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Lee diegrammea suhranta INuatrent ia mAthode. 1 2 3 »x 1 2 2 4 s e SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. VP THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA. By ERNEST E. THOMPSON, of Toronto, Canada, AuociaU Mimbtr Amtruam OrHitkehgutt' Unitn^ tte. From tha HrocMdliiRt of th* United Sutea National MuMum, Vol. XIII. imcm tn-^M. with plate XXXVIII. ii»«"-«5r««i [No. 841.] WASHINGTON! OOVKKNMBNT PRINTINO OFPICI. 1891. .^^■' THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA.* uv Ernest E. Thompson, of Toronto, Canada, Associate Member American Ornithologists^ Union, etc. (With plate XXXVIII.) INTEODUCTION. BOTTNDARIES OF THE FROVINCB OF M\NITOBA. In treating of the birds of this region it seemed most convenient to make the political boundaries of the province, those also of the district included, though this is scarcely defensible from the scientific standpoint. According to the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1886, chapter 47, the boun- daries of the province of Manitoba were fixed briefly as follows : On the south, at the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, which is the interna- tional boundary line ; on the west by a line along the middle of the road allowance between the twenty-ninth and thirtieth ranges of town- ships west of the first principal meridian, which line falls between 101° and 102° longitude west of Greenwich ; on the north by the middle of the road allowance of the twelfth base line, which is north latitude 52° 50'; on the east by the meridian of the northwest angle of the Lake of the Woods which, according to Professor Hind is 96° 50' longitude west of Greenwich. In preparing my own map full use has been made of the maps pub- *Iu offering the followingobservations in their present shape, i. e., as they were made on the spot, without material condensation or generalization, I believe that I have taken not merely the best but the only right course under the circumstances. My original plan, as may be seen by the "notes" throughout, was to prepare something after a very old-fashioned model, but widening experience caused a considerable change of view. No one regrets more than myself their imperfectuess, and, in some caHes which I have pointed out, their unreliability. If I could see my way clear to revisit Manitoba in the near future I would gladly defer publication in the hope that I might first remove numerous doubts and fill many unfortunate blnnlts, but under existing circumstances there seems to be no course but to carefully revise my old jcxirnal and let it go forth for judgment. My own observations are supplemented by those of numerous observers in various parts of the province, and I have also endeavored tn include all available records relat- ing to distribution and all valuable published matter relating to the ornithology of Manitoba that has not appeared in a special work on birds. This excludes only Dr. Coues's field notes » » • forty-ninth parallel, which, however, is constantly cited. In all the records I have given the exact words of the writer arc , 1886, to January 12, 1887, broken only by oocasioual Prooeaillngt Nstionsl Museum, Vol. XIII No. 841. 4&7 33353 458 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. !'i ■M lished by Professor Hind ir 1860, by the Dominion Government in 1874^ and by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company at various times be- tween 1880 and 1890, also those drawn by Mr. Sbawe for Phillip's Im- perial Atlas, and those issued by the Tenth Census Report of the United States. I have also supplemented these by information gained in my own travels, as well as that supplied me by Messrs. Tyrrell, Nash, Maconn, Christy, and other observers. A PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE PEOVINCB. The general features of the country have been ably and concisely described by Dr. Dawson in the report of the boundary commission (1875), as follows : The first or loicett prairie level, is that of which Ihe southern part lies along the Red River, and which, northward, embraces Lake Winnipeg and associated lakes, and the flat land snrronnding them. A great part of its eastern border is con- terminous with that of Lake Winnipeg, and formed by the rocky front of the Lanrentian ; but east of the Red River it is bounded by the high lying drift terraces surrounding the Lake of the Woods, and forming a part of the drift plateau of northern Minnesota. To the west it is limited by the more or less abrupt edge of the second prairie level, forming an escarpment, which, though very regular in Bonio places, has been broken turough by the broad valleyn of the Assiniboine and other rivers. The escarpment, where it crosses the line, is known as Pembina Mountain, and is continued northward by the Riding, Duck, Porcupine, and Basqnia Hills. The average heigat above the sea of this lowest level of the interior conti- expeditions outside of our boundaries. Carberry was my headquarters, and except where otherwise stated all observations were made at that place. My companions, whose names appear, were Mr. Wm. G. A. Bro niake a record of the distribution of forests in 1885, for evidently no natural feature is more likely to change in a few years than the extent of woodlands. The line limiting the coniferous forest on the south is copied from the forestry map issued with the Tenth Census report of the United States. It is suspiciously straight and even, but is doubtless correct when understood merely a» a broad generalization. I regret that I am without the material neces- sary to define this limit more accurately. To the southward of Gar- berry is a small isolated forest of spruce that is known as the Spruce Bush or the Oarberry Swamp, by which names it is herein referred to. Water. — ^The province is plentifully, almost too plentifully, supplied with water. In addition to the numerous extensive lakes indicated on the map are thousands more of smaller extent, while the region of the Bed River Valley in particular is diversified by vast stretches of marsh and lagoon. The various lakes are of two kinds, first the sweet water or live water lakes, fed and drained by living streams, teeming with fish and varying in size from that of a mere pond to that of Lake Winne- peg ; second, the alkaline lakes, which nre mere drainage basins and depend solely on evaporation for the removal of their accumulated waters. They owe their alkaline impregnation not to anytLl ig of the nature of salt-bearing strata, but to the continual influx and evaporation of surface water very slightly impregnated with alkali through running over the prairies strewn with the ashes of the annual fires. These " dead waters" never, so far as I know, contain fish, but they are usually swarming with a species of amblystoma aud numerous kinds of leeches and aquatic insects. These lakes abound on the prairies aud in the sand hills, but are usually of very small extent. They have, I believe, several peculiar species of sedge, and are especially frequented by cer- tain kinds of birds that seem to avoid the fresher waters, e. g., Baird's Sparrow, Avocet, etc. Salt springs, etc.— The following extract from Professor Macoun's well-known work on " Manitoba and the great Northwest, 1883," will prove an interesting item of physiography : Lying farther south [than the Silurian], and possibly underlying the greater part oi I the yrestern side of the Manitoba Plain, is the Devonian Series. These rocks are known to be largely developed on both sides of Lakes Manitoba and Winnepegosis. Numerous salt springs are found in connection with them, and during the last sura- ' er the writer saw salt springs and brooks of strong brine flowing from them in various localities at the head of Lake Winnepegosis. The subjoined list of salt springs known to occur on Lakes Manitoba and Winnepegosis may tend to excite interest in these extensive deposits: 1. Crane River, Lake Manitoba. 2. Waterhen River, Dickson's Landing. 3. Salt Point, east side of Lake Winnepegosia. 4. Salt Springs, Winnepegosis. 5. Pine River, Winnepegosis. 6. Rivers near Duck Bay. 462 THE BIBDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. 7. Turtle River, Lake Daupbin. 8. Swan or Shoal, two localities. 9. Salt River, flowing into Dawaon'a Bay. 10. Numerous salt springs and bare, saturated tracts of many acres in extent on Red Deer River, wbich flows into tbe bead cf Dawson's Bay, Lake Wiunepegosis. For 10 miles up this river salt springs are quite frequent, and excellent salt was col- lected in three places, where it formed a crust on the surface of the ground. Some springs wore examined where a respectable rivulet of strong brine issued from them, as clear as crystal, and evidently quite pure. All the springs and marshes seen were bordered with seaside plants, and one of them, which has never been found from the seacoast before in America, was found In abundance. The plant referred to is Sea- Side Flantain {Plantago maritima). The following extract from Professor Hind's report (1858) shows that this line of saliferous strata goes right across our province : Near and west of Stony Mountain many small barren areas occur, covered with saline efiSorescence ; they may be traced to tbe Assiniboine, and beyond that river in a direction nearly due south to La Riviere Sale and the forty-ninth parallel. These saline deposits are important, as they in all probability serve, as will be shown hereafter, to denote the presence of salt-bearing rocks beneath them, similar to those from which the salt springs of Swan River, Manitoba Lake, and La Riviere Sale issue. Meteorology. — I have not been able to obtain the material necessary for a general chapter on tbe meteorology of Manitoba, and must con- tent myself with a few statistics taken from Professor Bryce's article on Canada in the Eucyclopsedia Britannica. The mean annual temperature for 11 years, (1871-1881, inclusive), taken near Winnipeg, was 33.06°, the maximum 95.34°, the minimum — 10.51° ; the mean amount of rain, 16 977 inches; the mean amount of snow, 52.72 inches ; the mean total precipitation of rain and snow, 23.304 inches ; the mean height of the barometer, 29.153. The mean average temp eiature for the years 1880 and 1881 was as follows: Jan- uary, 20.9 ; February, 3° ; March, 9° ; April, 30O.2 ; May, 51°.2 ; June, 630.6 ; July, 650.9 ; August, 64°.8 ; September, 51o.3; October, 40° ; Ko- v«mber, 14o.6; December, 0°.6; the year, 82o.6. The isotherms indicated on the map were taken from the map pre* pared to Professor Macouns' work. Topography. — The topography of Manitoba is somewhat perplexing through the duplication of names. Many, such as Pelican Lake, Swan Lake, Shoal Lake, Bat Creek, etc., appear several times over. None of these duplications have been entered on the map, with the excep- tions of Shoal Lake and Boggy Creek. In the first case I have added the word *' West " to the name of the lake which is of secondary im- portance and probably of later naming. In the second the three creeks are distinguished as Boggy Creek, Big Boggy Creek, and Little B?c;gy Creek. Every name referred to in the notes, with exceptions noted herein later, will be found on the map, with many additional ones that are of importance. Frequent allusion is made to Professor Macouns' jour- neys and the region observed by him in making them. These expedi- V0L.XIII,1 0. J 1800. PttOCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 463 shows that 1, siniilar to d La Riviere e map pre- tions were as follows : 1879, from Winnipeg to Fort Eliice by water and thence up the Qu'Appelle River ; 1880, from Winnipeg to Grand Val ley, now Brandon, by water and thence overland to Moose Mountain ; 1881, from Winnipeg to Portage la Prairie by rail, thence overland to Totogou down Lake Manitoba by boat into Waterhen River and into Waterheu Lake, and back by the western channel into Lake Winne- pegosis, and along the western shore of this lake into the larger bays, up Swan River to Swan Lake, then back to Winnepegosis and up Red Deer River to Red Deer Lake, up its southern afQuent across country to Livingstone and down the Assiniboiue to the railroad at Brandon. Humphrey's or McGee's Lake, Hope's Lake, Smith's Lake, and Markle's Lake are small drainage lakes near Oarberry. White Horse Hill, Kennedy's Plain, and De Winton Slough are also close to Gar- berry. These have been omitted from the map, as they are too small for the scale on which it is drawn. The following places outside of the province have been mentioned to to extend or explain the distribution of certain species : Garleton House : On the north branch of the Saskatchewan. Cumberland House : On the Lower Saskatchewan. Fort Pelly : On Assiniboiue River, 10 miles west of Duck Mountain. Fort Qu'Appelle : On Qu'Appelle River, 100 miles up from its junc> tion with the Assiniboine. Moose Mountain : Assiniboia, 35 miles westward of Manitoba, about latitude 49° 40' north. Kelson River: The outlet of Lake Winnipeg, situated at its north end. Norway House : North end of Lake Winnipeg. Rat Portage : On the Lake of the Woods, where it is touched by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Red Deer River : Flowing into Red Deer Lake, at the northwest cor> ner of the province. Severn House : On Severn Lake, at 64° 5' north latitude and 92° 30' west longitude, about 150 miles northeastward of the province. Selkirk : Lake Winnipeg, about 40 miles north of the northern boun- dary. Touchwood Hills : 30 miles north-northwest of Fort Qu'Appelle. Trout Lake House : On Trout Lake, at 53° 50' north latitude and 91° west longitude, about 200 miles northeast by eaot of the province. White Sand River : A tributary of the Upper Assiniboine, near the northwest corner of the province. 1. 2Ichmophorus oooidentalls. Western Grebe. Tolerably common summer resident in l?ed River Valley, chiefly to- wards the northward, as follows : Quite common at Shoal Lake, near Lake Manitoba, and less so at Redburn (Hine). A rare summer resi- dent along Eted River (Hunter). Breeding in vast numbers at Shoal 464 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA— THOMPSON. Lake and Lake Manitoba, not elsewhere (D. Gunn). " Clark's Grebe," Shoal Lake (Brewer). Breeding on Lake Manitoba and very abun- dantly in the marshes of Waterheu River, between it and Lake Winne- pegosis. I took great numbers of eggs on Waterhen Kiver and the south end of Waterhen Lake (Macoun). I did not meet with this bird in any part of western or sonthern Manitoba, but at Winnipeg I was shown several specimens taken near Bedburn, where it is somewhat common, and others from Shoal T^ake, where it is quite plentiful. These facts, together with the following statement by Professor Macoun, are the more interesting when we con- sider that for a long time this grebe has been considered a bird of the Pacific region. In his work on the Northwest, Professor Macoun writes : On Waterhen River and Lake the Western and Red-necked Grebes breed in tcreat numbers. Their nests are built on the old sedges and rise and fall with the water. Here the Indians collect large numbers of eggs in the proper season, and one old fel- low, last season, astonished me by the remark that he conld have fresh eggs all sum- mer. Ou inquiry I learned that he went regularly to the same nests and never took uU the eggs so that he kept the poor bird laying all sumu er. Mr. D. Guiiu makes the following remarks on this species at the lake in question: : The annnnl resort of the Podiccps occidentaUs to Shoal Lake is, an has been observeil, '* remarkable." From the moHt reliable iufurmatiou that I could obtaiu from the In- dians at this place it has never bueu seen ou tlio Red River uor on on Lake Winuipe^r, and I have never beard of its having been seen anywhere in what is commonly known as Rnpert's Land, except at Shoal Lake and Manitoba, and I m.iy add that it in uImo remarkable that there are very few grebes to be found in any other of the bays con- nected with the lake, although all these bays abound in reeds and ruHlies. Pos)«i- bly these birds prefer the bay on the north point on account of its being sheltered firom the wind, and probably a greater facility fur obtuluii g food in that locality may influence them in the choice they make. I am inclined to think that the large grebes feed ou aquatic plants; I opened several of their gizzards and found nothing in them but grass. The Western Grebes, when seen in groups on the smooth, unruf- fled waters of the lake, make a splendid appearance, sometimes raising themselves out of the water, and Happing their wings, Jieir white breasts t^listeiiing in the nun like silver. They are not timorous, but when alarmed they sinii their bodies in the water, aiul if the ob|eot of their fear still presents itself they plunge hood foremost and dive and continue a long time under the water, often disapp mtingtheexpecta- tions of their pursuers by reappearing in a ditfereut direction from that anticipated. They make their nests among the reeds on the bent bulrushes of *he last season ; the frame or outer work is of reeds and lined with grass from the bottom and reed leaves. The nest is nearly on a level with the surronndii g water and may bo said to lloat at its " moorings," held there by the reeds. We found hnndreds of these nests contain- ing two, throe, and four eggs each ; I believe six to be tho highest number we found in any «ue. Wo took thirtotui grebes, of which the males were laigor than the fo- malti, the largest male measured, before skinning, 27| by 'Mi inches and 14 incheH round tho body at the head of the wings. The largest female n\easured '^44 by ;Wi inches. Wo shot not a few of them in the actof leaving their nests, and most of them on bei- g skinned proved to !•«< males, which fact inclines me to believe that the male bird takes his turn in eitting on the eggs. VOL. XIII.T 1800. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 465 3s at the lake 2. Colymbus holboellii. Holbcell's Grebe. Bed-neoked Grebe. Summer resident chiefly of the shallow, flsh-freqaented lakes to the northward. Winnipeg: Summer resident; very rare; only 4 specimens taken up to 1885 (Hiue). Breeding in considerable numbers at Shoal Lake; comparatively rare in Red Biver region (D. Gunn). Specimen from Bed Biver settlement in Smithsonian Institution (Blakiston). Breeds abundantly in the marshes of Waterhen Biver and south end of Waterhen Lake, where I took great numbers of its eggs (Macoun). [ Duck Mountain ; breeding (Thompson). On June 18, 1884, while hunting at Duck Mountain, above Boggy [GreeL, with my brother, we came to a small lake and parted to go around it in different directions. When we met, he showed me a nest I which he had found among the reeds in 2 feet of water. It was a mere Ifloatiug mass of wet rushes, and had been moored by a few growing [rushes whose tops had been incorporated with the structure. It con- Itaiued 3 eggs, which the bird was hastily covering with more rushes [when he first saw her. From his descriittion, and from what I could see It 200 yards distance, it was apparently an adult Bed-necked Grebe, but the bird was too shy to admit of the identification being completed in [the only perfectly reliable way. As there are no fish in these isolated mountain lakes, these birds )robably live largely on amblystomie, crawfish, and insects. 3. CoIymbuB auritua. Honied Grebe. Abundant summer resident of general distribution ; very abundant ; Ibreeding at Pembina and the base of the Turtle Mountain (Ooues). Lake Winnipeg (Murray). Red Biver (Kennicott). Common summer esident in Bed Biver Valley (Hunter). Oommonabout Winnipeg (Hiue). ''ery common on Bed Biver, and breed in the marshes near Shoal Lake (Gunn). Portage la Prairie ; common summer resident (Nash). Ob- served in the ponds from Turtle Mountain to Brandon, in May, 1882; >mmonly breeding in all the ponds about the Big Plain, being the lost abundant Grebe of the region ; common also from Carberry to tiipid City and thence west to Fort EUice, and in the whole region on ^both sidesoftheAssiniboine, northward to Duck Mountain (Thompson), ibundant on V/aterhen River; breeding; they give the name to the river; the common Grebe of the prairie ponds (Macoun). Shell River; 1885, first seen, two on May 3 ; afterwards seen every «lay ; it is common i'l summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Trout Lake (Murray). On July 20, 1883, in a lake near '' The Gore," shot a Horned Grel>e. lit had saved Itself once or twice by diving at the puff of smoke, so I jBouglit the cover of the bushes and fired through an opening, and as no smoke was visible I got the bird. It was an aggB towards the end of June ; they are of a stone color and only two in number. The young ones fly before the end of August. They live chiefly on fish and are excellent divers, and so very troubleaome to the nets that I have this summer taken out fourteen of them that were caught in one tide at a single net. (Hutchins's Observatioos on Hudson's Bay, 1782.) 9. Cepphus mandtil. Mandt's Guillemot. Severn House (Murray). This species may be named as probably Manitoban on the above grounds. 10. Lama argentatus unithsonlanus. American Herring Gull. Summer resident about the larger bodies of water ; breeding in great numbers at Lake Winnipeg (D. Gunii). Specimeo from Nelson Biver, inSmithsonian Institution (Blakiston). Oak Point: 1884, arrived April 21 ; 1885, first seen, two, on April 18; next seen, two, on 19th ; is com- mon, and breeds here (Small). Breeding in all the large prairie lakes (Macoun). Portage la Prairie : Occurs during the spring and autumn migrations (Nash). Severn House (Murray). The island on which we were detained by a storm, is one of the Oull-ogg group, which, with a point of land protruding from the main laud, fornis a pretty good har- bor on the south Hide of the neck of the great promontory. The Indians were nearly des- titute of provinions and followed us to the island, where they fortunately got a plenti- ful supply of eggs and young gulls; but having little ammunition, they brought down only a few old ones, although they hovered in countless numbers over the island, screaming at the wholesale destruction uf their young brood. (Ilurd, August 34, 1858.) 11. Lama delawarenals. Ring-bille«l Gull. Bummer resident, near Mouse Biver, on the boundary, in September (Oones). Winnipeg : Snmmer resident, tolerably common, and at Lake VOL. xni,l 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OB' THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 469 id therefore Winnipeg (Hine). North, in summer, to Lake Winnipeg (Brewer). Breeding in all the lakes of any size (Macoun). 12. Larus firanklini. Franklin's Oall. Rosy Oull. Summer resident about the large lakes. Winnipeg : Summer resident; abundant; breeding in the prairie marshes of the neighborhood (Hine). Swamp Island : 1885, first seen, two, on May 28 ; next seen. May 29, after which it was common ; it breeds here, and is an abundant summer resident ; in fall, last seen September 25 ; 1886, first seen, six, on May 18 ; bulk arrived May 20 ( Plunkett). Breeding at Selkirk Settlement, Ked River Settlement, and in numbers at Swan Creek, Oak Point, Lake Manitoba (D. Gunu). Shoal Lake: May 15, 1887; common (Christy). Portage la Prairie : Common in spring migration ; in 1884, first seen April 21 (Nash). Breeding abundantly on Lake Winnepe- gosis, 1881 (Macoun). Carberry : A common spring migrant (Thompson). Turtle Mountain : Young (Coues). Shell River : 1885, '< Black-Headed Gull," firstseen, two, on April 24; next seen, nine, on May 2; a tran- sient visitant passing north and not remaining any time or breeding (Calcutt). 13. Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte's Gall. Summer resident about the larger lakes. Winnipeg: Tolerably com- mon here in fall (Bine). A few breeding in the marsh of Swan Creek, not far from Shoal Lake (D. Gunn). Breeding in great abundance on all the large lakes of the prairie -region, chiefly west of Manitoba (Macoun). One in Snithsonian Institution from Nelson River (Blakis- tou). Portage la Prairie: Abundant during the spring migration, and some probably stay to breed, as I have occasionally seen single birds about the prairie sloughs during the summer (Nash). Severn House; fortunately several specimens of this gull have been received ; it is rare in collections, but would appear not to be so in Hudson's Bay (Murray). 14. Sterna foraterL Forster's Tern. Summer resident about the large lakes ; bi ceding in large nambers on the b trders of Lake Winnipeg in the latter part of May; at Shoal Lake, saw Forster's terns in considerable numbers; they nest among the reeds; Selkirk Settlement (D. Gunn). Shoal Lake, May 15; com- n;on (Christy). Breeding abundantly in Lake Manitoba, Waterhen River, and Lake Wionepegosis (Macoun). Portage la Prairie: Abund- ant during the spring and autumn migrations; probably breeds, as £ have seen a few in summer (Nash). IS. Sterna hirundo. Cnmnion Teru. Sea Swalloir. Common summer resident on the large lakes ; feeding largely on small fish. Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). One 470 THE BIRDS OF. MANITOBA — THOMPSON. It taken on Lake Winnipeg, June 16 (Humicalt). Breeding on Lake Manitoba, Waterlien River, and Lake Winnipegosis (Macouii). Portage la Prair.e : Tolerably common during spring ami autumn migrations ; a few remain about Lake Manitoba during the summer (Nash). There are numbers of terns breeding annually at Shoal Lake ; some of them on small, gravelly islands. These form their nests by removing the gravel, making hol- lows in which they lay their eggs; others of them take up their abode among the reeds aud rushes. Here, with great industry and ingenuity, they make their nestH of reeds and grass, fixing them in their place to keep them from floating away. When in Lake Winuipeg, in 1862, I observed that the terns which occupied sandy and gravelly islands made their nests as those do on the gravelly islands in Sh^^**! Lake ; and the terns found on the rocky island on the east side of the lake chose for their nests depressions and clefts in the surface of the rocks. These they line care- fully with moss; three or four eggs being laid in each nest; thus exhibiting a remarkable example of instinct, which teaches these little creatures that their eggs laid iu soft sand and in loose gravel are safe without any lining to protect them, but that when laid in hollows and clefts of rocks, lining to protect their eggs aud young from injury by these hard, and at night cold, materials would be iudispensable. (D. Quuu.) 16. Hydrochelidon nigra suxinamensis. Black Tern, or Marsh Tern. Abundant summer resident ; chiefly about the prairie ponds, dead waters; breeding at Pembina; Mouse liiver at the boundary (Cones). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Bine). Abundant in l\ed Biverand Selkirk Settlements (Brewer). Prairie Portage; plains of the Souris (Hind). Portage la Prairie: Abundant summer resident on all the large prairie sloughs, in which they breed; first seen, May 11, 1884, May 25, 1885; last seen, September 9, 1884 (Nasb). Breeding very abundantly in all marshes from Portage la Prairie westward, 1879, and in less numbers in tbo wooded region, but generally dis- tributed (Macoun). Carberry: Abundant; sun^merresideut; breediug also in all ponds along the trail from Carberry to Port EUice (Thomp- sou). Brandon : Breeds in great numbers ;Wood). Sbell River: 1885, first seen, eleven, on May 18; seen every day afterwards; is common all summer, and breeds here ; Indian name, *< K'ask " (Galcutt). Qu'Appelle : Oommon summer resident; breeds ; arrives May 18 (Gui rn- aey). Severn House (Murray'. Oa Jane 11, 1882, went in the morning with two bi others to the lake in the sand hills east ot old Dewinion; saw there large numbers of marsh terns. They ap penred to be nesting in a weedy expanse far out in the lake, but it; was surrounded by deep water, so that I could not come near it to seek for eggs. The birds came flying over my head, in company with numbers of blackbirds, and resented my intrusion by continually crying in their characteristic manner. August 4. The black terns are beginning to gather iu flocks ; leave the ponds an.i skim about over the open prairie. On July 8, 1883, went southwest to Smith's Lake; found a number vol . XIII, "I 890. J 1890. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 471 of tern's uests, just finished, apparently, as they were clean, but empty, and the old birds continued flying above us an.i screaming their re- sentment. On July 5, 1884, at McGee's Lake, Oarberry, I found the terns just beginning to lay. Each nest is a mere handful of floating reeds, slightly moored to others growing in the deep water, where they are found. \ The whole structure is just on a level with the surface of the water and I entirely wet ; on this are the eggs, much the same color as the reeds, I and as wet as eggs can be. It is a remarkable fact that, although this species is abundant in all {parts of southwestern Manitoba, and I have often searched in various lakes with a flock of terns screaming about my ears, yet I have never before found either nest or eggs. On this occasion I found three eggs in one nest ; several nests with two eggs ; one or two with one, and one [or two empty uests just completed. On July 9 the terns were numerous everywhere on the prairie. I Timed and counted the wing beats of several as a basis for calculating their rate of flight; one made 54 beats in 9 seconds ; another, 28 beats in [9 seconds, a third 30 in 10 seconds. July 6, observed one make 27 beats ic 10 seconds. July 12, saw another make 15 beats in 5 seconds, show- ing that about 3 is the average number of beats to the second. July 5 |I had an opportunity of measuring the distance a tern covers with 8 [beats; it was 24 yards. August 14 : Terns are abundant now on the open prairie ; it is a com- lou sight to see this bird zigzagging about in pursuit of the large Idragon flies, until, at length, having secured as many as it could con- Iveniently carry, it suddenly ceased the fantastic maneuvering for the [swifter beeline, and made straight for its twin nestings in the reedy [expanse of some lake far away. To-day, I made a calculation of the speed; one bird covered 70 yards |with 14 beats, «. c, 5 yards per beat; I find they usually give 3 beats per Isecond ; this, therefore, is 15 yards per second or 31 miles per hour ; much [h\s8 than I expected. This black inland member of a white marine [family is abundant about all the weedy sloughs and lakes of the Mani- jtobau prairie regions. It seems not to subsist on fish at all, but chiefly [on dragon flies and various aquatic insects. It finds both it« home and jits foo assist it iu VOL. XIII.T 1890. J yards of them (Nash). Very abundant; breeding on Lake Winnepe- gosis in J881 (Macoun). Shell River : 1885, first seen, four, on May 13; next seen, two, on May 14; a transient visitor only; not breeding, (Oalcutt). Qu'Appelle : Rather common summer resident ; April 25, breeding north of the Touchwood Hills; nesting on the trees growing on islands in the lake!) (Guernsey). Fort Qa'Appelle, May 19, 1885. The Cormorant comes here in large flocks towards the end of April ; it is called by half-breeds the Crow Duck; in its flight it flaps for three or four strokes and then sails ; it is an expert diver. The half-breeds say that it bnilds on islands in the lakes north of here, building its nests on trees. They say that when a man lands on one of their breeding places the birds fly over him and drop their excrement ou him. I have been told this by several. They do not breed here that I know of, but there are always several knocking about during the summer ; they sit on the bars with the pelicans. (Qeo. F. Que: sey). 18. Peleoanua erythrorhynchos. American White Pelican. Common summer resident about the large lakes; one taken at Pem- bina in May ; observed at Mouse River on the boundary in September (Cones). Winnipeg : Summer resident ; common about the large lakes ; breeding at Shoal Lake (Hiue). Red River Valley : Summer resident ; common; breeds at Shoal Lake (Hunter). Shoal Lake (Christy). Breeds in the smaller lakes near Lake Winnipeg, and northwestward ; several specimens shot in Lake Winnipeg in October, 1880 (Bell). Swamp Island : 1885, first saw, two on May 24 ; next seen May 31, after which it was common; it breeds here ; in fall, last seen September 12, 1886, first saw, two, on April 29 ; bulk arrived May 27 (Plunkett). September 1, 1884, saw a flock of five on Lake Manitoba ; the only ones I ever saw (Nash). Waterhen River: October 3, 1858, a large flock of pelicans, wheeling in circles far above, suddenly formed into an arrow-headed figure, and struck straight south ; Oak Lake, some Pelicans (Hind). In great numbers at the head of Lake Winnepegosis or abont half WL,y up, and evidently breeding, 1881 (Macoun). Carberry: November 5, 1886, found remains of a dead pelican in the hills near Smith's Lake ; only record (Thompson). Dalton: 1889, first saw one on May 4; next seen. May 5; rare (Toemans). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; very plentiful on the lakes last year (1884) ; towards the migratory sea- son I saw flocks of upwards of 500 birds (Guernsey). Pelican observed in numbers at the Grand Rapids, where the Saskatehewan enters Lake Winnepeg, on the 25th of September, and a few days after a scattered one or two; I believe they do not range east of Lake Winnipeg (Bla- kiston). These birds until the last few years were ic the habit of breeding in large numbers at Shonl Lake, 50 miles from Winnipeg. In the summer of 1878, on the 1st of June, I counted six hundred of their eggs (t) in uestson a small island of abont half an acre in extent. The nests consist only of a slight depression in the sand. These birds and the cormorants are great friends; the nests of the latter were intermixed everywhere with those of the pelicans. 1 counted seven hundred eggs of the cormorant on this •pot. Although the pelican's home and nesting place is an abode of filth, they keep 474 THE BIBDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. m themselves exceedingly clean. Their flight I consider more beant fal and graoefal even than that of the swan. (Richard H. Hunter in MS8.) Fort Qu'Appelle, May 19, 18tJ5. So.ne years tlie pelicans are more numerous than others. Last year they were very thick all snuimer, and towards the end of summer it was no unusual thing to see forty or fifty in a flock sitting on the water. They are reported to breed in large numbers on Long Lake, 40 miles west of here. (George F. Guernsey in MSS.) . 19. Merganser americanus. American Merganser. Sheldrake. Sam Dier resident, frequenting only living water. Winnipeg: Sum- mer resident; rare; Lake Winnipeg (Uiue). Red Rirer Valley: Sum- mer resident ; common ; breeds at Sboal Lake (Hunter). Breeds abun- dantly on tbe rivers emptying into Lake Winnepegosis, and on all the rivers visited by me in Manitoba ; I never observed this bird on still water during the breeding season ; they feed only on fish, and are found only on clear running streams where fry are abundant (Macoun). Qu'Appelle: Tolerably common summer resident; May 5 (Guernsey). 20. Merganser serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. Fish Dnok. Summer resident, chiefly on living waters. Winnipeg: Summer resi- dent; rare; Lake Winnepeg (Hine). Bed River Valley: Summer resi- dent ; tolerably common ; breeds at Shoal Lake (Hunter). Breeds in all the northern streams and ponds ; feed largely on vegetable matter and are quite edible (Macoun). Carberry : August 21, 1881, at Hope's Lake, shot a merganser; rare here (Thompson). Qu'Appelle : Tolerably com- mon ; summer resident; May 1 (Guernsey). Trout Lake, Severn House (Murray). 21. Lophodytes cuonllatua. Hooded Merganser. Summer resident, chiefly inhabiting drainage, that is, dead water ; breeds; Turtle Mountain and Mouse River along the boundary (Coues). Dufferin : Arrived between April 20 and 25 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Sum- mer resident ; common ; breeding at Lake Winnipeg (Hine). Portage la Prairie: Tolerably common; summer resident; first seen April 27, 1885, April 23, 1886; abundant on La Salle River and on Horse Greek near Westbourne (Nash). Found in all the smaller ponds and lakes; v ry common in streams around the Porcupine Mountain ; feeding on vege- table substances and quite edible, unlike ilf. americantis (Macoun). Oar- berry: Tolerably common summer resident; breeding (Thompson). Shell River: 1885, first seen, eight, on May 11; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds; arrives April 20 (Guernsey). Trout Lake (Murray). 22. Anas bosphas. Mallard. Very abundant.; summer resident; general distribution in grassy freshwater marshes, etc.; breeds abundantly throughout the region in suitable places, from Pembina along the boundary to the Bookies VOL. xni,l 0. J 1890. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 475 (Goues). Dafferin : Arrived between April 15 aud 20 (Dawson). Winni- peg: Summer resident; abundant (Hiue). Ossowa: Ci>mmon; breeding; 1885, first seen, two, on April C ; next seen, April 13 (Wagner). Swampy Island: 1885, first seen, two, on April IG; next seen, April 20; became common April 26 ; breeds here in fall ; last seen October 1 ; 1886, first seen, two on April 16; next seen, April 17; (Pluukett). Oak Point: 1885, first seen, two, on April 7 ; next seen, April 8 ; became common on April 11 ; breeds bere (Small). Portage la Prairie: 1884, very com- mon ; summer resident ; first seen, March 30 ; a few sometimes remain till after the snow covers the ground (Nash). The most abundant duck of the Northwest, breeding in nearly all the marshes north of the bound- ary (Macoun). Garberry: Abundant in migration; a few breed; Souris Plain; Turtle Mountain ; LongBiver; Fingerboard; near Rapid Gity; near Two Rivers ; Pine River; Portage la Prairie (Thompson). Brandon : April 13, 1»82 (Wood). Dalton : 1889, first seen, fonr, on March 21; next seen on March 23; became common on March 26; breeds here (Yunmans). Shell River: Common summer resident; breeds ; in 1885, first seen, twelve, on April 6 ; afterwards seen every day (Galcutt). Qu'Appelle : Gommon summer resident ; breeds April 5 to 15 (Guernsey). Trout Lake Station and Severn House (Mur- ray). Near Cumberland House are found in vast multitudes (Hearne, 1773). June 11 : While roaming in Sprnce Bush, to-day, I came suddenly I across a wild duck (Mallard) with her newly hatched brood. She was pleading them to the water, which was a considerable distance away, perhaps a quarter of a mile, aud in this locality the forest was high and dry. The old dnck ran to meet me and then put in practice all the usual stratagems to cover the retreat of her brood; meanwhile the little i ones scattered and ran, " peeping " in all directions, and soon all had hidden themselves from view, except five, which I caught. The remain- ing four or five I did not try to ger, but left them lor the mother to gather together again. My little captives I took home with me, fondly believing I could rear them. On October 30, 1886, saw three Mallard at Smith's Lake. I have often lain in the long grass on the bank of some pond aud watched the whole family as they played about on, the glassy surface, now splashing the water over the backs, apparently to show how they mean to do it when they are big rather than for any present benefit, and now rushing patter- ing over the surface in pursuit of some passing fly and generally with success crowning the effort, for when young they feed almost exclusively , on insect food. I touched one of the tall stems so that the top shook; the watchful mother failed not to observe that there was something in I the rushes, and slowly led her brood In another direction ; or if I stood I up in full view, she gave to her startled brood the watchword of alarm, which to judge from her actions may be translated '-scatter and run for your lives into the rushes while I divert the brute's attention." 476 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. There have been times when it was the necessity for food that led me where I have observed such scenes as that described, but I can say truly that each time the brave mother was allowed to go in peace and the hunt was prolonged until another though perhaps a less palatable victim was found and sacrificed. They arrive early in April, frequently before the lakes or large alonghe are free from ice, resorting to the wet prairies and stubble-fields; the great bullc are paire<2 when they reach hero and they soon commence nesting, their nests being made in all sorts of places. I have found them ib the marshy sloughs on the open prairie, near water usually, and once in the bush at least a half a mile from a very small stream that always diied up during the summer, but which was the only water for a long distance. About the middle of May the females commence to set ; the drakes then molt, los- ing their brilliant plumage ; whilst undergoing this change they gather together into small flocks of about five or six and hide themselves in the rushes, from which it is very hard to dislodge them even with good dogs. In September they gather into flocks, young audold tognther,and visit the wheat and barley stubbles, rapidly becoming fat ; the drakes at this time begin to show the green feathers on their heads, and by the time they leave they have acquired their perfect plumage. A few frequently remain for some little time after the snow has covered the ground; these I have seen feeding around the base of the stacks and resorting to Lake Mani- toba for water ; in 1885 they were abundant up to November 9, but left on the day, after, for on the 11th I saw the last of the season, a single bird only. On the 15th of September, 18^, I shot a large drake, which had pure white pinion feathers and a broad band of white from the usual ring around the neck to the breast ; this bird was with seven others, all of the usual color and size. (Nash, in MSS.) 23. Anas obsoura. Black Duck. Dusky Dock. ' Very rare summer resident Winnipeg : Summer resident ; rare ; only two specimens in 10 years, one at Long Lake, one at Lake Winnipeg (Hine). Bed River Valley : Very rare; Manitoba is their most western limit (Hunter). I have received a specimen and seen others from York Factory (Blakiston). 24. Anaa atrepera. Oadwall. Gray Dnok. Bare summer resident ; abundant throughout the region along the Boundary from Pembina to the Rockies ; breeds (Goues). Winnipeg : Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Bed River Valley : Sum- mer resident; tolerably common at Lake Manitoba (Hunter). Breeding on Shoal Lake (D. Ounn). Only one specimen shot on the Assiniboine, September, 1881 ( Macoun). Portage la Prairie : Rare ; have shot a few in the autumn near Lake Manitoba (Nash). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident ; breeds ; April 20 (Guernsey). 25. Anaa ameiloana. Baldpate, or Widgeon. Tolerably common summer resident ; abundant throughout theregion along the boundary from Pembina to the Rockies; breeds (Cones). Dufferin : Arrived between April 20 and 25 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Sum- VOL. XIII.I 1890. J PBOCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 477 mer resident; tolerably oommon (Hioe). Selkirk Settlements: Breed- ing ; Lake Winnipeg in the breeding season in considerable numbers (D. Gunn). Swampy Island : 1885, first seen, four, on May 10 ; next seen, May 11; bulk arrived May 12; is common, and breeds here; in fall, last seen, October 2; 1886, first four on May 10; bulk arrived on May 13 (Plunkett). A specimen from between Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay in Smithsonian Institution (Blakiston). Portage la Prairie: Abundant summer resident ; breeding at Lake Manitoba and in all the sloughs in this vicinity ; this is the last duck to arrive in the spring and . the first to leave in the fall ; in 1884, first seen, April 16 (Nash). Sil- ver Greek: July 5, 1882, shot a Widgeon, female; apparently breed- ing; length, 18; extension, 33 ; gizzard full of shell-fish (Thompson). Shell River : 1885, first seen, a pair on May 12 ; next seen, four, on May 23; is common all summer, and breeds here (Calcutt). Frequent on the Assiniboine ; 1881 (Macoun). Qu'Appelle : Oommon summer resi* dent; breeds; April 20 (Guernsey). 26. Anas oarollnendia. Green-winged Teal. Abundant migrant; many breeding; extremely abundant throughout the region along the boundary from Pembina to the Rockies in Augu.st ; doubtless some breed (Goues). Duit'erin: Arrived between 15th and 1 20th (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant; breeding [(Hine). Swampy Island : 188.5, first seen, two, on May 3 ; next seen, the jbulk. May 6; is tolerably common, and breeds here; in fall, last seen [September 1; 1886, first seen five on May 8; bulk arrived May 10 ( Plunkett). Very common near Norway House ; scarce northward ( Bell, 1 1880). Portage la Prairie : 18^4, abundant migrant and common sum- [mer resident, arriving at about the same time as the Mallard, but leav- j ing as soon as the sloughs are frozen over ; I have found flappers as late i as the 15th of August (Nash). Rarely found breeding on the plains ; I apparently goes further north ; .in immense flocks on the Assiniboine in the fall of 1881 (Macoun). Oarberry: common ; breeding ; Silver I Greek, Rapid Gity (Thompson). Dalton : 1889, first seen, two, on April 15; next seen on April 16, when it became common; does not breed here (Youmans). Brandon : April 20, 1882 (Wood). Shell River : 1885, [first seen, a pair on May 2 ; afterward seen every day ; is common all [summer, and breeds here (Galcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer [resident; breeds April 5 to 15 (Guernsey). On June 29, 1882, at Rapid Gity, Dr. A. S. Thompson shot a Green- I winged Teal with his rifle. Although shot through the belly it was not killed, but flew with its entrails trailing, and it required a charge of dust shot to finish it. It was a male; length, 15; extension, 23; gizzard Ifnll of shell fish. This species is very abundant throughout the whole lof the pondy prairie region from here to Garberry. It is usually met jwith in pairs and is of a very affectionate disposition, for if one be shot the other either remains to share its fate, or if it does fly at first, usually 478 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. returns almost immediately to the side of its mate. I found it an ex- pert diver, for often one of them would disappear at the approach of the gunner and be seen no more; doubtless it had swam under water to the nearest reed-bed, in whose friendly shelter it was securely hiding. On July 5, at Silver Greek, came across a female Green-winged Teal traveling with her brood often young ones across the prairie towards a large pool. The mother bird was i!i great grief on finding that she waH discovered, but she would not fly away ; she threw herself on the ground at my feet and beat with her wings as though quite unable to escape and tried her utmost to lead me away. But; I was familiar with the triclt and would not be beguiled. I cauglit most of the tiny yellow dowulings before they could hide and carried them carefully to the pool, where soon afterward the trembling mother rejoined them in safety. This species, I think, unlike the blue-wing, usually nests quite close to the water, so that it was probably owing to the drying up of the pond that this newly hatched brood found themselves forced to take an over- land journey of considerable extent before they could find a sufficiency of water. 