Bovono (939 HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY 35, 342 © ‘ohe CANADIAN FIELDNATURALIST VOLUME LI . CRS StS VOL. LI, No. 1 ee JANUARY, 1937 ) [sso ee Le ae Bot EEE ~ Bia . S | == ae) > + 7 fl DNATUORALISTS’ LIDIA STS a ISSUED JANUARY 7, 1937 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter , L- ~ _ THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB ‘ spairons: yes THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR UB - , Presidents HERBERT GROH ist Vice-President; P. A. TAVERNER 9nd Vice-President: R. E. DELURY Secretary: PEGGY WHITEHURST, Treasurer: WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave., 110 Prospect Avenue, Westboro. Rockcliffe Park. Additional Members of Council: F\ J. Aucocx, R. M. ANDERSON, Rev. F. E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS’ M. E. CowAn,, H. G CRAWFORD, F.J. FRASER, A. HALKETT, C. E. JOHNSON, E. M. KINDLE’ W. H. LANcELEY, A. LARocgue, DoucLAS LEECHMAN, GRACE S. Lewis, HARRISON F. LEWIS’ Hoyrs Lioyp, C. W.. Lounspury, Mark G. MCELHINNEY, A. EH. PorsiLp, L. S. RUSSELL’ C. M. STERNBERG, Marncotm M. THOMSON, E.F.G. WHITE, R. T. D. WICKENDEN. M. EB” WILSON. and the following Presidents of Affiliated Societies: A. G. LAWRENCE, J. H WILLIAMS? CHARLES MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS,R. MEREDITH’ Arnott M. PATTERSON. ‘ : Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F'.. LEWIS. Editor: . 4 DouGLAS LEECHMAN | National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Associate Editors: De TENNESSico 6c) Keo ick nea ria Anthropology CLYDE: L-sPATCH a ee Herpetology JEOADAMS CG. kes SH iain is esves Sone ee Botany R. M. ANDBERSON.............. Mammalogy F. R. LATCHFORD ... ......... _Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............Marine Biology — ARTHUR GIBSON.... ......... Entomology PA, TAVERNERG | o.o0) o4 eee Ornithology Far cALCOCK ete a eae oe a Gealogy, E. M.KINDLE.......... Sie ee Paleontology ‘ CONTENTS : : PAGE Observations on the Mating and Spawning of Pimephales promelas (Raf.). By L. R. Richardson bie Pest. vs: Pest: By Lie ly Snyder in) 5. ciewines see ate chair As ae Cn Hikes cons 4 Swimming Habits of Mammals. By Stuart L. Thompson............................... 5 Additions to the Fungus Flora of Anticosti Island and Gaspe Peninsula. By I. L. Conners. . 6 58th Annual Meeting of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club; Council Report ............... 8 Statement of Financial Standing, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, at the Close of Year, 1936. OF hs Notes and Observations:— ’ Further Notes on Wintering Red-breasted Nuthatches. By Fred J. Rogers.......... nb ae Nesting of the American Golden-Eye (Glaucionetta clangula americana). By F. J. Rogers 114 A Nest-hunting Broad-winged Hawk, (Buteo platypterus platypterus). By Hoyes Lloyd 12 3 ~ Unusual Nesting of Eastern Redwings. By Elsie Cassels....................--.... 12° '¢ The Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) in the Toronto Region. By C. E. : (oe) ee Sau Oanen MIN AO MUTE Geng iGo tela wo Gan Giimiss on oa - 2 12 Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus flammeus) at Baker Lake, N.W.T. By Hoyes Lloyd. 13 The Kentucky Warbler, an old Quebec Record. By J. H. Fleming.....:........... 13 Note on a Winter Activity of the American Golden-eye Duck (Glaucionetta clangula americana) ° By Harrison Wy lewis) i. 2s. ca os Satie eacecc eres cis ieee 13 An Unusual Nest of the Common Pigeon. By L. L. Snyder....................... ; 14 Review:— A Contribution to a Bibliography of the Described Immature Stages of North American Coleoptera. By W. J. Brown ncccccudactuucucsunansncsvanssnesestenuansnsauectsnacescecgunsatesaneauseossnacsaamsassarsnscssrsrenesserseesegngsssseccrssasesssenossscsssssazsecsssersnssccnparsusnsessnncguasssesnersess ssonegsoseagcecsenesessseeesecensSeSSasSaeceeeeseeseseEeseeessESESROSSESSESEOSSSEEESssaoeccssuscecesssessaasscsessacacsseseegaceessseaaaacessesscaascssssasasssssssssassssensenaeaansnazs puotsesstcasecesssccrssssssseeei sense eee e a eee eee eee oa sscsscoteessecsseces case cus cassessesccssosccrsesccscenccuccsccsscessssecccusssssasscsssscassasscsecseessecsnsecseasecsenes i The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIBLD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued } # since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, : = two volumes; the next, The Oltawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have i #2 been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. . The Canadian Field-Naturalist is # # issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication ii # of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. it Si: m Price of this volume 9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader who is truly interested in the wild life of our country to help this magazine to its rightful place among the leading Natural History publications in America. Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to WILMOT LLOYD, j Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club. ' 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockeliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. ge @nacian Bicld Naturalist VOL. LI OTTAWA, CANADA, JANUARY, 1937 No. 1 OBSERVATIONS ON THE MATING AND SPAWNING OF Pimephales promelas (Raf.) By L. R. RICHARDSON ONSIDERABLE has been aroused in connexion with the raising of the Black-headed Minnow (Pimebhales promelas Raf.) as forage fish for use in fish culture. Although several papers dealing with the breeding habits of this species, and ot the closely related Blunt-nosed Minnow (Hybo- rhynchus notatus Raf.), have been published, so far as I have been able to ascertain no account of the actual mating has been given, the papers dealing rather with descriptions of the physical conditions suitable for breeding, of the nest, and of the strongly developed parental instincts of the male. interest During the course of an examination of sever- al lakes in the region of Big Lake Nominingue, Labelle County, for the Fishcultural Branch of the Quebec Government, about the middle of June 1933 many nests of P. promelas were observ- ed in several lakes. In one, Lac Smith, a small lake located high in the hills to the south oi Lac Saugay, the processes of mating and oi egg-laying for this species were observed on June 19th. Immediately on approaching the edge of this lake, it was obvious that there was much un- usual activity amongst the many groups of min- nows, principally S. atromaculatus (Mitchill) and C. erythrogaster (Raf.). These schools, instead of making their way slowly along the edge ot the lake as they are generally found to do, were, in this case, in a very nervous state and were continually breaking up and re-forming again. The cause of this disturbance was soon traced to the preserice of many smaller groups of male Pimephales. Generally these occurred in groups of four to six. These bands were passing rapid- ly along the shore and were frequently observ- ed to force their way through the much la~ger groups, scattering the latter as described. Shortly afterwards, having made my way out along a log which extended some twenty feet out over the silt bottom of a small shallow bay, it was found that occasionally one of the males would break away from the group with which he had been travelling and would dart into posi- tion below a log, or small branch, at a point where this was raised clear of the bottom by several inches. Here the male would remain, slowly turning round in an attitude of extreme watchfulness, until with a swift movement he would dart out at a passing group of minnows of various species-and from them cut out a female of his own species driving her back to the loca- tion he had selected. Usually the female would respond willingly to this treatment without attempting to escape; but in three cases where the male was observed to have considerable difficulty in persuading the female to approach the nest, the male was seen to resort to a brutal chivvying, pushing her and frequently snapping at her whenever she attempt- ed to turn aside. As the couple approached near to the nest, the male was seen to close up the gap between them and to draw into a position so that his snout came almost to the level of her pectoral fin. It was most commonly found that the male took up his position on the left-hand side of the female. In contrast to this behaviour, it was noted that in the case of those females which the male had some difficulty in leading to tie nest, the male took up his position on the right side and with his snout ahead of hers. On arriving below the log or branch, previous- ly selected by the male, he would, whether in front or behind, by pushing firmly against the side of the female, cause her to swing into an anti-clockwise circle. It is rather noteworthy that in the nine cases where this was observed the circle was in each case of the same type and the male managed his approach to this end by pushing the posterior end of the female in the one case, or by heading her off in the other. Gradually, with an increasing pressure on the part of the male, the circle was decreased in diameter until eventually it was performed entire- ly below the log. As the speed of the pair dia not appear to have decreased to any extent, the number of revolutions increased as the circle diminished. At this point, the male, if on the inner side of the female, would slowly commence to sink below her level, so that instead of pressing on her side he would come to press more on her belly and, owing to the circular motion, his tendency was to form a larger circle and to slip out from below her. By pushing himself upwards, the force so created was utilised in pressing on the lower part of the body of the female and resulted in her being slowly rolled over onto her side. Finally she was brought to a position where she was riding almost entirely on her side and on the back of the male who by pressing her upwards brought her into close relationship with the lower surface of the log. For the completion of this complicated manoeuvre, it would be necessary for the female to reciprocate to some extent the pressure of the male. Such an action could not be observed. However, it is suggested that the ridge of thick- ened epidermal tissue situated on the back of the male, and described by Wynne-Edwards as being utilised in manipulating the eggs in the nest, may also have a second function in prevent- ing the female from slipping too easily from the back of the male. As the last part of this circling action was completed the activity of the pair rose to such a height, and the motion churned the water to such an extent, that finally for several seconds the pair were not visible. However, with a sud- den cessation of activity, the water calmed down; but there was still no trace of either fish. It was not until nearly half-a-minute later that the Pair came into view, when both appeared from beneath the branch and the male, turning vicious- ly on the female, drove her away from the nest, immediately returning to take up his posi- tion again below the branch. Collection of eggs from one nest which had been watched from the time that the male first took up his position down to this point showed that during this performance the eggs had been laid and fertilised. In another nest, the pair were interrupted just as they rose to the branch and it was found that no eggs had been laid. So that it is quite safe to assume that the eggs had been laid in this brief period of apparent THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST {Vou, LI activity, and the male had fertilised them before chasing the female away. In the case of the refractory female, the male would also cause her to swing into a circle by heading her off as described. The circle would thus be also anti-clockwise in direction. Not until the circle had been performed several times and had commenced to decrease in size would the male slip below the female, and so come up on the inside of her in the normal position. Only once was the performance seen to have been accomplished successfully without difficulty. Generally it was not completed without the © female’s slipping off the back of the male at least once. In one case interruptions of this nature occurred three times before the operation ended with the female being turned completely over on to her back. The entire performance then took nearly five minutes, a remarkable length of time considering the extreme activity of the pair. Usually, although there may be one or two unsuccessful attempts, the entire operation lasts only a matter of one or two minutes before the male drives the female away from the nest. Having chased the female away, the male re- turns and takes up his position below the eggs. His attitude is now one of ceaseless vigilance, and he is seen to turn with slow jerky move- ments so that in a short interval of time he is brought to face in all directions. One male was seen to go through this manoeu- vre three times, each time with a different female and without variation of the routine. In another case a male mated with two females, one after the other. In the second case one of the femaies did not proceed willingly to the nest and the male treated her in the fashion described above. Any intruder is treated with short shrift, and as noted by Wynne-Edwards (2) and by Lord (1) the male is most courageous in the defence of his nest. On several occasions a passing band of males was observed to be attacked by a nest- ing male and to be driven off. In one instance, four males attacking a nest were driven off only after prolonged battle in which the male first attacked the band as a whole and then followed up this aggression by attacking each individual separately. The latter was somewhat of a mis- placed gesture, for while he was busy with one the remainder quietly proceeded back to the nest and made a meal of the eggs. The significance of the parental care exhibit- ed by the male may be best appreciated when it is pointed out that after the visit of only one January, 1937] female to a new nest there were only sixty eggs. In another after three females had visited the nest and during the interval between the visits of the second and third females the nest had been raided by three males, only one hundred and five eggs were found. The discrepancy be- tween this figure and that which would be antici- pated on the basis of the number of eggs found in the former may be laid to the attack of the three males, and serves to illustrate the extent of the damage consequent upon a raid of this nature. That any eggs should survive the full period of development, running such risks as these, is one of the highest compliments which can be paid to the vigilance of the male. Both Wynne-Edwards and Lord have establish- ed the fact that Pimephales is polygamous in habit, basing their statements on the numbers of eggs found in the nests they examined, and also on the fact that many stages of develop- ment are to be found in some nests at one time. The above observations bear out this assump- tion. This may be further considered in the light of the risks that a nest runs during the time of development of the eggs and would indicate that the male obtains females possibly to make good any losses that may be sustained. Another not inconsiderable factor which enters here is that the female can only bear a small number of eggs since they are relatively large and she is of such small size. It is interesting to note also in this connexion that the male after having been so vicious in driving off a female which has spawned for him will shortly afterwards drive another into the nest. Regarding the use of the term “nest”, it is well to point out that although over twenty males were under observation for over an hour, and of these nine took up their position for the first time during this period, it was found that apart from being particular in selecting a location for a nest the male did not exhibit any of the meticulous care in its preparation such as is commonly described for the other Cyprin- idae, At Lac Smith all the nests were of the same type as found at several other locations. AlI- though many plants of the yellow pond-lily were present, a careful search of the pads failed to find any cases where the eggs had been placed on these surfaces as described by Wynne- Edwards. All the nests which were located, a total of over thirty, were found to be situated THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST below logs or small branches at points where these were raised some two or more inches from the silt. Many other nests were located, but it was not possible to determine their number as they were situated below old planks and were out of sight, the only indication of their presence being an occasional glimpse of the male. From Lord’s account, in which the fish spawn- ed below planks, and from the above observa- tions, it would appear that Pimephales exhibits preference for an object more stable than a lily-pad to which to attach its eggs; though, as Wynne-Edwards has shown, it will resort to the latter on occasion. The apparent uniqueness of this method of laying eggs and the peculiar use of an “inverted” nest in a member of the Cyprinidae is realiy only a highly developed exhibition of several rather common characteristics of that family. That there is in many of the members of this group a highly developed nesting instinct is a well-vouched-for fact, and is shown in the many accounts of species which go to considerable pains to construct a nest of stones, a_ habit associated with the presence of a clean bottom. In those species which spawn over a silt bot- tom, both in the members of this family and also in other families, it is found that the nesting instincts are generally poorly developed, and it is far more common to find that the eggs are strewn freely over weeds to which they adhere. This custom is generally to be found only in species of large size capable of laying many eggs. Recourse to either of these methods is not possible for Pimephales, the first since their habits lead them to regions where the bottom is of silt; the second, as pointed out, on account of the small size of the species. The impossibility of Pimephales’ clearing away the silt to reach a solid base for spawning is obvious when it is pointed out that this often reaches a depth of three feet and more in the localities where spawning takes place. In association with the above considerations, the utilisation of the lower surface of some ob- ject for the reception of the eggs may be regard- ed as being the choice of a location best suited for their protection, as well as a means of removing the eggs from any danger of “drown- ing” in the silt. At the same time, this illustrates a retention and a modification of two of the — characteristics commonly found in the family, viz., the nesting instinct and the adhesive nature of the eggs. 4 THE CANADIAN It is in the technique employed in attaching the eggs to such a surface that Pimephales and, in all probability, Hyborhynchus also stand unique among the members of their family. 1. R. F. Lord: Notes on the Use of the Black- head Minnow, Pimephales promelas, as a FIKLD-NATURALIST [VoL LI Forage Fish. Trans. A.F.S., Vol. 57, 1927. 2. V. C Wynne-Edwards: The Breeding Habits of the Black headed Minnow (Pimephales promelas). Trans, A.F.S., Vol. 62, 1932. PEST Vs. PEST By L. L. 7 HE BALANCE of nature” is a concept very frequently discussed and _ one which, thought of as a tendency to balance rather than as a state of balance, is a truism. Yet when one wishes to illustrate the point with actual examples, it seems that recorded cases are rather uncommon in the literature. Generalized and more or less theoretical discussions seem more prevalent. The following observation is, therefore, a very small contribution to the literature on particular in- stances. We have in Toronto a lawn weed known as Knotweed, Polygonum aviculare, which is at all times common. Reference to Gray’s New Manual of Botany reveals that this plant is stated to be “common everywhere in yards, waste places etc.” and that it is of Eurasian origin. This can only be interpreted as meaning an extremely wide distribution. During the season of growth of any year, this plant is a strong competitor of lawn grass. During the past summer (1934), Knotweed was in the ascendancy. The winter of 1933-34 was notably severe and turf or lawn grass suffered conspicuous losses in lawn and park. Extensive blotches of earth where the grass had been winter-killed were much more obvious than after a normal winter. These blotches were, how- ever, gradually erased as the summer growth progressed and their greenness deceived the eye, except that of the expert gardener, until autumn came. Then by degrees the outlines of the winter-killed areas were made apparent again, this time by the warm reddish tint of the over- growth. The colour was due to the tinted wiry stems of the branching Knotweed which had flourished exceedingly. The tiny seeds produced by this plant in any city park, if obtainable, could have been measur- ed by bushel units. It appalls a struggling lawn- keeper to think of the possible war with this SNYDER weed with its bushels of seed ammunition. Per- sonal experience has taught the writer that only a dentist-like extraction of the long and well-set tap-root is feasible for the eradication of the weed, and, at a guess, it seems that every seed is capable of germination. It is then with some pleasure that the second part of this account has been observed. The writer’s daily route has afforded consider- able regularity in observing certain areas con- spicuously affected by Knotweed. Starting with his own lawn and a small park adjacent, thence across Ramsden Park and to the Museum, about which are the extensive lawns of Queen’s Park and the University Campus, sufficient space is covered to demonstrate that conditions are not localized. From early October to November the Knotweed patches were the feeding areas of flocks of English Sparrows (Passer domesticus). Several days passed before it was realized that these birds were invariably associated with the dark blotches in the turf. The flocks were merely noted as being unusually large and com- pact, in fact, it has been suggested that this is a “sparrow year” since they are markedly more conspicuous. The writer is inclined to believe from meagre data that such is the case; that there are more English sparrows during this fall than there have been for a few years past.* However, their concentration in conspicuous open lawn areas no doubt exaggerates their numbers. At the time of writing, November 14, sparrows are still to be seen regularly visiting the Knot- weed patches but this food supply is rapidly disappearing. An examination of several of these areas discloses the fact that the bare skeletons of the whorls of stalks are about all that remain; the seeds are gone and only an occasional tiny leaf is visible. It is quite clear that the bumper crop has already been consumed *It is unfortunate that the English Sparrow is rather generally ignored in daily bird lists. January, 1937] and that, although the weed is not annihilated, an apparently effective check has been placed on the spread of the Knotweed. An Old World form has been pitted against an Old World form in what is perhaps an age old relationship. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 5 In conclusion, one might add this question: what proportion of these seeds, if any, are capable of resisting digestion and are subsequent- ly distributed into other “yards and waste places everywhere’, to grow more Knotweed to feed more English Sparrows? SWIMMING HABITS OF MAMMALS By STUART L. THOMPSON OMETIMES a very simple action on the part of an animal leads one to an interesting train of thought and specula- tion. On September Ist, 1933, while crossing Bel- mont Lake in a canoe with my nephew, we came in sight of a black squirrel swimming from a large island to the mainland. The animal was perhaps 200 yards out from the island and had some 500 or 600 yards yet to go to reach the opposite shore. As we hove in sight he turned in his course abruptly and struck out, retracing his steps — or more properly his strokes, — with the evident intention of regaining the island which he had left. I was curious to see him in action while swimming, so we brought the canoe up broadside in his way. He at once swam round it. Again we tried, with the same result. Evidently nothing would stop him in his efforts to gain the shore. It occurred to me to see what he would do if he were brought on board. So the next time we closed on him f reached out a friendly hand to lift him in. He at once bit my finger severely, scrambled up my sleeve, leaped into the canoe, looking like a “drowned rat’, ran the length of the canoe plunged into the water and struck out for the shore, which he reached, and then disappeared in the woods. I recall other experiences with other mam- mals, viz.: surprising them while swimming. Several times on canoe-trips I have come upon deer swimming and, in all cases, the animal kept a straight course, which became long dashing bounds when its feet found bottom, until it reached the opposite shore. There was no at- tempt to return. On another occasion we ran down a wood- chuck swimming in the Otonabee River, evident- ly making for the other side. This animal ac- cepted help and was lifted into the canoe on the paddle blade and coolly settled down to rest When we came near down the river from where he would have originally landed, he simp- ly flopped overboard (with nary a word of thanks) and swam the few strokes to the bank. on the pack between us. land, although far on It is interesting to compare the actions and behaviour of these three creaturees. The de- te:mined attempt of the deer for example, — an active animal which ranges widely. It would ceem he knew exactly where he was going, having been there before. When surprised he had only one thought — to gain his objective, which was probably as familiar ground as that which he had left. Most likely the wood-chuck was in the same position, although it might be that he was on a voyage of discovery and found he had ventured on more than he contemplated ; the river was wider than he had suspected. Be- ing caught in such a fix he made the best of a bad job and was glad to accept a lift, though I can hardly believe that, with wood-chuck mentality, he actually thought this out. In the case of the squirrel — an active venture- some little animal, it would seem he felt him- self surprised, utterly out of his element, conse- quently at a hopeless disadvantage, and not know- ing what the opposite shore had in store for him, he felt instinctively that the best thing to do was to get back to familiar ground again, — the land he knew, — at all costs and with all possible speed — nor would he accept a lift but fought for freedom. I trust I am not investing these three mam- mals with attributes too human, but it is certain- ly interesting to reflect on the different reactions noted above. Not long ago an article appeared in a periodical, dealing with human psychology, especially during panics in a fire-scare at a public meeting. The writer pointed out that the one thought in every panic-stricken mind was to get out, and that “out” was the way he came in, te. the familiar way. Very few people, the 6 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST writer said, take the trouble to look about at leisure and take note of the nearest exit in case of trouble. Do you yourself? The squirrel’s mental reaction was similar. His way of escape was back the way he came, even in the face of danger, though a wide lake stretched before him. {VoL. LI Incidently the episode gave us some evidence as to the keenness of the eyesight of the little animal. Not only had he seen us some couple of hundred yards away, but apparently he had chosen the narrowest part of the lake for his swim to the mainland. ADDITIONS TO THE FUNGUS FLORA OF ANT‘COSTI ISLAND AND GASPE PENINSULA! By I. L. CONNERS HE FUNGI reported below were collect- ed by Mr. J. Adams when he visited Anticosti Island and the Gaspé Penin- sula, Quebec, in July and August 1935. With few exceptions, which are indicated, these fungi were not reported in his paper’ based on his collections made in 1933 and 1934. Short notes on some of the more interesting finds have also been added. My best thanks are due Mr. Adams for plac- ing these collections at my disposal for study and report. I am also indebted to him for his determination of the host plants. PHYCOMYCETES Plasmopara pygmaea (Unger) Schroet. On Anemone parviflora, cliff walk, Percé. ASCOMY‘CETES Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. On Oryzopsis asperifolia, along logging railway, Princeton Lake, Anticosti. Previously reported on Poa eminens and Secale cereale. Cryptomyces Pteridis (Rebent.) Rehm. On Pteridium aquilina, Bic. This collection on the current year’s fronds disclosed the conidial stage, Pusidium Pteridis Kalchbr. Fabraea Ranunculi (Wallr.) Karst. On Ranun- culus acris, ravine, mountain road, Percé. USTILAGINALES Cintractia Caricis (Pers.) Magn. On Carex aquatilis, logging road, Anticosti, and C. marsh, near Chateau Menier, Previously reported on Carex sp. On Ane- Buxbauni, Anticosti. Urocystis Anemones (Pers.) Wint. mone riparia, cliff walk, Percé. 1 Contribution No. 448 from the Division of Botany, Experimental Farms Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada. 2 Adams, J. Some fungi from Anticosti Island and Gaspé Peninsula. The Can. Field-Naturalist 49 :107-108, 19385. UREDINALES Cronartium ribiccla J. C. Fischer. On Ribes giandulosum, Gaspé and Percé. Previously reported on Ribes sp. at Percé. This intro- duced rust may apparently be collected in Eastern Canada wherever Pinus Strobus grows. & Pk. On Gymnosporangium clavipes Cke. Amelanchier canadensis, Bic. G. Juniperi, Lik. (G. aurantiacum Chev., G. cornu- tum Arth.). On Sorbus americana, Bic. Hyalopsora Cheilanthis (Pk.) Arth. On Cryp- togramma Stellert, along stream from grotto, Percé. Not previously reported in Canada or in North-eastern United States. Melampsorella Cerastii (Pers.) Schroet. On Stellaria borealis and S. longipes, Anticosti, 1934. These two collections were omitted from the previous report. Nyssopsora clavellosa (Bark.) Arth. On Aralha nudicaulis, Ellis Bay, Anticosti; and moun- tain road, Percé. This rust is known from Saskatchewan eastward and is represented in the Division of Botany Herbarium by five other collections from the Gaspé Penin- sula. Puccinia Asteris Duby. Cacouna. On Aster acuminatus, P. Circacae Pers. On Circaea alpina, cliff walk, Percé. Previously reported from Gaspé County (Can. Pl. Dis. Survey Rept. 13:109, 1934). P. conglomerata (Str.) Schmidt & Kunze. On Petasites palmatus, Anse aux Fraises, Anti- costi. P. coronata Cda. On Rhamnus aluifolia, along logging road, Anticosti. P. Lankw "Wlotzsch. Percé. On Viburnum pauciflorum, Two collections. January, 1937] P. porphyrogemta Curt. On Cornus canadensis, Gaspé. This species is already known from Gaspé County (Can. Pl. Dis. Survey Rept. 13 :110, 1934). P. Pulsatillae Kalchbr. On Anemone parvifloru, Percé. The Quebec record of this rust on A. parviflora published in the N. Am. Flora 7:528, 1922, is based on a collection made by Fernald on the Bonaventure’ River, August, 1904. (Arthur Herb. 38867)°. P. punctata Lk. On Galium palustre, open damp meadow, Port Menier, Anticosti. Scarce. Although the rust has been reported on G. palustre from Europe, no previous record of its occurrence on this host in North America has been located. P. sessilis Schneid. On Iris versicolor, Ellis Bay, Anticosti. chinense (C. The aecia of an un- determined rust were collected on C. chinense by Mr. Adams on Anticosti in 1933 and reported in his paper as Aecidium sp. In the same collection a few telia were present. In the Percé collection telia of the same rust are abundant, while a few old aecial infections may be found. This rust appears to be an undescribed autoecious rust lacking a uredinial stage. Puccima sp. On Conioselinum canadense), Percé. Puceiniastrum Abieti-Chamaenerti Kleb. On Epilobium angustifolium, Gaspé and Percé. A common rust. P. Agrimoniae (Schw.) Tranz. On Agrimoma striata, Carleton. Probably not uncommon. Uromyces Gentianae Arth. On Gentiana stricta Michx., Anticosti, 1933. Previously report- ed on Pleurogyne rotata from Quebec, August 3, 1905. (Arthur Herb. 16942). Uromyces Hedysari-obscuri (DC.) Car. & Picc. On Hedysarum boreale, sea cliffs, Percé. Common in the park land districts of Al- berta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, but 31 am indebted to Prof. H. S. Jackson, Dept. of Botany, University of Toronto, for the informa- tion on specimens in the Arthur Herbarium. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST ff previously unreported in eastern North America. CO. Tripoli (Hiedw.- £)) Lévy. var. Trifolii- repentis (Liro) Arth. Gaspé. On Trifolium repens, BASIDIOMYCETES Amanita muscaria Fr. Along grotto trail, Percé. Clavaria sp. Mountain road, Percé. Funpbi IMPERFECTI Cercospora caricina Ell. & Dearn. On Carex arctata, cliff road, Percé. (Det. by Charles Chupp). Cylindrosporium hiemalis Higgs. On Prunus pennsylvanica, Carleton. The leaves were affected by a well defined shot-hole disease and although the fungus was only beginning to fruit, it appeared to be the above. Phleospora Anemones Ell. & Kell. On Anemone riparia, cliff walk, Percé. Previous records in the Division of Botany Herbarium are from the Prairie region of the continent. Septoria increscens Pk. On Trientalis americana, mountain road, Percé. S. micropunctata Ell. & Ev. On Conioselinum chinense, Percé. (Det. by J. Dearness). This Septoria on Conioselinum agrees with the published description of S. micropuncta ex- cept the spores are slightly longer and nar- rower. It is not S. Petroselini Desm. var. Treleasiana Sacc. & Scallia, reported on Contoselinum. Stagonospora Galii Fautr. On Galium palustre, Port Menier, Anticosti. Scarce. Pycnidia amphigenous, numerous, scattered, on fad- ing leaves, which finally turn brown, deeply embedded, finally erumpent, nearly globose, 110-125 microns in diam., without a well defined ostiole, opening widely at maturity; walls of the perithecium thin, pale brown; conidia extruded in masses, hyaline, straight or slightly curved, tapered towards the trunc- ate or rounded ends, uniseptate with two gutulae in each cell, often slightly constrict- ed at septum, 17-24 x 2.5-4.5 microns, mostly 20 x 3 microns. Referred to this species with some doubt. THE CANADIAN. FIELD-NATURALIST (VoL. LI 58th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB 3 COUNCIL REPORT 1. Meetincs. Three Council Meetings have been held during the year, at the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Hoyes Lloyd, on January 15th; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Groh, on May 7th; and Miss Grace S. Lewis, on October 29th. 2. Lectures. Through the Lecture Committee, the following speakers addressed the Winter meetings, held in the Lecture Room of the Car- negie Library: January 23. — Messrs. E. G. Anderson and We G Dereon “Our. Native | \Wald Flowers”, illustrated by slides and her- barium specimens. Dr. Small also spoke to the members on this occasion, on “Botanical Collecting Grounds of Fifty Years Ago”, and showed some of his own preserved specimens. February 27. — Dr. R. M. Anderson, on “Mammals of the Ottawa District”, illustrated by slides and specimens. March 26. —. Mr.oj ©. Mic@uaig, on “The Proposed National Park at the Head- waters of the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Lievre Rivers”, illustrated by slides. The annual bird census is taken in conjunction with other Societies in Canada and the United States. The local bird census was taken on December 22nd, 1935, twenty observers, in eight separate parties, taking part. A total of 1,512 individuals, of twenty different species, were observed. The American Golden- Eye, Common Pheasant, Redpolled Linnet, and Tree Sparrow were recorded in numbers that exceeded those of any previous census of this kind in this area. 3. Birp CENSUS. 4 Excursions. The excursions were held throughout the year, as follows: March — to Hog’s Back. May — four excursions — to McKay Lake, Britannia, the Central Experimental Farm, and Fairy Lake. June — two excursions — to the Maplewood Gardens, where refreshments were served through the courtesy of Messrs. Kenneth McDonald and Sons Ltd., and to Long Island, as guests of Dr. M. G. Me Elhinney on his boat. September—to Black Rapids, again as guests Dr. M. G. McEthinney. October — on the 3rd, by Ottawa Electric Coach, to the old carbide works, Meach Lake, and on the 3lst, to Taylor’s Hill. Excursions planned to Ottawa West on October 17th, and to Gatineau Point, on November 14th, were cancelled owing to inclement weather. A tentative programme of six lectures for the coming winter has been drawn up, and presented to the chairman of the Lecture Committee. The first of these lectures was given on November 19th, when the Rey. Father F. E. Banim spoke ef “Mosses, Lichens, and Algae’, illustrating his lecture with his own slides, Mr. W. E. Harris’s_ microphotographs, and microscopical demonstrations. Through the courtesy of Father Banim, these lectures are being held in the Library of St. Patrick’s College. Two meetings of the Committee were held during the year, at which this program was drawn up. The Committee’s finances show receipts of 24.25, comprising: advance from ‘Treasurer $10.00; eight excursion tickets, $8.00; and profits from trips, $6.25. Expenditures of $6.04 leave a net balance of $28.21, which is turned over to the Treasurer. 5. REPRESENTATIVE TO MEETING OF THE RoyAt, Society oF Canapa. Dr. F. J. Alcock represented the Club at the meetings of the Royal Society of Canada, held this year in Quebec City. 6. INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE PROTEC- TION OF THE Birps oF THE Wortp. Mr. Hoyes Lloyd and Dr. Harrison F. Lewis were the representatives on the International Committee for the Protection of the Birds of the World. 7. PuBLications. No report has been received from the Publication Committee. However, The Canadian Field-Naturalist. has maintained its usual high standard, and each issue has appeared on time. The January, 1936, number marked the publication’s fiftieth anniversary. 8. FINANCE. Three copies of Dr. Macoun’s autobiography were sold during the year, and two life memberships were received. It is ex- pected that the Club will show a favourable balance at the close of the year. January, 1937] 9. INFORMATION SeERvIcE. The Club is most desirous that its members make use of the In- formation Service. You are invited to submit any questions or problems pertaining to Natural History, and they will be answered through The Canadian Field-Nautralist, by correspondence, or at one of the winter meetings. 10. SPECIAL AND MEMBERSHIP CoMMITTEES. No reports have been received from these committees. 11. THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. The Association has definitely decided to hold its 1938 Summer Meet- ing in Ottawa. A Committee, composed of re- presentatives from the city’s various scientific organizations, has been formed. Dr. Arthur Gibson has been appointed by our President to represent the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club on this committee. 12. THe FEDERATION OF ONTARIO NATURALISTS AND THE “WILD LIFE PROTECTION” SUB-COMMITTEE THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 9 OF THE VANCOUVER SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY To ANIMALS. Communications were received from the Federation of Ontario Natur- alists in March. While your Council does not consider affiliation practicable, a letter was sent to the Secretary, expressing the sympathy and interest of the Club. Similar action was also taken with regard to communications from the “Wild Life Protection” sub-committee of the Vancouver Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 13. Councrn. The Council would like to take this opportunity to express its appreciation of the work and co-operation of many of the mem- bers, and to extend its thanks to the Rev. Father F. E. Banim, for his kindness in accommodating the winter meetings, to Dr. M. G. McElhinney, for his continued generous hospitality, and to the leaders of the various excursions. It is hoped that 1937 will see a continued stimulation of the Club’s activities—Prccy WHuHiItTEHURST, Secretary. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STANDING OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB, NOVEMBER 25, 1936 ASSETS Balance in Bank, November 25, 1936 . Sly Bill Smreceivall aeeen i en reels 127.63 $130.75 RECEIPTS Balance on hand, December 5, 1935 . $ 88.17 Bees = Wrenithernt «ates. os tic acoe a 761.52 ee NAVANCE)(CUCAy 2.5.1 ahs ss Soe ae 48.65 Single and back numbers............ 21.40 Separates and Illustrations.......... 121.99 MIS CANACOWS oceddcccosccobccsceds 99.20 Borrowed from Reserve Fund....... 80.08 $1221.01 WiuLmot LuoyD, Treasurer. LIABILITIES Reserve. Hunde Ace eg ot $ 80.08 BalanCere ae ee i ep eet 50.67 $130.75 DISBURSEMENTS Printing and mailing The Canadian ield=Naturalistee see ene eon QO1e26 Hditonrs*Honorarium eee ae ee 90.00 Postage and Stationery............. 34.31 Separates and Illustrations.......... Ilss(/alal Miscellaneoush: sea tte. afer eee 16.75 Bankadiscounteeee eee pl 18.46 Balance in Bank, November 25, 1936 . Bp I74 $1221.01 Audited and found correct November 26, 1936. HARRISON F. LEwIS, W. H. LANCELEY, Auditors. 10 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST (Vou. LI STATEMENT—PUBLICATION FUND NOVEMBER 25, 1936 : ASSETS Canadian Government Bonds........ $900.00 Cashin alesis 2 a ence eee. 103.41 $1008.41 RECEIPTS Balance in Bank, December 5, 1935... $1.15 2 Life Membership Fees.............. 101.75 Bondwlnteresi mae ors eae 39.50 Beampilke JOM A oe Gano e bee aeodoo ob oc 51 $142.91 WiLtmor Luoyp, Treasurer. STATEMENT—RESERVE FUND NOVEMBER 25, 1936 ASSETS Canadian Government Bonds........ $1200.00 Cash in Bank, November 25, 1936. .. 169.40 Current Account temporary advance . 80.08 $1449.48 RECEIPTS Balance in Bank, December 5, 1935.. $ 193.87 Bonds olnberestyce ee see eee ae 54.00 TDinyalie Woenesee bs Miso Co wa bole sam ae ose 1.61 $249.48 Epwarp F. G. WHITE, Chairman, Reserve Fund Committee. Wit~Mor LuLoyD, Treasurer, LIABILITIES NIL— Balancer. hc Gant ct ee eae et eee $1003.41 $1003.41 DISBURSEMENTS Payment of Interest to Current Account 39.50 Balance in Bank, November 25,1936. . 103.41 $142.91 Audited and found correct. November 26, 19386. HARRISON F. LEWIS, W. H. LANCELEY, Auditors, LIABILITIES NIL— Balance. .o3. cow eee ee eee $1449.48 $1449 48 DISBURSEMENTS Temporary advance to Current Account 80.08 Balance in Bank, November 25, 1936. $169.40 $219.48 Audited and found correct November 26, 19386, HARRISON F.. LEwis, W. H. LANCELEY, Auditors. January, 1937] Tue CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 11 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS FurtHer Notes oN WINTERING RED-BREASTED NutTHATCHES. — Following notes on the Red- breasted Nuthatch (Red-breasted Nuthatch Wintering in Alberta, Frank T. Farley, The Canadian Field-Naturalist, March 1935, page 61; and Red-breasted Nuthatch Wintering in Mani- toba, Fred. J. Rogers, The Canadian Field- Naturalist, April 1936, page 68), there has come to light further evidence in respect to the wintering of the Red-breasted Nuthatch in northern latitudes. Capt. Angus Buchanan, M.C., in his Wild Life in Canada describes a very interesting trip on rivers and lakes he made during the sum- mer of 1914 through the country between the Saskatchewan River and the Barren Lands. During this canoe trip many birds and mam- mals were collected, and notes were made on all species encountered. Capt. Buchannan was preparing to winter on the barren grounds when news of the outbreak of war reached him, so he came south to enlist for overseas service. In the annotated list of birds I note the re- cords of two occurrences of Red-breasted Nut- hatches. The first is of a male specimen taken at Lake Ile a la Crosse May 25, 1914. The second is of a Red-breasted Nuthatch being seen in winter south of Cumberland Lake, Jan- uary 11th, 1915. This lake is near the border of Manitoba, but in Saskatchewan west of The Pas, Man., and about 54° ‘atitude. In a new publication The Migration of North American Birds by Frederick C. Lincoln, United States Department of Agriculture, circular No. 363, on page 5 is found this observation, “Also, when there is a good supply of food in the form of pine seeds in Canadian woods, nut- hatches (Sitta carolinensis and S. canadensis) and crossbills. (Loxia curvirostra and IL. leuc- optera) will remain through the winter. When these birds appear abundantly in winter at points in southern latitudes, it may be conclud- ed that there is a shortage of their food in the north, or that they have been lured farther south by the greater abundance of this food there.” There appears to be a great deal of doubt in respect to the proper classification of the Red-breasted Nuthatch; but the writer believes, in view of the many published records of win- tering birds of this species that it should be put in the same category as our Black-capped Chickadee (Penthestes atricapillus). — Frep J. Rocers, Hillside Beach, Lake Winmpeg, Man. NESTING OF THE AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE (Glau- cionetta clangula americana). — The first nest of this species recorded in this district was dis- covered on May 26, 1935, and two other nests were found on May 29 of the same year. The first nest was most interesting because it was located in a hole in a large white aspen, forty feet from the ground, excavated by a Pileated Woodpecker (Coephloeus pileatus) in April. The Woodpecker was also busy at the hole at the beginning of May. At the time of examination it was expected that the Pileated Woodpecker would be nesting in the cavity, and great was my surprise to discover it occupied by the Golden-eye, with four eggs on the 26th. The size of the cavity was approximately eight inches deep, and seven inches in diameter inside. The entrance measured, roughly, 4% inches vertically, by 3% inches at the base, across; and 2% inches across an inch from the top. The tree was green and about 70 feet in height, and 18 inches in diameter. The other two nests Pileated Woodpecker excavations, but these latter were old cavities. One nest, 25 feet up in a dead aspen of 18 inches diameter contained about four eggs, but was too deep for an ac- curate count to be made. The egg-shaped entrance was 5 inches vertically by 3% inches wide across base and 2% inches across top an inch from the top. Inside, the cavity was 9 inches in diameter, and 16 inches deep. The female was observed entering the nesting hole about 9.30 a.m. were also located in The second nest differed little from the others. The two found on May 29th were only about 50 feet apart. The last nest was also in a large aspen of 18 inches diameter and some sixty feet in height. The latter tree was also dead, and the nesting hole 30 feet from the ground. Measurements taken of the third nest showed an entrance 4% inches long (egg-shaped) by 3% inches across the base, and 244 inches across the top an inch from the apex. The cavity in- side was approximately 7 inches in diameter and 15 inches deep. There were about five eggs in the nest. The first set of eggs was collected and found to be all fresh. These nestings were in low ground in mixed woods of black poplar, aspen, ash, birch, spruce, etc. 12 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST It is remarkable to note the part the Pileated Woodpecker played in these nestings of Amer- ican Golden-eyes by providing suitable nesting cavities. It is also interesting to note the uniformity of the three nesting holes measured, there being very little variation. It may be suggested, however, that the depth of only eight inches in the first nest indicates that the Pileated Woodpecker abandoned the nesting site before completing the excavation. The average arrival date of the Golden-eye here is April 18th. — Frep J. Rocers, (Lake Winnipeg), Hillside Beach, Man. A -Nest-Hunvtinc Broap-wINceD HAwk, (Buteo platypterus platypterus). — Upon read- ing the following statement by Francis H. Allen (The Auk, January, 1936) “Moreover, birds nesting in trees are usually well hidden from passing hawks, which, so far as I know, never make a practise of nest-hunting....”, | remem- bered proving a case of nest-hunting on the part of an adult male Broad-winged Hawk. It happened on July 20, 1925, at which time I was camped in a red pine wood bordering Golden Lake, Renfrew County, Ontario. Just after lunch, I heard a commotion among the birds overhead in the pines. I ran out of the tent and saw a hawk make off with what ap- peared to be a young Robin. There was a Robin’s nest in the tree where | first saw the hawk. Late in the afternoon the disturbance was repeated, and this time I got the hawk, a Broad-wing. Its stomach contained four nest- lings, three of which seemed to be of the general appearance of young Chipping Sparrows with their quills just started, while the fourth was probably a half-grown nestling Robin. Forbush, Birds of Massachusetts, says of the Broad-wing — “most of the birds found in the stomachs examined were fledglings taken f om the nest, or when learning to fly.” Dr. A. K. Fisher, in Hawks and Owls of the United States, on the authority of an article in The Auk, Vol. 1, 1884, p. 96, records that James W. Banks found the remains of three untiedged thrushes in the stomach of a Broad-wing killed near St. John, New Brunswick. — Hoyes Lioyp. UNUSUAL NESTING OF FASTERN REDWINGS.— Having read in the November, 1935, issue sof The Canadian Field-Naturalist of the unusual nesting site of Eastern Redwinged Blackbirds, - {Vou. LI contributed by C. E. Hope, Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology, perhaps the following may be of interest to your readers: Where we spend the summers at Sylvan Lake. Alberta, our land runs back a mile. The half nearest the lake is covered with old timber; bur the other half, where a fire ran over several years ago, is densely covered with young trees and underbrush. Walking along a path through this part, I was much surprised to find a large colony of Redwings nesting there, and the nearest water — the lake — just half a mile distant. A large reed bed, further up the lake, has been eaten out by horses, so Redwings and other birds have had to seek new nesting sites; and I have little doubt our birds came from there. This occurred last year (1934), but this season was so wet that I was unable to find out if they again nested there. However, I think they must have done so as, during the nesting season, I saw numbers flying down to the lake to drink and bathe. —. ELstE CASSELS. THE GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera) IN THE Toronto Rrcrion. — Of recent years the Golden-winged Warbler has been reported quite frequently in the Toronto region. The increase of records during the past six or eight years is probably due to the greater num- ber of bird students in the field rather than to an increase of the species. The majority of observations have been made during the May migration, though two June records suggest that the species might breed rarely in the Toronto region. To date, however, no breeding evidence has been found. The accompanying list of occurrences contains records of three collected specimens. The remainder are sight records made by reliable observers. Specimen in the National Museum of Canada, No. 309, taken near Toronto, no date, sex 6, from the G. Holman collection. Recorded by J. H. Fleming, Auk, January, 1907, p. 88. One observed May 6, 1893, at Toronto by WV. H. McNairn, published Wilson Bull., N. S. vol. 2, January 15, 1895. One identified at Lambton Golf Club, Toronta on May 17, 1908, by J. S. Wallace. A singing male identified in Cedarvale Ravine, Toronto, on May 16, 1928, by C. E. Hope. Two observed by G. H. Richardson in Hig: Park, Toronto, on May 19, 1928. January, 1937] A female collected on May 21, 1928, by J. H. Fleming in his garden on Rusholme Road, Toronto. Published in Auk, Vol. 47, January, IOS 0K pee 7p A singing male was watched by a number of the members of the Brodie Club, on the occasion of their annual field day at Pottageville, York County, Ontario on May 19, 1929. “One observed on June 2, 1929, at North Toronto by T. F. Mcllwraith. One seen in High Park, Toronto, by R. J. Rutter on May 8, 1930. One seen at Armour Heights, Toronto, on May 24, 1930, by G. H. Richardson. One seen near King City Village, York County, Ontario, on August 17, 1930, by R. D. Ussher. One seen at Pottageville, York County, Ontario, by S. L. Thompson on May 25, 1931. A singing male collected by C. E. Hope in a ravine at Armour Heights, Toronto, on June 7, 1931. The specimen is now in the J. H. Fleming Collection. A female observed by J. L. Baillie, Jr., in High Park, Toronto, on May 20, 1932. A male seen on May 23, 1933, by J. H. Fleming, in his Toronto. A male observed at close range by C. E. Hope on May 12, 1935, at Mount Dennis, Toronto, Ontario. — C. E. Hops, Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. SHorT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus flammeus) AT BAKER Lake, N. W. T. — In the spring of 1928, I received two specimens of the Short- eared Owl from Mr. W. O. Douglas, who was then stationed at Baker Lake. Although badty battered in the long overland journey by mail, both specimens were preserved and are now in my collection. In all probability they were taken in 1927. This occurrence of the species may help fild a gap in the recorded range. — Hoyes LLoyp. Tue KENTUCKY WARBLER, AN OLD QUEBEC RECORD. — The late John Neilson, of “Dornald”, Cap Rouge Road, St. Foy, Quebec; was a constant contributor to the “Fur, Fin and Feather” column of The Quebec Chronicle. In the issue of March 15th, 1884, Mr. Neilson published “Land Birds of the Vicinity, the sur- garden on Rusholme Road, THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 13 rounding Parishes, and Mountain Region North of the City of Quebec’. In this is the following: “Kentucky Warbler. — Oporornis Formosa — (S. R.) very rare, a pair showing every indica- tion of breeding, first detected near my residence, July 2nd, 1879; observed daily in the same locality, till about the 15th, when they suddenly disappeared. Nest not found, more about this stranger in future notes.” The only other reference I can find is in a manuscript list dated February, 1886, and entitled, “Land Birds of the County of Quebec” ; a copy of this list was sent by Mr. Neilson to Montague Chamberlain who used the Kentucky Warbler record in his Catalogue of Canadian Birds, 1887, page 106. Though widely quoted the record is improbable, and was doubted by Chamberlain, who in a letter to Neilson, dated from St. John, N.B., March 13, 1886, writes “I think I forget to enquire of you concerning that record of Kentucky War- bler — Will you kindly tell me how and by whom the bird was identified. You of course know that this species is extreamly rare even as far north as southern New England, and this occurrance at Quebec will be questioned by the critics, so we must be fully prepared to defend the statement.” John Neilson was a careful observer and this is the only case of a doubtful identification by him contained in several manuscript lists of Que- bec birds in my library. — J. H. Fremine. Neve oN A WINTER ACYIVITY OF THE AMER- ICAN GOLDEN-EYE Duck (Glaucionetta clangula americana). — On February 13, 1934, I observed a flock of fourteen American Golden-eyes, in- cluding four adult males and ten birds that were either females or young males, on a small rapid in the Magog River, in the midst of the city of Sherbrooke, Quebec. Their position was near two busy streets, to the traffic of which they had apparently become accustomed, with the result that they could be watched continuously at close range without difficulty. I noticed that, while the flock maintained itself in the swift current with very little change of position, each bird repeatedly, at intervals of a minute or so, dipped its head for an instant in the stream and then raised it quickly, thus caus- ing a sheet of water to pass over all of itself that was above the surface of the river. The members of the flock did not do this simultane- 14 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST ously, but individually, so that, in the flock as a whole, the individual movement was repeated at intervals of only a few seconds. The birds did not seem to be feeding. When this observation was made, the temper- ature of the air was about zero Fahrenheit, or 32° colder than the water. It is suggested that probably the Golden-eyes were repeatedly dipping their heads in the stream and throwing cold water over themselves in order to keep themselves warm and to prevent the formation of ice on that part of their plumage that was exposed to the air. — Harrison F. Lewis. AN Unusua, Nest oF THE COMMON PIGEON. — There was recently added to the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology an inter- esting nest of the common pigeon, Columba livia, var. domestica.. The nest, taken on June 22, 1934, is normal in size and style of con- struction but instead of the wsual material, namely sticks and straw, it is composed entirely of bits of rusted wire from two to three inches in length. The circumstances under which this nest was found suggest an explanation for its peculiar- ities. It was found on one of the steel structur- al girders of the Toronto Maple Leaf Stadium or ball park. There is a comparative absence of vegetation in the surrounding territory and consequently there is a scarcity of vegetable debris within a convenient radius to the nest- ing site. A further circumstance pertains to the protecting wire, the type ordinarily referred to as chicken wire, which shields the spectators from the foul balls and wild throws at home plate. This had become badly rusted and frag- ments from this screen have fallen and accumul- ated on the ground in front of the grandstand. In responding to its inherent behaviour in selecting nesting. material, the pigeon found an abundant supply of objects similar in size and shape to sticks and straws and constructed its nest of these. The resulting structure is ancient in architecture but strictly modern in materials. It seems entirely likely that if both sticks and wire had been present, this bird would probably have used, at least for the most part, the former. The use of wire merely demonstrates a slight flexibility in the habit which dictates selection of nesting material. The range of this habit or the amount of adaptability displayed is ap- proximately parallelled by the range of habit in selecting a nesting site. The wild rock pigeon of Europe nests on ledges in caves. A small horizontal surface, well off the ground, in a somewhat darkened retreat seems to cover most of the immediate requirements of the species for a nesting site. The differences between 4 cave and a grandstand or a stick and a bit of wire, are apparently mostly in name, so far as a pigeon is concerned. — L. L. SNYDER. In the Ottawa Naturalist (Canadian Field- . Naturalist) 32:28, 1918, is an account by C. L. Patch of a similarly unusually constructed Purple . Martin nest. The nest in question contained,— 36 bits of window glass 33 bits of rock 9 pieces of clam shell 4 scraps of tin roofing 4 nails — 1 to 4 inches 1 slate pencil 1 bit of dry orange peel -1 safety pin 1 pint of usual twigs, dead grass and green leaves. — OrnitTH. Ep. REVIEW A CONTRIBUTION TO A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE DescriseD IMMaTURE STacES oF NorTH AMERICAN CoLEopTERA, by J. S. Wades. No publisher indicated ; mimeographed (evident- ly by the author or by the U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine), pp. 1- 114. September, 1935. Except for a short introduction, the volume consists entirely of a list of species arranged alphabetically, first by genera and then by species in each genus. For each species, the author gives references to the literature and includes an indication as to the various developmental stages which are considered in each reference. The nomenclature follows that of Leng’s “Catalogue of the Coleoptera of America North of Mexico.” The last similar publication was one by Beutenmuller which appeared in 1891 in the Journal of the New York Microscopical Society. In view of the very large number of scattered notes and papers which have appeared since that date, Mr. Wade’s compilation is timely and will be very useful to all entomologists and to other biological workers. — W. J. Brown. (Vor-bls at = : A fhliated Societies NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1934-35 President Emeritus: C. E. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; Past Presidents: H. M. SPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc., C. W. Lowe, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, M.A., A. A. McCousBREY, A. M. Davipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLEY BROoKS; Vice-Presidents:.B. W. CART=- WRIGHT, H. C. PEARCE, L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYE, B-A., Mrs. L. R. SIMPSON, W. H. RAND; Treasurer: Dr. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, Manitoba; General Secretary NORMAN LowE, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: R. M. TuHoMas; Executive Secretary: J. Happow, Social Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. Section Chairman Secretary Ornithological A. H. SHORTT A. M. MackKIE- _ Entomological G SHIRLEY BROOKS Miss M. F. PRATT Botanical H. F. Roperts, M.Sc. Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY Geological A.A. McCouBREY P. H. StokEs Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. Ichthyological G. D. RUSSELL Secrétary: J. P. KENNEDY. Microscopy Zoology R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. Botany C. W. Lowe, M.Sc. Secretary: H. C. PEARCE. Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holiday from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after- noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays during July and August. ; THE HAMILTON BIRD PROTECTION p SOCIETY (Incorporated) President; Mr. H © N«uwnn, 1 Mountain Park Ave. H.; Vice-President: REV. C. A HEAVEN, 135 Dalewood Cres H.,; Secretary: Mr. J. H. WILLIAMS, 202 Park Row S.,H.; Treasurer: H. E. KetTtT1e, 160 Delaware Ave., H.; Chairman of Extension Committee: H_C. NUNN; Chairman of Junior Work: Miss M. E. Gratam; Chairman of Field Work: J. H. WILLIAMS; Chair- man of Programme Committee: Mrs. F. MACLOGHLIn; Chair- man of Sanctuary Committee: GEORGE NorRTH. (Note—H. stands for Hamilton) McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, LONDON, ONT. President: J. H. CAMERON, 355 Dufferon Ave., London, Ont.; Vice-President: Mr. E. D. BRAND, 148 William Street, London, Ont.; Recording Secretary: Miss FRANCES JACOBS, 353 Princess Ave., London, On'.; Migration Secretary: MR. E. M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH REYNOLDS, 32 St. Andrews St., London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer questions: W. E. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont.; C. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout Street South, London, Ont.; J. F. CALVERT, 461 Tecumseh A venue, London, Ont.; E.M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, Lundon, Ont. Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except during the summer. VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Honorary President. L.S. KuImNk, (D.Sc.), President Univer- sity uf B.C; President: JOHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University of B.C.; Vice-President: Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMs, Geology Dept., University of B.C.; Honorary Secretary: Mrs. F. W. FARLEY; 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First Aasistunt Secretary Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd Assistant Secretary: Miss Nora Swirt, Honorary Treasurer: A. H. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: Mrs. F. McGinn. Members of Executire: C. F. CONNorR, M. A. Mr.R !. Cumminc: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Mr. Curtis JOHNS, Mrs. J Motion; Auditors: H. G. SEtwoop, W.B. Woops. Chairmen.of Sections: Botany: PRor. JOHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J. J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. PHILIP Timms, Entym- ology: Mr. WooTTon, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. All meetings at & p.m., Auditorium, Normal School, 10tb Avenue and Cambie Street tnless otherwise announced, BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRD AND MAMMAL SOCIETY President: Dr. M. Y. WIituiiams; First Vice-President; HAMILTON M. LAING; Second Vice-President: Dk.C. J Bastin: Secretary-Treasurer: C. H BaSTIN 4484 West 9th Ave. Vancouver, B.C ; OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Past Presidents: Mr. L. McL.TerRRILL, Mr. Napipr SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PRor. V. C WYNNE-EpDwarbs, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidents: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, Dr. A. N. JENKS; Vice-President and Treasurer: MR. HENRY MOUSLEY: Secretary: Miss MAUD SRATH. Committee: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN, Mrs. C. F. DALB, MR. J. A. DECARIE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDmRSON, Mr. H. A. C. Jackson, Mr. E. L. JUDAH, MR. FRASER KEITH, Miss P. B. MaTTINSoN, Miss L. MuRPHY. Miss M. S. NIcoLson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, MR. C. Salt, Mr. L. McI.SpackMAN, Mr. L. MclL. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE LorD TWEEDsMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1986: Présrdent: ALPHONSE DESILETS; ler vice-président: ROCHETTE, C.R., M.P.P., ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétatre-trésorier: Louis-B. LAVoIn 38, rue Sherbrooke, Québec THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1934-35. Honorary Presidenr. Dr. A. P. COLEMAN; President: ARNOTT M.PATTERSON; Hon. Vice-Presidents: Hon. G. H. CHALLIEs, Mr. J. H FLEMING, Dr. N. A. POWELL; Vice-President: Mr. F. P. Ipp, Secretary-Treasure.. H. M. HALLIDAY; ( ouncil— Dr. E. M. WALKER, S. L. THOMPSON, Prog. J.R. Dymonp, C. S. FARMER, PrRoF T F. McliwraitH. Dr. NORMA ForD, MAGISTRATE J. E. Jones, L. T. OWENS, RUPERT Davibs, F_C. Hurst, Dr. T. M. C. TAyLor, C. G. BRENNAND, R. M. SAUNDERS; Chairman of Conservation Committee: MRS. S. L. THompPson; President of Junior Club: MurRAY SPEIRS; Vice-President of Junior Club: HUBERT RICHARDSON. Leaders: Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson. L. L. Snyper, J. L. BAILLIE, JR.. Pror. T. F. McItwraitH, R. M. Speirs, F. H. EMERY. Mammals—ProrF. A. F. Coventry, MEssry. FE. C. Cross, D. A. McLuticn. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. E. B.S. Locier, Wm LERay. Fish— Pror. J. R. DyMOND, PRoF W J K. HARKNEsSe#. Insectsa— Dr. B. M. WALKER. Dr. N. Forp, Mr. F. P. Ipg. Betany—Pror. R. B. THomson. Dr. H. B. Sirton, Dr. T.M. C. Taytor: Mr. W. R. Watson. Mr.L. T. OWENS. Geology—Dr. A. P, COLEMAN: PRoF. 4. MCLEAN. We would ask the Officers, and more particularly the Secretaries, of ali the Affiliated Societies to assist us in our task of building up the circulation of this member as a subscriber we can truly magazine. By securing every make this magazine into one of the leading Natural History publications of America. AUTOBIOGRAPHY of JOHN MACOUN, M.A. These are attractively bound, and contain a ‘wealth of information concerning Canadian Natural History and Exploration. The author was a former President of the Club and this is a Memorial Volume PRICE $3.00. 305 pp. WILMOT LLOYD 58? 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LI, No. 2 FEBRUARY, 1937 dex cee ISSUED FEBRUARY 6, 1937 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB Patrons: THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR President: HERBERT GROH Ist Vice-President: P. A. TAVERNER Qnd Vice-President: R. EH. DELURY | Secretary; PEGGY WHITEHURST, — Treasurer; WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave., 110 Prospect Avenue, Westboro. Roekcliffe Park. Additional Members of Council: F. J. Aucock, R. M. ANDERSON, Rev. F. E. BANIM, HENRY Bowers’ M. E. Cowan, H. G Crawrorp, F. T FRASER, A. HALKETT, C. E. JOHNSON, E M. KINDLE» ~ W. H. Lancetey, A. LARocque, DoucLAS LEECHMAN, GRACE S. Lewis, HARRISON F. LEWIS: ; Hoyes Lioyp, C. W. LOUNSBURY, MARK G. McELHINNEY, A. E. PORSILD, L. S. RUSSELL) ~ C.M. STERNBERG, Matcotm M. THOMSON, E.F. G. WHITE, R. T. D. WICKENDEN. M. E: WILSON. and the following Presidents of Affiliated Societies: A. G. LAWRENCE, J. H WILLIAMS, — CHARLES MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH ARNoTT M. PATTERSON. Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F. LEwIs. Editor: DouGLAS LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Associate Editors: DEZFENNESS ech a eee bance ah Anthropology CLYDE: Ui. PATCH. 3.53.4) oe Herpetology — DCAD AIMS 2 Cha Se tem NN eer ae eae Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............. Mammalogy — FOR. LATCHFORD 3 2) Deore: .Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN........ ..Marine Biology ARTHUR GIBSON.............. Entomology P. A. TAVERNER...... -.......Ornithology Be od AEG OCK oi (Gay ie tina AIS Geology BM UKINDLE Sc oe eee Palzontology CONTENTS w PAGE Changes in the Natural History of-the High River District, Alberta. By Roy L. Fowler. . 15 Notes on the Care and Habits of some Interesting Urodeles. By Wm. H. Bennett.......... 17 Experiences with Trapped Birds. By R. V.. Whelan EOS AMER RESTS PREY Sg OSS Gir 20 Christmas Bird Censuses, 1986). 2.2 a ee ee 21 Some Notes on the Sand Cricket (Tridaetylis apicalis Say.) By F. A. Urquhart, B.A....... 28 Notes and Observations:— Western Meadowlark near London. By W. E. Saunders": 203.05: 2 2 eee 29 Pileated Woodpecker Breeding in Toronto Region. By R. D. Ussher.............. 30 PEACE ON SITA NN ag AA NUT ACL GETS TNA Re é 30 iz The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued # # since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, 3 two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have = # been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is i# # issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication # # of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. = Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader who is truly interested in the wild life of our country to help this magazine to its rightful place among the leading Natural History publications in America. Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockeliffe Park, OTTawA, CANADA. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LI OTTAWA, CANADA, FEBRUARY, 1937 No. 2 CHANGES IN THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HIGH RIVER DISTRICT, ALBERTA By ROY L. FOWLER Aldersyde, Alberta ATURE STUDY was not a hobby with our pioneers and old-timers. but be- cause they lived in the open as traders and trappers, as cowboys and ranchers, they took note of the things of nature around them. From the observations of these pioneers I have written the following notes on the changes that have taken place in the natural history of the High River district during the last fifty years. High River is situated about 30 miles south of Calgary, Alberta, near the western margin of the prairie country. The extinction of the Buffalo (Bison bison) was the turning point in the change from the primeval to the new west. In 1877 thirty thou- sand buffalo hides were shipped out of Fort Benton, Montana; the following year only fifty- seven hundred were shipped, and after 1885 there was not a solitary wild buffalo left in southern Alberta. There is residing at Morley a Stoney Indian by the name of Peter Ear, the only living Indian who participated in the last buffalo drive. He was on hand when a lone buffalo was killed at 18-mile Coulee near Starling in the winter of 1885. Mrs. Alice Stockdale, of Lethbridge, verifies the story of the killing of this last buffalo. According to Senator D. E. Riley, who settled here in 1882, and Herb Miller (52 years with the Bar U Ranch), no buffalo were seen in this district between Macleod and Calgary after 1882. This was because the U. S. Indians made every effort to hold the buffalo south of the interna- tional line and after the above mentioned date, our Canadian Indians were literally starving. The Wolf (Cants nubilis), which subsisted on the buffalo herds, turned to prey upon the great droves of cattle that were coming in to stock the newly founded ranches. Most old-timers are emphatic in considering these wolves as distinct from the common coyote (Canis latrans); the wolves were larger and ranged in colour from nearly white to almost black. The Stock Growers’ Association paid a bounty on wolves but it was not until about 1910 or 1912 that they ceased to be a menace to the ranching business. The last wolf skin was brought to High River in 1917, The Coyote (Canis latrans) used to be very plentiful but during the last few years profes- sional hunters have so reduced the number that a person on the prairie will only see five or six coyotes during a whole year. They are more plentiful in the foothills district. The Badger (Taxidea tuxus) has been hunted almost to the point of extinction, and unless it is given government protection at once will completely disappear in another few years. From the beginning of settlement everyone has made it his business to destroy badgers on sight, be- cause their numerous dens and burrows were a menace to galloping riders. The high price of badger skins during the last five years has been a great inducement to amateur hunters, and as a result the badger appears doomed. The Kit-fox (Vulpes velox) became extinct quite early; in fact, only those people who were here before 1900 can recall having seen a kit- fox. My father states that the last bunch of kit-foxes he saw was in the summer of 1897. These had their den in a sandy knoll about a mile north of High River. There were two litters, of about thirty in all. As the young Jack Rabbits (Lepus townsendu campanius) were the usual food of the coyotes, the decrease in the latter has brought about a corresponding increase in rabbits. This is the reason given for what appears to be a greater number of rabbits than would be accounted for by the usual periodic increase. 16 THE CANADIAN Frerp-NATURALIST The closed season on Beaver (Castor cana- densis) has prevented these rodents from be- coming extinct in this district. In the fur trad- ing days of 1860 to 1878, when there were trad- ing posts at High River, beaver were plentiful along our streams, Forty years ago the Antelope (Antilocapra americana) left these parts, and while they have since increased around Medicine Hat and Vaux- hall, they have never returned to the High River district. Moose (Alces americanus) and Elk (wapiti, Cervus canadensis) used to frequent the foot- hills area twenty-five miles west of High River; the weathered antlers of Wapiti may still be found. Moose and Elk appear to be increasing in num- bers back in the first trough of the Highwood Range. On rare occasions, these animals have ’ been seen as far eastward as the Sentinel Ranger Station. At such times they had been driven out by forest fires. But ordinarily these animals stay at least thirty-five miles west of where they used to pasture. In regard to our bird life one change has taken place which is very noticeable; there are very few Prairie Chicken (Pediocetecs phasia- nellus) or Sharp-tailed Grouse on the prairie now. The chicken have been driven into the brush country of the foothills by the Hungarian Partridge (Perdix perdix), which were intro- duced in 1920 and are now very plentiful indeed. The English Sparrow (Passer domesticus) has become a pest throughout the country, and is everywhere on the farms and in the towns. Mr. Harry Gould, a well-known naturalist and bird lover, reports that he did not see an English sparrow here until 1907. The Earthworm or Angle Worm is found in many gardens, but is not native to the country; it was brought in on rhubarb plants from east- ern Canada. The Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) has been here for Over thirty years but it is only during the last few years that it has done any appreciable harm to the potato crops. In the first ten years, after breaking the sod summer fallowing was unnecessary because weeds were negligible. Many plants and weeds have been introduced since, but very few of these immigrants serve any useful purpose. Brome Grass, Sweet Clover and Timothy are fast spread- ing along the edges of the fields and into the fence corners, and are choking out harmful weeds. {VoL. LI Stinkweed or Frenchweed (Thlaspi arvense) and wild Oats (Avena fatua) were spread by the grain seed supplied to farmers by the government during the dry years of 1887 to 1896. Every farm in the country is now infested with these weeds. Most of the mustards, and the Russian Thistle (Salsola Kali, var. tenuifoha) disseminated in the horse-feed supplied to the construction crews on the main line of the Cana- dian Pacific Railway in 1883, and on the Calgary- Macleod branch in 1892. Russian thistle is never a nuisance in this district, as it does not seem to thrive on clay soil during the wet years. It was in 1907 that Dandelions (Taraxacum spp.) were first noticed along the railway at High River and Okotoks, and since then they have spread everywhere, even back into the foothills. Some weeds introduced very recently are: Blad- der Campion (Silene latifolia), Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), European Ox-eye Daisies (Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum). Many successful wind-breaks have been planted during the last twenty-five years, and the hardy varieties of trees used seem to do very well. Caragana, Russian Poplar, Manitoba Maple, (Acer negundo) are foreign trees that stand our climate well, but it is a curious fact that they never spread beyond the confines of the area in which they are planted. I have never seen caragana or Manitoba maple spring up along a fence or beside a rock pile as our native willow or western poplar does. Several old- timers have remarked that there are now many natural groves of willow (Salix sp.) and western poplar (Populus tremuloides) where none existed fifty years ago. They believe that the prairie - was absolutely treeless in the early days because of the devastation of prairie fires. In 1896 Thomas Thompson brought some red currant bushes to his farm on Gladys Ridge. This small but delicious fruit has since sp~ead, and is now found wild along Bow River twenty miles northeast of High River. At Okotoks are a number of Hawthorn bushes (Crataegus sp.) which are growing wild and which are slowly spreading. This is another immigrant shrub which may adapt itself to our variable climate. These notes from the casual remarks of old- timers throw an interesting light on the effects of advancing settlement upon nature. N.B.—The writer wishes to thank Dr. L. S. Russell and P. A. Taverner for their assistance in preparing this paper. February, 1937] THE CANADIAN Fieyp-NATURALIST 17 NOTES ON THE CARE AND HABITS OF SOME INTERESTING URODELES By Wm. H. BENNETT Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. HE PURPOSE of the present study was to obtain more fundamental in- formation on the habits of some of our more interesting Canadian Urodeles. In so doing, much was learned about their mating habits, but observations of this nature simply verified the statements made by others in the field, and will not be discussed here. Since many naturalists have experienced dif- ficulty in the care of these amphibians, it might be well to mention the conditions under which the various species were kept, and how they were fed. Five sexually nature specimens of the Mud- puppy, (Necturus maculosus), were obtained from different parts of Ontario. One of the individuals was very ferocious, even during the supposed mating season, and it was found ne- cessary to separate it from all of the others. This individual was kept in an ordinary gold- fish globe (12” diam. at the widest part), contain- ing about 4 inches of water. Sand was placed over the bottom of the globe, and water plants were anchored at the centre. The aquarium was small, but the mudpuppy in question lived and thrived there for over two years, when it was moved to a larger space. The four remain- ing individuals were kept in a very large, glass aquarium (1%’ x 3' and 1’ high), which was partly filled with water to a depth of 9 inches. Environmental conditions were made as natural as possible; a one-inch layer of sand was scat- tered over the bottom, and several large flat rocks (Dundas shale) were arranged at one end, that the mudpuppies might hide during the day. The aquarium was then balanced by the addition of various water plants. It having been found that this species was most contented in a semi-dark, cool place, the aquaria were set near a glazed window in the cellar. They were so arranged that a garden hose, attached to the laundry tap, could be used to siphon out the dirty water, etc., and to refill the aquaria when necessary. The sudden changes in tap-water temperature did not seem to disturb the mudpuppies; they appea-ed to thrive best in water cooler than 60° F., and quite active in water from 40° F. to were SOc Earthworms, under 4 inches, and small white worms were preferred as food. Small pieces of beef and liver were also accepted; but when these were not eaten immediately, the water soon become polluted. It was sometimes found ne- cessary to tease an individual with the food clasped in a pair of blunt-pointed forceps. All five individuals, and others that have been kept, no matter how hungry, could never be induced to eat the eggs of whitefish or perch. On March 25, 1934, an attempt was made to find out if mudpuppies would eat other amphi- bians, while in captivity. With this thought in mind the specimens had not been fed for four days, and they had become so hungry that thev would bite at wire, or almost anything that was moved in front of them. Two adult specimens of Triturus pyrogaster (Japanese newt) were then admitted to the aquarium. They also were hungry. When the mudpuppies moved, the newts were attracted by the spots on their sides, and frequently bit at them. This seemed to cause no discomfort, and the newts were passed unnoticed. Finally one was discovered and a mudpuppy commenced to move ever so slowly toward it; but surprising as it may seem, the newt, as Necturus approached, turned about to face it. They challenged one another in a peculiar salamander way (nose to nose). The mudpuppy blew water at the newt several times, but the newt held its ground. At last, after smelling (?) or eyeing (?) one another for a few moments, each went its own way. This was repeated with the different individuals, and the newts remained unharmed. They were kept in the aquarium for three days and nights, when they were removed. Ambystoma larvae, under 2 inches, and larvae of Necturus, when very small, were quickly eaten. These larvae were fish-like in appearance. During the month of February, 1934, each of the four specimens was placed in a separate rectangular aquarium. Each aquarium was small (1’ x Il’ x 1’), but the same depth of water as in the large aquarium was maintained. In the small aquaria, the individuals would never eat pieces of meat (beef or liver) that were placed on the bottom, but they would eat meat when moved in front of them with forceps. However, in the large aquarium, meat placed on the bot- tom was always eaten during the night. Further- more, when in the small aquaria, where perhaps the water was not properly aerated, the indivi- 18 THE CANADIAN FiErD-NATURALIST duals frequently resorted to lung breathing (by rising to the surface and gulping); they were never observed to do this in the large aquarium. About this time it became evident that while lung-breathing, as in the case of the isolated male in the goldfish globe, all sexually mature mudpuppies did emit a distinct, unmistakable bark. This bark was emitted every few minutes. or perhaps only once or twice a day, depending upon the impurity of the water. Perhaps the shape of the globe helped to produce this sound, and very likely, the shallow water played an important part. When the water was 4 inches deep, Necturus was able to place its hind feet on the bottom, raise its head from the water, and take plenty of time to exchange gases; in deep water, Necturus would swim to the sur- face, take a hurried gulp, and begin to sink im- mediately, blowing bubbles of air from the mouth while so doing. In deep water Necturus never barked, but made a peculiar bubbling sound. One evening, the mudpuppy in the goldfish globe was observed partly out of water, ap- parently breathing atmospheric air. The water in the aquarium had not been changed for sever- al days and it was not properly aerated. For some time the mudpuppy had resorted to lung- breathing, but this evening, the individual had projected part of its head from the water, and seemed to be breathing atmospheric air; it did not gulp, but remained quietly in this position for over an hour. When tobacco smoke was lightly blown into the aquarium, one half minute elapsed before the creature gulped and went under water. It had then continued gulping every few minues as before, until the water was changed, A further observation on lung-breathing was made when a common turtle (Chrysemys marg- inata), placed in the large aquarium, had remov- ed both gills from one of the specimens. The latte- was immediately transferred to an aquar- ium in which the water was kept very fresh. Owing to the shallowness of the container, the mudpuppy had found no difficulty in escaping, which it accomplished during the night. The next day, after much searching, it was found beneath a paper, some 40 feet distant, and still very much alive. How long it had been out of water, or how far it had wandered, was not known. Amongst the mudpuppy’s many peculiarities, perhaps the most mystifying was that observed one evening when a specimen was found in a state of dormancy. The forelegs were raised, elbows high, the toes pointing forward, parallel to the black bands masking the eyes. To all Vout. LI appearances it seemed dead, except, as mention- ed above, for the peculiar position of the fore- legs. Normally the individual was very nervous, and could not be touched, but on this occasion it was gently pushed about with a pencil. Final- ly it was turned upside down, and indeed, the creature was thought to be dead, when suddenly it sprang to life and splashed about the aquarium, apparently quite alarmed at being disturbed. This state of dormancy, has since been frequently ob- served by the writer. It has been noticed with different specimens under various conditions. When mudpupies were kept in the aquarium for several months, they became tame and often sluggish. At such times, short periods of dorm- ancy were common, and the creatures often re- fused to eat. If however, the animals were prodded with a stick, and once more made timid, they seemed to recuperate, and became normal again. The remainder of the study was largely devot- ed to two western species, which, although com- mon, have received very little attention in this country. Two specimens of the Rocky Mountain Newt (Triturus torosus) from British Columbia and 23 specimens of the Tiger Salamander (Amby- stoma tigrinum) from Manitoba were kept to- gether during the winter in a large wooden box (10’ x 2’ and 2” high) with a removeable screen- ed cover. The box had been partly filled to a depth of 6 inches with loam, except at one end where a round tub of water was admitted, presenting the appearance of a miniature pond. Some humus, dead leaves, and decaying logs were scattered over the soil, while lichens and sphagnum moss were arranged about the pool. The whole was placed in a cool, semi-dark room in the cellar. Both species were admitted to the box on September 24, 1933, the newts remaining in the water; and the salamanders on land. On the following day both newts had left the water, and remained terrestrial until spring. : The soil in the box was watered frequently, so that conditions were kept fairly moist. For a time both species were fed every even- ing with the aid of a spotlight. Smal! pieces of raw beef were quickly removed from the ends of blunt-pointed forceps. It was not long be- fore the salamanders had adapted themselves to the conditions of captivity; they had learned to associate the electric light with food, and would come waddling as fast as they could from all corners as soon as the light was turned on. As cold weather approached, both species became February, 1937) less voracious, and at times, when the room was cold, weekly feedings were adequate. In the month of February, 1934, the specimens that had not hihernated were fed every Satur- day. Often throughout the week, when the lid was removed from the box, some of them, at- tracted by the light, would come from hiding to obtain food. They were very hungry on Fridays, even on Thursdays. On Friday, Februa- ry 9th, a rather remarkable change in the feed- ing habit was noticed. The temperature out- doors at the time was extremely low, and con- sequently the room in the basement was much cooler than usual (47° F. in the box). When the spotlight was turned on, and the salamander box opened, no salamanders came out for food. For experiment a small lamp was placed above the box, and the light was left burning. It was not until five hours later (11 pm.) that any salamanders had emerged, and at that time only one half-grown, and two adult Tiger Salaman- ders had appeared. But the most interesting thing was that all three salamanders removed the food from the forceps by thowing out their tongues. Heretofore, since September, they had always removed food by snapping and catching it between the jaws. Later a specimen of T. torosus appeared, but it devoured the beef by snapping. The individuals of this species, how- ever, had been observed, during the past month, to catch small flies by throwing out the tongue; T. torosus never used its tongue to capture pieces of beef. By February 22, all the salamanders had ceased throwing out their tongues to obtain food. While feeding them in late February, it was noticed that the male B.C. newt clasped the female (on land) and went through the sexual motion characteristic of the species. It was thought, however, that the male was fighting the female (as salamanders, particularly Tritons, attack or challenge one another at feeding time). When an attempt was made to feed the female newt, an adult Tiger Salamander, attracted by the movement, crawled along the log, and tried to seize the raw beef. Immediately the male B.C. newt left the back of the female and, attacking the Tiger Salamander, took several very quick bites at one of his rival’s big project- ing eyes. This seemed to cause much distress, and the big fellow was quickly driven away. In order to continue this most entertaining combat the newt was enticed to approach the head of another Tiger Salamander. Immediately the male newt mounted the big salamander and, clasp- ing the neck with the hind feet, seemed to go THE CANADIAN Firip-NATURALIST 19 through the same writhing and twisting motions as before. At the same time the newt continual- ly pressed its nose against the head of the Tiger Salamander and rode “horseback” all over the logs. trangely enough the newt, by downward pressure of the head, would not permit the other to take food until he himself had had been fed. whereupon his opponent was released and all hostility ceased. During the study it was often noticed that when two different species met, they would face one another and touch noses. Each seemed to eye the other fcr a few moments, and then wander away. This habit was noted with speci- mens of A. tigrinum, T. torosus. and Diemycty- lus viridescens (the Crimson-spotted Newt), and others. A specimen of A. tigrinum would seize anything moving, even a finger, but if a smaller salamander, one the same size as a finger, ap- proached and nosed it (or eyed it), the Tiger Salamander would not bite. At the beginning of the study, the legs of the different individuals had been banded so that a record might be kept of their activities during the winter. Four of the individuals went into a semi-dormant state late in December and re- mained so, without food, until the week of March 5th to the 12th. When one of these salamanders Was examined, by gently lifting one of the logs, it seemed to be in a kind of stupor. The indivi- dual would not move when prodded, but when placed on its back, made feeble attempts to turn over. When warmed by the hands, it gradually recovered and after a few hours in a warm room was quite normal. When placed in the box again it did not reappear until March, as stated above. The average weight of the four individuals before hibernation was 47 grams. The average weight of the same four after hibernation was a little over 42 grams. The loss in weight was approximately the same in each individual. The remaining 19 specimens became dormant whenever the temperature of the room dropped Sometimes they would not appear for a whole week. Some individuals became dormant at higher temperatures than others; but during the winter, whenever the temperature in the box dropped to 42° F. and lower, no sala- mander or newt could be made to appear even at feeding time. very low. As mild weather approached and the various individuals became more active, it was found - that the Tiger Salamanders greatly disliked hav- ing water sprinkled on their backs. Upon such occasions they would run and bump head-on 20 THE CANADIAN FYIErLD-NATURALIST into objects, and eventually dash into the pond where they would remain for perhaps five minutes. They seemed too confused to hide beneath the logs. Distilled, luke-warm water had the same effect as tap-water. Had _ they been placed in the pool before sprinkling, they would have climbed out immediately. Since adult Tiger Salamanders and B.C. Newts are supposed to migrate to the breeding ponds during an early spring rainfall, it was thought that this observation might serve as a reasonable explanation. However. the B.C. Newts (thick skinned) were not disturbed by drops of water; they seemed to enjoy a sprinkling. At last, in early March with the advent of Spring, migration to the pond commenced, and as the different individuals entered the water, they were transferred to larger aquaria for the purpose of studying their breeding habits. EXPERIENCES WITH TRAPPED BIRDS By R. V. WHELAN Smoky Falls, Kapuskasing, Ontario FOUR-COMPARTMENT Potter trap is so located that it is under observa- tion from our dining table and conse- quently we gather a great deal of inter- 3| ( fe 4 e 5 ROAD esting notes concerning the birds which feed around the traps. On May 11th, 1934, at about 7 p.m.. we were watching two male Purple Finches (Carpodacus purpureus) which had just been trapped when a pair of American Sparrow Hawks (Falco spar- verius) flew to the branch of a Poplar close to the trap. The female soon after flew towards the trap with feet in position to grasp one of the trapped finches; being unable to get the birds from the top she endeavoured to get them from the sides; unsuccessful in this attempt also she flew about ten feet from the trap, alighting on a heap of sods. After landing she immediately whirled and flew toward the top of the trap again, feet prepared to grasp one of the birds. Five times she _ repeated this latter manoeuvre and having spent fifteen minutes in these fruitless efforts to take the trapped birds she_ finally flew up to join her mate on the branch of the tree. Just as she alighted beside him he attacked her and the pair fluttered down the tree trunk fighting like a pair of game-cocks. Landing on the ground they fought for a few seconds and then rapidly flew away in different directions. About th-ee minutes later the female returned to the tree and sat on a branch preening her feathers. I decided that the trapped birds had had sufficient excitement for one evening so I went out and banded them. The hawk flew away at my ap- proach, The first time the hawks arrived in the tree the trapped birds tried to get away, but the second time they both remained quiet, flat on the ground. I banded six Sparrow Hawks and they were all taken in compartments of that trap next to those occupied by small birds such as Lapland Longspur, Redpoll, Purple Finch, Slate-coloured Junco and White-throated Sparrow. On April 25th, 1934. after banding a Sparrow Hawk, I opened my hand to release the bird but it refused to fly away. Kneeling on the lawn, and with my hand close to the ground I tossed it a foot or two into the air, but it dropped to the ground and remained still. I turned it over as it lay on the grass but it made no movement: finally I turned my back and walked away and. the bird flew rapidly off. On May 25th, 1934, a male Sparrow Hawk endeavoured to take two Chipping Sparrows from single compartment Potter traps, flying alternately from one to the other. The attempt lasted for half-an-hour, the hawk resting now and then on the top of the traps, looking down - at the trapped birds, then projecting itself a few feet above the trap and coming down with feet in position to grasp the birds. Although there were Purple Finches in the four-compartment trap two feet away the hawk made no attempt to get them. I found the hawks very docile and delightful birds to handle while banding; most of them emitted their peculiar screech while being remov- ed to the collecting cage. I did not trap any Sparrow Hawks after May 26th, 1934, and although they remained in the vicinity they made no effort to take trapped birds after that date. I explained to my children, who witnessed the attempts of the Sparrow Hawks to take the trapped birds and whose sympathy was entirely with the latter, that I thought necessity and not choice was responsible for their action. (Vou. LI February, 1937] Although I counted fourteen banded Bronzed Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) on the roof of my house last Spring, all I believe, banded by me in 1933, I only succeeded in getting one return record. It was most aggravating to see half- a-dozen banded grackles taking bread within a foot or two of my traps but refusing to enter them. My records for 1933 show that almost all the grackles I banded in that year repeated from one to six times, yet last Spring they kept away from the traps as though the traps had plague. 1 tried a variety of paints on the traps, | moved them to a dozen different locations in the course of the summer. I placed the traps on my lawn where I knew the cutworms were plentiful (1934 was a banner year for cutworms). I placed THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 21 pieces of bread in a line in front of the traps, gradually working the line of bread from crumbs to large morsels, but much as they evinced a desire to have those large morsels they would not venture closer than six inches, then they only took those pieces of bread by bracing their bodies for flight and stretching their necks to the limit. I consoled myself with the thought that I would have better luck when the adults and juveniles started foraging, but here also I was doomed to be disappointed because I only manag- ed to band two juveniles out of the dozens that fed around the traps. It looked very much as though the adults prevented their young from entering the traps. CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUSES, 1936 WOLFVILLE, Nova Scotta, DECEMBER 25, 1936. — Temperature 30°. Ground bare but frozen hard. Time spent in the field, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In company with Ronald W. Smith of Wolf- ville a trip was taken on foot over a sparsely wooded country to the Gaspereau River, which stream was followed for the distance of about one mile, then followed open fields and wood- lands to the Cornwallis River and home across the marshlands adjacent to the Cornwallis. The following birds were observed: Black Duck, 3; American Golden-eye, 11; American Common Merganser, 2; Eastern Goshawk, 1; Nova Scotia Ruffed Grouse, 11; Herring Gull, 12; Northern Flicker, 1; Northern Horned Lark, approx. 200; Blue Jay, 4; Northern American Raven, 1; Eastern Crow, approx. 1,000; Black-capped Chickadee, 50; Acadian Chickadee, 25; White- breasted Nuthatch, 2; Brown Creeper, 2; East- ern Golden-crowned Kinglet, 15; Eastern Purple Finch, 7; Eastern Goldfinch, 9; Slate-coloured Junco, 35; Eastern Tree Sparrow, 5; Eastern Song Sparrow, 3; Common Snow Bunting, 30. Total, 23 species, approximately 1,430 individ- uals. — R. W. Turrs. MONTREAL, QuEBEC, DECEMBER 20, 1936. — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mild with strong south winds, storms of sleet and rain, partly fine and clear in the afternoon; temperature 34° at 8 a.m, maximum 39°; 8 inches of old snow in the woods, but fields almost bare. Four parties of observers worked separately in the morning, as follows: (i) Mount Royal (east side) and Outremont, (ii) Mount Royal (west side) and Westmount, (tii) Cote St. Luke Woods, Montreal West, and (iv) St. Lam- bert. At noon the first three parties joined forces and drove to Caughnawaga, observing along the river shore to Laprairie (7 miles). American Golden-eye, 10; American Common Merganser, 1; Red-breasted Merganser (?), 1; Great Black-backed Gull, 3; Herring Gull, 101; Great Horned Owl, 4; Barred Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 13; Amer- ican Crow, c. 200; Black-capped Chickadee, 120; White-b-easted Nuthatch, 19; Brown Creeper, 10; American Robin, 1; Cedar Waxwing, 2: Northern Shrike, 1; Common Starling, >. 310; Enelish Sparrow (not counted) ; Common Pur- ple Finch, 3; Pine Grosbeak, 5. Total, 20 species, c. 806 individuals (not counting English Sparrows). A Brown Thrasher was first seen in West- mount on December 9, and frequently thereafter. Although it was not to be found on the day of the census, it was seen again the following day (Dec. 21). The Snowy Owl, Arctic ‘hree- toed Woodpecker, and Snow Bunting have been seen in the past week. The most interesting observation in the census was the large flock of Crows, estimated at 200 birds, seen at Laprairie. We were also interest- ed to find out the exact number of Great Horned Owls on Mount Royal. It may be added that Great Black-backed Gulls are now regularly seen at Lachine Rapids in the fall . and early winter, though it is only a few years since they were known only as rare accidental visitors. 22 Observers: Miss E. FE. Asporr, A. E ALLIN, J. D. Crecuorn, H. A. C. Jackson, A. C. Nico, L. M. Territt, F. R. Trerroux, Mrs. TErRoux, V. C. WYNNE-Epwarps. V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, for The Province of Quebec Society for the Protection of Birds. OTrawa, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 26, 1936. — The Christmas Bird Census of 1936 was taken in the vicinity of Ottawa by twenty observers, organized in nine separate parties. The sky was heavily overcast all day; hail fell most of the time from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.; the wind was easterly and of moderate strength; the ground was covered with about five inches of snow and ice. The temperature at the Dominion Observa- tory was 14° at 8.30 a.m. and at 1.00 p.m. Species observed that are sufficiently unusual in the Ottawa census to be of special interest are the Great Horned Owl, Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Even- ing Grosbeak. : A diminution in recent years in the number of American Crows wintering about Ottawa is reflected in the census. The parties participating in the taking of the 1936 census and the routes followed, in East, South, West, North order were: (1) Hoyes Lloyd, Peggy Whitehurst, 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., village of Rockcliffe Park and property of Federal District Commission in that vicinity, 10 miles by auto, 7 miles on foot; (2) R. M. THE CANADIAN FiIELD-NATURALIST ‘ (VoL. LI Anderson, 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., 58 Driveway to Ottawa East, north bank of Rideau River, and return by Riverdale Avenue, 6 miles on foot; (3) C. E. Johnson, Gifford Johnson, Stan- ley Sternberg, G. W. Dennis, and Donald Blois, 9.45 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., Bronson Avenue refuse- dump, thence via White’s Bridge and C.P.R. to Metcalfe Road, returning by C.P.R. tracks, 10 miles on foot; (4) R. E. DeLury and H. Groh, 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., Experimental Farm, Rideau Canal and River to Hog’s Back and vicinity, returning same route, 7 miles by auto, 2 miles on foot; (5) B. A. Fauvel, 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., Holland Avenue to Britannia, 5 miles on foot; (6) Harrison F. Lewis, C. R. Lewis, and Barnard McL. Lewis, 8.35 a.m. to 4.35 p.m., Deschenes, Aylmer, Queen’s Park, and 1 mile beyond, returning to Aylmer, 14 miles on foot; (7) G. H. Hammond and T. S. Hen- nessey, 8.30 a.m. to 4.20 p.m.. back roads be- tween Tetreauville and Breckenridge, south of Laurentians, 65 miles by auto, 10 miles on foot; (8) Arthur D. Nelles, 10.00 a.m. to 4.15 p.m., Old Chelsea to Wrightville by ski trails, 12 miles on skis, also McLeod Street, Ottawa, in early morning; (9) W. H. Lamnceley, Ro F: Clarke, and Rev. F. E. Banim, 10.20 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Fairy Lake, Farmer’s Rapids and vicinity, to Gatineau Point, 15 miles on foot, also Lindenlea, Ottawa, in early morning. — Harrison F. Lewis, Chairman of Bird Census Committee. CHRISTMAS Birp CENSUS, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 26, 1936. Species of Birds Route Nos. as in Text American Golden-eye American Common Merganser Ducks (not further identified) Rather Ous@s) vasa ac ee Oat ate agra Eastern Screech Owl Great Horned Owl Plainye NWO dpecken: 6 vir jo lcs eeu eae le ee ee Downy Woodpecker Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker Bre: ty any ae Seite eterna ur. aE nik Mina oe ta ae tea American Crow Block-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch BROW CHEE Per hiatal a eos od elaanan a moan ana Golden-crowned Kinglet Shrike (sp. ?) Common Starling English Sparrow Evening Grosheak Paimem Gnosbealkausrh phe Wich lc, een kent eile ae Redpolledieinnetint 01) ly. . qn eee meen American Goldfinch Stow MB Unting rye te Cay ee ere een eee @l[eell eiiet © \e/ oleic) © ellelielejie) ellelie)ie)ie) «ie Total Individuals Total Species [022 23.5 6 eS Total y = Fy 20° 1 10a 42 Mews, i 9 9 meat i" * 5 - a 1 1 E 1 1 , 2 Toran at 1 4 2 Guelicuial 1 10 1 ae fe see 1 Le e eas Bl 1 A Gai 130; ae eel 38 ) 13.7 14.5 5-27) 10 onuet 85 2 Ee (ue 2 2 17 1 Be AY “ 4 1 1 3° 50.200: 15227 ves Slee 286 200 150 85 100 10 25 2 50 622 Cierny emer ag 9 4 vy) 4 26 26 Al ne OO eee 60 a S50" ie ee 151 29 252 380 121 314 57 126 38 63 1380 OE eo ORT Caen Ole OnEES ea a ee a el Pea pr ide — February, 1937| PAKENHAM, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 26, 1936. — 8.15 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Dull sky, light east wind, turning to sleet at 10 a.m. Clearing in the after- noon. Visibility good but hearing bad. Dis- agreeable travelling through 5 inches soft snow with a light crust underneath. Temperature 12° at start, 16° at finish. QCbservers jseparate, travelling 15 miles on foot. Canada Ruffed Grouse, 6; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; Amer- ican Crow, 21; Black-capped Chickadee, 29; White-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Red-breasted Nut- hatch, 1; Common Starling, 25; English Spar- row, 16; Evening Grosbeak, 6; Snow Bunting, 30. Total, 12 species, 146 individuals. — E. G. Ross, V. M. Ross, A. F. Ross. ARNPRIOR, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 25, 1936. — 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., cloudy, 5 inches snow on ground, light north wind until 12.30 p.m. then east wind with snow; temp. 15° at start, 11° at return. Eighteen miles on foot. Observers separate. Canada Ruffed Grouse, 7; Northern Pileated Woodpecker, 3; Eastern Hairy Woodpecker, 6; Northern Downy Woodpecker, 5; Blue Jay, 9: Eastern Crow, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 42: White-breasted Nuthatch, 12; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 5; Eastern Brown Creeper, 3; Com- mon Starling, 1 plus; House Sparrow, 1 plus; Eastern Evening Grosbeak, 4; Common Snow Bunting, 1 plus (heard). Total, 14 species, 102 plus individuals. Subspecies determined geo- graphically. No attempt made to count Star- lings or House Sparrows. Seen recently, flock of 1500 to 2000 Snow Buntings. — Licuort GORMLEY and CHARLES MACNAMARA. HALIBURTON, ONTARIO, DECEMBER 23, 1936. — Ge gigim, tio) We lkeejwen, weal) IL soyion, qo) YAS) toon, Overcast, slight snowfall, 16 inches of snow, wind southerly, moderate, temp. 30° (a rise of some 60° in a little more than 24 hours) ; about 15 miles afoot, chiefly by road and logging trail. Great Horned Owl, 1 (heard at 8 p.m.) ; Pileat- ed Woodpecker, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Arc- tic Three-toed Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 35 (est.) ; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1; Even- ing Grosbeak, 2+ ; Pine Grosbeak, 3+ ; Common Redpoll, 18; Pine Siskin, 6+; Snow Bunting, 3.00| 3.25| 3.75] 4.00] 4.25 BY AU RGN 0 ER ONT 3.50| 3.75| 4.00; 4.25] 4.50 EROS eccrine os 3.50| 3.75| 4.00] 4.25| 4.50 Bie As he cane Saar 4.50] 4.75] 5.00] 5 25| 5.50 Gage ee eae 4.50| 4.75] 5.00] 6.25] 5.50 TA i beeen a 2 6.00} 6.25] 6.50! 6.75] 7.00 Rivne me mn. 6.00! 6.25] 6.50, 6.75} 7.00 nl tae aS aie ‘| 7.50} 8.00| 8.75! 10.25] 11.75 EM er RSE ee hana EN 7.50| & 00! 8.75| 10.25] 11.75 Covers extra. 3.00 poe 3.00} 4.00} 56.00 If rémoval of matter on the pages non-pertinent to the article or changes of make-up are desired, or if insets or other extra work are necessary, special rates will be furnished on application to the Editor Applications for separates should be made to the Editor. and bequeath to The Ottawa Field- of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada the sum a) BOG as aaa —j00 Dollars CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX By E. M. KINDLE Special profusely illustrated number of The ‘*Naturalist’’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every Canadian should know ‘this prize essay. PRICE FIFTY CENTS : WILMOT LLOYD a 582 Mariposa Avenue _ Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa WILMOT LLOYD, Treasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. Enclosed please find $2.00 as membership in The O.F.-N.C. and Subscription to the Canadian Field-Naturalist for the year 1937. ; Name eS ioe esc Seem SAAMI mney Note NL Address . (0000-2 oe eee eee City, Prov. or State Reuter RE 7 SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS$SSH THIS SPACE FOR SALE x i % yi % 4 Ye 4 ¢ Ls Ls Yh % Ny, y Xs | yi y, Y 4 y % % yi % % % yi 4 XY Y%, yi 4 %, % Y%, %, %, Xs %, yi , yi f Y, * SESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSGoOSoGSGoOO GOGO Vos SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHSSHSssg Kindly mention The Canadian Field-Naturalist to advertisers | 35,343 . VOL. LI, No. 3 _ MARCH, 1937 . oa LA . . kK \ Ws eS FY a Seaneer map ISSUED MARCH 6, 1937 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter _ THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB Patrons: THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR \ > 4 fA ee President: HERBERT GROH Ist Vice! President: P. A. TAVERNER 2nd Vice-President: R. H. DELURY > a Secretary: PEGGY WHITEHURST, Treasurer; WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave., _ 110 Prospect Avenue, Westboro. Rockcliffe Park. — Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCOCK, R. M. ANDERSON, Rey. F, E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS, a M. E. Cowan, H. G. CrRAwForp, F.J. FRASER, A. HALKETT, C. E. JOHNSON, E.M. KINDLE, W. H. LANceLEy, A. LARocque, DouGLAS LEECHMAN, GRACE §. LEWIS, HARRISON F. LEWIS, Hoyes Lioyp, C. W. LounsBury, MArkK G. McELHINNEY, A. E. Porsitp, L. S. RUSSELL, C. M. STERNBERG, MALcoLmM M. THomson, E.F.G. Wuite, R. T. D. WICKENDEN, M. E. ~ WILSON. and the following Presidents of Affiliated Societies: A. G. LAWRENCE, CHARLES MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH, ARNOTT M. PATTERSON. Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F. LEWIS. Editor: DOUGLAS LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Associate Editors: D. JENNESS....... at i ha) ies Anthropology CLYDE: LL PATCH 2 eee Herpetology JCA DAMS ish tk Be es A em Sn -... Botany RM ANDERSON) oc 2 eee Mammalogy — F. R. LATCHFORD ....... aaa ei _.Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biology — ARTHUR GIBSON.............. _Entomology P.. A. RAVERNER «2 sea 4cie ee oe Ornithology Bes J eOAILCOCK: eae rak ne comedy: _... Geology EB. M.KINDLE..... eens ant Palzontology CONTENTS } : PAGE Winter Carrying Capacity of Marginal Ruffed Grouse Environment in North-Central United States; By Paul 1 Mrrinetongeeis ie ane ees is ee ee CT SUE seal t ae aes aa 31- Some 1933 Bird Notes from London, Ontario. By E. M.S. Dale....... biacsitk te eee ae 384 The Pine Mouse in Elgin County, Ontario, with Notes on Two Other Species. By Paul F. Elson 36 Some Measurements and Observations from Bronzed Grackles. By L. L. Snyder......... 37 Extension of Range of Tamias striatus griseus Mearns. By H. U. Green...............-..- 39 Hifty. Years, Aiter:-. By: G! i> Batrbaim 2:38) oo a re ee 40 The Yellow Railin Southern Manitoba. By R. Fryer.............¢.00-0ccccescuresece 41 Feeding Habits of Bald-Headed Eagle. By Theed Pearse................2ccecceeceecees 42 Notes and Observations:— Golden Eagle and Richardson’s Owlin Brant County, Ontario. By W. E. Saunders. . 44 A Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the Ottawa District. By Arthur D. Nelles.............. 45 A Hybrid Flicker at Ottawa. By A. D. Nelles...... spac ete Sand Opal Sate a a 45 Albino ‘Black Duck. - By George: Scott: Smith @):00000 0.20) See ee 45 Hoary Redpolls at Kamouraska, Quebec. By Willie LaBrie ...................... 45 The White Pelican in the Province of Quebec. By Chas. Casgrain................. 45 Occurrence of the Wood Thrush in the Laurentian Region just North of Montreal. By J.D. Cleghorn and). Re Terroux: 2.5. fk Ae ae ee 46 iz The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued i# # since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, i ; two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have #% it? been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is i i# Issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication i# of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. it Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each * _The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader who is truly interested in the wild life of our country to help this magazine to its rightful place among the leading Natural History publications in America. Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should he forwarded to _ WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Roekeliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LI OTTAWA, CANADA, MARCH, 1937 No. 3 WINTER CARRYING CAPACITY OF MARGINAL RUFFED GROUSE ENVIRONMENT IN NORTH-CENTRAL UNITED STATES* By PAUL L. ERRINGTON OPULATION studies centering upon the Bob-white Quail (Colinus virginia- eae nus virgimanus (Linn.)) have now mi been carried on for a period of seven years (1929-36) in north-central states, principal- ly in Iowa and Wisconsin (Errington and Hamer- strom, 1936). Incidental to the field research on bob-whites, notes have been taken relative to the numerical status and winter mortality of the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbcllus umocllus (Linn.)) cohabitants of several of the areas under observation. The ruffed grouse populations with which we commonly had to deal were so sparse and unevenly distributed that we felt that direct enumeration had greater promise of effective- ness than a sampling technique. Populations, then, were usually calculated on the basis of birds to be flushed in or near regularly occupied coverts — a method for claim no advantages except when grouse are present in very low densities. Densities were often as low which we as two to five birds per square mile, with occupied coverts widely separated and _ not infrequently isolated, as by open fields. On the whole, if the birds could once be located, they could be found without difficulty thereafter; and locating them in the first place was facilitated by the finding of tracks, drop- pings, feathers, dust baths, and similar excessive SSiptisa. The most important of our observational areas, both from the standpoint of the bobh-white and of the grouse, was located east of Prai ie du Sac, Wisconsin, where the author received very material help from local residents, particularly A. J. Gastrow. This consisted of five square miles of nonglaciated agricultural land with partially wooded hills and valleys in cultivation or in pasture. The general habitability area *Journal Paper No. J-266 of the Iowa Agricul- tural Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project 329. of the wooded tracts for grouse seemed to vary with the extent to which wood cutting and pasturing had modified the flora. Grouse environment was restricted to wooded hills comprising roughly one-sixth of the area and was broken up into five chief woodlots ranging in estimated size from 20 to 300 acres. (For a map illustrating the distribution of cover types on the area, the reader may be referred to Errington and Hamerstrom, 1936, pp. 394—395). During the first winter of the studies (1929- 30), only three of the five square miles were kept under observation. There were about an even dozen grouse resident in early winter on the three square miles, from which pro-rata calculations would place the population for the five square miles in the vicinity of 20 birds o- per 160 acres. This population seemed fairly secure, as there was scant evidence of mortality except for one bird killed by nesting Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus virginia- one nus (Gmelin)). Later in the spring ruffed grouse remains were found in the nest of a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo borealis borealis (Gmelin) ). Remains of grouse, including those of one of the kills found in 2 of 53 horned owl pellets collected mentioned above, were in winter and early spring. Numerical estimates of the wintering grouse population could not be located among the 1930-31 notes, although these old notes strongly imply that the population did not differ greatly from that of the preceding season. Analyses of 150 horned owl pellets showed no _ grouse remains, and no other evidence of winter mortality was recorded. For 1931-32, the early winter grouse popula- tion was calculated at 25, and the mortality rate seemed to conspicuously. One bird was known to have been shot by a _ poacher, but most of the losses were traceable to Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Schreber) ) rise 32 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST and to horned owls, in about equal proportions, despite the listing of ruffed grouse remains in but two of 232 horned owl pellets. The total winter toll from predation seemed to amount to between 6 and 8 birds. A pronounced increase in grouse was observed by the season of 1932-33, and the early winter population figure arrived at was 33. This increase was attended by a terrific acceleration of predation. Grouse kills were encountered throughout the woodlots during the winter, the mortality being largely attributable to gray foxes and to horned owls. Of 99 horned owl pellets, 3 contained ruffed grouse remains. It is probable that nearly half of the population was killed by enemies in the course of the winter. The initial 1933-34 winter population amounted to about 18, or about what one would judge ) [Vou. LI to be the approximate carrying capacity of the land. None of the 21 horned owl pellets collected showed grouse contents, nor was other evidence detected of winter predation upon the species. For 1934-35, we had a surviving population calculated at 17. Remains of 2 kills found during late winter—both by horned owls— would indicate an earlier population of at least 19. There were no grouse remains in 42 horned owl pellets. A wintering population established at 15 grouse suffered no recorded losses during 1935- 36. No horned owl pellets were collected. The ruffed grouse survival data from the seven seasons’ observations at Prairie du Sac may be summarized in Table I. TABLE I Ruffed Grouse Survival Data from Five Square Miles Near Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. gray foxes and horned December March Season Population Population Medium of Reduction 1929-30 20? 18? predation of horned owls 1930-31 20? 20? no loss detected 1931-32 25 16-18 poaching; predation by owls 1932-33 33 17? predation by gray foxes and horned owls 1933-34 18 18 no loss detected 1934-35 19? 17 predation by horned owls 1935-36 15 tS no loss detected It may be seen, by checking over the ap- proximate survival figures in the March popula- tion column of the table, that the area seems to exhibit a rather definite season to season carrying capacity for ruffed grouse. Definite- ness of carrying capacity seems to be a charac- teristic of bob-white environmeut under stable agricultural conditions in north-central states (Errington, 1934; Errington and Hamerstrom, 1936), but our grouse data are too inadequate, both as to quantity and as to quality, to iustify many conclusive statements. The concept of some definiteness of carry- ing capacity of ruffed grouse environment 1s supported by observations made by W. J. Breckenridge, University of Minnesota, on a square mile of partially farmed land near Anoka, He has been carrying on ecological! (1931-35) Minnesota. studies on this tract for four years and is of the opinion that the ruffed grouse population surviving each winter has remained constant at from 8 to 10 birds, or at one bird per 64 to 80 acres. This section has been repeatedly burned and cut over, so the vegeta- tion is predominantly of brushy and herbaceous types, with scattering growths of oak woods. I weuld call it distinctly marginal for ruffed grouse but superior to the Prairie du Sac area. Horned owl pellets were examined on a considerable scale only for the season of 1932- 33; of a total of 269, ruffed grouse remains were found in two. F om what season to season data on ruffed grouse populations we have been able to obtain in north-central states and also from the recent findings of Clarke (1936, pp. 47-48) in Ontario, it appears that marginal environment may hold the species at low but comparatively uniform March, 1937] levels and may not permit the strong ascenden- cies associated with the upgrade of the grouse cycle in regular range. Whenever the population exceeded the apparent winter carrying capacity of the land, the surplus had a way of being reduced from one cause or another. Conversely, adult populations within carrying capacity exhibited a notable security of posi- tion, seemingly irrespective of the kinds and densities of predatory enemies. Of the latter, great horned owls and gray foxes were res- ponsible for most of the mortality traced down, but fluctuation in numbers of these and other possible enemies from winter to winter had no perceptible effect on the net intensity of pre- dation. As in the case of bob-white population studies (Errington, 1934; Errington and Hamer- strom, 1936), the severity of winter loss from predation appears far more a matter of how many birds the environment can safely accom- modate under existing conditions than the always variable composition of the predator factor. Fluc- tuations of “buffers” such as rabbits and mice, within observed limits, have alsu had no _ per- ceptible influence on the severity of depreda- tions suffered by either wintering bob-whites or ruffed grouse. General field experience from 1929 to 1932 in obviously marginal ruffed grouse country in southern Wisconsin gave no increasing grouse densities, though I interested in observing any increase corres- ponding to the cyclic peak which wilderness populations were at that time approaching. Populations in stronger environment did mount noticeably, nevertheless; and, in some except- ionally good environment, the grouse probably became as abundant as they would have under p-imal conditions. impression of was Carrying capacities of some samples of south- ern Wisconsin ruffed grouse environments, where enough work has been done upon which to base fair tentative estimates, are listed for what they may be worth. Tracts of land in the Vicinity of Lodi, Verona, Mazomanie, Pine Bluff, Daleyville, Roxbury, Black Earth, and Arena have supported populations varying be- tween one bird per 80 acres and one per 200; superior environment near Gross Plains, Denzer, Mazomanie and Sauk City, between one bird per 15 acres and one per 25. The wild and extensive Baraboo Hills seemed to carry a population of about one grouse per 6 acres on samples examined, though this latter figure must be regarded as little better than a well considered guess. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 33 While my observations have dealt for the most part with populations living almost entirely in environment marginal for the species, R. T. King, University of Minnesota, has been carry- ing on ruffed grouse field studies on wilderness and range 1929 5— Elis studies at Cloquet, Minnesota, and elsewhere, lead him to believe that winter populations cannot maintain themselves even on optimum range at densities exceeding one bird per four acres. His evidence indicates that it this ap- proximate level is reached, the adult popula- tion curve flattens out and is thus maititained for a time before the cyclic decline, instead ot rising to a really top-heavy peak and falling abruptly. semi-wilderness since The degree to which superior ruffed grouse environment may show definiteness of carrying capacity is problematical, at best, in the light of our present knowledge, and further uncer- tainties may be introduced by differences in geographical location. Gardiner Bump _ (letter, July 19, 1935) writes from his experience in good grouse country: “All in all, I do not feel that in New York adult grouse populations within the carrying capacity of the range exhibit any significant security of position.” We are plainly on safer ground scientifically if we confine our discussion to marginal environment. How may we explain the definiteness of carrying capacity so far observed? Do the scanty data we have point to broader biological application of the population vulnerability thesis originally advanced with reference to the north- ern bob-white (Errington, 1934) ? King’s concept of a population saturation point peculiar to the ruffed grouse, and con- siderably lowe- than the bird per acre satura- bob-white under optimum living conditions (Stoddard, 1931; Leopold, 1931), is in keeping with the evidence available. As the bob-white show a decided in- tolerance of over-crowding at levels far below its specific saturation point, so the even greater ruffed grouse to influence on tion point of the may aversion of the profound apparent crowding the adjustment of populations in an environ- ment of carrying capacity. A given may have a low —environment does not need to have a_ heavy population of birds to be over-populated; it may be wver-populated if there are few birds, provided that incapsble of accommodating even a few. What densities at only a the environment is stable exist determines the ruffed actually which upper grouse may 34 THE CANADIAN FiEeLp-NATURALIST under given environmental conditions has been the concern of investigators who have done far more intensive work on the species than I have, and so far as I am aware no one has worked out the answer. Up to date, it has been our experience as well as Clarke’s (1936, p. 48) to find the wintering grouse population of a marginal envionment distributed in essentially the coverts that have been occupied season after season. At times when the environment was evidently over-populated, grouse were noted in coverts in which they were not usually to be found, and in which they usually did not stay during the whole winter. Some other coverts were evident- ly so satisfactory that they always had birds if any were in the locality. Mixed stands of hardwoods and low-growth conifers seemed to be especially, though not exclusively, favoured. Indeed, grouse some- times wintered in coverts that did not look particularly attractive to our eyes at all, and they were absent from coverts we would judge to be of exceptional quality. In short, while the consistently sparse ruffed grouse populations (VoL. LI of the marginal portions of its range may not offer great promise from the sporting stand- point, they offer almost endless and interesting possibilities for field study. LITERATURE CITED. CLARKE, C. H. Douc Las 1936. Fluctuations in numbers of rutfed grouse, Bonasa umbellus (Linne), with special reference to Ontario. Biol, Series 41, University of Toronto. ERRINGTON, PAuL L. 1934. Vulnerability of bob-white popula- tions to predation. Ecology, 15: 110- 27 ERRINGTON, Pau, L., and Hamerstrom, F. N., Jr. 1936. The northern bob-white’s winter ter- ritory. Research Bull. 201, lowa Agr. Expt. Sta.: 301-443. LEoroLip, AtDOo 1931. Report on a game survey of the north-central states. Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Ins- titute. S’roppArD, H. L. 1931. The Bob-white Quail. Scribners. SOME 1933 BIRD NOTES FROM LONDON, ONTARIO By E. M. S. DALE AVING heard of a field near Den- field where some Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus flammeus) had been seen, we drove out on February 28th to see if we could find them. The field certaintly looked promising but although we tramped over it thoroughly we could not stir up any of the birds. On enquiring at the farm house we learned that some owls had been roosting in the spruce trees around the house of a nearby neighbour. We went over expecting to find “Long-ears” in such a location but much to our surprise and delight as we entered the front gate and approached the house the trees literally exploded owls which proved to be the “Short-ears” for which we had been looking. It was impossible to tell exactly how many there were, but ten or twelve is well within the mark They scattered, some disappearing f-om sight, while others alighted in the nearby orchard on the ground, in the trees or on the _ fence. During the succeeding summer a nest was found in the field which we had searched in vain in February which is the first definite breeding record for this species for Middlesex County. The next 1933 record of importance concerns another owl, the Barn Owl (Tyto alba bratin- cola) which was found nesting at Strathroy on April 5th. Mr. A. A. Wood, to whom credit is due for this rare find, has already given an account of it in The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 47 143, October, 1933. Ontario nesting records of the Barn Owl are few and far between. When we went out in the country on the morning of May 2nd we soon became aware of the fact that a very considerable migration had taken place during the night. Thirteen species were added to the Club list that day and although most of them were warblers and other small birds, two of the arrivals were ducks, a female Shoveller (Spatula clypeata) and a White-winged Scoter (Meclamtta deg- landi). .These are two of our rarest ducks and, in the case of the Scoter, it is only the second time that it has been noted in spring. y ee ee ee ee ee ee March, 1937] The next species, the King Rail (Rallus elegans elegans) is also one that is very seldom Seem) (Mrssand) Mis.) He McKone were: therefore, very fortunate in finding one in Komoka swamp on May 7th. It was heard calling and subsequently gave them a _ most excellent view as it came up out of a ditch, leisurely crossed the road and disappeared into the weeds and shrubs on the other side. Other observers visited the place several times during the next few days but without success. This may very well have been due to inexperience with the ways of rails, as instead of shouting and making a noise to which the bird would without doubt have responded, they kept very, very quiet so as not to “scare” it, a good practice with most birds but a failure with rails. We are just at, or perhaps a little beyond the northern limit of the range of the Orchara Oriole (Icterus spurius) and records of it are, therefore, very infrequent. Some of our Club members who have been studying birds 20 years or more have yet to see their first Middlesex specimen. Mr. W. E. Saunde:s seems to have all the luck with this species which is probably due to his excellent ear for his familiarity with their songs. Nearly all the recent records have been made by him, ihe latest having been on May 18th of the year under review when one was heard singing in his garden. The next event of importance occurred at Long Point where a party had gone on May 28th to study waders. A thick fog along shore in the early morning ruined that part of the outing but a splendid view of an _ Eastern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos polyglottos) helped to even up the score. It was first observed sitting on a sign nailed to a telegraph post alongside the road. It flew as we were watching it but remained in the same general vicinity until all the party had an opportunity to make its acquaintance. Much to our disap- pointment the bird did not sing. bird music and On July 29th, just as we had crossed Komoka bridge and were mounting the hill on the north side, we stopped the car to scan the river. At that moment two large white birds were noted flying overhead but by the time we had all piled out of the car and got our glasses focussed on the pair they were some distance away and the only view we could get was a rear one. They were of large size, slow wing beat and pure in colour except for the ends of the wings which were black. They were flying one behind THe CANADIAN Fir_p-NATURALIST 35 the other and once they sailed for a moment or two, both sailing and flying being, however, in unison. Eventually they turned sharply to the right but by that time were too far away for us to make out anything more about them. A process of elimination led us to conclude they were White Pelicans (Pelecanus eryth- rorhynchos) which conclusion was given strength by the record of one at Toronto a few days later, August 6th. The above occurrence, coupled with the presence of an American Egret (Casmerodius albus egretta) at West Lorne on June 4th, made us very much alert regarding large white birds so that we lost no time in investigating a newspaper report of 14 “white herons” at Port Stanley. We found 8 American Egrets there on August Ist, and from then until September 24th this species was present at different places in the district, along the river or at various ponds, often singly but sometimes several together. Once we had a splendid view of four near Komoka bridge in the top of a tall dead pine. One of our trips included a visit to a pond near Aylmer and there in addition to Egrets we found two immature Little Blue Herons (Florida caerulea caerulea). They also remain- ed for some ‘weeks but so far as we know this is the only report of this species for our district. During our surveys of the river in early August looking for the two species just men- tioned, we found Black-crowned Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli) unusually com- mon as was to be more or less expected. One afternoon we recorded eight or nine while walking from Kilworth to Komoka and on one within sight at birds were being much three or four were once. 30th adult and noted, the of course, commoner. The next species to be mentioned is the Greater Redpoll (Acanthis linaria rostrata) of which a specimen was taken by A. A. Wood near Strathroy on November 21st. Several were taken by Mr. Wood in March, 1926, the first record for the county. This, therefore, is the second time this species has been recorded. occasion immature immature, Among the others which do not require extended reference is the Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinus anatum) which was noted near Komoka on March 26th. In 1930, 1932 and now again in 1933 a Duck Hawk has been seen flying over at almost the identical spot although — not on exactly the same day, certainly a most interesting observation. 26 THE CANASIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Eastern Goshawk (Astur atricapillus atrica- pillus) November 6th near Strathroy. This species is only seen once in about every three or four years. Whistling Swan (Cygnus Missed during spring migration but heard flying over on the night of November 9th. On November 15th A. A. Wood, Strathroy, wrote “On November 10th I went out to the ‘Lark and Longspur fields’ at daylight. A fleck of about 500 birds containing Longspurs, Horned Larks and Snow Buntings left the columbianus). (VoL. LI field flying south until out of sight. The birds remaining in the field were Hoyt’s Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris hoyti), Northern Horned (Otocoris alpestris alpestris) and Prairie Horned (Otocoris alpestris praticola) with a number of Lapland Longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus lappo- nicus).” Needless to say many of the other members of the Bird Club would like to have been along on this excursion. The total list of birds. observed in Middlesex County for the year was 195. THE PINE MOUSE IN ELGIN COUNTY, ONTARIO WITH NOTES ON TWO OTHER SPECIES By PAUL F. ELSON Department of Zoology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario HE PINE MOUSE (Pitymys pineto- rum scalopsoides) has to this time been recorded in Canada only in the region of London, Ontario. The writer is now able to offer a record from Elgin County, fifty miles southeast of the first location. Mr. W. E. Saunders has given an account of the earlier records in “Mammals of Ontario”. 1932. He tells us that the late Robert Elliot took this animal on several occasions a few miles north of London; and Mr. Saunders col- lected a specimen at Komoka in 1923. Since the pine mouse is really a more southern fo.m one might expect to find it in the Upper Austral region along the Lake Erie shore, as it has already been recorded from the Transition zone of London. In September, 1934, the writer had the privilege of setting a line of traps at Eden (7 miles south and east of Tillsonburg) with Mr. Saunders, in the hope of taking either the pine mouse or the smoky shrew (Sorex fumeus). Neither species was taken at this time, though in 1930 Mr. Saunders recorded Sorex fumeus from near Tillsonburg. And a long-tailed shrew taken at Eden in August, 1934, by the writer subsequently proved to be Sorex fumeus also. For the past two years the writer has been taking Brewer’s mole (Parascalops brewer!) at the above mentioned location near Eden, in an endeavour to leavn something of the life history of this interesting animal, which is met with quite frequently in the sandy soil of this region. On November 24, 1935, while trapping for moles at the top of a small wooded ravine the writer noticed that the ground gave away under- foot—the usual sign of the mole. Closer ex- amination showed however, in this case a rather roughly built nest of grass and leaves. This was contained in a more or less spherical excavation about one and a half inches below the surface of the. soil, ten inches in diameter and eight inches in depth. On three sides tunnels entered from the soil. The nest was disturbeu as little as possible and a mouse trap carefully set across one of the runways. It was hoped that this might prove to be a nest of Brewer’s mole. The next morning the trap had not sprung. It was decided to take photographs of the nest. The nest was then examined more closely. The three tunnels leading away were about one and a half inches in diameter; one came to the surface of the soil, under the carpet of leaves, within ten inches. The others extended some- what farther.. The nest itself was formed on the outside of dead oak and maple leaves. The centre was somewhat more carefully constructed of fine grass leaves, resembling the ordinary nest of Microtus pennsylvanicus but of more ca-eless construction. The top of the nest was removed and mouse- traps set at each entrance, as well as one in the centre of the nest. A mole trap was set on one of the longer tunnels. There was occasion to pass the spot within half an hour, and in one of the mouse traps was what appeared at first glace to be a rather fat young Mucrotus. Trap and animal were hung out of reach of possible Blarinas. On three quarters of an hour another mouse was foraging returning in March, 1927! found still quivering in the nest having been struck on the head by one of the traps. While watching this animal the writer’s attention was drawn to the unusually short tail, short fore legs, rather stocky build, and fine thick fur, particularly on fore legs and throat.. Closer examination of the first specimen revealed the same rather unusual features. Both specimens were accordingly deposited in a tin can for safe keeping. On returning two hours later still a third specimen was found. This was placed with the others. In the evening when preparing to make up the specimens many small mites were noticed leaving the carcasses, so all three an- imals, with the parasites, were placed in alcohol. The next morning a Blarina was found in the nest. It also ha:boured mites. One might suppose that this little animal had been investigating the possibilities of a mouse dinner. Blarinas were quite numerous, one having been eaten from a trap not twenty feet away on this same morning. (Mr. Saunders has also called the writer’s atten- tion to the abundance of these short-tailed shrews this past year, and their habit of eating trapped specimens. ) At a later date one of the specimens was made into a study skin and skull. Measurements Meas Cl eile slZ Opel Zor rae Bs lO? ean (Ze 26 SEZ Oe pble bey ALON Oy a(S) el 1205 2620 SELB: 16 6. Nos. (1) and (2) are alcoholics. There are five plantar tubercles: the female shows four mamme in the inguinal region. The fur is much finer and sho:ter than in the typical Microtus and has a chestnut tinge which extends unto the belly but is not as reddish in colour as that of the more southern pine mouse. The skull is noticeably wider, and flatter dorsally than in the typical Microtus pennsylvanicus. Bailey (North American Fauna No. (7 - 1900) treating Pitymys as a subgenus gives the sub- generic characters as “Plantar tube-cles five: mamme 4, two pairs of inguinal; lateral glands THe CANADIAN Fie_tp-NATURALIST Xy/ on hips in adult males; ears very small; tail short: fur short, dense, glossy. Skull flat and wide with quadrate braincase; bulle small; molars narrow. Upper m3 with 2 closed tri- angles, lower m2 with anterior pairs of triangles confluent, lower m3 with three transverse loops.” He gives the measurements of the subspecies scalopsordes\ ase iy vI25i=) 20 ler VG 35 Gamese Miller (1900) gives the length of tail at 22 milli- metres. In the specimens described above the tail is somewhat longer. In No (3) the length of caudal vertebre was carefully checked after skinning the animal. In the stomach of this individual were found grass stems and leaves well masticated. The sexual organs of all were quiescent. Thanks are due to Mr. A. H. Howell of the U. S. Biological Survey for confirming the writer’s indentification of these animals. The study skin will be placed with the collection of the Department of Zoology at Western University. The two alcoholics will be sent to the Royal Ontario Museum at Toronto. While this mouse is, so far as we know at present, rare in Ontario, one might be led to suspect that careful trapping, particularly in the Austral zone along the north shore of Lake Erie might reveal it as considerably more com- mon than is at present believed. In this connexion the writer once watched a dog dig out the nest of a small mammal from under the sod of an old orchard with an enthusiasm which would indicate the proximity of desirable prey. Examination of the nest revealed a large handful of dried grass leaves, and at a depth of ten inches a small tunnel leading away. The only indications of mole nests the writer has found have been under old stumps, trees, or some such sheltering object. It is suggested that this might have been another case of a pine mouse’s nest. The incident occurred about 100 yards from the spot where these animals were taken. SOME MEASUREMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM BRONZED GRACKLES By L. L. SNYDER N OPPORTUNITY to examine a con- number of Bronzed Grackle specimens in the flesh was afforded a few years ago and a mass of data. of decidedly miscellaneous character, was obtained. The birds were received at the Royal Ontario siderable Museum of Zoology as a single shipment from Mr. Jack Miner of Kingsville, Ontario. Mr. Miner had captured them on March 26, 1930, on his farm ’ by means of a large, baited live-trap. The observations noted and the statistics gathered may be regarded as facts salvaged from perish- 38 THE CANADIAN able material as opportunity occurred, not as an orderly study conducted for a special purpose. MEASUREMENTS A concise summary of seven measurements from Fieyp- NATURALIST (VoL. LI each of the two hundred and four specimens is given below*. The sex determinations are based on dissection examinations; the linear measurements are given in millimeters, and the weight in grams. o8 ss ne > 5 3 BS 2 8 & S 2 oe? Oe SEE = 323.7. 