THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
Ill 
the centre of a small prairie through which the trail ran, leading from Sumass to the 
Chilukweyuk prairies, it was placed on the top of a dead pine tree that was at least 
150 ft. high, and as straight and bare of branches as a flag-staff; at the base of the 
tree the trail forked, the other trail leading to Sweltza, the turn off was known, 
as the Eagle’s Nest. Two other specimens I shot, in August, on the stump of a 
dead tree hanging over the Kootanie river. I felt desirous of obtaining specimens 
from that locality. Specimens were also obtained at Sumass, Vancouver Island, 
and Colville, and there can be no doubt there is but one species common to the 
entire district. 
Bubo virginianus, (var.) pad ficus .— (Cassin). 
The Great Horned Owl. Common along the coast east and west of the 
Cascades, and on the west slope of the Bocky Mountains: very plentiful also on 
Vancouver Island; nests in May on a bare ledge among high rocks or in a hollow 
tree; remains at Colville during the winter. I saw this owl at the trading post of 
the Hudson Bay Company, in mid-winter, when the temperature was 15° below 
zero, some tame pigeons attracted him. 
Nyctale acaclica .— (Gmelin.) 
Saw-Whet Owl. I procured several specimens of this beautiful little owl at 
the H. B. Company Station at Colville. The winter was unusually cold, tem¬ 
perature 30° below zero, they evidently came into the old out-buildings for protection. 
What their range may be I dont know, as I never saw them at any other time, or 
in any other place. 
Surnia ulula .— (Linn.) 
The Hawk Owl. The first time I killed this owl I was on a high ridge of 
land between Bock Creek and Osoyoos Lake. The owl was coining towards me 
with such a rapid hawk-like flight that I imagined when I fired that it was a 
liaivk. I also shot another at Colville, and a third west of the Bocky Mountains. 
I am not sure whether it is ever seen on Vancouver Island or on the west slope 
of the Cascades; I certainly never met with it, or heard of its being seen at either 
place. 
Pious Jiarrisii .— (Aud.) 
Harris’s Woodpecker. This woodpecker is by far the most abundant species 
in the district, collected. It is found on Vancouver Island, and along the entire 
course of the Boundary line, south through Oregon and California, north to Eort 
Simpson: a few remain at Colville during the winter, but the greater number 
retire to the coast and return in April and May. In May they pair, and bore out 
a hole in a dead tree; they use no lining for the nest, but lay the eggs on the bare 
wood. Their favourite haunt is on the stumps of trees growing round swamps or 
prairie land. 
Pious gairdneri .— (Aud.) 
Gairdner’s Woodpecker. The same remarks apply to this woodpecker as to 
the preceding Ficus Jiarrisii , it differs slightly in habit, generally hunting for 
insects on the maples, alders, and stunt oak rather than on the pine trees. 
Specimens of both species were shot on Vancouver Island, Sumass prairies, Colville, 
and west slope of the Bocky Mountains, at an altitude of 7000 feet above the 
sea level. 
[vol. IV.] 
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