since early in 

 December. 



