Congdon—Saskatchewan Birds . 
605 
376. Snowy Owl. 
Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). 
A pair of Snowy Owls was seen at Saskatoon on M!ay 4, and 5. 
They were found in a rather dense fringe of timber on the bank 
of the Saskatchewan River. A careful search was made but no 
nest containing eggs or young was found, although there was a 
rather large nest of sticks; in the vicinity which appeared to have 
had recent use and, possibly, had belonged to these birds. The 
birds were rather wild and would not allow one to come within 
gun shot of them. 
388. BLack-billed Cuckoo. 
Coccyzus erykhrophthalmus (Wils.). 
A bird seen on August 2 was probably a Black-billed Cuckoo 
but identity was not positive. No specimen of this species 
was taken. 
390. Belted Kingfisher. 
Ceryle alcyon (Linn.). 
The Kingfisher was occasionally seen along streams of water 
or the borders of lakes, often perched on a dead limb overhanging 
the water. From this vantage point, the bird darts into the 
water -after its m'eal of fish. The head and bill of the bird are 
strikingly large in comparison with the size of its body. 
At Basin Lake a Kingfisher was seen about a freshly excavated 
hole in a high bank on the lake shore. This was on May 30; 
and, as the excavation seemed to have been just completed, it is 
probable that the complement of eggs had not been laid. 
393a. Northern Hairy Woodpecker. 
Dryobaies villosus leucomelas (Bodd). 
This bird was frequently seen, generally in poplar bluffs, 
searching the trees and stubs for insects. One; was sometimes 
seen about the wood-yard and stable at the 1 home of one of the 
inhabitants. Although no nests were found, it doubtless breeds 
in this region, for it was observed throughout the spring and 
summer. 1 i, 