27. Anas discors. Bine-winged Teal. • Very abundant ; summer resident ; general distribution in the prairie regions; along the boundary, Mouse River, in fore part of August becomes very abundant; doubtless breeds (Coues). Winnipeg: Sum- mer resident; abundant; breeding (Hiiie). Sparingly at Shoal Lake and Lake Winnipeg (Brewer). Swamp Island: 1885; breeds here; last seen August 20 ( Plunkett). Shoal Lake, May 19, 1887 (Christy). Port- age la Prairie: Very abundant ; summer resident, and like the mallard nesting wherever it takes a fancy to do so ; in 1S81 first seen April 16 (Nash). Breeds abundantly around marshy ponds in the prairie country ; exceedingly abundant in fall of 1880 ; rare in Assiniboine in September, 1881 (Macoun). Carl>erry: Common; breeding; Souris Plains, Turtle Mountain, Long River, Rapid City, and the whole south slope of Riding Mountain (Thompson). Dalton: 1889, first seen, one on April 18; next seen, May 15, when it became common; breeds here (Youmans). Shell River; 1885, first seen, a pair on May 2, at^erwards every day; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Ap- pelle: Common summer resident; breeds Alay 10 (Guernsey). 1 have frequently remarked that during the breeding season this species may be seen coursing over and around the ponds in threes, and these when shot usually prove a male and two females. After dark they may be identitied during these maneuvers by their swift flight and the peculiar chirping, almost a twittering, that they indulge in as they fly. On August 19, 1882, at Markle's Lake, shot a Blue-winged Teal. TIiIh sheet of water is not more than 3 acres; it has hard banks, almost en- tirely without rushes t)r other cover, and is a mile or more from the vol.. XIII, 1 1800. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 479 Dearest pond. This duck is very abundant in the country, and £ think it usually nests much farther from the water than any of its near con- geners. Like the Green-wing it is a good diver, but it is less wary and more easily shot; it seems to prefer the smaller ponds and leaves the large sheets to the Mallard and other large ducks. 28. Anas cyanoptera. Cinnamon Teal. Very rare; straggler; I have taken the Cinnamon Teal at Oak Lake, and I think also at Lake Manitoba, but during fifteen years' resi- dence in Manitoba 1 have only seen five or six specimens (B. H. Hun- ter). 29. Spatula clypeata. Shoveler or Spoonl)!!!. Abundant summer resident, of general distribution; abundant throughout the region along the boundary from Pembina to the Rockies; breeding on Mouse River (Cones). Dufterin: Arrived between April 20 and 25 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (nine). Breeding at i>'ed River, Shoal Lake, and Lake Winnipeg (Brewer). Swampy Island : 1886, first seen, six, on May 28; abundant summer resident (Plunkett). On Lake Winnipeg, the young were nearly full grown in the beginning of July (Bell, 1880). Shoal Lake: Breeding May 17, 18S7 (Christy). Portage la Prairie : 1884, common summer resident; breeds in most of the sloughs near here; I have only once seen anything like a flock of these birds, and then there were not more than a dozen of them; they arrive late and deiiart as soon as the shallow waters they frequent are frozen ; in 1884, first seen April 10 (Nash). Observed great numbers in August on the prairie ponds about Pleasant Hills; breeding on ponds throughout the prairie, but more abundantly throughout the copsewood region (Macoun). Bran- don, Pembina, and Rapid City : Breeding (Thompson). Dalton : 1889, first seer, one on April 16; is common, and breeds here (You mans). Shell River: 1885, first seen, a pair on May 8; next si-en, four on May 22; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Qn'Appello: Common summer resident; breeds; May 1 (Guernsey). Trout Lake (Murray). 30. Dafila acuta. Pintail. Common summer resident of general distribution; abundant through- lout the region along the boundary westward from Pembina, in summer las well as in fall (Cones). Duflerin: Arrived between April 15 and 20 |(I)iiw8on). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Red River jto Hudson's Bay (Blaklston). Breeds near Norway House (Bell, 1880). Osowa: Common; breeding; 1885, first seen, one on April 7, next seen tprll 10; became common April 20; last seen, thirteen, on November (Wagner). Portage la Prairie: Abundant; summer resident; frstseen in 1884, April 16; arriving early, generally with the Mallard, but leav- m * m ;J 480 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. ing mach earlier, the first frost driving them out (Nash). Garberry: Tolerably common summer resident; breeding; Souris Plain, Turtle Mountain, Fingerboard, near Rapid City (Thompson). Dalton: 1889, first seen, about ten, on March 21 ; seen every day afterwards; became common on March 23; breeds here (Toumans). Brandon : April 9, 1882 (Wood). Breeding on the prairies south of Pipestone Creek (Macoun). Shell Biver : 1885, first seen, four, on April 20, afterwards seen every day, male and female; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle : Common summer resident ; breeds April 5 to 15 ((xuern- sey). Trout Lake Station and Severn House (Murray). 31. Aiz sponsa. Wood Duck. Bare summer resident; several small fiocks in latter part of Septem- ber, north of Bed Biver, in Minnesota, feeding on wild rice (Kennicott). Bat Portage: October 10, 1886, found tlie head of a male Wood Duck lying on the shore (Thompson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; rare (Hine). I have seen the Wood Duck {Aix sponsa) at Westbourne, and it is always to be found along Cook's Creek, east of Winnipeg (Bun ter). Portage la Prairie: A rare and local summer resident, but I think increasing; previous to September 21, 1884, 1 never saw any in this neighborhood, though I had heard that a few pnirs always bred on the White Mud Biver, near Westbourne, on that day; I saw two on the Assiniboine the following year ; two or three broods were raised here, out of which, in September, I shot several, and on the 9th of October I killed one of the handsomest drakes I have ever seen ; its plumage was simply perfect (Nash). Observed on Lake Winnepegosis by Mr. Tyr- rell (Macoun). Carberry: A single pair taken in 1883 (Thompson). Qu'Appelle: I knowofone being shot here in five years (Guernsey). A male killed at Cumberland House, June, 1827 ( liichardsou). Mr. Hine, of Winnipeg, showed me some fine specimens taken at Oake Winnipeg; he described it as regular, though not common, in the mouths of such creeks as flow through the heavy timber into Lake Winnipeg; Devils' Creek is a favorite place, and here they are found feeding largely on the wild potato which grows on the overhanging banks, so that the bird may gather it without leaving the water; Hudson's Bay; Moose Factory; Trout Lake Station (Murray). 32. Aythya amerloana. Uetl lioad. Common summer resident; breeding abundantly throughout the region along the boundary from Pembina to the l{o(;kieH (Coues). Swamp Island : Breeds here ; last seen Septiunber 11 (IMnnkett). Winnepeg; summer resident; abundant (Eline). Breeding at Oak Point Lake, Manitoba, Shoal Lake, and Selkirk Settlement (1). Gunn). Portage li Prairie: Abundant; summer resident; breeding in all the lakes and large sloughs; I have frequently shot flappers on the ITtthof August; they arrive as soon as the rivers are open and stay until uoopeu wate" VOL. XIII.T 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 481 is left ; iu 1884, first seen April 16 (Nash.) Breeds abundantly on the marshes of Waterben River (Macoun). Oarberry: Tolerably common; summer resident; breeding (Thompson). Shell River: J885, first seen, a pair on May 3, afterwards seen every day ; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds ; April 23 (Guernsey). Oak Point. We procured some duck nests and among them were two Aythya americana, (Red-head ducks' nests), one containing eight eggs, the other nineteen. Wlien I was there iu 1865 wo found one belonging to the same kind of duck con- taining nineteen or twenty eggs. Tlio Indians accuse tliis duck of dishonesty, stating it to have very little respect for the riglits of property, b^ing inclined to rob other ducks of their eggs and place them iuits own nest. This species and the canvas-back are both found at Shoal Lake and s^t Manitoba, but nowhere in great numbers. (D. Guun.) 33. Aythya vallisneria. Canvas-back. Uncommon; a few breed ; at Turtle Mountain in July (at the bound- I ary) I saw several broods of partly grown young ; iu most of the region, however, the bird is leris numerous than the Red-head (Ooues). Win- nipeg: Fairly common on Lake Manitoba, but not generally breeding (Hine). Red Uiver Valley : Transient visitant ; rare (Hunter). Oak Poiutand Shoal Lake: breeding (Gunn). Swampy Islands: 1885, first seen, sixty, on May 10 ; next seen, IMay 20 ; last seen May 25 ; does not Jbreed hero; is very abundant in fall and spring amongst open places in ^ce on lake (Plunkett). Portage la Prairie : 1881, first seen April 16; [•oinmon in spring, particularly if the lowlands should be flooded ; in 1882, during the spring freshet they were abundant, in the aututim ; they are less frequently y on ; some, however, breed on Lake Manitoba, for on the 18th of Septen her, 1886, 1 saw four young birds in a game jtlealer's shop in Winnipeg, the proprietor of whicii told me he had Just received them from there, and a friend who knows the birds well also jinformed me that he had shot them on the same lake when they Bould scarcely fly (Nash). Qu'Appelle : Gommon migrant ; April 23 (Guernsey). I am positive that the canvas-back never breeds in Manitoba. I have shot in the Spring every year for the past fifteen years, and have not seen ten canvas-back ducks luring tiuit time. I have occasionally shot them in the autumn, in the proportion »f one canvas-back to two hundred other ducks. (Rich H. Hunter, in MS8., May, J885.) 14. Aythya marila nearctlca. American Scaup Duck. Big niuebill or Black- head. Common migrant; a few breed. Dufterin : Arrived between April ^."i and 30 (Dawson). Specimen in Smithsonian Institution, from Red tiver Settlement (Hlakiston). Winnepeg: Abundant (Hine). Red liver Valley: Abundant migrants, but 1 can not concur that it c^m- lonly breeds in Manitoba (Hunter). Breeding at Lake Winnipeg (I), hum). A few breeding iu Lake Winnipegosis, June, 1881 (Macoun). ^ortage la Prairie : Fall migrant ; uommuu in spring, arriving as soou Proc. N. M. 90 31 482 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. as the rivers are open ; not so frequently obtained in the antamn, prin- cipally, I think, because it confines itself to the large lakes, seldom visiting the creeks or sloughs at that season ; it remains until it is fro- zen out; in 1884, first seen April 16 (Il^ash, in M8S.). Carberry: Abundant; migrfint (Thompson). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds ; arrives April 20 in flocks, with lesser Blue- bills and Ring-neck (Guernsey). 35. Aythya affinis. Lesser Scanp Dack. Little Blue-bill. Abundant summer resident, of general distribution. Winnipeg : Abundant; breeding (Hine). Red River Valley : Abundant, chiefly in autumn ; not commonly breeding (Hunter). Swamp Island : 1885, first seen, four, on May 12 ; next seen May 13, when it becomes common ; is abundant and breeds here; 1886, first seen, two, on May 5 ; bulk ar- rived on xMay 11 (Plunkett). Shoal Lake: May 19, 1887 (Christy). Portage la Prairie: Abundant summer resident; breeding on all the prairie sloughs of any size ; it arrives as soon as there is any open water, and remains so long as there is a hole in the ice big enough to ho^d it ; in 1881, first seen April 16 (Nash). Breeding more commonly than the preceding (1881) (Macoun). Carberry: Abundant summer resident; breeding; Brandon, Souris Plain, south slope of Riding ^fountain (Thompson). Shell River: 1885, first seen, two pair, on May 1 ; afterwards seen every day ; it is common all summer and breeds hero (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds; arrives April 20 (Guernsey). Severn House (Murray). 36. Aythya oollaris. Ring-necked Duck. Marsh Blue-bill. Tolerably common summer resident. Winnipeg : Summer resident : common (Hine). Swamp Island: 1885, first seen, six, on May 9; next seen, the bulk, on May 10; tolerably common ; breeds here (Plunkett). Breeding in the marshes of Waterhen River, 1881 (Macoun). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident; frequently confounded with the last, and they are both frequently more than confounded by persons who shoot them, for if there is only one kick left in them when they drop tl)«y will utilize that to such good purpose that they will get undoi cover beneath the water, where they conceal themselves so well that it is almost useless to try to retrieve them (Nash). Qu'Appelle: Co»- nion summer resident; breeds; arrives April 20 (Guernsey). 37. Olauoionetta olangula amerioana. American Onldcn-cye. Whistler. Tree Duck. Rare summer resident. Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably com mon(nitu'). Red River Valley : Summer resident; tolerably common ; I have taken twenty-one eggs out of one nest in an old oak tree at Shoal Lake, near Winnipeg (Hunter). Swampy Island: 1886, first seen, six, on May 5 ; next seen on May ; became common May 8; is VOL. XIII,'! 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 483 common ; is 5 ; bulk ar- tier, TreeDucK. tolerably common, and breeds here (Plunkett). "Common Golden-eye or Tree Duck ;" also breeds near Norway House ( Bell, 1880). Portage la Prairie: Rare; summer resident; comes late and leaves early ; is scarce in the shooting season ; shot one in August, and as I see them more or less all summer, I assume that they breed here ; arrives about the end of April and departs early ; I have rarely seen, one after the 1st of September; first seen April 27, 1885, April 20, 38S6 (Nash). A few breed in the Waterhen River marshes (Macoun). Oarberry : Very rare ; summer resident; June 23, 1883; at a small lake in the woods to the south, to-day, I saw a Whistler, and I think the species breeds here (Thompson). Shell River : 1885, first seen, one, a - ale, on April 25 ; a transient visitor, passing north and not remaining any time or breed- ing (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle : Tolerably common summer resident; breeds ; arrives April 15 (Guernsey). 38. Glaucionetta islandica. Barrow's Golden-eye. I shot a brace at Lake Manitoba in 1879, and a drake at Shoal Lake in the spring of the following year ; and I saw a drake which was killed at the mouth of the Red River (Hunter). Winnipeg: Rare; straggler (Hine). 39. Charitonetta albeola. BiitHe-bead. Common summer resident ; breeding in deep ponds that are fringed with trees; among the commonest species after the fall migration, along the boundary (Coues). Duft'erin : Arrived between April 20 and 25 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Transient visitor ; abundant (Hine). Swamp Island : ISS5, first seen, about twenty, on May 2L ; next seen on May 22 ; last seen. May 25 ; is common in migration but does not breed ; 1886, first seen, six, on May 10 ; bulk arrived May 13 ; last seen. May li>( Plunkett). Portage la Prairie: Abundant in spring and autumn, some few remaining to breed ; at Lake Champique, near Hedingly, I once found young, unable to fly, on the 15th of August ; they were on a prairie slough, at least three miles from any trees (Na^^i). Abundant in ponds in the autumn ; not seen in the prairie regions (Macoun). Ciirberry: Common summer resident ; breeding also at west slope of Duck Mountain, Portage la Prairie (Thompson). Shell River: 1§85, first seen, two, on April 27 ; next seen, May 20 ; is common all summer and breeds hero (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle : Common summer resident ; breeds; arrives September 20 (Guernsey). 'Severn House ; Trout Lake Station (Murray). 40. Claiigulahyemalla Old Hqnaw. Swallow-tnilod Dnok. Coween. Severn House (Murray), and during winter found in many parts of the Mississippi valley (Cook), therefore probably Manitoban. 484 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. 41. HistrionicuB histrionious. Harlequin Duck. This bird will probably be found in Manitoba, as it has been recorded from near Hudson's Bay (Butchins). Breeds in British America; • * * throughout Illinois in wii}ter, and has been taken at St. Louis^ Missouri (Oooke). Breeding in the Rocky Mountains, near the boun- dary (Coues). Pow is tic ou sbeep ; two specimens, both drakes, etc. » » * These birds are found in small rivulets, seldom in large rivers, about 90 miles inland. They migrate to the southward with the geose; feed on grass and small worms it the bottom of the creeks;^ have a whistling note; thoy build their uests in tho grass, and lay ten or more eggs, resembling those of a pigeon in size and color. The naiiio iu the Algon- quin language implies a species of ducks that frequent the waterfalls or cataracts. The young brood are very prettily speckled. (Hutchins MSS. Obs. H. Bay, 1782.) 42. Oidemia amuricana. American Black Scoter. Rare ; migrant. Winnipeg: Transient visitor; rare (Hine). Swampy Island: " Black Duck," 1885, first seen, four, ou May 19 ; next and last seen on May 20 ; is rare here and does not breed (Plunkett). Trout Lake (Murray). 43. Oidemia deglandi. White-winged Scoter. Rare; migrant; possibly breeding. Winnipeg: Summer resident; tol- erably common; Lake Winnipeg (Hine). Red River Valley : Tran- sient visitor; tolerably common on rocky localities (Hunter). Occurs between Hudson's Bay and Lake Winnipeg (Murray). Near Russell, Jiily 6, 1882 ; Bitter Lake, Washington, shot a velvet scoter, female; length 20, extension 30 ; sdl over duskj ; bill gray ; a light patch near bill and one behind eye ; secondaries white ; legs dull reddish ; appar- ently breeding (Thompson). Qu'Appeile: Common; migrant; May 1 (Guernsey). Trout Lake Station ; Severn House (Murray). 44. Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Duck or Surf Scoter. Uncommon; migrant; common at Lake Winnipeg (Hine). Qu'Ap* pelle: Rare migrant; May 1 (Guernsey). Red River Valley : Tolerably common; transient visitor; abundant (Hunter). A specimen from Nelson Rirer in the Smithsonian Institution (Blakiston). 45. Erismatura rubida. Ruddy Duck. Summer resident ; breeding ; common and breeding in suitable places throughout the region along the boundary ; at Turtle Mountain nesting in numbers in the pools (Ooues). Winnipeg : At few are seen ejich jear about Long Lake when it breeds; also Lake Winnipeg, and at Shoal Lake (Hine). Tlio Ruddy Duck is sometimes found in swamps near the Red River, but thoy are more numerous at Shoal Lake and Mani- toba (D. Gunn). Portage la Prairie : Shot a female here September 10, 1884; she was with two butHe-heads at the time (Nash). Seen at vol,. XIII.l 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 485 Touchwood Hills in September, out not in Manitoba (Macoun). Shell River : 1885, first seen, one male, on May 23 ; breeds here ; flaps for a few yards on the water and spreads its tail and shakes its head like a fan-tail pigeon (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds May 1 (Guernsey). 46. Chen caerulescens. Blue Goose. Winnipeg: Rare; transient visitant (Hiue). 47. Cheu hyperborea. Snow Goose ; White Wavy. Abundant spring migrant; less common in the fall; abundant dur- ing migration along the boundary (Coues). Winnipeg: Transient visitor; abundant; going north to breed (Hine). Red River Valley: Transient visitor ; abundant (Hunter). Swampy Island : 1835, first seen, fonr, on May 7 ; next seen on May 10, after which it disappeared ; never common ; does not breed, and is rare on this lake (Plunkett). Migrant at Shoal Lake ((iunn). Os.sowa (Wagner). Portage ia Prairie : 1884, abundant spring visitor to tlie large grasr, marshes near Portage la Prairie, but rarely seen in the autumn in that neighbor- hood; near Winnipeg it is, however, not uncommon in October; first soon April 23, 1884 (Nash). Carberry : Seen in enormous numbers in spring, and in much less numbers in the fall (Thompson). Little Sas- katchewan, near St. Martiir fjake : Wavies, as the half-breeds term them (Wa-wain Cree) {Anser hifpcrboreiia), flying to the south early this morning in large flocks, were regarded as a sure sign of approach- ing winter (Sept. 27, 1858, Hind). Two Rivers : 1885, first seen, one, on April 6 ; next seen, four, on April 18; migrant (Criddle). Qu'Appelle: Transient ; passing over May 3 to 28 (Guernsey). Severn Houee (Mur- ray). In Hudson's Bay tliey are the shyest aud most watchful of all the species of geese, never suffering au opou approach, not oven within two or three gunshots. Yet in ^r resident; abun- dant; a few breea (Hine). Bed Biver Settlement: April 2, 1856, April 1, 1858 (Blakiston). Bed Biver Valley: Abundant in migration; a few breed (Hunter). Breeding on Lake Winnipeg in June (Kennicott). Swamp Island, 1885: First seen, eighteen, on April 14 ; next seen April 15, when it became common; breeds here; in fall; last seen Septem- ber 23| 188G; first seen, four, on April 8; bulk arrived April 16 (Plun- kett). Ossowa: Common; breeding, 1885; last seeu, fifteen^ on No- vember 28 (Wagner). Oak Point, 1885, April 7 (Small). Portage la Prairie: Oommon in spriog and fall; a few breed in the marshes near Lake Manitoba; arrives about the middle of April or before should there be open water; departs when all th.. lakes and rivers are frozen over, usually about the 10th of November (Nash). In 1879, breediug on the Assiniboiue, whera Tirandon now is; also above the rapids (Ma- coun). Two Bivers, 1885 : Great flight April 1; next April 3; common iu spring and fall (Griddle). Brandon: Two young taken on the river August 25, 1882 (Wood). Dalton, 1889 : First seen, about fifteen, on March 21 ; next seen on March 22 ; became common on March 26 ; was last seen May 10; rarely breeds here (Yoemans). Shell Biver, 1885: First seen, fifteen, on April 9; afterwards se<'n nearly every day in the migrating seasou ; odd pairs breed near here (Calcutt). Qu' Appellor Common summer resident ; breeds April 1 to 10 (Guernsey) Oarberry : Abundant in migration ; rarely breeding south of Souris Biver ; mi grant ; breeding near Shoal Lake, west (Thompson). VOL. XIIl.l 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 487 Ob October 4, 1883, near Shoal Lake, west, I chanced to call at the borne of Mr. iVlcMillan, a farmer. There was a flock of six full-grown tame Canadian Geese feeding about the door. Mrs. McMillan informed me that in the spring they foand the old goose nesting in the slough near by. The bird was shot, and her seven eggs brought into the house and laid by the stove during the daytime, and at night they were wrapped in flannel and put away. At length they began to hatch. The good wife assisted six of the goslings into the world, but, fearing she had done wrong, allowed No. 7 to work his own passage. The six lived and throve, while No. 7 died. (In the spring of 18S4 she stilfhad* the brood of swan-like birds; they were living in the barnyard in a state of perfect domestication.) The fact that these eggs must have been chilled nightly, and in the daytime exposed to a dry, unnatural beat, shows the wonderful vitality possessed by wild eggs. .A.uother farmer, living near Carberry, added some geese to his barn- yard in the same way, but, I believe, they did not breed in confine- ment. 49a. Branta canadensis hutchinsli. HutchinB's Goose. In September a very small young bird, taken on Red River by Robert Kennicott (Baird). Portage la Prairie: Common in spring and fall only; have not been able to discover that it breeds near here (Nash). 50. Branta berniola. Braut. Migrant; observed only during the migration along the boundary (Cones). Winnipeg: Transient visitor (Hine). Red River Valley: Transient visitor; I have taken it at Shoal Lake (Hunter). Carberry : Observed as a migrant ; not common; no specimen taken (Thompson). 51. Olor oolumbianuB. Whiatling Swan. Occasional about the large lakes ; not demonstrated to breed. Win- nipeg: Transient visitor ; rare (Hind). Oak Point, 1884 : Arrived May 4 (Small). Always seen in flocks high up (Macoun). Portage la Prai- rie : In the autumn of 1886 saw one that had been shot on Lake Man- itoba, and in previous years have seen this or the next species there myself (Nash). Some yeara ago, when I built Cumberland House, the Indians killed those birds (swans) in such numbers that the down and quills might have been procured in con- siderable quantities at a trifling expense. (Hearue, 1769-1772.) 52. Olor buooinator. Trumpeter Swan. Rare migrant; observed on a few occasions in Dakota late in Sep- tember and in the first half of October during the migration; said to breed in Minnesota (Coues). Wiunipeg: Transient visitor; rare (Hine). Swamp Island, 1886, first seen, eight, on May 1; bulk arrived May 0; last seen May 10; tolerably common this year (Plunkett). Portage la 488 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. Prairie : Occasionally seen in spring and autumn, I am informed, but as I nevei actually identified the bird myself I am not positive about it (Nash). 53. BotauruB lentlginosus. American Bittern. Common summer resident in all extensive marshes; apparently rather common on Mouse River, at the boundary, in September (Coues). Duf- ferin : Arrives between April 25 and 30 (Dawson). Morris : Often seen A|)ril 29, 1887 (Christy). Winnepeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). A specimen in Smithsonian Institution, from Nelson river (Blak- iston). Ossowa: Breeds (Wagner). Oak Point: 1884, arrived May lo (Small). Portage la Prairie : Common summer resident; first seen May 17, 1884; May 22, 1885; April 19, 1886; last seen October 16, 1881 (Nash). Abundant in all marshes throughout the country; shot June 11, 1881 (Macoun). South slope of Biding Mountain, on Little Saskat- chewan, August 28, 1858; in the marshes, herons, cranes, and bitterns were distributed in groups (Hind). Carberry : Common ; southern slope of Biding Mountain, abundant; Portage la Prairie ; Sewell; FortEllice; Bat Portage, 1886 (Thompson). Shell river 1885, first seen, one on May 4, afterwards seen every day ; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer residcMt; breeds ; arrives May 21 (Guernsey). Severn House (Murray). On May 23, 1884, at Sewell Plain, heard a bittern pumping in the slough after dark ; the sound has been very aptly likened to the syllables " pump-oga;" the first two notes are like the stroke of a pump, the ^ast is exactly like the swish and gurgle of water in a deep pipe. This sound is not at all ventriloquial, as is that of the European Bittern according to many accounts, and I had no difficulty in following and flushing the bird, but it was too dark to shoot, as I could only see the dim form against the sky when it rose after flying, apparently 50 yards, and pres- ently he was heard again worlsing his pump in the distance. On June 2, on the south slope of the Biding Mauntain, I was led to a bittern, after sundown, by its pumping; I watched it catching insects until dark, and then shot it, and found in its stomach a most miscella- neous collection of insects, etc. Same day, near the Fingerboard, I traced a bittern by his note in theevening, and shot him; i adult; stom ach contained crawfish, insects, a garter-snake, a mouse, and a meno- branchus. June 3, at Bapid City Trail, south slope of Biding Mountain. The bittern is one of the commonest of the large birds that are to be found in this region. Its long brown form on Bagging wing, with beak pointed one way and legs another, is to be seen flying over nearly every exten sive slough of this region. Suddenly, in the midst of his flight, he may be seen to dangle his legs, "reverse action" his wings, and drop into the marsh. There, for a moment, he stands, not deigning to notice the blackbirds that are trying to terrify him into a retreat, his long neck VOL. sill, "1 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 489 straight up at full length. Theu, having satisfied himself that all is right, he touches a hidden spring, and instantly the preposterous neck is tucked away somewhere in a surprising way, and so effectually that the head looksas though stuck on the shoulders without any intervening structure at all. In taking its prey the bird either waits until the rash victim comes within reach of its spear-like bill or goes stalking about after it among the rushes. Its food is of such a varied character that one only has to collect the stomachs of about a score of bitterns to have un extensive natural history museum. The specimen taken yesterday contained, as already stated, a garter snake, a mouse, an amblystoma or water liz- ard, sundry crawfish, and an innumerable company of various insects; and to this list may safely be added every kind of small animalism that may be secured about the marshy home of ihe bird. Misled by sundry printed statements, I once cooked an individual of this species, but will not be so misled any more. It is sufficient to say that it tasted of all the creatures it feeds on. I have somewhere read that this bird is strictly diurnal. This I have long doubted. Indeed, I begin to doubt that any bird is strictly any- thing. When we find a hawk gorging itself with choke cherries, a night- owl hunting by sunlight, and sandpipers that never pipe or go near sand, one is prepared to give up, on behalf of the birds, all rules of life and conduct, and expect the strictly "diurnal" bittern to be up and stirring during the hours of darkness and gloom, as, indeed, the fore- going notes lead me to suspect he does. Contrary to tba usually expressed opinion, this bird is strictly diurnal in its hab- its; quitting its resting places in the reedy bogs early in the morning, feeding out along the margins of ponds, streams, etc., during the day, and returning to its close cover at night. When alarmed, the bittern, instead of rising, frequently erects its head and neck and depresses its tail between its legs, until the whole body is almost vertical, and so stands perfectly still until the danger is past ; when in this position it so closely resembles a dead branch that it requires a practiced eye to detect it. Bitterns are most frequently heard to boom or pump in the spring, but I have also heard them all through the summer ; the latest date being in August. (Nash.) 54. BotauruB ezilis. Least Bittern. Accidental visitant. Winnipeg: Summer resident: only one speci- men in 10 years in Manitoba (Hine). 55. Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. Uncommon summerresident, of erratic distribution; common summer resident in all Red River Valley ; not noted by me anywhere in the Assiuiboine region ; observed during our passage down the Red River to Pembina (Coues). Pennawa River, September, 1887 (Hind). Win- nipeg: Summerresident; tolerably rare (Hine). Red River Valley: Summer resident; common at Shoal Lake, township 16, range 3, east 490 THfc: BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. (Huuter). Portage la Prairie : 1884; rare; summer resident (NasL). 8oiith slope of KidiDg Mountain, on Little Saskatchewan Biver: In the marshes herons, cranes, and bitterns were disturbed in groups (Hind). Occasionally seen, but not very common; shot on Swan River, April 28, 1881; not observed breeding (Macoun). Breeding in numbers on Bid- ing Mountain (Green). Qu'Appelle: Tolerably common; summer resi- dent; breeds; arrives May (Guernsey). Mj Biimmer of 1880 was speut iu the Northwest Territory of the Dominion. The 20th of July last found me in the Duck or Riding Mount&in, at the headwaters of Bird's Tail Creek, about 51° north, and on the one hundred and first meridian. These moun- tains are covered with a dense forest of tall poplars and birch and thick undorbrusb of hazel and raspberry, making it impossible to get through without cutting a trail iu advance. This 20th of July was a very hot day. We had started at C a.m. with a train of thirteen heavily loaded carls, and by 11 a.m. had made about 3 miles, when a very peculiar noise saluted our ears. Knowing this fbrust to bo full of bears, we at once came to the conclusion that we were in the vicinity of a family (sisters, cousins, and aunts) of those affectionate creatures. The train was ordered to halt white the chief of the party and myself went forward to prospect. As we advanced the noise grew louder and louder, till we called a council of two to decide what had bet- ter be done — face the enemy or draw on our reserves and advance in full force. While deliberating, the chief happened to cast his eyes heavenwards and the mystery was explained. We had struck a heronry ; hundreds of these birds were passing to and fro ; and on going forward a hundred yards or so we found the tops of the pop- lars covered with their nests, the young birds, full grown but not able to fly, perched on ihe highest branches of the trees. Here in the heart of a dense forest, probably never trodden by man before, were thousands of nests of our common Blue Heron {Ardea herodiaa Linn.) We cut down several trees and captured the young, which were cooked and eaten by some of our men with relish, probably because it was the iirst fresh food for three months. The nests were made of the small dead branches of the poplar and were placed as near the tops of the trees as possible. I kept two of the young birds alive for a few days, when, becoming able to fly, they took their depii^'ture. These mountains are full of small ponds and bottomleb-: marshes, which swarm with lizards and small fish, on which the herons feed, and ol _-^. ttingtoan open space near the herony we could see the old birds coming and going in every direction. Those coming home were stuffed to the bill with food for their young, making them present a very ungainly figure, as they lazily flopped their way towards the woods. On pushing our way through this mountain forest, we discovered three good-sized lakes, about one-half mile wide, and from 1 to 2 miles in It^ngth each. We tried them for fish, but only caught a few common chub. 56. Ardea virescens. Green Heron. Bather common iu the Assiniboine, near the mouth of Shell Biver, September 25, 1881. This was certainly a heron, and was certainly not the Night Heron, as it was much smaller; it had no plumes, and was green on the wing shoulders; there were at least a dozen of them; they were in the trees along the river, not far from Mr. Henry Denmark's house (Macoun). Taken them at Shoal Lake, near Winnipeg, and am told that they breed iu the sloughs around Turtle Mountains; they are rare compared with the number of Blu^ Herons (B. H. Hunter). vol.. xill.T 18IH). J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 491 lis; tbey are 57. Nycticoraz nyctiooraz neevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. A somewhat common summer rei^ident in Red Kiver Valley; one individual seen during our passage down Red River to Pembina (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident, tolerably common, especially about Rea- bitru Marsb in August and September (Hine). In great numbers' at Sboal Lake, nesting among the reeds (D. Gunn). Red River Valley: Summer resident; common (Hunter). I have seen several specimens that were taken near the southeast end of Lake Manitoba; have never seen any on the Big Plain (Thompson). Shell River: 1835, first seen, one, on May 16; a transient visitant; not breeding here (Oalcutt). I never met with it in six years of observing near the Red and Assini- boiue Rivers (Nash). I may here observe that great numbers of Night Herons breed here. They fix their nests to the leeds 8 ur D inches above the water and deposit in each 4 or 5 roundish blue eggs. I think this is the only place in Rupert's Laud where this species is found. AVe gave them tiie "go-by" last summer. The Indians call them Kitchd geskman, t. €., big kingfisher. ( D. Gunn. ) 58. OruB americaua. Whooping Crane. Flying Sheep. Tolerably common migrant and rare summer resident ; frequent in Mouse River country in August, September, and October (Uoues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Oak Point: 1884, arrived May 1, 1885 ; first seen, three, on April 15 ; next seen on April 17 ; iscommon and breeds here (Small). Rare summer resident near Westbourne, arriving in April; seen all summer (Nash). Carberry : In migrations only ; rare ; have seen specimens from Shoal Lake, where it is said to breed (Thompson). Breeding in the marshes between Moose Mountain and the Pipestone (Macoun). Shell River: 1885, first seen, two, on April 30 ; next seen, a pair, on May 3 ; a transient visitant, pai^sing north and not breeding (Calcutt). White Sand River (Christy). Qu'Appelle: Transient, passing over; April 28 to May 1 (Guernsey). On April 19, 1882, saw two Whooping Cranes ; the residents call them " Flying Sheep." They flew at a great height and were loudly croaking. This beautiful bird is common in the Qu'Appelle Valley and in the Touchwood H^ll range. It is a dangerous antagonist when wounded, striking with unerring aim and great force with its powerful I ill. When the bird is wounded, the best way to avoid its attacks is to present the muzzle of the gun as it approaches; it will fix its bill in the barrel, and may then be destroyed without danger. Instances have been known of this bird driving its bill deep into the bowels of a hunter when not suc- cessful in warding off its blow. (Hine.) 59. GruB mexicana. Sandliill Crane. Tolerably common summer resident ; common along the boundary after leaving Pembina; breeding (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resi- dent; tolerably common (Hine). Dufferin : Arrives between April 25 492 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. autl 30 (Dawson). Swamp Islaud: 1885, first seen, one, on June 10; rare and does not breed here; in fall, last seen September 7 ; 1886, first seen, two, on May I ; bulk arrived May 3 (Plunkefct). Norway House (Bell, 1880). Oak Point: 1884, arrived April 19, 1885; first seen, two, on April 15; next seen on April 16; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie : Tolerably common summer resident; breeds near here ; arrives in Ai)ril ; first seen in 1884, April 21 (Nash). (Jarberry: Common; in migration, a few breed; calso at Fingerboard, Shoal Lake, west, and Kussell (Thompson). Assiniboine, near the White Sand, and at the mouth of the Shell, 1881; also, saw young ones near Moose Mountain, June, 1880 (Macoun). Two Rivers: 1885, firsr seen, two, on April 16 ; next seen, one, on April 19 ; became common April 23 ; is pretty common here and breeds (Criddle). Dalton : 1880, first seen, one, on April 12 ; next seen on April 13, when it became common (Youmans). Shell River: 1885, first seen, t ".to, on April 19; seen every day afterwards ; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). White Sand River in May (Christy). Qn'Appelle: Tran- sient; passing over, April 28 to May 1 (Guernsey). Trout Lake Station (Murray). The first intimation that we usually have of the advent of the crane is the loud trun)peting or croaking that seems to shake the air for miles. But soon we begin to seethe birds themselves, usually in pairs, even at this eiirly season. Their food now is chiefiy rosepips, and as they stalk over the bare plains gathering this manna of the feathered race, ample oi)portuuity is offered for observation. At first one sees little to note beyond their excessive wariness, but as the warmer weather quickens their feeling, these majestic stalkers, these stately trumpeters, may often bo seen so far forgetting their dignity as to wheel about and dance, flapping their wings av\ shouting as they " honor their partners," and in various ways contrive to exhibit an extraordinary combination o( awkwardness and agility. This dance is no doubt one of the courting maneuvers, for I have observed it only during the pairing season. It has been asked if these cranes breed in communities. To this I reply, I never saw anything to lead me to such a conclusion ; all cases of their nesting that have come under my notice were those of isolated pairs. The localities they select are generally damp meadows, not necessarily near the sand bills, the chiefiy desired surroundings being rank grass wherein to forage, and scrubby or undulating land for cover. When Hrst they enter the wide world the two or three young ones are provided with a (!oat of red (Guernsey). On June 25, 1884, in a pond 10 miles west of Minnedosa, I saw four coots engaged in a curious set-to. They might have been fighting, or merely playing. They were close together, and all were splashing the water about, fiapping their wings and bobbing up and down; they faced eacli other, but never seemed to strike each other, so far as I could see. I have several times seen this performance in the spring time. Tlio luiKnitioii of ill)) coot in very 8in;;iiliir: Into in the niitninn 1 liuvo hcoii thoHc l)lnl» in (•onntl«>88 nuniluMH in tlm niarNlioH at t'>o noutli «niniboiue, near Portage la Prairie, singly or in pairs ; rare (Nash). 72. Tringa oanutus. Knot. Robin Snipe. Migrant. Winnipeg : Tolerably common in the migrations (Hine). I have never seen the Knot along Bed Biver, but have seen large flocks of the species west of Brandon (B. H. Hunter). 73. Tringa maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper. Migrant, chiefly in fall; common in fall migration along line at Turtle Mountain (Goues). Winnipeg: Bare; migrant (Hine). Portage la Prai- rie: Gommou in the autumn, frequenting the grassy marshes (Nash). Abundant along the route of 1881, also on the Great Plains and North- west (Macoun). Moosejaw (west of Manitoba), July 7 (Miller Ghristy). 74. Tringa Aisoioollis. Wliite-ruinped Sandpiper. Migrant ; not common. Portage la Prairie : Have occasionally taken it in autumn and more rarely in spring (Nash). Shoal Lake (south slope of Biding Mountain) and on Duck Mountain, June, 1884 (Thomp- son). June 4, 1884, near Shoal Lake, saw a large flock, fifty or sixty; of Wbite-rnmped Sandpipi rs as they flew along the shores of a little pond ; they performed so exactly the same evolutions in close column that the whole flock was entirely dark and silvery, according as they turned their backs cr their breasts to me. Five specimens collected, two f and three ? ; all showed sexual organs enlarged ; p' 1 ver>' fat ; all had stomachs filled with aquatic insects ; one had a ver , largo larva. 75. Tringa bairdii. Baird'a Sandpiper. Fall migrant ; not very common ; in fall migration one of the most abundant sandpipers; along Mouse Biver and westward along the line of the Bockies (Goues). Have seen it in the autumn, near Portage VOL. XIII, T 1890. J PBOCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 501 la Prairie (Nasb). Saw a namber on a salt marsh on lied Deer River, Jaly23, 18S1 (Macoun). Oarberry, An^nst 21,1884: Now commou about the lakes in company with the two Yellow-legs, but not in flocks (Thompson). 76. Tringa minutilla. Least Sandpiper. Somewhat common as a migrant; may breed. Turtle Mountain, Jdly 30 : Should not be surprised if it bred in the vicinity (Coues). Winnipeg: Tolerably common summer migrant (Hine). Shoal Lake, May 15, 16, 17, 1887 (Christy). Portage la Prairie: Very abundant, appearing in large flocks on the sand Itars in the Assiniboine River and about the prairie sloughs in August (Nash). Shot on Red Deer River, July 23, 1880 (Macoun.) 77. Tringa alpina pacifica. Red-backed Sandpiper. Blackheart. Migrant. Winnipeg: Transient visitor; tolerably* common along the river (Hine). Portage la Prairie : Tolerably common during the fall migrations (Nash). Severn House (Murray). 78. Breunetes pusillus. Seniipalmated Sandpiper. A migrant along Red River, Mouse River, and along the boundary at various points during August (Coues). Tolerably common along Red River in the migration, frequenting the wet prairies near Winnipeg (Hine). Portage la Piairie: Abundant in Assiniboine in the autumn; appearing early in August (Nash). Shot on the Red Deer River July 23, 1881 (Macoun). 79. Calidris arenaria. Sanderling. Migrant; numerous about Lake Winnipeg, June (Eennioott). olict Ave out of a flock at Oak Lake, a prairie slough, a few miles north of Portage la Prairie, August 1, 1884 (Nash). Auundaut on the west shore of Lake Manitoba, June 12, 1881 (Macoun). 80. Limosa fedoa. Marbled Godwit. Tolerably common summer resident. Pembina, June 30, 1873, nest-* iug (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident, tolerably common (Hine). Red River Valley : Summer I'esident; commou in Western Mani- toba (Hunter). Plum Creek : Breeding, 1882, June 20 (Wood). Plains near Long River and South of Souris, May ; tolerably common (Thomp- son). Qu'Appelle: Common summer lesideit; breeds ; arrives May 10 (Guernsey). Hudson's Bay (Murray). May 18, 1882, at Long River, north-east slope of Turtle Mountain, C. T. shot a fine $ Marbled Godwit from the wagon; feet, black; giz- zard filled with shells and insects. They are somewhat common on ^m ^im IM:; 'i'M 14 i 502 THE BIRDS OP MANITOUA — THOMPSON. these wide, wet plains, but all those noted have been solitary individ- uals. Their large size, reddish color, and long straight bills distin- guish them at a greiit distance. 81. Limosa haemastica. Hndsouian Godwit. Bare migrant. House (Murray). Winnipeg: Transient visitor; rare (Hine). Severn 82. Totanus melanoleucus. Greater Yellow-legs. Abundant; migrant spring, late summer, and fall; very abundant in August and September at the boundary along Mouse river (Cones). Duflferin: Arrived between April 15 and 20 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Abundant in summer migration (Hine). Norway House (Bell). Port- age la Prairie : Abundant in spring, arriving in April, usually in pairs; about the first of August they reappear in small flocks about the rivers and open prairie sloughs, where they feed on small frogs ; depart late in October ; the \a!