488 



NOETH AMERICAN FAUNA. 



iNo. 27. 



Penthestes hudsonicus (Forster). Hudsonian Chickadee. 



The Hudsonian chickadee occurs throughout the region north to 

 the limit of trees. It is a more hardy species than the black-cap, but 

 like it is partially migratory. 



In 1901 it was first seen at Fort Chipewyan May 21, when a female 

 was taken, and it was noted also near the same place on May 28. A 

 pair was taken on a heavily wooded island near the outlet of Atha- 

 baska Lake June 2, and on the following day a nest containing foui' 

 young and two eggs on the point of hatching was found near the 

 same place. A male was taken at the mouth of Peace River June 6, 

 and the species was observed 25 miles below that point on June 12. 

 It was noted also at Athabaska Landing August 30. 



During the summer of 1903 this chickadee was first noted on Mount 

 Tha-on'-tha, where my brother and Gary observed a few daily, July 

 13 to IT, at various points between the base and 2,000 feet altitude, 

 and noted young birds on July 14. They saw it also at Fort Simp- 

 son July 24. Several specimens, including young of the year, were 

 taken. T\^ile on their return trip they noted three near Swift Cur- 

 rent Rapid August 28, and a few near Athabaska Landing Septem- 

 ber 3, 4, and 14. During my trip northward from Fort Rae I took a 

 pair from a small band on Lake Hardisty August 18, and while 

 traveling along the south shore of Great Bear Lake observed a small 

 flock east of Manito Islands on September 14. After my arrival at 

 Fort Simpson in the autumn I observed the species on but one occa- 

 sion, on November 28, noting several, one of which was secured. 



During the colder part of the winter the Hudsonian chickadee was 

 not seen, and in the spring of 1904 it was first noted on March 12, 

 one being taken. It was several times observed during the latter part 

 of March, and became rather common during the early part of April, 

 when several were collected. During my trip down the Mackenzie I 

 noted several, taking a female on Manito Island, near Fort Good 

 Hope, on June 23. 



A specimen taken at Fort Simpson January 6, 1905, has been re- 

 ceived from J. W. Mills, and H. W. Jones writes me that the species 

 was common about that post throughout the winter. 



Ross recorded Parus hudsonicus as occurring in the Mackenzie 

 River region north to Fort Simpson, and as wintering;'^ and Baird 

 listed specimens from Big Island, Fort Rae, Fort Simpson, and Fort 

 Liarcl.^ Specimens from Fort Rae, taken on October 30 and Decem- 

 ber 13, 1862, and from Fort Simpson, taken by Kennicott on October 

 19 and December 19 [1859], are still in the National Museum. Ma- 

 coun states that J. M. Macoun [in 1888] found the species common 



« Can. Nat. and Geol., VII, p. 146, 1862. 

 Rev. Am. Birds, p. 83, August, 1864. 