141.4 139.3 30.1 34.4 32.8 6.1 4.8 9) 1. ES LZ, 345. 158. 146 Sy 30 35 345. 158 148. 34. 39 30 306 133 135. 30 33 30 3506. 124. ISIE 28. oie 30. S iY) = Average of 99 4’s .. syle : Rapes seal Sie 4 Mean variation from the average oH 99 g’s 6.2 Largest Individual ¢@.. pee ee ela; Composite maximum measurements from OOF G oS) ens ye Aili ee kel Ge Mle hig Gales Smallest Teachietateel nN TARA Hea ena Ue ele: Composite minimum measurement from COI EN SA aU OU ASO Roe 9 tla aN NE Not ROU Ue Average of 105 @2’s B 100.8 Mean variation from the average of NO SOR iiene eae erie r A Nee, cents ae Costner PULA 47 Larrea thaobniGheliS “So Wscr Gun a6 fad poe OAL Composite maximum measurements from 105 @’s EAN ara tard as 118. Smallestvimdavidtual 2) We 2 Nala we eile ae 595), Composite minimum measurements from MERLOT EMO On Stn shin iit oa we Miah Ct. Si Oi It will be noted from the above that the sexes of grackles are normally conspicuously different- iated in point of size: 7.c., males are larger than females. But in a large series of specimens, an occasional female exceeds an occasional male in most of its measurements. Further, a compar- ison of the composite minimum measurements of males with the composite maximum measure- merts of females shows that the latter sex is capable of exceeding males in all measurements though this has not been demonstrated with in- dividual representatives. VARIATION IN PRISMATIC COLOUR The great variation in the colour produced by the refracted light from the feathers of the head, neck and upper breast of the ninety-nine male grackles was noted and three major distinc- tions were made; a red-purple group at one end of the series and a othe. Between these was a variable blue group which was further divisible into two sub-groups according to the tendency to approach either the red-purple group or the metallic green group. The percentage of each group from the whole se ies of males, stated without fractions, is: metallic green at the Red- Variable Metallic Blue Metallic Purple Tending T ending Green toward toward Red- Ni etallic Purple Green 14% 26% + 36% 24% 62% It is interesting to observe that the seyuence of colours as arranged in the groups can be interpreted as following the sequence of colour *To make clear the meaning of headings in the column on the left, the following is offered: “Mean variation from the average’. After the average measurement was determined for each of the seven features for both sexes, each individual measurement was compared with the average mea- surement of the corresponding feature and the amount of divergence noted. An average divergence, or the variation from the average, was then struck. This tends to show the usual or normal limits of variation of the species and sex as determined from the series in hand. For example, the average length of male grackles in the series was 323.7. The mean variation from this measurement was 6.1. Male grackles then may be regarded as vary- ing normally in length from 317.6 to 329.8, a range of 12.2 mm. “Largest individual’. This indicates the single bird which was superior in size in the majority of its linear measurements. “Composite measurements” These are not from a single individual but rather each figure is the extreme maximum and minimum for that fea- ture. —: March, 1937] in the spectrum. Since these colours are of prismatic origin, it would appear that they de- monstrate some minute structural variations in the feathers of the head, neck and upper breast of the Bronzed Brackle of this region. SEX Ratio AND SEASONAL CONDITION oF GONADS An additional observation relative to the sexes and season seems worthy of note. Since there is reason to believe that no selective factor operated in the capture of these birds, the series would seem to represent a fair cross-section of grackles moving north into Ontario during late March. The sex ratio of these birds was 48.5% males and 51.5% females. Mr. Manly Miner informs me that it was the practice to leave six or eight birds in the trap to serve as decoys and that males were selected for this purpose. An approximately fifty-fifty sex ratio in this catch seems apparent. No great development of the gonads was noted in sexing the specimens. Of the nine females preserved as specimens, the observations record- ed at the time range from “ovary, 4 mm. long, 2 mm. wide, not conspicuously granular, flattish and kidney coloured” to “ovary, 11 mm. long, 5 mm. wide, granular and becoming clear”. Of the eight males preserved, the remarks range from “testes, 2 mm. long, 1 mm. wide, colour dark”, to “testes, 7 mm. long, 4 mm. wide, colour fairly clear”. BEAK ABNORMALITIES Two of the specimens in the series, both males, THE CANADIAN FieELD-NATURALIST 39 are notable for their peculiar beaks. In one (R.O.M.Z. No. 30. 3.30.4) this member is rather heavy, but not extremely so (12 mm. in depth at the anterior end of nostril) and curves decidedly downward most pronouncedly along the culmen but also gently along the gonys. The superficial appearance of the beak suggests the beak outline of certain exotic cuckoos or coucals (Centropus). Further, the beak has a_ slight clockwise spiral twist from base to tip which is quite obvious when viewed dorsally along the line of the culmen. The culmen length is but slightly larger (approximately 2mm.) than would be regarded as normal for a bird possessing its other linear measurements. The other specimen (R.O.M.Z. No. 30. 3.30.15) has at some time met with an accident in which approximately six mm. of the tip has been broken from the lower mandible. The profile of the culmen of this specimen is, like the above, curved downward, especially toward the tip. The outline of the gonys is, however, straight from the base to the point where the member was broken off. If the broken tip of the lower mand- ible was in conformity with the downward curve of the upper mandible, it would indeed have been very abnormal in shape. It would appear, on the other hand, that the downward curve of the upper mandible has heen increased since the break occurred, perhaps because of the absence of an occluding surface. The beak is normal in both depth and length. EXTENSION OF RANGE OF Tamias striatus griseus MEARNS By H. U. GREEN N SEPTEMBER 5th, 1935, while study- ing the terrain along the course of the Vermilion River, Manitoba, for evidence of beaver migration from the National Park, I several specimens, evidently a family group, of the Gray Eastern» Chipmunk, TJamuias striatus griseus Mearns, in a hardwood stand near the town of Dauphin. The altitude approx- imately 940 feet. Three specimens were collect- ed: (No.M.294 9 T.L.250-T.V.80-H.F.29) (No. M.295, 9 T.L.240-T.V.98-H.F.31) (No-M.2968 7. L. 245-T.V.95-H.F. 33) Indentification definizely determined. observed Mountain Was was then No further specimens were observed in this locality, and, with the exception of a single individual, (No. 289,8 T.L.243-T.V.99-H.F.29), collected on July 19th, 1935, about a mile away, T. s. griseus has not been previously seen in the Dauphin district although the area has been well trapped for small mammals during recent years. On August 9th, 1933, I collected a specimen of T. s. griseus, (R.M.No 156, 2 ), determined by Dr. R. M. Anderson, on the eastern escarpment of the Riding Mountain above Norgate at an altitude (since determined) of approximately 1400 feet, and a further specimen, (R.M.No.229, 2), on the north shore of Clear Lake, Riding 40 THE CANADIAN FreLp-NATURALIST Mountain National Park, on September 17, 1933, at an altitude (since determined) of about 2200 feet. ‘These records were reported in The Can- alian Field-Naturalist 48:50, 1934. Anthony, Field Book of North American Mammals, 1928, gives the range of T. s. griseus as “west of the Great Lakes, in the upper Mississippi valley,”. Seton (1909), I am author- itively informed, records 7. s. griseus as “abund- ant in the woods to the south east part of the country (Manitoba) and west to Portage la Prairie (Manitoba)”, and, further that “Stuart Criddle (1929) lists it as ‘tolerably common’ at Aweme, Manitoba.” The Norgate record, however, is not actually new, for I am advised that a specimen of 7. s. VoL. LI griseus, determined by A. H. Howell, was collected at Riding Mountain, Manitoba, by Robert Adamson on July 9th, 1900. The village of Riding Mountain is only a few miles from Norgate. The Clear Lake record, though, establishes, tentatively, the known distribution of this form some 20 miles to the west of Norgate, and the Dauphin record extends its range 50 miles north west of Norgate and about 40 miles north of Clear Lake. It would seem, in view of the fact that T. s. griseus has never been observed or collected between Dauphin and Clear Lake, an area con- stantly traversed by the writer, that a slow migration along the Manitoba escarpment is progressing towards the north. FIFTY YEARS AFTER By G. E. FAIRBAIRN HILE hunting for land shells on May 25th, 1936, on the escarpment on the west side of the city of Hull, Que., the writer came across a few dead specimens of Polygyra multilineata. Most of the specimens were in a good state of preser- vation; some of them certainly not more than two years dead. ‘ It was. felt that such a find justified a search for live specimens and accordingly, on May 29th, the locality was visited again and an intensive search made which yielded four live and several dead specimens, about ten feet from the top of the escarpment and one hundred feet from the Aylmer Road. As the species is not’ native in the Ottawa District is is thought this record will. be of inte-est to students of molluscan distribution. An attempt was made in 1886 to introduce the species, as recorded by lLatchford (Ottawa Field-Naturalist 1: 107-108, 1887-88). Latchford says, in part: “It is well known that many land shells which occur in Western Ontario, some of them very beautiful, are not found in _ this vicinity. An attempt has been made to establish these species here. Through the kindness of Mr G: W. Dean of Kent, Ohio, and, Mr, Geo. J. Streator of Garrettsville in the same state, I was enabled to place in the woods at various points around Ottawa, and in my garden in the cty, a number of living shells, including M. thyroides, M. multilincata, Triodopsis tridentata, I. palliata, Patula solitaria, P. perspectiva, Zomtes ligera and Stenotrema hirsutum. “IT was unable to visit afterwards the localities outside the city in which the shells were placed, but of those which were under my eye at home I observed that Zonites ligera, Patula solitaria and P. perspectiva all died. The others lived. M. multilineata seemed to flourish best, and in November young shells four-tenths of an inch in diameter were found by the dozen in the corner in which five adult individuals had been placed in the month of June. “The other species which lived, with the ex- ception of H. tridentata, did not appear to multiply. I may say that the gentlemen who obtained the shells in Ohio were kind enough to furnish me with information as to the peculiar habitat of the different species, and I tried to establish each in a station suited to it. I was able to do this in the woods much better than at home, and it is not improbable that the majority of the shells thus disposed of may establish themselves here.” The specimens found this year may be descendants of the ones placed around Ottawa in the year 1886 by Mr. Latchford, as mentioned in the article quoted above. The soil where the specimens were found is a light sandy loam and leaf mould. Lower down on the slope there are many. slabs of shaly limestone. There is a second growt? about ten feet high of maple, willow, black- berry and raspberry bushes along the escarp- ment. The upper part of the bank is fairly dry, becoming moist toward the bottom where March, 1937) running over The es- long, there are several small springs a flat rock that dips into the swamp. carpment is about nine hundred yards beginning at the Aylmer road and running north toward Fairy Lake. The sizes of the specimens taken were as follows, in millimetres: THE CANADIAN FYELD-NATURALIST 41 Altitude Diameter Greater Diameter 9.5 WES 19.3 mm. 11.5 20.2 23%/, TRS 20.1 23.0 11.6 20.5 24.1 12.0 20.0 22.6 THE YELLOW RAIL IN SOUTHERN MANITOBA By R. FRYER HE FOLLOWING observations were made in the years 1933-34-35. The territories under observation were as follows; (1) The marshes at the east of the Red River, about five to seven miles north of Libau; (2) Willow Point, which is on the west side of Lake Winnipeg, two miles south of Gimli; (3) Grant’s Lake which is 18 miles north-west of Winnipeg, Manitoba. On the evening of June 24th, 1933, at 6.30, while paddling along a creek in the marshes north of Libau, Orland P. Gibson and I heard tick-tuck, tick-tick-tick, the sound coming from territory typical of. the Short-billed Marsh Wren. Gibson thought it was a Yellow Rail, his statement being based solely upon the des- cription given in Birds of Western Canada. Here we had discovered a_ possibility worth investigating. We were in this territory June 24-31, and every evening but never before 6.30; on two occasions we were out until 1 a.m., and could still hear it. These notes came from seven different points; three individuals were heard at the same time; the seven different points represented seven dif- terent birds. On June 27th, at 8 p.m., I heard the sound close by, while watching a Leconte’s Sparrow. It was near an old hay stack bottom which was about 150 feet from me. As I approached the clearing a little brownish-yellow bird ran across, and a minute or two later the ticking was heard on the other side. After that I was fairly well convinced that we had heard and seen the rare Yellow Rail. My next acquaintance with the ticking was a year Jater at the same spot. On June 29th, at 10:40 p.m., wher less than 100 yards from the lodge, I heard it. The night was quite dark. { paced off the distance with steps of two and a half feet and found it to be a little more than half a mile. There were very few sounds and as I was favoured with a slight north-west for a full week, heard the ticking, wind, hearing conditions were ideal. The tick- ing continued until I was within 30 or 40 feet. From then on for about another 10 feet it ticked only after lengthy intervals and finally stopped. Upon my retreating about 50 feet, it commenced again with its former vigour, and while at this point I clocked the ticking for five minutes. The rhythm of tick-tuck, ttick-tick-tick was perfect until the sixth minute, and the follow- ing were the number of sets per minute, (five notes per Set); 535 57, 035055. 08) sbhusmeam five minutes it gave 286 sets or 1430 notes. On one occasion it ticked incessantly for 17 minutes, therefore, with an average of 57 sets per minute, this would be 969 sets or 4845 notes. These figures give some idea of the rapid tick- ing. The vegetation in this territory was one and a half to two feet high and when I squatted with my head below the level of the grass and reeds the sound was deadened nearly 50 per cent. On the afternoon of June 30th, I went back to the same place to inspect it in the daylight. I trampled down a large circular spot with the hope that if I heard the ticking in the daytime I could drive the ticker across. I then moved on about 150 or 200 feet and began a thorough search for nests, if any. I had been at this for about half an hour when suddenly I heard the ticking apparently close to the open space. I ran toward it and was again rewarded with a glimpse of a little brownish-yellow bird. It ran so quickly that before I had time to think of field marks it had disappeared. This time the call was not repeated. [ searched again for an hour and a half and found nothing but a swamped Bobolink’s nest with four eggs and a Sora’s nest with 13 eggs. That evening Gibson came down to the lodge, . and we paddled out along the creeks, but heard the ticking from only two points. This made a total of three birds for that district during 42 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST the three days we were there in 1934. Our next trip to the Rail territory was from May 23-26, 1935. One bird was heard on May 23rd, at 10:30 p.m., and it ticked only a few times during a period of 20 minutes, with long intervals between each tick. We heard one along the bank of a creek at 10:45 a.m., on May 26th. This was the first time we had heard one in the forenoon. On June 2nd, while at Willow Point, I heard two birds at 3 p.m: and again at 3:20. Each time it was for only a few seconds. At Grant’s Lake one was heard at 4:50 p.m., on June 9th, and, with others heard during the day, it was for only a few seconds. The terri- tory here was different from that of the other localities, the growth being heavy coarse grass in five or six inches of water. On June 16th, it was heard again at Willow Point. This territory is similar to that of Libau, a mixture of fine and coarse marsh grass, and the water is only two to four inches deep. It was heard three times between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. The time for our annual trip to Libeau was drawing near, so we planned to try and col- lect the “ticker” if possible. We left for the lodge on June 29th, Angus H. Shortt, Orland P. Gibson and I. That evening we were out until 8 to 9 p.m. just before sunset. The wind was very strong and we heard the bird but a few times, so we decided to wait until after dark and make a second try. By 10 p.m. the wind (VoL. LI had dropped considerably, so we started out armed with two ‘410’s” and three strong spot- lights. We did not have any luck but learned that talking did not seeem to disturb it very much, the ticking being fairly continuous. The next day we set out a little before 11 p.m. and spent the next hour in testing the surroundings and planning our attack. Finally it was arrang- ed that we should spread out in a semi-circle and cross-focus the light on the sound. We could not see the bird or the slightest movement in the grass, but we could follow its course - easily by the incessant ticking sound. When I was about 150 feet away my beam seemed to drive it towards Shortt. It seemed to be only about 15 feet from him and in moving back to get a proper range he frightened it in the direction of Gibson, who was between the two of us. Shortt and I had our beams crossed as the sound receded from him. At last when it was some 40 feet from Shortt, and 90 to 100 feet from me, Gibson fired from a distance of about 30 feet. He ran forward while we held our beams on the spot, and it took him but a minute or so to find the bird. Finally we had satisfied ourselves as to the cause of the tick- ine. it was the Yellow Rail. The ‘specimen was in excellent condition, having been struck in the head with a single pellet. It was taken back to Winnipeg and has been mounted by Shortt, and is now on exhibi- tion in the Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg Audito- “Jum, 5 FEEDING HABITS OF BALD-HEADED EAGLE By THEED PEARSE HE BALD-HEADED - EAGLE gets much of its food (certainly on the British Columbia coast) from _ the water, by picking it up with its talons as it swoops down but, in my experience of several years, I have never seen an Eagle actual- ly settle on the water until the other day. On the evening of the 25th May, 1935, at Hlma Bay, near Courtenay, Vancouver Island, I was watching a Bald-headed Eagle that was evident- ly after some prey off shore. The bird was 500 yards away and it was much _ too dark to see if it was a duck it was after. in fact it was so dark that when first seen I thought the bird must be a Horned Owl and so dark that the outline of the bird was almost lost when background. I some flying against any have never seen an Eagle feeding-so late. The bird was making the regular swoop and, on reaching the water, striking at something with its talons; it did this two or three times and, on the next swoop, evidently connected with its prey and, in doing this, plunged into the water. The next thing was the Eagle flapping its wings on the surface of the water, trying to lift the catch in which it had its talons fixed. After attempting this unsuccessfully it looked as though the bird conceived the idea of struggling to shore with its prey and it attempted to pro- gress by means of its wings, bringing them for- ward over the head and back. It continued doing this for quite an appreciable time but made no progress and both my companion and I came to the conclusion the bird was drown- March, 1937) ing (as the result of being unable to disengage itself from its prey.) This thrashing of the water stopped and the Eagle then began to make for the shore at a steady pace; it was too dark to see its manner of propulsion beyond that the neck was being continuously extended forward and drawn back. We watched the bird till it was lost to sight behind a point and, when we saw it again it Was standing on the shore; it saw us and rose, flew round behind us to a favorite perch on a dead fir, some 50 feet up. The bird had not been much more than a dark object on the shore but as it flew round to its perch it passed quite near and was then, and when perched, clear against the sky and not 200 yards away. I was using 9 power prismatics and with these could not see that the plumage looked wet and the bird seemed quite unconcerned; however, by then, the light was very poor. We estimated the distance from the shore to where the bird struck its prey to be, at least, 400 yards and that the time it took to reach land was ten minutes. I‘rom the pace it went, after freeing itself from the catch, it must have been using its feet for propulsion. The tide was coming in but would not have helped much as, here, the “set” tends to be along the shore line; the evening was quite calm with no wind. The Eagle reached the shore entirely by its own efforts, in fact, had it been at all rough it is doubtful if -it could have made it. When progressing the bird looked to be resting easily on the water and I would suggest that it was holding itself up with the held away from the side and using its feet to do the pro- pelling. wings The next afternoon I had a further experience with, probably, the same bird. A Bald-headed Eagle was beating up and down the edge of the out-going tide, evidently looking for food (he had made a couple of swoops at marine bird, likely to have been a Loon, which does not seem to have the same fear of an Eagle as do the Ducks); seeing something interesting he swooped to the surface but did not strike and continued on, soon returning to the same spot (just in front of where I was sitting) where he executed a most spectacular manoeuvre. The bird turned a somersault, then, with wings and tail fully spread, righted himself and swooped down to the water. It is difficult to describe the manoeuvre; it all took place in a second or so, but it rather suggested an aeroplane looping the loop and then turning into a side slip; at one time the whole undersurface was some THE CANADIAN FiIELD-NATURALIST 43 in view, as it turned on the “side-slip”. I had the impression that the tail was very much a controlling factor. As on the previous evening, the bird appear- ed to plunge into the sea and, when doing so, quite an amount of the bird must have been submerged, ihe bird keeping its wings loose from the body to prevent sinking. At first it rested on the water with the wings partly stretched out. It looked as though the strike had been futile, as the Eagle, then, quite un- concernedly, drew in its wings and rested on the water without a movement for two or three minutes, long enough to cause one to wonder if it was going to get up at all; it appeared to be sinking gradually. There was no movement until, with much flapping of the wings, it rose from the surface with the fish and flew to a nearby pile where it commenced to eat it in a quite unconcerned way and not at all as though hungry. After a few minutes it flew off with what remained, towards where it was nesting. The fish was, I am practically sure, a Bull- head about eight inches long (this species is plentiful) ; in carrying it the Eagle grasped the head, with the tail dangling behind in the manner of the Osprey. During this whole episode this Eagle was never more than 250 yards away and, when in the water, less, and I had it in view with glasses the whole time. Again the sea was quite calm but the tide going out. The distance from the edge of the out-going tide to where the bird struck and settled on the water was not far, 100 feet or so, and it is possible that when the bird rose from the water, the tide had sufficiently receded to enable it to touch the ground and so get the necessary impetus for flight; it did not, however, give the impression of doing more than rise from the water by means of its wings. I had the nest of this bird under observation from time to time and was able to notice the growth of the young birds. There are two Eagles’s nests in the vicinity: one a bulky affair, in a solitary Fir; the other (the occupied one) much flatter, in the branches springing from the broken-off top of a Douglas Fir, not very tall; this nest looks much older. The area has been logged over (hence the solitary fir) though the other nest is in a clump of conifers that were left. The respective dis- tances from the sea would be about half a_ mile and a quarter of a mile, and they would be ebout a quarter of a mile apart. 44 THE CANADIAN FieLp-NATURALIST I made my first visit on 2nd June, actually intending to go to the bulky nest as this had been reported as occupied. An old bird first appeared when between the two sites and, from the unusually shrill call, I recognized it as the bird which had given the aquatic performances. She was soaring around the site of the second nest, hidden then in the trees; flying with her was a last year bird at which, every now and then, she would make a swoop, especially when it approached the clump of trees. The yearling going off, the old bird took up its stand on a dead stub nearer the first nest, anticipating as it turned out the return of its mate from this direction. Shortly afterwards the other bird (which 1 call the male, the first bird I assumed, from its greater care of the young, to be the female) appeared carrying food and was vociferously welcomed, both birds flying together to the clump of trees. It took me a few minutes to get this nest into view, owing to the bad going, then I could see the female bird standing on the nest tearing at the food and swallowing When she saw me she flew to a close- crying but never at all going below the nesting portions. by tree, occasionally excited, even on my tree. On my moving away she flew to a dead tree close to the nest and remained there. The male occasionally called, perched 300 to 400 yards away, but the yearling did not appear again on this or on any subsequent visits. On this occasion it was only possible to make sure of there being one young bird, which lifted its head above the rim of the nest, flapped its wings and once stood up to evacuate; it look- ed about the size of a small ba-nyard hen. Though the nest looked to have a flattened top the cup was sufficiently deep to hide the old bird when brooding. [VoL. LI On the Ist and 2nd of July I was at the nest. Only one young bird was visible perched, immovable, on the edge of the nest. During the two days I spent 3 to 4 hours at the nest without any food being brought. On July 7th two young birds were visible. One was sitting well out on the rim of the nest, the other behind. The parent brought a fish, going into the nest with it, and the second bird attacked it, flapping its wings, the other bird, on the outside, was indifferent. Later both birds resumed their side by side position on the rim. 15th July. One young bird was perched on a branch by the nest; when the parent brought food this one took no notice beyond crying once as she flew in, the other then came flapping in from a neighbouring tree. There was much crying and the parent bird remained in the nest with the latter young bird for some minutes before flying away. Later the young bird climbed out of the nest to a branch and wiped its beak, the other never moved. There was a consider- able difference in the size, the bird that had fed being the larger, especially in the length of the tail. 21st July. No sign of young birds at the nest, but one in the look-out tree, 100 yards or so away, from its size and length of tail, I judged, to be the smaller. 28th July. Both young birds perched on piles on foreshore about three quarters of a mile away. No noticeable difference in size. After this date old and young left the nesting area but a young bird was back on 8th September. On each occasion of visiting the nest I looked for remains of food; the only thing I found was the tail of what had been a good sized flounder. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS GoLDEN EAGLE AND RICHARDSON’S OWL IN BRANT County, Onrario.— In November 1935 I was privileged to see the eagle, mounted, in a hardware store, in Faris, Ontario. It had been mounted by my friend Dr. W. H. J. Gould and had been killed in the township of South Dumfries, just a few weeks before. band across the tail which is wide and spicuous in the juvenal, was quite showing that the bird was of a considerable age. In the Doctor’s office there was also a very small ow! in a case with other birds, and only a second glace was required to determine that con- narrow, The white- it was a Richardson, doubtless the rarest of owls in Ontario with the single exception of the Great, (Gray. -The> last) occursencelatiamames remember in lower Ontario was some five years ago when Robert Lindsay captured one alive — in the willows on Fisherman’s Island at Toronto. Mr. Lindsay was as much surp~ised when told that he had brought this great rarity to the meeting of the Brodie Club as was Dr. Gould, who naturally concluded that his bird was a Saw-whet. One of this latter species was picked up dead on a London street about December 22, 1936.—W. E. SAUNDERS. =< ee March, 1937] A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO IN THE OTTAWA District.—On the rainy afternoon of the 25th of June, 1936, while I was making drawings and paintings from freshly collected birds, I heard the calling of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccysus americanus americanus), and upon going outside and imitating its notes, I soon secured it. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a rare bird in Ottawa. A pair nested in Mr. E. F. G. White’s garden in 1890 (see Ottawa Naturalist 5:40). Since then there*has been no definite record of its occurrence in the district. The bird which I collected, a female, was secured twenty-two and a half miles north of Ottawa, at Lake Bernard, Quebec. It is now in the collection of Major Allan Brooks, of Okanagan Landing, British Columbia—Artuur D. NELLEs. A Hysrip FLIcKEr at OTtTawa. — On May 12, 1936, while sketching geese and ducks in the Experimental Farm wild fowl enclosure I noticed two flickers going through their courting antics in a clump of low bushes near by. When_I approached nearer to them I observed with the aid of binoculars that one was a male hybrid flicker. When it turned toward me I saw that it had the pure red undertail surface of the West- ern Red-shafted form. In every other way it was the same as the Eastern Yellow-shafted form as far as I could see. This is the most easterly record of the hybrid flicker in Canada. Two were taken in Toronto, ‘Ont., one is in the collection of Mr. Atkinson, the other is in the collection of Mr. E. T. Seton.* —A. D. NELLEs. *(Catalogue of Canadian Birds, Macoun & Ma- coun.) ALBINO Briack DucKk.—On September 6th, 1935, while in search of water birds along the low shore of a bay near Napanee, Ontario. I saw two flocks of Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) and Blue-winged Teal (Querquedula discors) feeding near the shore. Almost at once I noticed an entirely white plumaged duck busy feeding with the Black Ducks. At first I thought it might be a domestic duck from a nearby farm, but realized it might be an albino as it was about the size of the other Black Ducks. To put the matter to a test, I decided to stand up and flush the ducks. The whole flock of Black Ducks, including the white one, and the Teal, rose directly from the water. The bird’s entire plumage appeared pure white, but I did THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 45 not note the colour of the bill or feet. The bird was seen again at the same feeding grounds on September 13th.—Gerorcre Scorr SMitH. Hoary REDPOLLS AT KAMOURASKA, QUEBEC.— On December 23rd, 1935, I observed in the tamaracks near my house at Kamouraska, Que- bec, a small flock of about a dozen Redpolls which seemed to me to be somewhat paler than the Common Redpoll, Acanthis linaria linaria. I killed two of the birds, preserved them as specimens, and sent them to the National Mus- eum of Canada, at Ottawa, for identification. Mr. P. A. Taverner, who kindly examined these two specimens, informed me that they both belonged to the form Acanthis hornemanm exilipes and that they were the only specimens of that form obtained, up to the present time, in eastern Canada, apart from some taken in the far north. Additional specimens of A. h. exilipes, three in all, were taken at Kamouraska by me on Feb- ruary 28th and March 10th, 1936. In _ these instances individuals of this form occurred in a flock of A. 1. linarta and A. I. rostrata. Of the five specimens collected, four were males and the fifth was so damaged that the sex could not be determined. The Hoary Redpoll is rather difficult to recog- nize in a flock of Common Redpolls. It is quite possible that it frequently occurs in such docks, but that insufficient investigation in the past is the reason why it has not hitherto been recogniz- ed by ornithologists in eastern Canada. My most recent observation of the Hoary Red- poll was made on April 4th, 1936, when, in a flock of about two hundred Redpolls, I recogniz- ed several individuals of this pale species. — WILLIE LA Brie. THE WHITE PELICAN IN THE PROVINCE OF Qvursec. — While I was yachting on the lower St. Lawrence River, during the third week of August, 1935, I saw two White Pelicans that had been shot at the entrance of the Portneuf River, County of Saguenay. There is no doubt what- soever that they were real Pelicans but [ am not sufficiently familiar with those birds to be sure whether these individuals were young ones or not. They seemed to me to weigh very little in view of their size, and their plumage did not seem to be in very good condition. 46 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST These birds had been killed a couple of days before I saw them. The man who shot them told me that he had killed the first one at quite a distance with a buck shot and that the other one flew a little distance away and again alighted in the water, where he allowed himself to be approached to within ordinary gunshot range, between 50 and 60 yards. — A. CHASE CASGRAIN, Judge of the Superior Court of the Province of Ouebec. OCCURRENCE OF THE Woop THRUSH IN THE LAURENTIAN REGION JUST NORTH OF MONTREAL. — In view of the hitherto accepted dist:ibution of the Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) in Canada, the following observations may be of interest. To the best of our knowledge, no recent observations have been made in this loc- ality. The present data were obtained at Lake Manitou (1250 ft. a.s-l.,) in Terrebonne county, 70 miles north of Montreal, and at Lac Vrem- blant (750 ft. a.s-l.,) on the eastern bounda:y of Labelle county, 90 miles north of Montreal. Observations had been made at both these points beginning in the late spring of 1933 and repeated in successive springs until 1936, when it was first realized that the species in ~ question was not believed to occur in this locali- ty. In view of this fact, particular care was taken last spring to obtain more accurate data. The song was first heard at Tremblant at twilight on May 19th and the bird actually seen shortly after dawn on May 20th. The same bird was observed on seven successive mornings, and three other males were heard in full song within an area of some 400 yards square. \ (VoL. LI Similar observations were made at Manitou, beginning on May 27th. On June 5th, two breeding pairs were found nesting within fifty yards of each other. One of the nests was built in the branches of a small balsam at about 7 feet above ground and the other in the crotch of an alder at 9 feet above ground. Three eggs were found in one nest and four in the other; there was good reason to believe that these eggs had just been laid. Hatching began on June 18th and observation of fledging was dis- continued on June 26th. Owing to the distinctive field marks and the equally distinctive song of this species, it was deemed unnecessary to collect a specimen The field marks were observed from every angle and in excellent light, and could actually be compared to and contrasted with those of the Hermit, Olive-backed and later of the Wil- son’s Thrush which were all seen in the same region. A number of photographs were taken of the female bird near one of the nests, showing the light eye-ring and the conspicuous spotting of the breast and sides, though unfortunately they cannot show the marked tawny tinge of the head. The song, of which some thirteen different variations were recorded, could not be confused with those of the other species in the same loc- ality. The measurements of a typical egg were 2.58 x 1.94 cm. or 1.02 x 0.76 inches. One of the eggs was kept and it, as well as one of the nests, is to be found in the Redpath Museum at McGill University, Montreal. — J. D. CLEGHORN AND F. R. TERROUX. : ‘ NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1936-37 President Emeritus: C. E. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; Past Presidents: H. M. SpPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc., C. W. Lows, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, M.A., A. A. McCousrey, A. M. Davipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLBY BROooKS; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- - WRIGHT, H. C. Prarce, L. T. S. NoRRIS-ELYg, B.A., Mrs. L. R. Simpson, W. H. RAnpD; Treasurer: Dr. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, Manitoba; General Secretary: NORMAN Lowe, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: R. M. Tuomas; Hzecutive Secretary: J. Happow, Social Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. Section Chairman Secretary Ornithological A. H. SHORTT A. M. Mackig Entomological G SHIRLEY BROOKS Miss M. F. PRATT Botanical H. F. Roperts, M.Sc> Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY Geological A.A. McCouBREY P. H. SToKEs Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. Ichithyologicat G. D. RUSSELL Secrétary: J. P. KENNEDY. Microscopy Zoology R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. Botany C. W. Lowe, M.Sc. Secretary: H. C. PEARCE. Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holiday from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after- noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays during July and August. McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, LONDON, ONT. President: J. H. CAMBRON, 355 Dufferon Ave., London, Ont.; Vice-President: Mr. E. D. BRAND, 148 William Street, London, Ont.; Recording Secretary: Miss FRANCES JACOBS, 353 Princess Ave., London, Ont.; Migration Secretary: Mr. B. M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH REYNOLDS, 32 St. Andrews St., London, Ont:; Members qualified to answer questions: W. EB. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont.; C. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout Street South, London, Ont.; J. F. CALVERT, 461 Tecumseh Avenue, London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont. : Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except during the summer. VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Honorary President. L.S. KuInk, (D.Sc.), President Univer- sity of B.C; President: JOHN DAVIDSON, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University of B.C.; Vice-President: Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMs, Geology Dept., University of B.C.; Honorary Secretary: Mrs. F. W. FARLEY; 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. /irst Assistant Secretary: Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd . Assistant Secretary: Miss Nora Swirt, Honorary Treasurer: A. H. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: Mrs. F. McGinn. Members of Executive: C. F. CONNorR, M. A. Mr.R. J. CUMMING; Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Mr. CurTIs JOHNS, Mrs. J Motion; Auditors: H. G. SeELwoop, W. 8B. Woops. Chairmen of Sections: Botany: PRor. JOHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J. J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. Pattie Timms, Entym- ology: Mr. Wootton, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. All meetings at 8 p.m., Auditorium, Normal School, 10th Avenue and Cambie Street unless otherwise announced. BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRD AND MAMMAL SOCIETY President: Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMS; First Vice-President; HAMILTON M. LAING; Second Vice-President: Dr. C. J. BASTIN: Secretary-Treasurer: C. H. BASTIN, 4484 West 9th Ave, Vancouver, B.C . Affiliated Societies OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Past Presidents: Mr. L. McL.TerrRiuu, Mr. Naripr SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HaNDERSON: President: PROF. V. C WyYNNE-Epwarps, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidenis: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, DR. A. N. JENKS; Vice-President and Treasurer: MR. HENRY MOUSLEY; Secretary: Miss MAUD SEATH. é Committee: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN, Mrs. C. F. DALE, MR. J. A. DECARIE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. Jackson, Mr. E. L. JupDAH, Mr. FRASER KEITH, Miss P. B. MATTINSON, Miss L. MuRPHY. Miss M.S. Nicotson, Mr. R. A. OuTHET, Mr. C. Sait, Mr. L. MclI.Spackman, Mr. L. Mc. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. ‘ SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE LorRD TWEEDSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1986: Président: ALPHONSE DESILETS; Jer vice-président: JAMES F. Ross; 2%éme vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; Secrétaire-trésorier: LOUIS B. LAvolg; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A.DERY; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: G.- ULRIC TESSIER, Chef de la section de protection: ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R.; Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: Rex Merepita, N.P. Directeurs:G.S. AHERN, HON. EDGAR RocHETTE, C.R., M.P.P., ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis-B. LAVOIE 38, rue Sherbrooke, Québec THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary President. Dr. A. P. COLEMAN; President: Dr. F. P. IpE, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidenis. Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H FLeminc. SecretaryTreasure : Hueu M. HAwuipay; Council—Pror J R. Dymonp, C. S. FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, PROF T F. McItWRAITH, Dr. NORMAForD, RureR?T Davips, G.S, BELL, Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Mrs. O.S. MITCHBLL, Pror. T. M. C. Taytor, C. G. BRENNAND, W. J. W. BALDWIN, MaGistraTF J. B. JoNES; President of Junior Club: W. J. Baxter, Vice-President of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORR. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson. L. L. Snyprr, J. L. BAILLIE, JR., Pror. T. F. McILwrairH, R. M. Speirs, F. H. EMERY. Mammals—ProrF. A. F. Coventry, Messrs. FE. C. Cross, D. A. McLutics. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. BE. B.S. Loaier, Wm. LERAY. Fish— Pror. J. R. DyMonp, Pror W J. K HARKNESS. Insects— Dr. F. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Forp, Mr. F. P. IDE. Botany—Pror. R. B. THomson, Dr. H. B. Sirton, Dr. T. M. C. Taytor: Mr W. R. Watson..Mr.L. T. Owens. Geology—Dnr. A. P, COLEMAN: Pror. 4. MCLEAN. : We would ask the Officers, and more particularly the Secretaries, of all the Affiliated Societies to assist us in our task of building up the circulation of this member as a subscriber we can truly magazine. By securing every make this magazine into one of the leading Natural History publications of America. AUTOBIOGRAPHY of JOHN MACOUN, M.A. CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX CRT RES Tai a a By E, M. KINDLE ‘ hess ane, mhenactigely) bound) end ecomtaie an Special profusely illustrated number of The wealth of information concerning Canadian Natural History and Exploration. The author ‘‘Naturalist’’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every was a former President of the Club and this is a Canadian should know this prize essay. Memorial Volume PRICE FIFTY CENTS PRICE .$3.00. - 305 pp. WILMOT LLOYD _582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa f * WILMOT LLOYD Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa | WILMOT LLOYD, ¢ Treasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, FOR SALE:— 582 Mariposa Avenue, : ; : Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. - z COMPLETE SET OF THE CLUB'S Enclosed please find $2.00 as membership in PUBLICATIONS The O.F.-N.C. and Subscription to the Canadian ; Field-Naturalist for the year 1937. 582 Mariposa Avenue 1879-1936 This is a rare opportunity. For particulars Wante a a an Be ERE TT address the Treasurer— shy Ad drea a es A Se eee WILMOT LLOYD di 582 Mariposa Avenue - Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa City, Provo. or State. ...._-..--.-22.--.------inn—-o= I do hereby give and bequeath to The Ottawa Field- FORM Naturalists’ Club of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada the sum OF | | OES ey SR a ae 00 Dollars BEQUEST Prices of Separates Notes to Contributors, Etc. 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Kindly mention The Canadian Field-Naturalist to advertisers Wel. 11, Nord 2°. 4 as APRIL, 1937 SS SS > AP XMO-—i ALE S- ) i> ; | “a | SS een \ Y 7 i i] NA (las y ) ye | } ‘f \ \ N d . ‘ \ \ ( ISSUED APRIL 6, 1937 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter a \ } if THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB Patrons: — i THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR . President; HERBERT GROH ee at ist Vice-President: P. A. TAVERNER . 2nd Vice-President: R. E. DELUR Secretary: PEGGY WHITEHURST, | Treasurer; WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave., © 110 Prospect Avenue, Westboro. Rockclifie Park. Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALcocK, R. M. ANDERSON, REV. F. E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS, ~ . E. Cowan, H. G. CRAwForD, F. J. FRASER, A. HALKETT, C. E. JOHNSON, E. M. KINDLE, W. H. LANcELEY, A. LARocquE, DouGLAS LEECHMAN, GRACE §. LEWIS, HARRISON F. LEWIS, — Hoyes Luoyp, C. W. LoUNSBURY, MARK G. McELHINNEY, A. E. PorsiLp, L. S. RUSSELL, ~ C. M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM M. THOMSON, E.F.G. WHITE, R. T. D. WICKENDEN, M. WILSON. and the following Presidents of Affiliated Societies: A. G. LAWRENCE, CHARLE MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH, ARN M. PATTERSON. ie Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F. LEwIs. Editor: Ts DouGLAS LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Hae Associate Editors: i a DE IENNESS eer i run Me | -, Anthropology CLYDE a. PATCH 32. eee 3 . Herpetology TEVA DAMS 3s vee hier ce ean ens Un aes Botany R. M. ANDERSON............-. Mammalog BR ATCHEORD Wa OR eo ee Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ ri tolog ARTHUR GIBSON.............. .Entomology P. A. TAVERNER:.. 00 P22 3h Orni BY Dec BCOCKE Ont oR Oe gee esate Geology E. M.KINDLE.......... eee CONTENTS A Hare Indian Dog. By D. Jenness i600 ic See ic cs eo ee ee ee A Decade of Progress in the Bird Sanctuaries of the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence By. Harrison ©’. iewisi iicc)s ea 5 cre Pd eaten toa oe ete eer ea Re Further Notes on William Couper. By James L. Baillie, Jr. ................... gels The Slug Arion cireumscriptus in Canada. By A. LaRocque.....................- ania Notes and Observations:— ; eats An Albino Meadowlark. By S. Humphry................. ae ae edits The American Eider on the Niagara River. By R. W. Sheppard................ - Observations on the Food Habits of the Snowy Owl. By L. H. Beamer...... ee Spring Rivalry of; Birds; By E. G: McDougall. 2:0 2.3... anaes Reviews:— : Fluctuations in Numbers of Ruffed Grouse. By P.A.T................0c0eeeeeee The Distribution of Breeding Birds in Ontario. By P.A.T......................- Field: Notes: By “RIAs sono. ae Sek rile Ore ae, ct BSCEREESSISIESSSESESEEEEEESSISIESSSSISISESHESEESSSTEEECSISOSOSSSEESESESsouesessososasosososesesestssssnssesessesososasesesssenssessneesosstesstosssonessasasossszecsasetesesenseesonsresens fe The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued # since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, # two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have # been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is #2 issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single Copies 25¢ each - The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader who is truly interested in the wild life of our country to help this magazine to its rightful place among the leading Natural History publications in America, Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to _ WILMOT LLOYD: Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club. ‘ 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LI OTTAWA, CANADA, APRIL, 1937 No. 4 A HARE INDIAN DOG By D. JENNESS =~OWN TO THE I7th century the 'D| Indians of Canada possessed several Swe} (different breeds of dogs most of which eee had evolved perhaps on this continent. Two at least disappeared entirely before the close of the 19th century. Thus the historian of Martin Frobisher’s voyage to Baffin Bay reported that the Eskimo of Frobisher Bay, on Baffin Island, raised two distinct breeds of dogs, a large one for drawing the sleds and a smaller one for eating; but later explorers noted only the larger breed, so that the smaller must have died out within a comparatively few years. ae a, More widely known, but also extinct, is the woolly-haired dog that was raised by the Indians of the Fraser River delta, who sheared it like a sheep, mixed its hair with the wool of the wild mountain goat and wove blankets from the combined strands. Vancouver described this variety in 1790, and as late as 1848 the celeb- rated Indian artist Paul Kane depicted a woman spinning wool in the background. and, in the foreground, a shorn dog; but since Kane’s day no one has recorded the animal. *Richardson, John. p. 78-80, London, 1829 Fauna Boreali-Americana Hare Indian Dog. (Copy of illustration in Richardson, John, Fauna Boreali Americana, p. 78, London, 1829) 48 THE CANADIAN FreLp-NATURALIST Still a third breed was described by Sir John Richardson, who found it so common among the Hare Indians in the vicinity of Great Bear Lake that he named it Hare Indian dog. He describes it as follows: “This variety of Dog is cultivated at pres- ent, so far as I know, only by the Hare Indians, and other tribes that frequent the borders of Great Bear Lake and the banks of the Mackenzie. It is used by them solely in the chase, being too small to be useful as a beast of burthen or draught. “The Hare Indian Dog has a mild coun- tenance, with, at times, an expression of demureness. It has a small head, slende. muzzle; erect, thickish ears; somewhat oblique eyes; rather slender legs, and a broad hairy foot, with a bushy tail, which it usually carries curled over its right hip. It is covered with long hair, particularly about the shoulders, and at the roots of the hair, both on the body and tail, there is a thick wool. The hair on the top of the head is long, and on the posterior part of the cheek it is not only long, but being also directed backwards, it gives the animal, when the fur is in prime order, the appear- ance of having a ruff round the neck. Its face, muzzle, belly and legs, are of a pure white colour, and there is a white central line passing over the crown of the head and the occiput. The anterior surface of the ear is white, the posterior yellowish-gray or fawn- colour. The end of the nose, the eye-lashes, the roof of the mouth, and part of the gums, are black. There is a dark patch over the eye. On the back and sides there are larger patches of dark blackish-gray or lead-colour mixed with fawn-colour and white, not def- inite in form, but running into each other. The tail is bushy, white beneath and at the tip. The feet are covered with hair which almost conceals the claws. Some long hairs between the toes project over the soles, but there are naked callous protuberances at the root of the toes and on the soles, even in the winter time, as in all the wolves describ- ed in the preceding pages. The American foxes, on the contrary, have the whole of their soles densely covered with hair in the winter. Its ears are proportionably nearer each other than those of the Esquimaux dog. The size of the Hare Indian Dog is inferior to that of the prairie wolf, but rather exceeds that of the red American fox. Its resem- blance, however, to the former is so great, that on comparing live specimens, I could detect no marked difference in form, (except the smallness of its cranium,) no-~ in the fine- ness of the fur, and arrangement of its spots of colour. The length of the fur on the neck, back part of the cheeks, and tep of the head, was the same in both species. It, in fact, bears the same relation to the prairie wolf that the Esquimaux Dog does to the great gray wolf. It is not, however, a breed that is cultivated in the districts frequented by the prairie wolf, being now confined to the northern tribes, who have been taught the use of fire-arms within a very few years. (Vou. LI Before that weapon was introduced by the fur-traders, a dog, so well calculated by the lightness of its body and the breadth of its paws, for passing over the snow, must have been invaluable for running down game, and it is reasonable to conclude that it was then generally spread amongst the Indian tribes north of the Great Lakes. The Hare Indian Dog is very playful, has an affectionate disposition, and is soon gain- ed by kindness. It is not, however, very docile, and dislikes confinement of every kind. It is very fond of being caressed, rubs its back against the hand like a cat, and soon makes an acquaintance with a stranger. Like a wild animal, it is very mindful of an injury, nor does it, like a spaniel, crouch under the lash; but if it is conscious of having deserved punishment, it will hover round the tent of its master the whole day, without coming within his reach, even when he calls it. Its howl, when hurt or afraid, is that of the wolf; but when it sees any unusual object, it makesasingular attempt at barking, commenc- ing by a kind of growl, which is not, how- ever, unpleasant, and ending in a prolonged howl. Its voice is very much like that of a prairie wolf. The larger dogs, which we had for draught at Fort Franklin, and which were of the mongrel breed in common use at the fur-posts, used to pursue the Hare Indian Dogs for the purpose of devouring them; but the latter far outstripped them in speed, and easily made their escape. A young puppy, which I purchased from the Hare Indians, became greatly attached to me, and when about seven months old ran on the snow by the side of my sledge for nine hundred miles, without suffering from fatigue. During this march it frequently, of its own accord, car- ried a small twig or one of my mittens for a mile or two; but although very gentle in its manners, it shewed little aptitude in learn- ing any of the arts which the Newfoundland dogs so speedily acquire, of fetching and car- rying when ordered. This Dog was killed and eaten by an Indian, on the Saskatchewan. who pretended that he mistook it for a fox.” This Hare Indian dog was thought to have disappeared soon after the middle of the 19th century. In 1915, however, James Teit, when investigating the Tahltan Indians of the Stikine River for the National Museum of Canada. reported the existence there of a small variety of native dog that was locally known as the “Tahltan Bear Dog”, because it was particu- larly used for hunting black bears. All the animals he had seen or heard of were black or dark grey; some were enti-ely black with the exception of a few grey hairs in the body coat, white patches on the breast, muzzle, and sometimes the feet, and white again underneath the belly and flanks. With extreme age they took on a markedly grey phase of colour all over the body. April, 1937] THE CANADIAN FYIELD-NATURALIST 49 THE “TAHLTAN BEAR DOG” Photo by James Teit, 1915 Photo by J Fr:nk Callbreath, 1928 In 1928, Mr. Fenley Hunter, of New York, who had spent the summer in the Cassiar district of northern British Columbia, reported that two or three of these “bear dogs’ still survived, and secured for the National Museum of Canada the following description of them Ly J. Frank Calibreath of Teleg aph Creek: “It is a small slender dog about the size of a fox, but perhaps heavier. The bead is small with a sharp muzzle, the ears e ect and thickish, the eyes very sharp and b-ig t. The tail is bushy and always carried curled over the back, in most cases squarely ove-~ the centre of the back, but sometimes curled to one side. The feet are sharp like tose of a fox and well haired. While some animals are pure black, the majority have a pure white ring around the neck, white hairs on the feet and a few sometimes Photo by the owner, 1934 A Pup belonging to W. G. Crisp Photo by Dr Bott, 1931 Dr. Leo P. Bot'’s dog, now on exhibition in the National Museum of Canada a white patch on the belly; there is no brown or off-coloured hair at all. The animal ba ks a great deal; its note does not at all resemble a wolf’s, but rather the sharp yap-yapping of a fox. It was found in numbers among the ‘Tahl- tan Indians about 30 years ago, when the coming of the .44 calibre rifle put it out of business. Previously it was almost unknown for an Indian to get a bear without many shots There were a few bear dogs among the Bear Lake branch of the Tahltan t ibe, a few among the Stick Tarkos in early days, and a number among the Teslin and Tagish Like Indians, whence they came originally. There is, of course, no complete history of the bear dog, but I have been told by old. Indians years ago that it came from _ the north, originally from Russia. It was not a success in the Arctic or with the grizzly bear, which is very quick in its 50 THE CANADIAN Fie_p-NATURALIST movements. But among the black bear it was simply perfect. Several of these little devils would hold a black bear while the Indian reloaded his flint-lock gun for another shot. In the spring the Indians would turn them loose and they would smell out the dens of the bears before they came out. In early days there were no moose here. After Christmas, on their return from the sheep and caribou mountains where they had been trap- ping foxes, the Indians lived on dog salmon and dried meat. Until the bear came out they hunted either beaver or bear and lived on the meat until June, when the salmon run starts. Their dogs, in addition to being valu- able for bear, were splendid for grouse and porcupine; for there were no coyotes in the country 40 years ago and grouse and porcupine were plentiful. Thus, with the assistance of these dogs, the Indians were able to live off the country as they travelled. Every family had a flock of them. As near as I can learn the Tahltans were the -only tribe that went in heavy for these dogs. A branch of the tribe living around Bear Lake, about 306 miles south-east of here, had a few, always mixed and not pure breeds. The interior part of the Tarko tribe known as the Stick Tarkos, including the Indians on Teslin and Tagish lakes, also had these dogs, but they are almost a thing of the past now. During the past thirty years, I have shipped many to different places in the U.S.A., several of them to New York City. All died; none lived more than a year. Apparently they can- not stand the coast climate. The picture I attach is of a most perfect specimen. I had the little fellow until he was 18 years old. It was a strictly one-man dog, a surly, snappy little fellow who might bite a stranger, but to me was the most loyal, affectionate little fellow you could imagine. After my first boy Roy was four years old the dog had a tough time. Roy mauled him, rolled on him; the dog would snarl and show his teeth something fearful, but not once did he bite the child. When it could stand it no longer it would squeal like a pig and run away. As Roy outgrew this they got to be g-eat pals, would play and sleep together. Then along came Charlie and the dog had another bad spell. I have often seen it and the baby curled up together sleeping; when the baby woke up and got his arms free Mr. Dog woke up also and slid off the bed: it knew what was coming.” In 1931 Mr. W. G. Crisp, the Hudson’s Bay Company's factor at Dease Lake Post, obtain- ed from the Indians a female “hear dog”, months pure white and with a short bushy carried erect but never curled. It mated in 1934 with another “bear dog’, dug a hole in the side of a hill after the manner of a fox o~ prairie wolf, and gave birth to four pups, two of which had the same colour and mark- three with black markings, tail that it gene-~ally old, {VoL. LI ings as the mother. The third bore the same markings also, but instead of being white was bluish-grey; while the fourth, like its father, was a glossy black, with white feet, one white shoulder, and a white streak between the eyes. On moving a few weeks later to Kitwanga, on the Skeena River, Mr. Crisp took the mother dog with him, and watched it play with a tame prairie wolf owned by some neighbours. The dog and the wolf seemed to him in their actions and bearing very much alike. In the same year, 1931, Dr. Leo P. Bott, Jr. a dentist of Little Rock, Arkansas, also procur- ed a live “bear dog” from Telegraph Creek, on the Stikine River. When some one poisoned the animal a few months later, he engaged a local taxidermist to mount the skin and pre- sented it to the National Museum of Canada, where it has now been remounted and placed on exhibition in one of the halls. It seems safe to conclude then that on the Stikine River we still have a few surviving representatives of an aboriginal American dog, probably descended, as Sir John Richardson believed, from the prairie wolf. Professor Glover M. Allen, of Harvard University, concurs in this. opinion. After reading most of the above notes, and examining two photographs of the specimen in the National Museum of Can- ada, he kindly made the following comments: “T think that there can be little doubt that this Bear Dog represents the same breed as the Hare Indian Dog described by Sir John Richardson so long ago. So far as I know there has been no formal record of the breed within recent years, so that it would be worth while to put your facts on record. Since writing my paper on the dogs in 1920 [G. M. Allen, “Dogs of the American Aborigines”, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool, Vol. 58, No. 9,] I have succeeded in obtaining a nearly complete skeleton of one of these dogs, together with a photograph of it in life. I came into possession of the skeleton the spring after the little animal died, and the bones were dug up after the winter was over. My photograph shows a much black- -er dog than yours, with a white chest and collar and the rest mostly black. The erect, sharp ears are rather characteristic of native breeds, as well as the fine muzzle and other traits. I have no doubt that these are abor- iginal dogs. The skull of our specimen I[ have compared with that of the small Indian dog of which we have skeletal material from “nre-basket-make~” culture and it is very dif- ferent, less heavy of bone, somewhat smaller in dimensions, but the teeth are the same size. In the Bear Dog, further, the muzzle is much shorter in its bones, resulting in a crowding of the upper pre-molars, throwing them out of line.” b ote < a er April, 1937) Tue CANADIAN FieLp-NATURALIST 51 A DECADE OF PROGRESS IN THE BIRD SANCTUARIES OF THE NORTH SHORE OF THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE By HARRISON F. LEWIS* HE TEN sanctuaries for sea birds es- tablished by the Government of Can- ada in 1925 among the archipelagoes that border the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence have been maintained under the jurisdiction of the Dominion’s Department of the Interior for a full decade. A review of the results accomplished during that time by reservation and protection of those selected areas may be not without inter- est for those to whom conservation of wild life is a matter of concern. A description of these sanctuaries was pub- lished in The Canadian Field-Naturalist for November, 1925, page 177. Censuses of the non-passerine birds breeding in the sanctuaries have been made every five years, in 1925, 1930. and 1935. The results of the first census were published with the above-mentioned description ot the sanctuary areas and the results of the second census were published and compared with the results of the first census in The Canadian Field-Naturalist for April, 1931, page 73. In both of these papers it was pointed out that the census figures reported were as accurate as it was possible to make them under the circumstances existing in the several sanc- tuaries when the census work was done. Some of the census figures are the results of careful counts of nests or their equivalents for census purposes and are, practically speaking, entirely accurate, but for some species of birds in some areas precise counts are rendered impossible by ‘local conditions. In such cases it has been the practice to carry a system of precise counting as far as possible and to obtain the final figures by supplementing such counting with conservative estimates, based on the best in- formation available, viewed in the light of ex- perience. Similar methods were used in taking the census of breeding birds in these sanctuaries in 1935, although it should be remarked that, with increased experience, it been found possible to increase accuracy with each succeed- ing census. has In all three censuses a large part *Dr. H. F. Lewis is Chief Federal Migratory Bird Officer for Ontario and Quebec, National Parks Bureau, Department of Mines and Resources, Can- ada. This article is published with the approval of the Department of Mines and Resources. It was presented on October 22nd, 1935, before the Am- erican Ornithologists’ Union at its Fifty-third Stated Meeting, which was held in Toronto Canada. of the actual field work was done by the writer and the rest of it was done under his super- vision. The results of the census taken in these sanctuaries in 1935 are shown in Table I. Comparison of these results with those obtain- ed in 1925 and 1930 is made in Tables II and Ill. Those interested in making more detailed comparisons may do so by consulting the original data published in the two _ papers referred to above. The progress made in increasing the popula- tions of breeding birds varies in the individual sanctuaries, as is to be expected. Many factors, such as the species of birds involved. the shelter, food, and nesting sites available, the character and continuity of the warden service, the extent of the sanctuary and its distance from large human populations or established routes of human travel, the weather experienced during the breeding season, occasional invasions by foxes, weasels, or other serious predators, and the conditions encountered by the sanc- tuary’s bird population when, outside of the breeding season, they are in other parts of their range, have observable effects tending to cause increase or decrease in the numbers of birds that breed in the several sanctuaries. The resident part-time wardens of these sanctuaries are, generally speaking, deserving of praise for their efforts and for the results that they have been instrumental in obtaining. Special factors affecting the breeding bird population of Cape Whittle Bird Sanctuary were explained in the published report on the census of 1930. When that census was made it was hoped that this sanctuary would regain much of its former abundance of bird life, but the census of 1935 shows a_ continued pronounced decline in this area. The exceptionally large proportional increase shown in the case of St. Augustine Bird Sanc- tuary is a very real one, resulting from the ap- plication of very and efficient protective service to an area which is naturally well suited to the birds’ needs but which had been severely harried for many years prior to the establishment of the sanctuary. For the ten sanctuaries taken as a whole the increase in numbers of breeding birds from 1930 to 1935 is 11,014, or 11%, as compared and enthusiastic to an increase of 16,130, or 19%, in the period between 1925 and 1930. The diminution in the rate of increase in the second five-year period, as compared with the first, is due almost entirely to a decrease of 6,868 in the popu- lation of Razor-billed Auks in the second period. Had this species maintained during the second period the same rate of increase that it showed during the first period, the entire population of breeding non-passerine birds in the sanctuaries would have shown an increase of 23% in the fore the census totals for 1925 are not strictly comparable with the totals obtained in the later censuses. So small, however, are the total numbers of these two shore-birds nesting in the sanctuaries that this discrepancy is of no practical consequence in the final results. The two outstanding and important changes shown by the census of 1935, when compared with its predecessors, are an increase of 3,004, or 37%, in the population of the American Eider (Somateria mollissima dresseri) and a decrease second period, instead of an increase of 11%. of 6868 or 47%, in the population of the Mention should be made of the fact that the Razor-billed Auk (Alca torda). figures in the column headed “Per cent gain There is no doubting the reality of the or loss since 1925”, in Table III, are slightly increase in the numbers of the valuable inaccurate because the census of 1925 did not take Semipalmated Plovers and Spotted Sand- pipers into account, while the censuses of 1936 and 1935 did include these species, and there- American Eider, which is a species whose protec- tion was given special attention in the adoption and administration of The Migratory Birds T:eaty, for statistics obtained from the recently- 52 THE CANADIAN FIEL_D-NATURALIST [Vot. LI TasLe I a4 CENSUS IN THE Birp SANCTUARIES ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF THE GULF oF ST. LAWRENCE R 1935. | Brrps Sanctuaries Total n ¢ a ) Sin ; bo 2 a Pee ee : Pa cy BS BO oo OF ae so $38 S @ : ae eee (ese ee Bm OF ne pote ns mA ; Redethnoated loom Ee acumen: 8 4 12 70 12 106 European Cormorant ....... 