>'- flock I saw in 1884 were flying south in a snow storm on 21st of October (Nash). Very abundant at Red Deer river and on the Assiniboine; about all ponds in the fall of 1881 (Macoun). Gar- berry : Abundant; migrant in spring and in late summer (Thompson). Shell Biver: 1885, Qrstseen,seven,on April 24, transient visitor; passing north, and not remaining any time or breeding (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle : Common migrant. May 5 (Guernsey). Severn House (Murray). Very common from the sea to Lake Winnipeg at the season (Blakiston). August 21, 1884: Greater Yellow legs are still very common about the weedy lakes. They come down from the north about the Ist of August, and are to bo seen usually on the points of land that run out into the ponds; as they stand motionless on the promontories they look twice as large as they really are. They are more shy and less active than their minor brethren, for they usually stand in a dignified way until fired at or forced to fly, seldom running in the sprightly fash- ion of the Lesser Yellow-leg. They differ also in their food, for I have found the larger species with numerous small fish in their gullets, which is unusual for a Tattler. The members of this species raise their voice in a great outcry each time a gun is fired. 83. Totanus flavipes. Yellow-lega. Common migrant all over; abundant throughout the Winnepegosis region ; Nelson Biver ; chiefly noted in Assiniboine Valley about August 15; common; spring, late summer, and autumn migrant; very abundant in August and September; along the boundary at Turtle Mountain and Mouse Biver (Cones). Winnipeg: Abundant (Hine). Portage la Prairie : This species arrives later than the last (Greater Yellow legs), not usually appearing before the 12th of May ; they return about the first of August in flocks, and depart at the end of September, my latest record being October 1st, 1886, a single bird, near the Bed Biver vol.. XIII.T 18UU. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 503 r; passing (Nash). Carberry: Common migrant in August (Thompson); abun- (laut about all pools in the fall, along the route of 1881 (Macoun). Shell river: 1885, first seen, three, on April 24; transient visitor, only pass- ing north, and not remaining any time or breeding (Calcutt). Qu'Ap- pelle: Common migrant; May 5 (Guernsey). Severn House (Murray). 84. Totanus solitarius. Solitary Sandpiper. Chiefly in migrations; nrobably breeding; in abundance in aatumn migration, Turtle Mountain, and Mouse River at the boundary (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Portage la Prairie: Tolerably common, and I think that some breed, though I have not found tlienest; arrives about May 15; reappeais about 1st August; departs in September (Nash). Frequent throughout the Winnepegosis region along the route of 1881 ; breeding, for young were observed July 20, feathered, but with some down yet (Macoun). Carberry and Portage la Prairie; in lates.all). Portage la Prairie: Abundant summer resident, arriving in April, departing at end of September (Nash). Abundant everywhere along the route, on Western plains, and especially on Win- nepegosis, around the salt licks; shot at Manitoba House, June 10, 1881 (Macoint; four were males and measured 17^, 1()|^, 10, 18,^ in length ; one doubtful was 19<{ long. Carberry specimens of umbellun had been referred to the form «m&0l hides by Mr. Bidgway, and when he further decided ray Bat Portage B|»eoimen8 to be togatuSf there were not lacking those who ridiculed the idea of the two forms being typically represented within 200 miles VOL. XIII.T 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 509 of each other ; bat a farther consideration of the physical featares of the country has show.** the reasonableness of such occurrence, for the togatus birds were taken within the great coniferous forest which is its assigned locality, while the umbelloides exam pies were taken from the open aspen woods near the northeastern boundary of the dry .tfgion that is inhabited by the pale form of umbellua. 97a Bonasa umbellns umbelloides. Partridge, or Gray Rnffed Gronse. Common resident of the poplar woods in the west and south of the province. Specimens sent from Carberry to Mr. Bidgway prove to be of the variety umbelloidea; therefore I assume that all those taken in the open and poplar woods are of this form. Winnipeg: Permanent resident; common (Hine). Ossowa: Resident; breeding (Wagner). Specimen from Red River Settlement in Smith- sonian Institution (Blakiston). Portage la Prairie: Abundant^ reisi- dent in the woods, and frequently found in the bluffs on the prairie it'tbey are of any extent (Nash). Heard drumming about Manitoba House, 1881 ; abundant in woods along Red Deer and Swan Rivers, 188) ; Fort Ellice ; Touchwood Hills and northern woods generally (Macoun). Carberry: Common, and resident in all woods; noted at south slope of Riding Mountain, Fort Ellice, west slope of Dock ]\Iountain, and Portage la Prairie (Thompson). Qu'Appelle: Gom- mon ; permanent resident; breeds (Guernsey). On April 4, 1882, the snow was 3 to 4 feet deep everywhere. Went to the slough with W. Brodie. We saw several Ruffed Grouse and we each shot one. Bonasa umbellua umbelhidea, male ; length 17^, extension 21 inches. The pectinations or points of its snowshoe but about half a dozen on the outside of each outer toe; the middle claw or each foot rubbed down to a mere stump, the others normal ; fine, full, black ruff. The bill presented au unusual feature, for when the mandibles were closed there still remained a wide opening right through the beak, near the tip, just behind the hook ; this had the appearance of having been worn away, as no doubt it was in process of collecting the browse on which the siiecies feed throughout the winter. Its crop was filled with various kinds of buds. Second specimen, female ; length 16^, extension 22. Snowshoes or pectinations on the feet perfect ; ruff insignificant ; bill normal ; crop full of broMse. April 10, the snow still deep in the woods, shot a Ruffed Grouse, male ; length 17, extension 22. Tarsi feathered to tho toes ; claws blunt; {leotinations of toes perfect; tail nil gray without any brown at all, as also was the general plumage; ruffs very full ; beak with the I same remarkable snbterminal opening as that already noted on April 4. I In the spruce bush on December R, after sundown, as I walked near the camp, I noticed the marks in the snow wliere two Ruffed fp Vl\ . '. I 1.', I 510 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. Grouse had alighted, and then without running more than a few steps had dived 'nto the drift. As I came nearer the birls sprang up through the powdery snow a few feet in advance of their entering places and I secured one of them. It was of the typical umbelloides form, with gray ^ail and plumage; its crop was filled with catkins (hazel?), equisetum tops, rosehips, and various kinds of browse; probably birch preponderated. It seems to be the normal habit of this bird to roost in a snow drift during the coldest weather. The wonderful non-conductivity of the snow is well known, but may be forcibly illustrated by the fact that although the thermometer registers 35° below zero, the 10 inches of snow which fell before the severe frost came, has eflfectually kept the wet earth in the woods from freezing, although the temperature has been at or below zero for over a week. In view of these facts it is easy to understand that the grouse in the snow drift are quite comfortable during the coldest nights. In general the bird will be found to run about before burrowing into the drift; each makes its own bed, usually 10 or 20 feet from its neighbor ; they usually go^own a foot or so and along 2 feet; they pass the whole night in one bed if undisturbed, as the large amount of dung left behind would indicate. They do not come out at the ingress, but burst through the roof of their cot at one side ; they do not usually go straight ahead and out, because their breath during the whole night has been freezing into an icy wall just before their nostrils. On December 7, in the spruce bush, shot two Ruffled Grouse this after- noon, about sunset. They vere running about on a snowdrift, picking the buds off the projecting twigs of a shrub that I take to be the dwa.. birch. One of them was in splendid bronze plumage, i. e , with the ruffs and tail baud of a rich copper color, and the other dark marking, glossed with the same. To-day the thermometer stood at 20° below zero. On May 24, 1883, saw a partridge on his drum-log in the eastern woods. The log looked as though it had been used for several seasons, aslt wais much wo"n and a great quantity of dung was lying on each side of it. On August 21, while crossing a part of the spruce bush, I heard the warning chuckle of a partridge to her brood. 1 pressed quickly forward and distinctly saw her sitting on a stump, 30 yards away. Fresh meat was desirable, and the young were well grown ; so, hastily raising the gun, I fired, without the slightest effect on the gray still form on thf stump, but at the ahot the young ones rose with a whirr and scattered to the left. Then again I fired in haste at the forui on the stump, this time with ball, and the only effect was to satisfy myself that I had been blazing away at an old knot. As I reloaded I walked towards this deceptive piece of wood, and it continued as rigid as any other stump until I was within 15 yards, when up it sprang and Hew off in the woods in the opposite direction. to that taken by the flock. VOI, XIII. •] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 511 October 25: Birtle. During the last few days, while traveling on both banks of the Assiniboine, I have seen every sliade of brown and gray partridges together in the same regions. November 12 : Ground covered with snow ; hard frost ; in sp.uce bush with J. Duff on a deer hunt,? saw three partridges roosting in an open poplar, about dusk ; shot two of them. I can not understand these birds so roosting, for, in addition to the inclemency of the weather, horned owls are very numerous and very fond of partridge flesh. It is usual for this species to roost in spruce coverts or else in a snow drift, hence it may be concluded that these two birds simply made a mistake and IKiid dearly for it. On May 3, 1884, in spruce bush, I collected three male partridges; one of the gray cast of plumage, with copper ruff; one brown, and one intermediate. All had their crops filled with poplar catkins. On Thursday evening of May 29 I heard a partridge drurjraing in a low thicket by the slough. I continued to approach it by cautiously crawling while the bird was drumming and lying still while he refrained. When at length I was within 20 feet and yet undiscovered, I eusconsed myself behind a thicket and settled myself to watch. The drummer was standing on the log with his head and crest eroet, his tail spread Imt tlie feathers on his body compressed. After looking about uncon- cernedly for a moment, he seemed to crouch a little to brace himself, then the wings flashed with a thrump, followed by a stillness, and from tlic appearance of the bird one might think tiie performance ended, but iifter about six seconds there is another ha/y flash of the wings, accom- panied again by the thrump; in about two seconds it is repeated, and again in half a second, and again and again, faster and faster, until at last the strokes I'un into each other and roll away like **the rumbling of distant thunder." I watched the performance a number of times. Hetween each ** tattoo " he did not strut but remained in the same place, merely turning his head about. Also satisfied myself that the wings beat nothing but the air. I had previously accepted this as the correct theory, because whether it stand on a sound or rotten log, a stump or a stone, the sound is always the same, and therefore it could not drum on the perch, nor could it make the sound by beating its wings together, for when a rooster or a pigeon strikes its wings together the sound is a Hliarp crack, so that there is no plausible explanation other than the Olio above given. On June 19, on the west side of Duck Mountain, in a thick poplar woods, we came on a partridge that evidently had a nest or a brood close at hand. She ran about our feet with her ruffs and tail spread and hor wings drooping, and whined in a manrtcr that showed the reason of her anxiety, but we failed to find the young or eggs. While exploring in the Carberry spruce bush, on July 3, with my friend, Mr. Miller Ghristy, we passed a tree at whose roots was a part- ^ IN 512 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. ridge's nest, but would not have discovered it had not the mother pur- sued us some 20 feet that she might begin a vigorous attack on our legs, whereupon we turned and found the nest. It was just at tbat critical moment when the young were coming out. Those that were hatched, some six or eight, hid so eflectually withia a space of 6 leet that no sign of them could be seen after the first rusb, and once hidden, tbey ceased their plaintive peepiug and maintained a dead silence. Meanwhile the mother was sorely distressed, running about our feet with drooping wings, whiniag grievously in such entire forgetfulness of hersi'lf and in such an agony of anxiety for her young that the hard- est hearted must have pitied her and have felt constrained to leave her in peace, as we did. This nest contained one addled egg and one with a chick dead and dried in. The egg was 1| by IJ, brown, with a few dots of umber. Every fieldman mu£t 1- ' acquainted with the simulation of lameness by which many birds decoy, or try to decoy, iutrudors from their nests. This is an invariable device of the partridge's, and I have no doubt that it is quite successful with the natural foes of the bird; indeed, it is often successful with man. More than once I have stood still when a clucking bird flew up, and laughed heartily to see some tyro rushing frantically after the limping mother, shouting *'Gome on I she's wouuded !" A dog, as I have often seen, is certain to be misled and duped, and there is little doubt that a mink, raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or wolf would fare no Letter. Imagine the effect of a bird's tactics on a prowling fox. He has scented her as she sits; he is almost upon her; but she has been watching him, and suddenly with a loud *^ whirr" (the whirr is essential, I think) she springs up and tumbles a few yards before him. The suddenness and noise with which the bird appears causes the fox to be totally carried away; he forgets all his former experiences ; he never thinks of the eggs : his mind is filled with the thought of the wounded binl almost within his reach; a few more bounds and his meal will be secured. So he springs and springs, and very nearly but not quite catches her; in his excitement he is led on and away, till finally the bird flies off, leav- ing him a quarter of a mile or more from the nest If, instead of eggs, the partridge has chicks, she does not await the coming of the enemy, but runs to meet and mislead him ere yet he is in the neighborhood of the brood ; she then leads him tar away, and returning gUhers her young together again by her voice. When surprised she utters a well-known danger siirnal, whereupon the young ones hide under logs and among grass. Many persons say they will each seize a leaf in their beak^ and then turn on their backs. I have never found any support for this idea, although I haw often seen one of the little creatures crawl under a dead leaf. By the end of September the young partridges are fully grown and very fat At this time they commonly spend the night either squat vor.. xni,1 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 513 ting under the evergreens or roosting in the trees; but when the \Aeather gets cold and the snow lies deep and soft in the woods, they begin to sleep in the drifts, going down nearly a foot in the same man- ner as that described under the Prairie Chicken. Their food at this time is chiefly browse, birch- catkins, and rosehips, bnt in the summer and fall they live largely on insects, leaves, berries, and nuts. In September I shot some with their crops full of acorns. The flesh of the partridge is ranked by many as the most delicate of all our game, while the bird affords the best of sport to those who hunt it fairly. But it is hard to understand the feeling of those who will beat a fine partridge bush with a cur that is trained to tree the bird and hold its attention by barking, while his comrade, guided by the uproar stealthily approaches within a few feet and after a long and deadly aim discharges half a pint of buckshot into the hapless bird, which, between the shot and the cur, is so mangled before the musketeer secuies it that after all he gets but little more than h^ deserves. It goes without saying that an object in motion catches the eye more quickly than one at rest, and it is evident also that so small an object in a landscape as a rabbit or partridge will almost certainly escape ob- servation if it lie completely at rest. This fact is so well known to most wild animals, especiallj' those that are continually harassed by the pre- (laceous kinds, that the moment they perceive the approach of an enemy they become motionless as statues, and, no matter what their attitude, move neither eye nor limb till they have tiioroughly taken in the situation and satisfied themselves that there is nothing further to be gained by concealment. This habit I have often noticed in the par- tridge and have observed it maintain its fixity for a remarkable length of time under very trying circumstances. A second purpose served by niotionlessness is that of enabling the animal to observe accurately the motions of its enemy. An observer in motion can not accurately gauge the slight movements of another, and the only resource is to pause often so that the relative movements of the object watched may be gauged against the background. This end I conceive is exactly met by the nodding head of the walking par- tridge; its body continues in steady progression, but its eye or base of observation is for a moment in each step at a standstill, thereby giving it a great advantage. On the 14th October, 1884, whiNt Prairie Chicken shootinK, we found and shot a lar^e full pluniagod male partridge oii the open prairie, at least a mile from cover of any iiind. This species exhibits great variation in plumage, hardly any two being aliiber 11, 1886. Some iudians came to the door to-day with Prairie Chickens to sell. So far as I could judge these did not differ from opecimeus seen at Pert Arthur, and were probably referable to the typical form. (E. E. T.) lOOa. Pediocaetes phasianeilus campestils. Prairie Chicken. Abundant and resident throughout the South and West (the Car- berry form is, according to Mr. Ridgway, nearer to ^mpestris than to phasianeilus) ; abundant resident ; abounds from Pembina to the Bockies, along the line (Coues). Winnipeg: Stinking River and Long Lake; summer resident; abundant (Hine). Red River Settlement (Blakistou). Several times observed from the trains between Winnipeg and Rat Portage (Thompson). Ossowo : Resident ; breeding (Wagner). Portage la Prairie: Abundant; resident (l!Ta8h). Very abundant on the prairies from Livingstone southward in 1881, but not noted at all in the Wiuoepegosis region (Maconn). Carberry : Abundant; resident ; partly migratory, as it lives on the prairies in summer an I in the woods in win- ter; noted at Sewell, Chattr, Brandon, norUi slop*) of Turtle Mount- ain as far afj Pelicrn Lake, throughout the country from Carberry to Fort EUice, and northwards in prairie localities to Cote's Reserve (Thompson). Qu'Appelle : Common ; permanent resident ; breeds (Gnerusey). April 18, 1882. Saw a flock of about t'uirty Prairie Chickens. Shot vol,. XIII.l 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 517 kens. Shot one and identified it aa the Pedioccetes phasianellus. It was a female. Length 17, extension 25^ inches. The pectinations on the toes very im- perfect. Some of its comrades flew ofif and perched on tops of the highest trees. While the one I had shot was struggling in the agonies of death, its tail was rapidly vibrated, so that the hard stiff feathers of wbich it is composed proauced a loud rustling noise, somewhat like the sound of a newspaper shaken violently. April 19. Large numbers of Prairie Chickens about. They are said to be returning from the woods. April 21. Numbers of Prairie Ohickens about. One was on the roof of the shanty making a curious crowing noise. April 2S. Went to spruce brush with A. S. T. On the road he showed me a Prairie Chicken. I dropped it at 40 yards with a half charge of Ne. 12. My brother remarked that they were never alone at this season ; there must be another near by ; and presently I saw its head in the grass and added it to our bag. Both were males. No. 1. Length 18, extension 26 inches; bare skin over the eye, bright chrome-yellow ; air sacs purplish ; all pectinations gone from the toes but about 6 points ; claws very blunt. No. 2. Length 18, extension 27 inches ; exactly as above, but pec- tinations of the toes complete yet and claws quite sharp. May 8. Prairie Chickens abundant now on the prairies. May 9. Three Prairie Chickens brought to me to-day by the boys ; two males ; one female; crops of all were filled with willow catkins, siind-flowers {Anemone patens), and rosehips. The female was without the air-sacs on the neck or the yellow over the eye. One had no pec- tinations on the toes, the other two had the imperfect remains of them only. May ;iO. Prairie Chicken (male) shot to-day shows no pectinations whatever on the toes. May 12. Brandon. C. T. shot a Prairie Chicken (female). In the ova- duct was an egg nearly ready to be dropped; it was of a very pale blue; about the color of a blue-bird egg. May 15. Camp 30 miles south of Souris. Shot a Prairie Chicken ; (female) ; toes quite clear of pectinations ; gizzard and crop filled with rosehips and the fleshy flower receptacles of the sand-flower {Anemone patens). May 10. Camp 10 miles east of land office. Turtle Mountain. Shot a Prairie Chickea (female) ; no pectinations on toes ; crop full of willow catkins and sand-flowers ; one egg ready to be laid; it is pale bluish olive in color. Sept. 23. Prairie Chickens were numerous today in a little grove just west of the house. Specimens shot showed the feathering of the legs and the pectinations of the toes in full development. In Manitoba this bird is always spoken of us t he Prairie Chicken. 1 iiave several times heard this name objected to by Eastern naturalists IP s t <{| pi I 518 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. as being preoccupied by the Tympanuchiis americanii8, but I would sub. init that the latter is always known as the Prairie Hen; * and though but a flue distinction it is a distinction, and it is better that it should remain, rather than attempt the alteration of nomenclature that has become as much a part of the language as the conjugation of the verb " to be." This eminently prairie bird in the summer time usually retires to the woods and sand hills on the approach of winter; but in the spring, before the snow is gone, they again perform a partial migration and scatter over the prairies, where alone they are to be found during the summer. They are very shy at all times, but during the winter the comparatively heedless individuals have been so thoroughly weeded out by their numerous enemies that it requires no slight amount of stalking to get within range of a flock in the springtime. The advent of the grouse on the still snow-covered plains might l)rove premature, but that they find a good friend in the wild prairie rose {Rosa blanda). It is abundant everywhere, and the ruddy hips, unlike most fruits, do not fall when ripe, but continue to hang on the stiff stems until they are dislodged by the coming of the next season's crop. On the Big Plain stones of any kind are unknown, and in nearly all parts of Alanitoba gravel is unattainable during the winter ; so that the "chicken"^ and other birds that require these aids to digestion would be at a loss were it not that the friendly rose also supplies this need ; for the hips, besides being sweet and nutritious, contain a num- ber of small, angular, hard seeds, which answer perfectly the purpose of the gravel. To illustrate the importance of this shrub, in this re- gard, I append a table of observations on the crops and gizzards con- tents of grouse killed during the various mouths as indicated : January. — Roac-hips, browse, and eqiiiaotutn tops. February. — Rose-hips aud browse. March, — Rose-hips and browse. April. — Rose-hips and browse of birch and willow. May. — Rose-hips and sand-flowers (Anemone pateua). June. — Rose-hips, grass, gr.isslioppors, and Prooonia C08tali$.\ July. — Rose hips, seeds of star-grass, and P. costalia. August. — Rose-hips, grass, strawberries, aud P. costalia. September. — Rose-hips, grass, berries, and P. coatalia. October. — Rose-hips, grass, and various berries. Koi'ember. — Rose-hips, birch and willow browse, aud berries of arbutus. December. — Rose-hips, juniper berries, and browse. This is, of course, a mere list of staples, as in reality nothing of the nature of grain, fruit, leaves, or insects co'nps amiss to this nearly om- nivorous bird, but it illustrates the importance of the rose-hips, which * Unfortunately, this is an error. One rarely hears the name Prairie Hen applied to the Tympanuchus in the prairie States, where its almost nuiveraal name is Pruirie Chicken, often shortened to simply Chicken. — R. R. tAs this insect is found all summer, it may prove not costalia, bat a nondescript. VOL XIII, T 1800. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 519 are always attaiuable, as they grow everywhere and do not fall when ripe. In the course of my experience I have examined some hundreds of gizzards of the Prairie Ohicken, and do not recollect ever finding one devoid of the stony seeds of the wild rose. It is probable that the service is mutual, for these seeds secure a better distribution after being swallowed by the grouse; and as they were passed out with possibly increased vitality they may germinate more readily for the thinning their outer coat would receive during the grinding operation. After the disappearance of the snow and the coming of warmer weather, the chickens meet every morning at gray dawn in companies of from six to twenty on some selected hillock or knoll and indulge in what is called " the dance." This performance I have often watched. It presents the most amusing spectacle I have yet witnessed in bird life. At first, the birds may be seen standing about in ordinary atti- tudes, when suddenly one of them lowers its head, spreads out its wiugs nearly horizontally and its tail perpendicularly, distends its air sacs and erects its feathers, then rushes across the " floor," taking the shortest of steps, but stamping its feet so hard and rapidly that the sound is like that of a kettle drum ; at the same time it utters a sort of bubbling crow, which seems to come from the air sacs, beats the air with its wiugs, and vibrates its tail so that it produces a low, rustling noise, and thus contrives at once to make as extraordinary a spectacle of itself and as much noise as possible. As soon as one commences all join in, rattling, stamping, drumming, crowing, and dancing together furiously ; louder and louder the noise, faster and faster the dance becomes, until at last, as they madly whirl about, the birds are leaping over each other in their excitement. After a brief spell the energy of the dancers begins to abate, and shortly afterwards they cease and stand or move about very quietly, until they are again started by one of their number " leading off." The whole performance reminds one so strongly of a Oree dance as to suggest the possibility of its being the prototype of the Indian exer- cise. The space occupied by the dancers is from 50 to 100 feet across, and as it is returned to year after year, the grass is usually worn off and the ground trampled down hard and smooth. The dancing is in- dulged in at any time of the morning or evening in May, but it is usu- ally at its height before sunrise. Its erotic character can hardly be questioned, but I can not fix its place or value in the nuptial ceremo- nies. The fact that I have several times noticed the birds join for a brief set-to in the late fall merely emphasizes its parallelism to the drumming and strutting of the partridge, as well as the singing of small birds. The whole affair bears a close resemblance to the maneuvering of the European Buff, and from this and other reasons I am inclined to sus- pect the Sharptail of polygamy. When the birds are disturbed on the hill they immediately take wing and scatter, uttering, as they rise, /■ ! i 520 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. their ordinary alarm note, a peculiar vibrator^^ " each, cacic, cack.''^ This is nearly always uttered simultaneously with the beating of the wings, and so rarely, except under these circumstances, that at first 1 sup- posed it was caused by the wings alone, but since have heard the sound both when the birds were sailing and when they were on the ground, besides seeing them fly ofl:' silently. They have also a call — a soft, clear whistle of three slurred notes, E A D — and a sort of gruut of alarm, which is joined in by the pack as they fly off. Their mode of flight is to flap and sail by turns every 40 or ^0 yards, and so rapid and strong are they on the wing that I have seen a chicken save itself by its swiftness from the first swoop of a Peregrine Falcon, while an- other was seen to escape by flight from a Snowy Owl. The nest of this species is placed in the long, rank grass under some tuft that will aid in its concealment, and is usually not far from a tract of brush land or other cover. It is little more than a slight hollow in the ground, arched over by the grass. The eggs, usually fourteen, but sometimes fifteen or sixteen in number, are no larger than those of the common pigeon, and are actually smaller than those of the Upland Plover, a bird which is only one-eighth of the chicken's weight. Im mediately before expulsion they are of a delicate bluish green ; on being laid they show a }mrplish grape like bloom ; after a few days expos- ure they become of a deep chocolate brown, with a few dark spots. After a fortnight h»'" transpired they are usually of a dirty white; this change is partly due to bleaching and partly to the scratching they receive from the mother's bill and feet. A partial history of the young in a wild state is briefly as fol- lows: At the age of G weeks they are fully feathered and at 2 months fully grown, although still under guidance of the mother at this time. There is usually not more than six or seven young ones left out of the original average brood of fifteen, which statement shows the ntimber of chicks which fall a prey to their natural enemies, wa'ile many sets ^f eggs* also are destroyed by the fires which annually devastate the prairies. As the fall advances they gather more and more into flocks and become regular visitors to the stubble fields, and, in consequence, regular articles of diet with the farmers until the first fall of snow buries their fo aging grounds and drives tlioni en masse to the W(ods. During the summer the habits of the chickens are eminently terres- trial; they live, I'e'-'d, atul sleej) almost exclusively on the ground; but the first snow makes a nuliciil change. They now act more like a prop- erly adapted perching bird, for they spend a largo part of their time in the highest trees, Hying from one to another and ]»erchiDg, blows iiig, or walking about among tlm branches with perfect ease, and evi dently at this tirni^ preferring an arboreal to a teneslrial life. When thus aloft they are not at all jtossossed of that feeling of seeurity which makes the similarly situated Knifed (Irouse so easy a prey to the pot hunter. On the contrary, their perfect grasp of the situation usually VOL. XIII.T 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, 521 renders thorn shy and induces them to fly long ere yet the sportsman has come near enough to be dangerous. Like most of the members of its family, the Prairie Chicken spends the winter nights in the snow, which is always soft and penetrable in the woods, although out on the plaius it is beaten by the wind into drifts of ice-like hardness. As the evening closes in the birds fly down from the trees and either dive headlong into a drift or run about a little and select a place before going under. The bed is generally about 6 inches from the surface and a foot long from the entrance. Each indi- vidual prepares his own place, so that a flock of a dozen chickens may be scattered over a space of 50 yards square. By the morning each bird's breath has formed a solid wall of ice in front of it, so that it in- variably goes out at one side. The great disadvantage of the snow bed is, that when there the birds are more likely to become the prey of foxes ' and other predaceous animals, whose sagacious nostrils betray the very spots beneath which the unsuspecting bird is soundly slumbering. 1 am inclined to think this is the only chance a fox has of securing one of the old birds, so wary are they at all other times. As the winter wanes it is not uncommon for a snowstorm to be ac- eonipauied by sleet. The storm at once drives the chickens into the drifts and afterwards levels the holes they formed in entering. The freezing of the sleet then forms a crust which resists all attempts at es- cape on the part of the birds, many of which, according to the account of hunters, are starved and thus perish miserably. I met with a single instance of this myself. Before the winter is over, many of the birds, by continuously pulling off frozen browse, have so worn their bills that when closed there is a large opening right through immediately behind the hook.* Early in April the few that have survived the rigors and perils of their winter life spread over the prairie once more and soon scatter to enter on their duties of reproduction. The growth and shedding of the pectinations on the toes I have re- corded at length, and not having heard of any use for them, conceived the idea which I have already published (1883), that they are intended to act as snowshoes, and the fact that they grow in the fall and con- tinue in perfection all winter, only dropping ott" after the snow is gone, juMtitles this conclusion. The same remark applies to the similar ap- pendages of the Kurted (Iroiihe. The tail seems to present a curious «;pecializat; Mt, most marked in the cmter feathers; its ciiief function in life appears to be making a noise. Tlie (tentral pair of soft, h)iig, silent IV.:thers stand out like monuments of what the tail used to be in the pahny days of thespecioH, when not mere hubbub in the nuidding crowd «»M the nois.\ dance hill, but dainty decoration was the charm by which cliieily the pedioca'tes wooed aiul won his nuite. iv Thu ftuiiie I'ciniirk upiilicH to tlie partridKO. » r 522 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. 101. Ectopistes migratorius. Wild Pigeou. ^ Tolerably coiuiugu summer resideut of wooded regions ; countless flocks in Red River Valley late May and early June, 1873; breeding; a few seen in Turtle Mountain (Coues). Duflfcrin : Arrived May, 7, 1874 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Ossowo: Rare : breeding; 18S5, first seen, two, on April 18; next seen, April 19; seldom seen here (> Vaguer). Oak Point: 1884, arrived June 20 (Small). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident; arriving about the first week in May, departing at the end of September; on May 21 fresh eggs were found (Nash). Sarden Island, Lake of the Woods ; Penuawa River ; Fort Garry, 1858, pigeon nets were in use near Fort Garry; Portage la Prairie, 1858, June 17, pigeons were flying in vast numbers over the Assiniboine ; Souris River, near Spencer Knob, 27 June, 1858, vast numbers of pigeons were flying in a northwesterly direction (tlinc). Found a few breeding on Waterhen River in 1881 ; about a dozen nests ; in early fall saw great numbers in tlie Swan River region (Macoun). Caiberry: Tolerably commci spring migrant ; prob- ably breeding; south slope of Riding Mountain (Thompson). Two Rivers: 1885, on May 14, saw several; they did not alight (Griddle). Shell River: 1885, first seen, five, on June 15 ; odd pairs breed here (Gal- cutt). Qu'Appelle: Occasional; May 10 (Guernsey). On May 17, 1884, saw flocks of wild pigeons flying westward, and on July 22, Portage la Prairie, saw a number in the woods along the river. Apparently they breed in this region, and if so, no doubt as isohated pairs, for I am not aware of the existence of any extensive rookeries in the province. Pigeuus of a small size, not larger than a tlirusb, are, iu some sunuiters, fouud as far north as Churchill River. The bill in of a llesh color, legs reil, and the greatest part of the plumage of a light lilac or bluish. In the interior parts of the country they ily in large Hocks and perch on the poplar trees in such numbers that I have seen twelve of them killed at one shot. They usually feed on poplar buds and are good eating, though seldom fat. They build their ueats in trees, the same as the Wood Pigeons do; never lay but two eggs, and are very scarce near the scacuast in all the northern parts of Hudson's Bay. (Hearue.) Merue rouck pigeons. The lirst species I shall take notice of is one I received at Severn, in the year 1771, and, having sent it home prcHCived to Mr. Pennant, he informed me it was the niigratoria species. They are very nuniotous inland and visit our settlement to the southward iu summer. They are plenty about Moose Fort and inland, where they breed, choosing an arboreoiiN situation. Tlie gentlemen ninnber them amongst the many delicacies Hudson's Bay ntl'ords nurtabl's. 'T is a hardy bird, continuing with them till December. In ^'ummer their food is berries, and when thewe are covere, the winter snow was covering the grountl to the depth of a foot, while the rivers were still bound; the only part of the interior of ! HI 524 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. British Ifortli America, as far as I can ascertain, that it inhabits in the prairie country that lies to the south and west of Lake Winnipeg (Blakiston). Portage la Prairie : 1884; scarce summer resident; first seen May 23; occasionally se* n in April and May, and again in Septem- ber, generally near the Assiniboine River ; not observed near the Red River (Nash). Tolerably common summer resident at Carberry ; not known to breed; near Turtle Mountain; Fort El 1 ice ; Cote's Reserve (Thompson). Two liivers: Rare; two seen hovering over bank of river, May 2 (Griddle). Shot near Westbourue in 1881 (Macoun). Upper Assiuiboine (Bell). Plains of the Souris near Pipestone Creek (Hurd, July, 1858). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident ; breeds ; arrives ]\Iay 20 (Guernsey). Shell River : 1885, first seen, two, on April 25: here all summer at times, but not breeding (Calcutt). lu Miuuesota, abundant; breeding. Tlie Turkey Buzzard usually selectH the hol- low prostrate trunk of a large tree for its nest. I found young birds nearly fledged as late as the 2t)th of July. There are usnally <\n'o young, occasionally but one This bird is capable of withstanding considerable cold. I saw it on tbeij4th of Octo- ber, and again on the 8th of December. (T. M. Trippe.) 104. Elanoides forficatus. Swallow-tailed Kite. A rare straggler; observed in northern Minnesota near the boundary (Thompson). Occasional at Pembina (Coues). Winnipeg: Accidental visitant; rare (Hine). Noticed at Selkirk, Pembina Mountains, and Fort Qu'Appelle (Hunter). 105. Circus hudsoulus. Harrier, or Marsh Hawk. Abundant summer resident, chiefly in the prairie regions; common along the boundary from Pembina to Rockies ; next found at Pembina (Coues). Duft'erin: Arrived before April 15 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Spring of 1859; did not observe it before the 28th of that month (April) at Red River Settlement (Blak- iston). Ossowa: Common; breeding, 1885; last seen, one on November 12 (Wagner). Oak Point: 1884, arrived April 27; 1885, first seen, one on April 8; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie: 1.S84; very common summer resident; first seen April 11; birds in the full blue plumage being occasionally seen; arrive early in April; are abundant by the middle of the month ; dej)art at the end of October (Nash). Carberry: Our commonest hawk; summer resident near Turtle i\Iountnin; near Slioal Lake, west; the adults in blue plumage com- mon in spring and fall, rare atother times (Thompson). Brandon: April 1(», 1882(H\K>d). Common in the WinnepegosJH region, but ex(H'edingly 4ilMindant on the niaishy prairies from Liviii^^'ston southward along the Assiuiboine, September, 1881 (Macoun). Qu'AppelU^: Con)mon sum nier resident; breeds; arrives April J5 ((Juernsey). Adult nmlo, Cum- berland House (Kichardson). Severn House (Murray). September 28, 1882: The full pluuiaged Gray Harriers are here once more. This bird comes earlier in the s|)ring than the brown plumaged VOL. XIII.T 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 525 X I barrier, goes farther north to breed, migrates later in the fall, aud flies differently, so that if it is the same bird, the ca^e is a unique one. On October 3, 1883, watched a Blue Harrier capture a junco in full flight; the latter exhibited some extraordinary feats on the wing, but the harrier was always close behind, and followed up, down, into the grass or along, and in a few seconds he flew off with the sparrow in his talons. I am very sure the powers of flight of this hawk are much beyond those of a Brown Harrier. On October 3, near Shoal Lake, west, saw a Blue Harrier trying to catch some teal that were on a very small shallow pond. Each tim^ the harrier pounced the teal would dive below the surface, and at the same time splash the water up as high as possible. This happened several times, and at length the baffled harrier gave up the attempt. On May 13, i884, saw a hawk flying over the slough with a deeply undulated flight. At each ascending part it uttered a cackling which sounded like something between the shrill piping of a snipe and the chuck-chuck of a rooster calling the hens; then it dashed on the down- ward line, repeating the maneuvers for half a mile, when it was lost to sight. This bird seemed black above, and pure white beneath; tail, long. On i*Iay 19 a harrier was sitting on a tussock in the middle of the slough. It was easily approached by an old and never-failing plan. I fixed my eyes on a point in the horizon, which was so situated that by going toward it I must pass within 30 yanls of the hawk. I then walked straight to my mark, never turning my head or even my eyes, else the bird had surely flown. When at the nearest point I turned suddenly; immediately the hawk sprang, but at once fell to ray gun. It proved a female and had a tchite breast and slaty-brown back. In the gizzard was a gopher which had evidently been stealing wheat, when the harrier caught and lynched him on the spot. Certainly this is a plea for the hawk. Six of the grains were in good condition, though much swollen. They were planted but failed to germinate, doubtless because siiturated with the harrier's gastric juice, but most likely the greater ])art of the gopher's cargo was spilt where he was devoured, so that this illustrates one natural mode of distributing seed. I have made many other observations on the food of this bird in Manitoba, and all point to gophers as the staple, blackbirds aud spar- rows as occasional varieties. I once saw an old one trying to capture some young ducks, but the mother duck contrived to keep him at bay by splashing until the ducklings escaped into cover. May 20, saw a hawk flying in a most extraordinary fashion. Its course was excessively undulated, with the ascending parts nearly perpendicu- lar, the descending in a long oblique, the outline being that of a huge rip saw. During the flrst upward bound it uttered a continuous cackling, much like the note of a snipe, then plunged silently downward, again to bound upward; when at the highest point this time it turned a ■if • ' 'I t I i^^ 526 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. complete somersault, then pluiigCvl again, and rep jated this series of actions a number of times, then set its wings rigidly and sailed away in a straigit lin?, never flapping once till out of sight. It was a gray hawk with a white breast and seemed a perfect master of aerial navi gation. July 13, at the slough saw a hawk sailing about and squeaking like a snipe. It continued sailing very near caud seemed in no fear of me, but of course 1 had no gun. A kingbird launched out fr^.n a bush and gave chase; the hawk rosr higher and higher till the kingbird was lost to sight; soon the latter returned and afterward the hawk. This happened twice and made me think it was a Red-tailed Buzzard. As he did not seem dii^posed to go away, I went home and in half an hour returned with a gun. He was still there and soon again came sailing and squeaking over me. He made a swoop which brought him very near; then crack! and he fell headlong. I ran to pick up my prize to find the Arctic hawk, at last, and lo! my old friend the harrier, the commonest of our predacious birds. , August 9, 1 shot an adult female harrier nt the same place as last taken. She also was uttering the peculiar cackling, though not flying after the manner described. Her gizzard contained a mass of pulp which was full of what looked like raspberry seeds. I think it likely she had swallowed a gopher whose stomach was full of that fruit. On September 9, on the edge of the grain field, in the evening, saw a barrier (brown) pounce on a Prairie Chicken, but the latter struggled, and at length got free and made a dash for life, with the harrier in close pursuit, but to my surprise the chicken gained at every beat, and in less than 100 yards the harrier gave up the chase and turned about in search of gophers, grasshoppers, and other game more within his reach. The Marsh Harrier \^Circtt» eyaneus hudsoniua) is a very common bird througli- out Manitoba, and may often be seen sailing over the prairies, the slonglis, or tho wheat tiehlN. One morning late in August I remember counting a dozen ronml one house. « ^ * Nearly all the individuals I saw were in tho brown pluma^re ; only three or four wore the adnlt bluish ash-colored dress. This bird. co>nes often and in- spects the settlers' chickens, but seldom carries off any except very young ones — gophers, mice, and grasshoppers being its usual prey. It is exceedingly easy to shoot and one or two dead ones may often bo seen lying round a farmer's house. The bar- rier became a much scarcer bird as September wore on (Christy.) These hawkH are very fond of eating tho ducks that are killed and lost by sportsmen, and where much shooting is done in a marsh yon may see numbers of carcasses of duiks half devoured by this bird. On one occasion a harrier tried to take from mo ii wounded teal that had crossed a creek on the bank of which I was shoo ing. Before I sent my don; fo" tho duck tho hawk came, hovering over tho creek, and seeing the prostrate bird immediately pounced on i back, but the teal fluttered and threw him off for tho moment. As I wished to see the result I kept perfectly quiet, and tho hawk, not noticing me, m'ttled down on tho ground about 2 feet from the duck and watched for some time ; at last, apparently tired of waiting for tho wounded bird to die, he went off. These birds should never be destroyed ; as, though occasionally they may take a young or wounded duck, their prey is usually mice and gophers. (NMb, M8S.) VOL. XIII, n 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 106. Accipiter veloz. Sbarp-shinued Hawk. 527 Summer residents of woodlands. Duflferin : Arrived before April 15 (Dawson). Mouse River at the boundary (Coues). Winnipeg : Summer resident ; tolerably cou;:>^on; April 15 to October 15 (Hine). Specimens in Smithsonian Institution iicrn Bed Eiver Settlement, and from between Hudson's Bay and Lake Winnipeg (Blakiston). Portage la Prairie : Common in spring and autumn, bnt not often seen during the summer; ariives in April and departs in October; in 1884 arrived, tirst appearance, April 16 (Nash). Carberry : One taken October 5 (Thompson). Observed in Winnepegosis county; saw a number near (Jot6'8 Reserve, and shot one at Livingston, September 11, 1881 (Macoun). T.iia audacious little robber is about tbe commouest hawk ia the wooded section .ibout Portage la Prairie, but owing to his hiding propensities he is not so much noticed us the others. His usual habit of hunting is thus: He skims along low amongst b ishes and shrubs, constantly alighting on the branches, and woe to the unfortunate sparrow or other small bird th.at fails to drop into the grass before he arrives, for if the little bird is once seen it rarely escapes ; for, unlike most hawks, this fellow will follow his prey through the thickest places, hopping and running after '. -m with the greatest rapidity. I have, when quietly seated in the brush, been fre- q^'cntly warned of the approach of this hawk by the sudden cessation of song around lue, and the utterance of a peculiar plaintive squeak by the small birds in the vicinity, upon which they all drop down and hide, and in a moment my ghost-like friend glides like a shadow on tlie scene, drops on a low branch for a second, and then passes on. .Sometimes, however, I have seen this hawk strike at and pursue a bird in the air, like a true falcon, and on one occasion an impudent villain of this species glanced piist my head and snatched up a plover I had shot, carrying it ott" in frontof my dog's nose, and this ho did before the report of my gun had died away, and through the smoke from the charge. The act so astonished me that I forgot to shoot at him until lie was too far otT; when I did remember, 1 sent the other charge after him, but n ithout effect ; ho did not even drop his ill-gotten spoil. On another occasion one followed a rtv'poll almost into my buggy. On the 22d of August I saw one strike at a Bronzed Grackle and carry Lt otf from where it was feeding in a public street, at Portage la Prairie, although there were many people about. I have occasionally seen this bird hover like the kestril, but very rarely. (Nash, in MS.S.) 107. Accipiter cooperl. Cooper's Hawk. Chicken Hawk. Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). I have seen them at Oak Lake, west of Brandon, where they breed; and saw a pair on 10th May, 8 miles south of Troy dei^ot, Canadian Pacific Rail- way, west (R. H. Hunter). North to the Sasl;atchewan (Brewer). 108. Accipiter atricaplUus. American Goshawk. Tolerably common fall and winter visitant; usually appealing in August. Winnipeg: Winter visitant abundant; November 15 to March 1 (Hine). Portage la Trairio (Nash). Carberry : Tolerably com- mon in fall and early winter; usually appearing in August; not noted during breeding season. Rat Portage: Fall (Thompson). A regular but uncommon winter vi^sitor; more frequently seen near tie Red River near Winnipeg (Nash). ':l I I it . 528 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. Ou August 27, 1883, George Measham brought a large goshawk that he had shot by the north slough; young female; length 24, extension 44; weight, 2^ pounds good. It is a very big, heavy bird ; legs, all reticulate except in front, where they are scutellate; plumage vrry pale, streaked all over; a white line over the eye; its throat and stom- ach were filled with bad meat, but there was nothing to show of what kind. On September 14 I secured a living goshawk by a curious combina- tion of circumstances. Some days before a harrier had been shot over at Wright's while chasing the chickens and was left where it fell; and on the day in question the chi kers were picking at the now odorous body of their late fot "hr^ u^ree great gray hawks came wheeling overhead, and presen:' o\n: of tuem pounced down among the fowls. Away they ran for shelt; . ve one, which was carried oflF and the three pirates circled awa^ and ■ , ^n onto the prairie to enjoy their repast, where, lo! to their infinite aisgust, they found that the only chicken which had not fled waa t he dry and musty dead harrier. In the meantime I had started after them with the gun, and by the never- failing trick of pretending not to see them, for there was not a stick of cover, I got within shot and secured a bird with each barrel. One of them was only winged and after a short chase he was captured and taken home. Here 1 kept him for over a month, but finding that his wing was not likely to heal 1 kille \ him. During the time he lived he lost no whit of his inborn ferocity ; he was kept chained by the entrance to the gar- den, find so far as hens were concerned he answered perfectly as a gate. He was always ready for a fight when any dog came near; but I found that by approaching cautiously I could seize his feet, after which he was powerless to inflict any injury. The flight of this fine species is worthy of the true falcon, for it is so dashing and swift that the common buzzards look veiy slow and clumsy in comparison. January 13,1887, at Bat Portage, was shown the remains of a goshawk shot here last fall. I have Been these birds strike at Sbarp-tailed Gronse and at tame pigeons, bntthey do nut seem to be successful in tbeir efforts very often, for I never saw them catch one nor do they appear to follow up their game after making tbeir dash at it. (Nasb. in MSS.) 109. Buteo boreallB. Red-tailed Hawk. > (Possibly krideri, as a breeding specimen from Chippewa Lake, Min nesota, is so identified by Mr.Bldgway.) Tolerably common summer resident of the wooded regions; one taken on Mouse River, at the boundary, in September (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; rare (Hiue). I saw numbers at Red River Settlement in the spring of 1859 (Blakistou). Portage la Prairie : Tolerably common summer resident, VOL. xni.l l8»o. J frequenting mix' residei breeding (1 Shot one f Shell River day ; is a e By June the Duck IV Hawk, whi( Manitoba, length 20, ( not at all a past a iiart tail perche( animal; bu tail, and fc ebt'og sigl swiftly on avoid the with a gra< heavy feet, iu an oa':. which caui Gopher {8^ received as This sp( Manitoba, in the mor two specie taken as a animal ha^ fact that iiecessarilj further sti different fi Rather H. Huntei (Macoun). 11 Very ab dant 50 m Mouse Ki\ April 12 (5 Pro M i VOL. XIII.T IHM). J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 529 frequenting the skirts of the woods (Nash). Garberry : Oommon suin- ini r resident in wooded localitii s near here; Duck Mountain, observed breeding (Thompson). Bran(?on Hills: Nesting, Juno 4, 1882 (Wood). Shot one fine specimen at Livingston, September 13, 1881 (Macoun). Shell River: 1885, drst seen, one, male, on April 5, afterward seen every day; is a common summer resident, and breeds here (Calcutt). By June 10, 1884, the Red-tailed Hawk was an abundant specias in the Duck Mountain wooded region, much more so than the Swainson Hawk, which is the prevailing species on the prairie region of southern Manitoba. June 18, at Duck Mountain, shot a Red-tailed Hawk, female; length 20, extension 48. It seems to me to be the eastern bird, and not at all approaching krideri. On July 9, as I drove with'Dr. Gilbert past a part of the plain on which were a few scrub oaks, I saw a Red- tail perched on a post. As we drew near he flew, but dropped a small animal; but before he could secure it he was attacked by another Red- tail, and for some time their brilliant tourney in the air was an inter- e^t'og sight. Again and again the uppermost biid would charge swiftly on the other, which would thereat alight on the earth and so avoid the onslaught, or if too high for that means of escape would, with a graceful sweep, turn on his back and strike upwards with his heavy feet. The combat was ended at last by the weaker taking refuge in au oa' . In the meantime I had stepped in and secured the boot which caused the strife. It was a very fine specimen of the Scrub Gopher {Spermophilus franklini), a rare animal; so it was thankfully received as an addition to my collection. This species seems to be the complement of Swainson's Hawk in Manitoba, adhering to the forest regions, while the latter is found only in the more open places. The differences of habit presented by these two species are slight but quite appreciable, and are of a class that, taken as a whole, incline me to lay down a law that no two species of animal have the same exact environment, aside from the hypothetical fact that no animal fulfilling exactly the same conditions would necessarily be of the same species. I find that each species, as it is farther studied, shows that it is adapted to a set of conditions slightly different from those of its nearest congeners. '1/ it I'i 110. Buteo lineatUB. Red-sbonldored Hawk. Bather common in the eastern or wooded part of the province (R. H. Hunter). One fine specimen shot on Oak HiUs, November 3, 1881 (Macoun). 111. Buteo swainsoni. Swainson's Hawk. Common Henhuwk. Very abundant summer resident in the prairie region. Very abun- dant 60 miles west of Pembina Mountains, at Turtle Mountain, and at Mouse River, along the boundary (Coues). Oak Point: 1884; arrived April 12 (Small). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Port- Proc. N. M. W) 34 630 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA THOMPSON. age la Prairie; 1884; abundant; summer resident; first appearance in 1884, April 10; frequentiu^r the open prairie and breeding in conspicu- ous places, usually in a small tree standing among low scrub (Nasb). Carberry: Very abundant; summer resident; breeds perhaps twice each season; arrivesmiddleof April, departs middle of October; near Bran- don, Long River; near Turtle Mountain; in prairie region (Thompson). Two Rivers : 1885, first seen, one, on March il ; next seen, one, March 14; pretty common and breeds here (Criddle). Dalton : 1889, first seen, two, on March 22; next seen on March 23; is common, and breeds here (Youmans). Shell River: 1885, first seen, two, on April 0; afterwards seen nearly every day; it is common all summer and breeds here (Gal- cutt). Abundant on the prairies along our route (Macouu). White Sand River; May 4, 1884 (Christy). Several times I have been guided to a hawk's nest by the old ones themselves, who, in their tremor of anxiety for their young, have flown half a mile or more to meet me, circling high above me and uttering those long piercing screams, with an intonation of distress that was unmistakable. On one occasion, while trapping Gray Gophers {Sper- mophilus richardsoni) at a teeming colony of this rodent, a hawk flew repeatedly over me and back and forth between me and an adjoining wooded slough. At first, I supposed I was trespassing on his hunting ground, especially when presently I saw him catch a gopher, and with it sail away so directly towards the trees that the inference of his nest being there was too palpable to be mistaken ; I therefore followed him, and after a brief search discovered the nest in a low, dead poplar tree. Both old ones were screaming overhead, so that it was with cer- tainty of a prize that I proceeded to climb the tree. As soon as my head appeared on the level of the nest, one of the three young ones escaped, & second could barely fly, yet it swooped out aslant into the scrub, 20 yards away. The third could not fly at all. Thus it seemed that they were of different ages. The nest contained one gopher. The two young birds were secured with little trouble; at first, the only de- fense they made was gaping silently, with feathers bristling and wings spread forward; but on my trying to tie their feet. No. 3 seized a fore- finger in each claw and so held them till the blood trickled from two or three places ; he only let go his hold when I spread his legs and brought my knee to bear on his breast. Meanwhile the old ones were careering overhead, and on the back of the lowest was a kingbird, whose silent diligence and energetic applica- tion to the task of plucking the hawk was most amusing. He took several rides of over a hundred yards, and ultimately the hawk ap- proached so near to me that she fell to a charge from the gun. This proved to be the mother. Her gizzard contained a Striped Gopher and part of a quaily ; the rest of the quaily was in her throat, with one foot in her mouth ; so full was she that I wondered how she was able to scream so much. VOL. Xlll.n 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 531 One of these young hawks was accidentally killed by a wagon, but the other throve in my hands and soon became reconciled to confine- ment in a barn, where in process of time he was joined by another of his own kind, a Peregrine Falcon, two Horned Owls and a Crane. Very soon the hawk evidently noticed a connection between my visits and bis meals, and in a few days he learnt to greet me with an oft-repeated scream, much like that of the adults. His tameness increased until he would run screaming to be fed whenever he saw me. In a week or so more he could fly tolerably well, and was readily taught to come scream- ing and sailing about my head in response to the call, "Come, Dick." Then, after a performance of voice and wing long enough to give suflft- cient eclat, to the forthcoming grand finale he would swoop past with the rapidity of at least a barnyard hen, and bear away mj 'cap unless I held up in my hand a bird or gopher, which he never failed to truss. One foot only was used for small birds, usually his left, but if both gripped it was not at the same place, one foot being held far in advance of the other. It is hard to say to what extent this bird might have been tamed, for during my absence for a week or so he reverted entirelv^ to his orig- inal habits, and was thenceforth but little better than the wild kins- man that shared the building with him. The history of this latter bird is worth relating. I was looking out of the window when I chanced to see a hawk alight on a fence some 160 yards away ; it was very con- spicuous, having a white head. This aroused my curiosity to know what strange species it was. I took my rifle and by a wonderfully lucky shot, which I could not repeat for a kingdom, temporarily stunned the bird, the ball barely grazing its crown. It proved to be '^.n old one, and its head was white chiefly behind and more or less streaked with brown. When it revived it was placed in the barn and seemed well enough, but refused all food, and for twelve days, so far as I know, it ate nothing. By this time it was reduced to a mere skeleton, but on the thirteenth day an idea seemed to dawn on it, and it made a hearty meal off a gopher, and continued well until one day the Horned Owls, its fellow captives, were left with insufficient provender, whereupon they killed the hawk and devoured it to make up the deficiency. On a later occasion poor Dick received a similar sepulture. The brood from which Dick was taken, be it observed, was not able to leave the nest until July 24. I hfive several times found the bird with one or more eggs ou May 20; have seen it setting late May and early June; on June 26 I found a neat with four eggs, nearly hatched ; and again on June 28 I found one with young ones out and one egg not hatched. On August 8 I was led by a pair of old ones to the nest, which at that time contained o; ly their youngest chick, then just able to fly a little. On the same d\ r, in a different locality, I shot an old one which was carrying a m mw lark presumably home to feed its ,5.. h til.' m d I 532 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. youDg. So that these instanues rather confirms the idea suggested by Dr. Goues, that this hawk may breed twice in a season. As already indicated, the habits of this species are those of a Bed. tail which has betaken itself to a prairie life, and in consequence its nest is in a lower situation and its flight less lofty, while it is also frequently seen sitting on the ground. For plowed fields, in particular, it mani- fests a partiality, perhaps because amid such surroundings it can most readily see and secure the gophers which constitute its principal food. The nest of this bird is not peculiar. I have examined about fifty altogether, and have hitherto failed to find one that answers the pub- lished descriptions, which credit the bird with using a lining of hair and other fine material. All the nests examined early in the season were merely masses of sticks and twigs, with a slight hollow to contain the eggs, and had no special lining. But nests examined after the growth of the leaves — usually about the end of May — were more or less lined with twigs plucked with green leaves on them, and these when slightly wilted readily flatten down and form a wind- proof screen. In general appearance this nest is much like that of the red-tail, but the position is different, being usually less elevated. I have seen many nests that I could reach from the ground. The favorite sites are the crown of a dense willow-clump, or the highest fork of a low scrub oak ; occasionally I have observed the nest at a height of 20 or even 30 feet, in some poplar, but this is unusual. The eggs are commonly three but sometimes four in number; they are more or less spherical and vary mucb in color. The young, when hatched, are the purest and downiest looking of innocents, and it is only on examination of the tiny though promising beak and claws that one can credit that little snowball with the <' makings" of a ruthless and bloodthirsty marauder. The diet provided for them by the old ones consists of animal food entirely ; about 90 per cent, of it, probably, being gophers and insects, and the rest composed chiefly of young song and game birds. The name henhawk is a misnomer as far as this species is concerned. All the hen lifting I have seen done in Manitoba was the work either of the peregrine or the goshawk. AuguRtS, 1882, near Badger Hill: On the way ont here I got a tine buzzard; its crop waa lull of grasshoppers and mosquitoes. (Wood.) 112. Buteo latiBsimuB. Broad-winged Hawk. In Ontario it is essentially the hawk of thick foliage and densest for- est; very rare; summer visitant. Winnipeg: Summer resident; rare (Hine). Fort Garry (Ridgway). Oarberry : May 12, 1884, saw what 1 took to be a Broad-winged Buzzard; did not collect it; have not seen the species here before (Thompson). vol.. xiii,1 189U. J PROCEEDING^ OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 533 113. Arohibuteo lagopus sanoti-johaimis, American Bough-legged Hawk. Migrant ; common fall visitant. Less common in the spring. Win- nipeg: Bare migrant; "have seen only three specimens in as many years;" 1884 (Hiue). Oarberry : Kare in spring ; tolerably common in fall; Rat Portage (Thompson). Oak Point 1885; first seen, one, on April 7 ; next seen, April 3 ; became common on the 10th : breeds here t (Small). Portage la Prairie: Gommon in spring; abundant in autumn (Nash). Received both from Severn House and Trout Lake Station (Murray). This bird is far from being common in Manitoba. On the Big Plain I have seen only about a dozen specimens, and of these about one-fourth were in the black plumage. Throughout the Assiniboine Valley, so far as noted, it is found only in the spring and fall. It generally appeared in the neighborhood of Carberry when the nights began to be a little frosty. The earliest I bave observed was on September 9. This was a black specimen ; it was perched on the top of the tallest tree in a wet place on the prairie ; when it saw me, 200 yards off, it flew with heavy, flagging flight straight to the next slough, where also it took its station on the highest avail- able perch. This fairly represents the action of all that I have noticed ; they are very shy and frequent the trees in the neighborhood of swampy places. Common in spring ; abundant in antnmn. Sometimes very early in the morning, particularly if the weather should be cold and raiaty, I have seen a dozen or more of these hawks atone time sittiug about ou the fence-poHts or ou the broken ground ii) the most listless, dejected-looking manner possible. Having very seldom found anything in the stomachs of these birds, I fancy it is " a long time between meals" with them. (Na&^, in MSS.). 114. Arohibuteo ferrugineuB. Ferruginous Rough-leg. Probably Manitoban; Pembina Mountain at the boundary ; breeding; early in July, 1873 (Cones). I have seen a specimen that was taken immediately to the west of the province (Thompson). 115. Aquila ohrysaetos. Golden Eagle. Very rare; possibly resident. Winnipeg: Bare; apparently resident (Hine). Bed River Valley : Very rare (Hunter). Portage la Prairie : 1884, very scarce; not seen v me (Nash). Big Plain (Thompson). 116. HalineStus leuoooephalua. Bald, or White-headed Eagle. Very rare summer visitant; probably breeding; frequent on Red River from Minehead to Pembina ; several nests noticed (Cones). James Falls, Winnipeg River; eagles (Bind). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common; April to October 1( Hine). Bare; "reported to be fre- quently seen on Lake li^anitoba" (Nash). Mouth of Waterhen River, a pair; one at Cathead, Lake Winnipeg (Hind). Common between lati- 534 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. tude 62° and Lake Superior; at Cumberland House March 24 (Richard son). Qii'Appelle: Occasional; does not breed; April 30 (Guernsey). The country west of tbo Ouinipique Lake has dry islands or hills with marshy bot- toms full of wood aud meadows. On the east side is a fine tlat country full of woods nutil they come to the bottom of the mountains which are betwixt this and tbr upper lake. On a lake on that side, betwixt this lake and Lake Du liois, are the Migechichilinioua, or Eagle-eyed Indians; these, be says, are not called so from their having a sharp sight, but upon account of many eagles, which breed in islands of that lake. (Dobbs, p. 35.) On an island near the mouth of the Waterhen River. • * • We found a pair of White-headed Eagles engaged in fishiug, and as we came suddenly upon them after rounding a point, one of tli'un dropped a fine whiteHsh he had just caught, which was immediately seiicod aud appropriated by our men fo> their own breakfaHf. On Septembers, near Cathead Lake, Winnipeg, the party was reduced to great straits for provisions, when oue chanced to shoot un old bald eagle. By eating nearly every portion of the animal, exceitt the feathers, we managed to make him serve for two or three meals.) Hind. 18.'>8). Rare. On the 21st of March, 1885, Mr. T. A. Newman, of Portage la Prairie, showed me the wings of three of these birds that he had bought from an Indian, who said he had shot i.heni south of the Assiniboine River. Mr. Newman also told me he hud a year or two before shot one in full plumage on Lake Manitoba. On the 25th of October, 188U, I saw a splendid bird in full jtlumage dying south- ward just over the trees ou the bank of the Red River. (Nash, in MS8. ) 117. Falco ruBticolus obsoletus Black Gyrfalcon. Probably Manitoban in winter. lias been taken in Minnesota a few times as a rare winter visitant ; a specimen examined by Mr. Kidgway (Cooke). The inference from Ilearue's narrative is that he also took this bird at Cumberland House, and if so it was probably of the same variety as those taken in Minnesota. Mr. Nash also reports seeing a supposed specimen fly over Portage la I'rairie. This bird seems to follow the Willow Ptarmigan in winter; hence wo would expect to find their southern ranges coincide. They, like the other large species of hawks, prey much on the white grouse or partridge, and also on the American Hare, usually called here rabbits. They are always found to fre<|iient those parts where partridges are plentiful, and are detested by the sportsmen, as they generally drive all the game off the ground near theii tents; but, in return, they ofti-n drive thither fresh flocks of some hundreds. Not- withstanding tills, they so frequeutiy balk those who are employed on hunting serv- ice that the governors generally give a veward of a quart of brandy for each of their heads. Their flesh is ahvayn eaten by the Indians, and sometimes by the En- glish ; but it is always black, hard, and tungh, aud sometimes has a bitter taste. The Indians are fond of taming these birds, and fre<|nently keep them the whole summer ; but as the winter a])proaches they generally take flight and (irovide for themselves. When at Cumberland House I haer of times. What his victim was I never knew. On July 20, 1884, secured a Peregrine in first plumage. This was Mhot by Mr. Cordon Wright, near Carberry, and sent to me. He de- scribed it as the '' swift gray hawk ; " it was raiding in his poultry yard, when he ran with liis gun to the rescue and rapidly fired, but the swiftness of the bandit savt^d him each time for four shots, and he t' ;^[ If 536 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. fiercely and determinedly contiDued to dash around the buildings in pursuit of the fowls, when a fifth shot grazed his win^ and brought him down. He is the very personification of fierceness aud defiance, and his actions are full of snap. As soon as approached he hissed, and struck with his great talons so quickly that the eye could not follow the movement. I put him in a building along with a Swainson's Buz zard and a crane, and, oh ! how clumsy and vulgar they both looked beside him. He is the royalest robber that ever I saw. His every mo- tion is so full of nntanaable ferocity as to elude the eye ; his eye is brighter and fiercer thau an eagle's, but I am in hopes that with care I tnay succeed in taming him. August 2 : Notwithstanding the gentlest treatment, the Peregrine continued to scorn all approaches, and the slightest attempt to touch him called forth in response only tho dim flash of hi;9 massive horn-tipped feet, a fair warning of what may be expected should the liberty of handling be attempted. On enteriiig in the morning, I found him sitting on the body of the crane; it is not certain that he was the murderer, but it is against him, that having left him undisturbed for an hour immediately afterward he made use of the time to devour the greater part of the crane's breast on one side, and that he and the buzzard subsequently picked the bones clean. August 12 : The Peregrine died to-day, after a captivity of three weeks, no cause being assigned for his death. He was a young male of the year, I think. Besides the hissing menace already mentioned, he indulged in two other vocal efforts ; one an exceedingly loud, piercing scream of anger, the other a reiterated sl'rieking, almost exactly like that of the kestrel, but stronger and in a deeper ke3% Pay-pay nay seu Ka cake. • • * They appear inonr inarabeN in tbe beginning of June, and hooii after make thoirnestH in trees. It Ih com])uae(l of sticks and lined with feathers. They lay three or four white eggs. The young ttnes take flight in August, and the whole species leave us in September or the tirst week in October. They sonietiniex kill geese, hut their usual food is ducks, plovers, partridges, and small birds. (Hutuhins MSS., ObservafionH on Hudson Bay, 1782.) On September 11, lc:<8l<, atCurberry,about 4 p. ui., a line Peregrine came and sat on a fence close to tbe houst). Just as I was about to tire at liim with the ritle he rose aud flow close over my head aud around lue. Then, after whisking overthechickens and putting tbcm into a rare fright, ! e hovered for nearly a minute at about 40 feet above tbe ground as well ns ever I si.w a kestrel do, which aurprised me. So sta- tionary was he that I thought I might as well Are, as I had as good a cbance of hit- ting biut a« on tt feure. I did so, but of course missed him. (Christy, in MSS.) 119. Faloo oolumbarluB. Pigeon Hawk. Chiefly in the migration ; coininoii. Dufferin : Arrived before April 15 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Iline). OsHowa: 1885, April 18; common April 23 (Wjigner). Norway House (Bell). Common fall migrant at Carberry ; noted also north of Petrel (Thompson). One shot at Livingston, September I'J, 1881 ; common in Wiunei)egosi8 regions, breeding in th > Assiniboine Valley, at Brandon, VOL. xni.1 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 637 and along the Qu'Appelle Valley (Macoun). Qa'Appelle: Tolerably commou ; arrives April 20 (Guernsey). On September 9, 1883, a flock of five or six IMgeon Hawks came about the farm buildings. lu general manners they were much like Sparrow Hawks, but they sailed more and flapped less. They were of course larger, rnd seemed more stoutly built ; their duller color also was a distinguishing mark. One trick of flight they had in common with the Whisky John, Shrike and others, namely, flying low over the ground towards a pos* or stump, and just as one expects to see them strike the bottom of it there is a sudden spreading of tail and wing, and the bird gracefully bounds straight up to the top and alights there. This species will sometimes hover, though they do not make such a practice of it as the Sparrow Hawks. This maneuver I have also observed, though in a still less de- p;ree, in the Peregrine. One collected was a female ; length 12, extent 25. All above was dark brownish gray; all below, buff heavily streaked. Wings and tail show but few marks above; below are spot- ted with buff; in crop, a sparrow; in stomach, another. This band may have been a single family returning from their breeding place in the wooded mountains to the east. 120. Faloo riohardaonii. Richardson'M Merliu. Very rare. One taken at headwaters of Mouse Kivei', Dakota, near tlie boundary (Cones). Shot at Fort Pelly in September, 1881 (Ma- coun). 121. Faloo sparverlus. American Sparrow Hawk. ■ Abundant summer resident ; very abundant from Pembina along the boundary to the Rockies (Coues). One from between Hudson's Bay and Lake Winnipeg ; one individual at Bed River settlement on 22d April, in 1859 (Blakistoii). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably commou (Hine). Oak Point: 1884, arrived April 20; 1885, tirst seen, one, on April 15; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie: 1884, abundant summer resident; tirst appearance April 26, departing in October (Nash). Carberry : Abundant summer resident wherever there is large timber (Thompson). Very commou; breeding along Red Deer, Swan, and Assiniboine Rivers ; throughout the Winne- pcgosis region and in the various streams atid valleys of the Northwest visited in 188(> (Macoun). Shell River: 1885, tirst seen, one male, on April 14; a transient visitant only (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common; Nummer resident; breeds; arrives April 15 (Guernsey). On July 20, 1884, while traversing the Carberry Swamp, I heard the loud, reiterated screeching of the kestrel, and on looking upwards saw one of these audacious birds following and dashing around tin t'ligle, and endeavoring by every means in his power to intimate to the lutter that his life was in imminent jeopardy — that, indeed, it was not worth a moment's purchase unless he instantly lett the neighborhood r if ,1 'I 538 THE lUKD.S OF MANITOBA THOMPSON. of his (the kestrel's) nest. When last 1 sa j them over the trees, the eagle had apparently accepted the terms, and the kestrel was plying him with sundry sayings and maxims while he saw him sa^'oily out of his neighborhood. In August thtiy gather into small parties and hover about over the prairie, feeding principally on grasshoppers, though they are (juitu cii|)ableot° capturing better game. On two ouciiiiions I have seen tiieiu kill and curry ritl' nieudow larks; these I shot in the act. Another time I found the remains of a red squirrel and a purple tiuch in the stomach of one, but the most extraordinary feat I ever saw one attempt was its attack on a crow. The hawk struck viciously at the crow, knocking hiu) down into the road just in front of my houhe ; the hawk diopped on the fence just over his in tended victim, and sat there while the poor crow squatted close to the ground with his wings and tail spread out and mouth wide open looking the picture of terror. 1 had pulled up to watch the outcome of the performance, but unfortunately my horse moved and attracted the attention of the parties to the duel and they both Hew otl in opposite directions. The hawk could hardly have been driven to this bold act by hunger as it was late in the spring and there were numbers of small birds about. Early in the morning of A'igust 31, 1 saw a party of tive or six of these hawks and a single Sharp-shin enjoying a ngnlar romp around a deserted liouse on the prairie. They chased and dodged each other round and round the building, settling when tired on the roof and chimneys. The Sharp-shin took his turn with the rest in chasing and being chased, the whole game apparently being carried on in the moht friendly spirit by all parties. I watched them for over half an hour and left them still at it. v^^ish, iuMSS.) At Carberry on Sei»tember 7, I8rt;} : In the morning I found a considerable assembly of AmericiUi kestrds (T. s^^tirrerius) round a small duster of aspens about a mile north. I several times saw one of them chasing meadow larks, but with no success, apparently. At one lime I got into quite a flock of them, twenty-five or thirty at least, ant' shot three, one tine idd one, male, and two young ones both of which hail only grasshopjiers in their giz/tirds. All day they were rouixl the house hovering and chattering just like the English kestrel, and sitting on posts and building quite tamely. I ran out of ainmnnition or could have shot lots, so tame and nnmeroiis were they. They must have some migration on haiul as I hav(« never before seen them BO numerous, though sometimes I have seen siiigl't it»veeii Norwuy li.dise tind Carleton) (HIakiston). vol,. Xlll,"| 181M). J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 539 123. Asio vrilsonianus. American Long-eared OwL Tolerably uommon summer resident. Winnipeg : Summer resident ; tolerably common; arrives April 1, departs November 1 (Hine). Sol- itary ; hunts at night ; Red River region (D. Gunn). Has been seen in the wooded country east of Winnipeg, during February (Hunter). "Screech Owl," Ossowa (Wagu r). Portage la Prairie: Rare summer resident in this locality; near Winnipeg only five shot in six years (Nash). Carberry: Summer resident; not rare; breeding (Thompson). Two Si>ecimen8 procured at Port Pelly, September 16, 1881, and one at Birtle, October, 1881 (Macoun). On July 10, 1884, found a nest of the Long-eared Owl in the middle of a dense bush of low red willows. It was not more than 9 feet from tlie g-ound and yet very difficult of access, for the willow branches were too slender to bear my weight, and as tlsej chanced also to be oi" dead wood they could not be bent down without endangering the nest. Therefore, to make close observations, I liftetivity as well as in a state of freedom, and indeed all that 1 have seen of them — their untamable ferocity, which is daily more apparent; tlieir magnilicent bearing; their objection to carrion, and strictly carniv- orous tastes — would make me rank these winged tigers among the most pronounced and savage of the birds of prey. Natow okcy oiuis sen: Horned Owl. This olcjjunt I ird barboiH iu tho woods, ieed- iiig on luico, wild fowl, and carrion. About tbu middle of Maruli it builds u uest iu a pino tree, with a few sticks laid across, and lays two whitish eygs; the young ones take to the wing in June. (Hutchius MSS., Observations on Hudson Hay, 178^.) Oomuiou resident; but I am satislied this bird is somewhat migratory, as there is always for sometime iu the fall a large increase in their number ; at the approach of winter they become less nuiiieroiis. 1 noticed this every season. They are almost altiinilant in October on the lied liiver, four or five being scu-n by me nearly every (lay ; after the cold weather set in the great majority of them disappeared. Thoy vary much iu pluiuage, ranging from very dark to extremely light-colored 8i)ociii;ens ; two young birds I shot August '.•, Iri"" I, bijing the two palest I have ever seen anywhere. Another bird that was with these two appeared quite dark beside them. (Na. 1, in MSS.) 129a. Bubo virginiauus arcticus. Arctic Horned Owl. One shot near Duck Mountain in the fall of I.S83 (Thompson). Touch- wood Uills: October, 1880 (Macoun). 130. Nyctea nyctea. Suowy Owl, White Owl. Tolerably common winter visitant. Winnipeg : Winter visitor; toler- ably common; arrives September 20, departs Ai)ril 20 (Uiue). Merely a winter visitant in the districts to the west of Lake Winnipeg ; a few pass the summer near Lake Winnipeg, as occasional birds are seen there in spring and fall (D. Gunn). Ossowa (Wagner). Portage la Prairie: Regular winter visitor, appearing in varying numbers each season (Nash), Carberry : Regular winter resident ; Melbourne, Boggy Creek, Big Plain (Thompson). Brandon : February 22, and a fetoale on March 5 (Wood). Qu'Appelle: Have seen specimens, but not com- mon (Guernsey). Wa-pa-cu-thn, or Spotted Owl. » • • This bird is an inhabitant of the woods; makes a nest in the muss on dry ground. (HutchiusMSS., Observations on Hudson Bay, 17a!i.) During the winter of 1882-83 thoy were very common. I saw some almost every day; two or throe perfectly white ones amongst them. In the winter ofl883-'r I they wore less numerous ; in the winter 1884-'dr> very few were seeu ; the same iu 188r)-'8(i asiuthe last throe mentioned years ; hares wore extremely abundant in tiio north ; they probably found sutHciont food to maintain them there; arrives iu October, departs in rehruary or early iu March. (Nash, in MSS.) Proc. N. M. 90 35 'I '^"^^o. ^t^i^. ■> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A ^ 1.0 JfEiiii 2? itt ^ I.I lit lU 1.25 I U 11.6 f^ *> > /; FhotDgra]iiic Sdmces CarpoFatiQn 4^ \ t% WKt MAM STRMT WIMTM,N.Y. I4»M 4^ is 546 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. American Hawk Owl. HH, IJl. Surnia ulula caparoch. An irregular winter visitaut. Wiuiiipeg: Winter visitant; arrives in September, departs in April; very abundant in winter of 1884-'85 (Iliin^). Ked River Valley : I am positive that it is a permanent resident and breeds in the wooded country east of the Ited River (Hunter). Winter resident; very common at Riding Mountains fallami winter, 18Si; not noted at Portage la Prairie (Nash). Carberry : Very abundant in tlie fall of 1884 (Thompson). Cumberland House, May, 1827 (Richardsun). Trout Lake Station and Severn House (Murray). On October 18, 1881, while shouting in the half open country to the south, I saw a Hawk Owl. Its tiight was much like that of a Pigeon Falcon, ami it perched after each change of position on the very toi>ot a tree. I winged it at the first shot, and having heard that this species use their beak and claws energetically when wounded, I approached with due caution. It hissed once or twice ami endeavored to escape by hopping. Atler some little handling it attempted to bite, but did not otherwise defend itself. October 28: The Hawk Owl seems to thrive very well in continoment, and during the past ten days I have hatl nu occasion to a(;cuse it of any approach to viciousness. It has jften beun handled and if hurt thereby simply expresses its aimoyanceoy a chuc- kling note, much like that of a Whiskey John. When placed on the ground it progresses rapidly by great hops, but the slightest putt of wind is enough to upset it. It sometimes utters a rolling "whillill illilMoo,'' somewhat like the cries of the Long eared Owl. It has never sulked, but from the first has been ready to apply itself to the deinoli tion of the small birds and mice with which it has been supplied. On November 7, while at the poplar bush, I saw several Hawk OwIh and secured one alive. This one is as diiferent as possible in temper from the first I had. It snaps with its bill and strikes with its olaws at any person or animal that approaches it. It refused all food and cun tinued sulking till it died. This fall has been remarkable for a migration of dawk Owls. Duriii;' the autumns of 1882 and 1883 I saw not one about here, but this year I have seen above fifty. Its favorite localities appear to be the half-open woods and park lands, and it is usually seen perched on the toi* of tiie bushes and trees. In passing from one tree to another, it commonly throws itself headlong downwards nearly to the ground, along which it skims towards the next tree, and on uearing its goal rises with a gracelul aerial bound to the to[imost perch uttered. Souinwbut irreKiiIiirly tlmtriliiiluil tliroiiKlHiiit t lio proviuGo. Nonr PortttKo la Praii i" I never suw it, but in Dooeniber, 18HI, I met with it inKrmltiiilly incroiiNing uuiulirrH team GU(la>4;iiu to tii« KidluK MoiiiilaiuH, where it wan vury coniiuun. They uiv quite diuriiul in their haltilM. Two that I Hliot had nnthinjt in their Btoniaeho. Kh flight, partioularly tbroiiKh the low IttiMlinB and noriili, oloNoly renonililes that of tin' Bliarp-Bhlnnetl Hawk; it Hkitnti along noisuleHsly cIuho to the gruiind, frequently alighting on the top of a bush, from whence it will dakt on a uionse or oth«)r pr<>v, It alM) frequently rises high iu the air and hovers over the ground, remaining hIu- t vol,. XIII, 1 1890. J PkOCEKDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 547 it; arrives in 4-'85(Iliii('). •esitleut and lir). Winter ei',1884; i.ot iidiiut ill tliu Ulcbardsuii). uutry to the ; of a Pij^i'on le very toi>of t this speciivs approachctl i to escape by , but did not )UiB to thrive have ha«l nu las jften beuii ice oy a chuc- dacod on tliu j;hte8t piitl of ng"whillill It has never the deniuli pplied. 1 Hawk Owls de iu teiuper li its claws itt bod and con >wls. During' ut this year 1 the hair-o|ieu he toi> of the it commonly Jong which il ith a graceliil itrtuffolarruiri" •MtNliig uuiiiIkis moil. Thoy aiv HtomaohH. Itn lilns that of tlu' liud, frequonlly a or otbor pn-v, reiuadiiug hIu- t ionary over one place for aome tituo, exactly like a kestrel or our own Sparrow Hawk. On November 26, 188(), I saw one on the banks of the Red River. (Nasb, in MSS.) 132. Coccyzus erythrophtlialmus. Black billed Cnckoo. A tolerably common .summer resident in woodlands. Breeding in Pembina Mountain ((Joues). Ited Kiver Settlement (Brewer). Winni- l)cg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Oak Point: 1884, arrived June 1 (Small). Portage la Prairie: Tolerably common summer resident; arrives about June 1, departs in August; not observed on tlie Red River near Winnipeg; iu 1884, first seen May 31 (Nash). Carberry : Tolerably common summer resident ; noted near Shoal Lake, west, and eastward toward Rapid City (Thompson). August 29, south slope of Riding Mountain, American Cuckoo observed (Ilind, 1858). Shell River; 1885, first seen, two, on June 10; is common all summer aud breeds here (Calcutt). One shot ou Mooro Mountaiu July 3, 1880 (Macoun). Qu'appelle (Guernsey). Ou July 29, 1882, at Carberry, while out in the woods to the east, I heard the sonorous and to my oar pleasing " kow-kow kow " of the Kiiin Crow or Black-billed Cuckoo, the first 1 have heard iu the coun- try. This specimen measured: Length 11^, extension 15^; its stom- ach was filled with vegetable matter aud the remains of insects. On August 13, at Carberry, shot a cuckoo {erythrophthalmm) in the atlernoon; male; length 11, extension 15; stomach was crammed with caterpillars and grasshoppers; its inner coat seemed to be very slightly covereil with minute hairs. Several of the species were seen. On June 23, 1884, near Shoal Lake, returning with A. S. T. from Duck Mountain, for the first time noted the cuckoo. The sonorous ^^ kow-kowkow ^ (iaiiiQ again and again from a little grove of poplars on the prairie. I went towards it and presently heard it behind me, aud alter a little more searching I discovered the bird on a branch rbout Ti feet from the ground aud 10 from where I stood ; it was sitting per- fectly motionless, watching me closely, and deliberately uttering the characteristic kowkowa^ varied with other sounds of the same nature. These notes have often been described as hard and disagreeable, but to my eur they are not unmusical and are full of associations with for- est life and odors that make them pleasing to my mind. (On the succeeding days of June, I fouml this species 4|uite abundant iu the groves ou the prairies between Shoal Lake, west, ami Carberry.) 133. Ceryle aloyon. Itultud KiiiKllHlKtr. Common samtner resident along all flsh-frecpientcd streams and lakes ; of general distribution ; Pembina and Mouse Kiver (Cones). I'embina, May 1 (Blakiston). Dulferin : Arrived between April 25 and 'SO(DawBon). Winnipeg: Rummer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Swampy Island: 1885, first seeu, one, ou May 18; next seen May IU, i ■■■%. W % M 548 THE lUKDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. after which it became tolerably coiuuion ; breeds here; iu fall was last seen on September 24; 188G, first seen, one, ou April 21); bulk arrived May 15 ; last seen May 22 ; is rare hero ( Pliiukett). Specimen in Smitii- soniau Institution from between Hudson's Bay and Lake Winnipeg, also from Red lliver Settlement, Pembina, Miiy 1, (Blakiston). Lake Winnipeg (Bell). Shoal Lake, May 15, 1887 (Christy). