486 



NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. 



fxo. 27. 



more northern parts of its range, but moves northward again with 

 the first return of mild weather. 



On May 1, 1901, w^e first saw this chickadee near Edmonton, and 

 on May 4 saw" it 60 miles north of that point. While descending the 

 Athabaska we observed the species near Brule Rapid, May 12 and 13, 

 and near Little Red River May 15. We noted it also at Fort Chipe- 

 wyan, May 19, and 25 miles below Peace River June 13. At Fort 

 Smith, on June 23, we observed a small company, including young 

 birds, and evidently a family party, and collected three specimens. 

 While we were ascending the Athabaska the species was observed at 

 Big Cascade Rapid August 14, below Grand Rapid August 20, 10 

 miles beloAv Pelican Rapid August 25, and at Athabaska Landing, 

 where several individuals were observed, and one was taken, on Au- 

 gust 30. 



In the spring of 1903 we first observed this- chickadee at Edmon- 

 ton, where we saw a few on May 8, 10, and 12. During the trip to 

 Athabaska Landing, May 11 to 15, we noted a few daily, and near 

 Sandy Creek, May 14, saw one excavating a nesting hole. While de- 

 scending the Athabaska Ave noted the species near Stony Rapid, May 

 26; near Fort McMurray, May 28; and daily between there and 

 Athabaska Lake, May 29 to June 1. We noted it also near the mouth 

 of Peace River June 9. It was next observed by m}^ brother and 

 Cary at Fort Sim]3Son July 10, two individuals being seen. On 

 their return trip in the fall they found it rather common on the 

 Athabaska, noting it at Fort McMurray August 10, at Cascade Rapid 

 August 14, and between Brule Rapid and La Biche River August 18 

 to 29. The bird was abundant also near Athabaska Landing, and be- 

 tween there and Edmonton, during September. During my trip 

 northward from Fort Rae I noted the bird a few miles south of Mac- 

 Tavish Bay, August 22, and while traveling along the south shore of 

 Great Bear Lake I noted a few 40 miles west of Mc Vicar Bay, Sep- 

 tember 12, and observed small bands at Fort Franklin on September 

 18, 22, and 27. After my arrival at Fort Simpson I saw and collected 

 single birds on November IT and December 3. 



The species was not observed during the colder part of the winter 

 at Fort Simpson, and in the spring of 1904 was first seen on April 12, 

 two being observed. It was next noted April IT, and became common 

 toward the end of the month. A pair was taken at Willow River, 

 near Fort Providence, on May 1 by H. W. Jones. During my re- 

 turn trip up the Mackenzie I saw one below the mouth of Nahanni 

 River July 23. 



Baird recorded specimens from Fort Simpson (October 19, 1859, 

 and April 23, 1860), and Fort Liard (January 12, 1860) ; « two skins 

 from Fort Simpson are still in the National Museum. Russell took 



« Rev. Am. Birds, p. SO, July, 1864. 