60 60 Double-crested Cormorant 294 484 390 1,168 Black Dick aah eect 2 10 Bae ee28 48 Green-wineede eal: as. cre 4 4} Ale rican id eG ieee arose 1,600 744 2,400 1,800 1,000 30 1,210 1,200 1,206 11,190 Red-breasted Merganser 12 4 16 American Rough-legged Hawk 2 2 2 6 Semipalmated Plover ....... 6 4 8 18 4 46 | Spotted » Sandpiper ..<... +... 2 10 50 8 10 24 12 18 4 138 Great Black-backed Gull 6 8 300 180 194 26 548 220 286 1,768 erring Gulls 24. a ee eee 550 240 200 232 360 12 804 870 234 3,502 Ring-billed- Gull 7.........:. 30 314 344 Atlantic. Kittiwake-.....:.... 6 6 Common -Lermtes.43 Gee 4 350 500 8 858 IAiecticue Renn: «> aoisscesec chistes: 8 52- 60 Caspianeenn fe fects terest 84 84 Razorepilled Auk 226 isc... 200 14 207, 2,290' 134) 3:238 74 1,650 7,620 Atlanticn: Minne: somes nk 4,000 1,840 6,338 30 12,208 Blacks Gtullemiot 3s e0-).2. 0-1. 4 14 84 10 196 400 128 836 Atlan ti@ am either tcc eta 600 5,124 3,762 62,418 71,914 Shortseaned! Owl a5 s5.2- cn 2 2 Meotale tee fe ae ee 2,514 1,808 3,798 6,906 11,314 212 16,206 2,868 2,246 64,106 111,978 ew April, 1937] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST TABLE II ooo THREE QUINQUENNIAL CENSUSES IN THE Birp SANCTUARIES ALONG THE NortH SHORE OF THE GuLF oF St. LAWRENCE. i) Ba Birps 1925 1930 1935 Fe ore Red-throated Loon 24 26 106 +80 European Cormorant — — 60 +60 Double-crested Cormorant 1,364 1,086 1,168 +82 Black Duck 6 — 48 +48 Green-winged Teal 2 2 4 +2 American Eider 6,450 8,186 11,190 +3,004 Red-breasted Merganser — 32 16 —16 American Rough-legged Hawk — — 6 +6 Semipalmated Plover No record 40 40 — Spotted Sandpiper No record 88 138 +50 Great Black-backed Gull 968 1,302 1,768 +466 Herring Gull 1,020 2,642 3,502 +860 Ring-billed Gull 270 376 344 —32 Atlantic Kittiwake — 6 6 — Common Tern 756 1,190 858 —332 Arctic Tern 96 50 60 +10 Caspian Tern 60 90 84 —6 Razor-billed Auk 10,580 14,488, 7,620 —6,868 Atlantic Murre 7,240 8,048 12,208 +4,160 Black Guillemot 320 750 836 +86 Atlantic Puffin 55,550 62,562 71,914 +9352 Short-eared Owl — — 2 2 Total 84,706 100,964 111,978 +11,014 Tasie III THREE QUINQUENNIAL CENSUSES IN THE Birp SANCTUARIES ALONG THE Sanctuaries_ Birch Islands Betchouane Watshishow Fog Island Wolf Bay Cape Whittle St.Mary Islands Mecattina St.Augustine Bradore Bay Total 1925 692 1364 4,880 1,794 6,068 3,978 9,340 962 328 55,300 84,705 14,114 1,082 11,788 1,282 820 57,810 100,964 GuLF oF ST. LAWRENCE. 111,978 Gain or loss since 1930 ~ 1 ( + 1,426 +- 6,296 411,014 53 Per cent gain or loss since 1930 +308 % oo 8% co +100% +37% —50% foe) 457% + 36% 433% —9% — 28% +20% —7% —47% + 52% +11% +15% foe) +11% North SHorE OF THE Per cent gain or loss since 1930 +25% —25% —-24% 148% —20% —80% +37% +124% +174% +11% +11% or loss Per cent gain since 1925 +263% + 33% —22% +285% +86% —95% +74% -+198% +585% +16% + 32% 5A THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST established eiderdown industry indicate a general increase of this species along the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The abrupt and unmistakable decrease during the past five years, in the numbers of Razor- billed Auks breeding in this series of bird sanc- tuaries, cannot as yet be explained with certainty. Between 1925 and 1930 the reports show an increase of 3,908, or 37%, in the numbers of this species, yet in the following five-year period its numbers declined nearly 50%. The fact that the Razor-billed Auk population decreased in every sanctuary of this series in which this species is found, except Fog Island Bird Sanc- tuary, where a small population of 20 remained stationary, and Cape Whittle Bird Sanctuary, where, in another small population, there was an increase of 14 Auks, indicates that the cause of the serious reduction in the numbers of this species is not confined to any particular sanc- 'tuary or to any limited part of the breeding range. When we take into account the fact that the Atlantic Murre (Uria aalge aalge), a bird which often breeds in company with the Razor-billed Auk and which resembles that species in many of its habits, has shown an increase of 4,160, or 52%, in its numbers in these sanctuaries during the same period in which the Auk population has decreased by 47%, there is reasonable ground for thinking that this decrease in the numbers of Razor- billed Auks is not due to any factor operative in the bird sanctuaries. It is a possibility that the representatives of these two species that breed close to each other in these sanctuaries may, in general, winter in distinct areas and that some unfavourable condition on the winter- ing-area of the Razor-billed Auk may be res- ponsible for the sudden marked decrease in the numbers of that species. A wintering-area for the Auks on or near the principal trans- Atlantic steamship lanes, with consequent heavy mo tality from fuel oil pollution, is one pos- sibility. The situation relating to the Razor- billed Auk will be given close attention. The apparently large increase in the numbers of breeding Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) in the past five years is actually due in large part to the discovery in Mecattina Bird Sanc- tuary, during the taking of the census in 1935, of a number of breeding pairs of this species that had previously been overlooked. The development, in St. Mary Island Bird Sanctuary, of a colony of European Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo), which, after an Vou. LI abortive attempt at nesting in 1930, first suc- ceeded in raising young there in 1931, has been traced in The Canadian Field-Naturalist, vol. 48, no. 6, September, 1934, page 100. Changes in the numbers of Black Ducks (Anas rubripes subsp.?), Green-winged Teal (Nettion carolinense), and Red-breasted Mer- gansers (Mergus serrator) nesting in these sanctuaries, as shown by the census reports, are believed to be without special significance. These non-colonial species are scattered in the nesting season over large areas on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, including some of the coastal islands as well as the mainland, and the number of each of them that may nest on the sanctuary islands fluctuates from year to year and is governed by factors so complex and so little known that it may be regarded as a matter of chance. The Atlantic Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla tri- dactyla) shown in the report form a_ small colony of three pairs nesting in Betchouane Bird Sanctuary. The decrease of 28% in the numbers of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo lMrundo) shown in the report is not believed to indicate a general decrease in the numbers of this species nesting along the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. With an abundance of suitable nesting sites available in this region, breeding colonies of this species often change their nest- ing-grounds from year to year in what seems to be a capricious manner. It is thought that such changes are responsible for the reduced number of these birds found in the sanctuary areas in 1935. Sixty Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea), which were nesting in two small homogeneous groups, are included in the census report for 1935, but it is probable that a small additional number of individuals of this species nested as usual in the large colonies of Common Terns, where or- dinarily they can de detected only by careful and prolonged observation. They were sought in such places in 1935, but none where identified in the limited time available for this search. The only colony of Caspian Terns (Hydro- progne caspia imperator) in these sanctuaries, which is situated on Fog Island, shows a slight decrease of 6 individuals when its population in 1935 is compared with that recorded in 1930. This colony fluctuates in size and contained at least 49 occupied nests in 1932. The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica arc- tica), with 71,914 breeding individuals in 1935, April, 1937] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 55 (National Parks Bureau Photo) Atlantic Puffins are among the nesting birds that are becoming more abundant in Canadian bird sanctuaries along the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. continues to be the predominant species in this series of sanctuaries, considered as a_ whole. Yet this predominance is hardly realized by the casual visitor to these reserved areas, for Puffins nest in only four of the ten sanctuaries and form a majority of the avian population in Bradore Bay Bird Sanctuary only. In this sanctuary, however, they are remarkably abun- dant and are increasing in numbers, figures show. as the Bradore Bay Bird Sanctuary contains but two islands, namely, Greenly Island and Perroquet Island. The former is the larger of the two and probably had the greater bird population four hundred and one years ago, when the great French explorer, Jacques Cartier, called it the “island of birds’ and described unmis- takably the Puffins that nested there. Today, however, Greenly Island is inhabited by man and its suitability as a nesting place for sea- birds is much reduced, so that it is now the home of only some 3,000 Puffins, whereas Per- roquet Island, with a total area of about 41 acres, is inhabited by more than 59,000 of them. In the census of 1935, as in the two previous censuses under consideration, the number of Puffins nesting on Perroquet Island was chiefly determined by dividing the island into small lots and counting carefully the number of occupied Puffin burrows on these lots. In 1935 this task, which occupied five men for an entire day, showed a total of 29,209 burrows, represent- ing at least 58,418 breeding Puffins. There are also some Puffins on this island that nest with the Razor-billed Auks and Atlantic Murres, under and among large boulders, where their homes are not countable with precision. These were conservatively estimated to number at least 1,000, and the total adult Puffin population of Perroquet Island, in Bradore Bay, was thus set at not less than 59,418. 56 THE CANADIAN FYIELD-NATURALIST (VoL. LI FURTHER NOTES ON WILLIAM COUPER By JAMES L. BAILLIE, JR. N The Canadian Field-Naturalist, November, 1929, the writer published an account of William Couper, early Canadian naturalist, and the present article is intended to place on record such additional information concerning Couper as has come to hand since its publication. Toronto (1842-1859) Although Couper is known to have been resident at Toronto between the above dates, nothing had been forthcoming to indicate that he visited any other parts of Canada during that period. In the Toronto Leader for February 13, 1856, however, it is stated that he visited Montreal in October, 1855, and it is conceivable that he then made the acquaintance of Mont- real naturalists, with whom he corresponded and became, a decade or two later, associated. In the same issue of the Leader it is stated that (in January, 1856) he was a compositor in the printing establishment of H. Rowsell. His interest in entomology during that period, was evident from his article’ entitled Descrip- tion of the Canadian Wheat Insect, which was written October 7, 1856. His occupation in 1857 is given’ as “printer and entomologist” and his address ‘Queen, near Ontario Street”. Couper collected insects assiduously at Toron- to and we find the following mention of his collection by Dr. J. W. Dawson, in his pres- idential report for 1857 to the Natural History Society of Montreal? “Mr. Couper, of Toronto, has collected and identified several hundreds of species of Coleoptera, and his collection is now in the McGill College’. In 1858 Couper advertised* that he was prepared to execute orders at Toronto for the preservation of Natural History specimens and offered to supply museums with skins and eggs of Canadian birds. Under his name in the advertisement appear the words “Successor to the late George Hadgraft, Naturalist”. A small sum of money having been made avail- able for the purpose in 1853, Hadgraft had been commissioned by University College, To- ronto, to prepare an exhibit of birds for their Museum in 1854, 1855, 1856 and 1857. Regard- ing Hadgraft, the Rev. William Hincks, first Professor of Natural History at the College, said, “a naturalist from London who is eminent- ly skilled in the preparation of specimens...” Couper (as well as Samuel Herring and S. W. Passmore) continued to mount birds in 1859 for the University College Museum after Hadgraft’s death, according to Prof. Hinck’s manuscript catalogue to the collection, written in 1865 and now preserved in the library of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. QueEBEc (1859-1868) In December, 1859, Couper’s address was 75 St. Paul St. Quebec.” His trip along the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the summer of 1867 (May 29 to July 30) has been reported on by him in his Investigalions of a Naturalist between Mingan and Watch- couti, Labrador (fourteen page pamphlet, Que- bes, 1868), a copy of which is in the posses- sion of the writer. This important pamphlet did not come to the writer’s attention until after his previous account of Couper had been published. The purpose of the trip was stated to be to study the birds of the coast and to ascertain the accuracy of Audubon’s observa- tions many years before, and although consider- able observing and collecting was evidently done on the birds, it soon becomes apparent, in a perusal of the pamphlet, that entomology and matters pertaining to fish were equally well treated. Eighteen species of birds are dis- cussed, as well as notes on certain insects and mammals. The pamphlet should be read by all persons interested in that fascinating coast and its human and wild inhabitants of seventy years ago. In 1868 Couper was Vice-President of the Quebec Branch of the Entomological Society of Canada. During his nine year’s residence there ornithology, too, must have been one of his chief interests. At any rate, Brewster® records specimens of Holboell’s Redpolls secured by Couper at Quebec, Vennor" speaks of a Gyr- falcon in the Smithsonian Institution collec- tion, which had been collected at St. Foy, Quebec by Couper in 1860, LeMoine® speaks of a Golden Eagle in his collection, which had been prepared by Couper, LeMoine® in his list of the birds of Quebec city prefixes 110 species of birds with asterisks “noted by and inserted April, 1937) on the authority of Wm. Couper, Zoological Artist, Quebec’, E. A. Samuel * includes 153 species as noted in Quebec by Couper, and Dionne” cites Couper as authority for the inclusion of nine species in his list of Quebec birds. Ortawa_ (1868-1871) A letter from Chief Justice F. R. Latch- ford, dated December 18, 1930, informs me that he knew Couper during Couper’s short residence in Ottawa and that he lived near the Latch- ford home in the west end of Ottawa, more precisely on Albert Street (now about No. 558) opposite the south end of Hill Street. The Chief Justice states that, even now, more than sixty years afterwards, he well remembers the comeliness of one of Couper’s daughters! This was our first intimation that Couper’s family included a daughter and likewise our first knowledge of his place of residence in Ottawa. On September 22, 1869, Couper was elected to the Council of the Entomological Society of Canada”. An advertisement by Couper, in the Ottawa Times of February 24, 1869, (reproduced in the Ottawa Evening Citizen of May 30, 1936,) gives his address as Clarence Street, near Dal- housie, a locality quite distant from the address at which Justice Latchford knew him. Couper advertised oological specimens for sale, a study to which, he states, he has devoted upwards of twelve years. Two publications issued in 1876 bear evidence of Couper’s continued interest in birds during this period, namely, Forest and Stream, in which apears an article by him commenting on the breeding of Nighthawks on the flat gravel roofs of houses in Montreal, and Ven- nor’s Our Birds of Prey’s“, plate X in which shows an adult Red-tailed Hawk which had been mounted by Couper. His interest in animals other than birds is shown by a specimen of Jefferson’s Salamander in the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology (No. 1471) which had been secured by him at Montreal in 1883, and received by the Museum of the University of Toronto in the Dr. J. H. Garnier collection in 1891. In July, . 1883, Doctor William Brodie and J. E. White, of the Natural History Society of Toronto, acknowledge thanks to Couper for assistance received from him in the p~eparatiion of their Check-list of the Insects of the Dominion of Canada. Couper’s Canadian Sportsman and Naturalist (1881-83) received the commendation of several THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 57 naturalist editors, among whom was _ Joseph M. Wade, editor of the then-thriving Ornitho- ligist and Oologist,, who says® of it “It is well wortn the attention of all sportsmen and those interested in natural history; subscription $1. per volume.” NEw York State (1884-1886?) Our search has failed to reveal any personal facts about Couper subsequent to his residence at 517 Fifth Avenue, Lansingburg, New York, in 1886°. Three articles attributed to him apparently appeared in Shooting and Fishing, published in Boston, Mass., for 1890, on the food of the Woodcock. These articles, which appeared in the issues for April 3, May 8, and June 12, 1890, were cited in the Auk, 1893 but have not been seen by the writer. They suggest, at least, that Couper lived until 1890, or thereabouts. Two invertebrates apparently named after Couper are Anodonta couperiana Lea (a mol- lusc) and Euceros couperi Cresson (an Ichneu- mon. ) Mr. Albert Winn, of the Peter Redpath Mu- seum, Montreal, has told me that they have a considerable number of moths taken by Couper at Burlington, Vermont, without any indica- tion of the year when they were taken and the writer has considered the possibility that there may be a connection between this fact and the statement™ by “Stanstead” of Montreal, a fre- quent contributor to Forest and Stream, that he (“Stanstead”) spent his boyhood at Sheldon, Vermont! Perhaps Couper and “Stanstead” were one and the same person and he did come from Vermont to Toronto in 1842 and not from England as I have already recorded on the authority of the late Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, who knew Couper at Toronto in the ‘fifties’. LITERATURE CITED I. Can. Agric. Vol) 8. 1856, p. 329. The Canada Directory for 1857-58, pubs. John Lovell, Montreal, 1857. . Can. Nat. and Geol., Vol. 3, 1858, p. 4. bo = OO Can. Nat. and Geol., Vol. 2, no. 6, Dec. 1857 inside back cover. 5. Can. Nat. and Geol., Vol. 4, no. 6, Dec. 1859, inside cover. . Bull. Nuttall Orn. Club. No. 8 p. 97. Our Birds of Prey. 1876, p. 20. . Ornithologie du Canada 1861, p. 20. . Birds observed Round Quebec 1861. . Our Northern and Eastern Birds, 1883. . Catalogues des Oixeaux de la province de Que- bec. 1889. . Ont. Farmer, Vol. 1, 1869, p. 300. . Forest and Stream vol. 6, 1876, p. 132. LOGS Cl EDI Lor . Orn. and Col. Vol. 6, 1881 p. 5. . Can. Field-Nat., Vol. 43, 1929, p. 176. . Auk, Vol. 10, 1893 pp. 292-3. . Forest and Stream, Vor. 10 p. 117. SS ee CIHR OP coh ROW O-A1S 58 THE CANADIAN FrEeLD-NATURALIST (VoL. LI THE SLUG Arion circumscriptus IN CANADA By A. LA ROCQUE N A PREVIOUS note (1) the writer recorded the presence of this slug in the Ottawa region. Since then many specimens have been collected which greatly extend its known range in Canada; the National Museum now possesses material from the following localities : Nova Scotia: Morden and _ Berwick, Kings County. Ouebec: Ste Anne de Bellevue, Jacques Car- tier Co.; Trois Pistoles, Temiscouata Co.; Montmagny, Montmagny Co.; Val Tetreau, Meach Lake, Wright Co. Ontario: Ottawa, Manotick, Carleton Co.; Spencerville, Grenville Co.; Perth, Lan- ark Co., and Toronto. The Nova Scotia specimens were collected by Mr. H. J. Griffiths of the Institute of Parasi- tology, Macdonald College, the Toronto speci- mens by Mr. J. G. Oughton and the others by the writer. In order to ascertain the approximate limits of distribution of the species, a careful search was made in the Ottawa region, novth of Meach Lake. Farm Point, Wakefield and Alcove yield- ed no specimens of Arion circumscriptus in October, 1936, although Deroceras agreste and D. campestre were abundant and active at the time. The writer feels sure that had Arion been present it would have been found in com- pany with the other two slugs. It may be said therefore that Meach Lake is the present northernmost point ta which the species has spread and it will be interesting in future years to find out how far north it will go. Oppor- tunities for dispersal are not lacking since every potted plant and shvub brought up the Gatineau by cottage owners is a potential carrier. 1. Can. Field-Nat. 50:148, December 2. Vanatta, E. G., Proc. Phila. Wy ay wR) 1936. Acad. Nat. Sci. Until a few years ago only two Canadian records had been published, one for Prince Edward Island (2) and the other for Toronto (3). In 1917 Walker (4) ‘stated “that “the species was “thoroughly naturalized” in the Toronto district but it seemed that these two records were isolated local ones which were not likely to cause any great damage. Its presence in the Ottawa region seemed to be another case of the same nature. Now, how- ever, in the light of the above records, we must realize that this species is not only thriv- ing in isolated spots but rapidly spreading all over Canada and perhaps the United States. This invasion has been going on rapidly but apparent- ly unnoticed. There is one instance where appearance of the species can be placed with- in a few years. Cockerell (5) states that it was not present at Niagara Falls in 1887 but was found there in 1904. Again, its does not appear on the 1890 list and it is hard to imagine that such a conspicuous species could have escaped the sharp eyes of our local collectors. Also, had it been present around Montreal in the 1860’s Whiteaves would undoubtedly have noticed it, since he knew it in England. The spread of the species, therefore, dates from the nineties of last century or the early 190u’s. There is no doubt that it can withstand the cold of our winters, our spring floods and occasional dry summers. It seems to prefer the vicinity of dwellings, where it is exceeding- ly abundant more so than Deroceras agreste. even The writer would be glad to examine spec- imens of slugs from various parts of Canada which might throw some light on the distribu- tion of this and other species. 3. Nat. Hist. Tor. Region, p. 290. 4. Ott. Nat. 31:41, June-July, 1917. 5. Nautilus 18:91, Dec. 1904. April, 1937] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 59 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS AN AiBINO MEADOWLARK. — On the 6th of July, 1936, William Colby, a farmer living near Unity, Saskatchewan, telephoned to me to say that when he was cutting hay he saw a meadowlark’s [Sturnella neglecta] nest in the way of his mower and that he had carefully moved the nest to the some bushes close by. The nest contained six well-grown young mea- dowlarks, all normal, and one well-grown young lark which was pure white except for a small amount of yellow on the breast; the eyes were pink and the legs whitish pink. His boy, he said, had picked up the white lark and _they had examined it together. I went out - to his place late in the afternoon, but unfor- tunately there were only four larks left at the nest. The larger ones, including the white lark, had wandered away, which they were appar- ently big enough to do, as in handling one of those left we found that it could fly a short distance. We made a careful search round about but failed to find any more than the four larks at the nest, except one which had seem- ingly been trampled on by a cow and killed. some little distance from the nest. — S. HUMPHRY. THE AMERICAN EIDER ON THE NIAGARA RIVER. — On November 25, 1936, a fine specimen of a young male American Eider (Somatcria mol- lssima dresseri) was brought to me, in the flesh, by city police officer M. Jones, and Mr. H. M. Meades. Information was obtained to the effect that the bird was one of three similarly plumaged ducks seen off Navy Island on the Canadian side of the Niagara River a few days earlier, on November 2lst. This information was subsequently confirmed by the hunter who actually took the specimen, Mr. W. G. Ander- son, who states that the trio f om which he shot the question found off the south end of Navy Island about midway in the channel between that island and the Canadian shore mainland. Mr. Anderson further states that the birds seemed slow in rising from the water and that, although he is well acquainted with the more usual river duck, he had no idea of the indentity of these particular bird in was bi ds. The Eiders had apparently been recently feed- ing on crawfish for one of these crustaceans was stated to have been squeezed out of the crop of the dead bird shortly after it was shot. Ornithological records are indebted to Mr. H. M. Meades who, although not recognizing the species, nevertheless sensed the possible interest of the specimen and very properly saw that it was saved from destruction and delivered into my hands. The taking of this young male American Eider on the Canadian side of the Niagara River apparently constitutes the first definite record for Ontario. The bird was forwarded in the flesh to Mr. P. A. ‘Taverner who verified my identification and had it made up into a skin for the National Museum, in which collection it is now specimen No. 27502. In further reference to Eider ducks on the Niagara River, it is perhaps interesting to men- tion here that in the mimeographed journal of the Buffalo Ornithological Society, “The Pro- thonotary” for December 1936, there is an introductory note, apparently based on observa- tions made by James Savage on December 6th, stating that “The presence of a few King Eiders (possible some are American Eiders) in Buffalo Harbor was of especial interest”. This note by the Buffalo Ornithological Society, or rather that portion of their note which appears in brackets, takes on added significance and inter- est in view of our substantiated record from the Canadian side of the Niagara River on November 21, 1936. E. H. Eaton, in his Birds of New YVork, 1, p. 219, 1910, mentions the American Eider in his list of records as being included in Bergtold’s Buffalo, N.Y., list as a rare winter visitant; but there would appear to be no other mention in literature of this particular species in the Niagara River area. — R. W. SHEPPARD. OBSERVATIONS ON ‘THE Foop Hasits oF THE Snowy Ow. — The following account concerns a Snowy Owl which was held in captivity for a period slightly longer than four months. ' The specimen was brought into Meaford, Ont- ario, on December 20, 1935, by a farmer whose 60 THe CANADIAN FreELp-NATURALIST identity has not yet been learned. It was given to a merchant who in turn gave it to the writer of this article. The bird was turned loose in a garage with the windows protected by burlap. Otherwise the bird would have injured itself against the glass. A pile of straw served as a perch. From almost the first day of its captivity the bird took food. .This was given at first from the point of a short stick but later from the hand. The bulk of the food was beef strips about two inches long and an inch wide. It would not eat these if they were left on its perch. With the melting of the snow other food be- came available. This included Meadow Mice, White-footed Mice, Common House Mice, Brown Rats and Blackbirds. When eating Field Mice or smaller creatures, the owl crushed the vertebrae just behind the skull, then shifted the mouse till it had the head in its beak and immediately crushed the skull. The mouse was then swallowed whole. On February 25, at 6 p.m. the owl ate four full grown Field Mice (Microtus) and later in the evening, two more Microtus and three full- grown house mice. At twelve noon on February 26, the pellet was disgorged. This was six inches in length and averaged an inch in diameter. This owl had been shot through the tip of one wing. When it had become somewhat ac- customed to its surroundings, help was called in and the wing bandaged. Two days later the bandage was gone and could not be found. Later in the week it re-appeared in the form of a pellet. How the bird removed it is still a mystery. A rat left on the perch was eaten. First the head was torn off, then the body torn apart and devoured. On April 21, 1936, the owl was given to W. Linn who will keep it in his barn at Mountain Lake. Mr. Linn has fed it on Grackles but they must be plucked before it will eat them. In one case the head of the grackle was torn off and swallowed without being crushed as in the case of the mice. Other birds and mammals which are usually considered as pests will be tried as food and the results noted. In one week the owl would eat two pounds of beef. In a period of four days it ate between ‘VoL. LI thirty and thirty-five Meadow Mice. Living an active life, it seems reasonable to suppose that a Snowy Owl would destroy the equivalent ot three thousand to five thousand Field Mice per year. — L. H. BEAMER. SPRING RivAuRy oF Birps. (A_ neglected paper).—tThe theory of territo y in bird life as et forth by Howard (1) is now widely accepted by ornithologists. Margaret Nice (2) in her review of the development of the theory, gives full credit to Howard, but shows that the main points of the hypothesis had been set forth at earlier periods by Maumann (3), Altum (4) and others. A paper that seems to have been generally overlooked was published by C. B. Moffat (5) in the Jrish Naturalist of June 1903. I venture to call attention to it here, and to give a few quotations from which the nature of the argu- ment may be judged. “Birds may, or may not, realise the importance of protecting their future families against the ills of congestion; but they certainly seem to have an instinctive feeling that the patch of ground on which a pair is nesting belongs to that pair, and that no other pair of the same species of bird has any right to attempt to nest upon it. And, as land is a limited commouity, the cock birds in spring have to fight une another to settle the question, which — shall pessess a pa:ticular plot.” “ ... Have we not he e some ground afforded us for suspecting that the bright plumage may have been originally evolved as war paint? In other words, as a sort of ‘warning colouration’ to rival males, rathe- than attractive colouration to dazzle the females? If the cock bird shared the dull plumage of the hen, the signal would be less useful in two respects; it would not be seen so far, to begin with, nor would is show—when it was seen—that the bird belonged to the fighting sex, and was of ful age to maintain his right’. The paper gives numerous cbservations by the author and others, including two cases of “shadow-boxing” with a discussion of their significance; territorial rivaly between different species, and between communities such as rookeries, as well as competition within the rookery; rapid re-mating of widowed birds, proving the existence of a reserve of nonbreed- April, 1937] ers; and a census of migrating swifts, from which it appears that mortality during migra- tion is of little significance, and that “prudential restraints on the marriage of birds” are an important factor in keeping their number per- manent. The author’s observational basis, though not contemptible, is of course dwarfed by the monumental work of Howard: it is no detrac- tion from the latter to point out that before his work began his conclusions had been reached by Moffat, who set them forth in lucid and pleasing language, but buried them in an obscure publication. THE CANADIAN FieLip-NATURALIS? 61 1. Howarp, H. E. 1920. Territory in Bird 1ife. London. 308 pp. 2. Nice, Margaret H. 1933. The ‘Theory of Territorialism and its Development. 3. NauMANN, J. F. 1820. Naturgeschichte des Vogels Deutschlands, Bd. 1. Leipzig. 4. Avtum, Bernard. 1868. Der Vogel und sein Leben. Munster. 168 pp. 5. Morrat, C. B. 1903, The Spring Rivalry of Birds. Irish Naturalist. XII. pp. 152-166. —E. G. McDovucatn. *The essential evidence of the territorial guard- ianship of the male bird is presented by H. Mousley in The Singing Tree or how near to the Nest do the Male Birds sing? in The Auk, 36: 339-348, 1919, though without developing the theory to its ulti- mate conclusion.—Ornith. Ed. REViEWS FLUCTUATIONS IN NUMBERS OF RUFFED GROUSE, Bonasa umbellus (Linne) with — special reference to Ontario. By C. H. Douglas Clarke. University of Toronto Studies, Bio- logical series No. 41, pp. 108, several maps. University Press, Toronto, 1936. Of late years the interest of students has been directed towards the periodic . variations in density of wild-life populations. It is evident that in many cases these fluctuations are too regularly recurrent to be the result of advent- itious conditions and there has been consider- able investigation to discover the laws and causes of the phenomenon. This paper is the result of three years’ intensive study of the problem in relation to Ruffed Grouse in vari- ous areas in Ontario. Experience has not been long enough for unquestionably final decision upon the critical phases of the question, not even one complete cycle having been studied through, but a large amount of data has been gathered and considerable progress made towards the objective. The cyclical nature of the accelerated increase in population over a series of years followed by a sudden cash and extraordinary disapear- ance of numbers followed by repetition of the process is well demonstrated by history and cbservation. The period of the cycle is be- tween nine and ten years kept with remarkable regularity. Though extending over the whole range of the species and involving some of its allies, it is not synchronized in phase through- out the country, even throughout the prov- ince, some localities being as much as half a cycle out of step. It thus does not seem that general meteorological or astronomical factors are determining causative agencies. Given favourable ecological conditions, the gradual building up of population over a_ series of years to saturation point does not cause sur- prise, but the sudden crash at the climax with an epidemic of mortality when all seems favour- able is in need of explanation. The mortality seems chiefly to affect chicks, occurs in mid- summer, and prevents the survival of more than a fraction of the normal hatch. How far the adults are involved is not as _ yet certain. Various disease parasites have been found in association at this time but most of them are allowed only contributary importance in the disaster. One, however, a protozoan blood parasite, Leucocytozoon bonanasae, des- cribed and named by the author in 1935, is regarded as a more responsible organism than the others and the possible, if not the probable, immediate cause of the wholesale dying off. It is to be noted that a similar Leucocytozoon, carried by that pest the Black Fly, has been postulated as having a fatal effect upon young ducks. The similarity of the two cases is suggestive. Granting, as seems probable, that Dr. Clarke is correct in his designation of the immediately fatal organism there remains to be explained the cause and method by which it regularly occurs in epidemic virility with long and definite periods of innocuousness between. When we consider how difficult it has been to understand the etiology of many human diseases when we have cases under full observation and_ control, we may realize that it may take expe-- ience through several or many grouse to master the problem. cycles 62 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST In process of, and pertaining to, his investiga- tions, Dr. Clarke has embodied in this report much ecology and life history of the Ruffed Grouse that may be of great value in lines outside the direct objectives of this particular research. — P. A. 7. THE DiIstTRIBUTION OF BREEDING BIRDS IN Ontario, Part I, By J. L. Baillie and P. Harrington. pp. 50, one map. Contribution No. 8, Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. Reprinted from Transactions of the Royal Canadian Institute, Vol. 21, Part 1, 1936. University of Toronto Press, 1936. The above title expresses the scope and bear- ing of the paper. It summarizes all the definitely established breeding records of the province following the order of the 1931 A.O.U. Check- List from the Loons through the Owls. It is to be assumed that the remainder of the list will follow in a subsequent publication. It is the result of a number of years’ investigation of the subject by the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology and is probably one of the most reliably accurate lists of the kind available. The value of such a carefully compiled and assemb- led list is not only to summarize and validate present evidences but to throw into visible relief what is lacking in the same to suggest profitable effort. part of this paper will be looked for with interest. — P. A. T. Firtp Notes, Vol. 1, No. 4, October 10, 1936, price 10 cents. A mimeographed quarterly issued by the Junior Fiecld-Naturalists Asso- ciation (of British Columbia) Editor, Ann Clemens, Nanaimo, British Columbia. This is quite a professional-looking little journal and evidently the work of a junior organization from the drawn cover to the typing of the text. The contents are surprisingly good and show that the young folks are familiar with good natural history and editorial practice. They include a list of associated members; some short notes; a paper on Nesting Notes of the District about Vernon for 1936 (over a hundred nests noted) by C. David Fowle (a suggestive name for a budding ornithologist) ; a list of The Higher Animals of the Cowichan District (concluded) by David A. Munro; Notes by John R. Quirk; an account of some faunal aspects of The Forbidden Plateau by Ann M. Clemens; Financial Report and the Regulations of the Association. When the young idea can carry out a scheme like this it speaks well for the nature study of the future. — P. A. T. [Von. LI The second and completing — NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1936-37 President Emeritus: C. E. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; y Past Presidents: H. M. SPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, -M.Sc., C. W. Lows, M.Sc., J. B- WAuiIs, M.A., A. A. | McCounrey, A. M. Davipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, _ MSc., G. SarirRLBY Brooks; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- _ wrIGHT, H. C. Pearce, L. T. S.. Norris-Evy&, B.A., Mrs. L. R. SIMPson, W. H. Rand; Treasurer: DR. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, Manitoba; General Secretary: NORMAN Lowe, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: M. Tuomas; Executive Secretary: J. Happow, Social 4 Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. ths 7 Seciton Secretary A. M. MACKIE Miss M. F. PRATT Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY P. H. STOKES Chairman A. H. SHORTT G SHIRLEY BRooKS H. F. Rosperts, M.Sc A.A. McCouBREY Ornithological Entomological - Botanical Geological ee) alee asst Secrétary: J. P. KENNEDY. _ Microscopy - Zoology Botany R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. C. W. Lowe, M.Sc. Secretary: H. C. PEARCE. ‘Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holiday ~ _ from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University _ Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday aiter- during July and August. ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, LONDON, ONT. 355 Dufferon Ave., _McILWRAITH « London, _ London, Ont.; 353 Princess Ave., London, On1.; Migration Secretary: MR. E. ~M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont.; Corresponding 5 Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH REYNOLDS, 32 St. Andrews St., _ London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer questions: W. E. a SAUNDERS, 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont.; C. G. WATSON, a 201 Ridout Street South, London, Ont.; J. F. CALVERT, 461 ~ Tecumseh Avenue, London, Ont.; E.M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman - Street, London, Ont. Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except % during the summer. ~VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Honorary President. {..S. KLink, (D.Sc.), President Univer- sity of B.C; President: JOHN DavIDson, F.L.S., F.B.S.5., University of B.C.; Vice-President: Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMS, _ Geology Dept., University of B.C.; Honorary Secretary: Mrs. F. W. Farley; 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First _ Apsistant Secretary: Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd Assistant Secretaru: Miss Nora Swirt, Honorary Treasurer: A. H. - Batn, 2142 Collingwood Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: Mrs. F. McGInn. Members of Executive: C. F. CONNor, M. A. Mr.R. J. Cummine; Mr. J. D. TuRNBULiL, Mr. Curtis JOHNS, _ Mrs.J Motion; Audifors: H. G. SeLwoop, W. B. Woops. _ Chairmen eo Sections: Botany: Pror. JOHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J.J. PLomMMepR, Photography: Mr. Pattie Timms, Entym- ology: MR. Wootton, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. : All meetings at 8 p.m., Auditorium, Normal School, 10th Avenue and Cambie Street tnless otherwise announced, _ BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRD AND MAMMAL 3 SOCIETY . % President: Dr. M. Y. WItiiams; First Vice-President; HAMILTON M, LAING; Second Vice-President: Drk.C. J Bastin: Secretary-Treasurer: ©. H. BASTIN, 4484 West 9th Ave. Vancouver, B.C _ DESILETS; _ noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays ~ Affiliated Societies OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Past Presidenis: Mr. L. McL.TERRILL, Mr. NAPIER SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. GC WYNNE-Epwarps, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidents: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, Dr. A. N. JENKS; Vice-President and Treasurer: MR. HENRY MOUSLEY; Secretary: Miss MAUD SEATH. Committee: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN, Mrs. C. F. DALE, MR. J. A. DECARIF, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDBRSON, Mr. H. A. C. Jackson. Mr. E. L. JupAH, MR. FRASER Kerru, Miss P. B. Mattinson, Miss L. Murpyy. Miss M. S. NicoLson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, Mr. C. Salt, Mr. L. MolI.SpackmMaN, Mr. L. Mcl. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE LorpD TWEEDsMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de Ja Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1936: Président: ALPHONSE ler vice-président: JAMES F. Ross; 2iéme vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; Secrétatre-trésorier: LOUIS B. Lavor; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A.DERY; Chef de lta section de Propagande édurative: G. - ULRIC Trsstmr, Chef de la section de protection: ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R.: Chef de la section d’information scientifique ef pratique: Rex MerepituH, N.P. Directeurs:G.S. AHERN, HON. EDGAR RocsettTE, C.R., M.P.P., ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-trésorier: LouIs-B. LAVOIE ~ 38, rue Sherhrooke. Quéhec Patron Honoraire: THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary President. DR. A. P COLEMAN: President: Dr. F. P. Ipr, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidents. Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr.J.H Fuemine, SecretaryTreasure : Hucu M. HAuuipay; Councitl—Prer J R. Dymonp, C. S. FARMER, ARNOTT M.PaTTERSON, Pror T. F. MCILWRAITH. Dr. NormAForp, Rupert Davips, G.S, Brit, Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Mrs. O. S. MITCHELL, Pror. T. M. C. TayLor, C. G. BRENNAND, W. J. W. BALDWIN, MAGISTRATE J. E. JONES; President of Junior Club: W. J. Baxter, Vice-President of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson, L. L. Snyper, J. L. BAILLIF, JR., Pror. T. F. McItwraitnH, R. M. Speirs, - F. H. Emery. Mammals—Pror. A. F. COVENTRY, MEssrks. Ef. C. Cross, D. A. McLULICH. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. E. B. S. Loci=r, Wm LERAy. Fish—Pror. J. R. Dymonp, PRoF W J. K. HARKNESS. Tnsects—- DR. E. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Forp, Mr. F. P. IDE. Botany—PRoF. R. B. Taomson, Dr. H. B. Sirton. Dx. T.M. C. Taytor- Mr. W. R. Watson, Mr.L. T. Owens. Geology—Dr. A. P. CoLeMAN: Pror. A. MCLEAN. SSS ————————————EEEEeee We would ask the Officers, and more particularly the Secretariés, of all the Affiliated Societies to assist us in our task of building up the circulation of this member as a subscriber we can truly magazine. By securing every make this magazine into one of the leading Natural History publications of America. ——————————— or to the appropriate Associate Editor. on one side of the paper only, with wide spaces between the lines and ample margins. 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LI, No. 5 35 348 MAY, 1937 Se SS at SS nae | rw 4 “aq | | i oe \ 4 ww r | ety wes ‘ tg Niky i ou : A 2 Ni ‘i bial CALISTS” are ISSUED MAY 6, 1937 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter | { \ \ THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB ~ Patrons: gre : THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR President: HERBERT GROH 1st Vice-President: P. A. TAVERNER and Vice-President; R. E. DELUE Secretary: PHGGY WHITEHURST, Treasurer: WiLMoT Lioyp, 582 Mariposa Av 110 Prospect Avenue, Westboro. Rockeliffe Pa Additional Members of Council: F, J. ALCOCK, R. M. ANDERSON, REV. F. E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS, M. E. Cowan, H. G. CRAWFORD, F. ih FRASER, A. HALKETT, C. E. JoHNSON, E. M. KINDLE, — W. Hz. LANCELEY, A. LAROcQUE, DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, GRACE S. LEWIS, HARRISON F. LEWI Hoyres Lioyp, C. W. LOUNSBURY, MARK G. McELHINNEY, A. E. PORSILD, L. S. RUSSELL C.M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM M. THOMSON, KE. F. G. Warts, R. T. D. WICKENDEN, M. WILSON. and the following Presidents of Affiliated Societies: A. G, LAWRENCE, CHARLE MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH, ARNOT’ M. PATTERSON. Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F. LEwIs. Editor: - DouGLAS LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Wasceiae Editors: DEAPEINNESS) eee teers nce atone. Anthropology CLYDE L. PATCH..... Sr A Dae eR T2tADAMS: Ao oe os tae dee aA tee Ss Botany R. M. ANDERSON...... eens A PR? DATCHRORD. (ei co _Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biol ARTHUR GIBSON.............. _Entomology P. A. TAVERNER..........-.2--- co PACOCK Ace eg uan ensues nian Geology EB: M RINDIB 2 40255 eee tn CONTENTS The Snowshoe Rabbit Enquiry 1935-36. By Dennis H. Chitty ond Charles Elton 5 Nenieaees A Study of the Home Life of the Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus).. Henry Mousley........ Si es Re Sie Aron ik PT Re ash eee Nr Ui IN EAC A Si ood og Notes and Observations:— Banded European Widgeon Recovered in Prince Edward Island. By Hoyes Lloyd A Wintering Towhee at Ottawa. By Hoyes Lloyd. ................2cce eect cece Holeus. mollis in Canada. By W. G. Dore)... 222% ee es eos en ee ee Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club Programme of Spring Excursions..... i tia: Boke teen a The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have heen) issued # gince 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, #: two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have : been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is # issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication i? of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to — increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader | who is truly interested in the wild life of our country to help this magazine to its rightful place among © the leading Natural History publications in America. Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockeliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LI OTTAWA, CANADA, MAY, 1937 No. 5 THE SNOWSHOE RABBIT ENQUIRY 1935-36. By DENNIS H. CHITTY and CHARLES ELTON 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION. HE SNOWSHOE RABBIT ENQUIRY was initiated in 1931 by the National Parks Branch (now Bureau) at Ot- tawa, in order to obtain an index of annual movements in the cycle, of approximately ten years, which affects wild life in the Nor- thern forests; and whose important influence on the supply of fur-bearing and game animals has long been recognized. In the last two years the enquiry has been extended to cover regions outside Canada. The present report, based on mapping carried out in the Bureau of Animal Population, Oxford University, is divided into two sections: Canada and New- foundland; and United States and Alaska. Between them they cover a large part of the range of the various snowshoe rabbit ia North America. species Z. CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND CD. EE C3) INTRODUCTION. With this, the fifth annual report of the abundance of the Snowshoe Rabbit or Varying Hare (Lepus americanus), the ten-year cycle has been followed through half its course. Full details of the methods employed in this enquiry are to be found in The Canadian Field- Naturalist, 47 :63-69, 84-86, 1933: 48:73-78, 1934: 49 :79-85, 1935; and 50:71-81, 1936. It is hoped that the four previous series of maps will be compared with the 1935-36 results, as some striking contrasts are to be found. For example the 1932-33 maps, based on reports just about the peak, show conditions almost exactly the reverse of the present. Maps are compiled from the records of a large number of observers throughout the Dominion, who fill in a form each year. Opinions of the abundance of the snowshoe rabbit population in an area are stated in terms of imecrease, decrease or no change; abundance being compared over two consecutive years ending May 3lst. Notes on habitats, epidemics, p.edators, numbers in past years, etc., are also supplied. Material for this section of the paper has been obtained from the following sources :— 1. 438 reports from observers through the National Parks Bureau of the Department of Mines and Resources, Ottawa. We are indebted to former Commissioner, Mr. J. B. Harkin, Controller F. H. H. Williamson, and to the following whose services made this result possible: the Royal Canadian Mornted Police; the Game Officers of the Provinces of Canada; Honorary Game Offi- cers and Holders of Scientific Permits under the Migratory Birds Convention Act; Taxi- dermists; Superintendents and Wardens of the National Parks, and other observers throughout Canada. 2. The annual zoological reports from the Hudson’s Bay Company, of which 127 contained information included in the present paper. We have to thank the Governor, Mr. P. Ashley Cooper, and the Committee of the Company for permission to use these reports and the Fur Trade Commissioner in Winnipeg, Mr. Ralph Parsons, for arrang- ing the enquiry. 3. 30 reports from officials of the Biological Board of Canada engaged on fishery work in the Maritime Provinces. We have to thank Dr. A. G. Huntsman for his in securing these returns. care 4. A report from Anticosti sent by Mr. C. R. Townsend, Factor of the Consolidated Paper Corporation Ltd., at Port Menier, Anticosti. A report from Mr. Gower Rabbitts, in, charge of the Game and Inland Fisheries, Department of Natural New- o1 Resources, foundland. 64 _ THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST ‘the Canadian data thus consist of 596 reports, the main features of which are discussed here. The details may be consulted on either side of the Atlantic by those wishing to pursue the study further. The original National Parks Bureau questionnaire replies, together witn duplicates of the provincial and final maps are filed each year with the National Parks Bureau at Ottawa. All the original maps and duplicates of the replies are deposited in the Bureau of Animal Population, Oxford. We have once again to thank Mrs. Jane Baden-Powell for copying the last set . of provincial maps and for undertaking the same task for the present year. To Mr. Hoyes Lloyd, of the National Parks Bureau, we owe for his continued interest very sincere thanks and advice. METHODS. Although this year the preparation of the results has been transferred to a worker, no difficulty has been found in carry- ing out the technique in the same impersonal manner as has been the aim in previous years. The Hudson’s Bay Company reports have been mapped by C. E. as areas of 50 miles radius (t.e. 100 miles diameter) and_ trans- ferred by D. H. C. to the final map. Other- wise procedure has been as follows :— (a) Mapping on large-scale provincial maps of the areas covered by observers during the 12 months ending 3lst May, 1936. (b) Estimation of the relative a-eas over which opinions are unanimous and con- flicting upon the state of snowshoe rabbit. abundance compared with the 12 months. (c) Formulation of general conclusions. p7evious Mapping—The majority of reports define the areas exactly (e.g. by townships, counties, areas of given radius, etc.) Others, less definite, are mapped in various conventional ways which aim to be conservative in allotment of size. Some repo:ts cannot be used because they refer to purely local features or to divisions of land for which no map is available. Others have to be omitted or mentioned in the text only, because they cover too large an area and would unduly weight the general opinion of one observer against those of a number of people with more precise knowledge of local condi- tions. Areas over 100 miles in length are nearly always omitted except in the North West different Territories. A sketch-map included with the reply would both increase the accuracy of the mapping and greatly reduce the time now spent in trying to locate such features as small creeks and lakes, roads, hillsides and contour lines. Parts of a county or province described as — “central”, - “front”; “east “SW. coumensmeres could also be more accurately defined on a sketch-map. Estimation of areas—This involves tranference of the mapped replies to a grid of squares with 30 mile sides covering the whole Dominion. Each square is filled in whether overlapped entirely or in part only by the areas covered by, observers. This causes an approximate doubling of the areas actually reported upon and as a consequence there is apparent a greater conflict of opinions than is really the case. Exaggeration of the original areas is random and is held not to affect the propor- tion in each category. Areas are expressed as percentages of total area involved, between determined by the extent to which cpiniens vary. Besides the apparent conflict of opinion already mentioned there is a certain amount of actual disagreement, in addition to real differences in snowshoe rabbit abundance within the 30 mile square units of country. Validity of -conclusions—lIt cannot be strongly emphasised that this enquiry makes no attempt to give information that can be applied to small units of country. The validity of the present questionnaire system depends upon obtaining a sufficient number of replies to over- ride the effects of a certain percentage of inaccuracies. While some misleading replies are inevitably included, it should be remembered that most observers are men who spend a great deal of their time in the field and that a statistical treatment of their opinions forms one of the best indications of general trends that is at present possible. Examination of a large number of replies shows convincingly that the broad conclusions reached are founded upon a great number of very careful observa- limits tions. Many people take the trouble to collect Opinions from trappers, Indians and _ other residents of surrounding districts. (For ex- ample Mr. Will Robinson of Terrace, British Columbia, this year sent in 4 separate reports besides his own). Other observers notice the relative abundance as seen from the train on successive years. This gives an excellent random sample over a large area. Vor. LI too . | | May, 1937] RESULTS. The state of the Snowshoe Rabbit popula- tion in Canada is shown in Table 1 and the accompanying maps (Figs. 1, 2, 3). The 1935-36 results for Canada as a whole indicate a further decline. In the last report figures from the previous four enquiries were condensed into the form of two curves showing THE CANADIAN FYELD-NATURALIST — 65 peicentage increase and decrease by area. The steep downward trend of the “increase” curve in 1933-34 and 1934-35 has been maintained by a drop. from 27-44% (1934-35) to 11-26%. Similarly the “decrease” curve has risen trom 43-64% to 59-78%. In the majority of places a decrease to great scarcity has taken place, though here and there continued abundance is reported. In some areas the rabbit population TABLE 1 State of the Snowshoe Rabbit population in Canada, 1931-36 (nwmbers of squares). | 0 0 % , % Total Increase Increase Decrease Decrease |No Change |No Change} Epidemic | Epidemic Youle a ss 52 24 37-46 23 33-44 11 19-21 4 8 North West Territories . 157 31 10-20 141 74-30 9 0-6 21 13 British Columbia. . 271 114 27-42 118 26-42 116 28-43 24 9 Alberta ..... 198 70 15-35 145 44-73 58 7-29 4 Saskatchewan 155 46 6-30 134 52-86 46 5-30 12 8 Manitoba ... 193 24 3-12 175 62-91 49 6-25 31 16 Ontario ..5- 339 65 6-19 298 74-88 31 5-9 21 6 Quebec &.... Labrador 299 2 5-9 | 280 88-94 18 0-4 134 45 New | Brunswick. 34 7 6-20 24 41-71 17 18-50 2 6 Nova Scotia . 41 36 10-88 32 0-78 23 7-56 2 5 Tota! (1935-86)| 1739 | 444 11-26 1365 | 59-78 || 373 8-21 255 15 | ! | ** (1931-32) 617 586 85-$2 42 3-7 59 5-10 6 records * (1932-33)} 1667 1508 82-90 159 4-10 189 4-11 | 271 16 GhISs=34))— load 1083 52-71 470 17-31 335 8-22 290 19 ** (1934-35)| 1548 679 27-44 988 43-64 Pye 6-17 340 | 22 had previously been reduced toalow ebb at which than when populations are going sharply up it has remained; in others there are instances or down. of marked local variations in density. It is In the last report increase was still noted obvious, therefore, that conclusions as to general in the North West (Yukon, North West trends of population changes cannot be held Territories, and Northern British Columbia), to apply to small sections of the country. Dif- while a steep decline had set in over the ferences in opinion are not unlikely to be Middle West and East of Canada. The present more common in the next year or two as _ situation will now be reviewed with the help. changes in numbers at times of extreme of extracts from some of the many excellent scarcity or abundance are less easy to observe replies received. _ 66 THE CANADIAN Fre_p-NATURALIST (Vor Bim Fig. 1. State of the snowshoe rabbit population in 1935-36. Dotted areas are groups of squares overlapped by areas of observers reporting relative INCREASE in 1935-36 over 1934-35. For Alaska, Anticosts and Newfoundland see text. Larger black dots are Hudson's Bay Company posts, etc. (1927 map.). Broken lines in Canada show niain vegetation zones. Broken lines in United States show approximate limits of snowshoe rabbit species. Thick black lines are Province or State boundaries. May, 1937] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST il Ins mn , ee oF | ° | | pie ae 2 d : p : a it htt . | 4 ey all - re Lamp Fig 2. State of the snowshoe rabbit population in 1935-36. Vertical hatched areas, are groups of squares overlapped by areas of observers reporting relative DECREASE in 1935-36 over 1934-35. Horizontally hatched areas, NO CHANGE. Large black dots are Hudson's Bay Company posts, etc. (1927 map). Broken lines in Canada show main vegetation zones. Broken lines in the United States show approximate limits of snowshoe rabbit species. Thick black lines are Province or State boundaries. 68 YuxKon, NortH WEs?t ‘TERRITORIES AND BritIsH COLUMBIA. (a) Increase was reported from 57-75% of the area covered in 1934-35, as opposed to 16-32% in the rest of Canada. The former of these two figures has now dropped to 35-22%. In Yukon decrease has been by no means universal, but it is likely that the peak of abundance will have been passed in 1936-37. In the North West Territories the peak appears to be over as the percentage by area report- ing decrease has jumped to 74-90%, from 10-22% in 1934-35. In British Columbia the area of decrease has spread north to the boundary from a previous limit about the 57th the parallel. Fort Rae. N.W.T. (west 40, east 50, north 60 miles: Is, Basler, R.C-M-P): “Tess abundant, sudden decrease noted. Trap- pers and Indians report decrease since December 1935, but attribute the change to no_ specific ” Calls Gos. Wood. Buffalo Park,. (M. J. Dempsey, Park Warden) : “Have only seen 6 rabbits all winter—less abundant. Have examined only 2. rabbits killed by an Indian in November the specimens were very thin, the flesh spotty along the back and what appeared to be boils under the skin.” Fort Simpson, N.W.T., (L. Hunt, H. B. Co. post manager) : “Tess abundant in certain restricted areas, but on the whole becoming more scarce.” (b) ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN AND MANTTOBA. Decrease, particularly in the north, appears to have continued; but areas report recovery, in most cases very slight. There has drop in the number of some been a_ significant reports of epidemics. Along C.N. Rly., Edmonton to Jasper, and S.B.- half of Jasper Park:--(E. McDonald, Warden) : “Rdmonton—Edson, good deal fewer than last Edson-Entrance very few, last year numerous. Brule-Jasper very little difference, possibly a few less. S.E. half of Jasper Park, little difference from last year, possibly fewer.” Lac la Biche, Alta. (North 150, South 60, West 100, East 60 miles. C..E. Mills) : “Tess abundant; fairly rapid decrease in the months of January, February and March. Rab- year; THe CANADIAN Fre_p-NATURALIST A little fur was bits were thin and weak, appearing dazed... A. slight @ _increase in lynx and coyote but fur has been ~ Very few great horned owls seen. very scarce this winter. The scarcity may be attributed in part to the scarcity of rabbits. taken in November and December but the following months were almost entirely barren... ” Ths 52-56, Roes. 2628 Wend Wie eee W.-3rd.M., Saskatchewan. (D. Re Pitts, Field Officer, Dept. Natural Resources) . “Slightly more abundant. No epidemic in this district, as they appeared to be at their scarcest: the epidemic seemed to strike here last year.” Tps. 42-47, Rges. 9-13 W-2nd M. ‘Saskat- -chewan .(M.-H_ Ho-will, Field Officer) : “Less since November 1935;- nearly extinct by May 3lst, 1936. Epidemic noticed mostly in January and February; rabbits found lying dead and dying through bush.” The Pas, Herb Lake, Granville Lake, Puka- tawagan, Sherridon and Cranberry Districts, Manitoba. “Very scarce. Sudden decrease in April and May, 1936. Symptoms: Disease of the liver— spots -and pimples ... appear to have a stroke and die almost immediately. Previously noticed on one o- two occasions: around March and April, 1935, in the Herb Lake District especial- ly. Symptoms: mucous discharge from mouth, spots on liver; rabbits would: short distance then drop over dead.” North of Assiniboine River in the West half Tun a {Vou Ll | Portage (A. Howells, _R.C.M.P.) oN prep enh are stile NOE CT ea tenet ee eater eee ee ee eae ees Yipee nr of the Municipality of South Cypress, Aweme, — Manitoba. (Stuart Criddle) : “Decidedly less abundant. No epidemic; the decline was very steady throughout the year.” All bush country in Northern Manitoba. (No name). “Only saw rabbits in one place last winter— on the Grassy River in young birch and Jack- pine cuttings. Not much difference from last year—very scarce during both years. No epidemic noticed; I believe it occurred during the late summer of 1934. I saw several dead animals covered with wood ticks, others with tumors and blisters around front legs and neck. In the last two winters one could travel for — miles through bush country without seeing a rabbit track.” Pubatawagan, Mamtobo (A Millan aes Co., post manager) : May, 1937] “More in places, rabbits showing small gain.” (c) ONTARIO AND QUEBEC. Decrease well marked in the North, with epidemics continuing to be particularly common in Quebec. Further South, in Ontario especial- ly, no change and recovery are reported from a few places. Kenora District, Ontario, (taking in Shoal Lake, Northern part of the Lake of the Woods, Winnipeg River, Lac Seul, Red Lake, Narrow Lake and Pickle Crow districts, Fort Hope, ‘Lansdowne House, Weibikwei Lake and Sioux Lookout. E. Stanley, R.C.M.P.): “No difference in abundance from that of last vear; rabbits caught show no _ sign of Gisease. Snowshoe Rabbits were very abundant in this district in 1932 and 1933. Since last mentioned year rabbits have become less in number until during the past winter they appeared almost extinct. However, several have been seen of late and it is felt that they may be starting on their cycle of abundance once again.” S.&. portion of Lanark County and Grenville County Ontario, (1.J. Lyons): “Small increase noticed this year; decrease during winter of 1934-35.” sudden Counties Glengarry, Stormont, Dundas; Au- gusta and Edwardsburg. Tps. in Grenville, Ontario. (R. Baker): “Less abundant: in fact they are very scarce. I saw less snowshoe rabbits this past year than for some time. Did not notice any epidemic; they just seemea to disappear and I did not see any sick or dead.” The Coastline of James Bay (from Fort George, Quebec. South to inter-provincial boundary, thence North in Ontario to the Weenusk River in Hudson’s Bay. L.W. Hopkins, R.C.M.P.) : “The snowshoe rabbits were decidedly less abundant than last year. A number of cases of growths, presumably cysts, have been report- ed but none of these were brought in for inspection. It is therefore impossible to state the reason for the decrease in their numbers. These conditions were reported by Indians in August, October, January, March and April. The exact dates are not known. The Indians described these growths as red lumps, filled with water, and containing what appeared to be white eggs. Patches of yellow pus on the lungs and livers were also reported.” THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 69 Mistassini, Quebec. post manager) : (W. Jefferys, H. B. Co. “Rabbits have almost disappeared from most sections, but in a few places they are. still plentiful. In such places lynx are abundant.” (d) Nova Scotia AND NEw BruNSWICK. Here there is considerable conflict of opinion, in part, no doubt, the effect of great variety in type of country and amount of settlement. While a good deal of New Brunswick has partaken in a continued decrease, on _ the borders of Maine this seems to have been checked and some recovery is apparent and is confirmed by the United States results. Increase of a vary patchy nature seems to be in progress in Nova Scotia. The southern part of Carleton County, New Brunswick. (covering 50 sq. miles. J. P. McGuire, Warden) : “They were less abundant this year than last year, but I noted they are improving quite fast now.” Annapolis County, Nova Scotia Dargie, Dept. of Lands Scotia) : (Wee Con and Forests, Nova “T have delayed my reply in order to get the opinion of others throughout the county who are familiar with our wild life. I find a great diversity of ideas in regard to the prevalence or scarcity of the rabbit in this county and also as to what is responsible for their periodical disappearance I came in contact with much conflicting data and I find it extremely difficult to give definite and _ satis- factory information :—generally speaking for the whole county more plentiful.” (e) ANTICOSTI (C.R. Townsend, March, 1936): “Rabbits are still plentiful but I was much interested to learn . that they are at present exceedingly scarce on the North Shore cf the Gulf.” letter, - (f) NEwFouNDLAND (Gower Rabbitts, letter, 20 April, 1936) : _ the Game Supervisors all . . . confirmed their previous reports that rabbits are plentiful still on most sections of the country, except where hunting, canning and sale have been done on a fairly large scale. Reports of reduction disease from two of rabbits by have come small sections only.” x 3. UNITED STATES AND ALASKA (C.E,) UNITED STATES. The U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey again cooperated in the enquiry by sending question- aires out to Game Protectors and other agents in those states where snowshoe rabbits occur. We owe thanks to the former Chief, Dr. J. N. Darling; the present Chief, Dr. Ira N. Gabrielson; the Chief of the Division of Wildlife Research, Dr. W. B. Bell; and to Dit he she eh Jackson of (the @ Section) soit Wildlife Surveys, who handled the enquiry. A particularly large number of well-arranged replies came from the Michigan State Depart- ment of Conservation. Questionnaires were also 0 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Service, to a number of National Forests. this assistance we have to thank Mr. C. E. Rachford, formerly acting Chief; and Mr. C. M. Granger, the acting Chief of the Service. Altogether 97 replies dealing with the United States were received, nearly all of which contained information of high grade value. Most of them were accompanied by marked maps or sketch maps of the observer’s areas, or of the exact locations of snowshoe rabbits. This feature enabled mapping to be done with considerable speed and accuracy, and it greatly reduced errors due to uncertainty about bound- aries. on file with the Survey at Washington, and at sent, through courtesy of the U.S. Forest Oxford. TABLE 2. State of the Snowshoe Rabbit Population in the United States, 1934-36. (Number of squares) 8 : $ x) % y A a 2 So eee 8 2 z - © F S Sie Be ne Gs 5 A 3 Z 2 a Za ee gas SS A SS Za xe a SS Mammen: it nares eo AOe| dO Q- 0 0 New Hampshire 3 a 3-6 1-4 0 0 Vermont .. 