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident about the streams and lakes; ar- rives early in May ; commences nesting about the 15th of the month ; departs in October; iu 1884, first seen May 5 (Nash). Very abundant on Red Deer, Swan, Assiniboine, and all rivers along route of 1881 (Macouu). Carberry: Summer resident; more seen in springtime (Thompson). Dalton: 1889,firstseeii, one, on April29; moving unset- tled ; rare here and not breeding ( Youmens). Shell River : 1885, first seen, one, on May 1; next seen, one, on May 3; a transient visitant; nut breeding (Calcutt). Qn'Appelle : Tolerably commou summer resident ; breeds; arrives May 30 (Guernsey). I have never seen this species in the vicinity of any of the drainage lakes, although they abound with amblystomw, insects, etc., to the ex- clusion, however, of fish. 134. Dryobatea villosus leucomelas. Northern Hairy Wooilpeckor. Common resident of the woodlands. In heavy timber on Turtle Moun- tain (Cones). Winnepeg: Riire; breeding (Hine). Portage la Prairie: Tolerably common resident (Nash). Touchwood Mills and Lake Mani- toba, and northward, 188U ; in the woods along the Red Deer and Swan Rivers, 1881 (Macoun). Carberry: Common; breeding; probably resi- dent, but not observed by me in the very coldest weather. Rat Port- age: Tolerably common (Thompson). Qu'Appelle: Tolerably common; permanent resident (Guernsey). On June 11, 1883, while in the spruce bush, I heard a curious chirp- ing sound that scarcely ever seemed to cease. I traced it to a tall poi)- lar tree, in whose trunk there was a hole about 30 feet from the grouml. Having procured an ax I soon had the tree down, aud found myself iu possession of a nest of young Hairy Woodpeckers. They were in a hole, evidently the work of the parent birds, about a foot deep, 3 inches wide inside aiid 2 at the entrance. The four youngsters were nearly grown and fletlged, and consequently were much crowded in this narrow chamber. Three of them were precisely !ke the mother-bird in color a'.ul the fourth difl'ered only iu having over each ear a cockade of rich yellow. 1 took them home with me and found that they had enormous api>etites, nearly unlimited capacsity, and tremendous lung power. The whole d ly long, when not eating, they kept up a deafening chirr-ohirr-chirr, antl two of them, including the yellow-topped one, never cersed, except in absolute darkness. Kven while morsels of food were passing down their greedy throats they would continue to gurgle out a Hutticienoy of iuterrupted ohirrohirrn to save the priueiyle. I found that at one meal W. vol,, xni.n 181)11. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATION AI. MUSEUM. 549 each of Ibese birds cuuUl take 2 feet of the eutrails of a duck. 1 did not find it couveuient to feed tbem more frequently than three times a (lay, and each mealtime found them ravenous, so that probably the piuents provided them with much more food in the aggrogato than I (lid, and as all they brought them would probably bi' ninggots and insects, caught singly, we may form some idea of the enormous labor entailed by the rearing of a young brood. These young birds have at each corner of their mouths the usual boss or rounded mass of yellowish white tissue. I have never been able to decide on the use of this. I had supposed that it is intended to widen the gape, as it is largest in the newly-hatched bird, but is gradually ^absorbed as they grow. Ex- periments, however, with these young woodpeckers led me to believe tliat the nerves of taste, or at least of touch, are located there, for these birds never would open their beaks to receive the food they were clam- oring for at first when I touched them on the beak or breast, but the moment this soft lump was touched they were wide agai)e. The usual note of this rather noisy bird is a loud chvek, but it has also a harsh, prolonged, rattling cry, somewhat of the nature of the kingfisher's rattle, but varied and lengtlieued with a combination of stridulous screams. 135. Dryobates pubescens. Dnwny Woodpecker. Tolerably common in wooded sections; said to be resident. Winni- p(^g : Resident; abundant; breeding (Iline). Siioal Lake, May 15, 1887 (Christy). Ossowa (Wagner). Portage la Praire: Tolerably common resident (Nash). Lake Manitoba and westward; specimen shot at Manitoba House, June 1(5, 1881 (Macoun). (Jarberry: Uncommon; prob- ably resident (Thompson). 136. FiooideB arcticus. Arctic Tliroo-tocd Woodpecker. Common resident in the woods, especially among spruce. Specimens ])rocured near lied River Settlement by I). Ounn in Smithsonian In- stitution collection (Blakiston). Very abundant about Rat Portage in October, 1886; also in all the spruce woods near Carberry ; it is there more numerous in winter than in summer, therefore it may be partly migratory (Thompson). Specimens shot at the continence of Red Deer liiver and the Etimoines River (Macoun). On November 1,1884, while out deer-hunting, I was guided by the tapping and "churking" of a Three toed Woodpecker to the place when^ he was busy foraging on the trunk of a spru(!e tree, and although I scored a clean miss the bird fell dead at my feet without a sign of violence about it. It was a female and the stonmch contents, as identified by Dr. Brodie, area.i follows: Eight larvn> of a JiupreftttH (a Npruc«^ borer) ; five larvie of another species of Jinprcntifi, five larvre of a Saprrda (a pine borer) ; one larva of a Lepuhpter^ probably a moth ; one larva not distinguishable, and a small (piantity of wood. I, it. 550 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. 137. Picoides americauua. Americau Tbreu-tued Woodpecker. Very rare, but probably general in the north and east. Winnipeg : very rare (Hine), I have taken this bird on the Brokenhead River, also on the Winnipeg (R. H. Hnnter). Rat Portage, October 21, 188(), saw what I took for Picoides americanus (Thompson). This bird exists ill all the forests of spruce-flr lying between Lake Superior and the Arctic Sea, and it is the most common woodpecker north of Great Slave Lake (Richardson). Severn House (one specimen), the common Three-toed Woodpecker (Murray). Hudson's Bay (Hntchius). 138. Sphyrapicus varius. Ycllow-bollicd Sapsiicker. Common summer resident of wooded sectioa ; plentiful at Pembina, where it was breeding in June; again seen on the Mouse River; not observed further north (Cones). Winnipeg: Summer resident ; abun- dant (Hine). Shoal Lake: May 20, 1887 (Christy): Abundant around Lake Manitoba and westward ; specimen shot at Mauitoba House, and Swan Lake House, June and July, 1881 (Macoun). Carberry: Com- mon summer resident ; breeding (Thompson). Shell River: 1885, first seen a pair on May 3; a transieut visitor; not breeding (CtJcutt). On .Tune 2U, 1883, at the spruce bush, I found the nest of a Sap- sucker. It was in a new hole in a green poplar tree, about 30 feet from the ground. It contained five newly hatched young, and in tlie cir.imber with them were some of the shells, out of which I recon- structed two eggs. The male, length 8^, stomach full of ants, the fe- male, length 8j|, stomach full of ants, her bill also, was full of black ants, intended prob.ibly as food for the young ones, excessively fat, no red feathers at all except three ,or four scattered on the front of the crown, which was black. The eggs were each |^ by § and pure white. On July 3, in spruce bush, with M. G. found the nest of a Sap sucker. It wiis about 20 feet from the ground in a poplar, and facing the southeast. Just over the hole was a large limb, which would doubtless be of some service as a shelter from the rain. I shot the female; her crown was black, with but a very few red feathers in the front, and some of the.se were tipped with yellow. The gizzard was full of wood ants {Fornica ru/a). 139. Ceophlceus pileatuH. Pileiitod Woodpecker. Cook of the woodH. Rare; resident in heavy timber. Winnipeg: Summer resident; toler- ably common at Lake Winnipeg and jake of the Woods (Hine). Sel- kirk (Giinn). Swampy Islands: Tolerably common resident; breeds here(Plunkott). Nelson Uiver( Brewer). Very rare summer resident ; saw one that had been shot in the woods near the White Mudd River at Westbourne in 1887 (Nash). The species was seen on Swan River, Septemlter 2, 1881 (Maoouii). Common in the woods between Winni- >r. '"innipeg : ul River, • 21, 188(1, ird exists and tlie of Great common Pembina, liver; uot Qt; abiin- nt around [ouse, and rry : Com- 1885, first cutt). of a Sap- mt30 feet [ind iu tlie ii I rccon- its, tbe fe- ll of blaek sively fat, e front of I and pure ^ of a Sap and facing lich would I shot tlie hers in tlie rd was full woodR. lent 5 toler- line). Sel- nt; breeds r resident ; [udd Uiver wan Biver, tieu Wioni- vol,. XIII, 1 180U. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 551 jK'g and Rat Portage, also about Lake Winnipeg in the spruce woods (Dr. Arthur S. Thompson). 5lr. Hine showed me si specimen taken at Prince Albert; two seen at Rat Portage (Thompson). On October 16, at Rat Portage, a Pileated Woodpecker was shot by W. S. Thompson ; male ; length 18J, extent 29 ; stomach full of ants. In the afternoon saw anotlier in an elevated })iece of burnt woods. , There is nuotlicr species of Wooflpeckers, tbe size of a migratory pigeon, with a blooming crimson crown. They inhabit the interior part of Hndson's Bay. The skins of their head are used hy the trading natives to orniiinent their calimata. AIho describes a specimen. It was shot in Jannury at Gloucester House in latitude ruV 31' N., longitude !K»^ IV W., and 387 miles np Albany River. Makes a nest iu the liolos of trees; lays six eggs and hriuga forth its yonug in June. (Hutchius MSS. OtiNervfition on Hndson Bay, 17H2.) 140. Melanerpea erythrocephalus. Ked«iieaded Woodpecker. Rare summer resident; common at Pembina (Cones). Winnipeg: Summer resulent; tolerably common ; one or two pair seen eacli season (Uine). Very rare summer visitor; May 31, 1885, saw one bird near tlie town (Portage la Prairie) and a day or two afterwards saw the same bird or another near the same spot (Nash). Carberry: Rare; summer resident (Thompson). Rp4-headed Woodpecker. • * » This bird is nncommon in these parts (Albany), nH I conclude from the ignorance of the natives in general concerning it. Perhaps this is the farthest pare of its migration. (Hutchius M8S., Observations on Hndson Bay, 1782.) 141. ColapteB auratus. Flicker. Highholder. Golden-winged Woodpecker. Very abundant ; summer resident wherever there is timber ; com- mon along Red and Mouse Rivers; also observed at Pembina and Turtle Mountains (t'oues). Dufl'erin : Arrived between April 15 and 2{) (Dawson). In a Selkirk 8ettlomeut specimen the belly is tinged with pale sulphur yellow, the back with olivaceous green (Ridgway). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Nelson River: Id immense numbers at Reil River Settlement, April 26, 1859 (Blakiston). Ossowa : Breeding (Wagner). Oak Toint: 1885, first seen, one, on April 21 ; next seen on 22d ; is common and breeds here (Small). Por- tufje la Prairie: Abundant; summer resident; arrives about April 20; departs early in O(!tober (Nash). Common throughout the Winne- pegoses region and along the Assiniboine wherever there were trees ; Red Deer Lake, August 20 (Macoun). Carberry: Abundant; sum- mer resident; breeding; Rat Portage (Thompson). Dal ton : 1889, first seen, one, on April 12; next seen, April 13; became common on April 15; breeds here (Youmans). Shell River: 1885, first seen, two, oil April 27; afterwards seen everyday; is common all summer, and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: ('onimon ; summer resident; ar- rives April 25 (Guernsey). Trout Lake: One of the wood pecrkers, but, as it feeds on ants and therefore does not require so much labor to get I ; K V Mi. .'iS'i THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. its food as the other wo' ;lpeckers, its l)il| is less suited for such work; it is only >i siiininer visitant to the fur couutries (Murray). On May 31, 1883, found a Flicker's nest in oak stub, only 8 feet high ; the hole was 18 inches deep, but the wood was quite rotten, and I hail no difficulty in reaching the eggs. October 27, 1882, while examining an old stump in the woods t« the north of Carbcrry, I met with an excellent illustration of the aptitude of the Spanish name for the woodpecker, *' II Carpentero," as applied to our Flicker. I mean in the sense of its being a worker in wood and hons3 provider for others. The history of the case was briefly this, as far as the circumstantial evidence revealed it: First came the hard- working Flicker and excavated the hole, perhaps while yet the stump was sound, and in the years that followed we know not how many young Flickers cracked their glass-like shells in this narrow chamber; and after the Flickers came no more it was taken by some bird, a grakle perhaps, that, like the << foolish man," founded its nest on mud, finish- ing its superstructure with sticks and straw. Then, it seems, came a new possessor, who built a strong, shtipely nest of moss and mud; but for the situation it might have been the work of a robin. Lastly? this many-storied tenement house became the eyrie of a sparrowhawk, whose household furniture of straw and moss reached halfway up to the door- way. A strange tile of a hole, surely ; but there was more yet to be learned from the old stub, and, allowing fullest weight to circumstan- tial evidence and accepting the supposititious as a fact, 1 may be al lowed to relate as a matter of established history that on a certain day Sir Faleo sparverins brought home to his brood a tiny shrew, of the species yclept by scientists the Sorex cooperi. Now, it chanced that the young hopefuls of the robber baron were not just then very hungry — oh I mar- velous chance — so that the Sorex cooperi, being left to his own devices, set about to escape, and so far succeeded that he burrowed down through the homo effects of the Kestrel and the moss-builder, but when so ftir the hard mud floor barred further progress, and the poor little captive, weary and wounded, soon died in the buried nest; and there I found him, like Ginevra in the oaken chest, when long afterwards I broke open the rotten timber and made it disclose a tragic title that, may be, never happened at all. In this region (Carbcrry) the flicker seems to prey principally on ants, taking them sometimes from the rotten stumps that are honeycombed with their galleries, but more often, I believe, from the mound-like ant- hills which are to be seen on the prairie in such numbers. His method of attack seems to be by first pecking a hole in the center of the hill, and then as the ants come swarming out he dispatches them till his ap- petite is satisfied. Afterwards he comes agaiu ai! I again to the hill till it is completely depopulated. On tlio iJTMi July, 18B4, I nnw nnfl nf tlicsn birdn tInRtiiiff on a nnndy spot near the ANsiniboino Rivor. Ho ixTfiiriiUMl tho oporiition an skillfnlly oh a qunil and was evi- d*>utly used to it. VOI-. XIII.l 18U0. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM 653 as, came » In cold, stormy weather they roost on the ground amongst the long grass at the root of a stamp or tree. On the 39th Septoinbur I put several out of such places just at dark. They were very loth to leavp, ray dog almost jumping on them before they would get out. (Nnsh, in MSS.) 142. AntroBtomuB vociferus. Whip-poor-will. Common summer residuiit in woods and bluffs. In numbers at Pem- bina (Ooues). Pembina (Lay). Dufferin: Arrived May 8, 1874 (Daw- son). Winnipeg: Summer resident ; abundant (Eline). Its voice is known at Ked River Settlement (Blakiston). Ossowa: Breeding (Wagner). Oak Point : 1884 ; first heard May 8 ; next heard May 12 ; heard again on 13 ; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie : Com- mon summer resident ; arrives about May 20 ; departs early in Sep- tember; found young partially fledged as late as July 29 (Nash). Abundant in the north ; Manitoba House, JunelT, 1881 ; Grand Valley (Mncoun). Carberry: Common summer resident; breeding; Long lliver (Thompson). Two Rivers : 1885, first heard, one, May 21 j next, May 24 ; fairly rare (Criddle). Brandon : May 25, 1887 (Wood). Shell River: 1885, first heard, one, May 20 ; common all summer; remains until August (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle : Occasional (Guernsey). On May 17, 1882, at Long River Gorge, a partly wooded country, the best we have seen yet, heard a number of whip-poor-wills chanting their familiar strain towards night. This is the first notice of their arrival. June C, went late in the evening to the eastern slough to observe the two nightjars. Both of these, as well as the mosquitoes, were in full force. But as the shades of night closed in the night-hawks that hith- erto had been chiefly noticeable beciime less noisy, and their cousins, the whip-poor-wills, became the principal performers in the full concert. How many there were it would be hard to say, but certainly not less than a dozen appeared to be in the near neighborhood, and the chorus of voices loudly reiterating " whip-poor will " was always a full one of at least three voices. As I lay in the grass and listened to these various voices of the night I attempted a clumsy imitation of the notes ''whip- poor-will," and was pleased to sec one of these birds come flying around me closer and closer until at length it hovered but 18 inches from my face in the grass. For a moment or two he poiped and inspected me ; then flying away he returned immediately with another, his mate prob- ming a number of times in broad daylight ; eacli time, pist as the boom began, the wings were l>rought forward, so that the two together formed a half moon, with the points downwards, and as well as I could discern, the tips of the wings vibrated out of sight while the sound continued. The courting and mating ceremonies, apart from the booming, are carried out chiefly on the ground, where the male may be seen chasing his mate about and around the logs and bushes. When thus engaged they do not hop, but always run, as far as I have been able to observe. As already intimated, the eggs, which, to the best of my knowledge, never exceed two in number, are laid on the L re ground; they are peculiar in being of the same shape at each end, both in fact being big ends. When sitting on them the old bird will close her lustrous bhick eyes and remain perfectly still until nearly trodilen on ; then, finding herself discovered, she will flutter oft" and attempt, by the usual shamming of lameness, to lead the intruder away from her treas- ure. According to Audubon, these birds will remove their eggs when much molested. My own experience shows that they will desert the eggs, bat I have never known them to be removed by the birds them- selves. The old theory of the Night-hawk's booming was that the sound was caused by the air rushing past the wide, gaping throat; buttlio present idea seems to be that it is made by the wings. In support of the latter I would adiluce the following reasons : First, the sound bears evident resemblance to the drumming of the partridge and of the snipe; sec- ond, it may be accurately imitated by throwing a large nail sideways through the air; and hist, the following observation on the crow, a not very wide-mouthed bird, points, I think, to a wrong origin for the sound. Toronto, May 14, 1885: While watching a crow being chased by another, I noticed the foremost one dive suddenly downwards and then up again ; the pursuing bird followed even more quickly, and as it swooped upwards it produced at the turn a boom similar to that of the Night-hawk, but duller and in a lower key, as might have been expected from the larger featiiers and slower flight of the crow. ::f fl 65n THE KIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. The Night-hawk Bubaists cliieflyou iusects, which it (devours ou the wing; \mt Wilflon examined some whoso tri/zairlH wore full of crickctH, a prey that miiflt have been taken from the ground. On Heveral occasioiiH I have found the stomach full of H^rasshoppers, and in one I found a number of pebbles. As Hoon as the young arc strong on the wing the species is ^eoii in Honks and begins to depart, for it is one of the earliest to move of the full migrants. These Hocks are very long and strAgglinelow each other, and clung to the wall. In that position they remained until they took their final departure. (Nash, in MSS.) r'Ji ifl VIPI. xiii,'! 1890. .1 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 557 ce, without 145. TroohiluB colubris. Kii by- Mi routed Hiiiiiiiiiug Bird. Tolerably coiumou suuiincr rcsid'Jiit of Hheltoiod garduus. Quite coiniuoii at Pembina; not seen west of this poiut (Cones). Dulteriu: Arrived May 17, 1874 (Dawson). Known abont liie gardens of Red lliver Settlement (Blakiston). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common as far north as Big Island Lake, Manitol « (Hiiie). Oak Point: 1884; arrived May 25 (Small). Portage la Prairie : Common summer resident; arrives about June 3; also near Winnipeg (Nasb). Specimens seen on Ked Deer iiiver, at the head of Lake Winiiepegosis, August 16, 1881 (Macoun). Not observed on the Big Plain (Thompson). August 20, south slope of liiding Mountain, humming birds were observed ; Bad Woods; "First humming bird was noticed here" (Hind, 1858). Shell Kiver: 1885; first seen Juno 3 ^Calcntt). Qu'Appellc: Occasional; not plentiful (Guernsey). Norqiiay : 1884 (Christy). 146. Milvulus forficatUB. Soissor-tuilcd Flycatcher. Accidental visitant. Winnipeg: Accidental (Hine). Portage la Prai- rie: One found by Mr. C. W. Nash, 2d October, 1884. The Swallow- tailed Flycatcher {Milvnlus forjicatua) is such a charac- teristically southern bird that its accidental occurrence in Manitoba is worthy of note. Last January I was shown a splendid specimen taken at Portage la Prairie by Mr. Nash. He found it lying dead on the prairie on the 20th October of 1884. Its stomach was empty, and the bird was very emaciated, although in fine plumage. On the previous night there was a sharp frost. In addition to this record, I quote the follow- ing rather startling statement from the Boport on the Hudson Bay, by Professor Bell, of the Canadian Geological Survey, 1882 : But the most singular discovery in regard to geographical distribution is the finding; of the Scissors-tail, or Swallow-tail, Flycutcliur {MUvalwa forjicatua Sw.) at York Factory. * • * The specimen ia the Quverninent Museum was shot at York Fac- tory in the summer of 1880, aud I have learned since that these remarkable birds were occasiouully seen at the posts of the Hudson's Bay Company, alt tlie way west to the valley of the Mackenzie Kiver.— £. £. T. 147. Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird. Very abundant summer resident wherever there are any trees; ex- tremely numerous at Pembina; breeding ; abu' riant along the line west- ward to the Kockies (Cones). Winnipeg: Summer resident} abundant (Hine). Big Bidge: Most common of all was the tyrant flycatcher (ilfiM- cieapa tyranntis) which endeavored to hold undisputed sway over the bluff he had selected as his home ( Hind). Ossowa: Breeding (Wagner). Oak Point : 1884, arrived June 3 ; 1885, first seen, one, on May 21; next seen, one, on May 22; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie: Very common; summer resident; arrives abont May 17; departs the first week in September; in 1884, first seen. May 17 (Nash). Very common throughout the Winnepegosis region examined in 1881;' ii 658 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. chiefly on borders of prairies or opeuiiigs (Miiconii). Carberry : Abnu- daut smniuer resident; breeding; Duck Mountain (Tliompsou). Two Kivers: 1885, first seen, one, on May 21; next seen, May 23, when it became comuion ; is common here (Griddle). Dalton: 1889, first seen, one, on May 24 ; next seen on May 25 ; breeds here (Younians). Shell Eiver: 1885, first seen, one, on May 21 ; next seen, five, on May 24; i.s common all summer and breeds here (Oalcutt). Qu^Appelle: Gommoii summer resident ; breeds; arrives AFay 24 (Guernsey). On June 21, 1882, down by the slough in a low bush, found a King- bird's nest. It was just completed and contained no eggs yet. The king and his wife made mure fuss over my intrusion than most birds would have done had the nest been full of young ones. Further on I found another nest of this species. It was placed on the top of a stub, about 8 feet high. The bird flew off. The nest was made of roots and fine libors, and contained four eggs. One of them meiisured IJ kv H 5 it ^^'*^'* creamy vhite, with a few clear spots of brown and lav- ender, inclined to form a wreath about the large end ; the others were similar; all were f coaiiiuiii ouiMirnnco, and tbo harrier alwayH tries to avoid aiitl o8ca|)o from his aH.saiiaiit. Tiio Kiii<;bird bivcds in the h>\v Hcrnbby oak trues wliiidi covtM' thiv sand bills, buildiii<;', liko tbn .shrike, a nest cuu- sistinj; largely of the stalks of a specios of (iHiiiihttUmn, After tbo yoiiii^ are able to tly they often live round the settlers' bouses ou the o|)eii pruirie, but about the end of August they all leave, ((Jhristy.) During August I frei|uently saw theso birds drop onto the surface of the water of the Reerry spruce bush, but never satisfactoi ily established its presence thereuntil the siunmor of t^l 560 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. vol.. xiii.n 1890. J 149. Sayornis phoebe. riid'bc. Poweo. liare summer resident; one or two pairs seen each season; usually nests under bridges. Winnipeg: Summer resident (Mine). Oak Poiut: 1884, arrived May 15; scarce; 1885, liist teen, two, on May 22; next seen, one, on May 24; is common and breeds here (Small). Qu'Appelle: Tolerably common; summer resident; arrives May 20 (Guernsey). Port- age la Prairie: On the 11th of May, 1885, I believe I hoard one of these birds calling on tlie south .^^ide of the Assiniboine Itiver, but as I was on the north side and the river was banii ful T could not cross to make sure of him (Nash). 150. ContopuB borealis. Olivo-Hided'Flycatcbur. Common; summer resident of woodlands. Winnipeg: Summer resi- dent; tolerably common (Iline). Uaiv. ; three specimens seen on Red Deer River and Pembina Mountains; also Waterhen River; evidently breeding (Macouu). Carberry: Tolerably «•().. imon; summer resident; Duck Mountain, common; Portage la Prairie, occurs (Thompson). On July 2G, 1883, in the tamarac swamp beyond the spruce bush I noticed a very noisy flycatcher; its note was loud, and its habits were much like those of the Great Crested Flycatcher. After some trouble, for it was very shy and kept chiefly among the topmost branches of certain dead trees, I succeeded in getting it. It proved to be a male Olive-sided Flycatcher; length, 7; stomach full of flies. June 12, 1884, Duck Mountain : A high wind has silenced most of the birds. Shot an Olive sided Flycatcher, a nn\le, stomach full of beetles and flies; it was uttering a robin-like *■'■ chmkchuckP The habits of this species seem to be somewhat between those of the Great Crested Fly- catcher and the Wood Pewee. It is quite common here. 151. CoutopuB vireiiB. Wood Powcu. Tolerably common ; summer resident of woods ; Pembina (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Mine). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident (Nash). Waterhen River (Macoun). Carberry: Rare; Duck Mountain, very common (Thompson). A speci- men from northern Minnesota in collection of Smithsonian Institution (Hlakiston). On June 14, 1884, at Duck Mountain, in the spruce woods, I shot a Wood Pewee. It was uttering its familiar drawling note, pee r-ee, in its usual sleepy fashion. It is one of the very common birds of the thick woods of this region. Its cousin, the Western Wood Pewee, is eqimlly common in the more open woods and groves. I was unable to keep specimens. 152. Contopiu riohardsoaii. W. Tolerably common ; summer resident of woods and blurt's. Winnipeg : Bummer resident; tolerably common (Lliue). Carberry: Rare; west slope of D June, 1827 On Jan< The specie! much 8pri£ l)ee ree phatic ♦* ri hand, one through tl asking one This spe while the Summei shot a fly( it was all fairly well shot yeste Summei House, Ji Biuscartb June 10 it seems auothor A Sumrae common 1 common i (Coues). (Maooan] Very a Pembina Manitobi (Christy; on May : Commou Lake M at Man! summer On M P isou; usually Oak Poiut: 22; nextseeu, (iii'Appelle : insey). Porfc- l one of these it as I was on ii'oss to make Summer resi- seoii on Ked iv; evidently iier resident; :)mp8on). )ruce bush I « habits were some trouble, branches of to be a male d most of the nil of beetles iiabitsof this Cresteeculiar note ** ehebec.''^ What the ''naturally selective" object achieved by this may be, I can not say, unless it has the effect of notifying the various birds of this species of each other's presence, and thereby facilitatiug and expediting the duties of finding and choosing a mate. On June 8, 1883, shot a pair of Least Flycatchers. One measures : Length, 5^; extent, 84 ; it answers to Jordan's description, but the lower mandible is yellowish. The other is similar ; it is to be seen darting about after insects in every thicket and grove ; its usual habit is to sit on a prominent lookout twig, pumping its tail, and '' cAefteo"- ing until some hapless insect passes near, when he ceases his too mo- notonous tricks, launches forth, seizes his prey with an audible snap of his mandibles, and dashes again to hii? perch to take up the ''cA«&«o"- ing where he left ofl*. This is a very abundant species here, on the plain. It is also a very lively bird, and has several different notes; one of these almost approaches a song. May 30, 1884: Who ever would credit the chebec, a flycatcher, a . damatore, with siuging a soug — yet to-day I saw one that, In the ex- uberance of his spring exhilaration, soared up in the air and hovered in true flycatcher style to vociferate for over half a minute a song like ** eh^eo-tooralooral, okebeO'tooralooral,'" etc., and having finished gave a loud snap with his bill — a smack of delight — and glanced downwards aslant into a bush. 1S7. Otoooila tlpwtxiM pratioola. Prairie Honied Luk, or Prairie Shore Lark. Abundant resident of the prairies except in winter. Breeding speci- mens firom Oarberry and Pembina are identified by Mr. Dwight as l>rattco2a, also fall specimen from Bat Portage; from Bed Biver west- ward, along the boundary to the Bockies, it breeds in profusion (Coues).* Shore Lark arrived before April 15 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Bummer resi- dent; abundant (Hiue). Oak Point: 1885, first seen, four, on March 38; next seen on 29th; is common, and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie: 1884; ocmroon spring and fall visitant; stays nearly all tlie winter; disappears and reappears at intervals; arrives about March 20; reappears in August, and departs in October (Nash). Very abundant * Speoinieni from the plaiDs proper are 0. a. areitioola.— k. r. VOL. xin,l 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 563 thore Lark. on prairies; trails along our route from Livingston to Fort Pilly and down on the west side of the river, in company witb Lap Longspurs, first half of September (Macoun). Garberry : Abundant summer resi- dent; breeding nine each season.; resident, except during December, January, and February (Thompson). Two R.%ers: 1884; arrived March 23 (Griddle). Brandon: 1882, March 20 (Wood). Shell River: 1885, first seen, fifty, on May 23; common in flocks going north; a transient visitant; not breeding (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Gommon summer resi- dent; arrives April 1 to 25 (Guernsey). On May 12, 1882, at camp 8 miles south of Brandon, midway be- tween our tent and the fire 10 feet away, I started a small bird from its nest. It ran away very reluctantly, and continued wistfully close at hand, running about among the tufts of grass in the glare of the fire, and returning each time as soon as it dared. At gray dawn I found her on the nest again; she slowly walked away when I approached to rekindle the fire, bat returned almost immediately with her mate; and now, for the first time, I saw them plainly. They were a pair of Shore Larks. Encouraged, no doubt, by the presence of her mate, she once more crept up to i>.er nest and took up her position on the eggs, al- though I was but 5 feet off. Frying our bacon over a brisk fire, I was very careful to avoid hurting the birds or their home ; and breakfast being over, travelers, tent, fire, and horses all went ofif and left them to discharge their duties in peace. The nest contained three brown eggs ; it was sunken in the ground, and was made of grass and fiber, and lined with two or three large feathers. My first real acquaintance with the Shore Lark at his home was in Minnesota, in the last week of March, 1882. A fearful blizzard, of course ^'the worst ever known in the country," had been raging for two days or more. On the third day, when it was nearly over, I was making my way out to see to the cattle. All the fences and low build- ings were buried in snow, but the tall form of an elevator loomed up out of a circle of bare ground, caused by the eddying of the blast, and here, in the very vortex of the storm, in the thickest of the fight, were three or four little Shore Larks, bracing themselves against the driving wind and picking up the seeds that had been exposed by the displace- ment of the snow. Poor little things ! I thought, you must be nearly at death's door; biit even while I looked one of them, under the lee of the building, perched himself on a frozen clod and poured out his sweet, simple little song in a way that seemed to say, ''How happy am L" But the longest night will end, and it is not always winter, even at tlie Pole. The spring comes, and '* the time of the singing of birds " arrives, and the brown Shore Lark raises his horns with sprightly air, and those who may chance to see him are now reminded that he is a near kinsman to the famed skylark — that indeed he is a skylark. Thus far he has sung only while perching on some clod or stone, but now i ! 564 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. the ardor of his devotion to the demure little qaakeress by his side demands a more ambitions demonstration; so, ceasing to sing, he strenuously endeavors to associate with the white piling cumuli, and having soared, apparently, near enough to be uncomfortably damp, while to us he appears a mere speck, he floats on vibrating wings, singing a song composed of a single note,'oft repeated with lessening intervals ; it may be suggested by the syllables trick, tricky trick, trick, trick, trick, tr-rr-r-r-rr-r-rr,^ the notes at last all running together like the drumming of a partridge. During this performance he has lost much of his altitude, but at once proceeds to regain it by a series of bounds before again repeating the song. This alternate soaring and singing is usually kept up for over ten minutes, then the musi- cian, having exhausted his energy, suddenly stops and dashes down with one frightful headlong pitcb, right into the grass. Upon going to the spot one is surprised to find he has not been dashed to atoms by the violence of the fall, but springs up, uttering his usual call note, and flits further ofl, again to settle on the ground. The whole of this performance will be seen to resemble very closely the serenade of the Missouri Skylark, the chief difi'erence being that the Shore Lark is inferior in music and staying powers, and also in that the latter remains more nearly over one particular place. Another point of dissimilarity is, the Shore Lark sings chiefly on the ground, while the skylark confines his efifusions almost entirely to his moments of physical elevation. The Shore Lark is the earliest of the prairie siugers to begin in the morning, being even a little earlier than the Meadow Lark ; it com- mences before there is any sign of dawn, and at night it continues until the plains are enveloped in perfect gloom. But singing will not multiply the species, and the two little "Quak- ers," as they are often called, set about nesting ere yet the snow is gone. Not seeking the shelter of bush or bank, but right out on the open prairie, on the level, they scrape a hole about an inch deep, then line it with grass and perhaps a feather or two from their mortal enemy, the hawk. In this are laid four or fivci brown eggs, freckled all over. This species has a curious habit, in common with the Bay wing Bunting, of running on the road just before one and flying a little further on when overtaken. The Shore Lark does not usually repeat the maneuver more than twice or thrice, and frequently it suddenly squats and remains so until nearly within reach, when it springs up uttering its triple call- note and flies away to one side. My observations incline me to believe that in Manitoba the species raises two broods each season. lS7a. Otoooris alpestria. Shore Lark. Fall migrant. Specimens of the true alpeatria were taken by myself at Bat Portage and at Oarberry in the fall (Thompson). Severn House: It appears common (Murray). VOL. XIII, 1 1890. J Bare, a about La Brandon in westei was not V miles wes tbey hav< reuce at 1 boine, Se " Magpiei 1858 (Hin sey). Oil or of Lali the Sask: on the 7tl was last ( winter; r iston). She pe c are plenty ern settlem migrate to I don't tbii ( Hutchius' Tolera Pembina ing near resides { mer to common of eight a letter remainoi Ossowa: ner). P locality year (Nj ing. H departs Swan h seen, tw sient vi commoi VOL. XIII, 1 1890. J his side sing, he mull, and >Iy damp, ng wings, lesseuin^ ickj trick, ; together ice he has )y a series » soaring the uusi- ihes down pon going to atoms call note, Bry closely yeiug that l8o in that Another le ground, 8 moments )gin in the k; it com- inues autil tie "Quak- he snove is out ou the deep, then rtal enemy, >d all over, g Bunting, further on ) maneuver ud remains triple call- ihe species I by myself era House: PBOCEEDINOd OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 158. Pica pica hudsonica. American Magpie. 565 1^ Bare, and found chiefly in the west. Bare ; resident in the woods about Lake Winnipeg ; have a single specimen taken 30 miles east of Brandon (Hine). One at T .k Fort (Hutchins). I have noticed these iu western Manitoba only (Hunter). I was informed that this bird vim not uncommon in the woods near the Assiniboine Biver, 20 or 30 miles west of Portage la Prairie, about fifteen years ago; but since that tbey liave entirely disappeared (Nash). Have been told of its occur- rence at Fort Ellice iu the winter of 1881; did not see it; Upper Assini- boine, September 27,1881 (Macoun). At Fourth Lake, Qu'Appelle: <' Magpies are very numerous in the thin woods fringing the lakes," 1858 (Hind). Qu'Appelle: Occasional; plentiful 100 miles north (Guern- sey). Only stray individuals passing to the eastward of the Mississippi or of Lake Winnipeg. • ♦ • It does not entirely quit the banks of the Saskatchewan, even in winter (Bichardson). Magpie first seen on the 7th of October at Mo.squito Point, where the Belted Kingfisher was last seen; observed occasionally at Carlton, when) it resides in the winter; not seen between Hudson's Bay and Lake Winnipeg (Blak- iston). She pe cam memewnck: the Magpye of Pennant. This bird breeds in trees; are plenty in the interior parts of the country, and a few are found near the south- ern settlements. In my twonty years residence in Hudson's Bay, I never knew them migrate to York Fort or Severn ; only one was caught iu a marten trap at York Fort. I don't think they migrate any distauce, as our people met them inland at all seasons. (Hutchius'a MSS., ObHervations on Hudson's Bay, 1782.) 159. Cyanocitta cristata. Blue Jay. Tolerably common summer resident in woodlands ; very abundant at Pembina (Goues). Peunawa Biver, September, 1857 (Hind). Breed- ing near Lake Winuepeg (D. Gunn). Swampy Island: 1885, common, resides permanently ; they go to the south end of the island in sum- mer to breed (Plunkett). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Oak Point: Arrived May 29, 1885; first seen, a flock of eight that flew overhead ou May 24; next seen, three on May 25; a letter to Professor Cooke mentions that (February G, 188/1) two remained all winter about the place, and became quite tame (Small). Ossowa: Common; breeding; 1885, last seen, one on October 19 (Wag- ner). Portage la Prairie : Common; resident; the majority leave this locality in the winter, but I have seen some iu every month in the year (Nash). Carberry: Tolerably common summer residents; breed- ing. Bat Portage: October (Thompson). Arrives early in April, departs late iu November (W. G. A. Brodie). Found at Bed Deer and Swan Bivers, September 2, 1881 (Macoun). Shell Biver: 1885, first seen, two,ou May 15; next seen, three, on May 24, going north; a tran- sient visitant; not breeding here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Tolerably common summer resident; arrives M% (Guernsey). A specimen r $1 566 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. if;..' from Bed Biver Settleineut in Smithsonian Institution ; I noticed the absence of it on the route between York Factory and Lalce Winnipeg (Blakiston). 160. Perisoreus oanadensiB. Canada Jay. Whisky Jack. Wia-Ka-tJan. Common resident in wooded sections, especially among evergreens. Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Eline). Bed Biver Valley: Common resident; they breed here (Mfiuitoba) in the month of March (Hunter). Besident locally at Portage la Prairie; very scarce (Nash). Very abundant in all the wooded country examined in 1881 (Macoun). ^'Whisky Jack numerous on the Scrub Oak BidgCf^near Dauphin Lake, October 9 (Hind, 1858). Carbrrry : Common resident; breeds in the spruce woods to the south; Duck Mountain; Two Greeks, on CJpper Assiniboine; Bat Portage, abundant (Thompson). Shell Biver: 1885; winter visitant (Calcutt). Severn House (Murray). Com- mon at Carleton (Blakiston). On October 13, 1883, at Two Creeks, west side of Assiniboine, I was awakened in the morning by a Whisky-Jack screaming close to my head. One or two of these birds have been in attendance at each of our camps since we came to this comparatively wooded region, to feast on the camp scraps, which we have always been careful to put where the birds could easily get them. On June 11, 1884, at Duck Mountain, I found the young Whisky- Johns following their parents through the woods. One of these, which I shot, was all over of a very dark bluish gray, tinged on the wings and tail with a glaucous shade, which at once reminded me of the relation- ship existing between this bird and the Blue Jay. The noises which this family made were curious and varied. I have long ago learnt to ascribe to this species any unknown squeaks or wails that are heard in a spruce wood. November 8 : Whisky- Johns came as usual to our camp fire to day. They helped themselves to scraps but a few feet from me, and ulti- mately one alighted on the pot stick and took off a scrap of meat that I l->t't there, although it was but a foot above a hot clear Are. fVhile moose hunting on December 6 we had crawled close to a herd, when suddenly the loud screaming of the Whisky-Jack was heard, and before we could get a glimpse of them the moose had sought safety in dight. During the numberless times that I have camped in the winter woods of the northwest, I have hardly ever failed to have the Wiskachon for a companion. Sometimes I have been awakened in the morning by the melancholy wailing of the bird a few inches from my head. Many a time I have fed it with scraps placed in such situations that its courage would be sorely tried befoke it could secure the dainties. Once I laid a piece of meat on the snow between myself and my companion. After one or two app oaches the bird rua||^ in and seized the morsel. Then I laid n VOL. XIII.T 18B0, J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 567 a piece between myself and the fire some 6 feet away ; this also was taken. Finally I stuck a piece on the end of the pot stick, which is a stout stick propped up so that it affords support to a kettle over the fire ; and although by so doing the bird had to fly down within 6 inches of a hot clear fire, without hesitation it dashed in and secured the prize. Long experience has taught it that a camp is a sure place for a feast, and as soon ais the ax is brought into play to prepare the fire- wood it is usual to hear the responsive " tay tay^ of the Wiskachon ap- proaching from some distant part of the timber. This call note of the species is much like the ordinary cry of the Blue Jay, but it has several others that are distinctively its own; this includes the melancholy sobs and wails which, sounding so uncanny among the gloomy evergreens, have snrronnded the bird with an atmosphere of mythic interest. Ac- cording to Archbishop Tach^, Wesakedjai is the iiame of the coot and of the fabulous being who takes part in all Indian legends. Almost the only musical sound that I have heard it utter is a metallic " okudk ehwik,^ not unlike that produced by the robin. The unmusical notes are so nun erons that one is almost safe to attribute to the Wiskachon any un- .accountable screams that may be heard within the presence of a spruce woods. Id the winter of lH81-'d2 I saw one of these birds at Bnrnsid*, about 13 miles from Portage la Prairie, the only one I ever observed near there. In December, 1884, I found them abundant in the Riding Mountains, where they exhibitetl all the famil- iarity usually attributed to them. In October, 1886, two or three frequented the woods on the bank of the Red River, but those were all I eVer saw in that neighborhood. Nearly all writers refer to the harsh notes of this bird, but omit to mention that it has some remarkably pleasing ones also, much resembling those of the Black Cap Tit but rather louder than it utters when traveling about m small parties, and also when alone if it feels particularly pleased with itself. I can quite understand why trappers should dislike this bird, as it often does a lot of mischief to the skin of any animal that it may find dead in a snare, by eating holes iu it ; but it is a great favorite of mine, and will always be welcome to my camp, in Hpite of his petty pilferiug of eatables. (Nash, in M8S.) 161. Corvaa oorax prinoipalia. Northern Raven. Tolerably common winter visitant ; probably nesting in the northei n lands. Tolerably common winter resident along the boundary (Cones). Winnipeg: Winter visitant; tolerably common (Hine). At Lake Win> nipeg (Kennioott). Bed Biver Valley : Resident, tolerably common more seen in winter than in summer (Hunter;. "And in the spruce swamps were several ravms," October 9; near Scrub Oak Bidge, Dauphin Lake, Plains of the Souris, July (Hind, 1858). Portage la Prairie: Very scarce; permanent resident ; in February; 1882, 1 saw one about 4 miles west of the city of Winnipeg, and on December 17, 1884t I saw two in the Beding Mountains (Nash). Carl)erry: Noted only in winter; Bat Portage, common in fall (Thompson). Not observed in the Winnepegosis region, but frequent in the Western Plains (Ma- coun). Qa^Appelle : Occasional (Guernsey). i 568 TUB BIRDS OP MANITOBA — ^THOMPSON. VOL. XIII,1 18«0. J ■Ai Si.? December, 1882 : During tbe past month or more I have seen a raven flying over the plain. From the tracks in the snow I learned that it was one of these that robbed my wolf trap of the bait. When flying overhead it resembles a large crow, but may be distingnished by its frequent sailing and by its voice, which is much deeper and is not un- like the bark of a dog, and it is from this I suppose that the bird is called "Barking Crow" by the Hudson Bay Company's employes. In the vicinity of Winnipeg it is a regular winter visitant, but when the spring returns it retires, probably to the rocky and timbered land in the region of the large ]ake». January 13, 1887, Bat Portage : Bavens continae as numerous as ever about the town. When unarmed one may sometimes approach within 20 feet of them. I subsequently saw the species in numbers at Schreiber's, north shore of Lake Superior (January 16), and at Nortli Bay, Lake ^^epissing (January 18), as well as at intervening points on the railroad. I observed it carrying food in its claws ; and on one occa- sion, at North Bay, saw one transfer a bone from its beak to its claws and back again several times during flight. At Schreiber's they were particularly numerous and tame. Almost any strange, weird sounds, musical or harsh, heard in the woods there might, I found, be safely referred to the raven. Raven (Corvut oorax) : Always to be seen ; and so far from being a solitary bird, as it is called in Europe, I made a discovery in its habits of wbicli I bad no idea before. At the beginning of winter I observed that the ravens, which I saw about sunset no matter where I was, were always flying towards the same point, and I concluded there mnst be some large trees somewhere in that direction where a few pairs, per- haps, roosted. One day, therefore, after having been out with my gun, I made a point of returning to the fort in the evening by that qnarter. Judge my surprise when, among some clumps of young aspen trees, none of which was above 25 feet high or thicker than my arm, I found one of these clumps literally filled with ravens, which, on my near approach, took wing and commenced flying about in all directions. I Judged by counting a portion that there were upwards of fifty in that one place; and that no one should hereafter say, "Oh, they were a lot of crows," I shot one, which I keep as a specimen. I have been to tbe same spot on other occasions during the winter and always found my black friends. It is wonderful with what regularity of time they repair to their roosting place in the evening and leave again in the morning, by pairs, for their day's hunt. One pair flies directly over the fort each morning, and as I sit on watch for the minute hand of tbe chronometer to come round to each hour of observation as magnetic obHerver; they give a croak as they fly over, as a morning salutation, I suppose ; at any rate I give them the credit for such civ- ility; and looking to see tbe time I find it the same within two or three minutes, but gradually earlier and earlier, for the sun, which is their clock, is each day lengthen- ing his course above our horizon. The raven is only known by the name "crow'' here. (Capt. T. Blakiston, from Fort Carleton, 1858.) 