1*108.] 



BIEDS. 



481 



Anthus rubescens (Timstall). American Pipit. 



This species occurs rather commonly tlirougiiout the wooded part 

 of the region in migration, and breeds on the Barren Grounds and 

 the higher parts of the mountains. In 1901 we observed it only 

 during the autumnal migration, finding it common about the fields 

 at Athabaska Landing on August 30, when we collected a specimen, 

 and noting a number on the road near Vermilion Creek on Sep- 

 tember 3. 



In 1903 a flock of about 30 was observed at Edmonton, May 10; 

 several individuals near Sandy Creek, May 11; and one or two near 

 Pelican Eapid, May 18. The species was next observed by my 

 brother and Cary at Fort Providence, where a female, whose ovaries 

 contained small eggs, was taken on July 3. On their return trip in 

 the fall they noted large flocks migrating at Athabaska Landing, 

 Sej^tember 3 to 10. The last were seen about September 11. During 

 the same autumn I first noted it on the shore of Great Bear Lake east 

 of Leith Point, where I saw one August '28. I noted a small flock 

 at my camp near the same place, September 5, and while ascending 

 the Mackenzie saw a single individual near Gravel Eiver, October 5. 



In the spring of 1901 the pipit arrived at Fort Simpson on May 

 11. when I noted about 10 individuals. It was next seen Ma}^ 16, 

 when it Avas common, and was noted daily up to Ma}^ 21, the last date 

 recorded. The birds frequented the fields about the post, associating 

 largely with the Lapland longspurs and horned larks. Several speci- 

 mens, all of which proved to be females, were taken. The species 

 was next observed along the road between Athabaska Landing and 

 Lily Lake, Alberta, where it was abundant September 2 and 3. 



King obtained this species at Fort Reliance in May, 1831.^ Sharpe 

 records siDecimens from Fort Simpson, taken in May and September.^ 

 The catalogue of the birds in the National Museum shows that 

 specimens were received from Fort Rae, Fort Anderson,^ Fort Simp- 

 son, and Fort Good Hope, skins from the last two localities being- 

 still in the collection. Russell took the species at Fort Chipewyan, 

 May 20. 1893.'^ Spreaclborough, as stated by Macoun, first observed 

 it at Edmonton. April 27, 1897, noting about 20. The birds were 

 common there up to ]May 10. when they disajjpearecl. He saw one 



Narrative .Journey to Arctic Ocean, II, p. 283, 1836. 

 ^ Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., X, p. 598, 1885. 



^ Two female specimens taken with eggs near Rendezvous Lake, June 25 

 and 26, 1864 (the latter being referred to as Pooccetcs gramincu!< by MacFar- 

 lane, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XI Y, p. 441, 1891), were identified as Anthus 

 lufloi-icianits by Baird, who inserted this name in MacFarlane's field catalogue, 

 and entered the specimens in the Museum register as Nos. 43247 and 43248. 



^ Expl, in Far North, p. 269, 1898. 



44131— No. 27—08 31 



