ORNITHOLOGY IN 1851. 
Eagle build their nests on the banks of Bear Lake River, and the 
Golden Winged Woodpecker migrates thus far north.” A Peregrine 
Falcon’s nest was discovered on the cliff of a sandstone rock. “ This 
Falcon is not rare throughout the Mackenzie, where it preys on the 
passenger pigeon and smaller birds. One of its feats was related by 
Mr. M'Pherson : ‘ A White Owl (St. nyctm ), in flying over a cliff, 
seized on and carried off an unfledged Peregrine in its claws, and 
crossing to the opposite beach, lighted to devour it. The parent 
bird followed, screaming loudly, and stooping with extreme rapidity, 
killed the owl by a single blow, after which it flew quickly back to 
its nest.’ ” 
Sand martens breed in multitudes along the whole course of the 
Mackenzie, but I was unable to procure a specimen, and therefore 
to decide whether it is the H. 7’iparia or II. seripennis of Audubon ; 
but from its nearly even tail, I rather incline to think it may be the 
latter. It was first seen by us on 28th May, as we were descending 
the river Winipeg, near the 50°, and we knew by our observation 
in 1826, that it reaches the Delta of the Mackenzie in the begin- 
ning of July, affording therefore an index to the progress of spring 
in different latitudes.” 
“ The c ™ada Geese or “ Bustards” of the Canadians (les Ou- 
tardes), breed throughout the woody districts (of the Coppermine), 
but do not reach the vicinity of the Arctic Sea, except on the 
an s of some of the large rivers. The most northern localities 
m w c 1 ve obseried them, were the channels between the alluvial 
islands which form the Delta of the Mackenzie.” 
After passing their long winter at Fort Confidence, 66° 64' north 
a i u( c, an 118 49 west longitude, observations were kept of the 
irriva o tie summer birds, as they gradually approached their 
^e«liug stations. “ On 20th April, signs of snow softening on the 
c , ? ° . 10 10use > contiguous to the walls, was perceived. 
■ritrT? fl0Cks ’ and on 27th, snow began to melt 
on the 17tl ° sprcys > Gerf aIcons, Eagles and Gulls, appeared 
it Jl y ' ® nl9ththe ^st Goose was seen* 
geese approach the high latitudes as soon as the swamps are 