162. Connia amerloanus. American Crow. Common summer resident of woodlands. A good many along Mouse Biver, at the boundary (Coues). Dufferin: Arrived before April 15 (Dawson). Bed Biver Settlement : In 1859, before 4th of April ', speci- men from iiipeg: Su tirst seen, is common first seen. Lake and i were able common o first seen, April 10; end of Ma became a Portage li March; d 4; usually year (Naa dent; bre Two on A on March breeds he Shell Biv common i first seen, ninety-oil Qu 'Appc Station ( On Jul It contai much ex( several t or rathei it in a m would b( formanc( remarka crows wi On Ai crows ; and let the flocl make a beyond flock of quite b commui OnS VOL, XIII,1 18M. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 569 men from Nelson River in Smithsonian Tnstitation (Blakiston). Win- nipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Swampy Island: 1885, iii-st seen, two, on April tf ; next seen April 7, wben it became common ; is common all summer, and breeds here ; last seen September 20; 1886, first seen, two, on April G; bulk arrived April 8 (Plunkett). Gross Lake and at Lake Winnipeg (Eennicx)tt). On Lake Winnipeg the young were able to fly in the beginning of July ; not often seen in the woods; common on Hudson's Bay (Bell). Ossowa: Common; breeding; 1885, first seen, one, on March 29; next seen, April 10; became common April 16; last seen, one, on December 12 (Wagner). 1884, arrived cud of March ; 1885, first seen, one, on Marcli 28 ; next seen on 29th ; became common ou April 10; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie : Common summer resi dent ; arrive at the end of March ; depart about the middle of October ; in .1884, first seen April 4 ; usually these birds come before the snow goes, bnt were late this year (Nash). Carberry : Abundant in migration only ; summer resi- dent; breeding at Fairview aad at Binscarth (Thompson). Brandon: Two on April 10, 1887 (Wood). Daltou ; 1889, first seen, three or four, on March 27 ; next seen on March 28 ; became common on April 8 ; breeds here (Youmans). Common on the Western Plains (Maconn). Shell River: First seen, five, on April 3; seen every day afterwards; common summer resid:>nt; breeds here (Calcutt). Two Rivers : 1885, first seen, two, on April 2 ; next seen, April 3, when it became common ; ninety-one seen in one flight; fairly common and breeds here (Criddle). Qn'Appelle: Common; breeds April 1 to 5 (Guernsey). Trout Lake Station (Murray). Common all winter at Carleton (Blakiston). On June 27, 1882, at Fairview, found a crow's nest in a poplar tree. It contained four fully fledged young ones. The old birds were very much excited. They flew about, cawiug loudly. One of them alighted several times on a branch but 6 feet above my head, and, while cawing, or rather croaking, vigorously seized a twig in her bill and worried at it in a most savage manner, as though to indicate the treatment she would be glad to have me receive, fler voice during this curious per- formance was almost like a growl. Having noted that the nest was a remarkably strong, warm structure, and that the eyes of the young crows were blue-gray, I left the family in peace once more. On August 30, 1883, on the road, I saw a flock of about two hundred crows ; they appeared to be migrating. They were remarkably tame and let me approach them within 10 feet ; of course I had no gun. With the flock were two brown harriers ; once or twice I saw one of them make a sort of a stoop at a crow, but the latter took but little notice beyond moving a little further off. Later in the day I saw another flock of about thirty crows, and with them one brown harrier, who quite behaved as though he were a reputable member of the crow community. On September 7, a boy brought me a living crow that he had winged ; 570 THE BIBD8 OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. its apper mandible was bent in the middle at right angles nearly and pointed downward, crossing the other, which was straight at one side. I kept it alive to see how it fed ; it was able to pick up bread from tLe floor, but at each bite it had to turn its head, with the crown to tlio ground ; when killed it proved to be quite fat. On June 6, 1884, at Binscarth, on the Upper Assiniboine, I found a crow's nest in a bluff of poplar trees. It was in a crotch of a lai-ge poplar, about 8 feet from the ground, and was one of the most beauti- ful specimens of bird architecture I ever examined, excluding, of course, all pensile nests. It was a large structure of sticks, twigs, and bark strips, with a very deep cavity lined with flue fibers and beautifully finished off with a coating of cow's hair. It contained four eggs. Ha ha sou : The crow. These birds are plenty inland but seldom appear on the coast. * * * This bird is migratory. (Hatohins MSS., Observations on Hud- son's Bay, 1782.) 163. Doliohonyx oryzivorua albinucha. Western Bobolink. Whito-naped Bob- olink. Carberry : Specimens are referred by Mr. Bidgway to the form albinucha^ therefore I assume this to be the form throughout. Com- mon summer resident on the prairies; at Pembina, breeding in large numbers, and westward along the boundary to the mountains (Cones). North to Selkirk Settlement (Hidgway). Winnipeg: Summer resi- ident; abundant (Hine^. Stony Mountain: In every little bluff of aspen or willow the beautiful rice bird {Dolichonyx oryzivorus) was seen or heard (Hine). Ossowa: Breeding (Wagner). Oak Point: 1884, arrived May 23 (Small). Portage la Prairie: Common sum- mer resident ; arrives about the 20th of May ; departs the end of Sep- tember; in 1884, first seen, June 1 ; last seen, July 22 ; at this date they were changing their plumage and gathering into flocks (Nash). Car- berry: Common summer resident near Turtle Mountain; near Long Biver (Thompson). Dalton: 1889, first seen, five, on May 22; breeds here (Toumans). Quite common on the prairies in Manitoba, from Grand Valley to Cypress Bills (Macoun). Shell Biver: 1885, first seen, one, male, on May 18; next seen, ten, on May 24; is common all summer and breeds here; nest with six eggs found (Calcutt). Qu'Ap- pelle: Tolerably common summer resident; breeds; arrives May 15 (Guernsey). July 25, 1884: Bobolinks still in breeding plumage at Carberry, although at Portage la Prairie I noted them changing three days ago, but early in August the change takes place, and Bob discards his mot- ley and bells. The play is over, the clown of the pantomime lays aside his license and livery, and, like many real clowns out of dress, he is a very serious character. He is now silent, or only utters a metallic <* Jclink^ and goes very intently about the very prosaic business of finding oat where, with least trouble, he can get the largest meals. vol.. XIII, 1 18M). J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 571 )-naped Bob- Tbtt Bobolink (DoUchonyx oryzivorut) is of conree common. I saw birds in both the black and buff plumage together at Carberry on August 30. (Christy.) Towards the end of July, after breeding, these birds collect into large flocks, and the old males change their plnmage. They then leave the prairie and attack the oat fields, doing, with the assistance of the Orackles and Redwing Blackbirds, an immense ainonut of mischief. After the oata are cut they resort to the marshes, feeding on wild rice, etc., until the cool nights inform them it is time to leave. (Nash,inMSS.) 164. Molothrua ater. Cowbird. Abundant sammer resident throughout the prairie regions. Abun- dant at Pembina and westward along the boundary to the mountains (Coues). Bed River Settlement on 28th April (Blakiston). Winnipeg : Summer resident; abundant (Hiue). Oak Point : 1886, arrived April 14; 1885, first seen, one, on April 15; is cojnmon, and breeds here (Small). Ussowa: Breeding (Wagner). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident; altogether too abundant; with the same parasitical babits in nesting as elsewhere; arrives about May 25; departs in the early part of October (Nash). Garberry : Abundant summer resident on the prairies ; Souris liiver, May (Thompson). Common everywhere on the prairies (Macoun). Shell River: 1885, first seen, five, on May 14; afterwards seen every daj all summer; is common; lays eggs in the nests of the Song Sparrow and Yellow Bird (Calcntt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds; arrives April 20 (Guernsey). I noticed that on the Big Plain the cowbirds disappear for a time, apparently joining the rusty grackles and other species among the swamps and wet lands until after the attainment of the fall plumage, when for a time they again became conspicuous, aud continue about the pastures until October. 165. XanthooephaluB xanthooephalns. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Common summer resident of the deeper sloughs of the prairie regions. At Pembina, breeding abundantly ; Turtle Mountain and Mouse River at the boundary (Coues). Dufierin : Arrived between April 25 and 30 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Shoal Lake: May 15, 1887, very abundant (Christy). North to fifty-eighth parallel, but not to eastward of Lake Winnipeg (Richardson). Ossowa: Breeding (Wagner). Oak Point: 1884, arrived May 5 (Small). Port- age la Prairie : Common summer resident; arrives about May 1, departs early in October; in 1884, main body arrived May 6; some few came before this (Nash). Prairie Portage (Hind). Carberry: Rare summer resident; Brandon (Thompson). Two Rivers: 1885, first seen, two, on May 1 ; fairly rare (Criddle). Dalton : 1889, first seen, two, on May 4 ; next seen on May 10, when it became common ; breeds here (You- mans). Abundant around pools and marshes from Pembina to Winni- peg, in sedgy ponds, west to Moose Mountain ; not noted in Winne- pegoeis region (Maooun). Shell River : 1885, first seen, one male, on May ^^•'■| 111 H E 572 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. 1 ; next seen, four males, on May 3 ; is common here all sammer and breeds, nesting in the ballrashes (Calcutt). Qu'Apelle : Common sam- mer resident ; breeds ; arrives April 18 (Guernsey.) The voice of this bird is somewhat like that of the redwing, bat is more varied, and in many of its intonations presents such a carious resemblance to the human voice as to suggest the possibility of its learning to articulate words. Its distribution is regulated by the amount of sedgy marsh in a neighborhood; thus, south of Winnipeg it is exceedingly abundant, and at Portage la Prairie it is very commou ; but in the immediate vicinity of Oarberry it is the least common of tbo blackbirds. In its nesting and general habits it somewhat resembles the redwing, but is more terrestial and less disposed to haunt willow sloughs. Arrives about May I ; dep'arts early in October. A frost just suflSclent to fortu a tliin coat of ice on standing water, on the night of October 6, 1884, drove out tho whole army of these birds and all kindred species that roost in the reedn of the sloughs. I watched them in to roost that evening, as usual, but at day- light the next morning they had gone, leaving only a few straggling grackles behind. Does not occur east of Long Lake, a sheet of water about 2*2 miles west of Winni- peg, near which city I could not liud it or hear of it, although the country seems to be Just suited to its want. (Nash, in MSS.) 166. Agelaiua phcBnioeus. Red-winged Blackbird. Soldier Blackbird. Abundant summer resident, frequenting the willow-edged sloughs. Pembina (Coues). Common at Red River Settlements (D. Gunn). Red River Settlement on April 26 (Blakiston). Dufterin: Arrived between April 15 and 20 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Ossowa: Common; breeding; 1885, first seen, one, on April 25; next seen on April 26; became common April 28 (Wagner). Oak Point: 1884, arrived April 14; 1885, first seen April 18, next seen April 19; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident ; arrive about April 15 ; depart early in Oc- tober, though in 1885 a small party remained here until nearly the mid- dle of November, long after everything was frozen up; they frequented my garden, feeding on the sunflower seeds ; when these were exhausted I saw no more of them ; in 1884, first seen April 22 (Nash)> Very com- mon in willow ponds in the Winnepegosis region (Macoun). Carberry : Abundant summer resident; breeding near Shoal Lake, west (Thomp- son). Two Rivers: 1885, first seen, several, on April 16; next seen, April 17; became common, with tw^o other species, April 18 (Criddle). Dalton: 1880, first seen, one, on April 13 ; next seen on April 15, when it l>ecame common; breeds here (Youmans). Shell River: 1885, first seen, thirty-one, on April 13 ; afterwards seen every day, male and fe- male, in flock ; common all summer and breeds here (Caloutt). Qu'Ap pelle : Common summer resident ; breeds ; arrives April 18 (Guernsey). June 11, 1882: Went in the morning with two brothers to the lake in the sand bills east of De Winton ; saw there large numbers of Marsh vol,. XIII, T 1880. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 573 1 ' I Terns and various kinds of blackbirds. I was unable, from the depth of the water, to reach the place where the terns seemed to be nesting, but found the nest of the Ked- winged Blackbird in a few twigs that projected about a foot above the water, here 3 feet deep, and some 10 feet from the shore. I saw the female leave the nest, so that the iden- tification is good. The male did not put in an appearance at all. The nest is very deep, neat, and strong ; it is suspended from about a dozen upright twigs and is built much like that of a Baltimore Oriole, but entirely of grass. The eggs, four in number, were all fresh ; one was 1 by H, pale blue, and scrawled over with most curious hieroglyphs in brown- black ink; the others were similar. On August 9, 1884, while at Humphrey's Lake, I noticed that in the redwing colony there, although females and young birds were very nu- merous, only one male was to be seen. It would seem that the males leave the scattered breeding places and repair to the great marshes at this season and later on the females follow with the young. This curioas habit is said to belong also to the Boat-tailed Grackle {Qui8caln8 major), while the late summer disappearance of the cowbirds may be a propensity somewhat similar in its nature. During the courting season the male Redwing may be seen approach- iug the female in most beseeching attitudes and giving vocal expression to his feelings from time to time, while his wings are slightly raised and the gorgeous patch of scarlet feathers on the shoulder expanded so as to appear thrice as large as under ordinary circumstances. Doubtless he is as much indebted to the latter as to his vocal appeal for the ulti- mate success of his suit. * The usual note of the species is a short, harsh " chick^ but it is often hoard to utter a shrill whistle, during which I have seen the bird dash- ing straight across the field or marsh with a flight so steady and swift that I have sometimes wondered for a minute what bird it was. The " song" of the Redwing is a sort of guttural squeal ; it has been happily syllabilized as <' conkque-ree.^^ The effect of this, when uttered by what seemed to be a million voices, as I heard it among the reed-beds of Portage la Prairie slough, is not unmusical, and to the naturalist is pleasing in its significance of the multitudinous life about him, though it must be confessed that the granivorous propensities of this and all other blackbirds leave little chance of the farmers finding a similar en- joyment in the pleasant aggregation of unpleasant individual notes. Shortly after the end of August all the species disappeared from here, but in such large reed-beds as that mentioned above they gather in thou- sands and linger until the frost drives them south, about the middle of October. 167. Bturnella magna negleota Wcntern Meadow Lark. Prairie Lark. Abundant summer resident of the prairies. East to Pembina (Ridg- way). Pembina, and westward along the boundary to the Rockies; com- 674 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. mou (Coues). From 60 miles south of Bed River Settlement (Blakiston). Da£feriD: Arrives between April 25 and 30 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Bine). Ossowa: Common breeding; 1885, first seen on April 6 ; next seen April 15 ; became common on April 19 (Wagner). Sboal Lake (Gunn). Sboal Lake: May 16, 1887 (Christy). Oak Point : 1884, arrive May 17 ; first seen, one, on April 9 ; next seen on 10th ; became common on 13th ; breed here (idmall). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident; arrives about April 10, departs about the middle of October ; in 1884, first seen, April 15 : in 1883 saw- it in March (Nash). Carberry and the Big Plain, generally, to the Fingerboard; common summer resident near Turtle Mountain, Brandon, Milford (Thompison). Abundant on the prairie along the route marked ; not seen in the W^innipegosis region (Macoun). Two rivers: 1885, first seen, one, on April 16; next seen, April 17; fairly common; breeds (Criddle). Dalton : 1889, first seen on March 26 ; next seen on March 28, when it becamecummon ; breeds here (Youmans). Shell River: 1885, first seen, one male, on April 12 ; a common summer resident, and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds; ar- rives April 5 ((iuernKey). April 17, 1882 : The i>rairies are showing brown in places, and snow- banks are settling and losing their whiteness, through the grass that begins to show through them. Three Meadow Larks alighted on the fence to day, quite near to me, and one of them delighted me by vocife- rating his short rich song with a beauty I neyer before heard. April 18: On Sunday we saw a few Meadow Larks about; on Monday the number v^as increased and an occasional jingle was heard ; but to- day (Tuesday) at dawn scores of larks had appeared, and, as if by concert, all together burst into an explosion of splendid song, gushing out their rich, strong warblings from every little height and perch, singing with all their might; singing, as if under p assure; sing they must; iterched on a fence, perched on a clod, running on the ground or fiying high in the air, they sing and must sing aloud for the spring ; singing they saw the dawn and the noon and the evening, and still they sang on till night came and the prairies were hidden in darkness, then for a while they ceused ; but the rising of the yellow moon above the eastern fringe of trees was loudly hailed by many of the joyous birds and greeted with a renewal of this morning's burst of song. April 27 : Fall of snow last night, but this morning it changed to rain, and by 10 a. m. no snow remained. A Meadow Lark contrived to sing in all the pelting shower ; ue was not 100 yards from the door; so I took the telesco|)e, paper, and pencil and made a sketch of him. May 6: Took special notes on the position of Meadow Larks while singing to-day. Altogether, 1 observed twelve that were in full song; of these, nine were singing on trees, two in the air, and one on the groand. Their song, when on the wing, is entirely difterent from that vol.. xin,T 1880. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 575 while perching; it is more like the prolonged trilling of the English Skylark. Jane 4: Found a Meadow Lark's nest abont 3 yards from the nest of a Prairie Chicken. This latter I had frequently visited, so that the lark had probably watched me on several occasions from a distance of only 2 or 3 yards, and yet had not betrayed her charge by flinching, and most likely I wonid not have found it had I not chanced to step nearly on it. This nest now contained young ones. I watched them until June 17, when I found they had hown. On June 2, 1883, 1 saw four Meadow Larks all fighting, and at the same time singing in the air together. It was a curious competition and lasted for a minute or more; then down into the grass they dived eu masse, thereto continue for several minutes their noisy battle for the mastery. Possibly one of the number may have been a female, for whose favors the rest were competing. On July 30, Miller Christy shot a young Meadow Lark, a male; stomach filled with insects, apparently all coleoptera ; it had very little yellow on the breast, and the crescent was represented only by a few streaks. On its breast was an ulcer that nearly reached the bone; ap- parently it had been caused by a barb of a wire fence, against which the bird must have flown within the last fortnight. Plain Boath of Shoal Lake, June 22, 1867: lu pua^iiifi: over the plain we Hhot a Meadow Lark. These birds are found in pairs along the Red River to the end of the ]>lains, and on the south side of the Assiniboine. Tliey appear in pairs in May, gener- ally perched on a low tree, willow, or reed. They are very watchful, seldom allowing the hunter the chanoe of a fair shot. (D. Gunu.) THE SONG OF THE PRAIRIE LARK. [RepK' iioed from (be American MagaKine, April, 1867.] How often and often we hear the hackneyed statement, " America hits none but scentless flowers and songless birds,** and how invariably we find that it proceeds from persons whose ideas of birds and flowers are gathered wholly from books and magazines, and these chiefly of European origin ! There are many able writers ready and willing to do justice to the beauty and the fragrance of our numberless wild flowers, but those whose opportunities anEt*^ These bars, reprodnced on a tlute, will suggest witli fair accuracy the mere notes of the song; but they can not sugf st the bleak prairie scene nor the blizzard tliat fails to drown the singer's voice; nor the long, sih3nt months gone by, without wiiich tlie life and meaning aud true feeling of tlie stirring call can not be understoolace is known, leaves here about tho end of March, whilst the Evening Grirsbeak remains in its winter quarters six weeks la'^^r, from which I would infer that it should not go so far from its winter haunts to n . i8eg: Summer resident abundant (Llines). Oak Point: 1881, nr rived; May 2!) (Small). Portage la Prairie : 18!)0, arrives about May 25; common summer resident; departs about the end of September (Nash). Carberry: Common sununer resident; abundant in August aiul 8e|>tember (Thompson). Shell Hiver: 1885, first seen, one male, on May 24; next seen, two, iluiie .'{; is common all summer; breeds (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Tolerably common ; summer resident. Arrives May 24 ; breeds ((Juernsey). September 9, 1884. The goldlliiches are now going southward in large flocks. For the last month they have led a roving life in bands ol both sexes; especially fre(|uenting fireguards and old breakings, where there is usually a luxuriant growth of prairie sunllowors {HaiUardia), whose seed is a favorite food. In Manitoba I have nut noted the bird before the end of May. In vol.. xiii.l 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 587 'o feedinfy on tbis country it finds neither tliistles nor orchards, so it feeds largely on the seed of the prfiirio suutlower {Rudbeckia /n'Ha) and Gaillardia {(}.pulchella),?Lud nests in the low poplars and oaksou the edges of the lioavier timber. About the end of August they gather into roving bands of both Roxes and feast on the now abundant supply of sunflower seed; about the lOth of September they disappear. 181. Spinua piuus. Pino Siskin. Pine Linnet. An irregular migrant. Winnipeg: During June it is found along the Red River in hundreds (Hine). 1890: Itare and irregular visitant; I saw two or three Hocks near the Ked River in September and October, 1.S8G (Nash). Carberry: Irregular spring and fall migrant; not com- mon (Thompson). In Minnesota observed in great numbers in the fall ; migrates south in winter (Trippe). On December 5, 1883, at spruce bush, saw a largo flook of small birds swoop on the top of a birch tree, then an instant later sweep ott" again and wheel off twittering into the woods. 1 took them for Pine Linnets. 182. Plectrophcnax nivalis. iSnow-llivke. Snow Binitin};. Snowbird. Very abundant early spring; fall and winter residents. Winnipeg : Very abundant winter visitant; seen as late as Juno 10 (Hine). Red Uiver Settlement in winter (Blakiston). Swampy Ishind : 1885, first seen, two, on April 4 ; next seen April 13 ; last seen May 1 ; is tolerably common in fall anu spring; does not breed; first seen in fall, twenty, ou October lli; alter this it became common; 188(), Hist seen, eight, on March 29; bulk arrived April S; last seen, April 18 (LMunkett;. Shell hake: 1885; winter visitor (dalcutt). Portage la Prairie: Abundant winter resident; arrives about October U); departs usually about the middle of April (Nash). Manitoba House, 18th October, 1858, snow- birds were Hying about the post in large Hocks (Dind). Abundant on the prairies between Rrandon and Fort Kllice in October, 1881 (Ma- coun). Carberry : Abuiulant from November 1 to April 30, or usually as long as there is any snow (Thompson). Qu'Ai»pollo: Common win- ter visitor; leaves about May 10 (Guernsey). Severn House, Trout Lake Station : Only goes to the south when the snow becomes deep (Murray). Dauidiiu Lake, October 7, 1858, snowbirds were seen for the Hrst time during the afternoon. They came about ourcam))iu largo Hocks, liut they did not apjiear to have quite assuiaed their wintci dress. In Manitoba, perhaps more than in any of our southern provinces, the hardihood of this most hardy binl may best bo seen. As soon as the snow falls the snowbird appears in force, and all winter long he con< tinues to twitter cheerily about the cheerless outbuihlings and forage among the litter of the barnyardii. The snow counts dtH'per atid the weather gets colder, till the thermometer seems settled to sleep away I 588 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. down among the 20'8 below zero, an (Dawson). Winnipeg: Abundant migrant (lline). Abun- dant at llat Portage, October, 1M80 (Thoinpson). Portage la Prairie: Common in the s|)ring; sometimes abnnda..c in autumn (Nash). Very common on tlie plain at Fort LVlly, and on the road between Fort Elliceand Brandon, during September and October (Macoiin). Car- vol. xiii,-] 181)0. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 689 berry : Enormously abuiulaiit iu the spring, siud less so in the fall migration; plains south of the Souris River; abundant iu spring (Thompson). Cumberland House, late iu May (Richardson). Trout Lake Station and Severn House (Murray). On May 13, 1882, while crossing the Barren Plain south of theSouris Uiver we met with immense hordes of longspurs, thousands and tens of thousands of them ; flock after flock, or rather wave after wave, in tbe flood that seemed never entirely to cejise passing over. On all sides, as far as the eye could reach, they were to be seen stretching away into diiu distance, like swarms of bees or gnats. Each wave of the flood seemed to fly on low ovei the plains for a short distance, and then settle on the ground to run about and forage among the bunch grass while the next wave passed overhead. But, in all their flights and changes of front and pace, one thing was uotictable,they kepta steady onward movement to the north. They are ctiefly of two kinds, the pivpontlerating species, the Lap Longspurs, and the next in numbers, the Blackbreastei) or C. ornatus, and the last the Painted Longspurs, scarcely represented at all. September G, 1883. Tlie fall flower, the gentian, has Just come out in };reat numbers. As I crossetl to a i)art of the prairio where I might see their exquisite blue in i)erfection, a small flock of longspurs rose from my feet, uttering a doleful whistle. Two sad signs these ; both say plainly, summer is gone and fall is short and passing away. Even now these longspurs were flying from the frost, and as often as I put them up they flew, not haphazard, but before me, or over my head, always to the south; every move must help them in their journey to their wiu- ter home. May 15, 1884 : The Lap Longspurs are here again in thousands. High in the air they fly mi long straggling flocks, all singing together, a thou- Hund voices, a tornado of whistling. Over the prairie they go, on to the iiowly sown fields, and here the flock (rops a feeler, a sort of anchor or pivot, around which the whole body swings; then lifting again their iuichor they wheel about and perform two or three evolutions, again (lro|» the anchor and at length iorm a dense close column, and ceasing whistling they swoop down to the field to forage. When sprung they riHc in a dense body, but at once spread out and begin the merry whistling. It is a peculiar sound of multitudinous melody, but not loud, iiiul in some respects like the sleigh-bell chorus of the blackbird. In the heat of the day these birds may be seen sitting in long rows in the shadow of each post in the fence; as the sun moves around they keep edging along to avoid his rays. They do not seem to like the heat iuid no doubt will soon go. May 10: Very warm, 87° in the shade. Haw on the pnrlrie a strange bird that might have been a female longspur, excepting that it had no white on the tail that 1 could see. May 17 : Euoriuous flocks of longspurs are stdl to be seen about the 590 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. hi i : ■'1 i\ uewly sown fields. The gizzards of those I opened were full of oats, wheat, buckwheat, aud grass seed. There are tWo species, the Lap and the Paiuted Longspurs. Grangers, the farmers here call them iiulis- criminately. The merry cheechupping of the Laps, and the sweet singing of the richly colored Fainted Lougispurs make a continuous melody, like the spring jingling of blackbirds, but with more of the tone of bobolinks. Both sing on the ground. None of the spcciineu8 taken showed any anatomical signs of sexual excitement, so that they probably go much farther north to breed. About the middle of May every year the Lap Longspur comes to this country, associated with the chestnut-collared Paiuted Buntings,ineiior. nious flocks, coming in May, just after the crops are in. They do a great deal of damage, picking up first the seed that is exposed and afterwards tearing it up when it begins to sprout. A large number that I shot about this time had their gizzards full of oats, wheat, hayseed, uiid buckwheat. When in the field hey I'ave a curious habit of squatting j ust behind some clod, and as tl r upper colors are nearly matched to the soil, they are not easily obser d, nor will they move until you are within a few- feet; they then run a lew feet and squat again, unless closely foUoweil so that they nuist Uy. When in the air they move in great straggling flocks, all whistling together, so there is a perfect tornado of song. Merrily they fly alonj; to the new-sown fields; then the ragged flock drops a feeler, an anchor or a pivot round which the whole army wheels, and after performiiij,' two or three evolutions in close column, finally cease whiubling and swoop onto the field to forage. When "sprung" theyriseinaden.se body, but soon at once spread out and begin the merry jingling, a sound of multitudinous melody somewhat like the noise of Blackbirds. In the heat of the day (for we often have it over 80° F. during May, shade register) they may be seen sitting in the shadows of the feneo posts, in each shadow a long group just the size of the post, and as the shadow moves they will edge round to avoid the sun. As the middle of May passes the jingling music becomes louder and more vigorous. The efl'ect of a large body of longspurs singing is somewhat similar to that of a small body of bobolinks. They {pictus and lapponicH8) now sing both in the air and on the ground. The song of the lapponieun is like ^'' chcechuppy ohuppy^^ repeated with short intervals ; thopictus has a more i»retentious song The latter went north about the liUth of May, in 1884 ; the former remained until about the 1st of June. Tli«'y retire to the far northwest to breed, but return again during the last week of September. They remain on the stubbh; fields for about two weeks before migrating southward. Tiieir numbers now are much less than in the spring migration, contrary to what might bo expected. '"m vol.. xiii.T 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 591 184. CalcariuB pictus. Sniitli's LougHpur. Puiutod LoiigHpur. Abundant spring, but rare fall migrant ; one in Smithsonian Insti- tution from Pembina, September (Kennicott). Mouse River (Cones). Ciirberry : Extremely abundant; migrant; staying for about two weeks iu spring, aud returning for a few days in the fall (Thompson). Severn Ilouse : Seems scarcer than the others ; Sir John Richardson mentions tiiat he had only obtained one specimen ; three have been sent to me (Murray). May 13, 1882, on the plains south of the Souris Eiver, a few Painted lougspurs were observed with the immense flock of Lap Longspurs that are now passing northward. May IT, 1884, Carberry : The Painted Longspurs are here now in enormous numbers, accompanying the Lap Longspurs. They sing a sweet continuous song while perching on a clod. Today I went out to collect a tew out of the vast flocks that are daily about the newly sown tii'kls ; northwest wind was blowing aud I approached from the east, but 1 (;ould not detect a bird on the ground, although I was springing them from my very feet at each step. They have a habit of squatting closely when approached, then springing up they fly off with undulating flight ; and us during this it is not easy to collect the bird, I got no specimens iiiiti' it occurred to me to go around and approach the flock from the west. As soon as L did so the whole fleld seemed alive with the long- spurs; their gay bosoms were thickly speckling the dark earth for acres, and I h» \ no difliculty in getting as many as I needed. Althon^^li in full song 1 could detect no signs of amatory passion iu these birds,so Ihat «o doubt they go very much farther north to breed. 185. CalcariuB oruatus. CltoBtnut-collaretl LongBpur. Bliick-breasted Longspur. Common suuimer resident; local in distribution, many pairs some- times affecting a limited area of dry ])rairio, while again for miles no more of the species are to be seen. Wonderfully abundant; breeding along the boundary from 20 miles west of Pembina Mountain to Mon- tana (Cones). Winnipeg: Summer resident ; abundant (Hine). Shoal Lake, May 16, 1887 (Christy). Portage la Prairie: 181)0, a colony about 2 miles north of here (Nash). Breeding in numbers on the Souris Plain, between Brandon and the Brandon Hills aud southwesterly, late in June and early in July, 1881 (Macoun). Great, numbers south of the Souris on the Brandon Trail, a colony at Chater, aud auother iu the Big Plain near Boggy Creek (Thompson). May 15. Camp 30 miles south of the Souris, over the same monoto- nous rolling prairie, a succession of ridges with duck-ponds in the hoi* lows Iwtween. The Black-breasted 'iongspurs are still very numerous, though much less so than they were t wo days ago, and are now mostly seen in pairs. The males are frequently seen to spread their pretty black aud white wings aud tails and rise iu the air about 10 feet, where they 592 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA THOMPSON. Biug sweetly for a uiiuute or i^o; tbeii, having let otf the ebullitiou of feel- ing that prompted the action, they drop to the ground to chase their mates, or to resume the more humble vocation of foraging, mouse-like, among the bunch grass. There seemed to be a vast colony of them breeding at this particular place, but after moving a few miles further on none at all were to be seen. On Junel:, 1S84, ouabarreu ridge of the rolling prairie between Bog- gy Creek and Petrel, I found a colony of over a dozen pairs of Black- breasted Longspurs. I did not succeed in finding the nest, as my visit to the place was merely in passing through "per cart," but I was able to make a number of observations on their song and habits. I fouud them rather shy of allowing approach, but quite iudisposed to cease whistling on account of the intrusion. 1 was surprised to see them fre- quently perch on low bushes and sing there, also on the ground; so that some ecstatic singer would perhaps start his song as he squatted on terra firma, then spring up, singing in the air, and finish the perform- ance on some willow bush. The song was somewhat like that of a bay- wing, but with a more mellow warble and without the slurred notes. The accentuation 1 noted down from the bird's dictation, as follows: " Weeo- weedmpe icechipilytr-r-r-r-r-r-rP Specimens shot had their gizzards full of grass seed and small in- sects of all sorts, but chiefly coleoptera. When sprung they had a habit of rising abruptly and flying with deep undulations for about 100 yards, when they would pitch down again. On going to thw place they would be found to have run some distance, and would a^^ain spriug from a totally unexpected quarter. 186. Pooceetes gramiueus confinis. Westeru Vesper Sparrow. Baywiug. Very abundant summer resident on the prairies. Breeds in abundance from Pembina westward along the boundary to the Kockies (Coues). A specimen from lied Kiver Settlement in Smithsonian Institution ^Blak- iston). Winnipeg! Common summer resident (liine). Portage la Prsii- rie: Common summer resident; arrives about May 10 (Nash). Common on the prairies, from Brandon westward (Macoun). Carberry: i^bun- daut summer resident; breeding also along all the trails in the pra'rie region towards Brandon and Fort Ellice. Shell Kiver: Breeding (Thompson). Shell Kiver: 1885, flrst seen, two, on April 21); is common all summer, and breeds here (Calcutt). May 11, 1882: Traveling today on the old Brandon Trail. As we follow its windings over the sterile prairie about Fairview, large num- bers of Vesper Sparrows are to be seen, running and hopping in and out among the tufts of bunch grass, or flitting Just ahead of the horses, which they seem to think are pursuing then). This is the flrst time I have observed them, but they are in extraordinary numbers here. Ou May 9, 1883, shot aVesper Sparrow, singing at dusk; a male; length (i.^, extent 11; gizzard full of grass. lu the evening, after vol.. XIII, 1 1890. J dusk, a stri a long twit but found i this eftusio of extracts male; len| On July bird that r but less p( sank agaii proved to On Aug noise. It •gizzard w baywing s noted this at all. Lj Like its by turns < conceited front of a herd of ci drivers ai a mile in Iront and liim too c hopping, you are f( left the t self on h been that also seen point of lashion (i the leade Anotlu will squi lialf an 1 spot by t enjoying In soir eastern I ulthougl enced m; Durin, »cng, an Pi "Ilitiouoffeei. o chase their ?, mouse-like, looy of them miles further between Ho^- tiirs of Black- t, as my visit ut I was able )its. I fonud osetl to cease see them fre- ouiul; so that squatted on the perform - hat of a bay- ilurreil notes. i, as follows: inU small iu- il flying with 1 pitch down ivo run some cted quarter. r. liaywiug. in abundance ikies (Coues). itation^BIuk- rtage la Prai- )h). Common •erry: Abun- n the praTie r: Breeding >; is common 'rail. As we , large num- >ping in and if the horses, e first time I rs here, sk J a male; eniug, after vol.. XIII, 1 189U. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 593 dusk, a strange small sparrow ran along the ground before me, uttering ii long twittering song in a (luiet, cheerful way. I expected a discovery, but found it was only my old friend the bay wing. 1 subsequently heard this efi'usiou a number of times; it is like a soft continuous whispering of extracts from his various other musical performances. It was a wale ; length G[y extent 11 ; gizzard full of grain. On July 31, 1883, at Humphrey's Lake with M. C, we noted a small bird that rose in the air singing a song like that of the English Lark, but less powerful. It sang and soared to a height of about 40 feet, then sank again to the grass. After an eager pursuit it was secured and proved to be only a Vesper Sparrow. On August 4, 1884, heard a sparrow making a continuous screeching noise. It proved a baywing. In its bill was a grasshopper, and its gizzard was full of insects. Three times this week have I heard the baywing singing its air song from aloft. These are the only occasions noted this year, and now the species is not singing its ordinary song at all. Last year, as near as I remember, it was the samely. Like its eastern relative this bird has a habit of running and flying by turns on the path, or a few feet before one. I have watched the conceited little creature when it chanced to alight on the trail, just in front of a train of over a hundred emigrant wagons, that, with a great herd of cattle and a rabble of boys and dogs, uiuler guidance of noisy drivers and mounted outriders, presented a most formidable array half a mile in length, and the little baywing kept hop hopping along in front and watching ba<;k over his shoulder ; or if the leader approached liim too closely, he would take a short flight and continue on the trail hopping, and seem all along to say " Catch me if you can, you folks ; you are following hard and I am much amused." Then when at last he left the trail and the crowd passed on, he seemed to congratulate him- self on having outwitted them so cunningly; or it may possibly have been that he thought he was the leader of the whole train, for I have also seen him when the train turned off" at forks flit across the narrow point of land and again resume his task of leadership, much after the fashion of modern newspapers and politicians that are supposed to be the leaders of public opinion. Another peculiu.ity of the species is its fondness for adust bath. It will squirm and rustle its plumage and splash about in a dust heap for half an hour at a time, evidently e" joying it hugely. On a small sandy spot by the house door 1 used daily to see from one to six bay wings enjoying their dry wasb, but very rarely any other species. In some of its habits it j»resents a considerable difference to the eastern bird, being in my opinion a much more accomplished songster, although superior opportunities foi studying this bird may have influ- ynced my preference for its music. During the mouths of July aniNGS op the national museum. 595 wlierc horses ixud cattle are contiiiiially ruiiuiiig about, I found the lu'st of a Savanna S{)airo\v, protected only by a tuft of prairie grass. It contained five eggs, and was couipo.sed of grass with a meager lining of horsehair, the whole being slightly sunk in the ground. June 29, llapid Uity : All this spring 1 have been puzzled by a pecu- liar simple little song that was uttered by a small insignificant-looking sparrow, which usually perched on the top of a low bush in a dry grassy locality. This afternoon I succeeded in shooting one of these birds in the very act, and was somewhat surprised to find that it was a Savanna Sparrow, a bird that I was otherwise very familiar with. The song is readily suggested in my mind by the phrase ^^ tship ctship-e- tship-e-screc- tshipJ' Soon after arriving it may bo seen on nearly every little willow bush on the Big Plain, repeating its short ditty, with the simple earnestness that characterizes the Scrub Sparrows. Its voice is much sweeter than that of the Shattuck Bunting (SpizcUa pallida), but it must needs finish with the inevitable "buzz." The song is shaped somewhat like '•^tship- e-tshipe-tshipe-screetship.''