1 6 6 0 0 0 West Virginia .. 1 2 0 2 0 0 INGnaain Ba See ee rele als) 51 |10-23 12-25 13=21 2; Wisconsin 2 6 0 6 0 0 Minnesota 14 0 14 0 3 | Mee Lo ainericanus)2ou || 1e6e 59275 ea7a600 95-510 28-40 13-21 10-17 | 5 | 4 iene eee ee ey ve 5 38 | 95 | 0 0 | 5 | 13 Washington .. 9 29 7 7 15 04 Idaho 5 11 0 5 6 0 Montana .. 19 AG {18-25 1-5 16-31 1 Oregon 1 25 0 0 25 0 Wyoming Gteanec bah tele 17 ‘| 6-12 0 5-11 4 Calitonnialy es oeeen eee 2 5 0 0 5 0 Witalhieen 5 13 Ul 0 6 0 Coloradopa.senen 2 15 12 0 3 0 Total (L. bairdi and washingtont)..| 52 161 | 45-63] 28-39 |18-18} 8-11 |8 -102| 50-63 5 3 Aneel Wes le Seale | gg | 25 | 24-35 | 27 (23-31 | 49 | 43-56 | 8 | 9 Copies of the questionnaire replies are May, 1937] The results were mapped on the same system as those for Canada, (except that the areas are on the average larger) and are shown in Table 2 and Figs. 1 and 2. The distribution of snowshoe rabbit species is shown by broken lines. These follow the map published by E. W. Nelson (1909, North American Fauna, No. 29, p. 85). \ Although they disagree in detail with some of our reports, it was not possible to attempt a thorough revision; but they are inserted just to show the general distribution limits. In the Table, border line squares are counted according to the state in which the observation was made, irrespective of the proportion in which the state boundary cuts them. In one or two instances where observa- tions from two sides of the boundary fall into the same square, the count is halved between the two states. We wish to thank Mrs. Jane Baden-!’owell for preparing the outline maps. The Eastern area is inhabited by various sub-species of Lepus americanus, heze treated as a biological unit. They occupy in reality at least three sub-regions which have no population contact, and which are therefore good indices of any widespread regional fluctu- ation. The number of observers was much larger than in 1934-35; the regions were a little different. Several points stand out clearly from the results. New England, after its crash two or three years back, and the _ resulting period of great scarcity in 1934-35, had begun to recover during 1935-36. The regions south of the Great Lakes mostly reported decrease and great scarcity, but in several areas e.g. in Michigan, recovery appears to have begun. Whatever their relation in detail may be to the Canadian ten-year cycle, there seems to be little doubt that the Lepus americanus popula- tions of the United States fluctuate violently, and that they are now distinctly recovering from the last crash, without being as yet very abundant anywhere. The Western area occupied by subspecies of Lepus bairdi (on the Rockies regions) and L. washingtoni (on the Pacific coast regions) is treated as a unit, since it would be unwise to attempt at present to define an arbitrary line of boundary between the two species in Washington. These western snow- shoe rabbits live often in a very restricted forest zone on the mountains, and much useful information about habitat and height distribu- tion is contained in the reports. and _ plateau They must, THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 71 in general, live much more in completely isolated populations of comparatively limited extent than do the eastern species. The conclusion tentatively drawn in the last report, that these western populations neither have such violent fluctuations, nor any cycle of regional extent, is fully borne out by the present enquiry, based on wider areas and more observers. The extremely high propor- tion of “no change” reports is again strik- ing. The “no change” percentages for Can- adian snowshoe rabbits in the five enquiries since 1931 have been: 5-10, 4-11, 8-22, 6-17, 8-21. In the Eastern United States in the last two years: 0, 10-17. In the Western United States: 43-56, 50-63. The proportion of “no change’ is some index of the degree of fluctuation in a region. Many of the reports of “less” in this Western area refer to very slight changes in numbers. Also some of the observers state fluctuations to be slight compar- ed to what it is in the North. “more” or A final comment concerns the size of obser- vers’ areas. The average size is larger on the United States maps than on the Canadian ones. This is mainly due to the observers being men in charge of large areas of country, as with game wardens and foresters. Very few reports -efer to small areas, and it is believed that the mapping is fairly comparable and uniform within the United States, though not exactly comparable with that for Canada, in which there are considerable more reports from small areas. The effect of using large areas such as whole National Forests is to introduce a rather more serious error if the report is incorrect. It is thought that most of the observers are well qualified to give an opinion and that this has been done with care. A fuller account will be published elsewhere. ALASKA. The U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey trans- mitted three reports from observers in Alaska, which in 1934-35 had a high abundance of snow- shoe rabbits in many areas. Mr. Frank Du- fresne, Executive Officer of the Alaska Game Commission reports increase still general, but that sudden decrease had been noted on the Upper Tanana River in the early spring months of 1936. In a letter to the Canadian National Parks Bu:eau, 30 July, 1936, he states: “Reports from our representatives throughout Alaska © indicate that the peak of the rabbit cycle in the Yukon Territory above Dawson was reached 72 THE CANADIAN Fie_p-NATURALIST [VoL. LI fig. 3. Epidemics among snowshoe rabbits. Dotted areas are groups of squares overlapped by observers reporting EPIDEMICS in 1935-36. Larger dots are Hudson’s Bay Company posts, etc. vegetation Broken lines show main Province boundaries. last summer (1935) and that practically no rabbits can be found there now. From Dawson South to the confluence of the Tanana with the Yukon, the peak seems to be at its highest point this season (1936). From there to the mouth of the Yukon, our reports indicate that the cycle of highest abundance will not be reached until next season.” In the absence of details for 1935-36, the areas were mapped as circle of 50 mile radius round the same points as in My. Dufresne’s report for 1934-35. Mr. Otto W. Geist, University of Alaska, reports (11 January, 1937) that “rabbits in this section (25 miles radius round Fairbanks) are more numerous now than I ever observed before. I have heard that in the region about Fit, Iditarod, one man who is a good observer, (1927 map.) zones. Thick black lines are kiuled only one this winter.” He also confirms the increase during 1935-36. Mr. Charles H. Rouse, U.S. Biological Survey, reports (22 October, 1936) also for the Fair- banks area (mostly three miles west of the settlement) ‘More abundant. There was no sudden decrease . . . during the last 12 months. A number of rabbits were killed during the fall, winter and spring of 1935-36. Several were found to be heavily infested with tape- worms, which were tentatively identified as Cittotaenia ctenoides, It was also reported to me that many rabbits were found dead during January and February, 1936, under haycocks which had been left in the fields at the Univer- sity Farm and the Dana Ranch. It was thought these animals froze to death ...”’ Mr. Geist May, 1937] noticed rabbits sluggish on June 10th, 1936. They were sitting or moving about slowly, and 12 were secured in little over an hour. This was attributed to the abnormal heat. The main indications are that Alaska has maintained high abundance for one or two years after Canada has had its crash, and thar there are a number of signs of approaching crash in Alaska. 4. SUMMARY. 595 reports. were received from Canada, one from Anticosti and one from Newfoundland. The percentage by area reporting increase has lessened steadily during the five years 1931-36. Decrease values have grown in the reverse manner. Epidemics, after a high incidence in 1934-35 show signs of abating except in the Quebec Peninsula. Although conditions are reported varying from abundance to recovery after extreme scarcity, in most places 1935-36 has witnessed conditions either at or very close to the bottom of the cycle. Abundance is still reported from Anticosti and Newfoundland. THE CANADIAN Fre_p-NATURALIST 73 07 reports were received from the United States, and 3 from Alaska. In the Eastern area of Lepus americanus the cycle appears to have reached its minimum and there is recovery in places. In the Western area of Lepus bairdi and L. washingtoni fluctuations were not well-marked, a high proportion of areas report- ing “no change”. In Alaska, populations were still at high density in most areas, but there were local reports of decrease setting in. KRRATA. In the last report (Canadian Field-Naturalist, 1936, Vol. 50) there are four corrections to be made. 1. p. 73. “573 reports” should be “681 reports”. 2. p. 78, Table 3. “47407” (martens in 1923- 24) should be “46407”. 3. p. 79, Fig. 4. The lowest value shown on the diagram, for percentage decrease by area in 1931-32 should be 3%, not 0%. “673 reports” “681 reports’. 4 p. 81. Summary. should be A STUDY OF THE HOME LIFE OF THE EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL (Antrostomus vociferus) By HENRY MOUSLEY F EVER A BIRD of this species ought to have carried away its eggs and young in the supposed orthodox fashion, 2.e. in its mouth, the present one should have done so, but it did not, not- withstanding the fact that its home was visited constantly and many photographs taken, not only by myself, but also by Mr. L. M. Terrill who actually flushed the bird off her egg, although I was just behind him at the time and so had the pleasure of witnessing the event. Speaking of this supposed method of removing the eggs or young in its mouth, if its home is being too much invaded by strangers, I am beginning to wonder if there really is anything to it, since I can find no concrete evidence of anybody having actually seen the bird in the act of performing the feat, all the well-known authors of books on birds that I have consult- ed—with the exception of Coues—invariably content themselves by saying, it is said, that the parent bird removes its eggs or young in its mouth, not one of them, apparently, being able positively to affirm that this is the orthodox mode of transportation, or that anybody, has ever actually seen it enacted, and the same remarks apply equally well to the Nightiar of Europe (Caprimulgus europaeus) the bird which so appealed to Gilbert White’s fancy. Bendire in his Life Histories of North American Birds, 1892-5, states, that after the young are hatched the mother is more likely to remove these than the eggs but it seemed unlikely that these are carried in the mouth. Coues on the other hand in his Key to North American Birds, 1927, says both eggs and young are often removed in the parent’s mouth if dis- turbed, as a cat carries off her kittens,—a practice, however, habitual to his curious family of birds. In the present case, the young were not found in a new spot until the seventh day after hatching, by which time they were well able to run, and what I prefer to imagine for the 74 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Ges Core Whip-poor--will incubating (good example of camouflage). (VoL. LI May, 1937] present is, that the female as soon as the young are able to move about entices them away if the nesting site has been too much invaded by strangers, but of this subject—more anon. For the present, I am viewing the matter with an open mind, for so many things are apt to happen in the bird world that it seems dangerous to be sceptical about anything. It was on May 21 of the present year (1933) that my friend flushed the female off her first ege—late in the afternoon—at the extreme corner of a small wood near St. Hubert, Quebec, the nesting site as is usual with these birds, being a well-drained and dry one. The follow- ing day, I again visited the site, there still being only the one egg in the nest, or rather I should say, on the large leaf which did duty for a so I had to pay another visit the day the 22nd, when the second egg was laid, confirming what Bendire says, that the two eggs are laid on alternate days. From now onwards to the end of the first week in June, the bird was not disturbed in any way, but on the 8th, 10th, and 11th, the nest was visited each day, the latter date proving to be the one on which both young were found hatched out, although it is possible that one of them may have hatched on the day of the 10th—after my visit—in which case the incuba- nest, after, thus tion period would be nineteen days for each egg—this being the period given by Mr. J. H. Gurney for the European Nightjar—as one of them had a day’s start over the other, incubation commencing as Bendire says, with the first egg laid. Some little corroboration of this may be gathered from the fact that when I visited the the llth, at 9.45 a.m., half the shell of one egg only remained near the young, just as if one egg only had recently hatched out, the half shell of which the female had so far only had time to remove, the other half. still remaining for future disposal. Photographs of the young were taken on this day as well the 13th, and 18th, one bird as usual being somewhat larger than the other. It was on the latter date when the young were seven days old and able to run—as already mention- ed—that I failed to find them in the old spot, but after a good search, the female was even- tually flushed off them just forty-two feet away. This being a very bad spot for photography, 1 removed them to the old nesting site and took pictures of them there, and as the female had followed and was near at hand, I did not trouble to take them back to had nest on as on where I THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 15 found them, but left them quietly resting in their former home. Returning on the 20th, or two days later, they were again missing, but as on the 18th, the female was again eventually flushed off them, about forty feet from the original nesting ‘site. There they were found again three days later, on the 23rd, but the day following yet another camping ground had been chosen, the site in this case being thirty feet from the old original one, and here they remained until the next day, June 25, the last one on which I visited them, as by this time they were able to fly, the more robust of the two taking a flight of some fifteen feet soon after my arrival, so I concluded it would be useless to follow them up any longer, in fact, they and the parents moved right off the ground very shortly after—so I heard. In view of the above facts, is it possible or very likely that the female removed her off- spring every time in her mouth, when they were well able to move by themselves? I much prefer to assume that she led or enticed them away each time—to pastures new. Having now discussed the movements of the young, let us go back for a moment and look into the behaviour of the parents. To begin with, the male was never actually seen at tie original nesting site, but I flushed him once some hundred feet or more away from it. He, however, put in an appearance at one of the new sites on June 24, making a great demonstration, but this I shall refer to again— As regards the female, she was always found either incubating the eggs or brooding the chicks, but I did not commence taking photographs of her until June 3, some ten days after incubating had been in progress. later on. Apparently, the close proximity of the camera did not appear to worry her very much, for I obtained several pictures in a very short time, but it is interesting to note that only one of these depicts her having landed directly on the eggs, all the others showing the latter exposed, with the bird in varying degrees of proximity to them. Regarding this matter, I find Mr. Ralph Chislett in his Northward Ho! for Birds, 1933, when speaking of his experiences in Derby- shire, England, with the European Nightjar. (Caprimulgus europaeus) says, on page 15, “Wandering attentions are suddenly and com- pletely concentrated by a slight sound of wings and by the almost simultaneous flop of the bird upon the dead bracken. Probably it has alighted a few inches away from the eggs 76 THE CANADIAN FiELD-NATURALIST Whap-poor-will about to cover her two young. {VoL. LI May, 1937] or young. For a moment it stands motionless, then shuffles on short legs across the interven- ing inches to crouch on its treasures.” This description so exactly represents the behaviour of the bird in the present study, that I have taken the liberty of borrowing and copying it verbatim. As often happened, she adopted the so-called old trick or tactics—when trying to lure me away from the eggs or young—of trailing one or both wings on the ground, or flapping them up and down as she perched— usually crosswise—on a nearby branch, often at the same time accompanying this display with a very rapid motion of the mandibles up and -down, which for all the world looked as if ‘she was chattering to herself. Poss:bly, the best display was given on the 24th, when the male joined his mate—already referred to—in venting their displeasure at my intrusion. It will no doubt be rememberid that this was the last day but one that I spent wth them, the young being then thirteen days Tue CANADIAN FieLp-NATURALIST 77 old and quite capable of making themselves heard, so much so, that I had nothing to do but carry one around in my pocket, produce it at, intervals, make it squeak, and presto! a veritable display of fireworks would take place on the part of the parents, both coming at me as they wheeled in all directions, sometimes perching on branches of trees and thereon going through all the same antics with wings and mandibles—as already described. I had only one good chance of snapping the male as he perched for a moment on a branch, but as ill luck would have it, I was not ready with the camera, and the opportunity never came again. I did manage, however, to get some interesting - pictures of the female on this, and an earlier occasion, as she sat perched both crosswise and lengthwise on a branch. In conclusion, it is hoped that the present short study may have added something of interest in the home life of these rarely seen, but often heard, birds. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS __ Banvep European W41pckoN RECOVERED IN PRINCE EDWARD IsLAND.—On the morning of September 26, 1936, Mr. Harry MacLeod of Hopefield, Prince Edward Island, shot a banded duck at “McLures Mill Pond” which is also locally known as ‘Floating Bridge’, about two miles from Hopefield in southern Kings County, Prince Edward Island. The band the duck wis carrying bore the following inscription :— MUS. NAT. » REYKJAVIK 684 ICELAND According to information received from Mr. Macnus Bjornsson of “The Bird Ringing Scheme of the Museum of Natural History”, Reykjavik, Iceland, the band described above was placed on a young European Widgeon (Mareca penelope L.) on August 4, 1936, at Sardur “in the valley of ADALDALUR, North Iceland” —Hoyrs Luoyp. A Wrntrrinc TownHee ar OTrawa.—A Red- eyed Towhee, (Pipilo erythrophthalmus ery- throphthalmus Linnaeus), appeared at the res- idence of Mr. Alex. Roger, Billing’s Bridge, near Ottawa, in mid-November, 1936. It was seen daily and was given food from that time 1937. found It was not seen on dead on the 17th, having apparently come to grief by _ flying against the wall of the house. When the specimen was received three days later it was found to be in first class condition of flesh. It was a male—and the first known winter record for Ottawa.—Hoyves Lroyp. until January 14, the 15th, and was Holcus mollis tN CANADA.—In checking over the grasses in the herbarium of the Division of Botany recently a specimen of Holcus mollis L. from British Columbia was discovered among numerous sheets of H. lanatus L. The latter, known as velvet grass, or in Britain as York- shire fog, has been introduced in several parts of this country and has become well-established especially in the eastern and western coastal provinces. The closely related H. mollis, however, is not nearly as widespread on this continent. The first record appears to be from Eureka, California (Amer. Jour. Bot. 2:304, 1915 as Notholcus mollis (.) Hitche.). Later reports indicate that it is rapidly spreading and its range now extends, on the west coast, from California to Washington with isolated stations in the eastern States. The plant from British 78 Columbia, which constitutes the only record, as far as we know, for Canada, was collected at Langley Prairie by Mr. H. Groh on Septem- ber 5, 1930. It is easily distinguished from H. lanatus by the longer and geniculate, rather than hooked, awn of the staminate lemma, the almost glabrous leaf-sheaths and deep-grow- OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB PROGRAMME OF SPRING EXCURSIONS The Excursions Committee plans to have sufficient leaders to cover each of the more popular branches of natural science at each of the excur- sions, and all members of the Club who can possibly attend the excursions are requested to assist the leaders in so far as they can. excursions are as follows: APRIL 17—Hog’s Back. Meet at Bronson Ave. Bridge, at 3.00 p.m. MAY i1—McKay Lake. Lane and Acacia Ave. MAY 15—Pink Lake. Bus trip. THE CANADIAN FrEeLp-NATURALIST Take Lindenlea street car to corner of Maple Meet at 3.00 p.m. ing rhizomes. In this latter characteristic the gass possesses the potentialities of a serious weed pest.—W. G. Dore. * Contribution No. 496 from the Division of Botany, Ex- — perimental Farms Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada. The dates of the Meet at Chateau Laurier at 2.30 p.m. All intending to take this trip please notify Miss Whitehurst by Friday, May 14. MAY 22—Fairy Lake. Railway at 3.00 p.m. MAY 29—Arboretum. Meet at main gate of Arboretum on Prescott High- way at 3.00 p.m. JUNE 12—Britannia. JUNE 26—Black Rapids. : time”’. Meet at Britannia terminus of O.E.R. at 3.00 p.m. Boat trip on Dr. McElhinney’s Yacht “Summer- As accomodation is limited to 30, please notify Mr. Lanceley by Friday, June 25. Meet at Wrightville terminus of Hull Electric On the May 15 and June 26 trips, a small charge will be made to cover expenses. W. H. LANCELEY, Charman, Rideau 1196. PEGGY WHITEHURST, Vice-Chairman, Sherwood 5532W. (Vou. LI 4 a NT LT ON Te ee ee ee Se ee ee NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF : MANITOBA 1936-37 — “President Emeritus: C, E. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; Past Presidents: H. M. SPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, -M.Sc., C. W. Lowe, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, M.A., A. A. -McCousrny, A. M. Davipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, -M.Sc., G. SHIRLEY Brooks; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- * WRIGHT, H. C. Puarcsn, L. T. S. NorrRIs-E.Lys, B.A., Mrs. L. _ R. Smmpson, W. H. RAND; Treasurer: DR. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, Manitoba; General Secretary: NORMAN LOWE, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Awditor: R. M. THomas; Ezecutive Secretary: ie Happow, Social — Miss 0. A. ARMSTRONG. Section Chairman Secretary Ornithological A. H. SHORTT A. M. Macgiz 4 Entomologies! G SHIRLEY BROOKS Miss M. F. PRATT Botanieal H. F. Roperts, M.Sc. Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY a Geological $$ A.A.-McCouBREyY P. H. STOKES G. F A. - Mammalogical V. W. Jackson, M.Sc. e Ichthyological D. RUSSELL Secrétary: J. P. KENNEDY. _ ‘Microscopy A. WARDLE, M.Sc. W. Lowe, M.Sc. 3 i _ Secretary: H. C. PEARCE. ag é Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holiday _ from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University ‘Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after- - noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays during July and August. on ‘McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, ~~ LONDON, ONT. _ President: J. H. CAMERON, 355 Dufferon Ave., London, - Ont.; Vice-President: Mr. E. D. BRAND, 148 William Street, London, Ont.; Recording Secretary: Miss FRANCES JACOBs, _. 353 Princess Ave., London, Ont.; Migration Secretary: Mr. E. M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH RBYNOLDS, 32 St. Andrews St., London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer questions: W. E. _ SAUNDERS, 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont.; C. G. WATSON, - 201 Ridout Street South, London, Ont.; J. F. CALVERT, 461 _ Tecumseh Avenue, London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman _ Street, London, Ont. : ' Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except _ during the summer. VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY _ Honorary President. I..S. KLINK, (D.Se.), President Univer- sity uf B.C; President: JOHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University of B.C.; Vice-President: Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMS, _ Geology Dept., University of B.C.; Honorary Secretary: Mrs. _ F.W. FARLEY; 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First Assistant Secretary: MRS. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd Assistant Secretaru: Miss NorA Swirt, Honorary Treasurer: A. H. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: Mrs. F. McGinn. Members of Executive: C. F. CONNor, M. A. Mr.R. J. CumMMING; Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Mr. Curtis JOHNS, Mrs. J Motion; Auditors: H. G. SeELwoop, W. B. Woops. Chairmen of Sections: Botany: Pror. JOHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J. J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. PHILIP TIMMs, Entym- ology: MR. WOOTTON, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. _ All meetings at & p.m., Auditorium, Normal School, Avenue and Cambie Street unless otherwise announced. 10th BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRD AND MAMMAL SOCIETY President: Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMS; First Vice-President; HAMILTON M. LaINna; Second Vice-President: D.C. J BASTIN: Secretary-Treasurer: C. H. BASTIN, 4484 West 9th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. _ JENKS; _ M.S. Nicotson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, MR. Affiliated Societies OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Past Presidents: Mr. L. McL.TmRRILL, Mr. NAPIpR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PRor. V.C WYNNE-EDWARDS, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidents: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, Dr. A. N. Vice-President and Treasurer: Mk. HENRY MOUSLEY; Secretary: Miss MAUD SBATH. Committee: MR. J. D. CLEGHORN, Mrs. C. F. DALE, Mr. J. A. DEcARIE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mars. C. L. HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. JACKSON, MR. ron Be JUDAH, MR. FRASER KeiTtH, Miss P. B. Mattinson, Miss L. MuRPHY. Miss C. Sait, Mr. L. McI.SPACKMAN, Mr. L. McL. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE LoRpD TWEEDSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1937: Président: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; 2t@me ovice- président: ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. LAvolsr; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A.DERY; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: G. - ULRIC TESSIER, Chef de ia section de protection: J.-PAUL ROUSSEAU, Chef de ta section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILE ALTHERR, Directeurs: IAL BREAKEY, JR., JAMES PRICE, DR. VIGER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MEREDITH, N.P., Epcar ROoOcHETTE, C.R., StTuarT ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. Secrétaire-trésorier? LouIs-B. LAVOIB 38, -ue Sherbrooke. Québec Pairon Honoraire: THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS'’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary President. Dr. A. P. COLEMAN; President: Dr. F. P. IpE, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidents. Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J. H. FuLemine, SecretaryTreasure:: Hueu M. HALLIDAY; Couneitl—Prog. J. R. Dymonp, i FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, Pror T. F. McIiwRalItH, Dr. NorMAFoKD RupeERT Davips, G.S, BEL, Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Mrs. O.S. MITCHBLL, PROF. T. M.C. TAYLOR, C. G. BRENNAND, W. J. W. BALDWIN, MAGISTRATE J. EB. JONES; President of Junior Club: W. J. Baxter, Vice-President of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R Wuittemore. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson, L. L. SNyDER, J. L. BAILLIE, JR.. Pror. T. F. McILWRAITH, R. M. SPEirs, F. H. EMERY. Mammals—Pror. A. F. CovENTRY, MESSRB. E. C. Cross, D. A. McLULICH. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. E. B.S. Logipr, Wm LBERay. Fish—ProrF. J. R. DyMonpD, Pror W J K HARKNES?. Insecis— Dr. BE. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Ford. Mr. F. P. IDE. Botany—PRoF. R. B. THomson, Dr. H. B. Sirton. Dr. T.M.C. Tayior: Mr. W. R. Watson. Mr. L. T. OWENS. Geology—Dr. A. P. COLEMAN: Pror. A. MCLEAN. We would ask the Officers, and more particularly the Secretaries, of all the Affiliated Societies to assist us in our task of building up the circulation of this magazine. By securing every member as a subscriber we can truly make this magazine into one of the leading Natural History publications of America. AUTOBIOGRAPHY of JOHN MACOUN, M.A. These are attractively bound, and contain a wealth of information concerning Canadian Natural History and Exploration. The author was a former President of the Club and this is a Memorial Volume PRICE $3.00. - 305 pp. WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa FOR SALE:— COMPLETE SET OF THE CLUB’S PUBLICATIONS 1879-1936 This is a rare opportunity. For particulars address the Treasurer— WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa FORM : 2 wee) Naturalists’ Club of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada the sum OF Of: ee Fe Ae So RVR eee 00 Dollars BEQUEST @ tie Date ees Signature... ee ae LSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHSSSSSSHSGHSSHSGHSoMEK Prices of Separates Notes to Contributors, Etc. Papers for publication should be addressed to the Editor, or to the appropriate Associate Editor. Manuscript should be plainly written, typed if possible, on one side of the paper only, with wide spaces between the lines and ample margins. It is urged that special care be used that scientific names are legible, properly formed, and correctly spelled and capitalized. Authors of leading articles are entitled to twenty-five copies of the number in which they appear, free of charge on application. Separates of articles as they appear on the page, without any change of make-up will be supplied at the following rates which are approximate. 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Kindly mention The Canadian Field-Naturalist to advertisers 582 Mariposa Avenue I do hereby give and bequeath to The Ottawa Field- | M, y/ , | os y' Ny es | y yi % yi 4 | i / i 6 / y y 4 Y Y Y yf i Y y Xx 4 Ls bs % y yi ” Ae y yi yi % yA & fs % % y SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsSSSsSssssssssy CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX _ By E. M. KINDLE Special profusely illustrated number of The ‘“‘Naturalist’’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every Canadian should know this prize essay. — | PRICE FIFTY CENTS E e WILMOT LLOYD . 1 Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa} B WILMOT LLOYD, Treasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Avenue, r Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. Enclosed please find $2.00 as membership in The O.F.-N.C. and Subscription to the Canalis i Field-Naturalist for the year 1937. : Tt i Name | Address ..... City, Prov. or State. THIS SPACE FOR SALE > Si, - o) 25, SY 3 SEP 6 193/ VOL. LI, No. 6 SEPTEMBER, 1937 Y - nee , ry? Wk (yl if i fh Mi Cal 1 \ Ny e Ge? % 9 SUMORALISTS CLUB > ) ONY sa WY SEY ISSUED SEPTEMBER 1, 1937 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter LY ; n'a p A THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB Patrons: “ THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUI President: HERBERT GROH 4a 1s} Vice-President: P. A. TAVERNER 2nd Vice-President: R. E. DELURY ~ Secretary: PEGGY WHITEHURST, Treasurer; WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave 110 Prospect Avenue, Westboro. Rockeliffe Par Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCOCK, R. M. ANDERSON, Rev. F. E, BANIM, HENRY BOWERS, ~ M. E. Cowan, H. G. CRawrowo, F.J. FrRAseR, A. HALKETT, C. E. JOHNSON, E. M. KINDLE, © W. H. LANncetey, A. LARocque, DoucLas LEECHMAN, GRACE S. Lewis, HARRISON F. LEWIS, ~ Hoyes Luoyn, Cl W.| LounssURY, MARK G. McELHINNEY, A. E. Porsitp, L. §. RUSSELL, C. M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM M. THomSON, E.F.G. WuiITE, R. T. D. WICKENDEN. M. E. WILSON. and the/ following Presidents of Affiliated Societies: A. G. LAWRENCE, CHARLES — MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH, ARNOTT — M. PATTERSON. : 2 Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F. LEwIs. Editor: DOUGLAS LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. - a Associate Editors: D. JENNESS...............:... Anthropology CLYDE JisPATCH 3s). Se AAI 52 SU eh tama a Botany R. M. ANDERSON............-. Be GATCHEORD? . 2c 0. ee Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ ARTHUR’ GIBSON# ec 6 ui 8 Entomology PA. TAVERNER: |. Jou oe sae ed PA TCOCK eae ac a eng Geology E. MeKINDLE... 2405 3 ee CONTENTS © | A Preliminary List of the Birds of Hillside Beach, Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba: By Fred J. FROOrS oie en Nee SE eS ye SME esa he Scar A 9) eee a a Notes and Observations:— The Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma pinicola) an Alberta Bird. By Frank L. Farley The Hawk Owl and Raven in Southern Ontario. By W. B. Saunders............. Hawk and Raven at Point Pelee. ‘By W.. Saunders:. 3.0.3 2.2) 3) Sine The Occurrence of the Ring-Necked Snake at Cape Rich. By L. H. Beamer..... Nest-Hunting Hawks. By Allan Brooks................... pe baMirr ter oe sais: se Book Review:— 3 The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued ## since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, ## : two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalisi, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have ## been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is # i# issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication #2 #2 of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. HH Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each Reece eee st eSs cece: -oenatesennr2ccanescsacaes UeGnnen oc omecdesecOssecescenscoDecenccenaecasceons sasaens ben oeeaacesOuasc es once na GasCDEsaoaecesecodcuseasnacaseauscccceusss See ec RESSCPESE CRU OGRCORH “GUGORSOSHITDOUOROSGSR ECOSOC ESS COOL COCR ORT SUOCOSGRSRANSIOCs OB COECSSCE EE OSU SCR CGS CESS TOS Oe SRS OMODC EOS FAU SKE OSCOCAUCOE ST KOCECOUEDOCGERSSSCeRGDSsacbecsareue POC SSG OO RAS CSRS SESS SCRUBS STC OOUECC ENE HRC CSSD USSD SSSSOSCOURA SES HONEST RS CCEGSSES SSF UNSUSSODOROGEED SUMS TANCES COECSCSESS SER SOSTECSECSET SS CO IMERSUCSGEGN SCC UCRGGN HACGGERERCOSISeeneeuneaS The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader who is truly interested in the wild life of our country to help this magazine to its rightful place amony the leading Natural History publications in America. Subseriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Roekeliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LI OTTAWA, CANADA, SEPTEMBER, 1937 No. 6 A PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE BIRDS OF HILLSIDE BEACH, LAKE WINNIPEG, MANITOBA By FRED J. ROGERS, HILLSIDE BEACH, MANITOBA ILLSIDE BEACH is a summer resort on the Victoria Beach line of the © Ne Rand “is located on Lake Winnipeg approximately 70 miles north of the city of Winnipeg. The region is in reality a large peninsular area roughly 200 miles in extent, formed by Traverse Bay from the mouth of the Winnipeg River on the east, and the lower part of Lake Winnipeg from Beaconia on the west. The area under discussion is characterized by mixed woods, coniferous forests, tamarck and black spruce swamps, with many hills and ridges clothed with Banksian pine, or stunted aspens and small shrubs. While generally classified as being in the Canadian zone, the region is from all appearances a transitional zone between the true Transition Zone of the Prairie—Aspen Grove Association and the Canadian Zone, includ- ing the coniferous forest founded on the Pre- Cambrian formation. Thus it will be seen in the following notes that the resident bird popu- lation is a large one, resulting from the region’s being the southern boundary of the northern spruce forest, which latter acts as an efficient barrier to those species not habitually found in the Canadian Zone. It should be noted also that the area under discussion occupies the Manitoba Lowlands Belt—the lowest altitude in the province, with Lake Winnipeg 713 feet above sea-level. Gavia immer. Common Loon. — Casual on migration. Colymbus holboelli. Horsorr.’s GRreBe. — Com- mon on migration. Colymbus nigricollis. Earp GREBE. — Casual on migration. Podilymbus podiceps. PiED-BILLED GREBE, -— Common. Breeds in marsh. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. Wuite PELICAN. — Rare. Two noted circling and nying south in spring of 1933. Phalacrocorax auritus. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMO- RANT. — A common migrant, but the main flight is apparently west of here towards Lake Manitoba. Ardea h. herodias. Great BLur HERon. — Common migrant. Casual in summer. One old nest found on Elk Island five miles north of here summer of 1934 resembles type described as built by this species. Botaurus lentignosus. AMERICAN BITTERN. — Abundant breeder. Cygnus columbianus. WHuisthiInc Swan. — Very rare. Noted twice. Chen h. hyperborea. LESSER SNow GoosE. — Common migrant, with the Blue Goose in mixed flocks. Chen caerulescens. Biur Goosk. — A common migrant in company with the Snow Goose. Anser albifrons. \WHITE-FRONTED GOoOosE. (gam- beli?). — Rare. Noted twice. Branta c. canadensis. CANADA Goosk. — Com- mon on migration. Of late years this species together with Blue and Snow Geese has increased in numbers during the spring migrations. Mergus americanus. AMERICAN MERGANSER. — A common migrant. Mergus serrator. ReED-BREASTED MERGANSER. — Common on the lake in spring. Casual in summer. Lophodytes cucullatus. Hoopep MERGANSER. — A rare migrant. Noted once. Anas platyrhynchos. MAtLarD. — Common. An occasional breeder. Chaulelasmus streperus. GADWALL. — Casual migrant. Mareca americana. BALpPAtTEe. — A common migrant. Nettion carolinense. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. — Uncommon migrant. 80 — BLUE-WINGED ‘TEAL, Occasional breeder. Ouerquedula discors. Common migrant. Spatula clypeata. SHOVELLER. — Common spring migrant. Dafila acuta. Pinrau, — Common on migra- tion, and an occasional breeder. Nyroca americana. REDHEAD. — Casual mi- grant. Nyroca valisneria. CANVAS-BACK. — Common migrant. Nyroca affinis. Lesser ScAup Duck. — Abund- ant in spring. Casual in summer. Nyroca collaris. RING-NECKED Duck. — A regular migrant. Glaucionetta clangula americana. AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. — Common on migration. Charitonetta albeola. BUFFLE-HEAD. Casual on migration. Melamtta deglandt. Rare migrant. Cathartes aura septentrionalis. NorTHERN TURKEY VULTURE. This, species seems to be of regular occurrence here on spring migrations. A nest was found on Elk Island, five miles north of here, in a lime- stone cave on the lake shore several years ago by Shirley Brooks, Transcona, Man. The nest contained fledglings in August. Since then the caves have apparently not been used. In early June of 1934 three huge adults were noted together at this place perched in large dead aspens. Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. — Abundant. Breeds in marshes, and grassy meadows in the uplands. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. — Accipiter velov. SHARP-SHINNED Hawk. — A casual migrant. Accipiter coopert. Cooper's Hawk. — Uncom- mon. One family of this species has persisted in nesting in a well-defined section of heavy woods. On June Ist, 1934, a nest was located containing five eggs. An old crow nest 25 feet up in the top of a small elm tree. was used, and it was significant that a henhouse was situated less than 100 yards from the nesting tree. The unmark- ed bluish-white eggs are distinctive of this species as also its call notes, resembling somewhat the sounds one might make with a tin trumpet. Astur a. atricapillus. EASTERN GosHAWK. — A nest of this species was located by members of the Natural History Society of Manitoba 1934, but failed of positive on June 3, THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST identification because of the viciousness with In company — identified the ~ species and examined the nest on June 10. 4 The adult attacked time and time again, ~ but with the assistance of my brothers it © was successfully beaten off. The nest, in © the fork of a white birch 25 feet from the © ground was made of sticks, lined with pieces © Two — which the adult bird attacked. with my two brothers I of bark, and green aspen leaves. downy young, white, with black beaks, were in the nest on the tenth. The adult bird had a loud, vigorous call, resembling that of the Pileated Woodpecker, but shrill instead of smooth and rolling. No mate was seen on any occasion. The woods this species inhabited were of a mixed type, featuring white spruce, balsam fir, birch and aspen poplar. being raised not more than a quarter of a mile away. Buteo b. borealis. EASTERN RED-TAILED HAWKE. — A common summer resident on burned- over land. Buteo swainsom. SwAInson’s Hawk. — A casual migrant. BROAD-WINGED HAWK. Buteo platypterus. —_— [Vor Lam white — It is to be noted also in this case that a flock of hens were © Commonest of the Buteos in summer, nest- — ing on edge of poplar woods. Buteo lagopus sancti-johannis. AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED _HAwk. — A common spring migrant. Flaliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus. NORTHERN Bap Facre. — Rarely noted. Duck Hawke. Falco peregrinus anatum. Casual on migration. Falco c. columbarius. EASTERN PickoN HAwK. — A casual migrant. Falco s. sparverius. SpARRow Hawk. — Com- mon summer resident. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis. AMERICAN OSP- REY. Of regular occurrence. Three nests known: one on Elk Island in heavy woods, and two in this district. One of the latter is in the extreme top of a jack pine near the junction of the spruce-pine association; and the other nest is in the top of a black spruce in a sphagnun swamp four miles away. All three nests are in use. A nest with five eggs was recorded May 25, 1931, forty feet up in the top of a large, dead aspen on waste land. CANADA RUFFED GrROU- Some years it Bonasa umbellus togata. sE. — A variable resident. September, 1937] is abundant, and other years scarce. It prefers the woods, and also the willows bordering sloughs and marshes. Pedioecetes phasianellus. SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. — Fluctuates in numbers, but less so than does the Ruffed Grouse. It is much more — wary than the latter species, and has a i wider distribution, being found in all types of territory, except the heavy spruce forest. Lagopus lagopus. Wt.ow PTarMIcAN. — First recorded here winter of 1933-34 when large numbers appeared in southern Manitoba. Perdix perdix. WuUNGARIAN Partripce. — First recorded here winter of 1932-33 ‘in small numbers, but none have been noted since severe winter of 1933-34 when heavy snows occurred. Grus canadensis tabida. SANDHILL CRANE. — Casual migrant. Rallus wirginianus. Vircinta Ram, — Not noted previous to summer of 1934, but apparently several pairs came in during the spring migrations of that year. A nest was located on Elk Island, June 23, 1934, contain- ing ten eggs. The adult bird was observed from a distance of only three of four feet. Porzana carolina. Sora Rat. — Common. Breeds in the marshes. Fulica americana. AMERICAN Coot. — Abun- dant breeder. Squatarola s. cynosurae. AMERICAN BLACK- BELLIED PLOVER. — A regular migrant. Oxyechus vociferus. KILLDEER PLOVER. — Abundant breeder, both on uplands and beaches. Charadrius semipalmatus. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. — Common migrant. Charadrius melodus. Pirinc PLover. — Common breeder, nesting on gravelled beaches. Arenaria interpres morinella. Ruppy ‘Turn- STONE. — A regular migrant. Larus argentatus. Herrrinc Gui. — Spring visitor. Immatures in summer. Larus delawarensis. RINc-BILLED GuLL. — Com- mon visitor. Larus pipizcan. FRANKLIN’s GULL. — -—Com- mon in spring. Immatures in summer. Larus philadelphia. common migrant. Hydroprogne caspia. CASPIAN 'TERN.—Once rare, but yearly becoming more common, and inclined to be a summer resident. Perhaps BoNAPARTE’S GuLL. — A THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 81 since prairie waters have been much reduced by drought this species has changed its migration routes. Sterna forsteri. Forster’s TERN. — Common in spring. Casual in summer. Sterna hirundo. CommMon TERN. — Common in spring. Casual in summer. Chlidonias nigra. Brack TERN. — Common. Breeds in the marshes. Capella delicata. Wui.son’s SNipE. — Common. Breeds in the marshes. LONG-BILLED CURLEW. — Two noted spring of 1933. Numenius americanus. Rare. Micropalama himantopus. Strep SANDPIPER. — Casual on migration. Pisobia bairdi. Batrp’s SANDPIPER. — Common migrant. Pisobia minutilla. Least SANDPIPER. — Com- mon migrant. Pelidna alpina sakhalina. Rep-BAcKED SAND- PIPER. — Casual on migration. Ereunetes pusillus. SEMIpALMATED SANDPIPER. — Common on migration. Crocethia alba. SANDERLING. — Uncommon mi- grant. Totanus melanoleucus. GREATER YELLOWLEGS. — Casual on migration. Totanus flavipes. Lesser YELLOwLEGS. — Com- mon migrant. Tringa solitaria. Sourtary SANDPIPER.—Casual migrant. Actitis macularia. Sporrep SANDPIPER. — Com- mon. Breeds on rocky shores in clumps of grass. Lobipes lobatus. NortuHeRN PHALAROPE, — Casual on migration. Steganopus tricolor. Wuson’s PHAt,AROPE. — Casual migrant. Zenaidura macroura. MourNiInc Dove. — A regular breeder. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. BLACK-BILLED Cuckoo. — Breeds regularly. Strix v. varia. Barrep Ow,. — Rare. Found in heavy mixed woods. Cryptoglaux a. acadica. AcApIAN SAW-wHET Ow1. — Casual resident. Heard calling in April on quiet moon-lit nights. EASTERN GREAT Hornep OwL. — Abundant resident in all heavy woods. Nyctea nyctea. Snowy Ow. — Rarely noted. Sometimes seen in spring on lake before break-up. Bubo v. virginianus. 82 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Surnia ulula caparoch. AMERICAN HAWK OWL. — Casual resident. Noted usually in early spring months. EASTERN WHIP- resident. Anstrostomus v. vociferus. POOR-WILL. — Abundant summer Chordeiles m. minor. EASTERN NIGHTHAWK. Abundant breeder in Banksian pine Two young noted on bare sandy The female played zones. ground July 14, 1932. the broken wing stunt. Archilochus colubris. RUBY-THROATED HUM- MINGBIRD. — Abundant breeder. The usual nesting site is a small white birch tree covered with lichens. Average nesting date, June 14. Megaceryle a. alcyon. EASTERN BELTED KING- FISHER. — Common on rocky shorelines of lake. Dryobates villosus septentrionalis. NorTHERN Harry Woopreckrr. — An abundant resid- ent in mixed woods. Dryobates pubescens nelson. NortHeERN Downy WO0oODPECKER. Abundant resident, but does not seem to be so common as vtilosus. AMERICAN 'THREE-TOED Woop- Picoides arcticus. PECKER. — Rarely noted, and then usually near heavy coniferous growth. Picoides tridactylus. AMERICAN ‘T HREE-TOED WooprPEcKER. — Rare. Noted once in early spring. j Sphyrapicus v. varius. EASTERN YELLOW-BEL- LIED SAPSUCKER — Common summer resident. Nests usually in holes of large aspens in living wood, and at considerable heights from the ground. Coephloeus pileatus abieticola. NorTHERN PILEATED WoopPECKER. — Common in heavy aspen and black poplar woods. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. ReED-HEADED Woop- PECKER. — Casual summer resident. Noted usually near telegraph lines. Colaptes auratus luteus. NORTHERN FLICKER. — Abundant breeder. Its abundance here probably coincides with the abundance of ant colonies found on the sand ridges. Common KINGBIRD. tyvannus. Invariably nests in breeder. Tyrannus Abundant young bur oak trees. Tyrannus verticalis. ARKANSAS Casual spring migrant. Myiarchus crinitus. CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Commond breeder. Sayornis phoebe. PHoErBE. — Common breeder. Nests early—end of May or first week of KINGBIRD. June. Nuttallornis mesoleucus. OLIVE-SIDED record for Manitoba. Nest 25 feet up in a black spruce, and four feet out from the trunk on the end of a branch. Nest made of spruce twigs, and lined with Usnea (old man’s beard moss) ; rather loosely cons- — tructed. Eggs of a rich creamy white, blotched with reddish-brown and lavender, a mostly around larger end. They are quite similar to the common Kingbird’s eggs in appearance. Myiochanes virens. This species probably over-laps in range with richardsoni at this point. The latter species is the one generally recorded on provincial lists. Virens is a common summer resident. Empiionax flaviventris. YELOW-BELLIED FLyY- CATCHER, Uncommon summer breeder. One nest recorded July 1, 1929, containing four eggs. Second recorded for the province. sat on eggs in nesting cavity in the side of a large moss bank. Found nesting in sphagnum spruce swamp. Empidonax t. trailli. ALDER FLYCATCHER. A common breeder in willow thickets. Calls at four o’clock a.m. on June morn- ings, but is singularly quiet during the rest of the day. — Empidonax minimus. LEAST FLYCATCHER. Abundant in all types of forest growth, except pure coniferous stands. Hornep Lark. — A regular No Otocoris alpestris. migrant, but only in small numbers. breeding records. Progne s. subis. EASTERN PurpPLyeE MARTIN. — Common summer resident, nesting in dead. aspens on cut-over or burned-over land. Petrochelidon a. albifrons. CLIFF SWALLOW. Casual migrant. Hirundo erythrogastra. Common _ breeder. noted in the loft of a stable June, Two families raised successfully. writer was once “attacked” by a Swallow after examining its nest, and was forced to dodge and cower as the pugnacious bid repeatedly swooped. BARN SWALLOW. Three nests with eggs 1934. The Barn Tridoprocne bicolor. TREE Swatlow. — Com- (Von. LI © Fiy- _ CATCHER. — Uncommon summer resident of black spruce swamp lands, One nest recorded ~ June 17, 1933 containing three eggs. First ~ EASTERN Woop PEWEE. — © Female caught in hand as she ee — 5 ae eae Sapera a, eee ee aes September, 1937] mon summer resident. Takes kindly to bird boxes. Riparia riparia. BANK SWALLow. — Common breeder along the lake shore sand-cliff facings. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. ROUGH-WINGED SWAL- Low. — Rare visitor. Cyanocitta c. cristata. Biuk Jay. — Common resident. At times a definite migrational movement is noted. Perisorius c. canadensis. CANADA Jay. — A common resident in the purer stands of swamp conifera. Corvus corax principalis. NortHERN RAVEN. — A lone specimen was observed in November, 1634 the first record I have for this species here. Several more have been noted during the winter of 1934-35. Corvus b. brachyrhynchos. EasteERN AMERI- CAN Crow.—Probably not unusually abun- dant here, but the presence of good nesting sites in willows ‘bordering the marshes where wild-fowl nest tends to maintain their number. Penthestes atricapillus. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKA- DEE. —:1 Common resident. Nest contain- ing eight eggs found May 28, 1932. The nest was made of brown rabbit’s fur, shreds of bark, moss, ete. Penthestes h. hudsonicus. HupsonraAN CHICKA- DEE. — Seldom noted. Seen in black spruce Swamps. Sitta c. carolinensis. WHITE-BREASTED Nut- HATCH. — Uncommon resident. Sitta canadensis. ReED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. — With increased knowledge of bird distribu- tion in this district it is found that this species is more commn than carolinensis. Also it appears to need reclassifying as a permanent resident species instead of the present classification of summer resident, in view of the several winter records here and elsewhere in the province. A nest was noted on Elk Island June 23, 1934, in balsam fir and birch woods. Female seen carrying insect food to young, the latter calling from the nesting cavity 20 feet up in a dead birch stub. The entrance was coated with balsam gum (see Reed’s Pocket Guide). Certhia familiaris americana? EAstERN BRowN CREEPER. — Common summer resident in poplar woods of heavy growth. Troglodytes aedon. WHousk Wren. — Common breeder. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 83 Nannus h. hiemalis. EASTERN WINTER WREN. — Common breeder in black spruce swamps, and heavy poplar woods. Nest found with young ready to fly, under overhanging earth on roots of upturned tree. First record for Manitoba. Nest placed on an earth-covered root; made of green moss, and lined with wren feathers. Noted July 7, 1930. Nest with three eggs found June 13, 1934. Cistotherus — stellaris. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. — Found breeding here in 1930, and regularly since in dry situations in marshes. Colonies also located at Victoria Beach and Elk Island. They lay from five to seven eggs in a clutch. | Telmatodytes palustris dissaeptus? PRAIRIE LoNc- BILLED MARSH WREN. — Parallels stellaris here in distribution, but is usually found close to or over water in heavy vegetation. Both species build many sham nests, but these are loosely constructed, and contain no lining as compared with the compact and well-lined breeding nests. Colonies of both species also noted in sloughs of the uplands which remain full of water during the month of June, at least. Mimus. p. polyglottos. EASteRN MOcKINCBIRD.— An influx of this species into Western Can- ada at widely scattered points in 1928 resulted in this record in May of that year. Several subsequent records in the province serve to confirm the identification. ‘This eye-sight record is the first one for the province. Verified by three other eye-wit- nesses. Dumetella carolinensis. Catsirp. — Abundant breeder in shrubby thickets. Toxostoma rufum. Brown THRASHER. — A rare visitor. Hylocichla f. fuscescens. VeErry. — Abundant breeder in light woods. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni. SWAINSON’S THRUSH. — Common breeder. FHylocichla guttata faxoni. EASTERN HERMIT THRUSH. — Common summer breeder. Occurs almost exclusively in Banksian pine zones in the breeding season. A nest with four eggs was found on June 3, 1934. FASTERN Ropin. — Abun- Uncommon breeder. Turdus migratorius. dant migrant. EASTERN BruEBirp. — An un- common. visitor. Sialia s. sialis. 84 Sialia currucoides. MouNTAIN BLUEBIRD. Rare. First recorded April 27, 1934. Regulus s. satrapa. EASTERN GOLDEN-CROWNED KIncLET. — A regular migrant, earlier than calendula. Corthylio c. calendula. EASTERN RUBY-CROWNED KINcLET. — Regular migrant. One pair found nesting on June 14, 1933, in spruce woods. Nest containing nine eggs was made of moss, twigs, leaves and plant down, lined with feathers. Nest placed in a large black spruce 30 feet from the gound. Anthus rubescens. AMERICAN Pipit. — Regular spring migrant. Noted usually on sandy beaches. Anthus Spraguei. SPRAGUE’s Pipit. — Rare breeder. Bombycilla garrula. BoHEMIAN WAXwWINGC. Of rare occurrence, even when they are reported in sizable flocks in other areas in winter. Bombycilla cedrorum. CEDAR WaAxwiINc. — Very abundant breeder. Nests in second- growth scrub poplar, and also in small willows bordering sloughs and _ upland meadows. Lanius borealis. NortHERN SHRIKE, — Casual winter visitor. Lanius ludovicianus subspecies? LoccERNEAD SHRIKE. — A casual spring migrant only. Apparently does not breed here because of almost complete absence of thorn trees. L. /. migrans is the form expected here. Vireo olivaceous. RED-EYED VIREO. — Abun- dant breeder. Vireo flavifrons. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. — Casual visitor. BLUE-HEADED VIREO, Vireo s. solitarius. Uncommon visitor. Brack AN» WHITE WARBLER. summer resident in heavy poplar woods. Nest found June 19, 1930, with four eggs. Nest made of strips of dry aspen bark, lined with finer grasses, and shaped similarly to the nest of the Ovenbird. Eggs also similar to those of latter species. Mniotilta varia. Common Vernivora ruficapilla. EasteRN NASHVILLE WARBLER. — Common breeder in grassy woodlands THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST (VoL. LI Vermivora c. celata. KASTERN ORANGE-CROWN- ED WARBLER.—Uncommon migrant. Suspect- ed breeder in Banksian pine zones. Vermivora peregrina. 'TENNESSEK WARBLER. — Casual summer resident of black spruce swamps. Dendroica tigrina Capek May Warsier. — A regular migrant in small numbers. Dendroica a. aestiva. BLER. — Abundant breeder. Dendroica c. coronata. EASTERN Myrt_e War- BLER. — Abundant migrant. Casual breeder in Banksian pine zones. Nest found June 3, 1934, containing three eggs. Nest built of small twigs and fibres, lined with brown feathers; placed in crotch of small pine seven feet up. Dendroica magnolia. MacNoLiIA WARBLER. Common breeder in all coniferous growth, but prefers small balsam fir. CHESTNUT-SIDED WAR- in hazel shrub- Dendroica pensylvanica. BLER. — Common breeder bery on sand ridges. Dendroica castanea. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. Casual spring and summer migrant. Dendroica striata. BLACK-Pool WARBLER. Casual spring migrant. Dendroica fusca. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. — Abundant breeder in all coniferous growth. One of the commonest summer residents here. BLACK-THROATED GREEN W AR- summer resident of Dendroica virens. BLER. Common coniferous growth. Dendroica p. palmarum. WESTERN PalM War- BLER. — Casual on migration. OVvENBIRD. — Abundant Nest found with Seimrus aurocapillus. breeder in light woods. five eggs June 20, 1930. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis ? GRINNELL’S WATER-THRUSH. Uncommon summer resident near wet marshes. Oporornis philadelphia. MourNninc WARBLER. — Common summer resident of light woods. Geothlypis t. trichas ? NorTHERN YELLOW-THROAT WARBLER. — Abundant breeder on edges ot marshes, and grassy places in the uplands. Icteria virens longicauda. LOoNG-TAILED CHAT. — One recorded June 27, 1933. Noted in brush on edge of. clearing in uplands. EASTERN YELLOW WAR-_ oe eee et Sah EES SSeS on ne ee Se ae eee = = September, 1937] Heard it mocking the Robin and Oriole, beside emitting other odd noises. No sign of nest was discovered to denote a breeding pair. Wilsonia p. pusilla. Witson’s WARBLER. — Casual on migration. Wilsonia canadensis. CANADA WARBLER. — Abundant summer resident in light woods. Setophaga ruticilla. AMERICAN REDSTART. — Abundant breeder. Nests in crotches of poplar saplings, and usually about eight feet from ground. Also nests in birch, but at heights of from ten to thirty feet. Passer domesticus. Housk Sparrow. — Un- common, but tends to increase with settle- ment. Spring migrants range north early, probably from the city of Winnipeg. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. BopsoLtinK. — Has become common during the past few years. Associates in Marsh Wren (C.. stellaris) Habit here, and also at Victoria Beach and Elk Island marshes. Molothrus a. ater. Cowsirp. — Common parasitic species. Noted catching young grasshoppers in 1934, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. YELLOwW-HEAD- ED BLACKBIRD. — Yearly becoming common. Noted at Victoria Beach Elk Island marshes also. more and Agelawus phoentceus, subspecies? RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. — Abundant breeder in marshes and wet upland sloughs. Sturnella neglecta. WESTERN MEADOWLARK. — Not common, but odd pairs are found in dry fields adjacent to marshes. Icterus galbula. BaAttTrMorE ORIOLE. — Casual breeder. Euphagus carolinus. Rusty BLACKBIRD. — Abundant migrant. Euphagus cyanocephalus. BreweEr’s BLACKBIRD. — Casual visitor only. BRONZED GRACKLE. — Casual in summer. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Common in spring. Piranga erythromelas. Scartet TANACER. — Fairly regular summer resident. Prefers heavy woods bordering on the lakeshore. FHlesperiphona v. vespertina. EASTERN EVENING GRosBEAK. — Uncommon winter wanderer noted only a few times here. THe CANADIAN Fie_p-NATURALIST 85 Pinicola enucleator leucura. CANADIAN PINE GrROSBEAK. — Of regular winter occurrence. Hedymeles Iudovicianus. Rost-BREASTED GROS- BEAK. — Common breeder in balsam fir zones. Carpodacus p. purpureus. EASTERN PURPLE Frncu. — Regular summer resident in small numbers. Loxia leucoptera. \WHITE-WINGER CROSSBILL. — Of rare occurrence. Ancanthis 1. linaria? Common REDPOLL. — Com- mon winter visitor. Spinus t. tristis. EASTERN GOLDFINCH. — Com- mon summer resident. Spinus pinus. PINE Siskin. — Irregular on spring migrations. Plectrophenax n. nivalis. CoMMON SNow BUNT- ING. — Regular winter visitor. Calcarius 1. lapponicus, LAPAND LONGSPUR. — Migrates in small numbers. Noted on lake- shore in spring. SmitH’s Loncspur. — A Noted only a few times in Calcarius pictus. rare migrant. small numbers. Pooccetes gramineus confinis. WESTERN VES- PER SPARROW. — Common breeder in fields of uplands. Passerculus sandwichensis subsp? SAVANNAH Sparrow. — Common on edges of wet marshes. Passerherbulus caudacutus. LECON'TE’S SPARROW. —Uncommon summer resident. Nest record- ed July 1, 1930, containing four eggs. Nest located in wet marsh in clump of grass; made of fine grasses, unlined. querula. Harris’ SPARROW. — Regular migrant only. Zonotrichia Zonotrichia 1. leucophrys. EASTERN WHITE- CROWNED SPARROW. — Common on migra- tion. Zonotrichia albicollis. \WHYtE-THROATED SPAR- row. — An abundant breeder in coniferous zones, and brushy hillsides. Spizella a. arborea. EASTERN ‘TREE SPARROW. — Common on migration. CHIPPING SPARROW. — Com- Breeds in Banksian Spizella passerina. mon spring migrant. pine zones. 86 Spizella pallida; CLAy-coLouRED SPARROW. — Abundant breeder in low shrubbery. Junco hyemalis. S LAtTE-cOLOURED JUNCO. Common breeder in pine zones. Melospiza m. melodia. EASTERN SONG SPARROW. — Abundant breeder in shrubbery wastes and edges of marshes. Melospiza 1. lincolni. EASTERN LINCOLN’sS SPAR- row. — Regular migrant. Melospiza georgiana. SWAMP SPARROW. — Com- mon summer resident in marsh. EASTERN Fox SPARROW. — with a Passerella i. tliaca. A common early spring migrant loud clear song. Pipilo e. erythrophthalmus. EASTERN ‘TOWHEE. — Rare visitor. Noted once. InpIico BuntINc. — A breed- First Passerina cyanea. ing colony known here since 1923. THE CANADIAN FiELD-NATURALIST fe - \ (Vor... LI nest discovered June 23, and four eggs laid by July 1, 1927. Of late years the birds have spread out, and are now found five or six miles away. Frequents hazel brush on hillsides. First reported here in 1926, making a re-discovery for the province after an interval of over twenty years. Spiza americana. DicKkctssEL, — Noted once. Very rare. § Calamospiza melanocorys. Lark BUNTING. — Rare visitor. Noted once. The total number of all species recorded is 209. Of this number about 114 are estimated to be summer residents. Actual breeding records total 75 species. The average migration list for the spring numbers about 140 species, and the record was made in 1932 with 151 recorded. species NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS THe Pycmy Ow (Glaucidium gnoma_ pini- cola) AN ALBERTA Birp, — As far as I have been able to learn there are no published records of the pygmy owl having ever been found in Alberta. The following information, obtained from authentic sources, would indicate that this diminutive mountain dweller is, at least, a casual winter visitor in our province, with the proba- bility that it will be found to be a permanent resident in the timbered slopes of the Rockies within our boundaries. For the data submitted herewith, I am indebted to Mr. A. D. Hender- son, Belvedere, Dr. Rowan, Edmonton, and Mr. F. L. Bebee, McLeod Valley, all residents of Alberta. On December 7th 1932, as Mr. Hen- derson’s hired man was on his way to the barn to do the morning chores, he noticed a very gmall owl sitting on the woodpile. Without making any attempt to escape, the bird was caught in the hand and taken into the house. It was in a dazed and exhausted condition, probably from the intense cold. The heat of the house soon revived the bird and it was placed in a cage. There it was fed raw meat and a dead shrew. On seeing it Mr. Henderson immediately recognized it as a pygmy owl. After more than a month in captivity the bird was given its liberty on January 12th, 1933. During the same winter (1932-33) Dr. Rowan received two pygmy owls from Phoenix, Alber- ta, a coal mining town a few miles east of Nordegg, and approximately 75 miles west of Red Deer. One of these, a female, had been caught alive in a barn, on November 11th, 1932. It was quite thin when received and died a few days later. The second, a male, was received on January 10th, 1933. Both skins are now in Dr. Rowan’s collection. On November 13th, 1932, Mr. Bebee’s neigh- bor, a Mr. Holland at Peers (about 100 miles west of Edmonton) saw a small owl catch a house sparrow (Passer domesticus) on the wing. Three days later, November 16th, Hol- land shot with a .22 rifle, what he believed to be the same owl, and gave it to Bebee. This proved to be a pygmy owl. Regarding the second pygmy owl reported by Mr. Bebee, I quote from his letter, dated March 12th, 1936. In this he submits his notes taken from his diary, as follows: “Saturday, December 17th, 1932, shovelled snow in the forenoon and when working, Rupert [his brother] picked up a nice pygmy owl in the woodpile. It was dead and frozen stiff. It had not died of hunger as it was in full flesh. As near as I could tell the bird must have made an impetuous rush at a mouse or bird and wedged itself between the blocks of wood and was unable to get out. In the afternoon I skinned it’. Both these skins are in Mr. D. Wilby’s collection, at Heather- highest — papas bh as Bi, Sg eee 2 Se AS, pat SOD PP aa I eee a ne et henrerg: September, 1937] down, Alberta. Mr. Bebee states that he col- lected another pygmy owl near his home the previous winter, either in December 1931, or January 1932, but cannot give the exact date. A letter from Mr. Wilby states that he has two skins of the pygmy owl which he received from Mr. Bebee, and adds, “Authentication OEKe? It is significant that six of the specimens re- ferred to were captured in November and De- cember, 1932, and January, 1933, all within a period of three months; indicating that an in~ cursion of the birds had taken place into the sparsley settled parts of the province. This was probably due to a scarcity of their usual food supply in the mountains. — FRANK L. FarLey, Camrose, Alberta. THE HAWK OwL AND RAVEN IN SOUTHERN Onrartio — On December 11, 1935, I had word from Fred. Bidsworth, Port Burwell, Ontario, that he and a friend were engaged in mounting a Hawk Owl which had been shot near there; and on the same day I received a specimen in the flesh which came from Long Point through the kindness of Mr. Lorne Brown, who keeps the light at the east end of the Point. This bird is almost as rare in Southern Ontario as is the Great Gray Owl, and we have no recent records for either of them in Middlesex County, nor are there any specimens extant. — W. E. SAUNDERS. RAVEN AT PoInt PELEE. — In the October 1936 issue of The Canadian Field-Naturalist under the caption of Avian Murder, Mr. P. A. Taverner misquotes a red- tail hawk when he tells of the killing of a raven by that bird. The facts are that two ravens not merely one, were seen on that morning; I fired at both of them but both passed on out of sight and I supposed them to be unhurt. When I arrived back at the house, the late J. S. Wal- lace brought out a raven which he had picked up. His attention was attracted by a red-tail which flushed close to the road along which he was walking and he went into the shrubbery to see what was the attraction. There he found the raven, dead, but it had apparently been killed only after a considerable strugele. Trac- ing back the marks of the fight, Mr. Wallace found the spot where the raven was apparently standing in the road when the hawk attacked it, and had then dragged it into the thicket where it might be eaten more readily. The Hawk AND whole THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 87 story is of a piece with the determination of nature to utilize potential food; a vigorous raven would have been left alone, but the wounded, and perhaps dying raven was a differ- ent concern altogether, and should be utilized . for food immediately. Dr. William Beebe remarked on the utilization of injured indivi- duals when he watched, with some trepidation at first the sharks swimming lazily about nearby, and paying no attention whatever to him, and near them the pigfish were carelessly swimming, though these fish form much of the food of the sharks; but as soon as a pig-fish was hooked by a line from the boat directly above, there was a rush of sharks, and the hooked fish was torn to bloody pieces and devoured. Jack Miner plays on this same urge when he keeps blackbirds, blue jays, etc., in cages flutter- ing to get out, and thus attracts hawks within range of his gun, the hawks realizing that here is prey in trouble and therefore easily caught. Even hawks whose food consists normally of mammals and insects are brought near by the lu e of easily obtained food and forfeit their lives. —°W. E. SAUNDERS. Note—I told the story as Mr. Wallace told it to us. Evidently Mr. Saunders being there at the time gives the additional details. — P. A. T. THE OCCURRENCE OF THE RING-NECKED SNAKE at Caps Rica. — Cape Rich is a point on the shore of Georgian Bay about nine miles north of Meaford, Ontario. This survey was made on the afternoon of June 14, 1936. It covered an area which was 200 yards wide by 400 yards in length, most of it open but bordered by cedars, other conifers and a few hardwood trees. The surface of the ground was covered with flat rocks. It was under these that the snakes were found. Almost every rock in the above area was turned over. All reptiles and amphi- bians were collected. The total for the afternoon was: one spotted salamander, two red-backed salamanders, one common toad, one common garter snake about six inches long, and five ring-necked snakes. The last named varied in length from seven inches to a foot. Four cast-off skins were found under the rocks. One of these was definitely that of a ring-neck and it is probable that the others were also. It may be worthy of note that all the ring- necked snakes were found under flat stones, 88 THE CANASIAN FIELD-NATURALIST and these were in the open but not far from the edge of the woods. The search was made by five men, members cf the Meaford Natural History Club. The time required was two hours. Weather—cloudy and warm with a little rain. — L. H. BEAMER. NEST-HUNTING Hawks. — The note on the nest-hunting Broad-winged Hawk in the Jan- uary 1937 number recalls a number of instances of this habit in different species of hawks. I have noticed it in a number of species including the Sparrow Hawk (from nest boxes), Marsh Hawk (from tree nests), and Cooper’s Hawk, but never, strangely enough, the Sharp-shin. Cooper’s Hawk is by far the worst offender ; only last summer [ located and killed a Cooper’s [VoL. LI Hawk by the fall of the two-thirds grown nestlings of an Audubon Warbler’s nest from high up in a thick-leaved cottonwood; the nest- lings were uninjured except by the fall. But the strangest case was that of a second year male Cooper’s Hawk which visited my sanctuary almost daily for a fortnight before I was able to kill him. His actions reminded me of those of a cuckoo; gliding silently into a tree or clump of tall bushes he remained perfectly still, watching the actions of the scolding birds so as to locate their nest. During the whole time I never saw him attempt to capture a bird and his secretiveness and cunning made his capture difficult. When eventually I succeeded in killing him I found his stomach and the whole length of his digestive tract completely filled with egg-contents, no trace of egg-shells. — ALLAN Brooks, Okanagan Landing, B.C. BOOK REVIEW THE HOoOME-LIFE AND ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, PHALACROCO- RAX AURITUS AURITUS (Lesson). By Howard LL. Mendall. The Maine Bulletin, vol. XXXIX no. 3, October, 1936. University of Maine Studies, Second Series, No. 38. Pages I-V and 1-159, with 20 illustrations from photographs. This booklet contains a detailed and well- prepared account of the activities of Double- crested Cormorants in and near their recently- established nesting colonies on the coast of Maine, together with records of their food in that region and an appraisal! of their economic status as thus revealed. There is much new information concerning this species, particularly with reference to courtship on the water, depos- ition of eggs, incubation, care of the young, dev- elopment and activities of the young, nocturnal behaviour, and feeding habits. Previously pub- lished information about the food of this bird is reviewed and local data, based on 519 in- dividual records, are added. Three kinds of fish of no economic value, namely, cunner, scul- pin, and gunnel, are found to be the principal food items of Double-crested Cormorants along the Maine coasts, constituting together more than 81 per cent of the food examined. The conclusion is reached that “the species as a whole does little if any damage to man’s in- terests. in view of the fact that they exist in compara- tively small numbers, although local control is probably necessary at regions where interfer- ence with net fishing becomes unduly pro- nounced.” Interesting information about the distribution and migration of the Double-crested Cormorant and its history in New England has been brought together from various sources and in- cluded in this publication. Many of the photographs with which the booklet is illustrated are exceptionally good. The author quotes at length. without his endorsation, a theory advanced by Arthur H. Norton, tc the effect that the habit, common among adult and juvenile Cormorants, of hold- ing the wings outspread for minutes at a time, while stationary on a perch, is a ceremonial act pertaining to courtship, that when the adult birds act in this way outside the limits of the breed- ing season it is nevertheless a form of sex ceremonial, and that when juvenile birds hold their wings spread they do so in reaction to a developing sex instinct that thus manifests it- self prior to the attainment of sexual maturity. No data giving definite support to this theory Protection should be given the birds . =x September, 1937| are supplied, while. on the other hand, Mr. Norton makes no reference to the observations of Taverner, Mendall, and the present reviewer, which indicate that, even in cold weather the purpose of Cormorants in holding their wings spread is to dry them. Detailed observations of the courtship ceremonials of Double-crested Cormorants by Mendall, Francis M. Uhler. and the present reviewer have now _ been published, but they do not include any record of these birds holding their wings spread during such activities. Close observation of adults and juveniles, both when free and when in captivity, has shown again and again that it is their com- mon practice to hold the wings spread soon after they emerge from the water and perch. Why any one should suggest that the simple, THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 89 common-sense explanation that the wings are. spread to dry the plumage should be supplanted by an unsupported theory that holding the wings spread, though not known to be a part of the courtship ceremonial, is related to that ceremon- ial, even when performed by adults apart from courtship or by juvenile birds, is not clear. The author of this booklet is especially to be commended in that he was not deterred from specializing in the study of a particular species by the fact that it had recently been made the subject of a published monograph, but he set himself to learn much more about that species and achieved very gratifying success. We still need much additional knowledge about every one of our birds, including the Double-crested Cormorant. — H.F.L. MEMBERS OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB AND SUBSCRIBERS TO THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, SEPTEMBER, 1937 PATRONS THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR HONORARY MEMBERS GIBSON, ARTHUR, Entomological Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ont. MERRIAM, C. HART, 1919 16th Street, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. SMALL, H. B., 150 Laurier Avenue, West, Ottawa, Ont. SUSTAINING LIFE MEMBERS De Lury, RALPH E., (1933) Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, Ont. HALKETT. Miss M., (1932) 216 Lyon St., Ottawa, Ont. LIFE MEMBERS Grou, H., (1933) Botanical Division, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. PAuLSON, C. W. G., (1936) c-o John Harkness Co, 69 Great Queen St., Kingsway, London, W.C.2 PuHILier, P. B., (1933) 220 Broadway, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. ROBERTSON, C. N., (1932) Apt. 601, The Claridge, 1 Clarendon Ave., Toronto, Ont. WALKER, E. M., (1935) 67 Alcina Avenue, Toronto. Ont. Witson, M.E., (1936) Department of Mines, Ottawa, Ont. A ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCE, 1900 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. ADAMS, JON. Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. AGRICULTURE. DEPARTMENT OF, Division of Botany, Library, Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF, Entomological Branch Library, Ottawa, Ont. AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF, Library, Confederation Block, Ottawa, Ont. AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF, The Entomologist, Quebec, P.Q. AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF, Library, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. AHERN, G. S., 20 St. Antoine Street, Quebec, P.Q. AKADEMII NAUK, | Birzhevaja Linija, Leningrad, U.S.S.R. ALBERTA, PROVINCE OF, Game Branch, Dept. of Landsand Mines, Edmonton, Alberta ALcock, F. J., Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont. ALLEN, A. A., McGaw Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., U.S.A. ALLIN, A. E., 202 Millwood Ave., Toronto, Ont. AMERICAN MuSEUM OF NATURAL HIs- TORY, 77th Street and Central Park W., New York, N.Y., U.S.A. Ami, Mrs. H. M., 464 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa, Ont. ANDERSON, E. G., Division of Botany, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Ont. ANDERSON, R. M., 58 Driveway, Ottawa, Ont. ANGus, W. F., 307 Craig Street, West, Montreal, P.Q. ARCHIVES, PUBLIC, Dominion of Canada, Ottawa, Ont. AUDUBON SOCIETIES, NAT. ASS. OF - 1775 Broadway, New York, N.Y., U.S.A: AusTIN, O. L., Tuckahoe, Westchester Co.,, N.Y., U.S A. B BAILEY, VERNON, 1834 Kalorama Rd., Washington, D.C., U.S A. BAiLuln, J. L. JR., Royal (ntario Museum, Bloor Street, Toronto, Ont. BAKER, FRANK C.., Natural History Building. Urbana, IIl., U.S.A. BALDWIN, L. H., 2 Kilbarr Place, Toronto, 5, Ont. BALDWIN, 5. P., 11025 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. BANIM, F. B. St. Patrick’s College, Ottawa, Ont. BrAMER, L. H., Box 344, Meaford, Ont. BENT, A. C., 140 High Street, Taunton, Mass., U.S.A. BERNARD, H., Editor, ‘‘le Courier’, St. Hvacinthe, P.Q. 90 BERNIGAUD, J. P., P.O. Box 229, Station B., Montreal, P.Q. Bis. KR GLAVSEVMORPUT Ul Kominterna 4 Ky. 12, 111 Etazh, Moskva, U.S.S.R. BioLoGcy, LIBRARY OF, Mont Saint-Louis, 224 Sherbrooke Street East, Montreal, P.Q. BIRD, RALPH D., Box 250, Brandon, Man BISHOP, LOUIS B., 450 Bradford Street, Pasadena. Cal., U.S.A. BLIZZARD, W. H., 70 Duggan Avenue, Toronto, Ont. BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISToRY, 234 Berkeley Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A. BOWERS, HENRY, 303 Flora Street, Ottawa, Ont. BoybD, Mr., 98 Renfrew St., River Heights. Winnipeg, Man. Boy Scouts’ ASSOCIATION, Canadian General Council, Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ont. BRADSHAW, F.. Director of Provincial Museum, Normal School, Regina, Sask. BRANDT, H: W., 11945 Carlton Road, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. BRERETON, E. L., Box 99, Barrie, Ont. BRIGDEN, F. H., 15 Oswald Crescent, Toronto, Ont. BRIMLEY, J. F., Wellington, Ont. BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL Mu- SEUM, The Library, Victoria, B.C. BRITISH COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, - The Library, Vancouver, B. C. Brooks, ALLAN, Okanagan Landing, B.C. Brooks, B. L., 19 Noel Street, Ottawa, Ont. BroomMan, R. C., c-—o Bank of Montreal, Waterloo. Ont. Brown, Miss F. A., 104 Cameron Street, Ottawa, Ont. Brown, Mrs. R. D.. 388 Main Street, Ottawa, Ont. Brown, W. J., 4129 Dorchester St., Apt. 14, Montreal, P.Q. BUCKLE, E. R., Entomological Laboratory. Vernon, B.C. BUCKLE, J. W., 262 Craig Street West, Montreal, P.Q. BUFFALO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE Research Library, Buffalo, N.Y., U.S.A. BULLER, A. H. R., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man BuRWASH, E. M., Department of Mines, Toronto 5, Ont. Cc CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, c/o The Librarian, San Francisco, Cal., U.S.A. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST CALIFORNIA, UNIVERSITY. OF, Library, Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A. CALVERT, E, W., Haliburton, Ont. CALVERT, J. F., Collegiate Institute, London, Ont. CAMPAGNA, E., Department de Botanique, Ecole d’Agriculture, Ste. Anne de la Pocatiere, P.Q. CARNEGIE LIBRARY, Ottawa, Ont. CARTER, J. B., Department of Labour, Ottawa, Ont. CASSELS, Mrs. W. A., Red Deer, Alta. CHICAGO UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Chicago, IIl., U.S.A. CLARKE, C. H. D., Goderich, Ont. CLARKE, THOMAS H., Peter Redpath Museum. Montreal, P.Q. CLEGHORN, J. D., 474 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Westmount, Montreal. P.Q. CLEMENS, W. A., Director, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C. CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL History. 2717 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. U S.A CoLs, Miss M. P., Box 45, Red Deer, Alberta. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. CONDON, Miss C., 70 College Ave., Ottawa, Ont. Conners, J. L., 347 Island Park Drive, Ottawa, Ont. CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY- Ithaca, N.Y., U.S.A. Cory, HARPER, 27 Anerly Park, London, SE 20, England COVENTRY, A. F., Dept. of Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Cowan, Miss M. E., 97 Stanley Ave., Ottawa, Ont. CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., U.S.A. CRAWFORD, H. C.., Entomological Branch, Department of Agriculture Ottawa, Ont. CRERAR LIBRARY, Chicago, IIl., U.S.A. CRIDDLE, STUART, Treesbank, Man. CUMMING, R. A., 610 BE. 64th St., Vancouver, B.C. D DALE, E. M. S., 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont. DAVIS, ELI, R.R. No. 7, London, Ont. DEAM, CHAS., Bluffton, Ind., U.S.A. DEAR., L.S., p Box 127, Port Arthur, Ont. DEcARIE, J. A., 4121 Maclaine Avenue, N.D.G., Montreal, P.Q. DENMARK ZOOLOGICAL MusEuM, Copenhagen, Denmark. DES RIVIERES, H., Grande Allée, Quebec, P.Q. [Vou. LI DEviTT, O. E., 31 Willowbank Boulevard, Toronto, Ont. DINGMAN, RUSSELL G., 217 Bay Street, Toronto, Ort. DoBIg, EF F.. Apartment 5, 189 Laurier Ave., E. Ottawa, Ont. Dosig, W. H, 2 Hunter St., Chester, England. DOLEMAN, Miss S. A., 55 Forbes Ave.. Northampton, Mass., U.S.A. DorgE, W. G,, 16 Aylmer Ave., Ottawa, Ont. DoWNEs, P. G., Belmont Hill Sehool, Belmont, Mass. U.S.A. DyMoNnpD, J. R., Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. Ont. EASTHAM, J. W., Court House, Vancouver, B.C EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, Edmonton, Alta. HIFRIG, C. W. G., 1029 Monroe Avenue, River Forest, Il]., U.S.A. ELLIS, RALPH, Ff 2420 Ridge Road, Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A. ELTON, C.S., Bureau of Animal Population, University Museum, Oxford, England. Emery, F. H., 620 Euclid Ave, Toronto, Ont. ERRINGTON, P. L., Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa Farco, W. G., 506 Union Street, Jackson, Mich., U.S.A. FARLEY, F. L., Camrose, Alta. Farr, Mrs W.. Stewart, B.C. FAUVEL, B. A., 263 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ont. FIELD, Miss C., 1461 Mountain Street, Montreal, P.Q. FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL History, General Library, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A FLETCHER, J. F.S., c-o Woodward Dairy, Dimock, Pa,, U.S.A. FLEMING, J. H., 267 Rusholme Road, Toronto, Ont. FowLER, Roy L., Aldersyde, Alberta. FRASER, C. McLEAN, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. FRASER, F. J., Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont. FRIEDLANDER, R., Karlstrasse 1I, Berlin, N.W. 7, Germany. IDs ds ID)-4 1221 Osborne St. Montreal, P,Q. September, 1937] FRYER, Ralph, 348 Lynwood Street, St. James, Manitoba FuRNISS, O. C., 2203 First Avenue West, Prince Albert, Sask. G GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LIBRARY, c/o Mrs. Forsey, Dept. of Mines and Resources, National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LIBRARY, Department of Interior, Wash tueton, D.C., U.S.A. GIRLING, W. G 530 English Street, London, Ont. GOODWILL, E. V , 36 Albemarle Ave., Toronto, Ont. GORDON, H. K., 16 Cortland Ave., Toronto, Ont. GOTEBORGS STADSBIBLIOTEK, Goteborg, Sweden. GOULD, HARRY, High River, Alta. GREEN, H. U., Vermilion Park, Dauphin, Man. GRINNELL, J., University of California, Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A. Grist, Miss Mary L., 251 Laurier Ave. East, Ottawa, Ont. Gross, A. O., Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me., U.S.A. GROVES, J. W., Division of Botany, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Ont. GUELPH PUBLIC LIBRARY, Guelph, Ont. H HALFERDAHL, Mrs. Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. HALL. ELIZABETH, 192 Maclaren Street, Ottawa, Ont. HALL, E. R., University of California, Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A. HAMILTON BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY, Hamilton, Ont. HAMMOND, G. W., Aylmer, Quebec HARKNESS, W. J. K., Department of Biology, Toronto University, Toronto, Ont. ,HARPER, FRANCIS, 224 S. Chester Road, Swarthmore, Penn., U.S.A. HARRINGTON, PAUL, 813 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ont. HArtT, J. L., Pacifie Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C. Hart, W.S., Province of Quebee Society for Protection of Birds, P.O. Box 1185, Montreal, P.Q. HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Gray Herbarium, Cambridge, Mass., HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Harvard Forest, Petersham, Mass., U.S.A. HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A. U.S.A. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST HEIMBURGER. C. C., Dominion Forest Service, Department of Mines & Resources, Ottawa, Ont. HEMING, W. E., McGraw Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. U.S.A. Hopeson, Mrs. E. A,, 156 Third Avenue, Ottawa, Ont. Houpom, M. W., Lindsay Cottage, Crescent, B.C. HUBER, WHARTON, 225 St. Mark’s Square, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. HUMPHREY, S., Unity, Sask. HuntTrErR, E. R., Nationa! Gallery, Ottawa, Ont. HUNTER, FINLEY, Box 97, Flushing, Long Island, U.S.A. HUNTSMAN, A. G., University of "Toronto, Toronto, Ont. HURLBURT, W. E., Vineland, Ont. [pE, F. P., Department of Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. [LLINOIS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Urbana, Ill., U.S.A. INDIANA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Bloomington, Ind., U.S.A. JACKSON, H. A. C., 35 Campbell Avenue, Montreal West, P.Q. JAMIESON, D.B., Durham, Ont JENNINGS, OTTO E., Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S.A. JOHANSEN, F., Zoological Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark. JONES, G. W., Box 280, Wolfville, N.S. JOHNSON, C. E., Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont. JOHNSON, Mrs. G. E., 70 Flora Street, St. Thomas, Ont. JOHNSON, R. A., State Normal School, Oneonta, N.Y., U.S.A. K KANSAS UNIVERSITY, Periodical Department, Lawrence, Kan., U.S.A. KEALY, Miss LuLu, 14 Blackburn Avenue, Ottawa, Ont. KELLEY, N. P., 371 Walmer Road, Toronto, Ont. Kipp, H. M., Nordegg, Alberta KINDLE C.H., Dept. of Geology, City College, New York, N.Y., U.S A. 91 KINDLE, E. M., Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont. KINGSTON. Miss. LoIs, 202 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ont. KiTTo, V., 36 Patterson Ave., Ottawa, Ont. KurRATA, T. B., 859 Ellis Park Road, Toronto, Ont. L LAIDMAN, G. H. R., c-o Boy Scouts’ Association, Queenston, Ont. LaAInc, H. M , Comox, B.C. LAMBERT, Mrs. A. J. F., 2321 Halifax Street, Regina, Sask. LANCELEY, W. H., 23 Elmdale Avenue, Ottawa, Ont. pANCELEE: GUS., Faubourg St. Jean Baptiste, Quebee, P.Q LAPOINTE, PAUL, College de Saint-Jean, St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, P.Q. LA RocQuUE, A., National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. LATCHFORD, F. R., Osgoode Hall, Toronto, Ont. (LAVAL UNIVERSITY, Bibliotheque, Quebec, P.Q. LAWRENCE, A. G., City Health Department, Winnipeg, Man. LEECHMAN, -., National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. LEEs, W. A. D., P.O. Box 138, Wetaskiwin, Alta. Lei, A. H., St. ‘Andrews, N.B. LEOPOLD, ALDO, 1532) University Ave., Madison, Wis., U.S.A. LEWIS, GRACE L., Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Ottawa, Ont., LEWIS, HARRISON. F., c-o National Parks Bureau, Department of Mines & Resources, Ottawa, Ont. LEwIs, R. G., 51 Park Avenue, Ottawa, Ont. LINDSAY, R. V., 61 Brookfield Street, Toronto, Ont. LITTLE, JOHN, Tranquille, B.C. LLoyD, HoYEs, 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. LLoyD LIBRARY, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A- LLoyD, WILMOo’, 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockceliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. LoGtErR, SHELLY, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ont. LONDON PUBLIC LIBRARY, London, Ont. Lowe, C. W., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man. LownsBury, C. W., 130 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ont. 92 LuNN, W. H., Hillier, Ont. Lyon, W. L., 124 Washington Street, Waukegan, IH., U.S.A. M Macau.ay, T. B., Hudson Heights, Que. MacGRreEGor, H. A., Foremost. Alberta. Mack, H. G., e/o Gilson Manufacturing Co., Guelph, Ont. MacLoGHuin, Mrs. A. E., 43 Inglewood Drive, Hamilton, Ont. MACLULICH, D. A., 144 Mavety St., Toronto, Ont. MACNAMARA, CHAS., Arnprior, Ont. MAGEE, M. J., 603 South Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., U.S.A. MAGUIRE, W.S., Y.M.C.A, New Westminster, B.C. MAINE, UNIVERSITY OF, Library, Orono, Maine, U.S.A. MANITOBA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Winnipeg Auditorium Museum, Memorial Boulevard, Winnipeg, Man. MANITOBA UNIVERSITY, Science Library, Fort Garry Site, Winnipeg, Man. MARCOTTE, LEON, St. Charles Seminary, Sherbrooke, P.Q. MARTIN, N., 17 Nairn Ave, Toronto, Ont. McCass, T. T., 2524 Benvenue Ave.. Berkeley, California, U.S.A. McConkKEy, C. A., 730 Eeho Drive, Ottawa, Ont. McDouGALL, E. G., Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ont. McELHINNEY, M. G., 102 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ont. McFAppEN, R. W.E., 4 Hart Street, Brantford, Ont. McGaupry, Miss PEARL, 193 O’Connor Street, Ottawa, Ont. McGEE, Mrs. T. D., 12 Marlborough Ave., Ottawa. Ont. McGILL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, 3459 McTavish Street, Montreal, P.Q. McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, c-o Keith Reynolds, 3 McDonald Ave., London, Ont. McILwRalIrTH, T. F., 50 St. Leonard’s Avenue, Toronto 12, Ont. McKEAND, D. L., Buena Vista Road, Rockeliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. McKInnon, Mrs. J.S., 24 Jeanne d’Arc Street, Hull, P.Q. McLAINE, L. S., Entomological Branch, Ottawa, Ont. McManus, Jr. R., Memramcook, N. B. McMAstTER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Westdale, Hamilton, Ont. Tue CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST MEREDITH, R., 93 St. Peter Street, Quebec, P.Q. MERRIAM, C. H., 1919 - 16th Street, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. MERRIMAN, Miss Iba, 186 Frontenac St., Kingston, Ont. MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE LIBRARY, East Lansing, Mich., U.S.A. MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Ann Arbor, Mich., U.S.A. MILLEN, Miss C., 190 Coltrin Road, Rockeliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. MILNES, H., 759 Rathbourne Avenue, Woodstock, Ont. MINNESOTA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, University Farm, St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A. MINSHALL, W. H., Division of Botany, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont MITCHELL, Mrs. O. S., 69 Oriole Road, Toronto, Ont. MONTREAL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE, Atwater and Tupper Streets, Westmount, P.Q. MONTREAL UNIVERSITY, Botanical Laboratory, St. Denis Street, Montreal, P.Q. MorE GAME BIRDS IN AMERICA, INC. 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y., USA. Moreau, IAN, 3462 Peel St, Montreal. P Q. Morris, FRANK, 694 Aylmer Avenue, Peterborough, Ont. Morris, RoBert T., Box 554, Stamford, Conn., U.S.A. Mous Ley, H., 4073 Tupper Street, Westmount, Montreal, P.Q. Munro, J. A., Okanagan Landing, B.C. Mureuy Miss L., 1535 Summerhill Avenue, Montreal, P.Q. N NATIONAL PARKS BUREAU, Department of Mines & Resources, Ottawa, Ont. NEEDLER, A. W. H., Ellerslie, P.E.I. NEWCOMBE, W. A., 138 Dallas Road, Victoria, B.C. NEwTON, H. E., P.O) Box 935, Victoria, B.C. New YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN. Bronx Park, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. New YorK STATE COLLEGE OF FOREST- RY, Forest Library, Syracuse, N.Y., U.S.A. NEw YorK STATE LIBRARY, Albany, N.Y., U.S.A. NEw YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 185th Street, Bronx, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. NICHOLS, C. K., 512 Hamilton Road, Ridgewood, N.J., U.S.A. NICHOLS, D. A., National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. {Vo.. LI NICOL, COLIN, 111 Wolseley St., Montreal West, P.Q. NORMAL SCHOOL, The Principal, North Bay, Ont. NORMAL SCHOOL, Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ont. O OBERHOLSER, H. C., 2805 18th Street N.W., Washington, 1D.C., U.S.A: O’Connor, J. L., Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, Ont. OpLuUM, G. C., 1880 Grant St., Vancouver, B.C. Outo STATE UNIVERSITY, Library, t Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, ’ Library, Guelph, Ont. ONTARIO Dept of GAME & FISHERIES. Deputy Minister. Toronto, Ont. ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, Library, Toronto, Ont. OsLER, G. F., 360 St. James St , Montreal, P.Q. OstLo ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM, Oslo, Norway. P PACIFIC BIOLOGICAL STATION, Nanaimo, B.C. PARASITOLOGY, INSTITUTE OF, MACDONALD COLLEGE, 12@) PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY, Ottawa, Ont. Paton, H., P.O. Box 2646, Montreal, P.Q. PATRICK, Miss B., 1575 W. 16th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. PEARSE, THEED, P.O. Box 158, Courtney, B.C. PENNSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, 34th Street & Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. PETTINGELL, O. S. JR., Dept. of Zoology, Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., U.S.A. PHELPS, FRANK M., 312 Fifth Street, Elyria, Ohio, U.S.A. PHILLIPS, JOHN C., Wenham, Mass., U.S.A. PoRSILD, A. E., 569 Mariposa Avenue, Roekceliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. PorsiLp, M. P., ‘ Director, Den Danske Arktiske Station, Disko, Greenland. Port ARTHUR PUBLIC SCHOOL, St. James St., Port Arthur, Ont. PoTTER, LAWRENCE B., Gower Ranch, East End, Sask. PREBLE, E. A., 3027 Newark Street, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. PRESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, Preston, Ont yay Ni Fe September, 1937] PREUSSISCHE STATS-BIBLIOTHEK, Unter den Linden 38, Berlin, N.W. 7, Germany. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Princeton, N.J., U.S.A. PRITCHARD, A. L., Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C. Putman, W. L., Entomological Laboratory, Vineland. Ont. Q QUEBEC, PROVINCE OF, ASSOCIATION FOR PROTECTION OF FISH AND GAME. INC., 1154 Beaver Hall Square, Montreal, P.Q QUEBEC SOCIETY PROTECTION OF BIRDS c-o Mrs. C. L. Henderson, 1536 St. Mathew Street, Montreal], P.Q. QUEBEC ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Charlesbourg, Quebec. QUEENS UNIVERSITY, Douglas Library, Kingston, Ont. RABBITS, GOWER, Longs Hill, St. Johns, Newfoundland. RacgEy, Miss H. &., 30 ebert Street, Quebec, P.Q. RACEY, KENNETH, 3262 W Ist. Ave.. Vancouver, B.C. RAND, AUSTIN L., American Museum of Natural History, New York, N.Y. RAWSON, D.S., Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask. RAYNES, G. W., 209 Miller Ave., Portsmouth, N.H., U.S.A- RICHARDSON, L. R., Dept of Zoology, McGill University, Montreal, P.Q. RicKEr, Miss H.S., 94 Park Street, Truro, N.S. RICKER, WM. E., Pacific Salmon Research Station, Veddar Crossing, B.C RoBerts, T. Director, Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A. RoceErs, Mrs. R. P., Apartment 6, 30 Cartier Street, Ottawa, Ont. RONAYNE, JOHN, Pemberton Meadows, B.C. Ross, D. A., Vineland Station, Ont. ROYAL CANADIAN INSTTUTE. 198 College Street, Toronto, Ont. RUSSELL, LoRIS §., National Museum, Ottawa. Ont. RuTTerR, R. J., c-o Brodie Club, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ont 5 SALT, W. RAy, Rosebud, Alberta THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST SANSON, N. B., Banff, Alta. SARNIA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, Sarnia, Ont. SAUNDERS, W. E., 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont. SCHUU"MAN, J., Box 95, Ottawa, Ont. Scott, W. L., 383 Stewart Street, Ottawa, Ont. SETON, ERNEST T., Seton Village, Sante Fé, New Mexico, U.S.A. SHAW, W. T., 1002 Cambridge Avenue, Fresno, Cal., U.S.A. SHELDON, Miss C., Museum of Zoology. Ann Arbor, Mich., U.S.A. SHEPPARD, R. W., 1805 Moreland Ave., Niagara Falls, Ont. SHERMAN, Miss A. R., National, via McGregor, Iowa, U.S.A. SHERWOOD, E. S., 140 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ont. SHIRAS 3RD, GEO., 4530 Klingle Street, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. SuutTt, F. T., 2390 Mariposa Ave, Rocekcliffe Park. Ottawa, Ont.f SirTton, H. B., 10 Rathnally Ave., Toronto, Ont. SKINNER, M. P., 1316 Harding Street, Long Beach, Cal., U.S.A. SMILEY, A. K., JR Mohonk Lake, INN Ces WBS NE SMITH. A. G., Wainwright, Alberta SMITH, FRANK, 79 Fayette Street, Hillsdale, Mich., U.S.A. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. SNELL, C. H., Red Deer, Alta. SNYDER, L. L., Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology, Toronto, Ont. SocrETE PROVENCHER D’HISTOIRE Na- TURELLE DU CANADA, 38 Sherbrooke Street, Quebec, P.Q Soper, J. D., 827 Riverwood Ave., Fort Garry, Winnipeg, Man. SoutHaM, W. M., Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. SPEECHLY, H. M., 232 Home St. Winnipeg, Man. SpeErrs, J. M., 17 Wolfrey Avenue, Toronto 6, Ont. SPENCER, G. J., Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Sprot, G. D., Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island, B. C. Squires, Mrs. NATHAN C., Fredericton, N.B. STEFANSSON, V., 67 Morton St., New York. N.Y., U.S.A. STEPHENS, T. C., Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, U.S.A. STERNBERG, CHAS. M., Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont. 93 STEWART, DAVID, 382 Spence St., Winnipeg, Manitoba SWEDISH RoYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, Stockholm, Sweden. SWEDISH ROYAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Lund, Sweden T TAVERNER, P. A., National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. TAyYLorR, B. W., Director of Fish Culture, Room 206, Biological Building. Montreal, P.Q TERRILL, LEWIS M., 24 Prinee Arthur Avenue, St. Lambert, P.Q. THACKER, T. L., Little Mountain, Hope, B.C. THOMPSON, STUART, 286 Wychwood Avenue, Toronto, Ont. THomson, M. M., Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, Ont. Topp, Miss G. I., 402 Sixth St., Brandon, Man. TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB, c-o H. M. Halliday, Lemay Ave., Toronto, Ont. TORONTO UNIVERSITY, Department of Geology, Toronto, Ont. TORONTO UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Toronto, Ont. Tuck, JOHN R., 11126-90th Avenue, e Edmonton, Alta. Turrs, R. W., Wolfville, N.S. TURNBULL, J. F., R.R. No. 3, Orillia, Ont. TURNER, G. H., Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. TURNER, J. P., 117 Cooper Street, Ottawa, Ont. TYRRELL, J. B., 1312 Metropolitan Building, Toronto 2, Ont. U URQUHART, F. A, Entomological Laboratory, Ottawa, Ont. UssHER, R. D., Nancy Lake Farm, King, Ont. UtaAu STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Forestry Dept., Logan, Utah, U.S.A. v VAN CLEAVE, H. J., Department of Zoology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IIll., U.S.A. VANCOUVER NATURAL History So- CIETY, c-o W. F. Connor, 3222 W. 36th Street, Vancouver, B.C. VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY, Main and Hastings Ave., Vancouver, B.C. VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY, Victoria, B.C. VLADYKOV, V. D., University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, U.S.A. 94 WwW WALKINSHAW, L. H., 1421-W Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan, U.S.A. WALLACE, J. F.F., 153 Acacia Avenue, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont WALSH, M.J., Box 133, Ottawa, Ont. WALSHE. MIss N., Apt. 1, 2 Sweetland Ave., Ottawa, Ont. WARREN, E. R., 1511 Wood Avenue, Colorado Springs, Col., U.S.A. WARREN, J., 129 Acacia Ave., Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGE LIBRARY, Pullman, Wash., U.S.A. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Seattle, Wash., U.S.A. WEEMS, F. C., 23 Wall Street, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. WESTMOUNT PUBLIC LIBRARY, Westmount, P.Q. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST WHELEN, R. V., Smoky Falls, via Kapuskasing, Ont. WHITE, ED. F. G., 185 Wurtemburg Street, Ottawa, Ont. WHITE, Mrs. E. F. G., 185 Wurtemburg Street, Ottawa, Ont. WHITEHEAD, A. B., 302 Grande Allée, Quebec, P.Q. WHITEHURST, Miss P., Westboro, Ont. WICKENDEN, R. T. D., 30 Pretoria Ave., Ottawa, Ont. WICKSTEED, Miss W., 412 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ont. WILLEY, PRoF. ARTHUR, RRM INowels Mille Isles, St. Jerome, P.Q. WILLIAMS, M. Y.., University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C WILLIAMS, Miss T. D., 102 Bank St., Ottawa, Ont. WILK, A.L., Reece Camrose, Aiberta (VoL. WILSON, Miss ALICE E., Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont. Woop, CASEY, c-o Emma 8S. Wood Library, McGill University, Montreal, P.Q. Woop, WM., 59 Grande Allee, Quebec, P.Q. Woovstock NATURALIST SOCIETY, c-o G. L, Nutt, 11 Beale St. Woodstock, Ont. WRIGHT, A. H., Zoological Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., U.S.A. Wricat, H. H., 326 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ont. WRIGHT, Miss S. E., 449 Gilmour St., Ottawa, Ont. WYNNE-EDWARDS, V. C., McGill University, Montreal, P.Q. Z ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY, LONDON, Regents Park, London, N.W.8, England. LI NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF a MANITOBA : 1936-37 President Emeritus: C. B. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; 4 Past Presidents; H. M. SPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc., C. W. Lows, M.Sc., J. B. WAS, M.A., A. A. i‘. McCousrey, A. M. Davipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLHY Brooks; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- WRIGHT, H. C. Pmarce, L. T. S. NORRIs-ELYE, B.A., Mrs. L. R. Srmpson, W. H. RAND; Treasurer: DR. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, Manitoba; General _ Secretary: NORMAN LowWE, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: R. M. Tuomas; Executive Secretary: J. Happow, Social a Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. Secretary A. M. MACKIE Miss M. F. PRATT Chairman A. H. SHORTT HIRLEY BROOKS ‘Section ~ Ornithological _Entomologieal G Botanieal H. F. Roserts, M.Sc. Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY Geological = A.A. McCousrry P. H. SToKES if Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. _Ichthyological G. D. RUSSELL Secrétary: J. P. KENNEDY. _ Microscopy Zoology Botany R. A. WARDLBE, M.Sc. C. W. Lowe, M.Sc. Secretary: H. C. PEARCE. Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holiday _ from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after- - noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays _ during July and August. _ McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, ; LONDON, ONT. President: London, % Ont.; Vice-President: Mr. E. D. BRAND, 148 William Street, ; London, Ont.; [Recording Secretary: MisS FRANCES JACOBS, _ 853 Princess Ave., London, Ont.; Migration Secretary: Mr. E. P M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont.; Corresponding _ Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH RpyNOLDS, 32 St. Andrews St., . London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer questions: W. E. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont.; C. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout Street South, London, Ont.; J. F. CALVERT, 461 - Tecumseh Avenue, London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALB, 297 Hyman _ Street, London, Ont. i Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except _ during the summer. J. H. CAMERON, 355 Dufferon Ave., f VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Honorary President. L.S. KuInKk, (D.Sc.), President Univer- sity of B.C; President: JOHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University of B.C.; Vice-President: Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMS, _ Geology Dept., University of B.C.; Honorary Secretary: Mrs. _ F.W. FARLEY; 6607 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First _ Apsistant Secretary: Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd Assistant Secretary: Miss Nora Swirt, Honorary Treasurer: A. H. _. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: _ Mrs. F. McGinn. Members of Executive: C. F. CONNor, M. A. Mr.R. J. CumminG; Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Mr. CurRTIS JOHNS, Mrs.J Motion; Auditors: H. G. Seuwoop, W. B. Woops. _ Chairmen of Sections: Botany: Pror. Joun DAVIDSON, Geology: _ Mr. J.J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. Pattie Timms, Entym- ology: Mr. Wootton, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. } All meetings at 8 Pts Auditorium, Normal School, 10th t - Avenue and Cambie Street unless otherwise announced. : BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRD AND MAMMAL ¥ ‘ SOCIETY President: Dr. M,. Y. Wi.utAms; First Vice-President; HAMILTON M. LAInG; Second Vice-President: Dr. C. J. BASTIN: Secretary-Treasurer: C. H. BASTIN, 4481 West 9th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. Affiliated Societies OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Pasi Presidents: Mr. L. MclL. TBRRILL, Mr. NAPIBR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HBNDERSON; President: PROF. V. C WYNNE-Epwarps, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal: Vice-Presidenis: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, Dr. A. N. JENKS; Vice-President and Treasurer: MR. HENRY MOUSLEY; Secretary: Miss MAUD SEATH. * Committee: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN, Mrs. C. F. DALE, MR. J. A. DECARIE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. JAcKson, Mr. E. L. JUDAH, MR. FRASER KeitH, Miss P. B. MattTinson, Miss L. MurRpHY, Miss M. S. Nicotson, Mr. R. A. OuTHET, Mr. C. Sait, Mr. L. McI.SPAcKMAN, Mr. L. MchL. TERRILL. : Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE Lorp TWEEDSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Pairon Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1987: Président: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: Dr. GUSTAVE RATTE; 2iéme vice- président: ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. Lavoin; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A.DERY; Chef de la section de Propagande éducalive: G. - ULRIC TESSIER, Chef de la section de protection: J.-PAUL ROUSSEAU, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILE ALTHERR, Directeurs: IAL BREAKEY, JR., JAMES PRICE, DR. VIGHER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MBREDITH, N.P., Epcar ROCHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis-B. LAVOIn 38, rue Sherbrooke, Québec Patron Honoraire: THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary Presidext. Dr. A. P. COLEMAN; President: Dr. F. P. IpE, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidents: Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J. H. Fiemine, SecretaryTreasura : Hucu M. Hauuipay; Council—Pror J.R. Dymonp, C. S FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, PROF. T._ F. MCILWRAITH, Dr. NormAfcrp. Ruppert Davins, G.S, Brun, Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Mrs. O. S. MitcHBLL, Pror. T. M. C. Taytor, C. G. BRENNAND, W. J. W. BALDWIN, MAGISTRATE J. E. JONES; President of Junior Club: W. J. Baxter, Vice-President of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WUITTEMORE. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson, L. lL. Snyper, J. L. BAILUR, Jr., Pror. T. F. McIuwraitH, R. M. SPEIRs, F. H. Emery. Mammals—Pror. A. F. Coventry, Mnssrs. BE. C. Cross, D. A. McQluricu. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messxs. BE. B.S. locier, Wm LeRay. Fish—Pror. J. R. DymMonp, ProF. W. J. K. HARKNESS. Insecis—Dr. FB. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Forp, Mr. F. P. Ipe. Botany—Pror. k. B. THOMSON, Dr. H. B. Sirton, Dr. T.M. C. Tayior: Mr. W. R. Watson, Mr. lL. T, OWENS. Geology—Dr. A. P. COLEMAN: Pror. A. MCLEAN. We would ask the Officers, and more particularly the Secretaries, of all the Affiliated Societies to assist us in our task of building up the circulation of this magazine. By securing every member as a subscriber we can truly make this magazine into one of the leading Natural History publications of America. CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX AUTOBIOGRAPHY of JOHN MACOUN, M.A. SS aE nO EEE By E, M. KINDLE These are attractively bound, and contain a wealth of information concerning Canadian Special profusely illustrated number of The — Natural History and Exploration. The author ‘Naturalist’’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every was a former President of the Club and this is a Canadian should know this prize essay. Memorial Volume PRICE FIFTY CENTS PRICE $3.00. - 305 pp. WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa WILMOT LLOYD Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa i WILMOT LLOYD, “A Treasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, FOR SALE:— ; 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. 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LI, No. 7 : OCTOBER, 1937 - 2 | * 4 Satin l> \ 4 N ) ‘ ui] iT is Hn \ A ‘Ube A yi iad cen Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter A MANE Ni ia ISSUED OCTOBER 7, 1937 THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB Patrons: THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR _ President: HERBERTGROH ; tst Vice-President; P. A. TAVERNER 2nd Vice-President: R. E. DELURY Secretary: PEGGY WHITEHURST, Treasurer; WILMOT LLoyD, 582 Mariposa Ave., — 110 Prospect Avenue, Westboro. _ Rockeliffe Park. j he Oe Thee | Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCocK, R. M. ANDERSON, REV. F. E. BANIM, Henry BowErSs M. HE. Cowan), H. G. CRAWForRD, F. J. FRASER, A. HALKETT, C. E. JOHNSON, E. M. KIND W. H. LANC LEY, A. LARocque, DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, GRACE S. LEWIS, HARRISON F. LEWIS, — Hoyes LiLoyp, GC.) . LOUNSBURY, MaRK G. McELHINNEY, A. E. PORSILD, L. S. RUSSELL, — C.M. STERNBERG, fALCOLM: M. THOMSON, E.F.G. WuHits, R. T. D. WICKENDEN. M. E. 4 WILSON. and the following Presidents of Affiliated Societies; A. G. LAWRENCE, CHARLES 4 MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH, ARNOTT B M. PATTERSON. Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and Harrison F. LEwIs. _ Editor: DouGLAS LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Associate Editors: DE TINNESS Coors ee ON Anthropology CLYDE 1.: PATCH: 2202. eee Dic A TEAMS PG obe) 8 elec tain ORS Botany R. M. ANDERSON............ es Fe GATCHFORD aks Ce ere Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biolo ARTHUR GIBSON.............. _Entomology P. A. TAVERNER..........--- -.. -Orni F J. ALCOCK cane Sew TON tee ee Geology Bi MUKAINDLE eee ee ae CONTENTS y New Species from the Triassic Schooler Creek Formation, By F. H. McLearn............ American Dog Tick, Dermacentor variabilis Say, in Ontario. By C.H.D. Clarke.......... | Notes on Birds of the Labrador Peninsula in 1934 and 1935. a Harrison F. Lewis....... Some Additions to the Flora of Prince Edward Island. By J. Adams.................... City Grouse: By (We Saunders. 5) oe ee Sars aoe eons Ae aes na John A. Morden, 1859-1987. By W. E. Saunders... ..................... fete ale eee fees Notes and Observations: — Evening Grosbeaks in Owen Sound, Ontario. By Maurice Brooks: : 3.5... ssc eee Two Banded Nestling Starling Recoveries. Ey TLS. Hennessy. 0c a se eee Long Distance Flight of Banded Bluebirds. TS, Hennessy. ico. ae eee White Gyrfalcon in Alberta. By Frank L. Far CY eee Ce es eee Review:— Victorian: Sea Shells: By A. Les co8) hee es Saas. Deere ee Se Fe The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued # since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalisis’ Club, 1879-1886, #2 two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have # been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is i# issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication 2 of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a . ieeial effort to © inerease the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader who is truly interested in the wild life of our country to help this magazine to its rightful place among the leading Natural History publications in America. Subseriptions ($2.00.a year) should be forwarded to — WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Cluo, 582 Mariposa Ave., Roekeliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LI OTTAWA, CANADA, OCTOBER, 1937 No.7 NEW SPECIES FROM THE TRIASSIC SCHOOLER CREEK FORMATION* By F. H. McLEARN . *Published with the permission of the Director, Mines and Geology Branch, Department of Mines and Resources. Canada. HE SCHOOLER CREEK formation includes all the Triassic beds of the foot-hills along Peace river and vicin- ity, in eastern British Columbia. It of light and dark grey to almost consists black, partly carbonaceous limestones, very fine calcareous sandstones and shales. The exact thickness is not known, but must be more than 2500 and possibly even 3000 feet. At present the following faunal zones can be recognized: Monotis subcircularis Juvavites—Drepanites—Halobia Lima poyana Lingula Nathorstites The Nathorstites fauna includes Coenothyris petriana n. sp., C. silvana n. sp. Spiriferina ones- tae n. sp., Daonella nitanae n. sp., Hoernesia? “woyaniana n. sp., Modiola ahsisi n. sp., Monotis montini n, sp., Stlenticeras hatae McLearn, Is- culites schooleri n. sp., 1. schooleri var. parvus n. var., Lobites pacianus n. sp., Nathorstites cf. mcconnellii (Whiteaves); N. cf. mcconnelli var? lenticularis (Whiteaves), Nitanoceras selwyni (McLearn), Sirenites (Meginoceras) * megini (McLearn), Protrachyceras sikanianum (McLearn), P. sauwae (McLearn) and Sageni- tes gethingi n. sp. All Nathorstites-bearing fau- nas have a northern or circum-arctic distribution and they have been found on Liard river in northeastern British Columbia, in Alaska, the Kotelny islands, Spitzbergen and Bear islands. The fauna of the Peace River area has little in common with other Nathorstites faunas except Nathorstitcs. It is likely of approximately, but not necessarily of exactly, the same age as the other faunas. Their exact correlation with Mediterranean faunas has been attended with difficulty, but a Karnian or early Neo-Triassic age has been usually assigned to them. It seems possible however that the Peace River Nathor- sites fauna is earlier than Karnian and Ladinian or late Meso-Triassic age. At best only a very carly Karnian or very early Neo-Triassic age seems possible. The Lingula faunal zone immediately overlies the Nathorstites zone. The fauna includes Lin- gula, probably Lingula selwyni Whiteaves, and the species of Coenothyris and Spiriferina which occur in the Nathorstites zone. The age can- not be very much later than that of the Nathor- stites fauna. Above this is a zone mostly barren of fossils. Then comes a zone with Lima poyana n.sp., Pinna sp. and Pleurophorus sp. Yet higher the Juvavites-Drepanites-Halobia zone contains Gryphaea chakti n. sp., Halobia sp., Mysidioptera cf. Fornicata Bittner, O-ryto- ma cf. mucronata (Gabb), Discotropites cf. acutus (Mosjsisovics), Drepanites rutherfordi n. sp., Juvavites bococki n. sp., J. (Gonionotites) sp., Sttkinoceras kerri McLearn and S. robus- tum n. sp. This fauna shows both Karnian and Norian affinities and more than one zone may be included in it. The fauna of the highest zone contains Ostrea sp., Monotis subcircularis Gabb and Pecten na. sp. It records a widely spread fauna of Norian or Neo-Triassic age. The faunas of the Schooler Creek formation will be described forthcoming publications. A preliminary description of a few important species is given below. in Coenothyris petriana n. sp. Plate I, figure 1 This is comparatively large, biconvex, longer than wide, very thick species. Near the anterior margin on the dorsal valve is a low fold border- ed by shallow furrows and on the ventral valve is a shallow furrow bordered by low folds. The surface is almost smooth and the shell is punc- tate. Dental plates are well defined in the ventral valve and there is a median septum in the dorsal 96 THE CANASIAN FIELD-NATURALIST valve. The loop is unknown. This is a larger species than ‘“Terebratula’ liardensis Whit- eaves. The outline differs from that of Coeno- thyris vulgaris (Schlotheim) and the furrows bordering the dorsal fold are not present in that species. Geol. Surv. collections, holotype, cat. no 9141. Coenothyris silvana n. sp. Plate I, figure 3 This is a smaller species than Coenothyris pe- triana n. sp., and it has a higher and more pro- nounced median fold and deeper furrows in the dorsal valve and deeper median sinus and more pronounced folds in the ventral valve than either C. petriana or “T”. liardensis. It has dental plates and median dorsal septum as in that species. Geol. Surv. collections, holotype, cat. no. 9142. Spiriferina onestae n. sp. Plate I, figure 5 This is a biconvex, thick, wide species, much wider than long. The cardinal area of the ven- tral valve is variable, but is large in all speci- mens and apsacline to almost catacline. The surface has about 12 to 16 rather angular folds and there is one large costa in the ventral sinus and 2 large costae or small folds in the dorsal fold. There is a well defined median septum and dental plates in the ventral valve. The shell is punctate. This is a smaller, relatively wider end shorter species than Spiriferina borealis Whiteaves and the cardinal area of the ventral valve is apsacline to catacline, not anacline. ‘The size is greater and the cardinal area smaller than in Spiriferina gregaria Suess. Geol. Sur- vey collections, holotype, cat. no. 9143. Floernesia? woyantana n. sp. Plate I, figure 10 This is an elongate, somewhat twisted species with a fairly convex left valve. A narrow sul- cus and fold above the broadly rounded post- umbonal slope are absent in Hoernesia socialis Schlotheim. Geol. Sury. collections, holotype, cat. no. 8768. Monotis montini n. sp. Plate I, figure 6 Shell rounded, nearly equilateral, convex with an almost flattened posterior wing. The radial costae are finer and more even than in Pseudo- monotts multiformis Bittner and the size is larger and the “wing” better defined than in P. tenuistriata Bittner. Geol. Survey collections, holotype, cat. no. 8765. (VoL. LI Daonella mitanae n. sp. Plate I, figure 11 This shell is an elongate, moderately convex species. The paired costae are more curved than those of Daonella lommeli Wissman. The ribs are finer and more curved than those of Daonella dubia Gabb. Geol. Survey collections, holotype, cat. no. 8773. Gryphaea chakti n. sp. Plate I, figure 8 The left valve is very convex, a little higher than long and is ornamented with irregular con- centric folds and varices of growth. The size is larger and the sculpture coarser than in Gryphaea keilkau Boehm. Geol. Surv. collec- tions, holotype, cat no. 8770. Lima poyana n. sp. Plate I, figure 9 This is a moderately convex species, ornament- ed with about 5 or 6 large, rounded, radial ribs. It is larger and has fewer ribs than Mysidiop- tera? dubiosa Bittner, shows a different outline and fewer ribs than M. emuliae Bittner. Geol. Surv. collectons, holotype, cat. no. 8772.. Modiolus ahsisi n. sp. Plate I, figure 2 This is a convex species with short hingeline and fine, concentric growth lines. It is more convex and has beaks situated somewhat less anteriorly than Modiolus raibliana Bittner. Geol. Surv. collections, holotype, cat, no. 8767. Nitanoceras n. gen. This genus is erected to include the single species. Arcestes? selwynt McLearn, which is smaller, even more evolute and has a simpler suture line than any of the Spitzbergen species of Parapopanoceras Haug. It is also smaller and has a simpler suture line, with fewer sutural than any species of Megaphyllites In the suture line L1 is long and elements, Mojsisovics. broad and has five indentations which do not run up very far on the sides of the saddles. L2 is smaller and has three indentations. The first auxiliary lobe has three indentations and the second has two not very well defined indenta- tions. There are at least three additional lobes on the sides. Lobites pacianus n. sp. Plate I, figure 15 This species has a more irregular and subdued surface ornament than Lobites ellipticus (Hauer) and stouter saddles in the suture line. The earlier who ls are involute, but on the last ae ee eee a ey —_ oe ae pag IEG oe nani Se alt od »& Fe oo October, 1937) THe CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 97 98 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST half of the ultimate whorl there is whorl con- traction and umbilical expansion. The surface of the inner whorls have mostly fine growth lines, crossed by faint transverse striae. The living chamber has irregular, poorly defined costae and irregularly spaced, shallow constric- tions or furrows, all bent forward on the sides and straight across the venter. Geol. Survey collections, holotype, cat. no. 8789. Isculites schoolert var. parvus n. var. Plate I, figure 7 This is merely a small variety of Isculites schoolecri McLearn. Geol. Surv. collections, holo- type, cat. no. 8793. Juvavites bococki n. sp. Plate I, figure 14 This is a moderately compressed, species. The whorls have converging, sides and narrow, abruptly rounded venter. The core is almost smooth, there being merely faint, subdued costae bent forward a little near the venter. It resembles both J. (Anatomites) kon- nincki Mojsisovics and J. (Anatomites) sigis- mundi Mojsisovics, but no constrictions are pre- Geol. Surv. collections, holotype, cat. no. involute convex sent. 8831. i Sagenites gcethingi n. sp. Plate I, figure 12 The whorls are stout, rapidly enlarging, round- ed and thicker than high. There are transverse striations or very fine costae of low relief and lines and irregular varices of growth. It is not so compressed as Sagenites inermis (Hauer } and has mostly a larger umbilicus. Geol. Surv. collections, holotype, cat. no. 8806. Drepanites rutherfordi n. sp. Plate I, figure 13 Compared with Drepanites hyatti Mojsisovics the costation on the outer part of the sides is not so strong, the “beading” along the ventral shoulder appears to be finer, the form is more compressed and the lobes of the suture line are relatively shorter and the saddles broader and not so deep. Geol. Survey collections, holotype, cat. no. 8817. Stikinoceras MclLearn This shows some resemblance to Mojsisovic- sites Gemmellaro and both genera should be referred to the same family. Stikinoceras in- cludes compressed evolute species with alternat- ing long and short, even, rather stiffly sigmoidal costae, the longer of which is thickened on the umbilical shoulder or forms an incipient bulla there. On the ventral shoulder and borne on the costae are two rows of tubercles, the outer row VoL. LI being the larger, better defined and somewhat clavus-like in form. ‘There is a very small ridge or thread-like carina on the almost flat, narrow venter. The costation resembles that of Moj- sisovicsites hut is more even and does not decline and give place to sigmoidal folds on later whorls. The genotype is Stikinoceras kerrt McLearn. : Stikinoceras robustum n. sp. Plate I, figure 4 This species has stouter and thicker whorls and, on the outermost whorl, has stouter and tewer costae than Stikinoceras kerri McLearn. Geol. Surv. collections, holotype, cat. no. 8839 DESCRIPTION) OF EVA ad Note: All figures are of natural size. Figure 1. Coenothyris petriana n. sp. Side view of holotype Geol. Surv. collections, Cat. no. 9141. Figure 2. Modiolus ahsisi n. sp. Holotype, Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8767. Figure 3. Coenothyris silvana n. sp. Side view of holotype. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 9142. Figure 4. Stikinoceras robustum n. sp. Holo- type. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8839. Figure 5. Spiriferina onestae n. sp. Dorsal view of holotype. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 9143. Figure 6. Monotis montini n. sp. Holotype. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8765. Figure 7. Isculites schooleri var. parvus un. var. Holotype. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8793. Figure 8. Gryphaea chakit n. sp. Holotype. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8776. Figure 9. Lima poyana n. sp. Holotype, Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8772. Figure 10. Hoernesia? woyaniana n. sp. Holo- type. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8768. Figure 11. Daonella nitanae n. sp. Holotype. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8773. Figure 12. Sagenites gethingi n. sp. Holotype. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8806. Figure 13. Drepanites rutherfordi n. sp. Holo- type. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8817. 14. Juvavites bococki n. sp. Holotype. Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8831. Figure 15. Lobites pacianus n. sp Holotype Geol. Surv. collections, cat. no. 8789. Figure Fieldwork in the summer of 1937 emphasizes the Alpine characters ‘of the faunas. The Halobia zone includes Discotropites cf. sandlingensis and other upper Karnian species. No Tropites has yet been found. Placites and other interesting ammo- noids have been collected from the M. subcircularis zone. Fee Aaeta 28S: “ae — as « October, 1937} VE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 99 AMERICAN DOG TICK, DERMACENTOR VARIABILIS SAY, IN ONTARIO By C. H. D. CLARKE GORGED female Dermacentor was brought to the writer on May 20, 1935, from the physiological labor- atories in the medical building, Univer- sity of Toronto. The specimen was alive and had recently been removed from a dog. It was taken at once to Dr.. S. Hadwen, of the Ontario Research Foundation, who identified it as D. variabilis. Investigation by Mr. M. Fallis of the Ontario Research Foundation resulted in the finding of a second gorged female on the same host, and elicited the information that the dog had come recently from the Six Nations Indian Reservation near Brantford, Ontario. The only reference in available literature to Ontario as being in the range of this tick is in Hooker, Bishopp, and Wood (1912), where Ontario is mentioned along with Labrador and Nova Scotia without citation of specimens or localities. It is well known in Manitoba (Hawden 1912) but Hewitt in his (1915) review gives no records for other provinces. However, besides southern Manitoba, Derma- centor variabilis is abundant in many localities in the eastern states not far south of the Ontario boundary. Hence southern Ontario may well be expected to be within its range. Dermacentor variabilis is an annoying parasite to man in areas where it is common, both from the irritation of its bite and the difficulty of removing it without breaking off the mouth parts. Much more important than this is its role as a vector of tularemia and the eastern form of the Rocky Mountain spotted fever. (Bishopp 1933). The occurrence and distribution of ticks in Ontario is practically unknown. Under such circumstances almost any specimen represents an extension of knowledge. Specimens for identification are most conveniently shipped alive in cotton stoppered vials or tubes. They can be identified at the Ontario Research Foun- dation, Toronto; Entomological Branch, Ottawa, or Macdonald College, Que. REFERENCES: BisHopp, F. C., 1933 (repr. 1935) Ticks and the role they play in the transmission of diseases. Smithsonian Institution Rep. for 1933; pp. 389-406. Also. Smiths. Publ. 3276, 1935. Hapwen, S., 1912. Report of the veterinary director general, Dept. of Agr., Ottawa, Canada, for the year ending Mar. 31, 1912; pp. 93-99, Hewirt, C. G., 1915. A contribution to a know- ledge of Canadian ticks. Trans. Roy. Soc. Can., 3rd. Ser, Vol. 9) Sn. 4: 225-239) Hooker, W. A., BisHopp, F. C. and Woop, H. P., 1912. Life history and bionomics of some North American ticks. U. S. Dept. Aer., Bur. Ent., Bull. No. 106 NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE LABRADOR PENINSULA IN 1934 AND 1935. By HARRISON F. LEWIS N 1934 I was engaged in bird protec- tion activities on the southern shore of the Labrador Peninsula, between Shelter Bay and Blane Sablon, in Sa- euenay County, Quebec, from June 10th to August 29th, both dates inclusive. Neariy all of this period was spent in patrolling in a small motor-boat between Long Point of Min- gan and Blanc Sablon. The period which I spent in 1935 on the same coast, between Shelter Bay and Blanc Sablon, extended from May 17th to September 5th, both dates inclusive. From May 23rd to June 21st I was at Seven Islands, where 1 was chiefiy occupied in observing the northward migration of White-bellied Brant past Pointe aux Basques, at the south-eastern entrance of the Bay of Seven Islands. From June 24th to September lst I was engaged in patrol work, . performed by motor-boat, between Long Point of Mingan and Blanc Sablon. From my daily records of ornithological ob- servations made during the two seasons thus delimited I have selected the following notes, which it seems desirable to publish. It will be noted that the period during which my duties ° me to some ten hours required remain, for daily, at a fixed observation-point, namely, Pointe 100 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST aux Basques, near Seven Islands, while the spring migration was. at its height, was par- ticularly productive of interesting records. The names of species which have not hitherto been recorded in the Labrador Peninsula are marked herein with an *. In a previous paper about the bird life of this region I have recorded * that, in the summer of 1932, a very pronounced and unusual scarcity of small fish, especially of the capelin (Mallotus villosus 1,.), along a great extent of this coast, caused widespread distress among the Gulls and large Terns that nested there and that’ were accustomed to feed on such fish. Bird species thus affected included the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), the Great Black- backed Gull (L. marinus), the Ring-billed Gull (L. delawarensis), and the American Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia imperator). Large numbers of their young died of starvation. In the summer of 1933 capelin were again abundant on this coast and the Gulls that nested there raised normal numbers of young, but in both 1934 and 1935 the capelin were scarce, and resultant mortality among the young Gulls was heavy. Conditions in this regard were probably not as bad in 1934 as in 1932, but in 1935 they were the worst that I have ever The remains of starved young Gulls were very common on the islands on which they had been hatched, and I do not believe that ten per cent of the young Gulls of the three species named above, hatched be- tween Natashquan and Mutton Bay in 1935, lived to attain ability to fly. Mr. Daniel Stub- bert, caretaker of Fog Island Bird Sanctuary, which contains the only colony of Caspian Terns on this coast, reported that in 1935 these birds lost all their young. seen. Gavia stellata. RED-THROATED Loon. — During the period in 1935 when I spent the greater part of each day in maintaining a watch for Brant at Point aux Basques, at the south-eastern entrance to the Bay of Seven Islands, I found the flight and flocking of Red-throated Loons in that vicinity very interesting. The first flocks were noticed on the morning of June 3rd. The weather at the time was calm, partly cloudy, and comparatively mild. Sunrise occurred about 4.20 a.m. (Atlantic Standard Time). For about an hour on this morning, from 415 am. to 5.19 a.m., there was a!- marked movement of Red-throated Loons, chiefly in 1 Can. Field-Nat., 48:98 [VoL. LI flocks, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence over Pointe aux Basques into the Bay of Seven Islands. Each flock was a very definite grouping of flying Red-throated Loons, without any observable regularity in the arrangement of the birds of which it was composed. I estimated that they flew at a height of four hundred to five hundred feet. From my position on the point they appeared very clearly outlined against the thin, bright clouds overhead. Occasonally one of the characteristic and well- known cries of this species would be heard from some member of a flock. During the morning mentioned flocks of Red-throated Loons were observed flying over Pointe aux Basques into the Bay of Seven Islands as follows: Number of birds Hour. in. flock. ArhS act iietae sc ra eho LPO Marcia aban Oil asinaeen sume p Ne Cs) ASA() Se amTei aya eee rau AA Oh atamieen each cee oO. AIO Faerie ish ee ANG aL saoy bis) dal elo.) bofOUk AAS OMA i eae eM OS SOO Vain ta ae. ESV tese alsin ie jul iosal io abs OCA GTA Gama Aee iekeeae eaeS Total 326 birds, in 10 flocks. During the same period other Red-throated Loons, singly and in pairs, were flying over the same route at various heights from time to time. No exact record of these was kept. On the morning of June 4th, when the weather was mild, cloudy, and hazy, with a moderate south-east wind, five flocks of Red- throated Loons, containing 137 birds in all, were observed flying past Pointe aux Basques into the Bay off Seven Islands between 4.44 am. and 6.12 am. Their manner of flight was similar to that of the flocks seen the previous day, except that one flock, containing 4? birds, when first seen by me, at 5.10 am., was directly above Pointe aux Basques, facing south-east, or out to sea, and also against the wind. The birds in this flock remained p:actically stationary, at a height of. four hundred to five hundred feet. At ground level the wind at this time was no more than a fresh breeze, and Common lLoons at small elevations were observed to fly to windward easily and quite rapidly. I could see no indica- tion that the wind at a height of five hundred t- October, 1987 | feet was markedly stronger than at ground level. After remaining poised for about half a minute from the time when I first saw them, this flock of 42 Red-throated Loons wheeled gradually around and flew before the wind over the Bay of Seven Islands. The next few days were stormy, with easterly winds. No more flocks of Loons of any kind were seen until June 7th, when, at 8.15 am., a fairly compact flock of 61 Loons was seen flying south-east, out of the Bay of Seven Islands, and against a moderate east wind, at a height of one hundred to two hundred feet. No cries were heard from them, the weather was foggy, and I remained uncer- tain of their specific identity. On June 8th, in cloudy, foggy weather, with a gale blowing from the east, flocks of Red- throated Loons, flying at a height of one hundred to two hundred feet, were observed issuing from the Bay of Seven Islands, heading south-east as they passed Pointe aux Basques. Nineteen flocks, containing 247 birds, were observed to fly out of the bay in this way between 7.10 a.m. and 11.55 a.m. The only flock of Red-throated Loons seen to fly into the Bay of Seven Islands on this day was one containing 6 birds that entered at 12.10 pm. Pairs and single birds, however, frequent- ly flew past the point in both directions. On June 9th, which was calm, cloudy, and slightly foggy, the flocks of Red-throated Loons that passed Pointe aux Basques flew at an elevation of one hundred to two hundred feet. Between 525 a.m. and 9.42 a.m., ten flocks, containing 178 birds, flew into the bay, and two flocks, containing 15 birds, flew out of the bay. Two or three flocks of this species, some entering the bay, some leaving it, were seen at a later hour on this date, but were not recorded with exactness. Pairs and _ single birds were also noted. Similar flights -of Red-throated Loons in flocks were observed at Pointe aux Basques on June 10th, 12th, and 15th. It was, of course, impossible to identify specifically every Loon in these flocks. Both Red-throated Loons and Common Loons (Gavia immer) were identified by me at Pointe aux Basques nearly every day during the period when these observations were made. But all the Loons in the flocks that were identified by plumage or voice were Red-throated Loons and, since the birds in the flocks did not appear to differ greatly in size, it is reasonable to Tae CANADIAN FieL_p-NATURALIST palo suppose that there were none but Red-throated Loons among them. ‘The only one of these flocks about whose identity I feel any doubt is the one seen flying out of the Bay of Seven Islands on June 7th, and I think it probable that this was, like the others, a flock of Red- throated Loons. When, on June 3rd and 4th, the flocks of Red-throated Loons seen were all entering the - Bay of Seven Islands, I thought I was witness- ing part of a great migration that, like the migration of the Brant, would pass overland. from this bay to more northern regions. Later, when many flocks of Red-throated Loons were seen issuing from the Bay of Seven Islands, as well as entering it, I became uncertain as to the true significance of these movements. It may be that I was observing two different mi- gration streams, one bound northward from the Bay of Seven Islands, across the Labrador Penin- sula, and the other bound eastward from that bay, along the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to the breeding-grounds of these Loons on the eastern part of that shore and in the region of Newfoundland Labrador, or it may be that I was witnessing merely local movements, related to the daily feeding of the birds concerned. Two or three times on June 15th I noticed flocks of Red-throated Loons which, after flying steadily along at a height of 100 feet or so, suddenly set their wings and coasted or volplaned downward until they had lost 20 or 30 feet of their elevation, then resumed steady horizontal flight without change of direction. When one flock of five birds did this directly over my head, the roar made by the passage of their flight-feathers through the air as they shot downward was loud and very striking. A similar performance has described by Bahr.’ been On June 16th I saw a solitary Loon, probably though not certainly a Red-throated Loon, interrupt a steady horizontal flight at an elev- ation of about 60 feet by suddenly turning over on its back, then turn immediately back to the normal position, and volplane downward for a descent of about 20 feet. At the conclusion of this short glide it flew away horizontally once more. Moris bassana. GANNE?T. — During an easter- ly gale with fog, on June 8th, 1935, I watched from a concealed position at the tip of Pointe - 2 The Home Life of some Marsh-birds. Wondon, 1907. Year. No. of occupied nests of European Cormorants. 1934 GBS 102 aux Basques while 53 Gannets passed the point in scattered succession. From one to four Gannets were in sight at one time. Many of these birds were in adult plumage, but the majority of them were in immature plumage, of which a great many different stages were represented. One adult bird stayed close to Pointe aux Basques for some time and plunged several times for fish, with apparent success, from a height of only three to ten feet. Twice, just before it plunged, it was heard to utter its hoarse note two or three times in rapid succes- sion. It seemed to me that this utterance was an expression of irritation at several Herring Gulls that were wheeling close about the Gannet, perhaps getting in its way, and doubtless hoping to steal its catch. Phalacrocorax carbo carbo. Europran Cor- MORAN?. — In 1935 there were 12 occupied nests of this species, with several nests of the Double- crested Cormorant, on a cliff on one of the Outer Wapitagun Islands, where I observed them on July 5th. This site, which is probably the place where Audubon made his well-known observations on the nest-life of this species, in 1833, had not been occupied by any Cormorants for some years prior to 1935. It is about three miles east of Cape Whittle and about one mile east of the colony of European Cormorants on the cliff of Lake Island. I have no doubt that the small colony of European Cormorants established here in 1935 is an offshoot of the Lake Island colony and, since it is so close to the parent colony, it is included with it in the following tabulation of population data for all known colonies: of this species on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Lake Island Cliff Island Total. 