95 
Regarding the six specimens of this species taken in southern Baffin 
island (cape Dorset, Markham bay, and Aitken lake, June 8 to July 20), 
P. A. Taverner states: 
“Five are unmistakably of the generally accepted B. c. hulchinsi type. Slightly but 
distinctly smaller than true B. canadensis (length 32-33-5 inches), but of same colora- 
tion and with tarsus and middle toe and claw of about equal length. At least two were 
breeding and with eggs. The sixth, a male (Aitken lake, July 20) was with young, but is 
very diminutive, scarcely larger than a large Mallard duck. Length 26-7; wing 14-8; 
culrnen 1-4; tarsus 2-6; middle toe and claw 2-3. It is, therefore, almost typical Branta 
canadensis minima in size, but it is B. c. canadensis, or B. c. hulchinsi in colour. Were 
this but an isolated or sporadic individual breeding in hulchinsi community it might be 
looked upon as a runt, or depauperized bird of that race, but the type seems of regular 
though rather scarce occurrence over a certain vague distribution and cannot be so dismis- 
sed. There are good reasons for hesitating to include it with west coast B. c. minima, 
which is typically a dark under-bodied bird, and I do not care to commit myself regarding 
it until further evidence is forthcoming regarding it.” 
41. Branta bernicla glaucogastra (Brehm). white-bellied brant. 
Eskimo: Nerdlernak, -ak -at, according to Hantzsch. 
Eight brant were observed on one of Fox islands, Gordon bay, on 
June 21, 1926. The evening of the same day a flock of fifty birds, supposed 
to be brant, were seen flying north over the islands. On June 22, a flock 
of eight brant were noted flying southward over the islands. The following 
day a flock of twenty-six passed over camp travelling north. Two speci- 
mens, in flightless moult, were procured at Amadjuak bay on August 3, 
and are referred to this species. 
Corporal F. Mclnnes states that a few brant are found on Bylot 
island. They are undoubtedly this species, as it is found more or less 
commonly on Devon and Ellesmere islands. 
Hantzsch (1914, p. 149) entered only the name of this species in his 
journal without any observations. He did not collect any specimens. 
42. Branta leucopsis (Bechstein). barnacle goose. 
A single specimen was taken by a native in August, 1924, at Boas 
lake, near Amadjuak bay, south coast of Baffin island, and brought out 
by Major Burwash (See Taverner, 1927, p. 221.) No mention is made of 
this species by either Kumlien or Hantzsch. 
43. Cygnus columbianus (Ord). whistling swan. 
A short distance inland from Ponds inlet, on September 2, 1923, a 
flock of large, white birds resembling swans was observed high overhead 
bearing southwards. Their notes were different from those of geese, being 
soft, flute-like. At cape Dorset on June 13 and 14, 1926, two flocks of 
what were taken to be swans, passed northward flying very low. A heavy 
mist made identification uncertain. 
With a query as to the species, Kumlien (1879, p. 88) says that swans 
occasionally occur in southern Cumberland waters and were reported to 
be of regular occurrence in Nettilling Lake region. Low (1906, p. 317) 
says this species is common on Southampton island where it breeds. This 
species was not noted by Hantzsch. 
44. Grus americana (Linnaeus), whooping crane. 
Munn ( See Lloyd, 1922, p. 50) reports having seen two whooping 
cranes near Ponds inlet in the summer of 1912. The species has not 
hitherto been recorded in this part of North America. 
64460— 7i 