^ This is uttered for hours together with untiring diligence, and yet withal a lack of im[)rovemeut that would seem to explode the old adage, " Practie" makes perfect." This bird is remarkably shy, even in places where man is scarcely ever seen. 188. Ammodramus bciirdii. Itaird'H Spariow. Abundant summer resident throughout the Assiniboine Valley, wherever there are alkaline flats. One of the commonest birds, and doubtless breeding along the boundary on the prairies westward of Pembina Mountain to Mouse Kiver (Cones). Carberry, very rare; Fingerboard, rare; Shoal Lake, west, abundant; also at Birtle and Shell River (Thompson). A supposed specimen obtained at Moose Mountain, July 3, 1S80 (Macoun). On June 4, 1884, near Shoal Lake, west, shot a number of Baird's Buntings. They do not answer to Coues's description (1 Key). The crown is suttused with dull orange. Its song is very like that of a Savanna Sparrow. In many parts of the prairies west of Birtle there are low fiat alkaline stretches sparsely covered with long wiry grass. Wherever the land is of this character Baird's Bunting is sure to be a prominent if not the prevailing species. It is now in full song, and Its peculiar notes are to be heard on all sides. The song may be ren- dered triok-e-trivhetrikeeeeechiky-le-rolt, with a peculiar utterance that at once distinguishes it from the song of Savanna sparrows. Another type of song with this species is like tricke tricketrike e t-r-rr-rr-rrrr. June 22, Shell River country : Here the dry alkali bottoms are more frequent, and the bunting is numerous in proportion. June 24, Shoal Lake : Baird's Sparrow is common about here, though 696 THE BIKDS OF MANITOBA —THOMPSON. ■# less 80 tlijui at Birtlo. On the Big Plain where there are no alkalino flats; I have noted it but once or twice. The general habits of this bird are umcli like those of the Savanna Sparrow. While singing it is usually perched on some tuft of grass, each foot grasping a number of stalks to furnish support. When discovered, it Hits low over the flat and drops into the grass. A number of the specimens taken were rather larger than the measurements commonly given. 189. Amiuodramus lecontei. Lccunto'H Sparrow. Abundant summer resident of willow bottom-lands in the Assini- boine boundary near Mouse liiver (Cones). Near Winnipeg: " Sharp- tailed linch ; " summer resident ; tolerably common (liine). C.arberry : Abundant .s' iiimer resident; breeding in willow sloughs and grassy flats; Fingerboard; West slope of Duck Mountain, abundant; breed- ing (Thompson). Portage la Prairie : Eare summer resident in the large grass marshes near Portage la Prairie ; may perhaps occur in larger numbers than is supposed, as it skulks m rank herbage and is difficult to flush, even with good spaniels (Nash). In the afternoon of June 26, 1882, while riding after the cattle through the scrubby bottom land that skirts the eastern slough, I started a small sparrow from its nest. I dismounted and almost immediately found it ; it was by a willow bush, and although apparently on the ground it was raised inches or more above the wet by a matted tan- gle of twigs and grass on which it was placed. It was compose (Dawson). Wiuiiipeg: »Sumincr resident; abundant; migrant (lliue). Portage la Prairie: Abundant spring and autumn visitor; sin Ives about April 10, remain- ing until about May 15; reai)pear8al»out October I, and departs about October 30, the last stragglers remaining until November 2 (Nash). Very abundant around brush on the plains iu September (Macoun). Carberry: Very abundant spring and fall migrant; Rat Portage, abundant in October, 1886 (Thompson). Two Rivers: 1881, first seen, twenty, on March 23; next seen, April 0; migrant (Criddle). Shell River: 1885, first seen, lllty or more, on April 10; a transient visitant, passing north and not breeding or remaining any time (Caleutt). Lake Winnipeg (north end): Septeniber24, 18r)7(HlaUiston). Severn House: This bird winters in the United States (Murray). Septeuiber 30, 1884: The Tree Sparrows are here again in ftocks. The doleful spell is about beginning, but there is nothing doleful about the Tree Sparrows. Jiight merrily lliey chase each other from branch to branch on the lealless trees, twittering gleefully, and ever and anon, as tliey dash by in full career, bursts of their music may be heard, or perchani-e some member of the merry (aew mounts a perch and lets us hear his full song — a song so sweet and varied that it is surprising to find his subgeneric brethren credited with nothing better than a pro- huiged twitter. It commonly Irecpients thick copses rather than trees, and its general habits would- entitle it to be culled Scrub Sparrow rather thiin Tree Sparrow. In the springtime it remains hero long enough toletlis hear its first attempt at a love song, then it disappears in tlu^ unknown north. 196. Spizella socialis. (Miipping Sparrow. One in Smithsoninn Institation from lied River Settlement; also at Pembina (i{lakist«>n). Winnipeg: Sumnu>r resident; (olenibly common (Uiue). Oak Point: 1881, arrived April II; next seen on the 12tii; VOL. XIII, 1 I). J ISIM). PROOEE DINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 601 is coinnion, ami bret'ds here (Small). Portajjo la Prairie: Rare; sum- mer resident ; arrives about M.iy 1 (Nash). Carberry: Kaie; summer resident; breeding (Thompson). Qn'Appelle: Summer resident; breeds; arrives April 13 (Guernsey). Common in Minnesota (Trippe). Oil Juno (5, l^i, found t\, nost, (of diippy) :it I'lirtiino la PniiiMi, contiiining threo eir^H. I liavd noticod thiit the sou^ of tliiH Itird i,s in Miinitubii (liifcicnt fruni that heard from the species in the East. (Nasli, in MSS.) This species is quite rare in Manitoba. The earliest record I have is April 10, 1882, but this was the only one seen at the time, and it was fully two weeks before others appeared. After the spring migration I lost sight of the sj)ecies, but afterwards found it in full song at one or two places along the edge of the sand hills. It was seen only in three 01' four localities. These were, generally dry, sunny openings on the edge of the woods. I found one nest in a low spruce tree, but I was too late, as the young birds had llown. Tiio male bird is heard every morning in spring and early summer, uttering his characteristic, pro- longed twitter from some high perch near his chosen bush. Another note of this si)arrow is a short "chip," which is so commonly heard that it has given rise to the ordinary name of the species. The nest is almost invariably lined with horse hair, whence the other comiuou name, *' Hair bird." 197. Spizclla pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. Ashy-nape. Very abundant; summer resident on s(^rnbby prairies and half open lowlands. \'ery numerous about Pembina ; breeding; Turtle Mountain and Mouse River ((Jones), lied Uiver Settlenu'nt (C A. Hubbard and D. Ounn). Shoal Lake: May IS, 18H7 (dhristy). Portage la I'rairie: Very abundant summer resident (not at Winnipeg); arrives alK>ut May 10 ; departs about September 1.1 (Nash i. Lake Manitoba and wj'stward, June 10 and LT), 1881 (Ma(H)un). Carberry: In all scrublands; very abundant summer resident; breeding twi(!e each season; Souris River; Fairview; m'iirFingerboaid ; n»'ar Rapid C3ity; near Birtle; Hinsearth ; breeding everywhere; very abundant on west side of Duck Mountain (Thompson). Shell Rivtr: 18S.5, lirst seen on May IS; is commou all summer, an«l breeds here; ne.-*t with four eggs foinid (Calcutt). June 28, 1882. Trail 15 miles west of Fingerboard; in the evening shot a ('laycohued Sparrow. The sjiecies Is very abundant about here, and its peculiar grasshopper-like notes are hoard from every patch of dry scrub land. June 2!>, Rapid (.'ify: All si)ring I have been ])nzzled by a singular lisping song that is uttered by a snnill sparrow which fre»e whole party continued rambling and foraging in this manner until at length they rambled out of sight. This seems to be the usual way for young birds to spend the last of their flrst season. This small sparrow arrives in flocks about the 12th of May. Its small size and pale, ashy hue will genersiUy identify it as it rambles over the scrubby parts of the prairie. The song marking the pairing season begins to be heard towards the third week of May from a dozen points at once and ceases about the 10th of August. *' SoMg" I call it for convenience, but it is the least musical of a nundier of iiidifl'erent ])erformances and is much after the manner of Leconte's Sparrow. Tliis bird mounts some perch and with head thrown back and with gaping beak utters a sound like a fly in a newspaper — '^Hcrceaerce-acrec''^ — sometimes giving but one note and at other times, in the height of the season especially, repeating the dulcet Ave or six times. In the "intromission intervals" be' ween perform- ances, he sits immovably with the outward appearance and all the grav- ity of an uncommonly hard thinker. The nest is usually flnished by the last week in May, and at this time the nniles have such ample time for their mnsie tlnit the scrubby parts are resonant from dawn to dusk with their pecidiar rasping '*buz'ared with other tree nests it is conspicuously llimsy and light-colored, the latter ett'ect being due to the VOL. XIII, 1 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATlONATi MUSEUM. 60^; ff. but coin- jib-seiice of tlie black fibrous roots so comnionlj- used as lining. The efjjrs are aiuou|r the luodt beautiful of any produced by the. siuirrows. When first the discoverer draws aside the brush aud exposes the uest with its complenieut his feelings are as of finding an exqaisiie casket of jewels. Although this is one of the most common of our sparrows, and although on the scrubby plain between the Duck Mountain and the Aesiniboine iu early June, I could have found as many as four or five nests in an hour's walk, the treasure-trove feeling in connection with the eggs continues in full force. I infer from the above and other observations that the Shattuck Bunting breeds twice, if not three times, each season with us. It leaves the " Big Plain " about the end of September. 198. Spizella pusilla. Field Sparrow. Very rare summer resident. Eed River Settlement: Breeding (D. Gunn). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Have seen it west of Winnipeg (H. II. ITunter). Qn'Appelle: Com- mon summer resident; breeds; arrives Ap^il 15 (Guernsey). 199. Juuco hyemalis. Slat^-colored Jtiiico. Abundant migrant frequenting thickets .and hillsides. Probably breeding in the Winnepegosis region, as it breeds in Minnesota (Trippe). Mouse Eiver : At bountlary in Se|>tember ; .abundant (Coues). Dufferin : Arrived before April 15 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Transient visitor; abundant (Hine). Ossowa: Gominon migrant; 18S5, first seen, two, April 7; next seen, April Ki; became common April 20; went north alxiiif end of May (Wagner). Onk Point: l.S.S5,f!rst seen, April .'{; nextseeii. April 4, when it became common ; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie : Abundant spring and autumn visitor ; arrivesal>out the first week in April, reappears early in September, and remiiins until November; the last straggler 1 saw was on the 5th of that month ; it is somewhat strange that 1 could never find any of these birds breedin;: here, as 1 have several times fouml their nests in the province of Ontario (Nash). Ked Deer Kiver and As.sinilioine River, July, 1881 ; probably breeding (Macoun). Carberry : Very abunassing north and not breeding or remaining any time ((re was some sevens weather, with a fresh fall of snow, and the Juucos disappeared; but Mayday proved a beautiful nunniMg, and every copse and log pile Hcenud alive with them and their com- rades, the Tree Sparrows, which appeared to come from their various 601 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. \OI,. XIII 1800 •] biding places; both species at first uttered a little "peet" from time to time, but when the weather became warmer two songs were rei)eai edly heard froni the flock ; one a sweetly varied stiaiii Irom the Troo Sparrow, the other a twittering something like the ditty of the hair- bird, but stronger and uiore bell-like in the tone. This is the soug of the Junv.o ; whether it has or has not a more ambitious refraiu reserved for the far away secluded dells of its birth I can not yet say. About the middle of May, all the Juncos and Tree Sparrows disap- pear; not one remains; all go to the far north to breed. Even in the Duck Mountain, I saw not a single specimen during the summer. Towards the end of September these two species return to the Big Plain, in mixed flocks as before, and continue about for a week or two, but ready to fly at the first intimation of really c
Car- airie, more it Portage, I April 18; i', coiumou siiinincr resident, and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds; arrives April 1 to 5 (Guernsey). July 22, 1884, Portage la Prairie: Found the nest of a Song Sparrow with four eggs. The bird, whieh I^hot, seemed a very small specimen. The nest was, as usual, close by a running stream. Three of the eggs were hardset ; one was fresh ; the ground color of the three was palo {rreenish, of the last a delicate cream-color; after being blown the creamy became of the same color as the others ; one measured -^ by ^f ; it was heavily spotted as usual; the rest were similar. This habit of sitting before the clutch is all laid seems common in the Northwest. No doubt the necessity for saving the eggs from frost induces immediate sitting, so that the young inevitably often appear of diflbrent ages. (Cf. Kingbird, Vesper Bird, liobin, as well as Hawks and Owls.) 202. Melospiza lincolnl. Liucoln's Sparrow. Migrant in l^rge numbers at the boundary on Mouse River, Septem- l>er 1<>, October 5 (Coues). Carberry : liare spring and winter migrant (Thompson). 203. Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow. Common summer resident ; nesting in swamps that have some wil- lows about them. Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Oak Point: 1884, arrived April 24 (Small). Portage la Prairie: Abundant; summer resident ; arrives about April 25; departs about 2()th September (Nash). Mouse Kiver, at the boundary, middle of Sei»tember to second week of October (Coues). Carberry: Very abundant summer resident; breeding in every slough (Thompson). (^u'Appelle: Common summer resident; breeds; arrives September 18 (Guernsey). To the Swamp Sparrows wo are indebted no little for the merry twittering and the bustling signs of life about the brushy sloughs and reedy swamps of our country. They delight in these damp thickets and may be seen continually scrambling around in the sedge and wet tangle or running on the Hoat- ing reeds, holding "their skirts" very high, standing very high on titeiv legs, with tails much raisiMl, and otherwise showing great fear of getting wet. When they take wing, they Hit over the water with rust- ling flight and tail rapidly pumping up and down ; they usually make for the nearest bush or tussock, and then appear to tumble into it with nervous haste. While Hying and climbing about in the sedge, they often utter a short chirp, which is readily distinguishable when once hoard, butcan not be described in a way that would assist in its identitication. The comnu)nest song of this s[>ecies is a simple rapid, ^^ fwettwet- twet-twvt-tuiet-twet-twcttwettivvlticvt-lwct^''^ all in the sanu) note and so '.^i' 600 rilE IJIUDS OF MANITOBA THOMPSON. rapiuiferin: Arrived between April 15 ami HO (Dawson). Winnijieg: Summer visit/or, abundant (Hine). I'ortage la Prairie: Regular but not very common, spring aud autumn visitor; arrives about April 22, reappears early in O'.tober, and deptarts at the end of the month (Nash^. In woods on Duck Mountain, September .'{; one shot at Livingstone September, 1881 (Macouu). Uncommon spring migrant at Cailierry ; abundant, breeding on the west side of Duck Mountain in June 1tember 20 (Nash). Carberry : Common summer resident of dry, sheltered scrublands (Thompson). On July 5, 1883, shot a Towiiee female, length 8-, the species is quite common along the dry, sunny, scrubby banks of the slough to the east. The common song is like ^^ChuckburrpUl a- w ilia- will a,^^ it has also a note like "• Twee {in)t Towhee). JJy August 30, tlie Towliee seems to have gone. X..8 Southern Manitoba is about the northmost region of this bird's distribution, full observations on its local habitat niav result in con- clusions of giMieral interest on the subject, as the reasons for its choice of locality will probably be much more apparent than in its metroiwlis. 206. Pipilo maculatuB arcticus. Arctic Towlioe. Along tlio piiralli'l of 49 ilogrooH tlii.s ti>riii l)ecoiii(!s CHt'iibli8lie<-1. at toast, jm far eattt au tli« Mouso Riv«'r, wbero I Hccurud a Hpocimeii in Sejitetiiber 16, 1871} (iJr. Coucs). 207. Habia ludoviciana. Roso-breastod Grosbeak. Common summer resident of thickets; breeding in abundance at Pembina ((/oues). Winnipeg: Summer resit!ent; abundant; found it as far north as Fairford (Fline), north to Selkirk Settlement ( Brewer). Oak Point, 1884: Arrived March 20 (small). Por.age la Prairie: Tolerably common summer resident, arrives about May 22. I toniid a nest June 7, containing two eggs; t'.eparts early, probably as so(»n as the young can fly; not found by me near Winnipeg (Nash). AtLake Manitobaand Bed Itiver abundant, probably breeding (Macouu). Carberry: Tolerably common summer resident (Thompson). Two Rivers, KSS"): Saw one on May 2r* (Criddle). Shell Itivei" 1885: First seen one male on May 14; seen every day afterwards; is common all summer and lireeda here (Calcutt). On June 28, 188" mi a sprnce thicket among the saiidliills, I noticed a large blat^k and white bird, singing a song somewhat like that of the Oriole. The song was strong and spirited ; on my nearer ai>proach, the 608 THE BlUDS OF MANlToHA — THOMPSON, i': bird disai)i)eai'ed in ji tangled thicket, whence at times he uttered a peculiar " c7tM»7i;," as lie threaded its mazes. I managed, hoMcver, to get a good look at him, and found he was a Kose-breasted Grosbeak. On July 17, near the mill in the spruce bush, I shot a Hose- breasted Grosbciik, niiile, length 8, extension 12A; stomach full of catapillars small insects, and seeds. The species is not uucommon here. 208. Calainospiza melanocorys. Lark liimtiiij:;. lUifrulu Bird. Probably Man itobau ; rare, noted on Souris Plain and west to Cy- press Hills (Macoun). Moorsejaw, Northwest Territory, July 18, lS8i. Buffalo Birds quite common (Miller Christy). (The first of the above records refers partly to the extreme south- west of Manitoba, and may entitle this bird to a place in our list — E. E.T). 209. Piraiiga erythromelas. Scurlot Taua^or. Kare summer resident in woodlands. Winnipeg: Accidental visit- ant at Fort liouge, just across Main Street Bridge, I saw one speci- men, a male. May 1.5, 1887, on the bank of Assiniboiue River (Hiue). TTorth to Lake Winnipeg (Ridgway). " I saw one pair only about the 6th June, 1880, in township 13, range J east, where I cami»ed for a day (it was the first and only time I liad ever seen the birds, but my com- panion, Mr. Clementi-Smith, now of Brandon, who had lived several years in Ontario, told me ho had seen several pairs on the shores of Lake Winnijieg), the pair were nesting when we saw tliem ; they were within 20 feet of us for a couple of hours. Mr. Clementi had rec- ognized their peculiar call, for half a mile before we saw them (It. II. Hunter). (Ju'Appelle ; occurs sometimes, but is rather rare (Guern- sey). In Minnesota, common (Trippe). 210. Progne subis. I'urplu Martiu. Rare sumnuM- rpsidevt. Oak Point, 1884: Arrived May 19 ; scarce; 1885, first seei , one on I^iay 17 ; next seen three on May 20 ; is common and breeds here (Small). Winnipeg : Summer resident tolerably com- mon (Hine). Portage la Prairie: Scarce summer resident in 1884; first seen May 23; common since 18SG; later and at Winnipeg (Nash). Lake Manitoba : Rare ; one pair collected at Manitoba House (Macoun). Oarberry : Rare, and not known to breed ; Pembina Hiver (Thompson). Two Rivers, 1885 : First seen, two on May 20 ; next seen May 28, (Criddle). Turtle Mountain : Breeding (Cones). Shell River, 1885: First seen, one male on May 23; next seen, two more same day; not breeding, transient visitant only (Calcutt). On May 18, 1882, at Pembina River, near Plum Lake: Found cue or two hollow oak trees in a thiis, scraggy wood, along by the river, that were tenanted by half a dozen pairs of Purple Martins. The birds vol.. .\UI,1 18»0. J PROCKEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 609 uttered n, owover, to rosbeak. jc- breasted catapillars ird. est to C.v- y 18, 188*1. Dine Bouth- )ur list — E. ental visit- oue si>eei- ver (Hiue). about the d i'or a day ;t my com- t^ed several the shores them; they iti had rec- hem (11. JI. are (Gueru- 19; scarce; is coinmou 3rably com- i 1884; first »eg (Nash). e(MacouH). Fhompson). n May 28, liver, 1885: \}, day ; not )uud oiie or river, that The birds were seen entering in by holes that had evidently been made by the Golden- winged Woodpecker. Siuco 1886 common in Portage la Prairio and Winnipeg during their breeding sea- son. Tlie iirst I ever saw in tlio Province arrived at Portage la Prairie May IHiTd, 1884. Tiiere were two, a male and fuuialo. These birds bred, and after bringing their young out of the nest remained until August 23, when they disappeared. On tlie 13th of May, 1885, several pairs arrived and bred, departing as soon as the young could fly. Since that they have Increased greatly. (Nash iu MSS). 211. Petrochelidon lunifrous. Cliflf' Swallow, House Swallow, Eave Swallow. Very abundant summer resident. l!^esting about buildings; most abundant of the family, breeding at Pembina, and along the line west- ward to the Kockies (Ooues). Winnipeg : Summer resident ; abundant (Hine). "House Swallow" Ossowa (Wagner). Oak Point, 1884: Arrived May 22 (Small). Portage la Prairie : Common summer resi- dent; arrive about May 16; depart usually the first week in August; in 1884, first seen May 17, (Nash). Portage la Prairie: Common along the river banks nesting in great numbers in Little Souris and Qu' Appelle ttivers (Hine, 1858). All along rivers in the Northwest (Maconn). Carberry : Eare. Brandon : Abundant. Shoal Lake, west : Very common. FortEllice: Abundant. Assissipi: Very abundant; breeding (Thompson). Shell Eiver, 1885 : First seen, eighteen on May 23; afterw.irds seen every day; is common all summer and breeds hereunder eaves (Calcutt). Qu' Appelle: Summer resident, breeds ; arrives about May 10 (Guernsey). On May 25, 1882, at Brandon, under an 80-foot barn eave that faced the south, and stood by the river, I counted fifty-four nests of the Cliff Swallow and the remains or foundations of many more ; many were bunched together in tiers, two or more deep. On July 4, at Fort Ellice, on the Hudson's Bay Company's buildings along the river, are large numbers of Cliff Swallows' nests. All the higher buildings the Sheltered River Valley have numbers of them under the eaves, but none of the buildings on the hills, or at the ele- vated fort, are ornamented. On June 4, 1884, near Shoal Lake, west, saw above thirty Cliff Swal- lows' nests under the eaves of a house that stood near a small lake. The birds had evidently been iu possession of their nests for some time, as they were thoroughly repaired, but very few had b'^gun to lay. June 6. Asscssipi : Although the carpenters have scarcely finished the new mill, and hotel, over three hundred pairs of Cliff Swallows have begun to build under the eaves. The noise of such an extensive colony is discernible at a great distance, and is not altogether considered pleas- ant by the tx)wuspeople. The remarkably favorable circumstances that have called this colony so soon into existence are high walls in a shel- tered hollow, with a sunny exposure and proximity to a sheet of water. Mr. George A.. Blake, of Edmonton ; has sent me a photograph, taken in Fort Saskatchewan, which shows about five hundred Cliff" Swallows' Proc. N. M. 90 3{) 'u 610 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. nests ou a Bingi'e gable ; in some piats the ranks on tbia photograph are fifteen deep. Although taking possession of their nests as soon as they arrive, thes*! birds do not begin to lay until 2 weeks later. On the 4th of June I ex- amined a number of these mud bottles on an empty house, a little be- yond Shoal Lake, and was surprised to find that although all were tenanted very few as yet rvutained eggs, and most of these only one. All of these large colonies are placed noticeably near some lake or river, and an exauiinatioTi of the gizzard of one shot at this last mentioned place, showed it to contain, besides flies, a large number of water beetles, so that when the bird is seen low skimming over the water and dipping its bill from time to tin e, it is, beyond doubt, mure often feed- ing than drinking. About the 23d of August the Cliff Swallows may be seen leaving the Big Plain in ilocks. Tho cliff swallow hud built its nests in ^rout numbers on the banks of tho rivor (As- biuiboine, at Portage la Prairie), which roHe about 16 feet above the level of tin* watttr. I counted uoless than thirteen groups of theui within 'a disi.iuco of 5 miles, whjn drifting down in a e '.loe. The cliff swallow was afterwiird seen in great num- bers on thf> Little Souris, tho south bran(;h of tho Saskatchewan, and the (^u' Aypello Eivers. (Hino, 1858.) The colonies are increasing yearly. They soon e tablish them- selves in every small settlement that is built up and also about farm buildings. Arrive about May W, dej art as soon as the young can Uy well, usually the first week in August (t^ash, in MSS.). 212. Cbelidon erjrthrogaster. Barn Swallow. Very rara sumnier resident. Mouse Kiver and various other points along thu line (Cones). Winnipeg: Accidental visitant ; rare (Hine). Portage la Pra ;rie : Doubtful (Kash). Curberry : Kare spring visitant ; arrived May 1 1, 1882, and Jlay 4, 1884 (Thompson ). Shell River, 1885 : First seen, four, on May 30 ; transient visitants only ; not breeding (Cal- cutt). Qu' Appelle : Summer resident ; breeds ; arrives about May 20 (Guernsey). I recollect seeing a flock of swallows that tenanted a certain barn in Ontario leave en masse during a heavy thunder storm, and perch on a bare tree in the drenching rain, I suppose, for the sake of the bath. Has this any connection with the notion that swallow-tenanted biirns are safe from lightning? The withdrawal of the swallows during the storm when some barn has been >itruck may have, by an ancient and honorable process of logic, given rise to the idea that tho circumstances "'ere cause and effect. ^ This bird does not occur near Portage la Prairie or Winnipeg. I once tliongbt I saw one at tin former place skim past my boat, but as tin morning was very misty and I never saw another, I may be mistaken. (Nash, in MSt! ; 213. Tdohyciucta bioolor. T»-.3e Swallow. White-breasted Swallow. Common summer resident of wooded regions; at Pembina breeding iu srijail numbers (Coues). Winnipeg: c'.umni 3): resident; abundant VOL. XIII, 1 189U. J PKOCEEDINGS Or THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 611 (Hiuu). Oak Point, 1884 : Arrived May 3, 1885 ; tirst seen, one, ou April 28 ; next seen on May 6 ; is comnion and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident in 1884; first seen April 27; arrives about April 20; departs early in August (Xash). Common along rivers in the Northwest, ne^iting in old hollow trees at Grand Valley (Macoun). Carberry : Common summer resident; breeding (Thompson). Qu'AppcUe: Summer resident; breeds: arrives about May 10 (Guernsey). On July 17, went to the White Horse Hill. Found a Large eolouy of White-breasted Swallows nesting in the old Woodpeckers' holes, with which the timber is riddled, on the margin of the lake that lies north .and east of the hill. This is the largest colony 1 have seen. It num- bers, i)erhaps, twenty pairs. Nearly all of these settlements that I have noted have bet*n close to a sheet of water. However, they are usually to be found wherever the timber is large enough to be hollow, and scarce enough to cast no gloom about the chosen district. 214. Clivicola riparia. Bank Swallow. Sand Murtiu. Somewhat common summer resident; local in distribution. Pem- bina: Breeding in colonies, and along the line to the Kockies (Cones). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Portage la Prairie: Tolerably common; summer resident; arrive labout May 22; depart about August 23 (Nash). Very abundant in the Northwest (Macoun). Portage la Prairie ; Assinniboine, near Souris' Mouth ; Yellowquills' Ferry (Thonjpson). Shell River, 1885: First seen, sev^enteen, on April 30; afterwards seen every day; is common all summer, and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appello: Summer resident; breeds; arrives about J\Iay 10 (Guernsey). 8liash y win e pcHboii (Martin)- It resorta bitlier in tho beginning of Juno; bar- burH about the Hteop batiks of liverH, wliero it breeds in holes, making a slight nest of straw and feathers, and lays iive white eggs. It is tho latest breeder of tho lliid- soii'sUay feathered tribes. I liavt» repeatedly fonud new-laid eggs in tho latter oud of July, and by tho luiddloof August not ono of tho Swallow species is to be seen. A fow days before their disappearanue they collect in numbers to particular ponds nigh Severn Settlement, and lly about along the surface of the water. I have interrogated the natives who reside here, also those inland, concerning tho Swallow being found torpid under water, but to no purpose; indeed, they laugh at my (luestion. I agree with tho learned Dr. Forster that Swallows may bo under water unknown to tho natives, as they don't examine umler the ice in tho winter; they, for tho most part, angle for fish. (Hutchiu's MSS., Obs TV-itions ou Hudson's Bay, 1782.) These birds do not breed in colonies here, but excavate their holes in tho bank of the Assiuiboiue Kiver, singly, and somo distance apart. They are late in nesting. On the 21st of July I to ort- 612 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. '-; If - ■ :IS iM! M lit ago la Prairie : Uegular but not a commoa winter visitor here; usually iu April (Nash). Oarberry : Winter visitant onco noted (Thompson). On November 23, 1886, saw a flock of about twenty Bohemian Chat- terers, the only ones I have seen in the country. By a marvellous chance, I brought down one with the rifle without seriously injuring it, as the ball simply broke its back. 216. Ampelis cedronim. Cw'm Wux-wiiig. Cherry Bird. Common summer resident of woodlands; Mouse Kiver, near the Boundary (Cones). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). lied Eivor settlement (Blakiston). As far north as Lake Winnipeg (Bidgway). May 31, on an island on Winnipeg Biver, saw a large flock of fifty or more(Kennicott). Pennawa Biver (Eliud., September, 1857). Ossowa: Common breeding; 1885, first seen one on May 15; next seen May 17 ; became common on May 19 (Wagner). Oak Point: 1884, arrived May 5 ; scarce (Small). Portage la Prairie : Abundant summer resident ; in 1884, first seen June 2 ; arrives June 1, departs early in September (Nash). Abundant Manitoba (Macoun). Carberry : Tolerably common summer resident; Duck Mountain. Portage la Prairie (Thompson). Shell Biver: 1885, first seen five on June 5; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelle: Common; arrives May 22- (Guernsey). On July 22, 1884, at Portage la Prairie, found the nest of a Cedar> bird in the woods near the river. It was placed on the branch of a low oak, and was much the same as specimen taken iu the eastern prov- inces. It contained two fresh eggs, from which I infer that the species is a very late nester here. I do not think it arrives early enough in the season to raise two broods. Its favorite haunts are the tops of the trees along the river banks, and from these it may be seen to launch out into the air every few seconds to capture some passing insect, returning to the perch each time to devour the dainty morsel. This bird is a most expert iiy catcher, bawkiug about over the rivers after a species of Ephemera that appears iu July. When engaged in this pursuit they will remain on the wing for half au hour or more at a time, hovering and working to and fro over a space of 100 yards of water. Generally a good many of the birds are in the air at the same time, when the sight is a very pretty one (Nash in MSS). 217. Lanius borealia Northern Shrike. Tolerably common spring and fall visitant. Duflerin : Arrived be- fore April 15 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Tolerably common (Hine). Por- tage la Prairie : Begular spring and fall migrant; in 1884, first seen April 11 ; beard of it two weeks before ; arriving about April 10, re- maining a short time, and returning about October 1 ; departing at the end of the month (Nash). Carberry : Tolerably common spring and fall visitant (Thompson). Arrives at Carberry April 7 (W. G. A. VOL. XIII, n 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 618 Brodie). Shell Biver : 1885, first seen, one male, on March 14 (Cal* cutt). Touchwood Hills (Macoun). Between Hudson's Bay and Lake Winnipeg (on the Nelson Biver), September 17, 1857 (Blakiston). Trout Lake Station (Murray). April 5, 1882 : Snow 3 to 4 feet deep everywhere. In the woods to the east shot a splendid Northern Shrike. The venniculations on its breast were almost obliterated. This was left on the roof of the shanty until I had time to skin it. While at dinner we observed another Shrike tearing at a bird on the snow, some yards away. Ou shooting it I found it was also a borealis ; its breast fully pencilled ; and the bird it was devouring was the other Shrike, which it had carried from the roof. On October 23 a Shrike came careering. around the stacks after an unfortunate Sparrow, which speedily took shelter under the litter. The Shrike hovered over it like a Kestrel, and then swooped. I now en- tered on the scene, and lired, but missed him. He, however, left the sparrow and dashed off with such an aristocratic air and graceful ac- tion that I almost felt I had been engaged in a very small piece of business in thus interfering in the private affairs of a gentleman. Wa Paw Wiaky John, or Great Asli-colored Butcher Bird of Pennant. This bird harbors at all seasons in the year a little distance inland and makes a shrieking noise* In April it builds a round uest of grass, straw, and feathers, neatly interwoveu half way up a juniper or pine tree, and lays four light-blue colored eggs. Time of incn- batioD, 15 days. (Hutcbins' MSS. ; Observations ou Hudsou Bay, 1782.) 218. Lanius ludovicianua excubitorides. Shrike. White-rumped Shrike. Common Gommon summer resident of half- wooded districts ; common breed- ing; Pembina and Turtle Mountain (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Shoal Lake May 15 and 20, 1887 (Christy). Carberry: Common summer resident; breeding (Thomp- son). Shell Biver: First seen, one male, March 14; next seen, one female, summer resident ; breeds near my station (Calcutt). Qu'Ap- pelle: Common; breeds (Guernsey). On May 22, 1.S84, on a barb of the wire fence, I found a brown cricket firmly impaled. It was evidently not an accident, but the work of a Shrike, for as crickets are found only in August, this must have been in its present position for eight months. On May 25, found a large yellow burying beetle (Neorophagus) im- paled on a barb of a wire fence, no doubt by a Shrike. On July 6, went with Gordon Wright and Miller Christy to the Big Slough on Pine Creek to see a spring that issues from a bed of petrified moss. Found two nests of the Common Shri ke, the young of both broods being fledged and able to fly. In November saw a number of grasshoppers impaled on the barbs of the wire fence, evidently this had been the work of Shrikes. 614 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. t\ > <, At least ono species of Shriko is common and breeds, building its nest largely of the stalks of a species of Gnnpkalium in the branches of the low, scrubby oaks that cover the sand-hills (Christy). 219. Vireo olivaceus. Ked-eyed Virco. Abundant summer resident of woodlands : Abundant at Pembina, breeding (Coues). Northwest to Lake Winnipeg (Brewer). Winnipeg: Summer resident, tolerably common (Hine). Portage la Prairie : Com- mon summer resident (Nash). Oarberry: Abundant summer resident in woodlands, breeds (Thompson). Very abundant about Lake Mani- toba, breeding (M.icoun). Cumberland House, June 2, 1827 (Richard son). On Angust29, 1882, C. T. caught a Red-eyed Vireo down by the Slough. It was hurt in the wing, at least it seemed incapable of Hight. It fought fiercely, biting at the fingers and snapping like an owl. When I laid it down, it threw itself on its back and fonght like a hawk; on hold- ing my finger towards it, it seized hohl with its foot and allowed itself to be carried so. It socmed to have an insatiable appetite. It will eat as many dragon flies of the largest kind and as fast as we can catch them for it, and they are far from being a rare insect ; six of the smaller kind it swallowed whole in rapid succession, the larger ones he holds to the perch with his foot, and breaks them up before swallowing. One of the latter was given to him alive and caused iiim some trouble; they had quite a struggle on the floor of the cage before he mastered it, for the dragon fly was i«early as long as himself. August 31. The Vireo rea«lily eats raw meat. His dietary today, in- cludes three dozen house-ties, the entrails of a s|)arrow, six dragon flies, a couple of large grasshoppers, a coui)le of crickets, and the greater part of another sparroNV. September 1. Each day the Vireo disgorges a pellet of the indigesti- ble part of its food. This is globular and iibout one quarter of an iiu;h in diameter. This nu)niing he devoured the entrails of a bobolink, a few crickets, and a numl)er of naked caterpillars ; tlH> latter he readily eats, but he refuses to touch the hairy ones. September 3. The Vireo is dead, it proved a male ; length, 55 ; ex- tent, !>|. An examination showed clearly that in spite of the enormous meals it hod daily made, it had died of stiir\ ation. Tlie stomach was quite empty, the fat everywhere totally absorbed, ami the breastbone nearly cutting the skin. From this we may form an idea of the enor- mous quantity of insect food gathered by this bird when at liberty and providing for its young as well as itself. July 17, 188.'J. Today the nest, of a lledeyed Vireo found June 27, contained o\n\ young one ready to fly, anotluM* but half grown, and an egg which was near Iwing hat^ihed. The nest was composed outwardly of waH]> luist paper. As usual with this species, the old birds did not api)ear to be nuick concerned about me. They hopped ({uietly about I VOL. XIII "1 1800. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 615 the branches over my head, and evidently kept an eye on me, but to a careless glance they might appear to be merely climbing about in search of their prey. It is difficult to describe the song of this species so that it will be recognized ; but once heard it will be remembered, for no other bird keeps np such an incessant utterance of disconnected btirs. During the whole of his serenade the Eed-eye will sit motionless and fear lessly among the leaves within a few feet of one's head, and so often have my most earnest efforts to sight the voluable songster been frustrated under tliese circumstances that I begin to understand how the fable of the singing leaves may have originated. 220. Vireo pliiladelphicus. riiiliidolphia Vireo. Summer resident of thickets. Summer resident; it undoubtedly breeds about Pembina (Ooues). Winnipeg: Summer resident toler- ably common (Hine). Shoal Lake; May 20, 1887 (Cliristy). West Slope of Duck Mountain breeding, nest found (Thompson). On June 0, 1884, near Fort Pelly, on the u|)per Assiniboine I found a Vireo nesting in a small bluft' of poplar and willow. The chosen site was in the twigs of a willow some 10 feet from the ground ; the nest was the usual suspended cnj) formed of fine grass and strips of birch bark. On the grontid immediately below it was another nest of precisely the same make and materials: intending to take this with me on my return I hung it in the tree, but when 1 (iatne back I found it on the ground, it was again hung as before, and ogain thrown down, although it had been llrmly attached to a twit:'. This happened several times so that there was little doubt tliiit it was the N'ireo's doing, but why ? I can not imagine. On Juno 13, the Vireo began to sit on her four eggs. T shot her and found her to correspond exactly with (3oues' description of pUilmJelphi' cm, except that the yellow on the breast was quite bright. The eggs closely resembled those of the Red eyed Vireo, but were destroyed by an unfortunate accident before they wrre accurately measured. In its habits tlie bird exhibited the strange mixture of shyness and fearless- ness, common to the family ; she would rontiinu> on her nest while I watched her at a little distance, and when alarmed would quietly hop on a twig and tluMi disappear in the foliage without uttering a com- plaint. 221. Vireo gilvus. Winltliiip Viri and 25 (Dawson). Winnipig: Summer resident; abuii dant north (Hine). Shoal Lake May 18, 1887 (Christy). Portage la Prfiirie : The most abundant Warbler we have, in spring an(i autumn, arrives about May 1, re appears in August and departs about the end of September (Nash). Lake Manitoba, June (Maconn). Carberry: very abundant migrant; Souris River; Turtle Mountain ; Portage la Prairie; breeding, common on Duck Mount:? in (Thompson). Shell River, 1885, first seen, ninteen, on April 30 j afterwards seen every day in migration ; a transient visitor, only passing north and not breed- ing (Calcutt). Cumberland, May 28, 1827 ; iloust^ (Richardson). May 5, 1884: Flocks of male Myrtle birds have made their appe.ar- ance. The bare branches of the yet leafless trees are enlivened by them everywhere, as they flit about in pursuit of the myriad insects, they look like small Flycatchers and the partial illusion is increased by the oft-repeated note, which is mxn'h like that of Empidonax minimus. On Juno 10, Duck Mountain, shot a male Myrtle bird. The species evidently breeds here, its song is frequently heard in the spruce woods, it partakes of the same general character as that of other Warblers. It resembles the syllables, '^ pheo pkcn pheo pheo pheo pheo phco, phew pheo, pheir phee, phew phee, pheir phcc, phew phee, phew phee.^^ The first part being uttered very rapidly, and the last with more deliberation. September 12, Portage la Prairie: The town today is fairly flooded with Warblers in autumnal plumage, passing southward. Yellow- rumps constitute a very large propcution of the host that is making the return journey. Their ranks are now swelled by great numbers of the young, whose liveries are so various and often so very un-yellow- rump-like, that they may cause the beginner no little perplexity. 231. Dendroioa maculoaa. MfiKnolia Warbler. v Rare; migrant. Winnipeg: Summer resident; common (llino). Found at Duck Ray, Lake Winnipegosis (Maeoun). This is a common bird on the banks of the Stiskatciiewan : Cumberland House, May 20, 1827 ( Hichardson). Carberry : 1 observed a small flock, and secured a single specimen in young plumage, August 21, 1884 (Thompson). VOL. xnt,i 1800. J PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 619 232. Dendroica pensylvanica. CheBtnut-sidcd Wurblcr. Common summer resident in woodlands. Pembina : One female speci- men, June (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident ; abundant (Hine). Portage la Prairie : Tolerably common summer resident; arrives about May 30, departs in August (Nash). Lake of the Woods: May 29 (B. Koss). Carberry: Abundant in migration; commonly breeding; Duck Mountain, commonly breeding (Thompson). In Minnesota rather rare ; breeds (Trippe). On June 21, 1883, while at the spruce bush collecting, I heard the loud song of what proved to be the Chestnut-sided Warbler from a cer- tain grove of tall poplars. The specimen collected was a male ; length, 5 ; stomach full of small insects ; evidently it was breeding. It is a true Warbler, bei 'ig seen and heard continually among the trees. Its choice of locality usually causes it to be found chiefly in half-open woods, es- l»e('ially along the edges of low, marshy places. While singing I have always observed that it kept among the branche.* of the taller trees. Its song is somewhjit like that of the Orange-crowned Warbler. I can recall it to mind by the aid of the syllables <' Chipe, chipe, chipe, chij} e, chip e, fm/ c/," the single emphatic syllable near the end be- ing the most tangible dili'ereiice. June 10, Duck Mountain : Tlie Chestnut sided Warbler is quite com- mon in this wooded region, and is, no doubt, breeding here. It fre- quents the tops of the highest trees, and from time to time utters, with little variation, the already tlescribed song. 233. Dendroica castanea. May-brcaHtctl Warhlor. Kare; summer resident. Winnipeg: Summer resident ; rare; found along the river (Mine). North to Hudson Bay (Ridgway). Portage la Prairie: Uather uncommon; summer resident; arrives about May 30 (Nash). 234. Dendroica striata. ]tluckpoll Warbler. Kare; migrant; probably breeding. Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common ; probably breeding (Hine). Carberry: Kare; spring Uiigrant; noted once only (Thompson). Cumberland House: ISIay 25, 1S27 (Richardson). Trout Lake (Murray). 235. Dendroica blackburniae. Hlackbiirnian Warbler. Rare; summer resident. Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common as far north as Big Island, Lake Winnipeg (Nine). Swan Lake iind I'orcupine Mountain: Probably breeding (Mactmn). Carberry; .luno 3, 1883, saw a male Blaokbnrnian Warbler to-day, the only one I have observed in tlio country (Thompson). " Sylvicola parun,^ Severn House: Trout Lake Stiition (Murray). 620 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. a 236. Denf^roica vigo/sii Pir 8 Warbler. Rare trammer resident of the wooded coantry to the north and east. Winuineg, Common (Hine). Tolerably common in eastern part of the province, '.vhere they appear abont the end of May (R. H. Hunter). Duck Bay, Lake Winnipegosis, latter part of June (Maconn). 237. Dendroioa palmarum. Palm Warbler. Ridpoll WptMer. Abundant migrant, on the prairies as well as in vroods. Bed Biver settlement (Brewer). Winnipeg: Abundant in migration (Hine). Garberry : Abundant migrant on the prairie, chiefly in spring, Fort- age la Prairie (Thompson). I saw only one individual at Cumberland House, May 26, 1827 (Bichardson). Minnesota : Goes further north to breed (Trippe). On May 14, 1883, I saw great numbers of Bedpoll Warblers. They were in the buslies and also straggling all over the prairie; far from timber and not exactly in flocks. They are noisy, restless birds, and, as many observers have remarked, they are largely terrestrial, and have many of the habits of the Pipits. I collected three specimens. It passes through this neighborhood and during the summer has not been seen. Yet from the facts that it is exceedingly common here and rare at Cumberland House one might almost infer that it breeds in the Duck aiid Porcupine Mountains. 238. SeiuniB aurocapillus. Ovenbird. Common summer resident of woodlands. Winnipeg : Summer resi- dent; abundant (Hine). B.