102 (June 20) 22 (July 24) 124 95 (July 4&5) 30 (July 10) 125 It seems to me that the lack of any material increase in the breeding population of this species on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1934° or 1935 is very probablv due to the unusually severe winter weather exper- ienced in New England and the Maritime Provinces in the winter of 1933-1934. Since most of our stock of European Cormorants winter the coasts of the regions just mentioned, they would be exposed there to the on 9 3 There were 125 occupied nests of this species on that coast in 1933. See Can. Field-Nat.. 48:99 and 100. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST (Vou. LI unusual cold and storms of that winter. Since. birds of this species do not breed until at least their second spring, all the individuals that should have bred for the first time in either 1934 or 1935 were hatched prior to the winter of 1933 - 1934 and had to encounter its severity while they were still immature. The European Cormorants in the Lake Island colony appear to have been unusually late in beginning to lay eggs in 1934. Of the 102 occupied nests observed when I visited the colony, on June 20th, 1934, only three contained young and those young were very small and evidently had hatched but a short time before. The nesting operations of the birds in this colony are, in most years, much farther ad- vanced than this by June 20th. Only one of the adults in this colony was observed to retain its conspicuous white flank- patches on June 20th, 1934. Phalacrocorax auritus auritus. E,ASTERN Dovu- BLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.—On May 27th, 1935, I visited, on Little Boule Island, near Seven Islands, a colony of this species in which I counted 100 occupied nests, placed in small, stunted conifers, which were distributed over the face and crest of a broken cliff more than 100 feet high. The local game warden informed me that this colony was only a few years old and that it apparently began by the shifting to ‘this island of a large part of the population of the long-established colony of this species on Carrousel Island, about six miles distant toward the south-west. A good many Double-crested Cormorants still continue, however, to nest on Carrousel Island. Branta bernicla hrota. \WWHITE-BELLIED BRANT. —Since an account of my observations of this species at the Bay of Seven Islands in 1935 is being published elsewheret it will suffice to say here that an assistant and I recorded only 4508 Brant entering the Bay of Seven Islands in that year. Five of these were seen entering the bay by its south-west entrance on May 24th, but all the others were seen entering the bay by its south-east entrance between May 3lst and June 14th, both dates inclusive. The Bay of Seven Islands was formerly a notable resting- place and feeding ground for Brant on their northward migration, in May and June. Nettion carolnense. GREEN-WINGED TEAL.—On a small pond, with a small marshy area at each end of it, in stunted coniferous woods, about three miles north-east of the post office at 1 lone 54:73-95. October, 1937| Bradore Bay, I found, on July 16th, 1934, six full-grown Green-winged Teal and six downy young of this species, apparently less than a week old. One of the full-grown Teal was evidently the mother of the downy young. While I was in the vicinity she divided her time between flying excitedly about, swimming on the pond for short intervals, and walking in one of the marshes. She called loudly and repeatedly, in a nasal tone, aahnk, aahnk, etc. The other full-grown Green-winged Teal in the group were moulting, as was evidenced both by their appearance and by the presence of their cast-off feathers around the margin of the pond. Two of them appeared to be adult males. The three others were judged, by the green wash on the sides of their speckled heads, to be males a year old. These five birds were very reluctant to fly and I watched them at leisure, with X6 binoculars, at a distance of 30 feet. For some time I thought that they were unable -to fly, presumably because of their moult, but eventually one of the adult males and one of the young males rose together to a height of two or three feet and flew together for about a hundred feet, ~then alighted again on the pond. This pond is about 171 miles north-east of Fog Island, which was previously the eastern- most point on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence at which the Green-winged Teal had been found to breed. Dr. Oliver L. -Austin, Jr., has classed’ the Green-winged Teal as an accidental visitor in Newfoundland Labrador, since the four records of its occurrence there that were known to him seemed to indicate this status. As the pond near Bradore Bay where I made this observation of downy young Green-winged Teal is only five or six miles from the boundary of New- foundland Labrador, it now seems quite prob- able that this Teal may occur regularly in that region and that it may breed there. Clangula hyemalis. O.p-sguaw.—On another small pond, in open country, about one mile south-east of Bradore Bay post office, I saw, on July 15th, 1934, a female Old-squaw with a brood of six small downy young. The young kept close to their mother, who was easily identified, for her plumage could be seen in great detail through X6 binoculars as she swam about on the little pond. She uttered a few hoarse croaks as she guided her young away from me but from the young themselves I heard no sound. 4 Auk, 44:62. 5 Birds of Newfoundland Labrador. Mem. Nutt. Orn. Club, VII, Cambridge, 1932, p. 44 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 103 On the same pond was another Old-squaw (sex?), in darker plumage than that of the mother of the brood, but without any observable long tail. Most of the time while I was present it stayed at some distance from the mother duck and her brood, although it seemed inclined to join them. When, on one occasion, it approached close to the group, the mother duck, with raised wings, dashed at it and readily drove it away. It was in this immediate vicinity that Audu- bon found females of this species with small young on July 28th, 1833.2. The present record corroborates evidence which I have previously published’ to show that it still breeds here. Halhaeétus leucocephalus alascanus. Norvu- ERN Bartp FacLteE—On June 28th, I found a nest of this Eagle beside the shore of the inner, shallow part of Mascanin Bay, about 24 miles west of Natashquan. The nest, built of sticks, was about eight feet high and five feet across the top and had apparently been used for many years. It was in a tamack tree (Larix laricina (Du Roi) Koch.) that appeared to have been dead for a long time. This tree was about two feet in diameter near the ground and more than forty feet high and was one of the largest trees in the vicinity. The top of the nest was at a height of about thirty-five feet from the ground. Aided by the tiany that were still attached to the dead tree, my companion, Mr. George Jones, climbed to the nest. He described its top as quite flat, with a slight depression in the center. Some dead grass and mud lay limbs on it. The nest was occupied by one young Eagle, largely feathered, though with much down still visible, and about as large as an adult Southern Eider Duck. It was able to stand up without using its wings for support and, when it saw Mr. Jones’s head above the rim of the nest, it spread its wings, gave a cry resembling that of a young Herring Gull, and advanced toward him. Practically all the time while we were in the vicinity of the nest the two parent Eagles flew anxiously about the vicinity, “chippering” loudly. They did not at any time offer fight. Prior to this experience I had never seen an Eagle’s nest near the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence nor heard of one being known to the residents there, and my only observation of the Bald Eagle in the region was a good 6 Birds of America. New pp. 90-91. 7 Can. Wonk il sic 9 eaVviO aay alle Field-Nat.. 41 :190. 104 view of an adult at Betchewun on September 3rd, 1923. That scarcity of Eagles along this shore is not a new condition is indicated by Audubon’s remark, after he had sailed, in 1833, along the coast from Natashquan to Bradore Bay, with protracted stops in various harbours: “I have made many inquiries, but every one tells me Eagles are most rare.’* Circus hudsonius. Marsh HAawk.—One was seen at Kegashka River, June 17th, 1934. One was seen at Cross River, on the mainland, near Harrington Harbour, July 23rd, 1934, and one at this place again on July 25th, 1935. -Lagopus lagopus. Wutow PrarMiGAN.—Two were observed on Grande Passe Island, St. Augustin, on July 11th, 1934. Squatarola squatarola. ByACK-BELLIED PLOVER. —Three birds in breeding plumage and one in gray plumage were seen in one flock on Bald Island, near Mingan, on June 24th, 1935. This date, being between the normal periods of nortn- ward and southward migration, is an unusual one for this species in this region. Calidris canutus. Knot.—Three individuals were seen, in company with Black-bellied Plover, at the water’s edge at Pointe aux Basques, near Seven Islands, on June 9th, 1935. Limnodromus griseus. DowitCHER.—At 4.30 am. on May 28th, 1935, I found a gtoup of five Dowitchers on the sandy beach between the village of Seven Islands and Pointe aux Basques. The tide was low and the birds stood at the edge of the water; in fact, water from each spent wave flowed around their feet. They seemed tired and loth to fly, as if they had just concluded a long migration flight. I worked slowly up to within ten feet of them before they flew, and, in observing them, | used X8 binoculars. I noted their dark upper parts, particularly the dark “cap” on the head; a light line over the eye; bills longer than those of Knots, and with depressed tips; feet greenish: breast ruddy in two individuals, gray in two individuals, intermediate in one individual; dark spotting and barring of underparts, especially strong on sides and flanks. In the birds with gray breasts the line over the eye was whitisi; in those with :uddy breasts this line was also ruddy. Their notes were musical and of a twittering character. When they finally flew, : did not get a good view of their rumps, but saw a flash of white there. Their flight was 8 Audubon and His Journals, by Maria R. Audu- bon and Hiliott Coues, London, 1898. Vol TI, p. 415. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST (Vou. LI strong, swift, and swerving, with wings down- curved. A solitary Dowitcher was found by me at the harbour in St. Mary Islands Bird Sanctuary, near Harrington Harbour, on July 8th, 1935. It was quite tame and allowed itself to be observed with care through X8 binoculars. Its characteristic markings were clearly seen. The ruddy colouring of its underparts was very pale, except on the throat. This is a rare bird on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.” The only previous record of its occurrence there is ‘Taverner’s statement? that C. G Harrold saw one at Natashquan on July 30th, 1928. In other parts of the Labrador Peninsula it has been recorded very seldom. Larus leucopterus. IcELAND GutLL.—On May 23rd... 1935, the. s. S. Seble I, vontiwhiche sina a passenger, was followed closely, between Moisie and Seven Islands, by about a dozen Gulls. Most of these were adult Herring Gulls, but three of them were not. One was an immature white-winged Gull that may have been either an Iceland Gull or a Kumlien’s Gull. One was an adult Iceland Gull. It was easy to study these Gulls at length and in detail, with X8 binoculars, from a position on the deck of the ship, and in such study the pearl-gray mantle and pure white primaries of this adult Iceland Gull were clearly seen. It was carefully com- pared with the adult Herring Gulls as the two species flew and poised close together in the air currents near the ship and it was judged to be slightly smaller than a Herring Gull. Larus kumlient. KUMIIEN’s GULL.—One of the Gulls in the group seen between Moisie and Seven Islands on May 23rd, 1935, and described in the preceding paragraph was an adult Kum- lien’s Gull. The dark markings on the primaries, characteristic of this species, wee clearly seen with X8 binoculars, first as the bird poised and flew behind and beside the ship and finally as it alighted on the water beside the ship. It was of approximately the same size as the Herring Gulls around it. RING-BILLED Guii.— In the colony of this species on an island near the mouth of Kegashka River, Mr. George Jones and I counted 473 occupied nests on June 30th, 1935. The e were probably 500 to 600 nests in all, for extensive dense vegetation, waist high, presumably hid many. Hatching was completed in a few nests, was in progress in a great many, Larus delawarensis. Y Can, Field-Nat.. 43:78. October. 1937] and in about one-third of the total number seen had not yet begun. Rissa tridactyla. Kirt1wAKE.—The history of the little nesting group of Kittiwakes in Bet- chouane Bird Sanctuary, about which I have published previous .statements’”, may be con- tinued as follows: 1934. June 13th, four adults, two nests with two eggs each. July 3lst, one nest containing two young birds nearly ready to leave, and two empty, used nests. 1935. June 25th, five adults, two nests with three eggs each, one nest with two eggs. August 4th, two nests containing one young bird each, and two empty, used nests. Young well feathered, but with some nest- ling down still attached. Apparently nearly ready to leave the nest. Hydroprogne caspia imperator. AMERICAN CASPIAN TERN.—Two Caspian Terns were seen flying westward through the harbour at Havre St. Pierre about 10.30 a.m. on June 25th, 1935. The only known nesting colony of this species 10 Awk. 42:279. Can. Field-Nat., 48 :116. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 105 on this coast is on Fog Island, 138 miles east of Havre St. Pierre. Alca torda, Razor-BILLED AUK.—On July 9th, 1935, Mr. F. W. Osborne, caretaker of St. Mary Islands Bird Sanctuary, pointed out to me, on the Western St. Mary Island, a Razor-billed Auk incubating two eggs that lay side by side and in contact with each other in a crack in the rock. He then told me that he had seen another similar instance elsewhere on the same island on the same day. On July 10th I observed, on another island in the same vicinity, two eggs of this species lying side by side and in contact with each other in a crevice in the rock. The bird that had been incubating them had presum- ably been put to flight by our approach. The fact that a female of this species may sometimes lay two eggs in a clutch and incubate them together is well known, but these are the first instances of it to come to my attention in fifteen summers of field work in which frequent visits were made to _ breeding-places of these birds. (To be concluded) SOME ADDITIONS TO THE FLORA OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND By J. ADAMS (Contribution No. 492 from the Division of Bo- tany, Experimental Farms Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada.) CATALOGUE of the Flowering Plants and Ferns of Prince Edward Island by Mr. Blythe Hurst, Senior, was publish- ed in the Transactions of the Royal Canadian Institute, Vol. XIX, part 2, 1933. This contained the names of all species known to occur in the island at that time. That a considerable number of species, especially among the grasses and sedges, still remain to be discovered can hardly be doubted. The present supplemental list inereases the number of Island plants by 71 species. Of the species detailed below a number were collected by the present writer during a short visit to Summerside and Brackley Beach in August, 1936. Most of the species of Carex recorded below are taken from the section of the North American Flora dealing with that genus by the late Kenneth Mackenzie. A short paper by J. R. Churchill. entitled Some Plants from Prince Edward Island (Rhodora vol. 4, pp. 31-36, Feb. 1902) contained the names of several species not previously mentioned. In other cases, following the procedure adopted in the previous list, the name of the person res- ponsible for collecting or identifying the snecies is added in brackets. I am indebted to Mr. W. Dore for checking over the names of the grasses collected. The names of the species which have been introduced by human agency are indicated in the usual way by an asterisk. For convenience of reference the families, genera, and species of both Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons are listed in alphabetical order. PTERIDOPHYTA POLY PODIACEAE Cryptogramma Stellert (S. G. Gmel.) Prantl. — . (Be sElurst): Cystopteris fragilis Bernh. — (B. Hurst). 106 MONOCOTYLEDONAE CYPERACEAE With a few exceptions all of the species of this genus listed below are taken from the North American Flora but no special locality in Prince Edward Island is mentioned in that work. Carex acuta L. . aenea Fernald. . albicans Willd. . arctata Boott . Bebbu Olney . brunnescens (Pers.) Poir. canescens L,. _ cephalantha (1, H. Bailey) Bicknell communis L. H. Bailey crimta Lam. deflexa Hornem. deweyana Schw. diandra Schrank. . disperma Dewey . flexuosa Muhl. . foenea Willd. Summerside and Brackley Beach (J. Adams). . gynandra Schw. . hirta L. . hormathodes Fernald . interior L. H. Bailey . intumescens Rudge. Adams): also recorded in American Flora. . leporina L,. . leptalea Wahl. leptonervia Fernald. . limosa L.. norvegica Willd. . paleacea Wahl. } paupercula Michx. . projecta Mack. . retrorsa Schw. . rostrata Stokes rugosperma Mack. . scabrata Schw. _ scoparia Schkuhr. (B. Hurst.) _ silicea Olney. Tracadie Beach (Chur- chill) . stipata Muhl. . tonsa (Fernald) Bicknell . tribuloides Wahl. Brackley (B. Hurst). . trisperma Dewey . viridula Michx. . vulpinoidea Michx. (By Earst)): Scirpus cyperinus QIAO AAAAAGCeaAaaarIag Summerside (J. North VANS Ao Mon oS Brackley . Beach OS Beach. Ver Gorn Brackley Beach. (L.) Kunth. Carleton THe CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST {VoL. LI (L. H. Muttart), Summerside. (J. Adams). GRAMINEAE Agrostis maritima Lam., Brackley Beach (J. Adams). Deschampsia flexuosa (\.) Trin.. Brack- ley Beach (J. Adams). Glyceria grandis S. Wats., (Hitchcock’s Manual). Panicum boreale Nash. Charlottetown. (Hy ‘Groh’ and Ro Reins): P. capillare .. Brackley . Beach) @- Adams). P. lanuginosum Ell... Brackley Beach. (J. Adams). Spartina alterniflora Lois.. Brackley Beach. (J. Adams). S. pectinata Link (S. Michauxtana Hitche. ) Summerside and Brackley Beach. (J. Adams). ORCHIDACEAE Cypripedium parviflorum Salisb., Fortune Bridge (B. Hurst). Fortune Habenaria hyperborea R. Br.. Bay (R. R. Hurst). POTAMOGETON ACEAE Potamogeton perfoliatus L.. Duck River. (H. Groh). Ruppia maritima L.. Brackley Beach. (J. Adams). DICOTYLEDONAE BORAGINACEAE * Tycopsis arvensis L. (R. R. Hurst) CHENOPODIACEAE * Suaeda linaris (EM.) Mog. Summerside and Brackley Beach. (J. Adams). In the list published by the Royal Canadian Institute this species was included among those considered doubtful or requiring confirmation. S. maritima (1,.) Dumort.. (B. Hurst) COMPOSITAE : * Cotula coronopifoha L.,., (Churchill). Erigeron annuus (L,.) Beach. (J. Adams). Sohdago nemoralis Ait. Cape Aylesbury. The existence of specimens of this species in the National Museum has been brought to my attention by Mr. E. W. Hart. - According to Prof. Fernald the record of S. serotina Ait included in the Royal: Canadian Institute list is an error. Summerside Pers.. Brackley CRASSULACEAE Tillaea Vaillantii Willd.. Tracadie (Chur-- chill). October, 1937) CRUCIFERAE * Erucastrum gallicum (Willd.) O. E. Schulz. Charlottetown (H. Groh) ERICACEAE Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea L.. Tracadie (Churchill). LABIATAE * Lamium purpureum L. (B. Hurst) * Mentha rubra Huds., Tracadie. chill). Sand dunes, (Chur- THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 107 LYTHRACEAE * Iythrum Salicaria 1. (B. Hurst). MALVACEAE * Malva rotundifolia L. (R. R. Hurst). ROSACEAE Geum rivale lL. (B. Hurst). UMBELLIFERAE Hydrocotyle americana L,. (B. Hurst). CITY GROUSE By W. E. SAUNDERS N FEBRUARY 12th, 1934, I spent the night at the residence of Mr. H. C. Nunn, which is located on the brow of the mountain at Hamilton, Ontario. His lot is about 200 feet deep and terminates at a precipitous descent, below which is an area of fallen rock, overgrown with seedling trees, berry bushes and other things that combine to make particularly bad walking, and therefore affords good cover for wild birds and animals. On the morning of the 13th, Mr. Nunn burst into my room and said. “Come and see the grouse in the rowan tree!” There they were, three of them, in the dim morning light, but within a minute or two they had all left, one by one, for the shelter of the cliff below. This occurrence of grouse within the city limits of Hamilton, and feeding in a city garden, seemed so interesting that I obtained the following details from Mr. Nunn and his neighbour, Mrs. Morton, on whose trees the birds were feeding. The Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) first came on the evening of November 5th, 1933, when two of them were noted in the rowan tree (Pyrus sp.) about thirty feet from Mrs. Morton’s house, and were joined in ten minutes by three others. After staying a short time they flew down the mountainside. From then on the five grouse came twice a day, missing only a couple of days in March, until April 6th, when the Mortons left home for a while. Immediately their next door neigbours, the Nunns, set out an attractive showing of food and were at once rewarded by daily visits from the grouse. They tried much variety, but found the grouse had very decided tastes, apples seeming to be preferred above all else, and it was quite a common thing to see a grouse settle down to a quarter section of apple and eat at it until it was all gone. They cared nothing for grains, but would eat raisins as a second choice to the apples. Once Mr. Nunn threw out part of a can of corn (maize) and, when the other food had been finished, a_ single grouse ate all the corn. They fed on the ground for a while, but almost every evening they finished off by bud- ding in apple. or cherry trees and it was one of the features of their evening appearance to see all five all birds in a single apple tree, sil- houetted against the fading colours of the sky. Their habit was to feed until the city lights were on and it was almost dark when, quickly, one after another flew over the crest of the hill and down to the cedars where they spent the night. No one discovered the time at which they returned in the dim light before dawn, but Mr. Nunn flushed one from his cherry tree just as the dawn was breaking and it was still quite dark, and they could often be seen in the rowan tree by the dim light of early morning. The evening visits were timed at dusk, giving little opportunity for observation and none for photography. Often, when the snow was off the ground, the observers would think the birds were not coming and then, one after another, they would appear, but it was difficult to see them. One night a very severe thunder- storm came on just at dusk and it was expected that the birds would go to roost in the early darkness and the heavy rain. Instead of that they fed on Mrs. Morton’s lawn right through the downpour. Although they almost invariably appeared in dim light, Mr. Nunn saw one budding in the apple tree in broad daylight at noon. On 108 THE CANADIAN Fre_D-NATURALIST another occasion, in April, the birds came at five o’clock in the evening instead of waiting until seven. The last recorded visit of the grouse was on the morning of April 10th, when Mr. Nunn found one feeding on the lawn with Tam, his little scottie, watching it through the screen door. Mrs. Morton believed that one bird, “an up- standing male” was invariably the first to come and he would parade about apparently surveying the land for the others. Then in a few minutes the second one would come, followed shortly by the remaining three, and the whole five would be on the rockery, in the trees, or on the ground, where they would feed for a period of ten minutes to halff an depending - mainly on the absence of disturbance hour, When the snow was deep, Mrs. Morton kept the food in a box in the house at night and put it out early in the morning and, as the grouse came for breakfast in the dim light barberries, iVoL. LI it follows that Mrs. Merton must The box was gradually of dawn, have been an early riser. brought nearer and nearer till it was right beside the house. When feeding there they were at first quite timid, but towards the end they would allow a dog to run quite close to them and even the furnace man could pass without flushing them. Mrs. Morton’s expe- rience was that they preferred rowan berries, and catkins, but when these were exhausted she gave them apple peelings and cores. In addition to this unusual occurrence, Mr, Nunn one morning found a Raccoon in the apple tree beside the dining room window, and on another occasion, when he went out to see what excitement the morning might produce, a Duck Hawk flew from a shelf of rock under ~ the crest at the back of the lot. Few bird students are in so favourable a loca- tion in a great city. Mr. Morden was born within a few miles of London, Ontario, and spent practically his whole life in the same county. At an early age he displayed an interest in nature, and began to collect insects, mammals, birds and their eggs, and made also a large collection of Indian relics. When I first met him, about 1879, he was a good taxidermist and an eager collector of the eggs of the Raptores of which the redtail and the red-shoulder were then common. About 1880 he began tc work as naturalist coliector for the late Dr. John H. Garnier, Lucknow, Ontario, spending most of two or three years actively in that service, much of the time at the St. Clair marshes, where D. Garnier had a houseboat. I visited him there in May, 1882. and he brought his companion, the late Herbert H. Keays, then of London Township, to Wal- laceburg to meet me, and the beauty of that night, paddling down the Snye Cartier in a canoe, with two congenial companions, has never faded in memory. The notable events of that trip were collec- ‘ng a beautiful female Wilson’s Phalaropy. hear- ing the booming calls of the Prairie Hen whic) was rather common on the mainland, finding a nest of the King Rail with thirteen eggs, and the sight of two Sandhill Cranes which flew around — and settled on the prairie half a mile away. All these were birds that I had not seen befo-e. About that time, Mr. Morden collaborated with me in publishing the Morden-Saunders annotated list of the birds of Western Ontario which came out in The Canadian Sportsman and Naturalist in 1882-83. After leaving Dr. Garnier, he fell in with the late Harry R. Attwater who was then living in Chatham, Ontario, and they conceived the idea of making some money by exhibiting their birds and other specimens at the fairs, which they did for some time. Eventually these two travelled to Texas on a collecting trip in 1883, the result ot which was that Prof. Attwater remained in the south until a few years ago when he died in harness. Mr. Morden returned, married, and spent the rest of his life on various farms in the County of Middlesex. In the summer of 1936 he had a slight stroke and eventually died om January 9th, October, 1937] 1937, and was buried in the Hyde Park cemetery in the county where his life had been spent. His collections were sold and dispersed before the present century, and while this keen observer never lost his interest in nature, the records of his observations are perpetuated only in the notebooks of others, for he left little or nothing in the way of written records. His sharp ears THE CANADIAN Fie_p-NATURALIST 109 and eyes brought to our local lists some good records, notably that of the Yellow Rail which he discovered on May 12th, 1920, and when a small party of us went there the next day we found the bird still calling. There are very few ornithologists in Ontario, who would venture to name this bird, unseen, by its notes alone—W. E. Saunpers, London, Ont. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS EVENING GROSBEAKS IN OWEN SOUND, Ontario. — During the last week in March, 1937, the writer, accompanied by Messrs. A. S. Margolin and J. L. Poland, spent a period in study of the bird life of the Owen Sound, Ontario, neighbourhood. Early spring conditions prevailed at the time, there being only light snow on the ground. To us, the most interest- ing feature of the trip was the large number of Evening Grosbeaks (Hesperiphona vesper- tina) seen about the base of the Bruce Penin- sula. Flocks of fifty to one hundred of these birds were much in evidence, feeding in the maples and ashes along the streets of Owen Sound, and in nearby Harrison Park. In the flocks observed males slightly predominated in numbers. Inquiry made of local persons elicited the information that Evening Grosbeaks are to be found near Owen Sound every spring and fall, that they frequently occur in large numbers, and that they do not occur locally in winter. We found a number of persons who seemingly knew the birds well, and they were all in agree- ment on the above statements. The first of these birds noted during the spring of 1937 came about March 15th, according to our informants. Assuming that this information is correct, and in view of the large flocks seen by us, an interesting question arises. May it not be that Evening Grosbeaks which occur in south-eastern Canada, and in the northern States make large use of the Algoma District— Manitoulin Island—Bruce Peninsula route in their travels? This would seem to account for their regular occurrence and large numbers in the Owen Sound territory. There is certainly no evidence pointing toward the use of a route south of the Great Lakes, and the writer does not know of another route where observations have indicated fairly regular migrations of these birds. Owen Sound would therefore seen, to be ideally situated to receive many of the birds as they pass north and south on their way to widely scattered winter and summer homes. We feel that further studies in the territory will go far toward answering such questions as that above, and we venture to point out again the rather obvious fact that Bruce, like other peninsulas, offers a rich field for ornithological observation—Maurice Brooks, West Virginia University. Two BaANnpvep NEsTLING STARLING RECOVERIES. —Comparatively few nestling Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris) have been banded in Canada to date, and the following two recoveries of nestling Starlings hatched and reared in the vicinity of Ottawa, Ontario, might be of interest to persons studying the spread and migration of this species. A nestling Starling No. 35-213978, banded by the writer at a place about 7 miles south-west of Ottawa, Ontario, on June 8, 1936, was found dead on February 25, 1937, in the Catoctin Mountains, near Thurmont, Maryland, almost due south of Ottawa. Another nestling Starling, No. 35-213983, banded by the writer at a place about 1 mile south of Ottawa, Ontario, on June 22, 1936, was captured at Ozark, Arkansas, in the north-western part of Arkansas near the Oklahoma-Arkansas state boundary, on December 26, 1936 — T. S. HENNESSY. Lonc DiIstaANcE FrLicHt oF BANDED BLUEBIRD. —What is believed to be one of the longest, if not the longest, recorded flight of a banded Bluebird (Stalia sialis) is that of No. B112462. This bird, one of five nestlings when banded by the writer at a place about 10 miles west of Ottawa, Ontario, on June 24, 1936, was killed near Lake City, northern Florida, on March 3, 1937. — T. S. HENNEssy. 110 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST WHITE .GYRFALCON IN ALBERTA. — A White - Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus candicans) in mature plumage, was shot early in December, 1936, on a farm ten miles south-east of Stavety, Alberta, by Mr. C. L. Schlosser of that town. In a letter, Mr. Schlosser states that the bird had been molesting the chickens on his father’s farm and for some time it was believed to be a snowy owl. When killed with .22 rifle he thought he had secured an albino hawk. On taking it to Mr. Cook, a Calgary taxidermist, it was at once identified as a white gyrfalcon. The mounted bird is now in Mr. E. C. Webster’s [VOL. LI office in Stavely. Stavely is about 70 miles south of Calgary. As far as I am aware this is the second recorded occurrence of the white gyrfalcon in Alberta. The first was a bird killed a few miles north of Red Deer in December, 1920. This was recorded in The Canadian Field-Naturalist, March, 1922, p. 58. Several of the dark forms of the gyrfalcon have been killed in the province, two of them being recorded in The Canadian Field-Naturalist BOOK REVIEW VICTORIAN SEA SHELLS lectors and Students. by Charles J. Gabricl. Published by the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 1936. 1/6. A popular guide to the sea-shells of Victoria, reasonably complete. ation in other fields. jt PE Pe PP ee ed ee ee ee re ee ee. A Handbook for Co!- FEF SB EB PSB BB 6 Bg Bk PB Be FB Be BF NATURAL HISTORY OF THE OTTAWA REGION A committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club engaged in compiling lists of the fauna and flora of the Ottawa region which they hope to publish in book form when their information is Progress to date been very encouraging; Mr. Clyde Patch has complet- ed the part dealing with Amphibians and Reptiles, Mr. Taka Kurata the Spiders and Mr. Hoyes Lloyd the Birds. Fishes are under way and many specialists have promised their co-oper- Workers interested in this project may communicate with the under- signed who will appreciated suggestions and criticisms. LP PS PE EP PR BR Bk FR Fd ed ed ke for February, 1906. — Frank L. Fartey, Camrose, Alberta. Australia. The descriptions are accurate but not so “‘scientific’ as to discourage the amateur The illustrations by Joyce K. Allan are both accurate and pleasing—A. L. Sd ta is at present Lists of Fossils, Mollusca and A LA ROCQUE, Secretary, Fauna and Flora Committee. 2 Pe 6 PEP Pe 6 ee - - M.Sc., C. W. Lowg, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, i McCouBREY, A. M. _ Orntthological _ Entomologieal G Geological NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1936-37 President Emeritus: C. E. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; Past Presidents: H. M. SPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.A., A. A. Davipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLEY BROOKS; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CArtT- wricutT, H. C. PHarce, L. T. S. NORRIS-ELy®, B.A., Mrs. L. R. Smupson, W. H. RAND; Treasurer: DR. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, Manitoba; General Beeerctary: NORMAN LOWE, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: R. M. Tuomas; Executive Secretary: ai Happvow, Social _ Convenor: Miss 0. A. ARMSTRONG. Secretary A. M. MACKIE Miss M. F. PRATT Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY P. H. STOKES Chairman A. H. SHorTT SHIRLEY BROooKS H. F. Roserts, M.Sc. A.A. McCouBREY Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. Section Botanieal Ichthyological G. D. RUSSELL Secrétary: J. P. KENNEDY. Microscopy Zoology . A. WARDLE, M.Sc. Botany C. W. Lowe, M.Sc. Secretary: H. C. PEARCE. Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holiday from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after- noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays during July and August. McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, LONDON, ONT. President: J. H. CAMERON, 355 Dufferon Ave., London, Ont.; Vice-President: Mr. E. D. BRAND, 148 William Street, London, Ont.; Recording Secretary: Miss FRANCES JACOBS, 853 Princess Ave., London, Ont.; Migration Secretary: Mr. E. M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH RBYNOLDS, 32 St. Andrews St., London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer questions: W. E. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont.; C. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout Street South, London, Ont.; J. F. CALVERT, 461 Tecumsch A venue, London, Ont.; E.M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont. Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except during the summer. VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY KLINK, (D.Sc.), President Univer- sity of B.C; President: JOHN DAVIDSON, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University of B.C.; Vice-President: Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMS, Geology Dept., University of B.C.; Honorary Secretary: Mrs. F. W. FAaRLeEy: 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First Assistant Secretary: Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd Assistant Secretary: Miss Nora Swirt, Honorary Treasurer: A. H. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: Mrs. F. McGinn. Members of Executive: C. F. CONNor, M. A. Mr.R. J. CUMMING; MR. J. D. TURNBULL, Mr. CurTis JOHNS, Mrs. J Motion; Audstors: H. G. SEtwoop, W. B. Woops. Chairmen of Sections: Botany: Pror. JOHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J.J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. PHILIP TIMMS, Entym- ology: MR. Woorton, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, oe ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. All meetings at 8 p.m., Auditorium, Normal School, 10th Avenue and Cambie Street unless otherwise announced, Honcrary President. L.S BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRD AND MAMMAL SOCIETY President: Jor. M. Y. WILLIAMS; First Vice-President, HAMILTON M. LAING; Second Vice-President: Dr. C. J. BASTIN: Secretary-Treazurer’ C. H. BASTIN, 4484 West 9th Ave Vancouver, B.C Affiliated Societies OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Past Presidents: Mr. L. McL.TmrrRitl, Mr. NaAPinR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C WyYNNE-Epwarps, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidenis: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, Dr. A. N. JENKS; Vice-President and Treasurer: MR. HENRY MOUSLHY; Secretary: Miss MAuD SBaTH. Committee: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN, Mrs. C. F. DALB, MR. J. A. DecaRin, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. Jackson, Mr. E. L. JuDAH, MR. FRASER KeitH, Miss P. B. MattTINsoN, Miss L. SIUREBY: Miss M. S. NicoLson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, Mr. C. Satt, Mr. L. McI.SPACKMAN, Mr. L. McL. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Pairon Honoraire: Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE LorRpD TWEEDsSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Pairon Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1937: Président: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; 24@me ovice- président: ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. LAVoIE; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A.DERY; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: G. - ULRIC TESSIER, Chef de la section de protection: J.-PAUL ROUSSBAU, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILH ALTHERR, Directeurs: ITAL BREAKEY, JR., JAMES PRICH, DR. VIGER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MBREDITH, N.P., Ep@AR ROCHBETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, ADRIEN - FALARDEAU, C.R. Secrétaire-trésorzer: LOouIs-B. LAVOIP 38, rue Sherbrooke. Québec THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary President. Dr. A. P. COLEMAN; President: Dr. F. P. IpE, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidents. Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H. Fipmine, SecretaryTreasure : HueGu M. HAuuipay; Counci—Prog J.R. Dymonp, C. S FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, PrRoF. T. F. MCILWRAITH. Dr. NORMAForRD, RUPERT DaAvips, G.S, Bru, Dr. R. M SAUNDERS, Mrs. O. 8S. MITCHELL, Pror. T. M. C. TAyLor, C. G. BRENNAND, W. J. W. BALDWIN, MAGISTRATE J. E. JONES; President of Junior Club: W. J. Baxter, Vice-Presiden of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. TuHompson, L. L. SNyprer, J. L. BaILLin, JR., Pror. T. F. McItwraity, R. M. Speirs, F. H. EMERY. Mammals—ProrF. A. F. Coventry, Messrs. E. C. Cross, D. A. McLULICH. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. E. B.S. Locigr, Wm LERaAy. Fish— ProF. J. R. Dymonp, ProrF. W J. K. HARKNESS. Insectsa—Dr. FE. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Forp, Mr. F. P. Ipp. Botany—PrRor, R. B. THomson, Dr. H. B. Sirton, Dr. T.M.C. Tayior: Mr W. R. Watson, Mr. L. T. OWENS. Geology—Dnr. A. P. CoLEMAN: ProFr. A. MCLEAN. We would ask the Officers, and more particularly the Secretaries, of all the Affiliated Societies to assist us in our task of building up the circulation of this magazine. By securing every member as a subscriber we can truly make this magazine into one of the leading Natural History publications of America. AUTOBIOGRAPHY of JOHN MACOUN, M.A. CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX By E. M. KINDLE These are attractively bound, and contain a if wealth of information concerning Canadian Special profusely illustrated number of The |} Natural History and Exploration. The author ~ ‘Naturalist’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every was a former President of the Club and this is a Canadian should know this prize essay. Memorial Volume PRICE FIFTY CENTS PRICE $3.00. - 305 pp. WILMOT LLOYD : WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa] 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa WME OND 2 reasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club FOR SALE:— 582 Mariposa Avenue, ; ay COMPLETE SET OF THE CLUB’S See ic Enclosed please find $2.00 as membership in PUBLICATIONS The O.F.-N.C. and Subscription to the Canadian ; Field-Naturalist for the year 1937. 1879-1936 Name, 225 ee hE ee This is a rare opportunity. 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LI, No. 8 NOVEMBER, 1937 pA a ~ Ew eR. yy, : a { ee 1) , il : WY ( ] ay | tg 3 yy : | N aah ie at wh aN jin if a ) Bx LEGRALISTS CLUB ISSUED NOVEMBER 1, 1937 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter F THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB Patrons: . . THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR President: HERBERT GROH (st Vice-President: P. A. TAVERNER 2nd Vice-President; R. E. DELUR Secretary: PEGGY WHITEHURST, Treasurer; WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Av 110 Prospect Avenue, Westboro. — _ Rockeliffe Par. } (}> pee B | 4 Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCocK, R. M. ANDERSON, Rav. F. E, BANIM, HENRY BOWER M. E. Cowan, H. G. CRAwForD, F. J. FRASER, A. HALKEeTT, C. E. JOHNSON, E. M. KINDL W. H. LANcELEY, A. LARocquE, DouGLAS LEECHMAN, GRACE S. Lewis, HARRISON F. LEWI ‘ Hoyes Lioyp, C. W. LouNsBURY, MARK G. MCELHINNEY, A. E. Porsiup, L. S. RUSSEL C. M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM M. THOMSON, E.F.G. Waite, R. T. D. WICKENDEN. M. | WILSON. and_ the following Presidents of Affiliated Societies: A. G, LAWRENCE, CHARLES MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH, ARNOTT M. PATTERSON. ‘eg Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F. LEWIS. Editor: DoucLas LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Associate Editors: D. JENNESS. .......... -o...... Anthropology CLYDE L. PATCH. ..:........... J ADAMS Sacco. Coe Sree Noe ee hae Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............. F. R. LATCHFORD ............. .Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biolo ARTHUR GIBSON.... _......... Entomology P. A. TAVERNER............-..- Heo ALCOCK afr a. tutes ea rt eee Geology B. M-KINDLB so CONTENTS Vascular Plants from Diana Bay, Hudson Strait. By Nicholas Polunin, M.A., M.S., D.Phil. The Spiders of Mer Bleue, near Ottawa. By T.B Kurata..................00ceee cee va Hover of Binds of Miners Bay and Vicinity, Halburton County, Ontario. By Margaret H. RECHOM ee eon ne Mnee pee) tales aE RI Sera ULI ISS Weg cee Aa athe a) cs ez Si ae HN eg Notes on Some Leeches from Ontario and Quebec. By Marvin C. Meyer................ Notes on Birds of the. Labrador Peninsula in 1934 and 1935. By Harrison F. Lewis...... On the Status of the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) at Toronto. By L.L. Snyder and J.M. Speirs Notes and Observations:— The Arkansas Kingbird in Southern Ontario. By O. E. Devitt.................. The American Egret at the Eastern end of the Niagara Peninsula. By R. W. Sheppard. 5.25 ooo ae te ict ee er Review:— Nice. Margaret Morse. Studies in the Life History of the Song Sparrow. By Aldo ‘Leopold cis The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued i since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, i: two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have iz been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is #2 Issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication i of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each ___, The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader who is truly interested in the wild life of our country to help this magazine to its rightful place among the leading Natural History publications in America. Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. The Canadian Field-Naturalist EVOL. LI OTTAWA, CANADA, NOVEMBER. 1937 No. 8 VASCULAR PLANTS FROM DIANA BAY, HUDSON STRAIT By NICHOLAS POLUNIN, M.A., M.S., D.PHIL Department of Botany, Oxford University HARLES DARWIN once said “A | traveller should be a botanist, for in allo views: Dlants. form the — chief embellishment”. To be sure, those of us who know the Arctic regions would demand some modification of this great and sweeping statement; but even here plants are more in evidence than is popularly supposed, and far more numerous and important. Thus there are several hundred species of flowering plants growing north of the Arctic Circle, and several thousand species of cryptogams; and if it were not for these plants there would be no whales, fish and seals in the sea, and no caribou, foxes Or even mosquitos on land. The study of these plants, even over a limited area, is naturally a very large and intricate one, whose elucidation is a considerable undertaking. The writer has for some years been particularly interested in the Botany of the Eastern Arctic regions of Canada. Here an arctic climate and its attendant vegetation extend far to the south of the Arctic Circle, embracing the whole of the Hudson Strait and northern Hudson Bay regions, and constituting altogether an enormous area. Much of this remains unexplored, at least botanically, and in the preparation of his detailed reports which will shortly be going to press the writer has been helped a great deal by having collections of plants sent in by travellers and others from such points as he has been unable to visit personally. Altogether the response to earlier appeals has been most g atifying and has already resulted in a number of litherto unknown areas being “put on the map” of wo Id flora and vegetation; a traveller should indeed be a botanist! Among the many pleasant and_ profitable contacts which the writer has made during his work in the Canadian Eastern Arctic, affords the chief matter for the one present communication; in the summer of 1934, while a passenger with the Eastern Arctic Patrol, it was his good fortune to meet Mr. S. C. Knapp in Baffin Island. Mr. Knapp is a stalwart of the Hudson’s Bay Company and was then stationed at River Clyde, where he had made a small collection of plants. Subsequently he made a larger one which added two species to the known flora of the region. Then, in July and August, 1936, Mr. Knapp and the writer again found themselves together, northward bound on the R.M.S. Nascopie. Discussions and advice about collecting followed, and when he went ashore to manage the new Hudson’s Bay Company trading post at Diana Bay, lat. 61°. N. long. 70° W. on the south shore of Hudson Strait, Mr. Knapp © enthusiastically expressed the intention of spending every moment of his spare time collecting and studying the plants of the region. The result that an excellent collection, preserved in the usual simple manner by drying between sheets of paper, reached the writer by some unknown route at Cambridge, Massa- chusetts, in December of the same year. It comprised several hundred specimens represent- ing 66 species. Was Diana Bay was also visited in 1936 by the Geodetic Survey section of the Eastern Arctic Batrolvotathateyedte. wize) Vi Conti. iNevbnoce and his assistant Joe Courtright, who made a smaller but also valuable collection of plants for the present writer. These collections are important not because they contain any very startling material but because they are the only ones of any appreci- able size that have ever been made in _ this particular district; they are valuable because of the new records they afford, which are summa- rised in the list given below. -Apart from its paucity in grasses, sedges and some other of the smaller or more insignificant types (which 112 THE CANADIAN Fie_p-NATURALIST should always be collected in abundance) the list seems to give a fair representation of the commoner elements in the flora of the district. In it, K indicates that the species was collected by Mr. Knapp, N by Messrs. Ney and Court- - right. The order and nomenclature are based on Professor Fernald’s revision of Gray’s Manual and are essentially those to be found in the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University — with certain modifications which seem jesirable in view of the present writer’s forth- coming flora of the Canadian Eastern Arctic. Since the exact date of collection is rarely available it would seem. superfluous. to add notes on the state of each species with regard to flowering and fruiting; suffice it to say that the majority give indications of carrying out these processes quite normally, and in some cases had already shed ripe seeds before the end of August. This is in marked contrast with the situation farther north, where a large proportion of the species ripen fruit only in exceptionally favourable years, and in not a few instances appear to rely wholly on vegeta- tive means of reproduction. The only botanical observations or collections of any extent that have been made at all near Diana Bay, viz. in the central part of the Hudson Strait region, come (1) from Wake- ham and Stupart Bays which lie in the Cape’ Wales district about 80 miles to the east (see Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada 1887), (2) from various points on the south coast of Baffin Island and (3) from Akpatok Island which lies far out in Ungava Bay (see Journal of Botany 1934 and Journal of Ecology 1934 and 1935). The vast majority of the 74 species recorded below from Diana Bay occur also at Wakeham Bay and on Baffin Island, but several appear to be absent from Akpatok Island. Nearly all are arctic-alpines of circumpolar distribution but a few are of restricted range; most interesting of these is Carex Wailliamsu which was hitherto not known east of the west coast of Hudson Bay, and whose range is thus extended nearly 800 miles to the east. With regard to the general country at the head of Diana Bay where the collections were made, Mr. Ney reports that broken rocky slopes about 200 feet high rise up right from the water’s edge in most places, and that these rocks are igneous and darker than at most other points he has visited. Concerning the hinterland Mr. Knapp writes that growth is generally very stunted, even the willows in the most sheltered valleys rarely rising more than a foot above the surface of the~ ground, and... “of all the many hundreds of mules I have travelled in the Arctic, I have not yet met the place so rich in lichen as this. The meadows stretch for acres uninterrupted by rock, and clothed with deep rich lichen with the usual grass growing up between. There is mile upon mile of them — dry, rich sandy soil clothed with moss and lichen. The rich- ness and abundance of the lichen more than the moss is simply wonderful; a reindeer herd would go for years here without want’. POLYPODIACEAE K Cystopteris fragilis (1...) Bernh. K Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott. EQUISETACEAE K N_ Equisetum arvense I. LYCOPODIACEAE K Lycopodium Selago \,. GRAMINEAE K N 4Hierochloe alpina (Sw.) Roem. & Schult. 2 K N Arctagrostis latifolia” (Re Br) Griseb. Kk N Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Nutt. var scabra (Presl) Hitchcock K N° Trisetum spicatum (1.) Richt. var. Maidenti (Gand.) Fernald Ke IN: Wea arene IR. 18s. K Poa pratensis L,., s.l. N Festuca brachyphylla Schultes K Elymus arenarius 1, var. villosus E. Meyer. CYPERACEAE K N_ Eriophorum angustifolium Roth. K N Carex scirpoidea Michx, s.l. N Carex Williamsi Britton N Carex misandra R. BrJ K Carex rariflora (Wahlenb.) Sm. K N “Carex concolor R. Br.” K N Carex membranacea Hook. JUNCACEAE K N= Luzsula confusa Lindeb. S ALICACEAE ‘ N Salix herbacea UL. Ke Ne Siaha orciica aRe Bie aol K Salix arctophila Cock. 1. One of the specimens is badly infected with Ustilago Caricis. 2. This is Carex rigida Good. (1794, non Schrank 1789) but unfortunately the type specimen of Robert Brown’s C. Concolor belongs instead to C. aquatilis var. stans and so yet another name will have to be found for our plant. The problem will shortly be dealt with by Mr. A. J. Wilmott of the British Museum, in a paper entitled ‘“‘Notes on Arctic Plants’’. (VoL. LI | November, 1937] AA Za AAAN A ZZ ARA A AA * N POLYGON ACEAE Oxyria digyna (L,.) Hill Polygonum viviparum LL. CARYOPHYLLACEAE Silene acaulis 1, var. exscapa ( All.) IDX: Lychnis furcata (Raf) Fernald Lychnis apetala L,. Cerastium alpinum L.. Stellaria longipes Goldie RANUNCULACEAE Ranunculus nivalis V,. Ranunculus pedatifidus Sm. leiocarpus (Trautv.) Fernald var. PAPAVERACEAE Papaver radicatum Rottb. CRUCIFERAE Cochlearia officinalis 1. var. landica (1,.) Gelert Eutrema Edwardsii R. Br. Cardamine pratensis 1, var. angus- tifolia Hook. Draba fladnizensis Wulfen Draba glabella Pursh groen- SAXIFRAGACEAE Saxifraga cernua L,, Saxifraga cespitosa I. f. (R. Br.) Engler Saxifraga stellaris LL. var. Retz. Saxifraga Saxifraga Saxifraga Saxifraga Parnassia Schlecht. ROSACEAE uniflora comosa nivalis L,. tricuspidata Rottb. Hirculus L,. oppositifolia L,. Kotzebuei Cham. & Rubus Chamaemorus \,. Potentilla Crantzi (Cr.) Beck Potentilla emarginata Pursh Dryas integrifolia M. Vahl LEGUMINOSAE Astragalus alpinus L,. Oxytropis terrae-novae Fernald ONAGRACEAE Epilobium angustifolium 1, var. intermedium (Wormskj.) Fernald Epilobium latifolium ,. PYROLACEAE Pyrola grandiflora Radius nA AA A K WN AANAA Aw AN AN THE CANADIAN FieLp-NATURALIST N N N N 113 ERICACEAE Ledum palustre 1, var. decumbens Ait. Cassiope tetragona (1...) D. Don Arctostaphylos alpina (1,.) Spreng. Vaccinium uliginosum J,. var. alpi- num Bigel. Vaccimum Vitis-Idaea 1. var. minus Loddiges DIAPENSIACEAE Diapensia lapponica I,. PLUMBAGINACEAE Armeria labradorica Wallr. f. pubis- capa (Blake) Malte BORAGINACEAE Mertensia maritima (L.) S. F. Gray var. tenella Th. Fries SCROPH ULARIACEAE Pedicularis lapponica \,. Pedicularis lanata Cham. & Schlecht Pedicularis hirsuta UL. Pedicularis flammea YI,. CAMPANULACEAE Campanula uniflora \. Campanula rotundifolia L,. COMPOSITAE (DE) Erigeron unalaschkensis Vierhapper Antennaria angustata Greene Antennaria canescens (Lange) Malte Arnica alpina (1,.) Olin, s.l. Taraxacum lacerum Greene The following additional 9 species of vascular plants are mentioned by Mr. S. C. Knapp in a letter dated 20th September, 1937, as occurring at Diana Bay, Hudson Strait. Although no specimens are available for purposes of verifica- tion, the species are all known from places not far distant; there being thus no reasons for doubting the correctness of the determinations it seems safe to add them to the above list. SALICACEAE Salix calcicola Fernald & Wiegand Salix cordifolia Pursh CRUCIFERAE Arabis alpina \,. Draba alpina L,,. 3. Frequently infected with Hxobasidium Vaccinii. 114 THE CANADIAN CRASSULACEAE Sedum roseum (1L,.) Scop ERICACEAE Loiseleuria procumbens (1,.) Desv. Rhododen ron lapponicum (1, ) Wahlenb. SCROPH ULARIACEAE Bartsia alpina \,. FIELD-NATURALIST COMPOSITAE Matricaria inodora 1,. var. nana (Hook.) Torr. & Gray. - NIcHOLAS POLUNIN, Oxford, 11th October, 1937 THE SPIDERS OF MER BLEUE, NEAR OTTAWA By T.B. KURATA Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology THROUGH the kindness of Dr. E. M. Walker, I was able to collect spiders at Mer Bleue on June 2 and 3, 1931. Mer Bleue is an extensive peat bog -situated roughly ten miles east of Otttawa, on Russell Road. It lies in Gloucester Town- the ship, Carleton County, and has an roughly ten square miles. area of The collection made at this locality consisted of species. nearly 600 individuals, Ontario spiders: Dictyna cruciata Em. D. phylax Gertsch and Ivie D. rubra Em. Linyphia nearctica Banks representing 60 The following are new to the list of The following list is arranged according to Alexander Petrunkevitch’s synoptic cata- IDYE, logue (Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 1911). I am very grateful to Dr. S. C. Bishop of University of Rochester and Professor Wilton Ivie of the University of Utah, who identified some of my collection. the Vol. 29, A more intensive search would no doubt yield additional species, particularly very small size. DRASSIDAE Herpryllus ecclesiasticus Hentz Gnaphosa gigantia Keyserling AGELENIDAE Cryphaeca montana Emerton Hahnia cinerea Emerton ‘T HERIDIIDAE those of Pedanostethus riparius Keyserling Theridion differens Emerton Theridion frondeum Hentz Theridion murarium Emerton Theridion spirale Emerton LINYPHIIDAE Bathyphantes nigrinus (Westering) Ceratinopsis nigricaps Emerton Ceratinopsis nigripalpis Emerton Ceratinopsis interpres (Cambridge) Erigone longipalpis Sundval Grannomota pictilis (Cambridge) Hypoma trilobata (Banks) FHypselistes florens (Cambridge) Linyphia communis Hentz L. marginata C. Koch L. nearctica Banks L. pusilla Sundval Oedothorax plumosus (Emerton) O. trilobatus (Emerton) DICTYNIDAE Amaurobius borealis Emerton Dictyna brevitarsis Emerton . cruciata Emerton . foliacea (Hentz) . frondea Emerton . minuta Emerton . phylax Gertsch & Ivie rubra Emerton . sublata (Hentz) ; . volucripes Keyserling STLSRSIS SS ons) ARGIOPIDAE Araneus cucurbitinus Clerck A. benjaminus (Walckenaer ) Mangora placida (Hentz) Tetragnatha laboriosa Hentz MIMETIDAE Mimetus interfector Hentz ‘THOMISIDAE Misumena vatia (Clerck) Philodromus aureolus (Clerck) P. lineatus Emerton P. pernix Blackwall P. rufus Walckenaer ee eS ee ee) ee Pe _ November, 1937] Tibellus oblongus (Walckenaer ) Xysticus elegans Keyserling X. perox (Hentz) PISAURIDAE ~ Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer ) LYCOSIDAE Pardosa moesta Banks . cistincta Blackwall . Ssaxatilus (Hantz) . sternalis (Thorell) . modica (Blackwall) Fel 3) Je) 8 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 115 P. xerampelina (Keyserling) Pirata arenicola Emerton P. insularis Emerton P. marxi Stone ATTIDAE Dendryphantes (Metaphidippus) flavipedes Peckham D. (Metaphidippus) marginatus (Walcke- naer ) Maevia vittata (Hentz) Pellenes latens (Peckham) REVISION OF BIRDS OF MINERS BAY AND VICINITY, HALIBURTON COUNTY, ONTARIO By MARGARET #H. MITCHELL N OCTOBER, 1929, there was publish- ed in The Canadian Field-Naturalist a list of the summer birds of the Miners Bay region of Haliburton county. It seems time for this to be revised and brought up to date. The introductory remarks to the first list still hold good in that field notes made in the interval have continued to be rather desultory in character, being recorded during hurried week-ends or in an all too brief fortnight’s holiday. The territory covered is slightly enlarged due to the acquisition of a car and ~ general improvement of roads. Also the period of observation is extended, as week-ends are spent there occasionally from May to October. Only those species are listed which are new tor the region, or for which there are some new data. The standing of the rest remains unchanged. The arrangement and nomenclature of the 1931 A.O.U.~Check List is used. Gavia immer (Briinnich). Common Loon.— The fact that the Loon remains a common bird of the region seems worthy of comment since Miners Bay and Gull Lake have both become much more populous since 1929 and are over-run with noisy out-board motor boats. To these the birds appear to be getting accustomed, often remaining on the surface while a boat passes them at quite a short distance. A juvenile in brown plumage was observed with a parent bird on August 18, 1936. Ardea herodias Linnaeus. GREAT HeERoN, — Although individual Blue Herons have been seen each year in the region it is BLUE - only this summer (1936) that a heronry was discovered. It is not actually in Haliburton county but over the border in Muskoka district. It is on Three Island Lake, Ridout township, and consists of about 15 nests built in the pines on two of the lake’s three small islands. When visited on August 18 remains of three young birds were found below the nests as well as many fragments of egg shell. Four adult birds were seen on the lake. Branta canadensis canadensis (Linnaeus). COMMON CANADA GOOSE. Chen hyperborea hyperborea (Pallas). LESSER SNOW GOOSE, Chen caerulescens (Linnaeus). Biur GoosE.— C. H. Irwin of Boshkung Lake reports a flock of about 40 geese on Boshkung Lake in October, 1934. It was made up of Canada Geese with 6 Lesser Snow and one Blue Goose. Pandion carolinensis (Gmelin). Osprey. — An occupied nest of this species has been seen for ten years situated on the top of a dead tree stub near the Gull river above Norland. I believe it is not actually in Hali- burton county, but just south of the border in Victoria. It was hoped for some time that it was an eagle’s nest but last summer the parent birds were watched in good light and with strong glasses and definitely identified as Ospreys. This summer they seem to have taken a fancy to Miners Bay for fishing and have been seen there several times. Once one plucked a fish from near the surface of the water making hardly a ripple as it did so. Bonasa umbellus togata (Linnaeus). CANADA haliaetus 116 RUFFED GROUSE, — Grouse appear to be at the bottom of their number cycle in this region at the present time. For the past two years very few have been seen, and strangely enough none has been heard drumming in the spring. Philohela minor (Gmelin). AMERICAN Woop- cock. — This species was first positively iden- tified in the region about five years ago and since then seems to have been increasing. At least it has been seen once or more every summer—this year three times in the immediate vicinity of the author’s cottage. Larus argentatus smithsonianus Coues. HEr- RING GULL. — A small colony of these gulls still nests on Gull Rock at the north end of Guil Lake and this year evidence was found (several shell fragments and what appeared to be a broken-up nest) of nesting on a smaller reef at the south end of the lake. Coccyzus erythropthalmus (Wilson). BuacK- BILLED CUCKoo. — Cuckoos were either un- usually numerous or unusually vocal this June. During the week of June 21 to 28 they were heard at all hours and in several localities. None was seen although some time was spent looking for them and it is presumed that the Black- billed was the species, since it has been seen on former occasions. There is, however, a pos- sibility of the Yellow-billed occurring also as a nest of the latter species was taken near Bob- caygeon recently. Strix varia varia Barton. NortTHERN BARRED OwL. — Two distinct types of Owl hootings are heard each summer; one, all on one key, presumably the Great Horned; the other saying, as Forbush suggests: “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”, and being the Barred. Neither has been seen, but judging frequency of hooting the Barred is _ the commoner. This summer for the first time the blood-curdling scream was heard and _ it quite came up to advance notices. It sounds exactly like a woman in her last extremity and if it had not ended with a few hoots I am sue we should have been rushing out of the house to investigate the murder. It was evident- ly given by the Barred Owl, as the hooting which continued for some time afterwards was of that species. from Chaetura pelagica (Linnaeus). CHIMNEY Swirt. — For several years a pair of this species has nested in our boat house. The nest is approximately in the same place each vear, high up on the end wall near the roof peak. Curiously enough it is built before the boat THE CANADIAN FIELp-NATURALIST [VoL LI house is opened for the season and _ con- sequently when entrance to the building is very small, only a narrow space between the water and the boat-slip door. Later when doors are all open the birds invariably enter by the slip opening and leave by a side door. They frequently leave by this door as one enters and zip past the head at a most startling speed. The young are very noisy when fed and have the most unpleasant bird-voice I have ever heard. As the parent arrives with food they break out into a grating chatter that almost hurts the ear. Until about the third week in August the whole family, parents and young (usually three young) returns each night to roost by the nest. Ceophlocus pileatus abieticola Bangs. Nortu- ERN PILEATED WooDPECKER. — It is most tempt- ing to think that the Cock of the Woods is increasing, and it really does seem so, or else it is becoming more accustomed to man. What- ever the cause it is much more frequently seen than formerly. Ten years ago it was most un- usual and now it is a strange summer when we do not see it several times and even have it within sight of the cottage. Many trees in a stand of hardwood on the author’s property are deeply cut by the work of this species. Melanerpes erythrocepha'us (Linneaus). ReEp- HEADED WoopPECKER.—Through natural fluctua- tion or some other cause this bird has been almost non-existent in the region during the past two years. None was seen this summer (1936). Otocoris alpestris. HorNED LarK. — The first record of this species for Haliburton county -was made on June 20, 1936. ° A single bird was seen by the roadside near the southern county boundary. Hylocichla mustelina (Gmelin). Woob TurusH, — My former list gives the Wood Thrush as rare. Probably it would be truer to say “restricted to certain localities’, for I know now a woods road where it may always be heard in spring and where I have heard three singing at one time. Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris Linnaeus. STARLING. —Starlings have approached within about two miles of Miners Bay, having been seen this year in fields at Moores Falls. Dendroica wvitrens virens (Gmelin). BLack- THROATED GREEN WARBLER. — _ First definite -evidence of breeding of this species in the region was the sight of a young bird being fed on August 10, 1936. PT ee ee ee ee ee a ee ne November, 1937] Dendroica fusca (Muller). BLacKBURNIAN WARBLER. — An immature bird, presumably a male, was seen at Miners Bay on August 21, 1936. Dendroica pensylvanica (Linnaeus). CHEST- NUT-SIDED WARBLER. — The breeding of this species in the region has been established by THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Waly the finding of nest and young birds during the past few years. Geothlypis trichas. brachidactyla (Swainson). NortTHERN YELLOW-THROAT. — Young of this species were seen being fed at Miners Bay during the last week in June, 1936. NOTES ON SOME LEECHES FROM ONTARIO AND QUEBEC By MARVIN C. MEYER HE MATERIAL on which this paper is based was collected by Mr. Aurele La Rocque, of the National Museum: of Canada, Ottawa, from 1932 to the end of 1935 from the lakes and streams in the region ot Algonquin Provincial Park and other points in Ontario and Quebec. The park is located in the south-eastern portion of the Prov- ince of Ontario. Although in the collection there are no species not previously reported from Canada, it seems to the writer that the collection is extensive enough, both in the number of specimens and the area collected over, to justify a brief paper. It will further add to the records of the geographical distribu- tion of leeches for North America, and especi- ally Canada. Among the 198 specimens in the collection, twelve species are represented. The indebted to Dr. H. J. Van Cleave for his helpful suggestions and criticisms of this wo k, and to Mr. La Rocque for the privilege of studying the collection. writer is Synopsis of the Orders and Families of the Class Hirudinea included in the present study.t OrperR | — RHYNCHOBDELI.AE Alimentary canal with a protrusible, muscular proboscis, whose sheath opens in the middle of the anterior sucker. Blood colourless. Coelom well developed « Fertilization always through spermatophores. Family Glossiphomdac: Body flattened, seldom cylindrical. always without adhesive disk. round and dorso-ventrally Anterior sucker Posterior sucker plainly separated from the body. *Contribution of the from the Zoological University of Illinois, No. 512. +In the following classification, that proposed by Seriban, J. A., and Autrum, H., 1934 has been adopted and followed in full, with the exception that two sub-groups under the family Hirudinidae have been purposely omitted. Laboratory Somite composed of two, three, or six annuli, generally three. Eyes, one to four pairs. Stomach with one to ten pairs of caeca. In- testine always with four caeca. Eggs and young are fastened to the ventral surface of an adult and are carried until fully developed. Genera: Helobdella, Glossiphonia, and Placob- della. Family Piscicolidae: (Ichthyobdellidae )* Body cylindrical, seldom flattened. Often consist- ing of two distinct regions. Anterior sucker usually, posterior sucker always, bell-shaped and distinctly set off from the body. Clitellum not visible. Complete somite with three to fourteen annuli. Eyes one to three pairs, or absent. Often with eye spots on the posterior disk. Ectoparasitic on fish or crustaceans. Genus Ptscicola. Orpver II GNATHOBDELLAE Pharynx three longitudinal elevations, one medio-dorsal and two ventro-lateral. On the anterior end usually a toothed jaw which, however, can be reduced or completely lacking. Five pairs of eyes arranged in a regular arc on the head. Metameric sensillae plainly evident. Anterior sucker shovel-shaped and not extended as an adhesive disk. A circulatory system separated from the coelom is lacking. A long atrium and a long penis present. Female sex- organs with a long vagina, corresponding to the length of the penis. Intestine without ample caeca. Fresh water or land. Blood suckers or with carnivores. *In view of the fact that authorities on leeches are divided as to the status of the generic name Placobdella R. Blanchard 1893, the present writer has continued to use the currently accepted name without any commitment as to the possible validity of the generic name Haementeria de Filippi 1849. ° *The family name Jchthyobdellidae in common usage is not available since the name Ichthyobdella for the type genus is regarded as a synonym of Piscicola. 