190S.] 



BIEDS. 



463 



The specimens from Slave Eiver and Fort Simpson are somewhat 

 intermediate between the eastern and western forms, but on the whole 

 are referable to sicainsoni. 



Lanivireo solitariiis (Wils.). Blue-headed Vireo. 



The solitary vireo is fairh^ abundant throughout the region north 

 to the vicinity of Fort Simpson, and usually is the earliest of its 

 tribe to arrive in spring. In 1901 we first noted it May 23, at 

 Fort Chipewyan, taking a female specimen. Another specimen was 

 collected near the mouth of Peace River on June 6. The last one 

 noted was heard singing on the banks of Slave River a few miles 

 below Fort Smith, June 29. 



In the spring of 1903 Ave first observed this vireo 50 miles north of 

 Edmonton, where we took a male on the morning of May 14, and we 

 noted it on the Athabaska 40 miles below Athabaska Landing, May 

 17. We next observed it on Slave River 40 miles below Fort Smith, 

 June 15, and saw one a few miles farther north on the following 

 day. My brother and Gary saw one in a swamp at Fort Providence, 

 July 6, and on their return trip heard the song of one at Athabaska 

 Land ii 12'. September 4. 



In the spring of 1904 the solitar}^ vireo arrived at Fort Simpson 

 on May 22, when I observed 3 individuals in full song. I "did not 

 see any more at Fort Simpson during May, but while descending 

 the Mackenzie observed one near the mouth of Nahanni River, June 

 G. H. W. Jones collected one at Willow River, near Fort Providence, 

 May 25. The same observer reported the species at Fort Simpson, 

 May 26, 1905. 



Baird recorded a specimen taken by Ross at Fort Simpson." 

 Macoun. on the authority of Spreadborough, states that it was first 

 seen at Edmonton, Alberta, May 11, 1897, and was common by May 

 21 : and that it was common from Lesser Slave Lake to Peace River 

 Landing in June, 1903.^ 



Mniotilta varia (Linn.). Black and White Warbler. 



Tliis warbler, which was ascertained many years ago to reach Fort 

 Simp>on, is common over most of the region north to that point, and 

 during our last trip was taken at Fort Xorman. In 1901 a male was 

 seen beside the Athabaska 15 miles below Fort McMurray on the 

 morning of May 15. The species was elsewhere noted during that 

 season only at Smith Landing, where a male and a female were taken 

 on June 15 and 17. 



In the spring of 1903 this warbler was first observed at Grand 

 Rapid, May 22, a single bird being noted. A few were seen at Cas- 



«Rev. Am. Birds, p. 348. May, 1S6G. 



& Cat. Canadian Birds, Part III, p. 577, 1904. 