\ieding near English Biver, July 15 (Kenni- cott). Bed Biver Valley : Summer resident; tolerably common (Hunter). Portage la Prairie: Tolerably common summer resident; arrives in May, departs in September (Nash). ^ bundant around Lake Manitoba ; doubtless breeding (Maconn). Carberry : Tolerably common summer resident; breeding (Thompson). Cumberland House, June 2, 1827; breeds (Bichardson). In Manitoba my opportunities of observing this bird were very few^ but since then, while resident in Ontario, I have been most advanta- geously situated for cultivating its acquaintance. I have in particular become very familiar with the famous air-song, so long a puzzle to the naturalists, that it utters in the evening while floating in the air above the tops of the forest trees. This song may be heard daily during the nesting season by those who know when and wliere to neek for it, and, so far froM being unusual, it will be heard more often, even, than the ordinary ^^ teacher" refrain, which seems to l)e but little more than a call note. One of the most interesting facts about this lark re : and r; n along with its wings held up like a Plover just alighting. On scei ,; E.i;i! ' " ould not be decoyed away it returned and ran around me in the same att m -S'. '' "cognizing it as the Connecticut Warbler I stilled all feelings of pity, adde.d i. oird \ > iv bag, and then sought out the nest in tlio niossi It was composed entirely of fine ^i 'ss and sunken iu the ground as already de- scribed. The eggs, four in number, measured .75 by .5(5 inch. Before being blown they were of a delicate creamy white, with a few spots of lilac, purple, brown, and black inclined to form a wreath ivbont tho large end. The creamy white ground color was replaced by white after the blowing process. The female was as follows ; Length, Wi ; »ton:ach full, many coleoptera and one caterpillar ; but little ash ou head. Male, length, U; head and breast clear ash, without brownish tints. 241. Geothlypis Philadelphia. Mourning Warbler. Couiinoii suiniu'f resident of dry scrub lauds; breeding abundantly at Peuibiua (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Selkirk Settlement (1). Gunn). Very abundant at Waterben River and Swan Lake ; m!st taken June 28, 1881, in a low bush of Gorylns ros- triita, iihout 4 feet from the ground (Macoun). Carberry: Common summer resident in the wooded thicket about the spruce bush ; Duck Mountain (Thompson). On June 22, 1883, while at the spruce bush, I shot a couple of Mourning Warblers. It is quite common here. I usually found this merriest of mourner frequenting dense, scrubby undergrowths on dry land, a choice of locality, which contrasts greatlj' witli that of its near kinsman, the Maryland Yellowthroat. It is a very difficult bird to get sight of by following it. On one occasion I had been creeping and crawling about in a thicket for over an hour in a vain attempt to se- cure one of the many Mourning Warblers that were uttering their loud " woichy icoichy tvoichy icoichy woi eha cha.^^ Although I was often within 20 feet of a specimen I failed to obtain sight of a single one, until, at last, tired of this hide ami seek game, 1 sat down on a log, re- solving that if they would not wait for mo to come to them, I would sit find wait forthem to come to me. I then sat perfectly still for a few min- utes. The simple warble was defiantly sounded in a near thicket a few times; then, as I did not move, the little bird suddenly flitted up to a higher post of observation within my view, and presently I put it iu my basket, vol. . XIII, -1 81)0. J 181)0 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 623 242. Oeothlypis trichas. Maryland Yellowthroat. Common summer resideut of damp thickets; Pembina and Turtle MountainH (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Sboal Lake: May 23, 1887, several seen, but not in a flock (Christy). Oak Point: 1884, arrived May 26 (Small). Portage la Prairie: Abun- dant; summer resident (Nash). At Waterhen River: Breeding; nest not on ground, but elevated a foot or two on the land, subject to floods (Macoun). Carberry: Common summer resideut; Duck Mountain; abundant ; breeding (Thompson). On June 28, 1883, shot a Maryland Yellowthroat. Its song was like '^'■Rappittity rap pittity, rappittUy rap.''^ The species is very abundant in the alder thickets along by the small lakes and ponds. June 8, 1884, Duck Mountain: Tho Maryland Yellowthroat is an abundant species about here. Its favorite haunts are low, damp thick- ets, so that it is, in a measure, the complimentary species of the Mourning Warbler, which manifests a liking for none but the driest c copses. Like the Mourning Warble , also, it seems to take a mischiev^Ui:; delight in ])laying "Jack o' Lantern" to the collector, for it will .^1 one for honis through a maze of dank alders and water-willows, i aas ing, now and then, to encourage its distressed, mild-splashed, bra' ble- scn.cched follower, by calling loudly and plainly "IK/mf a pity, it, i t, pity, whata pity, pit,^ ov again, when the persevering one has happened on some new accident, it announces its whereabouts in notes, which, by a slight stretch of the imagination, may be rendered " Whafs the mat- ter, whaVs the matter, tchafs the matter, matJ'^ Often as has happened with myself the ardent collector will, at length, lind that, after all his trou- ble, this black-masked " Will o' the wisp" has quietly left the neigh- borhood when it found the plot thickening too much for its amusement, and yet, all this time, perhaps, it has never once exposed itself to the eyes of the gunner. Today, while watching one of this spt cies, 1 was surprised to see it suddenly spring up about 10 feet in th'i air, where, hanging x>oised, with its legs and tail dangling down, it uttered a prolonged and musi- cal chant that laste owner. If the hole chance to be in the least a loose fit, his first care is to blockade the doorway with the largest twigs he can carry until he has reduced i'^ to his own idea of snugmvss ; and I learned to accept it VOL. xin,n 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 629 mmou Wren. f this species as the infallible doorplate of a wren's homestead when a bundle of twigs was seen projecting from a cranny in some decrepit-looking stump, a hollow rail, or a knot hole in an outhouse. On one occasion I was told that a wren had built ils nest in the pocket of a coat bang oil the door of a ferrj'man'a house on the Souris Btver. (Christy.) My records of the nesting of this bird show that it is rather a late breeder here. In 1884 they are as follows : July 19, nest containing young well fledged; July 21, found nest containing youug half fledged ; August 6, another nest containing young nearly fledged. These nests ware all built just under the toii of the river bank. (Nash, iuMSS.) 251. Troglodytes hiemalis. Winter Wren. Summer resident in the thick woods to the eastward. Is common in the wood country east of Winnipeg during the summer months (R. H. Hunter). Portage la Prairie: Rare visitor; on May 16, 1885, I be- lieve I saw this species in the woods near here ; th» bird was feeding on the ground, but when it saw me it disappeared in a large pile of old logs and brush, out of which my dogs could not drive it ; on Octo- ber 29, 1886, I identified it on the west bank of the Red River, about 5 miles south of Winnipeg (Nash). 292. CiBtothorua Btellarls. Short-billed Marsh Wren. Summer resident of erratic distribution found in sloughs. Rather plentiful at Pembina; undoubtedly breeding (Cones). Winnipeg: Sum- mer resident; rare (Hine). Red River Valley : Summer resident ; rare (Hunter). Portage la Prairie : Rare; I have only taken it twice, Octo- ber 3, 1884, near here, and October 7, 1886, about 7 miles south of Winnipeg (Nash). Carberry, south slope of Riding Mountain, north to near Cote's, abundant summer resident of the grassy (not the rushy) sloughs (Thompson). Qu'Appelle : Common summer resident ; breeds ; arrives May 15 (Guernsey). Soon after the 1st of May every little sedgy pool and slough in the Assiniboine Valley, from Carberry to Pelly, is vocal with the merry chatter of this bird. Its ordinary note is like two stones being struck together about a dozen times in succession ; the first strokes with a slight pause between those following, with rapidly reduced interval until the last are all run into each other. It may be suggested by the following syllables: " Chap — chap — chap- chap, ohapj chap, chap p ppr-rr.'" About the 6th or 7th of May it begins to sing a simple song, which naturally divides itself into three parts or bars : First, the '* chapper- ing" already described ; second, in close connection a rather musical retrain of equal length, somewhat like the first half of the baywing*s sunset song, but without its richness and with less of its power; and third, the "cliappcring" again from iH^ginning to end. These call notes and songs may be heard on all sides for some time before a single 630 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. wren is espied, for they creep aad scramble about like mice in the tangled herbage along the sloughs. Many a time I have marked one as it entered a small tussock and then, expecting to flush it, I have goDS over and kicked the tussock in vain ; the bird had slipped out at the other side, and was probably watching me from behiud a rashroot a yard or two removed. When siuging, it is usually seen clinging to the side of some tall swinging reed, with its tail bent back so as to almost touch its head, thus exhibiting in a most exaggerated manner a characteristic attitude of all the wrens. The nest is a globular structure, and judging by the one or two cases that I have observed is generally placed in a grass tuft. If there is any difference, I think the Short-billed selects a dryer situation for his home than the Long-billed Marsh Wren. 253. Ciatothorua palustrls. Long-billed Marsh Wren. Summer resident of marshes. Winnipeg: Summer resident; toler- ably common (Hine). Have noticed it from Selkirk to the Souris, par- ticularly at Shoal Lake, north of Winnipeg, where they appear to be very common (Hunter). Oak Point: 1884, arrived May 15 (Small). Portage la Prairie : 1884, common summer resident (Nash). Abundant; breeding ; at Winnipeg ; at Waterhen River (Macoun). Never found at Carberry, or in aay part of the Upper Assiniboine, so far as I know (Thompson). 294. Certhia familiarlB amerioana. Brown Creeper. Very rare; summer resident of woodlands. North to Red River Settlement (Ridgway). Winnipeg: Summer resident; rare (Hine). 255. Sltta carolinensis aouleata. Slender-billed Nuthatch. Somewhat rare; summer resident of woodlands; its distribution seems to be much the same as that of the oak [Q. nincrocarpa). Win nipeg: Summer resident; rare (Hine). Portage la Prairie: Common; chiefly in spring and fall (Nash). Carberry: Summei* R'sident (W. {\. A. Brodie). Rare in the spruce bush south of Carberry ; seen in fall chiefly; Rat Portage in fall (Thompson). Was not an abundant species, but I brought home one specimen taken at Carberry in summer, 1883 (Christy). On October 24, 1884, I was guided in the woods to a nuthatch by the sound of his hammering, which was so loud that I attributed it to the Hairy Woodpecker. 1 watched for a tew seconds and found that he was busied "hatching'^ a hazli'nut, which he had fixed in a crevice of the bark. Then I came neiM-, whereupon the bird, fearing I shoultl become troublesome, endeavored to take his nut and go elsewhere, but VOL. XIII.T 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 631 it was so firmly fixed in the bark of the tree that I was within a few feet of him before it was extricated, and he flew off with it in his beak. Common iu spring and autumn near Portage la Prairie, appearing in the spring in large flocks about the end of April ; ia the autumn the broods come straggling back and disappear as soon as cold weather sets in; these are in all probability S. carolinen- eia acttleata. On the 13th of December, 1884, and from then to the 20th, in the Riding Mountains I saw White-bellied Nuthatches every day ; the weather was intensly cold, nearly 40" below zero ; these were probably the typical form. I did uot see a single White-bellied Nuthatch of either variety iu 1886 near Winni- peg. (Nash,inMSS.) I can not concur that both forms of Sitta caroUnensis are found in Man- itoba ; all that I have seen are nearer to aculeata than to the typical subspecies.— (E. E. T.) 256. Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Very rare summer resident. Red Eiver Settlement (D. Gunn). North lo Lake Winnipeg (Ridgway). Winnipeg: Rare; summer resi- dent (Hine). Portage la Prairie: Rare (Nash). Carberry : Once seen in May! (Thompson). In company with Black-cap Tit and Regulus on two occasions on the 26th of September, 1857, not far west of Lake Winnipeg, on the Lower Saskatchewan, a specimen preserved (Blakis- ton). Mochio a nak a sish. This bird is a species of the titmonso genus ; seldom visits the seacoasts, but are very plenty about : ; some few days afterwards I saw one in the woods near the Red River, and on the 1st of September nuothir bird came into my house and amused itsi if for some time by catching tlies aiioiit tlio walls, regardless of the presence of my family. September 21) I saw another iu the woods above mentioned, aud on tlie 30th I saw a party ol three near the river; <>f these I shot one, and so tame were they that the others d'd not lly or sliow the least alarm at the report of the gun. Shortly after this I saw another single one, the last of the season. None were ever seen by me near Portage In I'rairie, or iu fact auy where but iu the woods on the Red River, aa before montiuuod. (Naah, iu MSS.) 2S7. Parus atrioapiUns septentrionalls. Long-tailed Chickadee. Resident; abundant in wooded sections. The Manitoba bird is not strictly »eptmtrionaiiH, but is nearer to that form than to atricapillm. Winnipeg: Resident; tolerably common (Iline). Lake Winnipeg (Konnicott). Winnipeg Kiver: A female, that was about to lay her p^» (B. IlosH). OsHowa: Common resident (Wagner). Portage la Prairie : Besideut, I believe; but although they are abundant during autumn, ;:l 632 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA — THOMPSON. winter, and spring, yet they disappear .aysteriously during the sammer months ; I saw them in December, in the Biding Mountains (Nash). Garberry : Common resident in the woods to the soath and east : Bat Portage, abundant in fall (Thompson). Very common in Northwest Territory, along our route (Macoun). Shell Bi ver : 1885, winter visitor (Galcutt.) Qu'Appelle : Common permanent resident ; breeds (Guern- sey). 258. FsiTUS hudsonicuB.. Hadsonian Chiokadec. Found only in the north and east among the great coniferous forests. Permanent resident ; common in the coniferous woods in the northern and eastern parts of Bed Kiver Valley (Hunter). In flocks around the Porcupine Mountains (Macoun). Seen and examined between Hudson Bay and Lake Winnipeg (on the Nelson Biver) ; did not find it be- tween Norway House and Fort Carleton after leaving the thickly wooded country to the east of Lake Winnipeg. 259. Regulus satrapa. Golden-crowned Kinglet or Wren. Very rare migrant ; probably breeds. Winnipeg : Summer resident ; rare; possibly breeding (Hiue). Portage la Prairie: Very rare mi- grant ; October, 19, 1886, 1 saw a flock of about fifteen near the junc- tion of the Assiniboine with the Bed Biver ; they were very tame ; these are all I ever saw in Manitoba (Nash). Garberry : November 5, 1884. While hunting in the sand hills to the south, to day, I came across a flock of four Golden-crested Wreas ; they were clambering about the tops of some low spruce trees, and uttering thei*" peculiar " streep, streep;^^ this was nearly three weeks after the ground was covered with snow ; this was the only occasion in which I met with the species in the province (Thompson). 260. ReguluB calendula. Kuby-crowned Kinglet. Tolerably common migrant. Mouse Biver in September ^Coues). Duf- erin : Arrived between April 15 and 20 (Dawson). Winnipeg : Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Portage la Prairie : Common spring and autumn visitor; arrives about April 20, reappears about the middle of September, and departs at the end of the month ; the Buby-crown has a very pretty song; in spring its volume is astonishing, when one considers the little body that produces it (Nash). Garberry : Common in si)riug migration (Thompson). Occasionally observed (between Nor- u ly House and Fort Carleton in autumn); specimens closely examined; g tMi cr .!.>'• not seen (Blakiston). On ^iiiV 1'-^) ^883, whilehunting along by the slough, I heard a loud- voiced WHrbl^r singing a son/r like pie piee piee hecppiche heeppiche }^.t% ji :M ' ep pi-f'he hnpm »e keep pichr heeppi che.^^ It began very S«*ft3,, bCt nrouii'iig out as loud and strong as a Canary. 1 managed VOL. XIII.T 1890. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONA.L MUSEUM. 635 to shoot one, and was surprised to find it a Ruby-crowned Wren, for the volume of sound would have done credit to a much larger bird. In its habits, as well as its food, this species closely resembles many of the wood warblerr so that it is difi&cnit of identification when among^ the branches ; but its peculiar nimbleness and its trick of playing and dashing after insects among the topmost twigs, together with its chick- a-dee-like manner of climuing about, will often cause its identity to be suspected, if these ways do not entirely distinguish it from the Muio- tiltidse. 261. TurduB fusoesoens. Wilson's Thrash. Veery. Abundant summer resident of thickets. Observed only in vicinity of Pembina; breeding in abundance during June (Coues). Bed River Valley : Summer resident ; tolerably common (Hunter). Selkirk and Red River (Guun). Shoal Lake : May 20, 1887, seems to arrive on this • date (Christy). Oak Point : 1884, arrived May 17 ; 1885, first seen, one, on May 3 ; next seen on May 5 ; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie: Abundant summer resident; arrives April 23, departs at the end of September (Nash). Lake Manitoba and west- ward, nest found on the ground (Macoun). Carberry : Abundant sum- mer resident; breeding; noted in all the willow thickets from Carberry along the south slope of the Riding Mountain, and north to Cote's Reservation (Thompson). Qu'Appelle: Tolerably common summer resident; arrives about May 20 (Guernsey). Oil June 18, 1882, I heard again and again, the first time for the sea- son, a song that has been familiar for years. I had always attributed it to a thrush, but now was able to identify the bird more (Exactly as the Tawny Thrush, or Veery. The song is a bi^hpitched whistle, yet rich and clear, with a rippling cadence like a little brook. It seems almost profane to represent this soft silvery tin' ling by adopting uncouth syllables, yet I think the best idea of the mere articulation may be suggested by the syllables " Feery, reery, vee^y, veery,'''' from which, no doubt, the singer got his name. 261a. Turdus fusoescena salloioolui. Willow Thrnsb. Taken on the Souris at the boundary, in the fall migration, Se] m- ber 16, by Dr. Coues. Recorded as TurdiM Htrainsoni. 262. Turdus aliclsB. Oray-chceketl Thrush. Migrant. Cjmmon migrant at Winnipeg (Hiue). Migrant at Car* berry (Thompson). 263. Turduii uitulatua awaluaonl. Olive-backed Thrnih. Tolerably common summer rt^sident. 1 urn disposed to (luestic^ all these records, as this bird is generally confounded witli 2'. alieiw (1 K. T). Winnipeg: Summer resident (Uiue). Portage la Prairie : Rare; 634 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. aummer resident ; commoa iu spriug aud autumn ; arrives about April 27, re-appearing about September 15 ; departs early in October (Nash). Swan Biver and Moose Mountain : Breeding in rose thickets a few feet from the ground and in cornel bushes; eggs spotted (Macoun). Gar- berry: Summer resident; not very common; apparently breeding; Long Biver; Duck Mountain? (Thompson). Shell Biver: 1885, first seen, a pair, on April 30 ; is common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). 264. Turdus aonalaschkee pallasii. Hermit Thrush. Common summer resident of woodlands. Winnipeg : Summer resi- dent; abundant (Hine). I have noticed them at Kildonan, Selkirk, Brandon, aud Fort Qu'Appelle ; at the latter x^lace they were nesting first week in June (Hunter). Portage la Prairie: Common summer resident; airives about May 1; departs early iu October (Nash). Lake Manitoba and west to Fort Pelly ? (Macoun). South slope of Biding Mountain on Little Saskatchewan, August 28, 1858 (Hind). Shell Hiver: First seen, two males, on April 18 ; a transient visitor, passing north aud not remaining any time (Calcutt;. Observed at Cumberland House ou the 4th of October ; I saw it several times, but had no gun (Blakiston). 265. Merula migratoria. American Robin. Common summer resident in half open woods, etc. ; breeding. In abui!idauue at P«'mbiua; breeding; iu Septem' -^r, large numbers along Mouse River (Coues). Dufferiu : Arrived iu 1874 between April 15 aud 20 (Dawson). Winnipeg: Summer resident; abundant (Hine). Bed Biver Settlement, fourth week of April (Blakiston). Swamp Island : 1885, first seen, about thirty, on April 27, after which it was common, apd it breeds here; in fall, last seen October 7; 188G, first seen, ten, ou April 18; bulk . rrived next day (Plunkett). Ossowa: Com- mon; breeding; 1885, first seen, five, on April 18; next seen, April 20; be ame common April 25; last seen, one, on October 20 (Wagner). Oak Point: 1884, arrived, April 10; 1885, first seen, two, ou April 8; next seen, April 9 ; allerwards common ; breeds (Small). Portage la Prairie: Common; summer resident; arrives in April; my earliest spring record is April 3, 1885, when I saw a small flock ; the latest is April 20, the bulk having then arrived ; they frequently remain until after snow has fallen, feeding on the wild grapes and high-bush cran- berries.. The latest date I have is November 3, when I saw a large flock; the ground was then covered with snow (Nash). Abuudant everywhere throughout the Northwest (Macoun). Carberry: Very abuudant in spring migration; commou summer resident; breeding (Thompson). Two Rivers : April 17, 1884; 1885; first seen, several, on Apiil 10; next seen, April 17; became common April 20; is pretty common and breeds here (Criddle). Dultoir 1889, first seen, two, on April 12; became commou on April 13 ; breeds here (Youmans). Bran- VOL. XIII.l 1800. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 635 don, April 20, 1882 (';V^ood). Shell River: 1885, first seen, two, on April 13; next seen, thirteen, on April 17; became comnion on April 24; male and female in flock; common all summer and breeds here (Calcutt). Qu'Appelln : Common summer resident; flocks of four or five about April 12 (Guernsey). Severn House, Trout Lake Station: The color is unusually bright in the specimens received (Murray). On April 28, 1882, drove to the spruce brush ; the country seems flooded with robins; the last mile of prairie, just before entering on the wooded and sane' hill region, was covered with an immense straggling flock. They were to be seen chiefly on the ground or making short flights. The general movement of the flock was northward. There must have been several thousands of birds in it. On July 11, 1883, among the sand hills on the Portage Trail, I found a robin's nest; it was placed about 4 feet from the ground in a small iso- lated spruce, and contained three eggs which would havehatched within a week. This may have been a second brood. Its song is first heard in the morning when the dawn is well advanced, the robin being more tardy to raise the matin song than many of his compeers. It is heard until the middle of the forenoon, then usually ceases until near suni«et, when it recommences and continues until dusk. I have not yet noted this species singing by night. If when singing the bird be slightly startled by some noise close at hand, the lo'vl cheery note is stopped, or at least altered, so that, although the »- n^ goes on, it is very faint and sounds as though coming from a great distanc ^, and a close inspection will show the bird's bill to be shut. This was first pointed out to me by Dr. Brodie, but I have noted the same habit in several other species. The loud rolling notes will remind Europeans of the voices of the Song Thrush and Blackbird, but there is a terminal bar of frequent occurrence that recalls the metallic notes of our own Wood Thrushes and reminds us of their near kinship to the Red-breasted Fifer (Toronto, 1885). I have several times noticed that a nest containing yoi ng robins was lined with an inner coating of fibers, but can not say that this was added after the hatching of the young. A friend informed me of a curious circumstance relative to a brood of this species. He had watched the old ones building in a silverbark or poplar, but shortly after the young were hatched he observed that the parents ceased to show themselves. After a little he climbed the tree and found in the nest the remains of the four young ; nothing but the skins, all in shape with great staring eyes, but perfectly hollow and dried with the sun, while in and about them were hordes of ants, evi- dently the devourers if not the destroyers of the callow brood. 266. Slalia Blalli. Bluebird. Blue Robin. Rare summer resident; chiefly about the large towns. Winnipeg: Rare summer visitor (Hiue). Red River Valley: Summer resident; tolerably common; noted a number of nests last year, 1884, inside city I ? 1'^ -.,/■ 636 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. limits (Hanter). North to Lake Winnipeg (Bidgway). Oak Point : 1885, first seen, one, on May 24 ; next seen May 25 ; is common and breeds here (Small). Portage la Prairie: Scarce; summer resident; a few pairs seen each summer ; near Winnipeg quite common (Nash). Gar- berry : One record, a female with nest and eggs taken in the south sand hills by my brother, Dr. A. S. Thompson, June 8, 1886 (Thompson). In Minnesota : Abundant ; breeds (Trippe). May, 1884, Portage la Prairie : I have a single observation by Mr. C. W. Nash, which records the arrival of about forty bluebirds at this place at this time. They arrived in the gray down. Afterwards, in the day light, a second flock descended from the upper air and joined the first. Both flocks were of both sexes. One inference from this is that the ' "ing migration is performed at night. In the fall the flocks are oiteu to be seen flying by day, at a considerable elevation, while from time may be heard their warbling note, which, though it sounded so cheery in the springtime, now seems but a melancholy reminder that the time of the singing of the birds is past. A recent arrival, but which seeiUH likely to become abuudant as it is increasing fast. The first I ever saw arrived iu a small tlock just at daylight, May 29, 1884. They hovered about for a time and then pitched down near my garden at Portage la Prairie. As this place is fortunaii> '\ not inf«>sted with those pests, the bird col- lectors, they remained, and two xtairs bred near me. These successfully carried o^ their broods. May 22, 1885, more of them arrived and bred in the town. May 3, 1886, quite a large dock arrived and spread themselves all over the place. Near Winnipeg they are also now quite common, but I can not say when they first appeared there. I saw uoue in that district previous to 1885. They depart early in October, my latest record beiugof October 3 (Nash, in MSS.) A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL BOOKS AND ARTI- CLES CONSULTED. 1744. Doblw, Arthur. An account of the countries adjoining to Hudson's Bay, etc. : J. Robinson, London. 4to. <3hiefly geographical. One noto on eagles quof^d. 1796. Heame, Samuel. A journoy from Prince of Wales Fort, in Hudson's Bay, to the Northern Ocean, 1769, '70, '71 and '72 ; 460 pp., London. 4to. Birds, pp. 30&-148. 1831. SwaiuBon, ^m., and RiohardMn, J., M. D, Fauna Boreali- Americana ; or the Zo(51ogy of the Northern parts of British America (etc). Part second. The Birds, by S. & R., LXVI, pp. .'J24 ; pis. 2'*-73. Woodcuts, 41. London. 4to. The standard work on the Birds of Br. K. America. 1859. Blakiston, T. Scraps from the West. Xewman's Zoologist, xvii, pp, 6318-6325, 6373-6376. Loudon. 8vo. Notes of a Journey from York Factory to Norway House and thence up the Saakatcbe- wan to Fort Carleton. 18S9. Hind, Henry Toule, M. A., F. R. 3. S., etc. Report Progress. Preliminary and General Rep. Assiniboine and Sakatchewan £xpl. Exped. (etc.) in 1858, XII, 3.'), 192 pp. Toronto. 4to. A standard work of exploration in Manitoba and adjoining regions. VOL. XIII.l 1890. J PROCEEDIKOS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 637 i;* i 4 1860. Hind, H. T., H. A., F. B. O. S., etc. Narrative of the Can. Red River Expl. Exped. of 1857, and of the Assiniboine and Sakatchewan Expl. Exped. of 1858. Tw^o vols., 494 and 472 pp. London. 8vo. A second edition. 1861-'62. BlakiBton, T. On Birds collected and observed in the Interior of British North Ameriott. The Ibis, iii, 1861, pp. 314-320; iv, 1862, pp. 3-10. London. 8vo. An annotated liat. 1863. Blakiiton, T. On Birds of the Interior of British America. The Ibia, V, pp. 39-87,121-155. London. 8vo. 1863. Murray, Andrew. Contributions to the Nat. Hist, of the Hudson's Bay Terri- tories. Aves: Parti (numerous specimens exhibited), 26th January, 1859. Proo. Boy, Physical Soo. of Edin., vol. ii, pp. 45-56. Noteson 82 species, inolnding a description of the new one (Bemiela leucolceina), 1868. Oonn, Donald. Notes of an Egging Expedition to Shoal Lake, west of Lake Winnipeg. Tuienty-aecond Ann. Rep. Smithsonian Inst, for 1867, pp. 427-432. Washington, D. C. 8vo. Kotes on Western Grebe, £aree, Rosy Gull, Tern, Pelican, Rnddy Duck, Snow Goose, Red-bead, Nigbt Heron, and Meadow-lark, whicb I bave quoted in full. 1870. Tach6, J. C. Sketch of the No/thwest of America, by Mgr. Tacli(5, Bp. of St. Boniface, 1868. Translated from the French by Capt. D. R. Cameron, R. A., 1870. Montreal. Svo. Second article. Birds, pp. 178-201 ; enumerates two hundred and thirty-five species. 1871. Trippe, T. H. Notes on the Birds of Minnesota. Proc. IComm.] Essex Inst., vi, pp. 113-1 19. Salem, Mass. Svo. 1875. Couea, Elliott. Notes on two little-known Birds of the United States. American Naturalist, ^ ii, Nov., 1873, pp. 695-697. Centronyx bairdii and Neoeoryi tpragueii. 1874. Couea, E. Birds of the Northwest: A handbook of the Ornithology of the region drained by the Missouri River and its tributaries, xii, 791 pp. Gov- ernment Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Svo. An important work, treating cbiefly of synonymy, distribution, and habits, with a mono- graph of the Laridm. 1874. Baird [8. F.], Brewer [T. M.], and Ridgway [B.]. A History of North American Birds. Laud Birds. 3 vols., 593 woodcuts. Boston, Mass. 4to. The standard work on Land Birds of North America. 1876. Dawaon, George Hercer, Ahsoc. R. S. M., F. Q. 8., etc. Geology and Resources of Forty-ninth Parallel: British North American Boundary Commissiou. Montreal. 8vo. Cbap. XI, par. eso, pp. 280, 281, dates of arrival at Dufferin in 1874 of 36 species of birds. Also pp. 3, 4, 6, and 223, a brief description of the geological features of the province of Manitoba. 1878. Coaei, Elliott. Field Notes on Birds Observed in Dakota and Montana along the Forty-ninth Parallel during the Seasons of 1873 and 1874. Bvll. U. S. Oeol. and Geog. Surv. of Territories, vol. iv, .July 29, Art. xxv. No. 3. Gov- ernment Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 8vo. A valuable contribution of field notes continually cited and quoted tu the foregoing , 1880. Bell, Sobert, M.D., F.G.S., C.E., etc. A List of Birds from the region between Norway House and the P orts Churchill and York. Geol. Smv., Can., 1879, App. VI, pp. 67o-70o. Montreal. Svo. An annotated liat of 55 species. 1881. [Chreen, Samnel.] (Letter on nesting of Blue Heron in Manitoba by "Bird's Tail.") Canadian Sportsman and Naturalist, vol. 1, No. 2, February 15, p. 13. Montreal. 8 vo. Deaoription of an immense heronry quoted in fall by me. 1881. Kaeoun, John, K. A, F.L8., etc. Ornithological notes. Ann. Rep, Dept. Inter, for the year ending Decmnber 31, 1880, pp. 23-28. Ottawa. Svo. An annotated liat of 109 apeolea observed in North weatern Canada. II i l^ y 638 THE BIRDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. 1882. Kaeoon, Joh-i, M. A., F. L. S., eto. Manitoba and the great Northwest ; pp. 687. Ouelpb, Ontario. 8vo. Chap. XXI, pp. 354—373. " Birds of thn Northwest," ennmerat«s 235 species. 1882. Bell, Robert, H. D., L. L. D., F. Q. S. Notes on the Birds of Hudson's Bay. Proo. Soy. Soc, Can., sec. iv, art. VI, pp. 49-54. Montreal. 4to. Banning commentary on 68 species. 1883. [Thompson, Ernest E.J Pediaecetea phaaianellitt, or Prairie Chicken; by "Ernest E. T. Seton." Can. Journal, vol. 1. pp. 405-412, Toronto, Ont., February. 8vo. An original biography. 1883. Brodie, Wm. George A. Notes on the Nat. Hist, of Manitoba. Can. Sport$man and Naturalist, vol. iii, No. 4, pp. 221-224. Montreal. 8 vo. A running commentary on 65 species. 1884. [Thompson, Ernest E.] The Prairie Chicken, or Sharp-tailed Grouse ; by " Ernest E. T. Seton." Sep. Dep. Agriculture, Prov. Manitoba, for 1383, pp. 483-486. Winnipeg. 8vo. A reprint from the Case Journal of Febrnary 1, 1883. 1884. Bell, Bobert, H. D., LL. D., F. 0. S., eto. Notes on the Birds of Hudson's Bay. Bep. Dep. Agr., Prov. Manitoba, for 1883, pp. 487-490. Winnipeg. 8vo. A reprint from the Proo. Roy. Sue. Canada, as above cited. 1884. [Thompson, Ernest E.] Nest and habits of the Couneoticnt Warbler (Oporor- nia agiU»); by "Ernest E. T. Seton." The Auk, vol, 1, April, pp. 192, 193. Boston, Mass. 8vo. Describing the first anthentio nest and eggs. 1884. [Thompson, Ernest E.] The Prairie Chicken \ Pediocates"]. • • • Hints on rearing and domestication ; by "Ernest E. T. Seton." T>-ans. Man. Hist. Sci. Soc, No. 14, pp. 13-18. Winnipeg. 8vo. A life-history with very fall account of the growth of the yoang, etc. This was also printed in full in the Winnipeg Free Pretl of a previous date. 1884. Baird [8. F.], Brewer [T. M.], Bidgway [B.] The Water Birds of North America 2 vols. Boston, Mass. 4to. This, with the Land Birds, 1874, completes the Birds of America, the standard work on the subject. 1886. [Thompson, Ernest E.] Notes on Manitoban Birds ; by "Ernest E. T. Seton." The Auk, vol. ii, July, pp. 267-271. Boston, Mass. 8vo. 1885. [Thompson, Ernest E. ] Nest and Eggs of the Philadelphia Vireo ; by " Ernest E. T. Seton." The Auk, vol. ii, July, pp. 305, 306. Boston, Mass. 8vo. Describing the first authentic nest and eggs of the species. 1885. [Thompson, Ernest E.] The Western Grebe in Manitoba; by "Ernest E. T. Seton." The Auk, vol. ii, July, p. 314. Boston, Mass. 8vo. 1886. [Thompson, Ernest E.] Manitoban Notes; by "Ernest £. T. Seton." The Auk vol. II, Jan., pp. 21-24. Boston, Mass. 8vo. 1886. [Thompson, Ernest E.] The Swallow-tailed Flycatcher in Manitoba and at York Factory ; by "Ernest E. T. Seton." The Auk, vol. ii, April, p. 218. Boston, Mass. 8vo. 1886. Christy, Miller. Notes on the Birds of Manitoba. The Zoologist, 3d series, vol. IX, No. 100, April, pp. 121-133. London. 8vo. 1886. Wood, T. B. " Notes on the Zoology of Manitoba ;" communicated by T. H. Nel- son. The Zoologist, 3d series, vol. IX, No. 102, June, pp. 224-227 ; No. 103, July, pp. 241-248. London, 8vo. 1886. Christy, Hiller. Manitoba described. • • • Farming, climate, sport, natural history, and future prospect of the country ; 208 pp. London. 8vo. Chapter ii, on the action of prairie fires, argues that the prairies were deforested by run- ning fires. Chapter xni, sport and natural his jory, general remarks. 1886. Christy, Miller. Notes on the Birds of Manitoba. (Reprinted from The Zoologist; revised for the Monthly.) Caw. Soi. Monthly, vol. iii. No, 7, Jnly, pp. 92-94; No. 8, August, pp. 105-113. Kentville, Nova Scotia. Svo. A reprint ilrom the Zofiloglst, with slight alterations. rttman and VOL. XIII.T i89U. J PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 639 1888. [Thompwrn, Emett E.] The Birds of Western Manitoba ; by "Ernest E. T. S.3ton." The 4uk, vol. iii, April, pp. 145-156; July, pp. 320-329; Oct., p. 453. New York. 8vo. An annotated list of 2S8 species. 1888. Ijrrrell, J. B., B. A., F. O. S., etc. Notes to accompany a preliminary map of the Dnck and Riding Mountains in Northwestern Manitoba. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey of Canada. Part E., Ann. Rep., 1857. Montreal. 8vo. Contains matter referring to distribntion of timber, etc., used in preparing the maps, 1888 Cooke, W. W. Report on Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley in the years 1884 and 1885. U. S. Vep. of Agric., Bulletin No. 2, 313 pp. Gov't Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 8vo. 1888. Thompson, Ernest E. The Song of the Prairie Lark. American Magazine, April, pp. 717-720. New York. 8vo. Popular article on habits, with musical notation of song and two woodcuts. The article is herewith reproduced with sligh.t alterations. 1890. Shawe, Wm., F. B. 0. 8. Phillips's Imperial Atlas of the World. Geo. Phillips & Sons, London. Fol. Charts Ko3. 67 and 60 used in preparing my own maps. A LIST OF THE MANUSCRIPTS USED IN COMPLETING THE FORE- GOING NOTES. 1782. Hutohint, T. Observations on Hudson's Bay, 651 pp. ; pp. 45-180 treats of birds. An interesting unpublished manuscript volume in the library of the Hud- son's Bay Company at London, with marginal annotations by Pennant. The author was for twenty-five years in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany. There is no date or title page to the volume, but the last date men- tioned is July 10, 1782, and it seems safe to conclude that it was issued about this date, from the fact that Pennant, in his second volume of Arctic Zoology (p. 222), published in 1785, refers to Mr. Hutchins's manuscript as though it had just reached him in a complete state. 1879-'81. Maoonn, Prof. John. Observations on the birds observed in western Mani- toba during these three s^iasons, specially revised and corrected for E. E. Thompson. 1882-'83-'84-'8ft-'86-'87. Thompson, Ernest E. Ornithological Journal, made chiefly at Carberry in the years named, herein extensively quoted. 1883-'84. Thompson, Arthur 8., H. D. Notes on the arrival of birds at Winnipeg and Carberry in the above seasons ; prepared for E. E. Thompson. 1883-'84. Biohardson, George. Notes on the arrival of birds at Carberry in the above seasons; prepared for E. E.Thompson. 1884-'86. Nash, C. W. Observations on the birds of Portage la Prairie and vicinity, during these two seasons; communicated to the A. O. U. committee on bird migration. 1884-'86. Criddle, Percy. Observations on the birds of Two Rivers and vicinity, dur- ing these two seasons ; communicated to the A. O. U. committee on bird mi- gration. 1884-'86. Onenuey, Ooorge F. Observations on the birds of Qu'Appelle and vicinity ; communicated to E. E. Thompson at various times in the seasons mentioned. 1884-'86. Small, A. T. Observations on the birds of Oak Point, Manitoba, during the above two seasons ; communicated to the A. 0. U. committee on bird mi- gration. 1885. Oalentt, B. Observations on the birds of Shell River, Manitoba ; communicated to the A. O. U. committee on bird migration. ,.^.. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 11.25 iai2i 12.5 ■50 ^^" ■■! ■uUii |Z2 t L& 12.0 U 1 1.6 ^V-* ^ Hiotographic Sdenoes Corporadon O!^ ^ ^"^s 4^ Ji\ 13 WnT MAIN STRUT VMtSTM.N.Y. UiM (71*)l7a*4S0a i\ M i\ \ 640 THE BIBDS OP MANITOBA — THOMPSON. U86. Toamani, Lottie. Obaer'^^'i.tions on the birds of Daltoa, Manitoba, and vioinity ; com nunicated to the A. O. U. oommittee on bird migration. 1385. Hunter, Biehard H. Annotated list of the birds of Red Biver Valley ; prepared for E. E. Thompson. 1886. Wagner, ¥. Observations on the birds of the vicinity of Ossowa, Manitoba ; communicated to the A. O. U. oommittee on bird migration. 1885-'88. Flnnkett. Observations of the birds of Swampy or Berens Island, Lake Winnipeg, for the above seasons; communicated to the A. O. U. committee on bird migration. 1890. Hine, William. Observations on the birds of the vioinity of Winnipeg; pre- pared for E. E. Thompson, in March, 1890. 1890. Hath, C. W. Annotated list of the birds of the vicinity of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; prepared for E. E. Thompson, May, 1890. IXDEX OF BIRDS OF MANITOBA. Acadian Flyoatoher, 501. AcanthishomomanllexiUpe8,586. Acanthis llnarla, S86. Acclpiter utrloaplUnB, 527. Acciplter oooperl, 527. Acclpiter velox, 527. Actltis macularia, SOS. ^chinopborns oooldentalis, 403. .^gialitls meloda, 507. .^gialitia aerolpalniata, S07. ^Xgialitis vncifera, SOO. Acelains phoenioeus, 572. Aix Hponsa,480. American Avocet, 407. American Bittern, 488, American Black Scoter, 484. American Coot, 495. American CroMblll, S8S. American Crow, 585. American Eared Orebe, 408. American Goldfinch, 580. American Ooldt'n Plover, SCO. American Qolden-oye, 482. American Ooshawk, 527. American Hawk Owl, 546. American Herrinx Onll, 408. American Lonx-oared Owl, 539. American Mkgpie, SOS. American KlerKanser, 474. American Osprey, S37. American Pipit, 025. American Redstart, 0S4, American Robin, 034. American Rough legged Hawk, 633. Amrrloan Scanp Dock, 481. American Sparrow Hawk, 537. Americao Three-toed Wood- pecker, 550. American Whltv-f routed OooNe, 480. American White Pelican, 478. American Wnodcook, 4Ml AmmndramoR bainlil, SOS. Ammodramna lecontel, 580. Amrootlramna aaadwiohenala al* andinoi, 804. Ampelis oedromm, 013. Ampella garrnlua, Oil. Anas amerioana, 470. Anas bosohas, 474. Anas carolinensis, 477. Anas cyanoptera, 479. Anas dlscors, 478. Anas obscara, 470. Anas strepero, 470. Anser albifrons gambeli, 486. Anthus pensilvanicas, 025. Anthus sprngneii, 020. Antrostomus vooiferans, 553. Aqulla chrysietos, 53.1. Arctic Homed Owl, 545. Arctic Three-toed Wood- pecker, 549. Arctic Towhee, 607. Arohibiiteo ferrnginens, 533. A. lagopns sancti-Johannis, 633. Ardea hnrodiax, 489. Ardea yirescens, 490. Arenuria interpres, 507. Ashy-nape, 601. Aslo accipitrinns, 640. Asio wilsonianas, 530. Aythya nfflnis, 482. Aythya amerioana, 480. Aythya oollarls, 482. Aythya marila nearctica, 481. Aythya vallisneria, 481. Bald Eagle, 633. BaMpate, 470. Ralrd's Sandpiper, 600^ Balrd's Sparrow, 685. Baltimore Oriole, 580. Barred Owl, 541. Bartramia longloaiida, 608. BartrAmian Sandpiper, 608. Bank Swallow, Oil. Darn Swallow, 010. Barrow's Golden-eye, 408. Hay wing, 598. Bay brMUted Warbler, 010. Belted Klngflaher, 547. Big Blue-bin, 481. BiK HeUdiver. 4«7. Bircb Partridge. 508. niackand-white Warbler, 010. Black-bellied Plover, 606. Black-bellied Cuckoo, 647. Black-breasted Longspnr, 501, Blaokburnian Warbler, 019. Black-head, 481. Black-heart, 601. Blaok-capped Flycatcher, 024. Black-crowned Night Heron, 491. Black Dnck, 476. Black GyrfiUcon, 534. Black-poll Wnrbler, 010. Black Torn, 470. Block-throated Loon, 408. Blneblnl, 036. Bine Goose, 485. Bine-headed Blackbird, 681. Blue-headed Vlreo, 016. Blue Jay, 505. Blue Robin, 035. Blue-wingellil, 465. Colymbus nigrloollls callforni- ens, 406. Common Uenbawk, 629. Common Rail, 494. Common Shrike, 613. Common Snipe, 408. Common T«rn, 469. (^mroon Wren, 628. Conneotlrnt Warbler, 621. Cooper's Uawk, 627. Contopus borealis, 660. Oontopns rlchardsonil, 560. Contopus Ylrens, 660. Corvus amerlcanu«, &08, Coryns oorax principalis, 567. Cowbird, 671. Coween, 483. Creeper, 616. Created Flycatcher, 559. Crow Duck, 472. * Crow Blackbird, 582. Cyanocitta cristata, 565. Dabchick, 467. Dafila acuta, 479. Dendragapus canadensis, 507. Dcndroica testlva, 617. Dendroica castanea. 619. Dendroica blackbumitc, 619. Dendroica coronata, 618. Dendroica maculosa, 618. Dendroica palmarum, 620. Dendroica pensylvanica, 619. Dendroica striata, 619. Dendroica tlgrina, 617. Dendroica vlgorsil, 520. Doliobonyx oryzivurus albina- oha, 570. Double-crested Cormorant, 473. Downy Woodpecker, 549. Dryobates pubescens, 519. Dryobatea villo«us leucomelas, 548. Duck Hawk, 535. Dusky Duck, 476. Eave Swallow, 609. Ectopistea migratorlus, 522. Elanoldes forflcatus, 524. Empldonax acadlcus, 561. Empidonax flaviventris, 561. Empldonax minimus, 561. Empldonax pusillus trallll, 561, Ereunctes pusillus, 601. Erlsmatura rnblda, 484. Evening Orosboak, 584. Falco columbarius, 536. Faico peregrinns anatum, 535. Falco rlchardsonil, 537. Falco rtistlcnliis obsoletus, 534. Falco sparverius, 537. Ferruginous Uough-leg, 533. Fish Duck, 474. Fish Hawk. 537. Field Sparrow, 603. Flicker. 551. Plying Sheep, 191. Forster's Tern, 469. Fox Sparrow, 606. Franklin's Gull, 469. Fulloa americaua, 495. Gadwall, 47A. OalcoHooptis carolinensis, 637. Galiinago dellcata, 408. Geothlypts agilia, Oil. Geothlypis Philadelphia, 623, Geothlypts trlchaa, 623. Glauclonetta oangulaameri- oana. 482. Olauolonettk lilandtca, 483. Golden-crowned Kinglet, 633. Goldon-wluged Mrooairdli, 500. Tringa canutus, 500. Triuga fuscicoUis, 500. Tringa maoalata, 500. Tringa miuutilla, 501. Tioohilus colubris, 557. Troglodytes ai'don nztecas,626. Troglodytes biemalis, 609. Trumpeter Swan, 487. Tiirdus aonalaschka^ pall.isii,634. Turdus fuscesceus, 633. Tardus fusceaceos saliolcolus, 633. Tardus aliciae, 633. Turdus nstnlatus swainBoni, 633. Turkey Vulture, 523. Turnstone, 507. Tryngites subruiicoUis, 505. Tympanucbns americanus, 514. Tyrannns tyrannus, 557. Ululacinerea, 541. TJrinator arcticus, 468. Uriuator lurame, 468. Urinator imber, 467. Veery, 633. Vireo flavifrons, 616. Vireo gilvus, 615. Vireo olivaceus, 614. Virginia Rail, 494. Vireo pbiladelpbicus, 615. Vireo solitarius, 616. Warbling Vireo, 616. Wagtail, 621. Wavy. 486. Wr.cer Sparrow, 495. Water Thrusb, 621. Western Bobolink, 570. Western Grebe, 463. Western Horned Owl, ,'>42. Western House Wren, 628. Western Meadow-lark, 573. Western Savannah Sparrow, 694. Western Vesper Sparrow, 692. Western Wood Pewee, 560, Whistler, 482. Whistling Swan, 487. White-headed Eagle, 533. White Wavy, 485. White-winged Scoter, 484. White Thrush, 633. White-naped Bobolink, 670. Wbite-rumped Sandpiper, 500. White Partridge, 614. Whooping Crane, 491. Whip-poor-will, 353. White-breasted Swallow, 610. White-crowned Sparrow, 598. White Owl, 545. Whlte-rumped Shrike, 613. White-tl""oated Sparrow, 698. White-wiuged Crossbill, 686. Whisky Jack, 600. Widgeon, 476. Wild Canary, 586. Wild Goose, 486. Wild Pigeon, 622. Willet, 603. Wilson's Phalarope, 497. Willow Ptarmigan, 514. Wilson's Snipe, 498. Wilson's Thrush, 633. Wilson's Warbler 624. Willow Warbler, 617. Willow Wren, 617. Winter Wren, 629. Wis-Ka-tjaii, 566. AVood Duck, 480. Wood Pewee, 560. Wren, 632. Xanthocephalus xanthocepha- lus, 571. Tellow-bellied Flycatcher, 561. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 650, Yellow-headed Blackbird, 571. Yollow.legs, 502. Yellow Rail, 495. Yellow-throated Vireo, 616, Yellow Warbl 3r, 617. Zenaidura luacroura, 523, Zonotrichia albicollis, 598. Zonotrichia leuoophrys, 698. ^ <^ It i: i t I l> u. s. U. 8. NATIONAL MUSEUM Map o« the PROVINCE OF MANITOB Showing the dMribution ol Foreii. •! CompiM by ERNt;. .' E TM^MPS PROCEEDINGS, VOL. XIII PL. XXXVIil t can TO NORWAY HOuif. t Map o( Itw PROVINCE OF MANITOBA. Showing lh« distribution cf FotmI, ale., • 1685 CompiM bf ERHU •' E TNI^MPSOli 1890.