118 Vue CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Family Hirudinidae: Normal somite composed of five annuli, excepting somite XXIII which is composed of three, and XXIV and XXV, of two annuli. The nephridal pores open near the margins of the body upon the ventral surface from VII to XXIII. Third and fourth pairs of eyes, as a rule, separated by one somite. In fresh water or in damp earth. Genera Haemopis and Macrobdella. OrpvER II] — PHARYNGOBDELLAE Normal somite formed of five annuli, of which the fifth is broader than the others and more or less divided into secondary annuli. Eyes are not arranged in a regular arc. Wery long pharynx opening anteriorly forming three equal angles (one mid-dorsally, two ventro- laterally). Jaws lacking and rudiments seldom present. A circulatory system separate from the coelom is lacking. Male sex organs without penis, vagina short. Testes numerous. Gastric caeca lacking. In fresh water or in damp earth. Carnivorous. Family Herpobdelliidae: Stomach and pharynx without caeca. Complete somites composed of five to eleven, often enlarged, annuli. The nephridial pores open near the margins of the body on the ventral surface. Eggs deposited in flattened capsules which are attached to some foreign object. In fresh water or in damp earth. Genera Herpobdella, Dina, and Nephe- lopsts. A distributional list of the species follows.* Helobdella 1758) Blanchard, 1896. Widely distributed in North America, having been reported from Massachusetts (Moore, 1898), west to Arizona, and Colorado and from Florida (Verrill, 1874) north to the province of Ontario (Mocre, 1924). Further reported from Loughborough Lake and Cedar Lake, Ontario. stagnalis (Linnaeus, Glossiphonia fusca Castle, 1900. Previously reported from Massachusetts (Castle, 1900) west to Minnesota (Moore, 1912) and from Ontario (Moore, 1924) south to Missouri (Meyer). In the collection, this species was taken from Meach Lake, Quebec. Glossiphonia complanata (Linnaeus, 1758) Johnston 1816. Reported as common from the province of Alberta (Bere, 1929) east to Massachusetts *Genus and species descriptions are not given here as they can be found in more complete works. [VoL. Ll (Castle, 1900) and north from Ontario (Moore, 1924) to southern Missouri (Meyer). Further reported from Gauvreau, and Meach Lakes, Quebec. Placobdella rugosa (Verrill, 1874), Moore, 1901. From New York (Moore, 1923) west to Alberta (Bere, 1929) and from southern Canada, Ontario (Moore, 1936) to Southern Missouri (Meyer). New record for the following lakes: Bernard, Meach Lakes, Quebec and Ontario, Cedar and Head, Cache, Tanamakoon, Lakes and Carp River, Ontario, also Otterslide Creek, Ontario. Placobdella montifera Moore, 1912. Reported from Connecticut (Verrill, 1874) west to Wis- consin (Bere, 1931) and from Ontario (Moore, 1922) south to Missouri (Meyer). Further reported from Cedar Lake and the Ottawa River at Duck Island in Ontario. Piscicola punctata (Verrill, 1871) Moore, 1912 Reported in almost all collections taken in the area of Great Lakes and neighbouring states, and southern Missouri (Meyer). Further re- ported from Meach Lake, Quebec. Haemopis marmoratis (Say, 1824) Moore, 1901). Reported from Philadelphia (Moore, 1°01) to Kansas and Yellowstone National Park, Colorado, and from Alaska (Moore, 1898) south to Missouri (Meyer). Further reported from Biue Sea Lake, Quebec, and Head Lake, Ontario. Haemopis grandis (Verrill, 1874) Moore, 1912. Reported previously from New England (Verrill, 1874) west to Minnesota (Moore, 1912) and to Canada (Moore, 1924), south to Illinois and Ohio (Miller, 1929). In the collection from Bernard Lake, Quebec. Macrobdella decora (Say, 1824) Verrill, 1872. “The American Medicinal leech is widely dis- tributed throughout the northern United States and southern Canada. It extends across the entire width of the continent and has been taken in every state from Maine to Washington. The known north and south ranges from Labrador to Kansas and Virginia.” (Moore L923 ip cil) This conspicuous form is the most abundant species in the collection, having been taken from: Head, Joe, Little Island, and Little Joe Lakes in Ontario. Herpobdclla punctata (Leidy, 1870) Moore, 1901 Previously taken from Yellowstone Na- tional Park, Colorado. (Moore, 1898). East to New York (Moore, 1923) south to Missouri (Meyer). ; New record, abundant in Cedar Lake, Ontario. | So Pee Pe ee F ———. —_—owe Thee “November, 1937] Dina fervida (Verrill, 1871) Moore, 1901. Reported abundant in the Great Lakes and neighbouring states. In the present collection from Little Joe Lake, Ontario. Nephelopsis obscura Verrill, 1872. Abundant in southern Canada (Moore, Ryerson, 1915, Bere, 1929) Wisconsin (Bere, 1931) and Min- nesota (Moore, 1912). New record taken from Meach Lake, Quebec. This list, of course, is not complete. In several cases only one collection was made from some of the lakes and in many of the lakes in the Park, no collections were made. Judging from previous reports on adjacent areas, it is logical to conclude that several additional species not included in this paper are present. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 119 REFERENCES Castle, W. E. Some North American Fresh- water Rhynchobdelidae and their Parasites, Bull. Mus. of Comp. Zool. Harvard Vol. 36:17-61, 1900. Meyer, Marvin C.. Leeches- of Southeastern Missouri. Ohio Journ. of Science., Vol. 37, No. 4:248-251, 1937. Mocrr, J.~ Percy. The Leeches« of the Nat: Museum, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 21:543-563, 1898. NACHTRIEB, HENRY F., HEMINGWAY, ERNeEst E., and Moore, J. Percy The Leeches of Minnesota. - Geol & Nat. Hist. Surv. of Minn., Series No. 5:1-150, 1912. ScrIBAN, J. A., and Autrum, H., Hirudinea— gel; in KKukenthal-Krumbachs Handbuch Der Zool. pp. 119-352, 1928-34. VERRILL, A. E. Synopsis of the North American Fresh-water Leeches. Rep. U. S. Comm. of Fish & Fisheries for 1872-1873, Pt. II, pp. 666-689, 1874. NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE LABRADOR PENINSULA IN 1934 AND 1935. By HARRISON F. LEWIS (Concluded from Page 105) Zenaidura Mourninc Dove.—At Pointe aux Basques, near Seven Islands, on the morning of June 4th, 1935, I flushed a Mourn- ing Dove from the ground in a very open growth of white spruce and green alder just back of the treeless sand beach. The bird flew out of sight among the spruces. I followed it and soon put it to flight again, this time from It then flew away over the MaCVOUrda. al peLchy ini a. tree: tree-tops. There are several records of this species from Newfoundland Labrador, but this appears to be the first observation of it on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Nyctea nyctea. SNowy OwL—On July 13th, 1934, one of these birds was seen perched on a hummock on the top of Ile au Bois, near Blanc Sablon. On June 24th, 1935, a Snowy Owl was seen on Bald Island, near Mingan, where it was being harassed by Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) and probably also by Arctic Terns (S. paradisaca). Chordeiles minor minor. EASTERN NIGHT- HAWK.—At 400 a.m. on June 11th, 1935, a silent Nighthawk was seen flitting rapidly, in the dim light of dawn on a cloudy morning, back and forth along the straight sand beach between Seven Islands village and Pointe aux Basques. It flew at a height of two or three feet, some- times along the top of the beach, sometimes at the water’s edge, sometimes over the water of Seven Islands Bay, a few feet from shore. On June 12th a Nighthawk was seen acting in a similar fashion along the same beach at the same hour. On this occasion a heavy rain was falling. On June 13th the morning was fine and partly cloudy and at 3.30 a.m., when the light was of about the same strength as it had been at 4.00 a.m. on the two preceding, cloudy days, two Nighthawks were observed together as_ they coursed silently back and forth just above the sand and water in the same place. On June 16th, a cloudy morning, two Night- hawks were seen flying in the same way along this beach about 4.00 a.m., just after a light shower. Although they flew at times along the upper part of the beach and at times over the water of the bay, it was noticed that they spent most of their time in flying above the strip of 120 moist sand from which the falling tide had just receded and here they passed back and forth very low indeed, within a few inches of the ground. 1 supposed that these Nighthawks were feed- ing as they flew and I wondered what they were eating. I could not see any flying insects above the beach at that early hour, although it is possible that they were there, but, because of the dimness of the light, were invisible to seemed very doubtful if any small insects could maintain themselves in the air above the open beach in the heavy rain that was falling on the morning of June 12th. me. It At dawn every day this beach was fairly alive with multitudes of “beach fleas” (amphi- pods), which then skipped about freely in the open in the most lively fashion, though after sunrise they were hidden in the sand. As these little creatures commonly reached a_height of six inches to a foot above the sand in their skipping, it would seem quite possible for the Nighthawks to capture them as they flew back and forth along the beach. Whether these birds were actually feeding on beach fleas or not [| do not know, but I could see no other food in the air where they were persistently flitting. Colaptes auratus. YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER.— At Harrington Harbour, on May 21st, 1935, I twice heard the loud “eé-yoo” call of a Flicker from an area of stunted, tangled coniferous woods near the cemetery. On approaching close to this area I saw the bird well, both in flight and on the ground. I used X8 binoculars and saw the size, brown coloration, white rump, and red nuchal patch characteristic of this species. I heard its spring “song” two or three times. I was told by a local resident that, about a year earlier, a Flicker was picked up, near the same place, after a snowstorm. It was very feeble and expired soon afterward. These records indicate a migration of this species through the bare coastal strip in the vicinity of Harrington Harbour to breeding- grounds in the interior of the Labrador Penin- sula. Harrington Harbour is, following these observations, the easternmost point on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence av which the Flicker has been recorded, but it has been found occasionally in Newfoundland Labrador and it is probable that it occurs as a migrant at coastal points between Harring- . ion Harbour and the Strait of Belle Isle. THE CANADIAN FreLp-NATURALIST [Vou. LI tyrannis. EASTERN KINGBIRD.— Hearing the familiar cry of a Kingbird ar Pointe aux Basques, near Seven Islands, about mid-morning on June 16th, 1935, I looked up and saw the bird flying eastward, just above the tree-tops, where the spruce woods bordered the beach. It was not seen again. Tyrannus Empidonax trailli trailli, AtpER FLYCATCHER. —An individual of this species was obsezved at Pointe aux Basques, near Seven Islands, on June 11th, 1935. One was heard giving its “song” repeatedly from some brookside alders, but was not seen, at Thunder River on June 22nd, 1935. Neither of these places is as far east as Eskimo Island, near Havre St. Pierre, where, as previously published,” I observed an adult Alder Fly- catcher feeding a young one out of the nest, on August 24th, 1923. Otocoris alpestris alpestris. NortHERN HorNep LARK.—On May 25th, 1935, at Pointe aux Bas- ques, near Seven Islands, I saw one of these birds fly up from the beach and alight on a horizontal limb of a healthy young white spruce tree. The tree was about ten feet high; the limb on which the bird alighted was about five feet from the ground. The Lark remained quietly on its perch for one or two minutes, while I identified it carefully through X8 binoc- ulars, getting a good view of the characteristic face markings. It took flight only when I approached so near to it that it became alarmed. I cannot recall having seen a Horned Lark of any subspecies alight in a tree on any other eccasion., Observations made during the spring of 1935 indicate that, while some Northern Horned Larks were already in the breeding-range of this subspecies by May 20th, the principal migra- tion of this subspecies did not pass Seven Islands, which is south of its breeding-range, until about a week later. At Harrington Har- bour, where Northern Horned Larks breed commonly, I saw one of these birds on May 20th, 1935, which was the day of my arrival. I returned to Seven Islands on May 23rd. My daily records of Northern Horned Larks seen there betwen that date and June 3rd, after which no more were seen, indicate that the prin- cipal flight of these Larks passed through the Seven Islands region between May 26th and May 3lst. These records are as follows: 11 Awk, 42:83. 4 EE ee eee Ne eh ae November, 1937! Number of North- ern Horned Larks seen at ~ Seven Date Tslands. IMT Sey este: aaa eens .. None Nay ee? A errr a Bs ae a a cae) Ae Wietya2o oie ecm aeuese in eee Maw 2O eee ee 2 eee met 2220 JAS 724 IESE BR 2 - a S ce e ragh Ra 7 IMA WEL Crus uta ae ee SL IN iawae2 Om ashi sin Wome ee 45 IVI aye OMe Trt nie pat as SA Nia Sibeteny one ee ven ers fe A) puaty esl ee a aaa dS June 2 . 1 rime 3 5e 3 Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Kast- ERN Crow.—One individual was seen and heard at Cross River, on the mainland near Harring- ton Harbour, on August 7th, 1934. Mr. William C. Anderson, who resides at Cross River, reported to me in May, 1935, that a pair of Crows were then nesting there. At my request, he took one egg from the nest and kept it until a later date, when I examined it, thus making certain that the nesting was that of Crows, not of Ravens. In July, 1935, I. was shown the empty nest that the Crows had built and used. It was placed at a height of about fifteen feet from the ground in a white spruce tree in dense coniferous woods near the beach. Cross River, which is situated in latitude 50° 2?’ N., longitude 59° 38’ W., is the most north- easterly place where I- have seen the Crow or known of its nesting. An Agricultural Illustration Station was established at Cross River in 1932. It suffered from a severe outbreak of cutworms in 1934 and from a somewhat less severe infestation with these pests in 1935. The abundant supply of food which the cutworms constituted may have had a part in attracting Crows to this particular locality. Sitta canadensis. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.— One was observed at Pointe aux Basques, near Seven Islands, on June 16th, 1935. Another was seen on Perroquet Island, in Bradore Bay, on July 20th, 1935. This island is treeless. A third individual was noted at Harrington Har- bour on August 28th, 1935. Anthus spinoletta rubescens. AMERICAN Pipi’. —Observations on the spring migration of the Pipit in 1935 reveal a pattern of migration very THE CANADIAN FrELp-NATURALIST 121 similar to that of the Horned Lark, for, on the breeding-grounds of the former species, at Har- rington Harbour, I saw a Pipit on May 20th, 1935, the date of my arrival there, and noted two Pipits on May 2lst, while the main body of the northbound Pipits apparently did not pass through Seven Islands, which is south of the breeding-grounds of this bird, until the period extending from May 25th to May 29th, both dates inclusive. My records of Pipits observed at Seven Islands in 1935 are as follows: Number of Pip- its seen at Date. Seven Islands. Maya 23 ir Gaby, cantival)) assis ses 5 SUS Vr ede by eared tery Deer eaten ena) Soak aces 7/ IM ayR 25 prions ew nec ha ls ELA UE Od ci. errr ne RW eal amen .. 159 Ma ar2 7 Secs eygn renee We nae MeL, IWIN 92) ces arcs enc a ee ne tn an Aon EN AS, Mag 2 ON Wis RE TORES vealtatie Nt Ne Maye dO ts iter irs saa ierbn eete soi eee Matyi sete es, ty cae bene sitar eee NY Bearedrcige Ate AGA ee Stee Nina ce eed aA My aty eee] None was seen after June Ist. It will be noted that the migration of the Pipits past Seven Islands was slightly earlier than the passage of the Horned Larks past that point, although for eight successive days both species were present there together. Bombycilla cedrorum. CEDAR WAXWING. -—— One individual of this species was plainly seen and heard at Musquarro on August 6th, 1934. This is the easternmost record for this species on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the previous most easterly record being for two birds at Natashquan”’, 35 miles west of Mus- quarro. In the vicinity of Seven Islands, the Cedar Waxwing was recorded in 1935 on seven dif- ferent days, from June 4th to June 20th. The largest number of individuals seen in one day was 12, which were observed in one flock at Pointe aux Basques on June 5th. It seems very likely that the Cedar Waxwing is a regular summer resident in the region about Seven Islands. Sturnus vulgaris, ComMMoN STARLING.—I have already recorded” the nesting of the Starling at Natashquan in 1933 and 1934. 12 Can. 13 Auwk, Field-Nat., 48:118. 52 :318. 122 Mr. P. C. Camiot, of that place, told me, in an interview on June 29th, 1935, that some Star- lings remained about Natashquan in 1934 until mid-December. In the spring of 1935, he said, they returned in increased numbers, and on June Ist he .counted 24 Starlings at Natashquan. Some of them nested. in the building in which they had nested in previous years, but the re- roofing of this building, which was done in the early summer, made so much noise and commo- tion that these birds abandoned their nests. *Vireo solitarius solitarius. Bi,UE-HEADED V1I- REO.—About 11.30 a.m. on May 30th, 1935, I saw and heard an individual of this species in rich mixed woods at Pointe aux Basques, near Seven Islands. I observed it for some time, through X8 binoculars, as it moved slowly about in the trees, and saw thus, at a distance of about 20 feet, the bluish-gray top and sides of its head, its white eye-ring, wing-bars, throat and breast, and its yellow flanks. Its charac- teristic song and call-notes were distinctly heard. _ This is the first record of this species in the Labrador Peninsula. Mmiotilta varia. BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. —At St. Mary Islands, near Harrington Har- bour, I was shown, on August 29th, 1935, a living Black and White Warbler, which had been picked up, apparently in a partly stunned condition, near St. Mary Islands light, early on the same day. I held it in my hand while | examined it. It appeared to have returned to its normal condition and, when released, it flew quickly away. The capture of this bird is evidence of its autumnal migration past these bare coastal is- lands. This species is found regularly in the bieeding season on the western pa:t of the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but the easternmost record of its occurrence near that shore had previously been that of an individual found at Mascanin, 118 miles west of St. Mary Islands.* It is improbable that Black and White Warblers from Mascanin and places farther west would migrate eastward past St. Mary Islands after the breeding season. ‘There- fore I think that the occurrence of this species at St. Mary Islands in autumnal migration is an indication that its breeding range includes forested areas north of those islands, but at some distance inland. 14 Can. Field-Nat., 44:111. THE CANASIAN FIELD-NATURALIST *Dendroica tigrina. CAPE MAy WARBLER. — At Pointe aux Basques, near Seven Islands, visible sunrise on June 2nd, 1935, occurred about 425 am. Three or four minutes before that time I heard the song of a Cape May Warble uttered repeatedly from a grove of tall. white spruces on the point. After sunrise the song continued to be heard and a search resulted in my finding the songster, which I was able to watch to good advantage through X8 binoc- ulars at a distance of 15 to 20 feet. 1 observed distinctly the bird’s dark cap, greenish back, and streaked underparts, and the light-coloured sides of its head, while it continued to sing _ its sibilant ditty before me. Unfortunately, the light of the early morning sun was of such a quality that yellow and white appeared alike, but observation of the markings mentioned fully established the bird’s identity. It moved gradu- ally eastward by short flights among the spruces and in a few minutes it had left the area. This is the first record of the Cape May Warbler in the Labrador Peninsula. Dendroica castanea. BAyY-BREASTED WARBLER. —An adult male of this species was seen, in — full sunlight, with X8 binoculars, at a distance of 15 to 20 feet, in spruce woods at Pointe aux Basques on the morning of June 2nd, 1935. Its characteristic markings, including the bay- coloured cap and breast and the buffy patch at the side of the neck, were very clearly seen. It was heard to sing once only. This is the fifth record of the Bay-breasted Warbler in the Labrador Peninsula.* Quiscalus quiscula acneus. BRONZED GRACKLE. —Two were seen together by me at the Hudson Bay Company’s fox farm, on Eskimo Island, near Havre St. Pierre, on June 13th, 1934. I saw one at Seven Islands on May 23rd, 1935. Loxia leucoptera. \WWHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.— At Pointe aux Basques, near Seven Islands, I watched, on June Ist, 1935, a richly coloured adult male of this species while, perched in the top of a conifer, it fed a streaked young White- winged Crossbill, in whose beak I could see no sign of crossing of the mandibles. young bird fluttered its wings as it was being fed. The spruces in the vicinity of Seven Islands bore, at that time, a good production of cones of the previous year. A few White-winged Crossbills were observed there from time to time. 15 Can. Field-Nat., 48 :118. (VoL. LI | The . AY ee a CPT Ne Ee ce ee ee Mle a ge ee November 1937] *Chondestes grammacus. LARK - SPARROW.— At about 11.30 a.m. on August 25th, 1934, I was among the houses in the western part of Aguanish village, on the western side of the lagoon at the mouth of the Aguanish River, ‘in latitude 50° 14’ N., longitude 62° 6’ W. Dense fog which had followed a light southeasterly blow with rain (of the previous night) prevailed at the time. Numerous sparrows, in loose, scattered flocks, were feeding in gardens and small fields about the houses. Most of these Sparrows were Juncos, but White-throated Spar- - rows and at least one Fox Sparrow were also noted, and probably several other species were present. As several Sparrows took flight together, I noticed one that was very different from the others and that I was sure was new to me. Unfortunately, I had no binoculars with me at the time. I followed the strange Sparrow about the village for a period of between five and ten minutes, observing it very carefully at distances of 20 to 30 feet, while it perched on rail fences, sought and obtained food on the ground, and made short flights. It was about the size of a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotri- chia albicollis), but the general tone of the coloration of its upper parts was grayer than the tone of coloration of the upper parts of the White-throats with which it was associated. The upper parts of the stranger were a distinctly grayish brown. The crown showed a _ broad streak, reminding me of the central streak in the crown of a Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis savanna). There were _ distinct dark markings on the side of the head; the throat was white, bounded on each side by a short, pronounced black streak, but shading gradually into the somewhat grayish breast. On the breast I could make out one (or more) dark marks, but no regular streaking. The bird generally kept its breast turned away from me, especially when at close range, so that my observations of that part of it were compar- atively poor. When the bird was perched with wings closed, some small flecks of lighter tone than the ground-colour could be seen in the plumage of its upper parts. To a cerfain degree some of these lighter flecks seemed to tend to be arranged as two wing-bars on each wing, THeE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 123 but distinct wing-bars could not be made out. When the bi-d flew, its tail was very con- spicuous. It was slate or fuscous, with white tipping, which was very distinct and appeared on all the tail-feathers except perhaps two or four feathers in the center of the tail. The white tips on the outer tail-feathers were more extensive than those on the others and often showed when the bird was perched, with tail closed. The coloration scheme of the tail reminded me somewhat, on a small scale, of that of the tail of a Mourning Dove, but the Sparrow’s tail was not sharply attenuated. No notes were heard. While I was watching this bird intently, a second individual of the same kind was clearly seen near it. Both of them flew at once, so that I saw the two striking and characteristic tails spread at one time. The second bird soon wandered off and I saw it no more. I suspected at the time that these birds were Lark Sparrows, a species that I had not previously seen in my field experience. On returning, half an hour later, on board the motorboat on which I was cruising, I consulted Dr. Frank M. Chap- man’s “Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America’”” and became convinced that this identification was correct. I imtinediately wrote down an extended description of these birds as I had seen them. After returning to Ottawa I further confirmed my identification by ex- amining Lark Sparrow specimens in the collec- tions of the National Museum of Canada and by discussing my observations with Mr. P. A. Taverner, Ornithologist of that institution. This is the first record of the Lark Sparrow inthe Labrador Peninsula and in the Province of Quebec. The straying of these two Lark Sparrows to a point so far north-east of their usual range may bear some relation to the fact that the breeding-grounds of this species in the central part of the United States experienced drought conditions of unusual severity in of 1934. the summer 16 Revised edition, New York, 1912. 124 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST (VoL. LI ON THE STATUS OF THE STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) AT TORONTO By L. L. SNYDER and J. M. SPEIRS HE FIVE YEAR period between 1920 and 1925 represents the pioneering stage in the starling’s occupancy of the Toronto region. The first record of occurrence, made on August 14, 1920, was approximately two years prior to the second recorded occurrence. During the next three years, starlings increased and expanded into new territory, slowly, but with some accelera- tion noticeable by 1925. A brief history of this stage has been recorded’. The second five-year period, from 1925 to 1930, brought about a pronounced increase and spread. Most available niches were rapidly filled—all but the noisy downtown business blocks, and even there a few birds were estab- lished. This “boom” phase of the local star- ling history has also been briefly recorded’. Not much can be added in the way of a historic record for the subsequent five years, from 1930 to 1935, except that the starling continued to take over downtown Toronto until it too offered no considerable room for expansion. This was accomplished early in the third five-year period. It is now possible to review this past history, together with more recent data on file in the Division of Birds, Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology, and summarize the nature of the star- ling incursion and establishment in the Toronto region. In 1920 there were available in this area a certain number of places which could be occupied by starlings. The finding and filling of niches proceeded slowly at first, but in the light of our records for the subsequent seventeen years, it is apparent that by 1929, a population supersaturation had been reached. The satur- ation point, or the nume ical status below which they have not since fallen, was attained in 1928. Incidentally, this was the period during which te casual observer, or the unornithologically- minded citizen, took notice of the starling. The 1929 peak resulted in the occupation of the last available space, the noisy downtown business blocks. Further, our records show that, since 1929, more or less marked super- saturation peaks occurred in 1932 and again in 1935. These peaks suggest that the local star- ling population now fluctuates over imately a three-year period. approx- It is evident that, 1. Snyder and Baillie, Can. Field-Nat.. Sept., 1925. 2. Snyder and Baillie, Can. Field-Nat., Nov. 1930. during a peak of numbers, the local surplus moves out er is otherwise eliminated from the region. It seems possible that similar conditions may have prevailed in other areas during the early period of the starling’s invasion of the Toronto region, which may have produced waves of influx in 1926, 1923 and the first appearance in 1920. Our data for these periods suggest this possibility. Some additional comments, based on the starling’s establishment, are of interest. The majority of the first records of occurrence for the various sections of the Toronto region were made in late winter or early spring. Winter wandering in search of food would explain the winter arrivals and the searching out of nesting territories, those of spring. An analysis of the annual fluctuations of star- ling numbers in the Toronto region is now made possible by our records. Taking the winter level as a basis for comparison, we find the numbers observed’® rise markedly in March until they are at least double those of winter. This can be explained by the return of migrants, the fact of which has been established by banding records. In April the numbers fall off to the winte level, probably because of migrant birds passing on the other regions. In May the num- bers decline to about half of the winter leve:. This would result from half of the birds being engaged with incubation and brooding. D TWEEDSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada: Vice-Patron Honoraire: HONORABLE H.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1937: Présedent: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; 2iéme_ ovice- président: ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. LavotEe; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A.DERY; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: G. - ULRIc TESSIER, Chef de la section de protection: J.-PAUL Rousswav, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILH ALTHERR, Directeurs: IAL BRBEAKBY, JR., JAMES PRICH, DR. VIGER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DSSILETS, I.A., REX MBREDITH, N.P., EDGAR ROCHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. Secrétaire-trésorier> Lovis-B. LAVomn 38, rue Sherbrooke. Québee THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37 Honorary President. Dr. A. P. COLFMAN; President: Dr. F. P. Ipk, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vire-Presidents: Hon. H.C. Nixon, MR. J.H FLEMING, SecretaryTreasure : HucuH M. HAuuipay; Counci—Preop J.R. Dymonp, C. S. FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, PRoF. T. F. McCILWRAITH. Dr. NorMAForD, Ruppert Davips, G.S, Baty, Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Mrs. O. S. MITCHSLL, PROF. TM. C. TAyLor, C. G. BRENNAND, W. J. W. BALDWIN, MAGISTRATE J. BE. “Jones; President of Junior Club: W. J. BAxtTEr, Vice-Presiden. of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Leaders: — Bir Messrs. S. L. THompson. L. IL. Snyper, J. L.. BaILuir, Jk., Pror. T. F. McItwraitH, R. M. Speirs, F. H. Emery. Mammals—Pror. A. F. Coventry, Messrg. F. C. Cross, D. A. McLuticn. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. E. B.S. Locrer, Wm LERay. Fish—ProF. J. R. Dymonp, PRror W J. K HARKNESS. Tnseclsa—DrR. FE. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Ford, Mr. F. P. IDE. Botany—Pror. R. B. THomMson, Dr. H. B. Sirton, Dr. T.M.C. Tayrior: Mr W. R. Watson. Mr. L. T. OWENS. Geology—Dr. A. P, COLEMAN: Pror. A. MCLRFAN. We would ask the Officers, and more particularly the Secretaries, of all the Affiliated Societies to assist us in our task of building up the circulation of this magazine. By securing every member as a subscriber we can truly make this magazine into one of the leading Natural History publications of America.. AUTOBIOGRAPHY of JOHN MACOUN, M.A. These are attractively bound, and contain a wealth of information concerning Canadian Natural History and Exploration. The author was a former President of the Club and this is a Memorial Volume PRICE $3.00. = 305 pp. WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa FOR SALE:— COMPLETE SET OF THE CLUB’S PUBLICATIONS 1879-1936 This is a rare opportunity. For particulars address the Treasurer— WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa FORM CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX, By E. M. KINDLE aay Special ‘profusely illustrated number of The | **Naturalist’’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every | Canadian should know this prize essay. PRICE FIFTY CENTS WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue WILMOT LLOYD, Treasurer, Ottawa’ Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. Enclosed please find $2.00 as membership in e O.F.-N.C. and Subscription to the Canadian q Field-Naturalist for the year 1937. 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Dollars ; SSSSSSSSSSSOSSSSSS SSSSSSSSS SSSS ~ th fi Ye % Yh fs ds y Ny % , es ds Ny Ny YA +, THIS SPACE FOR SALE SSSSSSSSSSSSSSsSsSssSsssssssssssssssy Kindly mention The Canadian Field-Naturalist to advertisers " 3S SY 8 DEE 7 0 1937 VOL. LI, No. 9 DECEMBER, 1937 Boat In. the fall of 1934 a muskrat Goonies ‘of the ee migrated to the St. Mary Islands. At one place this animal had to swim approximately three miles in. the open sea to reach these‘ outer islands. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS TWENTY YEAR. OLD | FERRUGINOUS LEGGED Hawk. — A leather collar to which was fastened a bell and a name plate bearing a return address and the date was attached to the neck of a Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk at Clayton, New -Mexico, on January 7, 1917. Approximately 20 years dater, presumably during the spring of 1937, this’ hawk was found dead at Strongfield, Saskatchewan. The bird | is reported to have wintered at Clayton during the » ‘years of 1918: and 1919, and to have nested in ‘the same tree at Strongfield for the last 4 or 5 years prior to its death. The collar, bell and tag were returned to the person who placed them on. the hawk and he positively identified RoucH- -sused ‘of native wild birds. . Parks Bureau, Ottawa, has custody of the Official. €.¢ fheaw and supplied the information upon which this item is based. - Official numbered leg bands are now. being ‘in. tracing bird migrations and solving problems ‘relating to the general’ life histories The Controller, National” Canadian Bird-Banding Records, and the work is being conducted in full cooperation with the’ United States Bureau of Biological “Survey, Washington, D.C. Persons who take or find ‘banded birds should: help with this important scientific investigation by. reporting the facts to the Central Bureaus. — Hoyves Luiovyp. os Lee tie REVIEW INSECTES FOSSILES DES TERRAINS OLIGO- CENES DE FRANCE. by Nicolas Théobald. 473 pp. 29 pls. many text figures. Nancy, 1937. On sale by the author (6, Avenue du Cha- teau, Malzéville pres Nancy, France) 120 LEs francs. Fossil Insects are rare, but their scarcity makes them all .the more interesting. Dr. Théobald has made an exhaustive study of the species present in the Oligocene of France, but he has not confined his work to a _ mere enumeration of genera and species. A _ section on the stratigraphy of the non-marine Oligocene which takes up fully one-quarter of the volume gives the reader the geological background for, the palaeontological work. Then follows the detailed study of 650 species, 300 of which are new. After the account of each locality the author describes the conditions which obtained when the insects were living, basing his con- clusions on the habits of the living relatives of the fossil species and the relative abundance --re-study of the For instance, the abundance of Mycetophilidae (flies whose larvae .feed. on fungi) indicates a moist climates; the pre- dominance of the Bibionidae confirms the affinity between Oligocene faunas and modern Oriental and American faunas. The study of these fossils has frown some light on-many problems of sedimentation and palaeogeography. An interesting series of conclusions bears on climatology; climatic zones were already established in Oligocene time but differed slightly from those of to-day. This monograph is of special interest’ to Canadian palaeontologists, since we too have deposits in which fossil insects are found. A Tertiary Insects of southern British Columbia, using Dr. Théobald’s methods would give some interesting results. Certainly, whenever and wherever work is done on fossil inseets, Dr. Théobald’s monograph will be ati indispensable reference and a model for work of the same nature—A. L, ' of each group. 138 Acanthis hornemanm CLUDES ire eT l. linaria : 45, 85 linaria rostrata 35, 45 Accipiter ceoperi .. .. . 80 UCVOM MER ee ee moO VAGCRENECGUNG Oe ea LG Actitis macularia ...... 81 Adams, J. Anticosti Flora... .. 135 ee Whom oo oo LOS Additions to the Fungus Flora of Anticosti Island and Gaspé Pemimguibles bain so oc 6 Agelaius phoeniceus .... 85 VA GO OG Giee aee ee 52, 105 Alces americanus .. .. 16 Ambystoma larvae .. .. 17 Ambystoma tigrinum.. 18, 19 American Dog Tick in Ontavion gs ene oy, Anas platyhynchos .. . 79 rubripes .. .. .. 45, 54 Anodonta \couperit...-... 574 Anser..albtfrans.....-.. ~- 7 Antelope. ta ee ee LO Anthus rubescens ea bali spinoletta rubescens ar) spraguer .. Anticosti Island, flora 6, ie MBNA G5 do oe 6 Antilocapra americana 16 Antrostomus vociferus 73, 82 Archilochus colubris. .. 82 AChice lotaswnn er sane lll Ardea h. herodias. .. 79, 115 Arenaria interpres mort- WONG eee ee por ha Ow Arion circumscriptus .. 58 Asio f. flammeus... .. 13, 34 Astor a. altricapillus .. 36, 80. Auk, Razor-billed 52, 54, 105 AsenaAfalwa ee as ta 5 LO Badeere soy ter ote ue ELS Baillie, J: L. Further notes on Win Couper.) 246.56 Baldpaten sie eke ty, Beamer, L. H. Ring-necked Snake . 87 Snowy Owl .. .. .. 59 Beavertiant eae eee LG Beetle, Colorado Potato. 16 Bennett, W. H. Notes on the care and habits’ of some interesting Urodeles 17 Bibliography of imma- ture stages of Amer- ican coleoptera: review Of, .. ..)<. 14 Bird Census, Christmas : TOS Grain en, Ek Pee eennee 2) THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST INDEX TO VOLUME LI Bird Sanctuaries ©. 51 Birds, Trapped, Exper- iences with .... .. 20 ROO (DSO os ae ee cone IS Bittern, American .. ..- 79 Blackbird, Brewer’s.. .. 85 Red-winged .. .. 12, 85 Rusty . De ie SS) Yellow- headed eee MOO Blarina sp. .. Sean OY . Bluebird, Eastern ve epg OSs. -Mountain’.: 9 ..°°.. 9 84" Bobolink .. .. * 85 Bombycilla cedronuns 84, 121 garrula 220.725 2, 84 Bonosa umbellus © togata. ..80, 107, 115 3) uw. umbellus Botany, Anticosti .. .. 6, 135 *<) Hudson, strait... oe it _ Prince Edward islands ie 6 ee 105 Botaurus lentiginosus .. 79 Brant, White-bellied ... 102 Branta bernicla hrota .. 102 c. canadensis . 79, 115 Brooks, A. Nest-hunting Hawks 88 Brooks, M. Evening Grosbeaks. * 10° Brown, W. J. Review by .. .. .. 14 Bubo v. wiryinianus .. 31, 83 Barttalo we Aaa se See ee ales) Bufflesheadiity 2 40 s\n 180 Bunting. Common: Snow .. .. ..36, 85 Indigo (3.5 tess 86 LGA) Fee Ro NCE SA Melman etionde ca) Buteo b. borealis .. .. 31, 80 lagopus sancti- — jolamnas. 25 2. 1 80 p. platypterus .. .. 12, 80 swaimsont .. :. ... 80 Calamospiza melanocorys 86 Calcarius I. lapponicus 36, 85 Dicks ted ine eee 8S Calidris canutus .. .. . 104 Campion, Bladder .. .. 16 Canis Wairans We eS HUD Aad Prlmet ieee pelts Canvas-back sa. cio OU Capelin .... Beane site! (1,0) Capella delicuia pe a8l Carpodacus p. purpureus 85 Caprimulgus Ee EDnaES T3718 Caragana .. c Casgrain, A. c White Pelican .. .. 45 Casmerodius albus egretta .. ..-..35, 125 Cassels, E Red-winged . Black- bind’siaa eye aay 12 iVoL. LI Castor caradensis .. .. 16 Catbird sci) eS Cathartes aura septen- trionalis .. 80 Census Christmas Birds 1936 .. .. Breer sry), 74): Ceophloeus pileatus: abieticola.. .... 116 Certhia famiharis americana .. .... 83 Cervus canadensis .. .. 16 “Chaetura pelogica .. .. . 116 Changes in the natural history of the High River district, Alta. 5 Charadrius melodus .. . 81 semipalmatus, .. .. 81 Charionetta albeola .. . 80 Chat, Long-tailed .. .. 84 ~Chaulelasmus streperus 79 Chen caerulescens .: . 79, 115 h. hyperborea. 79, 115 . Chickadee, Black- capped 1 Hie 83 Si 83 Hudsonian Chicken; “Prairie se Chipmunk, Gray Mastern 39 Chlidonias nigra .. .. . 81 Cnhondestes grammacus 123 Chordeiles m. minor 82, 119 Christmas Bird Census 1936. a 21 Chrosumus erythro ga ster. 1 Chysanthemum — Leucan- themum .. .. .. . lo Chysemys nat Jae tals Circus hudsonus.. .. 80. 104 Cistotherus Sales .. 83, 85 Cittotaenta ctenoides .. . 72 City” Grouse? i+) 3-9 oer Clangula hyemalis .. .. 103 Clarke, C. H. D. American Dog Tick 99 Cleghorn. J. D. & Terroux. F. R. Wood Thrush .. .. 46 Clover, ‘Sweet 22> Sono: Coccyzus a. americanus . 45 erythrophthalmus. 81, 116 Coenothyris petriana Te SPs, Gee ee) Coenothyris sildcne Me) SPei sek A eee Oe oe Coenothyris vulgaris ... 96 Coephloeus pileatus .. .. 11 pileatus abieticola .. 82 Colaptes auratus .. .. . 120 auratus luteus .. . 82 Colinus v. virgimanus .. 31 Columba livia domestica 14 Colymbus holboelli .. .. 79 moricollus, so.) he Conners, I. L. Anticosvi fungi .. .- 6 Contributions to the piassicly OF uslinedce River, Bic. (eel December, 1937] Coot) Amenican=s- 2. ol Cormorant, Double- crested 52, 79, 88, 102 European 52, 54, 102 Corthylio c. calendula . 84 Corvus b. brachyrhyn- chos 83, 121 corax principalis.. . 83 Coupere Win =.) cas ae 50 (Cowbind® 40h ae 185) Coyote .. eee ae eaalk) Crane, Sandhill ae en oO I - Crataegus sp. 16 Creeper, Eastern Brown. 83 @ricket Mole. 5. 2: +> 28 Sandee poste Seen Grocetina alba. <.> 52-. ~8i Crossbill .. .. See cei LE White- winged rt V4 Crow, Eastern American 83, 121 Cryptoglaux a. acadica . 81 Cuckoo, Black-billed . 81, 116 Yellow-billed.. .. 45, 116 Curlew, Long-billed .. . 8&1 @nipantKed= cs 6 Cyanocitta c. cristata ... 83 Cygnus columbianus. ..36, 79 - Dafila acuta .. . 80 Daisy, European ‘Ox- -eye 16 Dale, E. M.S. Some 1933 bird notes from London, Ontee nei ee eae AG Dandelion .. .. 16 Daonella nitancae n. sp. 95, 96 Decade of progress in the bird sanctuaries of the north. shore of the Gulf of St. PAwnence sess = md yer Deer, Swimming .. .. 5 Dendroica a. aestiva .. 84 CUSLON Cee note LZe Cs CORY 935 85 os tsi! US COMA le OF LO NUAGNOUG > Nn ane OA p. palmarum .. .. 84 pensylvanica .. 84, 116 SH TIGTO ee tae tae eet OF tigrina .. .2 .. 84, 122 WINCWS a) ea L1G Dermacentor variabilis i 99 Deroceras agreste .. .. 58 compestre™ 5 .n 3 58 Devitt, O. E. Arkansas Kingbird . 125 IDickcissele - ee 5 tates Diemyctylus viridescens 19 Discotropites Cia CULES en OD eee 7. Che OKIMOSUSi ee es OT, cf. sandlingensis .. 127 Distribution of breeding birds in Ontario: REVIEW ae co aan as eon Distribution of marine OLSAanisins: eee L132 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Dog, Hare Indian .. .. 47 Dolichonyx ovyzivorus . 85 Dore, W. G. Holcus mollis .. .. 77 Dove, Mourning .. 81, 119 Dowatchen sn ee LOL Drepanites rutherfordi Tests Pere es wate 950 O8 Dryobates pubescens nelsoni .. .. 82 villosus septentriona- [DSi ete eet 82 Dicks. Black in ims oe S250 4 Black (albino). em nen A5) Lesser Scaup .. .. . 80 Ring-necked== .<. =.= 80 Dumetella carolinensis . 83 Eagle, Bald-headed .. .. 2 Goldentses 3c 44 Northern Bald ° se 80, 103 Beret.) Amenican 2.) So,.025 Eider, American 52, 59 ND) Ug he Aas aay 16 Ellipes Mintere ee eo 20 Elsons 22> ob: Pine Mouse in Elgin Cor eOntans ect oO Elton, C. & Chitty, D. Isl Snowshoe Rabbit ENGUInVcrse ee et OS Empidonax flaviventris” Hd ds MINMIMUS ..-.. 2. «2 82 fet ratllp ia tee Oe te) Ereunetes pusillus .. .. 8) Errington, P. E. Winter carrying ca- pacity of marginal Ruffed Grouse en- vironment in north- central United States ‘ Euceros couperi .. 57 Euphagus cyanocephalus 85 Experiences with trapped Birdseye Retin er ort 20) Extension of range of Tamias striatus gri- CCUG Mahia iii oe, Fairbairn, G. E. Fiity years after .. 40 Falco c. columbarius .. 80 peregrinus anatum 35, 8) rusticolis candicans . 110 Sparverius .. 720538) Farley, F. L. Byemy Owl. .2 % ./ 50.00 White Gyrfalcon .. 110 Feeding habits of the Bald-headed Eagle . 42 Field Notes: review .. 62 Fifty years after .. 40 Finch, Eastern Purple “20, 85 Fleming, J. H. Kentucky Warbler .. 13 Plicker? Hiybridi: 0 /2..429° 45 Northen ..... -. .. 82 Yellow- shafted en ae ALO) Flora, Anticosti Island .. 135 Eudsone Strate sll Prince Edward ligeyngl os 3637 ACE Florida c. caerulea .. .. 35 Fluctuations in numbers of Ruffed Grouse: review .. . Saket ry 6l Flycatcher, Alder Be tee AO) Crested is en eo oe 82 edst 50 es eee Olive- sided Bese SEP ge aC Yellow-bellied .. .. 8&2 Food of the Snowy Owl during a migration to the Gulf of St. Law- TEN Ce na Aen eee 136 Fowler, R. ee Changes in the natu- ral history of the High River Cees 7X hice pe GA Ne eaeeedls) Hox. Grays 2 Beers Fraser, (Ge McLean Distribution of ma- rine organisms .. .. 132 Fratercula a. arctica .. 54 Fryer, R&. Yellow Rail in south- ern ‘Manitoba 9-- <-) 4l Fulica americana .. 81 Further Note on Wm. Couper seer REA) Gadwall sata aos ree aS. Gannet .. .. ee abies eas LOM Gaspé Peninsula, Fungi . 6 Gavia immer 79, NOVAS stellata. . 2546 100 Geothlypis trichas bra- chydactyla = 2. i. 27 NN7 EALVICHASY oe ee Os Glaucidium gnoma _ pini- COlGna ae Glaucionetta clangula americana.. 11, 13, 80 Golden-eye, American 11, 13, 80 Goldfinch, Eastern .. .. ~85 Goose, Blue .. Ba one Aes Canada 7S) Lesser Snow .. .. 79, 115 White-Fronted .. .. 79 Goshawk, Eastern .. .. 36, 80 Grackle, Bronzed 2h 372 (B5.2122 Grassi Lome siren Gs Grebe, Hared 3. 3 ea 9 Eolboellsi enero) Piedsbilled= 2.54.) 79 Green, H. U. Extension of range of Tamias — striatus griseus .. 39 Grosbeak, Canadian Pine 85 Evening, sy te LOO, Rose-breasted .. :. 85 140 Grouse, Canada Ruffed 80, 115 IRE! 65 op oo OIL Gl, dy Sharp-tailed 16, 8} Grus canadensis tabida . 8] Gryllotalpa "spa ee eee Gryphaea chakiin. sp. 95, 96 GmnillemoteBlackiea en oom De Gull. Bonaparte’s .. .. 8] IRramldiirs “fo ook) ee Great Black- backed 52, 100 Herring .. 52, &1, 100, 115 Iceland mene 104 Keumllienesie- ee 2 104, Ring-billed 52, 81, 100, 104 Gyrfalcon. White .. .. 110 Halieectus leucocephalus alascanus. 80, 103 are sindiany Dog ss, a. a 47 Hawk, American Rough- legged .. . 52, 80 American Sparrow . 20 Broadwinged .. 12, 80, 88 Cooper’s 80, 88 Duck 5 35, 80 Eastern Pigeon .. .. 80 Eastern Red-tailed . 80 Ferruginous Rough- legged .. Bese Marsh .. .. _ 80, 88, 104 Red=tatlecdi=ine mera eens! Sharp-shinned .. .. 80 Sparrow .. 80, 88 Swainson’s .. .. .. 8 aWwAnOniac ane ers wet 16 Hedymeles ludovicianus . 85 Hennessy, T. S. Banded Bluebird .. 109 Banded Starling .. 109 Heron, Black-crowned INANE? Ge kd sb BD Great Blue .. .. 79, 115 Mittle Blues son) on OO Hesperiphona wv. vesper- ee BSS 5 OD High River district, Al- berta, changes in the natural history of .. 15 Hirundo erythrogastra . 82 Hoernesia? woyaniana TARUS ene bap Men 5s OG Elolews Tanatus. 2 |.) 77 TOURS s&s Se 77 Home-life and economic status of the Double- crested Cormorant: EVIE Wee ies aa oe ee 88 Hope, C. E. Golden-winged War- bler .. bie cipal) ee Hummingbird, Ruby- throatedia mr lee Humphry, S. Albino Meadowlark 59 Hyborhynchus notatus .. ] Hydroprogne caspia .. 81 caspia imperator 54, 100, 105 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Hyloctkla f. fuscescens.... 83 guttata faxom .. .. 83 mustelina .. .. .. 46, 116 ustulata swainsoni .. 83 Icteria virens NOM GTUeAEN 84 Icterus galbula .. .. ..: 8§ SPUTUUS oY se eee ee SD) Illus: Atlantic puffins .. . 55 Fossils, Triassic . _ 97, 129 Hare Indian Dog . 47, 49 Sand Cricket Sema AS) Whip-poor-will 74, 76 Insectes Fossiles, Review 137 Iridoprocne bicolor .. .. 82 Isculites schooleri ah: SDs s ..95, 98, 128 Isculites schooleri parvus TVA Nae ONO JayauBlueg eatin = eee eS Canada eae ae 83 Jenness, D. Hare Indian Dog .. 47 Johnson, R. A. Food of Snowy Owl 136 Junco hyemalis .. .. 86 Junco, Slate-coloured .. 86 Juvavites bococki a, Spy. m 95,.0 98 Juvavites humi n. "sp. oe al30 Juvavites mackenzii TRS Pnctsteee sig Sr NSO) Juvavites mertoni n. “sp. 130 Juvavites spickeri n. sp... 139 Kingbird, Arkansas .. 82, 125 Common .. .. .. 82, 129 Kingfisher, Eastern Belted .. 82 Kinglet, Eastern Golden- crowned .. .. . 84 Eastern Ruby-crown- Cd eke ah aay eh Sa ee 4 Keita fo. | ei eee eco eaenreeh aS Kittiwake, Atlantic 52, 54, 105 KeVOts hore eS eee ren () Knotweedits. = 508 Ae 4 Kuratas “as. Spiders of Mer IBleuers ane eo ase TAs, Reviews by... OR s187, IG Jeb 18. Review by: .. .. .. 8 Labrador, Birds oF. .. 99, 139 La Brie, W. Hoary Redpolls .. 45 Lagopus lagopus .. .. 81, 104 Lanius borealis ..... .. 84 ludovicianus .... .. 84 (VoL. LI Lark, Horned . = (C25 anG Hoyt’s Horned Perse fe Oe O10) Northern Horned! a mi20me Prairie Horned 77 2209330 La Rocque, A. Arion circumscriptus 58 Larus argentaius 81, 100, 116 delawarensis 81, 100, 104 kumlient .. .. . 104 leucopterus .. .. .. 104 maritimus .. .. .. 100 philadelpnia .. .. .. 8l pipincan, = =e Eppes sdteilt Leeches, Ontario and Quebec messin: 17 Leopold, A. Review by: .. .. .. 126 Leptinotarsa decem- lineata 4 oe Lepus americanus .. 63, 73 bairdi .. VAG townsendu cam- panius oe washingtom .. .. 71, 73 Lewis, H. F Birds of Labrador 99, 119 Decade of Progress 51] Golden-eye Duck .. 13 Lima napii n. sp..... .- 131 Lima poyanan. sp. 95, 96, 127 Limnodromus griseus .. 104 Linana vulgans a Lingula selwymi .. .. 95, 127 Iloyd, H. Banded Widgeon .. 77 Broad-winged Hawk 12 Ferruginous Rough- d legged Hawk .. 137 Short-eared Owl .. 13 Towhee ia 25 50 a ee Lobipes lobatus .. .. 81 Lobites pacianus n. sp. 95, 96 Longspur, Lapland BOSS Smith’s .. 85 Loon, Common . 79: 101, 115 Red-throated . 52, 54. 100 Lophodytes cucullatus .. 79 Loxia curvirostra .. .. II leucoptera I 85;-122 McDougall, E. c. Spring rivalry of birds! 42sec OO McLearn, F. H. New species from the Triassic. =a eo) Triassic -of Peace River: BiG: = eed Malayites dawsonin. sp. 13 Mallard '22 5-25) 5-e nee ener. Mallotus villosus +e el OD Mammals, Swimming habits: +. eee 5 Manitoba Birds)... ene Maple, Manitoba .. .. 16 Maps: Snowshoe rabbit — population 66, 67, 72 a Ve neS - December, 1937] Mareca americana .. .. 79 DEWEVODCr manake cent ec dl Marine organisms, Dis- tribution of .. .. .. 132 Martin, Eastern Purple . 82 Meadowlark, Western . 29, 85 al DINOm eee eros. 09 Megaceryle a. alycon .. 82 Melanerpes erythro- cephalus .. 82, 116 Melanitta deglandi .. 34, 8C Melospiza georgiana .. 86 I lincolm’ .%.-:. =. 86 m. melodia ..:.. .. - 86 Merganser, American .. 79 Hooded . ses Son ve VAS) Red-breasted .. eso) 54, 79 Mergus americanus .. .. 79 serrator .. . 54, 79 Mesodon multilineata -.. 40 thyroides...-.. ..... 40 Meyer, M. C. Leeches from Onta- rio and Quebec .. .. 117 Micropalama himantopus 81 Microtus pennsylvanicus 36 Mimus p.- polyglottos 35, 83 Minnow, Black-headed .. 1 Blunt-nosed .. .. .. 1 Mitchell, M. H. Birds of Haliburton ComOnh fn se eS Mniotilta varia . 84, 122 Mockingbird, Eastern . 35, 83 Modiolus ahsisi n .sp. 95, 96 Mole, Brewer’s .. .. 36 Molothrus a. ater .. .. 85 Morotis? ireneana n.sp. 131 Monotis montini n. sp. ay eo 90, Monotis subcircularis Oo Z7 Moose .. . Soar 16 Morden, John A.: Obituary paps Canam tes) Ke Mioris sbassana, «2.25. 4,.. 101 Mouser Pines. .0 a=) 30 Mousley, H. Whip-poor-will .. .. 73 Miardpuppype spews nce ene al. IMniineme tlanticn sets oe a 54 Mustard_ Guecd) Sea: eee M yiarchus crinitus Me nee A Mvyiochanes virens .. .. 82 Nannus h. hiemalis .. .. 83 Nathorstites ci. mecconnelli .. .. ~95 cf. mcconnelli var.? lenticularis .. .. 95 Necturus maculosus .. . 17 Nelles, A. D. Hybrid Flicker .. .. 45 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 45 Nettion carolinense 54, 79, 102 New species from the Triassic Schooler Creek formation. .. 95 Newt, Crimson-spotted . 19 Japanese pe ae 17 Rocky Mountain rs “18, 20 Tae CANADIAN FiELD-NATURALIST Nighthawk, Eastern .. 82, 119 INRANGE 66: oa 650 eo Con IS Nitanoceras selwymt .. 95 Notes on birds of the ~- Labrador. Peninsula in 1934 and 1935 99, 119 Notes on some _ leeches from Ontario and Quebec .. .. iY, Notes on the care and habits of some inte- resting Urodeles .. 17 Notholcus mollis... .: 77 Numenius americanus .. 8l Nuthatch, Red-breasted 183,121 Nuttallornis mesoleucus.. 82 Nyctea nyctea~.. 81, 119, 136 Nycticorax n. hoactli .. 35 INN GOGO ONS a oe 80) ; americana .. .. :. 80 GOllanis= 1) eae OO valisneria .. .. .. .. 80 Opigs WAG Ss We ise ea NG Obituary : John A. Morden .. 108 Observations on the mating and spawning of SE ee TWAS 65 8006 1 Old-squaw .. 103 On the Status. Of the Starling at Toronto 124 Oporornis philadelphia . 84 Oriole, Baltimore .. .. 85 @rchance serene oe 5 Osprey, American .. 80, 115 Otocoris a. alpestris 36, 2 ,alowZ0 alpestris hoyti .. .. 36 alpestris praticola .. 36 Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club Annual Meeting .. 8 Financial statements 9, 10 Members Sept. 1937 88 Spring excursions . 78 Ovenbirdaee ee eae oe: Owl, Acadian Saw-whet 81 American Hawk .. 82 Baty sate ac eer ed cine 34 Barred Seek eile Iie Great Horned .. 31, 81 lawless See Sere ase SIO Pygmy Sata hackle Sy ameates 6) Richardson’s.. . 44 Short-eared 13, 34, 52 Snowy .. 59, 81, 119, 136 Oxyechus vocifera .... 81 Oxytoma cf. mucronata ~ 95 Pandion haliaétus carol- nensis .. .. 80, 115 Parascalops brewert .. 36 Partridge, Hungarian 16, 81 Passer domesticus 16, 85, 86 141 Passerculus sandwich- CNSUSE Sa as ale OO, Passerella 1. tlaca-.. .. 86 Passerina cyanea .. .. 8&6 Passerherbulus cauda- CHIUS eS Patula perspectiva .. .. 40 SONLGMG ete ee oO Pearse, Theed 1 Feeding habits of the Bald-headed Haglan eree ede Pecten n. SP... .. ee ee 95 Pecten sarsianus n. ‘sp.. 131 Pediocetes phasianellus 16, 81 Pelecanus erythrorhyn- chos . coos 79 Pelican, White .. .. 35, 45, 79 *Pelidna alpina sakhalina 81 Penthestes atricapillus 11, 83 h. hudsonicus .. .. 83 Perdix perdix. . ~. ~16,= 81 Pertsoreus c. canadensis 83 Restiewse Rest) ore cee 4 Petrochelidon a. albi- frons. .. EES? Pewee, Eastern Wood .. 82 Phalacrocorax a. auritus 79, 88, 102 c. carbo .. 5455. LOZ Phalarope, Northern .. 8&1 WilsSonisigscresn rn nee Ol Philohela minor .. .. .. 116 Phoebear. eee ee mene Picoides arcticus .. .. 82 HOO WIS. n5 657) oc 32 Pigeon, Common .. . 14 Pigeon, Unusual nest of 14 Pimephales promelas.. 1 Pine Mouse in Hiei Co; Ont ; 36 Pinicola enucleator LOU CULT Ee nO Pinta eae Ga ECU Pipilo e. erythrophthal- MUS Ot ER Ce RL I ECO Pipit, American .. .. 84, 12] SpPraguerss ieee ne tod Piranga erythromelas de 29 Risobia birdy) = he ee) minutiila .. 2. 3. 2 Sl Pitymys pinetorum scalopsoides.. .... 36 Plectrophenax n. nivalis 85 Pleuromya? nidovana ink SL ob os ao oaese eee] Plover Aeerian “Blacie bellied .. .. 81, 104 Kalldeerss- 3 seckse te ll Pipiner ses A eM ets)! | Semi- palmated 52, ol Podilymbus podiceps .. 79 Polunin, N. Botany of Diana Bays Ouersss «eee eek Polygonum aviculare .. 4 Polygyra multilineata .. 40 Pooecetes gramineus COMMIS 4) Sand OD 142 Poplar, Russian Western .. Populus tre muloides Porzana carolina Preliminary list of the birds of Hillside Beach, Lake Winni- peg, Manitoba Prince Edward Flora nit Progne s. subis .. s Protrachyceras sikania- num cauwae .. SPR Ptarmigan, Willow 55 ll, uttinie Atlantic y= 02) 504. Island, Quail, Bob-white Ouerquedula discors .. 45, Ouiscalus quiscula .. 21, Ouiscalus quiscula CMEUS) St a A100, Rabbit, Jack .. Snowshoe Rail, King Sora Virginia .. Yellow Rallus e. elegans virginianus RAW ETIG SSE et NEU tats uae Northern eis) Redhead IM Ae Redpoll, Common gia tnmantes ibs Greater Ae Hoary ssh Redstart, Nanotteamn By Regulus s. satrapa .. Reviews: Distribution of breeding birds in Onno: a Field Notes .. Fluctuations in num- bers of Ruffed Grouse ay Home-life and eco- nomic status of the Double-crest- ed Cormorant Immature stages of American Cole- optera Insectes Fossiles des terrains oligoce- nes de France Studies in the life history of the Song Sparrow.. Victorian Sea Shells Revision of Birds of Miners Bay and vici- ‘Al, nity, Haliburton Co. Ont Ae Richardson, L. R. Mating of Pime- phales 56) ols 80 37, 122 1 THE CANADIAN FYIELD-NATURALIST Riparia riparia... ..) ~. Rissa t. tridactyla .. 54, Robin, Eastern .. a Rogers, 18g J) Birds of Hillside Beach, Man. Golden-eye Nuthatches Sagenites gethingin. sp. 95, Salamander, Red-backed Spotted seat Tiger .. 18, 19, SALAS Deis aha ee Rater eh: Salsola Kali tenuifolia Sanctuaries, Bird Sanderling Fie Sandpiper, Baird’s .. Least .- ne Pectoral .. Red-backed Semipalmated Solitary .. af Spotteds 2S ee Ve52) Stilted ee eer one Sapsucker, Eastern Yellow-bellied ~Saunders, W. E. City Grouse .. 2 Golden Eagle and Richardson’s Owl Hawk Owl and Raven .. : J eaeNe Morden Western Meadow- lanka: & Sayornis phoebe .. Scoter, White-winged 34, Semurus aurocapillus noveboracensis nota- bilis .. : Semotilus atromaculatus Setophaga ruticilla Sheppard, R. W. American Egret American Eider .. Siovelllemian se ee oa Shrew, Smoky : Shrike, Loggerhead Northern : Sialia currucot es is SSaSUULUS 5 Se ee OO: Silene latifolia es Silenticeras hate .. .. 95, Sirenites megini .. Siskin! seimey ase). ome eae ae Sitta canadensis .. .. 11, carolinensis .. «. 11, Slug, Arion circum- scriptus, in Canada Smith, G. S. Albino Black Duck . Snake, Garter : Ring-necked .. Snipe, Wilson’s .. Snowshoe Rabbit enquiry 1935-36 Sheree 3 -Some {VoL. LI Smydensle. iy IREStisiviSqae estas 4 Pigeons) mest ames 14 Some measurements and observations from Bronzed Grackles. ... -. 37 Snyder, L. i and Speirs. Ue eae in Toronto 124 Somateria holies dresseri Gy SS, Some additional species from Anticosti Island additions to the Flora of Prince Edward Island .. Some measurements and observations from Bronzed Grackles .. 37 Some 1933 birdnotes from London, Ont. 34 Some notes on the Sand 135 105 Cricket’. 22 eee. SOvex fumets <2 oe Sparrow, Chipping 20, 85 Clay-coloured .. .. 86 Eastern Fox .. .. 86 Eastern Lincoln’s .. 8&6 Eastern Song .. .. 86 Eastern Tree .. .. 8&5 Eastern White- crowned . 85 English .. _ 4, 16, 85, 86 Harris’ Sea bet) Lark .. 123 Leconte’s. ae Savanna hia) =n) Swamp .. i OO) _ Western Vesper Bgenoliss) White-throated .. .. 85 Spatula clypeata .. .. 34, 80 Sphyrapicus v. varius .. 82 Spiders of Mer Rlene, near Ottawa .. 114 Spiders, Ottawa district 114 Spinus pinus .... .. 85 t. EriStis’ i oe ee Spiriferina borealis .. .. 96 gregaria .. .. AE OG Spiriferina ones face NSP; a. ee Spisa americana .. .. .. 86 Spizella, a. arborea =.) sea pallida 2 oO passerina .. . 85 Spring rivalry of birds. 60 Squatarola s. cynosurae 81, 104 Squirrel, swimming .. 5 Starling.. .. 109, 116, 121, 124 Steganopus COUN 5 > Sl Stelgidopteryx serripennis .. . 8&3 Stenotrema hirsutum ... 40 Sterna forsteri .. .. ... 81 h. hirundo HP Sa ee PATGOISEO 2 3 ye ee Stikinoceras kerri .. . 95, 98 aes vile te December, 1937] Stikinoceras robustum Nesp ee 95, 98 Stinkweed .. .. .. .. 16 Strix v. varia .. .. 81, 116 Studies in the life history of the Song Spar- row: Review Study of the home life of Eastern Whip- poor-willee<.) 4.4 735 126 Sturnella neglecta.. 59, 85 Sturnus v. vulgaris 109, 116, 121, 124 Surnia ulula caparoch ... 81 Swallow, Bank .. .. .. 83 Bani ee ee nes IO’ Chih Sa Ste ROO Rough- winged Se Oe Tree .. ate leles BestesY4 Swan, Whistling. . 36, 79 Swift, Chimney .. 116 Swimming habits of MecimMMals\ eo se eee 5) fe Pe AS Reviews by, 61, 62 Tamias striatus griseus 39 Manager. scanletuns . ). ..85 horaxacum sp. ..-.. +.) 16 Taxidea taxus .. Sete IS) Teal, Blue-winged.. 45, 80 Green-winged 52, 54, 79, 1402 Telmatodytes palustris dissaeptus. .. .. 83 Terebratula liardensis .. 95 Tern, Arctic .. 525 54 Blackiee a: 81 Caspian oe 54, 81, 100, 105 Common >... - 152. 54, 81 WOTRstenSne a eo slinstlesekussian 2s eG ithlaspy arvense .. .4... 16 Thompson, S. L. Swimming mammals 5 Thrasher, Brown .. 83 Thrush, Eastern Hermit 83 Swainson’ Skee errs eceo Wood . 46, 116 Tick, American Dee x 299 Timothy Bay tated Biagio (6) Moade. Common 42s. e9e OF Toadflax et oT sage ae ee 16 Totanus flavipes .... .. 81 melanoleucus .. .. 81 Towhee, Eastern .. .. .. 86 Red=evedie sae, sc sneer AL: Toxostoma rufum .. .. 83 Triassic Fossils, New species of 95, 127 Tridactylis apicalis .. .. 28 Tringa solitaria .. .. .. 81 Triodopsis palliata .. .. 40 identaae ea saree AO Triturus pyrogaster .. . 17 COLOSSUS ey el oven THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Troglodytes @don . Tropites subbullatus .. Turdus migratorius .. Turnstone, Ruddy Turtle .. i Tyrannus tyrannus a O2s Verticals... .. 82: Tyto alba pratincola Uria aalge aalge .. Urocyon Pe 2 tatus .. Urodeles, Care and habitsOte ses eee Urquhart, F. A. Some notes on the Sand Cricket .. Ussher, R. D. Pileated Woodpecker Vascular Plants from Diana Be Hudson Strait .. Seon Veery ae ialseia Vermivora c. celata peri chryso ptera .. ; DERCORiN GE ae ca, ae ruficapilla Victorian Sea Shells : Review ee Vireo flavifrons .. olivaceous a S. solitarius .. .. 84, Vireo, Blue-headed .. 84, Red-eyed .. a2 Yellow- throated a Vulpes velar aa. Vulture, Northern. Turkey Wapitt 5. ae Warbler, Audubon RB atnavae! Bay-breasted .. .. 84, Black and White 84, Blackburnian .. . 84, Blackpollige = sae Black-throated Green cess Canada peer) ee Capes Maye vias: Chestnut-sided .. 84, Eastern Myrtle .. Eastern Nashville Eastern Orange- crowneds=) 29)... Eastern Yellow .. .. Golden-winged Kentucky Magnolia Mourning .. Northern Yellow- throat... Tennessee £m Western Palm Wilson’s .. 143 Water-thrush, Grinnell’s 84 Waxwing, Bohemian .. 84 Cedars 84 121 Weed) Brench 43. 225-22 16 Weeds .. . Anan mne-ai (6 Whelan, R. Vie Experiences with trapped birds .. .. 20 Whip-poor-will . 73, 82 W idgeon, European P 7. Wallow \= > =: Be eee Wilsonia canadensis Saar OD Db pusillda as see ee Winter carrying capacity of marginal Ruffed Grouse environment in north-central Uni- feds States ete oe ol Wintering Towhee in Ottawa ae se ey, WOE Sg ee eee NG Woodchuck, swimming 5 5 Woodcock, American 116 Woodpecker, American Three-toed .. .. 82 Arctic Three-toed .. 82 Northern Downy .. 82 Northern Hairy .. . 82 Northern Pileated 11, 30, 82, 116 Red-headed .. .. 82, 116 \onminecaes Berens KO) Wren, Eastern Winter. 208 House .. Ge ones) Prairie Long-billed Mairshi oe 83 Short-billed Marsh 83, 85 Xanthocephalus xantho- Gephalus: <5. Vee Yellow Rail in southern Mianitobaye 2.) ane Yellowlegs, Greater .. . 81 TGESSET 2 ie diy eee OL Zenaidura macroura . 81, 119 Zonites ligera. .. wa =40 Zonotrichia albicollis ... 85 l. leucophrys .. .. . 85 GQUeKUlG re. het ae ee SO CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS The Bird Census Committee wishes to remind any interested readers to take a Christmas Bird Census on some day between December 20 and 28, and send a report of it to the Editor as promptly as possible. For the kind of report desired, please see published reports of previous years and discussion in The Canadian Field-Naturalist for September, 1933, pages 112-116. me deiendt ays uis: 2e yh i Lisbid xii catidtoten is ie weet Ne ee Set) ed ee ta a ' University of B.C.; Vice-President: NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1936-37 President Emeritus: C. E. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; Past Presidents: H. M. SPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc., C. W. Lows, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, M.A., A. A. McCousrery, A. M. Davipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLBY Brooks; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- WRIGHT, H. C. Parcs, L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYE, B.A., Mrs. L. R. Smmpson, W. H. RAND; Treasurer: DR. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg,. Manitoba; General Secretary. NORMAN Lowe, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: R. M. THomas; Hxecutive Secretary: I. Hapvpow, Social Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. Section Chairman Secretary Ornithological A. H. SHORTT A. M. MAcKIE Entomological G SHIRLEY BROOKS Miss M. F. PRATT Botanieal H. F. Rosperts, M.Sc. Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY Geological A. A. McCousrEy P. H. STOKES _ Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. Ichthyological G. D. RUSSELL , Secrétary: J. P. KENNEDY. Microscopy Zoology R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. Botany C. W. Lowe, M.Sc. Secretary: H. C. PEARCE. Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holiday from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after- noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays during July and August. McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, LONDON, ONT. President: J. H. CAMERON, 355 Dufferon Ave., London, Ont.; Vice-President: Mr. E. D. BRAND, 148 William Street, London, Ont.; Recording Secretary: MisS FRANCES JACOBS, 353 Princess Ave., London, On1.; Migration Secretary: MR. E. M.S. DALE, 297. Hyman Street, ” London, Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH REYNOLDS, 32 St. Andrews St., London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer questions: W. EB. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont.; C. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout Street South, London, Ont.; J. F. CALVERT, 461 Tecumseh A venue, London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont. Meetings held the second REneay, of the month, except during the summer. VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY L. S. Kiink, (D.Sce.), President Univer- JOHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., Dr. M. Y. WILLIAMS, Geology Dept., University of B.C.; Honorary Secretary: Mrs. F. W. FARLEY; 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First Arsistant Secretary: Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd Assistant Secretary: Miss NokA Swirt. Honorary Treasurer: A. H. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: Mrs. F. McGINN. Members oj Executive: C. F. CONNor, M. A. Mr.R. J. Cummine; Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Mr. Curtis JOHNS, Mrs. J Motion; Auditors: H. G. Sttwoop, W. B. Woops es of Sections: Botany: PRor. JOHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J.J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. PHILIP Tims, Entym- ology: Mr. WoorTTon, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. All meetings at & p.m., Auditorium, Normal School, Avenue and Cambie Street unless otherwise announced. Honcrary President. sity of B.C; President: 10th BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRD AND MAMMAL SOCIETY President! Dk. M. Y. WILLIAMS; first Vice-President; HAMILTON M. I.AING; Second Vice-President: DR.C. J BAstTIN: Secretary-Treasurer: C. H. BASTIN, 4484 West 9th Ave. Vancouver, B.C Affiliated Societies OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY Eee THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Past Presidents: Mr. L. McL.TSRRILL, MR. NAPIBR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: Eaor Vv. Cc WYNNE-EDWARDS, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4 Montreal: Vice- Presidents: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, Dr. A. N. JENKS; Vice-President and Treasurer: Mk. HENRY MOUSLBY; Secretary: Miss MAUD SEATH. Committee: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN, Mrs. C. F. DALE, MR. J. A. DecARIE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. JACKSON. Mr. E. L. JUDAH, MR. FRASER KEITH, Miss P. B. MatTinson, Miss L. MuRPHY. Muiss M. S. Nicouson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, Mr. C. Satt, Mr. L. McI.SpackMan, Mr. L. McL. TERRILL. Meetings held the SE Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE LorpD TWEEDSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoratre: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1937: Président: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; 2i@me vice- président: ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. LAvotn; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A.DERY; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: G. - ULRIC TRSSIER, Chef de la section de protection: J.-PAUL ROUSSEAU, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILE ALTHERR, Directeurs: TAL BREAKBY, JR., JAMES PRICB, DR. VIGER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MEREDITH, N.P., EDGAR ROCHETTE, C.R., Stuart ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis-B. LAVoIm 38, rue Sherhrooke,. Quéhec THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary President. DR. A. P. COLEMAN; President: Dr. F. P. IDE, Vice-President: C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidents: Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H FLeminGc, SecretaryTreasure : HucGu M. HaAuuipay; Council—Preoy J.R. Dymonp, C. S. FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, PRor. T. F. McCILWRAITH, Dr. NorMAForD, RuPERT Davips, G.S, Batu, Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Mrs. O. S. MITCHELL, PROF. T. M.C. Taytor, C. G. BRENNAND, W. J. W. BALDWIN, MAGISTRATE J. E. JONES; President of Junior Club: W. J. BAxTER, Vice-Presiden of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson, L. L. Snyper, J. I.. Baiuuin, JR. Pror. T. F.. McItwraitH, R. M. SPEHirs, F. H. EMERY. Mammals—ProF. A. F. Coventry, Miasrs. #. C. Cross, D. A. McLuticna. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. E. B.S. Lociger, WM LpRay. Fish—Pror. J. R. Dymonp, Pror W J. K. HARKNESS. Insects—Dr. F. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Forp, Mr. F. P. Ipk. Botany—Pror. R. B. THomson. Dr. H. B. Sirton, Dr. T.M.C. Taytor: Mr. W. R. Watson. Mr. L. T. OWENS. Geology—Dr. A. P. CoLEMAN: Pror. A. MCLEAN. We would ask the Officers, and more particularly the Secretaries, of all the Affiliated Societies to assist us in our task of building up the circulation of this magazine. By securing every member as a subscriber we can truly make this magazine into one of the leading Natural History publications of America. AUTOBIOGRAPHY of JOHN MACOUN, M.A. CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX = Si + p By E, M. KINDLE ese are attractively boun and contain a wealth of information concerning Canadian special | Maieeted illustrated number of The Natural History and Exploration. The author Wacara 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every was «a former President of the Club and this is a Canadian should know thie prize essay. Memorial Volume PRICE FIFTY CENTS PRICE $3.00. - 305 pp. WILMOT LLOYD WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockeliffe Park, Ottawa 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa WILMOT LLOYD, Treasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, FOR SALE:— 582 Mariposa Avenue, ; Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. COMPLETE SET OF THE CLUB’S Enclessa please find $2.00 as membership in : Th --N.C. and Subscripti h di ee Pee Nagin oliee Tor the year 1937. 5 a Canec\ee This is a rare opportunity. For particulars address the Treasurer— WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa City, Prov. or State... Name aE aay Address __..................—.- FORM I do hereby give and bequeath to The Ottawa Field- Naturalists’ Club of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada the sum OF BEQUEST SSSSSSSSSSOSSSSSSSOSSSOSSSSsesessg Prices of Separates Notes to Contributors, Etc. Papers for publication should be addressed to the Editor, or to the appropriate Associate Editor. ManuacHipt should be plainly written, typed if possible, on one side of the paper only, with wide spaces between the lines and ample margins. It is urged that special care be used that scientific names are legible, properly formed, and correctly spelled and capitalized. Authors of leading articles are entitled to twenty-five copies of the number in which they appear, free of charge on application. Separates of articles as they appear on the page, without any change of make-up will be Bupplied at the following rates which areapproximate. _If more than 2 pages, count in mul- tiples of four, to provide for wire stitching. Sales tax is extra. THIS SPACE FOR SALE